Justice Department opens criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook: Sources. It appears the news of a Justice Department investigation into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has ignited a firestorm of commentary, and I’m here to sort through the reactions. The central point, the spark that ignited this discussion, is the launching of a criminal probe into Cook. The subsequent debate immediately centers around the application of consistent standards of accountability and raises questions about fairness and potential political motivations.
Justice Department opens criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook: Sources. A core concern is the argument that if someone commits fraud, they should face consequences, regardless of their position.… Continue reading
Officials in Washington, D.C., are suing the Trump administration, alleging the president violated the Constitution and federal law by deploying thousands of National Guard troops into the city without local consent. The lawsuit claims the troops, many from out of state, have been deputized by the U.S. Marshals office and are conducting law enforcement activities. The deployment is argued to undermine the city’s autonomy, erode trust, and harm the local economy. While the White House claims the lawsuit is an attempt to undermine the president’s anti-crime efforts, the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, seeks to stop the violations and preserve the District’s sovereignty.
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After meeting with Epstein victims and expressing empathy, Congresswoman Nancy Mace, a recent survivor of sexual misconduct herself, defended former President Donald Trump. Trump had dismissed calls to release the Epstein files as a “Democratic hoax.” Mace pointed out Trump’s ban of Epstein from Mar-a-Lago and cooperation with the investigation, despite reports suggesting Epstein remained a member for a time after his indictment. However, Mace had also signed a petition to release the fresh Epstein files, highlighting a nuanced position on the matter.
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Following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, it was announced that 26 countries have expressed their readiness to support a mission involving troops in Ukraine. These countries agreed to deploy soldiers as a guarantee force, or to provide support via land, sea, or air, once a ceasefire or peace agreement is reached. The mission’s primary objective is to prevent renewed aggression and ensure Ukraine’s long-term security, operating in defined geographic zones and not on the front lines. While Moscow has voiced opposition, NATO maintains Russia has no right to dictate the presence of allied forces in Ukraine.
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Following the Minneapolis Catholic church shooting, Justice Department officials are considering proposals to limit transgender people’s firearm rights, potentially building on the narrative that gender dysphoria is a mental illness disqualifying individuals from gun ownership. This consideration represents a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s policies targeting transgender Americans, despite legal hurdles. While the DOJ aims to prevent those with gender dysphoria from obtaining firearms, this potential ban has raised concerns about unfairly targeting a vulnerable population, as well as the implications of defining gender dysphoria as a mental illness for Second Amendment rights. This decision comes as the DOJ has previously targeted gender-affirming care through subpoenas.
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During a Senate hearing, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated his agreement that mRNA vaccines, such as those for COVID-19, cause serious harm, including death. Kennedy, a known anti-vaxxer, responded to questions about a new member of the CDC vaccine advisory committee who made a similar claim. He then sparred with several senators over the number of COVID-19 deaths in America and the effectiveness of the vaccines, demonstrating a lack of knowledge and acceptance of established data. This led to strong criticism from the senators present at the hearing.
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Russia’s economic growth has sharply decelerated, entering a phase of “technical stagnation” from April-June 2025, according to Sberbank’s head, German Gref. This slowdown, driven by record defense spending, is hampered by weak private consumption and shrinking civilian investment, with the Central Bank expecting near-zero growth in late 2025. Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov noted a concerning trend of underutilized factories and cost optimization, along with a July GDP growth of 0.4%, indicating insufficient demand. High inflation and the Central Bank’s key interest rate are contributing to a challenging economic situation, reflecting the limits of Russia’s war-fueled expansion.
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Following a federal appeals court ruling that deemed his trade tariffs illegal, Donald Trump has appealed to the US Supreme Court. The court’s decision last week centered on the “liberation day” border taxes implemented on most US imports, which the court found overstepped his presidential powers. Trump’s administration has requested an accelerated schedule, aiming for arguments by November and a ruling by year-end, as a defeat could significantly impact the US tariff rate and existing trade deals. The tariffs were implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, though this has been contested, and several companies have already reported negative effects of the tariffs, including a slump in sales.
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Despite ongoing peace talks, Russia is reportedly preparing a new offensive in eastern Ukraine, with a potential breakthrough near Pokrovsk, a city Moscow has struggled to capture. Ukrainian President Zelensky stated Russia has deployed a significant number of troops to the area, which is a key transport hub for Ukrainian forces in Donbas. If captured, Pokrovsk’s fall could allow Russian forces to attack major Ukrainian-held cities in the Donetsk region. As peace talks remain stalled, Ukraine and its allies are working to bolster Kyiv’s defenses through weapons acquisitions and domestic development programs.
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Following pressure from Epstein’s survivors, Republican Representatives Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene have indicated a willingness to use constitutional immunity to publicly name individuals allegedly involved in Epstein’s abuse. This comes after survivors announced they were compiling their own list of alleged abusers, fueled by the Trump administration’s assertion that a “client list” did not exist. These representatives are protected under the “speech or debate clause,” allowing them to make such accusations on the House floor without legal repercussions. A discharge petition, initiated by Massie, aims to force a vote on releasing all related files, though it still needs more signatures to be successful.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker