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Good afternoon. There’s a lot of news to cover today. The only active criminal investigation into the Epstein files and Epstein’s alleged co-conspirators is ramping up, with the New Mexico attorney general accusing the Justice Department of blocking access to key documents. Meanwhile, Mexico is seeking criminal charges against those it says are responsible for the deaths of 17 immigrants in ICE custody or during immigration enforcement operations, while also pursuing major legal action in the United States. Trump is continuing construction projects at the White House, large-scale public health outbreaks are spreading across the country, and there’s much more to cover.
Thank you all for your continued support as we report on the Epstein files and other stories that demand attention. The next week is going to be especially busy with Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing and interviews with Epstein survivors. When you subscribe, you’re supporting independent journalism grounded in verified facts, not speculation, and reporting that answers only to the truth. If you’re not yet a subscriber, I hope you’ll consider joining us today.
Here’s the news:
Epstein Update:
New Mexico officials are accusing the Trump Justice Department of obstructing the state’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch by withholding key unredacted records. Attorney General Raúl Torrez says repeated requests since February have gone unanswered, despite earlier assurances that the documents would be provided. He argues that every redaction erases potential investigative leads and weakens any future prosecution tied to activities at the ranch. State officials also contend the federal government never fully investigated the property after Epstein’s death, leaving critical questions unanswered while evidence and witnesses become harder to pursue.
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The dispute has reignited scrutiny over the federal handling of Epstein’s New Mexico property and whether earlier investigations were intentionally limited. New Mexico says federal prosecutors asked the state in 2019 to stand down because the DOJ was conducting its own investigation, yet the ranch was never comprehensively searched before changing ownership. The property has long attracted attention because of its alleged ties to Epstein’s trafficking network and other unresolved questions surrounding its construction and use. State officials argue that continued delays from the DOJ are preventing investigators from following leads that could identify additional crimes or individuals connected to the ranch. Here are the communications New Mexico has had with DOJ:
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The standoff adds to broader political pressure surrounding the Epstein investigation as lawmakers and victims continue demanding greater transparency from the Justice Department. Torrez’s letter warns that withholding records is causing “real and escalating harm” by undermining the state’s ability to build a viable criminal case. The DOJ had not responded to the latest request at the time of the report, leaving New Mexico officials frustrated by what they describe as a lack of cooperation. The case has become another flashpoint in ongoing criticism that key information related to Epstein’s network remains inaccessible despite growing public demands for accountability.
Epstein survivors have launched a nationwide billboard campaign urging senators to reject Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general, with one of the ads prominently displayed in Dallas to pressure Sen. John Cornyn. Survivors argue Blanche oversaw key aspects of the Epstein case while at the Justice Department, criticizing the DOJ's handling of the investigation, including incomplete document releases, inadequate protection of victims' identities, and extensive redactions involving alleged abusers. They also accuse Blanche of helping shape the White House's political response to the Epstein controversy. The campaign comes ahead of Blanche's Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings on July 15-16, as Cornyn has not yet committed to supporting his nomination out of committee.
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Mexico Takes on Trump:
Mexico is escalating its dispute with the Trump administration by seeking criminal charges over the deaths of 17 Mexican nationals linked to ICE custody or immigration enforcement operations. Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco said Mexico will ask U.S. prosecutors and the Justice Department to pursue those responsible while also filing civil lawsuits against companies operating immigration detention centers. President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico is moving beyond diplomatic protests because it can no longer remain silent as Mexican citizens die during U.S. immigration enforcement. The move marks a significant escalation in Mexico’s response to what it describes as repeated human rights violations against its citizens.
The latest confrontation follows the fatal shooting of Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent in Houston, which has become a flashpoint in U.S.-Mexico relations. Mexican officials say Salgado had lived in the United States for decades and was transporting construction workers when he was killed, while his family is demanding an independent investigation. The Department of Homeland Security maintains that Salgado was in the country illegally and was shot after allegedly attempting to ram an ICE agent with his vehicle, calling the shooting self-defense. Sheinbaum described the killing as deeply troubling and suggested it appeared to be a targeted act.
The dispute comes as Mexico balances cooperation with the United States on security and trade while taking a tougher stance against U.S. immigration enforcement. Mexican officials say 14 citizens have died in ICE custody and three others during ICE operations under the Trump administration, prompting complaints to international human rights bodies and expanded monitoring of detained nationals. While Sheinbaum has cooperated with Washington on combating organized crime and negotiating trade, she has increasingly challenged U.S. immigration policies and pledged stronger legal action to protect Mexican citizens. The latest legal initiative reflects growing tensions between the neighboring countries despite ongoing cooperation in other areas.
Trump’s 250 Celebrations + White House Redesign:
Donald Trump has launched another White House renovation project, ordering the restoration of the North Portico's exterior columns as part of a broader effort to remake the executive mansion. Workers have stripped roughly 150 years of paint from the Ionic columns, repaired damaged stone, and covered the scaffolding with a printed image of the façade while construction continues. Trump said he personally noticed the deteriorating condition of the columns, contrasting his attention to detail with former President Joe Biden, whom he mocked for supposedly overlooking the issue. The column restoration follows a series of Trump-directed changes to the White House, including gilding the Oval Office, paving the Rose Garden, renovating the West Wing, and beginning demolition of the East Wing to make room for a new ballroom. This video of the new tarps on the White House is from Liz Landers:
Trump‘s national fair has closed again due to severe weather:
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Supporters of former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn hold signs following Hearn’s arraignment on a felony destruction of property charge related to “vandalizing” the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, at DC Superior Court in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 9, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
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Iran News:
Trump’s renewed military strikes against Iran are exposing divisions within the Republican Party, with some GOP lawmakers warning the escalating conflict could hurt their chances in the 2026 midterm elections. While party leaders continue to back Trump’s efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, many worry that the collapse of the ceasefire and renewed fighting could drive up gas prices, weaken the economy, and shift attention away from domestic issues important to voters. Some Republicans argue the administration should seek congressional approval before expanding military operations, while others support a more aggressive campaign against Iran. The White House insists the strikes are necessary to neutralize Iran’s military capabilities and ultimately protect both U.S. national security and the economy, but the renewed conflict has deepened uncertainty about the administration’s strategy and its political consequences.
Mourners gather on the day of the burial of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in Israeli and U.S. airstrikes, in Mashhad, Iran, July 9, 2026. REUTERS.
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Other images from the funeral show mourners pointing at signs saying “Kill Trump” as Iranians are furious at the American President:
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Health Outbreaks:
Health officials are investigating a nationwide spike in cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness that can cause severe or "explosive" diarrhea, with more than 1,000 cases reported and no single source yet identified. Michigan has been hit the hardest, reporting nearly 1,000 cases compared with its usual annual average of about 50, while New York, Ohio, Illinois, and North Carolina have also seen significant increases. The illness is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is typically spread through contaminated food or water, especially fresh produce such as lettuce, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and raspberries. The CDC says cases normally rise between May and August and is continuing to investigate, but so far has found no evidence linking the illnesses to a single nationwide outbreak.
Taco Bell has temporarily removed several fresh ingredients, including lettuce, cilantro, onions, pico de gallo, and guacamole, from some restaurants as health officials investigate a nationwide surge in cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness that can cause severe, sometimes "explosive" diarrhea. The outbreak has sickened nearly 2,000 people across the U.S., with Michigan reporting almost 1,000 cases and New York City confirming hundreds more. Officials have not linked any illnesses directly to Taco Bell, and the source of the outbreak remains under investigation, though contaminated fresh produce is a leading suspect. Health authorities are advising consumers to thoroughly wash produce, sanitize kitchen surfaces, and cook raw vegetables when possible while the CDC and state agencies continue tracing the source.
New York City health officials are responding to a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that has sickened at least 28 people on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, prompting inspections and testing of nearly 160 building cooling towers. Officials say climate change is creating warmer, more humid conditions that allow the Legionella bacteria to thrive, increasing the risk of outbreaks in urban areas. The city has already ordered at least 19 buildings to clean and disinfect their cooling systems while investigators work to identify the exact source, a process that could take weeks. Although Legionnaires’ disease remains rare, it can be fatal, and public health experts warn that aging infrastructure and a warming climate are likely to make outbreaks more frequent in the years ahead.
Health officials are warning that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the fastest-growing ever, with 1,759 confirmed cases and 600 deaths reported since mid-May. The Africa CDC says infections are doubling roughly every 28 days and that the virus is spreading faster than response efforts can keep up, with officials calling for $1.4 billion in emergency funding. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, though clinical trials of two experimental therapies began this month. Ongoing conflict, mass displacement, weak health infrastructure, and difficulties tracking exposed individuals are complicating containment efforts, raising concerns that the outbreak could continue to expand across the region.
Other News:
A Republican congressman publicly questioned whether Sen. Mitch McConnell is even alive, highlighting growing speculation and concern about the longtime Kentucky senator’s health. During an interview on NewsNation, Rep. Marlin Stutzman said he was unsure of McConnell’s condition when asked directly if he believed the senator was dead. The remarks come amid persistent public scrutiny over McConnell’s health and long absences from public view, though there is no verified evidence that he has died. The comments underscore the uncertainty surrounding McConnell’s status and the political implications for Senate Republicans as questions about his health continue to circulate.
The White House is promoting its new “Freedom Fuel Network” as evidence that President Trump is lowering gas prices, highlighting a Philadelphia station selling gas for $3.47 per gallon, about 40 cents below the Pennsylvania average. However, new MeidasTouch reporting points to historical Google Street View images showing the same station posted a lower price of $3.05 per gallon in April 2025, after Trump’s second term began but before it was rebranded as a Freedom Fuel location. This argues this undercuts the administration’s claim that the featured price represents a major success, noting the station itself had recently sold gas for less. It also contrasts the current price with Trump’s campaign promise to reduce gasoline prices below $2 per gallon, suggesting the administration is celebrating prices that remain well above that target.
Eswatini has accepted another group of 11 people deported from the United States under the Trump administration's third-country deportation program, marking the fourth transfer under a bilateral agreement between the two countries. The Eswatini government says the deportees, most of whom are from African countries, will remain temporarily while their rights are protected, though they are expected to be housed at a maximum-security prison. The Trump administration has used similar agreements with nearly two dozen countries to deport migrants who cannot be returned directly to their home nations, a policy that has drawn criticism from human rights groups over its secrecy and lack of oversight. Critics also question the legality of holding foreign nationals in prison without charge, while Eswatini defends the arrangement as a humanitarian effort that complies with its laws and international obligations.
Mexico has opened an investigation into whether the United States misled its government about the 2024 capture of Sinaloa cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada García after reports suggested the FBI helped carry out the operation inside Mexican territory. Mexican officials say that if the reports are accurate, the operation may have violated Mexico’s sovereignty, breached international law, and involved false statements from U.S. diplomats who previously denied any American role. The investigation gained momentum after a museum display in New Mexico described FBI agents as having executed the high-profile arrest, contradicting earlier public denials. The dispute comes at a particularly sensitive moment in U.S.-Mexico relations, as President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government faces growing concerns about American law enforcement and intelligence operations taking place inside Mexico without its authorization.
New York has filed a lawsuit against chemical manufacturers including 3M, DuPont, Chemours, Corteva, and EIDP, accusing them of knowingly selling toxic PFAS "forever chemicals" in consumer products while concealing the environmental and health risks for decades. State Attorney General Letitia James alleges the companies continued profiting from the chemicals even as they began phasing out some PFAS compounds due to growing evidence of their dangers. The lawsuit argues the companies created a public nuisance by contaminating the environment and exposing consumers to chemicals linked to serious health concerns. New York is seeking to hold the manufacturers financially accountable for the long-term environmental damage and public health costs associated with PFAS contamination.
The U.S. Air Force has revoked the promotions of 135 airmen after discovering an outdated answer key was used to score a security knowledge exam, causing dozens of candidates to be mistakenly told they had earned promotions. Officials said the human error affected 2,285 test takers, prompting a full rescore while keeping the total number of available promotions unchanged. Air Force leaders called the mistake an "isolated and highly unprecedented anomaly," apologized to those affected, and said new safeguards have been put in place to prevent similar errors. The incident comes amid broader scrutiny of military promotion practices under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose recent interventions in senior officer promotions have sparked controversy.
See you soon.
— Aaron
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