Trump concocts pathetic new excuse for algae debacle

Top Stories for June 20:

Trump claims “vandalism” is responsible for damage to the Reflecting Pool, calls for law enforcement investigation
According to the sitting President of the United States, there is no other explanation for peeling paint in an algae-filled pool that was recently filled with hydrogen peroxide other than VANDALISM by “radical leftist lunatics,” and possibly by ABC News’ Jonathan Karl. [W]e’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial. Just like three days ago, they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool, they’ve also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed!” raged Trump on Truth Social. “Lightweight ABC Reporter, Jonathan Karl, was seen sticking his hand into the Pool, and trying to rip the rubber off of the surface!” Okay, Grampa. Let’s get you out of the Oval and into a nursing-prison.

Take Action: Tell FIFA: Stop fueling the climate crisis!

VIDEO OF THE DAY: Republicans abandon Trump in stunning reversal
Brian Tyler Cohen breaks down the reaction to Trump’s Iran deal in the Republican Party. Spoiler alert: they do not like it.

Take Action: Demand Congress refund working families the money they lost on Trump’s tariffs!

South Carolina pediatrician rises to the occasion to retire Lindsey Graham
Dr. Annie Andrews for Senate Dr. Annie Andrews is a South Carolina pediatrician and mother of three running to finally retire Lindsey Graham from the US Senate, where he has overstayed his welcome for more than two decades. By contrast, Andrew has spent the last 20 years caring for children of all ages where she’s learned first hand just how cruel and devastating a healthcare system that puts profits over people can truly be. Andrews is not a lifelong politician. She was drawn into activism and public service following the Parkland school shooting in 2018, joining the gun safety advocacy group Moms Demand Action and eventually running for Congress in 2022, where she held her own against Republican Nancy Mace in a tough midterm cycle for Democrats. Annie knows special interests and lobbyists run the show these days — now more than ever in the age of Trump — but she isn’t afraid of a fight. She’s fought for safer schools, access to affordable healthcare, and to restore a woman’s right to make healthcare decisions about her own body. She won’t take a dime of corporate PAC money, but she is going to need our help. Will you chip in to help help Annie send Lindsey Graham packing and hold the most lawless administration in US history accountable?

Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz over Israel’s continued aggression in Lebanon
Overnight, 32 people were killed in Lebanon by massive Israeli airstrikes, including a missile strike on a civilian house that killed a family and left a child trapped under the rubble, in clear violation of the ceasefire that they themselves agreed to yesterday. In response, the IRGC announced that the Strait of Hormuz would once again be closed. Netanyahu’s government is showing that they are willing to push their relationship with the United States to the very brink, betting that their influence can overcome Donald Trump’s desire to extricate the US from the quagmire he created at their behest. The global economy hangs in the balance.

Take Action: Investigate Kash Patel’s flagrant misuse of taxpayer funds!

Bodycam shows L.A. officer fatally shooting dog during call about screaming woman after Knicks win
Body camera video was released Friday in an investigation into the shooting death of a dog by police who were responding to a Canoga Park apartment. Los Angeles Police Department officers fatally shot a 2-year-old golden Saint Bernard doodle named Jameson last Saturday night after police responded to reports of screams coming from the apartment. The LAPD said earlier this week that officers opened fire after the dog charged at them. Officers later learned the woman was screaming in reaction to the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Key Trump allies and Musk on leaked list for secretive Peter Thiel retreat
A website leak has exposed participants in the secretive, Peter Thiel-founded Dialog retreats which includes top politicians from across the American divide, officials from foreign countries, other titans of the tech industry world and prominent media figures. The annual Dialog retreats, which have been compared to other quasi-secret elite conferences like the Bilderberg Group and Bohemian Grove since they began in 2006, have had some participants revealed in previous media reports.

Fairly little is known about the invitation-only event, which is usually held at luxury establishments around the world and features organized discussions on global affairs.

The leaked Dialog list includes governors, senators and congresspeople from both US political parties, leaders and officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and Japan and prominent opinion writers from outlets including the New York Times, among many others.