Ballroom Bling

Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for Aug. 14, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for his White House ballroom project, arguing in part that his safety is at stake. A federal appeals court in D.C. halted construction last week, ruling that congressional approval would be required to continue.

• The administration cites multiple threats and attempts on the president’s life — including the July 8 threat from Iran that caused the Secret Service to covertly remove the president from Air Force One.

• The request included new renderings of the completed ballroom, which apparently would have gold seals and gilding, The Washington Post’s Dan Diamond spotted.

Relief is coming for service members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, some of whom have expressed serious mental health concerns — which Trump downplayed in an exchange with a reporter today.

• Has the deployment gone on too long, a reporter asked? “No, no, no. Not nearly long enough,” Trump replied before leaving the press pool.

THE ADMINISTRATION

The DOJ is planning to file two felony charges against a woman accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial in D.C.

THE HILL

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he’s not supporting embattled Rep. Cory Mills in next week’s Republican primary, Politico reports.

TikTok is hiring a “youth safety and well-being” policy manager — days after Pennsylvaniasued the company for allegedly harming children. The job pays $121,600-$272,000.

Texas Senate candidate James Talarico is writing a yet-to-be-titled book and has inked an advance and royalties agreement with HarperCollins Publishers, according to a newcongressional personal financial disclosure spotted by NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal.

FOILED AGAIN

Thank you for reading! Today’s newsletter was produced by Kelly Poe and Erik Schutz. If you liked it, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please sign up — it’s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at finalnotus@notus.com.