Good afternoon. Today I’m tracking several explosive stories: Attorney General Pam Bondi declaring she will target people who engage in hate speech; Kash Patel facing tough bipartisan grilling on Capitol Hill, including a stunning claim about Jeffrey Epstein; and revelations that Donald Trump pulled FBI agents off child predator investigations to carry out deportations. And that’s just the beginning.
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With that, here’s what you missed:
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department would be “targeting” people who engage in hate speech, distinguishing it from free speech and insisting there is no place for it in society — particularly in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. She later attempted to clarify her comments, saying her focus was on violent threats, but the remarks drew backlash from both allies and critics who warned against criminalizing protected speech.
When asked about Attorney General Pam Bondi’s crackdown on hate speech, President Trump said it would “probably go after people like you,” accusing the reporter of treating him unfairly and having “hate” in their heart. He added that ABC “paid me $16 million for a form of hate speech,” suggesting the reporter’s own company could face scrutiny.
Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty. Robinson is scheduled to make his first court appearance virtually today.
Trump’s mass deportation push has diverted nearly 3,000 FBI agents from countering domestic terrorism and child predator networks, leaving extremist groups like the 764 network — which coerces minors into abuse and self-harm — with less federal oversight, according to officials and newly released data.
In a tense exchange, Sen. John Kennedy asked who Jeffrey Epstein trafficked young women to, and FBI Director Kash Patel responded: “There is no credible information, none … that he trafficked to other individuals.”
FBI Director Kash Patel erupted during questioning from Sen. Adam Schiff about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, shouting insults and calling Schiff “the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate,” an “utter coward,” and a “political buffoon.”
President Trump warned an Australian reporter that their questioning was “hurting Australia,” saying he would raise it with Australia’s leader and suggesting the reporter’s line of questioning could damage US–Australia relations.
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Senator Thom Tillis criticized right-wing rhetoric following Charlie Kirk’s shooting, noting that within 24 hours figures like a War Room podcaster and a Sandy Hook denier were declaring “we’re at war,” and urged his colleagues to “look in the mirror” instead of inflaming tensions.
House Republicans have introduced a bill to keep the government funded through November 21, aiming to pass it before the September 30 shutdown deadline. The measure would extend current funding levels for seven weeks while adding $30 million for congressional security and $58 million to protect members of the executive and judicial branches.
The plan faces steep opposition from Democrats, who say their priorities — including health care costs — were excluded from negotiations. With only a slim majority, Republican leaders can afford just two defections before needing Democratic support, leaving the outcome uncertain as the shutdown clock ticks down.
A memo from Rep. Jamie Raskin accuses Donald Trump of dismantling anti-trafficking programs, diverting law enforcement to immigration crackdowns, cutting victim support, and siding with abusers, warning the pattern leaves survivors less safe.
A judge dismissed the two top terrorism-related murder charges against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, though he still faces second-degree murder, weapons charges, and a federal death penalty case.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that weak civics education leaves many Americans unable to distinguish between the powers of a president and those of a king. Speaking at a conference in New York, she stressed that greater public understanding of the Constitution and limits on executive authority is essential for democracy. Sotomayor pointed to past dissenting opinions in which she argued the presidency was being elevated “above the law,” and criticized efforts to criminalize free speech, saying such proposals reveal a failure in legal education.
The U.S. military carried out a second strike in international waters near South America, killing three alleged Venezuelan “narcoterrorists” transporting drugs, according to Trump, though lawmakers and officials continue to question the evidence and legality of the administration’s escalating campaign.
CBS News reports that Oracle and Silver Lake are part of a consortium negotiating with China to take control of TikTok’s U.S. business, though the final structure of the deal — including ByteDance’s role and control over TikTok’s algorithm — remains unclear, with Presidents Trump and Xi expected to discuss it this week.
Donald Trump extended the TikTok shutdown deadline by three months after announcing a tentative deal with China for U.S.-backed investors to take control of the app’s U.S. assets, with final approval expected during his upcoming call with President Xi.
OpenAI announced new teen safety features for ChatGPT, including age-prediction technology and ID verification in some countries, aimed at separating users into versions for teens and adults. The company said it will prioritize safety over privacy for minors, defaulting to the under-18 experience when in doubt.
Gregory Bovino, the border agent who led Los Angeles’ controversial immigration crackdown, announced his arrival in Chicago to expand “Operation At Large,” sparking fear in immigrant communities as advocates report an uptick in ICE activity and local leaders push back against Trump’s promised surge in deportations.
The Georgia supreme court rejected Fani Willis’s appeal to rejoin Donald Trump’s election interference case, leaving her disqualified and the prosecution in limbo as officials weigh whether to reassign the case or drop charges against the remaining defendants.
CNN reports that Israel has launched a ground incursion into Gaza City, with the UN concluding Israel is committing genocide; over 10% of Palestinians in Gaza have been killed or injured, while world leaders debate ceasefire efforts, Netanyahu prepares another White House visit, and President Trump says he doesn’t “know too much about” the offensive.
See you in the morning.
— Aaron
