SPLC CFO arrested
Given the green light to pursue criminal prosecution of the Southern Poverty Law Center by Alabama Judge Emily Marks, the DOJ wasted little time, arresting former SPLC official Heidi Beirich on fraud and money-laundering charges Wednesday. Attorney General Todd Blanche explained that Beirich “was part of the effort to open bank accounts and complete fictitious company names and make payments to individuals for reasons that were not accurate as described.” According to the indictment, Beirich is accused of being at the center of the SPLC’s funneling at least $4.1 million in donor funds to various extremist groups. FBI Director Kash Patel alleged, “SPLC knowingly misled donors, who believed their money was being used to dismantle violent extremist organizations — when in fact, part of those donations were instead being used to pay senior leadership within those extremist groups.”

Leavitt departs as White House press secretary
Karoline Leavitt has announced that she will be stepping down from her role as White House press secretary. She cites balancing the birth of her second child and her very public, very demanding occupation as too much to handle. “The truth is,” she said, “since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House press secretary.” President Donald Trump, who has counted Leavitt as an important ally and aide, thanked her for her work and offered her an outside advisory role. While she will remain politically active, she has gained respect and admiration from many by keeping her family first and providing them the care they deserve.

Inflation eases, especially for prescriptions
Though the conflict with Iran continues to affect the economy, the annual inflation rate dipped slightly in July. Inflation rose at a 3.4% annualized rate, compared to 3.5% in June. Gas rose above $4 a gallon, significantly more than last year. Essentials like energy and groceries remain steady, but home prices, which heavily impact inflation, have stopped rising as quickly. Additionally, prescription drug prices fell by 3.1%, the largest year-over-year drop since 1963. The Trump administration has pushed to lower costs, striking pricing agreements with drug companies. The White House emphasized cheaper weight-loss drugs. However, overall medical costs continue to rise, and many consumers still feel economic pressure.

Troy Jackson accused of domestic violence
Maine Democrat Senate candidate Troy Jackson faces allegations of domestic abuse. A report details an incident in 1988 in which 19-year-old Jackson broke down a door, attacked another man, and also pushed Lana Pelletier. “I have never been violent with my partner Lana, or any other woman,” Jackson said. “I assure Mainers this incident in no way reflects the man I am today or the life I’ve led in the years since.” Pelletier reportedly planned to bring the incident to court. However, she recently denied the story in a statement released by Jackson’s campaign. Jackson and Pelletier are second cousins and have two children together. He does not have a criminal record, but the incident could impact his campaign. The previous Maine candidate, Graham Platner, dropped out because of rape allegations, domestic abuse claims, and a Nazi tattoo.

Chinese marriage scam
A decades-long “cottage industry” scheme was uncovered Wednesday. The feds charged 11 suspects, all but one of whom are naturalized from China, for setting up fake marriages between Chinese nationals and U.S. citizens and for submitting fraudulent applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The scammers advertised on social media and to both foreign national customers and American citizens. Recruiters were paid $5,000 for each U.S. citizen brought into the racket, and the American was paid $30,000 to participate. Both parties signed an agreement to live separate lives and not interfere with each other. Although the operation mostly took place in New York City, seven other states and the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu were affected. According to Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald, the gang pulled in tens of millions of dollars over the last 10 years.

Illegal immigrant shoots police officer
An illegal alien who entered the country four years ago by crossing the border in Eagle Pass, Texas, shot an Independent School District police officer, Justin Jones, in the leg while trying to escape. Jones was attempting to turn the Mexican national, Jose Morales, to face the car when a struggle ensued, and Morales grabbed Jones’s gun, shot him in the leg, and ran. Officers arrested Morales about a mile away from the scene, where he admitted to the attack on the police officer. He has been charged with aggravated assault of a public servant and is being held on a $50,000 bond. ICE learned of the illegal alien’s arrest and filed a detainer with the local authorities, asking that he be transferred to federal immigration custody after his release from local custody.

AI humor image case in NM
The Christian satire site The Babylon Bee has filed a lawsuit against New Mexico over its law requiring a disclaimer on certain AI-generated content. The 2024 law at issue is HB 182, which mandates an AI disclaimer for any political advertising using AI content that the law defines as “materially deceptive media.” The Bee contends that the law infringes on free speech and due process rights. Joining the Bee in the suit is the Alliance Defending Freedom. “This disclaimer alters the content of the satire and parody,” the suit states. “Put simply, HB 182 spoils the joke as it begins, each and every time.” Bee CEO Seth Dillon further argues that the “deeper problem” is that “New Mexico is stuffing words into our mouths, forcing us to say things we wouldn’t say otherwise.”

Most Americans use AI, but don’t trust it
Patriot Post readers who are still unsure about the proper place of large language model AI tools are far from alone; most Americans feel the same. A Census Bureau survey from March found that 55% of American workers report using AI for at least one task. Eighty-six percent of respondents report AI saving them at least an hour of work, while only 13% report AI costing them time. Thirty-nine percent thought that “AI’s impact on the U.S. will be negative,” while only 18% thought the impact would be positive. Almost two-thirds of respondents are anti-data center, with 61% reporting their opposition. A study by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation found that parents of school-age kids are more positive about AI, with 76% supporting the use of AI in schools. Americans may soon demand a reckoning on the proper place of AI.

MyPillow founder refuses to concede Minnesota governor’s race
Mike Lindell, MAGA stalwart and MyPillow founder, was defeated in the race to be the Republican nominee for Minnesota governor on Tuesday. Minnesota House Speaker Lisa DeMuth will face the Democrat candidate in November. Despite trailing in the race by 45,000 votes when the Associated Press called it for DeMuth, Lindell refused to concede, saying, “Why would I listen to the AP?” Lindell has run into trouble over contested elections before; he remains one of the loudest voices decrying the 2020 presidential election. Lindell was found guilty of defaming Dominion Voting Systems executive Eric Coomer and ordered to pay $2.3 million in 2025.

Headlines

• White House seeks new charges in dropped Reflecting Pool case (Washington Times)

• Trump admin ends federal Medicaid funding for “sex-rejecting” drugs and surgeries for children (Breitbart)

• Dallas-Fort Worth airport to install Islamic foot wash stations inside bathrooms (Fox News)

• What we learned tracing North Korea’s hidden workforce inside American companies (WSJ)

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.