Morning, Kitties. Homeland Security is shopping for contractors to turn immigration files into intelligence leads, the Pentagon is facing questions about protecting troops’ communications, and the war with Iran has become an international infrastructure demolition derby. Meanwhile, the White House is facing questions about restrictions on Ukraine’s military satellite service, a former FEMA official says she was turned into a political scapegoat, and Alaska’s campaign money is taking the scenic route through organizations that do not disclose their donors.
Apparently Washington has decided that privacy is a luxury, accountability is a scheduling conflict, and government contracting is the only fucking industry guaranteed to survive the apocalypse.
Daily Shit Show Highlights
USCIS Plans Intelligence System Combining Immigration Files, Financial Records, and Informant Information
Project Salt Box obtained a draft procurement document showing USCIS seeking contractors to analyze immigration records alongside commercial, financial, and social media information, rank investigative leads, and maintain confidential informant records. The proposed system has not been fully implemented, but apparently applying for citizenship could eventually come with the world’s most invasive fucking background investigation.
ICE and USCIS Surveillance Plans Raise Questions About Monitoring American Communities
Eyes on ICE connects the proposed USCIS intelligence system with ICE’s separate ERO ONE contract, which calls for 142 cleared analysts to map relationships among people, organizations, and locations. The article argues these programs could create a much broader domestic surveillance apparatus, although its conclusions about future integration and unlawful monitoring remain interpretations rather than established operational findings.
Pentagon Watchdog Finds Security Gaps That Could Expose Troops to Foreign Spies
PunchUp reports that a watchdog identified weaknesses in the Pentagon’s oversight of wireless contracts serving more than 568,000 military phone lines, potentially exposing sensitive location and communications information. Sen. Ron Wyden has raised concerns about espionage risks, because apparently the government wants to monitor everybody except the people securing its own fucking phones.
Reuters Documents Iranian Attacks on 84 Critical Infrastructure Sites Across the Gulf
A Reuters investigation identified at least 135 Iranian and allied drone or missile attacks against 84 critical infrastructure sites since the war began in February, including energy facilities, ports, airports, and pipelines. The damage demonstrates how precision strikes can disrupt regional economies and civilian life, making the consequences of this war considerably more serious than another round of televised military chest beating.
White House Reportedly Ordered Restrictions on Ukraine’s Military Satellite Service
Reuters reports that an order limiting Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s military Starshield service originated inside the White House, disrupting communications and drone operations during Russian attacks. Trump denies personally ordering the restrictions, but the episode raises a serious question about how dependent an ally’s battlefield communications have become on American political decisions and private satellite technology.
Noem and Lewandowski Accused of Coordinating a Smear Against Fired FEMA Official
The Bulwark reports that court filings describe how former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and adviser Corey Lewandowski allegedly worked with political influencers to discredit former FEMA finance chief Mary Comans after her firing. The allegations have not been finally adjudicated, but the reporting raises questions about using government authority and online political networks against a career civil servant.
Alaska Senate Race Receives $2.2 Million Through a Newly Created Dark Money Group
Sludge reports that Forward Alaska, a super PAC supporting Democrat Mary Peltola, received $2.2 million from a recently created nonprofit whose donors are not publicly disclosed. Dark money apparently has no party loyalty, just an excellent fucking accountant.
Oregon Elementary School Shooting Leaves Four Dead
Reporting on the Oregon school shooting describes the deaths of three children and a teacher after a teenage attacker opened fire. Families are grieving another school tragedy, and this is where the jokes stop: the victims deserve compassion, an evidence based investigation, and serious examination of school safety.
Russian Drone Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure Continue as Winter Approaches
Reuters reports on Ukrainian strikes affecting Russian data centers as the two countries intensify attacks on critical infrastructure. Separate Russian attacks have damaged Ukrainian energy facilities and caused widespread power outages, demonstrating how digital infrastructure, electricity, and civilian safety have become intertwined in the war.
Closing Kitty Thoughts
Today’s news is a master class in the uncomfortable relationship between technology, power, and accountability.
Immigration agencies want increasingly sophisticated intelligence systems. Military communications contracts face serious security questions. The White House is under scrutiny over restrictions affecting Ukraine’s battlefield communications. Financial disclosures reveal another campaign money trail with undisclosed donors.
Meanwhile, families in Oregon are mourning children and an educator. Across Ukraine and the Gulf, civilians face the consequences of attacks on essential infrastructure.
The public deserves answers about how surveillance systems are built, who controls military communications, why government contractors receive sensitive information, and who finances political campaigns.
Because apparently we can track a person’s location, communications, finances, and relationships, but locating somebody willing to take fucking responsibility remains beyond the technological capabilities of the United States government.
Protect people. Demand oversight. Follow the money. Keep the receipts.
Claws out. Hissssssss.
Featured Resisters and Resources
- Surveillance Technology Oversight Project , also known as S.T.O.P., challenges discriminatory government surveillance through legal advocacy, policy work, research, and education.
- Remote Area Medical organizes mobile clinics that deliver free health services to underserved communities, with a strong emphasis on dental, vision, and general medical care.
What We Are Watching Today
- 11:00 AM | Minnesota U.S. Senate: Peggy Flanagan (D) vs. Michele Tafoya (R). Watch: MPR News.
- 7:49 AM MDT
U.S. House Candidate Johnny Garcia (D-TX) Attends Veterans Roundtable in San Antonio, TX Live - 8:15 AM MDT
Democratic Leader Jeffries and House Candidate Eliott Rodriguez Hold News Conference Live - 9:30 AM MDT
Cuban Ambassador to the U.N. Speaks to Reporters - 10:00 AM MDT
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez Campaigns for Abdul El-Sayed in Rochester, MI - 11:00 AM MDT
U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps Appoints New Drum Major - 11:00 AM MDT
Minnesota U.S. Senate Debate - 12:45 PM MDT
President Trump Campaigns at Midterm Rally in Dalton, GA - 1:30 PM MDT
U.S. House Candidate Derek Merrin (R-OH) Campaigns with CMS Admin. Oz & Sen. Moreno (R-OH) - 4:00 PM | Pennsylvania State Senate District 18: Lisa Boscola (D) vs. Scott Janney (R). Watch: YouTube, Lehigh Valley Public Media.
- 5:00 PM | New Mexico Congressional District 2: Gabe Vasquez (D) vs. Greg Cunningham (R). Watch: YouTube, KRQE News 13. Pre-show at 4:30 PM.
Today’s Call to Action
1. Read Today’s Resistance Survival Guides
2. Sign these Petitions and Send These Pre Written Letters
- Tell the FCC: Don’t Unleash Right-Wing AI Election Robocalls
- Tell the EPA: Make polluters find & fix their methane leaks
- Protect a Wild Eagle From Being Killed
- Sign the petition: Impeach Pete Hegseth and block barbaric execution livestreams!
- Tell Apple and Nvidia: Stop Bankrolling Trump’s Ballroom
- Release Iran School Bombing Report Before the Midterms
- Add your name: Palestinians must lead Gaza’s recovery
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
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.
