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What Happened Today – February 16, 2026

They came for the history and the ballot box.

A federal judge forced the government to restore slavery exhibits at the house where George Washington kept nine enslaved people because someone in this administration decided that story shouldn’t be told anymore. The judge quoted Orwell and compared the government to a “Ministry of Truth.”

Civil rights organizations including the NAACP filed suit in Georgia to protect Fulton County voter data that the FBI seized at White House direction. Given this administration’s actions in Philadelphia and elsewhere, that seems prudent.

Congress is out but your representatives and senators still have offices and phones. Call or write them and tell them you see the racism running rampant through this executive branch. Demand they protect vulnerable communities.

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🔴 GovBrief Intensity Score 133
High Intensity. They're flooding the zone.
Volume: Low (12)
Severity: Moderate (1.83)
Defining Moments: 0
Previous 5 Days
🟠127|🔴145|🚨168|🚨220|🚨160
100 = normal day. Volume is headline count. Stories weighted by significance. Defining Moments are the ones history remembers.
Today's Quote
For context, this is the leader of one of the key mainstream Muslim groups that support Mamdani. If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.
GOP Rep Randy Fine of Florida responding online to a Muslim's remark that dogs have a place in society, but not as indoor pets.
Yesterday's Most Read

Alaska signed a confidential agreement letting DOJ flag individual voters for removal from state rolls, one of at least 12 states that quietly complied while judges ruled against DOJ in every related lawsuit.

Today’s GovBrief News


Foreign Relations 1 of 12

Secretary of State Rubio tells Orban "your success is our success" during Budapest visit two months before April election where Orban trails opposition challenger in polls.

Signed nuclear reactor deal during visit

Source: Deutsche Welle

February 16, 2026

Foreign Relations 2 of 12

U.S. and Iran hold second round of nuclear talks in Geneva as Trump deploys a second carrier strike group and Iran runs live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz.

https://go.govbrief.today/iran-nuclear-talks

Source: The Associated Press

February 16, 2026

Epstein Sex Crime Network 3 of 12

Los Angeles Mayor Bass calls on LA28 Olympics chair Casey Wasserman to resign over Epstein-related emails with Ghislaine Maxwell after board voted to keep him.

Artist exodus forced sale of his agency

Source: Spectrum News

February 16, 2026

Epstein Sex Crime Network 4 of 12

New Mexico House unanimously creates bipartisan subcommittee with subpoena power to investigate Epstein's Zorro Ranch after federal investigations produced no charges.

Investigating allegation girls buried near ranch

Source: Source New Mexico

February 16, 2026

Environment 5 of 12

California Gov. Newsom signs clean energy agreement with U.K. in London as Trump calls it "inappropriate" and warns British leaders against partnering with him.

Newsom telling allies Trump policies are "temporary"

Source: Politico

February 16, 2026

Environment 6 of 12

Trump blames Maryland Gov. Moore for month-old Potomac sewage spill from a federally regulated pipe and deploys FEMA, currently shut down, to lead cleanup.

EPA refused to attend last week's meeting

Source: WUSA Washington

February 16, 2026

Voting Rights 7 of 12

NAACP and civil rights groups sue to prevent Trump administration from using Fulton County voter data seized by FBI to purge rolls or intimidate voters.

700 boxes of ballots seized January 28

Source: UPI

February 16, 2026

Criminal Justice 8 of 12

FBI formally refuses to share evidence with Minnesota investigators in Alex Pretti shooting, as bystander video appears to show agents took his gun before killing him.

Prosecutor says refusal shows feds doubt agents

Source: KSTP St. Paul

February 16, 2026

Immigration 9 of 12

Trump administration sends second deportation flight to Cameroon carrying eight more third-country nationals days after first flight of nine, most with court orders against removal, was exposed.

$40M spent deporting 300 to 3rd countries

Source: The Associated Press

February 16, 2026

Oversight 10 of 12

Trump attacks $16 billion Gateway tunnel project days after court forced release of frozen federal funds, denying he demanded Penn Station and Dulles be renamed for him.

1,000 lost jobs during funding freeze

Source: Politico

February 16, 2026

Grift 11 of 12

Trump's private company trademarked "President Donald J. Trump International Airport" days after he pressured officials to rename Dulles, meaning any airport using the name must license it from him.

Also trademarked branded merchandise rights

Source: Garber Law Blog

February 16, 2026

Fighting Back 12 of 12

Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore slavery exhibits removed from President's House in Philadelphia, quoting Orwell and comparing government to "Ministry of Truth."

Bush-appointed judge barred replacement panels

Source: WPHL Philadelphia

February 16, 2026

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