July 25, 2023 - Your Evening Digest

Partisan impeachment inquires, record breaking heat, and more in tonight's digest

Today is July 25, 2023, and here is all the news you need to know about. If you enjoy my newsletter, please consider a monthly subscription to support my work, and to get access to Q&As, exclusive content, and more.

1) McCarthy Moves Toward Impeachment Inquiry

Kevin McCarthy announced that House Republicans will likely launch an impeachment inquiry into President Biden over his relationship with his son, Hunter. Today, during a press conference, McCarthy asserted that the only way to get to the bottom of the truth is to launch an inquiry where House Republicans and Democrats could easily probe the President’s dealings. At a time when our country has record gun violence, record heat from global warming, and abortion rights are under attack, McCarthy should focus less on partisan impeachments and more on helping residents. I will update you as we learn more.

2) No Trump Indictment (Yet)

The grand jury investigating Donald Trump for his actions on January 6, 2021 has concluded another day without issuing an indictment. The grand jury typically meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 PM eastern standard time. This means the next potential day for a third Trump indictment will be later this week on Thursday. Regarding timing, anyone who provides you with a concrete timeline would be speculating as the grand jury’s actions are completely secret.

However, Trump has received a target letter, which only happens when an indictment is imminent. But, it is possible the Department of Justice will wait until after additional witnesses testify in the coming weeks. Either way, I will be at the D.C. Courthouse reporting live if an indictment is issued, so stay tuned.

3) Biden Asylum Policy Blocked

A federal judge has blocked President Biden’s latest asylum policy, and placed his ruling on hold for 14 days pending a possible appeal. The new asylum policy followed the expiration of Title 42 in May, and limited access to asylum at the border. According to statistics, since the expiration of Title 42 and thee creation of this new policy, border crossings have been down over 30%. According to the judge, however, the Biden policy was contrary to law “because it presumes ineligible for asylum noncitizens who enter between ports of entry, using a manner of entry that Congress expressly intended should not affect access.” The Justice Department will appeal this ruling. Stay tuned for more.

4) Former U.S. Marine Injured in Ukraine

Trevor Reed, a former U.S. Marine, who was held captive in Russia, has been injured on the battlefield in Ukraine. Reed was wrongfully detained in Russia for nearly three years before being released in a prisoner swap in April 2022. Reed was injured on the battlefield, transported to a hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, and later evacuated to Germany for further medical care. The circumstances or extent of his injuries are not yet known, but the U.S. government stressed that Reed was not acting on behalf of the United States in any capacity. Join me in saying a prayer for Reed’s swift recovery.

5) World Record Water Temperatures

If verified, we have broken yet another world record for water temperature. According to initial measurements, excessively hot waters off the coast of South Florida rose to an unfathomable level of 101.1 degrees. For comparison, the ideal temperature of a hot tub is 100 to 102 degrees. This is scary for two reasons. First, these hot waters will increase the number of large, powerful, and dangerous hurricanes that impact the east coast of the United States. Second, these temperatures are not sustainable for marine life, and could lead to a breakdown of the ecosystem in some areas. The climate crisis is here, whether or not some believe it.

5) Ukraine Makes Additional Gains

The Ukrainian military has made some gains along the southern front "in the direction of Staromaiorske,” in the Berdiansk front, near Velyka Novosilka. Moreover, the Institute for the Study of War announced that Ukraine was able to advance over 1.7 kilometers toward the northeastern outskirt by using a different tactic. Instead of going directly at Russian forces, Ukrainian military members have gone around Russian fortifications with the support of artillery. Despite these advances, Russian troops have continued their focus on preventing any Ukrainian advances and are making it difficult for Ukraine to continue making gains during the counteroffensive. Stay tuned for more as the counteroffensive continues.

6) Russia Cozies Up to China and North Korea

Russia is cozying up to China and North Korea. Vladimir Putin intends to visit China in October, when the "One Belt - One Road" forum will be held there, Putin's aide Ushakov said. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, has begun a three-day visit to North Korea.