The Introspective

The week included sweeping new tariffs, lawsuits over federal funding, and a White House directive targeting museum exhibits.  

Dante Belcher

July 27, 2026

Trump’s 79th week brought a lawsuit, museum backlash, and updates to the trade war. More than 25 states filed a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), accusing the Trump administration of withholding millions of dollars in funding. At the same time, as backlash to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) continued, Trump directed that signs be placed throughout the National Museum of American History warning of “inaccurate” programming, following a previous report from The Introspective detailing an executive order directing federal agencies and Smithsonian museums to remove exhibits deemed “divisive” or “anti-American.” Meanwhile, as the trade war continues, Trump imposed new tariffs on more than 60 countries. 

Lawsuit, Smithsonian, and Trade War 

More than 25 states and Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit against FEMA and DHS, accusing the agencies of withholding millions of dollars in funding. 

“Congress never gave DHS or FEMA authority to rewrite state election law, require cooperation with federal immigration agents, or terminate federal funding streams at any time and for any reason,” the lawsuit read, with Rhode Island, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania joining the lawsuit. 

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha later accused the Trump administration of “threatening to jeopardize public safety by unlawfully withholding billions in critical funding.” 

“Congress allocated these funds to the states for preparing for and responding to emergencies, including counterterrorism and natural disasters, and the executive branch has no legal say in the matter,” he said in a press release. 

“Federal emergency funding cannot and will not be held hostage from states.” 

In a statement obtained by The Introspective, a FEMA spokesperson acknowledged the lawsuit. 

“This partisan pushback from New Jersey, California, Illinois, and Rhode Island is nothing new. We fully expected these left-wing politicians to oppose common-sense measures designed to protect election security and safeguard the integrity of American democracy,” the statement read. 

“This year, states must take critical, common-sense steps to protect U.S. elections before receiving their full Homeland Security Grant Program awards,” the statement continued. 

“These new requirements will preserve election integrity.” 

At the same time, as backlash to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) continues, Trump directed that signs be placed throughout the National Museum of American History warning of “inaccurate” programming. 

“The Report demonstrates that the Smithsonian leadership does not present American history as a shared national inheritance to be taught and celebrated, but instead views American history as a ‘prime tool’ to advance ideas of social justice and the radical transformation of our society,” Trump wrote in an executive order, referring to a White House report accusing Smithsonian leadership of “extreme political activism.” 

This followed a previous report from The Introspective detailing an executive order directing federal agencies and Smithsonian museums to remove exhibits deemed “divisive” or “anti-American.” 

Meanwhile, as the trade war continues, Trump imposed tariffs of up to 12.5% on more than 60 countries.