Political news I want to share. 8-16-2026 part 1

‘We will always respect the role of the judiciary’: Says new AG who has led Justice Department which has not respected the rule of law at all http://www.politico.com/news/2026/08…

Timothy McBride (@mcbridetd.bsky.social) 2026-08-14T00:30:18.016Z

Lawyers for the former Olympian David Hearn filed a motion on Thursday seeking to bar federal prosecutors from reviving a felony charge that he vandalized the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, saying they needed to head off possible “prosecutorial harassment” prompted by President Trump.

The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2026-08-14T13:40:03.883362Z

President Donald Trump's administration on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow it to continue construction of his $400 million White House ballroom after an appeals court ruled the project lacked the necessary approval from Congress.

Reuters Legal (@legal.reuters.com) 2026-08-14T13:40:22Z

President Trump is planning for gold-colored presidential seals on the outside of his White House ballroom, breaking with the restrained aesthetic of the executive mansion, according to new renderings.

The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) 2026-08-15T00:00:13.239338914Z

They shut down investigation of the federal agents but opened investigations of peaceful protesters

Robert L. Tsai (@robertltsai.bsky.social) 2026-08-13T17:20:57.166Z

A top Forest Service official (and billionaire Trump appointee) demanded help to fight a 7-acre fire on his Idaho property.The response amounted to “9 aircraft, including helicopters, air tankers and tactical planes.”It cost over $100,000 and diverted precious resources.🎁🔗 : wapo.st/4wZEqPD

Bill Grueskin (@bgrueskin.bsky.social) 2026-08-14T11:53:44.031Z

Mamdani's NYC pied-à-terre tax can continue rollout during court appeal

CNBC (@cnbc.com) 2026-08-13T21:43:02Z

Trump's new Navy Secretary is very concerned about an implacable foe:"Witchcraft," which has "really taken over" in places like California.www.businessinsider.com/hung-cao-gop…

Noah Shachtman (@noahshachtman.bsky.social) 2026-04-23T13:37:18.044Z

🚨EXCLUSIVE: Military families and service members are now describing horrific conditions across MULTIPLE ships: human waste flooding bathrooms, virtually no food, water or soap, months without port calls, exhausted crews, and no end in sight.This crisis is far bigger than just the Lincoln.

MeidasTouch (@meidastouch.com) 2026-08-14T14:00:55.484Z

Trump says that after Iran is defeated he’s going to declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States

Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-08-14T19:56:59.178Z

You know what’s really a great insult to those American heroes who died in WWII?

Mark Chadbourn (@chadbourn.bsky.social) 2026-08-14T13:12:28.435Z

Part of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall was covered in soapy bubbles and red graffiti in an incident the U.S. Park Police was investigating.Red graffiti spelled out “Clean hands dirty $” beneath the arch.

The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) 2026-08-14T00:00:51.001067071Z

Developing: The World War II Memorial was found vandalized, and a fountain overflowed with bubbles.

NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington.com) 2026-08-13T20:04:42.779Z

Netanyahu brands UK the 'Islamic Republic of Britain' trib.al/3djAtL0

Daily Mail (@dailymail.co.uk) 2026-08-14T07:52:14.762441Z

🇬🇧 Netanyahu: Britain could be the first nuclear-armed “Islamic republic”Netanyahu on Britain:“You might call Britain the ‘Islamic Republic of Britain.’Someone said that the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic Republic of Britain.”

Paul Eric (@pauleric70.bsky.social) 2026-08-14T00:11:04.367Z

A delayed court hearing didn't stop Tate loyalists from gathering in downtown Miami, where pushups and homemade signs took center stage.🔗 https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/photos-andrew-tate-supporters-bring-testosterone-and-cardboard-signs-to-miami-40576041/

Miami New Times (@miaminewtimes.com) 2026-08-13T20:44:16.909894771Z

Flock, the country’s most prominent seller of automated license-plate readers, said it will require stricter oversight after a Post investigation found dozens of officers had misused its cameras to spy on their exes and romantic interests.

The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) 2026-08-13T16:30:08.066274989Z

Let’s talk about Trump’s DC move showing his golden age is gilded….