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Tier 1 carried by a primary record
Corroborated 2+ independent news desks
Every result is verified and democracy-related.
Open an event to see its evidence. Attack and trait tags link to their definitions
Jul 22, 2026 The House of Representatives passed the NDAA with war funding, voting restrictions, and a Pentagon renaming provision Corroborated Institutions and Governance
Bundling defense policy with election restrictions and war measures showed Congress using must-pass vehicles for major democratic changes.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- House passes $1.15tn defense bill — The US House of Representatives passed a $1.15 trillion defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with a 216-212 vote.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 79 – 2026-07-18–2026-07-24
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Jul 21, 2026 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked the Senate for nearly $88 billion in supplemental Iran-war funding and defended a much larger military budget Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
Large war and budget requests forced Congress to confront executive military expansion through appropriations and oversight.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Defense Secretary Requests Additional $88 Billion for War on Iran — During a Senate appropriations committee hearing, U.S.
- Pete Hegseth Testifies on Military Budget Increase — On July 21, 2026, U.S.
- Pentagon Requests Additional Funding Amid War Costs — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee, requesting an urgent $67 billion to sustain Pentagon operations until
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 79 – 2026-07-18–2026-07-24
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Jul 14, 2026 President Trump announced the reinstatement of an Iranian blockade and a U.S. security-fee role in the Strait of Hormuz Corroborated Power and Authority
The announcement asserted sweeping wartime and trade authority with limited visible congressional buy-in, raising separation-of-powers concerns.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reports
- Trump announces reinstatement of Iranian blockade — On July 13, 2026, President Trump announced via social media that the U.S.
- Trump announces blockade on Iran — President Trump announced the reimposition of a blockade on Iran, declaring the U.S.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 78 – 2026-07-11–2026-07-17
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Jun 28, 2026 President Trump gave Senator Cassidy a briefing on the Iran war after oversight pressure Corroborated Power and Authority
The episode showed the White House controlling access to war information that Congress sought as part of its constitutional oversight role.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Grants Briefing on Iran War to Senator Cassidy — President Donald Trump conceded to Senator Bill Cassidy's demand for a briefing on the Iran war, following a heated exchange over the president's failure to inform Congress about the conflict.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 76 – 2026-06-27–2026-07-03
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May 27, 2026 DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced plans to withdraw customs agents from airports in sanctuary cities Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The plan would use federal operational power to pressure disfavored local governments, testing limits on coercion between levels of government.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DHS Secretary Mullin Plans to Withdraw Customs Agents from Sanctuary Cities — DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced plans to withdraw U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 71 – 2026-05-23–2026-05-29
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May 26, 2026 Speaker Mike Johnson sent House members home early to avoid a war powers vote on Iran Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The move weakened Congress's ability to check military action and showed procedural control being used to avoid institutional oversight.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- Congress Prepares to Address War Powers Regarding Iran — Following the expiration of the 60-day timeline for congressional approval of military action in Iran, House Speaker Mike Johnson had to send representatives home early to prevent the passage of a war powers resolution
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 71 – 2026-05-23–2026-05-29
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May 5, 2026 Fulton County filed a motion to quash a federal subpoena seeking poll-worker contact information Corroborated Institutions and Governance
The filing pushed back on federal demands that local officials said could intimidate election workers and disrupt state election administration.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Fulton County files motion to quash federal subpoena for poll worker details — Fulton County, Georgia, has filed a motion in federal court to quash a subpoena issued by Dan Bishop, the interim US attorney for North Carolina's middle district.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 68 – 2026-05-02–2026-05-08
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Apr 16, 2026 The House of Representatives rejected a war powers resolution on Iran by one vote Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The failure left the executive with broader room to continue military action, underscoring weak legislative control over war powers.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- US House Rejects War Powers Resolution on Iran — On Thursday, the US House of Representatives narrowly rejected a war powers resolution aimed at preventing further military action against Iran.
- War Powers Resolution to Block Iran War Fails in House — The War Powers Resolution intended to block President Trump's continuation of Operation Epic Fury in Iran failed in the House of Representatives by a narrow vote of 213-214.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 15, 2026 President Trump announced a ceasefire framework with Iran after unilateral escalation Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The announcement showed the executive making and revising major war decisions with limited congressional control, stressing checks on military power.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Declares Ceasefire and Framework for Agreement with Iran — President Trump announced a ceasefire and proposed a framework for an agreement with Iran after escalating tensions led to military action and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- — President Trump announced a ceasefire and proposed a framework for an agreement with Iran after escalating tensions led to military actions in the region.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 7, 2026 Congressional leaders left Congress inactive during escalating Iran threats Corroborated Institutions and Governance
The inaction weakened legislative oversight at a moment of possible war escalation and left executive decisions less constrained.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Time · PBS · The Atlantic
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Congress remains inactive amid Trump's threats — Members of both chambers of Congress were away for the week, and Republican leaders showed no signs of calling them back to address President Trump's escalating threats against Iran.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
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Mar 19, 2026 The Senate voted down a measure to limit President Trump's war powers against Iran Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The vote left presidential war authority largely intact and showed Congress declining to reassert a stronger institutional check.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Senate votes down measure aiming to limit Trump’s war powers — On March 18, 2026, the U.S.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 61 – 2026-03-14–2026-03-20
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Mar 14, 2026 President Trump ordered the bombardment of Iran without congressional authorization Corroborated Power and Authority
The strike concentrated war-making power in the presidency and weakened the constitutional role of Congress in authorizing major military action.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Orders Bombardment of Iran — President Donald Trump ordered a bombardment of Iran, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 61 – 2026-03-14–2026-03-20
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Mar 5, 2026 The House of Representatives rejected a war powers resolution to end hostilities with Iran Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The failed vote left the executive with broad room to continue military action, showing legislative reluctance to enforce its own war powers.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- US House rejects war powers resolution to end hostilities with Iran — The US House of Representatives voted against a war powers resolution that aimed to end hostilities with Iran, with a vote of 212-219.
- U.S. Administration Conflicted on War Status with Iran — There is confusion within the U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 59 – 2026-02-28–2026-03-06
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Mar 5, 2026 President Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and named Markwayne Mullin as her replacement Corroborated Power and Authority
The leadership change showed direct presidential control over a major coercive agency and signaled continuity of hardline immigration enforcement through loyalist staffing.
Independently corroborated by7 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Kristi Noem fired as DHS Secretary — Kristi Noem was fired from her position as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on March 5, 2026.
- Markwayne Mullin nominated as Secretary of Homeland Security — President Donald Trump has nominated Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), replacing Kristi Noem.
- Trump fires homeland security secretary Kristi Noem — President Donald Trump announced the firing of Kristi Noem as the homeland security secretary, following bipartisan criticism over her leadership, particularly after immigration agents killed two US citizens.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 59 – 2026-02-28–2026-03-06
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Feb 28, 2026 President Trump announced and defended major combat operations against Iran without congressional authorization Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The president used war powers unilaterally, shifting core decisions on force away from Congress and weakening democratic checks on military action.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Announces Military Action Against Iran — On February 27, 2026, former President Donald Trump released a video on his social media platform, Truth Social, announcing a military operation against Iran.
- Trump announces military operations in Iran — Following the military strikes on Iran, President Trump posted an 8-minute video on social media announcing the commencement of major combat operations.
- Trump expresses desire for regime change in Iran — In a phone call with reporters, President Trump stated that his primary goal in the military action against Iran is regime change, emphasizing his desire for freedom for the Iranian people.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 59 – 2026-02-28–2026-03-06
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Feb 21, 2026 President Trump imposed new global tariffs under Section 122 and then said the rate would rise from 10% to 15% Corroborated Economic Structure
The move used unilateral trade power to reshape prices and commerce after a court loss, increasing economic uncertainty and testing statutory limits.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Announces New Global Tariffs — Following the Supreme Court's ruling against his previous tariffs, former President Donald Trump announced new global tariffs, initially set at 10% and later increased to 15% within 24 hours.
- Trump Signs Global 10% Tariff — On February 20, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an order imposing a 10% tariff on all countries, effective February 24, 2026.
- Trump announces new global tariffs following Supreme Court decision — In response to the Supreme Court's ruling against his tariffs, President Trump announced he would impose a new global 10% tariff on all countries, effective almost immediately.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 58 – 2026-02-21–2026-02-27
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Feb 21, 2026 The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump's IEEPA tariff regime was unlawful Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The ruling reaffirmed that Congress, not the president alone, controls tariff power and imposed a direct judicial check on executive overreach.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Supreme Court rules Trump's tariffs unconstitutional — The U.S.
- Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Tariff Regime — The Supreme Court ruled against President Trump's tariff regime, declaring it unlawful.
- Supreme Court Rules Trump's Tariffs Illegal — The Supreme Court ruled that many of Donald Trump's tariffs, imposed unilaterally under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were illegal.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 58 – 2026-02-21–2026-02-27
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Feb 20, 2026 President Trump announced a new global tariff under Section 122 after the Supreme Court ruling Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The move sought to preserve unilateral trade control after a judicial rebuke, testing how far the executive could work around constitutional limits.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- President imposes new tariffs under Section 122 — Following the Supreme Court's ruling against IEEPA tariffs, the President quickly issued a proclamation under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a temporary 10% import surcharge on nearly all imports
- Trump announces new 10% global tariff — Following the Supreme Court's ruling against his previous tariffs, President Trump announced a new 10% global baseline tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 57 – 2026-02-14–2026-02-20
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Jan 14, 2026 The Justice Department released a memo approving a military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro without resolving its legality under international law Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The memo asserted broad executive war-making discretion and weakened legal limits on cross-border force by treating domestic authorization as sufficient.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DoJ Memo on Military Raid to Capture Maduro Released — A memo from the Trump administration's Department of Justice (DoJ) was released, revealing that the administration approved a military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without concluding whether
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 52 – 2026-01-10–2026-01-16
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Jan 7, 2026 A federal judge ordered Lindsey Halligan to justify using the title of U.S. attorney after an unlawful-appointment ruling Corroborated Institutions and Governance
The order tested whether executive appointees could keep exercising prosecutorial authority after a court found their appointment unlawful.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump lawyer ordered to defend using US attorney title despite ruling it’s unlawful — A federal judge has ordered Lindsey Halligan, a Trump-appointed lawyer, to justify her continued use of the title "US Attorney" for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 51 – 2026-01-03–2026-01-09
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Dec 3, 2025 President Trump claimed he could void Biden documents signed by autopen Corroborated Power and Authority
The claim tested whether a president could unilaterally erase a predecessor's official acts, challenging continuity of government and legal limits on executive power.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump attempts to void Biden's autopen-signed documents — On December 2, 2025, Donald Trump announced his intention to "terminate" all documents signed by Joe Biden using an autopen, including pardons.
- Trump Claims Biden's Use of Autopen Invalidates His Actions — President Trump declared that any documents signed by former President Joe Biden using an autopen are invalid, claiming this renders all related actions, including pardons and executive orders, null and void.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 46 – 2025-11-29–2025-12-05
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Nov 27, 2025 President Trump announced that he was canceling executive orders signed by autopen during the Biden administration Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The claim asserted unilateral power to void prior executive actions and challenged settled rules for lawful presidential administration.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Cancels Executive Orders Signed by Autopen — Former President Trump announced the cancellation of all executive orders signed by autopen during President Biden's administration, claiming they were illegal.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 45 – 2025-11-22–2025-11-28
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Nov 18, 2025 President Trump threatened Democratic lawmakers with execution over their video about illegal orders Corroborated Civil Rights and Dissent
The threats targeted elected officials for protected political speech and heightened the risk of intimidation and violence against dissenters.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition — On Truth Social, President Trump accused six Democratic lawmakers of sedition, stating it is "punishable by DEATH," and reshared a post calling for them to be hanged.
- Trump Calls for Execution of Democratic Lawmakers — Former President Donald Trump called for the execution of two Democratic senators and four representatives after they released a video urging military and intelligence personnel to uphold their constitutional oaths and
- Trump Threatens Democratic Lawmakers with Execution — On Thursday, President Donald Trump publicly threatened Democratic senators and representatives, labeling them as "traitors" and suggesting they should face execution for their actions.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 44 – 2025-11-15–2025-11-21
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Nov 7, 2025 President Trump pardoned 77 people tied to efforts to overturn the 2020 election Corroborated Power and Authority
The mass pardons reduced federal accountability for election subversion and used clemency to shield political allies.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Pardons 77 Individuals Involved in 2020 Election Subversion — On November 7, 2025, former President Donald Trump signed pardons for 77 individuals connected to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 42 – 2025-11-01–2025-11-07
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Nov 1, 2025 The Justice Department claimed the War Powers Resolution did not apply to U.S. strikes on boats because the targets could not shoot back Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The claim expanded executive room to use force without meaningful congressional approval or time limits.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DOJ Claims War Powers Act Does Not Apply to Boat Bombings — The DOJ informed Congress that the Trump administration does not need to comply with the War Powers Act regarding boat bombings, as the vessels cannot shoot back.
- Legal counsel claims drone strikes do not constitute hostilities — T.
- Trump administration claims authority over military actions — The Trump administration asserted that it does not need to consult Congress regarding its military actions against Venezuela, despite the requirements of the 1973 War Powers Act.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 42 – 2025-11-01–2025-11-07
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