Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Joe Neguse introduced the Close the Revolving Door Act of 2025, proposing a lifetime ban on former members of Congress becoming lobbyists. The legislation also includes stricter transparency measures, significantly increasing penalties for Lobbying Disclosure Act violations. The bill aims to prohibit senior congressional staff from lobbying for six years after leaving service and would create a public database of lobbyists. Furthermore, the legislation would restrict hiring lobbyists or foreign agents in congressional offices with previous lobbying contact, with an increase in civil penalties for violations of the Lobbying Disclosure Act.
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Aix-Marseille University in France launched a program called “Safe Place for Science” to welcome U.S.-based scholars, comparing the situation to European academics fleeing Nazi Germany. The university president, Eric Berton, noted the irony of Americans seeking freedom in France due to research restrictions under the Trump administration. The program has already received nearly 300 applications from researchers, including those from prestigious institutions and NASA, with many seeking anonymity. This initiative aligns with broader efforts by the French government, including a $117 million investment and proposed legislation to support “science refugees.”
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In a Truth Social post, former President Donald Trump stated he is considering revoking Rosie O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship, citing her as a “threat to humanity.” This sparked backlash, especially since legal experts have noted that the President does not have the authority to revoke the citizenship of someone born in the U.S. except in cases of fraud. The feud between Trump and O’Donnell dates back to 2006 when O’Donnell criticized Trump’s moral character, leading to ongoing public attacks. O’Donnell currently resides in Ireland.
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Newly released surveillance footage of Jeffrey Epstein’s prison cell, intended to dispel suspicion surrounding his death, contains metadata suggesting it was edited using Adobe Premiere Pro. Analysis of the “raw” footage reveals it was stitched together from multiple clips and processed with the video editing software, raising questions about the chain of custody. Digital forensics experts question the footage’s suitability for court due to the alterations, despite the DOJ’s claim that the video covers the entirety of the time before Epstein’s death. The DOJ has not explained why the video was processed in Premiere, which, in the context of Epstein’s controversial case, further fuels speculation.
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A bipartisan group of U.S. senators met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, drawing criticism due to his alleged war crimes in Gaza. Senators from both parties posted photos from the meeting, where discussions reportedly involved the situation in Gaza and the U.S.-Israel relationship. The meeting, which also included House Speaker Mike Johnson, occurred amidst a backdrop of controversy surrounding Netanyahu’s government’s actions and the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for him. The U.S. State Department has also threatened the ICC over the charges, while Netanyahu continues to face accusations of sabotaging ceasefire talks.
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced plans for swift prosecution of “anarchist and Antifa-affiliated groups” allegedly involved in doxxing federal immigration officers in Oregon. These groups, including Rose City Antifa, “Rose City Counter-Info,” and “The Crustian Daily,” are accused of publishing personal information of ICE officers. Noem condemned these actions, characterizing them as support for cartels and human traffickers, and also criticized sanctuary cities like Portland. This statement followed recent events, including public testimony urging the revocation of the ICE field office permit and promises of increased enforcement in sanctuary cities by President Trump’s border czar.
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Amidst mounting controversy surrounding the dismissal of the Epstein case by Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino took a day off work. Reports from Laura Loomer and later confirmed by Axios, suggest Bongino’s displeasure with Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files and a perceived lack of transparency. The disagreement stems from a DOJ memo denying the existence of an Epstein “client list” and reaffirming his suicide, contradicting long-held conspiracy theories within the MAGA base. This has led to speculation regarding Bongino’s future with the FBI, with some sources suggesting he may resign due to these issues.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez labeled Donald Trump a “rapist” on social media, criticizing his handling of the released Epstein files. Her remarks were made amidst controversy surrounding the files, with Trump’s administration facing backlash for the lack of client lists and the reported modification of surveillance footage. Trump has responded by dismissing the ongoing discussion about Epstein. This isn’t the first time Ocasio-Cortez has used the term, and Trump has a history of being scrutinized for his association with Jeffrey Epstein, despite his denials.
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In a recent Fox News interview, Senator John Fetterman criticized New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, claiming he is “not even a Democrat” due to their political disagreements. This statement sparked online backlash from various individuals, including former campaign staff and a former state representative. Critics highlighted Fetterman’s shift from progressive stances to more centrist positions, particularly regarding immigration and his strong support for Israel, which contrasts with Mamdani’s vocal advocacy for Palestinian rights. Some Democrats expressed concerns that Mamdani’s views might be exploited by the GOP for messaging purposes, given the Democratic Party’s current image challenges.
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Missouri’s Republican governor signed legislation to repeal the paid sick leave provision of a ballot measure that voters approved in the 2024 election. The original measure, which would have taken effect August 28th, mandated employers provide paid sick time to workers. This new bill, H.B. 567, also restricts increases in the state’s minimum wage. This decision has been criticized by advocacy groups and some Democratic leaders, who argue it undermines the will of the voters and prioritizes business interests over worker protections.
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John Q. Hosedrinker