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Category 4
Attack target 29
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Jul 22, 2026 House Republicans approved a $73 billion Iran-war budget plan and a separate budget resolution for a $95 billion reconciliation bill Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
War funding and reconciliation maneuvers tested how far Congress would support executive conflict expansion and attach voting changes to fiscal bills.
Supporting reports
- House Republicans approve $73bn war budget — House Republicans approved a budget plan authorizing $73 billion for the ongoing war with Iran.
- House Republicans pass budget resolution for $95bn bill — On Wednesday, House Republicans passed a budget resolution with a narrow 216-214 vote, initiating the process to draft a $95 billion reconciliation bill.
- House Votes on Budget Resolution for GOP Reconciliation Package — The House of Representatives is voting on a budget resolution that sets the stage for a third GOP reconciliation package.
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.
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
Jul 18, 2026 Stephen Bannon said a communist-threat narrative could justify a national security emergency order tied to the SAVE America agenda Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
Public advocacy for emergency rule around domestic politics signaled support for bypassing normal lawmaking and concentrating executive power.
Supporting reports
- Trump Allies Discuss National Security Emergency Executive Order — In a podcast, Stephen Bannon suggested that the narrative of a communist threat could serve as a justification for Trump to declare a national security emergency executive order.
Jul 16, 2026 The President continued the national emergency on transnational criminal organizations for another year Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The extension kept emergency authorities in place as a standing tool of governance rather than a short-term response.
Supporting reports
- Continuation of National Emergency on Transnational Criminal Organizations — The President has extended the national emergency concerning significant transnational criminal organizations for one year beyond July 24, 2026.
Jul 15, 2026 Ramsey County officials and advocacy groups filed lawsuits over DHS records and ICC-related sanctions Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The suits sought court review of federal secrecy and sanctions powers, pressing institutional limits on executive action.
Supporting reports
- Complaint filed — Choi v. U.S Department of Homeland Security — On July 15, 2026, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher filed a complaint against the U.S.
- Complaint filed — Democracy for the Arab World Now, Inc. d/b/a DAWN v. Trump — On July 15, 2026, two U.S.
- US groups file lawsuit against Trump administration over ICC sanctions — Two US advocacy groups, Democracy in the Arab World Now (Dawn) and the Taxpayer Alliance Against Genocide, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in federal court in Manhattan.
Jun 29, 2026 The Trump administration invoked emergency powers to restart a long-shuttered California oil operation Corroborated Power and Authority
Using emergency authority for energy production expanded unilateral executive power and intensified federal-state conflict over environmental control.
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration Invokes Emergency Powers for Oil Operation — The Trump administration has invoked emergency powers to reactivate an oil operation in California that had been shut down for over a decade following a 2015 oil spill.
May 8, 2026 The Trump administration declared that the war with Iran had terminated while exchanges of fire continued Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The claim appeared to use executive framing to avoid war-powers limits, weakening legislative checks on military action.
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration Claims War with Iran Has "Terminated" — The Trump administration declared that the war with Iran has "terminated," which allows them to bypass the 1973 War Powers Act that requires congressional approval for military actions.
Apr 20, 2026 President Trump signed memorandums to boost domestic fossil-fuel production under defense authorities Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The memorandums used emergency-style executive tools to direct industrial policy, expanding presidential reach over energy production through national defense claims.
Supporting reports
- Trump signs memos to boost US fossil-fuel production for ‘defense readiness’ — On April 20, 2026, President Donald Trump signed a series of memorandums aimed at increasing domestic fossil fuel production, citing national defense readiness as the primary reason.
Mar 31, 2026 The Endangered Species Committee granted a national-security exemption for Gulf oil and gas activity from Endangered Species Act requirements Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The exemption used emergency-style authority to waive environmental safeguards for a favored industry, broadening executive discretion over statutory limits.
Supporting reports
- Endangered Species Act Exemption for Gulf of Mexico Drilling — On March 31, 2026, the Endangered Species Committee, a U.S.
- Endangered Species Committee Exempts Gulf Oil Activities from ESA — The Endangered Species Committee, comprising multiple federal departments, granted an exemption for Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements, citing national security.
Mar 17, 2026 The Trump administration ordered the reopening of a California pipeline under the Defense Production Act over state objections Corroborated Power and Authority
The order used emergency authority to override state regulation, expanding federal coercive power in domestic governance.
Supporting reports
- Trump administration orders reopening of California pipeline — The Trump administration has ordered the reopening of a controversial California pipeline system, which had been closed since 2015 following a major oil spill.
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.
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.
Mar 14, 2026 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth deployed an amphibious ready group and Marines to the Middle East Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The deployment deepened U.S. military involvement in the conflict and showed executive escalation of force with limited public oversight.
Immediate effect: The deployment deepened U.S.
Supporting reports
- Defense Secretary Hegseth sending amphibious ready group to Middle East — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of an amphibious ready group of vessels, led by the U.S.S.
- U.S. Deploys Marine Expeditionary Unit to Middle East — The United States has deployed a Marine Expeditionary Unit from Japan to the Middle East.
Mar 7, 2026 The Trump administration sought $50 billion for Iran operations through emergency authority Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
Using emergency authority for war funding bypassed normal appropriations control and expanded executive discretion over major military spending.
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration Bypasses Congress for Defense Budget Increase — The Trump administration is seeking an additional $50 billion in funding for operations in Iran, bypassing Congress by using emergency authority.
Mar 7, 2026 The Trump administration used emergency authority to expedite a bomb sale to Israel Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The emergency determination waived normal congressional review of a major arms transfer, concentrating foreign-policy power in the executive branch.
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration Expedites Bomb Sale to Israel — The Trump administration bypassed Congress using emergency authority to expedite the sale of over 20,000 bombs to Israel, valued at approximately $650 million.
Feb 12, 2026 The House of Representatives voted to rescind tariffs on Canada imposed under a national emergency Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The vote was a legislative check on presidential use of emergency powers to drive trade policy without normal congressional control.
Supporting reports
- US House votes to rescind Trump-imposed tariffs on Canada — The US House of Representatives voted 219 to 211 to rescind tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canada, marking a rare bipartisan rebuke of the president's trade policy.
Jan 29, 2026 President Trump issued an executive order declaring a national emergency over Cuba and authorizing new tariffs Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The order used emergency powers to expand presidential control over trade and foreign policy beyond ordinary legislative channels.
Supporting reports
- Executive Order: Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba — On January 29, 2026, President Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring a national emergency in response to perceived threats from the Government of Cuba.
Jan 20, 2026 Bipartisan lawmakers announced legislation to block Trump's threatened tariffs on European allies Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The effort sought to reclaim congressional authority over trade and check executive use of emergency powers for geopolitical coercion.
Supporting reports
- US Lawmakers Announce Legislative Action to Block Trump's Tariffs — On January 20, 2026, US lawmakers from both parties announced plans to introduce legislative measures to block President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs on European allies.
Jan 14, 2026 President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota over protests against federal agents Corroborated Power and Authority
The threat raised the prospect of using military-backed federal power against domestic protest, escalating pressure on state and local autonomy.
Supporting reports
- Trump Threatens to Invoke Insurrection Act in Minnesota — President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy the military and declare martial law in Minnesota if local politicians do not stop protests against federal agents.
- Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota — Former President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota in response to protests against federal immigration enforcement operations.
- Trump Threatens to Invoke the Insurrection Act — Former President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, deploying ICE and Border Patrol agents to cities like Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Jan 10, 2026 The Trump administration seized Venezuelan oil proceeds and placed them under U.S. control without congressional consultation Corroborated Power and Authority
The move concentrated foreign-policy and financial power in the executive branch while bypassing normal legislative checks on war, sanctions, and public funds.
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration's Actions Against Venezuela — The Trump administration seized Venezuela's oil and directed its proceeds into Trump's personal control, an action taken without congressional consultation.
- Trump Administration's Military Actions in Venezuela — The Trump administration, with Marco Rubio playing a key role, orchestrated the removal of Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro.
- Trump declared national emergency regarding Venezuelan oil revenue — On January 10, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency concerning the revenue from the sale of Venezuelan oil, stating that repayment to oil companies would harm U.S.
Jan 9, 2026 President Trump signed an executive order shielding Venezuelan oil revenue from court process and placing disbursement under executive control Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The order concentrated control over foreign-linked funds in the executive branch and limited outside legal review of those assets.
Supporting reports
- Trump signs executive order to protect Venezuelan oil revenue — President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at preventing courts or creditors from impounding revenue tied to the sale of Venezuelan oil held in US treasury accounts.
- Executive Order: Safeguarding Venezuelan Oil Revenue — On January 9, 2026, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to protect Venezuelan oil revenue held in U.S.
Jan 8, 2026 The Trump administration drafted plans to cut FEMA staffing by more than half Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The proposed cuts would centralize crisis response through a weakened agency, reducing state capacity and public protection during emergencies.
Supporting reports
- Draft Plans for Deep Cuts at FEMA Under Trump Administration — The Trump administration, under the oversight of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, has drafted plans to significantly reduce the workforce of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by more than 50% by
Jan 4, 2026 President Trump ordered the capture of Nicolás Maduro without notifying Congress Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The operation tested war-powers limits by using military force without prior legislative notice or approval, concentrating foreign-policy power in the presidency.
Supporting reports
- Trump orders arrest of Venezuela's leader without notifying Congress — President Donald Trump ordered the arrest of Venezuela's leader, Nicolás Maduro, without notifying Congress, marking a significant departure from established protocol.
Dec 15, 2025 President Trump signed an executive order designating illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The order expanded national-security tools into domestic drug enforcement, widening executive reach and normalizing emergency-style powers.
Supporting reports
- Trump signs executive order designating fentanyl as a "weapon of mass destruction" — On December 15, 2025, former President Trump signed an executive order that designates illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals as "weapons of mass destruction" (WMD).
- Executive Order Designating Fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction — On December 15, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).
- Trump Signs Executive Order Designating Fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction — Trump signed an executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, directing the DOJ to investigate trafficking groups and the Defense Department to assess military involvement in combating the threat.
Nov 25, 2025 The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel issued a memo asserting that Caribbean boat strikes did not require congressional approval Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The memo claimed broad unilateral war-making authority and reduced Congress's role in checking military force.
Supporting reports
- Justice Department Memo on Boat Strikes — A classified memo from the U.S.
Nov 13, 2025 The Department of Homeland Security bypassed competitive bidding for a large advertising contract tied to Kristi Noem's network Corroborated Economic Structure
The contract process raised concerns about patronage, emergency procurement abuse, and the use of public money to reward connected firms.
Supporting reports
- Kristi Noem's DHS Ad Campaign Bypasses Bidding Process — South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's Department of Homeland Security has been criticized for bypassing the competitive bidding process in awarding a $200 million ad campaign contract.
- DHS Invokes National Emergency for Advertising Campaign — The Department of Homeland Security invoked a "national emergency" to bypass bids for a $220 million advertising campaign, benefiting a firm with ties to Secretary Kristi Noem.