Good morning everyone. There is a lot of major news to cover. Unidentified drones have triggered serious security concerns over the homes of Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio, while the Pentagon is now seeking more than $200 billion in additional taxpayer funding for the war. At the same time, Joe Kent is under FBI investigation and a clear divide within MAGA is emerging after he stated that intelligence did not show Iran posed a real threat to the United States. Energy prices are continuing to surge, Pam Bondi is refusing to commit to complying with a subpoena related to Epstein, and Republicans are deeply divided over the future of the SAVE Act.
Hegseth is now claiming that the media should be grateful to President Trump for launching the war in Iran. That is not the role of the press. The media is not here to be grateful to anyone, it is here to report the truth and hold power accountable. There is also a growing push toward media consolidation, with major corporate players expanding control over outlets, and that is exactly why independent journalism matters more than ever.
Here’s the news:
- Senate Republicans are deeply divided over how aggressively to push the SAVE America Act, a major voting reform bill, with tensions rising as allies of Donald Trump pressure lawmakers to support it or face political consequences. Some Republicans argue the bill lacks enough support to pass and warn that internal threats and infighting could hurt the party ahead of elections. The dispute highlights growing fractures within the GOP over strategy, leadership, and how far to go in advancing the SAVE America Act.
- Democratic lawmakers have moved to impeach Attorney General Pam Bondi after a closed-door briefing on the Epstein files that they described as misleading and evasive, accusing her of refusing to comply with a subpoena and testify under oath; several members said the briefing was staged to avoid accountability and alleged that Bondi has obstructed justice, prompting multiple impeachment efforts and highlighting escalating tensions between the Justice Department and Congress over transparency and oversight.
- Representative Stansbury said that after leaving a briefing, it was clear that Pam Bondi does not plan to comply with a subpoena requiring her to testify under oath before a committee. She stated that Bondi’s team indicated they have already released all the information they intend to provide. The situation points to a dispute over compliance with congressional oversight and legal obligations.
- The Washington Post has confirmed that unidentified drones were spotted flying over Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington D.C., where senior officials including Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth live, raising serious security concerns and prompting an investigation into their origin. The sightings led officials to review security measures and even consider relocating the two leaders while assessing potential threats. These incidents come during heightened tensions tied to U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, with several bases increasing their alert levels, although no direct link to Iran has been confirmed.
- Pete Hegseth criticized European allies and parts of the U.S. media, calling them ungrateful in response to President Trump’s actions. He argued they should be thanking Trump for taking a strong stance against what he described as a terrorist regime. Hegseth emphasized that these actions were aimed at preventing the development of a nuclear weapon and stopping a threat to global security.
- The Pentagon has requested more than $200 billion from the White House to fund the ongoing war in Iran, marking a massive proposed increase in military spending. The request is expected to face significant opposition in Congress, with some administration officials doubting it has a realistic chance of being approved. The proposal highlights growing financial and political tensions surrounding the conflict. Here is Hegseth justifying the ask:
- The FBI is investigating former National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent for allegedly leaking classified information, with the probe beginning before he resigned over disagreements with the Trump administration’s decision to go to war with Iran. Kent publicly argued that Iran did not pose an imminent threat and criticized the conflict as unnecessary, while administration officials defended the war, saying there was strong evidence of a potential attack.
- A senior official told NBC News that Qatar is angered by the escalation of the Iran war, blaming not only Iran but also the U.S. and Israel for actions that have put its critical energy infrastructure at risk. The official also disputed claims that the U.S. was unaware of Israel’s attack on an Iranian gas field, alleging instead that the U.S. knew about and supported the operation. The situation highlights growing tension between the U.S. and a key regional ally amid the conflict. Last night, Trump threw Israel under the bus regarding the recent strikes:
- Tulsi Gabbard previously warned against war with Iran, arguing in 2020 that such action would be unconstitutional without congressional approval and could lead to devastating consequences. She specifically cautioned that a conflict with Iran could be far more costly and damaging than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her past statements are now being revisited as she appears before Congress.
- General Kaine of the Joint Chiefs said Iran still retains some ability to carry out attacks despite weeks of fighting, noting that the country entered the conflict with a large stockpile of weapons. He emphasized that this remaining capability is why the U.S. continues to take an aggressive and assertive approach in the conflict.
- He further said the military is expanding its operations by striking deeper inside Iran, targeting drones, naval vessels, and underground weapons facilities. He described efforts to destroy Iranian attack drones in airspace, eliminate fast attack boats in the Strait of Hormuz, and hit missile storage sites with powerful bunker-penetrating weapons. The update reflects an intensification of the conflict, with U.S. forces increasing both the scope and depth of their attacks.
- The price of gas has now risen to $3.88 per gallon, the highest in over one year:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. is preparing for its most intense day of strikes on Iran, with the largest deployment of aircraft and attacks so far in the conflict. He indicated that this escalation would involve more fighters, bombers, and overall strike activity than previously. His remarks signal a continued intensification of U.S. military operations against Iran.
- Hegseth honored U.S. service members killed in the conflict, describing a solemn ceremony where leaders paid tribute to the fallen and supported their families. He said the families urged the government to continue the mission and not stop until the objective is achieved. Hegseth vowed that the U.S. would follow through, emphasizing that the sacrifices of the fallen strengthen the nation’s commitment to the war.
- Joe Kent said that Iran was not close to developing a nuclear weapon, arguing that it was not on the verge of obtaining one either at the time of the conflict or in the months prior. His statement reflects his broader position that Iran did not pose an immediate or imminent nuclear threat, which he has used to criticize the justification for the war.
- Joe Kent claimed that before his death, Charlie Kirk urged him to try to prevent the U.S. from entering a war with Iran and to reconsider its relationship with Israel. Kent suggested that Kirk faced pressure related to his stance and raised concerns about unanswered questions surrounding his death. He also alleged that an investigation he was involved in was halted before it could be fully completed, implying there is more information that has not been disclosed.
- NBC News confirmed that Iran executed three individuals accused of killing two police officers during protests in January, marking the first known executions linked to the unrest. Authorities said the individuals were convicted of murder and of acting in support of foreign adversaries, including the United States and Israel. The executions signal a harsh response by the Iranian government to dissent and ongoing protests.
- Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister told NBC that Iran has completely destroyed any remaining trust after launching missile attacks during a meeting of regional diplomats, which he described as an attempt to intimidate those present. He warned that the strikes show Iran is willing to escalate tensions and will not easily back down. The remarks also suggested that Gulf countries may consider deeper involvement in the conflict, highlighting the risk of a broader regional escalation.
- Denmark prepared for the possibility of a U.S. attempt to seize Greenland by deploying troops, sending blood supplies for potential casualties, and planning to destroy key runways to prevent American forces from landing. Danish and European officials coordinated a multinational military presence, including troops from several allied countries, along with fighter jets and naval assets, to deter any potential attack. Although Denmark recognized it could not realistically defeat the U.S. militarily, leaders decided they would resist if necessary, aiming to raise the cost of any invasion and signal that such an action would require a full-scale conflict.
- According to NBC News, multiple DHS contractors and industry sources alleged that Corey Lewandowski, a close Trump ally serving in a senior advisory role at the Department of Homeland Security, sought or indirectly encouraged payments or consulting arrangements in exchange for influencing government contracts, raising serious ethical and legal concerns. Several companies claimed they were pressured to hire consultants tied to Lewandowski or risk losing contract opportunities, while some reported being excluded after refusing such arrangements, though Lewandowski has denied all allegations and says he never received any payments.
- Politico has confirmed that political operatives with ties to Donald Trump earned at least $23 million in commissions from a $220 million Department of Homeland Security advertising campaign that later contributed to Kristi Noem’s removal as secretary. The contracts, awarded with limited competition, raised concerns about oversight and potential favoritism, especially given the firms’ political connections and the scale of taxpayer funding involved.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. is considering temporarily lifting sanctions on certain Iranian oil shipments to help lower rising energy prices. He explained the move would use Iran’s own oil supply to stabilize the market in the short term while the conflict continues. The proposal comes as oil and gas prices have surged since the war began.
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with a U.S. envoy in Minsk as part of efforts to improve relations with Washington after years of isolation and sanctions. The talks focused on issues including restoring embassy operations, easing sanctions, and addressing political prisoners, with Belarus recently releasing detainees in a bid to rebuild ties. The meeting reflects a potential shift in relations as Lukashenko seeks closer engagement with the West despite his long-standing alliance with Russia and history of authoritarian rule.
- According to Politico, Senator Bernie Sanders is pushing to block more than $650 million in U.S. arms sales to Israel by introducing resolutions of disapproval in the Senate. He argued that the U.S. should not provide additional weapons amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, calling the situation an illegal war and criticizing the impact of Israel’s actions. The effort could force a Senate vote and create political pressure on Democrats, highlighting divisions within the party over support for Israel.
- Thousands of U.S. manufacturing jobs have been lost over the past year despite promises of a revival, with layoffs at companies like Whirlpool highlighting the continued decline in domestic factory work. The company has cut jobs in the United States while expanding production in lower-cost countries like Mexico, even as tariffs were intended to boost American manufacturing. The situation reflects broader challenges facing the industry, including global competition, rising costs, and supply chain pressures that have limited the impact of trade policies.
- According to The Hill, Amazon plans to significantly reduce the number of packages it ships through the U.S. Postal Service, aiming to cut that volume by at least two thirds as its contract approaches expiration. The move follows ongoing negotiations between Amazon and USPS that failed to produce a new agreement, leading Amazon to prepare alternative delivery strategies. The change could have a major impact on USPS, which has relied heavily on Amazon shipments for a significant portion of its package volume.
- Changes to a federal autism advisory committee under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have sparked backlash after he replaced members with fewer autistic representatives and included individuals linked to anti vaccine views. The first meeting of the reshaped committee was abruptly canceled, while a separate independent group formed in response, raising additional concerns about representation and scientific direction. Critics warn the changes could shift federal autism research toward debunked theories and undermine evidence based science.
See you soon.
— Aaron
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