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A proposal to livestream the killing of Nidal Hasan by firing squad opens a window ever wider to the Trump administration’s complete moral vacuity

More fool me! Here I was thinking nothing that America’s Trump administration could do or say, no matter how politically and morally bankrupt, no matter how venal or violent, was capable of shocking me any longer.

Then I woke to today’s news that one of the Trump cabinet’s bigger boofheads – the uber Christian nationalist, crusader-fantasist and “secretary of war” Pete Hegseth had announced that America would have a public firing squad execution of murderer Nidal Hasan.

Paul Daley is a Guardian Australia columnist

Amid a cost-of-living crisis, with US midterms a month away, the president held a ceremony to celebrate our tech overlords – again

He stands accused of being out of touch, enriching himself and his family, building a lavish White House ballroom and, with elections looming, neglecting the hardships of the voters who brought him to power.

Time for Donald Trump to show he still has the common touch? Nope.

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Introduction

Here’s everything we know:

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The Democratic party has announced they’re suing Donald Trump for his recent attempt to flood the midterm airwaves with propaganda he’s falsely claiming are “public service announcements.”

The DNC complaint was filed in federal court in Washington, and names the White House, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as defendants in what the party calls “a blatant violation of the statutory ban on the use of appropriations for ‘publicity or propaganda purposes.”

As we recently noted, Donald Trump decided to flood the midterm airwaves with agitprop, including a recycled black and white advertisement from the 2024 election cycle featuring the president walking down a hallway promising to smite his perceived enemies. Given Trump’s abysmal polling it’s more likely to hurt than help midterm Republicans, but Trump’s gargantuan ego couldn’t help itself.

There are a few different ads in the campaign. The catch: the $20 million advertisement campaign was funded by taxpayers. That violated not only Federal Appropriations Laws restricting taxpayer-funded propaganda, but also other potential laws like the Hatch Act and the The Anti-Deficiency Act.

From the Democrats’ lawsuit:

“The use of public funds also places the DNC and Democratic candidates at an electoral disadvantage, even though the publicly funded propaganda advertisements are deeply unpopular with American voters, by preserving funds held by campaign committees and PACs—including MAGA Inc.—for other political expenditures.”

To try and pretend they weren’t violating multiple laws, dutiful Trumplings like FCC boss Brendan Carr repeatedly lied and claimed these were just public-service announcements — despite the fact that PSA legal exemptions require some actual government service or program to be advertised. Vice President JD Vance also lied about this when interviewed by the press this week, going so far as to falsely claim the Trump propaganda spots “were not partisan:”

Trump subsequently made a post to his personal propaganda website, Truth Social, claiming (for whatever that’s worth) that he’ll stop using taxpayer dollars and instead fund the ads “himself” (leverage his existing SuperPAC cash trove):

Granted this being Trump, there’s been no indication anything changed about the ads or how they are being funded, and Trump can’t legally direct his SuperPAC how to spend its money anyway. Early indications are that even if he does follow through on the promise to stop using taxpayer dollars for propaganda, the Trump administration won’t be reimbursing taxpayers for the cost of the ads that have already aired.

Republicans enjoy a massive financial advantage over Democrats, and are throwing half-a-billion dollars at midterm ad spending with the help of top donor and white supremacist Elon Musk.

They’re also doing everything possible to ignore or eliminate traditional restrictions on how that money is spent, whether we’re talking about the Supreme Court and FCC working in concert to give dark money groups the ability to spend unlimited cash on steeply discounted broadcast TV ads, or Brendan Carr weakening robocall rules so they can bombard voters with AI-generated robocalls.

The great irony remains that Trump is increasingly so unpopular due to his empty promises, pointless wars, blatant corruption, and constant bumbling, that all the money in the world doesn’t seem to be providing any real tactical advantage. If anything, slathering the airwaves with Trump’s face seems more inclined to undermine Republicans in key House and Senate midterm races.

In his first term, Donald Trump sent out two waves of stimulus checks, both part of bipartisan legislation in the wake of the economic upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his second term, however, as he’s done so often these past two years, Trump has bypassed Congress and instead repeatedly promised to unilaterally send checks directly to the American people.

Most news coverage has focused on his dead-on-arrival promises of DOGE and tariff rebate checks, and more recently on his brazen pledge to send every U.S. adult citizen a $5,000 “Trump dividend” if Republicans hold onto both the House and the Senate. But less attention has gone to a scheme currently underway where Trump is actually sending checks to almost a million Americans.

On September 10, The White House declared on social media, “President Donald J. Trump announces $500 rebate checks to nearly 1 million hardworking Americans who were wrongly overcharged through Obamacare.”

And on October 1, those checks reportedly had begun to go out, refunding ACA enrollees for supposed marketplace “user fee” overcharges.

But the fine print on these checks reveals that this may be Trump’s most brazen vote buying scheme yet.

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Trump’s “DOGE Dividend”

On February 14, 2025, self-proclaimed “anti-woke investor” James Fishback proposed a novel idea for the $2 trillion he claimed Donald Trump’s and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Effeciency (DOGE) was “set to save the American people”:

American taxpayers deserve a ‘DOGE Dividend’: 20% the money that DOGE saves should be sent back to hard-working Americans as a tax refund check. It was their money in the first place!

At $2 trillion in DOGE savings and 78 million tax-paying households, this is a $5,000 refund per household, with the remaining used to pay down the national debt.

Fishback, who would go on to become a failed candidate for Florida Governor, tagged Elon Musk, urging him, “Let’s do this!”

Four days later, Fishback doubled down on the idea with a four-page proposal, in which he once again tagged Musk.

Musk’s response? “Will check with the president.” And sure enough, when asked about the idea the next day, Trump responded,

“We’re considering giving 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20% to paying down the debt.”

Fishback was correct that Elon Musk had originally set an absurd target of $2 trillion in savings from his DOGE initiative. But according to University of Michigan’s Ford School, while “DOGE claims it saved the government around $55 billion in spending” before being shut down this past July, the real number is much much lower:

“Right now, the estimates are that maybe DOGE has saved us somewhere between 1 and 7 billion dollars... when you add up the numbers on their website, you get 7.3,” noted The Ford School’s Betsy Stevenson. She explained that even though 7 billion to the average American’s budget may sound like a lot, in the larger picture, DOGE has managed to save every American, at most, one or two cups of coffee.

Needless to say, no “DOGE dividend” was ever delivered to Americans.

Trump’s “Tariff Dividend”

While DOGE was objectively an unmitigated failure, among Trump’s base, he and Musk are somehow still seen as warriors in the fight against “fraud, waste, and abuse” in a pitched battle against the “Deep State.”

Trump learned one thing from the whole “DOGE dividend” farce. It didn’t actually matter that the checks never went out; he got the credit just for proposing it. So he tried a similar tack months later.

On November 9, 2025, Trump took to social media to propose yet another “dividend,” this time paid for by tariff revenues. As with the “DOGE Dividend,” this one would take revenue derived from a Trump initiative and pay some of it back to the American people, with whatever left over supposedly going to pay down the national debt.

According to ABC News, Trump declared,

“A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone.”

The next day, Trump doubled down.

“And one of the things we’re going to do, we’re going to issue a dividend to our middle-income people and lower income people of about $2,000,” the president said at the time. “And we’re going to use the remaining tariffs to lower our debt.”

The first clue that these so-called tariff dividends were not going to materialize was Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s cringey attempt to explain how the “check” would actually arrive:

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos at the time that the $2,000 dividend “could be just the tax decreases that we are seeing on the president’s agenda -- you know, no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security, deductibility of auto loans.”

He said the “dividend” may come “in lots of forms.”

Then there was the fact that his tariffs were actually struck down by the Supreme Court.

Not only did the $2,000 “dividend” payments never come for Americans -- but much of the revenue collected by the government from Trump’s tariffs had to be paid back to the companies.

The Trump administration paid out a milestone $100 billion in tariff refunds through the end of July, according to an August court filing. That was more than half of the $166 billion owed to thousands of American businesses who paid the tariffs.

Companies who had passed the cost of the tariff down to the consumers were rewarded with a windfall refund, while consumers were left holding the bag. And once again…no “tariff dividend” to speak of.

Trump’s Midterm Voter Bribe

Last month during his so-called midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, Trump debuted his most brazen offer of cash to the American people yet. Should Republicans win the House and Senate in this year’s midterms, Trump pledged he would send each and every U.S. adult citizen $5,000. He dubbed this scheme the “Trump dividend.”

Despite intense backlash and legal experts calling the scheme nothing less than a bribe for votes, Trump has doubled down on the promise, repeating it just days ago from the Oval Office in a video posted on social media.

Trump knows he won’t ever have to pay this out, since Democrats are a virtual a lock to take back the House on November 3rd. Nate Silver’s Deluxe Flipr model gives Democrats around a 93% chance of flipping the chamber.

But once again, Trump knows he will get credit for making the offer and hey, it may still cause some Americans to vote Republican, possibly cutting down Democratic margins. It’s a win/win for him.

Of course, the scheme—which walks like a bribe and talks like a bribe—may not be legal. Not that that has ever been a deterrent for Trump. According to The Fulcrum, such a promise of a payout in exchange for a political result may run afoul of two distinct laws passed in the 1940s to outlaw election interference.

The first reads as follows: “Whoever makes or offers to make an expenditure to any person, either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate; and whoever solicits, accepts, or receives any such expenditure in consideration of his vote or the withholding of his vote; Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned … or both.”

The second prohibits offering government benefits “to any person as consideration, favor, or reward for any political activity or for the support of or opposition to any candidate or any political party in connection with any … election to any political office.”

Both provisions focus on the use of money or the promise of benefits to get individuals to vote in a particular way.

But if recent polling is any indication, people aren’t buying the scheme and aren’t particularly supportive of it.

According to Economist and YouGov’s poll, among likely voters, 61% said Trump would not deliver compared with 21% who said he would. The proposal itself is also under skepticism: 45% oppose the payments entirely while only 43% support them.

It’s understandable why people would be skeptical of Trump’s promises of cash payouts considering this history. But in the meantime, somewhat under the radar, Trump actually has sent millions of dollars out to select Americans over the past year.

And right now, just weeks before the midterm election, checks for millions more are literally in the mail.

Trump’s $1,776 “Warrior Dividends”

Last December Trump delivered on a promise of pay-outs to members of the military.

In a prime time address on December 17, 2025, Trump announced “Warrior Dividends” in the amount of $1,776 would be sent to almost 1.5 million military service members “in honor of our nation’s founding in 1776.”

While Trump suggested that tariff revenue would fund these payouts, ultimately the Pentagon confirmed that these bonuses were paid for thanks to funds appropriated in the One Big Beautiful Bill:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the Pentagon to pay for the bonuses from $2.9 billion in military housing funds that Congress appropriated in Trump’s sprawling “One Big Beautiful Bill” law, according to the official, which was approved last summer.

The funds covering the “Warrior Dividends” were originally intended to boost the Basic Allowance for Housing, which helps service members pay for off-base housing costs. The remaining $300 million left from the housing program will support future Basis Allowance for Housing requirements, the Pentagon said.

In January, the IRS confirmed these payments would be tax free.

These military bonus payments are difficult to question, not just because they were sent out in time for Christmas to a good portion of our active duty military, but also because the funds were pulled from money already appropriated for those very service members.

But two other payment schemes have materialized within a month of the midterm elections and are raising some major red flags for their timing.

Trump’s $90 Medicare Recipient Payments

On October 2, Trump announced “one-time payments of $90 per person to help more than 20 million enrollees pay for their Medicare Part B premiums.”

According to CBS News,

The payments are funded by the Medicare Improvement Fund, established by Congress to improve and support the original Medicare fee-for-service program. Experts say the $90, while helpful, won’t fully offset higher costs facing Medicare recipients.

Premiums for Part B rose by more than $200 annually in 2026 and are projected to increase by nearly $80 in 2027, according to the Medicare trustees’ most recent annual report. The standard monthly premium for Part B in 2026 is $202.90, a figure that’s expected to rise to $209.50 next year.

Payments of $90, even if sent to 20 million Medicare enrollees (out of a total of 62.9 million Medicare Part B enrollees) is unlikely to have much of an impact on the election. Indeed, it may serve to remind seniors that their medical costs have gone up significantly, and this $90 one-time payment is hardly relief from those increases.

But there are growing concerns that another direct payment scheme Trump has implemented to a select number of states may operate like the bribe to voters it was intended as.

Trump’s ACA “User Fee” Rebates

The newest Trump cash payout scheme is currently paying almost a million Americans $500 each, and it has largely flown under the radar.

On September 10, Donald Trump announced from the Oval Office that his administration would be sending “$500 rebate checks to nearly 1 million hardworking Americans who were wrongly overcharged through Obamacare.”

In his announcement video, Trump claimed Obamacare recipients had been “massively overcharged” by the Biden administration and called the Obamacare exchanges “a disaster.”

On October 1, ABC News confirmed these $500 checks had begun to be mailed out “to 950,000 Americans in 30 states due to marketplace ‘user fee’ overcharges, according to the administration.”

Why just 30 states?

The administration official told ABC News that residents in these 30 states “do not operate their own ACA insurance plan exchanges and instead rely on federal exchanges administered by [the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services].”

Conveniently, the 20 states ineligible for these rebates are those that run their own exchanges; in other words: mostly blue states.

So, which states are receiving the rebates?

Residents in the following states will receive checks: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Hmm, seeing a pattern here?

According to Reuters, about 71% of the payments were sent to just 13 states. That includes eight of the nine U.S. Senate races that are regarded as the most competitive, as well as 10 of the 12 most competitive governors’ races.

For example, New Hampshire has competitive races for Senate, governor and one of its two U.S. House seats, Reuters reported. Around 28,400 residents will receive the checks, around 2% of the state’s population.

According to ABC News, Texas and Florida, which are home to some of the tightest U.S. Senate and governor’s races this year, have the highest numbers of refund check recipients.

But the cynicism of the scheme doesn’t end there.

First, over the past year, the biggest hit to lower income Obamacare recipients was due to the failure of Republicans under Trump to extend the ACA premium subsidies. Yet Trump’s rebate checks are not designed to target these lower-income Obamacare enrollees.

As Gerard Anderson, a professor of health policy and management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told ABC:

The payment “does not target the people most likely to have been harmed by the policy changes made by the administration, including the end of the tax credits,” Anderson said.

The subsidies, or premium tax credits, helped lower or eliminate the out-of-pocket cost of monthly premiums for those who purchase insurance through the health insurance marketplace. They expired at the end of last year and have yet to be renewed.

Per Zeeshan Aleem at MSNOW,

As The New York Times noted, the roughly 3 million people who were priced out of using ACA plans together as a result of the lapsed subsidies are not even eligible for these checks.

Add to this the language of the letters that accompany the rebate checks, and you see Trump’s pre-election ploy at play.

As Aleem explains,

The letters that accompany them act as textbook Trumpian disinformation and underscore how the check campaign is a cheap trick masquerading as populism.

The letters, as reported by USA Today, tell recipients, “For years, the Biden Administration overcharged you to fund the operation of HealthCare.gov. That money belongs to hard-working Americans, not the Government, and now, I am returning it to you!”

After all, as Trump likes to say as he travels the country ahead of the elections, “pretend I’m on the ballot.”

Coming as it is just weeks before a crucial election, this letter is nothing more than a state-sanctioned taxpayer funded ad for Trump and Republicans going straight into hundreds of thousands of swing state and swing district homes.

Trump is swooping in as the hero, even when the crisis he is purporting to solve is largely of his own making.

To pay for these checks, Trump tapped into a government fund paid into by health insurance companies for the purposes of running the ACA marketplace’s operations — including marketing, outreach and enrollment assistance. Those fees are passed along, in part, to customers because they cause insurers to push their premiums higher.

The part that’s quasi-true about Trump’s claims is that he did tap into a surplus of funds predating his second term to send out these checks. But there’s no evidence of Trump’s claim that it was a product of “gross mismanagement” by Biden — or even necessarily a product of Biden’s actions at all.

In fact…

As The Associated Press reported, “Cynthia Cox, a vice president and director of the ACA program at the healthcare research nonprofit KFF, said it’s entirely possible that the funds Trump has promised came from fees collected during Trump’s first term. His first administration collected more user fees from insurers than it spent, resulting in an estimated $1 billion in unspent funds, according to KFF analysis.”

Yes, that tracks.

Well, That’s One Way to Address the Affordability Crisis

Trump has famously called the issue of “affordability” a Democratic “hoax.” Translation: Trump understands what a liability the affordability issue is for him, and he needs to undercut Democrats’ authority on the issue.

Democrats successfully ran on affordability in 2025 and are doing so again this year, especially as the Trump administration’s policies drastically drive up costs for everyday Americans. According to a Forbes compendium of recent polling,

A total of 52% of respondents [to the October Reuters/Ipsos survey] ranked cost of living as the most important issue going into November’s elections, including 53% of Republicans and 49% of Democrats.

And…

Trump had a 26% approval rating on the economy in an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs research poll of 2,140 U.S. adults taken Sept. 24-28 (margin of error 2.9).

The survey also found just 17% approve of his handling of the cost of living, and 65% blame Trump for persistently high costs.

In 2024, Trump was clear-eyed about the impact of higher costs on the American people and cast himself as the one who would “lower costs on day one.” It worked to help get him elected.

But now, almost two years into his second term, all he can think to do is blame Democrats and bypass Congress to cut checks and promise all Americans thousands of dollars—if only they return Republicans to power.

Unfortunately for Trump and the Republican Party, Americans are clear about who is to blame for higher prices. In the end, Trump’s refusal to change the policies that have had the most impact on costs, namely his tariffs and his war in Iran, is unlikely to be overridden by direct payments just weeks before an election.

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Cassidy Hutchinson told panel she had been told Trump lunged for wheel of SUV to try to join mob at Capitol

Prosecutors in the justice department’s civil rights division are seeking criminal charges against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former top Trump White House aide who gave explosive testimony to the committee that investigated the US attack on the Capitol, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The potential charges involve lying to Congress, the person said.

This article is a (lightly revised) version of a piece that originally appeared on Bloomberg Law, part of Bloomberg Industry Group, Inc. (800-372-1033), and appears here with permission.

Monday marked the start of the U.S. Supreme Court’s latest Term. The justices returned to the bench to hear oral argument in Suncor v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, which concerns whether federal law preempts state-law claims against energy companies for injuries allegedly caused by climate change.

Suncor is a high-profile case about a politically charged topic. That makes it something of an outlier in the current Term—which is, for lack of a better word, a bit sleepy.

Sleepy is, of course, a relative concept. Every Supreme Court Term has consequential and controversial cases, and October Term 2026 is no exception:

• In St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, the Court will decide whether Colorado can deny state funding to Catholic preschools because they won’t admit children whose families don’t adhere to church teachings on gender and sexuality.

• In Viramontes v. Cook County, the justices will consider whether Americans have a Second Amendment right to own AR-15s and similar semiautomatic rifles.

• In Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota, the justices will determine whether Arizona can require proof of citizenship for voter registration.

• In Department of Homeland Security v. D.V.D., they will review the Trump administration’s third-country deportation policy.

These are all important cases about hot-button issues. But they don’t rise to the level of last Term’s blockbusters, which included historic rulings about President Donald Trump’s tariffs, in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, and his executive order attempting to restrict birthright citizenship, in Trump v. Barbara.

As the first full Supreme Court Term since Trump’s return to the White House, last Term might be viewed as an anomaly. But even considering the past five Terms, the cases currently before the Court seem unlikely to generate the kinds of headlines that surrounded United States v. Skrmetti (hormone therapy for transgender minors), Trump v. United States (presidential immunity), Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (affirmative action), or Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (abortion), to name just a few.

If this Term largely lacks the culture-war blockbusters of the past five Terms, what’s on the justices’ agenda? Instead of landmark litigation about heady questions of constitutional law, the justices have teed up a ton of technical cases concerning complex questions of statutory interpretation—the sorts of matters that have long constituted a sizable share of the Court’s work.

There’s an ERISA case, because of course there is: Anderson v. Intel Corporation Investment Policy Committee, which is about pleading requirements for lawsuits alleging that employers have invested their employees’ retirement funds imprudently. ERISA is the classic example of a “boring” statute.

But at least ERISA is a law that most of us have heard of. Can the same be said of the Veterans’ Judicial Review Act, the statute at issue in Johnson v. United States Congress, which was argued right after Suncor on Monday? What about the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, a law implicated in Department of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guahan, which was heard on Wednesday?

I consider myself a huge legal nerd, but I wasn’t familiar with the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act or the Natural Gas Act. These laws sound less than scintillating—but they’ll also be getting attention from the justices and their clerks before this Term concludes.

It’s worth noting that the Court’s docket for OT 2026 is only half-full at this point. The justices have granted certiorari in roughly 30 cases; in recent years, they’ve heard around 60 cases a Term. So it’s still possible for some blockbusters to be added.

“There aren’t a lot of high-profile cases that have been granted yet for this Term,” Jaime Santos, an appellate and ERISA litigator at Proskauer, said on my podcast last week. “But I always say that in September, and then the Court goes and grants a billion cases that give me heartburn.”

There are definitely issues making their way through the circuit courts—such as the Trump administration’s authority to install acting U.S. attorneys, or whether federal or state authorities get to regulate prediction markets—that seem like prime targets for review by the high court. And as Santos pointed out, the justices might also be leaving room on their docket for election cases this fall.

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But let’s imagine that the Court’s caseload for OT 2026 doesn’t heat up that much. Would that be such a bad thing?

I don’t think so. In fact, it might be just what the Supreme Court needs right now.

Public approval of the job the Court is doing hit a record low of 33%, according to a Gallup survey. A different poll, conducted by Marquette Law School, found a higher approval rating, at 47%. But the Marquette study contained another striking statistic: 58% of Americans believe that politics, rather than the law, most often motivates the justices’ decisions.

These polls were both conducted in July, shortly after the end of the Supreme Court’s last Term—which was particularly politicized and contentious. According to SCOTUSblog’s invaluable Stat Pack, an estimated 20% of the cases in October Term 2025 were decided 6-3 along ideological lines—almost twice the 11% average for the preceding five Terms.

What could help dispel the public perception that the justices are acting politically? A quiet Supreme Court Term, featuring cases about knotty, perhaps dry questions of statutory interpretation.

The justices’ decisions in these cases are often unanimous. And even when they’re not unanimous, they frequently don’t break along the familiar ideological lines.

Consider a pair of cases from last Term. In Monsanto v. Durnell, a gnarly case about the scope of preemption under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (speaking of obscure statutes), Justices Neil Gorsuch and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from a seven-justice majority that included Justices Samuel Alito and Sonia Sotomayor.

In Watson v. Republican National Committee, Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote a majority opinion—joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and the three liberal justices—holding that federal election-day statutes don’t preempt a Mississippi law governing the counting of absentee ballots. Watson showed that even cases about election law, which usually break along ideological lines, can produce unusual lineups.

A subdued Supreme Court Term could provide a helpful reminder to the American people: Much of the Court’s work involves tackling tough, technical legal questions that have given rise to circuit splits. The justices’ job is not to serve as nine unelected arbiters of every great political dispute of the day.

A boring Term might disappoint some legal journalists. Controversy draws public attention to the Court—and to our writing about it.

But here’s the thing about drama: It’s exhausting to cover. And after the maelstrom of the past 20 months or so, a little boredom might be good for commentators, the Court, and the country.

Statement outlines pause on protracted war US president has struggled to end after almost eight months

Donald Trump has promised not to attack Iran before November’s US midterm elections, outlining a pause on the protracted war he has struggled to end after almost eight months.

In a Truth Social post on Thursday, the US president said Washington was “having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran”, which he claimed was “in very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily”.

Lawyers for Wells’s family have called for a federal investigation into 18-year-old’s disappearance and death

On Wednesday, Donald Trump said he was considering asking the FBI to investigate the death of Nolan Wells, a Black college freshman who was last seen alive on a 4 July boating trip with friends.

Wells, 18, went missing while on Horn Island, a barrier island off the coast of Mississippi. His body was found on the island two days later. Wells’s cause and manner of death are still undetermined.

State residents express anger at Republicans who allowed chaotic voting maps saga to unfold ahead of the midterms

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Eric Leventhal knows he’s going to vote for a Democrat in Congress when he goes to the polls in Missouri this November – the problem is he has no idea which candidate is going to be on his ballot.

In the state’s August primary, he voted for Fred Wellman, a Democrat running in the state’s second congressional district. But after a long and complicated legal battle sparked by Donald Trump’s desire to gain every advantage in the upcoming midterm contest, the districts have changed for the general election that will determine which party controls Congress. Leventhal said he lived right near the border of the first and second congressional district, so now he’s not sure which one he’s in.

Donald Trump’s latest campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas, was rocked by repeated protests as the US president urged Texas voters to back the embattled Senate candidate Ken Paxton. At least half a dozen demonstrators interrupted the US president during his speech, with some led away by police. One was physically assaulted by a Trump supporter as he tried to leave the arena. The Republican campaign to maintain control of the Senate has become increasingly focused on Texas, where the Democrat James Talarico has emerged as a serious threat

Children are being detained in record numbers, sometimes alone and where lawyers and family cannot find them

The image of immigration officers arresting five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos – in a blue bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack – in January sparked outrage across the country.

Celebrities from Ms Rachel to Madonna called for the closure of the Dilley immigration processing center, the Texas immigrant camp that held Ramos and many children like him. Lawyers filed complaints about contaminated food and shoddy healthcare, and hundreds of activists protested outside the detention camp. Within months, the government began sending fewer children to Dilley.

Trump seems to invent ugly new variations on his press-bashing theme almost every day

When you hate the mainstream press as much as Donald Trump does, nothing gets in the way of the punishment fantasy.

Not court rulings. Not public opinion. Not even the dreadful consequence of less media coverage.

Margaret Sullivan is a Guardian US columnist writing on media, politics and culture

Pentagon chief joins Trump in attempt to use deadly shooting at Texas base to attack former Democratic president

• Thousands turn out to welcome weary USS Lincoln sailors

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Donald Trump has urged James Talarico, the Democratic nominee in the US Senate race in Texas, to debate Ken Paxton – Republican attorney general that the president has endorsed in the election.

On Truth Social, Trump described Paxton as “ready, willing, and able” to take on Talarico – the 37-year-old state representative who has been leading in several polls.

In Georgia, Jon Ossoff, the Democratic incumbent will face off against Mike Collins – a congressman and the Trump-backed Republican nominee at 7pm ET.

At the same time in Michigan, progressive insurgent Abdul El-Sayed, will debate Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee also endorsed by the president.

Finally, it’s the second debate in Maine in as many days. Susan Collins, the five-term Republican incumbent will spar (again) with the Democratic nominee, Troy Jackson, at 8pm ET.

Days before a European conference on Disinformation, the far right extremist who serves as State’s Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy, Sarah Rogers, pressured Lithuania, the EU, and Canada to withdraw support from the conference.

Three persons familiar with the matter, including European officials, confirmed that the US state department had been in touch with multiple governments over their support for the conference.

Internal state department documents seen by the Guardian also show US officials thanking Lithuania for “taking US concerns seriously”. The document says Washington was “grateful” Lithuania supposedly found a panel framing the US as a foreign information threat “reprehensible and surprising” and welcomed its decision to limit involvement in the conference.

That panel – called “USA as a FIMI threat: adapt, acknowledge, push back”, with the acronym FIMI referring to “foreign information manipulation and interference” – took place Wednesday. It explored how Europe’s disinformation community could rebuild resilience without Washington, and is the first time the conference appears to have entertained the idea that the US could be a disinformation actor in Europe. Sources and the internal document indicate the state department was explicitly focused on this panel, which included three American speakers, among them a former CIA officer.

According to one person familiar with the deliberations, other communications appeared to originate from the office of Sarah B Rogers, the US undersecretary of state for public diplomacy.

At issue was a panel that treated the US — led by a man who routinely lies about his obeisance to Russia — as a source of disinformation.

I’m at the conference. I was at the panel.

Not only did that panel not address US support for Xitter-based fraud (there was another panel that addressed US sanctions on disinformation researchers), but it largely pulled its punches.

The panel generally dodged the extent to which Trump (and Rogers, who was cuddling up with pro-Russian politicians in Montenegro recently) are pawns for Russia, but Emerson Brooking suggested that the 51-spook letter overstated Russian influence behind the laptop. (In related news, the guy who publicly unpacked the Hunter Biden laptop, Gus Dimitrelos, used forensic software recently disclosed as Russian to do that).

For much of the day, experts discussed how to counter Russian disinformation, but all the discussions about countering US disinformation lacked ambition — indeed lacked a sense of the scope of the problem — and therefore didn’t address the extent to which trolls in official positions, like Rogers, are themselves vectors Russian disinformation.

The post Sarah Rogers Censors Conference on Disinformation appeared first on emptywheel.

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Welcome to this weekend’s Trump Tyranny Tracker…

Trump’s expanding election conspiracy investigations, growing threats of midterm interference, and the FBI’s targeting of political opponents are among this weekend’s top stories.

This Weekend at a Glance

• Trump mobilizes federal agencies to investigate debunked 2020 election conspiracy theories ahead of the midterms.

• Kash Patel is directing FBI agents to investigate cases Trump wants pursued, while Trump presses for arrests and indictments before Election Day.

• Pentagon deploys a third aircraft carrier and up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East.

What We Need to Pay Attention To

‘God made Trump’ ad and at least 12 others are part of controversial taxpayer-funded ad campaign

What Happened: The White House has produced at least 13 propaganda ads promoting Trump and his policies, including a “God Made Trump” ad. The $20 million campaign is funded via Customs and Border Protection, and every ad is labeled “Paid for by the U.S. Government.”

Why It Matters: Trump is spending taxpayer money on government propaganda glorifying himself and portraying his presidency as divinely ordained. This is straight out of Russia’s playbook, where state propaganda elevates the leader as a godlike figure and demands loyalty to him.

Source: CNN

Corruption

How Jared Kushner’s firm’s investment in an Israeli company could be a major conflict of interest

What Happened: Jared Kushner is negotiating U.S. Middle East policy while his private equity firm, Affinity Partners, owns a major stake in Israel’s Phoenix Financial, which has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Israeli military suppliers. Affinity sold part of its stake in July for more than $340 million, over five times what it originally paid, and still holds shares worth more than $1 billion.

Why It Matters: Trump’s son-in-law is negotiating U.S. policy in a war while his firm has financial ties to Israeli military suppliers. Because he serves as an unpaid envoy, he does not have to disclose his financial interests, leaving Americans with no way to know whose interests he is serving.

Source: CNN

Power Consolidation

How Trump’s obsession with ‘rigged’ voting machines spread across US government

What Happened: Trump officials enlisted the intelligence community, DOJ, DHS and FBI in an investigation led by election denier Kurt Olsen into claims that foreign actors “manipulated” voting machines in 2020. The investigation expanded from Puerto Rico to Georgia and Arizona but found no evidence that foreign actors infiltrated voting systems or altered the election results.

Why It Matters: Trump is using election conspiracies to sow chaos and undermine trust in American elections while laying the groundwork for federal interference in the midterms.

Source: Reuters

Trump sends out $500 ACA refunds and a letter promoting his record

What Happened: Trump officials began sending $500 Affordable Care Act refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans across 30 states. The taxpayer-funded checks are accompanied by a letter from Trump promoting his health care policies and telling recipients, “I am proud to return your money to you.”

Why It Matters: Trump is using taxpayer money to send checks disproportionately to voters in political battlegrounds weeks before the midterms, then personally taking credit for giving them taxpayer money. It’s another gross attempt to use public money to influence voters.

Source: The Washington Post

Inside Democrats’ efforts to secure Election Day and respond to fears of Trump interference

What Happened: Congressional Democrats are preparing for possible DHS or National Guard deployments at polling places, federal seizures of ballots, voter roll purges and election disinformation. House Democrats have identified more than 150 potential threats, while lawmakers, election groups and attorneys are preparing observers and legal challenges.

Source: CNN

Weaponization of Institutions

FBI gives employees a classified ‘Patel Report’ about times when it ‘fell short’

What Happened: The FBI distributed a classified and secret “Patel Report” to employees detailing cases in which its leadership claims the bureau “fell short.” Patel has also pushed investigations of former FBI officials and purged employees connected to investigations of Trump.

Why It Matters: Patel is rewriting the FBI’s history while purging employees involved in investigations Trump opposed. The classified report keeps his allegations and the evidence behind them hidden from public scrutiny.

Source: Associated Press

Is There Anything Kash Patel Won’t Do for Trump Before the Midterms?

What Happened: Patel has directed FBI agents to investigate election conspiracies and other cases Trump wants pursued, including requests from the White House. Trump is demanding arrests and indictments before the midterms, and prosecutors have resigned under pressure to bring cases.

Why It Matters: Trump is pressuring the FBI to investigate his political enemies and produce arrests before an election. Federal law enforcement continues to be used as a weapon against his opponents.

Source: The Atlantic

Trump visa policies weigh on Columbia journalism program as admissions pause

What Happened: Columbia University paused admissions to its journalism school’s M.A. program for one year after Trump’s changing visa policies contributed to a sharp decline in international applications. International students account for roughly half the program’s enrollment.

Source: Reuters

Harvard sued by US agency seeking records in anti-white hiring probe

What Happened: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Harvard to obtain faculty hiring records dating back to 2018 as part of an investigation into alleged discrimination against white, Asian, male and straight applicants. Harvard denies discriminatory hiring and says the investigation is part of a broader campaign of government retaliation.

Source: Reuters

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Media Suppression & Authoritarian Tactics

ICE Has Been Dumping Protester Photos Into a Palantir Supported Database

What Happened: Newly unsealed court filings allege that DHS agents photographed people observing ICE operations in Maine, collected license plates and personal information, and entered records on at least eight people into a Palantir-backed database. Some were labeled “Threat to Law Enforcement, Professional Protestor,” and agents reportedly conducted facial recognition searches.

Source: WIRED

Human & Civil Rights Abuses

New ICE facility to hold families, unaccompanied minors could open in Louisiana next week

What Happened: ICE is preparing to open a 528-bed detention facility in Louisiana for families with children, unaccompanied minors and women awaiting deportation or transfer. It would be the first facility under Trump to hold unaccompanied children directly in ICE custody instead of using the HHS shelter system.

Why It Matters: Trump is putting unaccompanied children directly into ICE detention instead of shelters designed to care for them, exposing already vulnerable children to further trauma and psychological harm.

Source: ABC News

Government Disruption

Vance’s fraud crackdown may raise costs for US health insurers, enrollees

What Happened: Trump officials removed 760,000 people from Affordable Care Act plans over suspected fraudulent enrollments and are reviewing another 400,000. Health experts warn that legitimate, healthy enrollees are also at risk of losing coverage.

Source: Reuters

Imperial & Geopolitical Watch

U.S. Sending Third Aircraft Carrier, Up to 10,000 More Troops, to Middle East

What Happened: The Pentagon is sending a third aircraft-carrier strike group and another Marine expeditionary unit toward the Middle East, adding up to 10,000 troops to the more than 50,000 already deployed in the region. The buildup comes as Trump considers renewed strikes on Iran after the midterms.

Why It Matters: Trump told Americans the war was won and would last only weeks. Instead, he is preparing for more fighting and sending thousands of additional troops into a war with no clear end in sight.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Iranian drone attack threat prompted U.S. to remove bombers from British air base, officials say

What Happened: The U.S. rushed at least 12 bombers out of RAF Fairford in Britain after intelligence warned of a possible Iranian drone attack targeting the base and American aircraft. British officials have arrested several individuals and are investigating a suspected Iranian-linked terrorist plot against the base.

Source: NBC News

‘Blackmail’: Europe fumes against White House demand for more diesel

What Happened: Trump officials pressured European governments to release emergency diesel reserves and threatened to restrict U.S. diesel exports if they refused. The pressure preceded a G7 agreement to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil over four months.

Why It Matters: Trump is threatening energy exports to pressure European allies into using emergency reserves as soaring diesel prices hit Americans ahead of the midterms. A European diplomat described the pressure as “blackmail.”

Source: Politico

Far-Right & Russian Influence Watch

Unmasking RussiaSomeone Is Entering the Homes of Finnish MPs and Leaving Signs BehindToday, for a change, I am not writing about explosions, arson attacks, drone incursions, information operations, or critical infrastructure going up in flames somewhere in Europe. Instead, I decided to write about something very strange happening in Finland that bears the hallmarks of an old KGB tactic…Read more6 days ago · 346 likes · 36 comments · Olga Lautman

Economic News

Hiring in September grew much less than expected, jobs report shows

What Happened: The U.S. added just 29,000 jobs in September, far below the 84,000 expected, while unemployment rose to 4.2%. Job growth for July and August was also revised downward by a combined 60,000 jobs.

Source: ABC News

Households will pay more for energy because of federal policy changes, think tank says

What Happened: Trump’s energy policies are projected to cost the average American household an additional $6,500 through 2040, according to an analysis by Energy Innovation. The study points to canceled clean energy projects and rollbacks of vehicle efficiency standards that increase demand for natural gas and gasoline.

Why It Matters: Trump promised to lower energy costs, but his policies are projected to do the opposite, leaving Americans paying thousands more for electricity and fuel.

Source: Associated Press

Resistance

Check out 50501 for local and nationwide events…

Source: 50501

Hundreds gather in Mississippi to protest Republican redistricting: ‘This fight is familiar territory’

What Happened: Hundreds gathered at the Mississippi Capitol to oppose Republican efforts to redraw electoral maps after the Supreme Court weakened protections under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Sixty-seven residents testified at the final public redistricting hearing, while protesters marched through the Capitol demanding lawmakers leave the maps unchanged.

Source: The Guardian

By the Numbers

• 13 — Taxpayer-funded ads promoting Trump, part of a $20 million government advertising campaign.

• $340 million+ — Proceeds from Kushner’s Affinity Partners’ partial sale of its stake in Israel’s Phoenix Financial.

• $1 billion+ — Value of Affinity Partners’ remaining holdings in Phoenix Financial.

• $500 — ACA refund checks sent to nearly 1 million Americans with a letter promoting Trump.

• 8+ — People entered into a Palantir-backed database after observing ICE operations.

• 760,000 — ACA enrollments removed by Trump officials

• 400,000 — Additional ACA enrollments under review.

• 3 — U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups being sent to the Middle East.

• 10,000 — Additional U.S. troops heading toward the Middle East, joining more than 50,000 already deployed.

• 29,000 — Jobs added in September, far below expectations.

• 4.2% — U.S. unemployment rate in September.

What to Watch Next

Trump is using federal agencies to investigate election conspiracies — Will these investigations become the pretext for federal interference in the midterms, including attempts to seize voting machines, ballots or election records?

Kash Patel is directing the FBI toward investigations Trump wants — Will the pressure for arrests and indictments lead to criminal cases against Trump’s political opponents before Election Day?

ICE is expanding detention and surveillance — Will unaccompanied children be placed directly in ICE custody, and will courts intervene over the surveillance of people observing immigration enforcement?

Trump is pressuring European allies over diesel supplies — Will further export threats deepen tensions with European governments as Americans face higher energy costs?

Key Takeaways

Economic Strain — September added just 29,000 jobs, while Trump’s energy policies are projected to raise household costs. His pressure on European allies over diesel reserves comes amid rising fuel prices.

Election Interference — Trump is using election conspiracies to undermine trust in voting as Democrats prepare for possible federal interference in the midterms.

Weaponization of Law Enforcement — Patel is directing FBI resources toward Trump’s preferred investigations, purging employees tied to past Trump investigations as pressure mounts for arrests before Election Day.

Corruption & Government Propaganda — Taxpayers are funding a $20 million campaign promoting Trump, while Jared Kushner negotiates Middle East policy despite his firm’s financial interests tied to Israeli military suppliers.

Iran War Escalation — Trump is sending thousands more troops and a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East while considering renewed strikes on Iran. Threats against U.S. military assets are also reaching Europe.

Call to Action

Document Everything: Document purges, corruption, and power grabs. Share credible information with journalists, watchdogs, and legal experts. Silence enables authoritarianism—see something, say something.

Defend Press Freedom: Support independent journalism by subscribing to and sharing reporting that challenges Trump’s power grab.

Contact Lawmakers: Demand accountability for Trump’s unchecked power and war on oversight.

Mobilize for Action: Organize or join legal efforts and resistance movements to protect democracy and human and civil rights.

Support Whistleblowers: Encourage legal defense funds for government workers facing retaliation for exposing corruption.

Follow my work on YouTube → Subscribe to Unmasking Russia

https://youtube.com/@unmaskingrussia

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Putin’s Pawns takes you on a journey from the earliest days of the Cold War and Soviet KGB active measures through Russia’s attacks on Western elections, the rise of the far right, Trump and Russia, the genocidal war against Ukraine, influence operations across Europe, and the shadow war unfolding today.

It is the story of how Moscow spent decades learning to exploit the weaknesses of democracies and how those tactics brought us to this moment.

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Trump briefly stepped away from the microphone after one protester appeared to approach the stage

• Send us your questions on how the US economy is shaping the midterm elections

Donald Trump’s latest campaign rally was rocked by repeated protests on Wednesday as the US president urged Texas voters to back the embattled Senate candidate Ken Paxton.

At least half a dozen demonstrators interrupted the US president during his remarks in San Antonio, with some led away by police. One was physically assaulted by an older Trump supporter as he tried to leave the arena.

Today’s Report

1. Overview

2. White House News

3. Truth Social Posts

4. Government Department News

5. Selected Democratic Officials

6. AI & Tech Company News

7. Congressional Watch

1. Overview

The White House announced nearly 70 million Trump Accounts have been created for minors, described by the administration as a “game-changing tool.” President Donald J. Trump proclaimed October 2026 as National Energy Dominance Month and signed H.R. 5345 and S. 766 into law. The White House also proclaimed October 12, 2026, as Columbus Day and issued statements asserting a record of results regarding tax relief and border security in Texas.

President Donald J. Trump commemorated the third anniversary of October 7, stating he “fought relentlessly” for hostage releases. He announced an endorsement for Tom Tiffany for Wisconsin Governor, approved $17.9 million in storm aid for the state, and stated he would terminate outside consultants Chris LaCivita and James Blair if conflicts of interest arise. Additionally, Trump criticized Henry Cuellar and shared a video regarding Annie Andrews.

The State Department designated Zhao Fugang for significant corruption, rendering him ineligible for U.S. entry. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met to discuss a strategic dialogue, announcing $4 billion in Foreign Military Sales. The Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital announced a $1.5 billion conditional loan commitment to Wolfspeed, Inc., and the Treasury Department noted a $200,000 penalty issued to Amidi, LLC in July 2026 for violations of the Outbound Investment Security Program.

Governor Gavin Newsom swore in 10,000 California Service Corps members and announced 35 new film awards. Governor Gretchen Whitmer reported that over 8,000 Michigan educators completed Science of Reading training. Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency to allow the use of untaxed diesel fuel starting October 8 and expressed opposition to federal Head Start changes. Governor JB Pritzker announced a $55 million manufacturing expansion in La Salle. Senator Jon Ossoff issued a statement regarding the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks.

OpenAI announced the global launch of its GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna models, which the company states feature updated safety training and increased resistance to jailbreaks compared to previous versions.

The Congressional Watch for October 6, 2026, reports that the Senate held a pro forma session with no legislative business. The House of Representatives held a pro forma session, during which members introduced 17 public bills and 5 resolutions, and filed two reports concerning veterans’ affairs legislation.

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2. White House News

Trump Accounts Put 70 Million Kids on the Path to Financial Freedom

The White House announced that nearly 70 million Trump Accounts, which it describes as a “game-changing tool,” have been created for American children under 18. President Donald J. Trump stated that every eligible minor is now automatically enrolled in these tax-advantaged investment accounts established by the “Working Families Tax Cuts legislation.” According to the White House, parents must claim accounts via the Trump Accounts App. The White House claims these accounts, which it notes “every single Democrat voted against,” provide children a “financial stake in their future.”

Reference: Original White House release

National Energy Dominance Month, 2026

The White House proclaimed October 2026 as National Energy Dominance Month. President Donald J. Trump states his administration has transformed the United States into the “most dominant energy superpower in the history of the world” by rescinding regulations, expanding federal land for fossil fuel production, and withdrawing from international climate agreements. The White House reports securing a deal for majority control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves. President Trump pledges to continue driving down costs to ensure “American energy is roaring back to life.”

Reference: Original White House release

Congressional Bills H.R. 5345 and S. 766 Signed into Law

On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the President signed H.R. 5345, the “Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act,” creating a single point of contact at the Social Security Administration for individuals with misused numbers or lost cards. Additionally, the President signed S. 766, the “Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025,” which the White House states requires an annual report on federally-funded projects that are “more than 5 years behind schedule or more than $1 billion over the original cost estimate.”

Reference: Original White House release

Columbus Day, 2026

In a proclamation, the White House honors Christopher Columbus, describing him as a “legend” whose “vision, fortitude, and perseverance” shaped the United States. President Donald J. Trump states he will “never allow his legacy to be erased by radical extremists,” citing the installation of a Columbus statue on White House grounds after a previous monument was removed in 2020. Recognizing the holiday’s significance to Italian-Americans, the President proclaimed October 12, 2026, as Columbus Day, calling on Americans to observe the occasion with ceremonies and public flag displays.

Reference: Original White House release

Lower Taxes, Safer Streets, Stronger Border: President Trump’s Texas Record

The White House states that President Donald J. Trump returns to Texas with “a record of results,” citing “historic tax relief,” a “secure border,” and reduced violent crime linked to his “law-and-order agenda.” The White House asserts that President Trump’s policies have driven “new private investment” and support for farmers and families. Furthermore, the White House claims that “America First means Texas First,” contrasting this progress with a choice for voters to either continue these policies or “let Democrats tear it all down.”

Reference: Original White House release

3. Truth Social Posts

Trump commemorated the third anniversary of October 7th, describing it as “one of the darkest and most evil days in the history of Israel.” He stated that he “fought relentlessly” to secure the release of hostages and affirmed that the nation will “always stand against the forces of Terror and Evil.” Regarding ongoing international concerns, Trump shared an opinion column highlighting Steve Witkoff’s efforts in a prisoner exchange involving Russia.

In domestic affairs, Trump announced his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Tom Tiffany for Governor of Wisconsin and stated he would be approving 17.9 million dollars in aid for the state following recent severe storms and tornadoes. Ahead of his travel to Texas, Trump criticized Henry Cuellar as a “LOSER” and an “extremely ungrateful person” for remaining a Democrat despite a presidential pardon, while expressing his support for Tano Tijerina, whom he called a “STAR.” Additionally, Trump declared that Chris LaCivita and James Blair serve only as outside consultants. He stated he would “ask them” about their other clients and “if there’s a conflict, I will terminate them, immediately!”

Trump also posted a video link criticizing Annie Andrews.

Reference: https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump

4. Government Department News

State Department (state.gov)

Designation of Fijian Resident for Involvement in Significant Corruption on Behalf of China-Based Actors

The Department of State designated Zhao Fugang, Director of the Overseas Chinese Service Center in Fiji, for involvement in significant corruption on behalf of China-based actors. Under Section 7031(c), this action renders Zhao and his immediate family ineligible for U.S. entry. The Department stated Zhao abused his position by bribing Fijian citizens to advance China-based interests, actions it said “adversely affected U.S. interests.” The U.S. stated it will hold accountable those who use power to fuel transnational crime and threaten U.S. interests.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis before their Expanded Meeting

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met to discuss the U.S.-Greece strategic dialogue. Prime Minister Mitsotakis described the discussion as “very, very good, productive” and noted the relationship is “going from strength to strength.” Secretary Rubio characterized the bilateral alliance as “unique” and “historic,” stating it has expanded beyond defense to include economics, energy, rare and critical minerals, and supply chains. Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership through follow-up actions on identified priorities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Before Their Meeting

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the evolution of U.S.-Greece relations. Prime Minister Mitsotakis identified Greece as an “indispensable partner” and a “pillar of stability,” highlighting Greek contributions to U.S. energy security and global shipping. Secretary Rubio emphasized that the alliance is founded on “shared culture, shared values.” Both officials stated they share an agreement on global problems and appropriate solutions, affirming that the relationship has progressed into areas of trade, maritime security, and energy.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Remarks

In remarks delivered in Athens, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the historical influence of ancient Greece on the United States and Western civilization. Secretary Rubio stated that the U.S. founding documents and architecture reflect a “debt” to Greek antiquity, noting that Greek institutions provided the foundation for Western ideas of democracy, law, and virtue. He characterized the ancient Greeks as possessing “fierce individuality,” “relentless ambition,” and an “insatiable curiosity,” qualities he asserted continue to define the West.

Joint Statement on the U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis held the 6th U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue. The sides announced $4 billion in Foreign Military Sales and finalized Greece’s participation in the Florida National Guard State Partnership Program. They committed to deepening cooperation on defense, energy, and technology, including super intelligence and cybersecurity. The governments signed an agreement on U.S. seafarer certification and an extension of the Cultural Property Agreement, while announcing a new project under the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.

Department of War (war.gov)

Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital Announces $1.5 Billion Conditional Loan Commitment to Wolfspeed, Inc.

The Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) announced a $1.5 billion conditional loan commitment to Wolfspeed, Inc. to support domestic production of wide bandgap semiconductor materials. OSC officials stated the project aligns with President Trump’s mandate to bolster semiconductor supply chains. OSC Senior Managing Director Peter B. Zuckerman remarked that the investment aims to “achieve important national security objectives while advancing U.S. supremacy in the SI era.” The loan remains subject to Wolfspeed completing various financial, legal, and technical requirements before finalization.

Contracts for Oct. 7, 2026

The Department of War announced two contract awards. Epsilon Systems Solutions Inc. received a $31,153,036 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification for technical and repair support services in San Diego, California, with work expected to conclude by September 29, 2027. Additionally, FCN Inc. was awarded a $29,690,466 firm-fixed-price contract for Palo Alto Cortex XSOAR Platform sustainment, including licenses and subscriptions. This work is expected to be completed by September 29, 2028, at locations within and outside the continental United States.

Treasury Department (home.treasury.gov)

Treasury Announces Enforcement Penalty for Violation of Outbound Program

In July 2026, the Treasury Department issued a $200,000 civil penalty to Amidi, LLC for failing to report a controlled foreign entity’s investment in a Chinese artificial intelligence company. The Outbound Investment Security Program (OISP) mandates that U.S. persons notify Treasury of specific investments in designated Chinese sectors. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent stated the action advances “President Trump’s America First Investment Policy.” Assistant Secretary Christopher Pilkerton noted the OISP addresses “risks to U.S. national security” posed by foreign advancement of key technologies.

United States Trade Representative (ustr.gov)

Fourteen Economies Join the United States in Signing a Joint Ministerial Statement to Address Global Excess Capacity and Production in Key Manufacturing Sectors

On October 7, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative met with 14 economies to address structural excess capacity in manufacturing. Signatories, including the U.S., Argentina, Australia, Canada, the EU, India, Japan, and others, agreed to establish platforms for examining market-distorting policies. Ambassador Greer stated that these non-market practices “cripple domestic industries” and “hinder our ability to raise the standard of living.” The Trump Administration committed to engaging partners to defend the U.S. economy from such distortions.

5. Selected Democratic Officials

Gavin Newsom (gov.ca.gov)

Governor Newsom builds nation’s largest state service corps — 50,000 members sworn in since 2019

Governor Gavin Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday swore in 10,000 new California Service Corps members. Since 2019, 50,000 participants have served 26 million hours. Members assist with disaster preparedness, hunger, and climate action. Governor Newsom stated, “The solution to so many of our challenges comes from service.” The administration notes the program remains a priority as federal funding for national service programs is reduced. The Corps encompasses three programs: College Corps, California Climate Action Corps, and Youth Service Corps.

Governor Newsom announces 35 new films coming to California as independent filmmaking surges and iconic franchises return

Governor Gavin Newsom announced that 35 films received awards through the California Film Commission’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program, including 28 independent projects. The slate includes *Last Friday*, *Michael 2*, and *American Wolf*. The productions are projected to generate $1.08 billion in total spending and employ nearly 30,000 workers. California Film Commission Director Colleen Bell stated the program helps keep “jobs, investment, and production” within the state. Governor Newsom cited the awards as part of his strategy to “invest” in the future of the entertainment industry.

Gretchen Whitmer (michigan.gov)

Governor Whitmer Celebrates Over 8,000 Michigan Educators Completing Intensive Science of Reading Training

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that 8,019 Michigan educators have completed Language Essentials for Teaching Reading and Spelling training. Public Act 26 of 2026 requires certified K–5 educators to complete Science of Reading training by the 2031–32 school year. The Fiscal Year 2027 budget allocates over $500 million for literacy initiatives. State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko stated that educators are “putting Students First,” while State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh noted the achievement moves the state toward improving early literacy under its Strategic Education Plan.

Andy Beshear (governor.ky.gov)

Gov. Beshear Takes Step To Lower Diesel Prices for Farmers and Truckers

Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency allowing Kentucky farmers and truckers to use untaxed, dyed diesel fuel on public roads. The order, pending Attorney General approval, takes effect October 8, 2026, and lasts until the end of the war in Iran or the expiration of President Donald Trump’s related executive order on December 31, 2026. Beshear stated the measure addresses rising costs he attributes to “the President’s war of choice and unlawful tariffs.”

Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update

Gov. Beshear announced developments in state manufacturing, including a $1.47 million investment by Speed Kentucky LLC in Owsley County, and a new Arvato fulfillment center in Louisville. The update covered $78.8 million in Appalachian Regional Commission funding, solar streetlights for Eastern Kentucky flood survivors, and new Medicaid work requirements effective January 2027. Additionally, the Governor announced the retirement of Office of Drug Control Policy Executive Director Van Ingram, effective at the end of the year.

Gov. Beshear Announces Record-Breaking $78.8 Million in Investments From Appalachian Regional Commission to Eastern Kentucky

Kentucky received a record $78.8 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for fiscal year 2026, surpassing the previous $59.2 million record set in 2023. The funding supports 67 projects, including high-speed internet expansion, water and sewer infrastructure, and a healthcare training center. Gov. Beshear stated that these projects, which represent over $172.5 million in total investment when combined with local matching funds, prioritize the needs of Eastern Kentucky residents.

Gov. Beshear: Arvato Celebrates Grand Opening of New Fulfillment Center in Louisville, Creating 150 Quality Jobs

Arvato has opened a new 400,000-square-foot distribution and fulfillment center in Louisville, creating 150 jobs. This facility is the company’s seventh in the Louisville and Shepherdsville area, bringing their total regional footprint to over 4 million square feet. Gov. Beshear described the expansion as a component of Kentucky’s ongoing economic growth, noting the company’s role in the state’s logistics sector. Andreas Podwojewski, managing director at Arvato, cited the need for operational “scalability, flexibility and operational excellence” as drivers for the expansion.

Gov. Beshear: Lyon County Approved for Over $560,000 in State Funding To Support Site and Building Development, Future Job Growth

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved over $560,000 in state funding for a project in Lyon County through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative. The funding will support the Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Development Authority in acquiring 58 acres near the Eddyville Industrial Park to develop rail-served sites. Gov. Beshear stated the program helps communities prepare for future economic opportunities by funding critical site infrastructure, while KAED President Terri Bradshaw noted that such investments improve Kentucky’s overall economic competitiveness.

Gov. Beshear: Trump’s Head Start Changes Jeopardize Education and Well-Being of 15,000 Kentucky Children

Gov. Beshear expressed opposition to proposed federal changes to the Head Start program, writing a personal letter to President Donald Trump and joining 24 attorneys general in a multistate letter urging the President to reconsider. Beshear stated that the adjustments, which the administration claims will provide “flexibility,” would “cut funding, increase class sizes, weaken curricula, increase hunger and make children less safe.” The Governor argued these changes would negatively impact the 15,000 Kentucky children currently served by the program.

JB Pritzker (gov.illinois.gov)

Gov. Pritzker Announces $55 Million Viakable Manufacturing Expansion in La Salle

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced a $55 million expansion of Viakable’s manufacturing facility in La Salle. Following the Governor’s 2025 trade mission to Mexico, the investment will create 50 new full-time jobs and retain 65 existing positions. Supported by the state’s Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program, the project includes a 22,000-square-foot facility addition and 17 new machines to increase manufacturing capacity for the U.S. electrical infrastructure market.

Daily Public Schedule: Wednesday, October 7, 2026

On October 7, 2026, Governor Pritzker scheduled an announcement regarding an Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) agreement with Xignux in La Salle at 10:30 AM. Subsequently, at 1:00 PM in Gardner, Illinois, the Governor planned to tour a farm and announce a pilot low-interest loan program for farmers. Both events were scheduled to be available for viewing via livestream.

Jon Ossoff (ossoff.senate.gov)

Sen. Ossoff Statement on 3rd Anniversary of October 7th

On October 7, 2026, Sen. Jon Ossoff commemorated the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attacks. He stated that “Hamas terrorists massacred over 1,000 civilians” and “committed brutal atrocities.” Ossoff honored the lives lost and acknowledged the freedom of surviving hostages. He expressed his commitment to supporting efforts to “secure peace, security, and freedom for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people in the Middle East,” adding, “May the memories of those lost on October 7, 2023 forever be a blessing.”

6. AI & Tech Company News

OpenAI (openai.com)

GPT‑6 Sol and GPT‑6 Luna: October 2026 update Safety

OpenAI is launching GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna to all ChatGPT users globally, replacing GPT-5.6 versions. These models incorporate Astra’s safety advances and feature updated safety training against cyber, biology, and violence-related misuse. OpenAI reports these models demonstrate increased resistance to jailbreaks and reduced dishonesty compared to previous versions. Under the Preparedness Framework, these models are classified as “High capability” in Cybersecurity and Biological and Chemical domains, with safeguards implemented consistent with the GPT-5.6 system card.

7. Congressional Watch

Covers the 2026-10-06 session — the Congressional Record is published with a one-day delay.

Senate

The Senate met briefly in a pro forma session. No legislative business or committee meetings were conducted during this time.

• None — No legislative actions occurred [None]

House of Representatives

The House held a brief pro forma session where members introduced 17 public bills and 5 resolutions. Additionally, two reports were filed regarding veterans’ affairs legislation.

• H.R. 10751–10767 — Introduction of 17 public bills [None]

• H. Con. Res. 123 and H. Res. 1617–1620 — Introduction of 5 resolutions [None]

• H.R. 6698 — Report filed regarding Board of Veterans’ Appeals annual report requirements [H. Rept. 119–840]

• H.R. 7260 — Report filed regarding National Cemetery Administration annual report requirements [H. Rept. 119–841]

Committee Highlights

• None - None — No committee meetings were held

Coming Up

The Senate is scheduled to meet for a pro forma session at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026. The House of Representatives is scheduled to meet for a pro forma session at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026.

Reference: Congressional Daily Digest — 2026-10-06

Today’s Report

1. Overview

2. White House News

3. Truth Social Posts

4. Government Department News

5. Selected Democratic Officials

6. AI & Tech Company News

7. Congressional Watch

1. Overview

The White House commemorated German American Day, citing the 1683 founding of Germantown, and credited the community with sustaining the economy. The White House also asserted that President Biden led a renewal of the NATO alliance, which it claims benefits the transatlantic industrial base. Additionally, President Trump signed an Executive Order to authorize tax-free “red dye” diesel and defer excise taxes through the end of the year, an action Vice President JD Vance described as “tackling an urgent issue.”

President Trump used Truth Social to allege Jack Smith spied on lawyers and to claim the Biden administration risked national security via visa overstays. He stated Chicago is facing a violent crime wave that could be extinguished with federal assistance. Additionally, he accused Fox News of promoting Democrats and “Jihadist” candidates, asserted his rallies are “SAVING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY,” and characterized migration in France as an attempt at an “Islam” takeover.

The State Department reported that Secretary Marco Rubio met with Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadóttir on October 6, 2026, to discuss energy and defense. Secretary Rubio also held a call with Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh on October 5, 2026. The Department of War awarded contracts to Weldin Construction LLC and Aegis Aerospace Inc., while Secretary Pete Hegseth prepared to visit San Diego to welcome the USS Lincoln. The Department of Health and Human Services announced new price transparency regulations, and the Treasury Department reported that it identified $175 million in payments to deceased individuals during the 2026 fiscal year.

Governor Gavin Newsom directed the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor potential security threats following comments from Donald Trump, while also announcing the adoption of ICEYE satellite technology. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a $3.7 million investment by Methode Electronics to create 90 jobs in Michigan. Governor Wes Moore and Baltimore County announced a $3.7 billion investment by Anduril Industries to construct a shipyard, an initiative praised by various Maryland officials including Senator Angela Alsobrooks and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer. Governor Andy Beshear designated October as Manufacturing Month in Kentucky.

Anthropic launched an expanded Cyber Verification Program, providing security professionals with access to models including Claude Opus 5.5 and Claude Mythos 5.1. The company stated the program is designed to balance the prevention of malicious exploitation with the provision of tools for defenders, noting that “cybersecurity is inherently dual use.”

Congressional Watch records for October 5, 2026, indicate the Senate held a pro forma session with no legislative business. The House also held a pro forma session, where it introduced bills H.R. 10721–10750 and resolutions H. Res. 1606–1616. The House processed the appointment of Representative Case to the Congressional Office for International Leadership and filed a report (H. Rept. 119–839) concerning a veteran mental health grant program.

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2. White House News

Presidential Message on German American Day

The White House states that the German American story began on October 6, 1683, with the founding of Germantown, Pennsylvania. The White House credits German Americans with sustaining the nation’s economy, defending freedom, and keeping the “American Dream alive.” Furthermore, the White House asserts that President Biden “led a historic renewal of the NATO alliance,” noting that Germany has taken “bold steps toward the realization of a stronger, more balanced NATO.” The White House claims these defense investments will benefit both the transatlantic industrial base and American workers.

Reference: Original White House release

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Trump Delivers Immediate Diesel Relief, Saving Americans Up to $100 Per Fill

President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order authorizing the highway use of tax-free “red dye” diesel and deferring the federal diesel excise tax through the end of the year. The White House stated this “decisive action” aims to lower costs for farmers, truckers, and working families during harvest. While Vice President JD Vance described the order as “tackling an urgent issue,” various governors and lawmakers praised the move as “real relief.” The administration characterized the measure as an effort to “bring down costs.”

Reference: Original White House release

3. Truth Social Posts

Trump shared a report alleging that Jack Smith spied on the communications of Susie Wiles and over 20 lawyers. Regarding domestic security, he noted a watchdog conclusion that the Biden administration risked security by allowing millions of individuals to overstay visas, including potential threats. He also stated that Chicago is experiencing a violent crime wave and asserted that the federal government could extinguish it if the mayor or governor requested assistance, emphasizing that “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!”

Trump criticized Fox News for interviewing Dan Osborn, describing him as a “sleazebag” running against Senator Pete Ricketts, and questioned why the network provides exposure to the “other side.” He further accused Fox News of spending more time covering “Jihadist and Dumocrat candidates” than Republicans, claiming the network has “totally lost their way” by promoting Democrats instead of the MAGA movement. Trump asserted that “MY RALLIES ARE SAVING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AGAIN!!!” and maintained that his rally enthusiasm is “unbelievable,” predicting a “Midterm Surprise.”

Regarding international affairs, Trump characterized the situation in France as “out of control mass migration,” adding that “this is about Islam wanting to take over a once great Country!”

Reference: https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump

4. Government Department News

State Department (state.gov)

Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Icelandic Prime Minister Frostadóttir

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadóttir in Reykjavik on October 6, 2026. The officials discussed increasing economic collaboration, specifically regarding Iceland’s electricity output, technology cooperation, and pharmaceutical partnerships. Additionally, they reviewed Iceland’s inaugural defense and security policy and affirmed the bilateral defense relationship between the two nations.

Secretary Rubio’s Call with Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh held a call on October 5, 2026. They emphasized the U.S.-Mongolia Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership and discussed expanding future cooperation in energy security. Secretary Rubio expressed appreciation for Mongolia’s leadership in the Haiti Gang Suppression Force and urged the country to continue upholding religious freedom.

Department of War (war.gov)

Contracts for Oct. 6, 2026

Weldin Construction LLC received a $185,000,000 ceiling indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineering Requirements at Nellis AFB, Creech AFB, and the Nevada Test and Training Range, with completion expected by Sept. 29, 2031. Additionally, Aegis Aerospace Inc. was awarded a $9,359,118 contract modification for transitioning missions from a human-rated payload support task order. This modification increases the total contract value to $34,323,859, with performance in Houston, Texas, expected to conclude by Sept. 30, 2034.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Visit San Diego and Welcome Home the USS Lincoln

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is traveling to San Diego, California, to welcome the USS Lincoln home following its deployment. During the visit, Secretary Hegseth plans to address the crew, participate in physical training, and eat lunch with local warfighters.

Department of Health and Human Services (hhs.gov)

WTAS: New Regulations Make It Easier to Find, Compare, and Report Healthcare Pricing and Coverage Information

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, announced new regulations intended to provide Americans with accessible information regarding healthcare coverage and anticipated costs. The rules require insurers to attest to the accuracy of pricing data and aim to simplify cost estimates. Officials and stakeholders stated the policy seeks to increase market competition, reduce healthcare costs, and prevent the obfuscation of pricing, with proponents describing the measures as a “transformative step” for patient empowerment.

Treasury Department (home.treasury.gov)

Treasury Reports Major Progress in Preventing Fraud and Improper Payments

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Fiscal Year 2026 results for fraud and improper payment prevention, citing compliance with President Trump’s Executive Order 14249. Secretary Scott Bessent stated Treasury is moving “beyond ‘pay and chase’ and making prevention the federal government’s first line of defense.” The Do Not Pay program now reaches 99% of federal programs. Treasury screened $3.7 trillion in payments, identifying $175 million in payments to deceased individuals. New verification capabilities for bank account ownership and TINs became operational on September 30, 2026.

5. Selected Democratic Officials

Gavin Newsom (gov.ca.gov)

California reminds voters to check their mailboxes and return their ballot ASAP!

Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, and Attorney General Rob Bonta encouraged voters to prepare for the upcoming election. Officials noted that ballots should be mailed at least a week before Election Day to avoid potential delays related to U.S. Postal Service processes. Attorney General Bonta stated that the state secured a U.S. Supreme Court order protecting mail-in voting. Voters may track their ballots at WheresMyBallot.com, and those needing to register have until October 19th, with options for same-day registration available.

Governor Gavin Newsom statement on Donald Trump’s disgusting and disqualifying comments

Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement characterizing Donald Trump’s remarks as “dangerous — if not treasonous” and claiming they put a “target on two of our biggest cities and one of America’s largest naval hubs.” Consequently, Governor Newsom stated he is “directing the State Threat Assessment Center to actively monitor the situation in the event that foreign actors interpret the President’s remarks as an invitation to target California.”

Governor Newsom announces new disaster intelligence satellites, opens modernized State Operations Center as Trump erodes national disaster readiness

Governor Newsom announced the adoption of satellite technology from ICEYE and the opening of a modernized State Operations Center in Mather to improve disaster response. Governor Newsom stated that the state is taking action “as Trump walks away from disaster preparedness.” Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs stated the center improves coordination and situational awareness. The initiative includes 73 new permanent positions for incident management teams. These resources are intended to support the state’s preparations for severe weather and potential El Niño impacts.

Gretchen Whitmer (michigan.gov)

Gov. Whitmer Announces 90 New Jobs, more than $3 Million Expansion Project in Oakland County

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Methode Electronics Inc. is relocating its headquarters from Chicago to Southfield, Michigan. The $3.7 million investment is expected to create 90 jobs by 2030, with starting wages of $29.41 per hour plus benefits. The project received a $900,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. Governor Whitmer stated, “Today, we are investing in our auto industry by landing big projects and creating jobs for Michiganders,” adding that the move helps demonstrate that “Michigan is the best place to build the future.”

Wes Moore (governor.maryland.gov)

State of Maryland, Baltimore County Announce Anduril Industries to Invest $3.7B, Create Over 3,100 Jobs with New Shipbuilding Facility

The State of Maryland and Baltimore County announced a $3.7 billion private investment by Anduril Industries to build “Arsenal-2,” a two million square-foot software-defined shipyard at Tradepoint Atlantic. The project is expected to create over 3,100 permanent jobs and support 14,000 total positions. The state and county committed to matching up to 13% of the investment via incentives requiring future legislative approval. Governor Moore stated the project will drive “billions of dollars in economic activity” and provide “new pathways to work, wages, and wealth.”

What They’re Saying: Leaders Praise Governor Moore for Securing Largest Single Private Investment, Job Creator in Maryland in Over a Decade

Following the announcement of Anduril Industries’ $3.7 billion investment, various Maryland political leaders expressed support for the project. Senator Angela Alsobrooks, Congressman Johnny Olszewski, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer, Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, Secretary Harry Coker, Jr., and Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk praised the initiative. Officials characterized the investment as a boost to national security, maritime manufacturing, and regional economic revitalization, with Speaker Peña-Melnyk noting it creates “thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs” for the state.

Andy Beshear (governor.ky.gov)

Gov. Beshear Designates October as Manufacturing Month in Kentucky

Gov. Beshear designated October as Manufacturing Month, citing the industry’s role in Kentucky’s record economic growth. The sector employs over 260,000 people and contributes $47.5 billion to the state’s GDP annually. Since 2020, the administration reports over 970 manufacturing projects, totaling $46.2 billion in investment and 48,000 new jobs. Gov. Beshear stated, “Kentucky’s historic economic success is fueled in part by our essential manufacturing industry.” Frank Jemley, president and CEO of the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, expressed appreciation for the industry’s contributions to communities and families.

JB Pritzker (gov.illinois.gov)

Daily Public Schedule: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Governor Pritzker has no public events scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Updates regarding press conferences are available via the Governor’s Twitter and Facebook pages, and downloadable footage is accessible through the Illinois Department of Central Management Services.

6. AI & Tech Company News

Anthropic (anthropic.com)

Expanding the Cyber Verification Program

Anthropic is launching an expanded Cyber Verification Program (CVP) featuring three access tiers for security professionals. The program provides access to models including Claude Opus 5.5 and Claude Mythos 5.1 with reduced blocking classifiers. The tiers comprise Defense Access, Red Team Access, and Specialized Access, with varying verification requirements and security controls. Anthropic states that “cybersecurity is inherently dual use,” noting that the program aims to balance preventing malicious exploitation with providing defenders the necessary tools to secure systems.

7. Congressional Watch

Covers the 2026-10-05 session — the Congressional Record is published with a one-day delay.

Senate

The Senate met in a brief pro forma session on October 5, 2026. No legislative business or committee activity occurred during this session.

• None — None [None]

House of Representatives

The House held a brief pro forma session, introduced several bills and resolutions, and processed official appointments. A report was also filed regarding a pilot program for veteran mental health care.

• H.R. 10721–10750 — Introduced public bills [None]

• H. Res. 1606–1616 — Introduced resolutions [None]

• H.R. 2283 — Directed the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide grants to outpatient mental health facilities for veterans [Report filed (H. Rept. 119–839)]

• Board of Trustees of the Congressional Office for International Leadership — Appointment of Representative Case [Appointed]

• National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity — Appointment of Mr. Robert Shireman and Ms. Dominique Baker [Appointed]

Committee Highlights

• None - None — No hearings or markups were held.

Coming Up

The Senate is scheduled to meet in a pro forma session at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The House is scheduled to meet in a pro forma session at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

Reference: Congressional Daily Digest — 2026-10-05

Ads promoting the president have cost more than $12m and his Super Pac has refused to reimburse taxpayers

• Sign up to The Stakes 2026: your weekly guide to the US midterms

The Democratic National Committee sued the Trump administration in federal court on Wednesday, asking a judge in Washington DC to stop the president from using taxpayer funds to air a series of ads promoting himself, arguing that the ads are illegal government-sponsored propaganda.

The ads promoting Donald Trump, including one recycled from his 2024 presidential campaign, have cost taxpayers more than $12m so far, according to the media tracking firm AdImpact.

In the shadow of the Parthenon, the secretary of state gave a selective reading of history as he urged Europe to ‘awaken from its slumber’

The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, delivered a classically inspired apologia for Donald Trump’s “America first” foreign policy on Wednesday, giving a sweeping speech to the backdrop of the Parthenon in Athens that appeared tailor-made for campaign ads if he runs for president in 2028.

In the speech, the top US diplomat drew historical parallels from the founders, philosophers and conquerers of antiquity to the modern American spirit – as well as his family’s own journey to the United States – as he called on Europe to “awaken from its long slumber” and reject a “future of atrophy and servitude and decline”.

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Welcome to today’s Trump Tyranny Tracker…

Trump discussing emergency powers around the midterms, taxpayer-funded propaganda promoting his presidency, and thousands of additional U.S. troops heading to the Middle East are among today’s top stories.

Today at a Glance

• Trump refuses to rule out invoking the Insurrection Act around the midterms.

• Trump directs millions in taxpayer money toward ads promoting himself and his presidency.

• Pentagon sends more than 4,000 additional Marines and sailors toward the Middle East as the Iran war continues.

What We Need to Pay Attention To

Trump not ruling out invoking Insurrection Act around midterms

What Happened: Trump refused to rule out declaring a national emergency or invoking the Insurrection Act around the November midterms. Asked whether he could use the law, which allows a president under certain circumstances to deploy the military domestically, Trump said, “I’ve never used it. I could use it.”

Why It Matters: Using the military around an election threatens the basic separation between presidential power and the democratic process and is a classic authoritarian tactic. The military should have no role in how Americans vote or who controls Congress.

Source: The Hill

Corruption

Another Trump meme coin contest promises an ‘exclusive’ dinner with the president

What Happened: The company behind Trump’s $TRUMP meme coin launched another contest offering the top 185 coin holders an “exclusive” dinner with Trump at his private Washington club. The top 29 purchasers get a VIP reception, while the top four receive Trump-branded gold watches.

Why It Matters: This is more naked corruption. Trump is using the presidency to enrich himself by offering access to people who spend the most money on his meme coin.

Source: CNN

Democrats Call for Probe Into Kimberly Guilfoyle’s Conduct

What Happened: Congressional Democrats called for a State Department investigation into U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle over her promotion of Greek company Aktor Group, bringing its lobbyist into meetings with foreign officials, and using private jets, including one paid for by Aktor’s CEO.

Why It Matters: A U.S. ambassador promoted a private company, gave its lobbyist access to diplomatic meetings and accepted travel paid for by its CEO. This is more corruption from this regime.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Power Consolidation

‘Page one of repressive playbook’: critics warn of Trump’s conspiratorial attacks

What Happened: Trump has repeatedly promoted lies and conspiracies about elections, the media, science and political opponents while pushing investigations, prosecutions and other government action against people and institutions he portrays as threats. Experts told The Guardian that the pattern mirrors how conspiracy narratives have historically been used to justify repression.

Why It Matters: Trump is using conspiracy theories to justify targeting his opponents with federal power. Inventing enemies and then using the government against them is a classic authoritarian tactic.

Source: The Guardian

Trump’s $500 Obamacare ‘rebate’ checks land in prime political battlegrounds

What Happened: Trump is sending $500 government checks to 950,000 Obamacare enrollees weeks before the midterms, with 71% of the payments going to people in battleground states. The checks include a letter from Trump personally telling recipients, “I am returning it to you.”

Why It Matters: Trump is using taxpayer money to send checks disproportionately to voters in political battlegrounds weeks before the midterms, then personally taking credit for giving them the money. It's another gross attempt to use public money to influence voters.

Source: Reuters

Weaponization of Institutions

A new Trump proposal would require tax filers to disclose citizenship status to the IRS

What Happened: Trump officials proposed requiring taxpayers to disclose their citizenship and work authorization status on federal tax returns. Officials say the change would prevent people without permanent legal status from receiving benefits they are ineligible for, while privacy and immigration experts warn the information could be used for immigration enforcement.

Source: Associated Press

Justice Department finds UCLA law school illegally used race in admissions

What Happened: The Justice Department accused UCLA Law School of illegally considering race in admissions, following a similar “finding” against UCLA’s medical school and allegations against UC Berkeley and UC San Diego. UCLA Law denies discriminating and says its admissions process complies with federal law.

Source: Associated Press

Decades After Watergate, Justice Department Reviews Whether Nixon Got a Raw Deal

What Happened: The Justice Department is reviewing allegations that prosecutors committed misconduct during the Watergate investigation more than 50 years after Richard Nixon resigned. Former Nixon aide Geoff Shepard was invited to DOJ headquarters to present his theory that a “deep state” used “lawfare” to bring Nixon down.

Why It Matters: Rewriting history to whitewash past abuses of power is a common authoritarian tactic. Trump officials are recasting Watergate as a conspiracy against Nixon while dismantling safeguards created to prevent another president from abusing his power.

Source: Wall Street Journal

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Media Suppression & Authoritarian Tactics

Trump defends spending millions on taxpayer-funded promotional ads: 'For the country'

What Happened: Trump personally directed budget chief Russell Vought to find taxpayer money for television ads praising Trump and his presidency, resulting in a $20 million DHS-funded campaign. The ads feature Trump, promote his policies and repeat political messaging, including his “final battle” against the “deep state” and “globalists.”

Why It Matters: Trump is using taxpayer money to produce government propaganda promoting himself and his political agenda weeks before the midterms. Using state resources to glorify the leader and push his propaganda is straight out of the Russian playbook and used by all authoritarian regimes.

Source: ABC News

White House airs new taxpayer-funded ad praising Trump’s war on Iran

What Happened: The White House aired another taxpayer-funded television ad praising Trump, this time promoting his decision to go to war with Iran. The ad uses footage of combat and Trump alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declaring, “if you kill Americans … we will kill you.”

Source: The Guardian

Human & Civil Rights Abuses

ICE got ‘quieter’ – then killed a father in Maine. Now watch groups are shifting their tactics too

What Happened: Immigrant rights groups in Maine are expanding networks to track ICE vehicles, arrests and detention activity as the agency shifts toward less visible enforcement. Volunteers are using hotlines, encrypted communications and an online tracking system to document operations and alert communities.

Why It Matters: ICE operations are becoming harder for the public, journalists and advocates to see and document. Less visibility means less accountability for what federal agents are doing in communities.

Source: The Guardian

Government Disruption

Housing Official, Who Targeted Trump Foes, Cuts Watchdog Office

What Happened: FHFA Director Bill Pulte moved to cut the agency’s inspector general staff by roughly 70–80%, which employees told Congress would effectively end its criminal investigations. The move follows the removal of the acting inspector general after lawmakers asked him to investigate Pulte’s use of the agency to target Trump’s perceived political enemies.

Why It Matters: Pulte used his federal agency to investigate Trump’s opponents and is now gutting the independent office responsible for investigating misconduct inside his agency. It removes one of the few checks on monitoring abuses of his power.

Source: New York Times

Imperial & Geopolitical Watch

Pentagon sending more than 4,000 Marines, sailors to Middle East as buildup ramps up

What Happened: The Pentagon is sending more than 4,000 Marines and sailors aboard three warships toward the Middle East. Combined with the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier deployment, roughly 9,000 additional personnel are being sent toward a region where more than 50,000 U.S. troops are already operating.

Why It Matters: Trump told Americans the war was won and would last only weeks. Instead, he is sending thousands more U.S. troops to the Middle East as his quagmire expands, with no end in sight.

Source: The Hill

Trade tensions mean fewer Canadians flocking to South Florida

What Happened: Canadian travel to South Florida has fallen amid U.S.-Canada trade tensions, a weak Canadian dollar and new border requirements. Nonstop flights between Canada and Fort Lauderdale fell about 7% in 2025 and nearly 9% during the first half of 2026, while some Florida businesses report substantially fewer Canadian customers.

Source: NPR

Trump defies Democrats, diverts aid for Europe to Latin America instead

What Happened: Trump officials are diverting $52 million in military aid from Slovakia, North Macedonia, Tunisia and Iraq to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia despite a congressional hold. Some of the funding for Slovakia and North Macedonia was approved by Congress specifically to help countries affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Why It Matters: Trump is taking military assistance Congress approved for European countries affected by Russia’s war and sending it elsewhere despite lawmakers trying to stop the transfer. It further weakens U.S. support for European security as Russia escalates across Europe and continues its genocidal war against Ukraine.

Source: The Washington Post

Far-Right & Russian Influence Watch

Polish Foreign Minister Criticizes Trump Over Putin G20 Invite

What Happened: Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski criticized Trump for inviting Vladimir Putin to this year’s G20 summit, saying Putin should not be treated as a welcome guest while Russia continues its war against Ukraine. Sikorski said Trump’s approach is helping bring Putin “out of isolation.”

Why It Matters: Trump is helping rehabilitate Putin on the world stage while Russia continues its war against Ukraine. One of America’s closest NATO allies is now publicly warning that Trump is undoing efforts to keep Putin internationally isolated.

Source: Bloomberg

Economic News

Along U.S. Route 1, Maine voters worry about heating oil, gas and Canadian tariffs

What Happened: Heating oil prices in Maine have risen 74% over the past year, while residents and businesses are also dealing with high gasoline prices. Along the Canadian border, businesses and farmers report additional pressure from declining Canadian spending and higher costs tied to trade tensions.

Source: NPR

Mortgage Rates Surge, Wrecking the Home-Buyer Playbook

What Happened: The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate jumped from 7.03% to 7.28% this week, the largest weekly increase in four years. Rising inflation, government debt and heavy corporate borrowing are pushing bond yields higher and increasing borrowing costs.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Resistance

Check out 50501 for local and nationwide events…

Source: 50501

By the Numbers

• 185 — Top $TRUMP meme coin holders offered an exclusive dinner with Trump

• 950,000 — Obamacare enrollees receiving $500 government checks weeks before the midterms

• 71% — Share of those $500 payments going to people in battleground states

• 70–80% — Staff reduction planned for the FHFA inspector general’s office

• $52 million — Military assistance Trump officials are diverting from Europe and elsewhere despite a congressional hold

• 74% — Increase in Maine heating oil prices over the past year

• 9% — Drop in nonstop flights between Canada and Fort Lauderdale during the first half of 2026

• 7.28% — Average 30-year fixed mortgage rate after the largest weekly increase in four years

What to Watch Next

Trump is openly discussing emergency powers around the midterms — Will he invoke the Insurrection Act or declare a national emergency as Election Day approaches?

Trump is using taxpayer money to influence voters weeks before the midterms — Will courts intervene as government checks and taxpayer-funded propaganda promote Trump ahead of the election?

Trump’s Iran war is expanding despite his claims that it was already won — How many more troops will he send to the Middle East, and what is his exit strategy?

Trump is weakening support for Europe while rehabilitating Putin — Will more NATO allies publicly push back as Trump diverts military aid away from Europe and brings Putin back onto the world stage?

Key Takeaways

Affordability Crisis — Heating oil prices have surged, mortgage rates are climbing and deteriorating relations with Canada are hurting American businesses.

State Propaganda — Trump is spending public money on government-produced ads glorifying himself, his presidency and his war with Iran.

Iran Quagmire — Trump said the war was won and would last only weeks, but thousands more U.S. troops are heading to the Middle East as the conflict expands.

Russia & Europe — Trump is diverting military aid away from European countries affected by Russia’s war while helping bring Putin out of international isolation.

Election Interference — Trump is discussing emergency powers while taxpayer-funded checks and government propaganda promote him weeks before the midterms.

Call to Action

Document Everything: Document purges, corruption, and power grabs. Share credible information with journalists, watchdogs, and legal experts. Silence enables authoritarianism—see something, say something.

Defend Press Freedom: Support independent journalism by subscribing to and sharing reporting that challenges Trump’s power grab.

Contact Lawmakers: Demand accountability for Trump’s unchecked power and war on oversight.

Mobilize for Action: Organize or join legal efforts and resistance movements to protect democracy and human and civil rights.

Support Whistleblowers: Encourage legal defense funds for government workers facing retaliation for exposing corruption.

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Putin’s Pawns takes you on a journey from the earliest days of the Cold War and Soviet KGB active measures through Russia’s attacks on Western elections, the rise of the far right, Trump and Russia, the genocidal war against Ukraine, influence operations across Europe, and the shadow war unfolding today.

It is the story of how Moscow spent decades learning to exploit the weaknesses of democracies and how those tactics brought us to this moment.

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Thanks for reading the Trump Tyranny Tracker. Stay tuned for more updates.

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President floats firing Chris LaCivita and James Blair over any ‘conflict’ after reports of work in Republika Srpska

Donald Trump distanced himself from two top advisers on Wednesday, claiming he did not have “any idea who else they work for”, after it was reported they spent the weekend assisting a pro-Russia government in the Balkans.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote that Chris LaCivita, the co-manager of his 2024 presidential campaign, and James Blair, a campaign adviser and White House deputy chief of staff on leave of absence, “are outside consultants” and “do not work for me other than as outside consultants”.

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Welcome to today’s Trump Tyranny Tracker…

The White House expanding a nationwide surveillance system, new efforts to restrict voting ahead of the midterms, and the Justice Department targeting federal judges are among today’s top stories.

Today at a Glance

• Trump expands a nationwide surveillance system using license plate data collected by local police.

• Trump officials impose new voting restrictions on Americans overseas and move to restrict federal funding that helps disabled Americans vote.

• Justice Department targets federal judges who challenged Trump’s immigration crackdown.

What We Need to Pay Attention To

How Cities Are Forced to Funnel License Plate Data to a Massive Federal Surveillance Program

What Happened: Trump officials are using a federal anti-drug program to funnel license plate data collected by local police into massive federal databases accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide. In some places, cities must share their license plate reader data with the federal system to operate cameras on state roads.

Why It Matters: The federal government is building a nationwide surveillance system that can track where Americans go, including people suspected of no crime. There is no oversight of who can access the data or what they will do with this information.

Source: 404 Media

Corruption

Trump administration withdraws US from Greco anti-corruption monitoring body

What Happened: Trump withdrew the United States from GRECO, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption monitoring body, ending more than 25 years of U.S. participation. GRECO evaluates governments’ safeguards against corruption and publicly tracks whether they implement recommended reforms.

Why It Matters: Trump is removing an independent check on corruption inside the U.S. government. That leaves even less accountability for conflicts of interest involving Trump and other senior officials.

Source: The Guardian

Power Consolidation

Trump officials changed forms for overseas voters amid a GOP push to restrict voting

What Happened: Trump officials made last-minute changes to federal voting forms used by Americans overseas, bypassing the normal months-long review process weeks before states began sending midterm ballots.

Why It Matters: Trump officials changed voting forms weeks before the midterms, making it harder for eligible Americans overseas to vote. Republicans are also challenging the voting rights of these same Americans in multiple states.

Source: NPR

“A Massive Power Grab”: White House Proposal Threatens Funding That Helps Disabled Americans Vote

What Happened: Trump’s Office of Management and Budget proposed banning federal grants from being used for voter registration drives and related activities. The restriction would hit programs Congress funds to help disabled Americans register and vote. This includes $10 million distributed annually to disability rights organizations nationwide.

Why It Matters: Trump is trying to restrict money Congress specifically approved to help disabled Americans vote. People who already face barriers to voting would lose assistance meant to help them participate in elections.

Source: ProPublica

Trump Says Powell Should Be Forced to Resign From Fed Board

What Happened: Trump called for former Fed Chair Jerome Powell to be forced off the Federal Reserve Board and directed Attorney General Todd Blanche to review an inspector general report on the Fed’s $2.4 billion headquarters renovation.

Source: Bloomberg

Weaponization of Institutions

Hegseth bars military academies from hiring civilians as tenured professors

What Happened: Pete Hegseth ordered military service academies to stop appointing civilian professors to tenured positions, making future faculty easier to remove. Hegseth said tenure allows academics to drift from the military’s “warfighting mission.”

Why It Matters: Ending tenure makes civilian professors easier to fire if Pentagon leaders do not like what they teach or say. It gives political appointees more control over the people educating future military officers.

Source: The Washington Post

Justice Department files ethics complaint against Minnesota federal judges

What Happened: The Justice Department filed an ethics complaint against seven Minnesota federal judges who spoke publicly about Trump’s immigration crackdown and its impact on their court. DOJ accused them of bias and is seeking to remove them from cases involving DHS; the judges say their comments were permitted under judicial ethics rules.

Why It Matters: These judges have repeatedly challenged Trump officials over immigration detention cases and violations of court orders. DOJ is now using the judicial disciplinary process against the judges responsible for checking the government’s actions.

Source: Politico

Election denier Kurt Olsen steps down from “grand conspiracy” case, but remains on DOJ payroll, official says

What Happened: Kurt Olsen, who worked to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss, stepped down from the Justice Department’s “grand conspiracy” investigation targeting former Obama and Biden-era officials. Olsen remains on the DOJ payroll as senior counsel, although officials have not said what work he will now perform.

Source: CBS News

Homeland Security taps $20M in taxpayer funds for pro-Trump ads

What Happened: DHS tapped $20 million intended for Customs and Border Protection to fund propaganda ads promoting Trump and his policies. The ads, labeled “Paid for by the U.S. Government,” have drawn criticism over the use of taxpayer money for political messaging.

Source: Associated Press

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Media Suppression & Authoritarian Tactics

In latest religion push, Hegseth unveils Office of Religious Affairs

What Happened: Pete Hegseth created a new Office of Religious Affairs that reports directly to him and ordered the military services to identify funding needs for religious programs, facilities, ministry, and faith-based homeschooling. He said chaplains will now have a direct line to the Pentagon’s highest levels.

Why It Matters: The military is supposed to protect the religious freedom of everyone who serves, including those with no religion. Giving religion a larger role inside Pentagon leadership pushes Hegseth’s Christian nationalist priorities into an institution that is supposed to be religiously neutral.

Source: USA Today

FCC head says government-funded Trump ads are ‘normal’ and ‘don’t raise any red flags’

What Happened: FCC Chair Brendan Carr said taxpayer-funded propaganda TV ads featuring Trump are “normal” public service announcements and do not warrant an FCC review. Public Citizen filed an FCC complaint noting that Trump’s 2024 campaign previously used one of the ads.

Why It Matters: The FCC is supposed to police abuses involving broadcasters. Its chairman is refusing to investigate the use of taxpayer money for ads promoting Trump, leaving the government free to use public funds for political propaganda without FCC scrutiny.

Source: NBC News

Human & Civil Rights Abuses

Human rights groups ask UN panel to help end ICE’s effort to hide locations of detainees

What Happened: More than 30 human rights groups asked a UN panel to intervene after ICE removed thousands of detainees with final removal orders from its public locator system. The change affects more than 16,000 people and has left families and attorneys unable to determine where many detainees are being held.

Why It Matters: ICE is holding thousands of people in locations their families and lawyers cannot find. That cuts detainees off from legal help and allows ICE to disappear them with even less outside scrutiny.

Source: Associated Press

From mass raids to quiet crackdown: a timeline of Trump’s strategic ICE pivot

What Happened: After the murders of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti during the Minneapolis immigration operation, Trump replaced DHS leadership and moved away from highly visible mass raids. ICE shifted toward smaller operations and partnerships with local law enforcement while arrests and deportations reached record levels.

Source: The Guardian

Government Disruption

Hegseth cutting generals and admirals by 20%, including top officers who “clung to the woke department”

What Happened: Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon has already fired roughly 10% of its generals and admirals and is eliminating another 10% of senior officer positions. Hegseth said officers who “clung to the woke department” are no longer serving and described the removals as necessary to change the military’s culture.

Why It Matters: Hegseth is openly tying the removal of senior military leaders to whether they supported policies he opposes. Political ideology is becoming a factor in who remains at the highest levels of the U.S. military.

Source: CBS News

Changes to SNAP benefits begin Oct. 1 for millions of Americans: What to know

What Happened: An estimated 5 million Americans, including more than 1 million children, have lost SNAP food assistance over the past year after Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy law. Beginning October 1, states will also be required to cover 75% of SNAP administrative costs, with additional costs shifting to states beginning in 2027.

Source: ABC News

Imperial & Geopolitical Watch

UK says there are strong indications Iran played a part in a security incident at a US-run air base

What Happened: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there are “strong indications” Iran played a role in a security incident near RAF Fairford, where five British men were arrested on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses. Police found gasoline in three vans near the base, which U.S. bombers have used for strikes against Iran. The men remain under investigation after being released on bail.

Source: ABC News

Retired general who led troops in Iraq warns U.S. exit may give Iran, ISIS an opening

What Happened: The last U.S. troops have withdrawn from Iraq, ending the American military presence there as the U.S. and Israel remain at war with neighboring Iran. Retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster warned that the withdrawal could strengthen Iran’s position in Iraq and leave an opening for ISIS to rebuild.

Source: NPR

Judge Questions Secrecy Around Trump Administration’s Memo on Boat Strikes

What Happened: A federal judge rejected key arguments Trump officials used to keep secret a Justice Department memo authorizing military strikes on boats and ordered DOJ to provide the document for private review. Since September 2025, the Pentagon has carried out 70 known strikes, killing more than 230 people.

Why It Matters: The U.S. military has killed more than 230 people without trial while Trump officials refuse to disclose the legal basis for the strikes. The government is claiming the power to kill suspected drug smugglers while keeping its justification secret.

Source: New York Times

Far-Right & Russian Influence Watch

Trump administration diverts human rights funds to push far-right agenda abroad

What Happened: Trump officials redirected $176.9 million from the State Department’s Human Rights and Democracy Fund toward programs including support for white Afrikaner causes, anti-communism initiatives and groups promoting “Western civilizational norms” in Europe.

Source: The Guardian

Unmasking RussiaWhy Is Russia Manufacturing a Story About NATO Preparing to Blockade Kaliningrad?Over the past few months, European governments and intelligence agencies have issued multiple warnings that Russia could be preparing to escalate its attacks against NATO. Countries, especially on the Eastern flank, are strengthening their defenses, protecting critical infrastructure, preparing evacuation plans, and Germany is even getting hospitals ready for the possibility of war. Meanwhile, Russia seems to be laying the groundwork for a false flag or maybe just returning to its fear-mongering playbook. Either way, it’s important to document…Read more8 days ago · 329 likes · 25 comments · Olga Lautman

Economic News

Americans growing more pessimistic about the economy as prices for gas, other items remain elevated

What Happened: U.S. consumer confidence fell sharply in September, with the Conference Board’s index dropping 6.7 points to 81.9. Americans reported worsening views of both current economic conditions and the months ahead as prices remain high and wages stagnate during the Iran war.

Source: ABC News

Resistance

Check out 50501 for local and nationwide events…

Source: 50501

By the Numbers

• 16,000+ — ICE detainees removed from the public locator system, leaving families and attorneys unable to find many of them.

• 20% — Reduction in generals and admirals under Hegseth, including roughly 10% already fired and another 10% of positions being eliminated.

• 5 million — Americans who have lost SNAP food assistance over the past year, including more than 1 million children.

• $176.9 million — Human rights and democracy funding redirected toward right-wing causes and groups promoting “Western civilizational norms.”

• 230+ — People killed in U.S. military strikes on suspected “drug-smuggling” boats since September 2025.

What to Watch Next

Trump is expanding a nationwide federal surveillance system using license plate data collected by local police — How far will federal agencies expand access to Americans’ movements, and will Congress intervene?

Trump officials are making voting changes weeks before the midterms — What additional restrictions will be imposed on overseas, disabled and other eligible voters before Election Day?

DOJ is escalating its confrontation with federal judges overseeing Trump’s immigration crackdown — Will the Justice Department target more judges who rule against Trump officials or challenge violations of court orders?

Hegseth is removing senior military leaders while openly attacking officers who supported policies he opposes — How much further will political ideology shape who remains in the military’s highest ranks?

Key Takeaways

Voting Restrictions — Trump officials are changing overseas voting forms and trying to restrict federal money Congress approved to help disabled Americans vote.

Weaponizing Government — DOJ is targeting federal judges who challenged Trump’s immigration crackdown, while the FCC refuses to investigate taxpayer-funded ads promoting Trump.

Military Politicization — Hegseth is eliminating senior officers, ending tenure protections for future civilian professors and expanding religion’s institutional role inside the Pentagon.

Human Rights — ICE has hidden the locations of more than 16,000 detainees while Trump officials redirect U.S. human rights funding toward ideological causes abroad.

Call to Action

Document Everything: Document purges, corruption, and power grabs. Share credible information with journalists, watchdogs, and legal experts. Silence enables authoritarianism—see something, say something.

Defend Press Freedom: Support independent journalism by subscribing to and sharing reporting that challenges Trump’s power grab.

Contact Lawmakers: Demand accountability for Trump’s unchecked power and war on oversight.

Mobilize for Action: Organize or join legal efforts and resistance movements to protect democracy and human and civil rights.

Support Whistleblowers: Encourage legal defense funds for government workers facing retaliation for exposing corruption.

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Putin’s Pawns takes you on a journey from the earliest days of the Cold War and Soviet KGB active measures through Russia’s attacks on Western elections, the rise of the far right, Trump and Russia, the genocidal war against Ukraine, influence operations across Europe, and the shadow war unfolding today.

It is the story of how Moscow spent decades learning to exploit the weaknesses of democracies and how those tactics brought us to this moment.

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Donald Trump’s unpopularity and the economic struggles of voters have boosted Democrats. But with less than a month to go, there is no complacency

For once, Democrats and Donald Trump might be in agreement: “Pretend I’m on the ticket,” the historically unpopular president has instructed supporters. Midterms are in large part a referendum on the incumbent, and Trump’s war on Iran and its impact on the cost of living have boosted support for Democrats. With less than a month to go, they have reason to be upbeat. The party has a mountain to climb after the devastating defeats of 2024, and the gerrymandering of Republicans, but surveys give it a lead of about nine points on the generic ballot, which measures preference for parties rather than specific candidates.

Attention has turned from the prospects of seizing the House, where Democrats are forecast a clear majority, to what once seemed like the highly optimistic possibility of taking the Senate too. That would require flipping four seats, with 35 in play. Remarkably, Democrats are prospering in red states from Texas to Alaska. In Kansas – which Mr Trump carried by 16 points, and which has not elected a Democratic senator since 1932 – the race is neck and neck.

Last week, we learned that the Trump administration had begun sending out $500 checks to Obamacare recipients to reimburse them for so-called “user fee” overcharges. But a dive into the universe of ACA enrollees who are actually getting the checks reveals this to be just another one of Trump’s voter bribery schemes.

In tomorrow’s piece, digs into Trump’s myriad cash payment promises to voters and explores how Trump actually got this one to deliver real money to select Americans mere weeks before the election.

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And in case you missed it, yesterday explored the various ways Trump is turning the presidency‚ and indeed the entire federal government, into a corrupt family business. By examining how we got here, as well as some analogues for such corrupt autocratic leaders, Democrats can forge a path forward. It won’t be easy, but it’s doable.

Listening to the president at a rally these days is a mix of deja vu and word salad, but his decade-long project of division remains abnormal and dangerous

• This was originally published in This Week in Trumpland. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Wednesday

Donald Trump’s campaign rallies can be repetitive. Very repetitive. He calls himself the “greatest” president leading the “greatest” movement inside the “greatest” economy. He rails against “Dumocrats” for the “transgender mutilization” of children. He lambasts the “fake news” and reheats election lies. He describes illegal immigration as an “invasion” and recites the poem The Snake.

If we were all frogs being slowly boiled alive, we’ve now reached the stage of blackened toad. After a decade of this, presidential utterances that would once have caused outrage are met with a shrug. We are no longer shockable. Or so we thought.

The US midterms in focus. Plus: porn’s big players

With fewer than 30 days until the US midterm elections, Donald Trump seems determined to still be centre stage despite poll fears that after 3 November he may end up a lame-duck president as a Democratic blue wave sweeps the country. Our Washington bureau chief, David Smith, has been watching how the president is playing to Republican voters at the start of a blitz of cross-country rallies. It’s, at best, a mixed picture.

As David reports, Trump’s self-belief and message to voters to “pretend” his name is on the ballot reveal a man out of touch with ordinary Americans’ worries about the cost of living and whose promises that the war with Iran will soon be over ring ever more hollow. And then there are the candidates, more of whom are shying away from their earlier allegiances to a president whose approval ratings continue to slide.

Texas attorney general acknowledged affordability was his party’s ‘biggest problem’ heading into the midterms

• US politics live – latest updates

Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general running as the Republican candidate in a competitive Senate race, admitted privately that rising fuel prices as a result of Donald Trump’s Iran war were hurting his party before the midterms in the latest leaked audio recording.

Asked what issues were “dragging” his campaign at a closed-door fundraising event, Paxton replied, “It’s not tariffs … it’s the war, it’s gas prices, it’s diesel,” according to an audio recording shared with Axios.

Posts in this series

This series addresses the high crimes and misdemeanors committed by the Roberts Majority of SCOTUS. Reforming the Court must begin with impeachment of these six. They will strike down any law restricting their power. This should be a campaign issue for every Democrat.

Introduction

Previous posts in this series help us to see the deeper problem with the six Republicans on the Supreme Court: their theory of the role of judges in our democracy. They all believe that they know the truth of the Constitution, and that it is their duty to shove that Truth down our throats.

This is a false view of the role of judges. In this post I discuss the theory of judging espoused by Richard Posner, who served for many years as a judge on the 7th Circuit, and as a lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School.

Posner’s theory of pragmatic adjudication vs. judicial positivism

The text for this post is a 1996 article Posner published in the Cardozo Law Review, Pragmatic Adjudication. The article begins with a discussion of the term “pragmatic”. Posner distinguishes it from Pragmatism, a philosophical theory developed by Americans. Posner is interested in a practical kind of pragmatism, more in line with the common usage of the term.

Posner uses this working definition of pragmatic adjudication:

… a pragmatist judge always tries to do the best he can do for the present and the future, unchecked by any felt duty to secure consistency in principle with what other officials have done in the past….

Posner says his critics accuse him of a form of relativism which Alasdair MacIntyre would call emotivism. That is equivalent to saying that he has no firm principles. Posner flatly and accurately disagrees. He offers a contrasting view, that of the judicial positivist, which he describes as:

.. a judge who believes not only that the positivist account of
law is descriptively accurate — that the meaning of law is exhausted
in positive law — but also that the positivist account should guide
judicial decision-making, in the strong sense that no right should be
recognized or duty imposed that does not have its source in positive law.

Positive law is the constitution, statutes, rules and established norms of a society. In deciding how to rule on a close case, a judicial positivist would consider the laws, rules, and precedents applicable to the case, and choose the judgment that aligned the current case with the prior decisions of other officials.

The judicial pragmatist, in contrast, would carefully consider those materials as sources of knowledge, and even as wisdom, helpful in deciding the current case, but would not feel a duty to align the decision in the current case with them if that would produce a bad result for the future. This, I think, is one aspect of the difference:

There is often a trade-off between rendering substantive justice in the case under consideration and maintaining the law’s certainty and predictability.

The judicial positivist does not recognize this critical difference. Because he does see this difference, a judicial pragmatist would also consider “… sources that bear directly on the wisdom of the rule that he is being asked to adopt or modify” I think Posner would insist that if this leads to a duty to explain why those prior rules do not produce a good outcome in the current case.

Let me try an example. Imagine you’re a trial lawyer in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Recall that the issue that went to trial was a 15 week abortion ban. If you were before a judicial positivist, as a lawyer for the state perhaps you would evidence of some kind of sentience or life of the fetus on the grounds that protecting life is a crucial aspect of Roe v. Wade. You would argue that the state should be allowed to determine the date by which the interest of the state is greater than the interest of the woman and her family. As a lawyer for the Clinic, you’d pound on the precedent, and probably point to the testimony of the Trump-appoiontees that it was a really solid precedent.

But as a lawyer for the clinic, if you were before a judicial pragmatist, you’d focus on evidence of the impact on the lives of women and their families arising from the right to abortion set out in Roe. You might put on evidence of the many ways things can go wrong in pregnancy and the need to allow women and their medical care professionals to cope with them. These facts wouldn’t as important to a judicial positivist, who would focus on law and rules and would hesitate to rule for the state in light of Roe.

In both cases it is possible to produce a respectable decision, which Posner acknowledges..

Background

At the end of this post discussing Alito’s bad judging there’s additional background. For background on the rise of judicial domination of democracy, see this book review by Pema Levy in Mother Jones.

Pragmatism and law

a) The last sections of the Posner article try to deal with the complications of judicial pragmatism. It’s clear from this section that Posner is no wild-eyed revolutionary or judicial tyrant. Instead he shows a real respect for the fundamental problem human beings face: there are no rules written in the heavens. We can only try to do our best to act in a principled manner and hope that others will correct our errors.

b) Posner doesn’t think he qualifies as a philosophical pragmatist. But he certainly accepts a foundational idea of Pragmatism: its view of truth. Pragmatists think that when we say a statement is true, what we mean is that as of now, this is the best understanding we as a group can reach. I discuss this here and here

The Roberts Majority

The Roberts Majority aren’t judicial pragmatists. They also aren’t judicial positivists. They claim to be originalists or textualists but they don’t do that either, though I leave that discussion to experts. They don’t care about precedent, or what the majority of their predecessors thought. They don’t care about the intent of Congress or state legislatures. They don’t care about the expertise of administrative agencies. They don’t care about historical norms, either. For example, they believe that some people are above the law, and that the president must be allowed to insert politics into prosecutorial decisions.

To put this bluntly, consider Alito’s opinion in Dobbs. The facts don’t matter. The impact of pregnancy on women and their families is irrelevant. It doesn’t matter whether the lower courts were judicial positivists or judicial pragmatists. The only thing that matters is that Alito doesn’t like Roe v. Wade. It caused damage, he says, with no reference to the record. He cites a bunch of cases from old dead people who lived in totally different societies, claiming that those cases are decisive. Then he murders the right of women to control their own health decisions,

The Roberts Majority believes their job is to enforce their view of the Constitution because it’s the only true understanding. It doesn’t matter that the Reconstruction Amendments empower Congress to remedy the disparate treatment of groups of people. After Callais, it’s impossible to imagine a statute on voting rights they wouldn’t throw out. After Citizens United, it’s impossible to imagine a law on campaign finance they wouldn’t throw out.

The Roberts Majority assert that there is precisely one meaning to the Constitution, to any law, to any word, and that they know precisely what it is. They run the country and you don’t get to complain. There is only one remedy.

Impeach all six.

The Slow Death of Neoliberalism: Part 4A The Nature of the Person

The post The Roberts Majority Are Bad Judges appeared first on emptywheel.

We appear to be entering a new era, in which political desperation at home leads to increasingly unhinged threats abroad

Donald Trump was in Nebraska on Monday, and though his long rally speech had elements of a performance, this was no Bruce Springsteen album. He offered another dark meditation on a world spiraling out of control, one in which the destruction of American cities is increasingly a possibility, unless Americans trust him to use the vast powers of the presidency to annihilate his foes.

The president drew fury when he suggested that Iran could launch a nuclear attack and “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego. California leaders reacted with scorn at Trump’s alarmism.

Ted Widmer, a former White House speechwriter, is the editor of American Speeches, and the recently published The Living Declaration: A Biography of America’s Founding Text, both published by the Library of America

Welcome to the latest edition of “Judicial Notice Supplement,” aka “JN Supp.” As I explained in Sunday night’s Judicial Notice, JN Supp. is where I’ll share additional material that I couldn’t fit into Judicial Notice proper.

I’ve been experimenting with this format over the past two weeks. But I think I agree with the 54% of you who prefer the original approach of a single Judicial Notice post.

Putting out Judicial Notice is exhausting—I generally pull something close to an all-nighter each week, which isn’t a fun way to spend Saturday night—and having JN Supp. makes producing Judicial Notice proper a little less taxing. But the problem is that it spreads the pain out over multiple nights—and also makes for news round-ups that aren’t as timely (like the one you’re now reading). So while it’s nice to have this approach as an option, it’s one I hope I won’t have to exercise that often.

Please note that as I did with Sunday’s Judicial Notice, I’m sticking to news that broke last week, i.e., on or before October 4 (which explains why this post bears that date). Anything noteworthy from after October 4 will be considered for this coming weekend’s Judicial Notice—although I have incorporated certain updates that emerged after October 4 into the post you’re now reading, to avoid giving you outdated or erroneous information.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

Lawyer of the Week: Eric Schmitt.

In addition to Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and his ill-fated effort to go all “Perry Mason” on former special counsel Jack Smith, here are other attorneys who were in the news last week:

• Roger Rogoff, the court-appointed U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington (Seattle), obtained a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking Donald Trump’s purported firing of him. And Judge Stanley Bastian (E.D. Wash.) didn’t grant a stay of that PI—but the Ninth Circuit did, so Rogoff can’t take charge yet.

• Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon accused UCLA Law of “run[ning] a two-tiered admissions system whose academic bar for acceptance shifts up or down depending on the color of your skin.” In a letter to UCLA’s counsel, Tania Faransso of WilmerHale, Dhillon said that the DOJ would like to reach a settlement with UCLA “to ensure that admissions practices are brought into legal compliance.”

• Former U.S. attorney and current Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton now has another job: “AI czar.” As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Clayton will chair a White House task force that will, within 120 days, “report on the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence—and determine the federal government’s responsibility.”

• Following in the footsteps of Joseph diGenova, senior prosecutor Kurt Olsen resigned from the so-called “grand conspiracy” investigation into how Trump’s adversaries allegedly worked in concert to ruin his political prospects.

• Andrew Bailey announced that he’ll be departing as deputy director of the FBI. According to The New York Times, Bailey and FBI Director Kash Patel “did not get along, and often went long stretches without speaking to each other.”

• Also per The Times, enforcement efforts by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have “slowed to a crawl” under Caroline Pham, who served as acting chairwoman, and Michael Selig, who became CFTC chairman last December. But this might be, from their perspective, a feature rather than a bug: Selig has spoken about the danger of “overzealous regulators.”

• Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner—featured in these pages as a Lawyer of the Week after Judge Paul Diamond (E.D. Pa.) referred him to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for possible investigation and prosecution—has gone on the offensive. In a series of court filings, Krasner accused Judge Diamond of reaching “baseless,” illogical, and legally unsupported conclusions—and argued that the judge should be removed from the case.

In memoriam: former federal prosecutor and Federal Bar Association president Alan Harnisch, the father of lawyer-turned-novelist Allison Leotta and father-in-law of WilmerHale partner Michael Leotta, passed away at 81. May he rest in peace.

Judge of the Week: Justice Samuel Alito.

Justice Samuel Alito spoke to multiple media outlets to promote his new book, So Ordered: An Originalist’s View of the Constitution, the Court, and Our Country—including a wide-ranging, in-depth interview with Jan Crawford of CBS News. But Justice Alito wasn’t the only member of the Supreme Court in the news last week:

• In a very interesting piece for The Times, Jodi Kantor reported on how Chief Justice John Roberts is now, at least for some people, persona non grata on Hupper Island and the nearby town of Port Clyde, Maine—where he has summered for some two decades. Local residents who used to welcome him, or at least treat him like anyone else, are now snubbing or even protesting him. A conservative reader who flagged the article for me wrote, “I’d welcome your writing on this outrage—perhaps noting that liberal justices never have to deal with angry neighbors and death threats.” (I believe that liberal justices haven’t received as many threats as their conservative colleagues in recent years—i.e., since 2022, when the Court decided Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization—but lower-court judges who have ruled against the Trump administration have received plenty of threats and harassment.)

• Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Alito, and four of their colleagues are fairly conservative, and they’ve ruled in favor of Trump on numerous occasions. But “if and when Trump [tries to mess with] the 2026 midterms, he’d be foolish to expect the Supreme Court to facilitate an attempted electoral theft,” according to Elie Honig writing in New York Magazine.

In nominations news:

• Last Monday, Judge Leslie Southwick (5th Cir.) announced that he will take senior status upon confirmation of his successor, as reported by Jacqueline Thomsen for Bloomberg Law. A few days later, on Thursday, Trump announced that he would nominate Mississippi litigator Todd Butler—a partner at Phelps Dunbar, as well as a former Southwick clerk—to Southwick’s seat. This gave rise to a surprising amount of debate among conservatives about Butler’s nomination, which I don’t have the time or space to explore in full. For criticism of Butler as the pick, see Josh Blackman (e.g., here, here, and here); for defenses, see Mike Fragoso (here and here) or Mike Hurst (here).

• Trump also unveiled a pair of picks for the Eastern District of North Carolina: first assistant U.S. attorney Philip Aubart and Magistrate Judge Brian Meyers.

• Here’s a notable fact, from an article by Erica Orden of Politico (in which I’m quoted): “Over the course of his two terms to date, Trump has appointed 31 people in their 30s to federal judgeships, and at least two more are pending in the Senate, according to a Politico analysis of government data. By contrast, President Joe Biden appointed 13 people in their 30s. President Barack Obama appointed just nine judges younger than 40 during his two terms.”

• One example of a youthful Trump nominee is Associate White House Counsel Samuel “Sam” Adkisson, who was 33 at the time that Trump nominated him to the Eastern District of Tennessee. But Adkisson’s nomination is being blocked by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)—for unknown reasons. Adkisson does have the support of the Volunteer State’s other Republican senator, Bill Hagerty.

In memoriam: Melissa Hart, who served as a justice on the Colorado Supreme Court from 2017 until 2026, passed away at 57. I had the pleasure of serving with Justice Hart on a virtual panel earlier this year, so I was especially saddened to hear this news. May she rest in peace.

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Tonight, we’ll have another set of midterm debates. In Iowa, we’ll see the Republican nominee for US Senate, Ashley Hinson, face off against Democrat Josh Turek, a state representative and Paralympian at 8pm ET.

The race has become one of the most competitive of this cycle, despite the fact a Democrat hasn’t won a Senate election in the Hawkeye state since 2008. Turek, however, trails by just a point in a recent New York Times/Siena College poll. And Hinson, who currently serves as a congresswoman, has pushed back on Donald Trump’s agenda of late, as the president’s approval rating sinks to a new low. Hinson has called for an end on the war in Iran, despite consistently voting against House war powers resolutions that would curb military action, and criticizing the president’s recent pause on tariffs for foreign beef imports, which, Hinson argues, will affect the bottom line for the many cattle ranchers in Iowa.

The project has sparked doubts over whether the plant will be built and delivered as promised, given Trump’s record

Donald Trump has long sought to portray himself as a man of steel, from the White House photoshopping Trump to look like Superman, to enacting tariffs on steel and approving the sale of US Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel with a ”golden” share given to the US government.

Most recently, the Trump administration announced plans to construct the largest steel plant in the US, a $15bn plant in Lee county, Iowa, to be built by India-based Mesabi Metallics.

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Welcome to today’s Trump Tyranny Tracker…

Taxpayer money being used to promote Trump, IRS being pulled further into immigration enforcement, and a new plan to ease Russia sanctions and restart business with Moscow are among today’s top stories.

Today at a Glance

• Taxpayer money is being used to air ads promoting Trump weeks before the midterms.

• Trump officials move to add a citizenship question to federal tax returns.

• Trump backs a plan to ease Russia sanctions and restart business with Moscow.

What We Need to Pay Attention To

Taxpayers have funded nearly $1.5M in pro-Trump ads. Criticism is mounting, including from the GOP

What Happened: The White House has spent nearly $1.5 million in taxpayer money airing three ads promoting Trump, including one identical to a 2024 Trump campaign ad. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republicans criticized the spending, while legal experts told AP the ads appear to violate federal restrictions on government-funded propaganda and partisan political activity.

Why It Matters: Americans are struggling to afford food, gas and health insurance and losing programs they rely on. Yet taxpayers are spending nearly $1.5 million on ads promoting Trump, including one taken almost directly from his presidential campaign.

Source: Associated Press

Corruption News

Blumenthal Releases PSI Report Detailing how Lutnick-Linked Crypto Firm Tether Props Up Iran’s Shadow Banking System

What Happened: A Senate investigation found that Tether has become a major part of Iran’s shadow banking system. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick previously ran Cantor Fitzgerald, which manages tens of billions of dollars in assets backing Tether and is now led by his son.

Why It Matters: Lutnick’s former company, now run by his son, has a major financial relationship with a crypto firm that Senate investigators say helps Iran move billions of dollars around U.S. sanctions.

Source: Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations

Power Consolidation

Trump Administration Prepares to Ask Tax Filers if They Are U.S. Citizens

What Happened: Trump officials are preparing to require tax filers to disclose whether they and their spouses are U.S. citizens, nationals or legally authorized to work. The proposal comes after the IRS shared addresses for roughly 47,000 people with ICE last year.

Why It Matters: The IRS is being pulled deeper into Trump’s immigration crackdown. Information Americans provide to pay their taxes has become another source of immigration data for the federal government.

Source: New York Times

Weaponization of Institutions

Justice Dept. Unlawfully Withheld Grants to Combat Domestic Violence, Judge Rules

What Happened: A federal judge ruled that Trump’s Justice Department illegally tried to withhold grants from more than two dozen domestic violence and sexual assault organizations unless they accepted new restrictions, including limits on serving undocumented immigrants and programs involving “gender ideology.”

Why It Matters: Trump’s Justice Department tried to hold funding for domestic violence and sexual assault victims hostage to force organizations to follow unrelated White House policies. A federal judge ruled the DOJ had no authority to impose those conditions.

Source: New York Times

FEMA can’t condition security grants on election changes, judge says

What Happened: A federal judge blocked Trump from withholding 20% of counterterrorism grants unless state and local governments adopted election changes favored by the White House. The requirements included hand-marked paper ballots, manual audits and checks of voter rolls against a DHS database.

Source: The Washington Post

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Media Suppression & Authoritarian Tactics

Pro-Trump ad campaign was financed by DHS: Sources

What Happened: The nearly $1.5 million in taxpayer money Trump officials have spent airing three ads promoting Trump came through DHS, with money moved into a Customs and Border Protection account designated for “commemorative events.” One of the ads is virtually identical to a Trump 2024 campaign ad.

Source: ABC News

Human & Civil Rights Abuses

Inside the Texas courtroom where toddlers face immigration judges

What Happened: Migrant children as young as 2 are appearing in immigration court to fight deportation, many without attorneys. Trump officials ended a longstanding legal-services contract this summer while accelerating children’s immigration cases.

Why It Matters: Children as young as 2 are facing deportation without lawyers. Trump took away their legal assistance, exposing children who cannot defend themselves to fear, trauma and further abuse.

Source: CNN

Supreme Court allows Trump’s ‘third country’ deportation policy

What Happened: The Supreme Court allowed Trump to continue deporting immigrants to countries where they have no connections while it considers a challenge to the policy. Lower courts had ruled that immigrants must have a meaningful opportunity to challenge deportation to countries where they could face danger.

Why It Matters: Thousands of people have already been sent to third countries, including South Sudan, Eswatini and Rwanda. The ruling allows Trump to keep sending people to countries where they have never lived without the protections lower courts said federal law requires.

Source: NBC News

Three deaths, three states, 24 hours: one day in ICE’s quiet but ‘gruesome’ surge

What Happened: Three immigrants died in three states within 24 hours during ICE operations in July. One was shot by an ICE agent in Maine, another died while being transferred between detention centers in Georgia, and a third was struck and killed by a truck while fleeing immigration officers in Florida. Two were not ICE’s intended targets.

Why It Matters: At least 31 people have died during interactions with immigration authorities in 2026 as ICE arrests reach record levels. ICE operations may be less visible, but the deaths and violence continue to increase.

Source: The Guardian

Government Disruption

Hegseth to cut more generals, admirals in bid to remake military’s top ranks

What Happened: Pete Hegseth plans to cut the number of generals and admirals by as much as 20%, potentially eliminating hundreds of senior positions. The move follows purges and blocked promotions since he took control of the Pentagon.

Why It Matters: The U.S. military is supposed to serve the Constitution, not a president. Purging senior officers and reshaping the top ranks around political loyalty threatens that separation and makes it easier to use the military to carry out Trump’s agenda.

Source: Washington Post

Key data missing for half of US child labor deaths, official report finds

What Happened: A GAO investigation found major gaps in federal data on children killed and injured at work. More than half of 260 child workplace deaths from 2013 to 2023 lacked public information about the cause or industry, while federal coordination on child labor violations has sharply declined since January 2025.

Source: The Guardian

Voice of America Cuts Hurt ‘U.S. National Interests,’ Internal Watchdog Says

What Happened: A State Department inspector general found that Trump’s dismantling of Voice of America weakened U.S. efforts to counter foreign disinformation. VOA now broadcasts in fewer than 10 languages, down from 49, after nearly all of its 1,400 employees were purged or placed on leave.

Why It Matters: VOA reached more than 360 million people and provided independent information in countries flooded with Russian, Chinese and other state propaganda. Trump gutted it, and the government’s own watchdog says the cuts damaged U.S. national interests.

Source: New York Times

ICE wasted millions of taxpayer dollars in rapid push to expand detention capacity, government watchdog finds

What Happened: The GAO found that ICE lost $20 million buying warehouses it later abandoned as detention sites after failing to properly plan for long-term costs. ICE bought 11 warehouses for $1.07 billion and now plans to sell seven of them.

Source: CBS News

Imperial & Geopolitical Watch

Trump says he does not know if Iran is going to ‘give up yet’

What Happened: Trump said he does not know whether Iran is ready to “give up yet” but predicted it eventually will as the U.S. war and blockade continue. Iran has rejected surrender, while the war has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz and pushed global oil prices higher.

Why It Matters: Trump is continuing a war aimed at forcing Iran to capitulate without a clear end in sight. The longer it continues, the more Americans will feel the consequences through higher oil and gas prices.

Source: Reuters

NATO’s front line now stretches across Europe, top commander warns

What Happened: NATO’s top military commander, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, warned that Russia is escalating its attacks across Europe through long-range drones, airspace violations and sabotage. “In a way we are all eastern flank nations now,” he told European lawmakers.

Source: Stars and Stripes

Far-Right & Russian Influence Watch

Trump’s Latest Appeal to Russia Could Outrage Even His Allies

What Happened: Trump reportedly approved envoy John Coale’s proposal to offer Russia sanctions relief in exchange for releasing political prisoners. The plan would allow the U.S. to begin pursuing business deals with Russia involving oil, diesel, rare earth minerals and other commodities before Russia ends its genocidal war against Ukraine.

Why It Matters: Russia is committing genocide in Ukraine while Trump looks for ways to lift sanctions and get back into business with Moscow. Instead of increasing pressure on Putin to end the invasion, Trump is offering Russia economic relief as Russia mass murders Ukrainians.

Source: The Atlantic

Unmasking RussiaEurope’s Warnings About Russia Are Getting Much More SpecificOver the past several months, European and U.S. officials have stepped up their warnings that Russia may be preparing to test NATO and that an attack could happen in “months, not years.” Yesterday brought yet another warning, this time from EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who said European intelligence is seeing signs that Russia could be preparing to escalate even further…Read more8 days ago · 314 likes · 18 comments · Olga Lautman

Economic News

US consumer confidence near 12-1/2-year low amid labor market fears

What Happened: U.S. consumer confidence fell 6.7 points in September to 81.9, its lowest level since April 2014. Confidence dropped across political affiliations, ages and income groups as Americans grew more worried about jobs, inflation and borrowing costs.

Source: Reuters

U.S. ban on almost $1 billion in Canadian imports takes effect

What Happened: Trump imposed a ban on nearly $1 billion in Canadian goods after Canada retaliated against his 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion in imports. The ban covers dairy products, motorcycles, alcoholic beverages and other goods.

Source: CBS News

Resistance

Check out 50501 for local and nationwide events…

Source: 50501

By the Numbers

• $1.5 million — Taxpayer money spent airing three ads promoting Trump.

• 20% — Share of generals and admirals Pete Hegseth plans to eliminate from the military’s senior ranks.

• 31 — People who have died during interactions with immigration authorities in 2026.

• 81.9 — U.S. consumer confidence in September, the lowest level since April 2014.

• $1 billion — Approximate value of Canadian imports now banned by Trump

• 81.9 — U.S. consumer confidence in September, down 6.7 points and the lowest since April 2014.

What to Watch Next

Trump is looking to reopen business with Russia before Putin ends his invasion of Ukraine — How far will Trump go in lifting sanctions and restoring economic ties with Moscow while Russia continues its genocidal war?

Trump officials are pulling the IRS deeper into immigration enforcement — Will tax information become another tool used to identify and target people?

Hegseth is moving to eliminate hundreds of senior military positions after months of purges and blocked promotions — Who will replace the generals and admirals pushed out as Trump and Hegseth remake the military’s leadership?

Taxpayer money is being used to air propaganda promoting Trump weeks before the midterms — Will Congress or federal watchdogs intervene as Trump uses government resources to promote himself ahead of an election?

Key Takeaways

Economic Pressure — Consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level since 2014 as Americans worry about jobs, inflation and borrowing costs, while Trump escalates his trade war with Canada.

Immigration Crackdown — Children as young as 2 are facing deportation proceedings, third-country deportations are continuing, and at least 31 people have died during interactions with immigration authorities this year.

Military Reshaping — Hegseth plans to eliminate as many as 20% of the military’s generals and admirals after months of purges and blocked promotions.

Rewarding Putin — Trump is looking for ways to lift sanctions and restart business with Moscow while Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine.

Taxpayer-Funded Propaganda — Nearly $1.5 million in taxpayer money has been spent airing ads promoting Trump, including one identical to his 2024 campaign ad.

Call to Action

Document Everything: Document purges, corruption, and power grabs. Share credible information with journalists, watchdogs, and legal experts. Silence enables authoritarianism—see something, say something.

Defend Press Freedom: Support independent journalism by subscribing to and sharing reporting that challenges Trump’s power grab.

Contact Lawmakers: Demand accountability for Trump’s unchecked power and war on oversight.

Mobilize for Action: Organize or join legal efforts and resistance movements to protect democracy and human and civil rights.

Support Whistleblowers: Encourage legal defense funds for government workers facing retaliation for exposing corruption.

Follow my work on YouTube → Subscribe to Unmasking Russia

https://youtube.com/@unmaskingrussia

Preorder My New Book…

Putin’s Pawns takes you on a journey from the earliest days of the Cold War and Soviet KGB active measures through Russia’s attacks on Western elections, the rise of the far right, Trump and Russia, the genocidal war against Ukraine, influence operations across Europe, and the shadow war unfolding today.

It is the story of how Moscow spent decades learning to exploit the weaknesses of democracies and how those tactics brought us to this moment.

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As Angelenos bemoan ‘sad situation’, those in San Diego say remark a ‘disservice’ to town with multiple naval bases

Donald Trump’s extraordinary implication that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego have sparked condemnation across the political spectrum. As residents of the two major west coast cities awoke on Tuesday to another sweltering day in a record-breaking heatwave, the president’s comments sent blood boiling even higher.

Jessica, a 28-year-old Los Angeles hair stylist, was scrolling through social media early on Tuesday morning and was shocked to see that Trump had just suggested Iran should decimate her home town.

President Donald Trump’s remarks about the possibility that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego have sparked a firestorm of criticism, with Democrats claiming the president was either calling for a foreign adversary to attack the U.S. or portraying the destruction of two major cities as acceptable collateral damage. 

But given the full context — as well as Trump’s numerous past comments on this issue and the White House’s later clarification — that’s not our reading of the president’s comments. While his wording is confusing, a more plausible interpretation is that he meant the war would prevent Iran from posing a threat to U.S. cities, and higher gas prices are a small sacrifice to make. He’s made versions of those points before, using similar language.

Trump’s remarks came during an Oct. 5 rally in Nebraska. 

“Remember, with the war, it’s just artificial. It’s a little bit high,” he said, apparently referencing gas prices. “It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They could take out a city. Let them take — let it — let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. 

“That’s — this is a very small price to pay, and it’s going to be over with very soon,” he continued. “It’s essentially almost over with.”

The speech quickly drew outraged responses from Democrats in California and nationally. 

“After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X. “He is deranged and dangerous.”

Newsom’s press office subsequently posted, “Let’s be clear: The President is advocating for an attack on 10+ million U.S. residents in two of America’s largest cities.”

Newsom posted again the following day, calling Trump’s remarks “dangerous — if not treasonous” and saying that he was directing the state “to actively monitor the situation in the event that foreign actors interpret the President’s remarks as an invitation to target California.”

“The President says the Iran war will end ‘very soon,’” Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California posted. “How many times have we heard that promise? And if it means attacks on two major American cities in the process, he is not troubled by the cost.”

“I can’t believe we have to say this, but the annihilation of two major American cities — more than 5 million people — is not a ‘small price to pay’ for Trump’s illegal war,” Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, wrote on X.

Trump’s remarks were admittedly confusing, in keeping with his characteristically roundabout style of speaking. His speeches at rallies frequently veer off on tangents before circling back to an earlier point. It doesn’t help that some in the crowd in Nebraska began cheering as he said, “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego,” though Trump himself didn’t seem to react to or encourage the crowd’s response.

But taken in context, his remarks don’t appear to be “advocating” an attack on U.S. cities or suggesting their destruction would be an acceptable cost. 

Trump first referenced the war in Iran a few minutes into his Nebraska speech. “We’re saving the world from what could be one of the worst tragedies ever,” he said, adding that the war would end soon and, when it does, the price of oil “will come tumbling down.” 

After riffing on other topics, he eventually came back to the subject of the war, which is when he made his controversial comments about Los Angeles and San Diego. What immediately preceded those statements, however, suggests that Trump wasn’t calling for the destruction of those cities, but rather saying that protecting them is worth paying a bit more at the pump: “It’s a little bit high. It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They could take out a city.” 

He was likely making the same point about paying more for gasoline when, after referencing the California cities, he said, “This is a very small price to pay, and it’s going to be over with very soon.” 

Trump has used similar language before to argue that higher gas prices are worth it if the war prevents Iran from posing a threat to the U.S. 

“The one thing already has happened is, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” he said in the Oval Office on Sept. 28. “That’s a very big thing, because if you want to see turmoil and a travesty, let them take out a city with a nuclear weapon. I’m not only talking about Israel and big parts of the Middle East, but let them hit us with a nuclear weapon.” 

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office in March, he said rising oil prices were “a very small thing compared to allowing them to have — you want to see the stock market go down? Start letting them hit you with nukes, OK? I said it this morning, I think it’s a very small price to pay.”

“We’re going to get [the cost of fuel] down,” he told a Nebraska news network on the day of his rally there. “But it’s all going to come pouring down as soon as the war’s over, which will be very soon. And we will not have Iran having a nuclear weapon. And that’s going to be — and I say it and I say it proudly — a relatively small price to pay for keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of a lunatic nation.”

Reached for comment, a White House spokesperson directed us to an X post from Communications Director Steven Cheung.

“The media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality,” Cheung said. “He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped.”

In his Feb. 24 State of the Union address, days before the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, Trump said Iran was “working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America.” But experts told us the threat of Iran developing an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the mainland of the United States was not particularly imminent.

Correction, Oct. 7: We misidentified the location where Trump made remarks on Sept. 28. They were made from the Oval Office.

Editor’s note: FactCheck.org does not accept advertising. We rely on grants and individual donations from people like you. Please consider a donation. Credit card donations may be made through our “Donate” page. If you prefer to give by check, send to: FactCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center, P.O. Box 58100, Philadelphia, PA 19102. 

The post The Context for Trump’s ‘Take Out’ Los Angeles, San Diego Remarks appeared first on FactCheck.org.

Baltimore project to be partly funded by US government but owned by defense firm Anduril, founded by Palmer Luckey

Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the opening of a new $6.6bn shipbuilding factory in Baltimore, partly funded by the US government but owned by Anduril Industries, a politically connected defense company.

Trump’s appearance at a currently unused shipyard in Sparrows Point is a boost to Anduril, whose founder, Palmer Luckey, is a major GOP campaign fundraiser. Luckey has hosted campaign fundraisers for at least 20 Republican politicians, including Trump, the Guardian reported in August. He has given $5.9m to Republican causes since 2017.

Political leanings: Republican/Conservative

2024 total spending: $456.8 million

Make America Great Again Inc. is one of many political action committees affiliated with President Donald Trump. The super PAC was established six weeks before the 2022 midterm elections to provide a final push for Trump-backed candidates.

As a super PAC, officially known as an independent expenditure-only committee, MAGA Inc. advocates the election or defeat of federal candidates without coordinating with candidates, campaigns or political parties. It can accept unlimited contributions, but it must disclose its donors.

In the 2024 election cycle, MAGA Inc. raised about $410.5 million and spent more than $456.8 million, including nearly $376.9 million on independent expenditures, which are ads and other forms of communication. Its spending on the presidential race supported Trump and opposed Democratic candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. During the Republican primary, the super PAC also spent against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

As of Aug. 31, MAGA Inc. spent about $32.4 million, including more than $2.5 million in independent expenditures, leaving it with about $415.8 million in cash, according to its latest monthly filing with the Federal Election Commission. Large donors to the super PAC in 2026 include Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, co-founders of the cryptocurrency company Gemini; Diane Hendricks, co-founder of the wholesale company ABC Supply; and Dr. Miriam Adelson, a physician and businesswoman with multiple casino investments.

The super PAC’s independent expenditures this cycle have supported Republican candidates in several House and Senate races. During the 2026 primary elections, it backed Rep. Matt Van Epps, who won Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special election; Rep. Clay Fuller, who won the special runoff election in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District; and Sen. Darline Graham, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister, who won the Republican nomination in South Carolina’s Senate race.

More recently, MAGA Inc. became involved in the Texas Senate race, spending millions of dollars supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico.

On Sept. 4, Trump said he expected MAGA Inc. to allocate roughly $400 million to $500 million to help Republicans in the midterms, while also saying he expected to retain some money for the 2028 cycle. The super PAC is also reportedly helping to finance a separate super PAC, No Going Back PAC Inc., which was registered with the FEC on Sept. 1, and has since spent or reserved more than $125 million in advertising, according to the ad-tracking service AdImpact.

In addition, Trump said in an Oct. 5 social media post that MAGA Inc. will fund a series of ads that are “a positive promotion for our Great U.S.A.” Earlier ads featuring Trump, which the White House called “public service announcements,” had previously been paid for using taxpayer-funds, drawing criticism from Democratic lawmakers, ethics experts and even some congressional Republicans.

FactCheck.org Undergraduate Fellow Angela Lin contributed to this article. 

Editor’s note: FactCheck.org does not accept advertising. We rely on grants and individual donations from people like you. Please consider a donation. Credit card donations may be made through our “Donate” page. If you prefer to give by check, send to: FactCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center, P.O. Box 58100, Philadelphia, PA 19102. 

The post MAGA Inc. appeared first on FactCheck.org.