Big news updates this evening. The so-called weaponization fund is officially dead. The Justice Department confirmed it will not move forward, thanks in large part to the public pressure and backlash that many of you helped generate.
Meanwhile, Trump has hired a convicted January 6 insurrectionist to a highly sensitive counterterrorism role at the Pentagon. Questions are also swirling about Trump’s health after he has gone nearly a week without a public event. The administration is dismantling an ocean monitoring and buoy system that scientists say is critical for climate research and tsunami warnings. And that’s just the start of tonight’s updates.
I also got a note today from TikTok about an Epstein video I posted. It was flagged and never published. Censorship remains a reality on some platforms, but not here.
We have a big week ahead: our live show with Jessica Tarlov tomorrow, interviews with Tim Walz and Mark Kelly later this week, and our paid subscriber live event on Thursday evening.
Here’s the news:
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress that the Justice Department has abandoned the proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, ending a controversial initiative that faced strong opposition from Republicans and Democrats alike. Blanche said the alleged “weaponization” of government remains a concern, but confirmed the department is “not moving forward” with the fund, while still defending a separate settlement provision that limits IRS investigations into past tax matters involving President Trump, his family, and businesses. The announcement came during a day of congressional hearings that also featured discussions about immigration enforcement, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the administration’s appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, indicated the fund was effectively dead after conversations with Blanche and the White House.
The Trump administration has hired Elias Irizarry, a convicted participant in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, for a position within a Pentagon office that oversees highly classified military operations, according to a report from the Washington Post. Irizarry was 19 at the time of the riot and later publicly expressed regret for his involvement, but his appointment has reportedly raised concerns among some Defense Department officials because of the sensitivity of the role. The story highlights ongoing debate over the administration’s approach to January 6 defendants and their place in government service. Critics view the hiring as troubling given the nature of the Capitol attack, while supporters may point to Irizarry’s completed legal consequences and stated remorse.
When asked why President Trump continues to undergo medical checkups if he is supposedly in perfect health, Dr. Mehmet Oz responded that Trump “likes the results,” adding that he “does really well” and “aces the test every single day,” offering praise rather than a medical explanation.
It comes as the last time the public has seen President Trump has been prior to his third annual physical in thirteen months six days ago:
Employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are dealing with a recurring bed bug infestation at their Maryland office building, creating health concerns and frustration among staff. After initially allowing remote work while the building was fumigated, USDA required employees to return and later declined to authorize additional telework when bed bugs reappeared, instead telling workers to use personal leave if they did not want to report to the office. Agency leadership and a USDA spokesperson attributed the renewed infestation to employees’ personal belongings, while workers argued they were being forced to choose between exposure to bed bugs and using their own leave time. The situation has fueled broader tensions over the Trump administration’s return-to-office policies and raised concerns about the impact on APHIS staff responsible for responding to agricultural threats such as bird flu and New World screwworm.
In a congressional exchange, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended presidential pardon power by stating, “Who the president chooses to pardon is not a problem, period,” and citing “The Constitution” as the legal basis. Rep. Glenn Ivey challenged that view, arguing that while the Constitution grants broad pardon authority, it “does not give him the authority to pardon in exchange for payments” and “does not permit bribery.” The exchange highlighted a key legal distinction: the president’s constitutional pardon power is expansive, but critics argue it does not shield potentially corrupt conduct, such as accepting bribes in return for pardons, which could violate other laws.
Republican Rep. Andy Ogles posted a bigoted message for Pride Month saying: “Homosexuality has no place in America” and “Happy Nuclear Family Month.” The statement drew widespread criticism from journalists, political observers, and social media users, many of whom described it as extreme and discriminatory. Ogles has previously made other inflammatory remarks, including comments about Muslims and political opponents, and has faced bipartisan criticism in the past over actions such as posting “Wanted” posters of judges. Reactions to his Pride Month post highlighted concerns about anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, with critics pointing out that openly gay Americans, including senior government officials, serve in prominent public roles.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun declared June “Nuclear Family Month,” describing the nuclear family as “one husband, one wife, and any … children” and calling it “God’s design for the family structure.” Braun said the proclamation was intended to emphasize the importance of strong families and was “not about any other statement,” despite its release on the first day of Pride Month. Supporters, including Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, celebrated the move, while critics, including the Indiana Democratic Party, argued it was another example of divisive culture-war politics and failed to recognize the diversity of modern families. The proclamation follows a similar resolution adopted in Tennessee earlier this year designating June as Nuclear Family Month.
The Trump administration has proposed new rules that would give political appointees greater control over billions of dollars in federal grants, requiring funding decisions to “demonstrably advance the president’s policy priorities.” The proposal would bar grants for projects that promote diversity, equity and inclusion, support voter registration, “deny the biological reality of sex,” or advance what the administration calls “anti-American values,” while allowing grants to be terminated if deemed no longer in the “public interest.” Critics, including nonprofit leaders, researchers, and Democratic lawmakers, argue the plan would politicize federal spending, threaten scientific independence, and restrict funding for health, housing, education, and research programs. Supporters say the changes would improve accountability and ensure federal agencies align with the president’s agenda, but opponents are already signaling legal challenges if the rules are finalized.
The Trump administration plans to dismantle the $368 million Ocean Observatories Initiative, a network of more than 900 deep-sea instruments that has been collecting critical climate and ocean data since 2016. Scientists use the system to monitor ocean currents, carbon absorption, marine ecosystems, coastal flooding, and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, a major current system whose weakening could have significant climate impacts. The National Science Foundation says the move reflects a shift in research priorities and budget management, but researchers argue it will undermine long-term climate science and weaken U.S. scientific leadership. Critics also note that Congress previously restored funding after the administration sought major cuts, and warn that dismantling the network could permanently erase valuable expertise and long-term data collection efforts. Governor Newsom says this will hurt tsunami and earthquake response:
Senators from both parties questioned Bill Pulte’s qualifications to serve as acting director of national intelligence, citing his lack of national security experience. “I see no, no evidence of any qualifications for that job,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, while Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., added, “He doesn’t seem very qualified,” and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., noted, “I don’t know of any national security experience that he has.” Democrats also raised concerns about how Pulte might use the position, with Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., warning, “Think what he can do with all of the information from the intelligence agencies,” and asking, “Are we going to finally hit the gag reflex? I hope.”
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., criticized the appointment of someone with “literally zero national security or intelligence experience,” while Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., warned that “Pulte may simply use that to do more damage to more American citizens for the sole reason that Donald Trump has targeted them.”
House Oversight Committee Democrats are urging Chairman James Comer to compel acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel to testify about their roles in the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Ranking Member Robert Garcia argued that the investigation cannot “credibly continue” without their “videotaped, transcribed testimony,” noting that former Attorney General Pam Bondi repeatedly pointed to Blanche and Patel as key figures in reviewing, withholding, and releasing Epstein-related records. Garcia accused the officials of being involved in a “cover up of the Epstein files and botched roll-out of the documents,” while also seeking answers about the transfer of convicted Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Republicans and Democrats alike have acknowledged failures in the government's handling of the Epstein case, with Comer stating, “The government has failed the survivors. There's no question about that.”
Canada-U.S. trade talks began under renewed tension after President Trump revived his “51st state” rhetoric, posting “51st State!” alongside an article about Canada entering a technical recession just before Canada’s trade minister arrived in Washington. The comment reignited political sensitivities in Canada as officials prepare for negotiations over the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is due for review this summer. Canada is seeking a 16-year renewal of the trade pact, while the Trump administration has argued that the agreement has benefited Canada more than the United States despite Trump previously calling it “the fairest, most balanced, and beneficial trade agreement we have ever signed into law.” Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc’s meetings in Washington are expected to focus on establishing a timetable for formal negotiations as Canada continues to face U.S. tariffs on sectors such as autos, steel, aluminum, and lumber.
Despite President Donald Trump’s announcement that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to a de-escalation and that “all shooting will stop,” fighting continued Tuesday with new Israeli strikes in Lebanon and reported Hezbollah attacks into Israel. The Lebanese Embassy said Hezbollah had accepted a U.S.-backed proposal for a “mutual cessation of attacks,” but Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon reportedly killed civilians, damaged a civil defense center, and wounded Lebanese soldiers. Trump said he had held calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah representatives, while reports suggested tensions with Netanyahu over Israel’s continued military actions. Meanwhile, Iran warned it could suspend peace negotiations with the United States if Israeli attacks in Lebanon continued, though Trump later said talks with Tehran were still moving forward “at a rapid pace.”
New York City officials are warning the public not to enter the sewer system after at least three incidents since May 5 in which groups of people were seen accessing sewers through manholes in Brooklyn and Queens. An Astoria auto shop owner witnessed one such group entering a manhole at 2 a.m. and later reported the activity to police, who advised residents not to confront sewer trespassers. Authorities say entering sewers is illegal and highly dangerous due to risks such as toxic gases, flooding, unstable surfaces, electrocution, and confined spaces. Investigators believe the individuals may be searching for valuables that have entered the sewage system, though no arrests or injuries have been reported so far.
President Trump signed an executive order requiring technology companies to voluntarily give the federal government up to 30 days to review new artificial intelligence models before they are released to the public, marking a significant shift from his administration’s previously hands-off approach to A.I. The order emerged after internal debates over the technology’s national security and cybersecurity implications, with the review period shortened from a proposed 90 days to gain broader support within the administration. It also directs the Treasury Department to create an A.I. cybersecurity clearinghouse to assess vulnerabilities discovered by advanced A.I. systems. The move represents the Trump administration’s most significant step toward regulating artificial intelligence while attempting to balance innovation with national security concerns.
See you soon.
— Aaron
