US DOJ Raises Antitrust Concerns over Proxy Advisers

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on 8/5/3036 Rescinded Decades-Old Guidance to a Shareholder Proxy Advisory Business, citing Significant Antitrust Concerns over Consolidation in the Industry.

Trump (R) has called for an Aantitrust Probe of Proxy Advisers Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass, Lewis & Co, which help Mutual Fund Companies and other Big Institutional Investors, Decide how to Vote at Corporate Elections. The Two Companies Dominate the Market for Proxy Advisory Services.

The DOJ announced it Withdrew a 1987 Letter telling ISS that its Business Model of Advising Investors on Corporate Governance and Shareholder Votes did Not raise Antitrust Concerns at the time.

ISS, which was founded in 1985, had Sought an Opinion from the DOJ on whether its Business Model followed Antitrust Law. ISS said it would Advise Pension Funds and other Investors on Corporate Governance, the DOJ said.

ISS had said it would Nnot "provide advice or engage in discussions with respect to the corporate operations or business activities, such as the purchase, production or sale of goods or services, of any company," the DOJ said.

That Statement is No Longer True, the DOJ said as ISS now Advises Companies, not just their Shareholders, on Executive Pay and Ccorporate Governance.

The Advisers have long been under Fire from Conservative Groups and Republican Ppolitical Leaders over their Power to Guide Large Swaths of the Market, and their Eexpressions of Support for Environmental, Ssocial and Governance Proposals.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US Appeals Court Rules EPA Wrong to Terminate Billions Climate Grants

A Federal Appeals Court on 8/4/2026 said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Cannot Claw Back about $20 billion of Clean Energy Grants from several Nonprofit Groups, handing a Defeat to the Trump (R) Administration. The Decision by a Divided U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. Restored an 4/2025 injunction against EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin's (R) Decision to Terminate the Grants, which had been Awarded during the Biden (D) Administration with a Goal of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Funds won't be Distributed immediately to Nonprofits such as the Climate United Fund, the Coalition for Green Capital, and Various U.S. State-Sponsored Entities, to give the EPA time to Appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. "Climate United", which Claimed it was Owed $7 billion, said that Despite "false allegations and misinformation, there remains no legal basis for terminating our grant award and clawing back funds that were already disbursed in our bank accounts."

The" Coalition for Green Capital"said it looked forward to Supporting Expanded Investment in Affordable Energy. 8/4/2026 Decision by a 10-Judge Panel Eeversed a Rruling 9/2025 by a Divided Three-Judge Panel of the same Appeals Cort, which cited the Public Interest in Letting the Trump Aadministration "properly and prudently" Manage Billions of Taxpayer Dollars.

The $20 Billion was Aawarded to Eight so-called "National Clean Investment Fund" and "Clean Communities Investment Accelerator" entities to Fund Loans that could be Uused for Renewable Energy Products, including in Communities that have lacked Access to Green Financing. Funds came from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a $27 billion Program established in 2022 by Congress in Former President Joe Biden's (D) Inflation Reduction Act. No Republicans Voted for that Law.

Zeldin sought to Freeze the Grants in 3/2025, saying they did Not Aalign with EPA Priorities and might be Tainted by Fraud, Waste, and Abuse.

"The days of throwing gold bars off the Titanic are over," Zeldin said, in a Quotation about the Fund on the EPA Website. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan's Injunction required the Disbursement of the Disputed Funds by Citibank, but was put on Hold while the EPA Appealed.

Last September, the Appeals Court sided with the Agency, Voting 2-1, that the Nonprofits should have Sued in the Court of Federal Claims, which hears Monetary Claims against the Government. In Tuesday's Decision, the Injunction was Upheld by an Equally Divided 10-Judge Panel.

Six Judges said that the EPA's Attempt to Terminate the Grants and Claw Back Funds "based solely on a policy disagreement" likely Violated the Inflation Reduction Act, and the EPA provided No Assurance it would Leave the Funds Alone if the Injunction were Lifted. The Other Four Judges would have Vacated the Provision Governing the Grants. They cited Congress' Passage Trump's (R) One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Repealed the Section of the 2022 Law Creating the Grant Program.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Appeals Court Blocks Trump from Rescinding Green Bank Funds

In a Reversal, a Federal Appeals Court has Blocked the Trump (R) Administration from Rescinding Billions in Climate Funds Issued under the Biden (D) Administration’s Signature Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Reinstated part of a previous Preliminary Injunction that Temporarily Bars the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from Clawing back Billions in “Green Bank” Funding for Climate-Friendly Projects.

Tuesday’s Ruling came down from the Entire Bench of the Circuit Court. Previously, a Smaller Panel of Appellate Judges had Canceled the Injunction. It’s now Back in Place. When He took Office, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin (R) said He would Recoup the $20 Billion Doled Out by the Biden Administration. The Funds would go to Green Banks that would have Awarded them to Projects that aim to Mitigate Climate Change or Reduce Pollution.

The Trump EPA, however, said it Terminated the Program and sought to get the Money Back. After the Latest Ruling, an EPA Spokesperson said the Agency was “reviewing the judgment and considering next steps.” The Spokesperson did Not address The Hill’s Request for a Status Update on the Funds since the Preliminary Injunction was Previously Axed nearly a year ago.

The Panel of Judges said it was Reinstating Part of the Injunction because the EPA’s Move “likely contravened the IRA’s mandatory appropriation” since the Decision was “based solely on a policy disagreement.” However, some of the Judges Disagreed, saying the Organizations that Sued to get their money back did Not show why the Injunction was needed after Republicans Repealed the Section of the IRA, as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The Republican Bill Repealed “unobligated” Funds from the Program. Meanwhile, One of the Grantees, the Climate United Fund, Celebrated the Decision in a Statement.

“Today, the DC Circuit Court judges affirmed what we have always known: EPA took actions to unlawfully freeze and dismantle the National Clean Investment Fund grant program. Despite efforts to harm the awardees with false allegations and misinformation, there remains no legal basis for terminating our grant award and clawing back funds that were already disbursed in our bank accounts,” it said in the Statement.

“As hardworking Americans grapple with an affordability crisis, the impact of the EPA’s decisions are far-reaching. This program was designed to lower energy costs, create good jobs, and improve public health. We will continue to pursue every legal avenue available to us to unfreeze funds on behalf of the communities we serve,” it continued.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Will Close 5 Smaller US Consulates

Trump’s (R) Administration has informed Congress, that it intends to Close Five Smaller U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and other Diplomatic Missions in Africa, Asia, and the Western Hemisphere, even as it steams ahead with Plans to Re-Open Shut Posts in Libya and Syria, and has Reopened the long Closed Embassy in Venezuela.

In separate Notices sent late last week to Lawmakers, the State Department (DOS) said it would Close the U.S. Embassy in the Caribbean island of Grenada, the Consulates in Nagoya Japan, and Medan Indonesia, the Post in Winnipeg, Canada; and an Embassy Branch Office in Douala, Cameroon.

The Closures are expected to Save the Government roughly $4.4 million per year, according to the Notices. But the Missions to be Closed employ very few People compared with Others.

The Embassy in St. George’s, Grenada, and the Consulate in Nagoya, have only One American Staffer and Five Local Employees in each. The Consulate in Medan has Four Direct-Hire U.S. Staffers and 47 Local Employees. The Winnipeg Post has only Two Local Staffers, and the Embassy Office in Douala has only 14 Local Staffers.

The State Department announced Pplans Earlier 2026, to Permanently Close the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, which was the Closest Diplomatic Mission to Afghanistan, since American Troops withdrew in 2021.

The steps come as the Department moves to Streamline its Operations at Home and Abroad, while Investing Millions of Dollars into Re-Opening the U.S. Embassies in Caracas, Venezuela; Damascus, Syria; and Tripoli, Libya, to Restore America’s formal Diplomatic Presence following the Ouster of Long-Ruling Autocrats in those Countries.

The DOS Announced Plans earlier 2026 to Permanently Close the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, which was the Closest Diplomatic Mission to Afghanistan, since American Troops withdrew in 2021.

The steps come as the Department moves to Streamline its Operations at Home and Abroad, while Investing Millions-of-Dllars into Re-Opening the U.S. Embassies in Caracas, Venezuela; Damascus, Syria; and Tripoli, Libya, to Restore America’s formal Diplomatic Presence following the Ouster of Long-Rruling Autocrats in those Countries.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine to Launch Carpathian Initiative

Not all countries are ready to transfer weapons, but assistance can be provided through other means. Ukraine will launch the Carpathian Initiative this fall, bringing together eight countries linked by the Carpathian region and sharing common economic and security interests, according to a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"We have launched work on the Carpathian Initiative. This is a new initiative. Why did this idea emerge? Because not all countries are ready to strengthen us with weapons, but they want to cooperate in humanitarian efforts, security, and the economy. They are also thinking about Ukraine's reconstruction," he said.

According to the president, when neighboring countries are thinking about reconstruction, it is also "a sign of confidence in Ukraine and in a peaceful future."

"The Carpathian Initiative brings together countries connected not only geopolitically or as neighbors. These are countries that share economic and security interests and are linked by the magnificent Carpathian Mountains. It is about logistics, the economy, and security. We also see opportunities for cultural cooperation and future tourism," Zelenskyy said.

The president added that the idea had been "very well received" by the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission. According to him, the format will be officially launched this fall, and discussions on dates are already underway.

"We have seen a positive signal from the European Union. In the future, we will need dedicated Carpathian programs for financing, tourism, economic development, and security. And again, this is not only about the Ukrainian Carpathians. It also involves Romania, Austria, Serbia, Hungary, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Ukraine," he stressed.

According to Zelenskyy, the Carpathian Initiative is something "around which all of us can unite."

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) said that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia could gain new momentum in the near future, noting that new diplomatic initiatives are currently being prepared.

At the same time, sources familiar with the matter told RBC-Ukraine that the prospects for ending the war through negotiations this year remain extremely slim. According to the sources, none of the peace initiatives currently under discussion are acceptable to either Kyiv or Moscow.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Crews Building NM Border Wall Ordered Stop Drilling Wells

Construction crews building a border wall in New Mexico were ordered to stop drilling new wells after ranchers said that pumping groundwater to produce concrete could threaten their livestock amid a severe drought.

The order comes as crews across the southern border race to complete one of Trump’s highest domestic priorities, barriers that span four states and received over $46bn in federal funding. Controversies have sprouted up in: California and Texas, and Bborder-Yown Residents and Environmentalists have reported a wide variety of issues with construction.

At a public meeting in 7/2025, ranchers said they were noticing unmonitored tapping of border aquifers that threatened the water for those nearby.

“It would put us in an immediate catastrophe and having to do something with our livestock. I mean, it could potentially put some people out of business, us included,” said Russell Johnson, a Cattle Rancher whose Property runs along the Border.

Johnson raised the Issue at the Public Meeting after noticing an Industrial Well, which Drilling Crews told Him would Pump 300 Gallons a minute, on Land He Leases for Grazing. Johnson has roughly 12 Wwells across His Ranch, which Pump between Three and Seven Gallons a Minute.

“Whatever they do on that well affects everybody in this basin,” One Rancher said in the Meeting. He added that, from His Conversation with Border Patrol, He believed that “they really don’t even understand what an aquifer is”.

A Spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) told the AP on 8/3/2026 that Border Wall Contractors in New Mexico, have been instructed to Stop Drilling New Wells. “CBP is committed to working collaboratively with local landowners to ensure that construction activities do not adversely impact their water needs,” said CBP in a Statement.

Previously, CBP, which Oversees Border Wall Construction, has said Water is needed to produce Concrete, build Roads, Construct Barriers, and Ccontrol Dust at Construction Ssites. New Mexico’s Office of the State Engineer, which Monitors and Approves Wells across the State, said 7/2026 it Counted at least Six Wells under Development along the Border, and that None had the Necessary Permits required by State Law.

The Office cautioned there could be more. Staff visited Two Wells in 7/2026 and Reported they were Pumping 200 Gallons per Minute.

“All non-tribal wells in New Mexico, whether they are drilled on state or federal land, must have permits from the state engineer before they can be drilled or water can be pumped from them,” the Office of the State Engineer said in a Statement.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US States Sue Trump Over New Tariffs

A Coalition of 25 U.S. States Sued the Trump (R) on 8/3/2026, over New Tariffs at 10% to 12.5% on Goods from 60 Trading Partners, calling them a Pretext for Replacing Import Taxes Struck-Down by the Supreme Ccourt in 2/2026. The States are Aasking the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) to Halt the Tariffs, Declare them Unlawful and Order Refunds of Duties that have already been Paid.

According to the States involved in the Action, Tariffs on 59 Countries and the European Union, Imposed Last Month Account for 99.4% of U.S. Imports. The Trump Administration Officials have charged that the countries have not done enough to crack down on imports produced by forced labor.

“After losing at the Supreme Court, the administration is once again trying to illegally raise taxes on families and businesses with a new round of tariffs,” New York attorney general Letitia James said in a statement.

“No matter how the administration tries to justify it, the law and our Constitution are clear that the president does not have the power to impose sweeping tariffs on whatever countries he wants,” James added.

In addition to New York, the states joining the action are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin, along with the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

The new tariffs went into effect in July after “Liberation Day” tariffs were ruled unconstitutional in February and a new set of temporary tariffs expired.

The latest proposal for tariffs uses Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a federal law meant to target countries that use forced labor. The new tariffs affect major trading partners including Canada, Japan, Norway, Taiwan and China.

The lawsuit follows a separate suit filed by the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of two US small businesses who argue that Trump exceeded his executive authority with the new tariffs.

“The United States is using its lawful authority to obtain the elimination of unreasonable acts, policies, and practices that burden US commerce,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said. “A foreign country’s failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor is unreasonable and burdens US commerce, including American workers, and must be addressed. Section 301 tariffs have proven to be a legally durable tool since the President’s first term, and they remain so now.”

The New York governor, Kathy Hochul, and the state attorney general argue that the administration’s tariffs based on “a supposed investigation into countries’ efforts to combat forced labor do not satisfy the requirements of Section 301”, they said in a statement.

They said that the administration is using “forced labor” as an excuse to continue its policy of indiscriminately enacting damaging tariffs on a wide range of countries that lead to higher prices for their constituents.

“President Trump’s illegal tariffs are nothing more than a tax on hardworking families, driving up the cost of groceries, household essentials, building materials, and countless everyday goods that New Yorkers rely on,” Hochul said. “The Supreme Court has made it clear that this administration cannot ignore the law to impose sweeping tariffs.”










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker