Good morning everyone. There are major developments breaking right now. A House committee has reviewed new records tied to Jack Smith’s investigation and found that Donald Trump kept classified documents so sensitive that only six people in the entire government could access them, shared at least some of that material with others on a plane, and may have had business motives for holding onto them.
At the same time, Republicans are growing uneasy after last night’s special election losses in Florida, and Iran is openly mocking the United States as efforts to negotiate an end to the war appear to be stalling.
As I mention in the video, excuse any errors. I am running on very little sleep and will explain why soon. The news is moving fast and we are pushing to keep up while also working on some exciting projects that I will share shortly.
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Here’s the news:
Newly released records from special counsel Jack Smith indicate Donald Trump may have retained highly sensitive classified documents tied to his business interests, with prosecutors suggesting this provided a motive for keeping them after leaving office. Investigators found he possessed materials so restricted that only six U.S. officials were authorized to access them and evidence that he showed a classified map to others, including on a private flight. The findings raise significant national security concerns, though Trump and his allies deny wrongdoing and argue the case was politically motivated. This is from the release from the House Committee today:
Democrats flipped two Republican-held seats in Florida, including a state House district that contains Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, where Emily Gregory defeated a Trump-endorsed candidate in a closely watched race. They also secured a narrow victory in a Tampa-area state Senate seat, where Democrat Brian Nathan won despite being heavily outspent. While Republicans still hold a legislative supermajority, the results signal Democratic momentum in special elections and growing voter concerns over affordability—even in Trump’s own backyard.
A key takeaway from the Florida special elections is that Democrats’ victories weren’t driven by unusual turnout dynamics, as the electorates still leaned double-digit Republican, yet Democratic candidates won anyway—suggesting a genuine shift in voter sentiment rather than a one-off result.
According to NBC News, U.S. military officials have been giving President Trump daily short video montages highlighting successful strikes in the Iran war, raising concerns among some allies that he may be seeing a curated, overly positive view of the conflict. While the White House insists he receives full intelligence briefings, officials say the videos emphasize victories and may omit setbacks, potentially shaping his perception and frustration with media coverage. The situation has sparked worries about whether Trump is getting enough balanced information to make critical wartime decisions, even as support within his political base remains strong.
An AP-NORC survey of 1,150 adults (March 19–23) found 59% say U.S. military action against Iran has gone too far, even as about two-thirds still prioritize preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The poll comes amid Operation Epic Fury, a U.S.-Israel air campaign launched February 28 that has triggered Iranian retaliation, disrupted oil flows, and driven gas prices up to $3.93 per gallon. Opinion is sharply divided along party lines—90% of Democrats view the action as excessive while Republicans are split—and 60% of Americans oppose sending ground troops as economic concerns affect 45%.
Iran has received a U.S.-proposed 15-point ceasefire plan—delivered via intermediaries—even as fighting intensifies, with Tehran publicly rejecting talks while continuing attacks across the region and the U.S. ramping up troop deployments. The proposal includes sanctions relief, limits on Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and reopening key oil routes, but major sticking points remain given Iran’s longstanding positions. Escalating strikes have driven global energy fears and high oil prices, while ongoing violence has caused significant casualties across Iran, Israel, and the wider region.
Iran exchanged fresh strikes with Israel while openly mocking U.S. diplomacy, with a top military spokesperson ridiculing Washington by asking whether its “internal conflicts” had reached the point of “negotiating with yourselves,” underscoring Tehran’s rejection of talks and deep skepticism toward ceasefire efforts.
Reuters has confirmed that the Pentagon is expected to deploy roughly 3,000–4,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, expanding a major U.S. military buildup even as ceasefire talks with Iran are discussed. The move could increase options for escalation, including potential operations inside Iran or securing key sites like the Strait of Hormuz, though no final decision on ground deployment has been made. The buildup comes amid low domestic support for the war, with a majority of Americans opposing U.S. strikes despite ongoing military activity.
According to Bloomberg, Turkey is carrying out intensive diplomatic efforts to discourage Gulf Arab states from joining the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, aiming to prevent further regional escalation as tensions rise and some Gulf countries weigh deeper involvement.
In testimony in front of a House shadow committee, a witness said federal agents confiscated his phone after he told them he had recorded the incident, and it was later pawned for $250, raising serious allegations of misconduct and improper handling of personal property by law enforcement.
Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime accountant and lawyer told a House panel they were never interviewed by federal investigators, raising new questions about the Justice Department’s claim that its review of the case was “exhaustive.” Both men, who worked closely with Epstein and helped manage his estate, said they were not contacted by law enforcement despite their roles, though neither has been accused of wrongdoing. Their testimony has fueled scrutiny over gaps in the government’s handling of the Epstein investigation and its decision not to release additional materials.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden argued that Donald Trump approaches leadership with a long-term perspective, saying he “doesn’t think in election cycles” but instead focuses on “generational cycles,” framing his agenda as aimed at lasting, structural change rather than short-term political gains.
The Pentagon has reached agreements with major defense companies including Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Honeywell to significantly ramp up production of munitions and missile systems, shifting to a “wartime footing” amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. The deals include major investments and efforts to expand output of key weapons like THAAD interceptors and precision strike missiles.
Rep. Lisa McClain said she hopes the conflict does not escalate to “boots on the ground,” but emphasized the need to ensure stability in the region and protect global trade routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.
French investigators searched the Paris offices of Edmond de Rothschild as part of a corruption probe involving diplomat Fabrice Aidan, who is accused of sharing confidential U.N. documents with Jeffrey Epstein, though he denies wrongdoing. The inquiry centers on alleged “passive corruption” tied to Aidan’s time at the U.N. and later employment at the bank, which says it is cooperating and launched its own internal review. The case has drawn further scrutiny because Aidan appeared in hundreds of Epstein-related documents, including emails allegedly sent between 2010 and 2016.
Rep. Thomas Massie said the release of Epstein-related files should not require a special prosecutor, arguing that Attorney General Pam Bondi must simply follow the law and warning that failure to do so could expose her to legal consequences from a future successor.
Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura called on Barron Trump to enlist in the military, arguing that leaders should not send others’ children to war if they are unwilling to have their own family serve.
A New York Times investigation found that a U.S.-backed Ecuadorian military strike touted as destroying a drug training camp likely hit a civilian dairy farm, based on interviews with the owner, workers, and local residents. While Ecuador claims the site was used by traffickers and acted with U.S. intelligence support, witnesses say soldiers burned structures, detained and abused workers, and later bombed the remains. U.S. officials said they provided support but had no direct role in the bombing, raising questions about the accuracy of the operation’s justification and its impact on civilians.
A frustrated traveler summed up public sentiment toward Congress, saying “fire ’em all” while rushing to catch a flight after hours at the airport, reflecting widespread irritation and fatigue with government dysfunction.
A group of House Democrats led by Rep. Jason Crow is pushing to require, through a DHS funding bill, that federal agents refocus on core missions like counterterrorism and drug trafficking rather than immigration enforcement. The effort comes amid ongoing outrage over recent killings and concerns that thousands of DHS personnel have been diverted to support President Trump’s mass deportation agenda.
The Justice Department is intensifying its investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan by requesting classified House Intelligence Committee transcripts tied to his past testimony on Russian election interference. The move signals a potential criminal case against Brennan, a frequent Trump target, as prosecutors examine whether he made false statements, though his lawyers deny any wrongdoing. The probe reflects broader efforts by Trump allies to pursue accountability over the 2016 Russia investigation, amid skepticism from some legal observers and prior resistance from grand juries.
See you soon.
— Aaron
