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WORLD NEWS

To Summit Up

Presidents Trump and Putin met for three hours in Alaska on Friday and inched toward progress.

President Trump said “great progress” was made, and Putin referenced an “understanding,” but no ceasefire or deal was announced.

Trump later told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Putin had offered to freeze most front lines if Ukraine ceded all of Donetsk, a region Russia has largely controlled since first invading in 2014. Zelenskyy rejected the proposal. First Lady Melania Trump wrote Putin a letter raising concerns over abducted Ukrainian children, which her husband hand-delivered.

On Saturday, Putin told Kremlin officials the summit was “timely and very useful,” saying they discussed “all aspects of our cooperation” and the “root causes” of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump said he’ll brief NATO leaders and meet with President Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington later today.

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RADIATE HOPE
Christians should be committed to praying for world leaders to be wise and to work towards peaceful resolutions, while simultaneously placing our hope in God, not government.

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Cracking On

The D.C. crime initiatives are stirring things up on the streets and in the courtroom. 

The Justice Department and D.C. officials reached a deal Friday, after D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued to stop the federal takeover of local police and a federal judge signaled she was likely to rule in his favor. The DOJ agreed to keep police chief Smith at the helm in exchange for local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal officers and immigration enforcement.

Protests have popped up across the nation’s capital in response to the crackdown—which had resulted in 240+ arrests—with demonstrators chanting “Free D.C.” 

Meanwhile, backup is en route. Three Republican-led states (Ohio, West Virginia, and South Carolina) have announced they will collectively deploy ~650 National Guardsmen and military police to D.C. as "a show of commitment to public safety and regional cooperation.” 

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
In this divisive political climate, Christians have an opportunity to show that our ultimate allegiance is to the God who shows perfect justice and mercy to everyone. Imitate Him, rooting for justice while retaining love for all parties, desiring restoration and not revenge. 

“Therefore the LORD is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.”
Isaiah 30:18 (CSB) (read full passage)

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POLITICS

Gerrymandering Math

Texas has a full House again.

Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to stall a vote on redistricting are expected to return to Austin today, allowing the vote to move forward on a new map that will (probably) flip five congressional seats in Republicans’ favor. The mapwork is part of President Trump’s effort to expand Republicans’ narrowly held control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections.

While the Lone Star lawmakers were on hiatus, California’s Governor Newsom (D) proposed his own map that would (probably) add five more blue seats. Democrats will seek approval to put the new map—which sidesteps the state’s independent redistricting commission—on its November 2025 ballot.

Liking that math, Texas Democrats are returning home, saying they’ll move their battle to the courts and “pass the baton” to California.

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Verse to consider whether gerrymandering math keeps you up at night or puts you to sleep faster than high school algebra… “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” 
Psalm 19:14 (CSB) (read full passage)

Hurricane season is warming up. Erin—the first hurricane of the 2025 season—exploded to Category 5 status over the weekend before downgrading and passing 200 miles north of Puerto Rico (track her path). While not expected to make landfall, Erin will slam the Caribbean with rain and wind and churn up “life threatening” rip currents and surf along the East Coast.
 

Flash floods from heavy rains have killed over 400 people across Pakistan, India-administered Kashmir, and Nepal. Officials said 321 of the deaths came in just 48 hours in northwest Pakistan. Rescuers have evacuated more than 3,500 stranded tourists trapped in flood-prone areas, but hundreds remain missing as recovery efforts continue.
 

The Big House is in the dog house. The NCAA is fining the University of Michigan ~$20 million and has suspended head football coach Sherrone Moore for a third game over reports that a former staffer and others repeatedly stole opposing teams’ play-calling signals from 2021-2023. Then-head coach and khakis-lover Jim Harbaugh has been banned from collegiate athletics until 2038.
 

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell (D) has been charged with fraud for allegedly using government funds to hide an “intimate relationship” with a now-retired NOLA police officer, who worked as her bodyguard from 2021-2024. Federal prosecutors accuse the pair of spending over $70,000 on personal trips and fabricating working hours to “maximize their time together.” Cantrell has not commented on the allegations.
 

UnitedHealth Group stock soared 12% on Friday, its best day in 5 years, after Warren Buffett revealed a stake of 5 million shares (worth ~$1.6B). UnitedHealth’s stock has suffered in 2025—down nearly 50% before receiving the Buffett Bump—as it faces public blowback for the rising cost of health insurance and a DOJ investigation into its Medicare billing practices.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

What's in your backyard?

What We’re Drinking
Raspberry LMNT*

My wife, Hannah, swung by the TPO office with the girls (3 years old and 6 months old) the other day! Well… sorta. 

They actually just stayed in the car, and I got a text: “Bring a box of Raspberry LMNT out.”

I’m not at all suggesting she’s addicted to Raspberry LMNT, but it did feel a little bit like a drug deal; she’s gotta have that healthy hydration (a science-backed ratio of sodium, magnesium, and potassium). 

I switch between Raspberry and Grapefruit; Hannah’s just hooked on Raspberry. You’ll get a free 8-pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors if you buy through this link. Happy hydrating!

Jason Woodruff | Founder

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