The R&R Daily Brief: July 1, 2025
Yesterday's News in Five Minutes or Less Because Even We Can't Talk About Everything
Hey friends!
We're starting off July with major developments on the immigration front, landmark actions against Harvard, and a Senate struggling to deliver Trump's signature legislation. This week we will only have one episode - our interview with Katy Faust of Them Before Us TODAY - and that we will be taking the rest of the week off for the Fourth of July holiday. Have fun, pray and celebrate for our great country and if you have them light them....fireworks that is.
🇺🇸 INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL 🇺🇸 Speaking of celebrating America - we're offering a special deal to celebrate our country's birthday! Get two free months with any subscription (annual or monthly) when you subscribe through our special link. That's 14 months of daily news that doesn't hate America for the price of 12! Plus, you'll get ad-free episodes and our exclusive monthly UnFiltered bonus episodes. This patriotic pricing expires July 7th, so grab it while you're feeling the freedom!
BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: Trump administration delivers on immigration promises with DOJ lawsuit against LA sanctuary policies and Harvard civil rights violation findings, while Senate Republicans struggle through marathon voting sessions to pass the "big, beautiful bill" by July 4th deadline.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
DOJ Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Los Angeles Over Sanctuary City Policies - Justice Department sues LA over sanctuary policies, alleging they contributed to violent anti-ICE riots and violate federal law
Harvard Found in "Violent Violation" of Civil Rights Law Over Jewish Student Treatment - Trump administration threatens to cut all federal funding after finding university failed to protect Jewish students from harassment
Senate Republicans Struggle Through Marathon Voting on Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" - GOP senators enter 20th hour of vote-a-rama as they desperately try to pass massive tax and spending package by July 4th
EU Digital Services Act Takes Effect, Threatening American Free Speech - New European law forces tech companies to censor content globally to comply with EU's expansive hate speech standards
White House Blasts CNN for Promoting ICE Agent Tracking App - Administration accuses network of endangering federal agents by promoting app that tracks ICE locations in real-time
Bryan Kohberger Accepts Plea Deal to Avoid Death Penalty in Idaho Student Murders - Accused killer of four University of Idaho students agrees to life without parole, sparking fury from victims' families
Sean "Diddy" Combs Trial Enters Verdict Watch - Jury begins deliberations in high-profile sex trafficking and racketeering case after receiving judge's instructions
MORNING RUNDOWN: MONDAY (ET)
White House Events Today:
7:15 AM EDT: President departs The White House for Alligator Alcatraz, Florida (South Lawn, Open Press)
10:00 AM EDT: Guided Walking Tour at Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport - Former, Ochopee, FL (Out-of-Town Travel Pool)
11:05 AM EDT: Roundtable Discussion at the same location (Pre-Credentialed Media)
12:10 PM EDT: President departs Alligator Alcatraz back to The White House (Out-of-Town Travel Pool)
2:45 PM EDT: President arrives back at The White House (South Lawn, Open Press)
Capitol Hill:
Senate: Currently in marathon "vote-a-rama" session on Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" - voting on amendments continues with possible final vote tonight as Republicans race toward July 4th deadline
House: Not in session - State Work Period due to Independence Day holiday
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July 1, 2025
TOP STORY
DOJ Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Los Angeles Over Sanctuary City Policies
The Department of Justice sued the city of Los Angeles on Monday, alleging its sanctuary city policies violate the Constitution's Supremacy Clause and contributed to the violent anti-ICE riots that erupted in June. The lawsuit targets Mayor Karen Bass, the City Council, and the city's ordinance prohibiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
"Sanctuary policies were the driving cause of the violence, chaos, and attacks on law enforcement that Americans recently witnessed in Los Angeles," Attorney General Pam Bondi declared. "Jurisdictions like Los Angeles that flout federal law by prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens are undermining law enforcement at every level – it ends under President Trump."
The DOJ argues that LA's policies illegally obstruct federal immigration enforcement by treating ICE agents differently than other law enforcement officials. The lawsuit specifically cites the June 6 riots as evidence of how sanctuary policies enable lawlessness, noting the federal government had to deploy the California National Guard and U.S. Marines to restore order.
This marks the latest in a series of Trump administration lawsuits targeting sanctuary jurisdictions, following similar actions against New York, New Jersey, and Chicago. Los Angeles formalized its sanctuary status shortly after Trump's re-election victory.
Further Reading:
Right: Trump Admin Hits Los Angeles With Lawsuit After Violent Anti-ICE Riots - Daily Wire
Right: Trump Admin Sues Los Angeles Over Sanctuary City Policies - Daily Caller
Right: DOJ to LA: See You in Court Over Sanctuary City Laws - Daily Signal
Center: Trump administration sues Los Angeles over sanctuary city policy - The Hill
Center: Justice Department sues Los Angeles over sanctuary city laws - Reuters
Left: Trump administration sues Los Angeles over its 'sanctuary city' policies - NBC News
POLITICS
Harvard Found in "Violent Violation" of Civil Rights Law Over Jewish Student Treatment
The Trump administration notified Harvard University Monday that it has violated federal civil rights law by failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students from harassment and discrimination. The investigation found a "pattern of unlawful and unchecked discrimination" at the Ivy League institution since October 7, 2023.
"The majority of Jewish students reportedly experienced negative bias or discrimination on their campus, while a quarter of Jewish students at Harvard felt physically unsafe," White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt revealed. "Jewish and Israeli students were assaulted and spit on. They had their kippahs for fear of being harassed and concealed their Jewish identity from classmates for fear of ostracization."
The Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights concluded Harvard was "deliberately indifferent" and in some cases "a willful participant in anti-Semitic harassment." The administration threatened to cut all federal funding - potentially billions of dollars - unless Harvard implements immediate changes.
This follows Harvard's loss of over $2.6 billion in federal research grants earlier this year. The university is currently fighting the administration in court over the funding cuts and restrictions on foreign student enrollment.
Further Reading:
Right: Trump administration finds Harvard in 'violent violation' of civil rights law over campus antisemitism - Washington Examiner
Right: HHS: Harvard Violated Civil Rights of Jewish and Israeli Students - The Jewish Press
Center: Trump administration says Harvard violated Jewish students' rights, expanding campaign against higher education - Reuters
Left: Trump administration claims Harvard violated civil rights of Jewish and Israeli students - CBS News
Left: Trump admin finds Harvard violated federal civil rights law - NPR
POLITICS
Senate Republicans Struggle Through Marathon Voting on Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill"
Senate Republicans entered their 20th hour of marathon voting Tuesday morning as they desperately try to pass President Trump's massive tax and spending package by his July 4th deadline. The chamber has been locked in a grueling "vote-a-rama" process since Monday, with Democrats forcing vote after vote to slow progress and Republicans struggling to secure enough support.
The fate of the legislation hangs on a handful of GOP senators, with at least three Republicans - Tom Tillis of North Carolina, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and potentially Susan Collins of Maine - expected to vote against final passage. Senate Majority Leader John Thune can only afford to lose three votes.
"People are getting tired," sources report, with some senators falling asleep during the cold overnight sessions. The bill includes $4 trillion in tax cuts, permanent extension of Trump's 2017 tax cuts, border wall funding, and significant Medicaid reforms. Elon Musk has threatened primary challenges against Republicans who support the bill, calling it "debt slavery."
If passed, the Senate version would need House approval again before reaching Trump's desk for his planned July 4th signing ceremony.
Further Reading:
Right: LATEST: Senate Clears Key Procedural Vote on Trump Reconciliation Bill Outright - Townhall
Center: Trump, US Senate Republicans face test as 'Big Beautiful Bill' deadline looms - Reuters
Center: Senate holds marathon overnight vote series on Trump's "big, beautiful bill" as GOP eyes July 4 deadline - CBS News
Left: Senate advances massive bill for Trump's agenda after GOP leaders sway holdouts - NBC News
Left: June 30, 2025 - Senate inches toward a vote on Trump's sweeping domestic policy bill - CNN Politics
TECHNOLOGY
EU Digital Services Act Takes Effect, Threatening American Free Speech
The European Union's Digital Services Act went into full effect Monday, potentially forcing American tech companies to censor content posted anywhere in the world to comply with Europe's expansive hate speech and misinformation standards. The law carries penalties of up to 6% of global revenue - potentially billions for companies like Meta and Google.
"The Digital Services Act is a clear and present threat to Americans' free speech rights," warned Jeremy Tedesco of the Alliance Defending Freedom. "It takes the EU's speech standards, which are very draconian, related to hate speech and misinformation, and it applies them to American companies that run online platforms."
The law empowers EU bureaucrats to designate "trusted flaggers" - third-party NGOs that can demand content removal from platforms. Companies face massive fines if they don't comply with takedown requests, even for speech that would be fully protected under the First Amendment.
One ADF client in Finland was charged with hate speech crimes simply for posting a Bible verse about marriage on social media, illustrating the EU's expansive definition of "hate speech" that American companies must now navigate globally.
Further Reading:
Right: The Digital Services Act: A Brief Guide to The EU's Censorship Superweapon - Foundation for Freedom Online
Center: US FCC chair says EU Digital Services Act is threat to free speech - Reuters
Left: At a glance: Does the EU Digital Services Act protect freedom of expression? - ARTICLE 19
Left: How the EU's Digital Services Act could affect online expression in the U.S. - Slate
IMMIGRATION
White House Blasts CNN for Promoting ICE Agent Tracking App
The Trump administration launched a fierce attack on CNN Monday after the network promoted "ICEBlock," an iPhone app that allows users to track and alert others to ICE agent locations in real-time. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons called CNN's coverage "reckless and irresponsible."
"Advertising an app that basically paints a target on federal law enforcement officers' backs is sickening," Lyons declared. "My officers and agents are already facing a 500% increase in assaults, and going on live television to announce an app that lets anyone zero in on their locations is like inviting violence against them with a national megaphone."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused CNN of "encouraging violence" when asked about the app at Monday's briefing. "It's unacceptable that a major network would promote such an app that is encouraging violence against law enforcement officers who are trying to keep our country safe."
The app, created by Joshua Aaron, allows anonymous users to mark ICE sightings on a map and send alerts to others within a five-mile radius. Aaron compared current immigration enforcement to Nazi Germany and said he wanted to "fight back" against deportation efforts.
Further Reading:
Right: ICE Officials Slam CNN For Promoting App That Helps Illegals Dodge Federal Agents - Daily Wire
Right: CNN Showcases App Designed By Pro-Antifa Creator That Helps Illegal Immigrants Dodge ICE Agents - Daily Caller
Right: CNN in Hot Water With Trump Admin After Promoting App That Tracks the Location of ICE Agents: 'Sickening' - RedState
Right: Karoline Leavitt accuses CNN of 'encouraging violence' against agents for reports on new ICE tracking app - Fox News
Left: 'I wanted to do something to fight back': Developer makes app to flag ICE raids - CNN Business
CRIME
Bryan Kohberger Accepts Plea Deal to Avoid Death Penalty in Idaho Student Murders
Bryan Kohberger, accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022, has accepted a plea deal that will spare him from the death penalty in exchange for life in prison without parole. The unexpected agreement has drawn fierce criticism from victims' families who say they were blindsided by prosecutors.
Under the deal, Kohberger will plead guilty Wednesday to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary for the stabbing deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. He will receive four consecutive life sentences and waive all appeal rights.
"We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us," the Goncalves family posted on Facebook. "Prosecutors vaguely mentioned a possible plea on Friday without seeking our input and presented the plea on Sunday. We weren't even called about the plea. We received an email with a letter attached adding insult to injury."
The family accused prosecutors of rushing the process, giving families just one day to coordinate and appear at the courthouse for Wednesday's hearing in Boise. "After more than two years, this is how it concludes, with a secretive deal and a hurried effort to close the case without any input from the victim's families," they stated.
Kohberger, 30, was a PhD criminology student at Washington State University when arrested in December 2022. DNA evidence linking him to a knife sheath found at the scene, along with cellphone records and surveillance footage of his white Hyundai Elantra near the victims' home, formed the basis of the prosecution's case. His trial was scheduled to begin August 18.
Further Reading:
Right: Bryan Kohberger accepts plea deal in Idaho student murders: source - Fox News
Center: Bryan Kohberger accepts plea deal for murdering four Idaho college students - Court TV
Left: Bryan Kohberger agrees to plea deal to avoid death penalty in Idaho student killings - CNN
Sean "Diddy" Combs Trial Enters Verdict Watch
The jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial began deliberations Monday after receiving instructions from the judge. Combs faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The judge outlined eight alleged criminal acts for the jury to consider relating to the racketeering charge, including kidnapping, arson, bribery, forced labor, and witness tampering. To convict on racketeering, prosecutors must prove Combs led a criminal enterprise that committed at least two predicate crimes over a 10-year period.
Early concerns emerged when the jury foreperson sent a note raising issues about "juror number 25" - a 51-year-old Hispanic veterinarian with a PhD who allegedly could not follow the judge's instructions. The jury also asked questions about drug distribution laws before ending deliberations for the day.
Former Combs assistant Capricorn Clark previously testified about being kidnapped by Combs in 2011, while star witness and ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura's allegations form the basis of the sex trafficking charges spanning 2009-2018.
Further Reading:
Right: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial: Prosecution Drops Some Predicate Acts - Fox News
Right: Diddy Trial Heads to Closing Arguments After Months of Testimony - Newsmax
Left: Sean Combs Trial Nears End as Closing Arguments Begin - CNN Entertainment
Help Us Grow: Like the mainstream media, algorithms are trash! The best way to help us grow is to share the newsletter with a friend. If you found our discussion valuable, please take a moment to forward it to someone who might enjoy it, too. Word of mouth is our most powerful tool!
That's all for today's morning update. Stay informed and have a great Tuesday!