Political news I want to share 8-18-2026. Part 1

Authoritarianism on display.Prosecutors Examined Firm With Tie to Judge in Trump Hush Money Trial http://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/u…

Mannwich (@mannwich.bsky.social) 2026-08-15T10:59:43.764Z

“We raised our hand to defend the Constitution. Congress takes the same oath, and unfortunately, we’re not seeing that same level of service over self today in Washington.”I spoke with @TB_Times about our race and what it means to selflessly serve your country.www.tampabay.com/news/florida…

leelagray.bsky.social (@leelagray.bsky.social) 2026-08-12T18:51:49.065Z

We are less than one week away from the August 18th Primary! I welcome you to join us in Safety Harbor next Tuesday to celebrate the community we are building and all of the hard work we have accomplished together since my campaign launched. (1/2)

leelagray.bsky.social (@leelagray.bsky.social) 2026-08-12T11:38:33.679Z

Luna's words are offensive to survivors of abuse everywhere – and she should immediately apologize to Rep. Miller's wife and family, and return the money she has raised from this alleged violent criminal. x.com/Sollenberger…

leelagray.bsky.social (@leelagray.bsky.social) 2026-08-06T22:13:20.722Z

Newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche is speaking at a Trump rally to endorse Bruce Blakeman

Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-08-14T18:55:58.325Z

Angry at the Supreme Court, liberals push a slew of plans for overhauling it http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202…

Timothy McBride (@mcbridetd.bsky.social) 2026-08-16T11:35:06.422Z

Law enforcement loves these shock gloves—in large part so that they can harm people and avoid being sued for it.

Mother Jones (@motherjones.com) 2026-08-15T12:59:00.652Z

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

🚨SEND PETE HOEKSTRA PACKING🚨The House of Commons petition calling for U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra to be declared persona non grata has already reached 171,392 signatures.🔗 Petition e-7531: http://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en…🔗 sendpetepacking.ca❤️🍁🇨🇦TEAM CANADA FOREVER🇨🇦🍁❤️❤️🍁🇨🇦VIVE LE CANADA🇨🇦🍁❤️

🍁🇨🇦Team Canada Forever🇨🇦🍁 (@teamcanadaforever.bsky.social) 2026-08-15T17:06:46.285Z

Dr. Anthony Fauci declines request to appear before a second Senate panel after GOP contempt vote

WJTV 12 News (@wjtv.bsky.social) 2026-08-15T01:03:07.536Z

ANOTHER WAPO SCOOP:The Navy is considering a major redesign of its new aircraft carriers to better match President Donald Trump’s aesthetic preferences for the warships, according to seven current and former U.S. officials familiar with the matter. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec…

Dan Lamothe (@danlamothe.bsky.social) 2026-08-15T12:34:34.412Z

Wife of Service Member Rips Trump Administration’s ‘Infuriating’ Denial About Conditions Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

Mediaite (@mediaite.com) 2026-08-14T22:29:07Z

Trump wakes up this morning threatening to bomb Oman. Welcome to another week with an unhinged madman running the country.

Ron Filipkowski (@ronfilipkowski.bsky.social) 2026-08-17T11:26:04.397Z

Mike Johnson: "We put in this Congress into place all the economic conditions to let the economy take off like a rocket, and beginning in the first quarter of this year that's what was happening, and then we got into the conflict with Iran … that's the big headwind we have right now."

Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-08-15T16:32:14.821Z

"'I never thought leopards would eat MY face,' sobs woman who voted for the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party.”–Adrian Bott, 2015

Mark Jacob (@markjacob.bsky.social) 2026-08-16T12:45:19.586Z

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham engaged with messages from somebody impersonating one of Donald Trump’s closest advisers, four officials have told POLITICO.

POLITICO Europe (@politico.eu) 2026-08-17T05:18:12.986Z

A person without any govt position, who has numerous financial conflicts of interest, should not conduct US foreign policy.And that’s before we get to the fact that he uses this role to corruptly solicit money for himself.It’s wrong. Many seem to have accepted it, but I’ll never stop objecting.

Nicholas Grossman (@nicholasgrossman.bsky.social) 2026-08-17T01:32:45.694Z

Demand for Canadian citizenship certificates is soaring, fuelled by Americans. Backlog of applications now at 121,800 and archives are swamped with requests. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politic…

Elizabeth Thompson (@lizt1.bsky.social) 2026-08-17T10:30:22.831Z

AI slop is swamping a House office that drafts US laws

Politico (@politico.com) 2026-08-17T08:50:40.869Z

Political news and stuff I want to share. 8-12-2026

Exclusive: The Justice Department has convened a special grand jury in D.C., a rare legal body that officials say could pave the way for federal prosecutors in the nation’s capital to investigate some of its biggest and most controversial cases.

The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) 2026-08-12T12:30:07.482087709Z

Gov. Newsom: That $400 million Qatari plane? That's not a $400 million gift — it cost you $936 million. That was what was appropriated as he's cutting food stamps and cutting your Medicaid.

Protect Our Care (@protectourcare.org) 2026-08-11T15:33:43.426Z

A federal judge in D.C. dismissed a lawsuit concerning the cancellation of a concert following the addition of President Trump's name to the venue's facade.

White House Watchdog (@whitehousewatchdog.bsky.social) 2026-08-11T18:33:02.480Z

The FCC has played a leading role in Trump’s attacks on news broadcasters, and a third Republican to cast votes at commission meetings will give Chairman Brendan Carr more support for his policies.

Ars Technica (@arstechnica.com) 2026-08-11T19:58:54.261Z

A federal judge in Massachusetts issued another order blocking the US Postal Service from implementing President Donald Trump’s sweeping attack on mail voting and his attempt to create a national voter registration list before the midterm elections. http://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/…

Marc Elias (@marcelias.bsky.social) 2026-08-11T21:48:43.772Z

Jadon MacCormack, the anti-LGBTQ Christian extremist who ran for State House in Connecticut, has lost his primary.Republicans petitioned to add someone to the ballot so Jadon wouldn't make it to November and drag other candidates down. The plan worked.www.friendlyatheist.com/p/connecticu…

Hemant Mehta (@friendlyatheist.com) 2026-08-12T02:50:03.843Z

Jadon MacCormack,(announced he's running 2028, CT Congressional District 2) is a proponent of murdering gays. And he lies that he has Repub Party's endorsement in this year's CT House race. (He doesn't.) He's insane. 🤬

@bonniegriffith2.bsky.social 2026-08-09T17:18:32.039Z

This is happening in a bit. Come watch and be horrified.youtu.be/ZT70M0mKaDQ

Hemant Mehta (@friendlyatheist.com) 2026-07-02T00:43:36.139Z

This interview highlights the differences between Evangelical hopes and dreams vs Catholic SCOTUS accomplishments.Mike Johnson “has been hapless & ineffective at governing. But has he advanced the cause of Christian nationalism?” he’s been wildly successful.”www.nytimes.com/2026/08/09/u…

Tom Carter (@thcarter123.bsky.social) 2026-08-09T11:27:33.861Z

Musk gave $1.5 million last month to the Aurora Action Network, a Wisconsin-based political action committee that has already collected contributions from numerous billionaire mega donors.

Reset America (@reset-america.bsky.social) 2026-08-09T04:00:38.558Z

Count Binface, a self-described intergalactic space warrior, has landed in the center of the U.K.’s political universe ahead of a special election Thursday that was derided as a farce long before the ballot was packed with nearly three dozen candidates — many from the silly end of the spectrum.

The Associated Press (@apnews.com) 2026-08-10T12:00:23.872Z

Civil rights groups are challenging President Trump’s new effort to limit “birth tourism.”https://www.notus.org/immigration/civil-rights-groups-challenging-birth-tourism-order

NOTUS (@notus.com) 2026-08-11T19:30:07.158616493Z

“The supreme court justice Samuel Alito gained up to $2.9m from his fossil fuel interests between 2005 and 2024, a new review of financial disclosures shows.”

Saeed Jones (@theferocity.bsky.social) 2026-08-11T17:42:43.663Z

Lawsuit challenges executive order targeting international criminal court for investigating Israeli crimes in Palestine

Guardian US (@us.theguardian.com) 2026-08-11T15:59:12.713Z

Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, became Joint Base Lindsey Graham during a ceremony today to rename the installation after the late senator.

Olga Nesterova (@onestpress.onestnetwork.com) 2026-08-10T21:57:55.575Z

Families of sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln spoke to Military Times about multiple incidents in which sailors have attempted to go overboard amid the ship's extended deployment in support of combat operations in the Middle East

JD Simkins (@jdsimkins.bsky.social) 2026-08-11T23:57:05.468Z

Trump on the Iran war this morning:"We are low keying it," and plans to wait Iran out economically. “It will work out. It always works out.”www.axios.com/2026/08/09/t…

Sven-Erik Volberg (@volberg.bsky.social) 2026-08-09T17:16:19.664Z

Breaking: Israel has rejected US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace 15-point plan for Gaza, and will not withdraw until Hamas fully disarms, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-…

Mike Walker (@newnarrative.bsky.social) 2026-08-09T11:17:41.839Z

If they were so inclined, Democrats could make some brutal TV ads tying Republicans to these torture devices designed to be used on protesters

Brandon Friedman (@brandonfriedman.bsky.social) 2026-08-11T23:54:35.251Z

ICE is Trump’s Gestapo, terrorizing the American people. #AbolishICE

Mark Jacob (@markjacob.bsky.social) 2026-08-12T00:13:45.782Z

"Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers may soon be outfitted with gloves that can deliver painful electric shocks intended to gain compliance from combative individuals."Susan Collins & Congressional Republicans voted to fund all of this.

Murshed Zaheed (@murshedz.bsky.social) 2026-08-11T23:29:55.494Z

California 🤝 @anthropic.comWe're entering a partnership to strengthen cybersecurity and provide Claude to state agencies at a discount.The Golden State helped build Silicon Valley — and every Californian should benefit from the responsible use of their latest innovations.

Governor Gavin Newsom (@governor.ca.gov) 2026-06-29T14:15:39.945Z

That’s a Lot of Green: Taylor Farms Exec Allegedly Stole $32 Million From Produce Supplier at Center of Cyclospora Outbreak

Mediaite (@mediaite.com) 2026-08-11T18:50:51.974Z

Taylor Farms contributed $2 million to Trump & Republicans as they postponed a rule to help the govt. limit the spread of foodborne illnesses.Read @premthakker.bsky.social's deep dive into how Taylor Farms' successful lobbying led to the current outbreak of cyclospora: zeteo.com/p/taylor-far…

Zeteo (@zeteo.com) 2026-07-25T19:07:29.836Z

A draft rule reviewed by WIRED would prevent the census from counting undocumented immigrants. To protect against “distortions,” it would also bar questions about race and sexual orientation. http://www.wired.com/story/census…

WIRED (@wired.com) 2026-08-08T14:09:33.945Z

Trump says "he'd love to run" for a third term but adds "the law is very strong"

Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-08-12T03:18:34.211Z

NYT: Kennedy Stirred Vaccine Fears in Pennsylvania Years Before Measles Outbreak By Teddy Rosenbluth @nytimes.com @teddyrosenbluth.bsky.social nyti.ms/4i5wbg5

Greg Folkers (@gregfolkers.bsky.social) 2026-08-12T15:28:25.210Z

Between cheeto face falling asleep, RFK Jr. shaking like a leaf like he's going through withdrawal, and some flight attendant wannabee holding her stomach twisting around like a loon, this is the most Hee Haw administration ever.

Jerrynmn1 (@jjnmnwww.bsky.social) 2026-08-11T18:35:08.844Z

Negotiations surrounding a possible federal plea deal for Luigi Mangione were ongoing between his lawyers and prosecutors, according to media outlets. (AP photo)

KARE 11 (@kare11.bsky.social) 2026-08-12T17:04:09.103Z

Axios obtained 180 pages of plans for Trump's Kennedy Center renovation. What they show:

Axios (@axios.com) 2026-08-12T14:01:24.259Z

Ben Folds, former Artistic Director of the National Symphony Orchestra, testified before a congressional forum titled “Monumental Waste: How Donald Trump Is Spending Millions Destroying American Landmarks”stereogum.com/2505928/ben-…

Stereogum (@stereogum.com) 2026-07-22T17:48:03.118Z

Trump Administration Kills a Flagship Annual Report on the ArcticThe top of the world is warming faster than any other region. For 20 years, the Arctic Report Card chronicled the extraordinary transformation.

BanmarNJ (@banmarnj.bsky.social) 2026-08-11T19:16:57.767Z

Hitler Fan Stars In TN Gov Candidate’s Ads [VIDEO]

Hitler Fan Stars In TN Gov Candidate’s Ads [VIDEO]

June 23, 2026

Nashville’s CBS affiliate reports:

He calls Jews “a malevolent force throughout history,” praises Adolf Hitler as “a great man,” and urges Black Americans to “return to Africa.” Despite that history of hateful comments, he has now become the star of a pair of social-media videos for Tennessee Republican candidate for governor Monty Fritts [photo].

Still, Dane Chisholm, 28, of Rogersville, Tenn., is completely unapologetic about his controversial views. “For the soft and fake ‘Conservatives’ who worry about being called homophobic, racist or Nazi … go sit quietly in a corner,” Chisholm wrote in a June 20 post on X. “The real Christian men – who will save this world – are going to start handling things.”

Fritts, who is running an unapologetically Christian nationalist campaign, did not respond to a text from NewsChannel 5 Investigates about the star of his social-media posts.

Read the full article. Watch the unreal video below.

State Rep. Monty Fritts appeared here in January 2026 when he called for executing supporters of trans healthcare, saying that “such killings align with scripture.”

Fritts appeared here in March 2025 when the Tennessee House advanced his bill declaring July 2025 a “month of fasting and prayer for the physically able and spiritually inclined.”

Last year Fritts sponsored a “chemtrails” bill that would criminalize weather control with fines of “$100,000 per violation.”

Fritts appeared here in January 2025 for his bill making it a felony for state officials to adopt pro-migrant policies.

Fritts first appeared here in 2023 when the Tennessee House approved his bill allowing officiants to refuse to conduct same-sex, interfaith, and interracial marriages.

 

 

He despises Jews, admires Hitler—Now, he’s starring in videos for a Tenn. candidate for governor

Ok after reading and highlighting this I feel I need a shower.  This is the US that trump has caused to surge and become normal.   This is the front runner for governor.  I put some quotes from the story below.  We have to stomp this out and make it unacceptable again while they are still a small minority.  But notice how they wrap themselves in as real christians and Christian nationalist.  By doing that they get protection as the law states that religon is a protected class in the law and the SCOTUS has ruled that law really only applies to Christians and to pushing the Christian faith.  Saddly we need to know what these people are doing and pushing so we can fight back against them and stop this dragging the country into being Nazi Germany of the 1940s.  They are openly racist, openly white supremacist, and openly Christian nationalists, and they are especially open about being willing to be violent to accomplish what they want.   Hugs

Still, Dane Chisholm, 28, of Rogersville, Tenn., is completely unapologetic about his controversial views.

“For the soft and fake ‘Conservatives’ who worry about being called homophobic, racist or Nazi … go sit quietly in a corner,” Chisholm wrote in a June 20 post on X.

“The real Christian men – who will save this world – are going to start handling things.”

Fritts, who is running an unapologetically Christian nationalist campaign, did not respond to a text from NewsChannel 5 Investigates about the star of his social-media posts.


 

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/confronting-hate/he-despises-jews-admires-hitler-now-hes-starring-in-videos-for-a-tenn-candidate-for-governor

Dane Chisholm appears in videos for Republican candidate for governor Monty Fritts
Posted 7:48 PM, Jun 22, 2026

 

and last updated 12:52 PM, Jun 23, 2026

EEOC Sues NYT For Anti-White Male Discrimination

Axios reports:

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued the New York Times for discriminating against a white, male employee who claims to have been denied a promotion based on his demographic attributes. It marks the third lawsuit President Trump or his administration has filed against the Times in less than five years.

The Times also filed its own lawsuit against the Defense Department last year over its restrictions on journalists. A federal judge ruled in the outlet’s favor in March. The EEOC said Tuesday that the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges the Times violated the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

The federal agency, which sits under the executive branch, pointed to the lack of promotion for a “well-qualified white male employee” along with the Times’ diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and a 2021 “Call to Action” to increase non-white and female representation in its leadership. “Federal law is clear: making hiring or promotion decisions motivated in whole or in part by race or sex violates federal law. There is no diversity exception to this rule,” EEOC chair Andrea Lucas said in a statement.

New York Magazine reports

People at the paper say the claim is absurd. “I’m sorry, there are plenty of white guys at the top of the New York Times. Not really something that’s holding you back,” said the reporter. To name one prominent example, Joe Kahn, the paper’s executive editor, is a white male, as are many members of the masthead.

Rhoades Ha, the Times spokesperson, said, “The allegation centers on a single personnel decision for one of over 100 deputy positions across the newsroom, yet the EEOC’s filing makes sweeping claims that ignore the facts to fit a predetermined narrative.”

The employee originally filed the complaint in July 2025 with the EEOC office in New York. One staffer noted it could now be impossible for the Times to take action against the complainant: “This person now has job security for good after this suit. What a mess.”

Purely by coincidence, yeah, last week the NYT reported on the “deeply demoralized” work culture at the EEOC.

EEOC chief Andrea Lucas last appeared here when a judge ruled that she can have the names of Jewish employees at the University of Pennsylvania.

She appeared here in January 2026 when she ended federal guidelines against anti-LGBTQ workplace harassment.

In December 2025, Lucas appeared here when she posted a video seeking plaintiffs in lawsuits for anti-white male workplace discrimination.

A white male New York Times employee filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that the paper discriminated against him by not giving him a promotion because he is a white male.

New York Magazine (@nymag.com) 2026-05-05T19:54:59.171Z

The racism of the right is on full display.