The R&R Daily Brief: June 25, 2025
Yesterday's News in Five Minutes or Less Because Even We Can't Talk About Everything
Hey friends!
Welcome to your daily news briefing covering the biggest stories impacting America and beyond. Before we dive into today's headlines, don't forget to check out our new podcast episode where we provide an in-depth recap of this weekend's dramatic events in the Middle East, including the Israel-Iran conflict escalation and the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. It's essential listening to understand the full context of today's developing ceasefire situation.
Ep. 50 | Trump's Iran Strike: B-2 Bombers, F-Bombs, and Nuclear Facility Hits
Friends, buckle up! We're breaking down the absolutely bonkers weekend that had us glued to our phones while trying to enjoy some family time (spoiler alert: that didn't happen). From stealth bombers we didn't even know were in the air to Trump dropping F-bombs on his way to Marine One, this episode has everything. We're talking Iranian nuclear facilities, precision strikes that would make Top Gun jealous, and why your favorite constitutional lawyers on X need to sit down. Plus, Rachel and I dive into your burning questions about congressional authority, oil prices, and whether Tulsi Gabbard is actually on the outs (she's not). Oh, and because the universe has a sense of humor, we also discuss why New York might elect a socialist rapper as mayor. Because 2025, that's why.
From President Trump's diplomatic intervention in the Middle East to shocking primary results in New York City, here are the stories shaping our national conversation:
Top Stories
Trump Brokers Fragile Israel-Iran Ceasefire Amid NATO Summit - President intervenes to stop Israeli retaliation after both nations violate initial agreement, heads to NATO summit with fragile peace deal
AOC Impeachment Push Fails Spectacularly as Trump Dares 'Make My Day' - House votes 344-79 to reject impeachment resolution over Iran strikes, with 128 Democrats joining Republicans in defeat
Democratic Socialist Mamdani Upsets Cuomo in NYC Mayoral Primary - 33-year-old progressive defeats former governor with 44% of first-choice votes in stunning political comeback rejection
McDonald's Faces Boycott Over DEI Rollback - Week-long national boycott targets fast-food giant after company ends diversity hiring goals and supplier commitments
ICE Arrests 11 Iranian Nationals as FBI Boosts Counterterrorism - Federal sweep includes Hezbollah-linked individuals and former Iranian army sniper amid heightened security concerns
American Medical Association Doubles Down on Trans Procedures for Minors - Nation's largest medical group maintains support for "gender-affirming care" despite Supreme Court ruling
Tesla Shares Jump 10% as Robo-Taxis Hit Austin Roads - First civilian rides without human drivers launched, adding nearly $100 billion to company's market value
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Morning Run Down: Wednesday (ET)
President's Schedule
Location: The Hague, Netherlands (NATO Summit)
President Donald J. Trump is participating in the 2025 NATO Summit at the World Forum in The Hague, hosted by the Netherlands. The summit, occurring on June 24-25, focuses on critical issues such as defense spending, with a proposed increase to 5% of GDP, and support for Ukraine amid ongoing global tensions. The following events are scheduled, with times converted from Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4), accounting for a 6-hour difference:
3:55 AM EDT (9:55 AM CEST): President Trump delivers short remarks alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, highlighting U.S. priorities for the alliance.
4:30 AM EDT (10:30 AM CEST): Participates in the Welcome Ceremony and Official Photo with NATO leaders, hosted by the NATO Secretary General and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.
5:30 AM EDT (11:30 AM CEST): Attends the Meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, discussing deterrence, defense, and collective security.
9:00 AM EDT (3:00 PM CEST): Holds a press conference at the conclusion of the summit, addressing outcomes such as the new defense spending pledge and U.S. foreign policy.
White House
2:00 PM EDT (approximately): A White House Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is expected.
Capitol Hill Schedule
12:00 PM EDT: The House of Representatives convenes for legislative business, as per the weekly schedule from the Majority Leader’s office. The session includes consideration of legislation under suspension of the rules and pursuant to a rule, with last votes expected by 3:00 PM EDT.
2:30 PM EDT: The Senate Committee on Appropriations holds a hearing to review the President’s special message of June 3, 2025, likely addressing budget or appropriations requests. Witnesses include Senators Eric S. Schmitt (R-MO) and Brian E. Schatz (D-HI), and Russell T. Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
2:30 PM EDT: The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights holds a hearing to examine “China and lawfare against American energy dominance.”
3:00 PM EDT: The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence holds a nomination hearing in to review John Dever (General Counsel, ODNI), George Wesley Street (Director, National Counterintelligence and Security Center), and Matthew Kozma (Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis).
Now, let's dive into today's headlines - and it's been a consequential 24 hours on multiple fronts.
Let’s get into the news!
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June 25, 202
TOP STORY
TRUMP BROKERS FRAGILE ISRAEL-IRAN CEASEFIRE AMID NATO SUMMIT
President Trump successfully mediated a ceasefire between Israel and Iran after both nations violated the initial agreement within hours of its announcement. In characteristically blunt language, Trump expressed his frustration with both parties, telling reporters "We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what the f** they're doing."* The dramatic day saw Israeli planes en route to Iran for retaliatory strikes before Trump intervened with what the White House called an "exceptionally firm and direct warning" to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The president later announced on Truth Social that "ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly 'Plane Wave' to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!" Trump departed for the NATO summit in The Hague carrying this freshly brokered agreement, though the fragile peace continues to face challenges.
Further Reading:
Right: Trump to speak at NATO Summit amid warming relations with alliance's leaders - Fox News
Center: Hague NATO summit aims to focus on Trump's spending goal but Iran looms large - Reuters
Left: Trump takes his go-it-alone approach to NATO summit after announcing Israel-Iran ceasefire - CNN Politics
POLITICS
AOC IMPEACHMENT PUSH FAILS SPECTACULARLY AS TRUMP DARES 'MAKE MY DAY'
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's call to impeach President Trump over Iranian strikes collapsed dramatically when the House voted 344-79 to table the resolution, with 128 Democrats joining Republicans in rejection. Trump fired back on Truth Social, calling AOC "one of the 'dumbest' people in Congress" and daring Democrats to "go ahead and try Impeaching me, again, MAKE MY DAY!" AOC had argued that Trump's strikes were "a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers" and "absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment." The failed impeachment effort highlighted deep divisions within the Democratic Party, with many members hesitant to pursue another impeachment after two previous attempts during Trump's first term.
Further Reading:
Right: Trump dares AOC to 'make my day' with impeachment threat over Iran strikes - Fox News
Center: Ocasio-Cortez says Iran bombing grounds for Trump impeachment - The Hill
Left: Trump and AOC exchange furious blows online over Iran-focused impeachment push - Axios
DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST MAMDANI UPSETS CUOMO IN NYC MAYORAL PRIMARY
In a stunning political upset, 33-year-old Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, leading with 44% of first-choice votes compared to Cuomo's 36%. Cuomo conceded Tuesday night, telling supporters "Tonight was not our night; tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani's night." Mamdani, who would be the city's first Muslim mayor and youngest in a century if elected, ran on a progressive platform promising rent freezes, free city buses, city-owned grocery stores, and free childcare. His victory represents a significant rejection of Cuomo's attempted political comeback and signals the growing influence of the Democratic Socialist movement in major urban centers.
Further Reading:
Right: Cuomo Concedes to Socialist Zohran Mamdani in NYC Democratic Mayoral Primary - Breitbart
Center: Andrew Cuomo concedes the New York City mayoral primary to Zohran Mamdani, who leads in the first-choice vote - CNBC
Left: In NYC primary, Zohran Mamdani says "I will be your Democratic nominee." Here are the election results so far. - CBS News
CULTURE
MCDONALD'S FACES BOYCOTT OVER DEI ROLLBACK
McDonald's is facing a week-long national boycott organized by The People's Union USA after the fast-food giant rolled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives earlier this year. The boycott, running from Tuesday through Monday, represents the latest consumer pushback against corporate DEI retreats. McDonald's had announced in January it would stop setting diversity hiring goals and end supplier diversity commitments, citing the "evolving landscape around DEI." Critics argue the company has "betrayed its commitment to diversity and inclusion," while McDonald's defended the changes as part of streamlining operations while maintaining its commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace. The boycott comes at a challenging time for McDonald's, which saw its largest U.S. sales drop since the COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter.
Further Reading:
Right: McDonald's faces economic boycott over rollback of DEI initiatives - Fox Business
Center: McDonald's faces boycott over DEI rollback: Who's protesting and when - Yahoo News
Left: McDonald's is ending some of its DEI practices - CNN Business
NATIONAL SECURITY
ICE ARRESTS 11 IRANIAN NATIONALS AS FBI BOOSTS COUNTERTERRORISM
Federal authorities arrested 11 Iranian nationals illegally residing in the United States over the weekend, including individuals with ties to Hezbollah and a former Iranian army sniper. The arrests come as the FBI announced increased counterterrorism resources following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to DHS, those arrested include "an individual with admitted ties to Hezbollah, a known or suspected terrorist, and an alleged former sniper for the Iranian army." The FBI spokesperson stated they are "closely monitoring the situation and have heightened our vigilance to ensure the safety of Americans both at home and abroad." The operation highlights growing concerns about potential Iranian retaliation and the presence of sleeper cells within the United States, particularly given that over 1,000 illegal immigrants from Iran entered during the Biden administration.
Further Reading:
Right: FBI on High Alert as Iran Threatens Retaliation - Fox News
Center: FBI Boosts Counterterrorism Resources Amid Iran Tensions - Wall Street Journal
Left: FBI Ramps Up Counterterrorism After Trump's Iran Strikes - CNN
QUICK HITS
American Medical Association Doubles Down on Trans Procedures for Minors - Despite Supreme Court ruling allowing state bans, AMA maintains support for "gender-affirming care"
Tesla Shares Jump 10% as Robo-Taxis Hit Austin Roads - First civilian rides without human drivers launched with $4.20 flat fee
California Vice Mayor Under FBI Investigation - Cynthia Gonzalez allegedly called on gangs to fight ICE enforcement
Secret Service Dogs Now Sniff Out Data Storage Devices - New program helps investigators find crucial digital evidence in criminal cases
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That's all for today's morning update. Stay informed and have a great Wednesday!
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.