UNBIASED Politics

Today, we’re breaking down the Pentagon’s new FORTRESS initiative and its reported plan for major U.S. military bases to eventually sustain essential operations for up to 90 days without relying on the civilian power grid, water, fuel or communications.

Then, we’re covering the latest developments in Alaska’s Senate race after new reporting about efforts to recruit a second candidate named Dan Sullivan, including the ongoing DOJ criminal investigation, Alaska’s new state investigation and the federal lawsuit over election certification.

We’re also unpacking the new House Judiciary Democrats’ report involving Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, including Beatrice Keul’s new rape allegation and what the evidence does (and doesn't) establish.

And in Rumor Has It: Is Minnesota taxpayer money going to an organization that distributes “booty bumping kits”? And is the Trump administration really sending $500 Obamacare refund checks?

Get the facts, without the spin. UNBIASED offers a clear, impartial recap of US news, including politics, elections, legal news, and more. Hosted by former attorney Jordan Berman, each episode provides a recap of current political events plus breakdowns of complex concepts—like constitutional rights, recent Supreme Court rulings, and new legislation—in an easy-to-understand way. No personal opinions, just the facts you need to stay informed on the daily news that matters. If you miss how journalism used to be, you're in the right place.

In today's episode:

What We Know About the Pentagon's FORTRESS Initiative/Doomsday Prep (0:14)

NY Times Reports Democrats Are Behind Dan Sullivan's Campaign in Alaska (11:49)

House Judiciary Democrats Release Report with New Rape Allegations Against Trump, Call for Investigation (~31:13)

Quick Hitters (~43:55)

Rumor Has It (~49:38)

Jordan's Research Tips Ahead of Midterms (~53:08)

Critical Thinking Segment (~58:19)

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The Justice Department is suing over Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, but what is it really asking the court to do if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses? We break down the two Dan Sullivans on the ballot, Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, the fight over election certification, and the legal argument DOJ is making.

Plus, we take a deeper look at the protests in France: how they started, how radical-left groups became involved, why Palestinian flags are showing up, and more. And Elon Musk acknowledges SpaceX restricted part of Ukraine’s Starlink access and accuses Ukraine of violating Starlink’s terms while questions remain about who restricted Starshield.

1. DOJ Sues Over U.S. Senate Race in Alaska (0:36)

2. European Protests Explained (~22:52)

3. Elon Musk Acknowledges Starlink Slowdown in Ukraine (~42:17)

4. Quick Hitters (~47:05)

5. Critical Thinking Segment (~52:53)

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President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have launched a new $25 million Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program — or WHIP — that will pay people whose tips help lead to federal fraud charges. We break down who qualifies, what types of fraud are covered, when whistleblowers actually get paid, and why Trump’s description of a 1% commission and potentially million-dollar rewards doesn’t currently match the Justice Department’s written rules.

Plus: an update in the Cornell Jane Doe lawsuit after Orazio Petito was dropped from the case because he was mistakenly identified as Chi Phi’s president at the time of the alleged assault, and a new dispute involving Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff.

And in Quick Hitters: Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial Amy Acton ad, the Pentagon’s Active Denial System “heat ray,” Ilhan Omar’s home raid, Meta’s $25 billion New Mexico penalty, Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas’ indictment and more.

1. Cornell Updates: Man Dropped From Lawsuit After Being Misidentified, Jane Doe Sends Letter That Cornell Administration Disputes (1:40)

2. President Trump and VP Vance Launch Anti-Fraud Whistleblower Program. Here's How It Works. (6:58)

3. Quick Hitters (14:45)

4. Critical Thinking Segment (~36:13)

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Follow Jordan on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠.

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We start in Bend, Oregon, with the deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. We walk through the full police timeline, the teacher who tackled the shooter, the father who ultimately shot and killed him, and the legal questions surrounding how the 16-year-old got the shotgun.

Then, we break down the growing tension between the U.S. and Ukraine over intelligence sharing and Starshield, plus President Trump’s decision to temporarily waive nearly all of the major new Russia sanctions and tariffs Congress passed last month.

Also in today's episode: Trump’s East Potomac golf-course fight, his new women’s-health executive order and NIH division, plus Quick Hitters on Katie Zacharia, new airline rules, Elon Musk’s SpaceX-share plan, the Supreme Court, and Amelia Earhart.

1. What We Know About the Oregon School Shooting (1:45)

2. Trump Waives Russia Sanctions, Possibly Limits Starshield for Ukraine (11:45)

3. Trump Announces New Plans for Golf Course in D.C. Despite Court Battle (~26:30)

4. Trump Signs Women's Health Executive Order. Here's What It Does. (~35:34)

5. Quick Hitters (~42:13)

6. Critical Thinking Segment (~48:34)

⁠Watch⁠ this episode on YouTube.

Follow Jordan on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠.

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This episode is a full update on the Cornell University Jane Doe case and the allegations involving members of the Chi Phi fraternity.

We start with the six-page sworn statement Jane Doe gave Cornell investigators — the statement that was ultimately sent to the Tompkins County District Attorney before prosecutors declined to bring criminal charges. We walk through what Jane Doe said happened that night, what the DA actually reviewed, and why prosecutors originally concluded the evidence did not establish lack of consent under New York criminal law.

Then, we go through the newly released text-message exchanges between Jane Doe, Matthew Ingalls and Jonathan Newell in the days and weeks after the alleged assault, including the messages both sides are likely to point to as the civil lawsuit and renewed criminal investigation move forward.

We also break down Cornell’s Title IX findings against the accused students, who was found responsible for sexual assault, what punishments were imposed, and the critical difference between Cornell’s definition of incapacitation and New York’s criminal law.

Plus: Winston Lee joins Gillio Lopes in seeking to remove New York Attorney General Letitia James from the criminal investigation; Cornell’s Faculty Senate debates a no-confidence resolution; Tompkins County lawmakers consider an independent audit of the District Attorney’s Office; Cornell brings in New York State Police investigators; new data reveals how Cornell has historically punished students found responsible for sexual assault; and one of the students expelled in the Jane Doe case reportedly transferred to Nova Southeastern University.

This episode separates what Jane Doe alleges, what the accused men say, what Cornell’s internal investigation found, what prosecutors previously concluded, and what remains unresolved as the investigation continues.

⁠Watch⁠ this episode on YouTube.

Follow Jordan on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠.

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