Wednesday, 12 August 2026

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced her departure at the end of August to spend time with her family after recently giving birth to a second child. Trump announced the resignation via Truth Social on August 12.

Wisconsin Democrat David Crowley narrowly defeated progressive Francesca Hong in the Democratic primary for governor, marking a setback for the progressive left after recent electoral momentum. The race was decided by approximately 3,000 votes.

Trump-backed Republican Mike Lindell, founder of MyPillow, refused to concede his loss in Minnesota's Republican primary for governor to Lisa Demuth, repeating baseless claims of election anomalies despite all votes being counted and a double-digit defeat.

Progressive Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota's lieutenant governor, defeated centrist Angie Craig in the Democratic primary for Senate by approximately 20 points, with Flanagan campaigning on ending ICE enforcement and other progressive priorities.

Appointed Sen. Darline Graham advanced to a runoff in South Carolina's Republican primary for a full term, where she will face Rep. Ralph Norman. The runoff is set for August 25.

The Trump administration announced plans to purchase up to $20 million in electric shock gloves for ICE officers, described as a 'de-escalation device' by the Department of Homeland Security. Critics warned the gloves could encourage excessive force and leave no marks.

Media groups filed a lawsuit against Trump alleging he unfairly profits by charging up to $100,000 monthly for exclusive early access to his Truth Social posts, claiming the subscription violates First and Fifth Amendment principles.

Extremism expert Heidi Beirich from the Southern Poverty Law Center was arrested and charged with fraud over alleged misuse of donor funds to pay informants. The arrest has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates.

The Trump administration announced it pulled support for an annual Arctic environmental report produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, continuing a pattern of government rollbacks of climate science activity.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the International Criminal Court may investigate US boat strikes conducted in Latin America as part of the anti-cartel campaign. Hegseth stated Colombia has joined a regional military coalition and vowed to continue cartel operations.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent officially repealed the Biden-era requirement for American companies to report beneficial ownership information to FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network), calling it "a victory for common sense" for small businesses. The rule, finalised in the Federal Register on August 12, also exempts Americans with FinCEN IDs from updating their information and removes the requirement for foreign companies to report Americans who helped them register in the U.S. The Corporate Transparency Act requirement had been in effect since January 2024. Critics including Sen. Elizabeth Warren condemned the repeal as a "gift to cartels, criminals, and U.S. adversaries" who exploit shell companies.

The Department of Homeland Security spent $464 million on a no-bid contract to purchase 10 used aircraft from Daedalus Aviation Corporation — a firm whose chairman had donated to a political committee supporting former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem — claiming urgent need for deportation flights. The fleet has since sat largely idle: three luxury business jets were offered for loan to other agencies including one for FBI director Kash Patel's use, while seven Boeing 737s have been parked at a Louisiana airport for months because the agency lacked staff to operate them. Former ICE acting director John Sandweg said buying a fleet of planes would not have made his top ten list of ways to increase deportations.