Good morning, everyone. There’s a lot to get to today. Tensions are rising inside the Republican Party as some Trump voters express regret while gas prices climb to their highest levels in over a year, and GOP lawmakers warn of a potential internal rupture over the president’s approach to global alliances. At the same time, Trump is doubling down on controversial rhetoric, including renewed talk of making Venezuela a U.S. state after its World Baseball Classic win, even as U.S. allies show reluctance to support his foreign policy moves.
Meanwhile, a key U.S. aircraft carrier is being pulled back for repairs amid operational issues, raising new questions about military readiness. On Capitol Hill, scrutiny is intensifying, with Pam Bondi now set to brief Congress on the Epstein files following mounting pressure.
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Here’s what you missed:
- The USS Gerald R. Ford will sail to Crete for repairs after a major onboard fire in the laundry area injured nearly 200 sailors with smoke exposure, destroyed around 100 sleeping berths, and required hours to contain; one sailor was evacuated, and the incident adds to ongoing mechanical issues, including chronic toilet system failures that have caused repeated clogs and long restroom lines.
- After nearly nine months at sea supporting strikes on Iran (and earlier operations involving Venezuela), the carrier’s extended deployment has raised serious concerns about crew morale and operational readiness, drawing political criticism, while its temporary withdrawal could leave a gap in U.S. military presence in the region until a replacement carrier is deployed.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will appear before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door briefing to provide updates on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The session will cover developments related to Ghislaine Maxwell and ongoing efforts tied to the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Lawmakers are expected to seek details on evidence, disclosures, and the status of previously unreleased materials.
- According to the Daily Beast, the sudden resignation of National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent over the Iran war sparked chaos inside the White House after he publicly posted a scathing letter claiming Iran posed no imminent threat and accusing the administration of being influenced into the conflict. His social media post reportedly blindsided top officials, triggering internal panic and a rapid backlash from Trump and allies, who denounced his claims and questioned his credibility.
- A Pennsylvania voter expressed regret after voting for Trump three times, calling him “worthless” and admitting they felt like “an idiot” for their past support.
- The average price of a barrel of gas has now risen to $3.84:
- According to Scott MacFarlane, House Democrats have launched a probe into Corey Lewandowski’s role at the Department of Homeland Security, requesting all records be preserved amid allegations he acted as a “shadow chief of staff” with outsized influence beyond his official status as a special government employee; lawmakers are investigating whether he improperly influenced personnel and contracting decisions, maintained undisclosed financial interests, and potentially violated ethics rules, while also seeking a separate inspector general review into his activities.
- After Venezuela beat the U.S. 3–2 to win the World Baseball Classic, Donald Trump reacted with a bizarre social media post shouting “STATEHOOD!!!,” doubling down on his idea of making Venezuela the 51st state.
- GOP Rep. Don Bacon warned that any unilateral move to break up NATO would trigger a “civil war” within the Republican Party, saying most members would find it unacceptable and that it could damage the party for years, with lasting internal divisions.
- Trump reversed course on seeking allied support to protect the Strait of Hormuz, saying the U.S. no longer needs help after initially urging other countries to join the effort. The shift comes amid reluctance from key European allies, who have distanced themselves from the conflict with Iran. Trump’s stance highlights tensions within NATO and reflects his broader “America First” approach to foreign policy. The situation underscores strained alliances and growing uncertainty over international cooperation in the ongoing war.
- A group of House conservatives is blocking even routine bipartisan legislation to pressure the Senate into passing Trump’s SAVE America Act, with dozens voting against unrelated bills as part of the protest. The effort reflects growing internal GOP tensions and elevates the bill as a top priority for Trump and his allies. The standoff is forcing House leadership to rely on Democratic votes to pass basic measures. Meanwhile, the SAVE Act faces strong opposition in the Senate and is unlikely to pass.
- According to Politico, World Health Organization officials are warning of a potential “worst-case scenario” nuclear incident as the U.S.-Israel war with Iran escalates, with ongoing strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. The WHO says even a single incident could cause long-term global health consequences, including radiation exposure, cancer risks, and widespread environmental damage. Officials are preparing emergency responses while stressing that no system could fully prevent catastrophic harm if such an event occurs. The conflict has already strained regional health systems, with attacks on medical infrastructure and growing civilian casualties.
- Cuba’s president warned that any U.S. attempt to take control of the island would face “impregnable resistance,” as tensions escalate following Trump’s remarks, while the country grapples with a deep economic crisis and widespread power outages fueling public anxiety
- According to the Houston Chronicle, more than half of TSA agents at Houston’s Hobby Airport called out during the ongoing DHS shutdown, leading to security lines stretching up to 3.5 hours as unpaid workers increasingly skip shifts, creating major staffing shortages and travel disruptions.
- TSA staffing shortages at Atlanta’s airport, with about 36% of agents calling out today during the shutdown, are causing long security wait times, flight delays, and cancellations as officials urge travelers to prepare for disruptions and be patient with unpaid workers.
- Three TSA checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport have been closed due to staffing shortages during the government shutdown, forcing passengers to reroute through remaining security areas
- Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Reid Hoffman has acknowledged visiting Jeffrey Epstein’s island, but stated there is no evidence placing him there at the same time as underage victims; however, he emphasized Hoffman is not fully absolved, noting there is no statute of limitations for trafficking-related crimes involving minors. At the same time, Blanche has repeatedly and publicly maintained that no investigations are currently underway.
- Israel’s defense minister said an overnight strike killed Iran’s intelligence minister Esmail Khatib, describing it as part of intensifying attacks against Iran and Hezbollah. He also claimed Israel now has authorization to target top Iranian officials without further approval, signaling a major escalation. The announcement follows recent reported killings of other senior Iranian figures, though Iran has not yet confirmed Khatib’s reported death.
- NATO will deploy an additional U.S. Patriot missile defense system to Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey, alongside an existing Spanish system, according to Turkey’s defense ministry. The move follows a recent incident in which a ballistic missile fired from Iran entered Turkish airspace before being intercepted by NATO defenses. The deployment underscores heightened regional tensions and efforts to strengthen air defense coverage.
- Key Illinois primary winners include Juliana Stratton (Democratic U.S. Senate) and Don Tracy (Republican U.S. Senate); Darren Bailey (Republican governor); Kwame Raoul (Democratic attorney general) and Bob Fioretti (Republican, both unopposed); Diane Harris (Republican secretary of state); Toni Preckwinkle (Cook County Board president); and multiple congressional winners such as Donna Miller (IL-2), La Shawn Ford (IL-7), Melissa Bean (IL-8), and Daniel Biss (IL-9), with several incumbents also securing renomination.
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker solidified his influence within the Democratic Party by backing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton to victory in the state’s high-profile Senate primary, showcasing his political and financial power. The win boosts his national profile as he eyes a third term as governor and a potential 2028 presidential run. Pritzker’s heavy involvement and spending were decisive in overcoming well-funded rivals, but also drew criticism from some Democrats who accused him of tipping the scales.
- Sen. Markwayne Mullin is set to face a Senate confirmation hearing to become DHS secretary as Trump moves to replace Kristi Noem following mounting criticism of her leadership. Mullin is expected to be confirmed easily due to bipartisan relationships and Republican support, though tensions could surface during the hearing. The nomination comes amid a prolonged DHS shutdown tied to disputes over immigration funding and reforms. The impasse has strained agency operations, including TSA staffing shortages and unpaid workers.
- José Andrés’s World Central Kitchen has delivered over 8,000 free meals to TSA workers during the ongoing DHS shutdown, which has stretched beyond four weeks and left many employees unpaid. The effort spans multiple airports, including those in Washington, D.C., Houston, Austin, and New Orleans, with support from local restaurants. Organizers say demand has recently declined as some workers stop reporting to work without pay. The nonprofit plans to continue providing meals as long as needed, even after the shutdown ends if pay delays persist. The situation highlights the growing strain on essential federal workers amid stalled funding negotiations in Congress.
- According to The Guardian, newly released emails reveal Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with U.S. ambassador Scott Brown during his 2019 Samoa trip—despite efforts to distance the embassy—raising renewed scrutiny over claims that his anti-vaccine views contributed to a measles outbreak that killed 83 people and that he misled the Senate about the visit.
- The State Department has ordered all U.S. embassies worldwide to immediately review security as the Iran conflict escalates, following attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites including Baghdad, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia; the directive reflects growing concerns about spillover violence and risks to U.S. personnel and citizens amid an intensifying regional war.
See you soon.
— Aaron
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