This afternoon, I bring you an exclusive interview you won’t want to miss. Elizabeth Booker Houston, a government information specialist with deep expertise in privacy law at the FDA, has just stepped down after years of service—and she’s speaking out for the first time. Throughout the second Trump administration, Houston remained in place not out of loyalty, but out of necessity: she was one of the only officials safeguarding Americans' privacy rights inside the FDA. No one else could do her job. And so, despite internal resistance, political pressure, and personal cost, she stayed and fought.

Today, this platform we built is facing massive censorship. That’s why I need your help. Subscribe today or gift subscriptions to people you know. It goes a long way to help. We’ve grown with no outside investors. What’s happening right now on social media platforms makes it even more urgent to build spaces like this—independent, direct, and grounded in truth.

Subscribe

Just hours after her resignation, Houston is pulling back the curtain. In her first public comments, she’s exposing how Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running the department—and what she reveals is deeply troubling. She's also sharing, exclusively with us, the bold sign-off email that now auto-replies to anyone contacting her government inbox.

In her own words: “The government has been taken over by fascists and incompetent hires selected for loyalty to a wannabe dictator, not merit. So I am taking my talents elsewhere to fight this administration.”

Elizabeth Booker Houston isn’t just walking away—she’s lighting the match on her way out. And she’s doing it with purpose.

With that, here’s what you missed today:

  • For the third day in a row, the Texas House failed to meet quorum, with only 95 of the required 100 members present. Dozens of Democratic lawmakers remained out of state in protest of a Republican-drawn congressional map, defying Governor Greg Abbott’s demands to return. Speaker Dustin Burrows again attempted to reconvene the chamber without success.
  • Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced efforts with Attorney General Ken Paxton to make civil arrest warrants for absent Democratic lawmakers enforceable beyond state lines. He also introduced new measures penalizing quorum-breakers: lawmakers must now collect their paychecks in person, will have portions of their monthly expenses withheld, and must be physically present for any administrative tasks requiring House approval.
  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott, in an interview with the Ruthless Podcast, threatened to expand the already gerrymandered congressional map to give Republicans six, seven, or even eight new seats, up from the five currently proposed. As Democrats continue their quorum-breaking protest, Abbott declared, “One way or the other, they are coming back, and it’s going to end with these maps being passed.”
  • A second bomb threat was reported at the Illinois hotel where several Texas Democratic lawmakers are staying, according to St. Charles police. No explosives were found, and all 70 guests were confirmed safe. The hotel, located in a Chicago suburb, was also targeted by a similar threat earlier this week. It remains unclear how many lawmakers are still staying at the Q-Center.
  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott told NBC News he will call “special session after special session” until Democrats who broke quorum return. The walkout has stalled all legislative business, including flood relief efforts. Abbott accused Democrats of abandoning constituents and warned they could “lose their job” if they don’t return. Notably, GOP leaders chose to prioritize redistricting in the special session’s agenda.
  • Texas State Rep. Claudia Ordaz condemned what she called “intimidation tactics” after Department of Public Safety officers reportedly visited a relative’s home to locate her, despite her public explanation that she is absent from the Capitol due to a personal health issue. Writing from a hospital waiting room, Ordaz called the visit an escalation and accused officials of harassing her family and abusing their power for political purposes.
  • The Trump Justice Department has issued two grand jury subpoenas to New York Attorney General Letitia James, targeting her civil fraud case against Donald Trump—which resulted in a $500 million judgment—and her investigation into the NRA, according to The New York Times. The move has raised concerns about Trump using the DOJ to pursue political enemies. James’s office defended its actions, warning against the weaponization of the justice system.
  • After one of biotech executive Oliver Burckhardt’s companies donated $5 million to a pro-Trump super PAC, President Trump posted company-provided talking points opposing a Medicare policy change. Weeks later, his administration delayed the planned reimbursement cut for expensive skin substitute products—benefiting Burckhardt’s firm and others in the industry. The move followed a broader influence campaign involving major donations, lobbying, and direct access to Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
  • Trump has secretly signed a directive authorizing the U.S. military to target certain Latin American drug cartels, according to The New York Times. The Pentagon is reportedly drafting options for military action, marking a major escalation in the administration’s anti-cartel efforts. This shift continues Trump’s pattern of using military force for traditionally law enforcement roles. In February, the State Department designated groups like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorist organizations.
  • Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that U.S. military forces will not operate on Mexican soil, following a New York Times report that Donald Trump secretly signed a directive to use military force against Latin American drug cartels. Sheinbaum confirmed her government was informed of an upcoming U.S. order but clarified it does not involve U.S. troops entering Mexico.
  • A U.S. intelligence agency is reviewing a video posted to X.com showing a man using Elon Musk’s “Grok” AI assistant in “unhinged mode” while driving his Tesla into the NSA’s secure Friendship Annex facility in Maryland. The video, amplified by Musk and viewed over 16 million times, appears to have been filmed inside a highly restricted zone where unauthorized recording is prohibited by federal law. U.S. Cyber Command confirmed it is investigating the incident, which raises concerns about operational security at a site central to U.S. cyber espionage and personnel screening.
  • A U.S. appeals court overturned a lower court ruling that found probable cause to hold Trump officials in contempt over the deportation of Venezuelan migrants under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The DC Circuit Court ruled 2–1 in favor of the Trump administration, with Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao—both Trump appointees—supporting the decision. The case involved allegations that officials defied a court order barring deportations without due process. Judge Cornelia Pillard dissented.
  • Former Rep. Billy Long has been fired as IRS commissioner just two months after his confirmation, making him the sixth person to lead the agency this year. A staunch Trump ally who promoted false 2020 election claims, Long is reportedly being considered for an ambassadorship, according to The New York Times. It remains unclear who will lead the IRS next.
  • The Trump administration is seeking a $1 billion settlement from UCLA over allegations of antisemitism, according to CNN. The proposal includes $172 million for a fund benefiting Jewish students and others affected, and would bar overnight protests, end race- and ethnicity-based scholarships, and require changes to UCLA’s protest and admissions policies. If finalized, it would be the largest federal settlement ever with a university. UCLA has not yet commented.
  • The advocacy group Democracy Forward has filed a lawsuit against the DOJ and FBI seeking records related to their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, including communications involving Donald Trump and senior officials. The lawsuit follows unfulfilled FOIA requests and comes amid growing scrutiny of the Trump administration’s secrecy around the case.

    • Gaza News:

  • UN Chief Condemns Israeli Plan: UN Secretary-General António Guterres called Israel’s plan to seize control of Gaza City a “dangerous escalation,” warning it could deepen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. He urged a permanent ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access.
  • UN Human Rights Commissioner: Halt the Plan: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the planned takeover must be “immediately halted,” calling it contrary to international law, the two-state solution, and Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
  • Global Condemnation Mounts: The plan drew swift international backlash, with France, the UK, China, Turkey, and several Arab governments warning of further regional instability and humanitarian catastrophe. France condemned the plan as a “serious violation of international law.”
  • UN Security Council to Convene: The UN Security Council will hold a rare Saturday meeting to discuss the Israeli cabinet’s Gaza City decision, following urgent requests from several member states.
  • Former Israeli PM Slams the Decision: Ex-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned the Gaza City offensive will endanger hostages, cost lives, and is politically motivated. He called it a disaster driven by Netanyahu’s need to appease far-right coalition members.
  • Dire Warnings from Gaza: Palestinians displaced multiple times spoke of despair and exhaustion. One woman said, “We are the walking dead,” amid fears of renewed mass displacement, hunger, and disease.
  • US Ambassador to Israel Escalates Rhetoric: U.S. envoy Mike Huckabee lashed out at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his call for a ceasefire, comparing Gaza to Dresden in WWII and accusing the UK of appeasement, drawing criticism for his provocative tone.
  • France Rejects Israeli Claims: France’s foreign ministry said the Israeli plan undermines peace and security, insisting it would not lead to the release of hostages or defeat of Hamas, and reiterated support for a future Palestinian state led by the Palestinian Authority.
  • EU, Arab States, and Others Voice Alarm: The EU Council president warned the move must have consequences for Israel-EU relations. Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Denmark, and Turkey also issued strong condemnations, with Turkey urging the international community to block the plan.
  • Netanyahu: Goal Is to 'Free Gaza from Hamas': Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the goal is not to occupy Gaza but to eliminate Hamas. He expressed frustration with Germany’s suspension of weapons exports and accused critics of misunderstanding the plan’s intent.
  • Hamas Threatens Consequences: Hamas said Israel’s decision confirms Netanyahu is willing to “sacrifice” hostages for political survival and called the move further proof of a disregard for Palestinian lives.
  • Ongoing Israeli Strikes: As the offensive expands, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed multiple individuals in eastern Lebanon, including a senior Palestinian militant en route to Syria, according to the Associated Press.
  • Protests Spread Globally: Protests erupted in Jerusalem and London against the planned offensive, with demonstrators calling for a ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages.

    • See you in the morning.

    — Aaron