1. The Nuclear Stand-off: Russia and China Respond
Following the midnight expiration of the New START Treaty, the Kremlin issued a formal statement this afternoon expressing "regret" but shifting the blame entirely to Washington.
Russia’s Move: Moscow announced it will maintain current warhead levels only if the U.S. does not increase its own. However, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned it is ready to take "military-technical measures" if the U.S. accelerates its B-21 or Sentinel programs.
The China Factor: Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed this evening that President Trump will not sign any new deal that does not include Beijing. China has officially rebuffed this, calling the U.S. demands "unrealistic."
2. The Epstein Files: The "Plaskett-Schumer" Connection
The most viral story of the evening involves a newly unredacted email exchange from the 3.5 million-page DOJ document dump.
The Leak: Documents show an associate of Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) emailed Jeffrey Epstein in 2017 asking for help to "get a meeting with Chuck Schumer" regarding hurricane relief funding.
Schumer’s Defense: The Senate Minority Leader’s office released a statement two hours ago calling the leak a "political hit job" by the DOJ. While the emails show Epstein was asked to intervene, there is still no evidence that a meeting between Schumer and Epstein ever occurred.
3. ICE Shutdown: 700 Agents Out, 2,000 Remain
Border Czar Tom Homan provided an update on "Operation Metro Surge" late this afternoon.
The Drawdown: Approximately 700 federal agents have begun withdrawing from Minnesota today. Homan cited "unprecedented cooperation" from local sheriffs as the reason for the reduction.
The Stalemate: Despite the withdrawal, 2,000 agents remain on the ground. Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey have called the move "insufficient," while calls for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign continue to grow in Congress following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
