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Happy Wednesday!
Hey friends. Here’s a lil’ reminder for your mid-week: the more we fix our eyes on Christ and our eternal security, the more the things of this world will grow dim.

The White House has paused most ICE vehicle stops after two fatal shootings in a week.

In Maine Monday, an ICE agent discharged his weapon “fearing for public safety,” fatally shooting a man who “attempted to flee in a vehicle in the direction of the officer” at the home of a person with a final removal order. After conflicting reports, Senator King (I-ME) said DHS Secretary Mullin told him the driver, a Colombian national authorized to work in the U.S., was “not the target of the warrant.”

Last week, an undocumented Mexican national was killed in Texas after federal officers looking for someone else attempted to stop his vehicle. DHS said the driver “weaponized his vehicle,” prompting an officer to fire in self-defense.

Body cameras weren’t worn by officers in either incident, complicating investigations.

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PRAY WITH US
Good Shepherd, we come to You in a dark valley; lead us beside quiet waters and still our burdened souls. With your goodness and mercy, relentlessly pursue those who are mourning. Lead law enforcement in paths of righteousness, that they will be fearless when confronting wolves but discerning and gentle when they meet lambs.

Still the anxiety, anger, and fear in Maine and across the country. Give investigators insight and give courts discernment, and grow Your people’s faith that You will soon right every wrong. May we be beacons of light and hope while we wait on You.
Amen.
(Scriptural basis: Psalm 23)

Conflict between the U.S. and Iran has resumed.

Friday, President Trump notified Congress of fresh strikes, giving the military 60 more days to operate before the War Powers Act requires congressional sign-off.

The focus of the conflict is again the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has reduced to a trickle. Yesterday, the U.S. carried out more air strikes along Iran’s coast, seeking to “degrade [Iran’s] ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping.” Iran retaliated by attacking American military infrastructure in Bahrain and Jordan and hitting “two non-compliant” UAE tankers.

President Trump ordered CENTCOM to reinstate its naval blockade of Iranian ports yesterday but walked back plans to charge a 20% toll on cargo through the Strait, saying Gulf nations will pursue “trade and investment deals” (putting money directly in the U.S. economy) instead.

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Verse to consider when you’re caught in a cyclical argument… “Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14 (CSB) (read full passage)

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Spain spoiled France’s Bastille Day, beating Les Bleus 2-0 to reach their first World Cup final since 2010.

La Roja now shares longest-international-winning-streak rights with Italy (37), gracias a thanks to its record-tying sixth shutout of the Cup and Mikel Oyarzabal’s PK giving France its first (and last) deficit of the tournament.

With France’s Kylian Mbappé held scoreless, Lionel Messi can claim the top spot in pursuit of the Golden Boot if he finds the back of the net. Lionel’s Argentina will meet England’s Three Lions in Atlanta for the Cup’s final semifinal today.

On the diamond, Jordan Walker won Monday’s Home Run Derby in Philadelphia. The St. Louis slugger hit six straight dingers in a dramatic comeback to upset hometown favorite Kyle Schwarber through a chorus of Philly fans’ boos (hear here).

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Sports are exciting because their win-lose nature makes for high drama. But we’d be wise to reflect on the ways our faith is not a win-lose game. God’s blessing isn’t a finite pie to split in ever-smaller slices until it runs out… It’s an unending feast, and Jesus’ salvation is available to all who repent, not just the winners.

“How priceless your faithful love is, God! They are filled from the abundance of your house. You let them drink from your refreshing stream. For the wellspring of life is with you. By means of your light we see light.”
Psalm 36:7-9 (CSB) (read full passage)

Lindsey Graham’s sister will finish the South Carolina Republican’s Senate term following his unexpected death Saturday. Monday, Governor McMaster (R) tapped Darline Graham Nordone, who was sworn in yesterday (read about her). Also from the Upper Chamber: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) broke his weekslong silence Sunday, saying he was hospitalized due to a fall and can’t “return… quite yet.”


Moana’s box office didn’t go far at all. Disney’s $250M live-action remake opened to $43M domestically ($95M globally), one of the House-of-Mouse’s weakest remake debuts. While Mickey Inc. usually lets nostalgia build before a remake, this one came 20 months after Moana 2 and a decade after the original. Still, it floated fans’ boats, earning a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.


Be-leaf it or not, Michigan health officials have tagged lettuce and salad greens as a “potential source” of the explosive diarrhea outbreak. The cyclosporiasis infection has potentially sickened ~7,000 and hospitalized 141 across 34 states, though no specific grower or supplier has been identified. To romaine healthy, officials urge buying whole heads, discarding outer leaves, and washing inner ones thoroughly.

Wanna learn more about Cyclospora? Check out TPO Explains this Saturday, where we do a shallow dive into one topic from the headlines.


June was a scorcher, but inflation cooled more than expected. Prices dropped 0.4% from May to June, the largest monthly drop since 2020, driven by cheaper gas, clothes, and cars. Annual inflation now stands at 3.5%, but with gas doing that thing again 📈, analysts warn July might not be so chilly.


It’s lights, camera, and (legal) action for the Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. On Monday, California led 12 states in suing to block the $111B deal on antitrust grounds, weeks after DOJ approval. Paramount called the suit “fundamentally flawed” and vowed to fight, hoping to close before September 30, when they’d start owing WB shareholders a $650M/quarter deal’s-not-closed-yet fee.

Yummy trees…

What I’m Reading
Easy-to-digest news breakdowns from Tangle*

Political news is exhausting. Most people don’t stop paying attention because they don’t care… they stop because they don’t know who to trust. That’s exactly why I enjoy reading Tangle.

Every weekday, Tangle breaks down one major political story, then presents the strongest arguments from the left, right, and center in a clear, 10-minute read. It’s free, refreshingly fair, and trusted by 500,000+ readers (including me).

We need better ways to understand the news. If you want clarity without spin (or your aunt’s Facebook rants), join me and the Tangle community today!

Jason Woodruff | Founder

What I’m Guzzling This Summer
Water, thanks to LMNT*

Drinking water used to be something I just did because I knew I needed to. Did it bring me joy? No. But did it keep me alive? Yeah, sure, supposedly. 

But then… I got my hands on some packs of LMNT.

Now? I’ve become That Person™. The one whose tumbler is a staple accessory. I actually want to drink water now.

LMNT’s zero-sugar flavors make hydrating actually enjoyable. Plus, if you’re looking for a lil’ caffeine, check out their new Lemonade Iced Tea. Same salt-forward formula, with an extra energy boost.  

TPO readers get a free 8-pack of LMNT flavors with any order!

Xan Sibley | Writer