August 20, 2026 - Gov Brief Today

What Happened Today – August 19, 2026

August 20, 2026 by George Bounacos

President Trump signs his name on the granite of the new White House helipad as construction workers in safety vests stand behind him with the White House in the background

President Donald Trump signed the granite of his new $5 million White House helipad, paid for by Marine One's manufacturer, and promised cocktails there before ballroom events. (Official White House photo)

They can’t ban abortion everywhere, so they tried to ban telling you where it’s legal. Indiana moved to punish Planned Parenthood for telling minors which states allow abortion. Separately, HHS killed 53 teen pregnancy prevention programs that worked and ordered abstinence-only lessons in their place. Federal courts blocked both, with an appeals court ruling that … Read more