We have major breaking developments tonight, and events are moving rapidly. The United States has resumed strikes on Iran. Kash Patel is reportedly ordering polygraphs for top FBI officials amid growing paranoia over leaks. A federal court has struck down Trump’s backup tariffs. I also obtained exclusive reporting on a massive cyberattack affecting Columbia University and campuses across the country. Meanwhile, the Trump administration cut funding for critical hantavirus research that could have helped during the deadly outbreak that is unfolding. And there is much more still developing.
One thing I will not do is repeat administration spin as if it were objective reality. The White House is telling reporters these new strikes on Iran are somehow “not a resumption of the war.” That claim collapses under basic scrutiny. If the United States is bombing Iran again, the conflict has resumed. Period.
You deserve reporting that treats facts seriously, challenges power directly, and refuses to sanitize obvious falsehoods. I’m bringing you developments in real time without filtering them through political messaging.
Here’s the news:
The United States military has resumed strikes against Iran, but according to Axios, this is not a resumption of the war (despite bombings being an act of war)
More color on the strikes from Jennifer Griffin:
According to Iran, the strikes also hit a naval base in Minab:
Here is Iran’s response to the U.S. strikes:
A U.S. trade court has ruled against Donald Trump’s sweeping, backup 10% global tariff, finding the administration overstepped its authority. The court said the across-the-board tariffs were not justified under the 1970s trade law invoked by the administration.
A Columbia student has sent me the following screenshot of what appears to be a large-scale hack of the University’s learning software. Students cannot access Canvas at this time.
A canceled U.S.-funded research program may have helped scientists better understand the rare Andes strain of hantavirus now linked to a deadly cruise ship outbreak. The Trump administration cut funding in 2025 for a network studying viruses that jump from animals to humans, including hantaviruses capable of limited person-to-person spread. Researchers say the project would not necessarily have prevented the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, but it could have improved scientific understanding of how the virus spreads and how to respond to future outbreaks. The controversy has renewed debate over federal cuts to infectious disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness as health officials monitor passengers who left the ship before the outbreak was identified.
According to MS Now, Kash Patel has reportedly ordered polygraph tests for more than two dozen current and former members of his security detail and staff as part of an aggressive effort to identify alleged leaks within the FBI. According to reports, Patel has become increasingly isolated from some senior bureau officials following a series of damaging media stories about his leadership, travel, and personal conduct. Critics inside the bureau are said to fear the investigations could intimidate employees and politicize internal operations, especially because some leak probes reportedly involve scrutiny of journalist contacts.
The Washington Post has obtained newly delivered CIA assessment reportedly concludes that Iran could withstand the current U.S. naval blockade for another three to four months before experiencing significantly deeper economic pain.
The finding challenges public claims that Iran is on the verge of rapid collapse. According to U.S. intelligence cited in the report, Iran still possesses roughly 75% of its pre-war mobile missile launchers and about 70% of its missile stockpile. Officials also believe the regime has restored some underground storage facilities and repaired damaged missile systems. The assessment contrasts sharply with recent statements from Donald Trump, who described Iran’s economy and military capabilities as being in near-total decline.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said current national gas prices averaging about $4.55 per gallon are “in a good place” and encouraged Americans to travel by car during the summer. His comments come amid ongoing public concern over fuel costs and inflation, with critics arguing that prices remain burdensome for many households.
The World Health Organization says a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius highlights the importance of international health cooperation, as the U.S. and Argentina move forward with plans to leave the WHO. The outbreak has killed three people and infected at least five others, with health officials monitoring passengers who returned to several U.S. states after exposure to the Andes strain, a rare form of hantavirus capable of person-to-person transmission. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said WHO and U.S. CDC officials are still collaborating closely on containment and repatriation efforts despite political tensions over the agency. U.S. officials say the risk to the general public remains low, though some experts worry cuts to federal health agencies could weaken the long-term outbreak response capacity.
Former special counsel Jack Smith reportedly accused the Justice Department of being “corrupted” by allies of Donald Trump during a private speech in Washington, arguing that prosecutors are now targeting critics and avoiding investigations that could politically harm the president. Smith said attacks on career public servants and federal investigators are part of a broader effort to weaken the rule of law and undermine institutional independence.
His remarks mark some of his strongest public criticism since leaving office and come as Trump and his allies continue pushing for investigations into Smith himself. The comments highlight escalating tensions between former Justice Department officials and the current administration over political influence, prosecutorial independence, and the future credibility of federal law enforcement institutions.
The Trump administration is backing a proposal that would allow Americans to mail handguns through the U.S. Postal Service for the first time since a 1927 federal restriction was enacted. The Justice Department argues the old ban violates the Second Amendment and says law-abiding gun owners should be able to ship concealable firearms under safety rules similar to those already used for rifles and shotguns. Democratic attorneys general from roughly two dozen states oppose the change, warning it could undermine state gun laws, increase illegal firearm trafficking, and complicate criminal investigations. Gun rights groups praised the proposal as a victory for constitutional rights, while gun safety advocates argued it could turn the postal system into a major channel for unregulated handgun distribution.
A planned White House press conference ahead of the bilateral meeting between Donald Trump and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was first delayed and then canceled entirely after the two leaders met privately. Footage shared by reporter Kellie Meyer showed members of the Brazilian press leaving the White House following the cancellation announcement.
The abrupt change fueled speculation about tensions or disagreements surrounding the meeting, though no official explanation was immediately provided. The canceled appearance denied reporters a chance to hear direct remarks or take questions from both presidents. The incident drew attention because joint press events are typically used to signal diplomatic alignment and cooperation. Here’s what Trump said after the meeting:
Tennessee Republicans approved a new congressional map that dismantles the state’s only majority-Black district, a Memphis-based seat currently represented by Democrat Steve Cohen. The redraw follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened Voting Rights Act protections against racial gerrymandering and is expected to help Republicans gain another House seat in the midterms. Democrats and protesters denounced the plan as a racially motivated power grab, leading to walkouts, chants, and disruptions inside the state Capitol.
French prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Elon Musk, X, and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino after Musk reportedly failed to appear for a voluntary interview requested by authorities in Paris. The investigation stems from a broader cyber-prosecutor probe launched in 2025 into alleged abuses linked to the platform and its parent companies. Prosecutors said they are seeking to formally question or potentially charge Musk, X Corp, and related entities, emphasizing that the case is aimed at protecting victims of alleged online and offline criminal offenses.
The war involving Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are reportedly causing a shortage of Diet Coke in India because the drink is sold there exclusively in aluminum cans. Delayed aluminum shipments from the Gulf, a major global production hub, have strained supply chains, leading Coca-Cola distributors to ration deliveries and leave some orders unfilled. The shortage highlights how broader geopolitical conflicts are now affecting everyday consumer goods and global packaging supplies. Retailers say Coca-Cola is increasingly pushing customers toward bottled alternatives like Coke Zero as production and transportation costs continue to rise.
The FBI is defending Director Kash Patel after reports claimed he distributed personalized whiskey bottles engraved with “Ka$h Patel FBI Director” branding to officials and associates. The FBI said the gifts were part of a long-standing tradition of commemorative exchanges within the bureau and insisted Patel followed ethics rules and personally reimbursed any private gifts. The controversy adds to a series of recent allegations involving Patel, including claims about his conduct during official travel and accusations that he has targeted journalists critical of him. Patel has strongly denied the allegations and is suing The Atlantic for defamation over earlier reporting about his behavior and alcohol use.
A federal appeals court appeared doubtful that the Pentagon can legally punish Mark Kelly for publicly telling service members they have the right to refuse illegal orders. The Trump administration had sought to censure Kelly, a retired Navy captain and former astronaut, arguing that retired military officers are still subject to military standards and can influence active-duty personnel. Judges questioned whether penalizing Kelly over comments rooted in established military law would violate First Amendment protections against political retaliation. The case has become a broader test of free speech rights for retired military officials and the limits of executive authority under the current administration.
A Defense Department inspector general declined to investigate a controversial military helicopter flyover at Kid Rock’s home after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he did not want the matter pursued. The incident involved a military helicopter hovering near Kid Rock’s property and later flying over an anti-Trump protest, prompting ethics watchdog CREW to raise concerns about misuse of military resources and taxpayer funds. CREW criticized the decision as undermining independent oversight, arguing it sets a troubling precedent if political appointees can effectively block investigations into themselves or allied figures. The episode has intensified broader concerns about accountability and politicization within the Defense Department under the current administration.
According to the Associated Press, the U.S. State Department will begin revoking passports from Americans who owe large amounts of unpaid child support, initially targeting people with debts exceeding $100,000 before expanding enforcement to anyone owing more than $2,500 under a long-standing federal law. Officials say the policy is designed to pressure delinquent parents into paying overdue support and has already prompted some people to settle their debts after news of the crackdown emerged. Those affected will lose the ability to travel internationally until their arrears are resolved, though Americans stranded abroad will still be able to obtain emergency documents to return home.
France is moving its aircraft carrier strike group, led by the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle, toward the Red Sea as part of preparations for a possible joint French-British mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. French officials said the operation would be defensive and separate from the U.S.-led “Project Freedom,” with the goal of restoring confidence in maritime shipping after the Iran war disrupted global oil flows. Emmanuel Macron said the mission would only proceed if regional conditions stabilize and neighboring countries, including Iran, agree.
A former missionary tied to the Assemblies of God’s Chi Alpha ministry, Daniel Savala, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two boys and was sentenced to 30 years in prison without parole. Prosecutors said Savala used his spiritual influence over decades to groom and exploit young men and teens, despite repeated warnings and a prior 2012 child sex abuse conviction in Alaska. NBC News reported that church and ministry leaders allegedly ignored multiple complaints and continued allowing Savala access to students, helping preserve his status as a revered mentor. Victims and whistleblowers described the conviction as long-overdue justice but argued that the broader religious system that enabled the abuse still has not been fully held accountable.
New Jersey officials have reduced the planned World Cup transit fare from $150 to $105 after securing private sponsorships and other non-taxpayer funding sources. Governor Mikie Sherrill had previously clashed with FIFA over who should cover the estimated $60 million cost of transporting fans to matches at MetLife Stadium. Despite the reduction, the fare remains among the highest for any World Cup host city, reflecting ongoing concerns over security, labor, and infrastructure expenses. The dispute has become part of a broader debate over whether major sporting organizations like FIFA place too much financial burden on local governments and taxpayers.
Authorities in California have launched a new search connected to the 1996 disappearance and murder of Kristin Smart, whose remains have never been found. Investigators executed a search warrant at a home linked to the family of Paul Flores, who was convicted in 2022 of killing Smart during an attempted rape while both were students at California Polytechnic State University. Officials say they remain committed to locating Smart’s body nearly three decades after the case became one of California’s most notorious unsolved disappearances. Renewed public attention to the case has been fueled in part by the podcast Your Own Backyard, which helped uncover new witnesses and revive investigative momentum.
See you soon.
— Aaron
