Today in One Sentence. The Supreme Court preserved nationwide mail and telehealth access to mifepristone U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks resigned Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned Trump of “clashes and even conflicts” if the U.S. “improperly” handles Taiwan the EPA proposed relaxing wastewater limits for coal-fired power plants FBI Director Kash Patel took a military-coordinated “VIP snorkel” around the USS Arizona memorial the Trump administration wants to build Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch using an existing, unrelated White House engineering contract Trump allies want the July 4 fireworks show in Washington to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest fireworks display and 45% of Kamala Harris voters said Democrats should redraw House maps to help the party win more seats, even if that weakens some districts designed to protect Black and minority voters.

1/ The Supreme Court preserved nationwide mail and telehealth access to mifepristone, blocking a lower court order that would have reinstated in-person dispensing rules. The unsigned order keeps the FDA’s 2023 policy in place while Louisiana’s challenge continues, leaving medication abortion access unchanged for now. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented, with Thomas writing that the manufacturers’ “are not entitled to a stay of an adverse court order based on lost profits from their criminal enterprise.” The case returns to the 5th Circuit. (NBC News / CNN / Bloomberg / Reuters / The Hill / The 19th / CBS News / ABC News)

2/ U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks resigned. Banks oversaw Border Patrol during Trump’s immigration crackdown and deployment of agents inside U.S. cities. Rodney Scott, the Customs and Border Protection commissioner, thanked Banks for delivering “the most secure border ever recorded.” His departure follows Kristi Noem’s removal, Gregory Bovino’s retirement, and Todd Lyons’s expected exit from ICE. When asked, Banks said “it’s just time” for him to leave the agency. (Washington Post / Associated Press / Reuters / ABC News / CBS News)

3/ Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned Trump of “clashes and even conflicts” if the U.S. “improperly” handles Taiwan, a democratically self-ruled island that Beijing claims as part of its territory. Xi called “the Taiwan question” “the most important issue in China-U.S. relations,” saying it could put “the entire relationship in great jeopardy.” The White House readout of the meeting, however, didn’t mention Taiwan, saying only that Trump and Xi had “a good meeting” and agreed the Strait of Hormuz “must remain open” and free of tolls. China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil. Iranian outlets, meanwhile, said Tehran allowed some Chinese ships through the strait. (CNBC / New York Times / ABC News / NBC News / Politico / Washington Post / Associated Press / Reuters / CBS News)

4/ The EPA proposed relaxing wastewater limits for coal-fired power plants. The rule required plants to reduce toxic heavy metals, including mercury, arsenic, and selenium, before dumping wastewater into waterways. The EPA said the change could cut power costs by up to $1.1 billion a year. However, in 2024 the EPA estimated that the rule would reduce 660 million to 672 million fewer pounds of pollution and provide $3.2 billion in annual public health benefits. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin claimed the change is needed because the “AI and data center revolution” requires a “power demand that cannot be met under the overly restrictive policies of past administrations.” (Associated Press)

5/ FBI Director Kash Patel took a military-coordinated “VIP snorkel” around the USS Arizona memorial. The Pearl Harbor military cemetery is normally closed to swimmers and divers. The FBI didn’t disclose the swim, but instead said Patel’s Pearl Harbor visit was part of his official travel. Government, however, emails showed military officials arranged the logistics. One Marine veteran called it inappropriate for Patel and other political figures to snorkel or dive at the memorial, saying: “It’s like having a bachelor party at a church. It’s hallowed ground. It needs to be treated with the solemnity it deserves.” (Associated Press)

6/ The Trump administration wants to build Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch using an existing, unrelated White House engineering contract. Emails show that the Park Service asked if the engineering firm AECOM’s White House contract could cover an environmental assessment at Memorial Circle, more than a mile away. While the White House approved the idea within an hour, it’s unclear whether the Park Service used the contract. (Washington Post)

7/ Trump allies want the July 4 fireworks show in Washington to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest fireworks display. The group leading the event says the finale would run more than 30 minutes and require more than 810,904 fireworks. The event will be treated as a National Special Security Event. Organizers, however, didn’t say what it’ll cost or whether taxpayers will help pay for it. (Axios)

poll/ 45% of Kamala Harris voters said Democrats should redraw House maps to help the party win more seats, even if that weakens some districts designed to protect Black and minority voters. Another 32% said Democrats should preserve those majority-minority districts, even if it means winning fewer seats. (Politico)

The 2026 midterms are in 173 days; the 2028 presidential election is in 908 days.