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

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