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What Happened Today – March 13, 2026

Jared Kushner learned how to shake down a target from his father and his father-in-law.

His father went to federal prison for tax evasion and witness tampering. His father-in-law was a protégé of legendary mob attorney Roy Cohn. Now Jared is running the family playbook on Middle Eastern governments. Six months after Trump left office, he scored $2 billion from the Saudi government, a deal the Saudis’ own investment advisors rejected before their crown prince personally overruled them. Kushner pocketed $157 million from that deal and returned zero profits. Now he’s raising another $5 billion from the same Gulf royals who’ve been setting American gas prices for half a century.

The Senate Finance Committee has already concluded that Jared’s investors may be motivated only by “the opportunity to funnel foreign government money to members of President Trump’s family.” Despite that, his father-in-law made him America’s lead negotiator in the Middle East, without Senate approval, during a war. While Jared negotiates for the country, he’s raising money for himself.

Retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis said Kushner is “not subject to Senate confirmation and not subject to oversight,” and that putting him in charge “doesn’t make any sense.” Call your representatives and demand a full investigation into why a private citizen with billions paid by foreign governments is negotiating for the United States.

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🔴 GovBrief Intensity Score 148
High Intensity. They're flooding the zone.
Volume: High (21)
Severity: Moderate (1.76)
Defining Moments: 0
Previous 5 Days
🔴140|🚨216|🟡96|🚨200|🚨200
100 = normal day. Volume is headline count. Stories weighted by significance. Defining Moments are the ones history remembers.
Today's Quote
CNN doesn’t think we thought of that. It’s a fundamentally unserious report. The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.
Defense Secretary Hegseth to reporters on March 13, 2026, about a CNN report and anticipating a shift when conservative owner takes over.
Yesterday's Most Read

Sen. Tuberville posts image linking New York City's first Muslim mayor hosting a Ramadan iftar to the September 11 attacks, calling Muslims "the enemy inside the gates."

Today’s GovBrief News


Extremism 1 of 21

Man who rammed truck into Michigan synagogue with 140 children inside had lost four family members in an Israeli airstrike on Lebanon the week before.

FBI investigating as act of terrorism

Source: MLive

March 13, 2026

Foreign Relations 2 of 21

Cuba confirms talks with U.S. as the island faces economic collapse after Trump cut off Venezuelan oil supplies and threatened a "friendly takeover."

Massive blackout left millions without power

Source: CNBC

March 13, 2026

Foreign Relations 3 of 21

World Anti-Doping Agency moves to bar Trump and all U.S. officials from the LA Olympics and World Cup over $7.3M in unpaid dues.

Both parties withheld since 2023

Source: The Associated Press

March 13, 2026

War 4 of 21

All six crew members aboard U.S. refueling plane that crashed in Iraq during Iran war are confirmed dead, bringing American military deaths to 13.

Iran claims militia missile; Pentagon denies

Source: UPI

March 13, 2026

War 5 of 21

Defense Secretary Hegseth claims Iran's supreme leader was "wounded and likely disfigured" in opening strikes, providing no evidence, as Pentagon announces heaviest day of bombing yet.

15,000 targets claimed struck in 14 days

Source: Military Times

March 13, 2026

War 6 of 21

U.S. strikes military sites on Iran's Kharg Island oil hub, deploys Marines discussed as uranium seizure force, as missile hits inside U.S. Baghdad embassy compound.

Missile strikes inside Baghdad embassy compound

Source: The Associated Press

March 13, 2026

Economy 7 of 21

Trump signs executive orders directing agencies to review housing and mortgage regulations, offering no new funding or specific policy changes ahead of midterm elections.

Home prices still near record highs

Source: Reuters

March 13, 2026

Courts 8 of 21

DOJ drops prosecution of veteran who burned flag near White House after judge ordered inquiry into whether the case was political retaliation for protected speech.

Fourth Pirro setback in five months

Source: NBC News

March 13, 2026

Courts 9 of 21

Federal judge orders VA to restore collective bargaining, ruling Secretary Collins violated the First Amendment by retaliating against the largest federal employee union.

"Zero indication" beyond retaliatory motive

Source: Government Executive

March 13, 2026

Courts 10 of 21

Federal judge quashes DOJ subpoenas of Fed Chair Powell, finding the investigation's primary purpose is to pressure him into lowering interest rates or resigning.

"No evidence other than displeasing the president"

Source: Courthouse News Service

March 13, 2026

Courts 11 of 21

Federal judge temporarily blocks termination of deportation protections for more than 1,000 Somalis, days before the status was set to expire.

Protections first granted during 1991 civil war

Source: NOTUS

March 13, 2026

Courts 12 of 21

More than 30 state attorneys general resume Live Nation antitrust trial Monday after rejecting DOJ's settlement, as judge allows employee "gouge" chats as evidence.

Six states accepted DOJ's deal instead

Source: The Verge

March 13, 2026

Courts 13 of 21

Texas jury convicts eight protesters of providing material support to terrorists for ICE facility ambush, the first trial convictions under Trump's Antifa terrorism designation.

Protest leader convicted of attempted murder

Source: WFAA Dallas

March 13, 2026

Criminal Justice 14 of 21

DOJ charges man with selling stolen gun to convicted ISIS supporter who killed ODU ROTC instructor, five years after ATF investigated the seller and issued only a warning.

Stolen gun sold for $100

Source: WVEC Norfolk

March 13, 2026

Immigration 15 of 21

Federal order seeks to expand proposed Arizona ICE detention center 50% beyond its 513-person capacity, as immigration detention deaths hit highest level since 2004.

Former state prison, operated privately

Source: Pinal Central Arizona

March 13, 2026

Oversight 16 of 21

State Department cuts fee to renounce U.S. citizenship by 80%, dropping cost from $2,350 to $450, three years after promising the reduction.

8,755 paid full price while waiting

Source: The Independent

March 13, 2026

Oversight 17 of 21

Trump's seized oil tankers are costing millions as one ship runs up $47M in maintenance on a $10M vessel, undercutting claims of a financial windfall.

$15,000 per day in oil storage

Source: The New York Times [gift link]

March 13, 2026

Arts 18 of 21

Grenell steps down as Kennedy Center president, replaced by facilities VP Trump has been calling personally to discuss paint colors, seating, and marble.

Grenell stays on as unpaid consultant

Source: Axios

March 13, 2026

Grift 19 of 21

Jared Kushner solicits $5B from Middle Eastern governments for his private equity firm while serving as Trump's envoy negotiating with those same governments.

Said in 2024 he wouldn't raise capital

Source: The New York Times [gift link]

March 13, 2026

Grift 20 of 21

TikTok investors paying Treasury $10B for Trump's role in keeping the app alive, a nearly unprecedented fee for a government arranging a private transaction.

New entity valued at only $14B

Source: The Wall Street Journal

March 13, 2026

Fighting Back 21 of 21

Rhode Island's Revolution Wind starts powering 350,000 homes and businesses after suing to overturn Trump's suspension of five offshore wind leases.

704 megawatts, 65 turbines, 1,000 jobs

Source: WPRI Providence

March 13, 2026

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