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What Happened Today – February 17, 2026

They’re rewriting the stories they don’t like.

DOJ expanded its probe into the officials who documented Russian election interference in 2016, not because seventeen agencies and a Republican Senate committee got it wrong, but because this administration didn’t like what they found. Six groups sued the Interior Dept. today for stripping slavery, climate, and Indigenous exhibits from national parks. And HUD reopened an investigation into a Texas Muslim community that DOJ already cleared, because apparently one agency saying “nothing here” just means send another one.

Russia interfered in our election, the climate is changing, and this country was built on stolen land and enslaved labor. The world’s scientists, historians, and investigators didn’t all conspire to trick you. Don’t let a government that finds the truth inconvenient convince you otherwise.

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🔴 GovBrief Intensity Score 148
High Intensity. They're flooding the zone.
Volume: Normal (17)
Severity: Moderate (2.18)
Defining Moments: 0
Previous 5 Days
🔴133|🟠127|🔴145|🚨168|🚨220
100 = normal day. Volume is headline count. Stories weighted by significance. Defining Moments are the ones history remembers.
Today's Quote
Not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on. And because my network clearly does not want us to talk about this, let’s talk about this.
Stephen Colbert speaking after CBS reportedly ordered him to shelve an interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, February 17, 2026.
Yesterday's Most Read

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.

Today’s GovBrief News


Health 1 of 17

NYU Langone shuts its transgender youth medical program after Trump administration proposed pulling federal funding from hospitals providing gender care for minors.

FBI, DOJ subpoenaed over 20 clinics

Source: The New York Times [gift link]

February 17, 2026

Human Rights 2 of 17

HUD opens investigation into North Texas Muslim community development six months after the Justice Department investigated the same project and closed the case without charges.

Governor previously claimed "Sharia Law" enforcement

Source: Spectrum News

February 17, 2026

Epstein Sex Crime Network 3 of 17

Poll finds 53% of Americans believe Trump is trying to cover up Epstein's crimes, with only 24% approving of his handling of the investigation.

Half believe Trump personally involved

Source: The Hill

February 17, 2026

Environment 4 of 17

Energy Secretary Wright threatens to withdraw the U.S. from the International Energy Agency unless it stops producing renewable energy scenarios and drops its net-zero work.

Called agency's climate work "leftist fantasies"

Source: Politico

February 17, 2026

Censorship 5 of 17

CBS lawyers block Colbert from airing interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico after FCC opens investigation into his appearance on The View.

Posted full interview on YouTube instead

Source: UPI

February 17, 2026

Censorship 6 of 17

Six conservation groups sue Interior Secretary Burgum over removal of hundreds of exhibits on slavery, climate change, and Indigenous history from national parks.

Thousands more displays flagged for review

Source: Jurist News

February 17, 2026

Economy 7 of 17

New law requires IRS to tell taxpayers the specific line where math errors occurred on their returns instead of sending vague correction notices.

9.4 error notices sent in 2022

Source: KARE Minneapolis

February 17, 2026

Military 8 of 17

Hegseth forces Army Secretary Driscoll to fire his senior spokesman, a 28-year colonel whose previous work for Gen. Milley appears to be a factor in his removal.

Retired rather than block 36 promotions

Source: The Washington Post

February 17, 2026

Military 9 of 17

Noem diverted over 750 Coast Guard flights from regular missions to deportation runs, using her authority over the only military branch that reports to DHS.

Rumored boyfriend tried to fire USCG pilot

Source: NBC News

February 17, 2026

Military 10 of 17

U.S. military kills 11 people in strikes on three boats in the Pacific and Caribbean, bringing the total dead to more than 140 since September with no evidence released.

People visible on boats before strikes

Source: RTE

February 17, 2026

Justice Dept 11 of 17

Justice Department expands Florida investigation into officials who documented Russian 2016 election interference, issuing new subpoenas seeking records beyond the original intelligence assessment.

Brennan lawyers call probe "manufactured"

Source: The Associated Press

February 17, 2026

Courts 12 of 17

Federal judge bars ICE from re-detaining Kilmar Ábrego García, ruling his detention was unconstitutional and dismissing administration threats to deport him to Africa as "empty."

Government ignored his Costa Rica request

Source: Courthouse News Service

February 17, 2026

Criminal Justice 13 of 17

Capitol Police arrest 18-year-old Georgia man carrying a loaded shotgun, tactical vest, and gas mask after he ran toward the Capitol while Congress was in recess.

Not on existing threat files

Source: The Hill

February 17, 2026

Criminal Justice 14 of 17

U.S. indicts captain of seized shadow tanker on charges of flying a false flag and disobeying Coast Guard orders during a weeks-long pursuit through the Caribbean and Atlantic.

5 crew members will testify against him

Source: The Maritime Executive

February 17, 2026

Immigration 15 of 17

DHS chief immigration spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin departs as administration pivots to "softer" immigration messaging after two citizens killed by federal agents in Minneapolis.

Husband's firm got secret DHS contracts

Source: USA Today

February 17, 2026

Arts 16 of 17

Trump appoints his 26-year-old former receptionist to the arts commission set to vote Thursday on advancing his controversial White House ballroom project.

No design expertise

Source: Mediaite

February 17, 2026

Fighting Back 17 of 17

Governor Moore signs law banning Maryland police from participating in ICE's 287(g) program after finding the majority of those arrested by ICE in the state were never convicted of a crime.

9 counties previously had ICE agreements

Source: WUSA Washington

February 17, 2026

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