Senate battles over bill while Musk threatens political upheaval: Unbiased Updates, July 1, 2025
The clock runs out on President Donald Trump’s big, beautiful bill. Now, Elon Musk is fighting back, threatening to start a new party, and Trump has responded.
Plus, police have identified the suspect who ambushed Idaho firefighters. Who he was, how he died and his unexpected connection to the fire department.
Also, Trump heads down to Florida’s swamps to visit a migrant detention center called “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Florida Everglades that’s already attracting attention.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
Senate ‘vote-a-rama’ approaches 24 hours with no end in sight
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trading shots again as the Senate’s marathon “vote-a-rama” continues. The final vote on Trump’s massive budget bill remains uncertain, with senators working through many amendments.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has urged senators to pick up the pace, asking for just 10 minutes per vote as the session nears the 24-hour mark. Democrats tried to block deep cuts to Medicaid and food aid, but those efforts failed. An amendment from Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, to boost aid for rural health care also did not pass.
Republicans also pushed changes, including a failed attempt by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, to block Medicaid funding for undocumented immigrants accused of crimes. Another effort by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, to eliminate tax credits for wind and solar also failed.
However, the real pressure is coming from Elon Musk.
Overnight, the billionaire voiced his strong opinions on X, calling the bill “Insane” and warning he might start a new political party if it passes. He said Americans need an alternative to the “Democrat-Republican uni-party.”
Musk didn’t stop there. He vowed to target every lawmaker who promised to cut spending but then voted for what he calls “the biggest debt increase in history.”
Trump fired back on Truth Social, accusing Musk of hypocrisy. He claimed the bill’s removal of Biden’s electric vehicle mandate is the only reason Musk’s business exists.
“Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa … No more rocket launches, satellites, or electric car production – and our country would save a fortune,” Trump said.
Kohberger accepts plea deal in Idaho killings
The man accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022 will likely never face a jury. Bryan Kohberger, 30, agreed to a plea deal, avoiding the death penalty in exchange for life in prison. He was set to stand trial this August for the 2022 stabbings that shocked and unsettled the small town of Moscow, Idaho.
Prosecutors claimed Kohberger’s DNA was discovered at the scene on a knife sheath next to one of the victims. The family of victim Kaylee Goncalves criticized the deal, saying they were caught off guard by the offer and learned about it through an email without prior consultation.
“It’s true! We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us. Please give us some time. This was very unexpected. We appreciate all your love and support,” the family wrote on Facebook.
The plea deal comes weeks before Kohberger’s trial was supposed to begin. Jury selection was scheduled for Aug. 4, with opening statements set for Aug.18.
A judge still needs to approve the deal, which is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, July 2. If accepted, Kohberger will spend the rest of his life in prison with no possibility of appeal.
Suspect in Idaho firefighter shooting identified
Authorities have identified the suspect in the deadly Idaho shooting that killed two firefighters and injured another while they responded to reports of a wildfire.
The Kootenai County sheriff confirmed that 20-year-old Wess Rolley deliberately started a wildfire on Canfield Mountain. He then fired at first responders who asked him to move. The sheriff said Roley, who lived out of his car, had a flint starter on him, and investigators believe that’s how he ignited the fire.
Following a shootout with police, authorities now believe Roley took his own life. His family issued a statement via their attorney on Monday, June 30, expressing their intention to cooperate fully with the investigation while seeking answers. His grandfather added that Roley aimed to become a firefighter and had experience working in forestry.
Trump to visit new migrant detention site in Florida
On Tuesday morning, Trump will visit a migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades that’s already drawing attention. The name “Alligator Alcatraz” sounds like something from a movie, but it’s very real—a large new camp on a remote airfield surrounded by swampland, snakes, and alligators. The center has 5,000 beds, one runway, and just one exit.
The White House claims it’s a deterrent.
“When you have illegal murderers and rapists and heinous criminals in a detention facility surrounded by alligators, yes, I do think that’s a deterrent for them to try to escape. We do know that some of these illegal criminals have escaped from other detention facilities, like one in New Jersey, which I know was recently reported on. So, of course, we want to keep the American people safe, and we want to remove these public safety threats from our streets, and we want to effectively detain them as best as we can.”
However, immigration and environmental groups call it dangerous and dehumanizing. Yet, Florida’s GOP is selling “Alligator Alcatraz” merchandise. This isn’t just a photo op — Trump is using the visit to rally support for his huge border bill, which includes billions for detention and deportation.
Trump lifts sanctions on Syria’s new regime
Economic aid is on its way to Syria, supporting the new government that ousted Bashar al-Assad. Trump issued an executive order on Monday, recognizing Syria’s new leadership under Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former rebel leader with ties to al-Qaeda.
The move fulfills a promise Trump made last month after meeting al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, saying Syria deserves a fresh start. Sanctions remain on former dictator Bashar al-Assad, who is now in exile in Russia. The White House states that the goal is stability and eventual ties between Syria and Israel.
WNBA to expand to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia over next five years
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) will soon experience rapid growth, fueled by record ratings and sold-out crowds. The league announced plans to add three new teams within the next five years, located in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert described it as more than an expansion, calling it “an evolution.” The momentum is driven by a surge in TV viewership, record-breaking game attendance, and stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Just this year, the league debuted its first new team since 2008’s Golden State. Plus, two more expansion teams are set to debut in Portland and Toronto in 2025. As for the new teams, Cleveland will start playing in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
