The R&R Daily Brief: June 13, 2025
Yesterday's News in Five Minutes or Less Because Even We Can't Talk About Everything
Hey friends!
Holy smokes what a news cycle! From Israel striking back at Iran's nuclear threats to Trump rescuing the auto industry from California's radical environmental agenda, we are seeing real results in the fight against the left's policies. Meanwhile, Democrats are going to the mat (or floor) defending sanctuary policies.
Reminder we have a new podcast episode out where we explore and answer the questions what organizations are organizing and funding the LA protests and riots.
This weekend we have an UnFiltered episode exclusive for paying subscribers. This is unscripted and no filter about the news. For this episode we will be welcoming back friend of the podcast
to give us the rundown on the details of Israel's strike on Iran. Why, how and what we can expect is next. Tune in!
Use the discount link below to become a paying supporter and get access to this weekend’s UnFiltered.
Let’s get into the news!
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!
June 13, 202
TOP STORY
ISRAEL LAUNCHES OPERATION RISING LION AGAINST IRAN'S NUCLEAR THREAT
Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion" early Friday morning, conducting the most significant strike on Iran since the Iran-Iraq War. The massive, multi-phase military offensive involved over 200 Israeli Air Force jets, precision-guided munitions, and sophisticated Mossad covert operations targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile stockpiles, and senior military leadership.
Key Targets Eliminated:
Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami - Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri - Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces
Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid - Head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters
Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh - Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force
Fereydoun Abbasi - Former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization
Ali Shamkhani - Senior adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei (killed or severely wounded)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained the rationale for the strikes: "For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israel's destruction. They've backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weapons." Israel claimed Iran's enrichment of uranium to 60% purity was sufficient for up to 15 nuclear bombs, posing an existential threat.
Mossad's Sophisticated Operations:
Established a secret drone base near Tehran housing explosive-laden kamikaze drones
Smuggled precision-guided weapons into Iran, placing them near air defense systems
Hid weapon platforms in civilian vehicles, remotely activated during the strike
Deployed elite commando teams in central Iran to neutralize anti-aircraft sites
Operations described as "groundbreaking thinking, bold planning, and surgical execution"
U.S.-Israel Coordination:
Trump publicly claimed Israel acted unilaterally while maintaining private coordination
Had prior knowledge through multiple conversations with Netanyahu before the strike
U.S. assisted with intercepting Iran's retaliatory drone launches (~100 drones)
Trump's 60-day ultimatum to Iran suggests tacit approval of Israel's decisive action
Further Reading:
Right: Israel launches 'Operation Rising Lion' on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, Tehran - Fox News
Right: Israel releases video of strike on Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at Jewish state - Fox News
Center: WATCH: Mossad leads series of secret attack operations in heart of Iran - The Jerusalem Post
Center: Israel's strike on Iran was 8 months in the making - Axios
Left: Israel strikes Iran's nuclear sites, kills military leaders; Trump urges for deal: Live updates - The Washington Post
POLITICS
APPEALS COURT BLOCKS JUDGE'S ORDER TO RETURN CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD TO NEWSOM
A federal appeals court late Thursday allowed President Trump to keep the California National Guard deployed in response to protests in Los Angeles, blocking a federal judge's move just hours earlier that ordered the Trump administration to return control of the troops to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer had ruled that Trump's action was "illegal," stating his actions were "both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution." However, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals said it was putting on hold the ruling "pending further order" and scheduled a hearing in the matter for Tuesday.
The legal battle represents the first time in 60 years that a president has activated a state's National Guard over the objections of the state's governor.
Further Reading:
Right: Judge rules Trump illegally seized California National Guard during riots - Fox News
Right: Ninth Circuit halts court order for Trump to return National Guard control to Newsom - Washington Examiner
Center: Trump can keep National Guard deployed to Los Angeles for now, appeals court rules - Reuters
Left: Trump administration can keep control of California National Guard troops for now, appeals court rules - NBC News
DEMOCRAT SENATOR FORCIBLY REMOVED AND HANDCUFFED AT DHS PRESS CONFERENCE
Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed from a Homeland Security press conference led by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on Thursday, forced to the ground by federal agents and handcuffed before being released.
In videos reviewed by The Washington Post, Padilla can be heard interjecting about six minutes into Noem's opening remarks: "Secretary, I want to know why you insist on exaggerating and embellishing …" Within a few seconds, officers surrounded him. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin asserted that Padilla was not compliant with officers' commands and that the U.S. Secret Service "thought he was an attacker."
The incident occurred as Padilla was not wearing his "Senate security pin" during the altercation, though his Senate credentials were visible on his shirt beneath his jacket. The confrontation highlights the heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.
Further Reading:
Right: California Sen. Alex Padilla cuffed, forced out after interrupting DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s LA riots presser - NYPost
Center: Sen. Alex Padilla handcuffed after forced removal from DHS press conference - CNBC
Center: Senator Alex Padilla forcibly removed from Kristi Noem press event - Axios
Left: California Sen. Alex Padilla forcibly removed from DHS news conference - The Washington Post
SANCTUARY STATE GOVERNORS GRILLED IN HEATED CONGRESSIONAL HEARING
Democratic governors Tim Walz of Minnesota, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, and Kathy Hochul of New York testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee about so-called "sanctuary policies" as protests against the Trump administration's efforts to ramp up immigration enforcement continue throughout the country.
GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York grilled Hochul over what the two agreed were "horrific crimes" that occurred in the state, with Stefanik claiming they came as a result of "Kathy Hochul's failed policies." In one now viral exchange, Stefanik asked about Sebastian Zapita Khalil, an illegal migrant who "found a sleeping woman on the subway, lit her on fire and burned her alive. This is in Kathy Hochul's New York."
Oversight Chair James Comer said in his opening statement: "Let me be clear: Sanctuary policies do not protect Americans. They protect criminal illegal aliens."
Further Reading:
Right: House committee calls sanctuary governors Walz, Pritzker, Hochul to testify - Fox News
Center: Blue state governors testify on "sanctuary" immigration policies at heated hearing - CBS News
Left: WATCH: Governors from NY, IL and MN testify at hearing on 'sanctuary' policies and immigration - PBS News
CULTURE & POLICY
TRUMP ENDS CALIFORNIA'S RADICAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANDATE
President Donald Trump signed three resolutions Thursday barring California from mandating electric vehicle sales and setting tailpipe emissions standards designed to galvanize the transition away from combustion engines. Trump celebrated that his signature "will kill the California mandates forever."
The resolutions undo California's 2024 landmark decision to ban new gasoline-powered car sales by 2035 and revoke the federal waiver that allows it to set its own tailpipe emissions standards under the Clean Air Act. Seventeen states representing 30% of the U.S. vehicle market had adopted the plan.
Trump explained: "Under the previous administration, the federal government gave left-wing radicals in California dictatorial powers to control the future of the entire car industry all over the country, all over the world, actually." California Governor Gavin Newsom responded: "Trump's all-out assault on California continues."
Further Reading:
Right: American energy leaders celebrate Trump ending California's EV requirements - Fox News
Right: Trump Slashes California's 'Crazy' Far-Reaching EV Mandates - The Daily Wire
Center: California, 10 other states sue to block Trump from killing 2035 EV rules - Reuters
Left: Trump signs resolutions blocking California's pro-EV rules - NBC News
INVESTIGATIONS REVEAL DEEP-POCKETED FUNDING BEHIND LA ANTI-ICE RIOTS
Investigations into the groups organizing violent anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles have revealed significant funding from well-known progressive organizations, especially Indivisible, an activist organization funded by George Soros. Neville Singham, a tech billionaire living in Shanghai described as a financier of pro-Chinese Communist Party propaganda, allegedly funneled over $20 million into radical groups linked to these riots.
Indivisible has received some $9 million in funding from George Soros' foundation and has also received funding from Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. The Barbra Streisand Foundation has also been supporting Indivisible. FBI authorities noted: "It appears they're well-orchestrated and coordinated and well-funded."
The riots have included burning cars, looting of major retailers, and violent clashes with federal agents conducting immigration enforcement.
Further Reading:
Right: Who Is Behind the Los Angeles ICE Riots? - Tablet Magazine
Right: Soros-backed group behind Tesla unrest accused of 'infiltrating' key House race with chosen candidate - Fox News
Right: Who's Behind The 2025 Anti-ICE Riots In Los Angeles? - The Commune
Center: Fake videos and conspiracies fuel falsehoods about Los Angeles protests - CBS News
That's all for today's morning update. Stay informed and have a great Friday!
We would love to hear from you! What story this week surprised you the most? And what are your weekend plans? Drop a comment or send us a message to let us know.