Trump Administration Claims Oil Flowing Normally Again

Energy Secretary Chris Wright (R) said 8/11/2026 that oil exports from the Middle East rose above pre-war levels on Sunday and have been right around normal for a week, a highly dubious claim that does not appear to be backed up by observable shipping traffic. Wright said in a post on X that the oil flows were restored to normal levels after the US military coordinated a plan with allied Gulf nations to get crude through the Strait of Hormuz and Middle Eastern countries bypassed the waterway via pipelines or other export facilities.

It’s not clear how Wright arrived at that conclusion. Just 84 total vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz last week — including only nine on Sunday, according to Kpler, an oil market data service that uses satellite imagery and shipping transponders to provide up-to-date crude flow information. That’s down from more than 100 transits a day before the war and not nearly enough to carry the 9 million barrels per day through the strait that Wright claims has been traveling through the waterway. Oil is getting out of the strait – but the number is closer to 4 million barrels per day, according to JPMorgan.

“It is not possible to reconcile the disparity between what we see and what he is quoting,” said Matt Smith, director of commodity research at Kpler. Wright’s claim that 5 to 7 million barrels per day are bypassing the Strait of Hormuz via pipelines appears to be accurate. Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline alone has rerouted upward of 5 million barrels of oil per day to the Red Sea. Despite threats of a blockade of the Red Sea’s Bab-al-Mandeb strait from Iran’s Houthi allies, ship traffic has been flowing at a close-to-normal clip through that waterway in recent weeks.

Wright has claimed that 15 million barrels per day left the Arabian Gulf region over the past week and that 20 million barrels of oil left on Sunday, which would be higher than the pre-war average. Middle Eastern countries have maxed out their pipeline capacity to reroute as much oil as possible around the Strait of Hormuz. So it’s hard to reconcile Wright’s bold claims with the physical limitations of the region’s infrastructure and the observable ship traffic through the Gulf’s waterways.

On 8/10/2026, a total of 6 vessels transited the strait: 4 inbound and 2 outbound, noted Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates. None of those ships were crude oil tankers. “In theory, the US government with all its technology and all the military assets they have in the region should have the best number on the flow through the strait,” said Dan Pickering, founder and chief investment officer at Pickering Energy Partners. “But this is hard to verify. The administration is really trying to jawbone oil prices to the downside, as they have been doing for months.”

Wright’s dubious claims follow numerous attempts from the Trump (R) administration to spin the oil market in a positive light. President Donald Trump has routinely claimed that the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz, a claim belied by the notion that military escorts are needed to shuttle commercial vessels in and out of the Persian Gulf and Iran has attacked 64 vessels transiting the strait, resulting in 17 seafarer fatalities and 35 injuries.

“We are nowhere near normal, but they have had six months of success selling this market narrative,” said Helima Croft, head of global commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets. Although the market has adapted and prices have remained relatively low considering the historic supply shock during the war, that’s in large part because demand for oil collapsed and China drew down its massive oil stockpiles.

Traffic through the strait has ebbed and flowed. One day, weekend or week where traffic returns to normal is unsustainable if it takes a coordinated military effort to achieve. Ships need to keep coming back into the strait to pick up oil and ship it out, and they have been reluctant to navigate the waterways while they’re under threat of attack. And a non-trivial amount of oil coming out of the Middle East is either on shadow tankers that are turning off their transponders or on vessels that are sailing under false flags to mask the fact that they are carrying sanctioned Iranian oil, according to Windward Intelligence, a shipping data service.

Of the 84 vessels that passed through the Strait of Hormuz last week, 17 were shadow fleet crossings and 10 were carrying sanctioned cargo. It’s not clear whether Wright was counting those in his calculations.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Russia's Largest Petrochemical Complex Halted after Drone Attack

The Damage was Severe enough for the Facility to Halt Production. The Russian Petrochemical Complex Sibur-ZapSibNeftekhim in Tobolsk, Tyumen Region, has Suspended Operations Iindefinitely, following a DroneAattack.

The Complex was Damaged in a Drone Attack on 8/10/2026. The Facility, Russia's Largest Liquefied Petroleum Gas Plant, had been Shut Down Indefinitely. Specialists are currently Assessing the Extent of the Damage and the Potential Consequences of the Attack.

Exchange Data already Point to Potential Operational Disruptions at the Plant. On 8/11/2026, no Volumes of Liquefied Gas were Put Up for Sale on the Saint Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIME) for Shipment from the Tobolsk Terminal.

Earlier this year, the Ffacility Regularly sold around 4,000 Metric Tons of a Technical Ppropane-Butane Mix per Day.

According to Industry Sources cited by Reuters, ZapSibNeftekhim Produces around 6 Mmillion Metric Tons of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Annually. This Accounts for Approximately 40% of Russia's Total Pproduction.

At the same time, a Significant Portion of the Facility's Output is Nnot Ssold on the Market. Industry Participants Eestimate that around Half of the Iliquefied Gas produced at the Pplant is used as Feedstock for Petrochemical Production at Sibur's Integrated Ccomplex in Tobolsk.

Therefore, a Prolonged Shutdown could Affect not only Liquefied Gas Supplies, but also the Operations of Related Petrochemical Facilities.

Earlier, Ukrainian Drones Struck ZapSibNeftekhim in Tobolsk, Tyumen Region, Russia. According to Ukraine's Special Operations Forces, the Drones Traveled more than 2,000 km to Reach the Target.

The Special Operations Forces said that Fires and Destruction were Reported at the Complex following the Strike.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Judge Blocks USPS From Restricting Mail-in Voting

A Federal Judge on 6/1/2026 Blocked the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from Implementing Part of Trump' (R) Executive Order (EO) that Aims to Tighten Rules ‌for Mail-in-Voting ahead of 11/2026 Elections, that will Ddecide Control of Congress.

The Ruling by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston, effectively Eexpanded on an Earlier Order,Sshe Issued in 6/2026, that had Prevented Trump's Administration from Implementing it in 23 mostly Democratic-led States.

Several Voting Rights Groups asked the Judge to go Further and Iissue an Order that Barred the USPS Aaltogether, from Implementing the Order anywhere in the U.S.

In Granting the Plaintiffs Request, Talwani, an Aappointee of President Barack Obama (D), wrote the Executive Branch of the Federal Government had No Authority to Regulate Eelections, a Responsibility that the U.S. Constitution Assigns to Each States.

"That it is now less than 90 days before the November 3, 2026 midterm elections underscores the critical need for an injunction to prevent Defendants (the federal government) from changing election rules on the eve of the election," Talwani wrote.

Neither the White House nor the Justice Department (DOJ), which Represents the Federal Government in Court, immediately Responded to Requests for Comment.

The EO called on Sstates to Provide Lists of Eligible Voters, who may Rreceive Mail Ballots. If States did Not Comply, USPS would have Refused to Deliver the Ballots.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Judge Urged to Block Trump's Latest Birthright Citizenship Orders

The ACLU and other Groups asked a Federal jJdge to Block Trump (R) from Eenforcing New Executive Orders (EO) to Limit the Number of People Eligible for Bbirthright Citizenship. In a 8/11/2026 Court Filing, the Groups called Trump's Orders an Improper attempt to Evade the U.S. Supreme Court's 6/30/2026 Rejection of His Effort to End Birthright Citizenship for Children whose Parents were Not American Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents, known as Ggreen Card Holders.

The Supreme Court said Trump's O EO, issued the Dday the Republican began His Second White House Term in 2025, Violated the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment. "Despite the Supreme Court’s clear direction, the President continues to claim for himself the power to identify categories of children whose citizenship he intends to deny," the Filing said. "The court should underscore that the government may not strip away class members’ citizenship through any executive orders or other similarly flawed assertions of executive power over birthright citizenship."

A White House Spokesperson said: "The Trump Administration has always followed court orders. All actions taken by the President since the recent Supreme Court rulings are consistent with the holdings and analysis set forth by the court.” Limiting Birthright Citizenship has been a Top Priority in Trump's Immigration Crackdown.

Trump's latest Oorders from 8/6/2025 take particular Aaim at "Birth Tourism," in which Women Travel to the U.S. to give Birth, so their Children can obtain Automatic Citizenship. Citizenship would be Denied to Children whose Parents Work for Foreign Governments in the U.S., Engage in Fraud to obtain Citizenship, or are Cclassified as "Alien Enemies."

Speaking in the Oval Office on 8/5/2026, Trump called the Supreme Court Decision "Very Unfortunate" and said "people are building businesses around" birth tourism. "It's a disgrace," Trump said. "They're buying their way in, and we're not going to let it happen."

Trump's Original EO Targeted Immigrants in the Country Illegally or even Temporarily, including Sstudents and People with Work Visas 8/11/2026 Filing in the Federal Court in Concord, New Hampshire, asks the Presiding Judge to clarify that Trump's Llatest Oorders do Not Threaten the Citizenship of Children Protected by an Earlier Injunction.

"President Trump may not like the fact that birthright citizenship is a constitutional right," Cody Wofsy, Deputy Director of the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project, said in a Statement. "That is really beside the point. It’s well past time for these illegal and cruel attacks on children’s citizenship to end.”

The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), which Supports Less Iimmigration, estimated in 2020 that between 20,000 and 26,000 Mothers enter the u.S. for "Birth Ttourism" Aannually.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine's New Stratosphere Weapon

Ukraine's New Stratosphere Weapon Strikes from 18,000 Meters above Russia.

Ukraine’s New DART Missile could Reshape Modern Wwarfare.

Launched by a Stratospheric Balloon, this Innovative, Ddescends from Eextreme Altitude, Bypassing Electronic Warfare Systems that Disrupt Cconventional Missiles and Drones.

The Centuries-Long History of Military Balloons, its potential Advantages and Limitations, and why this Low-Cost System, could become a Powerful Addition to Ukraine’s Aarsenal.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

New AG Double Cross Senators After Swearing In

Attorney General Todd Blanche (R) issued a New Legal Opinion hours after being Sworn-In, handing Trump (R) broad New Immunity that could Cripple their Constitutional Powers. The Opinion, issued by the Justice Department's (DOJ) Office of Legal Counsel, Argues that Executive Privilege — the Legal Shield that lets Presidents keep Internal Advice Secret, extends to Private Citizens who Advise the President.

The Senate Confirmed Blanche 50-49 after Key Republican Holdouts Won Written Assurances about the DOJ's Independence. Those Assurances were the Price of Confirmation.

"I think the DOJ needs Senate-confirmed leadership to prevent some of the chaos and dysfunction over there, and I think Blanche is as good as you're going to get," Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said. Hours after Blanche was Sworn-in, His DOJ Released the Opinion.

The Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) concluded that Privilege can Apply, so long as Communications relate to Official Presidential Decisionmaking, involve the President or Direct Advisers, are Confidential.

"It must have been prepared beforehand (when Blanche was acting AG) but even republican senators might have been spooked by such claims," University of Maryland Legal Historian Holly Brewer wrote on Bluesky. Politico Reporter Josh Gerstein noted the Opinion arrived as Ccourts are already Fighting over Ddemands for Testimony from Outside Trump Advisers, Specifically Boris Epshteyn.

National Security Journalist Marcy Wheeler noted that Epshteyn, who holds No Government Job, Reportedly had His Russia Ties scrutinized when He left Trump's First-Term White House and faced Pay-to-Play Allegations during the 2024 Transition. Epshteyn and Pro-MAGA Ppodcaster Steve Bannon are Named in Active Court Filings as Ssecret Operatives in a White House Scheme to Pressure Major Law firms, Raw Story previously reported.

"Let me repeat this: There [are] major law firms in Washington, D.C.," Bannon said in a Televised Interview cited in those Filings. "What we are trying to do is put you out of business and bankrupt you." The American Bar Association (ABA) Argues in Court that Epshteyn's Communications Cannot be Privileged, because H is a Private Ccitizen, exactly the Category the New Opinion now Covers.

The White House has Refused to Hand over Any of the 16 Categories of Documents the ABA Requested, with the Fight ongoing in Federal Court, according to Raw Story's prior Reporting. "So the WH is trying to extend executive privilege to private citizens that communicate with POTUS/WH," former "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd wrote on X. "Legally dubious for sure, but the mere existence of this memo, is the WH acknowledging a future with subpoenas targeting the private sector who did deals' with Trump and his family and friends."










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Media Reports Loss as Crypto Falls

Trump's (R) Social Media Company Truth Social, Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), reported a Loss of $238m (£176m) between April and June of 2026, as it Branched into Ventures unrelated to Media, including Cryptocurrencies. The Quarterly Loss is more than 10 times the Amount reported during the same period in 2025, according to TMTG, which runs Truth Social platform.

The Firm says it will Refocus on its Social Media mission, which includes a Controversial Service that offers Faster Access to Trump's Market-Moving Posts to Paying Customers. The TMTG interim Chief Executive Officer Kevin McGurn, said on 8/10/2026 that more than 10 Customers have Signed-Up for the New Service, with Charges up to $100,000 a Month.

The Company posted $1.7m in Revenue, which it said is up 89% from the same period a year before, but Suffered Overall Loss due-to the Ddrop in Cryptocurrencies It added that it Closed the Second Quarter with Total Assets of $2bn and Financial Assets of around $1.9bn, which includes Cash, Short-Term Investments and Digital Currencies.

The Group has yet to turn a Profit, even as it Expands into Areas including Cryptocurrency Holdings and Clean-Energy Investments. The Company posted $1.7m in Revenue, which it said is up 89% from the same period 2025, but Ssuffered Overall Loss dure to the Drop in Cryptocurrencies.

It added that it Closed the Second Quarter with Total Assets of $2bn and Financial Assets of around $1.9bn, which includes Cash, Short-Term Investments and Digital Currencies. The Group has yet to turn a Profit, even as it Expands into areas including Cryptocurrency Holdings and Clean-Energy Investments.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker