Three to Get Ready for June 23, 2026

Bad News First

Let’s gird our loins and take a quick peek.

1. The executive branch is defying Congress by delaying appropriated spending on global health and other humanitarian aid, while the Pentagon seeks an additional $80 billion to cover the cost of the war in Iran.
2. The White House is delaying release of a government report revealing election machine vulnerabilities, perhaps because it did not find any instances of votes being flipped.
3. Sigh. The Department of Justice is appealing the dismissal of its latest case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, which a judge held to be vindictive.

But Here’s the Good News

So much winning!

1. A federal judge has ruled that the administration cannot use a federal database to flag voters for removal from state voter rolls, citing both privacy and voting rights. In a separate ruling, a federal court allowed a suit challenging the executive order restricting mail-in voting to proceed.
2. A judge has quashed federal subpoenas targeting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other state officials, finding the Justice Department was using the grand jury process for non-investigative purposes.
3. A federal judge dismissed the administration’s attempt to sue Los Angeles over an ordinance prohibiting use of municipal resources for immigration enforcement.

And Here’s What You Can Do

If you have a few minutes, you can participate in democracy.

1. The ACLU’s election safeguarding program is well underway. See what they’re doing and how you can help.
2. If you’re a Citizens Bank customer, you can oppose the financing of ICE detention companies.
3. Keep up with the attacks on science with this tracker from the Union of Concerned Scientists.