AGP Executive Report

Midterm Watch: Early voting is beginning as outside groups pour about $126 million into ads backing Sen. Susan Collins, much of it routed through donor-shielding nonprofits. Presidential endorsements are also becoming a risk for candidates in tight races. Federal Finances: The 2026 budget deficit reached $1.99 trillion, up 12% from last year, with spending rising faster than revenue. Immigration Oversight: Mexico is demanding a transparent U.S. investigation after a Mexican man died in ICE custody in Texas; his family says he was denied medication and medical care. Nonprofit Accountability: House Speaker Mike Johnson’s wife runs a faith-based nonprofit serving congressional staffers, but the full scope of its work and funding remains unclear; disclosures show she was paid $50,000 in 2024. Court and Executive Power: Trump says work on Washington’s East Potomac golf course will start Nov. 15, despite a judge’s order restricting construction and tree removal. AI and Public Benefit: Anthropic plans to direct 5% of its shares to a public-benefit fund focused partly on AI’s social effects, as many Americans fear the technology will displace jobs.

Midterm Voting: Early voting starts in Texas Monday and runs through Oct. 30, ahead of the Nov. 3 election, with contests for Senate, governor, Congress and local offices. Election Oversight: The Trump administration is asking a judge to block California from counting ballots cast by people it identifies as “likely” noncitizens; state officials say they work to protect both ballot access and accurate voter rolls. Census Stakes: North Carolina Rep. Rodney Pierce urged residents to comment by Nov. 2 on proposed changes to the 2030 Census, which could affect representation and federal resource distribution. Immigration Policy: Ukrainians and Sudanese enrolled in Temporary Protected Status will retain deportation protection for now, though the administration has not made a final decision on the programs. Federal Finances: The fiscal 2026 budget deficit reached nearly $2 trillion, intensifying pressure on Washington over spending and debt.

DOGE’s Revolving Door: About two dozen former DOGE staffers have moved into private-sector roles or investments, and their startups have raised at least $500 million; at least six have registered to pursue federal contracts. Voting Rights: The Justice Department sued California after the state refused to act on its list of alleged noncitizen voters, despite a judge blocking the administration’s effort to obtain voter data for screening. Federal Finances: The fiscal 2026 deficit reached nearly $2 trillion, while interest on the national debt hit about $3 billion a day. Nonprofit Funding: Atlanta youth programs face a $2.2 million federal funding loss, and DOGE-related cuts have cost Indian Country nearly $470 million. Midterm Turnout: No Kings rallies urged voters to cast ballots early; about 6 million votes had already been cast in 39 states.

Federal Budget: The fiscal 2026 deficit reached nearly $2 trillion as spending outpaced revenue. Net interest costs climbed to $1.05 trillion—about $2.9 billion a day—putting more pressure on future budgets. Election Oversight: The Justice Department’s California lawsuit over mail ballots is drawing scrutiny because an official overseeing criminal investigations is leading the effort. No Kings rallies across the country urged voters to cast ballots early before the Nov. 3 midterms. Puerto Rico: Gov. Jenniffer González formally asked the president and Congress to admit the island as a state, renewing a long-running debate over its political status. Federal Investment: The Energy Department issued a $263 million conditional loan to help finish a Wisconsin facility that plans to produce medical isotopes for diagnostic imaging. Nonprofit Funding: An Atlanta nonprofit lost $2.2 million in federal funding, putting youth programs at risk. Environmental Accountability: A conservation group sued the EPA, alleging the agency failed to curb atrazine pollution in waterways and drinking water.

Federal Budget: The U.S. deficit reached $1.99 trillion in fiscal 2026, up 12% from the year before. Record debt-interest costs helped drive the gap, raising fresh questions about spending and the limits of tariff revenue. Border Policy: DHS, Transportation and the Department of War imposed new drone restrictions along the U.S.-Mexico border, barring unauthorized flights up to 400 feet within a mile of the border. Nonprofit Funding: Federal funding losses are putting services at risk, including youth programs at an Atlanta nonprofit and initiatives in Indian Country; lawmakers are also pressing for more security funding for nonprofits facing threats. Community Development: HUD brought faith, business and government leaders together in Grand Rapids to promote investment in Opportunity Zones and community revitalization. Health Coverage: Washington state’s attorney general intervened in a case to help ensure eligible residents receive Medicaid coverage.

Voting Rights: The Justice Department sued to stop California from counting ballots cast by more than 20,000 voters it says may be noncitizens. Voting groups say the move may violate a court order limiting federal interference in state voter rolls. Border Security: Federal agencies imposed temporary drone restrictions within one nautical mile of the U.S.-Mexico border, up to 400 feet above ground. Local Governance: Tempe’s City Council voted to bar police from using automated license-plate readers, with exceptions. Ethics and Spending: Sen. Roger Marshall sought $4.2 million in federal funding for a project to boost water flow to a Kansas wildlife refuge bordering his ranch. Experts said the project could benefit his property; Marshall has also opposed earmarks. Nonprofit Funding: DHS restored federal funding to Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley after suspending it over recordkeeping concerns. The organization received about $16.2 million in grants for fiscal 2024. Federal Budget: The U.S. deficit rose to nearly $2 trillion, as military, safety-net and interest costs outpaced revenue.

Election Oversight: The Justice Department sued California, alleging ballots were sent to more than 20,000 people it considers likely noncitizens. The case lands amid court fights over federal efforts to obtain voter records and reshape voter rolls. State Regulation: A federal appeals court cleared Georgia to enforce its law requiring age checks and parental consent for social media users under 16, rejecting tech groups’ challenge. Public Integrity: The White House press secretary acknowledged she never passed a bar exam after describing herself as a lawyer. Separately, donor records show tech companies including Nvidia and Apple pledged $25 million each toward President Trump’s ballroom, renewing questions about private influence. Nonprofits: A New Haven nonprofit has opened a free housing program for early-childhood educators, addressing a workforce’s housing needs.

Federal Oversight: A judge dismissed former CIA Director John Brennan’s bid to preserve records tied to a Trump administration inquiry, calling his concerns troubling but his claim of imminent harm speculative. Election Integrity: Federal pressure on voting continues: the Justice Department has demanded California stop ballots to suspected noncitizens, while Trump’s push for state voter data has largely failed. Government Accountability: Federal agents seized Rep. Ilhan Omar’s phone in an immigration-status probe, prompting accusations of political intimidation. Local Impact: Data-center growth is fueling bipartisan backlash over electricity costs, tax breaks and pressure on schools, with candidates making it a midterm issue. Historic Preservation: Advocates warn federal retreat could weaken the 60-year-old preservation law, which requires agencies to consult states, tribes and stakeholders before projects threaten historic sites. Foreign Aid: Nepal’s flood response highlights the consequences of USAID’s dismantling, with aid workers saying the U.S. role in disaster relief is sharply diminished. Military Policy: Trump scrapped plans to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution after backlash over the unprecedented proposal.

Ethics & Oversight: A watchdog group sued to remove Jared Kushner as a U.S. envoy, arguing his role lacks proper vetting and financial disclosures and poses conflict-of-interest risks. Federal Investigations: The FBI seized Rep. Ilhan Omar’s phone and subpoenaed relatives in an immigration-status probe; ethics lawyers have questioned whether the search violated the Hatch Act. Financial Regulation: Treasury fined Bank of America $1.2 billion over alleged sanctions and anti-money-laundering violations, its third-largest penalty ever. Election Security: The Justice Department is pressing California to halt ballots it suspects may come from noncitizens, while states and industry report less federal help as AI boosts foreign influence efforts. Government Technology: A new analysis argues the U.S. is falling behind not in AI development, but in putting existing tools to work across public agencies.

Election Oversight: The Trump administration declined to invite OSCE observers to the midterms, breaking with more than two decades of practice and drawing criticism from Democrats and election monitors. A federal judge also ruled illegal the administration’s effort to obtain millions of voters’ sensitive information. Justice Department: Federal agents seized Rep. Ilhan Omar’s phone and subpoenaed relatives in an immigration-related investigation, just weeks before Election Day; the search raises questions about protections for congressional work. Federal Agencies: A judge halted the Forest Service’s planned move to Utah, finding the administration must pause relocations and closures amid a dispute over Congress’s authority. Nonprofit Accountability: A co-founder of Arkansas charity 2nd Milk was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing donations and ordered to help repay $514,098. Social Security: A 3.6% cost-of-living increase is set for January, averaging about $75 a month, as annual inflation reached 3.7%.

Press Freedom: A federal judge extended a block on Trump’s ban targeting CNN, MS NOW and Politico at the White House, finding the outlets are likely to prevail on First Amendment and due-process claims. Congressional Oversight: The Supreme Court will hear a watchdog’s bid for records on Elon Musk’s DOGE. Separately, the FBI search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and former prosecutors over how the warrant was carried out. Federal Benefits: The administration approved Nebraska’s request to restrict TANF spending on items including tobacco, tattoos and psychic readings, as officials signal other states may follow. Public Lands: A judge halted further tree-cutting at Washington’s East Potomac Golf Course after crews removed about 430 trees; the court cited the project’s unclear budget and lack of environmental study. Diplomacy: U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned amid disputed allegations about her conduct, leaving a career diplomat to lead the embassy temporarily.

Government Transparency: The Supreme Court agreed to review whether DOGE must turn over records to watchdog CREW under FOIA, putting the agency’s access to public scrutiny before the justices. Separately, a federal judge ruled illegal the Trump administration’s effort to send millions of voters’ personal data to Homeland Security. Federal Oversight: A search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home during a criminal investigation drew criticism from former prosecutors over its timing, just 22 days before Election Day. A federal judge also extended a halt on tree cutting at Washington’s East Potomac Golf Course, citing likely environmental harm. Nonprofit & Public Health: Sleep in Heavenly Peace added 10 chapters to expand its volunteer network amid a nationwide waitlist of more than 100,000 children needing beds. Nonprofit Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America is committing $100 million over five years to try to halve U.S. maternal deaths.

Federal Oversight: Agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Washington-area home in an ongoing criminal investigation; Omar called the move political intimidation, while Democrats condemned the raid. Press Freedom: The Justice Department plans to investigate five TV networks over a coordinated pause in White House pool coverage, arguing it may violate antitrust law—a rationale legal observers question. Climate Funding: Nearly $20 billion in grants for nonprofit clean-energy projects remains frozen as the Trump administration weighs a Supreme Court appeal, despite an appeals court ruling that the EPA likely acted unlawfully in canceling them. Census and Native Communities: Proposed 2030 Census changes could limit race and identity questions, making Native Americans harder to count and putting support services that rely on population data at risk. Schools: The Education Department has restored the 2020 interpretation of Title IX, ending federal protections for LGBTQ+ students under the Biden-era rules. Local Services: Cities still face public-sector staffing gaps that can delay basic services; rural hospitals also face financial and workforce pressures threatening care for millions.

Court Oversight: A federal judge temporarily halted tree cutting at Washington’s East Potomac Golf Course after the Trump administration removed hundreds of trees despite warnings in an ongoing lawsuit. She sharply criticized officials and questioned their credibility. Congress and Law Enforcement: Federal agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home as part of an ongoing criminal investigation; authorities have not publicly detailed the allegations. Election Rules: More than three dozen new voting laws in Republican-led states take effect for the first time this year, including changes to voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. Public Spending: A judge ordered the Trump administration to cancel remaining taxpayer-funded television ads challenged as an illegal use of government funds. Federal Agencies: The Interior Department has canceled routine maintenance and programming at national parks and downgraded nearly 1,500 projects, according to a conservation group. Meanwhile, a federal prison workers’ union is asking a judge to enforce an order restoring its labor agreement.

Public Spending: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to stop taxpayer-funded ads promoting the president, siding with challengers who called the $19 million campaign-style effort unlawful. Immigration Accountability: The family of Silverio Villegas González, fatally shot by an ICE agent in Illinois, filed a claim alleging the shooting violated federal use-of-force rules; DHS says he tried to flee a stop. Press Freedom: The Justice Department is investigating whether news networks’ joint coverage halt after a White House press ban violated antitrust law, raising fresh questions about government pressure on the media. Social Safety Net: Trump’s Medicaid cuts are stripping coverage from some legal immigrants, including refugees and trafficking survivors. Court Battles: The government again asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit over the Army’s handling of the Lewiston mass shooter, as survivors and families press for accountability. Capital Punishment: Pentagon plans to livestream Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan’s execution have drawn objections from survivors and religious leaders.

Public Safety: Thousands of violent threats have targeted elected officials across party lines, from county clerks to U.S. senators, a New York Times investigation found. Federal Accountability: The Trump administration is weighing whether to remove Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle after reports of alleged improper conduct; her lawyer says she did nothing wrong. Healthcare and Privacy: A federal appeals court is considering whether to block a Justice Department subpoena for Rhode Island Hospital records of young patients receiving gender-affirming care. Meanwhile, 52 maternity wards have closed since federal Medicaid cuts were announced, with eight more closures planned. Public Funds: Los Angeles County faces overlapping fraud investigations involving homelessness contracts, Medi-Cal billing and abuse settlements. In Kansas, a woman was sentenced to probation and ordered to repay $316,570 for fraudulently collecting her incarcerated husband’s Social Security benefits. Nonprofits and Communities: A Flagstaff team won $250,000 in a global wildfire-detection competition, while Sparklight opened applications for charitable grants to nonprofits in 24 states.