Morning, Kitties. The Pentagon is changing sexual assault policy, former CIA Director John Brennan has been subpoenaed in a Justice Department investigation into alleged efforts against Trump, and Kash Patel is back on Capitol Hill answering questions about his FBI leadership. Meanwhile, police chiefs are reportedly gathering privately to discuss surveillance technology, ICE tactics are under scrutiny in Los Angeles, crypto legislation could reshape financial oversight, and NATO fighters just shot a drone out of Lithuanian airspace. Nothing says Monday morning like sexual assault policy, secret surveillance meetings, crypto, drones, and the FBI director explaining himself before the coffee gets cold.
Today’s Chaos
The Pentagon Drops New Sexual Assault Guidance
New Pentagon guidance changes aspects of how sexual assault cases are handled inside the military, reopening questions about reporting, command authority, survivor protections, and prosecution. Military sexual assault rules are complicated for a reason, and seemingly procedural changes can have enormous consequences for survivors.
Noem and Lewandowski Face New Scrutiny Over DHS Spending
The PunchUp examines DHS spending and travel involving Kristi Noem and adviser Corey Lewandowski while also discussing longstanding rumors about their personal relationship. Spending records can be evaluated independently, while unverified claims about a personal relationship remain allegations.
Former CIA Director John Brennan Has Been Subpoenaed
Brennan has been ordered to testify before a Florida grand jury examining whether former intelligence and law enforcement officials conspired against Trump, while Brennan’s attorney describes the investigation as retaliatory. Brennan has not been charged with a crime.
The Supreme Court Rejects Another Trump Administration Emergency Request
The Supreme Court rejected another emergency request from the Trump administration, leaving the challenged policy blocked while the underlying litigation continues. The growing importance of emergency Supreme Court orders means enormous questions of executive authority can be temporarily decided before the full case is resolved.
The AI Doomsday Debate May Be Distracting Us From Problems Already Here
The Lever argues that spectacular predictions about future AI extinction can distract from existing concerns involving jobs, surveillance, corporate power, environmental costs, and military applications. Killer robots get the movie trailer while the algorithm deciding whether you keep your job is already fucking clocked in.
Police Chiefs Reportedly Plan a Private Surveillance Meeting
Law enforcement leaders are reportedly gathering privately to discuss surveillance technology and policing capabilities. Systems capable of tracking the public deserve very public questions about procurement, access, warrants, data retention, and who exactly gets to press the creepy fucking buttons.
ICE Tactics Are Put on Display in Los Angeles
Eyes on ICE documents tactics used during a Los Angeles immigration operation and examines their effects on surrounding communities. The reporting adds to continuing scrutiny over warrants, identification, use of force, and accountability during federal immigration enforcement.
Crypto Legislation Could Dramatically Reshape Financial Oversight
Popular Information argues that proposed cryptocurrency legislation could expand opportunities for digital asset companies while weakening important safeguards. The central question is who regulates crypto and what protections remain when enormous sums of money disappear into financial products most Americans need three diagrams and a Xanax to understand.
A New Project Tracks Criminal Cases Connected to MAGA Politics
The FAM project introduces a database documenting criminal cases involving people associated with MAGA politics. Any political crime tracker requires careful distinctions among allegations, charges, convictions, and political affiliation so documentation does not become guilt by association.
Kash Patel Faces Senate Questions About His FBI Leadership
Patel is appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee amid questions about FBI leadership, personnel decisions, travel, investigations involving Trump critics, and claims surrounding the 2020 election. Congressional oversight is supposed to be uncomfortable because FBI directors traditionally do not receive the fucking spa package. When writing this, they were discussing beastiality and the FBI application process.
Texas Voters Express Concern About Costs and Corruption
Navigator Research presents polling showing Texas respondents expressing significant concern about affordability and political corruption. As with all polling, methodology, question wording, sample composition, and timing matter when interpreting what those findings say about voters.
NATO Fighters Shoot Down a Drone Over Lithuania
Italian NATO fighters destroyed a drone after it entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, while investigators continue working to determine its origin. Italian officials have suggested it probably originated in Russia, but the final attribution remains under investigation.
Iran Faces Growing Pressure Around the Strait of Hormuz
Critical Threats reports that Iran is struggling to establish its proposed management and toll system for the Strait of Hormuz while American operations have degraded some capabilities used to monitor shipping. Iranian aligned forces also continue threatening regional infrastructure and maritime traffic as the conflict spreads economic consequences far beyond the battlefield.
Closing RK Thoughts
Today’s stories keep circling the same uncomfortable question: who gets to use institutional power, and who watches them while they do it?
Military officials write rules affecting sexual assault survivors. Police departments acquire surveillance technology. ICE conducts operations in American neighborhoods. Congress writes rules governing crypto markets. The FBI director exercises extraordinary investigative authority. Intelligence officials themselves can become subjects of federal investigations.
None of those powers should operate on vibes.
They need laws, records, warrants, hearings, inspectors, courts, journalists, and citizens willing to read the paperwork everyone hopes is too boring to open.
Because accountability is rarely glamorous. Mostly it is somebody showing up with a binder and asking:
“Who authorized this shit?”
Claws out. Receipts ready.
Featured Resisters and Resources
- We Ain’t Buying It is a badass boycott tracker exposing which brands are funding fascism, backing bigotry, or just being shady AF. Because spending your money is political—and these companies aren’t getting a dime.
- Keep It Quarterly is an investor transparency campaign focused on preserving quarterly financial reporting for public companies. The site argues that reducing company reporting from every three months to every six months would weaken public access to timely financial information and create greater information gaps between everyday investors, corporate insiders, and large institutions.
What We Are Watching Today
- 9:00 AM EDT
FBI Director Patel Testifies on Bureau Oversight Before Senate Judiciary Cmte. - 10:00 AM EDT
House Republican Leaders Hold News Conference Live - 10:00 AM EDT
U.S. House of Representatives Live - 10:00 AM EDT
U.S. Senate Live - 10:00 AM EDT
Treasury Secy. Bessent Testifies on Economy & International Financial System Live - 10:00 AM EDT
FAA Administrator Testifies at Oversight Hearing Live - 10:15 AM EDT
Governor Candidate Rob Sand (D-IA) Holds Press Conference With Law Enforcement - 11:00 AM EDT
Senator Cruz and NTSB Chair Homendy Hold News Conference on Airline Safety - 11:30 AM EDT
House Democratic Caucus Leaders Hold News Conference - 12:00 PM EDT
U.S. House of Representatives - 2:00 PM EDT
Attorney General Todd Blanche Briefs Reporters at the White House - 3:00 PM EDT
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Portrait Unveiling - 3:30 PM EDT
Senate Creators Caucus Launch - 4:00 PM EDT
Governor Candidate Bobby Charles (R-ME) Hold Press Conference on Energy Affordability - 7:00 PM EDT
Governor Candidate Zach Lahn (R-IA) Delivers Remarks at Boone County GOP Dinner
Today’s Call to Action
1. Read Today’s Resistance Survival Guides
2. Sign these Petitions and Send These Pre Written Letters
- Sign if you agree: The Trump administration needs to side with Ukraine, not with Russia.
- Sign the petition to congressional leaders urging them to pass the ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act, which continues federal support for vital ALS research and therapies, before the September 30 deadline.
- Tell DHS: Stop the Sham Voter Fraud Hunt
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.