DOGE Co-Chair Ramaswamy Campaign for OH Governor

Vivek Ramaswamy (R), the Billionaire Biotech Entrepreneur joining Elon Musk, to recommend Drastic Cuts to Federal Spending in Trump’s (R) Administration, Plans to Run for Ohio Governor, a Campaign to Replace the State’s Term-Limited Governor Mike DeWine (R). On Friday, DeWine tapped the State’s Lt. Gov Jon Husted (R) to fill the Vacant Senate Seat instead, after Vance’s (R) Resignation to serve as Vice-President under Trump (R).

Trump has said the Group’s Work must be Completed by “no later” than July 4th, 2026, ahead of a November 2026 Election for the Next Governor of Ohio. Ramaswamy, who Unsuccessfully ran for the Republican Presidential Nomination as a Trump Booster, has never held Public Office.

Husted will join Ohio’s Congressional Delegation alongside recently Elected Senator Bernie Moreno (R), who entered Office earlier this month, after Defeating Ohio’s Incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown (D) in November, 2024. Husted’s Interim Term ends in 2026, after which there will be an Election to determine who holds the Seat.

“I believe and know that Jon is prepared to be United States senator from the state of Ohio,” DeWine said Friday. “The U.S. Senate rewards hard workers. It rewards those who master the facts. It rewards those who focus on getting things done.”

Ramaswamy, meanwhile, is expected to Compete for the GOP Nomination for Governor against State Attorney General Dave Yost (R), who has notably fought to Defend the State’s Six-Week Anti-Abortion Law. Former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton (D) recently announced Her Campaign to run as the Democratic Nominee.

Ramaswamy’s expected Announcement also follows His Ignition of Inter-Party Outrage over Immigrant Visas, after He bizarrely argued that Ubiquitous 1990s Sitcom Tropes about High School “Nerdiness” only “venerated mediocrity” and produced Fewer American Engineers.

His Comments amplified a Schism between Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Allies and Silicon Valley Republicans, with Trump eventually saying He “always liked” the H-1B Visa Program, despite Restricting them during His First Term and Calling the Program “very bad” when He First ran for Office in 2016.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Republican Bill to Eliminate Education Department

On Monday, U.S. Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC, 7th Distrit) introduced the "States' Education Reclamation Act", proposing the Elimination of the Department of Education, reigniting Debates over Federal Involvement in Education, just days before Trump's (R) Inauguration.

The Education Department, established in 1980, oversees National Education Funding and Policies, providing approximately 13.6% of Public K-12 School Funding. However, Conservative Lawmakers have long Criticized the Agency, arguing that Rducation should be Controlled at the State and Local Levels.

This isn't the First Time He has sought to Eliminate the Department. He introduced similar Legislation as far back as 2015.

If enacted, the Bill would Reallocate the Department's $200 billion Annual Budget to States, for Initiatives like Teacher Pay Increases, and Infrastructure Improvements.

While Supporters Claim this will Streamline Education and Empower Local Communities. Critics warn it could Exacerbate Inequalities, particularly in Underfunded Districts and States.

The Bill will face Deliberation in the House Committee on Education and Workforce, with Proponents framing it as a Step toward Educational Freedom and Opponents cautioning against the potential Fallout for Disadvantaged areas, and creating different Education Teaching across the U.S.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Putin Signs Another Mobilization Order

Russian President Vladimir Putin, has just Signed a Decree on the Conscription of Citizens into the Reserve, and the New Law has immediately come into Force. This may suggest Preparations for a Prolonged Conflict with Western Countries. Alexei Zhuravlyov, the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, noted that it is necessary to prepare "the entire male population of Russia" for possible Mobilization.

In the Conflict with Ukraine, the Russian Armed Forces, including Paratroopers, Marines, and GRU Special Forces, have suffered Significant Losses. The Three-day Operation to Capture Kyiv has lasted for Three years, and Russians suffer Painful Losses every day.

Elite Units had to Withdraw for Reformation, and their place was taken by Units composed of Prisoners and Forcibly Mobilized Citizens. The Russian BBC Service reports that Putin's Troops lose Skilled Soldiers every day, which forces the President to make Decisions that are Not likely to be Popular in Russia.

Lieutenant General Viktor Sobolev emphasized that People over the age of 30, will be sent to Training Camps to gain the Capability for Military Registration. Putin's New Decree confirms these Plans.

The Document imposes an Obligation on the Russian Government and Executive Authorities of the Russian Federation, to Organize Training. The Decree contains Two Secret Paragraphs Regarding the Number of Citizens to be sent to Camps and their Training Dates. Residents of Large Cities fear this could mean being sent to the front by Force and Deception, according to independent Russian Media Reports.

Military Training Camps in Russia typically took place in Spring or Summer. The Last January Camps took place back in 2003. This time, Putin's Decree introduces Winter Training, which is Rare. In 2024, the Exercises started in March, and were the Largest in a Decade, as Reported by "The Moscow Times." Military Commissariats in the Moscow Region sent Letters to Managers demanding Lists of Employees subject to the Military Fee Law.

Lieutenant General Viktor Sobolev noted that 100% of Young People in Russia, should obtain a Specialty and be capable of Military Registration. People over the age of 30 will be Directed to Training Camps to obtain Military Registration Specialty and Not be "Cannon Fodder."

Sobolev emphasizes the necessity of having a Trained Mobilization Reserve. People Fear that those Mobilized may Face the Fate that befell Soldiers just before the Invasion of Ukraine. Some were told they were going for Exercises and only found out on Foreign Soil, that the Invasion had begun and they were at the Front.

Russia has been struggling with the Problem of a lack of Ssoldiers for a long time. Recruits from North Korea were supposed to help, but they are Poorly Trained, die in Dozens, and do Not present Satisfactory Combat Strength. So far, they have fought in the Kursk Region, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine inflicted significant Losses on them. It seems that Russia will No longer rely on Soldiers from Kim Jong Un.

If the Authorities indeed turn to Young men from Large Cities, it could provoke Social Resistance against Vladimir Putin, according to Independent Media Reports. Whether this will actually happen remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the President's decision indicates that the Russian Army has a significant Problem.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

GA Appeals Court Dismiss 6 State Charges Against Trump

A Georgia Appeals Court on Friday, Dismissed Six Counts in the State’s 2020 Election Interference against Trump (R) and His Two Mar-a-Lago Workers, Upholding a Trial Judge’s Decision that the Charges must be Thrown-Out due to a Lack of Detail.

“We find that the indictment fails to include enough detail to sufficiently apprise the defendants of what they must be prepared to meet so that they can intelligently prepare their defenses,” Judge E. Trenton Brown III wrote for the Three-Judge Panel, whichRruled Unanimously.

Trump faced Three of those Charges, which notably involve His Effort to Pressure Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) to “Find” 11,779 Votes, enough to Overturn President Biden’s (D) Victory in the State.

All of the Charges Dropped, pertain to Efforts to Solicit Georgia Officials to Violate their Oaths of Office, but do Not impact the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) Count that each Defendant faces, the Count that Serves as the Foundation of the Far-Reaching Prosecution. A Judge last March, Dismissed those Charges, also citing Lack of Detail.

The Dropping of these Charges, is also Unrelated to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s (D) Appeal over Her Disqualification in Overseeing the Case. That prong of the Case is also under the Appeals process at Georgia’s Top Court.

Earlier Friday, Trump’s Team asked that Court to Dismiss Willis’s Appeal, which stems from Her being Booted off the Case, following the Revelation of a Relationship She had with a Top Prosecutor, whom She Hired to work on the matter.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

OH Lt. Gov. to Fill Vance’s Senate Seat

Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is expected to announce that He is selecting Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (R), to fill the Senate Seat vacated by J.D. Vance (R). DeWine is expected to make the announcement at a Press Conference at 1p.m. on Friday.

Husted, who has had an extensive career in Ohio Politics, and served as Lieutenant Governor under DeWine since 2019. He previously served in the Ohio State House, State Senate, and as Secretary of State, in Ohio for eight years.

Husted was the subject of speculation about possible Senate Ambitions-in-2022, to succeed retiring Sen. Rob Portman (R), but He decided against it, to seek Re-Eelection as Lieutenant Governor.

Vance won that Seat and held it until He announced His Resignation from the Office last week, ahead of His Swearing in as Vice- President on Monday.

Husted will serve in the Position for at least roughly the next Two years, but will need to Run in a Special Election in 2026, if He is to serve the Full Remainder of Vance’s term. If He Wins, He would then be Up-for-Election for a Full Term again in 2028.

That Special Election has already stirred Speculation of possible Candidates, including: former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D), who Lost to Sen. Bernie Moreno (R), for the State’s other Senate Seat in November, 2024.

Brown had previously served Three Terms in the Senate, representing the Hawkeye State and has said He wouldn’t Rule-Out Running again.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Russia and Iran to Seal Partnership Pact

Russian President Vladimir Putin began Talks with His Iranian Counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, at a Summit on Friday to Sign a New Pact, as the Two Countries brace for the Return of Trump (R) to the White House. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, seeks to Deepen Political and Economic Ties between Russia and Iran, as they grapple with Sanctions Imposed by the U.S. and its Allies.

“It’s important because it allows us to add fresh momentum practically to the whole range of our cooperation,” Putin said in televised Comments at the Start of His Meeting in Moscow with the Iranian President. “We consider our relationship with you essential, sensitive and strategic,” Pezeshkian told Putin. “We stand firm on this path.”

The Treaty will Formalize Commitments to closer Defense Cooperation, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. There won’t be a Mutual-Defense Pledge of the kind included in Russia’s recent Accord with North Korea, Iran’s Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, told the State-Run Tass News Service on Thursday.

The Two Countries are “in the same trench in the fight against the West,” said Nikolay Kozhanov, a former Russian Diplomat in Iran who’s now an Associate Professor at Qatar University’s Gulf Studies Center. “It is not the treaty itself that is important, but the timing. Putin and Pezeshkian need to understand how they can stand up to Trump.”

Talks will focus on Development of Transit corridors for Trade via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus, as well as on Energy Negotiations, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Iran wants to become an Energy Hub for Russian Gas, though there’s Little Sign so far of Progress on the Project.

Russia and Iran have drawn Closer since Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine in 202, triggered sweeping Sanctions and Moscow’s most serious Confrontation with the West since the Cold War. Russia is building a Trade Route with Tehran connecting to India, to try to Weaken the Iimpact of Sanctions, and Officials have discussed boosting Financial and Banking Co-Operation, as Moscow seeks to learn from Tehran’s experience of Ddecades in Isolation.

“Russia was previously cautious about describing ties with Iran as ‘strategic’ to avoid antagonizing key regional players like Saudi Arabia, Israel, the UAE, and even the West,” said Nicole Grajewski, who focuses on Russia and Iran as a Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Now, “Russia is reliant on Iran for its war,” She said.

Trump, who takes Office on Monday, has Vowed to bring a Swift End to the War in Ukraine, though it’s Unclear how He’ll achieve a Settlement between Moscow and Kyiv. His pick for National Security Adviser, has threatened a Return to the “maximum pressure” Policy toward Iran that Trump Adopted in His First Term as President. Still, Trump has also suggested He wants to Stabilize the Relationship with Tehran.

Iran has supplied Russia with Hundreds of Attack Drones since the Start of the War, that have been used to Strike Ukraine, and has also sent Ballistic Missiles to Aid Putin, according to the U.S. and European Nations. Tehran Denies Shipping Weapons to Russia.

Iran is seeking Russia’s S-400 Advanced Air-Defense system, to try to better Protect Assets including its Nuclear Facilities against Attack. It’s also asking Russia to provide Sukhoi Su-35 Fighter Jets to help Transform an Aging Iranian Air Force that’s been Sanctioned for Decades.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Russia's Shadow Fleet Threaten Disaster off UK Coast

Russia’s Shadow Fleet of Oil Tankers designed to avoid Sanctions, poses a Serious Threat to the UK and other International Waters. Members of Parliament have written a Letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, warning of the potentially Catastrophic Dangers from the ‘ticking time-bomb’ Vessels. It’s feared the Ships could cause an Invironmental Disaster, like an Oil Spill, off the UK Coast.

Labour's Uma Kumaran and Tim Roca, have called for "Shadow-Free" Zones to be established in British Waters to Protect Coastal Communities and Marine Ecosystems. Lammy issued a Major Snctions Package of the Russian Shadow Fleet late 2024, but worried Voices are still being Raised in Westminster.

These Shadow Ships are often Ageing Vessels which have convoluted Ownership, often in a bid to Evade Western Sanctions after Russia Invaded Ukraine. Roca said: ‘With approximately 10 such tankers passing through the English Channel every day, the risk to our waters and coastal communities from these dangerous ships is immense. The UK should lead the way in enforcing maritime safety and environmental protection.’

In late December, 2024, Finland detained a Russian Oil Tanker thought to be related to Damage of a Key Undersea Cable. An investigation by the Kyiv School of Economics Institute (KSE) found Russia built its Shadow Fleet, and found it bought Older Vessels for a Cheaper Price, largely ignoring Maritime Safety Laws. KSE also wrote that it’s Not-a-Matter of If a Maritime Disaster happens with these Vessels, but When.

The Weak Link in the Regulatory Framework, together with the dramatically Expanded Role of Shadow Tankers in the Russian Oil Trade, means that a Major Environmental Disaster is only a Qquestion-of-Time. Several Close Calls with these Ageing Ships have been Reported in recent years, including One Collision in Denmark last March.

Then, a 15-year-old Oil Tanker Collided with another Ship, avoiding serious Disaster, but still ringing Alarm Bells for European Authorities. Many of the Ahips, like the One in Denmark, are well over the Industry Standard Age Limit of 15 years, which makes them more Prone to Mechanical Failure.

They also don’t have Up-to-Date Insurance, meaning if an Oil Tanker experiences a Spill, the Cleanup Costs would be put on the Country in which the Spill occurred. To Address any potential Disaster, MPs have proposed a "Shadow-Free" Zone of UK Territorial Waters to Prevent a potentially Catastrophic Disaster. Kumaran added: "The establishment of Shadow-Free Zones will not only protect our environment but also set a global precedent for responsible shipping practices."’

Russia’s Secret Ships have gotten them into Trouble recently, with One Detained by Finnish Authorities around Christmas. Finnish Police and Border Guards boarded the Eagle S around Midnight and took over, according to Helsinki Police Chief Jari Liukku.

It had been Travelling through Finland’s exclusive Economic Zone and taken into Finnish Waters. The Ship is flagged in the Cook Islands, but was described by Finnish Customs Officials as a Suspected part of the Shadow Fleet of Fuel Rankers.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker