Hey everyone — today has been intense. The U.S. is on the brink of a potential war with Iran, and developments are unfolding by the hour. In the midst of it all, I had the chance to speak with California Governor Gavin Newsom — huge thanks to everyone who tuned in live or caught the replay.
Because I’m tracking dozens of major stories in real time, I haven’t been able to record a full video update. But I’ve laid out everything you need to know — including the latest on Iran — in the detailed text breakdown below.
My reporting is always free and accessible. But if you want to support this work and make sure you get the news in real time (especially as things escalate — I may not sleep tonight), subscribe today. Every bit helps keep this coverage going.
With that, here’s the news:
United States, Israel, and Iran
After several days of intense conflict between Israel and Iran, tensions escalated further as Donald Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and considered possible U.S. military involvement.
Trump held a high-level security meeting at the White House while sending mixed messages about whether the U.S. would join Israel's offensive.
Earlier in the day, he downplayed the need for U.S. action, but later hinted online that American forces might target Iran's top leader, suggesting a more aggressive stance.
Trump warned Iran’s supreme leader was easily reachable but not being targeted “for now,” while stressing the U.S. wouldn’t tolerate attacks on civilians or American troops and demanding “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.”
The possibility of U.S. involvement grew after Trump’s threats were followed by U.S. military aircraft moving closer to the region, raising concerns that only America could destroy Iran’s underground nuclear sites.
While Germany’s leader supported stronger action if Iran didn’t back down, France’s president urged caution, warning that military regime change in Iran could cause chaos; the UK prime minister downplayed U.S. involvement despite the rising tensions.
As Trump threatens military action against Iran, a bipartisan group of lawmakers—including Republican Thomas Massie and several progressive Democrats—introduced a resolution requiring congressional approval before any U.S. involvement.
The effort, echoed in the Senate by Democrat Tim Kaine, stresses that only Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war, with support quickly growing among both libertarian and progressive members.
Non-Iran News
Donald Trump was reportedly angry over the tone of a costly military parade held on his birthday, criticizing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the soldiers for appearing too cheerful and not “menacing” enough, according to biographer Michael Wolff.
The $45 million event, intended to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary, was sparsely attended and overshadowed by massive nationwide “No Kings Day” protests opposing Trump’s policies.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was hospitalized in Washington, D.C. after an allergic reaction but remained conscious, spoke with her team, and is reported to be doing fine.
ICE arrested New York City Comptroller Brad Lander for asking for a judicial warrant. He was manhandled by an ICE agent in a mask.
Lander was released from federal custody and is speaking to the press, saying he's fine but expressing concern for Edgardo, an immigrant detained by ICE without a visible judicial warrant. Lander was detained for challenging the ICE agents' actions, and although Homeland Security claims he assaulted a federal officer, he says no charges have been filed.
Senator Alex Padilla gave an emotional speech on the Senate floor, officially recording his account of being forcibly removed while trying to ask a question at a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Padilla warned that the incident reflects a dangerous erosion of democratic norms, saying if a senator can be silenced this way, ordinary Americans are at even greater risk.
After touring an immigration detention facility in Adelanto, California lawmakers reported unsanitary conditions, including detainees lacking clean clothes, underwear, and towels for over a week, and being forced to clean showers themselves to maintain hygiene.
Lawmakers and families of those detained during recent ICE raids expressed concern over poor communication access, with some struggling for days to locate loved ones or contact legal representation.
Ukrainian officials were frustrated and disappointed after Trump left the G7 summit early, skipping a planned meeting with President Zelenskyy and citing the Israel-Iran crisis as his priority, undermining efforts to gain U.S. support against Russia.
Some Ukrainian diplomats are now questioning whether it's worth attending the upcoming NATO summit, as Trump’s unpredictable focus and absence weaken promises of aid and reduce pressure on Putin to agree to a ceasefire.
President Trump has pushed back enforcement of the sale-or-ban order, giving TikTok a 90-day extension.
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s passport gender policy, preventing the State Department from banning the use of “X” or genders differing from a person’s sex at birth.
Adriana Smith, a brain-dead Georgia woman kept on life support to continue her pregnancy, gave birth prematurely via emergency C-section on June 13; her baby, Chance, is in the NICU and expected to recover, according to her mother.
Smith, who was declared brain dead in February due to blood clots, is scheduled to be taken off life support on Tuesday; her family is asking for prayers for the newborn.
R. Kelly was hospitalized after collapsing in prison from a reported medication overdose while in solitary confinement, with his lawyers claiming he was given the drugs by staff and lost consciousness before being rushed to Duke University Hospital.
See you this evening again.
— Aaron
Share this post