Good morning everyone. There is a lot of major news to cover. Donald Trump is now suggesting that legislatures could override election outcomes, even if it means forcing voters to cast ballots again, in order to push through new gerrymandered maps ahead of the midterms. At the same time, Marjorie Taylor Greene says Trump personally urged her to block the release of Epstein files because they would harm people he knows, a claim with serious implications that I will be discussing with survivors today. There is also growing internal tension over the administration’s aggressive deportation push, alongside escalating developments involving Iran and other global flashpoints.
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Here’s the news:
The president is now demanding that certain election results be thrown out so Republicans win more seats in the House of Representatives:
Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed that Donald Trump told her releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein could harm people connected to him, particularly individuals in Palm Beach and at Mar-a-Lago. According to Greene, Trump described those individuals as “good people” and expressed concern about reputational damage if the information became public. Greene said she pushed back, emphasizing the harm suffered by Epstein’s victims and urging Trump to meet with them directly. She also stated that some victims had supported Trump politically, arguing their voices should be heard. Despite Trump’s concerns, Greene said she refused to withdraw her support for efforts to release the files.
Greene claimed that Donald Trump sent her a message suggesting that harm to her son would be justified because he viewed her as disloyal. She also said she has not released the alleged texts, indicating doing so could have legal consequences. The statement reflects a serious accusation and a deep rift between Greene and Trump.
The U.S. has launched a military operation called “Project Freedom” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iran blocked it, trapping hundreds of ships and thousands of sailors. The operation has escalated tensions significantly, with U.S. forces intercepting Iranian missiles and drones, while Iran has issued threats and disputed U.S. claims about events in the region. Although some ships have begun moving under U.S. coordination, uncertainty remains about the plan’s effectiveness and safety.
The price of gas has reached a new four year high:
A reporter asked whether recent exchanges of fire between the U.S. and Iran meant the ceasefire had ended, pointing to escalating tensions. Pete Hegseth responded that the ceasefire was still in place, despite the incidents. He added that current military actions are a “separate and distinct” effort, indicating the U.S. views them as outside the scope of the ceasefire agreement and focused on a different objective.
A reporter questioned whether Donald Trump had backed down from his earlier hardline stance on Iran, including calls for regime change and “unconditional surrender.” Pete Hegseth rejected that claim, insisting the president had not “capitulated” and remained in a position of strength. He emphasized that Trump “holds the cards,” signaling that the administration still views its approach as firm and strategic.
The United Arab Emirates has temporarily restricted its airspace to limited approved flight routes until at least May 11 following missile and drone activity linked to Iran. The move comes just days after the UAE had declared its airspace safe, highlighting rapidly escalating regional tensions. Air defenses were activated in response to incoming threats, forcing several flights to divert or circle over neighboring countries. The UAE has accused Iran of targeting its Fujairah oil facilities, though an Iranian official denied any pre-planned attack.
Donald Trump has escalated his public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pope over his calls for peace and comments on global conflicts. Trump accused the pope of being weak and falsely suggested he supported Iran having nuclear weapons, despite the pope’s repeated statements opposing nuclear arms. The dispute comes ahead of a planned meeting between Marco Rubio and the pope aimed at improving relations between the U.S. and the Vatican.
New reporting from the Washington Post confirms that a group of House Democrats is calling on the Trump administration to publicly acknowledge Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons program, citing concerns about transparency and regional security. In a letter to Marco Rubio, lawmakers argued that Congress needs full information about the Middle East’s nuclear balance and potential risks of escalation. Israel has long maintained a policy of ambiguity, neither confirming nor denying its nuclear arsenal, though it is widely believed to possess dozens of warheads. Estimates suggest Israel developed its nuclear capability outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty framework.
A cruise ship, the Hondius, carrying about 150 people is stranded in the Atlantic due to a deadly hantavirus outbreak, with at least three deaths and several confirmed or suspected cases. Health officials, including the WHO, believe the virus may be the Andes variant, which can spread between humans, though the initial infections may have come from exposure before boarding. From the World Health Organization:
Two sick crew members are awaiting evacuation for treatment, delaying the ship’s planned journey to the Canary Islands after being denied docking in Cape Verde. Authorities are conducting contact tracing and investigating how passengers may have been exposed, including possible wildlife interactions during the cruise. Strict isolation and hygiene measures are in place onboard as officials work to manage the outbreak and reassure passengers.
A U.S. Secret Service officer, John A. Spillman, was arrested in Miami-Dade after allegedly engaging in lewd and horrific behavior in a hotel hallway that caused a woman to retreat to her room for safety. Authorities say deputies found him at the scene before taking him into custody.
The Secret Service confirmed he was in the area as part of security screening for a visit by Donald Trump but was off duty at the time of the incident. He was not part of Trump’s direct protective detail, serving instead in a perimeter security role. The case has raised concerns about conduct and accountability within federal security personnel.
Newly released documents show that more than $300,000 in taxpayer funds were used to settle sexual harassment claims involving six former members of the U.S. House or their offices. The records, obtained after a subpoena led by Nancy Mace, reveal cases where lawmakers were accused of abusing their positions, though settlements typically included no admission of wrongdoing. Some high-profile figures, including John Conyers and Blake Farenthold, were linked to significant payouts before resigning amid public allegations.
The documents also note that dozens of older case files were destroyed under record retention policies, limiting full transparency. Reforms enacted after the #MeToo movement now prohibit lawmakers from using taxpayer money for such settlements, and no new cases have been reported under the updated rules.
A new book reveals intense internal conflict within the Department of Homeland Security over how to execute Donald Trump’s plan to deport 1 million people in a year. Officials clashed over a proposed “master plan” that would expand enforcement powers, including allowing agents to enter homes without judicial warrants and fast-track deportations. Caleb Vitello opposed the approach, warning it could lead to wrongful arrests of U.S. citizens and civil liberties violations, while Rodney Scott supported the aggressive strategy. The disagreement became so heated that a key meeting had to be abruptly ended, and Vitello was later reassigned. Although parts of the plan were implemented, backlash, protests, and declining public support led officials to scale back some of the harsher tactics.
According to Politico, the U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into Smith College over its policy of admitting transgender women. The probe will examine whether the school violated Title IX, with officials arguing the law applies to biological sex rather than gender identity. The move is part of a broader effort by Donald Trump’s administration to restrict transgender rights, while supporters of the policy argue women’s colleges should include those marginalized based on gender identity.
Germany is facing a growing defense gap after Donald Trump moved to withdraw U.S. troops, including a unit that was expected to deploy long-range Tomahawk missiles in Europe. The decision leaves Germany and its allies without a key capability to deter Russia, as European systems currently lack comparable range and power. Officials warn this creates a vulnerability in NATO’s defense posture, with no immediate replacement available. Germany is now exploring alternatives, including upgrading its own missiles or pursuing long-term European projects, but solutions may take years to materialize.
See you soon.
— Aaron
