🎧 LISTEN TO THE HEADLINES ON THE SUBSTACK APP
DOJ Grand Jury Probes Marxist Tycoon Neville Roy Singham Over Funding of Leftist Groups
The Justice Department has opened a grand jury investigation in the Southern District of New York into alleged financial crimes by Neville Roy Singham, a China-based tech tycoon. Prosecutors issued subpoenas for bank records and other documents as part of a probe authorized by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and led by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. The inquiry examines whether Singham, funded organizations, or their leaders committed wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, or related offenses. Singham directed around $285 million from Shanghai through a Goldman Sachs philanthropy fund and shell corporations into a network of U.S. nonprofits, media outlets, and activist groups that promote socialist, communist, and Marxist causes, including identity politics and sectarian division. The effort follows a Fox News Digital series that traced the money flows. Federal authorities also met with Goldman Sachs executives about the fund’s role. No charges have been filed, and the investigation remains ongoing.
🏛️ News & Politics
Supreme Court Grants Trump Broader Authority Over Independent Agency Officials
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on June 29, 2026, that President Trump can remove Rebecca Slaughter, a Democratic appointee to the Federal Trade Commission, without cause. The decision overturns the 1935 precedent in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, which had allowed Congress to limit presidential removal power for certain independent agency officials through for-cause protections. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority that such restrictions violate the Constitution’s separation of powers by insulating executive officers from presidential control. The ruling applies to officials at most multi-member independent agencies exercising executive functions but carves out an exception preserving greater independence for the Federal Reserve. This stems from lawsuits challenging Trump’s firings of officials at agencies like the FTC after he took office in 2025.
Supreme Court Upholds Mississippi Law Allowing Late Mail Ballots
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on June 29, 2026, that federal election-day statutes do not bar Mississippi from counting absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day but received up to five days later. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the majority opinion, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and the three liberal justices. They determined that the federal laws set the date for casting ballots but say nothing about receipt deadlines for election officials. The Republican National Committee and other challengers had argued that the state law conflicted with federal rules. Justices Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh dissented. The decision preserves similar grace periods in roughly 18 states and affects procedures ahead of the 2026 midterms. President Trump criticized the outcome and renewed calls for stricter voting reforms.
USDA Watchdog Warns Congress of SNAP Fraud Ties to Terror Groups and Criminal Networks
USDA Inspector General John Walk testified before a House oversight subcommittee that fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has expanded well beyond financial crimes. He stated that proceeds from SNAP fraud have reached individuals linked to terrorist groups, foreign adversaries, and transnational criminal organizations. Walk described schemes including EBT card skimming that criminals can execute in seconds, benefit trafficking for cash and drugs, and identity fraud that drains accounts of legitimate recipients. He cited a Southern California case where SNAP benefits were allegedly traded for crack cocaine and guns. Republicans highlighted roughly $3 billion in potential fraud and waste, including payments to deceased individuals and those with fraudulent Social Security numbers, and criticized 21 states for withholding data. Democrats cautioned against conflating errors with intentional fraud while defending the program’s role for eligible low-income Americans.
Swing State Senator Pushes for Major Leadership Overhaul in Democrat Party
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat who represents a swing state and won her Senate seat in 2024, called for significant new leadership across the Democrat Party. She made the remarks during a June 24 interview on SiriusXM. Slotkin argued that Democrats had too many priorities in the 2024 election which left voters unclear on the party’s positions. She contrasted this with President Trump’s focused message on affordability that helped secure his victory. Slotkin stated that the old models no longer work and that new leaders are needed in the White House, House, and Senate on both sides of the aisle. She specifically suggested that those unable to adapt to changed political realities should step aside. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pushed back in a CNN interview and dismissed the comments. The Congressional Black Caucus issued a statement defending its unity behind Jeffries and questioning Slotkin’s own record. The episode highlights ongoing Democratic debates over direction ahead of the 2026 midterms.
California Voters to Decide Photo ID Voting Requirement in November
California voters will face a constitutional amendment on the November 3, 2026 ballot that mandates government-issued photo identification for in-person voting and the last four digits of such an ID for mail-in ballots. The measure also requires voters to affirm their U.S. citizenship under penalty of perjury and directs election officials to verify voter registrations each time a ballot is cast while maintaining accurate rolls. Backed by the California GOP and led by San Diego Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, the initiative qualified after supporters collected sufficient signatures. A Berkeley poll from earlier this year showed 56 percent overall support, including strong backing from Republicans, independents, Black and Latino voters, and even higher among foreign-born residents.
Listen to Underground USA’s podcast:
🟥Non-Assimilating Immigrants Must Be Seen As Cultural Invaders
BE SURE TO LIKE THE ARTICLE & SHARE IT WIDELY
📢 The American Fifth Column
Massachusetts Homeowners Warned Against Flying American Flags for July 4 Over Endangered Birds
Residents of Plum Island in the Town of Newbury, Massachusetts, received a notice from town officials warning that flying flags, along with mylar streamers and reflective materials, could deter protected shorebirds from beach and dune habitats. The letter stated that such actions may constitute harassment or disruption under state and federal Endangered Species Acts, which carry significant regulatory and financial penalties for noncompliance. Homeowner Marc Sarkady, who has lived there for over 30 years, expressed outrage at the timing just before America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, noting the availability of miles of open, undeveloped beach for the birds. Town Administrator Tracy Blais clarified that the notice was not intended to restrict patriotic displays or interfere with property rights but to remind residents of wildlife protections at the request of MassWildlife. Residents have involved the Pacific Legal Foundation, which raised concerns about property rights and the legal basis for applying the laws to private decorations.
New York Socialist Primary Winner Scrubs Radical Past Rhetoric Ahead of Congress
Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Democratic socialist who defeated five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York’s 13th Congressional District primary on June 23, launched a media cleanup tour addressing her history of inflammatory statements. She has expressed regret for past social media posts labeling former President Biden a rapist and cursing former Vice President Harris while previously calling for the abolition of police and prisons and opposing deportation of all illegal immigrants including criminals. Avila Chevalier helped found a Columbia University group that demanded the total eradication of Western civilization, participated in pro-Palestinian activism including a rally the day after the October 7 Hamas attacks, and backed divestment efforts against Israel that included “Death to America” chants in Farsi. Her platform includes abolishing ICE, housing for all, Medicare for All, free college, and redirecting tax dollars from military spending abroad to domestic priorities as she eyes a likely seat in Congress with backing from socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Minnesota Mayor Declares Somali Community Family Amid Celebration and Fraud Scrutiny
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey addressed crowds at the Somali Independence Day festival over the weekend. He stated that the city does not view Somalis as immigrants but as family, brothers, and sisters who enrich the community. Frey referenced the Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge, which led to over 4,000 arrests in the area, and emphasized solidarity with the Somali community. Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and others joined in the praise. This occurred as Minnesota faces ongoing scrutiny over fraud cases tied to some Somali-linked organizations, including reports of substantial losses in federal funds.
Woke Activists Chase Jewish Gay Democrat From Trans March Over Israel Stance
California State Senator Scott Wiener, a prominent gay Democrat running to replace Nancy Pelosi in Congress, faced verbal and physical harassment from pro-Palestinian protesters at San Francisco’s annual Trans March on June 27, 2026. Wiener, who has long championed transgender rights legislation including efforts to expand protections and affirm gender identity, was surrounded and berated in Dolores Park as he headed to a Pride Shabbat service. Protesters accused him of supporting genocide in Gaza and being insufficiently anti-Israel despite his public shifts toward criticizing Israel’s actions and calling for Palestinian statehood. He described being screamed at, followed, touched, and made to feel unsafe, forcing him to leave the event early for the first time in years of attendance. The incident highlights tensions within progressive circles where support for LGBTQ causes collides with demands for absolute alignment on foreign policy issues.
UC Berkeley Launches Nancy Pelosi Institute for Representative Democracy
UC Berkeley is partnering with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to establish the Nancy Pelosi Institute for Representative Democracy, which will launch in January 2027. Pelosi, who is retiring from Congress at the end of this year after nearly four decades representing San Francisco, will co-teach a course on Congress at the institute housed in the university’s political science department. The nonpartisan institute has secured more than $35 million in philanthropic commitments toward a $50 million goal and will focus on four pillars: strengthening democratic institutions, addressing societal economic and planetary challenges, promoting human and civil rights, and fostering inclusive political leadership. Research topics will include climate change, wealth inequality, and electoral reforms aimed at reducing polarization. The university describes the effort as a hub for research, teaching, and civic engagement to prepare future leaders.
🌐 International
Iran Escalates Tensions With Drone Strikes On Bahrain And Hormuz Shipping
Iran launched drone attacks targeting Bahrain and struck another foreign vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting US retaliatory airstrikes on Iranian military sites. Bahrain reported air raid sirens and condemned the strikes as a blatant threat to its territory and residents. Kuwait indicated its air defenses engaged hostile missile and drone threats. These actions follow Iran’s earlier drone hit on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship exiting the strait and a subsequent strike on a Panama-flagged tanker carrying crude oil. US Central Command stated its strikes targeted Iranian surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage, and minelayer capabilities in response to continued aggression against commercial shipping. Both sides accuse the other of violating the terms of a recent interim Memorandum of Understanding ceasefire agreement aimed at de-escalating the broader conflict. Gulf states have joined in condemning Iran’s moves, highlighting risks to regional stability and shipping through the critical waterway.
Delusional Starmer Eyes NATO Secretary General Position After Stepping Down As UK Prime Minister
Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly interested in succeeding Mark Rutte as NATO secretary general when the position opens in 2028. Starmer announced he would quit as prime minister following Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election. Allies point to his rapport with European leaders at the G7 summit and ties with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as strengths. The role requires unanimous consent from all 32 NATO member states and government backing from the UK, areas where Starmer has shown limited skill in transactional negotiations. Critics have highlighted his extensive overseas travel, including two and a half months abroad in the first 17 months of his premiership, as evidence of neglect of domestic issues. A Downing Street spokesman confirmed Starmer plans to remain as an MP for now, though a by-election in his Holborn and St Pancras seat could prove challenging for Labour.
Ukraine Strikes Two Russian Oil Refineries in Overnight Drone Attacks
Ukrainian forces conducted drone strikes on oil refineries in Russia’s Krasnodar and Yaroslavl regions overnight on June 28. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that the attacks targeted facilities roughly 300 kilometers and 700 kilometers from Ukrainian territory as part of efforts to disrupt Russia’s fuel supply for the war. In Krasnodar, a fire broke out at the Slavyansk-na-Kubani refinery, which has a capacity of about 100,000 barrels per day, resulting in one death and one injury in a nearby village according to local authorities. Russian officials reported extinguishing the fire and imposed temporary road restrictions in the Yaroslavl region near Moscow following the second strike. These actions come amid ongoing Ukrainian drone operations that have contributed to fuel shortages and rationing in parts of Russia.
Pakistan Forces Eliminate Taliban Militants in Afghan Border Strikes Following Karachi Attack
Pakistan security forces conducted ground operations and airstrikes along the Afghanistan border, killing 29 militants and destroying weapons caches in the provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar. The action followed a terror attack in Karachi on June 27 where militants from Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, detonated an explosive at a Rangers camp gate before opening fire, resulting in the deaths of three Pakistani Rangers and injuries to four others. Three attackers were also killed during the response to the assault. Pakistani officials described the cross-border strikes as calibrated responses to militant hideouts and safe havens, amid ongoing accusations that Afghanistan provides sanctuary for groups launching attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban countered that the strikes killed civilians.
Europe Heat Wave Claims Over 1,300 Excess Deaths
More than 1300 excess deaths have been recorded across Europe since June 21 in connection with the ongoing record-breaking heat wave. The World Health Organization chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced the figure, noting high temperatures as the linked factor. Several countries reported extreme conditions with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in places like France and Germany. France alone saw around 1000 excess deaths during the peak period. Officials highlighted strains on hospitals, emergency services, and vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly. Homes, workplaces, and schools proved ill-equipped for such sustained heat.
