Conversation
-
Trump Tyranny Tracker | Day 620: Oct. 5, 2026
source
The negotiations about the Lukoil deal show that personal business interests in President Trump’s inner circle are also in play. Lukoil is Russia’s biggest private oil company.Credit...Gianni Cipriano for The New York TimesWelcome to today’s Trump Tyranny Tracker…
Trump’s plans to deploy 1,000 federal election monitors, new revelations about business deals tied to his Russia negotiators, and his threats to arrest journalists are among today’s top stories.
Today at a Glance
The Justice Department faces a lawsuit on its plan to deploy 1,000 federal election monitors.
U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine include a multibillion-dollar oil deal involving investors with ties to Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Trump calls for journalists to be arrested over reporting he dislikes.
What We Need to Pay Attention To
DOJ sued for records on ‘unprecedented’ plan to deploy 1,000 election monitors in midterms
What Happened: The NAACP sued the Justice Department for records on its plan to deploy roughly 1,000 federal election monitors during the midterms, compared with 289 in 2022 and 714 in 2024. The lawsuit seeks information about where monitors will be deployed, their authority, and whether federal law enforcement will be involved.
Why It Matters: Trump is planning a massive federal presence at polling places without disclosing where monitors will go or what powers they will have. His election lies and push to expand federal control are part of an effort to seize control of elections.
Source: Democracy Docket
Corruption News
Kristi Noem’s Agency Gave Her Donor a Lucrative Contract Just Before She Left
What Happened: On Kristi Noem’s final day as Homeland Security secretary, DHS agreed to purchase five aircraft for more than $300 million from a company owned by one of her political donors. Records show DHS paid substantially more than the company had recently paid for several of the planes.
Why It Matters: Noem approved a deal that handed a political donor tens of millions in profits at taxpayers’ expense. This is more rampant corruption under Trump, with taxpayer money and political connections being used for personal profit.
Source: New York Times
U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to Trump Allies
What Happened: U.S.-Russia talks over Ukraine now include a multibillion-dollar sale of sanctioned Lukoil assets to investors with business ties to Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Putin discussed the deal directly with both in September, and Trump officials confirmed they helped negotiate terms for U.S. government investment.
Why It Matters: Trump’s shady envoys are prioritizing business deals with Russia while it continues its genocidal war against Ukraine. A deal involving their business associates would ease sanctions on Russian assets and create opportunities to profit while Russia continues mass murdering Ukrainians.
Source: New York Times
Power Consolidation
Inside Trump’s Plan to Fence Off a Historic Protest Site
What Happened: Trump officials are planning a permanent fence around Lafayette Square, the historic protest site across from the White House. The fence would have gates that federal officials could close during “heightened conditions,” restricting public access.
Why It Matters: The fence would give Trump officials greater power to restrict protests directly outside the White House. This is such an authoritarian tactic meant to limit public dissent and keep protesters away from the White House.
Source: New York Times
Weaponization of Institutions
Agency Diverted $1.4 Billion in Science Funds Mandated by Congress
What Happened: The National Science Foundation withheld $1.4 billion in research funding Congress approved, roughly one-fifth of its main research budget. Trump officials plan to redirect the money toward White House priorities
Source: New York Times
Trump Directed Use of Taxpayer Money for Ads Praising His Presidency
What Happened: Trump personally directed budget director Russell Vought to find taxpayer money for television ads praising his presidency. DHS funded a $20 million advertising contract, with at least $5.5 million already spent airing the ads on major networks.
Why It Matters: Trump is using taxpayer money to promote himself ahead of the midterms. Public funds meant for government operations are being spent on political propaganda praising the president, which is what happens in Russia.
Source: New York Times
Media Suppression & Authoritarian Tactics
Trump says some journalists ‘should be arrested,’ escalating attack on free press
What Happened: Trump said the New York Times and other news outlets “should be arrested” for reporting that his recent events had empty seats, accusing them of dishonesty and doing a “disservice to our Country.”
Why It Matters: Trump is calling for journalists to be arrested over reporting he dislikes. Threatening the press with arrest is part of his broader attack on the press to intimidate journalists and suppress critical coverage.
Source: MS NOW
White House blocks Politico from Air Force One
What Happened: The White House barred Politico from Air Force One, blocking its reporter from scheduled press pool duties and leaving the pool without a print reporter. Trump had previously banned Politico and other outlets from the White House, but a federal judge ruled that the restrictions violated their due process rights.
Why It Matters: Trump continues to punish news organizations by restricting their access, even after a court ruled against earlier press bans. Blocking pool reporters also limits independent coverage that is available to the broader press corps.
Source: The Hill
Human & Civil Rights Abuses
“You Kidnapped My Son”
What Happened: ICE is separating children from parents arrested and transferring them to federal custody as “unaccompanied” minors, even when they were living with their parents before the arrests. Mother Jones found that hundreds of children have been sent to or returned to federal shelters under this practice.
Why It Matters: ICE is forcibly separating children from their parents and then labeling them “unaccompanied” to place them in federal custody. Trump is reviving his cruel family separation policy, traumatizing children and tearing families apart.
Source: Mother Jones
Government Disruption
Hegseth’s One Percent
What Happened: Pete Hegseth told Air Force Academy cadets that military personnel are the “real one percent” of American society, with a perspective the other 99% lack. His speeches increasingly portray the military as superior to civilian society.
Why It Matters: Civil-military scholar Eliot Cohen warns that Hegseth is encouraging military superiority over civilians while treating the press and intellectuals as adversaries. This threatens the principle of civilian control over the military.
Source: The Atlantic
RFK Jr’s Relentless Anti-Vax Push Will Disproportionately Hurt Children on Medicaid
What Happened: RFK Jr. is pushing to remove vaccines from the federal childhood immunization schedule, threatening coverage for children on Medicaid and those without insurance. Roughly half of American children fall into these groups.
Source: Talking Points Memo
Measles cases surpass 1,000 in Pennsylvania amid the state’s largest outbreak in decades
What Happened: Pennsylvania has reported 1,004 measles cases across 39 counties, including 198 hospitalizations and five associated deaths. Fewer than 1% of cases involve people fully vaccinated against measles.
Source: ABC News
Imperial & Geopolitical Watch
Potential Iranian Drone Attack Led to Exit of U.S. Aircraft From British Air Base
What Happened: The U.S. withdrew all 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford after intelligence warned of a possible Iranian Revolutionary Guard drone attack targeting the aircraft and American personnel. U.S. and British officials said the suspected plot involved plans to attack the base and kill U.S. troops.
Source: New York Times
Battle for control of Red Sea, attacks on energy infrastructure temper news of rising oil flow
What Happened: Brent crude remained near $100 a barrel as fighting intensified around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and attacks further threatened Saudi energy infrastructure. Middle Eastern oil producers have relied on Red Sea shipping routes to avoid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Why It Matters: Trump’s Iran war continues to threaten another major oil shipping route, putting additional pressure on global energy supplies and keeping gasoline and transportation costs high.
Source: CBS News
NATO Drafts Plan to Defeat Russian Attack With Drones and AI
What Happened: NATO’s top military commander is developing a plan to defeat a Russian attack on the alliance’s eastern flank using conventional forces, drones and AI-assisted targeting. The strategy is scheduled to be presented in Poland in October.
Source: Bloomberg
Far-Right & Russian Influence Watch
Suspected plague in Russia puts EU on alert
What Happened: The European Commission is closely monitoring a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia after a 28-year-old employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute died. More than 200 people are under observation.
Source: Politico EU
Unmasking RussiaGermany Warns Russia’s “Shadow War” Could Escalate Into “Violent Conflict”Another week begins with another warning from Europe about Russia…Read more5 days ago · 170 likes · 22 comments · Olga LautmanEconomic News
US services sector cools in September, price pressures building
What Happened: U.S. services activity slowed in September as the index measuring prices paid by businesses rose to 74.0, its highest level in more than four years. Businesses reported higher fuel, diesel, steel and shipping costs, along with worsening supply-chain delays.
Source: Reuters
Resistance
Check out 50501 for local and nationwide events…
Source: 50501
By the Numbers
$300 million+ — DHS aircraft purchases from a company owned by a political donor to Kristi Noem
5 — Aircraft included in the DHS deal
1,000 — Federal election monitors the Justice Department plans to deploy for the midterms
$1.4 billion — Congressional research funding withheld by the National Science Foundation.
$20 million — Taxpayer-funded advertising promoting Trump, including at least $5.5 million already spent airing ads
1,004 — Measles cases reported in Pennsylvania across 39 counties, including 198 hospitalizations and five associated deaths
12 — U.S. B-1 bombers withdrawn from a British air base following intelligence about a possible Iranian attack
$100 — Approximate price per barrel of Brent crude amid threats to Middle Eastern oil shipping routes
200+ — People under observation following the unexplained death of an employee at Russia’s Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute
74.0 — September’s U.S. services-sector prices-paid index, the highest reading in more than four years
What to Watch Next
The Justice Department plans to deploy 1,000 federal election monitors — Where will they be sent, and what powers will they have?
Trump’s shady envoys are pursuing a multibillion-dollar oil deal with Russia involving their business associates — Will Trump approve the deal and ease sanctions on Russia?
Trump is threatening journalists with arrest and restricting press access — What further action will he take against the media?
ICE is separating children from their parents and placing them in federal custody — Will Congress or courts intervene?
Trump’s Iran war is threatening American forces and major oil shipping routes — Will the war escalate and push oil prices higher?
Key Takeaways
Rampant Corruption — A Noem political donor received a lucrative DHS aircraft deal, while Trump’s Russia negotiators are involved in an oil transaction benefiting investors with ties to their business associates.
Authoritarian Tactics — Trump is threatening journalists with arrest, restricting press access, and planning barriers around a historic protest site outside the White House.
Abuse of Federal Power — Trump officials withheld $1.4 billion in congressionally approved research funding while using taxpayer money for propaganda praising the president.
Human Rights & Public Health — ICE is separating children from their parents, while Kennedy’s proposed vaccine changes threaten coverage for millions of lower-income children.
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.
Thanks for reading the Trump Tyranny Tracker. Stay tuned for more updates.
