This dog looked at me like he had an important question.

The night doesn’t feel so scary with a protector like this.

A new Pentagon budget report revealed that Pete Hegseth's Department of Defense burned through $93 billion in September 2025 alone — the biggest single-month spend since 2008. A report by watchdog group Open the Books found the department rushed to spend huge amounts of its budget before the fiscal year ended — a common “use-it-or-lose-it” practice where agencies risk losing unused funds. But critics say many of the purchases went far beyond normal military needs. Among the expenses highlighted were: • $225 million on furniture, including $12,000 fruit basket stands and over $60,000 worth of Herman Miller recliners • $98,329 Steinway grand piano for the Air Force chief of staff’s home • $15.1 million on ribeye steaks in a single month • $6.9 million on lobster tail and $2 million on Alaskan king crab • $5.3 million on Apple devices like iPads • $124,000 on ice cream machines • $139,224 on doughnuts In the final five days of September alone, the Pentagon spent $50.1 billion on grants and contracts — more than the entire annual military budgets of countries like Canada and Mexico combined. The spending spree has sparked criticism as it comes amid a $1.8 trillion U.S. deficit and after millions of Americans lost food assistance during a government shutdown.

Donald Trump is pressuring Congress to pass the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) and has threatened to withhold support for other legislation until the bill is approved. The proposal would require voters to provide documented proof of U.S. citizenship — such as a passport or birth certificate — when registering to vote. It would also introduce stricter voter identification requirements and place tighter limits on mail-in voting. Supporters of the bill argue it is necessary to prevent non-citizens from voting in U.S. elections. However, critics say there is little evidence that non-citizen voting has affected election outcomes. The legislation has already passed the House of Representatives but faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where it would likely need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Opponents warn the measure could make voting more difficult for millions of eligible Americans. Many people do not have easy access to documents proving citizenship, and some birth certificates may not match current names, particularly for married women who changed their surnames. Voting rights groups also say the bill could restrict registration drives and allow lawsuits against election officials over registration disputes. The debate over the SAVE Act reflects a broader national discussion about election security, voter access, and the balance between preventing fraud and protecting voting rights. Source: The Guardian #USPolitics #VotingRights #SAVEAct #ElectionLaw #Democracy