> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.fromthefifth.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Lock In. Thirty Days Until Election Day - URL: https://www.fromthefifth.com/lock-in-thirty-days-until-election-day/ - Published: 2026-10-05T03:31:11.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-05T03:31:11.000Z - Description: Trump says he might hit Iran after the midterms and won't rule out the Insurrection Act before them, as up to 10,000 more troops head to the Middle East. Plus, new satellite images show how much of Gaza Israel has destroyed. - Author: Huma Razvi - Tags: Weekly Newsletter Here are the news stories that deserve your attention for the week September 27, 2026: 🗓️ The week in brief: Two suspiciously timed security events are raising questions 🔹 New images from Gaza show the scale of Israel's attacks 🔹 Trump told his minions to spend millions in taxpayer dollars on propaganda midterm ads 🔹 Hegseth makes questionable changes at the Pentagon while ramping up AI and drone warfare 🔹 The government is proposing changes that would limit access to Head Start 🔹 And a judge will hear arguments on Trump's press ban Thursday 1) War on Iran *The US and Israeli war on Iran continues, with no active peace negotiations taking place. This week, two security incidents raised suspicions – and theories – that those in charge might be trying to manufacture fear to hold onto power.* - **Authorities in the UK** [**arrested**](https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/news/update-on-raf-fairford-investigation-1730-01-october-2026/?ref=fromthefifth.com) **five British nationals** — who they *later released on bail* — on suspicion of terrorism after witnesses reported seeing them wearing masks and driving vans around an air force base used by the US in the war on Iran, 90 miles outside of London, [per Reuters.](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/what-is-known-about-arrests-us-airbase-britain-2026-09-28/?ref=fromthefifth.com) The men were found with large amounts of diesel. - **Without a hint of public evidence:** 1) Trump claimed the group was planning “big damage,” 2) Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed the incident involved the “hands of a foreign actor" and 3) British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there are “strong indications” Iran is involved. - **Iran denies involvement but** has said in the past that anywhere from which the US is launching strikes is fair game. - **British authorities** [**said later**](https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/news/update-on-raf-fairford-investigation-1730-01-october-2026/?ref=fromthefifth.com) that a sixth suspect — a dual British-Iranian citizen — was arrested. He was also released on bail while the investigation continues. *(How often are terror suspects released on bail – especially when we are in active war with their home countries?)* - **Netanyahu is claiming that he warned** the UK about a potential attack on the base, which — *knowing Netanyahu* — could be a bald-faced lie, especially since he’s mad that the UK has banned trade with illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and imposed a partial arms embargo on Israel. As Israeli media outlet [Ynet points out](https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rku6bi0czl?ref=fromthefifth.com), “even as Israel assists Britain on security matters.” Netanyahu faces re-election at the end of October. - **“‘Something doesn’t add up,’ said** Adrian Watkins, a local construction worker sipping a pint at a local hotel. ‘How serious can the incident have been if they let them go already?’ he said. Watkins wondered if the men were actually stealing diesel, which he says is happening with growing frequency amid sky-high prices.” \[[The WSJ](http://wsj.com/world/europe/the-u-k-village-rattled-by-an-alleged-terror-plot-near-a-u-s-air-base-7362428b?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **In a second event, the co-pilot on** a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday allegedly attacked the pilot with a “[crash ax](https://www.wsj.com/world/flydubai-co-pilot-used-crash-ax-in-attack-says-u-a-e-88554e9a?ref=fromthefifth.com)” — a regulated and required cockpit tool — in an attempt to hijack the plane, [UAE officials said](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/middle-east/flydubai-pilot-attacked-captain-cockpits-crash-axe-attempted-terrorist-rcna601259?ref=fromthefifth.com). - **The pilot,** [**Capt. Smit Machchhar**](https://x.com/HamdanMohammed/status/2106338248398446970?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2106338248398446970%7Ctwgr%5E57eac79143af17b8de545730d88b677b10ca9fd3%7Ctwcon%5Es1%5F&ref%5Furl=https%3A%2F%2Fiframe.nbcnews.com%2FTJe9c1Bs%3F%5Fshowcaption%3Dtrueapp%3D1&ref=fromthefifth.com)**, says** that after being stabbed, he pushed open the cockpit door for help, saying he feared for his life and that of the 174 passengers on board. - **Passengers aboard the flight allegedly** subdued the suspect after he stabbed the pilot. A passenger — an Israeli plumber — says he helped stabilize the plane, and a backup crew that just happened to be on board made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. - **The suspect is an Omani citizen,** Hamam al-Hammami, [NBC News reports](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/middle-east/flydubai-pilot-attacked-captain-cockpits-crash-axe-attempted-terrorist-rcna601259?ref=fromthefifth.com).He was banned from flying with airlines by Oman prior to the incident, [The Wall Street Journal reports](https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/flydubai-attacker-had-been-banned-from-flying-by-oman-for-radical-views-ab363b5d?mod=article%5Finline&ref=fromthefifth.com), because he had “adopted radical ideological views,” according to unnamed sources. - **If the pilot had a** [**record of red flags**](https://apnews.com/article/flydubai-flight-israel-oman-uae-copilot-cf64a228799e6e788e834cac2a489ab2?ref=fromthefifth.com), why was he authorized to co-pilot a flight into Israel? “The U.A.E. and Israel are known to have high security standards in their airports. Israeli airlines flying to Dubai are known to follow stricter security protocols than their foreign counterparts on the same route. All FlyDubai pilots are subject to security screening before flights and have medical checks at least once a year, said a former crewmember at the company and an active pilot at Emirates, FlyDubai’s sister carrier. The airline conducts in-house psychology checks for first officers as they graduate to captain. It is unknown whether the attacker underwent a similar check," [The Wall Street Journal reports](https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/flydubai-attacker-had-been-banned-from-flying-by-oman-for-radical-views-ab363b5d?mod=article%5Finline&ref=fromthefifth.com). - **More:** "A classified report released by Israel’s comptroller’s office in May 2024 found a number of issues with security on flights to and from the country, including inadequate security at foreign airports, The Wall Street Journal previously reported. The report found that Israel’s Ministry of Transportation was focused on Israeli airlines and wasn’t investing enough money and resources in securing foreign airlines flying to Israel. - [**CNN**](https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/04/europe/flydubai-israel-suspect-acted-alone-intl?ref=fromthefifth.com)**: “Questions remain** over how a citizen of Oman, a country which does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, was authorized to co-pilot a plane bound for Tel Aviv, despite Israel’s strict security regulations.” **RELATED**: - **The Pentagon has deployed a third** aircraft-carrier strike group — the USS Theodore Roosevelt — to the Middle East, with 9,000-10,000 additional troops expected to arrive at the end of November, [The Wall Street Journal reports](https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/u-s-sending-third-aircraft-carrier-up-to-10-000-more-troops-to-middle-east-42996f7a?ref=fromthefifth.com). - **The USS George H. W. Bush and** the George Washington are already in the region, with an [estimated](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/29/us/politics/us-marines-middle-east-iran-war.html?ref=fromthefifth.com) 50,000 troops. It’s unclear if either one of them will leave once the Roosevelt arrives. The White House and Pentagon declined to comment. - **Trump** [**has said**](https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trump-rejects-iran-ceasefire-expects-renewed-bombing-after-midterms-5982ee50?ref=fromthefifth.com) **that he will** probably ramp up attacks on Iran again after the midterms. - **Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the** US will give Egypt $320 million in aid that was previously withheld because of its human rights record, saying it was “in the interest of U.S. national security,” [the AP reports](https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/rubio-waives-human-rights-restrictions-release-320-million-136935161?ref=fromthefifth.com). - **“In a letter sent to lawmakers** whose contents were shared with The Associated Press, Rubio cited, in particular, Egypt’s ‘helpful role’ in the war with Iran. Egypt has been a key mediator between the U.S. and Iran in the efforts to wind down the more than seven-month-long conflict.” - **Diesel is down slightly from last week,** [according to AAA](https://gasprices.aaa.com/?ref=fromthefifth.com). The current average is $6.34, down from a record high of $6.52 about two weeks ago. One year ago, diesel was $3.6951 — a 71.6% increase. Regular unleaded is $4.3697, compared with $3.1402 one year ago — a 39.2% increase. ****Additional Reading:** 📖 ***Massacre at Minab** *: The School That Became a Grave:* **The bombing of an Iranian school, killing 120 children, is one of the worst U.S. war crimes since Vietnam. Drop Site spoke to survivors, first responders, parents, and witnesses. This is their story.* \[[Drop Site News](https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/minab-school-massacre-iran-war-children-families?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] 📖 ***What are the five questions being asked regarding the Flydubai attack** *?* \[[Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/4/what-are-the-five-questions-being-asked-regarding-the-flydubai-attack?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] 2) Gaza Genocide *Israel's genocide of Palestinians in Gaza continues, with the official death toll crossing 74,000 this week including 1,400 killed after Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas. An estimated 8,000 - 10,000 bodies remain trapped under the rubble as Israel continues to block the heavy machinery needed to clear debris.* - **The Senate blocked a bill proposed** by Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) that would have [required](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6119354-senate-blocks-west-bank-resolution/?ref=fromthefifth.com) the State Department to report to Congress the status of investigations into the killing of at least nine American citizens since 2022 in the occupied West Bank by Israeli forces and/or Israeli settler terrorists. Nobody has been held accountable for any of the deaths. Sen. John Fetterman (PA) was the only Democrat to vote against the bill. Sen. Rand Paul (KY) was the only Republican to vote for it. - [**New Google Earth images show**](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6119354-senate-blocks-west-bank-resolution/?ref=fromthefifth.com) the [scale of the devastation](https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-09-29/gaza-before-and-after-new-google-maps-imagery-shows-destruction-of-the-strip.html?ref=fromthefifth.com) and destruction that Israel has caused in Gaza. 3) Trump's "Immigration" Policies *A new Supreme Court ruling allows the Trump administration to resume deporting thousands of immigrants to countries they’ve never been to before, where they may face crime and violence, while those who remain in the US and in detention face inhumane conditions at ICE facilities.* - **The Supreme Court granted the government’s** emergency request to let it continue deporting migrants to countries they’ve never been to before. The Court will hear the case in December and issue a final ruling afterward. - *“The administration has carried out third-country deportations to politically unstable South Sudan, which the US State Department urges Americans to avoid due to the risks of crime, kidnapping and armed conflict, as well as Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, the Central African Republic, and other nations,"* [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/supreme-court-lets-trump-resume-third-country-deportations-2026-09-29/?ref=fromthefifth.com) reports. - **ICE’s own internal reviews found** that employees broke medical care protocols in the cases of at least six detainees who died in their care in 2025 and then removed those reviews from their website after they were posted, [The Intercept reports](https://theintercept.com/2026/09/30/ice-custody-deaths-medical-neglect/?ref=fromthefifth.com). - *“A total of eight such reviews related to detainee deaths from 2025 were published in a trove of 25-plus documents on ICE’s public records library on September 25\. Four days later, a little after a lawyer representing this reporter in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit noticed these documents, ICE appeared to have pulled them offline and de-indexed them.”* - **At least 56 people** have [died](https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/deaths-in-detention-mortality-rate-for-people-detained-by-ice-more-than-doubles-under-trump-administration?initms%5Faff=nat&initms%5Fchan=soc&utm%5Fmedium=soc&initms=awr-na-fb-na-nat-na-immigration-ice%5Fdetention-ice&utm%5Fsource=fb&utm%5Fcampaign=ice&utm%5Fcontent=awr-na-fb-na-nat-na-immigration-ice%5Fdetention-ice&ms%5Faff=nat&ms%5Fchan=soc&ms=awr-na-fb-na-nat-na-immigration-ice%5Fdetention-ice&fbclid=IwY2xjawUv7XhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAWJyaWQRMWVtU1F1TE5wbHB2RHFlR1ZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeyYFfbqXVK8ViDwhN3B7hE5R7JmJT-E%5FUYgG0--y%5Fb-Ht-6qVbXJ2X0GdjEo%5Faem%5Fr5%5F-SWemkT%5FWHYbt7KugYw) in ICE custody in Trump’s second term. - **The family of Renee Good** — the Minnesota mother shot and killed by an ICE agent, Jonathan Ross, in January — has filed two civil lawsuits against the government. The suits name Ross and former ICE chief Gregory Bovino, former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, immigration czar Tom Homan and Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as defendants. - *“The lawsuits seek accountability for the decisions of public officials and federal agents as well as damages ‘for the immense suffering Renee endured in the final moments of her life and for the profound and permanent losses’ suffered by her family,"* [Minnesota Public Radio](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/10/01/renee-good-lawsuit-minneapolis-ice-shooting-operation-metro-surge?ref=fromthefifth.com) reports. - **ICE is stalking people who monitor and observe** their public activities – just as Renee Good and Alex Pretti were doing. They're using a database – [*built by Palantir*](https://www.wired.com/story/palantir-employees-are-starting-to-wonder-if-theyre-the-bad-guys/?ref=fromthefifth.com) – that includes sensitive information like photos and license plate numbers and then harassing those people by driving by their house or making threatening and intimidating calls. Some of those people are now suing ICE and made the claims in new court filings. DHS denies the claims, [WIRED](https://www.wired.com/story/ice-has-been-dumping-protester-photos-into-a-palantir-database/?ref=fromthefifth.com) reports. ****Additional Reading:** One of the saddest articles I've read in a long-while: ***Exclusive: Inside the Texas courtroom where toddlers face immigration judges** \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/28/politics/texas-immigration-court-minors?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] 4) Midterm Election Interference *Trump is using the power of the federal government in increasingly direct ways as the midterms approach — from taxpayer-funded ads promoting his administration to threats around the election itself. He’s also using other tactics, like warning voters of a Great Depression if Democrats win and postponing major moves on restricting abortion access until after the midterms. Plus, apparently, Russia plans to interfere in the midterms.* - **An update from last week's news about those** Trump propaganda ads: It's worse than we knew. President Trump told OMB Director Russ Vought to spend taxpayer funds to run the ads in a bid to make him look good before the midterm elections, [The New York Times reports](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/02/us/politics/trump-ads.html?ref=fromthefifth.com). The ads have aired on Fox, Newsmax, MS NOW, ABC, NBC and CBS. - **The** [**WSJ reports**](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/homeland-security-money-financed-pro-trump-television-ads-54ac33bb?ref=fromthefifth.com) **that the government siphoned** $20 million from the DHS budget for the campaign. So far, the government appears to have spent an estimated $1.7 million on the ads. - **A group of Democratic senators have** [sent a letter](https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/dhs%5Fletter%5Fon%5Ftrump%5Fads.pdf?ref=fromthefifth.com) to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding answers about who authorized the spending and why. - **A former White House ethics lawyer** [tells](https://x.com/RWPUSA/status/2104316218534408647?s=20&ref=fromthefifth.com) The New York Times that the move could be an “impeachable offense.” - **US intelligence agencies conclude that Russia is planning** to use “digital disinformation” campaigns to meddle in the midterm elections, but state and local agencies are not prepared to address the threats because the Trump administration has slashed funding to the agencies responsible for addressing them, [The Washington Post reports.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/10/04/with-threats-midterms-states-say-trump-administration-isnt-helping/?ref=fromthefifth.com) - *“President Donald Trump’s administration has halted intelligence briefings, trainings, systems testing and other resources for states, according to the state officials and former federal election security officials. Only in recent days have federal agencies begun offering briefings to states, and it is unclear if any have taken place.”* - **Trump says he hasn’t ruled out declaring** a national emergency or invoking the Insurrection Act ahead of the midterm elections in a [new interview with TIME Magazine.](https://www.ms.now/opinion/trump-time-interview-lies-press?ref=fromthefifth.com) “I could use it,” Trump told the reporters (in an embarrassing excuse for journalism from the outlet that let Trump lie, obfuscate and mislead without much pushback). - *"Interviews and public comments by more than a dozen current and former election officials, legal experts, lawmakers and others ahead of the midterms reveal anxiety over what Trump may do. Election administrators often plan for natural disasters, bomb threats and other possible problems, but this year many are also thinking about possible disruptions driven by the federal government,"* [*News from the States*](https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/anxiety-growing-trump-may-try-disrupt-midterm-elections-states-are-prepping?ref=fromthefifth.com)reports. - **At a midterm rally in Ohio over** the weekend, Trump told the crowd: “I think we’re going to have a big surprise, because they don’t know what’s happening,” [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/trump-campaigning-ohio-says-midterms-will-bring-big-surprise-rcna601150?ref=fromthefifth.com) reports. - **Trump repeated his claim that he’ll** send $5,000 to people if Republicans win the midterm elections. In the meantime, Trump says he plans on sending $90 to seniors to help with their Medicare Part B premiums. Over the weekend, Trump posted a video saying: “‘If the Democrats win, you will have an economic depression, much like 1929\. If the Republicans win you will each have $5,000 in your pocket,'” the [WSJ](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-announces-another-payment-to-voters-ahead-of-midterms-ad0671d0?ref=fromthefifth.com) reports. Only Congress can appropriate funds for such payments... *which would be paid for by taxpayers.* - **I think this has been reported before but** bears repeating: the White House is purposely delaying any action on abortion restrictions until after the midterms to control any backlash or bad publicity that would affect their midterm chances, [The Washington Sun (formerly NOTUS)](https://www.washingtonsun.com/campaigns/abortion-white-house-todd-blanche-susie-wiles?ref=fromthefifth.com) reports. ****ADDITIONAL READING:** 📖 ***Time magazine’s big interview with Trump was a huge missed opportunity** \[****Dan Froomkin for** [MS NOW](https://www.ms.now/opinion/trump-time-interview-lies-press?%5F%5FreadwiseLocation=&ref=fromthefifth.com)\] 📖 ***How Trump’s obsession with ‘rigged’ voting machines spread across US government** \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/investigations/how-trumps-obsession-with-rigged-voting-machines-spread-across-us-government-2026-10-02/?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] 📖 ***The Untold Origins of Trump’s Plan to Sharply Restrict Mail-In Voting** \[[ProPublica](https://www.propublica.org/article/trumps-plan-to-restrict-mail-voting?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] 📖 ***"On a scale of 1 to 10, 10": Trump’s midterm travel schedule underscores GOP troubles** \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/29/fires-are-everywhere-right-now-trump-hits-the-road-to-shore-up-red-states-01095543?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] --- ESCALATING *Stories that are new and on the bubble, appear to be escalating quickly with major developments, and/or decision making points in the very near term.* - **With researchers warning about the** dangers of AI, President Trump said he got the leaders of the country’s leading tech companies to sign a “morally binding” agreement that they won’t do anything bad. “The biggest people in the world signed that and I signed it as president,” Trump said. “And it really is a form of protection.” *UH, OK, WE FEEL SO MUCH BETTER NOW*. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/29/ai-execs-morally-binding-constitution-01097855?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced** a new program to develop autonomous weapons called AUTOWARCOM, short for Autonomous Warfare Command to compete with Iran and Russia who already use such technology. - *“Experts have expressed fears over the potential for unchecked AI development and technology ‌rivalries ⁠that could further heighten risks across the global security environment. Both China and the US — the two major drivers of cutting-edge AI development and its global adoption — have been at loggerheads over AI policies and industry practices. Security experts from both countries have called for guardrails and consensus-building regarding AI in military systems, including nuclear weapons.”* \[[Reuters\]](https://www.reuters.com/world/pentagon-creates-autowarcom-expand-ai-drone-capabilities-2026-09-30/?ref=fromthefifth.com) - **Hegseth also announced that he’s** tapping billionaires Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey — [founder](https://www.anduril.com/anduril-leadership?ref=fromthefifth.com) of defense technology company Anduril — and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (*huh?*) to launch Project Meridian which will “map the trajectory of warfare.” *What could go wrong??* - *"The Pentagon revealed few details about the commission or the scope of its jurisdiction beyond the four-paragraph memo that authorizes it and an insistence the U.S. needs to “dominate” the next generation of warfare. It’s unclear whether the initiative would give the executives the vast sway Musk enjoyed last year as leader of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency. But both Musk and Luckey head companies that have contracts with the Pentagon worth billions of dollars — and nine current and former officials said any preferential access could allow them to funnel even more business their way."* \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/02/pentagon-hegseth-musk-palmer-commission-01104908?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **Hegseth also announced** he’ll shrink the military’s generals and admirals by 20% by January. - *“Some members of Congress have criticized the war and the drawdown of munitions stockpiles, while calling the latest cuts to the general ranks a ‘purge’ that will take years to rebuild.”* \[[AP](https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-pentagon-generals-job-cuts-67a20b026ee858895c7e5ff7fadbc029?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **The public has until Tuesday** to comment on Trump’s proposed changes to the Head Start program, which provides early childhood education to low-income families. The government is proposing changes that would limit access to the program and resources for parents and mandate that it only be taught in English — even though one-third of enrollees speak another language. \[[The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/education/6126823-head-start-programs-trump-reforms-hhs/?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **A federal judge is expected to hear** arguments on Trump’s press ban this Thursday. On September 18, Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House because he didn’t like their news coverage. The judge temporarily lifted that ban, which expires this week. The news outlets say the ban infringes on their First Amendment rights. The White House has still prevented CNN from covering certain events at the White House. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/02/politics/justice-department-asks-court-allow-white-house-press-ban?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] --- WATCHING *Stories that could escalate into something bigger or more problematic or are waiting for major decisions that could decide its trajectory in the short-term.* - **The Government Accountability Office ruled** that Trump’s recent pocket rescission of $810 million in congressionally approved spending is illegal. - *“Under the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, the president may send a request to Congress to cancel funding and withhold the funding for up to 45 days while lawmakers consider the request. Congress may approve the request, reject it or amend it. With the House in recess until after the elections, there is no practical way for the House to consider the request before the fiscal year ends.”* \[[Roll Call](https://rollcall.com/2026/09/29/trumps-funding-cancellation-violates-budget-law-gao-says/?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **The money covered programs** for HHS, DHS and the DOJ. The bulk of the money was $567 million for refugee resettlement. \[[Washington Sun](https://www.washingtonsun.com/congress/congressional-watchdog-gao-trumps-pocket-rescissions-violate-law-impoundment?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **The Trump administration is** also withholding $1.4 billion in congressionally appropriated funds from the National Science Foundation. \[[NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/02/us/politics/national-science-foundation-research-funds.html?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **DHS failed to release more than** $100 million in congressionally approved funds to teen pregnancy prevention programs this year, leaving organizations across the country that depend on them abruptly cut off from programs they have been running for years and that have contributed to a decline in teen pregnancy rates. \[[NPR\]](https://www.npr.org/2026/09/24/nx-s1-5974336/teen-pregnancy-prevention-unspent-funding?ref=fromthefifth.com) - **Days after** [**bombshell gang-rape**](https://www.cornellsun.com/article/2026/09/editorial-cornell-won-t-we-will?ref=fromthefifth.com) **allegations** at Cornell University, the Trump administration formally erased the Biden administration's 2024 Title IX rule — the first to say sex discrimination in schools includes discrimination based on gender identity, covering LGBTQ+ students and staff. It also tightened protections for students reporting sexual harassment and assault. Courts had already blocked the 2024 rule, and it never took effect in much of the country. The department says those court decisions can no longer be appealed. The National Women's Law Center says it weakens protections for survivors of harassment and assault. Critics like the Human Rights Campaign call it "Orwellian." \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/28/trump-administration-finalizes-repeal-of-biden-era-title-ix-rule-01094990?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **Louisiana, Arkansas and Alabama** — Republican-led states — are suing California, Massachusetts and New York — Democrat-led states — in the Supreme Court, claiming that shield laws that allow medical providers in those Democratic states to mail abortion pills to patients in their states violate their sovereignty. \[Stateline\] - **The Trump administration has asked** the Supreme Court to let it restrict paying for gender-affirming care, like hormone therapy, for inmates in federal prison. \[[AP](https://apnews.com/article/transgender-inmates-prison-hormones-surgery-trump-c8ac248e47fe1c36a9671dfff05132b8?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **Kurt Olsen, who was hired b**y the Trump administration to investigate Biden and Obama for allegedly trying to violate Trump’s rights with investigations into Trump’s ties to Russia and his alleged mishandling of classified documents, resigned from that role this week, [The Washington Post reports](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/09/28/doj-probe-into-trump-foes-sees-another-prominent-departure/?ref=fromthefifth.com). - *“Two of the people said Olsen had become frustrated by pressure from Washington to increase the pace of the probe and secure grand jury indictments. The third person, who disputed that description, said Olsen left after issues arose with his security clearance that prevented his further involvement.”* - **The FBI’s co-deputy, Andrew Bailey**, also [resigned this week](https://x.com/AndrewBaileyMO/status/2104580097588052035?ref=fromthefifth.com), claiming he wants to spend more time with his family. MS NOW [reports](https://www.ms.now/news/fbis-co-deputy-director-resigns-after-agents-assigned-to-case-on-stephen-millers-wife-demoted?ref=fromthefifth.com) that Bailey was annoyed he wasn’t named to lead the FBI over Kash Patel and that two of his agents had been demoted because the FBI wasn’t happy with the way they handled a case looking into harassing phone calls being made to Stephen Miller’s wife, Katie. The FBI [denied](https://x.com/FBI%5FResponse/status/2104595953869373872?ref=fromthefifth.com) the MS NOW report. - **Republicans hauled in former special** prosecutor Jack Smith to testify before the Senate about his probes into Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents and his ties with Russia — *because apparently THERE AREN’T ENOUGH PRESSING PROBLEMS TO SOLVE.* - **It seems Republicans wanted** to catch Smith in a lie so they could prosecute him for perjury. Well, that didn’t go well. And the internet was. there. for. it. [Watch this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cygW3laAL7E&ref=fromthefifth.com). - **Smith said he** stands by charging Trump and “will not be silenced.” - **Asked by** [**Time Magazine**](https://www.ms.now/opinion/trump-time-interview-lies-press?ref=fromthefifth.com) if he’d promise not to demolish the Kennedy Center, Trump said: “I’m not committing to anything.” - **Trump also** [**told TIME**](https://www.ms.now/opinion/trump-time-interview-lies-press?ref=fromthefifth.com) he’d consider preemptive pardons for members of his administration before he leaves office. - **Making good on a Biden-era plan,** the US withdrew all troops from Iraq after a 12-year fight against ISIS. The move was “celebrated by Iran-backed groups but raised concerns among some other Iraqis, particularly in the Kurdish region, where many fear a resurgence of the Islamic State group as well as more attacks by Iran-linked groups, possibly emboldened by the departure of U.S. forces,” [the AP reports.](https://apnews.com/article/iraq-us-withdrawal-militias-disarmament-kurds-a097a39f3d1a3515adc2ba3298a6816f?ref=fromthefifth.com) - **Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito recused** himself from a major climate change case because he holds stocks in one of the companies involved, after previously telling [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/reversal-justice-samuel-alito-steps-major-climate-case-rcna600318?ref=fromthefifth.com) that he didn’t think he needed to. In the case of a 4-4 tie, the case could “leave the major legal issues unresolved,” the outlet reports. - **The Trump administration finalized a new** policy lowering how efficient gas-powered vehicles need to be. Biden set a goal of making cars get an average of 50.4 miles per gallon to encourage innovation and focus on electric power. The new Trump standards lower the average mpg to 34.9 by 2031\. The government says it’s to help make cars more affordable, claiming that the changes will reduce the cost of new vehicles by about $1,300 (assuming the carmakers pass on the savings to consumers). But: “The new standards will cut the cost of new vehicles but increase fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions for decades, according to the department’s own estimates,” [CNBC reports](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/28/us-finalizes-new-lower-fuel-economy-standards.html?ref=fromthefifth.com). - **The firm that manages Trump’s meme** coin is hosting a gala featuring the president as a speaker in late November, [The Hill reports](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6124439-trump-meme-coin-investor-gala/?ref=fromthefifth.com). The event promises a VIP reception for top holders and a gold Trump watch for others. Trump has made about $635 million from the meme coin while investors have lost a collective $4.7 million, the watchdog group [Public Citizen reports](https://www.citizen.org/article/donald-trump-crypto-investors-4-7-billion-underwater/?ref=fromthefifth.com). - **After banning certain press outlets** he doesn’t like from covering him and starting a state-run TV station on YouTube known as TrumpTV, the president has filed for a trademark for the channel. “The move could affect how the White House uses the channel's name going forward and could ultimately require a licensing arrangement between the federal government and the Trump Organization,” [Newsweek reports](https://www.newsweek.com/trump-tv-trademark-filing-white-house-trump-org-ownership-licensing-12493302?ref=fromthefifth.com). (*So the federal government, which he is in charge of, would have to pay his personal companies to use the name.)* - **Lawmakers in the House have** a program to reimburse them for meals and lodging. Last year, 360 members spent $6.7 million — or $18,600 per member. Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) spent the most — at $39,789 in 2025\. - *“The program would make the accounting team at any business throw a fit: House members don’t have to provide receipts for their expenses. It operates on the honor system. And there is no public disclosure of how the money is spent beyond saying whether expenses were for meals or lodging.”* \[[The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/09/30/receipt-free-reimbursement-program-shows-congress-needs-pay-increase/?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **Senate Democrats blocked a bill** that would ask states to consider making large electricity users, like data centers, cover the cost of the grid upgrades built to serve them. The Ratepayer Protection Act failed to advance 57-43, three votes short of the 60 needed, even though four Democrats (Hassan, Klobuchar, Ossoff and Warnock) joined Republicans. The House passed it 417-3\. Democrats say it has no teeth because states only have to consider the standard — and not actually do anything about it. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us-senate-set-block-bill-address-data-center-costs-2026-09-30/?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **The government auto-enrolled** 60 million children in Trump savings accounts. An estimated 25 million children in certain ZIP codes born between 2016 and 2024 are eligible for $250, funded by a $6.25 billion contribution from Michael Dell of Dell Computers. To claim the money, parents must download a specific Trump account app run by the Treasury Department. \[[NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/business/trump-accounts-auto-enrollment.html?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **The US Coast Guard** [**seized**](https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4616594/coast-guard-intercepts-motor-vessel-grace-continues-operations-to-interdict-ill/?ref=fromthefifth.com) **two ships** in recent months carrying fuel to Cuba, where the US has imposed a blockade in hopes of forcing political change. UN human rights experts [have condemned](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/08/cuba-un-experts-condemn-new-us-sanctions-humanitarian-crisis-deepens?ref=fromthefifth.com) the blockade, calling it “an attempt to alter the constitutional order of a sovereign State through threats and coercion.” The agency calls on the international community to prevent a “silent Gaza.” - **Hackers broke into a secure Pentagon** database, stealing the Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal information of more than 3 million current, former and deceased defense personnel or their dependents, CNN reports. The Pentagon didn't figure it out until nine months after the fact and doesn't know who is behind the attack. Experts say the data can be used to extort or track military personnel. *We are at war with Iran.* \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2026/09/25/politics/pentagon-data-personnel-breach?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal** Housing Finance Agency and Trump lapdog, said he’ll cut the agency’s watchdog. “It was the second time that Trump administration officials have taken steps to limit scrutiny of the federal regulatory agency run by Mr. Pulte, who has become one of the administration’s most contentious figures because he prides himself on carrying out investigations into Mr. Trump’s rivals.” \[[NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/us/politics/bill-pulte-trump-inspector-general.html?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] --- RESOLVED-ISH *Stories that seem to be resolved – at the moment – or decisions that appear final.* - **The DOJ is dropping an** investigation into former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s renovation of the agency’s building after an inspector general found that there were no grounds for a criminal referral. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/blanche-says-doj-is-not-reopening-criminal-probe-into-feds-powell-bloomberg-news-2026-10-02/?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] - **A federal judge has permanently dismissed** a bogus case against a former Olympian that the Trump administration accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool. The contractor that the Trump administration hired admitted that they botched the job in a bid to rush its completion before the July 4th holiday. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/judge-bars-jeanine-pirro-reflecting-pool-case-trump-rcna597047?ref=fromthefifth.com)\] --- *Have suggestions, feedback, questions? Email me at huma@fromthefifth.com* ## Get The Fifth Helping you make sense of the news, with one email a week. Subscribe Free Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.