Good evening, everyone. It was another busy day, from someone carving “8647” into the National Mall to the White House UFC event facing weather concerns, to states pulling out of Trump’s “Freedom 250” fair. We also saw Trump back away from further escalation with Iran yet again, despite neither Israel nor Iran signaling that a deal is close, while reports emerged that Iran is considering targeting Elon Musk’s business interests. There’s a lot more below, including updates on the screwworm outbreak, the Epstein investigation, the Pentagon hazmat incident, and more.
Today was also a wild day for censorship. TikTok censored an Epstein video I posted, and Instagram began forcing some users to unfollow my account without their knowledge. It’s exactly why Substack remains my primary platform and why your support is so important. If you can, please consider subscribing or upgrading your subscription today to help me fight back and grow this.
Our paid subscriber live is tonight at 7:45 p.m. ET. I’m writing this from a train, so let’s hope the Wi-Fi cooperates. You can join us here.
Also, tomorrow and Sunday I’ll be at the Epstein Reading Room in Washington, D.C., alongside survivors. If you’re in the area and would like to say hello, stop by around noon tomorrow.
Here’s the news:
Authorities responded Thursday after someone appeared to carve or mark the numbers “8647” into the grass of the National Mall near the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The phrase “8647” has been adopted by some opponents of President Trump, with “86” commonly meaning “get rid of” and “47” referring to Trump as the 47th president, though Trump allies and the Justice Department have argued it can be interpreted as a threat. U.S. Park Police and National Guard personnel were dispatched to the scene as officials investigated how the markings were made and who was responsible. The incident comes as Washington prepares for major America 250 celebrations and amid an ongoing criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, who was charged after posting an image containing the same numbers and has denied any violent intent. This is an image taken by Reuters:
Four House Republicans who pushed to force the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files have seen their political careers damaged, with only one expected to return to Congress next year. Rep. Thomas Massie, who led the effort, lost his primary after facing intense opposition from Donald Trump, while Marjorie Taylor Greene left Congress and Nancy Mace lost her bid for governor after failing to secure Trump’s endorsement. The report suggests Trump viewed the Epstein files push as a particularly sensitive issue, and White House officials allegedly worked aggressively behind the scenes to stop the legislation, including meetings with lawmakers in the Situation Room. Despite the political fallout, the lawmakers involved say they have no regrets and believe their effort to make the Epstein files public will remain one of the defining achievements of their careers.
President Trump’s planned UFC event on the White House South Lawn has become a massive undertaking, requiring more than seven federal agencies, hundreds of workers, and over $60 million in privately funded preparations. The weekend-long event, part of the America 250 celebration, will feature seven UFC fights, a fan festival, celebrity appearances, and a concert by the Zac Brown Band, with up to 124,000 spectators expected on and around the grounds. Currently rain seeks to derail the UFC fight:
A federal lawsuit seeks to block the event, arguing it violates National Park Service rules against sporting events on federal parkland and amounts to a misuse of public property. Government filings reveal extensive involvement from agencies including the Secret Service, Homeland Security, and the FAA, while organizers argue that halting the event now would waste significant resources already invested. Separately, the article notes that Trump plans to nominate Jay Clayton, currently the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, to serve as director of national intelligence.
A large protest display in Times Square is targeting Elon Musk and SpaceX on the eve of SpaceX’s IPO, with organizers unveiling a four-story inflatable depicting an overweight, shirtless Musk. The activists argue that Musk’s AI company, Grok, has generated harmful and illicit content, including alleged nonconsensual and exploitative images, and claim that those liabilities were folded into SpaceX before the public offering. They contend that investors are being asked to buy into a company carrying significant legal and reputational risks. The demonstration is intended to draw attention to ongoing investigations and lawsuits involving Grok as SpaceX prepares to go public.
Several states are backing out of Trump’s upcoming “Freedom 250” celebration in Washington, while the event also faces performer withdrawals and organizational problems.
Iran war:
Concerns are growing inside the Trump administration and the Pentagon that the United States is running low on key missile stockpiles as the conflict with Iran intensifies. President Trump is expected to meet with major defense contractors to pressure them to rapidly increase weapons production, amid reports that recent military operations have consumed large numbers of missiles and interceptors. Defense experts and lawmakers warn that years of aid to Ukraine combined with the war against Iran have strained U.S. inventories, potentially affecting military readiness in other regions. While the White House insists the military has sufficient resources, officials and analysts say replenishing some critical weapons systems could take years even if new production contracts are approved immediately.
Today, Trump backed down from strikes tonight (again):
Here is Trump championing the “deal” in the Oval Office today:
Both Iran and Israel say no agreement exists:
On the left is what the oil market looked like before Trump’s announcement. On the right is what the market looked like after. Oil prices fell, again, after Trump said we were close to a deal for the 39th time.
Here is Iran’s response via state media:
Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, issued a stark warning to the Trump administration after President Trump threatened new military action against Iran. Ghalibaf cautioned that further escalation could destabilize global energy markets, damage critical infrastructure, and drag the United States into a prolonged conflict that could last for years. He argued that “wrong strategies and impulsive decisions” would worsen the situation rather than resolve it. His remarks signal that Iranian leaders are warning of a much stronger response if the U.S. expands its military campaign, with Ghalibaf declaring that America would “see a different Iran” if tensions continue to escalate.
Kharg Island has emerged as a major focus in the Iran conflict because it handles more than 90% of Iran’s oil exports, making it one of the most strategically important pieces of infrastructure in the country. President Trump has repeatedly suggested that the United States could seize the island, arguing that doing so would give Washington enormous leverage over Iran and effectively allow it to control a critical source of Iranian revenue. Military analysts, however, warn that while capturing Kharg Island might be possible, holding it would be extremely difficult because of its proximity to the Iranian mainland and vulnerability to missile, drone, and artillery attacks. Experts say any attempt to occupy the island could dramatically escalate the war, threaten global energy markets, and risk drawing the U.S. into a prolonged and costly conflict.
Iranian state-affiliated media is reporting that companies owned by Elon Musk could be considered potential military targets amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. According to the semiofficial Fars News Agency, which is closely linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Iranian authorities are reviewing economic interests connected to Musk’s businesses across the Middle East, including in Israel and several Arab countries.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called for renewed negotiations to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that respects Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said the conflict has escalated since March, with Israel expanding military operations in Lebanon and Hezbollah launching deeper strikes into Israel. Guterres urged all sides to pursue a diplomatic solution and emphasized that weapons should be under the sole control of the Lebanese government. He expressed hope that further talks will lead to a comprehensive ceasefire and lasting peace and stability in the region.
Video released by the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem appears to challenge the Israeli military’s account of an incident in the West Bank in which a soldier shot at a family’s car, killing 7-month-old Sam Abu Haikal. While the IDF said troops fired after perceiving the vehicle was accelerating toward them, the footage appears to show the car slowing to a stop and posing no immediate threat. B’Tselem argues the video demonstrates that the soldier opened fire as the vehicle was stopping and was still some distance from the soldiers. The IDF has since said it regrets harm caused to uninvolved civilians and has launched a Military Police investigation into the incident.
Other news:
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton strongly supported Elon Musk’s DOGE spending cuts, praising the program for reducing federal expenditures and defending it against critics. According to the report, some of those cuts eliminated international monitoring programs that tracked the spread of the New World screwworm, a destructive livestock parasite, while domestic USDA agencies responsible for combating outbreaks also lost significant staff. On June 3, the USDA confirmed the first Texas screwworm case since 1966, raising alarms for the state’s $15 billion cattle industry and prompting warnings of potential losses in the billions of dollars. Critics argue the cuts weakened early-warning and prevention systems that had helped keep the parasite out of the United States for decades.
The House voted down a last-minute effort to extend Section 702, a key U.S. surveillance authority, setting it up to expire Friday. The vote collapsed largely because Democrats and some Republicans objected to President Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, arguing he lacks the required national security experience. Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson had pushed for a short-term extension while a permanent intelligence chief is selected, but the measure failed 198–218. The setback leaves the future of the surveillance program uncertain and marks a significant bipartisan rebuke tied to Pulte’s controversial appointment.
Donald Trump appointed Jay Clayton to be the next Director of National Intelligence:
The Pentagon briefly went into a shelter-in-place Thursday after officials detected a potential air quality issue and launched a hazardous materials response. Hazmat crews and emergency teams were deployed while testing was conducted in the affected area. After several hours, Pentagon officials announced that no hazard had been found and normal operations had resumed. The incident was handled as a precaution, with officials thanking first responders for their swift response.
Rep. Troy Nehls offered effusive praise of Donald Trump, calling him the best thing to happen to America in a century and joking that even doctors at his birth would have recognized him as extraordinary.
Colorado has enacted emergency restrictions to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite recently detected in Texas and New Mexico. The parasite, whose larvae feed on living tissue, poses a major threat to livestock and could cause severe economic damage to the cattle industry. Under the new rules, animals from affected areas must undergo inspections, treatment, and obtain special movement permits before entering Colorado, while pets are also subject to screening requirements. State officials say the measures are intended to stop the parasite from gaining a foothold in Colorado after its return to the United States for the first time in decades.
The Justice Department has charged three people in Ohio with allegedly running a scheme to fraudulently sponsor and smuggle unaccompanied migrant children into the United States. Prosecutors say the defendants submitted false sponsorship applications to gain custody of minors and face charges including conspiracy, false statements, and identity theft. Trump administration officials used the case to argue that inadequate vetting under the Biden administration allowed children to be placed with unverified sponsors, potentially exposing them to labor or sex trafficking. Federal officials also said they have identified tens of thousands of cases involving repeated sponsor addresses, missing safety checks, and incomplete background screenings as part of a broader review of the unaccompanied minors program.
A Senate committee has approved legislation that would formally rename the Department of Defense as the “Department of War,” advancing a rebranding effort championed by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The House Armed Services Committee has already endorsed the same change, increasing the likelihood that it could become law as part of the annual defense authorization bill. Supporters argue the new name better reflects a more aggressive military posture, while critics, including Tim Kaine, say it symbolizes an overreliance on military force and diminished diplomacy. If enacted, the rebranding could cost an estimated $125 million and would make permanent a name change the Trump administration began using last year.
Sen. Rick Scott has lifted his hold on Coast Guard officer promotions after negotiations progressed in a dispute involving the Coast Guard and Florida-based shipbuilder Eastern Shipbuilding Group. Scott said all parties are working toward an agreement that will allow ship construction to move forward while protecting taxpayers, though he pledged to continue pushing for greater oversight of the Coast Guard’s procurement process. He originally blocked the promotions in April after the Coast Guard canceled plans for two advanced cutters being built by Eastern Shipbuilding, which later halted work on the vessels due to financial strain. With the hold removed, the Senate can more easily advance the previously stalled promotions.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is criticizing efforts by the Trump administration to block states from creating their own AI regulations, arguing that federal preemption without a strong national framework would amount to a giveaway to Big Tech. DeSantis says White House opposition helped kill his proposed Florida AI Bill of Rights, which would have given parents greater oversight of children’s interactions with AI chatbots and stronger safety protections. Florida has become one of the most aggressive Republican-led states in pursuing AI regulation, including lawsuits against OpenAI and investigations into AI-related harms. DeSantis warns that if Washington broadly preempts state AI laws, states could lose the ability to enact future consumer and child-safety protections.
ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace-Jones repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a House hearing investigating allegations that the Democratic fundraising platform facilitated illegal foreign donations. She refused to answer any questions, arguing that the inquiry was a politically motivated attempt to target a Democratic fundraising operation rather than a legitimate oversight effort. Wallace-Jones defended her decision in a Washington Post op-ed, saying Congress was overstepping its authority and coordinating with the Justice Department against a political opponent. The hearing comes amid ongoing legal battles involving ActBlue, including a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over the platform’s donation practices, while Democrats have called for similar scrutiny of the Republican fundraising platform WinRed.
See you soon.
— Aaron
