Good afternoon, everyone. It has been another extraordinary day of news. A second fatal ICE-involved shooting in America has now occurred this week, this time in Maine, and the videos emerging from the scene are deeply disturbing. Large protests have erupted as outrage grows. In Minnesota, state officials say they have finally obtained key evidence from the federal government as they investigate the ICE officers involved in the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Meanwhile, President Trump has formally declared what the White House describes as a new war with Iran and says the United States will intensify its bombing campaign. He also shared a video calling for the arrest and deportation of democratic socialists, including Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Here’s what you missed:
I have an exclusive Epstein PSA released by survivors ahead of Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing.
Maine ICE Shooting:
An ICE agent fatally shot a 26-year-old Colombian man during an immigration enforcement operation in Biddeford after authorities say he attempted to flee in a vehicle “in the direction of the officer.” According to the Maine Attorney General’s Office, agents were carrying out an operation tied to a final order of removal when the shooting occurred shortly before 7:20 a.m. Monday. The victim was identified by immigration advocates as someone who was authorized to work in the United States. The Maine Attorney General is investigating the use of deadly force, while ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have released few details about the incident. Video footage was released by the Portland Press Herald this afternoon:
Witnesses described a chaotic and traumatic scene, including seeing the victim bleeding from the head after he was shot. Neighbors said the man’s family, including his 3-year-old daughter, arrived at the scene shortly afterward, adding to the emotional impact of the incident. Border Patrol said it was not involved in the enforcement operation but did offer medical assistance, which was ultimately not needed. Lawmakers, including Sen. Angus King and Rep. Chellie Pingree, said they have received little information from federal agencies and believe the agents involved were not wearing body cameras. More disturbing video from ScopeReport was released showing agents handcuffing the body of the man after killing him:
The shooting sparked protests across Biddeford and intensified demands for transparency and accountability. Sen. Angus King said the FBI is expected to investigate the shooting, while Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain said the victim’s family deserves compassion and a full explanation of what happened. Protesters gathered outside Sen. Susan Collins’ Biddeford office, and demonstrations continued throughout the day as community members called for answers. Residents also said they had noticed an increase in ICE activity in the area in recent weeks.
The fatal shooting has quickly become a flashpoint in Maine’s debate over immigration enforcement. Former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah said he would oppose additional funding for ICE until the agency is reformed, even if it meant risking a government shutdown. Former Gov. Paul LePage urged the public to remain calm and allow investigators to complete a full and fair investigation before reaching conclusions. With multiple investigations now underway, state and federal officials are facing mounting pressure to release more information about one of the state’s highest-profile immigration enforcement incidents in recent years.
Trump’s Address to Nation:
Trump's Thursday speech is expected to focus on newly declassified intelligence reports that the White House says reveal plans by foreign nations to interfere in the 2020 election, according to two White House officials who spoke to MS NOW.
The Trump administration is expected to begin releasing classified intelligence and law enforcement documents related to the 2020 election as part of a new White House task force reviewing claims of election irregularities. The report says the effort is part of a broader push that includes Justice Department warnings to election officials, expanded federal election monitoring, and new FEMA requirements tied to election administration ahead of the midterms. Election experts and voting rights advocates warn the actions could undermine public confidence in elections and raise concerns about potential federal interference in state-run voting processes. State and local officials are reportedly being urged to prepare legal responses to any attempts by federal authorities to seize election materials or disrupt voting operations.
Iran:
According to a letter obtained by Politico, Trump has formally notified Congress that the United States has entered a “new” war with Iran, triggering a new 60-day War Powers clock that allows military operations to continue without congressional authorization. In a July 10 letter, Trump said the renewed conflict began with U.S. strikes on July 7 and that American forces remain prepared to take additional military action as needed. The announcement follows Trump's declaration that the ceasefire with Iran is over, as fighting intensifies around the Strait of Hormuz, where U.S. forces have struck more than 300 Iranian military targets in the past week. The move is expected to reignite congressional battles over presidential war powers after bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate previously voted to oppose continued military action without explicit approval from Congress.
Trump said the United States will intensify its military campaign against Iran, declaring, “We’re gonna hit ‘em very hard tonight and we’re gonna hit ‘em hard tomorrow.” He added that Iran has no meaningful ability to respond, saying, “There’s not a damn thing they can do about it. They have nothing going other than they have big mouths.” The remarks signal an escalation in U.S. military operations as the renewed conflict with Iran continues.
Trump announced that the United States will become the "guardian of the Strait of Hormuz," saying the U.S. would protect the vital shipping lane while charging a 20% fee on cargo passing through it as reimbursement for providing security. The proposal marks a dramatic shift in U.S. policy and comes after renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran ended a short-lived ceasefire. Trump's plan appears to conflict with longstanding international maritime law, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously acknowledged that no country can legally impose tolls on an international waterway like the Strait of Hormuz. The administration has not yet explained how such a policy would be implemented or enforced, raising significant legal and geopolitical questions.
U.S. Central Command announced that it will resume blockading maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports at 4 p.m. ET on July 14. The renewed operation comes after the collapse of a memorandum of understanding that had temporarily halted the blockade. The agreement lasted less than a month before military tensions between the United States and Iran escalated again. The move signals a return to direct efforts to restrict Iranian maritime commerce as the conflict continues to intensify.
U.S. Central Command released footage showing Corsair sea drones striking an Iranian submarine facility and shipyard at Bandar Abbas as part of a broader campaign targeting more than 300 Iranian military sites since July 7. The operations, ordered by President Trump, have involved fighter jets, naval vessels, and one-way drones aimed at degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded by launching missile attacks on U.S. military sites across the region, while global oil prices climbed to about $79 a barrel amid concerns over disruptions to a waterway that handles roughly 20% of the world's oil supply. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to restore a ceasefire, both sides continue to accuse each other of violating previous agreements.
Other news:
Republican Ron Johnson says that the picture Mitch McConnell’s office released was an “old image.”
Trump shared a video on Truth Social calling for the criminalization of democratic socialism and the arrest and deportation of its leaders. The video, featuring conservative commentator Michael Savage, specifically targeted Sen. Bernie Sanders, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and the Democratic Socialists of America. Savage urged reviving the House Un-American Activities Committee and called for hearings followed by arrests and deportations, describing democratic socialism as a threat that "must be criminalized." Trump reposted the video without adding any comment, amplifying its message to his followers.
Crews have drained the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., to carry out sealant repairs, exposing the basin floor and liner as Atlantic Industrial Coating works on the project. On-site photos and observations show no visible 350-foot gash or other major damage matching Donald Trump’s claims about the pool. Instead, the liner appears to have problems including flaking “American Flag Blue” paint, air bubbles, and large creases, raising questions about the quality of the installation. The repairs come after repeated issues delayed completion of the high-profile renovation.
Nearly 20 FBI agents were seen entering Sen. Lindsey Graham's Capitol Hill residence Monday afternoon, alongside U.S. Capitol Police, according to NBC News. Two law enforcement sources said federal authorities are continuing to investigate Graham's death out of an abundance of caution, which is standard in the case of a sitting U.S. senator. The sources emphasized there is no new evidence suggesting foul play since Graham died Saturday night, and investigators have not indicated any change to the initial assessment of his death.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to serve the remainder of his Senate term through January. Nordone is expected to be sworn in Wednesday and will become the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
Flowers, handwritten notes, and other tributes have been placed outside Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Capitol Hill office as lawmakers, staff, and members of the public continue to mourn his death. The memorial has grown throughout the day, reflecting bipartisan expressions of respect for the longtime South Carolina senator and his decades of service in Congress.
A federal judge ruled that President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS was brought in “bad faith” and was an attempt to manipulate the judicial process rather than resolve a legitimate legal dispute. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams found the case was used to lend legitimacy to an agreement that would have granted Trump, his family, and affiliated entities immunity from IRS audits while involving billions of taxpayer dollars. The judge imposed sanctions on several lawyers involved, including acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, referred some attorneys for possible disciplinary action, and barred another from practicing before her court for one year. She also prohibited Trump and his associates from portraying the abandoned agreement as a court-approved settlement, while Trump’s legal team defended the lawsuit by arguing it was intended to hold the IRS accountable for the leak of his tax records.
A cyclospora outbreak has sickened more than 3,000 people in Michigan and Ohio, with dozens hospitalized, while additional cases have been reported across at least 31 states. Health officials have not yet identified the source, saying the investigation is complicated because symptoms often appear days after exposure and the parasite is difficult to detect and trace. Experts also warn that recent reductions in federal foodborne illness surveillance have slowed efforts to identify outbreaks and link cases. Officials say there is no nationwide food recall at this time and are urging people to wash produce thoroughly and follow food safety precautions while investigators continue searching for the source.
Minnesota prosecutors say they have finally obtained key evidence in their investigations into the fatal shootings of protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as well as the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis, after federal officials had withheld it for months. The newly released materials include police body camera footage, witness statements, hard drives, physical evidence, and Good’s vehicle, allowing investigators to conduct a full review of the cases. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the evidence is critical for ensuring transparency and accountability, calling cooperation from federal authorities essential. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison criticized the federal government for delaying access to the evidence for more than six months, saying it should never have taken that long for state investigators to obtain materials needed for their investigation.
Ukraine and 10 allied countries announced a new Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition to jointly develop a European-backed missile defense system designed to complement existing air defenses and provide a lower-cost alternative to the U.S. Patriot system. The initiative comes as Russia intensifies ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine, leaving Kyiv critically short of interceptor missiles and increasing pressure on allies to bolster air defenses. Leaders meeting in Paris also discussed securing additional Patriot interceptors, expanding deployment of the Franco-Italian SAMP-T system, increasing sanctions on Russia, and targeting Moscow’s “shadow fleet” used to export sanctioned oil. The coalition additionally announced plans for joint military exercises and continued work on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine as part of broader efforts to strengthen Europe’s collective defense.
See you soon.
— Aaron
