Reid Hoffman spent $17 million backing Kamala Harris. Now he doubts she should run again. Today, DOJ protects election records, Berkeley faces a civil rights finding, Congress targets Russia, and Israel's weapons deal hits Democratic resistance.

On September 17, 1787, delegates signed the United States Constitution in Philadelphia. The document established our federal system and opened with three commanding words: "We the People."

Question: How many states were required to ratify the Constitution before it took effect?

Answer at the very end of today's briefing.

Reid Hoffman put roughly $17 million behind Kamala Harris in 2024. Less than two years later, the LinkedIn co-founder is questioning whether she should seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. Hoffman voiced his doubts during Politico's artificial intelligence summit in Washington, D.C.

Harris became the Democratic nominee after Joe Biden withdrew, then lost the general election to President Donald Trump. Hoffman's public hesitation now exposes a problem Harris cannot solve with another carefully staged book tour or friendly interview.

Big donors rarely criticize a former nominee without a reason. Hoffman is telling Democratic operatives that Harris has not earned automatic control of the 2028 field. His decision also gives other wealthy donors permission to shop around. That matters because Harris would need hundreds of millions of dollars, institutional support, and a convincing explanation for losing to Trump.

The press will frame this as early campaign gossip. It is really an assessment from someone who spent $17 million testing the product and did not like the result. Democrats can talk about history, identity, and party loyalty. Donors will ask one question: Can she win?

Hoffman's answer sounds like no. What to watch next: whether other major Democratic donors publicly reject a Harris comeback.

Jerry Vandiver wrote songs recorded by country stars including Tim McGraw. Now the Nashville singer-songwriter is becoming a local fox rescuer, helping red foxes survive Tennessee's serious mange outbreak. He saw suffering in his community and chose to act.

For more stories like this, follow @feelgoodnewsusa — real good news, no partisan spin.

The Justice Department sent litigation-hold notices requiring states to preserve ballots and other records from the November 2024 election. Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar ordered counties to retain 2024 materials indefinitely, plus any remaining 2022 records. The DOJ preservation order protects the evidence behind certified results while election disputes continue. You cannot investigate procedures, voter rolls, or disputed ballots after officials destroy the records.

The Justice Department found that UC Berkeley Law continued using race in admissions after the Supreme Court's June 29, 2023, ruling against racial preferences. DOJ's Civil Rights Division concluded that white applicants faced illegal discrimination. The federal civil rights finding tests whether elite universities can disguise forbidden preferences with new language. President Trump's DOJ should demand equal rules, measurable compliance, and real consequences for defiance.

The House passed new sanctions legislation targeting Russia and Iran after overwhelming Senate approval, according to the report. The sanctions bill now goes to President Trump for his signature or veto. Sanctions can block assets, restrict market access, and punish companies tied to hostile regimes. They can also affect oil prices and trade, so enforcement details will matter as much as Congress's vote.

House lawmakers approved Sen. Lindsey Graham's Russia sanctions measure on September 16. The proposal threatens tariffs up to 500 percent against countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and petroleum products. Graham's energy sanctions plan aims directly at Moscow's war revenue, but major buyers include China and India. Punishing Russia's customers could expand the trade fight and raise costs far beyond Moscow.

The Coast Guard and FBI are investigating a cyberattack against commercial ships traveling to the United States. Officials enacted immediate relief measures to protect maritime operations and limit disruption. The ship cyberattack threatens more than onboard computers. American ports depend on accurate navigation, cargo, scheduling, and vessel data, and attacks against those systems can delay food, fuel, industrial parts, and consumer goods.

President Trump's administration approved a proposed $2.8 billion weapons sale to Israel. The package includes 40,000 MK-84 and BLU-117 bombs, plus 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads for hardened underground targets. The heavy-bomb package gives Israel more power against tunnels, fortified command centers, and buried weapons sites. Congress must receive formal notification before the deal proceeds.

A Washington Examiner opinion essay warns that political panic over artificial intelligence could weaken American developers while China races ahead. Real dangers include fraud, surveillance, censorship, and weaponized systems. But fear-driven AI rules aimed mainly at U.S. companies would create a one-sided contest. Washington must punish abuse without freezing the research that will shape military systems, medicine, manufacturing, and the next generation of jobs.

Valor Equity Partners is distributing SpaceX shares directly to limited partners instead of selling the position and returning cash. Investors receiving the private SpaceX shares gain exposure to Starlink, NASA launches, Pentagon contracts, and Elon Musk's space program. They also accept limited options for selling their holdings because SpaceX remains private. Valor's decision shows it considers continued ownership more attractive than cashing out now.

Today's stories share one theme: institutions act differently when someone checks their work. Donors question Harris. DOJ preserves ballots and investigates Berkeley. Congress fights over sanctions and weapons while federal agents confront a threat to American shipping. Accountability starts when records survive, rules apply equally, and officials know you are watching.

Today's trivia: How many states had to ratify the Constitution?
Answer: Nine of the 13 states were required to ratify the Constitution before it took effect.

Stay alert, demand answers, and protect your liberty. Forward this to one person who needs to read it.

Stay free,

Brett Lee
Editor, Project Liberty
projectlibertyus.com

Follow: @projectlibertyus | @real_brett_lee