Good evening, everyone. I’m on my way home from New York City, where I filmed something very special with PBS. It will be released around the Fourth of July, and while I can’t say much yet, it was a fascinating experience and a remarkable day.
I still wanted to make sure you had all the news from today and last night. Trump is wavering on Iran. After repeatedly claiming a deal was close, that deal now appears farther away than ever, and Trump is beginning to acknowledge that the military strikes did not deliver the level of damage and decimation he once claimed. Meanwhile, FEMA is scrambling ahead of the start of hurricane season tomorrow, with officials warning the agency is not prepared for a major disaster after months of cuts and upheaval. At the same time, Trump wants to build a drone port atop the new White House ballroom, is considering replacing the Great American State Fair with a MAGA rally, and much more.
Days like today make me especially grateful for all of you. You would not believe the room I was sitting in. If you value independent reporting, please consider subscribing. I will continue to call things as I see them, without excuses, without tribal loyalty, and without normalizing conduct that deserves scrutiny. That work is only possible because of readers like you.
Here’s the news:
An anticipated agreement between the Trump administration and Iran remains stalled despite weeks of negotiations and repeated signals that a deal is close. Iranian officials accuse President Trump of undermining diplomacy with what they call “excessive demands,” including guarantees that Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted shipping. U.S., Iranian, and Arab officials have indicated that a framework for extending the current ceasefire may already exist, but neither side has formally approved it, leaving the negotiations in limbo. The uncertainty comes as oil prices have fallen on hopes of a breakthrough that could ease tensions and restore stability to one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
Despite previously claiming that Iran’s military was decimated, now Trump claims his strikes haven’t really hurt the Iranian military: “We’ve actually left their military alone. People would be surprised to hear that.”
A new analysis of satellite imagery suggests Iran has rapidly restored access to many of its underground missile bases despite months of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes intended to cripple its missile program. Researchers found that Iran has reopened roughly 50 of the 69 tunnel entrances targeted during the conflict, using relatively simple equipment like bulldozers and dump trucks to clear debris and repair damaged roads. Experts say the recovery effort highlights the limits of relying on airstrikes alone, warning that Iran may still possess around 1,000 missiles stored in hardened underground facilities and could continue rebuilding key military capabilities. The findings raise questions about whether one of the central goals of the U.S. and Israeli campaign, significantly degrading Iran’s missile threat, can be sustained over the long term.
Trump now says: “We shouldn’t have been in Iran.”
Trump sent revisions back to negotiators working on a potential agreement with Iran, extending talks that had appeared close to completion for another week. The requested changes reportedly focus on stronger guarantees regarding Iran’s nuclear commitments, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and concerns about any financial relief Iran might receive under the deal. While U.S. and regional officials continue to signal that an agreement is within reach, Iranian leaders insist they will not approve any deal that fails to protect Tehran’s interests, highlighting ongoing disagreements between the two sides.
Eight days ago, Donald Trump put this post out suggesting a deal was imminent:
Eight days later, that deal no longer appears to be imminent. This is exactly why I do not simply repeat the President’s claims about Iran as established fact. When it comes to negotiations like these, what the President says and what ultimately happens are often two very different things.
The Trump administration is reportedly scrambling to rebuild FEMA after months of turmoil under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, with officials warning that the agency's disaster response capabilities have been severely weakened. According to the report, staffing cuts, hiring freezes, delayed funding approvals, and internal dysfunction left FEMA struggling to fulfill its mission, even as hurricane season begins. The administration has begun rehiring some employees who were pushed out and restoring funding and hiring authorities, a reversal from earlier efforts to shrink the agency. Current and former FEMA officials told reporters that the damage could take years to repair and warned that a major disaster could expose the agency's diminished capacity.
Former Vice President Mike Pence said the Trump administration has "departed" from the conservative principles that have long defined the Republican Party, criticizing its positions on trade, abortion, and the role of government. Pence argued that many Republican voters still support traditional conservative ideals such as limited government, free markets, and American leadership abroad, even if they remain loyal to Trump. He was especially critical of the administration's proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, calling it a bad idea and saying it would be "deeply offensive" if January 6 defendants received compensation. Despite his concerns, Pence predicted Republicans could still perform well in upcoming elections, arguing that many voters view Democrats as more extreme.
President Donald Trump suggested canceling musical performances at the upcoming Great American State Fair after several artists withdrew from the event, saying they did not realize it was connected to a Trump-backed organization. Trump mocked the performers as "overpriced singers" and proposed replacing them with a large MAGA rally, even joking that he should serve as the main attraction because he draws bigger crowds than entertainers. At least five artists, including Morris Day, Young MC, Martina McBride, the Commodores, and Bret Michaels, have backed out of the fair, prompting controversy over whether the event is political despite organizers' claims that it is nonpartisan. Trump is now expected to headline both the opening ceremony and a major July Fourth event as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.
Donald Trump also demanded the creation of a “DronePort” on top of the White House ballroom:
The lead prosecutor in the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey has withdrawn from the case and been replaced, according to a new Justice Department filing that offered no explanation for the change. Comey was indicted earlier this year over a social media post showing seashells arranged as “86 47,” which prosecutors allege constituted a threat against President Donald Trump, though Comey has denied the accusation and says he is innocent. The case follows the collapse of an earlier prosecution against Comey and has fueled criticism from legal experts who argue the Justice Department is being used to target Trump’s political adversaries. Comey’s trial is currently scheduled to begin in October in North Carolina.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said "Texas is in play" for Democrats after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary. Beshear argued that Paxton's history of impeachment, corruption allegations, and personal controversies make him vulnerable in a general election and praised Democratic nominee James Talarico as a candidate focused on issues affecting working families. Beshear also said President Joe Biden should not have sought reelection in 2024, while acknowledging his accomplishments in office. Asked about his own future, Beshear said he has not ruled out a 2028 presidential run but remains focused on helping Democrats win current elections.
Family visitation has resumed at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, after being suspended for several days amid protests, arrests, and clashes outside the facility. Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the Department of Homeland Security agreed to restore visits following pressure from state officials and advocates concerned about detainee conditions and transparency. The detention center has been the focus of demonstrations over allegations of poor medical care, living conditions, and delays in immigration proceedings, claims that DHS denies. While tensions eased by Sunday, police maintained a heavy security presence after multiple arrests and confrontations between protesters, counterprotesters, and law enforcement.
According to CBS News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged that Russia is abducting Ukrainian children, indoctrinating them, and training some to eventually fight against their own country, a claim he says Ukraine has evidence to support. Zelenskyy said Ukraine has documented at least 20,000 children taken by Russia and argued that the practice goes beyond previously documented efforts to "Russify" Ukrainian children through reeducation programs. He also called for tougher sanctions on Russia, arguing that revenue from Russian state-owned energy companies may be helping fund the program and that recent U.S. sanctions relief has benefited those firms. Russia denies wrongdoing and has characterized the transfer of children as a humanitarian effort, but the issue has already led the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the alleged unlawful deportation of children.
More than 40 people have died in a growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, with health officials confirming over 260 cases and investigating more than 1,100 suspected infections. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no approved vaccine or treatment and spreads through contact with infected individuals or contaminated bodily fluids. Aid groups and health officials warn the virus is spreading faster than response efforts can keep pace, making testing and contact tracing especially difficult. Despite the severity of the outbreak, the World Health Organization says several patients have recovered and expressed confidence that the outbreak can eventually be contained, as previous Ebola outbreaks in Congo have been.
Brazilian health officials are monitoring two possible Ebola cases after travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda developed symptoms and were isolated as a precaution, though one patient has already tested positive for malaria and initial Ebola tests on the other were negative. The cases come as health authorities work to contain a growing Ebola outbreak in central Africa, where hundreds of suspected infections and more than 200 suspected deaths have been reported. There was also encouraging news from the outbreak zone, with the World Health Organization reporting several recoveries from the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. Health officials and aid groups continue to urge expanded testing, faster deployment of resources, and stronger community cooperation as they race to bring the outbreak under control.
Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River and captured Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon, marking Israel’s deepest military advance into the country since 2000 and signaling a major escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the seizure represents a “dramatic change” in Israeli strategy and vowed to expand Israel’s control over areas previously held by Hezbollah, while some Israeli officials are openly advocating a long-term occupation. The move comes despite ongoing U.S.-backed diplomatic efforts and a fragile ceasefire, with critics warning that a deeper occupation could trigger a prolonged conflict and undermine negotiations involving Iran and the United States. More than 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced and over 3,350 people in Lebanon have been killed since the fighting intensified earlier this year.
The U.S. military carried out another strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific that it said was involved in drug trafficking operations, killing three people and bringing the reported death toll from the campaign to 205 since September. The Trump administration has argued that it is engaged in an armed conflict with Latin American drug cartels and has used military force against suspected cartel-linked boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. The strikes have drawn increasing legal scrutiny, particularly after reports that the U.S. conducted a follow-up strike that killed survivors of an earlier attack, prompting allegations that some operations may violate international law. Families of some victims have already sued the administration, while lawmakers and legal experts continue to question the legal justification for the military campaign.
A United Airlines flight from Newark to Spain was forced to turn around mid-flight Saturday after a potential security concern prompted authorities to inspect the aircraft. According to air traffic control communications, the issue may have stemmed from a passenger naming a Bluetooth device with a suspicious four-letter word, leading crew members to repeatedly ask passengers to disable their devices before deciding to return to New Jersey. After landing, passengers were evacuated, the plane was searched by law enforcement, and travelers were re-screened before boarding a replacement aircraft. The incident came just one day after another United flight was diverted when an unruly passenger allegedly attempted to breach the cockpit.
Ukraine launched new drone strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, claiming attacks on an oil refinery in Saratov, a fuel depot in the Rostov region, and an oil pumping station more than 700 miles from Ukrainian-controlled territory. Kyiv says these facilities help fuel Russia’s war effort and has increasingly targeted the country’s energy sector in recent months. Ukraine also denied Russian accusations that it struck the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, calling the claim a propaganda effort, while international nuclear officials expressed concern and called for independent verification. The exchanges came as both sides continued large-scale drone attacks, with Ukraine reporting it intercepted more than 200 Russian drones overnight.
Honda is recalling nearly 100,000 vehicles after identifying a defect in the front passenger seat weight sensor that could cause airbags to deploy when they should remain suppressed. The issue affects a wide range of Honda and Acura models from the 2016 through 2026 model years, including the Civic, Accord, CR-V, Pilot, Odyssey, Ridgeline, MDX, and RDX. Honda says a component inside the sensor can crack due to humidity exposure, potentially creating a short circuit and increasing the risk of injury, particularly for infants and small children in passenger seats. The company has received 228 warranty claims related to the defect but reports no injuries or deaths, and owners will be notified beginning in July to have the sensor replaced free of charge.
See you in the morning.
— Aaron
