[Sunday, July 13] US News Headlines from r/Conservative

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DAILY BRIEFING

Executive Summary: This briefing synthesizes intelligence from publicly available news reports curated from a conservative-leaning online forum. Today’s key developments indicate the administration is navigating intense pressure on multiple fronts. Domestically, there are credible reports of a high-level internal feud over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, compounded by external partisan attacks. Concurrently, an assertive federal immigration enforcement policy is facing direct judicial and municipal obstruction in California. On the economic front, competing narratives of rising federal spending and a trade-driven surplus create an ambiguous fiscal picture. A significant national security concern has emerged from within NATO, as Spain has reportedly awarded a sensitive intelligence contract to Huawei, creating a potential vulnerability for the entire alliance. The following breakdown provides a detailed analysis of these and other emerging situations.

1. Core Political Issues and Events

1.1. The Jeffrey Epstein Case: Government Response and Political Fallout

Multiple reports indicate the Jeffrey Epstein case is a source of significant internal strife for the administration. A Fox News report provides a detailed account of a “tense meeting” where commentator Dan Bongino allegedly “raised his voice” at White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and exchanged “heated words” with Attorney General Pam Bondi before “storming out” [1]. This suggests a sharp disagreement over strategy or transparency. The administration appears to be in damage control mode, as another report features FBI Director Kash Patel “torching ‘conspiracy theories’” about a feud with Bondi, an effort to quell public perception of MAGA infighting over the Epstein files [2].

This internal turmoil is set against a backdrop of escalating political attacks. Representative Tim Burchett has directly accused the previous administration of destroying evidence, alleging the Epstein files were “‘destroyed’ by [the] Biden administration” [3]. Simultaneously, the case is being used as a political weapon against Democrats, with reports that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is being “slammed” for a “defamatory” post linking Trump and Epstein [4] and is now facing “Possible Defamation Fallout” [5]. The Epstein affair is therefore a dual crisis: an internal power struggle over its handling and a volatile political football in the partisan arena.

References: [1] Inside Dan Bongino’s tense meeting with White House officials over Jeffrey Epstein fallout: Bongino raised his voice during a discussion with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles before storming out of the meeting. Bongino also exchanged heated words with Attorney General Pam Bondi., https://www.foxnews.com/politics/inside-dan-bonginos-tense-meeting-white-house-officials-over-jeffrey-epstein-fallout.amp
[2] Kash Patel torches ‘conspiracy theories’ about Bondi feud amid MAGA furor over Epstein files, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kash-patel-torches-conspiracy-theories-about-bondi-feud-amid-maga-furor-over-epstein-files
[3] Epstein files ‘destroyed’ by Biden administration: Rep. Burchett, https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/epstein-files-destroyed-biden-administration-burchett/
[4] Ocasio-Cortez slammed over ‘defamatory’ Trump, Jeffrey Epstein post: ‘Sue AOC into bankruptcy’, https://nypost.com/2025/07/12/us-news/ocasio-cortez-slammed-over-defamatory-trump-jeffrey-epstein-post-sue-aoc-into-bankruptcy/
[5] AOC Faces Possible Defamation Fallout, https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2025/07/13/aoc-may-soon-cost-abc-news-a-hefty-fine-n2660288

1.2. Anniversary of the 2024 Attack on President Trump

The administration and its supporters are actively marking the one-year anniversary of the assassination attempt on President Trump. The White House released a video with the message, “‘July 13th Is A Reminder,’” focusing the narrative on the gravity of the event [1]. This is reinforced by commentary from allies, who are quoted reflecting on the attack and framing the President’s survival as being “‘Spared by God’” [2] and a “Miracle” that defined the conclusion of the 2024 election [3].

The commemoration has also drawn bipartisan commentary, with Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) issuing a statement on the anniversary [4]. A recurring theme in the discourse from supporters is a critique of how the event was initially covered, with one headline stating, “Remember, they refused to call it an Assassination Attempt,” suggesting a grievance over the political classification of the attack at the time it occurred [5].

References: [1] ‘July 13th Is A Reminder’: White House Shares Video Marking One Year Since Assassination Attempt, https://www.dailywire.com/news/july-13th-is-a-reminder-white-house-shares-video-marking-one-year-since-assassination-attempt?topStoryPosition=undefined&author=Virginia+Kruta&category=News&elementPosition=1&row=1&rowHeadline=Top+Stories&rowType=Top+Stories&title=%E2%80%98July+13th+Is+A+Reminder%E2%80%99%3A+White+House+Shares+Video+Marking+One+Year+Since+Assassination+Attempt
[2] ‘Spared by God’: Trump allies reflect on assassination attempt in Butler one year later, https://nypost.com/2025/07/13/us-news/trump-allies-reflect-on-butler-assassination-attempt-one-year-later-spared-by-god/?utm_source=cna-app
[3] On This Day a Year Ago, We All Witnessed a Miracle…and the End of the 2024 Election, https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2025/07/13/on-this-day-we-all-witnessed-a-miracleand-the-end-of-the-2024-election-n2660284
[4] Senator Fetterman comments on last year’s attempted assassination of President Trump, https://x.com/senfettermanpa/status/1944416138177233063?s=46&t=1vi7Ctm8WvJM-wjjjdJT8w
[5] Remember, they refused to call it an Assassination Attempt, https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1lylu89

1.3. Democratic Party Dynamics and Public Perception

Reports indicate the Democratic party is facing sharp public criticism from prominent figures and negative polling data. JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon is quoted in multiple reports delivering a harsh assessment, calling Democrats “‘Idiots’” for their DEI policies and describing their approach as having “‘Big Hearts And Little Brains’” [1, 2].

This sentiment is echoed in a report on a new poll, which claims Democrats are “Losing Ground with Voters” due to a perception that the party is “‘Woke, Weak, and Out of Touch’” [3]. Further contributing to a negative news cycle, a story has surfaced about a previously unaired interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris from before the 2024 election. The interview was described as “confusing and weird,” with an allegation that Harris “repeatedly insisted to the Muslim host that Bacon is a spice” [4].

References: [1] JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon Calls Democrats ‘Idiots’ For Their DEI Policies: ‘Big Hearts And Little Brains’, https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46380870/jp-morgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-calls-democrats-idiots-for-their-dei-policies-big-hearts-and-little-brain?utm_source=SmartNews&utm_campaign=partner_feed&utm_medium=partner_feed&utm_content=site
[2] JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon Pulls NO PUNCHES In Describing Democrats, https://twitchy.com/amy-curtis/2025/07/12/jamie-dimon-democrats-are-idiots-n2415561
[3] ‘Woke, Weak, and Out of Touch’: New Poll Shows Democrats Losing Ground with Voters, https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2025/07/13/new-poll-shows-the-democratic-party-is-in-trouble-n2660294
[4] Kamala Harris gave an interview before the presidential election that was so “confusing and weird” that she and the host mutually agreed not to air it: Harris repeatedly insisted to the Muslim host that Bacon is a spice, https://nypost.com/2025/07/09/us-news/kamala-harris-interview-on-tiktoks-subway-takes-was-so-bizarre-it-was-deleted/

1.4. General Political Discourse and Partisan Statements

Key political leaders are making declarative statements defining the current political landscape. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson announced via social media that “America First is no longer just a agenda, it’s the LAW of the land” [1].

In a more contentious development, one report alleges that “Local Democrats appeared to encourage the protests targeting [Vice President] Vance and his family this weekend,” indicating a potential escalation in protest tactics targeting officials’ private lives [2]. Separately, President Trump has reportedly revealed “what he really wants his legacy to be,” although the article headline does not specify the details of that legacy, requiring a full reading for context [3].

References: [1] Speaker Mike Johnson: “America First is no longer just a agenda, it’s the LAW of the land”, https://x.com/tpantheman/status/1944512720671281429?s=46
[2] Local Democrats appeared to encourage the protests targeting Vance and his family this weekend…, https://nypost.com/2025/07/13/us-news/gov-newsom-protesters-target-jd-vance-with-his-family-as-they-visit-disneyland/
[3] President Trump reveals what he really wants his legacy to be after he leaves office, https://nypost.com/2025/07/13/us-news/president-trump-reveals-what-he-really-wants-his-legacy-to-be-after-he-leaves-office/

2. Immigration and Border Security

2.1. Enforcement Actions and Operations

Federal agencies are actively publicizing significant immigration enforcement operations. A Department of Homeland Security press release announced that ICE has conducted arrests of “Child Sex Abusers, Murderers, and Violent Criminal Illegal Aliens,” emphasizing the focus on public safety threats [1]. A specific action in Del Rio, Texas, resulted in a prison sentence for “an illegal Honduran alien for alien smuggling conspiracy” following a joint federal investigation [2].

In another major operation, reports indicate that “ICE Agents Find 10 Migrant Children on Marijuana Farm, Arrest 200,” highlighting a nexus of illegal immigration, labor exploitation, and criminal enterprise [3]. These reports collectively project a message of robust and targeted enforcement by federal authorities.

References: [1] ICE Arrests Child Sex Abusers, Murderers, and Violent Criminal Illegal Aliens | Homeland Security, https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/07/11/ice-arrests-child-sex-abusers-murderers-and-violent-criminal-illegal-aliens
[2] ICE Del Rio, federal partner investigation results in sentence for illegal Honduran alien for alien smuggling conspiracy, https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-del-rio-federal-partner-investigation-results-sentence-illegal-honduran-alien
[3] ICE Agents Find 10 Migrant Children on Marijuana Farm, Arrest 200, https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/07/11/sanctuary-california-ice-agents-find-10-migrant-children-on-marijuana-farm-arrest-nearly-200-illegal-aliens/

2.2. Political and Judicial Actions

While federal agencies project strength, their enforcement efforts are meeting direct political and judicial opposition, particularly in California. In a significant setback for the administration, a report claims a “Biden Judge Halts ICE Arrests in Los Angeles Due to Alleged Racial Profiling,” effectively creating a legal sanctuary for undocumented immigrants in the nation’s second-largest city [1]. This judicial action is complemented by municipal policy. The city of Los Angeles is reportedly planning to “Give Cash Cards to Families Affected by ICE Raids,” a move that directly financially supports those targeted by the federal operations detailed in Topic 2.1 [2]. This creates a stark federal-local conflict, where federal enforcement actions are being actively subverted by local government policy and judicial rulings.

References: [1] Biden Judge Halts ICE Arrests in Los Angeles Due to Alleged Racial Profiling, https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/07/12/biden-judge-halts-ice-arrests-in-los-angeles-due-to-alleged-racial-profiling/
[2] Los Angeles to Give Cash Cards to Families Affected by ICE Raids, https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/07/13/los-angeles-to-give-cash-cards-to-families-affected-by-ice-raids/

2.3. Border Incidents and Smuggling

A new and concerning tactic in human smuggling has been identified at the southern border. A report from the San Diego-Union Tribune indicates a “Trend at San Diego-Tijuana border crossing sees ambulances involved in human smuggling” [1]. The headlines do not offer sufficient detail to ascertain the frequency or scale of this method, but the use of emergency vehicles to circumvent security presents a novel challenge for border authorities.

References: [1] Trend at San Diego-Tijuana border crossing sees ambulances involved in human smuggling, https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/11/trend-at-san-diego-tijuana-border-crossing-sees-ambulances-involved-in-human-smuggling/

2.4. Public and Political Commentary

Public commentary on immigration enforcement is sharply polarized. Representing the administration’s stance, a headline quotes “Border czar Tom Homan’s message to anti-ICE protesters” as a defiant challenge: “‘You want some? Come get some’” [1].

In contrast, Democratic figures are raising alarms. One article accuses California Senator Alex Padilla of “Fear-Mongering” for expressing concern that undocumented individuals are now “‘Afraid’ to Pick Produce” due to enforcement actions [2]. Separately, Ilhan Omar is reported to have made the severe claim that ICE is “Sending Illegal Aliens To ‘Dungeons’ Around The World” [3]. This demonstrates a deep ideological divide on the nature and consequences of current immigration policy.

References: [1] Border czar Tom Homan’s message to antiICE protesters: ‘You want some? Come get some’, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/border-czar-tom-homans-message-anti-ice-protesters-you-want-some-come-get-some
[2] CA Senator Padilla Tries Fear-Mongering Over Illegals ‘Afraid’ to Pick Produce, https://redstate.com/beccalower/2025/07/12/hot-takes-ca-senator-padilla-illegals-n2191571
[3] Ilhan Omar Claims ICE Sending Illegal Aliens To ‘Dungeons’ Around The World, https://www.dailywire.com/news/ilhan-omar-claims-ice-sending-illegal-aliens-to-dungeons-around-the-world

3. Domestic and Economic Policy

3.1. Federal Budget, Economy, and Trade

Conflicting narratives are emerging regarding the nation’s fiscal condition. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) issued a report noting that the “Treasury Confirms Spending Up $142 Billion in 2025,” pointing to continued fiscal pressure [1]. However, this is directly contradicted by commentary from political strategist Dick Morris, who is quoted claiming that a “$27 Billion Surplus Shows Trump’s Tariffs Work” [2]. These two headlines present fundamentally opposing assessments of the country’s economic health, with one highlighting rising expenditures and the other pointing to a trade-driven surplus.

References: [1] Treasury Confirms Spending Up $142 Billion in 2025, https://www.crfb.org/press-releases/treasury-confirms-spending-142-billion-2025
[2] Dick Morris to Newsmax: $27 Billion Surplus Shows Trump’s Tariffs Work, https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/dick-morris-donald-trump-tariffs/2025/07/12/id/1218560/

3.2. Energy and Environmental Policy

Energy policy discourse is currently focused on California. A provocative report claims that “California’s Gasoline Crisis Was Manufactured” and that state officials are now merely “Pretending to Fix It,” suggesting a deliberate political motive behind the state’s energy challenges [1]. Separately, a self-published post from the source subreddit, not a formal news report, claims “Trump is Going to have California Drill for Oil,” reflecting supporter expectations for future administration policy [2].

References: [1] California’s Gasoline Crisis Was Manufactured—Now They’re Pretending to Fix It, https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Californias-Gasoline-Crisis-Was-ManufacturedNow-Theyre-Pretending-to-Fix-It.html
[2] Trump is Going to have California Drill for Oil., /r/Conservative/comments/1lygupe/trump_is_going_to_have_california_drill_for_oil/

4. National Security and Foreign Affairs

4.1. Defense, Intelligence, and Technology

Two distinct but significant developments are reported in the defense and intelligence spheres. Domestically, a major policy shift has occurred, as the “Pentagon Lifts Drone Restrictions.” This move, which sent “Shares of Defense Stocks Higher,” signals an intent to accelerate the integration and deployment of unmanned systems across the military [1]. Internationally, a critical security vulnerability may be emerging within the NATO alliance. A report from The Record states that “Spain awards Huawei contracts to manage intelligence agency wiretaps” [2]. This decision is highly consequential, as it places a company with deep ties to the Chinese state in a position to potentially access and control the signals intelligence infrastructure of a key NATO partner. The risk of compromised intelligence for Spain, and by extension its allies including the U.S., is substantial.

References: [1] Pentagon Lifts Drone Restrictions, Sending Shares of Defense Stocks Higher, https://www.wsj.com/business/pentagon-lifts-drone-restrictions-sending-shares-of-defense-stocks-higher-e2640351
[2] Spain awards Huawei contracts to manage intelligence agency wiretaps, https://therecord.media/spain-awards-contracts-huawei-intelligence-agency-wiretaps

4.2. International Conflicts and Human Rights

A severe human rights violation is reported from Afghanistan, where “Taliban forces [are] using electric shocks on Afghan women over dress” regulations, indicating a brutal enforcement of social edicts [1]. In a separate matter related to international discourse, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour is quoted addressing the controversial phrase “From the River to the Sea,” stating that “‘People Just Seem to Think’ it means killing people,” highlighting ongoing debates over the slogan’s meaning in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict [2].

References: [1] Taliban forces using electric shocks on Afghan women over dress - Rukhshana Media, https://rukhshana.com/en/taliban-forces-using-electric-shocks-on-afghan-women-over-dress/
[2] CNN’s Amanpour: ‘People Just Seem to Think’ ‘From the River to the Sea’ Means Killing People, https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2025/07/12/cnns-amanpour-people-just-seem-to-think-from-the-river-to-the-sea-means-killing-people/

5. Public Safety and Crime

5.1. Major Violent Crime Incidents

A single headline from The Independent reports on a mass casualty event in Kentucky. The headline states, “Kentucky mass shooter wounds state trooper and others before he’s gunned down at church” [1]. The source headline provides no further details on the number of victims, the specific location, or any potential motive for the attack. This is a developing situation requiring further monitoring.

References: [1] Kentucky mass shooter wounds state trooper and others before he’s gunned down at church, https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/kentucky-shooting-lexington-church-injured-b2788226.html

6. Media and Culture

6.1. Cultural Debates and Social Commentary

A significant development in the ongoing debate over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies is reported from a major academic institution. According to The Harvard Crimson, “Harvard Grad Schools Rebrand Diversity Offices as University Wipes DEI Messaging” [1]. This move by a prominent university signals a potential trend away from the DEI frameworks that have become standard in academia and corporate environments over the past several years.

References: [1] Harvard Grad Schools Rebrand Diversity Offices as University Wipes DEI Messaging, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/7/13/grad-school-dei-removals/

6.2. Statements from Public and Entertainment Figures

Entertainment figures continue to engage in political and social commentary. A social media post highlights “Chris Rock’s educational vid on how to conduct yourself dealing with cops” [1]. In a more confrontational tone, another report indicates that “Rosie O’Donnell Launches Tirade over Trump Citizenship Threat” [2]. The headline does not specify the nature of the alleged “citizenship threat.”

References: [1] Chris Rock’s educational vid on how to conduct yourself dealing with cops, https://x.com/JackPosobiec/status/1707066229192634565
[2] Rosie O’Donnell Launches Tirade over Trump Citizenship Threat, https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2025/07/13/rosie-odonnell-launches-tirade-over-trump-citizenship-threat-im-everything-you-fear/

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