Jun 13, 2025 | 🫣 Israel strikes Iran, Trump gets a court win, end of child sex changes in LA

 

Hi everyone!
 

Israel launched an attack on Iran last night to wipe out their nuclear facilities and some of the top leaders and scientists. They took aim at Iran's nuclear facilities, with officials saying that the nation was close, within just a month or so, of enriching uranium to the point of becoming a nuclear power.

 

In response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the American position, saying “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believed this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”

 

By about 8 pm, the White House called a lid and press guidance for Friday said that the president would attend a National Security Council Meeting at 11 am Friday. Iran is expected to retaliate but Israel clearly believed they could not wait any longer as Iran continued developing existential threats against them.

 

The IDF made an announcement on X, saying "Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran. Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world. The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past."

 

Earlier this week, Trump had told Americans in the Middle East to head home. When asked why, he was cagey, telling reports that they'd have to figure that out for themselves. And by morning, he said:

 

"Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to 'make a deal.' They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!"

 

Also on what became a rather eventful Thursday night, a California court ruled in a 36-page ruling that Trump had to give California's National Guard back to Governor Gavin Newsom, who said he had to pull them off vegetation and border patrol when Trump ordered them to protect federal law enforcement in LA.

 

"His actions were illegal—both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution," US District Judge Charles R. Breyer wrote in his ruling. "He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith."

 

"Federalism is not optional," Breyer went on. "Even the president cannot legislate by fiat." But Trump's DOJ was ready with a speedy appeal and the Ninth Circuit took the case and issued a stay.

 

The California judge said Trump had until today at 12 pm to give the troops back, but the stay from Louisiana's appellate court gives the administration until Tuesday while the case plays out. California officials like Governor Gavin Newsom and AG Rob Bonta both say there was no reason for Trump to redirect National Guard troops, and that the state had the LA riots under control.

 

They didn't look particularly controlled when they raged over 5 nights before LA Mayor Karen Bass, who opposes immigration enforcement of any kind, imposed a curfew. Rioters set fire to 5 Waymo cars, attacked officers, shut down the 101 freeway, and caused mayhem and havoc.

 

Celeb Angelinos came out to say the riots weren't a big deal because they hadn't taken over the entire city, but that's like saying war isn't a big deal because it hasn't consumed the world. And judging from the flags many of the rioters were waving, the war in Israel is a big deal even though from where they sit in LA you'd never know anything was happening in Israel at all.

 

One bit of news that made me happy going into this weekend, which is set to see more riots that begin as protests in 1800 cities and towns across the US, is that Los Angeles Children's Hospital is shutting down its gender clinic. "Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have made it clear there will be consequences, potentially civil and criminal, for entities pushing irreversible procedures on vulnerable minors," the hospital said to staff.

 

The clinic was helmed by Johanna Olson-Kennedy, a renowned butcher who has said that girls who regret having their healthy breasts removed can simply get implants later. She treated children as young as 2-years-old for gender change. I'm glad that's all coming to an end.

 

Here's what's on my desk today:

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