Good morning, everyone—today is going to be a big day in pursuit of the truth. I will be interviewing Robert Garcia, the Democratic leader on the Oversight Committee in the afternoon to hear about efforts to subpoena the Epstein files. Drop your questions in the comments. While some bow to Trump, we stand our ground.
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With that, here’s the news:
Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump:
Trump is losing influence in the House as some GOP lawmakers join Democrats in pushing forward the Epstein investigation. The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed the DOJ for Epstein-related files, and Ghislaine Maxwell is set to be deposed next month.
This move not only undermines the Trump administration’s claims that the material is irrelevant but also ensures the Epstein story will remain in the spotlight for months—potentially complicating upcoming government funding negotiations.
Donald Trump is facing renewed scrutiny after a Wall Street Journal report claimed his name appears multiple times in Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein, prompting the House Oversight Committee to subpoena both the DOJ and Ghislaine Maxwell for testimony.
In a 2010 deposition, Jeffrey Epstein invoked his Fifth, Sixth, and 14th Amendment rights when asked if he had ever socialized with Donald Trump in the presence of females under the age of 18, after confirming they had a social relationship.
The White House denied wrongdoing, downplayed Trump’s ties to Epstein, and retaliated by banning a Journal reporter from Air Force One following Trump’s $10bn defamation suit against the outlet.
A House Oversight subcommittee voted 8–2 to subpoena the Justice Department's files on Jeffrey Epstein, with three Republicans joining Democrats in support. The committee will now begin drafting the subpoena language, which may be taken up after the House returns from its summer recess.
Ghislaine Maxwell will be meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche today according to CNN reporting. Whether or not the contents of this meeting are publicized remains to be seen.
General News:
South Park’s 27th season premiered with a scathing satire of Donald Trump, Paramount, and media censorship, featuring Trump in bed with Satan, deepfake nudity, and commentary on lawsuits, show cancellations, and the Epstein files—just one day after signing a $1.5 billion deal with Paramount, the very network it mocks.
A “Save Colbert” rally in New York drew dozens of protesters, Democratic lawmakers, and public figures demanding CBS and Paramount reverse the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, following the network’s $16M settlement of a lawsuit brought by Donald Trump. The cancellation, widely seen as politically motivated, sparked outrage and a petition with over 250,000 signatures
A federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Donald Trump’s executive order to repeal birthright citizenship unconstitutional, affirming an earlier block by a New Hampshire judge. The decision is the latest legal setback in Trump’s push to end the 14th Amendment right, which grants citizenship to nearly all individuals born on U.S. soil. Despite earlier attempts to challenge the injunctions at the Supreme Court, the legality of the order remains unresolved.
The U.S. Department of Justice has requested Wisconsin’s voter registration data and information on election fraud as part of a multi-state effort under a new executive order from President Trump aimed at overhauling elections.
The DOJ sent letters to Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski—who does not oversee elections—and the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC), which said the DOJ must formally request and pay $12,500 for the voter rolls. Godlewski’s office called the move a politically motivated “witch hunt” targeting Democratic-led states to undermine the 2020 election results.
The Pentagon’s independent watchdog has uncovered evidence that messages from Pete Hegseth’s Signal account, which previewed a U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen, were based on a classified email labeled “SECRET/NOFORN,” contradicting Trump administration claims that no classified information was shared.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza:
UNRWA and WHO report mass starvation, with aid workers fainting from hunger and one in five children in Gaza City malnourished. Over 100 people, including 21 children under five, have died from starvation due to Israel’s aid blockade, which WHO described as “man-made mass starvation.”
Israeli strikes continued across Gaza, killing civilians, while Hamas launched projectiles near aid sites. Israel is reviewing a revised Hamas ceasefire proposal seen as “workable,” with discussions underway involving US and Israeli officials. The proposed deal includes a 60-day truce and phased hostage releases.
A car-ramming attack injured Israeli soldiers; two Palestinian teens were killed in the West Bank. Brazil plans to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, while former UK diplomats push for Palestinian state recognition. International media demand access to Gaza, and EU warns Israel to meet aid delivery commitments.
Thailand and Cambodia at war:
Thailand reported 12 deaths (including one child and one soldier) and 31 injuries from Cambodian artillery shelling that struck civilian areas, including a hospital. In retaliation, a Thai F-16 jet destroyed a Cambodian military target, with additional jets on standby.
Both countries blamed each other for initiating the conflict near the Ta Muen Thom temple. Fighting is ongoing at six locations, and Thailand has closed all border checkpoints.
Cambodia downgraded diplomatic relations, expelled the Thai ambassador, and recalled embassy staff after Thailand did the same in response to a landmine blast that injured five Thai soldiers.
Cambodia requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting, accusing Thailand of deliberate attacks. Thailand’s acting premier said no war had been declared and called for a ceasefire before talks.
Good News:
After getting stranded in remote California woods en route to a Boy Scout camp, Tami Laird and her son Stirling stayed calm, remained with their vehicle, and cleverly left notes and fabric markers along nearby forest roads to help rescuers find them. Their strategy worked: two days later, search teams discovered their notes and safely located them and their car. Authorities praised Laird for “doing everything right,” and emphasized the importance of staying put, leaving a travel plan, and signaling for help when lost in remote areas.
In Hamburg, Germany, copper smelting company Aurubis is using waste heat from its chemical (not thermal) copper refining process to provide hot water to about 28,000 homes without emitting CO2. The project, launched in 2018 as part of a waterfront redevelopment, channels the exothermic reaction heat through a multi-kilometer pipeline to the city’s district heating network, saving around 120,000 tons of CO2 annually. Costing €70 million, the system operates with a backup natural gas boiler for winter peaks and exemplifies how industrial waste heat can power cities sustainably.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
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