Good morning, everyone. Another busy morning as we begin a hectic week. The president posted violent rhetoric targeting Republicans he does not support and amplified QAnon conspiracies as he heads to Walter Reed for his third “annual” physical in 13 months, with some doctors raising new questions about his health amid repeated public incidents where he appeared to fall asleep. Meanwhile, ICE pepper-sprayed a United States senator, the U.S. launched new strikes on Iran as Tehran accused Washington of violating the ceasefire, the Trump administration proposed NDAs for federal employees, and much more.
This week I’m working to help members prepare for Pam Bondi’s upcoming testimony, which I’ll be covering live. We cannot, I repeat, cannot let the Epstein files disappear from public attention, and I will not let that happen. Because of our work, front pages in Alabama are now covering the DOJ’s wiping of January 6 records. We can do the same again with Epstein.
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Here’s the news:
Trump posted a violent AI meme depicting himself with a shotgun hunting “RINOS”, with the text: “NO RINOS! REPOST TO MAKE THE POINT CLEAR.” The term “RINO” stands for “Republican in Name Only” and suggests that the President is supporting violent actions against Republicans who he does not agree with, like Congressman Thomas Massie:
The President further posted QAnon memes for most of the morning. Here is one of them:
Donald Trump is undergoing his “third annual” physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center amid renewed public attention on his health ahead of his 80th birthday next month. Recent photos showing a neck rash, swollen ankles, and a bruised hand have fueled questions about his condition, though White House officials and his physician have described the issues as minor and benign. Trump has continued to portray himself as energetic and healthier than former President Joe Biden, while maintaining an active golf schedule and dismissing concerns about moments where he appeared to fall asleep during meetings. Medical experts have also questioned the unusual use of an MRI during a recent exam, although the White House said the tests showed Trump to be in “exceptional physical health.”
Dr. Jonathan Reiner said, “The president has severe daytime somnolence. He falls asleep very often. He’s fallen asleep in the Oval Office on multiple occasions with people talking to him in the cabinet room, and I was concerned yesterday that he might have fallen asleep at Arlington National Cemetery during Memorial Day observances. Chronic insomnia is a severe illness. It can result in an increase in risk of dementia, decrease in cognitive effects in older people.” Reiner’s comments come amid growing public scrutiny of Donald Trump’s health ahead of his annual physical examination.
This is the front page of a newspaper in Alabama today. Our efforts to preserve the truth are working:
Iran accused the United States of violating a temporary ceasefire after U.S. forces carried out “self-defense” strikes near the Strait of Hormuz targeting missile launch sites and boats allegedly laying mines. Despite the renewed attacks, American and Iranian officials continue negotiations aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with diplomats suggesting a preliminary agreement could be reached soon. Tensions remain high as Iran threatened retaliation, claimed it intercepted U.S. drones, and rejected parts of President Donald Trump’s proposal linking a peace deal to the expansion of the Abraham Accords. Key disputes in the negotiations include Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, sanctions relief, and the broader future of Iran’s nuclear program. Here is what the United States is saying:
An Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese village of Mashghara killed 12 people as Israel intensified attacks against Hezbollah and called up additional troops to Lebanon. The escalation comes ahead of planned direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese military delegations in Washington, while Hezbollah continues launching attacks using advanced drones and rockets. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military would increase the intensity of strikes, prompting fears in Lebanon of a wider war and causing panic among civilians already displaced by the conflict. Since the fighting began, more than a million people in Lebanon have been displaced and over 3,000 people have reportedly been killed in Israeli strikes.
Donald Trump’s Office of Personnel Management is proposing that federal employees sign nondisclosure agreements aimed at discouraging leaks of internal government information to the press and the public. Under the proposal, “confidential government information” would include internal agency discussions, personnel matters, procurement details, and pre-decisional materials that are not publicly available.
Donald Trump was mocked on the internet after he reportedly referenced the “Atomic Energy Commission” while discussing Iran’s nuclear program, even though the agency was dissolved in the 1970s and replaced by newer federal nuclear oversight agencies.
Iran is demanding the release of $24 billion in frozen funds as part of ongoing negotiations with the United States under a proposed 14-point memorandum of understanding. According to a source cited by Tasnim news agency, Tehran wants half of the funds released immediately when the agreement is announced, with the remaining amount transferred within 60 days.
Trump said any future agreement with Iran should require additional countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Pakistan to join the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-brokered agreements normalizing relations with Israel. Trump argued that countries benefiting from U.S. diplomatic efforts should “simultaneously” sign onto the accords, which were first established during his first term with countries such as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. While negotiations with Iran are reportedly progressing, it remains unclear how expanding the Abraham Accords would be tied to a final deal, and Trump even suggested Iran itself could eventually join. The proposal reflects Trump’s broader effort to expand regional cooperation and diplomatic ties between Israel and Middle Eastern nations.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported that a tanker vessel experienced an external explosion near the waterline while traveling about 60 nautical miles east of Muscat, Oman. Although the crew and vessel were reported safe, the blast caused a fuel spill into the surrounding water. Authorities are monitoring the situation as investigators work to determine the cause of the explosion and assess any environmental impact. The incident adds to ongoing security concerns surrounding commercial shipping routes in the region.
Sen. Andy Kim said he was pepper-sprayed by ICE officers during a protest outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, where migrants are reportedly staging a hunger and work strike over conditions inside the center. Kim accused ICE agents of escalating tensions by deploying armored vehicles, pepper spray, and batons against demonstrators instead of addressing complaints about due process, food quality, and treatment of detainees. Democratic officials, including Gov. Mikie Sherrill and several members of Congress, visited the facility for oversight purposes, though some said they were denied access. The Department of Homeland Security dismissed the protest as a political stunt and disputed claims that a hunger strike was taking place inside the detention center.
Officials in Orange County said they successfully prevented a potentially catastrophic explosion at a California aerospace facility after a 7,000-gallon tank of methyl methacrylate began overheating because of a refrigeration system failure. Evacuation orders were reduced from about 60,000 people to 16,000 after firefighters and hazardous materials crews cooled the tank and relieved pressure without causing a leak. Authorities said there is still a small risk of fire or minor explosion, but air monitoring has found no contamination or dangerous chemical exposure in the area. Officials praised emergency crews and said they will continue monitoring conditions before lifting the remaining evacuation orders.
A new report says Americans are falling behind on debt payments at the fastest pace since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, with serious credit card delinquencies rising to 13.1% in the first quarter of 2026. Student loan delinquencies also climbed sharply, while auto loan delinquencies reached record highs, signaling growing financial strain across U.S. households. Researchers noted that more borrowers are defaulting despite continued consumer spending, highlighting the disconnect between economic activity and consumer financial health. The data suggests many Americans may be relying increasingly on debt and credit to maintain spending levels amid ongoing affordability pressures.
Texas primary runoffs tonight are testing Donald Trump’s influence within the Republican Party, especially in the high-profile Senate race where Trump endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton over longtime Senator John Cornyn. Republicans are divided over whether Paxton’s controversies could hurt the GOP in the general election, while several House races feature intense battles involving Trump- and Gov. Greg Abbott-backed candidates. Democrats are also facing contentious runoffs, including a nationally watched congressional race involving controversial candidate Maureen Galindo and another contest between younger and older party leaders that highlights generational tensions. The outcomes of these races could shape the balance of power in Texas politics and determine several likely future members of Congress.
I’m often asked where I go to do research for my reporting. One of the tools I use is called Ground News. Ground News shows me how stories are being covered from different political perspectives, and it highlights “blindspots” where only left-wing or right-wing media is covering a story. I worked out a deal with them: if you go to ground.news/AARONP, you can get 40% off Ground News’ top-tier Vantage plan, which gives you unlimited access to all the research tools I use. Ground News is subscriber-funded, so they don’t rely on ads that could introduce bias.
Republicans are increasingly worried that the bitter Texas Senate runoff between Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton is deeply dividing the GOP ahead of the general election. Backed by Donald Trump, Paxton has gained momentum despite ethics scandals and relentless attacks from Cornyn allies, while many establishment Republicans fear his nomination could endanger the seat and drain party resources. The race has exposed growing tensions between traditional conservatives and Trump-aligned hardliners, with some Republicans warning that Trump’s endorsement of Paxton alienated longtime donors and lawmakers loyal to Cornyn. Democrats are closely watching the race because nominee James Talarico has raised significant money and is polling competitively against both Republican candidates. Here’s the latest polling:
A Guardian investigation found that U.S. immigration enforcement flights under the Trump administration have sharply increased carbon emissions as deportations and detainee transfers expand. According to data analyzed by advocacy groups, ICE air operations produced an estimated 335,876 metric tonnes of carbon emissions in 2025, an 88% increase from the previous year, with 2026 already on pace to exceed that total. Critics argue the flights not only worsen climate change and local air pollution, but also contribute to human rights concerns involving deportations, detention transfers, and the treatment of migrants during flights. The Department of Homeland Security defended the operations as necessary for immigration enforcement and dismissed environmental criticisms raised in the report.
Trump’s economic advisor Kevin Hassett said, “The thing I’ve seen is that while people have been spending more money at gas stations, they’ve been spending more money on everything else, which means they’re still very very optimistic about the state of the economy.” However, that contrasts sharply with consumer sentiment surveys, which currently show confidence near historic lows as many Americans remain concerned about inflation, affordability, debt, and broader economic uncertainty.
Vice President JD Vance is hosting a White House meeting with state attorneys general as part of the Trump administration’s new anti-fraud task force initiative. The meeting is expected to focus on cooperation between federal agencies and state officials in combating fraud, though many Democratic attorneys general declined the invitation, criticizing the short notice and lack of agenda details. The administration has expanded fraud investigations across several agencies, including the Department of Justice and Health and Human Services, with a major focus on alleged Medicaid and child care fraud cases in Minnesota.
Rescue teams in Laos and Thailand are working to reach seven villagers trapped inside a flooded cave in central Laos after heavy rain blocked the exit during a gold-searching expedition. One member of the group escaped before the flooding and alerted authorities, but the condition of the trapped individuals remains unknown. Divers have begun navigating the flooded cave system as rescuers race against time to locate the group. Officials said the cave has long been considered dangerous, and authorities had previously warned villagers against entering it.
The New York Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers with a dominant 130-93 victory in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. Led by Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, the Knicks have won 11 straight playoff games by historically large margins and will face either Oklahoma City or San Antonio in the Finals beginning June 3. The team’s resurgence follows years of struggles, with key changes including Brunson’s arrival in 2022 and the hiring of coach Mike Brown helping transform the franchise into a championship contender. The victory sparked major celebrations among Knicks fans, with Towns saying the team has restored “hope” to the franchise after decades of disappointment.
See you soon.
— Aaron
