Good morning, everyone. It’s already been a busy morning. There is a lot of Epstein news as the criminal investigation in New Mexico heats up and members of Congress push for JD Vance to testify. It comes as survivors criticize Todd Blanche, some lawmakers suggest impeaching Trump over the handling of the Epstein files, and Trump lashes out at those calling for his impeachment, saying they should be expelled from Congress.
This weekend could be the weekend a deal is signed between the United States and Iran, although I am not holding my breath. Trump is also seeking changes to the ACA that would encourage insurance companies to offer loans to people who cannot afford healthcare, and there is much more developing.
Trump’s name is set to come down from the Kennedy Center today unless a court intervenes. I’m heading to the Epstein Reading Room shortly to spend time with survivors. It’s shaping up to be another very busy day.
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Here’s the news:
Epstein survivors released statement blasting Todd Blanche following the revelation that he worked alongside the White House to protect Trump from the Epstein files. "We deserve better. We deserve truth, transparency, and accountability. We deserve to be taken seriously when we come forward."
The only criminal investigation into the Epstein files is heating up today. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez says his investigation into Jeffrey Epstein is being hindered because the Justice Department has not provided unredacted Epstein files that could contain critical witness information and investigative leads. Torrez expressed growing frustration with what he described as an unusual lack of cooperation from federal authorities, saying access to the records is essential for pursuing the truth and advancing New Mexico’s criminal investigation. While he said he hopes the documents will be released voluntarily, he did not rule out suing the Justice Department to obtain them. The dispute adds to mounting pressure on federal officials as lawmakers, prosecutors, and victims’ advocates continue demanding greater transparency surrounding the Epstein files.
Democrats are moving to bring Vice President JD Vance before Congress after reports revealed he played a central role in the administration’s response to the Epstein files controversy. According to the reporting, Vance warned senior officials that the issue posed a serious political threat and participated in high-level strategy meetings involving top White House, Justice Department, and FBI officials. Lawmakers are now questioning why the matter was discussed in the Situation Room and whether the administration’s response was driven by concerns about political fallout rather than transparency. The push for Vance’s testimony comes as congressional investigations into the Epstein files continue to expand and scrutiny of the administration’s handling of the issue intensifies.
Today is the day the “Trump” name has to come down from the Kennedy Center. The Trump-appointed board of the Kennedy Center is making a last-minute legal push to keep President Trump’s name on the performing arts venue after a federal judge ruled that only Congress has the authority to change the center’s name. The board voted to seek a stay of the court order requiring all references to Trump be removed by Friday, even though the Kennedy Center had already begun reverting to its original name in official communications and on its website. The dispute stems from Trump’s takeover of the institution earlier in his second term, when he replaced its leadership, installed allies in key positions, and announced the facility would be renamed the “Trump Kennedy Center.” We will see if a court obliges before the name has to be taken down.
According to the New York Times, the Trump administration is encouraging health insurers to consider offering loans to Obamacare customers who cannot afford large medical bills, a proposal that has drawn criticism from health policy experts and consumer advocates. The idea comes as Affordable Care Act premiums and deductibles rise following the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, leaving many families facing thousands of dollars in additional health care costs. Administration officials argue that loans could help people manage unexpected medical expenses while allowing insurers to offer lower-premium, higher-deductible plans, including expanded catastrophic coverage options. Critics counter that the proposal would burden already struggling patients with even more debt rather than addressing the underlying problem of rising health care costs and affordability.
According to the Wall Street Journal, President Trump and his allies are discussing a congressional resolution to "expunge" his two impeachments, allowing him to claim a symbolic victory even though constitutional experts say Congress has no power to erase impeachments from history. House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed support for the effort, arguing the impeachments were partisan attacks, while some Republicans and legal scholars have dismissed the proposal as largely symbolic and historically meaningless. The push is part of a broader campaign to remove perceived stains from Trump's record, including efforts to overturn past legal judgments and reshape his legacy. The measure faces uncertain prospects in Congress and is unlikely to be considered until after the midterm elections.
Rep. Jamie Raskin has raised the possibility of impeachment proceedings against President Trump, prompting a furious response from Trump on Truth Social. In a lengthy post, Trump attacked Raskin personally and called for him to be expelled from Congress, framing the impeachment talk as a politically motivated attack. The exchange reflects escalating tensions between the White House and congressional Democrats as investigations and oversight efforts continue. While no impeachment proceedings have formally begun, Trump’s reaction suggests he views the threat as serious enough to warrant a public and highly aggressive response.
A Texas family is fighting to stop a massive data center from being built on 87 acres of land that was donated in 1999 for use as a public park. The land was originally deeded to a public trust for $10 with the condition that it be used as parkland, but after a series of transfers it was sold in 2025 to a data center developer for $10 million. Local resident Pamela Griffin, whose family has lived near the property for generations, argues the city violated the donor’s intent and is appealing a court ruling that dismissed her lawsuit. City officials defend the project as a major source of tax revenue, while opponents warn it will harm a working-class community and set a troubling precedent for ignoring deed restrictions.
After spending more than $13 million to “fix” the reflecting pool, algae is back. The Interior Department said crews cleaned algae from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, attributing the issue to residual algae that accumulated in water supply lines while the pool sat dormant for roughly eight weeks during renovations. Officials stressed that the algae growth was a normal part of restarting the system rather than a sign of a larger problem with the recently completed project. The department said workers are removing the algae and that newly installed nanobubbler technology is expected to help maintain water quality and prevent future algae growth. The explanation comes after photos of green water in the renovated reflecting pool drew attention and criticism online. Here is a video of the algae taken by CNN:
Iran war:
Tensions remain high in the Gulf after U.S. forces shot down two Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian media reported that Tehran’s military stopped a tanker from passing through the vital shipping route. The incidents underscore how fragile the security situation remains despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, making any disruption a major concern for global markets. Both military activity and shipping restrictions continue to raise fears of a broader regional escalation.
President Trump signaled that a deal to end the conflict could be reached within days, saying he canceled planned overnight strikes against Iran because negotiations were making progress. Trump claimed the two sides had reached a strong memorandum of understanding that could help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce hostilities. However, Iranian officials quickly pushed back, saying no final agreement has been reached and that reports of a completed deal are premature. The conflicting messages have created uncertainty about the true status of negotiations.
New reports from Iranian media describe a draft agreement that would reportedly include sanctions relief, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and a U.S. commitment to withdraw forces from areas surrounding Iran. The proposal would also reportedly involve economic assistance and discussions over Iran’s nuclear program. The details have not been independently verified, and Washington has not publicly confirmed the existence of such an agreement. Even if negotiations are advancing, major disagreements appear to remain unresolved. Here are all of the points:
Like clockwork, Trump disputes it:
A key flashpoint continues to be Kharg Island, the small Persian Gulf island that handles more than 90% of Iran’s oil exports. Earlier Thursday, Trump suggested the U.S. could eventually seize Kharg Island and take control of Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure, though he later appeared to soften that position as talks progressed. Analysts warn that any attempt to capture the island could dramatically escalate the conflict because it is critical to Iran’s economy and lies close to the Iranian mainland. The threat highlights how quickly diplomacy could give way to a much wider confrontation if negotiations collapse.
Israel says it has dramatically intensified its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, launching more than 300 airstrikes over the past week and targeting hundreds of sites it says are linked to the Iran-backed militant group. According to the Israeli military, the strikes killed around 80 Hezbollah members as part of a broader effort to eliminate threats across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank. Hezbollah has continued firing rockets and other projectiles into northern Israel, saying it is acting in defense of Lebanon amid the expanding regional conflict. The fighting has taken a severe humanitarian toll, with Lebanese officials reporting more than 3,700 deaths and over one million displaced people since the war began, while Israeli authorities say 21 people have been killed in Israel during the conflict with Iran.
Other news:
The Supreme Court blocked Alabama from carrying out the execution of Jeffrey Lee by nitrogen gas, leaving in place a lower-court ruling that found the method likely violates the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The decision came just hours before the execution was scheduled to take place, with a 6-3 majority refusing Alabama’s request to lift the injunction, though Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch dissented. The case has become a major test of nitrogen gas executions, which Alabama pioneered in 2024 and which critics argue can cause prolonged suffering before unconsciousness occurs. Lee’s attorneys celebrated the ruling as a victory for constitutional protections, while Alabama officials expressed disappointment and indicated they remain committed to carrying out his death sentence through legal means.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio compared America’s historic achievements, such as landing a man on the moon, to the spirit of innovation and ambition he sees in UFC, praising the organization for accomplishing things others thought were impossible.
CBS News is reportedly facing internal turmoil after efforts to reverse controversial staffing decisions made under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss encountered resistance. According to the report, new 60 Minutes executive producer Nick Bilton attempted to bring back veteran staffer Draggan Mihailovich, who had previously been removed during a broader shake-up overseen by Weiss. The failed rehiring effort highlights ongoing tensions inside CBS News, where some employees are said to be unhappy with the direction of the network and changes made under its current leadership. The dispute has become another flashpoint in the broader debate over editorial independence, newsroom culture, and the influence of politically charged media figures.
Empty seats at one of the opening matches of the 2026 World Cup have renewed criticism of FIFA’s ticket pricing and tournament accessibility, despite organizers claiming strong overall demand. While Mexico’s opening match drew more than 80,000 fans, visible sections of empty seats appeared during South Korea’s game against the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, fueling concerns that high ticket prices, expensive travel costs, and visa barriers are discouraging attendance. Fan groups have accused FIFA of pricing out ordinary supporters and questioned whether the lowest advertised ticket prices were actually available in meaningful numbers. The controversy comes as FIFA defends its pricing strategy and says it has already sold more than six million tickets for the tournament.
Ariana Grande publicly criticized the White House after it used her song “Bye” in a social media video showing ICE agents detaining immigrants, calling the video “barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense” and demanding that her music not be associated with it. Following her objection, the music was removed from the post. Grande joins a growing list of artists, including Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, and Kenny Loggins, who have condemned the Trump administration for using their music in political or immigration-related content without their approval. Critics argue the White House deliberately uses popular songs to generate controversy and social media attention, while artists have accused the administration of exploiting their work to promote policies they oppose.
The Trump administration has continued its controversial practice of deporting migrants to third countries, with a new flight carrying roughly two dozen people, including at least one Iranian woman, to the Central African Republic. The Central African Republic is one of several African nations that have agreed to accept deportees who are not their own citizens under agreements aimed at expanding U.S. immigration enforcement. Immigration advocates and lawyers have criticized the policy, arguing that migrants are being sent to unstable countries with which they have no connection and where they may face serious risks. The deportation flight became more contentious after two other Iranian women scheduled for removal won emergency court orders temporarily blocking their transfer while judges review the legality of the government’s actions.
Federal prosecutors in the influential Southern District of New York are anxiously awaiting who will replace Jay Clayton after President Trump nominated him to become Director of National Intelligence. Although Clayton initially faced skepticism because of his ties to Trump and lack of prosecutorial experience, many prosecutors ultimately viewed him as a relatively stable leader compared with some of Trump’s more controversial Justice Department appointees elsewhere. His tenure included overseeing high-profile cases and the review of the Jeffrey Epstein files, but he also drew criticism over his handling of politically sensitive matters involving the Trump administration. With Clayton departing, prosecutors are reportedly worried that his successor could be more overtly political and less protective of the office’s long tradition of independence from the White House.
A viral video of seven-year-old Palestinian boy Ayoub Junaid crying over his broken glasses has drawn international attention to the struggles faced by visually impaired children in Gaza amid the ongoing war and blockade. Although donors helped provide Ayoub with a new pair of glasses after the video spread online, his family says he still urgently needs specialized eye surgery and a stronger prescription that is unavailable in Gaza. Doctors and aid workers report that thousands of patients are waiting for eye surgeries and other treatments because medical facilities have been damaged, supplies are scarce, and access to specialized care remains limited. Ayoub’s story has become a symbol of the broader humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza’s children, many of whom are unable to obtain essential medical care despite serious health needs.
Ukraine is preparing to ask its allies for an additional $20 billion in military funding, arguing that now is a critical moment to capitalize on recent battlefield gains and intensify pressure on Russia. Ukrainian officials say the money would fund air defenses, drones, ammunition, electronic warfare systems, long-range strike capabilities, and purchases from Ukraine’s growing domestic defense industry. Kyiv believes its increasingly effective drone and missile campaign is inflicting serious damage on Russian logistics, fuel supplies, industrial facilities, and military infrastructure, but warns that Russia could eventually adapt if support slows. Ukrainian leaders plan to make the request ahead of upcoming NATO meetings, arguing that a failure to provide the funding could allow Moscow to regain the initiative and prolong the war.
According to The Guardian, China has arrested Min Zin, a U.S.-based scholar and founder of the think tank ISP Myanmar, on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities that allegedly threaten China’s national security. Min Zin disappeared after traveling to Kunming in China’s Yunnan province for a conference, and Chinese officials later confirmed he was being investigated. The arrest is notable because Beijing rarely detains American citizens on national security charges and it comes just weeks after President Trump met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as both countries sought to stabilize relations. Min Zin, a former student activist from Myanmar and current Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Berkeley, is known for research on Myanmar, Chinese foreign policy, trade, and China’s influence in the region.
See you soon.
— Aaron
