We have breaking news this morning a top Trump official has resigned in protest over the war in Iran. Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said he could not support the war, arguing it was not based on an imminent threat and was driven by pressure from Israel and its U.S. allies. At the same time, Trump claimed he spoke with a former president who supported the strike, but all living former presidents have denied it. The SAVE Act could face a vote today as major Epstein developments continue to unfold.
I remain independent because I refuse to answer to powerful donors, corporate interests, or political pressure. I answer to you, the readers and subscribers who believe journalism should hold power accountable.
Here’s the news:
- Joe Kent announced his resignation as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, saying he could not support the war in Iran, which he argued was not justified by an imminent threat and was driven by pressure from Israel and its U.S. allies, while expressing appreciation for his service under the president and DNI Tulsi Gabbard.
- One of Trump’s top economic officials, Kevin Hassett, said that “If the war were to be extended, it wouldn’t really disrupt the US economy very much at all. It would hurt consumers, and we’d have to think about what we’d have to do about that, but that’s really the last of our concerns right now.”
- Trump claimed he spoke with a former president who said he wished he had bombed Iran, repeating the assertion publicly but refusing to name who it was. However, aides for George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden all denied to NBC News that any such conversation took place, casting doubt on Trump’s account as the White House declined to clarify. Here is Trump claiming that he spoke with a former President:
- An Iran-aligned militia fired seven drones and rockets at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, with U.S. defenses intercepting six and one hitting an empty area inside the compound, resulting in no injuries or significant damage.
- According to The Guardian, Trump blamed Iran for a deadly strike on an elementary school based on an early, unverified intelligence assessment that was quickly contradicted by updated findings. U.S. officials later determined the missile was actually a Tomahawk fired by the U.S. military using outdated targeting data, with the strike killing at least 175 people, many of them children, and raising serious concerns about intelligence failures and decision-making.
- Iranian authorities seized hundreds of Starlink satellite internet terminals in a large-scale operation using advanced technology to track users. Officials warned that possessing or using the systems is a serious crime—especially during wartime—and said the crackdown will continue as Iran remains largely offline amid ongoing conflict.
- Israel claimed it killed Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani, a highly influential leader who may have been acting as a de facto ruler, though Iran has not confirmed the claim. If true, his death would mark one of the most significant losses in Iran’s leadership since the start of the war, amid ongoing instability and rapid turnover at the top.
- A handwritten note honoring Iran’s fallen sailors was posted on Ali Larijani’s X account and shared by state media, though its authenticity and timing remain unclear. The post came after Israel claimed to have killed Larijani, a claim Iran has not confirmed, as the country prepares to hold funerals for sailors killed in a U.S. attack.
- Newly released files reveal that Jeffrey Epstein used payments for private school tuition and claimed influence over elite school admissions to cultivate relationships with powerful individuals, including scientists, financiers, and social elites. He leveraged these favors—sometimes proactively offering help—to maintain access and influence within elite circles even after his 2008 sex crime conviction, highlighting how wealth and social networks allowed him to remain connected despite serious allegations.
- Newly released Epstein files show he had extensive business and personal ties with billionaire Leon Black, positioning himself as a trusted advisor on major financial and art deals, including Black’s purchase of The Scream. The documents suggest Epstein embedded himself deeply in Black’s affairs through financial guidance and tax strategies, while also raising new questions about Black’s potential connections to Epstein’s broader network and alleged misconduct.
- Harvard students and faculty are pushing to remove Leslie Wexner’s name from campus buildings due to his longstanding ties to Jeffrey Epstein, arguing it undermines the university’s values. The request follows renewed scrutiny from newly released Epstein files, though Wexner denies wrongdoing and says he was misled by Epstein, and any renaming would require a formal review process.
- Afghanistan accused Pakistan of carrying out an օդstrike on a Kabul hospital that killed at least 400 people and injured hundreds, marking a major escalation in their conflict, while Pakistan denied hitting civilian targets and said it struck militant infrastructure instead. The incident comes amid intensifying cross-border fighting, competing casualty claims, and growing international concern as calls for a ceasefire go unanswered.
- It’s Election Day in Illinois! Illinois voters are deciding competitive Democratic primaries for an open U.S. Senate seat and multiple congressional races following Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement, with heavy spending from outside groups like AIPAC influencing contests. With the state leaning strongly Democratic, the primary winners are likely to secure the seats in November, making these races especially consequential for long-term political control.
- The White House has now changed the website where you could once get COVID-19 tests: “covidtests.gov” to a page that talks about “COVID lab leaks.”
- Donald Trump suggested on Truth Social that Venezuela could become the 51st U.S. state after praising its World Baseball Classic win, while also linking the idea to recent U.S. actions in the country and continuing a pattern of similar comments about other nations.
- Trump allies in the Senate are planning an aggressive push to pass the SAVE America Act, aiming to prolong debate and pressure Democrats by keeping the bill on the floor as long as possible. The legislation, which would require proof of citizenship to vote, has strong Republican backing but faces unified Democratic opposition, setting up a prolonged procedural battle with uncertain chances of final passage.
- According to the Associated Press, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 12 Palestinians, including children, a pregnant woman, and police officers, with one strike hitting a home in a refugee camp without warning. The deaths come despite a ceasefire that has reduced but not stopped violence, as ongoing strikes and clashes continue to cause casualties while Israel says it is targeting militants in response to threats.
- The FDA has confirmed that raw cheddar cheese from Raw Farm, the largest U.S. raw milk distributor, has been identified as the likely source of a multistate E. coli outbreak that has sickened several people—mostly young children—though no products have tested positive. The company disputes the findings and has refused a recall, while health officials warn of the risks of raw milk products amid rising consumption and ongoing safety concerns.
- According to the Guardian, Starbucks shareholders are urging the removal of two board members over the company’s stalled union negotiations, arguing leadership has failed to address growing labor disputes and risks. Despite hundreds of stores unionizing and ongoing strikes, no first contract has been reached, fueling criticism that the company has backtracked on commitments to engage workers while it maintains it is negotiating in good faith.
See you soon.
— Aaron
Loading comments...