Happy Wednesday from the nation where DHS apparently names domestic surveillance operations like rejected Jason Bourne movies, local governments are spending opioid recovery money on license plate cameras, and the administration wants to spend billions encouraging migrant children to leave the country. Meanwhile, Florida voters bounced scandal plagued Congressman Cory Mills, Angie Nixon pulled off a massive Democratic Senate upset, ABC is taking Trump’s FCC to court, and the United States just sanctioned the president of the International Criminal Court. Nothing says confidence in your institutions quite like spying on protesters, threatening broadcasters, and sanctioning judges.
Key Takeaways
DHS Infiltrated Anti ICE Groups and Sought Financial Records
Court records reveal DHS operations called Operation Puppet Master and Operation Keyhole infiltrated protest meetings, secretly recorded gatherings, and sought financial information connected to groups opposing ICE. Apparently holding a protest sign now comes with a complimentary federal intelligence file.
An Undercover Federal Agent Entered a Church Protected by Court Order
Court filings show an undercover DHS agent entered a Minneapolis church, attended a boxing class, and secretly recorded participants even though the congregation was covered by a federal injunction protecting hundreds of churches from certain immigration enforcement operations. The recorder then fell onto the floor, because apparently even surveillance equipment occasionally develops a conscience.
Opioid Settlement Money Is Paying for Flock Surveillance Cameras
Public records show some municipalities have used opioid settlement funds for surveillance technology, including nearly $60,000 Washington Township spent on Flock license plate cameras and expanded data retention. Money intended to help people survive addiction somehow became money to record where they drive, because America can turn absolutely anything into surveillance.
The Administration Wants Billions for a New Self Deportation Program That Includes Children
A draft DHS contract worth up to $2.3 billion includes stipends connected to unaccompanied migrant children who leave the country voluntarily, with immigration advocates questioning how meaningful consent can exist for children in government custody. Apparently childhood now comes with an exit incentive and a federal procurement number.
A Federal Detainee Facility Is Facing Serious Questions About Heat and Chemical Exposure
Detainees at a Mississippi facility reported breathing problems, headaches, extreme heat, power failures, and being moved outside without shade after reporting a gas odor, while operator CoreCivic says no leak was found and treatment was not withheld. When the official defense is essentially that everyone simultaneously felt sick for some other mysterious reason, keep asking questions.
Florida Republicans Dumped Cory Mills
Republican voters decisively rejected Congressman Cory Mills after a campaign dominated by allegations of misconduct and an ongoing House ethics investigation, while another Trump endorsed candidate lost elsewhere in Florida. Trump’s endorsement remains powerful, but apparently even Florida Republicans occasionally locate the emergency exit.
Angie Nixon Pulled Off a Huge Florida Senate Primary Upset
Progressive Florida lawmaker Angie Nixon defeated heavily funded Alex Vindman for the Democratic Senate nomination despite being dramatically outraised. Money remains extremely important in American politics, but voters occasionally enjoy setting a giant pile of it on fire just to keep consultants humble.
Trump Left the Door Open to Troops at Polling Places
Senator Elissa Slotkin is demanding written assurances from Pentagon leaders that federal troops will not appear at polling places or seize election materials after Trump repeatedly refused to rule out federal involvement. This is not evidence that such a deployment is planned, but “please promise not to send troops to voting booths” should not be a difficult question.
ABC Is Suing Trump’s FCC Over License Pressure
ABC alleges the FCC forced eight stations into unusually early license proceedings as retaliation for coverage and programming disliked by the administration. Apparently freedom of the press now includes a performance review from the president.
The United States Sanctioned the President of the International Criminal Court
The Trump administration imposed sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye over court actions involving officials from governments that reject ICC jurisdiction. Japan called the move very unfortunate, while the ICC says targeting its officials threatens judicial independence.
Trump Delayed Huge Canadian Tariffs for Three Days
Canada received a three day reprieve from 50 percent tariffs on roughly $20 billion in goods while negotiations continue, and Trump simultaneously floated resurrecting Keystone XL without explaining whether the issues were connected. International trade policy now has the structural stability of a group chat.
South Korea Was Blindsided by Trump’s Military Drill Decision
The United States and South Korea are shortening major joint military exercises after Trump ordered reduced American participation, with South Korean officials saying neither government received advance notice. Nothing reassures a seventy year military ally quite like learning about a major defense decision at approximately the same time as everybody else.
Activists Are Organizing Against Technology Used for War and Surveillance
The Nation highlights campaigns challenging military technology contracts, automated license plate readers, and voter intimidation while directing readers toward concrete organizing opportunities. Turns out the surveillance state hates one technology even more than encryption: organized citizens who know how public records requests work.
Closing RK Thoughts
Today’s theme is visibility, but only in one direction.
Government wants to see protesters, their meetings, their finances, their cars, and their organizations. Immigration authorities want more information, more contractors, and more surveillance. The FCC wants broadcasters looking over their shoulders.
Meanwhile, citizens are expected to accept ambiguity about troops near elections, conditions inside detention facilities, billions in immigration contracts, and intelligence operations targeting lawful political activity.
No.
Government surveillance requires surveillance of government.
Read the court filings. Request the contracts. Track the money. Protect the vote. Support journalists who keep digging after the press release stops being useful.
And remember what Florida voters demonstrated yesterday.
Power looks permanent right until somebody counts the ballots.
Claws out. Receipts ready.
Featured Resisters and Resources
- The Justice Connection is a legal resource and attorney referral platform designed to help people find lawyers who share a commitment to democracy, civil rights, social justice, and the rule of law. The organization works to make legal assistance easier to locate for individuals, organizations, activists, and communities facing legal challenges.
- The AI Cheating Lawsuits Tracker from GradPilot is a specialized research resource that tracks lawsuits involving students accused of academic misconduct or cheating based on the alleged use of artificial intelligence. The tracker brings together legal disputes involving AI detection tools, academic disciplinary procedures, student rights, and the growing use of automated technology in education.
What We Are Watching Today
- 10:00 AM EDT
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) & Officials Honor Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) Live - 1:00 PM EDT
U.S. Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D-MI) Holds Press Conference With Michigan Leaders - 2:30 PM EDT
President Trump Meets with Technology Leaders at the White House - 6:00 PM EDT
Senate Candidate Troy Jackson (D-ME) Makes Campaign Stop in Portland, Maine
Today’s Call to Action
1. Read Today’s Resistance Survival Guides
2. Sign these Petitions and Send These Pre Written Letters
- Subpoena the Epstein Tapes: Preserve the Wolff and Bannon Recordings Now
- Tell Hegseth: Stop pushing sailors past the breaking point
- Tell Congress to make tariff refunds go to working families, not become another windfall for Big Business.
- Sign if you agree: It’s long past time to stop Donald Trump’s FCC from retaliating against media outlets.
- Add your name: Fund FEMA not ICE
- Sign the petition: No taxpayer dollars for Trump’s billion-dollar ballroom.
- Add your name to the petition: It’s long past time to stop Donald Trump’s FCC from retaliating against media outlets.
- Sign if you agree: Congress should Reject Republicans’ deficit-busting, $1,000,000,000,000+ military budget.
- Sign if you agree: Congress should bring down energy costs by putting an end to Donald Trump’s war against affordable, renewable electricity generation.
- Sign the petition: The Trump administration must stop denying bond hearings to undocumented immigrants who are in detention and facing deportation. This is blatantly unconstitutional.
- Add your name to the petition denouncing the Trump administration’s cancellation of hundreds of energy-related research grants worth a total $8 billion solely because they were going to blue states. The Trump administration has admitted to doing this in court.
3. Verify your voter registration status and help at least one other person check theirs
4. Save contact information for local legal aid and voting support organizations
5. Attend an Event
- What’s the Plan with Leah and Ezra Thursday, August 20 at 3:00 p.m. ET
- Join us on Tuesday, August 25 at 7:30 PM ET for Censorship 2.0: The Latest Trends in Book Banning.
6. Contact Your Lawmakers Directly
- Stop DHS Surveillance: Tell your lawmakers to demand hearings into DHS spying on protesters, unions, and political groups. Protect lawful First Amendment activity.
- Protect Voting Rights: Tell your lawmakers to oppose the SAVE America Act and its restrictive citizenship document requirements.
- Stop Unauthorized War: Tell your lawmakers to enforce the Iran War Powers Resolution and block funding for unauthorized military action.
7. Who Are We Boycotting This Week?
The People’s Union USA has placed these corporations on its permanent boycott list:
Buy only what you need. Support local businesses, independent sellers, and union shops whenever possible.
