Good afternoon, everyone. There is an enormous amount of news to cover tonight. In a stunning and unprecedented settlement, the DOJ has permanently barred the IRS from auditing Donald Trump, his companies, or his family over any past unpaid taxes, a move critics are calling one of the clearest examples of political corruption in modern American history. We also have an exclusive report on a Pentagon exercise wargaming mass protests inside the United States in response to potential military action abroad. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are erupting over Trump’s last-minute endorsement of Ken Paxton, a move that is deepening fractures inside the GOP just days before a critical runoff election. And that is only the beginning.
I also am joined by Dr. Lina Moses to discuss the rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak. Dr. Moses has spent years on the ground fighting Ebola outbreaks and is one of the leading experts on the virus and the global risks it poses.
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Here’s the news:
The Justice Department quietly expanded its settlement with Donald Trump to include a sweeping protection against future IRS scrutiny. A newly posted addendum, signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, states the IRS is “forever barred and precluded” from pursuing audits or tax examinations involving Trump, his family, related individuals, trusts, or businesses for returns filed before the settlement date. Former IRS officials called the move unprecedented and warned it could shield Trump from accountability over potentially unpaid taxes. The provision was not included in the original settlement announcement, raising questions about how and why it was added later.
According to sources, the United States Pentagon is currently conducting an exercise titled “Resilient Guardian” in which the Department of Defense is preparing for possible national protests erupting due to military action abroad. This war-game type scenario, while common within the Pentagon, shows that the military is at least preparing for a scenario in which unpopular actions by the U.S. military lead to protests erupting. The scenario includes the following fake press releases outlining the protests and responses from law enforcement.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen confronted Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche over criticism from Jeffrey Epstein survivors, saying many felt frustrated that the Justice Department keeps urging people to come forward while failing to meet directly with victims. Blanche pushed back immediately, calling the claim “false” and asserting that he had personally met with survivors as well as many of their attorneys.
Epstein survivors blast Todd Blanche for suggesting he met with them or their lawyers. “Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has not met with any of us.”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche angrily defended his role during a tense Senate exchange, insisting that senators refer to him by his current office rather than his past relationship with Donald Trump. Blanche said, “I am the Acting Attorney General,” arguing that describing him primarily as Trump’s former lawyer unfairly undermines the authority and independence of his position. The outburst reflected growing scrutiny over whether Blanche can act impartially while overseeing matters involving the president he once represented personally.
Sen. Jeff Merkley repeatedly pressed Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on whether the Justice Department considers the Jeffrey Epstein investigation open or closed. Blanche avoided giving a direct answer, instead challenging Merkley’s use of the term “Epstein investigation” and saying he did not understand what investigation Merkley meant. Merkley pointed out that the FBI had publicly stated in July 2025 that it had closed the Epstein investigation and asked again for clarification.
A new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is alarming health officials because it involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. Reported cases have surpassed 500 with at least 131 deaths, and one American doctor working in Congo has tested positive. Unlike the more common Zaire strain targeted by existing Ebola vaccines, Bundibugyo requires different medical countermeasures that are still far from ready. Experts warn the virus is severe and often fatal, though early supportive care can improve survival rates.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s World Cup team still plans to travel to the United States despite a worsening Ebola outbreak that has triggered international health concerns and new U.S. travel restrictions. The team canceled its training camp in Kinshasa due to health measures but says preparations in Europe and Houston will continue ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. U.S. officials, FIFA, and the CDC are coordinating to allow the team’s safe entry while trying to prevent potential spread of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. The situation has created a major new logistical and public health challenge for World Cup organizers as the tournament approaches.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in Texas’ closely watched Republican Senate runoff, delivering a major late boost to Paxton just days before the election. Trump praised Paxton as a “true MAGA Warrior” while criticizing Cornyn for not backing him during difficult periods. The endorsement is seen as a victory for the MAGA wing of the GOP, which pushed Trump to support Paxton despite concerns among establishment Republicans that Paxton’s legal controversies and personal scandals could make the seat more vulnerable in the general election. Senate Republicans are not happy with the endorsement with some saying this cost Republicans Texas:
Here is another Republican response:
And another:
U.S. soldiers who survived a deadly Iranian drone strike on a base in Kuwait say Army leadership ignored repeated requests for stronger medical and defensive support before the attack, which killed six American service members and wounded 20. Survivors told CBS News they lacked adequate doctors, ambulances, medical supplies, and drone protection, with some believing at least one soldier, Master Sgt. Nicole Amor, might have survived with faster or better treatment. The Pentagon disputes claims of negligence, saying it took “extraordinary steps” to protect troops and noting that an investigation is still underway. The accounts are intensifying scrutiny of how the U.S. military prepared personnel for Iran’s retaliatory attacks during Operation Epic Fury.
Donald Trump is again threatening military action against Iran, warning that the U.S. could launch “a big hit” within days if Tehran refuses to accept major concessions in negotiations to end the Middle East conflict. Trump said he recently canceled a planned strike at the last minute after Iran submitted another peace proposal through Pakistani mediators, but analysts say repeated threats without follow-through are weakening U.S. credibility. The conflict remains deadlocked, with Iran continuing restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz while both sides avoid returning to full-scale war despite escalating rhetoric. The ongoing standoff is fueling global economic fears, driving up oil prices, and creating political pressure on both the Trump administration and Iran’s leadership
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins admitted today that the Trump administration has “no plan in place” to create a national strategic fertilizer stockpile:
Black political leaders and the NAACP are launching a new campaign called “Out of Bounds,” urging Black student athletes and fans to boycott major Southern college sports programs in response to Republican-led redistricting efforts they say weaken Black political representation. The campaign targets powerhouse athletic schools in states like Alabama, Texas, Florida, and Georgia, arguing that institutions profiting from Black athletes should oppose efforts to dilute Black voting power. Leaders including Hakeem Jeffries compared the effort to historic athlete-driven civil rights activism and tied it to broader Democratic resistance against voting-rights rollbacks. The strategy reflects growing frustration among Black leaders who feel legal and legislative avenues to challenge Southern redistricting have become increasingly ineffective.
Republican primaries across states like Kentucky, Georgia, and Pennsylvania are becoming a major test of President Donald Trump’s influence over the GOP, especially in races targeting Republicans who have broken with him. In Kentucky, Rep. Thomas Massie is facing a heavily funded challenge from Trump-backed candidate Ed Gallrein after repeatedly opposing parts of Trump’s agenda and pushing for the release of Jeffrey Epstein files. Georgia’s crowded gubernatorial and Senate races are also drawing national attention, with Democrats hoping to capitalize on competitive statewide contests and concerns over voting rights and redistricting.
The Justice Department has charged seven Chinese executives and four major shipping container manufacturers with allegedly conspiring to fix prices during the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing them of exploiting global supply chain chaos for profit. Prosecutors say the scheme artificially drove up shipping container prices and affected roughly $35 billion in global commerce, worsening shortages and costs for consumers during the pandemic. One defendant was recently arrested in France and is awaiting extradition to the United States. The case is part of a broader wave of DOJ investigations tied to the pandemic and reflects the Trump administration’s continued focus on China and alleged COVID-era misconduct.
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Good news:
German golfer Leonie Harm has won her first professional title on the Ladies European Tour, 13 years after nearly dying in a crash caused by a drunken driver. Harm suffered devastating injuries as a teenager, including collapsed lungs, a skull fracture, brain injuries, and multiple broken bones, with doctors unsure she would walk again. She later endured additional personal hardships, including the death of her mother and struggles that nearly pushed her out of professional golf. Harm called her victory at the German Masters a testament to resilience, self-forgiveness, and perseverance through years of physical and emotional challenges.
More than 200 volunteers helped restore 20,000 native oysters to waters off Portsmouth, England, in what organizers say is the UK’s largest-ever subtidal oyster reef restoration project. Led by conservation groups and marine scientists, the effort aims to rebuild historic oyster reefs that once supported local ecosystems, jobs, and coastal communities before populations collapsed over the last century. Oysters play a major environmental role by filtering water, supporting biodiversity, and protecting coastlines from erosion. Organizers say the project also reflects growing public enthusiasm for large-scale marine restoration and conservation efforts.
Conservationists and local communities in India’s remote Nagaland state are helping the critically endangered Asian giant tortoise make a comeback after decades of decline from hunting and habitat loss. A captive breeding program that began with just 13 tortoises has now produced more than 100 animals, many of which have been released into tribal forest reserves protected by local “Tortoise Guardians.” Unlike past government-led efforts, the project relies heavily on Indigenous communities and local youth to monitor and protect the species in the wild. Conservationists say the model is proving so successful that neighboring regions are now working to replicate it.
Archaeologists in Luxor, Egypt, have opened a 2,600-year-old burial chamber containing 22 coffins and eight mummies believed to belong to a special group of female temple singers known as the “Singers of Amun.” The tomb, discovered in the Asasif necropolis, also contained sealed jars and funerary artifacts that researchers say could provide valuable insight into ancient Egyptian religious life and burial practices. Experts believe the women held respected religious roles connected to the worship of the god Amun at Karnak Temple. The discovery is being hailed as another major archaeological breakthrough in Luxor, one of the world’s richest ancient sites.
See you soon.
— Aaron
