Middle East War, Parades & Protests, and One Big Miracle

DEVELOPING SATURDAY

1) Assassination

Democratic Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot at their home, and State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in a related attack early Saturday. Authorities report the gunman posed as a police officer—wearing a uniform and using a fake squad SUV—before fleeing the scene.

A shelter-in-place order remains in effect as a manhunt continues, with the FBI involved. Gov. Tim Walz called it a politically motivated assassination, warning that violence against elected officials strikes at the heart of democracy.

“When we did a search of the [suspect's] vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary,” Police Chief Mark Bruley said. (AP)

2) No Kings: Parade and Protests Collide

Trump is marking his 79th birthday with the largest military show of force in Washington since 1991—a $45 million parade featuring 6,700 troops, tanks, flyovers, and fireworks, under the banner of the Army’s 250th anniversary. The event began at 11 a.m. ET, with Trump joining at 6:30 p.m. It ends with a mass enlistment ceremony and parachute jump by the Golden Knights.

Meanwhile, nearly 2,000 protests organized by the 50501 Movement—“50 states, 50 protests, one movement”—are taking place across the country. Rallies are expected in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Charlotte, Tallahassee, and beyond, denouncing what organizers call Trump’s authoritarian overreach, including his use of the military for immigration enforcement. National Guard units have been mobilized in Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, and Missouri as a precaution, though governors have urged nonviolence.

Ahead of the parade, Trump warned protesters they would be met with “very big force.” Thousands of federal personnel are on alert, though no credible threats have been reported. (The Hill)

3) Israel & Iran at War

On Friday, Israel launched a massive, unprovoked airstrike campaign targeting Iranian nuclear, military, and civilian sites. Israel—and much of the Western media—framed the attack as "preemptive," claiming it was necessary to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. But U.S. and Israeli intelligence assessments say Iran is not actively building a bomb, and the timing raises more questions than it answers. Iran has begun to retaliate.

This is the situation as of 2 pm ET Saturday:

• Israeli strikes reportedly killed at least 78 people, including senior IRGC leaders and nuclear scientists, and cracked major facilities like Natanz and Isfahan.
• Iran responded with a massive missile and drone barrage—firing around 150–200 ballistic missiles and over 100 drones at Israel. While many were intercepted, some struck Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, killing at least 3–4 civilians and injuring dozens more.
• Israel’s defense minister vowed “Tehran will burn” if Iran continues missile attacks.
• Iran’s planned U.S.-Iran nuclear talks set for June 15 have been suspended amid the escalation.
• The U.N. Security Council met; China and Russia condemned Israeli actions, while Western governments pushed for de-escalation .
• Oil prices climbed, airspace was shut in Jordan and elsewhere, and both nations remain on high alert. Israel warns it will continue targeting Iranian assets “as long as necessary."

Is This Legal Under International Law? No.

• Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, force is only justified if an armed attack is imminent. Iran did not pose an immediate threat. This was not preemptive—it was preventive and it's illegal under international law.

Is Iran Building a Nuclear Bomb? No.

• Iran is enriching uranium to 60% (below the 90% needed for a weapon) but has not decided to build a bomb, according to both U.S. and Israeli intelligence.
• Iran is also a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which subjects it to inspections. Unlike Israel, Iran has no declared nuclear arsenal. Iran’s Supreme Leader has issued a fatwa (religious decree) declaring nuclear weapons forbidden (haram).
• The Economist notes Iran capped its enrichment under the 2015 deal and sees current enrichment as political signaling—not imminent weaponization.
• The Guardian questioned Netanyahu’s claim that Iran could build nine bombs, pointing out there’s no evidence. Iran has made the political decision to do so. (And Israel has been claiming Iran is close to a bomb for decades).

Why Iran Stays Below the Line Iran likely sees benefit in staying just short of a bomb because it:

• Maintains leverage in diplomacy
• Avoids triggering full war
• Doesn’t repeat the fate of Iraq or Libya who were destroyed after giving up their nuclear programs

What is the US' involvement? Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed Israel acted alone, but:

• Trump later admitted he knew in advance—and reports confirm the U.S. helped intercept Iranian retaliation and bolstered Israeli defenses.
• U.S. evacuated personnel ahead of the attack
• Trump publicly hinted an attack was coming

Why Now? Three key events:

1. IAEA Censure: On June 12, the IAEA formally censured Iran for obstructing inspections. Iran responded by announcing a third enrichment site and more advanced centrifuges—likely to gain bargaining power ahead of talks. (AP)

2. U.S.–Iran Talks Were Scheduled: Iran and the U.S. were set to restart nuclear negotiations in Oman on June 15—the most serious since Trump killed the 2015 deal. A new agreement could lift sanctions, re-legitimize Iran’s program, and limit Israel’s freedom to act. Netanyahu has long opposed diplomacy with Iran. (Al Jazeera)

3. Netanyahu’s Political Crisis: Hours before the strike, Netanyahu survived a no-confidence vote. With his coalition fracturing and early elections looming, the strike shifted attention back to national security—rallying his base. (Middle East Eye)

THE LATEST FROM GAZA

• At least 35 Palestinians were killed Saturday by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes near U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid centers. One strike near the Netzarim corridor killed 15 people; another near Shifa Hospital killed 12 waiting for food. Since GHF began distributing aid in late May, more than 200 civilians have been killed at or near distribution sites. UN agencies and aid workers say the violence is turning food lines into kill zones. (NBC)
  • GHF also claims five of its personnel were executed by Hamas, which said they were collaborating with Israel or violating “the traditions of our people.” (CNN)
• Meanwhile, Egypt has blocked the Global March to Gaza, a grassroots effort with activists from 80 countries, from reaching the Rafah border. Hundreds were detained, deported, or had their passports confiscated. Egyptian forces also raided hotels and harassed participants—despite organizers applying for permits. Egypt, the second-largest recipient of U.S. military aid after Israel, has long enforced the Gaza blockade alongside Israel. (DropSite News)

“Egypt remains tethered to the 1979 Camp David Accords … has coordinated with Israel on security and helped enforce the blockade on the territory … and has allowed Israeli drones, helicopters and warplanes to carry out a covert air campaign in Sinai.”

• On Monday, Israel seized the Madleen, a UK-flagged aid vessel carrying 12 humanitarians, including Greta Thunberg, in international waters. Activists say they were roughed up, interrogated, and denied legal and consular access before most were deported. Three remain jailed at Givon Prison. Israel claims they attempted illegal border crossings; activists say they were engaged in peaceful humanitarian protest. (Middle East Eye)
  • Coverage in Israeli media framed the raid as a PR win—fixating on photos of soldiers offering Thunberg a sandwich, labeling the ship a “selfie yacht,” and ignoring the flotilla’s humanitarian aims. (+972 Magazine)
• Finally, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee declared this week that the U.S. is no longer pursuing a two-state solution. Instead, he said, Palestinians should be forcibly relocated to “another Muslim-majority country.” (The Guardian)

FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

• After last week’s newsletter went out, Los Angeles became the epicenter of a dramatic federal crackdown.
  • Last Friday, federal agents executed search warrants at four LA businesses, arresting at least 44 people for alleged immigration violations. Word spread quickly, and crowds gathered—mostly peacefully—outside a clothing warehouse, where clashes with ICE and LAPD followed. Police used tear gas, flash-bangs, and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators.
  • The next day, Trump federalized the California National Guard without Gov. Gavin Newsom’s consent, deploying 2,000 troops and 700 Marines—a move not seen since the 1960s. The federal show of force only escalated tensions.
  • By Monday, more than 850 arrests had been made. LA was under curfew. Newsom sued, calling the deployment unconstitutional.
  • While a lower court agreed with Newsom, a federal appeals court temporarily blocked that ruling, allowing the troops to remain in place as the legal battle continues. They’re currently stationed to support ICE raids and suppress protests.
  • Critics warn the move politicizes the military, undermines state authority, and sets a dangerous precedent for federal crackdowns in other cities. (AP)
  • Big picture: Trump's amplified by images of militarization didn’t reflect reality. Across most of the city, daily life continued as normal. Critics say Trump inflated the threat to justify a military crackdown and cast himself as the only one who could restore order. (Washington Post)

• The Trump administration has directed immigration judges—who are federal employees—to rapidly dismiss certain cases at the request of DHS attorneys, allowing ICE to arrest people immediately after proceedings end.
  • The tactic is already in use in Detroit, Houston, Seattle, Phoenix, and New York.
  • Critics say it turns courtrooms into enforcement zones, undermines due process, and deters migrants from showing up to hearings.
  • This move blurs the line between the judiciary and enforcement, folding judges into the deportation machine. It builds on expanded expedited removal policies, doorstep arrests, and broader efforts to increase detentions with minimal oversight. (NBC News)
• In San Diego, ICE detained an Afghan man who had worked as a U.S. Army interpreter—despite having legal documents confirming his Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) status. Veterans and advocates called it a betrayal of allies who risked their lives for American forces and a sign of systemic breakdown in the SIV program. (Fox5 San Diego)

• Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) was forcibly detained and handcuffed during a DHS press conference after he demanded answers about immigration raids led by Secretary Kristi Noem. A video shows Padilla identifying himself—“I’m Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary”—before being pushed to the ground and cuffed. Noem later claimed she didn’t approve of his approach but met with him afterward. (AP)
• The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to detain up to 30,000 migrants at Guantanamo Bay, reviving a controversial promise. A new report estimates the cost at $100,000 per detainee per day. Detainees would come from across the globe—including UK, Germany, Ireland, and France. (Politico)
• Trump has unveiled a new immigration plan offering permanent U.S. residency for $5 million through a so-called “Gold Card.” The program, posted on a government website, promises fast-tracked citizenship and benefits. Legal experts say it lacks congressional authorization and may not be enforceable. (The Hill)
• Nearly 340 NIH scientists have signed the Bethesda Declaration, protesting $12 billion in budget cuts that halted more than 2,100 clinical trials. The declaration says the agency is abandoning patients mid-treatment and prioritizing “political momentum over human safety.” NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya dismissed the claims as “misconceptions.” (AP)
• Two senior HHS officials shared sensitive Medicaid data, including immigration status, with ICE—targeting enrollees in states like California and Illinois that allow undocumented residents to access care. A federal judge also ruled the IRS can share immigrant tax data with ICE, expanding the government’s ability to locate and detain people through personal records. (AP)
• The EPA has delayed a key deadline requiring companies to submit safety data on 16 toxic chemicals used in products like adhesives and plastics—some linked to cancer and birth defects. The new deadline: May 2026. Environmental groups say the move keeps dangerous chemicals in circulation longer than necessary. Industry groups say they need time to protect proprietary information. (Washington Post)
• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel (ACIP) and replaced them with eight unvetted appointees. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Kennedy claimed the former members had financial conflicts—though ACIP has strict public disclosure rules. His new appointees include figures who previously opposed mRNA vaccines, school closures, and lockdowns. (WSJ | NPR)
• The EPA is also moving to repeal limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and roll back mercury and toxic pollutant standards. Officials say the rollback will cut energy costs. Experts warn it could lead to thousands of premature deaths and worsen environmental harm in low-income communities. (Washington Post)
• 11 of 12 Fulbright Program board members resigned in protest, accusing the Trump administration of political interference. In a public letter, they said the administration denied awards to selected 2025–26 scholars and is subjecting 1,200 more to unauthorized review—undermining academic freedom and the program’s mission. (Substack)
• The Trump White House has torn up the Rose Garden, replacing it with a “security-focused redesign” that includes new surveillance equipment and fortified staging space. Critics say it’s another example of tradition being sacrificed for political spectacle. (Daily Beast)
• Trump has ordered the restoration of seven Army base names that were changed in 2023 to remove Confederate references—including Fort Bragg and Fort Hood. The names now honor different historical figures with the same surnames—a workaround critics say is meant to signal support for the original names without openly defending the Confederacy. (CBS)
  • At the announcement, troops were seen cheering, but internal memos show soldiers were pre-screened for “appearance” and political views. Only those deemed ideologically aligned and camera-ready were placed on stage. (Army Times)

FROM CONGRESS

The House voted 214-212 to cut $9.4 billion in previously approved funding. Four Republicans joined all Democrats to vote against the cuts, which include:

• $8.3 billion for global, public health programs
• $1.1 billion for public broadcasting outlets like NPR and PBS — which Trump claims are biased. Rural communities across the US rely on public broadcasting for news and weather information, including emergency weather alerts (NBC News)

THE COURTS

• The Trump administration has revived a tactic allowing immigration judges to dismiss cases mid-hearing, clearing the way for ICE to arrest people as they leave court. The policy targets those in the U.S. less than two years. Agents—often in plainclothes—wait outside courtrooms to detain people immediately after rulings. It’s part of a broader effort to expand “expedited removal” and bypass due process. Critics say it turns immigration courts into traps designed to speed up deportations. (NBC)
• At the same time, ICE has begun arresting migrants inside courthouses, starting in cities like El Paso. Under a new Trump-era directive, plainclothes agents are detaining people before they’ve even left the building. Biden had scaled back this practice in 2021. Critics argue the new policy undermines legal protections, intimidates migrants, and pressures them to avoid court altogether. (El Paso Times | Politico)
• In a related shift, federal prosecutors have begun charging non-citizens in six states and D.C. under the Alien Registration Act, a WWII-era law last enforced 75 years ago. Anyone in the U.S. more than 30 days must register and be fingerprinted—or face jail and fines. Advocates say the law traps undocumented people: register and risk deportation, or don’t and face criminal charges. (Politico)
• On Wednesday, a federal judge ruled that the U.S. likely violated the Constitution by jailing Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil over his political beliefs. The government was given two days to appeal—or release him. Instead, it pivoted: dropping the “foreign policy threat” claim and filing a new charge accusing Khalil of omitting past affiliations on his green card application. Because the new charge wasn’t addressed in the judge’s ruling, Khalil remains in detention. Rights groups say it’s a clear attempt to silence political dissent. (NPR | Zeteo)
• Meanwhile, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national deported despite a court order, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Nashville to charges of smuggling undocumented immigrants, including minors. He was previously deported under Trump-era policies. His lawyers say the charges are an attempt to retroactively justify his removal—and resist rulings protecting him since 2019. He remains detained, with supporters calling it a due process violation. (Politico)

IN MEDIA

ABC News fired Terry Moran, a 28-year veteran correspondent, after the Trump White House questioned how the network would “hold him accountable” for a social media post calling Trump and advisor Stephen Miller “world class” haters. ABC insists the decision was internal, but it comes just months after the network paid Trump $15 million to settle a frivolous defamation lawsuit—raising concerns that the press is being bullied into silence by the administration. (WSJ)

ONE MORE THING....

An Air India Flight crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London, killing 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground. Miraculously, one passenger—a British national— survived. An investigation is underway. (NPR)

This is the first fatal Boeing Dreamliner crash but over the past decade, Boeing has faced a series of deadly failures—from multiple 737 MAX disasters to the 2024 Alaska Airlines door blowout. Boeing has been accused of dangerous cost-cutting and outsourcing where safety has taken a back seat to speed and profits. (BBC)