The Run Down: July Edition
- Amari
- Jul 31
- 5 min read
Anddd were back, In June we covered the "Big Beautiful Bill' which has since been signed into law by President Trump.
Other topics include the Supreme Court and birthright Citizenship, Zohran Mamdami winning the NYC democratic mayoral primary, Iran and Israel strikes, a failed impeachment vote and more.
Go check out the June Edition if you need to catch up!
Running Down July
Trending:
Supreme Court Green-lights Education Dept. Dismantling
On July 15, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Trump may dismantle the Department of Education without Congressional approval—setting the stage for layoffs of roughly 1,400 employees.
All 6 conservative justices voted for the measure and the 3 liberal justices voted against.
That same day, 24 states + DC filed suit against the administration over nearly $7 billion in frozen education grants, that could potentially delay school-year programs and teacher support services.
Epstein:
July saw a swirl of developments connecting three major forces: Jeffrey Epstein’s, Trump-era justice department, and congress questioning.
On July 31, the House Oversight Committee issued a bipartisan subpoena to the Department of Justice demanding records related to Epstein’s death and long-suspected connections to U.S. elites.
This comes when the Trump White House vowed to release the documents when he won the presidency, but his justice department claims there are no files.
What Congress is doing:
Rep. Robert Garcia is leading the subpoena push, backed by members from both parties.
The focus is on unsealing DOJ communications, revisiting Epstein’s 2008 sweetheart plea deal, and probing whether federal interference played a role in the suppression of evidence.
Lawmakers are also asking for logs of who visited Epstein in prison, including public officials.
Why this matters now:
Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial left much unanswered, most notably, the client list.
The DOJ under Trump was accused of soft-pedaling investigations that could have implicated powerful figures.
With Congress increasingly split between pro-Trump Republicans and independent Democrats, this case tests how far transparency efforts will go in an election season.
The Trump angle:
Though Trump hasn’t been formally linked to criminal acts in the case, his past ties to Epstein and role in DOJ appointments during key moments are under fresh review.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/31/man-who-got-epstein-subpoena/
California vs. Texas: Redistricting War
In July, both California and Texas took center stage in a growing national debate over redistricting, voting rights, and political power.
But the two states currently;—polar opposites politically—are tackling it in very different ways.
California: Reform/Rebalancing, independent reforming commision; but democratic controlled state.
California’s independent redistricting commission released its mid-decade review, aiming to adjust for population shifts and representation gaps—particularly in fast-growing Latino and Asian American communities.
The state’s nonpartisan model, praised for its transparency, is being used to rebalance competitive districts in places like the Central Valley and Inland Empire.
Critics argue the changes may dilute progressive strength in urban centers, while defenders say it’s about fairness, not favor.
Texas: Courts, Controversy, and Conservative Control
Texas is facing multiple federal lawsuits over GOP-drawn district maps accused of racial gerrymandering and voter dilution—especially in Black and Latino communities.
In July, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to fast-track a major case involving Dallas-Fort Worth district lines, where plaintiffs say communities of color were intentionally fractured.
Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans defend the maps as “race-neutral,” but watchdogs call it part of a broader voter suppression strategy.
National Significance:
This redistricting clash reveals a bigger tension in U.S. politics:
California’s model is seen as a more fairer-independent redistricting measure but still faces pressure from powerful incumbents and other high profile democrats.
Texas’s model reflects the entrenchment of partisan gerrymandering, where court intervention is common and may be the only check.
Sources:
Community spotlight topic: - Taylar (psu)
On July 2, 2025, Bryan Kohberger—a former criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University, pled guilty to the brutal November 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. By doing so, he avoided the death penalty and waived his right to appeal.
The sentencing took place on July 23, 2025, where Judge Steven Hippler imposed four consecutive life sentences without parole, plus 10 additional years for burglary. Emotional victim‑impact statements filled the courtroom.
Key Details:
The plea deal required a factual admission but did not require Kohberger to disclose a motive, a decision that has frustrated family members seeking closure.
A gag order was lifted after the plea—allowing law enforcement and media to speak publicly about the investigation and legal process. Over 240 sealed documents are now being reviewed for future release.
New Evidence Insights:
Body cam footage from August 2022 (released post-sentencing) shows Kohberger pulled over for a minor traffic infraction. His defensive behavior drew attention that later felt ominous in hindsight.
In another revelation, Kohberger allegedly discussed extreme ways to die with a Tinder match and even referenced the same weapon used in the murders.
The Fallout:
Even after conviction, law enforcement officials noted that the motive remains unknown. “He’s the only one who has the ‘why’,” said the lead detective, leaving the community with lingering questions.
One of the surviving roommates, Dylan Mortensen, has since raised over $50,000 for trauma recovery and relocation support, becoming a focal point in the ongoing healing process.
Notoriously, convicted serial killer Keith Jesperson publicly supported Kohberger’s request for transfer within Idaho’s prison system, reflecting broader concerns about safety and prisoner classification.
Why it matters:
This case highlights tensions between legal protocol and emotional demands for transparency. With no trial and motive still undisclosed, investigators, victims’ families, and the public alike are left questioning closure. And as sealed documents unfold, political pressure may grow on how much is revealed,and when.
https://apnews.com/article/byran-kohberger-idaho-murders-confession-c57cb03bce168a5cfce3ab25b57c379a
What else happened in July?
Catastrophic Central Texas Floods & Fallout
On July 4, an unprecedented flash flood in the Texas Hill Country—especially along the Guadalupe River—left over 130 dead, including at least 27 girls and counselors at Camp Mystic. The river rose from 26 ft to a record 37.5 ft in under an hour, overwhelming rescue efforts in Kerrville and surrounding counties .
— Emergency Response & FEMA under Fire
Governor Abbott declared multiple counties disaster zones and President Trump issued federal assistance to begin recovery. However, FEMA drew criticism for delays: federal search-and-rescue teams were reportedly held up due to approval bottlenecks and bureaucratic restrictions, leading to resignations—including the head of FEMA’s Urban Search & Rescue program .
— Legislative Hearings & Community Trauma
Texas legislators held a special session in Kerrville in late July, inviting residents to testify about failures in early warning systems, lack of siren activation at camps, and rural communications gaps. Survivors emphasized urgent needs for shelter and food over technical fixes .
Polling Snapshot: Trump Steady Amid Opposition
A Wall Street Journal poll from July 16–20 shows President Trump’s approval holding at 46%, with 52% disapproval. About 47% rate the economy as “excellent” or “good”—an uptick since April. GOP core support remains strong, with 88% approval internally, even as broader skepticism over transparency, related to the Epstein saga, tarrifs, and the Big Beautiful Bill is growing.
Foreign Policy Flashpoints & Trade Retaliation
On July 30–31, the Trump administration slapped 50% tariffs on Brazil and also targeted India and South Korea with new trade restrictions, part of escalating tensions tied to Brazil’s prosecution of ex‑President Bolsonaro. Concurrently, the U.S. sanctioned Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Magnitsky Act, citing human rights violations. These moves spurred condemnation from Brazil’s President Lula as “attacks on sovereignty.”
Additional diplomacy notes: a new U.S.–EU trade framework was announced on July 27, including reciprocal tariffs (~15%), €600 billion EU investments, and increased energy and military cooperation.
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