Happy Monday, Kitties. ProPublica reports that a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin secretly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Donald Trump Jr.’s Bahamas wedding, while the Campaign Legal Center alleges Trump’s large cash gifts to four White House employees may have violated federal law. Meanwhile, Big Tech veterans are helping build the Pentagon’s AI infrastructure, the EPA is preparing another major climate rollback, an appeals court rejected Trump’s mail voting restrictions, and Kash Patel reportedly decided the FBI needed to answer people being mean to him online. We have artificial intelligence building war machines while human intelligence remains apparently optional.
The Current World Chaos (grab your coffee and cannabis)
Lawmakers Push for New AI Rules
Lawmakers are pressing for additional federal AI safeguards as concerns grow around autonomous systems, national security, employment, privacy, and accountability. The technology is sprinting while Congress is still looking for its fucking shoes.
Big Tech Alumni Are Building the Pentagon’s AI War Machine
A little known Pentagon office staffed by veterans of Amazon, Palantir, Meta, and Salesforce is accelerating military AI adoption while some former employers compete for government contracts. The revolving door apparently received a software upgrade.
Big AI Is Having a Boardroom Panic
Sunny Apocalypse examines growing anxiety inside the AI industry over enormous spending, uncertain returns, safety concerns, and pressure to demonstrate that the AI boom can justify its price tag. Nothing screams technological inevitability like executives quietly asking where the fucking profits are.
Fact Checkers Examine Day Two of the GOP Midterm Convention
FactCheck.org examines claims made during the Republican midterm convention and provides context around statistics and political talking points. Election season remains the annual festival of numbers desperately seeking adult supervision.
The Legal World Has Another Very Expensive Week
David Lat covers major law firm moves, judicial controversies, and developments involving prominent lawyers and federal courts. Apparently even constitutional chaos comes with billable hours.
France Identifies 370 Epstein Related Leads
The Butterfly Bureau reports new developments in France’s examination of Epstein related records, including hundreds of identified leads requiring further investigation. A name or lead does not establish wrongdoing, but preservation and investigation of the underlying records matter.
EPA Plans Another Major Power Plant Climate Rollback
The EPA is preparing to repeal carbon pollution standards for coal and gas power plants, reversing another major Biden era climate policy. The rollback is expected to face legal challenges as power generation remains a major source of American greenhouse gas emissions.
A Russian Oligarch Secretly Bankrolled Part of Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding
ProPublica reports that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev, who has ties to Putin, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Trump Jr.’s Bahamas wedding, including private island expenses and fireworks. A wealthy foreign figure secretly picking up a presidential son’s wedding tab is the sort of gift that deserves considerably more than a thank you card.
Trump’s Cash Gifts to White House Staff Trigger a Federal Ethics Complaint
The Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint asking the Office of Government Ethics to investigate whether cash payments Trump made to Natalie Harp, Chamberlain Harris, Margo Martin, and Walt Nauta violated federal law. The complaint is an allegation, not a finding that a violation occurred.
Petraeus and Boris Johnson Warn About Russia and Ukraine
David Petraeus and Boris Johnson are warning that continued Western support for Ukraine remains critical as Russia’s war continues. Their comments come amid continuing disputes over military assistance, negotiations, and the long term security consequences of the conflict.
Katie Miller Criticized AI Companies While Holding a Stake in a Rival
Katie Miller publicly criticized major AI companies while holding a financial interest in a competing company, according to disclosure reporting. The arrangement raises conflict questions even though a financial interest alone does not establish improper conduct.
Japan Objects to a UN Map Showing Disputed Islands as Russian
Japan protested a United Nations map depicting disputed islands as Russian territory, reopening a decades old territorial dispute that has prevented Tokyo and Moscow from signing a formal World War II peace treaty. Geography remains one of humanity’s most reliable ways to start an argument.
Kash Patel Reportedly Ordered the FBI to Answer Critical Social Media Posts
TMZ reports that Kash Patel directed FBI personnel to respond to social media criticism involving him, raising questions about whether federal resources were being used for personal reputation management. The FBI has many responsibilities. Reply guy traditionally was not one of them.
Mississippi Drinking Water Is Back in Court
A Mississippi drinking water lawsuit is renewing scrutiny of infrastructure failures, government responsibility, and environmental justice. Clean drinking water remains an astonishingly ambitious policy objective for the world’s largest economy.
Trump’s Classified Documents Co Defendant Is Running Oval Office Operations
CREW reports that Walt Nauta, Trump’s co defendant in the dismissed federal classified documents prosecution, now oversees Oval Office operations. The criminal case against Nauta was dismissed, but his current government role makes the history relevant context.
A MAGA Influencer Says Antifa Got Him High
The Bulwark examines Matt Tardio’s unusual explanation surrounding allegations involving drugs and antifa. Sometimes a headline arrives fully cooked and Kitty knows better than to fuck with perfection.
Your Apps Are Part of a Much Larger Surveillance Architecture
Nightfire examines how ordinary apps can feed information into interconnected commercial and government surveillance systems. The individual app may look harmless while the combined database knows considerably more about you than your mother.
Fact Checkers Examine Trump’s Midterm Convention Claims
FactCheck.org reviews Trump’s convention remarks and checks claims involving the economy, immigration, healthcare, and other issues. Political speeches remain considerably shorter once somebody removes the unsupported statistics.
Vote.org Offers Tools for Checking Registration and Voting
PeaceFace highlights Vote.org resources for checking registration, requesting ballots, finding election information, and preparing to vote. Whatever your politics, confirming your registration before Election Day is considerably easier than arguing with a poll worker afterward.
Appeals Court Rejects Trump’s Mail Voting Restrictions
A federal appeals court refused to allow the administration’s new mail ballot restrictions to take effect while litigation continues, leaving the dispute headed toward further Supreme Court consideration. The contested rules involve voter lists, ballot barcodes, and Postal Service authority.
Corey Lewandowski Makes Another Watchdog List
The Watchdog Report examines Corey Lewandowski’s continuing role in Trump world and the ethical and governmental questions surrounding his influence. The revolving door has apparently been spinning so long it qualifies as renewable energy.
A New Investigation Examines Russian Influence Networks
Olga Lautman examines new reporting concerning Russian influence networks and their connections across political, financial, and information ecosystems. Claims involving influence operations require careful sourcing because association alone does not establish coordination or criminal conduct.
Closing RK Thoughts
Today’s stories are about access.
Access to the president. Access to his family. Access to government contracts. Access to military AI. Access to federal agencies. Access to your data.
That is why the wedding money matters. The staff payments matter. The revolving doors matter. The surveillance architecture matters.
Power becomes much harder to scrutinize when relationships are private but consequences are public.
Follow the money. Read the disclosures. Check the contracts. Protect your data. Verify your voter registration.
And when someone secretly pays hundreds of thousands toward the president’s son’s wedding, perhaps send something more substantial than a fucking thank you note.
Claws out. Receipts ready.
Featured Resisters and Resources
- The Know Your Rights: ICE in Your Community guide from Shamieh Law provides clear, practical legal guidance for individuals and families who may encounter Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. The resource explains how ICE operates in communities, what tactics agents may use, and what rights individuals have regardless of immigration status. It is designed to reduce confusion and panic by translating complex legal protections into accessible, real-world scenarios that people can understand and apply immediately.
- Because ballots should come with backup. Progressive Voters Guide helps you cut through the noise with endorsements, issue stances, and down-ballot picks tailored to your state—so you vote your values from top to bottom.
What We Are Watching Today
- 7:57 AM EDT
Sen. Candidate John Sununu (R-NH) & House Candidate DiLorenzo (R-NH) Hold News Conference - 9:00 AM EDT
Sen. Candidate John Sununu (R-NH) & House Candidate DiLorenzo (R-NH) Hold News Conference Live - 9:06 AM EDT
House Judiciary Subcommittee Field Hearing on Healthcare Market Fraud and Competition Live - 10:30 AM EDT
Homeland Security Secretary Holds FEMA Roundtable - 11:00 AM EDT
NASA Signs Space Exploration Agreement With Republic of Djibouti - 11:00 AM EDT
NYC Mayor Mamdani and NY AG Letitia James Make Immigration Announcement - 12:00 PM EDT
U.S. Senate Candidate Josh Turek (D-IA) Hosts Campaign Finance Roundtable - 12:00 PM EDT
U.S. House Candidate Brian Poindexter (D-OH) Holds Healthcare Press Conference - 12:00 PM EDT
U.S. House of Representatives - 12:25 PM EDT
VP Vance in Kansas City Delivers Remarks on Fraud - 2:00 PM EDT
U.S. House of Representatives - 2:35 PM EDT
VP Vance & Sen. Roger Marshall (R) Speak at MAGA Inc. Event in Kansas - 3:00 PM EDT
U.S. Senate - 3:30 PM EDT
Democrats Hold Forum on Alleged Corruption in Trump Administration - 4:00 PM EDT
Sen. Ted Cruz With College Athletes & Coaches on Protect College Sports Act - 6:00 PM EDT
Gov. Candidate Rick Jackson (R-GA) and Sen. Candidate Mike Collins (R-GA) Attend Faith & Freedom Dinner - 7:00 PM EDT
Governor Candidate Zach Lahn (R-IA) Holds Agriculture Town Hall
Today’s Call to Action
1. Read Today’s Resistance Survival Guides
2. Sign these Petitions and Send These Pre Written Letters
- Tell Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and National Park Service leadership: Reject this corporate land grab and keep Yosemite protected from private development.
- Don’t let Trump weaponize the census against voters
- Sign if you agree: It is long past time for Congress to take back tariff power from Donald Trump and put an end to his destructive trade war.
- Sign the petition: Back the Van Hollen-Sanders resolution to expose Israel’s violence in the West Bank.
- Stop Trump’s School-Bus ICE Raids
- Investigate Trump’s Illegal Cash Gifts to Natalie Harp
- Keep Carbon Pollution Limits on Power Plants
- Sign the petition telling Congress to stop Donald Trump’s $5,000 midterms election bribe.
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
- Join us on Thursday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET for Protecting the Vote: How You Can Help Keep Elections Safe.
- Indivisible: Right Now, This Week
Tuesday, September 15 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern
Virtual discussion covering current threats to democracy and meaningful actions people can take immediately. - What’s on the November 3, 2026 Ballot
Wednesday, September 16 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Attend virtually or at Eckerd College, Lewis House, 4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg. This free League of Women Voters presentation explains the candidates, amendments, and issues appearing on the November ballot. - Hands Off Our Vote Election Protection Roundtable
Thursday, September 17 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Virtual training focused on election interference scenarios, protecting voters, responding quickly, and ensuring every valid ballot is counted. - WaveMakers Live: The 2026 Midterm Elections
Thursday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m.
The Commodore, 811 East 7th Avenue, Ybor City, Tampa. WMNF hosts and activists will discuss what the midterms mean for Tampa Bay, Florida, and the country. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. - Vigil for Immigrant Justice
Sunday, September 20 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Pinellas County Courthouse, 14450 49th Street North, Clearwater. This peaceful vigil supports immigrant families and calls for an end to the detention and deportation of nonviolent community members.
6. Contact Your Lawmakers Directly
- Hold Leon Black in contempt“Hello, my name is [NAME], and I live in [CITY AND ZIP CODE]. I am calling to ask Representative [NAME] to support holding Leon Black in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas in the Epstein investigation. Billionaires do not get a special ignore Congress button. Please demand his testimony and full compliance. Thank you.”
- Protect mail voting“Hello, my name is [NAME], and I live in [CITY AND ZIP CODE]. I am asking [REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATOR NAME] to protect mail voting and oppose last minute Postal Service restrictions that could prevent valid ballots from being counted. Please support the Vote by Mail Protection Act and defend every eligible voter’s right to cast a ballot safely. Thank you.”
- Ban elected officials from profiting through cryptocurrency“Hello, my name is [NAME], and I live in [CITY AND ZIP CODE]. I am calling to demand strong and enforceable ethics rules in any cryptocurrency legislation. Presidents, members of Congress, federal judges, and their families must not be allowed to issue digital assets or profit from policies they control. Please require divestment, independent enforcement, and full public disclosure. Thank you.”
7. Who Are We Boycotting This Week?
- Home Depot
- Why: Home Depot uses Flock Safety license plate readers in store parking lots. Digital rights advocates are demanding that the company remove the surveillance cameras because the collected data could be accessed by law enforcement and used in immigration investigations.Boycott action: Avoid Home Depot stores and online purchases until the company removes Flock surveillance systems.
- Microsoft
- Why: The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement identifies Microsoft as a priority boycott target because of its technology and cloud service relationships with the Israeli government and military.Boycott action: Cancel Microsoft subscriptions where practical and choose alternatives to Microsoft 365, Xbox, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services.
- The Magnum Ice Cream Company
- Why: Ben & Jerry’s cofounder Ben Cohen has accused the corporate owner of suppressing the brand’s independent social activism. The Free Ben & Jerry’s campaign is urging consumers to boycott other Magnum owned brands.Boycott action: Avoid Breyers, Klondike, Magnum, Popsicle, and Talenti products until Ben & Jerry’s independence is restored.
