Companies Start Getting Tariff Refunds

After the Supreme Court Ruled some of Trump's (R) Tariffs Unconstitutional, the First Wave of Refunds began Flowing on 5/12/2026. Retailer Oshkosh Corporation has begun receiving Payments, but has Not yet Verified its Total Refund Amount. Also on Tuesday, Trump said He will "Fight" having to Pay the Tariffs Back.

Oshkosh Corporation CFO Matt Field, Confirmed that the Company has Started Receiving Tariff Refunds as of Tuesday. "Following acceptance of our initial filing, we have begun receiving payments on our tariff refund claims, representing an initial portion of our total claims submitted," Field said.

Basic Fun, the Company behind Care Bears and Tonka Trucks, also said it began Receiving Tariff Refunds on 5/12/2026. CEO Jay Foreman said the Refunds so far have only Represented 5% of the Company's Total Claim on its Early Invoices.

"We will utilize the refund dollars to help support our 2026 cash flow and invest in our team. This is the toughest time of the year for toy companies," Foreman said in a Statement. "We'll also be announcing to our staff that we will be increasing salaries to help offset cost of living increase, announcing promotions and larger merit increases. We are reinvesting the funds in our business and people."

Logistics Companies UPS, FedEx, and DHL, have Previously said that they will File for tariff Refunds on Behalf of their Customers, Requiring No further Action from them. The First Phase of Tariff Refunds only Covers Requests for Entries that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Finalized within the past 80 days, though that Process could take Months to Reach Customers.

The CBP said in a Court Filing that it Aanticipated Paying Refunds of $35.46 billion on 8.3 million Shipments, as of 5/11/2026 Morning.

In 2/2026, the Supreme Court Invalidated Trump's Tariffs Imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA). In the Months that followed, Companies began Filing for Tariff Refunds in a Portal, Called the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries.

In a Radio Interview with WABC on Tuesday Morning, Trump called the Tariff Refund Situation "Crazy."

"In theory, you have to pay the tariffs back. We'll fight that," Trump said. "We were taking in fortunes from people that hate us, countries and companies that hate us."










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Russian Oil Sites Hit in Ukraine Strike

Ukraine Reportedly carried out Long-Range Strikes on Two Major Russian Oil Infrastructure Sites, including the Primorsk Oil Terminal and the Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim Rrefinery.

The Primorsk Facility is Oone of Russia’s Largest Export Terminals, handling nearly 60 million tons of Oil Annually.

Reports indicate the Refinery is located about 1,400 kilometers from Ukraine’s Border, Highlighting the Growing Reach of Drone Warfare in the Conflict.

Energy Infrastructure has become an Increasingly Strategic target for Both Sides, as the War Rreshapes Regional Security, and Global Eenergy Markets.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US Consumer Finance Agency Bringing Staff Back to DC

Leadership at the U.S. Consumer Finance Watchdog (CFPB) Plans to Recall Staff to the Office, more than a Year after the Trump (R) Administration Shuts its Washington Headquarters, and tried to Eliminate the Workforce.

The Agency's Downtown Headquarters are now Partly Occupied by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), whose Director Russell Vought (R) also Leads the CFPB, the Three Sources and Two Others Briefed on the Occupancy said.

It was Unclear whether Staff would be Rrecalled to CFPB Headquarters, and whether the Mandate would include Agency Staff based Outside Washington, Three of the People said.

The Trump Administration in 2/2026, Canceled the Lease on the CFPB's Headquarters, and Handed the Property to the General Services Administration (GSA).

After Calling for the CFPB's Outright Elimination in 2025, Top Administration Officials now say they have Scaled Back Plans to Slash the Agency's Workforce.

A Judge's Provisional Order Blocking This, Remains in Place After a Lower Court Previously found that the Administration Planned to Wipe-Out the CFPB before the Legal System could Decide whether this was Legal.

With Agency Work Sharply Curtailed and its Future Uncertain, many CFPB Employees have Left the Agency, which was Created Following the 2008 Financial Crash to Protect the Public from Predatory Practices in Consumer Finance. Headcount is Down about 30%, since the Start of the Trump Administration, according to Court Filings.

Top Administration Oofficials including Trump, have Described the CFPB as a Politicized Burden on Free Eenterprise, while Democrats and Agency Defenders have Described Efforts to Eliminate it as a Giveaway to Corporations at the Expense of Consumers.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Putin Faces Elite Dissent as War and Economy Falter

Mounting Elite Tensions: Security Services and Political Blocs are Clashing, with some Insiders Reportedly Viewing Putin’s Removal as Necessary to Save the System. Economic Strain Deepens: Sanctions, Falling Oil and Gas Revenues, and War Costs are Eroding Russia’s Economy, Fueling Dissatisfaction even among Previously Apolitical Citizens.

War’s Political Fallout: Opposition Voices cite Russia’s Tradition of Punishing Leaders for Lost Wars, Warning that Ukraine’s Resistance could Hasten Putin’s Decline.

Reports Describe Increasing Friction between Security Hardliners within Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Political Bloc of the Presidential Administration. These Tensions are Reportedly Rooted in Differing Approaches to Governance and Control within the Kremlin's Power Structure.

Russian Business Leaders are Reportedly Resentful of the Expanding Influence of the Security Services. They Fear that this Growing Power Undermines even the Limited and Controlled Political Processes that still Exist in the Country. In the First Months of 2026, Russia'sOoil and Gas Revenues fell to Half of what they had been during the same Period in the Previous Year. This Sharp Decline Reflects the Combined Effects of Sanctions, War-Related Expenses, and Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Energy Infrastructure.

Ukrainian Drone Strikes have Targeted Russian Energy Infrastructure, Contributing to the Reduction in Ooil and Gas Revenues. These Attacks have Compounded the Effects of Sanctions and War Costs on the National Economy. The Russian Government has sold Portions of its Gold Reserves, Reducing them to their Lowest Point since 3/2022. This move is part of Efforts to address Financial Shortfalls caused by Reduced Energy Revenues and Ongoing War Costs.

Proceeds from the Sale of Russian Gold Reserves have been Converted into Chinese Yuan. This Indicates a Shift in Reserve Currency Strategy during the Ongoing Economic Crisis. Burning Oil Refineries and other Visible Signs of War have become Part of Daily Life in Russia. These Disruptions Break the Previous Norm of Shielding Civilians from the Direct Impacts of Conflict.

Restrictions and Visible Consequences of the War have Undermined the Informal Understanding that Everyday Life would Remain Unaffected by Political and Military Actions. Even Citizens previously Loyal to the Government are Feeling the Strain.

TheWwar in Ukraine has already lasted Longer than the Soviet Union’s Participation in World War II. This Extended Duration is Notable in the Context of Russia’s Military History.

Russian Forces have repeatedly Failed to Achieve Important Military Objectives in Ukraine. These Failures have Weakened the Kremlin’s Official Narrative about the War.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Makary to Resign as FDA Commissioner

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary (R) will Announce His Resignation on 5/12/2026, amid mounting Reports of Trump’s (R) growing Dissatisfaction with the Physician’s Tenure. Makary to be Replaced by Kyle Diamantas (R), who will serve as Acting Director.

Trump Speaking to Reporters on 5/12/2026 ahead of His trip to China, Declined to say whether He asked Makary to Resign or whether He Fired Hhim.

“Well, I don’t want to say, but Marty’s a great guy, he’s a friend of mine, he’s a wonderful man and he’s going to be off. And the assistant, the deputy, is taking over temporarily until we find — everybody wants that job. It’s a very important job,” said Trump. “Marty’s a terrific guy but he’s going to go on and he’s going to lead a good life,” He added. “He was having some difficulty. You know, he’s a great doctor and he was having some difficulty.”

Makary’s Departure marks the Third Senate-Confirmed Trump Administration Official to Leave their Role this year. It also comes shortly after Trump Pulled His Nomination of Casey Means for Surgeon General.

Makary’s Resignation wasSspurred by Conflicts surrounding Flavored Vapes, which the Commissioner did Not want to Approve. The FDA Granted Marketing Authorization for Four New Products last Week.

Makary has Served in the Administration for just over a Year. His time atop FDA has been Marked by Departures of several High-Level Officials, Internal Administrative Clashes, Demoralized Staff, and Complaints from the Pharmaceutical Industry.

The Wall Street Journal was First to Report on Trump’s Plans to Remove Makary. Last month, the Outlet Reported that Trump Reprimanded Makary for Refusing to Authorize New Flavored Vape Products.

Makary has also Angered Anti-Abortion Lawmakers, Who want Him to be more Aggressive in Restricting Access to the Abortion Pill Mifepristone. Leading Anti-Abortion Groups had called for His Firing.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Lambasted Makary, after the FDA Approved a Second Generic Abortion Pill last year, and Expressed Frustration with His Agency seemingly Delaying a Promised Safety Review of the Drug.

Trump Denied having any Knowledge of Makary’s Imminent Departure over the Weekend, telling Reporters, “I’ve been reading about it, but I know nothing about it,” when Asked about the FDA Head’s Termination.

Makary had been Scheduled to Testify before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on 5/13/2026, to Discuss the FDA Budget.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine and US Drone Defense Deal

The Governments of the U.S. and Ukraine have Drafted a Memorandum outlining the Terms of a potential New Defense Deal between the Countries. The Draft hashed out by the U.S. State Department and Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Olha Stefanishyna, is a First step toward a Defense Agreement that would allow Ukraine to Export Military Technology to the U.S. and to Manufacture Drones in Joint Ventures with American Companies.

During the War in Iran, Ukraine has Capitalized on Innovations forged by the Country's Military and Defense Contractors over more than Four years of Grueling Conflict with Russia. Kyiv has sent Drone Interceptors and Pilots to the Middle East, to help U.S. Allies Defend against the same types of Iranian-Designed Shahed Drones that Russia has used to Attack Ukraine's Towns and Cities.

How Ukraine's demining Robots could help U.S. Open the Strait of Hormuz. Already, over the last Two Months, Ukraine has Signed Defense Agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, and Ukrainian Officials say more Deals are in the Works. "Nearly 20 countries are currently involved at various stages: 4 agreements have already been signed, and the first Contracts under these agreements are now being prepared," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

Ukrainian Officials First Pitched the Idea of co-operation on Drones to the White House in 8/2025, after Trump (R) Privately lauded Operation Spiderweb, a daring Ukrainian Drone Attack Deep behind Russian Lines. The Operation saw Ukrainian Pilots Remotely Guide Explosive Drones, Deployed from inconspicuous Trucks that had been Smuggled into Russia, to Destroy Dozens of Russian Warplanes as they sat Parked on Tarmacs around the Country.

Drone Collaboration with the U.S., Ukrainian Officials, would be Mutually Beneficial, as American Financing would Help both Countries expand their Defense Production Output. Ukraine's National Security Council Projects a Defense Production Capacity of $55 billion in 2026. To Realize that Capacity, Ukraine will Need much more External Financing as Kyiv currently only has Funds to Buy around $15 billion worth of Weapons in 2026, according to Yuriy Sak, an Adviser to Ukraine's Ministry of Strategic Industries.

Ukraine also Excels in Manufacturing Weapons Systems the U.S. has Not Previously Prioritized. One Ukrainian Manufacturer Plans to Produce more than 3 million Low-Cost first-person-view Military Drones in 2026. The U.S. built only 300,000 in 2025, by comparison. Ukrainian Companies are also Developing Innovative Electronic Warfare Methods and Hardware. Technology Pioneered by Sine Engineering, a Ukrainian Defense Firm that Recently received a Multi-Million Dollar Investment from the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, allows Drones to Fly Without GPS Guidance to Evade Signal-Jamming.

Several Ukrainian Companies have already brought their Technology to the U.S. In March, General Cherry, One of Ukraine's Largest Drone Manufacturers, Signed a Deal to make Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the U.S. alongside American Military Manufacturer Wilcox Industries. The Pentagon has also invited Ukrainian Companies to participate in its Drone Dominance Initiative, a $1.1 billion Program aimed at Identifying Drones for U.S. Military Contracts. But a Broader Defense Agreement, which would Potentially bring more Ukrainian Technology to the U.S., has faced Political Roadblocks. From "lack of buy-in" to "positive news for Ukraine"?

Ukrainian Officials told CBS News they felt a "lack of buy-in" on a Drone Deal from Senior Figures within the Department of Defense (DoD) and the White House, particularly since the War in Iran began. Trump has Publicly Rebuffed Ukraine's Efforts to Supply Counter-Drone Technology to the Middle East. "We don't need their help in drone defense," Trump told Fox News in Early March. "We know more about drones than anybody. We have the best drones in the world, actually."

Ukraine's Wartime Necessities have Presented Challenges of their Own. Zelenskyy has said the Government will only Relax broad Military Export Restrictions after Kyiv can be certain that Ukrainian Companies' Intellectual Property is Protected, and that they're still able to Deliver Sufficient Supplies for Ukraine's Defense Amid the ongoing Russian Invasion.

But the Memorandum Drafted between Kyiv and Washington, on an Early-Stage Drone Deal appears to suggest those Obstacles may be falling away. "In addition to the Middle East and the Gulf, the South Caucasus, and Europe, we will soon launch this new security cooperation within the framework of Drone Deals with another part of the world as well," Zelenskyy said in His Telegram Post this week. "We are preparing positive news for Ukraine."










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Alito Extends Mail Distribution of Abortion Pill

Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. (R) on 5/11/2026 Extended a Temporary Order allowing Patients to Continue to Access the Most commonly used Abortion Pill by Mail, as the Full Court weighs a Broader Ruling on whether to Restrict the Nationwide Distribution of Mifepristone. Alito’s Order Extended to 5/14/2026 an Order Expiring 5/11/2026.

The Court is Weighing whether, for Now, a 5/1/2026 Decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in New Orleans will Remain in Place. The Appeals Ccourt had Reinstated a Requirement that Patients Pick-Up Mifepristone in Person, a Mandate that would Severely Limit Abortion Access across the Country.

Two Ddrugmakers that Manufacture Mmifepristone and a Generic Version of the Drug, Asked the Supreme Court to Overturn the Appeals Court Ruling. Alito issued a One-Week Pause on the Ruling on 5/4/2026 to give the Justices time to Consider the Appeals.

The Ruling stems from a Lawsuit filed by Louisiana Against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). State Officials Argue Biden-era Rules that Allow Mifepristone Distribution by Mail, Undercut the State’s Near-Total Ban on Abortion and Restrictions on Abortion Pills.

The High Court’s Ruling will Determine how the Drug can be Dispensed while that Case plays out. Opponents of Abortion have Grown frustrated with the Wide Availability of Abortion Pills, which have Led to an Increase in Abortions since the Supreme Court Struck Down Roe v. Wade, in a Landmark 2022 Decision.

Mifepristone is typically used as part of a Two-Drug Combination for a Medication Abortion, which has become the Most Common way of Ending Pregnancies. Telehealth Appointments and Prescriptions by Mail have made the Drugs Accessible to Patients in All States, even those that Limit or Ban Abortions.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker