This morning, I bring you an exclusive—and extraordinary—interview. I spoke with Isaiah Martin, a Democratic Congressional candidate in Texas, just hours after he was released from jail. His alleged crime? Protesting the Republican-led plan to aggressively gerrymander his district—and the entire state. Yes, you read that right.
A full news recap is below as well. These interviews, even early on a Saturday morning, are made possible by you and your support. Every subscription goes to growing this page and redefining the way media is in 2025. I’m not beholden to this White House or any executives, only to you. Subscribe today to support:
In his first interview since spending 30 hours behind bars, Martin opens up about the harsh conditions he endured, the unexpected conversations he had with fellow inmates—including an impromptu town hall where he fielded questions on everything from tariffs to the future of American democracy—and the defiant message he’s now sending to the Texas Republicans who put him there.
Here’s the other news you missed:
The likelihood of Donald Trump giving clemency to Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirator currently serving a 20-year prison sentence is growing. There is a difference between a pardon and a commutation. I break it down:
Ghislaine Maxwell met with the Department of Justice for two days of questioning, totaling around nine hours, after reportedly initiating the meetings and receiving a limited form of immunity, according to ABC News sources.
House Democrats, led by Reps. Ro Khanna and Robert Garcia, are seeking Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday book—allegedly containing Trump’s contributions and in possession of Epstein’s estate—as part of efforts to investigate potential public corruption and the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein case, with a request for its release by August 10.
Amid mounting political scandals in Washington—particularly renewed scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein—President Trump has taken a five-day golf-heavy “working visit” to Scotland, where he’ll meet with EU and UK leaders, attend a ribbon-cutting at his new golf course, and face protests and criticism from local officials and demonstrators.
A Scottish newspaper welcomed Donald Trump with a scathing cover:
Pam Bondi was blindsided and angered by Tulsi Gabbard’s surprise disclosures on Russiagate and Obama, prompting her to hastily form a “Strike Force,” as Trump grows frustrated with what he sees as the DOJ’s slow pace on politically motivated investigations.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to dismiss the expert panel behind the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a key body recommending free preventive care under the ACA; the move follows a Supreme Court ruling affirming his authority and comes amid broader efforts by Kennedy to overhaul health agencies and replace vaccine advisers with critics of vaccine safety.
Darren Beattie, a State Department official previously fired from the Trump White House for attending a conference with White nationalists, has been appointed acting president of the US Institute of Peace, a move that comes amid the Trump administration’s broader push to reshape federal agencies and dismantle parts of the government.
A federal judge dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit against Illinois, Chicago, and Governor Pritzker over sanctuary policies, ruling it was an unconstitutional attempt to undermine state sovereignty.
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration's cancelation of $175 million in National Endowment for the Humanities grants, ruling the mass termination by the Department of Government Efficiency was unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination violating the First Amendment.
Gaza:
Médecins Sans Frontières reports that severe malnutrition among children under five in Gaza has tripled in two weeks, with aid groups blaming Israel’s blockade and “policy of starvation”; over 120 people have died from hunger, as global leaders call for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access.
The UK, France, and Germany issued a joint call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the disarmament of Hamas, urging Israel to lift aid restrictions as the UN warns Gaza is days away from running out of life-saving therapeutic food for severely malnourished children.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed plans to airdrop aid and evacuate sick children from Gaza, following emergency talks with French and German leaders who collectively called for Israel to lift aid restrictions and implement an immediate ceasefire.
Good News:
Korea House, Austin’s first Korean BBQ restaurant, has served over 15,000 free meals through its monthly community dinners, with co-owners Pok-Cha Kim and Vivian Newton—driven by faith and generosity—volunteering their time and even dipping into savings to feed the hungry, students, and anyone in need, no questions asked.
In rural Vermont, engineer Patrick Schlott revived analog technology by installing free-to-use refurbished pay phones in cellular dead zones, offering vital communication access to locals and students; he funds and operates the service himself, with growing demand from libraries and community centers.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
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