Good evening, I want to take a moment to say thank you. Because of your support, I was able to publish one of my first exclusive reports today—sharing the story of a lawyer who was fired by a top law firm simply for speaking out about the state of our nation. And just minutes after House Republicans voted to block the release of the Epstein files, I released an in-depth interview with Rep. Eric Swalwell.
This kind of reporting isn’t easy—and it isn’t possible without you.
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.
Your support is what makes this work possible—and I need your help to keep it going.
With that, here’s the news:
Jeffrey Epstein:
Speaker Mike Johnson broke with Donald Trump by calling for the DOJ to release all documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, saying, “We should put everything out there and let the people decide.”
This rare disagreement highlights growing friction between Trump and his MAGA base, who are frustrated over the administration’s handling of the Epstein case and the DOJ’s recent conclusion that Epstein died by suicide, with no client list to disclose.
Johnson directly criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging her to explain her earlier claim that Epstein’s client list was “sitting on my desk,” and called for the DOJ to resolve the issue and shift focus to other priorities.
While Trump defended Bondi, he hinted that more documents could still be released, saying, “Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release.”
Democrats have demanded hearings with Bondi, her deputy Kash Patel, and FBI leaders, after House Republicans blocked an amendment requiring Epstein files to be made public.
Bondi has refused to discuss Epstein publicly, deflecting questions at press events by focusing on fentanyl and national security, and saying, “Today, our memo speaks for itself.”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) filed a discharge petition to force a House vote on releasing the complete Jeffrey Epstein files, bypassing GOP leadership and challenging the Trump administration’s decision to withhold further disclosures; Massie urged constituents to press their representatives to sign the petition, amid speculation—fueled even by Trump supporters—that AG Pam Bondi is protecting Trump by keeping the files sealed.
All 19 Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee have formally demanded that Republicans hold a hearing on Jeffrey Epstein’s death and sex-trafficking case, calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and their deputies to testify; their letter cites growing mistrust and public suspicion following the DOJ’s conclusion that Epstein died by suicide and that no client list exists, amid rare backlash against Trump from his own supporters.
According to Wired, new metadata from the FBI’s so-called “raw” surveillance footage of Jeffrey Epstein’s prison cell shows that nearly 3 minutes were cut from one of two stitched-together video clips released by the DOJ; the footage—edited in Adobe Premiere and saved multiple times—contradicts official claims and has sparked backlash, with critics alleging a cover-up amid the administration’s denial of any “incriminating” evidence tied to Epstein’s death.
Immigration:
Nearly two weeks after Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention center opened in the Everglades, attorneys report being repeatedly denied access to clients, facing unreturned calls and emails, confusion over legal jurisdiction, and missing detainee records in ICE databases—despite state claims of legal access; lawyers say the facility operates as a “black hole” where migrants vanish from public systems, hearings are delayed or misdirected, and no clear process exists for visitations or legal filings.
One attorney says a Florida Highway Patrol officer told her they refer anyone who "appears Hispanic" to Border Patrol — a blatant admission of racial profiling made directly to a lawyer over the phone.
The Trump administration has significantly limited the ability of individuals facing deportation to be released from ICE detention, with ICE stating the new guidance “closes a loophole to our nation's security based on an inaccurate interpretation of the statute,” according to sources cited by CBS News.
The Trump administration detained an Irish tourist in a federal prison leasing beds to ICE, where he reported being “treated less than human,” including staff throwing his medication on the ground instead of handing it to him.
According to ProPublica, the IRS is developing a system to give ICE automated, on-demand access to taxpayer data—including home addresses of people targeted for deportation—raising serious privacy concerns; the project led to the forced resignation of IRS acting general counsel Andrew De Mello after he refused to hand over 7.3 million addresses, citing legal deficiencies, and IRS staff warn the system could result in wrongful raids due to outdated or inaccurate information.
All other news:
The Trump administration has ordered the incineration of nearly 500 metric tons of emergency food—high-energy biscuits meant for malnourished children in Afghanistan and Pakistan—rather than distribute it abroad, despite repeated warnings from federal workers that the rations, worth $800,000 and stored in Dubai, would soon expire; the move marks a stark escalation in the administration’s ongoing dismantling of U.S. foreign aid programs.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the withdrawal of 2,000 National Guard troops from Los Angeles—originally deployed after immigration raids sparked violent protests—amid ongoing legal challenges and political backlash over the Trump administration’s decision to federalize the Guard without California’s consent; half the troops and 700 deployed Marines will remain to assist in detaining threats to federal personnel or property.
Senate Republicans may move as soon as Tuesday to pass a $9 billion rescissions package pushed by Donald Trump, slashing previously approved funds for foreign aid and public broadcasting, including $1.1 billion from NPR and PBS and $8 billion from international assistance programs; despite internal GOP objections, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has agreed to preserve $400 million for the HIV relief program Pepfar, while Speaker Mike Johnson urged the Senate to pass the House version without changes.
Ukraine is awaiting clarification after Donald Trump announced a deal involving “17 Patriots” for Kyiv during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, though it remains unclear whether he meant full air defense batteries, launchers, or interceptor missiles; Ukraine’s military intelligence welcomed the aid but noted confusion, especially as the U.S. and European allies have yet to provide specifics on the promised billions in military equipment.
Vance Boelter, 57, has been federally indicted for the murder of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband while disguised as a police officer, and for the attempted murder of State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife; prosecutors called it a “political assassination” unprecedented in Minnesota’s history, and Boelter could face the death penalty if convicted.
The family of Sayfollah Musallet, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Florida, is calling on the Trump administration to arrest and prosecute Israeli settlers who beat him to death in the occupied West Bank; Musallet was visiting relatives near Ramallah and died defending their farm, with his family accusing the U.S. government of indifference to his killing and demanding accountability for what they describe as a brutal, unjust attack.
See you in the morning.
— Aaron
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