Mixed results for DSA candidates
Following primary elections in several states, much of the political narrative has focused on the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America and whether it would continue to gain within the Democrat Party in states that aren’t deep blue. Headlining the results is the Michigan Senate primary race, in which radical leftist and DSA-supported Abdul El-Sayed has narrowly defeated establishment Democrat Congresswoman Haley Stevens. Polls had favored El-Sayed by double digits, but even with this victory, the slim margin dampens the DSA’s ascendancy narrative. Further dampening it are a number of results in which DSA candidates lost, including in Missouri, where former “Squad” member Cori Bush lost her comeback bid by a large margin. As one Democrat operative observed, “Bottom line is if [El-Sayed] wins, the DSA brand beyond major urban areas is not popular.”

Another assassination attempt?
President Donald Trump says he’s “consequential,” and that’s why people try to kill him. Secret Service agents arrested Jeanine John Teale for conducting reconnaissance and security operations around the premises of the Trump National Golf Course in Southern California days before a presidential visit. He was later found with illegal weapons, armor-piercing rounds, and bulletproof vests in his home and personal vehicle. Trump has had his fair share of attempts on his life, surviving an assassin’s bullet in Pennsylvania by half an inch. Two more assailants have targeted the president since then. Trump Derangement Syndrome clearly has a more violent strain.

Hormuz deal nears conclusion?
Americans are surely tired of hearing about negotiations over oil shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, but an Iranian-Omani proposal is currently making good headway. President Trump reported that the deal may be completed by Wednesday; negotiators have reportedly finalized the draft and are waiting for approval from Iran’s supreme leader. The deal excludes any possibility of Iranian control of the Strait, and shipping fees are reportedly out as well, although service fees for security providers may be included. The deal would route entrees into the Persian Gulf through an Iranian channel and out via an Omani channel.

Blanche makes it past Tillis and Cornyn
Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination made it through the Senate Judiciary Committee in a 12-10 vote on Wednesday, after he reached a deal to amend the proposed anti-weaponization fund. Blanche’s nomination had been stalled by Senators John Cornyn, whom Texas voters rejected in a primary earlier this year, and Thom Tillis, the soon-to-be retiree who has become a Republican Trump foe. Blanche’s nomination will now proceed to a full Senate vote, which could happen as soon as this week.

Rand Paul moves to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress
What started as a skit from comedian Dave Chappelle could turn into a viable court strategy. At a hearing last week, former COVID enforcer Dr. Anthony Fauci pleaded the Fifth Amendment 111 times, refusing to answer nearly all questions in an attempt not to incriminate himself. Senator Rand Paul, not amused by Fauci’s unintentional attempts at comedy, moved to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress, noting that Fauci would be legally immune based on his pardon from former President Joe Biden. While passing this resolution could prove difficult, as it would require Democrat support, Paul indicated that he may refer Fauci to be prosecuted by the Justice Department. Barring a filibuster, the Senate will vote tomorrow on these proceedings.

Water cyberattacks
A cyberattack on July 26 and 27 on the computers that control our water systems is leading people to ask whether local utility companies are prepared to handle hackers. The FBI says that water or wastewater utility companies in seven states were affected by the cyberattack, but Minnesota was most heavily targeted, with 30 of its water systems attacked. The hackers homed in on operational technology, or OT, which controls equipment like pumps, valves, and treatment machinery. The facilities affected were able to fall back on contingency procedures and water storage in towers to keep water and wastewater operations running normally while crews worked on the problems. In most cases, crews were able to restore normal functionality within hours. Preliminary reports point to Iran as the culprit. However, investigators are still collecting technical evidence.

Following shooting, MA city reinstalls ShotSpotter tech
Back in 2014, Cambridge, Massachusetts, adopted ShotSpotter, a system of microphones placed throughout the city that can recognize gunfire and immediately alert police to the location. Yet three months ago, the city council ditched the system over concerns of racism, given how frequently it alerted police to certain neighborhoods. However, with the recent death of a public works employee, who was shot early on July 4 near a ShotSpotter microphone and may have survived had the system been in operation, the city council voted 6-3 on Monday to temporarily reinstall the system. Cambridge police blasted the council, observing that the city employee’s death “is directly related to the City Council’s mandate removing ShotSpotter technology from deployment in Cambridge.” Meanwhile, the ACLU claimed that there was no evidence ShotSpotter helped police solve serious crimes.

Marijuana overtakes cigarettes, alcohol in U.S.
For the first time in history, more Americans are consuming marijuana daily than cigarettes and alcohol. The rise in cannabis use won’t last forever, but the statistics should be a wake-up call. Last week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released data from a 2025 survey that shows more than 21.4 million people use marijuana almost every day, whereas 19.9 million smoke cigarettes and 17.2 million consume alcohol. SAMHSA recorded a 21% increase in the last three years. The Trump administration recently reclassified the drug despite its destructive health effects. In the last decade, 24 states have legalized recreational use, and 41 have approved medicinal use, even though medical emergencies relating to cannabis have surged.

Nick Shirley goes to Spain
Journalist Nick Shirley continues to dismantle the Left’s narrative, this time regarding the immigrants who poured into Ceuta, Spain. Shirley recorded a video in which a Moroccan immigrant chased him with a knife, shouting death threats. Most media coverage focuses on damage control, fails to show the danger the immigrants pose, and portrays the right-leaning European parties as radical. Shirley posted that “Ceuta is now effectively shut down due to looting concerns, and the military is losing power as migrants outnumber them and continue to escape into the mountains.” The Left craves open borders because immigrants give the government more power. However, Islam might have spurred this invasion, as Muslims claim that Spain occupied Ceuta, even though Ceuta joined Spain hundreds of years before Morocco gained independence.

Headlines

• Chuck Edwards drops reelection bid after ethics report (Washington Examiner)

• 19 Philadelphia scammers charged with $4M in Medicare, Medicaid fraud (NY Post)

• Missouri voters overwhelmingly reject abolishing state income tax (NY Post)

• The fall of a DEI darling reveals why universities won’t reform themselves (Daily Signal)

The Executive News Summary is compiled daily by Jordan Candler, Thomas Gallatin, Sterling Henry, Jacob Geoffrey, Hudson Baldwin, and Sophie Starkova. For the archive, click here.