Day 613

White House Airs Taxpayer-Funded Pro-Trump TV Ads on Fox News and Newsmax Ahead of the Midterms (September 2026)

In the week of September 21, 2026, the White House aired a 30-second television spot labelled 'Paid for by the U.S. Government' on Fox News and Newsmax. In it Trump pledges to 'defeat communism, socialism, and Marxism in America,' rapid images of Trump appear alongside on-screen claims such as 'LARGEST TAX CUTS IN HISTORY,' and UFC CEO Dana White calls him the 'the toughest, most resilient person I've ever met'. The White House called the ads 'educational and unapologetically patriotic' public service announcements and said they are 'clearly not political' because Trump is not on the ballot. Rep. Jamie Raskin called the spending potentially 'felony criminal theft and conversion of government property for political campaign purposes.' On October 1, Raskin and Rep. Whitesides asked the GAO and the Office of Special Counsel to investigate under the appropriations ban on 'publicity or propaganda,' the Anti-Deficiency Act and the Hatch Act. Sen. Maggie Hassan sought records from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

TRO granted; entry initially refused, then restored

The court orders the hard passes immediately restored. Reporters are denied entry that morning; after the court orders a response by 12:30 p.m., access is restored (ABC News).

From: White House Bans CNN, MS NOW and Politico Reporters; Briefly Keeps Them Out Despite Court Order (September 2026)

FBI Mar-a-Lago investigators seek guidance from Cannon

Lawyers for subpoenaed current and former FBI personnel who worked on the Mar-a-Lago investigation ask Judge Cannon whether her secrecy order permits them to testify.

From: DOJ 'Grand Conspiracy' Probe of Trump's Investigators Subpoenas John Brennan to Fort Pierce Grand Jury as Lead Prosecutor Quits (September 2026)

Senate rejects war powers measure 49–50

The Senate rejects H.Con.Res. 89, which would have directed removal of US forces from hostilities against Iran absent authorization. Sen. Thom Tillis votes yes for the first time, citing the expired 60-day War Powers clock (CBS News; Stars and Stripes).

From: US Resumes Large-Scale Iran Strikes, Trump Vows to Hit 'Much Harder' and Rejects Iran's Truce Offer as Senate Falls One Vote Short of Ending the War (September 2026)

Senate falls one vote short, 49-50

The Senate rejects H.Con.Res. 89 by 49-50; Republicans Collins, Murkowski, Paul and Tillis vote yes, Democrat Fetterman votes no.

From: Iran War: Crime of Aggression — War Launched Without Congressional Authorization