So is Operation Epic Fury over and is the U.S. now all in on Project Freedom?

The lead starts right now.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio front and center in the briefing room at the White House moments ago,

underscoring a new phase of the war with Iran.

And as we see a power struggle

over the critical street of Hormuz shipping channel,

so who is really in control there?

And it is debate day on CNN in the race

for governor in California,

the scandals haunting some candidates and why tonight

could be so pivotal in this fight for power and influence.

Plus, the jaw-dropping offer from Senate Republicans who are ready to chip in a billion

of your money for the White House ballroom. Yes, the same ballroom that

Trump said would not cost taxpayers a dime. Welcome to the lead. I'm Jake Tapper. We're

going to start with breaking news in our world lead. It's is Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military operation launched

against Iran February 28th. Is it actually over? Well, it is, according to the Secretary of State

Marco Rubio. In the middle of his briefing at the White House, just last hour, he dropped this.

Operation Epic Fury is concluded.

We achieved the objectives of that operation.

I'm not going to, you know, we're not cheering for an additional situation to occur.

We would prefer the path of peace.

So, for context, Rubio then said the U.S. is moving on to what he called Project Freedom,

...