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Now, let’s get to the news:

  • UnitedHealth Group, the largest health insurer in the United States, is currently under federal criminal investigation related to potential Medicare fraud. The probe is focused on whether the company deliberately overbilled the federal Medicare Advantage program, which serves millions of older Americans.
  • Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed support for the Trump administration's consideration of suspending habeas corpus rights in response to current immigration challenges. Habeas corpus is a fundamental legal principle that allows individuals to challenge unlawful detention. Noem suggested that the surge in illegal border crossings could be interpreted as an "invasion," a condition under which the U.S. Constitution permits the suspension of habeas corpus.
  • House Republican leaders have canceled scheduled votes for Friday, effectively ending the legislative week early. This decision comes as the GOP faces internal disagreements over President Donald Trump's proposed $7 trillion tax and spending package, which includes significant tax cuts and reductions to programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
  • Newark Liberty International Airport faced a near-crisis Monday night when a single air traffic controller, assisted only by a trainee, managed all flight operations for three hours amid severe staffing shortages and ongoing tech outages. Normally requiring 15 personnel, the control tower was stretched to a dangerous limit, highlighting escalating burnout and safety risks as a fifth of the staff took trauma leave.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy clarified that he recently changed his wife's flight from Newark Liberty to LaGuardia due to delays—not safety concerns—so she could make it to a scheduled event. During a House subcommittee hearing, Duffy pushed back on claims suggesting otherwise, while acknowledging Newark’s well-documented issues with outdated systems, staffing shortages, and runway construction.
  • Tom Homan, Donald Trump's border czar, has confirmed that he has discussed with Alina Habba, Trump's personal attorney and interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, the possibility of prosecuting Democratic lawmakers.
  • An Ohio man intentionally checked out 100 books on Jewish history, African American history, and LGBTQ+ topics from a local library with the stated purpose of burning them. The act, condemned by officials as a hate-driven attack on intellectual freedom, has sparked outrage and renewed debates over censorship and extremism.
  • Tulsi Gabbard dismissed the top two officials at the National Intelligence Council after they released an assessment that challenged President Trump’s justification for using the Alien Enemies Act. The report reportedly undermined the administration’s claim that deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members without due process was a national security necessity.
  • At the kickoff of his 2025 "Land of Hope and Dreams" tour in Manchester, England, Bruce Springsteen delivered a powerful critique of the Trump administration. Before performing, Springsteen addressed the audience, stating, "The America I love... is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration." He urged those who believe in democracy to "rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism, and let freedom ring."
  • During his Middle East tour, Donald Trump declared, "We will do things for Qatar that they will be happy about," signaling a commitment to strengthening U.S.-Qatar relations. This statement coincided with Qatar's offer of a $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 jet to serve as a temporary Air Force One replacement—a gesture that has sparked significant ethical and national security concerns.
  • Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a significant rollback of the state's free healthcare program for undocumented immigrants in response to a projected $12 billion budget deficit.
  • During a recent appearance on Fox News, Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) voiced strong distrust toward Qatar, stating, "I trust Qatar like I trust a rest stop bathroom."

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  • A federal judge has ordered the release of Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University postdoctoral fellow detained by U.S. immigration authorities since March. Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles ruled that the government failed to provide evidence that Suri posed a danger to the community and found that his detention likely violated his First and Fifth Amendment rights. Suri, an Indian national who entered the U.S.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided not to attend the upcoming peace talks in Istanbul with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported by Reuters.
  • Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has formally requested that Attorney General Pam Bondi provide the legal memorandum she authored deeming the Qatari government's $400 million Boeing 747-8 jet gift to Donald Trump as "legally permissible."
  • Donald Trump urged the Qatari emir to assist in de-escalating tensions with Iran, emphasizing the potential to prevent a major conflict. He warned that without intervention, the situation could spiral into war, risking millions of lives, and stressed the importance of taking proactive steps to avoid such outcomes.

    • See you in the morning.

    — Aaron