The Smile: 9/5

Hi friend,

Happy Friday! In a powerful defense of local democracy, Washington, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has filed a lawsuit to end the Trump administration’s unlawful deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to the capital. The suit makes clear: militarized crackdowns have no place in our communities, and the Home Rule Act guarantees that D.C. residents, not the president, control their city’s streets.

✍️ Add your name to stand with D.C. leaders fighting back against Trump’s dangerous “military occupation” and defending local self-governance.

And in more good news: a court blocked Trump’s attempt to slash $4 billion in U.S. foreign aid, the South Carolina voter data handover to the DOJ was stopped, and a federal judge struck down Trump’s retaliatory freeze of $2.2 billion in Harvard funding.

Let’s dive into the good news! 💛

DC attorney general sues to end federal National Guard deployment

Court Blocks South Carolina From Giving Voter Data to DOJ After Voter Sues

14-year-old rings 'bravery bell' after beating rare type of cancer

Judge blocks Trump’s bid to cut $4bn in US foreign aid

Gavin Newsom Mocks Donald Trump Over New Threat

‘Charlatan': Democrats go after RFK Jr.

Rhode Island and Connecticut sue over Trump administration’s wind farm halt

Hawaii and Wisconsin join blue-state opposition to Trump’s EV attacks

This Garden Isn’t Just Feeding Families — It’s Rebuilding Lives

Judge voids $2.2 billion Harvard funding freeze by Trump administration

Today’s user-submitted photo comes from Wendy B., who shared this adorable photo of her cat! If you want the chance to have your photo featured, reply to this email 😄

Thank you for reading, and we hope these articles shine a light on your day.

In solidarity,

Emily from The Smile

P.S. Know someone who could use a dose of good news? Forward this email and encourage them to subscribe to The Smile. Let’s spread the positivity together. 🌟