Good morning everyone. I expect today to be a busy one. If you believe in honest journalism that doesn’t bend to corporate interests or political pressure… if you believe in journalism that’s willing to hold Trump and those in power accountable… then I’m asking you to subscribe. Thank you for your support, truly.
With that, here’s the news:
According to Punchbowl News, California Democrats are considering an aggressive plan to redraw the state’s congressional map in order to gain 5–7 additional House seats, potentially reducing the GOP delegation to just two or three.
This is aimed at countering Republican redistricting in states like Texas and reclaiming the House majority. Despite broad support within the delegation and backing from leaders like Hakeem Jeffries and Gavin Newsom, the move faces major hurdles due to California’s independent redistricting commission and legal complexities around mid-decade redrawing.
To override the independent commission, Democrats may try a costly special election to “pause” the commission or pursue a legally risky mid-decade redraw through the legislature, exploiting a potential constitutional loophole.
Overnight, Senate Republicans narrowly passed a $9 billion spending cut package targeting foreign aid and public broadcasting, aligning with DOGE’s cuts. Most cuts hit USAID and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, while funding for global AIDS relief (PEPFAR) and tribal radio stations was preserved after GOP pushback. The bill now returns to the House, which must approve the amended version by Friday’s budget deadline.
While the GOP largely supported the measure, Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski opposed it, citing a lack of transparency on how cuts would be implemented. Despite initial resistance, Mitch McConnell eventually voted in favor.
The Justice Department has fired Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey and a prosecutor in high-profile cases involving Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jeffrey Epstein, without providing a reason; her dismissal follows growing political pressure over the unreleased “Epstein files,” ongoing scrutiny of James Comey, and internal GOP conflict, including criticism of Attorney General Pam Bondi and backlash from Trump toward his own supporters.
Maurene Comey’s firing did not come from her local U.S. attorney’s office but likely from DOJ headquarters, with no explanation given; colleagues, still reeling from the Eric Adams debacle, showed support by escorting her out in solidarity.
House Speaker Mike Johnson clarified that his call for more Epstein information was “misrepresented,” emphasizing he and Trump are aligned in supporting transparency and that “all of the credible information” should be released for the public to judge.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 69% of Americans believe the Trump administration is hiding details about Jeffrey Epstein’s clients, with just 17% approving of Trump’s handling of the case—his lowest rating on any issue.
Trump’s announcement that Coca-Cola will switch to cane sugar has sparked backlash from the corn industry, which warns the move could cost thousands of U.S. farm jobs, adding economic strain amid existing tensions over tariffs, Epstein fallout, and Federal Reserve disputes.
Tens of thousands of people across all 50 states are expected to join over 1,500 “Good Trouble Lives On” protests on July 17, honoring the legacy of civil rights icon John Lewis and opposing the Trump administration’s attacks on civil liberties, voting rights, immigrants, and marginalized communities; the day of action, held on the fifth anniversary of Lewis’s death, includes rallies, marches, vigils, and voter registration drives, with a flagship event in Chicago and others in cities like Atlanta and Oakland.
Trump’s 2026 Pentagon budget increases military spending to $1 trillion—a 17% boost that will generate an additional 26 megatons of carbon emissions, equivalent to the annual output of 68 gas plants or the entire nation of Croatia, according to new research.
Black box recordings from last month’s Air India crash indicate the captain intentionally shut off the plane’s fuel switches, prompting a panicked response from the co-pilot while the captain remained calm.
ICE arrests of immigrants without criminal charges or convictions surged in June after the Trump administration tripled the agency’s arrest quota, with noncriminals making up nearly half of daily arrests nationwide and over a third in states like Utah—prompting legal concerns and pushback from local officials.
Retail sales rebounded sharply in June after a spring slowdown, exceeding economists’ expectations and signaling consumer resilience despite growing concerns that Trump’s tariffs are straining the broader economy.
An Israeli strike hit Gaza’s only Catholic church, killing two and injuring several, including priest Gabriel Romanelli; the Vatican and global leaders condemned the attack, which struck a shelter housing Christians, Muslims, and children with disabilities, as calls for a ceasefire intensified.
A new U.S. assessment reported by NBC News reveals that June's airstrikes—Operation Midnight Hammer—significantly damaged Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility but left the Natanz and Isfahan sites largely intact, capable of resuming enrichment within months; this contradicts the Trump administration’s claims that all three sites were “completely obliterated”
Good News:
Massachusetts Girl Scouts donated nearly 14,000 boxes of cookies to U.S. service members through Project Care and Share, demonstrating leadership and generosity while supporting troops via the USO and Barnes Air National Guard.
For 30 years, the small town of Swanville, Minnesota (population 328) has ensured every graduating senior receives a scholarship—raising funds through community events and awarding over $1 million to date, including $5,000 this year to one student, all as a gesture of support and belonging.
After decades of providing free care to Baltimore's underserved communities, beloved physician Dr. Michael Zollicoffer—"Dr. Z"—was diagnosed with cancer and faced $150,000 in medical bills due to lapsed insurance, prompting grateful patients and supporters to raise over $280,000 for his treatment, with his legacy even honored in the U.S. Congressional Record.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
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