Morning, Kitties. DHS is expanding its drone capabilities, a senator with major data center investments is facing questions about environmental policy, and another congressional family’s financial connections to military contracting are under scrutiny. Meanwhile, a reported $2 billion immigration program is facing criticism, reproductive rights are back in the political crosshairs, and Washington is still arguing about who gets to control the technology, money, and machinery of government. Apparently the American dream now comes with a surveillance subscription, a defense contract, and a fucking utility surcharge.
Daily Shit Show Highlights
DHS Orders Four Reaper Family Drones in a $247.8 Million Surveillance Expansion
Eyes on ICE reports that the Coast Guard ordered four MQ 9B SeaGuardian aircraft through an existing Customs and Border Protection contract. Officials say these aircraft will be unarmed, but the platform’s broader surveillance and military capabilities raise questions about oversight, mission boundaries, and how much monitoring technology DHS actually needs.
Trump’s New Press Secretary Has Ties to a Group Advocating Criminal Penalties for Abortion Patients
Jessica Valenti reports that Katie Zacharia served on the board of an abortion abolitionist organization that advocates criminal penalties, including capital punishment, for abortion patients. That affiliation does not by itself establish Zacharia’s personal position on every proposal, but Americans deserve clarity about the reproductive policies advocated by senior officials.
Kimberly Guilfoyle Resigns as Ambassador to Greece Following White House Request
The Wall Street Journal reports that Guilfoyle resigned after the White House requested her departure amid scrutiny of alleged financial requests, luxury travel, and business relationships. Guilfoyle denies wrongdoing, but the diplomatic career has ended amid an ethics controversy that could give an entire congressional oversight committee a fucking migraine.
Michigan Senate Candidate Mike Rogers Faces Questions About His Family’s Military Contracting Wealth
Drop Site News examined financial disclosures and government contracts involving Kristi Rogers and Aegis, a security company that obtained substantial federal business during Mike Rogers’s congressional career. The reporting does not establish that Rogers improperly directed contracts, but the financial overlap illustrates why congressional oversight and family business interests warrant scrutiny.
Trump Administration’s $2 Billion Immigration Program Faces Another Contractor Fight
The PunchUp reports that Salus Worldwide Solutions challenged the replacement contract for Project Homecoming after DHS removed the company from the program. Its protest could complicate the transition, adding another contracting dispute to an initiative already facing questions about spending and results.
Federal Judge Halts Tree Removal After More Than 500 Trees Are Cut at Washington Golf Course
Judge Ana Reyes ordered a temporary halt to further tree removal at East Potomac Golf Course after the administration cut down more than 500 trees with little advance notice during ongoing litigation. The order runs through October 26, giving the court time to examine the work, because apparently even trees need emergency legal representation now.
DOGE’s Savings Promises Face New Questions About Costs and Private Interests
The New Republic argues that DOGE failed to deliver its promised spending reductions and that the financial consequences of staffing cuts and weakened tax enforcement may outweigh claimed savings. Its criticism also examines the private interests of technology industry participants, although allegations of self enrichment require evidence beyond disappointing budget results.
Closing Kitty Thoughts
Today’s news has one recurring theme: public power and private money keep finding each other in remarkably expensive places.
DHS is purchasing sophisticated surveillance aircraft. Military contracting relationships are drawing scrutiny. A major immigration program is tangled in another contractor dispute. An ambassador has resigned amid contested ethics allegations. And the White House has a new spokesperson whose previous organizational affiliations raise serious questions about reproductive rights.
These stories are not proof that every contract, appointment, or political relationship is corrupt. They are reasons to demand clear records, independent oversight, and answers from officials.
Because when the public pays for the drones, the contracts, the legal fights, and the government itself, asking where the fucking money went should not require a congressional investigation and a Ouija board.
Follow the contracts. Examine the disclosures. Protect civil rights. Keep the receipts.
Claws out. Hissssssss.
Featured Resisters and Resources
- Fareground Food + Community provides or connects people with hudson Valley community food distribution and resource sharing. The organization serves New York. Visit its official website for current operating hours, eligibility, locations, donation guidance, and volunteer opportunities. Availability and services can change, so confirm details directly before traveling.
- Chicago Food Sovereignty Coalition provides or connects people with chicago food sovereignty and mutual aid coalition. The organization serves Illinois. Visit its official website for current operating hours, eligibility, locations, donation guidance, and volunteer opportunities. Availability and services can change, so confirm details directly before traveling.
What We Are Watching Today
- 6:41 AM MDT
New Hampshire U.S. Senate Forum, Part 1 - 7:30 AM MDT
New Hampshire U.S. Senate Forum, Part 2 - 7:34 AM MDT
HHS Secy. Kennedy & CMS Admin. Dr. Oz Announce Actions on Taxpayer Protection & Health Program Integrity - 8:03 AM MDT
Defense Secy. Pete Hegseth & Military Officials Discuss Autonomous Warfare - 8:08 AM MDT
Supreme Court Takes Up Key Digital Privacy Case Live - 8:30 AM MDT
Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) Casts Ballot During Early Voting Live - 12:00 PM MDT
Pete Buttigieg Campaigns with U.S. House Candidate Sean McCann (D-MI) - 12:30 PM MDT
Governor Candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms (D-GA) Casts Ballot During Early Voting - 12:30 PM MDT
Justice Department Officials Hold News Conference on Combating Tax Fraud - 1:45 PM MDT
President Trump Campaigns for Arizona GOP at Midterm Rally - 5:00 PM MDT
Maine Governor Debate - 5:15 PM MDT
President Trump Campaigns for Montana GOP at Midterm Rally - 6:00 PM MDT
Nebraska 2nd Congressional District Debate - Arkansas, Congressional District 1: 11 AM CT | Crawford (R), Green (D), Parsons (L) | Watch
- Arkansas, Congressional District 3: 2:30 PM CT | Womack (R), Ryerse (D), Wilson (L) | Watch
- Iowa, Governor: 7 PM CT | Rob Sand (D) vs. Zach Lahn (R) | Watch
- Iowa, Congressional District 4: 7 PM CT | Dave Dawson (D) vs. Chris McGowan (R) | Watch
- Alaska, Congressional Debate: 7 PM AKDT | Debate for the State | Watch
- Pennsylvania, Congressional District 10: 8 PM ET | Scott Perry (R) vs. Janelle Stelson (D) | Watch
- Maine, Governor: 8 PM ET | Hannah Pingree (D), Bobby Charles (R), Rick Bennett (I) | Watch
- Wisconsin, Candidate Forum: 7 PM CT | David Crowley and Josh Kaul | Watch
Today’s Call to Action
1. Read Today’s Resistance Survival Guides
2. Sign these Petitions and Send These Pre Written Letters
- Sign the petition: End Trump’s ICE terror and hold agents accountable for shootings!
- Thank California for Protecting Cats and Dogs
- Stop Hegseth’s Disgusting Execution Livestream
- Add your name: Protect wild salmon and rivers from toxic mining
- Tell the EPA: Don’t Give Methane Polluters a Free Pass
- Tell Congress: Stop punishing families who need food and start fighting the real criminals stealing it.
- Tell the Interior Department: Yosemite belongs to all of us, not a private developer.
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 a Virtual Events
- Thursday, October 15 | 3:00 PM (time zone not confirmed): What’s the Plan? | Indivisible | Weekly virtual discussion with cofounders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin | Event Information
6. Contact Your Lawmakers Directly
- Epstein Files Transparency: “I demand full release of legally disclosable Epstein records, accountability for withheld evidence, independent congressional oversight, and protection of survivor identities.” | Contact Congress
- ICE Accountability: “I demand congressional investigations into ICE detention conditions, civil rights violations, federal contractor accountability, and transparency in immigration enforcement.” | Contact Congress
- Protect Voting Rights: “I urge Congress to protect voting access, election workers, transparent vote counting, and lawful certification of the November 2026 midterm election results.” | Contact Congress
- Reproductive Freedom: “I urge Congress to protect reproductive healthcare access, medical privacy, emergency treatment, and the rights of patients and healthcare professionals.” | Contact Congress
- Federal Spending Accountability: “I demand independent audits, transparency in federal contracts, strong inspector general oversight, and investigations into misuse of taxpayer funds.” | Contact Congress
- Protect Peaceful Protest: “I urge Congress to defend First Amendment rights, investigate unlawful surveillance and excessive force, and protect peaceful protesters, journalists, and legal observers.” | Contact Congress
7. Who Are We Boycotting This Week?
- Target | Named in the ICE Out of My Wallet campaign, which challenges corporate involvement in immigration enforcement.
- Amazon | Targeted by ICE Out of My Wallet over alleged corporate support for immigration enforcement infrastructure.
- Whole Foods | Amazon-owned grocery chain included in the ICE Out of My Wallet campaign.
- Home Depot | Named in the campaign challenging corporate relationships with immigration enforcement.
- Spotify | Included in the campaign’s corporate accountability actions.
- Microsoft | Named in economic pressure actions concerning technology and immigration enforcement.
- Dell | Included in the campaign’s corporate accountability actions.
- Starbucks | Targeted by a labor organizing campaign focused on collective bargaining and workers’ rights.
- Carrefour | Subject of a Palestinian solidarity boycott campaign concerning franchise operations in Israeli settlements.
- Zara and Inditex | Subject of boycott pressure concerning the company’s Israeli franchise operations.
- McDonald’s | Subject of consumer boycott campaigns concerning its Israeli operations.
- Chevron, Texaco and Caltex | Named in the Palestinian-led BDS movement’s consumer boycott campaigns concerning energy operations.
- Tesla | Subject of consumer boycotts associated with Elon Musk’s political activity.
- Walmart | Named in consumer boycott coverage related to corporate policies and political concerns.
