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Good evening, everyone. We have a lot of news to cover today. There is major Epstein-related news as members of Congress from both parties have finally subpoenaed Leon Black, one of the people closest to Jeffrey Epstein, for a deposition under oath after he refused to answer questions. The United States launched new strikes on Iran. The National Park Service reportedly cut employees so the Trump administration could pay for African marble at the White House. Mike Johnson and other Republicans are warning of impeachment efforts and sweeping investigations if they lose the House. Trump passports are rolling out. And much more.
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Here’s the news:
House Oversight Chair James Comer said the committee will subpoena billionaire investor Leon Black for a deposition and records related to non-disclosure agreements as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The move came after Black declined to answer numerous questions during a closed-door interview, including about whether Epstein was involved in NDAs with women or related payments. Black denied wrongdoing in opening remarks, saying he never abused women, had sex with minors, engaged in sex trafficking, paid Epstein for access to women, or knew about Epstein’s crimes. His attorney called the subpoenas a political stunt, while lawmakers said Black’s refusal to answer key questions showed why formal depositions may be necessary.
The Trump Justice Department is appealing after a federal judge ruled in favor of MeidasTouch host Katie Phang in her lawsuit seeking greater transparency about the government’s handling of the Epstein files. The DOJ criticized the ruling as “perverse,” claiming it would require the release of victims’ names, but the decision does not order that. Instead, Judge Emmet Sullivan directed the administration to justify its redactions, review and produce additional responsive records, and release the legally required redaction log. The Justice Department maintains it has already produced all responsive documents and says it will appeal the ruling.
The United States launched airstrikes against Iranian missile and drone storage sites, as well as coastal radar installations, after accusing Iran of violating last week's ceasefire agreement by attacking commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump said Iranian forces launched four drones at ships in the waterway, one of which struck the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Ever Lovely, while U.S. forces intercepted the other three. U.S. Central Command said the strikes were intended to respond to what it called an unprovoked attack on international shipping and a threat to freedom of navigation. The escalation comes despite the recent ceasefire agreement, which was intended to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Israel and Lebanon have signed a U.S.-brokered framework agreement that both sides described as a first step toward a broader peace agreement. The framework is intended to restore security, reduce hostilities, and eventually normalize relations, though officials released few details and emphasized that more negotiations are needed. Hezbollah was not involved in the talks, and key issues, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah, remain unresolved. Both Israeli and Lebanese officials described the agreement as an initial step rather than a final peace deal.
An investigation by The Atlantic reports that taxpayer money originally intended for National Park projects has been redirected toward President Trump’s White House renovation and Washington, D.C., beautification efforts. The report says the National Park Service spent nearly $690,000 replacing the White House walkway and hundreds of thousands more on other White House projects, despite Trump’s public claim that he personally paid for some of the upgrades. Internal budget documents reportedly show funding for parks outside Washington has been sharply reduced, delaying hundreds of maintenance projects and shifting staff from parks nationwide to support the capital’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The Interior Department defended the spending, saying it is investing in both Washington and national parks, while critics argue the administration is prioritizing White House and D.C. projects over long-standing maintenance needs across the national park system.
House Speaker Mike Johnson argued that if Republicans lose control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections, Democrats would use their committee majorities to aggressively investigate President Trump and those around him. Johnson said he is less concerned about impeachment than about congressional investigations targeting Trump’s family, Cabinet members, political donors, and associates. His comments framed continued Republican control of the House as a way to shield the administration from what he characterized as politically motivated oversight.
Thomas Massie: "I think it's ironic that we control the House, Senate, Supreme Court, and the White House, and we're yelling 'election fraud'? I mean, we won all the damn elections."
Donald Trump announced an American passport that will be paid for by you and your taxpayer dollars with his face on it:
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Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he was the target of a false, anonymous report that prompted Michigan State Police and Child Protective Services to investigate whether he posed a danger to his four-year-old twins. Authorities determined the allegations were unfounded, but Buttigieg said he was instructed not to be alone with his children until investigators completed forensic interviews, forcing him to spend a night away from them. Police later told him they believed the report was politically motivated and would not be referred for prosecution. Buttigieg called the experience one of the darkest moments of his life and said it reflected an escalation in politically motivated harassment targeting public officials.
During an Oval Office event, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said the phrase "separation of church and state" is not found in the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment's Establishment Clause prohibits the government from establishing a religion, and Thomas Jefferson later described this principle as creating a "wall of separation between Church & State."
Trump further declared today that communism was the greatest threat to America since its founding 250 years ago:
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Photos from President Trump's "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall appeared to show sparse attendance despite expectations of large crowds, prompting criticism from opponents and media outlets. The event, organized as part of the Freedom 250 celebration marking the nation's 250th anniversary, runs through July 10. The Daily Beast reported that the fairgrounds looked largely empty during the opening day and cited visitors who described the event as underwhelming. The article argues that the low turnout contrasts with the administration's efforts to promote the fair as a major patriotic celebration.
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A statement from the manufacturer involved in the National Mall Reflecting Pool rehabilitation appears to conflict with President Trump's claim that the damage was caused by a saboteur using a box cutter. Rhino Linings said the issue involved "localized areas of finish coat separation" that affected only the surface layer and did not compromise the waterproofing membrane, making no mention of vandalism or criminal activity. The company said corrective measures had already been identified and described the problem as a coating issue rather than intentional damage. While its statement does not definitively disprove Trump's allegation, it offers a different explanation for the pool's condition.
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The Texas State Board of Education voted to require K-12 public school students to read a state-mandated list of literary works that includes Bible stories and passages alongside classic literature and historic American texts. Supporters argue the changes will give students important historical and literary context, while opponents say the curriculum improperly favors Christianity, infringes on parental rights, and could violate the separation of church and state. The curriculum, which would take effect beginning in 2030, is also paired with proposed changes that place greater emphasis on Texas and U.S. history while reducing instruction on some global history topics. Critics also warn that requiring specific Bible translations and mandating the readings could pressure teachers and students from different religious backgrounds.
Pope Leo XIV is reportedly preparing new guidance on Catholic teaching regarding when war can be morally justified, a move that comes after Vice President JD Vance suggested he was better positioned than the pope to discuss the issue. The Daily Beast frames the effort as a direct response to Vance's recent comments criticizing the pontiff's views on war and foreign policy. According to the report, the new guidelines would reaffirm the Vatican's authority on Catholic doctrine and just war principles. The article portrays the development as the latest chapter in the ongoing public disagreement between Vance and Pope Leo over moral and political issues.
Iran's World Cup match against Egypt has taken on added geopolitical significance after the U.S. launched strikes against Iran earlier in the day over an alleged ceasefire violation in the Strait of Hormuz. The outcome of the match could determine whether Iran plays its next games in Canada or returns to the United States, where the Trump administration has imposed special travel restrictions on the Iranian team. Iranian officials say visa limitations and restrictions on support staff have complicated the team's tournament preparations, though some rules were recently eased. One possible knockout-round scenario could even set up a July 6 World Cup match between the United States and Iran, adding another layer of tension to the ongoing conflict.
The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to uphold its policy requiring many undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for years to remain in mandatory ICE detention without bond hearings while their deportation cases proceed. The policy has been rejected in thousands of lower court rulings, with many judges finding it violates federal law and constitutional due process protections, though federal appeals courts are split on the issue. The administration argues the Supreme Court should resolve the disagreement quickly because the policy affects millions of people and has generated thousands of lawsuits nationwide. A ruling could significantly reshape the government's detention authority and define the due process rights of immigrants facing deportation.
Venezuela's interim government says the death toll from this week's devastating earthquakes has climbed to 920, with nearly 3,000 people injured as rescue crews continue searching for survivors. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez vowed to save "as many people as possible" and said international rescue teams have begun arriving, but survivors and volunteers criticized what they described as a slow and inadequate government response. Many residents reported digging through rubble with their bare hands because of a lack of equipment and emergency personnel, exposing years of deteriorating infrastructure and underfunded public services. The United States and several other countries have deployed aid and rescue teams as concerns grow that limited resources and weakened institutions could further increase the death toll.
The United Nations' High Commissioner for Human Rights is calling for independent investigations into deaths in U.S. immigration detention, citing growing concerns over fatalities, the use of solitary confinement, and conditions inside ICE facilities. The statement comes as the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general has opened investigations into deaths in ICE custody and allegations of excessive force, while a recent Human Rights Watch report alleged systemic failures and possible violations of international human rights standards. According to the article, deaths in ICE custody have risen during the Trump administration as immigration arrests and detention have expanded, though the Department of Homeland Security disputes that there has been a spike and says detainees receive appropriate care. The U.N. also urged the U.S. to strengthen independent oversight of immigration detention and said those responsible for any legal violations should be held accountable.
Trump announced a massive airshow for the 4th of July that will be funded by taxpayer dollars:
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A consumer advocacy group has sued prediction market platform Polymarket, alleging it used deceptive social media campaigns and undisclosed paid influencers to promote its services to U.S. consumers. The lawsuit cites reports that hundreds of influencers praised Polymarket without revealing they were paid, while other viral videos allegedly showed fake betting activity designed to attract users. Polymarket says it is reviewing its marketing practices to ensure compliance with disclosure rules but declined to comment on the lawsuit itself. The legal challenge comes as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is conducting an investigation into the company following its return to the U.S. market.
A Michigan couple has been charged with second-degree murder, child abuse, and torture after their 7-year-old son, Casper O'Brien, died weighing 255 pounds. Prosecutors allege the parents failed to provide proper nutrition, exercise, medical care, or a safe living environment, leaving the child immobile and suffering from severe bedsores, rashes, and other health complications. An autopsy determined that extreme morbid obesity caused the boy's death, leading prosecutors to file upgraded charges. The couple also faces child abuse charges related to their 5-year-old daughter, who investigators say was also neglected.
About 100 people marched in Senatobia, Mississippi, demanding answers after a police officer fatally shot 1-year-old Kohen Wiley during an encounter outside a Walmart earlier this month. Protesters and the child's family dispute the official account that the vehicle nearly struck an officer and are calling for the release of body camera and surveillance footage, while state investigators continue to review the shooting. Demonstrators criticized the heavy police presence during the march and said authorities have failed to provide transparency about what happened. Kohen's family says he was sitting on his mother's lap when he was shot, and community members have continued organizing protests and public events demanding accountability.
Environmental groups, immigrant-rights advocates, and members of Florida's Miccosukee Tribe are calling for an independent investigation into the environmental impact of the now-closed "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in the Everglades. They argue the facility caused significant ecological damage through construction, lighting, and waste disposal, while also criticizing the treatment of detainees, citing allegations of poor sanitation and harsh conditions. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the facility, saying it was designed to minimize environmental impacts and highlighting its role in deporting more than 21,000 people during its year of operation. Advocates say the closure should not end scrutiny, urging accountability for both the environmental consequences and the conditions inside the detention center.
Nicholas Rossi, the man accused of faking his own death and fleeing to Scotland to avoid rape charges in the United States, has died at age 38 while serving a prison sentence in Utah. Prison officials said he died from complications of an existing medical condition after choosing to discontinue treatment. Rossi became the subject of an international manhunt after an obituary falsely claimed he died in 2020, but he was later identified in Scotland, extradited to the U.S., and convicted in two Utah sexual assault cases. During his extradition fight, Rossi repeatedly denied his identity, claiming he was an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight.
A federal judge declared a mistrial after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused of starting the 2025 Palisades Fire that devastated parts of Los Angeles. Prosecutors alleged Rinderknecht intentionally set an earlier New Year's Day fire that smoldered for days before igniting the catastrophic wildfire, while the defense argued there was no physical evidence linking him to the blaze and suggested fireworks were the true cause. The judge ordered Rinderknecht to remain in custody, and prosecutors have already announced they will retry the case. A new trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 19.
A Utah judge found prosecutor Christopher Ballard in civil contempt for violating court rules after he publicly stated that prosecutors had enough evidence to prove Tyler Robinson guilty in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The judge ordered steps to protect the fairness of any future trial but declined the defense's request to bar prosecutors from seeking the death penalty. Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Kirk during a public event at Utah Valley University in September 2025 and has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors continue to pursue the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.
See you soon.
— Aaron
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