Judge Bars Immigration Arrests at US Courthouses

A Judge on 6/23/2026 Barred the Federal Ggovernment from making Arrests at Immigration Courts, Ordering an End to a Practice that took hold shortly after Trump (R) took Office in 2025.

The Trump Administration's Reversal of long-standingPpolicy against Arrests at Immigration Court Resulted “not from merely unreasoned decision-making but a complete lack of decision-making,” wrote U.S. District Judge Casey Pitts of San Francisco. Authorities Failed to Address the “chilling effect” of Arrests on whether People attend Court Hearings.

“For 80 years, Congress has commanded federal agencies to think before they act,” wrote Pitts, Referring to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), a 1946 Law that requires Federal Agencies to Justify its Actions. That Law, He wrote, "does not require an agency to make the choice that a reviewing court might deem preferable. But it demands that an agency at least provide sound reasons for following its chosen course."

The Ruling is the Second Setback for Courthouse Arrests since 5/2026, when a Federal Judge in New York Barred them at Immigration Courts. That Order applied only in New York, while the latest Decision Invalidated the Policy Nationwide.

James Percival (R), the U.S. Homeland Security Department's General Counsel, Criticized the Ruling as an Exercise in Judicial Overreach.

“When a judge sentences a defendant, the defendant is taken into custody. If an alien is ordered removed by an immigration judge, the same should happen. A district judge ordering otherwise is naked judicial activism in service of an anti-American, open borders agenda,” Percival wrote.

After Trump took Office, Hearings across the Country often Ended with Cases being Dismissed by the Government, Setting the Stage for Plainclothes Agents to make Arrests in Hallways in Coordination with Attorneys from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Pitts, who was Appointed by Biden (D), Faulted the Administration for carrying out the Arrests, and for Holding People in nearby Cells for Longer than a Prescribed 12-hour Limit.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

DC Now Has Open Primaries

The D.C. Council Voted to Fund and Implement the Semi-Open Primaries Portion of Initiative 83.

The Vote Honors the Will of 73% of the District’s Electorate, and Fully Fund Initiative 83, which along with Ranked-Choice-Voting (RCV), gives Thousends 0f Registered Independent Voters the Right to Participate in Taxpayer-Funded Primary Elections.

The Semi‑Open Primaries Portion of Initiative 83, giving roughly 85,000–86,000 Independent Voters, the Right to Choose between Democratic or Republican Primaries starting in 2028.

Semi-Open Primaries are a Type of Partisan Primary. Independent Voters can Chosr either the Republican or Democratic Primary. Voters Who are Registered with a Specific Party, can Only Vote in their Own Party's Primary.

This Approach Promotes Broader Participation than Closed Primaries, where Only Registered Party Members can Vote in Primary Elections.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Senate Votes to Halt Iran War

The Senate on 6/23/2026 Voted to Cut-Ooff the U.S. Military Campaign against Iran, Handing a Fresh Loss to Trump (R), D His Attempts to Convince Lawmakers, and the Public, that a Deal to End the War is at hand.

Four Republicans Broke Ranks to help Approve a Resolution to Block Further Military Action, Unless it is GreenLlit by Congress.

The War Powers Measure is Largely Symbolic, the Resolution Cleared 6/23/2026, Doesn’t go to Trump to Sign or Veto.

But the Bipartisan 50-48 Vote, is a Damaging Milestone for the Trump Administration: Both the Senate and House, have now weighed in Against the Middle East Conflict that’s Stretched on for more than 100 days. The Same Measure Passed the House in Early 3/2026 after Months of Close Calls.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Federal Regulators Order Grid Operators to Speed Power to AI Data Centers

Federal Regulators on 6/18/2026 Ordered Regional Grid Operators to Help Large Energy Users connect more Quickly to the Nation’s Iinefficient and Aging Electric Transmission System, a step they said is needed to Accommodate Surging Demand from Power-Hungry Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centers. Energy Secretary Chris Wright (R) had Urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to Act in an effort to Help the U.S. Better Compete with China, for Superiority in the Fast-Ggrowing AI Sector.

Tech Companies and Data Center Ddevelopers Welcomed the Chance to Connect Faster to the Country’s Power Supply for the Biggest Energy Users ever Built in the U.S. including some that Consume more Electricity than a Small City. Utilities, States, and Regional Grid Operators had Worried that the Republican Administration’s Plan would Remove their Authority to Manage the Process, but FERC said the Order leaves States in Control of Retail Electric Rates, Terms, and Conditions. Clean Energy Advocates have Urged Regulators, Not to Undermine State Level Efforts to Require the Use of Renewable Energies.

The Commission’s Actions come as a Backlash Grows against Data Centers over Concerns about the Massive Amounts of Energy and Water they Use and Fears about Noise and Air Pollution, Water Shortages and a Loss of Open Space or Farmland. FERC Members Voted Unanimously to Direct Six Regional Grid Operators to Ensure that AI Data Centers and other Large Power Users are “able to connect to the transmission system in a timely and orderly manner.”

Laura Swett (R), an Appointee of Trump (R) who Chairs the Commission, Called the Vote “Historic” and said it would Push the Country’s Electricity Market into the Future, while respecting States’ Rights, Protecting Reliable Electric Service and Shielding Ratepayers from Shouldering the Costs of Connecting Big Power Users to the Grid. “I know that Americans across the country are concerned about affordability, and so are we,” Swett said, Referring to the Five-Member Commission. As Chair, “I am taking extremely seriously the mission that Congress has entrusted us to ensure that rates are reasonable,” She said.

The Vvote comes Eight Months after Wright Asked the Independent Agency to take More Control over ensuring that the Vast Network of Massive Computing Warehouses needed to Power AI are Connected Quickly to High-Voltage Transmission Lines. Wright Hailed the Commission's Action, saying it would "remove barriers, accelerate development and ensure America has the affordable, reliable and secure energy needed to power a new era of prosperity."

Data Centers would Pay the Full Cost of any Grid Uupgrades needed for their Connection, under the Commission Order. But that Order can do Little to Address the Tightening Energy Supplies that are Driving Up Electricity Bills in some Areas and Raising Warnings of Blackouts as the Construction of Data Centers Outpaces the Speed of New Power Plants coming Online to Serve them.

Robert Montejo, a Lawyer who Represents Data Centers, said the Most Important Mmessage from FERC’s Action is that AI “has fundamentally changed the electricity landscape. The grid and prior policy were not built for the pace and scale of demand we’re seeing from AI infrastructure, and FERC is signaling that standing still is no longer an option.” The Six Regional Grid Operators under the Order serve 200 million Americans, or Two-Thirds of FERC’s Jurisdiction. FERC, meanwhile, Invited Utilities that Handle their Regional Transmission Systems, to also Participate and Analysts said the Agency could eventually Pressure them, too.

Tech Giants are Scrambling to Find enough Power for their Data Centers and Report that, in some Places, it will take Years to Connect to the Electric Grid. The Edison Electric Institute, which Represents Investor-Owned Electric Utilities, said FERC’s Order builds on Regional and State Processes already Underway while “supporting flexibility and innovation.”

Besides Power Bottlenecks, the Tech Industry is Running into Widespread Opposition from Communities where Residents Don’t want to Live next to or Near a Data Center. More than 4,000 Data Centers nowOoperate in the U.S., according to One estimate, with an Additional 3,000 Planned or under Construction. Trump has tried to Deflect Public Concerns about AI, seeing the Fast-Evolving Technology, as Crucial for the U.S. to Attract Foreign Investment and Maintain its Economic and Military Prowess. He Signed an Executive Order (EO) 6/2026 establishing a Framework for the Federal Government to Vet the National Security Risks of the most Advanced AI Systems for up to a Month before their Public Release.

In 12/2025, FERC took an Earlier Step to help Data Center Operators get Electricity Quickly, Voting to Allow Tech Companies to Eeffectively Plug a Data Center directly into a Power P and 6/18/2026 Order sought to Ensure that Option is Accessible around the U.S. FERC told Grid Operators to Respond within 30 days on How they will Ensure there is Adequate Power Supplies forNnew and Future Data Centers, and within 60 days on Plans to Integrate Large PowerUusers in line with the New Guidelines. Swett told Reporters after theMmeeting, that sSe hoped Faster Connection Processes are in Effect in “as little time as possible.” She didn't Set an exact Timeline.

Jeff Dennis, Executive Director of the Electricity Customer Alliance (ECA), said FERC’s Order is responsive inPparticular to Big Power Users and State Regulators. Tech Giants are Confronting Unclear Rules to Connect Data Centers to High Voltage Transmission Systems, while States need more Clarity on Who should bear the Cost of Regional Transmission Projects Approved at the Federal Level,Hhe said. Rob Gramlich, a Washington-based Energy Consultant, said States should Quickly Develop Rules to Accommodate Large Power Users and Prevent Cost Shifts to Residential and Business Customers. FERC could Assert Broader Jurisdiction over Interconnection Issues if States Don’t Act Quickly, He said.

Data from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Shows that Data Centers now Account for about 5% of U.S. Electricity Demand, but could Triple by 2035. Tech Companies have continued to Raise their Spending on Building and Equipping Data Centers, but there is Evidence that Construction is Lagging and Projects are Hitting Roadblocks, including Permitting Delays, Growing Local Opposition, or Bottlenecks around Gas Turbines, Ttransformers, and Skilled Labor.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Audit Immunity Deal Illegal

The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) made an Illegal Deal with Trump (R) to Immunize Him, His Family and His Businesses, from Audits or other Federal Probes related to Past Filings, a Group of TaxEexperts and former Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Officials told a Judge.

The Settlement, part of a Broader Agreement to Resolve Trump’s Controversial $10 billion Lawsuit against the IRS over a Leak of His Private Data, Violates a Clause in the Constitution, barringPpresidents from Receiving any Non-Salary Compensation, the Group said in a Filing 6/22/2026 in Miami Federal Court.

“The termination of tax audits alone could save his businesses $100 million or more,” according to the Group, which includes former IRS Commissioner John Koskinen (D) and former Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division Kathryn Keneally (D). “This appears to be a special deal just for Trump, as DOJ is continuing to defend other cases involving similar leaks of taxpayer information.”

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams (I), who had earlier Closed the Case after it Settled, is considering Reopening it to Investigate whether Trump and DOJ Defrauded the Court by Filing a Ccollusive” Lawsuit. It’s the latest Fallout from the DOJ’s ControversialSsettlement with Trump, the 1st to Sue His Oown Government. A Spokesman for Trump’s Legal Team Defended the Deal.

“The IRS wrongly allowed a rogue, politically-motivated employee to leak private and confidential information about President Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization to the New York Times, ProPublica and other left-wing news outlets, which was then illegally released to millions of people,” the Spokesman said 6/23/2026.

The other part of the Settlement was the Creation of a $1.8 billion Fund for Alleged Victims of Political “weaponization.” However, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche (R) said that Plan has been Scrapped after a Bipartisan Outcry, though the Audit Immunization Deal will Remain.

Trump in 1/2026 Sued the IRS, an Agency He Controls, Over the Unauthorized Leak of His Tax Information to the Press in 2019. The Suit effectively put Trump in Control of Both sides of the Litigation, with Taxpayers on the Hook for Any Settlement.

On 5/18/2026, Trump Agreed to Drop the Suit in Exchange for the Government Creating the Weaponization Fund, which many Democrats said would be used to Enrich His Allies and Supporters. The next day, the DOJ Agreed to Immunize Trump as part of the same Settlement.

In Assessing the Possible Value of the Immunity Deal to Trump and His Businesses, the Group cited a potential Tax Liability Stemming from an IRS Probe of Trump’s Chicago Tower that was Underway as of 2024. They said the Immunity is particularly Inappropriate, because it relates to matters that go well beyond the Claims in Trump’s Lawsuit.

“The unprecedented immunity order is a brazen, but ultimately illegal, gift to Trump,” the Group said.

The Constitution bars Presidents from receiving any “Emolument” from the Government while they’re in Office. The Definition of “Emolument” was the Subject of Litigation during Trump’s First Term, and wasn’t Resolved by the time Hhe left, but it generally is Interpreted to mean a Profit or Financial Benefit.

Late last week, the DOJ Rebuffed a U.S. Judge’s Iinvitation in a related Lawsuit for Top Officials to Submit a Signed Statement under Oath that a $1.8 Billion Fund will Not happen, Arguing that such Declarations were “Unnecessary” and that Compelling Statements from High-Level Officials “implicates serious separation of powers concerns.”










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Judge Strikes Down Trump Database of SS Numbers and Citizenship Status

A Federal Judge on 6/22/2026 Blocked the Trump (S) from Creating a Centralized Database containing Social Security Numbers with Information about Voters’C citizenship Status and other Sensitive Data.

Judge Sparkle Sooknanan, an Appointee of Biden (D) saidOofficials across Numerous Government Agencies “haphazardly combined and repurposed the private information of millions of Americans, including citizenship data that they knew to be unreliable” in Order to Comply with Trump’s 3/2026 Executive Order (EO) attempting to Overhaul Federal Elections.

The Order required the Federal Government to establish a List of Eligible Voters based on available citizenship data and direct the U.S. Postal Service to only deliver mail-in ballots to individuals on each state’s approved voter roll.

Trump Specifically directed the Social Security Administration (SSA) to create a “State Citizenship List” derived from its Data, Naturalization Records and the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Database, an Existing Database maintained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that is used to Determine Eligibility for Federal Programs.

“Since then, states have partnered with the federal government to access the database and are actively removing United States citizens from voter rolls based on inaccurate information,” Sooknanan Wrote in Her 75 page Ruling.

“All in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote. This Court cannot stand idly by while that happens,” She added.

Sooknanan said Efforts to establish the Database were Unlawful and Violated the Social Security Act, Privacy Act, and Administrative Procedure Act. She Ruled in Favor of the "League of Women Voters", who brought the Lawsuit against DHS. The League of Women Voters is a Non-Partisan American Nonprofit Political organization. Founded in 1920, its ongoing Major Activities include Registering Voters, Providing Voter Information, Boosting Voter Tirnout.

“This protects millions from baseless investigations and unlawful voter roll purges – a critical win for voting rights,” Democracy Forward wrote in a Statement on the Ruling.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Judge Blocks DOJ Tim Walz Subpoenas

A Federal Judge has Thrown-Out Justice Department (DOJ) Grand Jury Subpoenas Aimed at Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and His Allies, calling them an Abusive and Retaliatory Process to Punish Walz based on His Refusal to Assist Trump’s (R) Immigration Crackdown.

In a Blistering Ruling, U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz said there was “no doubt” that the Subpoenas were Issued to Damage Walz, part of what He said was a Pattern of Trump Administration efforts to use Criminal Process to Punish the President’s Adversaries.

“Initiating a criminal investigation in order to harass political opponents or to coerce them into taking official action — particularly official action that the federal government cannot directly require those political opponents to take — is a blatantly unlawful and unethical use the grand-jury process,” Schiltz wrote in a 29-Page Ruling.

The George W. Bush (R) Appointed Chief Judge, said Trump’s Repeated Attacks and Promises of “Retribution against Walz and other Minnesota Officials establishes beyond reasonable dispute” that the Grand Jury Subpoenas, Issued at the Height of ICE’s Operation Metro Surge, “were a part of a broader campaign to coerce state and local officials in Minnesota to assist the Trump administration in its enforcement of immigration laws.”

The Federal Government is Barred by the Constitution, from Forcing States to Enforce Federal Laws, Schlitz added.

Moreover, Schiltz Linked the Subpoenas to what He called “the Trump administration's well-established history of using criminal investigations to retaliate against and pressure the President's political and personal adversaries.” Schiltz pointed to the Recent Investigation of Federal Reserve Chair, in which Another Federal Judge similarly Quashed Subpoenason the Grounds that they were Retaliatory.

The Ruling Rejects Six Grand Jury Subpoenas, that Federal Prosecutors Targeted at Walz, the Mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Minnesota Attorney General, and Commissioners of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker