According to court records, at least three political appointees at the Department of Energy (DOE) reportedly used personal emails for government business, circumventing public records laws. This practice was noted during the secret drafting of a controversial report that questioned the scientific consensus on climate change harms. Emails revealed communications about the report’s coordination, reviewer materials, and the movements of DOE and EPA leadership. These actions have raised concerns from the Environmental Defense Fund that such practices may be widespread and lead to the improper preservation of government records.
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El Paso city representatives Lily Limón and Chris Canales have introduced a motion to develop policies preventing the establishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities within the city. This initiative aims to explore legal and regulatory mechanisms, potentially including land use and water supply controls, to deter ICE presence. The move is inspired by concerns over national immigration enforcement tactics and follows similar efforts by other cities and states attempting to block ICE facilities. El Paso officials are seeking collaboration with county government and other local entities to present a united front against the potential placement of detention centers in the region.
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Representative Thomas Massie accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of obscuring a co-conspirator’s name in an FBI document related to Jeffrey Epstein, a charge she vehemently denied. Bondi countered by criticizing Massie’s political motives and accusing him of having “Trump derangement syndrome.” The exchange occurred during a contentious hearing where Bondi faced questions about the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related records and efforts to protect victim privacy. The ongoing scrutiny of Bondi’s actions highlights a broader pattern of criticism regarding the transparency and accountability of the Justice Department in releasing documents connected to the Epstein case.
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James Van Der Beek, acclaimed for his iconic roles as Dawson Leery in “Dawson’s Creek” and Jonathan “Mox” Moxon in “Varsity Blues,” has passed away at the age of 48. He had publicly shared his battle with colorectal cancer in late 2024. Van Der Beek’s career spanned multiple memorable television and film projects, including playing a fictionalized version of himself in “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.” He is survived by his wife and six children.
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A federal grand jury has declined to indict six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video reminding military members of their duty to refuse illegal orders. This action was reportedly an effort by the Trump Justice Department, led by US attorney Jeanine Pirro, to charge the lawmakers with interfering with military loyalty and discipline. Lawmakers and legal observers have expressed alarm at the attempt to weaponize the Justice Department against political opponents, calling it an assault on the First Amendment and the rule of law.
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Lawmakers reviewing unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files are encountering ongoing redactions, a situation Republican Rep. Thomas Massie describes as a “new obstacle.” The Department of Justice claims these files are released in the form they were received, raising concerns that this violates the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Massie suggests that U.S. attorneys and the FBI may have redacted documents before submitting them to the DOJ, which has then failed to obtain original, unredacted versions. Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to testify before lawmakers regarding the handling and release of these heavily redacted documents.
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The article highlights a significant moment where Congressman Ted Lieu presented photographs of Prince Andrew, arguing they constituted evidence of a crime warranting an investigation. Lieu directly questioned Attorney General Pam Bondi about her decision to halt a previous investigation into the Prince. Bondi deflected by discussing a former Attorney General’s actions, while Lieu subsequently shifted the focus to Donald Trump by playing a clip of him with Jeffrey Epstein.
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Fresh surveillance images released by the FBI showing a masked person approaching Nancy Guthrie’s home offered a glimmer of hope in the ongoing investigation. This development coincided with intense police activity across Arizona and the temporary detention of a man near the U.S.-Mexico border, although he was later released. Despite the man’s release and the ambiguity surrounding the investigation’s current standing, authorities continue to search for the 84-year-old, who is believed to have been taken against her will. The extensive search efforts and the volume of tips received underscore the urgency and national attention surrounding her disappearance.
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a sweeping apology for the country’s brutal crackdown on protests, stating he is “ashamed before the people” and obligated to assist those harmed. Despite activists estimating thousands of deaths, the President did not directly attribute the bloodshed to security forces, though human rights groups claim they unlawfully opened fire on largely peaceful demonstrators. This apology comes as Iran faces intense international pressure regarding its nuclear program and following a recent war with Israel, with President Pezeshkian asserting Iran’s non-pursuit of nuclear weapons while reaffirming regional dialogue.
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An investigation by the ICIJ and media partners revealed that nearly half of all .50-caliber rifle rounds seized by Mexican authorities over a decade originated from a United States Army ammunition plant. This powerful ammunition, including armor-piercing rounds, has been used by Mexican drug cartels in deadly attacks on government forces and civilians. Despite congressional efforts, .50-caliber ammunition manufactured at the Lake City plant has entered retail markets, allowing it to fall into the hands of criminal organizations. Mexican authorities, who have seized thousands of U.S.-origin firearms and ammunition, are questioning the U.S. government about how these weapons, intended for military use, are reaching Mexico.
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John Q. Hosedrinker