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There are stories that begin with money. There are stories that begin with politics.

This one begins with lettuce.

Shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico has been linked by federal health officials to a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite.

As of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s July 24 update, the outbreak specifically linked to the lettuce included at least 1,947 confirmed illnesses in nine states, 98 hospitalizations, and no reported deaths. Taylor Farms recalled all iceberg lettuce it sourced from central Mexico, including certain Marketside products sold through Walmart and bulk products supplied to restaurants and food-service businesses. (CDC)

That is already a significant public-health story. Then the money entered the picture.

Federal Election Commission filings reviewed by WIRED show that Taylor Farms contributed more than $3.6 million to conservative political organizations between 2020 and 2025. That total included $1 million to MAGA Inc., the super PAC aligned with President Donald Trump, and another $1.1 million to Republican-oriented super PACs during 2025 alone. (WIRED)

The company also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on federal lobbying—including lobbying connected to food-safety regulation. The owner of Taylor Farms, Bruce Taylor, also contributed nearly $1 million from his personal accounts to conservative entities.

None of that proves Taylor Farms purchased favorable treatment from the federal government. It does, however, produce one enormous, wilted credibility problem.

Here is the Morning Sixpack breakdown.

1. The outbreak: What happened?

Cyclospora is a parasite that can contaminate fresh produce through water or soil exposed to human fecal matter. It causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness whose signature symptom is prolonged, watery diarrhea. Patients may also experience fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramping, bloating, and weight loss.

Symptoms usually begin about one week after infection, although the incubation period can range from two days to two weeks or longer. Without treatment, symptoms may persist for weeks and can disappear and return. Routine stool testing does not always screen for Cyclospora, meaning patients may have to request a specific test. (CDC)

The initial investigation focused heavily on people who reported eating at Taco Bell restaurants (of course!) in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Michigan health officials reviewed detailed food histories from 190 patients who had eaten at Taco Bell. Ninety percent reported eating iceberg lettuce. Federal traceback investigators then followed the lettuce through the supply chain and found what the Food and Drug Administration called a convergence on a single supplier: Taylor Farms de Mexico. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

The investigation later expanded to include cases in Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.

Taylor Farms initiated its recall on July 17. The recalled lettuce had been distributed in at least 27 states to consumers, restaurants, retailers, and food-service operations. Taco Bell said it stopped using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico the same day. (CDC)

The company also temporarily suspended production at its central Mexico processing facility. That facility produced large bags of shredded iceberg lettuce distributed to Taco Bell, Sysco, and other major customers, according to Reuters. (Reuters)

The outbreak investigation remains open.

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2. The laboratory test that wasn’t

This is where the story became confusing—and politically combustible.

On July 18, the FDA reported that a sample of lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico had tested positive for Cyclospora.

The next day, the agency reversed itself.

FDA laboratory experts reviewed the data again and determined that the result did not represent true amplification of the parasite’s genetic material. The agency reclassified the finding as a false positive.

As of July 24, there were no confirmed positive Cyclospora results from product samples. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Taylor Farms seized on that correction, emphasizing that no tested product had been confirmed positive.

That statement is true—but incomplete.

The FDA did not withdraw its broader conclusion about the outbreak. Instead, the agency said the false-positive correction did not change the “overwhelming epidemiological data” supporting the recall. Patient interviews and supply-chain records continued to point toward shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms and growers in central Mexico. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

In other words, there are two separate evidentiary questions.

Did investigators obtain a conclusive positive laboratory result from a retained lettuce sample? No.

Did the patterns of illness and the supply-chain traceback point toward Taylor Farms lettuce? According to both the CDC and FDA, yes.

That distinction matters. Contamination may be unevenly distributed across a shipment. By the time an outbreak is detected, the precise contaminated bags may have been eaten, discarded, or spoiled. Cyclospora is also notoriously difficult to detect in produce.

A missing positive sample does not automatically erase strong epidemiological evidence.

But the FDA’s premature announcement—and rapid retraction—gave Taylor Farms an opening to challenge the investigation and gave the public another reason to wonder what, exactly, was going on.

3. Follow the money (always)

Taylor Farms is not merely a lettuce company caught in an unfortunate news cycle.

It is also a substantial political spender.

According to WIRED’s review of public filings, Taylor Farms contributed more than $2 million to conservative political organizations in 2025. That included:

• $1 million to MAGA Inc., the principal super PAC supporting Donald Trump.

• Approximately $1.1 million to other super PACs devoted to electing Republican candidates.

• Between 2020 and the end of 2024, the company contributed another $1.6 million-plus to conservative PACs, including $850,000 to AFP Action, a super PAC associated with the Koch political network and its anti-regulatory agenda. (WIRED)

The company’s chairman and CEO, Bruce Taylor, made additional personal contributions. WIRED found that Taylor had personally given more than $900,000 to Republican candidates and political committees since 2020. Those personal donations are separate from the company’s $3.6 million total. (WIRED)

Calling the $3.6 million a political “payment” would imply an established exchange that has not been proved. Calling it political spending or political contributions is more accurate. Still, $3.6 million purchases something even when it does not purchase a specific official act.

It purchases access. It purchases familiarity. It makes telephone calls more likely to be returned. And it can make every subsequent regulatory decision look suspicious—even when that decision is legitimate.

4. The lobbying operation

Taylor Farms’ political activity did not end with campaign contributions.

In early 2025, the company hired lobbyists from Sidley Austin to advocate on matters described in federal disclosure documents as involving the “regulation of food safety.”

WIRED reported that Taylor Farms had spent approximately $810,000 on lobbying efforts since hiring the firm. (WIRED)

That figure should not be folded into the $3.6 million in political contributions. The two categories are separate.

Campaign contributions support political committees and electoral activity. Lobbying expenditures pay professionals to advocate before government officials.

The disclosures also do not reveal every precise policy change Taylor Farms requested. Lobbying on “food-safety regulation” does not automatically mean lobbying against every food-safety rule.

But the timing and subject matter are relevant.

The company was spending heavily to influence the political environment while also employing lobbyists to discuss the rules governing its industry. Then its product became the focus of a large outbreak investigation.

That does not establish corruption. It does establish a public interest in knowing exactly what the company asked the government to do.

5. The White House connection

The political-spending story became substantially more serious when reports emerged that Taylor Farms executives had contacted the White House while the FDA was preparing or conducting its response.

Taylor Farms reportedly challenged the government’s evidence and handling of the recall. The company also complained to White House and FDA officials about the investigation and inspection process. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb characterized an effort to obtain White House intervention in a recall dispute as outside the standard process. (The Guardian)

The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Representative Robert Garcia of California, has now opened an inquiry.

Garcia is demanding communications between Taylor Farms, federal agencies, and the White House. His inquiry asks whether the company attempted to influence the FDA investigation, obscure its role, or mislead consumers.

The White House has rejected the allegation that Taylor Farms’ political contributions affected the government’s response. Taylor Farms says it acted quickly, removed potentially implicated products, suspended production at the central Mexico facility, and commissioned an independent review of its food-safety systems. (CBS News)

At this stage, there is no publicly available evidence establishing a quid pro quo.

There is no document saying: Taylor Farms donated money, and the administration therefore ordered the FDA to protect Taylor Farms.

There is no confirmed evidence that the false-positive correction was politically dictated rather than scientifically justified.

What exists is a concerning sequence:

• A major corporate donor becomes the subject of a federal investigation.

• Its executives gain access to senior administration officials.

• The company challenges the regulator’s evidence.

• The regulator corrects a significant laboratory claim.

• The company highlights that correction while the regulator insists its broader case remains intact.

• Then Congress begins asking whether political influence shaped the process.

Maybe every government decision was proper.

But this is precisely why regulatory systems need transparency. When the regulated company is also writing seven-figure checks to the president’s political operation, “trust us” is not enough.

6. The real scandal may be trust

There is a temptation to turn this into an easy story.

MAGA lettuce company sickens thousands, calls its political friends, and gets the investigation softened.

That version is satisfying. It is also ahead of the publicly established facts.

The more defensible story is less cinematic and more troubling.

America’s food-safety system depends on complicated coordination among companies, restaurants, local health departments, state laboratories, the CDC, and the FDA. Investigators must reconstruct what sick patients ate weeks earlier, identify common ingredients, trace those ingredients through enormous supply networks, and find contamination that may no longer exist in any testable package.

That system requires public trust.

Taylor Farms’ political spending did not create the outbreak. Its donations do not prove that it caused the FDA’s erroneous laboratory announcement. And the FDA’s false positive does not disprove the epidemiological evidence implicating the company’s lettuce.

But political money changes the context in which every decision is evaluated.

When a corporation gives $1 million to the president’s super PAC and later calls the president’s White House during a regulatory crisis, ordinary people are entitled to ask whether the corporation received access unavailable to a smaller business—or to the families who became sick.

The public is also entitled to know whether the administration gave Taylor Farms an opportunity to shape the government’s messaging before consumers received complete information.

Those questions cannot be answered through dueling press statements.

They require emails, meeting records, telephone logs, laboratory documentation, inspection reports, lobbying disclosures, and sworn testimony.

The Morning Sixpack bottom line

Three things can be true simultaneously.

First: Federal investigators have linked Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce to an outbreak that caused nearly 2,000 confirmed illnesses in nine states. That link rests on patient interviews and traceback evidence, not a confirmed positive product sample. (CDC)

Second: Taylor Farms and its CEO have spent millions supporting Republican candidates and political organizations. The company contributed more than $3.6 million to conservative groups between 2020 and 2025, including $1 million to MAGA Inc. It also spent approximately $810,000 on lobbying efforts after hiring lobbyists to work on food-safety regulation. (WIRED)

Third: Political influence has not yet been proved. The donations, lobbying, and White House contacts justify investigation, but they are not by themselves evidence of a corrupt agreement.

The scandal we can already see is institutional.

Maybe Taylor Farms received no special treatment.

The company and the administration should welcome the release of records proving it.

Until then, Americans are left with a recalled product, a parasite, a pile of political money, and a federal government asking for trust it has not yet earned.

What consumers should know

Do not eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. The recall includes multiple lots and package types distributed through restaurants, retailers, and food-service businesses in at least 27 states.

Certain affected retail products include Marketside Iceberg Salad in 12- and 24-ounce packages and Marketside Shredded Lettuce in 8- and 16-ounce packages, with specified July and August 2026 use-by dates.

Discard recalled lettuce or return it to the place of purchase. Wash containers, refrigerator shelves, utensils, and other surfaces that may have contacted it using hot, soapy water.

Anyone experiencing persistent watery diarrhea, fatigue, appetite loss, or other symptoms after eating iceberg lettuce should contact a healthcare provider and mention possible Cyclospora exposure. Patients may need to request a Cyclospora-specific test. (CDC)

This remains an active investigation. The outbreak-specific figures in this report reflect the CDC’s July 24, 2026 update.

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Big Money, Bigger Battles: Washington, Wall Street, and the World Heat Up

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Morning Sixpack

From the Middle East to Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley, today’s stories all come down to one thing: power—and who’s willing to spend the most to keep it. Here’s what’s brewing in The Morning Sixpack Podcast.

Trump says the gloves are off after Iran’s latest attack on U.S. troops. President Trump vowed a forceful military response after Iran launched a surprise missile attack targeting American forces in Jordan. While back-channel diplomacy technically continues, Trump’s blunt warning suggests the conflict could be entering another dangerous phase.

Iran is reportedly rebuilding its military with help from China. Reuters says Tehran is buying hundreds of Chinese-made shoulder-fired air defense missiles to replace equipment damaged during months of fighting with the U.S. and Israel. China denies the report, but if true, it signals another step toward a deeper Beijing-Tehran military relationship.

Crypto’s political money machine has hit a Senate speed bump. The industry’s long-awaited regulatory bill is bogged down in negotiations, leaving roughly $140 million in campaign cash waiting to see which lawmakers deserve support—and which may soon find themselves in crypto’s crosshairs.

Elon Musk is back in campaign mode. The billionaire is reviving America PAC to help Republicans retain control of Congress, focusing on voter turnout while rejoining President Trump’s political operation after last year’s public split. Apparently some relationships are stronger than social media arguments.

Todd Blanche’s confirmation ran into trouble—from Republicans. Two GOP senators forced a delay in the vote on Trump’s attorney general nominee until the Justice Department formally kills a controversial settlement fund. Sometimes the toughest confirmation battles come from inside your own party.

Wall Street is demanding receipts from Meta’s AI gamble. Investors punished the company after Mark Zuckerberg failed to explain how Meta plans to turn massive AI spending into profits. Microsoft impressed investors with real revenue growth. Meta mostly asked everyone to stay patient.

The themes are hard to miss: Military power, political power, and financial power all came under the microscope today. Whether it’s missiles, campaign cash or artificial intelligence, everyone is making expensive bets—and somebody will eventually have to prove they were worth it.

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Trump Promises Iran a ‘Beating’ After Surprise Attack on U.S. Troops

President Trump says the U.S. will retaliate after Iran launched a surprise ballistic missile attack targeting American forces in Jordan, signaling that any hopes for cooler heads may have just taken a major hit.

“We are going to beat the fucking shit out of them.”

Trump delivered that blunt message to Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst after the overnight attack, adding, “We’ll be hitting them hard. They’re going to get a beating.” According to Yingst, Trump said U.S. forces had only minutes to intercept the incoming missiles and successfully shot them down before they reached their targets.

The president also defended overnight U.S. and Saudi strikes against Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militias, calling the proxy groups “a cancer on the world” and suggesting additional action against Iranian-backed forces remains on the table. Trump said those operations were coordinated with the Iraqi government. Read that again.

Yingst reported that the attack may have strengthened an emerging coalition of Gulf nations willing to confront Tehran after Iran broadened the conflict by targeting countries beyond Israel and the United States. At the same time, Trump indicated back-channel talks with Iran are still continuing despite the latest escalation, saying, “We’re going to let them keep talking.”

Source: Mediaite

Editor: Iran apparently thought expanding the fight would intimidate its neighbors. Instead, it may have convinced more of them to line up against it. That’s one way to build a coalition—just not the one you wanted.

Iran Reportedly Buying Hundreds of Chinese Air Defense Missiles

Iran is expected to receive up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile systems within weeks as Tehran rebuilds its battered military following months of war with the United States and Israel.

The reported deal signals that while ceasefire talks may be underway, the arms race certainly isn’t.

According to Reuters, the $60-$70 million agreement includes between 300 and 400 Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 man-portable air defense systems, commonly known as MANPADS. The missiles are designed to target low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones, giving Iran more mobile defenses after repeated strikes exposed weaknesses around key military and strategic sites.

The report says the contract was signed through a Hong Kong-based intermediary and that initial deliveries could begin within weeks. Sources told Reuters the weapons would likely move from western China through Pakistan before reaching Iran, although both China and Pakistan strongly denied the claims. China’s Foreign Ministry called the report “completely groundless,” while Pakistan dismissed any role in transporting the weapons.

Military analysts say portable missile systems are far harder to target than fixed air-defense batteries because they can be moved quickly by small teams. Reuters also reported Iran has explored additional Chinese weapons purchases, including anti-ship cruise missiles, as it attempts to rebuild capabilities depleted during the war.

Source: Reuters

Editor: “Completely groundless” has become the international version of “nothing to see here.” If the shipment shows up, somebody’s paperwork is going to look awfully awkward.

Crypto’s Washington Payoff Hits a Senate Roadblock

The cryptocurrency industry’s push for sweeping federal regulation is stalling in the Senate, throwing millions of dollars in planned midterm campaign spending into political limbo.

When legislation stalls, lobbyists don’t just lose time—they lose leverage.

Semafor reports that Senate negotiators remain divided over key provisions in the long-awaited crypto regulatory bill, including ethics rules, enforcement authority, and safeguards against illicit finance. With lawmakers preparing to leave Washington for their summer recess, even an initial procedural vote is no longer guaranteed.

That uncertainty matters because Fairshake—the crypto industry’s powerful network of super PACs—has roughly $140 million available for the 2026 elections. Industry leaders reportedly hoped a Senate vote would help determine which lawmakers deserved financial backing and which deserved well-funded opponents. Democrats, meanwhile, argue forcing a premature vote could derail bipartisan negotiations entirely.

One of the biggest sticking points remains how to regulate President Trump’s family’s cryptocurrency interests while establishing new federal oversight of digital assets. Both parties say talks continue, but with only weeks before the election calendar dominates Congress, time is running short for a breakthrough. Even if the bill slips until after August, the crypto money isn’t going away—it may simply become far more unpredictable.

Source: Semafor

Editor: Congress may argue about principles, but everyone suddenly pays attention when $140 million is waiting to decide who gets campaign commercials—and who gets retirement brochures.

Elon Musk Reloads Political War Chest for GOP Midterms

Elon Musk is preparing another massive investment to help Republicans keep control of Congress, reviving the super PAC that spent more than $260 million backing Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.

The breakup with Trump didn’t last nearly as long as the campaign checks.

According to Axios, Musk is reactivating America PAC, which will focus on turning out conservative voters through door-knocking, digital advertising, bribes, and direct mail ahead of the November midterm elections. While aides declined to reveal how much Musk plans to spend this time, sources say the investment is expected to be substantial.

The renewed effort comes as Republicans try to overcome weak polling driven by concerns over the economy and the Iran war. GOP committees already hold a cash advantage of more than $300 million over Democrats, not including the roughly $400 million sitting in Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC ($1 million of which was contributed by Taylor Farms to get their asses out of hot water over explosive diarrhea lettuce).

America PAC will coordinate with other Republican organizations, allowing them to focus more heavily on television advertising while Musk’s operation concentrates on voter turnout. Trump’s senior political adviser James Blair praised the partnership, calling America PAC “an essential partner” during the 2024 campaign and predicting another aggressive turnout operation this fall.

The move also marks another chapter in the repaired relationship between Musk and Trump. After publicly clashing over federal spending and briefly floating the idea of creating a third political party, Musk quietly returned to backing Republican candidates and is now fully rejoining the GOP’s midterm strategy.

Source: Axios

Editor: Politics has a funny way of healing old wounds—especially when one side owns X and the other side controls the White House. Turns out billion-dollar friendships are remarkably resilient.

Todd Blanche’s Attorney General Bid Hits GOP Roadblock

President Trump’s choice to lead the Justice Department was pulled from a key Senate vote after two Republican senators threatened to derail the nomination over a controversial $1.776 billion settlement fund.

Nothing stalls a confirmation faster than members of your own party saying, “Show me the paperwork.”

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley postponed Thursday’s scheduled committee vote after Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina refused to support Todd Blanche’s nomination without written assurances that the Justice Department has permanently abandoned the proposed $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund.

The fund originated as part of a settlement tied to Trump’s lawsuit over leaked IRS records and was intended to compensate people claiming they had been targeted by the federal government. But it quickly drew criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike, particularly over concerns it could benefit Jan. 6 defendants traitors and others with questionable claims.

Cornyn said the Justice Department had “stonewalled” his requests for months, while Tillis warned he wouldn’t even attend the committee meeting without an agreement, denying Republicans the quorum needed to move the nomination forward. Blanche has publicly insisted the department is “not moving forward with the fund. Period,” but the two senators want that commitment formally documented before voting.

With both Cornyn and Tillis retiring at the end of the year, the dispute underscores that even Trump’s nominees can run into resistance when Republican senators decide promises aren’t enough without signatures.

Source: The Hill

Editor: Washington runs on trust... right up until someone asks for it in writing. Then suddenly everybody discovers the copier is broken.

Wall Street Tells Meta: Show Us the AI Money

Meta’s stock tumbled after investors concluded Mark Zuckerberg still hasn’t explained how the company’s massive AI spending will eventually pay off.

Building AI is exciting. Convincing investors it’ll make money is becoming a whole different challenge.

The Wall Street Journal reports Meta shares plunged about 10% after earnings as investors searched for answers on how the company plans to monetize its enormous investments in artificial intelligence. While Microsoft’s shares jumped after posting accelerating Azure cloud growth, Meta offered few new details on generating revenue from AI services or selling excess computing power.

Analysts said Meta’s core advertising business remains strong, but Wall Street is demanding proof that hundreds of billions of dollars flowing into AI infrastructure will eventually produce meaningful returns. Zuckerberg said Meta has received offers to rent excess computing capacity at premium prices but declined to identify customers or provide a timeline for those deals.

The company also raised the lower end of its 2026 capital spending forecast to $130 billion while refusing to provide any outlook for 2027. Investors have grown increasingly sensitive after Google also faced heavy selling following its own massive AI spending projections. The message from Wall Street is becoming clear: Impressive technology alone is no longer enough—profits have to follow.

Source: The Wall Street Journal (free article)

Editor: “Trust us” works great in Silicon Valley pitch meetings. It works a lot less well when shareholders just watched $140 billion disappear before dinner.

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From AI privacy failures to Middle East diplomacy and some eyebrow-raising ideas for school security, today’s stories show how quickly technology and politics are reshaping everyday life.

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Some Anthropic Claude users got an unpleasant surprise when shared chatbot conversations turned up in search engine results. The issue wasn’t a hack, but a technical oversight that left supposedly private discussions searchable—raising fresh questions about AI privacy and who is really responsible for protecting user data.

Congress may finally have a path to renewing the government’s surveillance powers. Senate Democrats say confirming Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence could help break the deadlock over FISA, though privacy concerns continue to divide lawmakers.

The fight over the Strait of Hormuz may be moving from airstrikes to negotiations. Gulf nations are backing a proposal that would allow Iran to collect voluntary shipping fees while President Trump pauses military action and pushes for a broader diplomatic agreement.

President Trump is reportedly pressing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to make childhood vaccines an even bigger priority. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump wants fewer recommended childhood vaccines despite decades of scientific research finding no link between vaccines and autism.

Schools are testing a new generation of anti-shooter technology. Pepper-spraying drones capable of reaching an attacker within seconds are coming to schools in Florida, Georgia and Colorado, sparking debate over whether high-tech responses are replacing efforts to prevent violence in the first place.

Seattle is mourning after the deadly Bite of Seattle festival shooting. Community members gathered for a vigil honoring the three victims as investigators continue searching for another suspect and work to piece together what happened.

That’s your Morning Sixpack. Six stories, one quick rundown, and hopefully a little more context than the headlines alone. Thanks for listening—we’ll see you tomorrow.

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The Morning Sixpack stays free because the news that shapes your life should not be hidden behind a paywall. Paid subscribers are not paying for access. They are helping fund the research, writing, and independent voice that goes into every issue.

Google Search Screw-Up Put Claude Chats on Display

People who shared Anthropic Claude chats discovered some of those conversations could be found through Google and Bing search results.

Privacy promises don’t mean much if search engines can still find what users thought was tucked away.

Anthropic lets users create public links to share chatbot conversations, but over the weekend people realized some of those links had been indexed by search engines. The exposed chats ranged from legal ethics questions and political advice to erotic role play. The issue appears tied to how Anthropic handled search engine instructions rather than a hack or data breach.

The problem comes down to a technical detail. Anthropic relied on a robots.txt file to tell search engines not to crawl shared chats, but both Google and Bing recommend using a “noindex” tag on individual pages as well. WIRED found the exposed chat pages lacked that extra protection, making them eligible to appear in search results under certain conditions.

Google says this wasn’t its mistake. Spokesperson Ned Adriance told WIRED,

“Neither Google nor any other search engine controls what pages are made public on the web, and these pages were indexed across many search engines. We give site owners clear controls to decide whether pages can be crawled or indexed, and we always respect those directives.”

Anthropic did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

While Google has since stopped displaying the shared chats in search results, Bing was still showing hundreds of them when WIRED checked. More importantly, the pages still reportedly lack the recommended “noindex” tag, meaning they could potentially be indexed again. If you’ve shared Claude conversations, now might be a good time to review your privacy settings.

Source: WIRED

Editor: The internet has one ironclad rule: If something can accidentally become public, eventually it probably will. “Shared” and “private” are words that deserve a lot more engineering than marketing.

Democrats Signal FISA Deal Could Follow Clayton Confirmation

Senate Democrats say confirming Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence could finally break the month-long stalemate over renewing the government’s surveillance powers.

The biggest obstacle may not be FISA anymore—it may have been who was running the intelligence community.

Democrats have blocked reauthorizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act since it expired in June, largely over concerns about acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte. Critics questioned Pulte’s lack of experience and his swift staffing cuts across the intelligence community, making his removal a key condition for some lawmakers.

Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he won’t vote to confirm Clayton, but still called him “a vast improvement” over Pulte. Other Democrats, including Sens. Mark Kelly and Angus King, also indicated they’re more willing to move forward on FISA once Clayton is officially in place.

Not everyone is on board. Sen. Andy Kim said replacing Pulte doesn’t solve his broader concerns about privacy protections and court oversight under FISA, particularly during the Trump administration. Even if enough Democrats eventually support the bill, a final Senate vote may wait until lawmakers return in September because of a packed legislative calendar.

Source: NOTUS

Editor: Congress has a talent for turning “urgent national security” into “we’ll get to it after recess.” Apparently even surveillance laws have to wait their turn.

Gulf States Back Hormuz Fee Plan as Trump Halts Air Campaign

Gulf nations are backing an Omani proposal that would let Iran collect voluntary fees from ships using the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to stabilize one of the world’s most important energy routes.

After months of conflict, the fight over the Strait of Hormuz may be shifting from missiles to money.

According to Reuters, Oman has won support from Gulf states for a proposal that would allow Iran to collect voluntary contributions from ships using the Strait of Hormuz, rather than imposing mandatory transit fees. The plan would mirror the Strait of Malacca model, where shipping companies voluntarily help fund navigation, environmental protection, and search-and-rescue operations.

The proposal comes after President Trump abruptly ended a renewed U.S. bombing campaign against Iran over the weekend, saying “good talks” are underway while warning military action could resume if negotiations fail. The conflict disrupted one of the world’s busiest oil chokepoints, sending energy markets into turmoil before the ceasefire eased tensions.

Iran says it wants to jointly manage the strait with Oman, while the U.S. insists international shipping should continue moving freely without any payment requirement. Tehran maintains it has not sought new negotiations with Washington, despite Trump’s optimism that diplomacy could still end the five-month conflict.

Markets welcomed the pause in fighting. Reuters reported Brent crude prices dropped sharply after the bombing campaign ended, reflecting hopes that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz can return to normal if a broader agreement holds.

Source: Reuters

Editor: “Voluntary” has a funny way of becoming “highly encouraged” when your cargo is worth millions and the alternative is sitting in the Gulf wondering what happens next.

Trump Presses RFK Jr. to Scale Back Childhood Vaccines

President Trump is reportedly pushing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to move faster on reducing the number of vaccines recommended for children, despite overwhelming scientific evidence rejecting a link between vaccines and autism.

The biggest pressure on RFK Jr.’s vaccine agenda isn’t coming from critics—it’s coming from the president himself.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump has repeatedly urged Kennedy to make childhood vaccines and autism his top health priority, even as White House political advisers encouraged Kennedy to focus instead on more popular issues like improving food quality ahead of the midterm elections. The report says Trump has grown frustrated with what he sees as slow progress.

The Journal reports Trump wants federal officials to reduce the number of recommended childhood vaccines and hopes doing so would lower autism rates over time. That position runs counter to decades of scientific research. Multiple large studies have found no evidence that childhood vaccines—including the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine—cause autism, and public health experts continue to support the current vaccine schedule.

The administration has already faced legal setbacks after a federal judge blocked earlier efforts to reduce the childhood vaccine schedule. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s team is pursuing new vaccine studies while also dealing with measles outbreaks, staffing shortages, and other public health challenges. The Journal also reports White House insiders have speculated about Kennedy’s long-term future, although both Trump and Kennedy have publicly praised one another.

Source: The Wall Street Journal (free article)

Editor: Every administration gets to choose its priorities. The challenge comes when politics starts chasing conclusions that science has already spent decades testing.

Schools Turn to Pepper-Spraying Drones to Stop Active Shooters

Schools in Florida, Georgia, and Colorado are rolling out drones designed to confront active shooters within seconds of an attack.

The latest answer to school violence isn’t another security guard—it’s a flying robot armed with pepper gel.

At least nine schools will begin testing the nonlethal drones this school year. Built by Texas-based Mithril Defense, the plastic aircraft can be launched by teachers through a panic button or app, then remotely piloted to reach a suspected shooter in as little as 15 seconds. The drones can flash strobe lights, blast sirens, spray pepper gel, and even ram a target at speeds of up to 60 mph.

The company says the technology was inspired by the delayed police response during the 2022 Uvalde school massacre and is intended to buy time until law enforcement arrives. Supporters argue the system could be especially valuable at schools without on-campus resource officers, while Florida and Georgia lawmakers have approved pilot programs worth more than $1 million combined.

Critics aren’t convinced. School safety experts warn remote operators could mistake students or responding officers for attackers, and gun-control advocates argue the money would be better spent preventing violence before it starts rather than responding after shots are fired. The drones have been tested in simulations but have never been used during an actual school shooting.

Source: The Washington Post (free)

Editor: Every new gadget promises to solve the last tragedy. Here’s hoping these drones spend their entire lives collecting dust in a storage box.

Seattle Mourns After Deadly Bite of Seattle Shooting

Hundreds gathered in Seattle to honor the three people killed in the Bite of Seattle mass shooting as investigators continued searching for another suspect.

The shooting may be over, but the investigation—and the grief—are just beginning.

About 100 people gathered Monday evening at Seattle Center’s International Fountain for a vigil honoring the victims of Sunday’s shooting, which left three people dead and four others wounded. Mayor Katie Wilson, Police Chief Shon Barnes, and community members called for unity, healing, and an end to gun violence before observing three minutes of silence and singing “This Little Light of Mine.”

Authorities identified the victims as 19-year-old Junior Cee Niko Semo, 44-year-old Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, and 56-year-old Ashley Whitehead. Police now believe the violence was gang-related and that Semo was one of at least two people who exchanged gunfire during the crowded festival.

A 15-year-old suspect remains in custody on assault and firearms charges, while detectives continue searching for a third person believed to have been involved. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, though officials say no cameras directly captured the shooting itself. No one has yet been arrested on homicide charges as the investigation continues.

Source: KOMO News

Editor: Every community deserves festivals where the loudest sound is live music, not gunfire. Sadly, that keeps becoming a harder promise to keep.

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America’s New Tariff Strategy

Trump’s tariff agenda is back—but with a different legal playbook.

After the Supreme Court knocked down his emergency tariffs, the administration pivoted to forced-labor enforcement under existing trade law. We’ll explain why this approach may prove harder to challenge in court and what it could mean for consumers, global trade and the upcoming midterm elections.

DOJ Retreats After Court Pushback

A federal judge forced the Justice Department to abandon subpoenas targeting New York Times reporters.

The case unraveled after legal mistakes and tough questioning from the bench, delivering a major First Amendment victory while raising fresh questions about how aggressively the government should pursue journalists during leak investigations.

Iran Deepens Support For The Houthis

New reporting suggests Iran is expanding its military footprint inside Yemen.

Sources say Revolutionary Guard commanders, missile specialists and military equipment were flown into Houthi-controlled territory, underscoring growing concerns that Red Sea shipping lanes could become an even bigger flashpoint in the broader Middle East conflict.

Senate Nominees Hit An Unexpected Roadblock

Elizabeth Warren abruptly threw a Senate confirmation hearing behind closed doors after raising concerns about FBI background checks.

Two Trump nominees ultimately advanced, but another was left waiting as lawmakers refused to move forward without resolving unanswered questions, creating another speed bump for the administration’s staffing agenda.

China’s AI Chip Sprint

China is pouring massive government resources into breaking America’s lead in advanced AI chips.

Beijing has made semiconductor independence a national mission, with Huawei leading efforts to replace Nvidia technology despite significant technical hurdles. We’ll look at why this technology race may shape the global economy for years to come.

Saudi Nuclear Deal Hits New Uncertainty

Trump added a new condition to a landmark Saudi nuclear agreement after it was announced.

The White House now says the deal depends on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords with Israel, a requirement that could dramatically complicate negotiations and reshape U.S. diplomacy across the Middle East.

Thanks for listening to The Morning Sixpack Podcast. Stay informed, stay skeptical, and we’ll have another fast-paced rundown of the stories shaping tomorrow’s headlines.

Prefer to read The Morning Sixpack? You can do that here.

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Trump found a new legal lane for tariffs after the Supreme Court closed the old one—and now 60 trading partners are paying attention.

Trump Finds a New Tariff Playbook After Supreme Court Setback

The Trump administration is rolling out new tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners by tying them to forced labor enforcement instead of the legal authority the Supreme Court rejected earlier this year.

It’s the same tariff strategy with a different legal wrapper—and the White House is betting it survives the next court fight.

The new import taxes range from 10% to 12.5% and cover countries responsible for roughly 99% of U.S. imports. Administration officials say the move is aimed at countries that have failed to adequately enforce bans on goods made with forced labor.1 Products such as oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and many USMCA-compliant goods are exempt—but not if you’re Canada.

The bigger—and unreported—story is that Trump just handed all of us higher prices for nearly everything we buy. Trump’s tariffs and Trump’s war is not just driving up prices on oil and imports—it’s everything.

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The administration is relying on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 19742 after the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s earlier global tariffs that had been imposed under emergency powers. That ruling forced the White House to find a different legal path if it wanted to keep broad tariffs in place.

“The United States has had a forced labor import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it; it’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said.

Not everyone is buying the rationale. Several countries have criticized the tariffs as arbitrary, while some labor advocates question whether the forced labor justification is driving policy or simply providing legal cover for a broader trade agenda. Either way, expect more legal challenges—and more international pushback (and retaliation)—as this latest round of tariffs takes effect.

Source: Associated Press

Editor: Washington may have swapped the legal paperwork, but the economic debate didn’t change. Tariffs still have supporters, critics, and plenty of consumers who eventually see the bill. Any economist worth his salt will tell you that tariffs are taxes—and that many countries will find alternative trading partners, leaving the US without vital imports. It’s a fact, Jack!

A federal judge dismantled the Justice Department’s case against New York Times reporters—and the government folded before getting thrown out.

Judge Forces DOJ to Drop Subpoenas Targeting New York Times Reporters

The Justice Department abandoned its subpoenas seeking testimony and phone records from New York Times journalists after a federal judge made clear he would throw them out.

When the government’s legal arguments fell apart in open court, the subpoenas didn’t survive the afternoon.

The subpoenas were issued just two days after The New York Times published stories detailing security concerns surrounding President Trump’s use of a new Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar. Prosecutors argued they were investigating a national security leak, but U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian repeatedly questioned why reporters were targeted so quickly instead of as a last resort.

The hearing quickly turned into a rough day for the Justice Department. Judge Subramanian challenged prosecutors over their legal reasoning, accused them of disregarding longstanding protections for journalists, and even threatened sanctions after pointing to misleading court filings and procedural mistakes. Prosecutors also admitted they mistakenly subpoenaed phone records belonging to a reporter’s wife, mother, and spouses because they relied on public databases.

“It’s a great day for the First Amendment and a great day for the rule of law,” New York Times attorney David McGraw said after the hearing.

The administration maintained the investigation into the leak will continue and criticized the judge’s handling of the case, insisting national security remains at stake. But the court made one thing clear: If the Justice Department hadn’t withdrawn the subpoenas, the judge was prepared to quash them himself.

Source: NPR

Editor: The First Amendment isn’t supposed to be optional paperwork. Courts exist for days exactly like this—when someone in power decides otherwise. And we all KNOW why the DOJ issued these subpoenas—they want to kill freedom of the press. They hate it.

Iran appears to be raising the stakes in the Red Sea by sending military personnel and missile expertise directly to its Houthi allies.

Report: Iran Flew IRGC Commanders and Missile Gear to Yemen

Iran secretly flew Revolutionary Guard commanders, military advisers, and missile- and drone-related equipment into Yemen this month, according to multiple sources familiar with the operation.

If confirmed, it’s another sign Tehran is investing more heavily in the Houthis as Red Sea tensions keep climbing.

According to Reuters, a July 13 Mahan Air flight carried between 10 and 21 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel—including senior commanders—along with missile and drone components destined for Houthi-controlled territory. The aircraft was reportedly forced to divert from Sanaa to Hodeidah after Saudi-backed forces struck the airport. Sources also said Iran sent gold aboard the flight to help finance Houthi operations.

One Iranian source told Reuters, “The IRGC commanders travelled there to support Houthi operations and provide training on new missile systems.”

Iran has repeatedly denied providing the Houthis with missile capabilities, while a Houthi official who said he was aboard the flight dismissed the report as “lies and fabrications,” insisting all passengers were civilians. But Yemen’s information minister and a regional security analyst independently confirmed the reported transfers, saying the goal was to strengthen the Houthis’ ability to threaten shipping through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The report comes just days after the Houthis announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia and claimed attacks on Saudi oil tankers, marking a sharp escalation in the region.

Source: Reuters

Editor: Whether every detail proves accurate or not, the Red Sea is looking less like a shipping lane and more like a geopolitical pressure cooker. That’s bad news for global trade—and eventually, your wallet.

Elizabeth Warren hit the brakes on Trump nominees after raising concerns about FBI background checks—and one nomination never made it out of committee.

Warren Throws Senate Confirmation Hearing into Closed-Door Chaos

A Senate committee delayed consideration of three Trump nominees Thursday after Sen. Elizabeth Warren said FBI background checks raised “significant questions” that lawmakers hadn’t fully reviewed.

One nominee advanced, another advanced, and the third was left sitting on the sidelines after an unusual closed-door showdown.

The Senate Banking Committee abruptly suspended its public hearing after Warren requested a classified discussion with Chairman Tim Scott, saying members deserved more information before voting. Because the background checks involve confidential FBI material, Warren said she was limited in what she could discuss publicly.

After two closed sessions, the committee voted to advance Christopher Phelan for the Council of Economic Advisers and John Crews for the National Credit Union Administration along party-line votes. But lawmakers did not vote on Jeffrey Ledbetter’s nomination to become inspector general at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, leaving his confirmation in limbo.

“We should put off this markup until we have confidence that the FBI has run down all the answers,” Warren said.

Neither Warren nor committee Republicans disclosed what prompted the concern, and the FBI declined to comment on the confidential background investigations. The White House brushed aside the delay, saying it expects all of President Trump’s qualified nominees to be confirmed quickly.

Source: The Hill

Editor: Closed-door meetings are sometimes necessary. But when a confirmation hearing suddenly disappears behind closed doors, it usually means somebody found answers nobody was expecting.

China isn’t waiting for U.S. export controls to disappear—it’s throwing the full weight of the state behind building its own AI chip industry.

China Goes All-In to Break America’s AI Chip Lead

China has launched a government-backed campaign to build domestic AI chips capable of challenging U.S. technology, turning the race for artificial intelligence into a national priority.

Beijing’s message is simple: Build it at home—or risk falling behind for good.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang has spearheaded an aggressive effort to unite China’s top technology companies, research labs, and manufacturers to reduce the country’s dependence on American chipmakers. Officials have reportedly pushed major AI companies to adopt Chinese-made chips, with resistance viewed as undermining a strategic national goal.

Huawei has emerged as the centerpiece of that effort. The company says it has dramatically reduced China’s reliance on foreign AI chips over the past several years while developing workarounds that allow advanced processors to be built despite U.S. restrictions on cutting-edge manufacturing equipment. Chinese AI firms are increasingly using domestic hardware, although experts say China’s best chips still trail Nvidia’s top products by a significant margin.

“If the U.S. hadn’t forced our country, our company, and our industry into a corner, we would never have done something like this,” Huawei deputy chairman Eric Xu said.

Despite the progress, analysts caution that China still faces major hurdles, including limited manufacturing capacity and the challenge of matching the most advanced semiconductor technology available in the United States. But Beijing appears committed to playing the long game, betting that sustained government support and engineering talent can eventually close the gap in one of the world’s most important technological competitions.

Source: The Wall Street Journal (free)

Editor: Export controls may have slowed China’s sprint, but they also gave Beijing a reason to build its own track. That’s a competition that isn’t ending anytime soon.

Trump signed a Saudi nuclear deal—then added a major new condition the next day.

Trump Puts Saudi Nuclear Deal on Hold with New Israel Demand

President Trump says Saudi Arabia will only receive a U.S. civilian nuclear agreement if it agrees to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.3

Adding that condition after the deal was signed suddenly threw one of the administration’s biggest Middle East agreements into doubt.

The agreement, announced a day earlier, would allow Saudi Arabia to develop civilian nuclear power using American technology. But Trump declared on social media that the pact is “totally subject” to the kingdom joining the Abraham Accords, reviving a diplomatic hurdle that had stalled similar negotiations in previous administrations.

“The Civil Nuclear Deal ... will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords,” Trump wrote.

The new requirement complicates the agreement because Saudi Arabia has repeatedly insisted that normalizing relations with Israel depends on meaningful progress toward a Palestinian state—a prospect that has become even more difficult since the Gaza war. The deal is also facing scrutiny in Congress from lawmakers concerned that any pathway toward uranium enrichment could increase long-term nuclear proliferation risks, despite Trump’s insistence there will be “no enrichment of material.”

Source: The Washington Post

Editor: International agreements are hard enough before they’re signed. Changing the terms afterward tends to make the other side reach for the fine print—and maybe the exit.

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Welcome to The Morning Sixpack Podcast. Today’s lineup has a little of everything—global conflict pushing up gas prices, another trade fight, Europe taking another swing at Big Tech, ethical questions on Capitol Hill, a billion-dollar divorce fueled by AI, and a police shooting that’s putting Madison, Wisconsin, under the national spotlight—AGAIN.

Oil prices are climbing after attacks on Saudi tankers expanded the Middle East conflict into the Red Sea. Brent crude surged toward $100 a barrel after Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for attacking Saudi oil tankers, threatening a second major shipping route while the Strait of Hormuz remains under pressure. The result could be another round of higher prices at the pump.

President Trump is pushing forward with tariffs despite losing key legal battles. His administration has shifted to different sections of federal trade law to keep imposing duties on Canada, Brazil and other imports, insisting the overall trade strategy hasn’t changed. Even some Republicans are warning that consumers could wind up paying the price.

The European Union has hit Google with another $1 billion antitrust fine. Regulators say the company used Google Play and its dominant search engine to steer consumers toward its own services instead of competitors. Google says the ruling will hurt European consumers, but Brussels is making it clear its crackdown on Big Tech isn’t slowing down.

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Republican senators are questioning a proposal to sell Wall Street firms faster access to President Trump’s Truth Social posts. Reports say investment firms could pay as much as $100,000 a month for premium access, giving traders a split-second advantage on market-moving statements. Even some GOP lawmakers say the optics are difficult to defend.

South Korea’s “divorce of the century” could cost an AI billionaire nearly $1 billion. SK Hynix Chairman Chey Tae-won has watched his fortune soar thanks to the artificial intelligence boom, but a court now must decide how much of that wealth belongs to his former wife after one of the country’s most closely watched divorce battles.

Madison, Wisconsin, is demanding answers after a fatal police shooting captured on video sparked protests. Police say the suspect injured an officer with a knife during a struggle before being shot. Witnesses who recorded the encounter question whether deadly force was necessary, and an independent state investigation is now underway.

From global shipping lanes to courtroom battles and city streets, today’s headlines show how quickly politics, economics, and public trust can collide. Thanks for listening to The Morning Sixpack Podcast.

We’ll be back tomorrow with another six stories you need to know before everyone else.

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The Iran conflict just expanded beyond the Strait of Hormuz, and now the Red Sea is becoming another choke point for global oil—with drivers everywhere likely to pick up the tab.

Red Sea Attack Sends Oil Prices Racing Toward $100

A Saudi oil tanker attack in the Red Sea has pushed Brent crude above $99 a barrel, raising fears that another vital shipping lane is being dragged into the Iran conflict.

The world doesn’t need a second oil choke point, but that’s exactly where this is headed.

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The Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi tankers, saying they were enforcing a new maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. So far, Saudi officials have confirmed one vessel caught fire after being struck, though the crew escaped safely. Reports of a second successful attack remain unconfirmed.

President Donald Trump responded by warning Iran that it would be held responsible for any additional Houthi attacks.

“Major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves, who I am very disappointed with in that they have, until now, acted very professionally and smart,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Editor: Can I just say it? That statement came from a 2nd-grader trying to explain something to his mom.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Houthis had been “smart” to stay out of the broader conflict until now but warned they risk escalating a crisis that is already squeezing global energy supplies. The attacks threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait just as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted, creating the possibility of two major bottlenecks for the world’s oil trade at the same time.

Asian economies could be hit especially hard if both shipping routes remain under pressure, while traders are already reacting by driving oil prices sharply higher. If these attacks continue, consumers should expect the pain to show up at the gas pump before long—AGAIN.

Source: The Washington Post

Editor: Energy markets don’t care about political talking points. When tankers start burning in two of the world’s most important shipping lanes, the price tag eventually lands where it always does—on everyone filling up their tank.

Trump’s tariff strategy keeps changing legal lanes, but the destination hasn’t changed—higher tariffs, bigger trade fights, and more uncertainty for consumers.

Trump Doubles Down on Tariffs Despite Court Losses

President Trump is pressing ahead with sweeping new tariffs even after major court rulings forced his administration to change the legal playbook.

The legal setbacks didn’t stop the tariff war—they just changed the paperwork.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers the administration remains fully committed to using tariffs to rebuild American manufacturing, shrink the trade deficit, and pressure trading partners. After the Supreme Court blocked Trump’s emergency tariff authority earlier this year, the White House shifted to other sections of federal trade law to keep imposing new duties.

That strategy is already hitting Canada and Brazil. New tariffs on Brazilian goods are now in effect, while Canada faces additional duties on selected exports, prompting Prime Minister Mark Carney to accuse Washington of violating the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The dispute has already derailed joint events between the two countries and raised fresh doubts about the future of the trade pact.

Meanwhile, Trump is also warning imported generic drugs could face 100 percent tariffs beginning in 2028 unless manufacturers move production to the United States. Polls show more than 70 percent of Americans believe tariffs are driving up prices, and even some Republican lawmakers are openly expressing concern about higher costs for consumers.

“The specific authorities this administration is using have changed, but the trade strategy has not,” Greer told the Senate Finance Committee.

Source: The Hill

Editor: If your toolbox gets taken away but you keep finding new hammers, eventually everything starts looking like another tariff.

Now we have a stupid war fueling higher fuel prices (which has multiple downstream impacts) AND stupid tariffs that raise prices on many things even higher. You get the sense that Trump doesn’t give a shit about the American people.

Europe isn’t easing up on Big Tech. Google just got handed another billion-dollar reminder that Brussels still calls the shots inside its borders.

EU Slaps Google with Another $1 Billion Antitrust Fine

The European Union has fined Google nearly $1 billion after regulators concluded the company unfairly steered users toward its own services through Google Play and its dominant ad-addled search engine.

Brussels keeps proving that if you’re Big Tech, there’s always another investigation waiting.

European regulators said Google violated the Digital Markets Act by using its control over Google Play and its search engine to give its own apps and services an unfair advantage over competitors. The European Commission said consumers deserve to see the best products—not just Google’s—and developers should be free to direct customers to better offers outside Google’s app store.

The latest penalty comes after Google recently lost its appeal of a separate $4.5 billion antitrust case involving Android, underscoring that Europe’s crackdown on Silicon Valley remains very much alive. The EU has made policing the world’s biggest technology companies a top priority, even as President Trump has criticized Europe’s digital regulations and previously warned of retaliation against penalties targeting American firms.

Google blasted the decision, arguing the rules force the company to remove popular search features and weaken security protections in Google Play, ultimately hurting consumers and European businesses.

“The best products should succeed because they’re better, not because they’re owned by the company running the search engine,” European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera said.

Source: Associated Press

Editor: Europe’s regulators don’t seem interested in breaking up Big Tech—they just keep sending invoices with a lot of zeroes attached.

Even some Republicans are saying selling faster access to a president’s market-moving posts looks less like innovation and more like Wall Street’s newest VIP lane.

GOP Senators Rip Plan to Sell Early Access to Trump’s Posts

Republican senators are openly criticizing a proposal by Trump Media to charge Wall Street firms up to $100,000 a month for faster access to President Trump’s Truth Social posts.

When lawmakers in your own party start asking, “What are we doing here?” you’ve got a political problem.

Trump Media’s proposed “Truth API” would give paying investment firms real-time access to posts from high-profile Truth Social accounts, allowing traders to react to market-moving statements milliseconds before everyone else. Reports say subscription prices could reach $100,000 a month, with discounts for long-term contracts.

Several Republican senators questioned both the ethics and the optics. Sen. Bill Cassidy called it “a form of buying access,” while Sen. Susan Collins said the proposal “does not sound appropriate.” (Editor: I bet she’s “very concerned.”)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski warned that giving wealthy traders an advantage on presidential statements raises serious conflict-of-interest concerns, calling the idea “wild.”

The company defended the proposal, arguing it simply meets market demand and accused critics of trying to undermine a publicly traded business. Democrats, meanwhile, blasted the plan as another example of conflicts between public office and private business, while some Republicans warned it hands political opponents fresh ammunition heading into the midterms.

“I think that’s wrong. It’s a form of buying access,” Sen. Bill Cassidy said.

Source: The Hill

Editor: Wall Street has always paid for better data. Selling premium access to a sitting president’s posts? That’s the kind of idea that practically writes attack ads by itself.

AI made SK Hynix’s chairman much richer, but now a South Korean court has to decide just how much of that fortune belongs to his ex-wife.

AI Fortune Fuels Billion-Dollar Divorce Showdown

The billionaire chairman of SK Hynix is headed into what South Korea calls the “divorce of the century,” with as much as $1 billion on the line after his AI-driven fortune exploded in value.

When artificial intelligence sends your wealth soaring, divorce court suddenly gets a whole lot more expensive.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, whose company supplies the advanced memory chips powering Nvidia’s AI boom, is awaiting a court ruling that could award his former wife, Roh Soh-yeong, a massive share of his fortune. The couple’s highly public split followed Chey’s public admission a decade ago that he was in love with another woman and had fathered a child outside the marriage.

Chey’s wealth has surged alongside SK Hynix’s rise as one of the biggest winners of the AI revolution. His close ties to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and other tech leaders have helped make him one of South Korea’s most prominent business figures, even as his personal life has remained front-page news.

Roh argues she deserves a much larger settlement because the family’s wealth was built during their nearly three decades of marriage, while Chey contends the company’s recent AI-fueled gains came long after their relationship had effectively ended. A ruling could reshape control of one of South Korea’s largest business empires if the payout reaches the upper end of expectations.

“Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”1

Source: The Wall Street Journal (free)

Editor: It’s one thing to strike it rich from the AI boom. It’s another to discover the biggest valuation model you’ll face is the one sitting in divorce court.

A police shooting captured on video has reignited tensions in Madison, with investigators now facing intense scrutiny over exactly what happened in the final seconds.

Police Shooting Sparks Protests In Madison

A fatal police shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, has triggered protests after graphic bystander video showed officers struggling with a man moments before he was shot.

The video is already shaping public opinion, but investigators say it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Madison police said officers were trying to arrest a man suspected of checking vehicle door handles when he fled on a bicycle before a confrontation turned violent. Police Chief John Patterson said the man pulled a knife during the struggle and injured one officer. That officer then fired the fatal shots after another officer unsuccessfully deployed a Taser.

The bystander video spread rapidly online, showing multiple officers wrestling with the man before three shots were fired at close range. Witnesses questioned whether deadly force was necessary after the Taser had been used, while police emphasized that the video captures only one angle of a fast-moving encounter.

All four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave while Wisconsin’s Division of Criminal Investigation conducts an independent review. Officials promised a transparent investigation as demonstrators marched through downtown Madison and held vigils demanding accountability.

“We’re going to do our darndest to communicate as proactively as we can,” Police Chief John Patterson said.

Source: The Washington Post

Editor: Viral video can answer some questions in seconds—and create a hundred more just as fast. That’s why investigations still matter, even after millions of people think they’ve already reached a verdict. But let’s also be real: Cops kill a lot of people and are almost never held to account.

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Welcome to The Morning Sixpack Podcast, where we cut through the headlines and get straight to the stories shaping Washington, the economy and the campaign trail. From a new tariff offensive to another Capitol funding fight, here’s what you need to know.

Trump’s Tariff Push Gets Bigger

The Trump administration is preparing another major tariff expansion targeting roughly 60 trading partners. The White House says the new duties are tied to forced labor enforcement, while critics warn consumers could once again end up paying the price. Another round of global trade battles may be just around the corner.

Pentagon Wants Another $80 Billion

The administration is asking Congress for nearly $80 billion in emergency defense funding as Iran war costs continue climbing. Republicans argue the military needs the money to replenish stockpiles and maintain readiness, while Democrats question why previously approved funds haven’t all been spent. The spending debate is becoming nearly as heated as the conflict itself.

Arizona Sets Up a High-Stakes Governor’s Race

Trump-backed Congressman Andy Biggs easily won Arizona’s Republican gubernatorial primary. The victory sets up a marquee showdown with Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in one of the nation’s most closely watched battleground states. Arizona voters are once again preparing for an election that could be decided by razor-thin margins.

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Trump Approves Saudi Nuclear Agreement

President Trump has approved a landmark civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia. Supporters see billions in opportunities for American companies and a strategic win over China and Russia. Critics worry the deal could increase long-term nuclear proliferation risks across the Middle East.

Congress Avoids a Shutdown...For Now

House Republicans passed a temporary funding bill, but the Senate is unlikely to go along without major changes. Lawmakers are once again racing against another government shutdown deadline while simultaneously debating billions more in spending. Washington’s budget drama continues one short-term fix at a time.

Trump’s BBC Lawsuit Takes an Unexpected Turn

A federal judge ruled that Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC opens the door to scrutiny of his financial records. By seeking massive economic damages, Trump’s legal strategy may now require extensive financial disclosures during discovery. It’s another reminder that lawsuits often produce consequences neither side originally planned for.

That’s your Morning Sixpack. Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you next time as we separate the headlines from the hype and keep an eye on the stories everyone else will be talking about tomorrow. Prefer to read The Morning Sixpack?

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Washington is swapping one tariff scheme for another, and America's trading partners are about to find out the bill just went up.

Trump Readies New Tariff Blitz as Global Levy Nears Deadline

The Trump administration is preparing a new round of tariffs on roughly 60 trading partners as its temporary 10% global tariff expires Friday.

The next wave of tariffs is expected to cover most U.S. trade, putting fresh pressure on allies and rivals alike.

Trade envoy Jamieson Greer said the administration will move soon on tariffs tied to alleged failures by other countries to combat forced labor. The planned duties, expected to range from 10% to 12.5%, would replace the temporary global levy that followed legal setbacks to Trump’s earlier trade agenda.

“The US has laws to prohibit trading goods with forced labor. Other countries, most don’t have a law, those that do don’t really enforce it,” Greer said.

The targets in the crosshairs include the countries in the European Union, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Japan, setting the stage for another round of trade fights. The EU has already dismissed tariffs based on forced labor claims as “unjustified,” making it clear this won’t be a quiet policy change.

Trump is also piling on additional trade pressure with a 25% tariff on various Brazilian goods, a 50% tariff on many Canadian products scheduled for August, and investigations into excess industrial capacity involving 16 trading partners. Meanwhile, Greer heads to Mexico this week as USMCA talks continue, while negotiations with Canada remain stuck in the mud.

Source: Vanguard News

Editor: Tariffs are becoming Trump’s favorite negotiating tool. Whether they produce better trade deals or just bigger headaches and prices for consumers is the part that never seems to make the press release.

DoD head Hegseth says the Pentagon needs another $80 billion, but some lawmakers want to know where the last pile of cash went first.

Pentagon Seeks $80 Billion MORE as Iran War Costs Keep Climbing

The Trump administration is asking Congress for nearly $80 billion in emergency defense funding as the cost of the Iran war continues to grow.

The request ignited a fierce Senate showdown over military spending, strategy, and whether taxpayers should keep footing the bill. After all, somebody has to pay for it…

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine warned senators that without the supplemental funding, military training, readiness, and weapons production could all take a hit. Hegseth said the Pentagon’s immediate priority is replenishing stockpiles and preparing for future threats, while Caine cautioned that delays would strain personnel, operations, and next-generation capabilities like AI, drones, and space systems.

Democrats pushed back hard, arguing the Pentagon still has roughly $75 billion in previously approved funding that hasn’t been fully spent. Hegseth countered that money has already been committed to Trump administration priorities—including the Golden Dome missile defense project and hypersonic weapons—and shifting it now would amount to “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

The hearing turned especially heated as Hegseth disclosed the Iran war has now cost about $37.5 billion through September projections. Senators Jon Ossoff and Gary Peters challenged his repeated claims that the campaign was a historic victory, while Peters accused Pentagon leadership—not the troops—of lacking a clear strategy. Hegseth fired back, accusing Democrats of refusing to support the military because of “Trump derangement syndrome.”

Source: The Hill

Editor: Congress never seems to have trouble finding money for wars. Finding agreement on how to pay for them—or when they should end—is apparently the impossible mission—especially when Congress didn’t even authorize the war, which makes it illegal. I don’t think the US government should be funding illegal wars.

Arizona Republicans doubled down on the Trump lane, betting it can finally get them back into the governor's office.

Trump Ally Andy Biggs Wins Arizona GOP Governor Primary

Republican voters handed Rep. Andy Biggs a decisive primary victory, setting up a high-stakes showdown with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs this November.

The race will test whether Arizona’s Trump-backed conservative movement can finally reclaim the governor’s office after years of close statewide losses.

Biggs, a former chairman of the House Freedom Caucus and one of President Donald Trump’s closest congressional allies, easily defeated fellow Rep. David Schweikert for the Republican nomination. Trump endorsed Biggs, whose campaign also drew strong support from Turning Point Action and grassroots conservatives.

Democrats wasted little time painting Biggs as too far to the right for Arizona’s increasingly competitive electorate. Biggs backed Trump’s effort to block certification of the 2020 election (Editor: You know, the insurrection) and has become one of the GOP’s most recognizable conservative voices.

Hobbs, who narrowly defeated Kari Lake in 2022, said, “The more Arizonans learn about Biggs, the more they’ll realize he’s one big problem they can’t afford.”

The primary also reshaped several key down-ballot races. Former NFL kicker Jay Feely captured the Republican nomination in Arizona’s competitive 1st Congressional District, while attorney Alexander Kolodin won the GOP nomination for secretary of state. Democrats also settled key congressional contests as both parties prepare for what is expected to be another fiercely contested election in one of the nation’s premier political battlegrounds.

Source: Associated Press

Editor: Arizona keeps producing elections decided by inches instead of miles. That makes every primary feel less like the opening act and more like the main event.

Washington DC spent decades saying "not so fast" to Saudi nuclear ambitions—now it's saying, "Where do we sign?"

Trump Greenlights Landmark Saudi Nuclear Deal

President Trump has approved a 30-year civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, opening the door to one of the biggest U.S.-Saudi energy deals in decades.

The agreement promises billions for American companies while reigniting fears that nuclear technology could spread across the Middle East—as if it hasn’t already.

The deal would give U.S. companies the lead role in building Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program, with projects expected to be worth tens of billions of dollars. A key provision allows for the possible construction of a uranium enrichment facility inside the kingdom if a joint U.S.-Saudi study concludes it’s commercially justified. Administration officials argue the American role would keep the program under tight safeguards and prevent military misuse. (Editor: LOL)

Supporters say the agreement strengthens America’s strategic position by shutting Russia and China out of the Saudi nuclear market while creating major opportunities for U.S. firms such as Westinghouse Electric. Former State Department official Robert Einhorn said the deal could bolster the U.S. nuclear industry and deepen ties with Riyadh, but warned that inadequate restrictions on enrichment could increase proliferation risks.

Critics argue the agreement marks a major policy shift. Previous administrations insisted Saudi Arabia normalize relations with Israel before moving forward on nuclear cooperation, while others opposed allowing uranium enrichment anywhere in the region. Opponents also warn the agreement could encourage other Middle Eastern nations to pursue similar programs, complicating U.S. efforts to limit Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Source: The Wall Street Journal (free)

Editor: Civilian nuclear programs always begin with promises about peaceful energy. History shows the real debate starts years later, when everyone wonders where the technology might eventually lead.

Congress is once again racing the shutdown clock because budgeting is now a seasonal sport.

House Passes Stopgap Funding Bill, but Senate Roadblock Looms

House Republicans approved a temporary spending bill to keep the government open through early December, but the measure faces long odds in the Senate.

The vote sets up another spending showdown just weeks before the midterm elections, with both parties already blaming the other for a potential shutdown.

The House passed the stopgap measure 220-205 after Speaker Mike Johnson argued Congress needed to avoid a fall funding fight as lawmakers remain behind on passing the annual spending bills. Republicans say the temporary extension buys time to finish the budget while keeping the government operating through Dec. 4.

Democrats lined up against the bill, arguing it gives the Trump administration greater control over federal spending while failing to restrict funding for immigration enforcement. Senate Democrats are already working with Appropriations Chair Susan Collins on a separate bipartisan proposal, making the House version effectively dead on arrival unless major changes are made.

House Republicans are also turning their attention to a proposed $95 billion reconciliation package that would include funding for election security, aid for farmers, and additional Pentagon spending tied largely to the Iran war. But even some fiscal conservatives within the GOP remain skeptical because the package adds spending without offsetting budget cuts.

Source: The Washington Post (free)

Editor: Congress has perfected the art of governing one deadline at a time. Somehow, every “temporary” funding bill manages to create the next emergency before the ink is dry.

Suing for billions sounds great until the discovery process starts asking for receipts.

Trump’s $10 Billion BBC Lawsuit Opens Door to Financial Records

President Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC has taken an unexpected turn after a federal judge ruled his own damage claims put his financial records in play.

By seeking sweeping financial damages, Trump may have handed the BBC access to the information he was hoping to keep out of court.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett ruled that because Trump’s lawsuit alleges his reputation damaged his businesses and brand, the BBC is entitled to seek financial records tied to those claims. According to reports, that could expose records connected to hundreds of Trump-affiliated companies during the discovery process.

Trump’s legal team argued the case has shifted and now focuses only on reputational harm rather than economic damages. Judge Lett rejected that argument, saying she cannot rewrite the complaint.

During the hearing, BBC attorney Chuck Tobin argued, “You cannot separate the man and his reputation from his operation of his businesses.”

The judge also ruled the BBC may question Trump about how his Jan. 6, 2021, remarks were understood by listeners but cannot turn the case into a full relitigation of the Capitol riot. Meanwhile, the BBC continues to seek Trump’s deposition and has also asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing the broadcaster lacks sufficient ties to South Florida for the case to proceed.

Source: Raw Story

Editor: Litigation is full of unintended consequences. When you ask a court for billions in damages, don’t be surprised if the other side wants to see the math.

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From a new trade fight with Canada to a Pentagon budget crunch, today’s headlines show just how expensive—and contentious—Washington’s biggest battles have become. We’ve also got new questions surrounding the IRS chief, an FDA food safety mystery, a press freedom showdown, and a State Department report that’s already fueling political controversy.

Trump’s new 50% tariffs on many Canadian imports mark another major escalation in the U.S.-Canada trade fight. The White House says Canada unfairly discriminates against American goods, while Ottawa is threatening retaliation. With billions of dollars at stake, consumers on both sides of the border could end up paying the price.

The Pentagon is running low on cash as the Iran war continues to drain military resources. Officials are cutting training and shifting money between accounts while Congress struggles to approve billions in additional funding, raising new concerns about long-term military readiness.

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The IRS commissioner is facing fresh scrutiny over allegations stemming from his time at JPMorgan Chase. A Wall Street Journal investigation claims Frank Bisignano directed staff to access colleagues’ communications without a business reason. He strongly denies the allegations, but the story is certain to generate new questions about the man now overseeing Americans’ tax records.

The FDA has backed away from a key laboratory finding but is still telling Americans not to eat recalled iceberg lettuce. Even after declaring one Cyclospora test result a false positive, investigators say more than 1,600 illnesses still point toward the recalled products as they search for the outbreak’s true source.

The Justice Department is battling The New York Times over subpoenas seeking reporters’ phone records—and even records belonging to family members. The newspaper argues the investigation crosses long-standing lines protecting the press, while the administration says it is pursuing a legitimate national security leak investigation.

The State Department has released an unusual report publicly naming left-wing activists and organizations it says support Cuba’s communist government. The report is already sparking fierce debate over foreign influence, political activism and whether the administration is targeting ideological opponents.

Washington never seems to run out of controversies, but today’s lineup shows how quickly policy fights can spill into courtrooms, newsrooms and kitchen tables. Thanks for listening to The Morning Sixpack Podcast—we’ll be back tomorrow with another fast, fact-packed rundown of the stories everyone will be talking about.

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Canada is getting hit with another round of tariffs, and now the trade fight is getting even more expensive for everyone involved. You’re about to pay a lot more for your hockey sticks! (Not kidding.)

Trump Slaps 50% Tariffs on Many Canadian Imports, Escalating Trade Fight

President Donald Trump has ordered new 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian imports, accusing Ottawa of unfairly targeting American products.

The move cranks up an already tense trade battle and raises the odds of another costly showdown between two of North America’s biggest trading partners.

The new tariffs take effect Aug. 19 and hit a wide range of goods, including wine, hockey sticks, electrical equipment, and concrete. The White House said Canada unfairly discriminates against U.S. dairy products, motor vehicles, and alcohol, arguing the action is necessary to protect American workers. Some products—including energy, potash, critical minerals, and fish—are exempt.

Trump invoked Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, marking the first time the rarely used law has been employed to impose tariffs of up to 50% without congressional approval. The move is expected to face legal challenges, especially after earlier sweeping tariff efforts were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court before the administration shifted to a broad 10% import duty.

Canada blasted the decision, with Prime Minister Mark Carney calling it another unilateral U.S. action that violates existing trade agreements.

“This trade dispute has raised costs for families, particularly in the U.S.,” Carney said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged Canada to respond “tariff for tariff, dollar for dollar,” while Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe also backed retaliatory measures if the tariffs move forward.

Source: UPI

Editor: Washington keeps calling these trade fights “America First,” but consumers usually end up first in line when the higher prices arrive.

Washington’s war bill is growing faster than Congress can write checks, and the Pentagon is starting to feel the squeeze.

Pentagon Burning Through Cash as Iran War Costs Pile Up

The Pentagon is rapidly running short of money as the war with Iran stretches on, forcing cuts to training and maintenance while Congress remains deadlocked over billions in new funding.

When the military starts raiding its own budget just to keep operations going, that’s a sign the meter is running a lot faster than the politicians are moving.

According to The Washington Post, some Pentagon funding accounts could run dry within weeks as the Trump administration seeks an additional $67 billion from Congress to pay for the expanding conflict war. Officials say the cash crunch has already led to reduced training exercises, delayed maintenance, and internal budget shifts to keep military operations afloat.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are expected to press lawmakers for emergency funding, but Congress remains divided over both the cost of the war and how to pay for it. The Pentagon has also requested permission to shift another $4.3 billion from training and weapons purchases to cover immediate operational needs.

The funding battle comes as questions grow over long-term military readiness. Officials have privately expressed concern about replenishing precision-guided munitions and maintaining forces prepared to deter rivals like China and Russia, even as public assurances from the administration remain upbeat.

Rep. Pat Harrigan summed up the urgency by saying, “Everybody needs to look at this situation and get rid of the complacency that they have.”

The administration has requested a record $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, but lawmakers from both parties are raising concerns over mounting debt, the rising cost of the Iran war, and the lack of detailed spending information coming from the Pentagon.

Source: The Washington Post (free)

Editor: Wars may begin with speeches, but eventually somebody has to pay the invoices. Turns out the Pentagon’s credit card has a limit after all. They’ll get money, but it won’t come with a lot of grandstanding.

Running the IRS is supposed to require trust, not old allegations of snooping through other people’s emails.

IRS Chief Faces Allegations He Spied on JPMorgan Colleagues

A Wall Street Journal investigation alleges IRS Commissioner Frank Bisignano directed staff to access colleagues’ emails and other sensitive internal records while serving as a top executive at JPMorgan Chase.

The accusations reach back more than a decade, but they’re landing at an awkward moment for the man now overseeing some of the federal government’s most sensitive taxpayer information.

According to the Journal, former JPMorgan employees claim Bisignano used his authority over the bank’s security operations to monitor rival executives, review confidential communications, and track employee activity without a clear business reason. The report says investigators later found digital evidence of unauthorized access after Bisignano left the bank, prompting JPMorgan to tighten internal controls over sensitive employee data.

Bisignano’s attorney flatly denied the allegations, saying he “never directed anyone to look through any employee’s or executive’s communications or engaged in any form of surveillance.”

She also disputed claims that JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon encouraged Bisignano to leave the bank, insisting he departed voluntarily to become CEO of First Data.

The Journal reports the allegations come as Bisignano oversees both the IRS and Social Security Administration, giving him responsibility for enormous amounts of Americans’ personal financial information. While the report states there are no allegations he improperly accessed customer data at JPMorgan, critics are certain to question whether the claims raise concerns about his current role.

Source: The Wall Street Journal (free)

Editor: If you’re asking Americans to trust you with their tax returns, stories about allegedly reading co-workers’ emails aren’t exactly the résumé booster you’d order up.

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The FDA’s investigation just hit a speed bump, but the lettuce recall isn’t going anywhere.

FDA Retracts Positive Test but Keeps Taylor Farms Lettuce Recall in Place

The FDA says a laboratory test that appeared to link Cyclospora to recalled Taylor Farms lettuce was a false positive, but health officials are still warning consumers not to eat the recalled products.

When more than 1,600 people are sick, one bad lab result doesn’t erase the bigger public health picture.

The FDA announced it had reexamined a lettuce sample that initially appeared to contain Cyclospora and determined the result was a false positive. Despite that reversal, the agency says the recall remains in effect because interviews with sick patients continue to point investigators toward iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico.

The recalled lettuce was served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia and was also distributed to retailers in dozens of states, including Walmart stores in 15 states. Taco Bell says it has stopped using the affected lettuce, while Taylor Farms says it is no longer sourcing iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico for the rest of the growing season.

The outbreak has now sickened more than 1,600 people, with 94 hospitalizations reported. There have been no deaths. The parasite causes diarrhea, fatigue, and nausea, and investigators are continuing to test lettuce and imported produce in hopes of identifying the source.

Rutgers University microbiologist Donald Schaffner cautioned that Cyclospora outbreaks happen nearly every summer and don’t always stem from a single source.

“Sometimes we can figure out what’s causing it, and sometimes we can’t,” he said.

Source: NPR

Editor: It’s never comforting when investigators say, “We’re still looking.” The only thing spreading faster than the parasite right now is uncertainty.

One thing is certain: Vegetables want to kill you.

Going after reporters is one thing. Going after their families’ phone records is a whole different level.

DOJ Sought Phone Records of New York Times Reporters—and Their Relatives

The Trump administration secretly sought the phone records of New York Times reporters, their spouses, and even one reporter’s mother as part of a leak investigation into stories about security concerns involving the president’s new Air Force One.

When investigators start casting a net that includes family members, the debate quickly shifts from finding leaks to testing the limits of press freedom. It was great knowing you, First Amendment!

According to court filings, the Justice Department subpoenaed third-party phone providers for reporters’ call and text records while also attempting to compel journalists to testify before a federal grand jury. The Times argues the subpoenas violate the department’s own policies governing investigations involving the news media and has asked a federal judge to block the requests.

The leak investigation began after The New York Times reported that federal officials had serious concerns about the security capabilities of President Trump’s Qatari-donated Air Force One. The White House directed FBI Director Kash Patel to oversee the inquiry after the reporting reportedly angered the president.

The Times says some of the subpoenas sought records dating back to Jan. 1—months before the Air Force One articles were published—raising concerns the government was broadly searching reporters’ source networks rather than focusing on a specific leak. The newspaper also objected to subpoenas targeting relatives, including one reporter’s mother and another reporter’s spouse, arguing the effort amounted to “a bad-faith effort to intimidate the journalists and chill their ability to report on the administration.”

For now, all of the subpoenas have been paused while a federal judge considers The Times’ motion to quash them. A hearing is scheduled this week.

Source: The New York Times

Editor: Protecting classified information matters. So does protecting a free press. The hard part is making sure one doesn’t become the excuse for dismantling the other.

The State Department isn’t just criticizing Cuba anymore—it’s naming American activists it says are helping prop up the regime.

State Department Report Targets Hasan Piker, DSA, and Ilhan Omar’s Daughter Over Cuba

The State Department has released a report accusing several prominent left-wing activists and organizations of serving as “front groups and fellow travelers” for Cuba’s communist government.

It’s an extraordinary move that shifts the focus from criticizing a foreign regime to publicly calling out American political activists by name.

The report, titled “Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism,” identifies political commentator Hasan Piker, Democratic Socialists of America, labor activist Christian Smalls, and environmental activist Isra Hirsi—the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar—as part of what it describes as a network of Western activists whose visits and activities support the Cuban government.

According to the report, these activists are connected through Cuba-backed nonprofits, academic partnerships, cultural organizations, and travel programs. It also claims the Democratic Socialists of America maintains what it describes as a “fierce, almost religious commitment” to defending the Cuban regime, while stopping short of alleging the group is directly controlled by Cuban agents.

The report reflects Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s tougher approach toward Cuba, including expanded economic pressure on the island. Critics argue the administration is attempting to stigmatize domestic political opponents by linking them to a hostile foreign government, while supporters contend the report shines a light on long-overlooked foreign influence efforts.

Whether the report changes policy remains to be seen, but it is certain to intensify an already heated political debate over Cuba, free speech, and where activism ends and foreign influence begins.

Source: The New Republic

Editor: Naming American activists in an official government report is guaranteed to generate headlines. Whether it changes any minds is a different question entirely. But it certainly has dangerous implications.

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The headlines don’t slow down today. The Middle East conflict takes another dangerous turn, oil markets are watching every missile launch, the FDA is backtracking in a major food safety investigation, Spain is celebrating a historic World Cup victory, and one high-profile prosecution may be unraveling before it reaches trial. Here’s your Morning Sixpack Podcast.

The U.S. and Iran moved another step closer to a broader war after a ninth straight night of American airstrikes. Iran responded with attacks across the region as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted. Oil prices and gasoline costs continue to reflect the growing instability, while diplomats insist negotiations are still possible—even as the battlefield expands.

Oil traders got another reminder that geopolitics can move markets in a hurry. Brent crude briefly topped $90 before retreating as hopes for diplomacy offset fears of additional supply disruptions. Analysts warn that if key shipping lanes remain under threat, triple-digit oil prices could quickly return.

The conflict spread even further as Iran fired missiles toward Jordan and neighboring countries activated air defenses. Civilian infrastructure, including power and water facilities, is increasingly caught in the crossfire. With more nations pulled into the crisis, the regional risks continue to grow.

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The FDA reversed itself after linking a nationwide parasite outbreak to Taylor Farms lettuce. The agency now says its positive test was a false alarm, leaving investigators without a confirmed source as nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis continue to mount. Consumers are still being urged to wash produce thoroughly while the search continues.

Spain captured its second men’s World Cup by defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time. The Spanish squad completed one of the greatest defensive tournaments in World Cup history, while Lionel Messi’s remarkable run ended just short of another championship. Spain now holds both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles at the same time—a first in soccer history.

A felony case brought by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is facing serious trouble after key evidence disappeared. Defense attorneys inspecting the alleged crime scene found the section of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool at the center of the case had already been removed. They now argue the government destroyed evidence critical to the defense and want the charges dismissed.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels opened another front by announcing a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. The move raises new concerns about global shipping and energy supplies as both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait face growing threats. Diplomatic contacts continue behind the scenes, but the military conflict is still widening.

Thanks for listening to The Morning Sixpack Podcast. Stay informed, keep your coffee hot, and remember—today’s breaking news has a habit of becoming tomorrow’s bigger story.

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Washington and Tehran just took another step toward a wider war—and the price at the gas pump is already reminding everyone who ends up paying the bill.

U.S. Pounds Iran Again as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Pushes Oil—and Tensions—Higher

The U.S. launched a ninth straight night of airstrikes on Iran after another American service member was killed, while Tehran answered with missile attacks aimed at Bahrain and Kuwait.

The interim peace deal is effectively dead, the Strait of Hormuz is grinding to a halt, and every new strike makes a broader regional war more likely.

American forces said they struck missile sites, command centers, air defenses, communications networks, and other military targets, including areas around Tabriz that are believed to house underground missile bases. Iran reported casualties from the attacks, while a vessel caught fire after being hit near Oman as the Guard claimed it was targeting tankers in the strategic waterway.

The economic fallout is becoming impossible to ignore. Brent crude climbed above $86 a barrel (Editor: Wait, it gets worse), U.S. gasoline prices reached an average of $4 a gallon, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted. Yemen’s Houthi rebels also announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, adding another headache for global energy markets.

“We hit them very hard again tonight,” President Donald Trump said. “And we did that in honor of” the soldiers killed.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted diplomacy remains possible, saying,

“We’re going to continue to respond. If the door opens to diplomacy…it’ll be a very positive development. That’s not where we are tonight, unfortunately.”

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also argued that military force alone cannot resolve the conflict, writing,

“As the current conflict makes clear, Washington cannot eliminate the Iranian government. Only diplomacy, a new peace agreement, and a new security framework produced by regional states and for regional states will allow the United States to turn its attention elsewhere.”

That’s true enough—but every missile launched by either side makes that outcome look a little more distant.

Source: Associated Press

Editor: Oil doesn’t care who’s right. It just sends the bill, and drivers everywhere end up funding the latest round of geopolitical brinkmanship.

Wall Street keeps betting this crisis will cool off. The oil market keeps hinting that may be wishful thinking.

Oil Briefly Tops $90 as Hormuz Crisis Keeps Markets on Edge

Oil prices swung wildly Monday as investors weighed fresh U.S.-Iran tensions against renewed hopes that diplomacy could still prevent a wider conflict.

Markets may be acting calm, but every threat against the world’s busiest oil chokepoint raises the odds of higher prices at the pump.

Brent crude briefly climbed above $90 a barrel before retreating below $88 after Iran signaled negotiations with the U.S. could continue through intermediaries. At the same time, American forces carried out a ninth straight night of strikes against Iranian military targets, while the Houthis announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, adding another layer of uncertainty to global energy supplies.

The Strait of Hormuz remains the biggest concern. Before the war, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil moved through the waterway. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard insists it controls the strait and vowed that “not a single drop of oil, gas, or chemical fertilizer” would pass through it. Meanwhile, U.S. gasoline prices climbed back to an average of $4 per gallon as shipping disruptions continue.

Energy Aspects founder Amrita Sen warned the market may be underestimating the risks.

“Do we think prices should or could go to triple digits? Absolutely,” she said, adding that many investors remain complacent despite worsening conditions in the region. “The market is still quite complacent despite the price increase we have seen.”

If shipping through Hormuz slows even further—and the Houthis also disrupt traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—the global energy market could be facing a squeeze that consumers will feel long before diplomats find common ground.

Source: CNBC

Editor: Traders can ignore geopolitics for only so long. Eventually the tanker traffic—and your gas receipt—gets the final vote.

The map of the conflict keeps getting bigger, and so does the list of countries hoping they don’t become the next target.

Iran Fires Toward Jordan as U.S. Expands Air Campaign and Regional War Risks Grow

The U.S. launched a ninth straight night of strikes against Iran, while Tehran answered with missiles aimed at Jordan, widening fears that the conflict could spread across the Middle East.

I predicted this —> Post by @billspaced.com — Bluesky

With the ceasefire deal in ruins and oil topping $90 a barrel, the war is becoming everyone’s problem—not just Washington’s or Tehran’s.

American forces struck missile sites, command centers, coastal defenses, and communications networks after announcing the death of another U.S. service member, bringing the US military death toll to 17 since the war began. Iran also said a U.S. strike hit the construction site of a planned nuclear power plant, though the International Atomic Energy Agency said the unfinished facility contained no nuclear material.

The fighting spread beyond Iran as Jordan intercepted incoming Iranian missiles, Bahrain and Kuwait activated air defenses, and a ship caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after coming under attack. Kuwait also reported another strike on a power and water desalination facility, highlighting how civilian infrastructure is increasingly being pulled into the conflict.

The military campaign now extends well beyond direct U.S.-Iran exchanges. With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz disrupted, energy prices climbing, and neighboring countries repeatedly activating air defenses, the danger isn’t just a larger war—it’s a conflict that’s becoming harder for anyone in the region to avoid.

Source: Associated Press

Editor: Regional wars have a bad habit of ignoring borders. Missiles don’t check passports before they land.

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Nothing builds confidence in food safety quite like announcing the culprit one day and taking it back the next.

FDA Reverses Lettuce Warning as Mystery Parasite Outbreak Nears 7,000 Cases

The FDA has withdrawn its claim that Taylor Farms lettuce tested positive for the parasite behind a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak, leaving investigators back at square one.

With thousands already sick and no confirmed source identified, consumers are still left wondering what’s actually safe to eat. Editor: Do not eat lettuce—EVER! LOL

Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico after the FDA initially reported detecting Cyclospora on one of its products. Less than 24 hours later, the agency acknowledged the result was a “false positive,” telling the company there are currently no confirmed positive product tests. Taylor Farms said the FDA apologized for the mistake. Editor: Could it be because Taylor Farms gave Trump’s MAGA PAC $1 million? NO WAY! Link

The outbreak continues to grow. Federal investigators are looking into nearly 7,000 confirmed and suspected cases, while some state totals suggest the real number may be even higher. The parasite can cause severe diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, and fever, with symptoms sometimes taking more than two weeks to appear, making it far more difficult to trace the original source.

“What’s different this year is the unusually high number of cases and the fact that investigators still haven’t identified a specific source,” infectious disease specialist Dr. Suraj Saggar said.

Public health experts also warned that staffing reductions have slowed outbreak investigations.

“The response is being hampered by the loss of specialized staff and the loss of hands-on-deck needed to identify the source of the outbreaks,” former federal laboratory director Dr. Joel Barratt said.

For now, health officials continue investigating contaminated produce as the most likely source while advising consumers to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before eating them before throwing them in the trash. Until investigators identify the culprit, the biggest question isn’t where the parasite came from—it’s where it turns up next.

Source: The Independent

Editor: First it was the lettuce. Then it wasn’t. Hey, maybe we stop firing critical FDA employees who do good work?

Spain didn’t just win the World Cup—they spent the tournament reminding everyone that defense still wins championships—even in soccer.

Spain Tops Argentina in Extra Time to Capture Second World Cup Title

Spain defeated defending champion Argentina 1-0 in extra time Sunday, completing one of the most dominant World Cup runs the sport has ever seen.

A tournament built around offense ended with a defensive masterpiece that left Lionel Messi’s title defense—and perhaps his World Cup career—just short.

Spain finished the expanded eight-match tournament unbeaten while allowing just one goal, the fewest ever conceded by a men’s World Cup champion. After knocking off Portugal, Belgium, and France, Spain capped its remarkable run by shutting down the world’s top-ranked team. Ferran Torres finally broke through in extra time after Argentina was reduced to 10 men following Enzo Fernández’s red card.

“I am very happy, I’m ecstatic. I’m flabbergasted. I can’t believe it,” Spanish defender Pedro Porro said after the victory.

On the other side, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni summed up the heartbreak:

“It really hurts in our soul not being able to take the trophy with us.”

Lionel Messi, 39, finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists, but couldn’t add another World Cup trophy to his legendary career. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez kept Argentina alive with a record 11 saves in a men’s World Cup final before Spain finally found the winner in extra time.

Spain’s victory also completes an extraordinary milestone. With the Spanish women already reigning Women’s World Cup champions, Spain becomes the first nation ever to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles. That’s the kind of soccer dominance every other country will be chasing for the next four years.

Source: NPR

Editor: Somewhere, every youth soccer coach who preached “play defense” is feeling pretty vindicated today. Defense almost always wins—in any sport. And if it doesn’t, maybe it’s not a sport. (I’m looking at you, golf.)

It’s tough to prove someone damaged something after you’ve removed the very thing you say they damaged.

Pirro’s Lincoln Memorial Case Hits a Wall After Alleged Crime Scene Disappears

A felony case championed by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is facing dismissal after prosecutors escorted defense attorneys to the alleged crime scene—only to find the key piece of evidence was gone.

When the government destroys the evidence at the center of its own case, convictions tend to get a whole lot harder.

David Hearn, a 67-year-old three-time Olympian, is charged with damaging about two square feet of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s liner after allegedly pulling it up with his bare hands.

Pirro announced the indictment by insisting park employees witnessed Hearn “forcefully and violently” damaging the liner. But when defense lawyers inspected the drained pool with a federal prosecutor present, the section of liner in question had already been removed.

According to a sworn court filing, “This entire section of the pool liner is missing.” Defense attorneys also argue government photographs taken before Hearn touched the pool show the damage already existed. Hearn has consistently maintained he merely touched an already-detached piece of liner and released it when instructed by a park employee.

The defense says prosecutors were specifically asked to preserve the physical evidence, but instead the government drained the pool again and completed repairs. Their motion argues,

“The government’s failure to preserve this evidence, in the face of an express demand no less, has destroyed Mr. Hearn’s ability to collect evidence material to his defense. Dismissal is the only appropriate remedy.”

If the court agrees, the case could become less about whether Hearn damaged the reflecting pool and more about whether prosecutors damaged their own prosecution. That’s never the headline a high-profile felony case is hoping to generate.

Source: Raw Story

Editor: Chain of custody is a wonderful thing. It works even better when there’s actually something left in the chain to examine.

BONUS

Closing one global shipping chokepoint wasn’t enough—now another one is being dragged into the fight.

Houthis Threaten Saudi Shipping as Middle East War Opens a Dangerous New Front

Yemen’s Houthi rebels declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia Monday, widening the regional conflict and raising fresh concerns about global oil supplies and international trade.

If both of the Middle East’s key maritime choke points become battle zones, the economic fallout won’t stay in the region for long.

The Iran-backed Houthis said the blockade is retaliation against Saudi Arabia and comes as U.S. forces launched a ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets. The announcement also follows repeated Iranian threats to disrupt both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—two waterways that handle a significant share of the world’s energy shipments.

Despite the escalation, diplomatic channels remain open. Iranian officials confirmed they have received ceasefire proposals through mediators, while Pakistan has reportedly been asked to revive its role in negotiations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States remains open to diplomacy but warned military operations will continue as long as Iran threatens international shipping.

“As long as Iran insists on controlling an international waterway, we’re gonna have to respond to that. The United States always remains open to a diplomatic solution,” Rubio said.

The military exchanges continued across the region, with Iran claiming missile attacks against U.S. military assets in Jordan, Kuwait, and Syria, while Bahrain and Kuwait activated air defenses again. Civilian infrastructure—including desalination plants that provide drinking water to millions—has increasingly become part of the conflict, adding another layer of risk beyond the battlefield.

Source: Reuters

Editor: Energy markets can handle uncertainty. What they really hate is when everyone starts taking turns blocking the exits.

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Welcome to The Morning Sixpack Podcast, where we cut through the noise and hit the stories everyone will be talking about today. From election battles and Middle East tensions to rocket launches, food safety, and the latest Epstein fallout, here’s your quick rundown.

President Trump used a prime-time address to argue newly declassified intelligence exposes major election vulnerabilities—but the documents stop short of showing the 2020 election outcome was altered. The speech renewed calls for investigations into election security while critics pointed out that the intelligence largely echoed previous findings. The fight over the speech quickly spilled into another battle—whether Americans should have been able to watch it live.

That debate intensified when ABC, NBC and CNN declined to air Trump’s address on their primary television platforms. Trump accused the networks of censorship and called for their broadcast licenses to be revoked, while the networks defended their editorial decisions and instead streamed the speech on digital platforms. By night’s end, the media’s decision had become nearly as controversial as the president’s remarks.

In the Middle East, the conflict between the U.S. and Iran entered a dangerous new phase. American airstrikes expanded beyond military targets to include bridges, power infrastructure and a key port, while Iran retaliated with missile attacks against U.S. allies. Military analysts are watching the battlefield, but international law experts are asking another question: whether attacks on civilian infrastructure could eventually face war crimes scrutiny.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a new visa policy aimed at foreign members and supporters of violent far-left extremist groups. The move reflects the Trump administration’s effort to make left-wing political violence a higher counterterrorism priority, while critics warn that any crackdown must remain focused on violent conduct—not political ideology.

SpaceX investors got an unwanted reminder that rocket development rarely follows a straight line. The company’s first Starship test since its blockbuster IPO was scrubbed seconds before liftoff after multiple engines failed to ignite. Elon Musk says another launch attempt could come within days, but Wall Street responded immediately by sending the stock lower.

The Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein investigation returned to center stage during Todd Blanche’s confirmation battle. After pressure from Republican senators, Blanche finally met with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. Several victims said the meeting felt like a political exercise rather than a genuine effort to rebuild trust, leaving new questions about accountability at the department.

And finally, thousands of illnesses are now being linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in several states. Federal investigators are tracing the outbreak to a common supplier while trying to determine whether contaminated lettuce reached other restaurants or retailers. It’s quickly becoming one of the largest Cyclospora outbreaks the country has seen in years.

Thanks for listening to The Morning Sixpack Podcast. We’ll be back with more headlines, more context and maybe a little less lettuce on Monday.

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Trump used a prime-time address to revive 2020 election claims, but the declassified documents he highlighted stop well short of proving the outcome was changed—and in several places they undercut the broader narrative.

Trump’s Election Address Leans on Old Intelligence—But Stops Short of Proving 2020 Was Stolen

President Trump’s prime-time address promoted declassified intelligence as evidence of election vulnerabilities, but the documents themselves do not show that China—or any other foreign power—changed the outcome of the 2020 election.

The biggest headline wasn’t what the documents proved—it was what they didn’t.

The White House billed the speech as a major reveal, with Trump arguing that intelligence agencies sat on evidence showing China accessed voter data and exposed weaknesses in America’s election system. He directed the Justice Department to investigate and pursue criminal charges where warranted, while insisting the newly declassified material justified renewed scrutiny of the 2020 election.

“This evidence shows that the election system we have dangerously exposes—and really exposes like levels never thought possible—to hacking, exploitation, and foreign interference,” Trump said.

Dig into the documents, though, and the story gets more complicated. Intelligence assessments released by the administration acknowledge cyber activity and concerns about election espionage, but they also state that China was not assessed to have covertly interfered to sway the outcome of the 2020 election. Later dissenting views from a small number of intelligence officials questioned that conclusion, but even those stopped short of claiming the election result was altered.

Trump also revisited long-running concerns about voter rolls, election security, and voting technology while urging Congress to pass the SAVE Act. Election security experts continue to maintain that while vulnerabilities exist—as they do in any complex system—there remains no evidence that foreign actors changed vote totals in the 2020 presidential election. That distinction matters, even if it doesn’t make for the flashiest headline.

Source: NOTUS

Editor: If you’re going to promise a blockbuster reveal, the receipts should probably match the trailer. Otherwise, the debate just keeps replaying on an endless loop.

The bigger story wasn’t what Trump said—it was that major networks decided viewers shouldn’t see all of it on their biggest platforms.

Trump Slams Networks After ABC, NBC, And CNN Decline to Air Election Speech Live

President Trump blasted ABC, NBC, and CNN after they declined to carry his prime-time election security address on their primary broadcast platforms, accusing them of censorship and calling for their licenses to be revoked.

When major networks decide what’s too important—or too risky—for the public to watch live, they’re guaranteed to become part of the story themselves.

The speech, delivered four months before the midterm elections, centered on election security and declassified intelligence that Trump said pointed to Chinese interference efforts and vulnerabilities in the U.S. election system. ABC streamed the address on ABC News Live and aired it on radio, NBC carried it on NBC News NOW, and CNN offered it on its website and subscription streaming service instead of their primary television platforms. CBS and Fox News aired the speech live, although CBS interrupted its coverage to fact-check and challenge several of Trump’s claims.

“In a rare move NBC and ABC fake news have both said they would not cover this speech,” Trump said, adding, “Fraud like this should mean a revocation of their licenses.”

The decision came as broadcasters face increasing political pressure. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has argued the public should have access to presidential addresses over the public airwaves, while ABC and NBC are already dealing with federal regulatory scrutiny on unrelated matters. Media organizations counter that the First Amendment gives broadcasters broad discretion over what they choose to air, even though presidents have traditionally received live network coverage during nationally televised addresses.

The controversy added another chapter to Trump’s long-running battle with legacy media. Democrats had urged networks not to air the speech, arguing it would repeat claims about the 2020 election that intelligence officials and election experts have disputed. By night’s end, the fight over whether Americans should see the speech live had nearly eclipsed the speech itself.

Source: Reuters

Editor: Networks have every right to choose their programming. Viewers have every right to notice when editorial decisions become the headline instead of the speech. Plus, there is no law that EVERY broadcast network carry presidential addresses.

Knocking out military targets is one thing; destroying civilian infrastructure that keeps millions alive is where the legal questions get much harder. #WarCrimes

Trump’s Iran Airstrikes Raise New Questions About War Crimes

The latest U.S. airstrikes on Iran are expanding beyond military sites to include bridges, power infrastructure, and a key port—moves that could trigger scrutiny under the laws of armed conflict.

Whether these attacks become known as military necessity or potential war crimes may ultimately depend on one question: Were civilians or civilian infrastructure deliberately targeted without a proportionate military justification? ANSWER: Yes, they were. Trump doesn’t care.

The overnight strikes reportedly hit bridges, energy infrastructure, and collapsed a tower at Iran’s Chabahar port as President Trump vowed to increase pressure on Tehran over its control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says dozens were killed and hundreds wounded in the latest attacks, while retaliatory missile strikes hit U.S. allies across the Middle East, including damage to a water desalination facility in Kuwait.

International humanitarian law does not automatically make attacks on infrastructure illegal. Bridges, ports and electrical facilities can become lawful military targets if they are being used to support military operations. However, the Geneva Conventions and customary laws of war require combatants to distinguish between military objectives and civilian objects, avoid indiscriminate attacks, and ensure civilian harm is not excessive compared with the anticipated military advantage. If investigators determine civilian infrastructure was intentionally targeted without sufficient military necessity—or that expected civilian harm was clearly disproportionate—the strikes could become the subject of allegations of war crimes.

Legal experts would also closely examine attacks on electrical systems if they leave large civilian populations without power, water, or medical care. Likewise, strikes on transportation networks and commercial ports would be evaluated based on whether they primarily served military purposes or whether the attacks unnecessarily disrupted civilian life. Those are fact-intensive determinations that typically require independent investigations rather than political statements from either side.

Source: Associated Press

Editor: Every government insists it’s hitting legitimate military targets. History has a way of asking tougher questions once the smoke clears. THIS is one of many reasons the Trump administration is attempting to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC). Look it up!

Visa bans for foreign extremists are one thing. Redefining what qualifies as terrorism is where the real fight begins.

Rubio Unveils Visa Crackdown on Foreign “Far-Left Extremists”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign members and supporters of violent “far-left” extremist groups, arguing the United States has ignored left-wing political violence for too long.

The policy is aimed at foreign nationals tied to violent extremist organizations—not Americans—and signals the Trump administration’s broader effort to make “far-left” terrorism a top national security priority.

Rubio unveiled the policy while opening an international summit on political terrorism in Washington, saying the U.S. counterterrorism establishment has long had a “blind spot” when it comes to violence from the political left. The new restrictions apply to foreign individuals accused of supporting or inciting terrorism, participating in economic sabotage, or aiding violent criminal acts. Rubio also said additional terrorist designations are on the way as the administration expands its focus beyond Islamist and right-wing extremist threats.

“It is easy to destroy great things; it is far more difficult to make them,” Rubio said. “The enemies of civilization are only capable of the former.”

Editor: Like the J6ers and “DOGE.”

The announcement reflects a broader shift in the Trump administration’s counterterrorism strategy. Officials point to recent research showing an increase in left-wing extremist attacks from historically low levels, while critics note those incidents remain far below the historical levels of violence associated with right-wing extremists and jihadist groups. The debate is likely to center not only on the threat itself, but also on how broadly the administration defines “far-left extremist” and whether the policy is narrowly focused on violent actors or eventually expands beyond them.

Source: UPI

Editor: Every administration redraws its national security priorities. The challenge is making sure the definitions stay tied to violent conduct—not political labels.

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Rocket science is hard. Public companies get reminded of that in real time.

SpaceX Stock Slides After Starship Launch Aborted Seconds Before Liftoff

SpaceX shares fell again after the company scrubbed its first Starship test flight since its record-breaking IPO when engine problems forced an automatic launch abort just before liftoff.

Wall Street is learning what space fans have always known: Every test flight is also a test of investor patience.

The Starship launch was called off Thursday during the final countdown after multiple Raptor engines failed to ignite properly, triggering the rocket’s automated safety system. Elon Musk said the vehicle was being safely defueled and blamed the scrub on engines that failed to start. He later announced two Raptors would be replaced and that another launch attempt is planned for early next week.

“Some of the engines didn’t start, triggering an automatic launch abort,” Musk posted on X. “Now offloading propellant. Next launch attempt hopefully in a few days.”

The setback comes at a time when investors are paying closer attention than ever. SpaceX went public in June in what was billed as the largest IPO in history, raising $85.7 billion. Shares have swung sharply since the debut, and this marked Starship’s first major test under the scrutiny of public shareholders. The previous flight in May also ended in disappointment after problems with both the upper stage and Super Heavy booster prompted an FAA investigation.

Source: CNBC

Editor: Test flights are supposed to find problems before astronauts—or paying customers—are onboard. Investors may not enjoy the ride, but this is exactly what a development program looks like. #Truth

Meeting with victims after senators demand it may satisfy a confirmation hearing, but it doesn’t necessarily rebuild trust.

Epstein Survivors Blast Todd Blanche After Last-Minute DOJ Meeting

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse only after Republican senators made it a condition for advancing his nomination—and at least one survivor left calling the meeting a political stunt.

The meeting may have checked a box for the Senate, but survivors say it did little to answer the questions they’ve been asking for months.

Blanche met with a group of Epstein survivors Thursday at the Justice Department after Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn pressed him during his confirmation hearing to hear directly from victims before seeking their support. Tillis later praised Blanche for holding the meeting, but survivor Dani Bensky said the discussion was disappointing, accusing Blanche of repeatedly interrupting participants and failing to commit to investigating anyone beyond Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell or adequately addressing the release of victims’ identifying information.

“He danced around his wording, repeatedly interrupted us, and could not commit to anything that would demonstrate good faith or begin to restore trust,” Bensky said.

The Justice Department described the meeting as “productive,” saying Blanche answered questions about ongoing investigations and encouraged survivors to meet directly with FBI investigators. But the encounter marked a sharp reversal after survivors said Blanche had ignored repeated requests to meet with them while overseeing the controversial release of Epstein case files. During his confirmation hearing, Bensky testified that Blanche “simply ignored us for the past eight months” and accused him of treating the Epstein files as a political problem rather than focusing on the victims.

Source: NOTUS

Editor: Confirmation hearings can force uncomfortable conversations. Whether those conversations lead to accountability—or just better optics—is a different question.

One thing is nearly FOR SURE: Blanche gets confirmed.

When thousands get sick, it’s no longer just a food recall—it’s a supply chain problem.

BONUS: Taco Bell Lettuce Linked to Massive Parasite Outbreak Across Multiple States

Federal investigators have traced a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states.

The investigation now reaches beyond Taco Bell, as officials work to determine whether contaminated lettuce from the same supplier was distributed elsewhere.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said traceback investigators linked the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. While federal officials have not publicly identified the supplier, multiple reports say investigators have traced the lettuce to Taylor Farms. More than 1,600 people sickened in the outbreak reported eating at Taco Bell, while Michigan alone has logged more than 4,300 cases and at least 100 hospitalizations.

“The investigation remains active, and additional states, restaurants, retailers, or products may be identified as more information becomes available,” Health and Human Services spokesperson Emily Hilliard said.

Taco Bell said it has voluntarily removed the potentially affected lettuce from the supplier in the impacted states and is replacing it throughout its supply chain. Federal investigators are now working to determine whether the contaminated lettuce was distributed to other restaurants or retailers. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes severe gastrointestinal illness and can linger for weeks if left untreated, making outbreaks especially difficult to contain and trace.

Source: The Washington Post

Editor: Salads are supposed to come with dressing—not a visit from the CDC. The next question is whether this lettuce stopped at Taco Bell or kept traveling through the food supply. ANSWER: Likely that this lettuce went everywhere. List.

You just knew Taco Bell had to be involved!

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The Middle East is heating up, Washington is fighting over elections and the Justice Department is back in the spotlight. Here are the six stories driving today’s headlines.

President Trump is threatening to bomb Iran’s bridges and power plants unless Tehran returns to negotiations. The warning comes as U.S. and Iranian forces continue exchanging strikes, with the White House raising the pressure through military action, economic measures and increasingly aggressive rhetoric. The conflict is also disrupting global shipping and driving oil prices higher.

ICE has acknowledged it possesses more than 127,000 records tied to possible election-related deployments. After initially saying no responsive records existed, the agency now faces growing pressure to release documents as questions swirl over whether federal immigration agents could be deployed near polling places before the midterms.

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President Trump is preparing to deliver a primetime speech focused on election security. The address could include intelligence concerning China’s activities during the 2020 election, even as administration officials reportedly debate whether releasing the information would clarify—or complicate—the public conversation ahead of November. tl;dr Trump is still bitching about the election he lost.

Sen. John Fetterman says support for Israel is a line he won’t cross. While insisting he has no plans to leave the Democratic Party, the Pennsylvania Democrat warned he would walk away if Democrats officially became an anti-Israel party, exposing deeper divisions within the party. tl;dr Fetterman’s “moral line” is giving Israel BILLIONS to murder Palestinians.

The Trump administration is imposing a new 25% tariff on selected Brazilian imports. Brazil is promising retaliation and plans to challenge the move through the World Trade Organization, setting the stage for another international trade fight.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced a bipartisan grilling during his confirmation hearing. Senators pressed him over his ties to President Trump, the abandoned anti-weaponization fund and the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files as his nomination to become attorney general remains under scrutiny.

Thanks for joining us for another Morning Sixpack. We’ll keep sorting through the headlines so you can start your day informed—and maybe just a little less surprised by what Washington comes up with next.

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Diplomacy usually comes with deadlines. This one came with a target list.

Trump Threatens to Bomb Iran’s Bridges and Power Plants

President Donald Trump warned Iran that the U.S. will strike its bridges and power plants next week unless Tehran returns to nuclear negotiations, dramatically escalating the war of words as fighting intensifies.

The warning raises fresh concerns about attacks on civilian infrastructure, which international law generally prohibits during armed conflict.

Speaking in a Fox News interview, Trump said Iran’s leaders “better make a deal, or you’re not going to have anything left.” He added, “Next week it gets really bad for them. We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.”

Trump also said energy facilities would eventually become targets if negotiations fail.

The remarks revived criticism first raised in April when Trump made similar threats. At the time, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned that deliberately attacking civilians or civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime under the Geneva Conventions. The comments came as U.S. forces launched another wave of strikes against Iranian military targets and reinstated a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Meanwhile, the conflict continued to widen. Iran launched missiles and drones toward U.S. positions in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, while the U.S. accused Tehran of intentionally targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The renewed fighting has sharply reduced tanker traffic through the vital waterway and pushed oil prices higher as fears grow that the conflict could further disrupt global energy supplies.

Source: BBC News

Editor: Threatening military targets is one thing. Threatening bridges and power plants is another. If this conflict keeps climbing the escalation ladder, the next rung could prove a lot harder to climb back down.

Saying you have “no records” and then finding more than 127,000 pages is one way to make a FOIA request a lot more interesting.

ICE Reveals It Has 127,000+ Records on Possible Election Deployments

ICE has acknowledged it possesses thousands of records tied to possible deployments of immigration agents near polling places after initially telling a federal court it had found nothing responsive to Democrats’ request.

The documents exist—but with the midterm elections approaching, the public still hasn’t seen a single page.

The disclosure came in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the Democratic National Committee, which is seeking records related to any plans involving federal agents or troops at polling places, ballot drop boxes, and election offices. ICE previously told the court it had “found no responsive records,” but later identified at least 11,103 potentially responsive pages. U.S. Customs and Border Protection also located roughly 116,779 potentially relevant records.

The reversal followed concerns raised by the DNC over recent incidents involving ICE agents near election-related activities, including two agents approaching a poll worker during New York’s recent primary election in Syracuse. The White House has not ruled out using federal personnel at polling locations, while some Justice Department officials have publicly supported the idea despite longstanding federal restrictions on law enforcement presence at polling sites.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell noted that despite agencies identifying thousands of potentially responsive records, no documents have yet been released with fewer than four months remaining before the 2026 midterm elections. Under FOIA, agencies must either produce responsive records or explain why they are exempt from disclosure.

Whether the documents ultimately reveal routine planning or more significant discussions remains unknown. For now, the fight centers on transparency, with both sides waiting to see what, if anything, the records actually contain.

Source: Democracy Docket

Editor: Finding 127,000 pages after saying you found zero isn’t exactly a confidence-builder. Now comes the part where everyone gets to see whether those files are routine paperwork—or something much more consequential.

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Six years after 2020, we’re apparently still getting sequels—and this one arrives just months before another national election.

Trump Plans Primetime Propaganda Pitch as Midterms Draw Closer

President Donald Trump is set to deliver a primetime address on election security Thursday as his administration weighs whether to disclose intelligence related to China’s activities during the 2020 election.

The speech is expected to revive one of the country’s most divisive political debates at a pivotal moment before the 2026 midterms.

Reuters reports the White House has discussed including classified or sensitive intelligence concerning China’s intent or capability to interfere in the 2020 election. Sources told Reuters the intelligence does not show Beijing manipulated or changed votes, while some administration officials reportedly worry its release could be misleading. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said reports about the speech are speculative and that no final decision has been made about its contents.

Trump has continued to question the integrity of the 2020 election, despite numerous court rulings, recounts, and reviews finding no evidence of widespread fraud that altered the outcome. Since returning to office, his administration has also pushed for expanded federal involvement in election administration, including support for legislation requiring photo identification, proof of citizenship for voter registration, and greater information sharing between states and the federal government.

Republicans face a difficult political environment heading into November’s midterms, with Democrats needing only a handful of House seats to regain control of the chamber. Democratic leaders have accused the administration of attempting to influence election administration, while some Republicans have urged Trump to focus on current economic concerns instead of revisiting the 2020 election. It remains unclear whether major television networks will carry the speech live. Editor: They will bend the knee—AGAIN.

Source: Reuters

Editor: If the goal is calming nerves ahead of an election, relitigating the one you lost 6 years ago has a curious way of accomplishing the exact opposite.

When one of your own starts talking about exit ramps, it’s a sign the family meeting isn’t going smoothly.

Fetterman Says Democrats Risk Losing Him Over Israel

Sen. John Fetterman says he has no plans to leave the Democratic Party—but warns he would walk away if it officially became an anti-Israel party.

The Pennsylvania Democrat says support for Israel is a moral line he won’t cross. Editor: So he’s all for genocide. Got it. GET THE FUCK OUT.

Speaking at The Hill Nation Summit, Fetterman said he is increasingly worried that Democrats are drifting away from Israel under pressure from the party’s progressive wing.

“If our party ever becomes—and just makes it official—the anti-Israel party, that’s when I would leave because that’s been a moral clarity for me,” he said.

Fetterman pointed to recent Democratic support for efforts to cut U.S. security assistance to Israel and criticized the growing success of progressive candidates who have taken tougher positions against the longtime U.S. ally. He also voiced concern that some Democrats are reviving politically damaging positions such as “defund the police,” arguing those messages hurt the party in past elections.

The senator also took aim at fellow Democrats, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, for backing former Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner before serious allegations against him surfaced. Fetterman questioned why party leaders supported Platner and demanded greater accountability after the candidate ended his campaign.

While making clear he intends to remain a Democrat, Fetterman’s remarks underscore the widening divide within the party over Israel, public safety, and the direction Democrats should take heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Source: The Hill

Editor: Fetterman has built a reputation for saying what many politicians only whisper. Whether Democrats see this as a warning or simply another disagreement may say a lot about where the party is headed.

CUT HIM LOOSE. He doesn’t deserve Democratic support. He’s a turncoat.

Trade fights are back on the front burner—and this one comes with another reminder that tariffs rarely stay contained to one country—when it comes to Trump.

U.S. Slaps New 25% Tariff on Brazil After Trade Probe

The Trump administration will impose a 25% tariff on selected Brazilian imports beginning July 22 after concluding Brazil engaged in unfair trade practices following a yearlong investigation.

The move marks one of the first major new tariffs since the Supreme Court curtailed the president’s broader tariff authority earlier this year.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the investigation found Brazilian policies harmed American interests in areas including digital trade, ethanol market access, and illegal deforestation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of failing to negotiate in good faith, while saying the new tariffs are the consequence of that impasse.

Brazil quickly rejected the decision. President Lula called the tariffs “illegal and arbitrarily imposed” and vowed to respond under Brazil’s Reciprocity Law while pursuing relief through the World Trade Organization. The new tariff will apply to a range of imports but exempts several major Brazilian exports, including coffee, beef, Brazil nuts, petroleum oils, and aircraft parts.

The dispute could grow even larger. Brazil is also part of a separate U.S. trade investigation into alleged forced labor in global supply chains, with a decision expected soon that could add another 12.5% in tariffs. If that happens, some Brazilian imports could face a combined tariff rate of 37.5%.

Source: CNN

Editor: Tariffs are often sold as leverage at the negotiating table. The invoice, however, has a habit of showing up in places politicians don’t always mention first.

Let’s not forget we (Apple) does a lot of business with China, who is notorious for employing slave and child labor. So this really isn’t about morals. It’s about retribution which is the Trump SOP.

Confirmation hearings are supposed to answer questions. This one mostly proved there are still plenty left to ask.

Blanche Grilled Over Trump Ties, Epstein Files, and Scrapped DOJ Fund

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced bipartisan scrutiny during his confirmation hearing as senators pressed him on his ties to President Trump, the abandoned $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, and the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files. #EpsteinFiles

The hearing showed Blanche still has work to do if he hopes to lock down every Republican vote for confirmation. And he needs all the Republican votes.

One of the biggest flashpoints was the controversial settlement that created a proposed $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund tied to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS. Blanche insisted the fund is effectively dead and that no taxpayer money will be distributed, although senators noted the settlement remains an enforceable contract. Republican lawmakers suggested Congress formally eliminate the fund through legislation, an idea Blanche said the Justice Department would support.

Democrats also questioned whether Blanche can remain independent (newsflash: Blanche has NEVER been indeptendent) after serving as Trump’s personal attorney before joining the Justice Department.

During testimony, Blanche referred to Trump by saying, “I’m his lawyer—was his lawyer,” a remark that fueled criticism from Democrats who argued his close relationship with the president creates ethical concerns.

Blanche defended the department’s work, pointing to efforts against violent crime, fraud, drug cartels, and child exploitation (Epstein Files, anyone?)

The handling of the Epstein investigation remained another major issue. Senators from both parties criticized the Justice Department’s release of case files, including failures to properly redact victims’ identities.

Blanche acknowledged those mistakes, saying, “Whenever we learned that any victim’s name had been improperly not redacted, we immediately took the document down and fixed it as soon as we could. That doesn’t excuse the mistakes of which I take responsibility, but it does mean that we tried to fix them.”

He also defended the department’s overall transparency while facing calls to personally meet with Epstein’s victims.

Source: NPR

Editor: Every attorney general nominee promises impartial justice. The confirmation process is where senators try to figure out whether those promises will hold up once the cameras are gone.

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Welcome to The Morning Sixpack Podcast, where we cut through the noise and bring you six of the biggest stories shaping the day. From Wall Street’s biggest wipeout in decades to battles over AI, immigration, public health, and justice, here’s what you need to know.

Florida executed the oldest death row inmate in state history—but one haunting mystery remains. Dennis Sochor was put to death 44 years after murdering 18-year-old Patty Gifford, yet he never revealed where he disposed of her body. For Gifford’s family, justice arrived, but the search for answers died with the man convicted of killing her.

President Trump’s nominee to lead the CDC faces a Senate confirmation hearing as the agency searches for stability. Dr. Erica Schwartz brings decades of military and public health experience to an agency battered by leadership turnover, staffing cuts and political battles over vaccine policy. If confirmed, she’ll inherit one of the toughest jobs in Washington.

Todd Blanche’s bid to become attorney general faces a critical test on Capitol Hill. The acting attorney general is expected to face tough questions—not only from Democrats, but also Republicans—over the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files and a controversial IRS settlement involving President Trump. His testimony could determine whether his nomination survives.

Three immigration-related deaths in a week have intensified scrutiny of ICE operations. A Mexican national was killed after running into traffic while fleeing immigration agents in Florida, just days after two fatal ICE shootings in Texas and Maine. The incidents have sparked bipartisan concern and prompted ICE to temporarily scale back many vehicle stops.

IBM suffered the worst stock collapse in its history after missing Wall Street’s expectations. Shares plunged 25 percent as customers shifted spending away from software and toward AI infrastructure like servers and memory chips. The selloff highlights how quickly the artificial intelligence boom is reshaping the technology industry.

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New York became the first state to temporarily block new large-scale AI data centers. Gov. Kathy Hochul says massive facilities are overwhelming the electric grid and driving up utility bills. Supporters call it a necessary pause, while critics warn it could hand America’s AI advantage to competitors overseas.

That’s your Morning Sixpack. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back tomorrow with another fast, fact-based roundup of the stories everyone will be talking about. Until then, stay informed—and keep asking the questions everyone else avoids.

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