I was about to publish my evening newsletter, and just got word that Israel has struck Iran this evening. We are now on the brink of a massive conflict in the Middle East, and I will be providing you with realtime coverage all night. If you believe in independent journalism that speaks truth to power, now’s the time to support it. A subscription helps keep this work going—unfiltered, relentless, and accountable.
Here’s the news of the day:
BREAKING: Israel just launched a strike against Iran and explosions are being heard across Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a special state of emergency across the entire country, warning that a missile and drone attack from Iran is expected imminently following Israel's preemptive strike.
Cary Lopez, a nine-months pregnant U.S. citizen, was hospitalized after being detained by immigration agents in Hawthorne, who accused her of obstructing the arrest of her undocumented husband despite her repeated claims they were on private property.
The confrontation, caught on video, shows masked federal agents attempting to enter the property while Lopez tried to block the door, resulting in physical contact that left her in pain and under medical observation.
Lopez, who says she was not resisting, was arrested along with her husband, his coworker, and her cousin, but received no formal documents or citations; DHS has not responded to requests for comment.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned the U.S. against what he called "dangerous provocations," according to state media KCNA.
He announced that DPRK battleships will soon begin patrolling the Pacific, signaling a more aggressive military posture in the region.
A new analysis from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office finds the GOP tax bill would disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans while harming the poorest.
The bottom 10% of earners would lose nearly $1,600 annually—a 4% drop in household resources—while the top 10% would gain over $12,000.
Sen. Padilla described being handcuffed and led down a hallway without explanation, saying he didn’t know if he was being taken outside or to a detention facility, and warned, “This is not normal. We cannot treat it as normal.”
Sen. Patty Murray, reacting to the Padilla incident, expressed deep emotion on the Senate floor, saying she had never come so close to tears in her 32 years of service.
She warned that while the U.S. is a democracy, it remains vulnerable, stating, “We can lose that democracy.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Sen. Alex Padilla for “childish behavior,” accusing him of recklessly interrupting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference in Los Angeles and refusing to follow law enforcement directions.
Padilla said he was peacefully trying to ask a question and identified himself as a U.S. senator, but was still handcuffed and removed by security. Noem later said she spoke with him for 15 minutes and that staff didn’t initially know who he was.
GOP leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tim Burchett, condemned Padilla’s actions as inappropriate, aggressive, and unlawful.
During a congressional hearing, Pete Hegseth refused to commit to following court rulings regarding the deployment of Marines in Los Angeles.
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer questioned the legality of President Trump's deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, warning that the administration’s assertion of unchecked presidential authority echoed the founders’ fears of monarchy.
Breyer noted the deployment may be legally deficient, as it bypassed California Gov. Gavin Newsom, despite a legal requirement that such orders go “through” the state’s governor.
The judge also rejected the idea that Trump’s claim of a “danger of rebellion” is beyond judicial review, saying, “That’s the difference between a Constitutional government and King George.”
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard in response to immigration enforcement protests, calling the demonstrations “instances of civil unrest.”
Kehoe said the move is a “precautionary measure” to support local law enforcement and prevent potential violence, though critics like House Minority Leader Ashley Aune called the action “unwarranted.”
ICE raids in Los Angeles have triggered nationwide protests, with over 1,800 “No Kings” demonstrations planned for Saturday, but President Trump remains committed to proceeding with his military parade.
The order authorizes the Missouri National Guard to use necessary equipment to assist civilian authorities, as protests continued in cities like St. Louis and Kansas City.
Trump now says "changes are coming" to his immigration policies after business leaders warned that his mass deportation agenda is removing long-time, reliable workers from their companies.
A feud between Sen. Rand Paul and Trump’s top border adviser Stephen Miller is intensifying, complicating efforts to pass the administration’s $150 billion border security bill, which Paul opposes due to its cost.
The dispute has turned personal, with Paul accusing Miller of sidelining him from White House events and criticizing his comments on suspending habeas corpus, while Miller has publicly attacked Paul for trying to slash border funding amid national unrest.
Paul dismissed the tactics as attempts to silence him, saying, “It probably will not make me cow down or bend over.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson narrowly avoided a floor defeat on a $9.4 billion spending cut package, including Elon Musk-backed DOGE cuts, by persuading centrist Reps. Nick LaLota and Mike Lawler to switch their votes after tense, private discussions.
LaLota hinted his reversal was tied to ongoing talks about state and local tax (SALT) breaks, a contentious issue for New York Republicans that could threaten Trump's broader tax and spending agenda in the Senate.
The vote marked Congress’s first formal action on DOGE-related cuts, targeting programs like PBS and global AIDS relief—posing political risks for centrists and requiring significant capital from both Johnson and Trump.
U.S. intelligence indicates Israel may be preparing a strike on Iran, prompting the State Department to urge Americans in Israel and the Middle East to remain alert and know the location of nearby shelters.
The U.S. has reportedly informed Israel it will not take part in any potential strike, according to Axios.
Donald Trump has claimed his entire administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran and suggested an Israeli strike is highly likely.
At least 290 people were killed when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, striking a hostel for doctors; the toll includes passengers and people on the ground. Of the 242 people on board, 241 died, with one British national surviving the crash, according to the airline.
The Department of Homeland Security has revoked the permission to live and work in the U.S. for hundreds of thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, instructing them to leave the country.
See you in the morning.
— Aaron
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