Welcome to The Drain Pipe
This is your straightforward, no-frills tour of what’s happening in Washington. You shouldn’t need to be a White House correspondent, an insider trader, or involved in any complicated schemes to grasp the government’s actions—especially when we’re funding it every April. So, what’s happening with all that taxpayer money? There’s a lot at stake, and various lobbies and NGOs prefer you remain in the dark.
They operate on two main fronts:
First, they make DC appear overly complicated. But honestly, navigating DC can be quite straightforward. Anyone can access public resources for congressional hearings or court cases, and we aim to make that process clearer.
Second, the Beltway operatives often numb your awareness by framing developments as mundane. Journalists turn Washington into a dull routine, treating it like a tedious school report. However, debates in DC aren’t solely about clashing ideologies; they also involve petty rivalries, shady deals, and significant corruption. The resulting stakes? Quite significant.
We strive to uncover the hidden realities of the Washington swamp more thoroughly. Get ready; it’s time to dive into The Drain Pipe.
THE EXECUTIVE
In the early afternoon, Trump plans to head out for a drag race and vehicle showcase before making some remarks. This event comes about a month prior to his expected hosting of the Indy 500 Grand Prix on the National Mall, scheduled for August 22-23.
Bibi’s Back
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to meet Trump at the White House, marking their first in-person discussion since the war began. He arrives during a brief lull in hostilities; after 13 consecutive nights of strikes, U.S. forces stood down over the weekend.
Trump is at a crossroads: he can either pursue a diplomatic deal or prompt a dangerous escalation of violence. Officials gathered to contemplate future actions last Friday.
UN Ambassador Mike Waltz appeared on Face the Nation, stating that Iran is not akin to “Afghanistan or Iraq”; the goals in those conflicts gradually became muddled.
He emphasized that while diplomacy is ongoing, military assets are being prepared for potential action against Iran to ensure “all options are available.”
Interestingly, The Times of Israel speculated that this visit indicates a major escalation isn’t imminent. A new series of coordinated strikes would more likely involve some distraction rather than a meeting between the leaders.
Trump mentioned to Axios that Israel “would join in two minutes if I ask them to,” but cautioned that Iranian strikes could lead to “consequences.”
While both leaders profess a strong relationship, Trump did show frustration over Israeli actions in Lebanon, which risked a peace deal made previously. Reports indicate that Trump’s choice to engage in war was informed by overly optimistic Israeli intelligence.
A dwindling stock of Patriot missiles for U.S. bases may influence decisions going forward, as the U.S. has started buying an older model of interceptors, which hasn’t been procured in thirty years.
The Press Corps’ Follow Up
Trump’s first White House Correspondents Dinner ended dramatically when would-be assassin Cole Tomas Allen rushed the ballroom and fired a shot into a Secret Service officer’s protective vest. Following that event, he promised to host another dinner, which occurred Friday night.
“We’re here to demonstrate that we won’t bow to political violence,” Trump stated. “Disagreements are settled through debate, not bullets.”
This second event was notably better secured, requiring attendees to show government IDs due to prior security concerns raised by Allen.
“That night will be remembered, as will our response,” noted Weijia Jiang, the Correspondents Association President.
Trump took jabs at the press for its self-importance. The dinner featured a series of awards, with CNN’s Kaitlin Collins recognized for her work under deadline pressure. “Don’t I get a say?” he joked.
Despite the tension, no president has engaged as much with the media as Trump has.
He explained why it seemed every reporter could easily contact him during the early days of the Iran War; initially, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was only patching through essential calls. Now, there’s no barrier.
“I pick up occasionally and they say, ‘I’m from Reno, Nevada. Can I have your thoughts on Iran?’ And I just hang up,” he recounted. “Can you believe that? I’m the president.”
The entertainment for the night included a mentalist, but Trump proved to be the real comic with many quips that felt spontaneous.
Here are five notable one-liners he delivered:
- “Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. The third time will be even better.”
- “Last month, we hosted an incredible sporting event, UFC Freedom 250. … Before I came along, if you wanted to see someone lose consciousness on the White House lawn, just ask Joe Biden a question.”
- “Some say Jake Tapper is a top investigative reporter in DC. After moderating our debate, it took him a year to uncover Joe Biden might have cognitive decline.”
- “It’s typical for presidential candidates to show up, but many seem to have chickened out. I was hoping Gavin Newsom would be here. He recently claimed we’d lose our country if we don’t fight fire with fire. Let’s be honest: Gavin doesn’t want to fight fire with water.”
- “Anderson Cooper … I’m not really a fan. But there was a time when he was great to me; I did many interviews with him. Still, he leans a bit differently.”
THE LEGISLATURE
The House is currently on summer break and won’t return until late August, while the Senate is in session this week. Here’s a look at what we’re monitoring.
A Senate Funeral
Sen. Lindsey Graham will be honored Tuesday in a memorial service at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, followed by a private funeral with a tribute from Trump.
Both Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will be present.
Graham played a significant role in persuading Trump to engage in the Iran War, passing away shortly after a trip to Kyiv to ensure continued U.S. support for the conflict.
Documentary footage shows Graham elated after the war began, describing it as “the best thing I’ve ever done.”
This memorial will be the first in the Senate since 2013. There have been 55 such services dating back to the 1812 funeral of George Clinton.
Graham passed away on July 11, 2026, at the age of 71 due to a medical emergency, having served in the Senate since 2002.
Dear Diary
Dr. Anthony Fauci is set to testify before the Senate on Homeland Security this Wednesday, overseen by his longtime rival Sen. Rand Paul.
Fauci directed the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases until 2022 and served as Chief Medical Advisor during Biden’s presidency.
Sen. Paul has shared a detailed dossier titled “Tony’s Diary” detailing Fauci’s notes from 2019-2022, which reportedly conflicts with Fauci’s public narrative. Some entries suggested the pandemic might have originated from a lab leak.
Despite Fauci claiming in April 2020 that the virus’s origins were “consistent” with natural transfer, his earlier notes paint a different picture.
Biden preemptively pardoned Fauci before leaving office.
In light of Fauci’s past actions regarding correspondence about the lab leak, Paul requested that all relevant documents and communications be preserved.
Will Congress Finally Ban Itself From Insider Trading?
The “Stop Insider Trading Act” pushed by Rep. Bryan Steil is progressing to the Senate after merging with part of Senator Mike Lee’s “SAVE America Act.”
This legislation, which also aims to impose voter ID requirements, recently advanced through a budget reconciliation strategy.
Polling shows strong public support for both measures, but it remains uncertain whether this bill can achieve passage.
“[Trump’s] looking for results on the SAVE America Act before the August recess … He knows this is what voters want,” said White House spokesperson Karoline Levitt.
One senator can call for a roll call vote for congressional recess, and late Saturday, Sen. Lee indicated he would object to any recess until the SAVE America Act passes.
Another Kind Of Financial Loophole
Sen. Cynthia Lummis unveiled a revision to the “Digital Assets Clarity Act,” which aims to set standards for monitoring and keeping records of digital assets like cryptocurrencies.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune plans to present this bill for a vote this week.
This proposal responds to concerns about foreign entities exploiting crypto’s lack of regulation against the U.S.
Reports indicated significant sales from China-linked companies in the first quarter of 2026, showcasing a notable increase.
Iran has also been using crypto for transactions as an alternative to the dollar, especially for trade activities.
However, it’s uncertain whether the Senate will take steps to address the regulatory gaps.
THE JUDICIARY
The Supreme Court is not set to hear new cases until October, but there are 23 confirmed for next term. Here are a couple of noteworthy cases:
Sending Back Ex-Asylees
The case Wassily vs. Blanche will consider whether noncitizens who had their temporary asylum revoked can still become lawful permanent residents.
The plaintiff, Tamer Wassily from Egypt, came to the U.S. in 1993 on a visa but overstayed his welcome and sought asylum in 2000 due to persecution claims.
However, after a conviction in 2004, the Department of Homeland Security moved to terminate his asylum status.
Wassily is appealing, claiming ineffective counsel during proceedings.
AR-15s
SCOTUS will also hear Viramontes vs. Cook County, questioning if the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect the right to own AR-15s and similar rifles.
This case challenges a Cook County ordinance that bans the possession of assault weapons.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Issue Dividing The Conservative Movement
Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” has grossed over $364 million, but stirred debates due to its casting choices, featuring Lupita Nyong’o and Elliot Page.
Critics like Matt Walsh have expressed disdain for how “woke” the film feels, arguing it detracts from the story’s essence.
Conversely, some viewers believe the narrative might contain a deeper message about Christian morality intertwined with Greek lore.
Elon Musk announced plans for a historically accurate version of “The Odyssey,” but it remains uncertain what approach will be taken.
We’re ‘Nixonmaxxing’
On social media, edits of Nixon clips paired with rap music have gained traction, centering around a new appreciation for the complicated figure.
A nostalgic look at Nixon touches on his impactful policies, with younger generations often questioning the historical narrative around him compared to other leaders.
