WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
💀 Trump to seek death penalty for DC murders. President Trump announced his administration will pursue the death penalty for murders committed in Washington, DC, following a fatal shooting that ended a 12-day homicide-free streak. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the DOJ may seek the death penalty for the man accused of killing two Israeli staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum earlier this year.
🔄 Cracker Barrel restored classic logo after backlash. Cracker Barrel reversed its rebranding, bringing back the old logo after customer outrage and a falling stock price. The decision came hours after President Trump urged the company to “admit a mistake.” The episode proves customer outcry and independent journalism exposing corporate wokeness still moves the needle in corporate America.
💥 DNC yanked Israel resolution amid internal revolt. The Democratic National Committee pulled a moderate Gaza aid resolution after its anti-Israel wing demanded a full arms embargo. Chairman Ken Martin canceled the vote and formed a committee to revisit the party’s stance. The split mirrors recent polling showing Democratic voters’ extreme disapproval of Israel.
🎤 Chicago mayor dodged police safety questions on MSNBC. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) refused to say five times whether more police would make the city safer during an appearance on Morning Joe. Johnson insisted, “Policing by itself is not the full strategy.” His evasion reveals the tension between acknowledging crime realities and appeasing the anti-police progressive base.
INSIDER RADAR
Trump adviser Stephen Miller claims a "massive scandal" is brewing in Washington, DC, involving doctored crime statistics.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the Big, Beautiful Bill will increase funding for rural hospitals by 50 percent.
First Lady Melania Trump announced the launch of a Presidential AI challenge for America’s students.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio jokingly urged Trump to issue an executive order banning Saturday weddings during college football season.
HOAX TRACKER
The media’s hypocrisy on burning the American flag
After Trump’s order on flag desecration, outlets like The New York Times and CNN stressed Supreme Court protections for such actions. Yet when gay pride flags are burned, the same outlets drop First Amendment talk, framing it as hate crimes — like the 2019 Iowa case that led to 15 years of prison time.
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QUICK AND IMPORTANT
Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, got engaged.
Two illegal migrants were arrested for fentanyl trafficking in Portland, Oregon.
Former MSNBC host Tiffany Cross claimed on CNN that Trump adviser Stephen Miller is a "white supremacist.”
The parents of a 16-year-old boy who died by suicide filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT acted as a "suicide coach" for their son.
The most clicked link in our last newsletter was Pam Bondi announcing that Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges.
INSIDER EXCLUSIVE
South America ditches socialism
After one round of voting, Bolivians have soundly rejected the “Movement for Socialism.” But this isn’t isolated to Bolivia — socialism is being rejected across South America.
THE MAIN STORY
Trump ousted a Fed governor. She refuses to leave.
_WHAT’S HAPPENING_
President Donald Trump announced the removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, citing allegations of mortgage fraud.
This decision, effective immediately, is based on claims that Cook committed mortgage fraud. Cook, appointed during the Biden administration, denies the allegations and refuses to resign, setting the stage for a legal battle over the president's authority to dismiss her.
_THE FACTS_
Cook was a Biden pick in 2022, confirmed only with Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote.
President Trump invoked Article II powers and the Federal Reserve Act, which let him remove Fed governors “for cause.”
No president has ever removed a Fed governor.
Trump’s letter blasted her conduct as “gross negligence,” undermining her “competence and trustworthiness.”
Cook allegedly claimed two homes as “primary residences” to score cheaper mortgages.
The mainstream media is hinting that Trump targeted her because she is the first black woman Fed governor.
This echoed claims made by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who opened his statement on the firing by referencing Cook being black.
Democrats denounced the firing — Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) called it “an outrage and a scandal,” and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called it an “authoritarian power grab.”
Cook retained Abbe Lowell, a high-profile attorney who previously represented Hunter Biden and Jared Kushner.
She stated she “will not resign,” claiming the president doesn’t have the authority to fire her.
_OUR INSIGHTS _
President Trump’s move breaks new ground on presidential power. No president has ever removed a Federal Reserve governor, and the law has long insulated the Fed from White House influence.
The Supreme Court recently described the Fed as “a uniquely structured, quasi-private entity,” underscoring how uncharted this firing is. By invoking Article II and the “for cause” clause of the Federal Reserve Act, Trump could set a precedent for firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell or others under the same rationale.
_JOIN THE DISCUSSION_
Does Trump firing a Federal Reserve governor set a dangerous precedent?
BIAS SPOTTER
How left and right outlets frame Trump firing Lisa Cook
_LEFT_
Threat to central bank independence: The Atlantic fretted about how Trump’s firing of Cook, if upheld by the Supreme Court, could open the door for him to seize control of the Federal Reserve. The Atlantic
Allegations lacking substance: The New York Times reported that Trump’s justification for firing Cook is based on unproven allegations of mortgage fraud. Cook, who has not been charged with any crime, argues that no legal cause exists for her removal. The New York Times
_RIGHT_
Justification for removal: The Daily Caller published the contents of Trump’s letter, which argued that Cook’s alleged conduct in financial matters meant the public could not “have full confidence in the honesty of the members entrusted with setting policy.” The Daily Caller
Strategic appointments: The Daily Signal noted that replacing Cook with a Trump-aligned appointee could shift the balance of power within the Fed, allowing Trump to influence monetary policy more directly. The Daily Signal
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_THE DAILY DEBATE_
📊 Burning the American flag should be…
POLLS RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY
Do you think the COVID vax should be pulled from the market?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 👍 Yes (1,403)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 👎 No (177)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (146)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 💬 Other (Comment) (16)
👍 Yes: “It wasn’t ready and didn’t do the job! Get rid of it!” — Lyn
👎 No: “Free choice. Those who want it should be able to get it.” — Allan
🤔 Unsure: “I am not an expert in this technology. Is an expert making this decision?” — SA
_POP QUIZ_
Who was accused of being a "white supremacist" on CNN?
Today’s newsletter was written by Brandon Goldman, Anthony Constantini, and Ariel David. We scoured 100s of sources to bring you stories and insights you won’t find in the mainstream media.
See you tomorrow.
