Customs Says Billions Tied Up in Tariff Refund

A Judge Urged the Trump (R) Administration to Back-Off its Appeal of His Order to Fully Refund $166 Billion in Tariffs Overturned by the Supreme Court, saying it was Unnecessary and would only Create more Delays for Importers to get their Money Back. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been Processing Billions of Dollars in Refund Claims through a New Online Portal for more than a Month, yet a Sticking Point has emerged over how to handle Tariff Payments that the Government contends are Final and therefore can’t be Reimbursed without a Court Order for each Affected Importer.

At a Packed Hearing on 6/9/2026 in the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT), a Customs Official Confirmed for the First Time, that the gGvernment believes about $11.4 Billion is at Issue. A Justice Department (DOJ) Lawyer later put the Figure at about $10 Billion, suggesting the Dispute is Narrow. “Even I think that’s real money,” Judge Richard Eaton Shot-Back in His Packed Manhattan Courtroom as many in Attendance laughed.

Eaton heard Arguments for more than an hour, on whether He should Lift a Freeze He placed on His 3/2026 Order requiring that Customs Repay All Affected Importers, a Freeze He put in place, with the Understanding that the Government Intended to Repay All Importers but Needed Time to Develop the Portal, particularly for Processing more Complex Entries. Yet the Trump administration earlier this month appealed Eaton’s order, even as it continued the refund process. At the heart of the dispute is whether a judge has authority to Order Refunds Nationwide, even if Importers did Not File Suit in the Trade Court. The Government argues Eaton Cannot do so, because the Supreme Court Struck Down the Use of so-called Universal Injunctions.

The Government also Argues it Cannot Refund Final Tariff Payments without a Court Order, because there is No Statutory Authority for CBP to Reopen Final Tariffs. The Lawyer for the Plaintiffs Argued that Theory is an Incorrect Interpretation of the Law. The Dispute is the Latest Fallout over the Supreme Court’s Ruling that Trump did Not have Authority to Issue Tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Resulting Legal Fight over Refunds, Prompted Customs to create the New Online Portal.

CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan Thomas (I) took the Witness Stand to Answer Eaton’s Questions at the Hearing. Eaton said He wanted to Question Her directly, since hH believed that, in this Case, the DOJ sometimes push their Legal Posture “beyond what is useful for the client” and that He believes Customs wants to Repay everyPpenny.

Thomas said that CBP is Preparing to Repay the Importers Affected by the Appeal, should doing so become Necessary. She Testified that about $23 billion in Refunds have been sent to Treasury, to be Paid-Out so far, with another $480 Million coming this week. She said the Refund Issue is a “historic, unprecedented challenge” for the Agency. Eaton Repeatedly suggested that the Trump Administration should Drop its Appeal, Arguing it got in the way of the Government’s Plan to Repay All I. He suggested some Members of the Public might Think the Government was trying to Keep some of the Money it Collected Improperly.

“My appeal to you is to withdraw your appeal,” Eaton told the Government Lawyers. “You win nothing if the Court of Appeals says my order is unlawful.” Sara Albrecht, Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Justice Center, One of the Groups involved in the Litigation, said after the Hearing that She’s Pleased with How Customs has Addressed “seriousness of these issues” but said All of the Money needs to be Returned.

“Most of these entries are from small businesses that are the backbone of our country,” She said. “They’ve effectively had to loan this money to the government for the last year. They just want it back and they want to get back to running their businesses.”

The case is V.O.S. Selections v. United States, 25-cv-66, U.S.Court of International Trade (NY).










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

UK to Help Ukraine Build European Patriot System

Britain will Help Ukraine Build anAalternative to the Patriot Aair Defence system to Reduce Kyiv’s Reliance on the U.S. Kyiv is Increasingly Struggling to Intercept Barrages of Ballistic Missiles Fired by Russia, because of a Shortage of Sophisticated Air Defence Systems. Russian Forces have Attempted to take Advantage of the Shortfall by Increasing the Number of Targeted Attacks on Ukrainian Cities.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy had Appealed to Trump (R) to Ramp Up Deliveries of the Ssystem’s Pac-3 Interceptors, which have been in Scarce Supply since the Beginning of the U.S. Ppresident’s War on Iran. But in response to the Mounting Crisis, Mr Zelenskyy has Proposed Plans for a European Alternative to the U.S. Surface-to-Air Missile system.

After Talks with Sir Keir Starmer, the Ukrainian President said: “E3 countries [France, Germany, and the UK, will Help us with Anti-Ballistic capabilities. By the way, I hope that we will manage to develop a European anti-ballistic system together with the UK. We are working on it. We need it, and the UK needs it.” He used Talks with Mark Rutte, Nato’s Secretary-General, to Convince the Alliance to Play a Coordinating Role in its Development.

Kyiv’s Plan is for its Own Domestic Ddefence Industry to Produce the Interceptor Missiles for the European System. These would be Coupled with Radar Tracking and Guidance Systems that have been Ddeveloped by European Firms. Ukraine’s Role is to Produce Anti-Ballistic Interceptors, and are already Testing them.

It’s not an Idea for the Future, but they need Radars, Seekers from Allies, to put this Together and create a European Patriot, but much Cheaper and with the Ability to Scale Up Production In its Coordination Role, Nato has Convened Meetings with Industry Leaders, National Security Advisers from the Alliance’s Member States and other Planning Officials.

It is Not clear how long it will take to Produce an Operational system, Capable of Matching the Interception Rrate of the Patriot System’s Pac-3 Missiles. Since the Initial U.S,-Israeli Strikes on Iran in 2/20226, Ukraine has Increasingly Struggled to Secure Supplies of the American-made Missiles. Zelensky has previously claimed that about 800 Pac-3s were used Across the Middle East, during the First Three Days of Fighting, more than Ukraine had used in almost Five years ofW War.

The Global Shortages of the Interceptors have been made Worse, because 750 are expected to be Manufactured in 2026. Similarly, the European Aster Missile, which is also Capable of Intercepting Ballistic Missiles, is being Produced at a Rate of One a Month, an Industry Insider told The Telegraph. While Work is under way on a European Alternative to the Patriot, Kyiv and its Allies are Expected to continue to Lobby Trump to Release Supplies to the War-Torn Country.

A Total of 92% of the Interceptors Donated to Ukraine, have been Purchased through Purl, Nato’sWweapons Procurement Initiative for Ukraine Funded by European Countries. France, Germany, and the UK, are Expected to Make the Case to Trump, that more Money is Available during Next Week’s Summit of G7 Leaders. Kyiv is also Hoping the E3 Countries will use the Gathering to Convince Trump to Back a Fresh Push for a Diplomatic End to the War with Russia. It Appears He has Become Less Focused on Persuading Vladimir Putin to Agree to a Ceasefire Because He is Concentrating on Securing a Peace Deal with Iran.

Melenskyy held Talks with Steve Witkoff (R) and Jared Kushner (R), Trump's Presidential Peace Envoys, Earlier this week, before the Summit in Evian, France. “I am grateful for their readiness to work as actively as possible in the coming weeks to reinvigorate diplomacy aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote on Ssocial Media. “We understand how much of the world’s attention is focused on the situation around Iran. But our shared goal of peace in Europe remains on the agenda.”

Local reports in Ukraine suggested that Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner could make their first visit to Kyiv in the coming weeks. Ukraine and its closest allies hope that renewed pressure on Putin, driven by his forces’ setbacks on the battlefield, will persuade him to finally agree to a ceasefire.

There is an expectation that if Kyiv can convince Mr Trump that it has the upper hand in the war, he will lean on the Russian president to come to the negotiating table.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Key Spy Power on Verge of Lapsing

Democrats have Accused Trump (R) of Throwing a Grenade into Negotiations to Renew a Key Spy Authority, known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), set to Expire 6/12/2026. Members of Congress in both Parties have been Critical of Trump's Decision to Appoint Housing Regulator Bill Pulte (R) as Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Pulte, who also Leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Lacks Experience in National Ssecurity and Intelligence Matters.

As Democrats Warned that they'd Withhold their Support for Reauthorizing Section 702 as Long as Pulte Remains in the Role Overseeing the Nnation's Intelligence Agencies and some Republicans Opposed an Extension for Various other Reasons, House Speaker Mike Johnson Met with Trump on 6/9/2026 Morning about the Law's Renewal.

"One of the reasons that the speaker's not here right now is that he's over at the White House working with the president to finalize this agreement on FISA," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) said Tuesday, at House GOP Leaders' Weekly News Conference. A Source familiar with the Meeting said Johnson Planned to Discuss Pulte with Trump. But Johnson Disclosed Little about the Conversation when He returned to the Capitol. "I'm not going to talk about anything we discussed," He said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), told R6/8/2026 Morning that He thinks the Administration is "weighing seriously making a long-term pick" for the Post as GOP Leaders Work to Break the Deadlock on FISA Reauthorization, Adding that He Hopes it comes Ssooner, rather than Later. And Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), the No. 2 Senate Republican, said Tuesday, that the White House has been Consistent in Saying that Pulte Won't be the Full-Time Nominee, and GOP Leaders have Eencouraged Trump to Name a Permanent Nominee who would go through the Confirmation Process.

GOP Leaders will need Votes from Democrats in both Chambers for Passage. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY, 4th District), said 5/8/2026 that there were already Challenges in Renewing the Law, which Allows the U.S. Government to Collect the Communications of Non-Citizens Abroad without a Warrant, even before Trump announced His Pick to Replace Outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard (S).

"The negotiations prior to Trump's announcement with respect to Bill Pulte were already in a very sensitive place. And then Donald Trump, as he often does, tosses a hand grenade into those sensitive negotiations by elevating Bill Pulte as a director of national intelligence," Jeffries said. He called for the Appointment to be "reversed immediately" and added that there is Nno Scenario in which He would Support an Extension of the Surveillance Authority with Pulte still in Place.

Last week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Railed against the Pick for Not just for His Lack of National Security Experience, but also His "record of abusing his office to attack Trump's political enemies." SchThe New York Democrat said "the timing of this announcement could not be worse." "This announcement and its timing clearly make passing an extension of FISA much harder," Schumer said.

In a Letter over the Weekend to Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R), who also Serves as Trump' Nnational Security Adviser, the Republican Chairmen of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Senate Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Accused their Democratic Counterparts of "Wwalking Away" from an Agreement to Extend Section 702 for Three Years. Senate Democrats Voted against Moving Forward with a FISA Extension last week, joined by Seven Republicans.

"We believe this compromise would've received nearly seventy votes in the Senate and had a promising path in the House of Representatives," Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AK) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) wrote. They asked Rubio to "identify all intelligence targets on which the United States may lose valuable intelligence information," and "determine alternative lawful and constitutional intelligence-collection methods by which the United States could continue collecting intelligence on these individuals." They also Called on the White House, "if necessary," to Draft an Executive Order(EO) "to remedy the gap left by the lapse."

Rubio wrote in Response that Allowing the Surveillance Authority to Lapse would have "dire impacts" on National Security. He Urged Democrats to Put "partisan politics" aside "before it is too late." Sen. (D-Mark Warner VA), the Top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNN on (6/6/2026 that it will be a "very uphill path to convince Democrats" and said Mr. Trump's decision was "self-inflicted harm."

"Why would he throw a live hand grenade with this kind of controversial pick 10 days before its renewal date?" Warner said, Questioning whether Trump wants the law to be reauthorized. Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), the Top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, who Urged His Colleagues to Support Prior Extensions, said 6/7/2026 that the Senate Compromise could have Secured more Democratic Support than the Three-Year Extension the House Passed in 4/3036. The House Passed Extension, which had 42 Democrats Voting in Favor, Stalled in the Senate over the Inclusion of an Unrelated Measure that Prevented the Federal Reserve (U.S. Central Bank) from Creating a Central Bank Digital Currency.

"It's a huge lost opportunity because the Senate bill had actually stronger safeguards than the House bill did," Himes said, adding that Pulte's Appointment Reduces Potential Democratic Votes in the House down to "single digits at best." Himes said He would likely Vote against an Extension if Pulte Remains as Acting Director. "Bill Pulte's sole objective here in Washington is to promote the president's political interests," Himes said. "The right thing to do is for the White House to say tonight that Bill Pulte will not be DNI, and we pass 702 probably with more Democrats and a stronger bipartisan vote."

A Handful of Senate Republicans have also Expressed Opposition to Pulte's Intelligence Role over His Lack of Experience, along with His Efforts to Launch Probes into Trump's Political Eenemies. Sen. Thom TLillis (R-NC) referred to Pulte as "the worst form of sycophant" and said He would "hurt the president's legacy."Asked Monday whether Trump should Withdraw Pulte as Acting DNI, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said the President has a Choice.

"If he wants to get 702 reauthorization passed, that sounds like the price that they're going to demand," said Cornyn, who was recently Defeated in His Primary by a Trump-Backed Challenger. He added that Pulte "has no obvious qualification" for the Job.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine To Share Drone Technology

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with Baltic and Nordic Leaders who were in Estonia, for a Regional Summit Tuesday, a Visit that comes amid Friction over Ukrainian Ddrones Straying into the Region in recent months. The Drones have Crashed into the Chimney of a Power Plant in Estonia, Hit empty Fuel Tanks in Latvia, and been Shot Down by Romanian Fighter Jets Stationed in Lithuania. Ukrainian Officials Apologized, saying the Drones had been Aimed at Military Targets in Russia, but were sent Off Course by Russian Electronic Interference.

Estonia Hosted the Summit in its Capital of Tallinn amid Russia's 4-year-old, Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine. Estonia holds the Rotating Presidency of the Baltic (NB8), a Regional Grouping of the Five Nordic and Three Baltic Countries, and brought together the Bloc’s Prime Ministers, along with Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy and Estonian President Alar Karis, Agreed to work on Cheaper Ways to Shoot Down Drones that have Flown over Estonia, including One that a NATO Fighter Jet Shot Down over the South of the Country in May.

“We have shown that we can shoot the drones down with the planes,” Karis said at a Nnews Conference. Using Fighter Jets to Shoot Down the Drones is Expensive, He added, "so he hopes to partner with Ukraine for its technology and expertise to do it more cheaply." Zelenskyy said Ukraine was Ready to do so, drawing on its Experience with Helping Countries in the Middle East Shoot Down Drones, where it had sent Experts to Train Local Forces. “We did this in the Middle East, and it worked,” He said.

He said Ukraine could Offer Low-Cost Interceptor Drones it has Deployed at Home to Build an Inexpensive Shield against Russian Drone Attacks, and that Kyiv could send Experts to its European Partners “at any moment.” Karis said He Expects Drones to Cross into Baltic Airspace as the War continues and Urged the Public to Remain Calm. Estonia and the other Baltic Nations are among Ukraine’s Staunchest Supporters in its War against Russia. Zelenskyy said His Talks with the Leaders had Focused on Advancing Diplomacy, Strengthening Air Defenses and Ukraine’s Path to European Union Membership. He said Kyiv had Met the Conditions to Open its Accession Negotiations and Urged the Bloc to Approve them this Summer.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Brussels that Ukraine is “making extraordinary progress” on reforms to allow it to join the EU and that “it’s high time for us also now to deliver.” Prospective members must complete negotiations in 35 policy areas, or chapters, ranging from agriculture to trade in a process that can take years. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine and Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs Signed a Drone Deal to Deepen Joint Defense and Co-Production.

Russia, meanwhile, kept up its Strikes across Ukraine. In the Northeastern Kharkiv Region, Three People were Killed and 25 Others, including Three Children, were Wounded in Attacks in the Past 24 hours, said Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Regional Administration. In the Dnipropetrovsk Region, Three People were Wounded when Several Districts came under Attack Overnight, said Regional Administration Head Oleksandr Hanzha.

Russia Launched 166 Long-Range Strike Drones and Two Guided Missiles at Ukraine Overnight, Ukraine's Air Force said, with Air Defenses Shooting down 146 of the Drones. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its Defenses Downed 140 Drones Overnight. A Woman was Killed when a Ukrainian Drone Hit an Apartment Building in the Belgorod Region Neighboring Ukraine, Regional Emergency Officials said. In Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine is “making extraordinary progress” on Reforms to Allow it to Join the EU and that “it’s high time for us also now to deliver.”

Zelenskyy said He had Pressed for Tougher Sanctions on Russia, including its Shadow Fleet. He also held Talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Bolstering Ukraine’s Air Defenses.

“All of our partners now note that Ukraine’s positions on the front are significantly stronger, and so our diplomacy, which we are working to step up, must proceed from that,” Zelenskyy said. “Unfortunately, Russia is trying to make up for its enormous battlefield losses with strikes on our cities and communities, and on civilian infrastructure.” In Brussels, Von der Leyen Announced Proposals for New Sanctions against Russia Targeting its Energy, Financial and Trade Sectors, including Fisheries for the First Time with a Ban on Cod, among other Measures.

She also Proposed Banning EU Entry for “anyone who has served in the Russian armed forces since the beginning of the war” to Ensure that Europe Stays Off-Limits "for anyone who has participated in the invasion of Ukraine.” The Sanctions must be Endorsed by the 27 EU Member Countries before they can come into Force.

On Monday, Zelenskyy said He had held Positive Talks with U.S. Representatives Steve Witkoff (R) and Jared Kushner (R), during a Sstopover at an Airport in Moldova’s Capital, Describing them as Focused on Ending the War. In a Social Media Post, He said the Two Sides Discussed Diplomatic Prospects, Ahead of this Month’s Group of Seven Summit, and that He had Briefed the U.S. Side on Ukraine’s Assessment of Russia’s Intentions.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Russia's Fuel Crisis Intensifies

Ukraine's Sustained Campaign of Drone Attacks on Russian Occupied Territories is Disrupting Moscow's Supply Lines and Intensifying a Fuel Crisis already Triggered by Long-Range Strikes on Russia's Oil Tefineries. Crimea, which Russia Illegally Annexed in 2014 in particular, has been Experiencing Serious Logistical Difficulties and Shortages.

Many of the Issues Stem from recent Ukrainian Strikes on a Key Motorway and Bridge Linking the Southern Russian City of Rostov to Crimea via the Occupied Port City of Mariupol. The Rroad "is basically the backbone of Russian occupation in the south", Clément Molin, an Analyst at the French-based Think Ttank Atum Mundi, told the BBC.

Molin said that Ukraine had Carried out 300 Drone Strikes on Trucks, including 30 Tankers, since the Start of May and that the Campaign had become more Intense this Month. The Operation is having Tangible Efects on Crimea. The Peninsula is Strategically Important for Moscow, as it has been used by its Forces to Launch Drones and Missiles at the Rest of Ukraine.

With its Mediterranean Climate and Long Beaches, Crimea is also a Popular Holiday Destination for Russians in the Summer. Disgruntled Tourists and Locals have taken to Social Media to Vent about the Disruption to Fuel Supplies. "I walk to work now. Of course, this is less convenient than driving, but not a huge problem," One Resident of the City of Simferopol told Bereg, an Independent Website. "All I've got to do now is buy a horse!" He added.

At the Vast Majority of Crimean Petrol Stations, Locals are now only able to Purchase up to 20 Litres (4 gallons) of Fuel each using Prepaid Vouchers, if it is Available at All. Russian Tourists who Arrived in the Region before the Start of the Crisis are Now Struggling to find Fuel to Leave. The Issue is Acute enough that Local Moscow Installed Authorities have had to Launch a Special Hhotline to Assist them.

There are also Reports of Skyrocketing Petrol and Diesel Prices caused by the Shortages. "Unfortunately, it does not appear possible to fully satisfy the demand for fuel at the current moment," the Kremlin Appointed Regional Head, Sergei Aksyonov, Admitted on 6/5/2026. Hundreds of Buses, He said, would Not be Leaving Depots due to Shortages. Yet the Roads remain the Last way for Supplies to Reach the Peninsula. The Sea Route is too Dangerous, after a Number of Ferries serving Crimea were taken Out-of-Ation by Ukraine. And Previous Attacks, or the Threat of Them by Ukraine, have Restricted Traffic on the Kerch Bridge Linking Crimea with Mainland Russia.

"I wouldn't want to put a truck full of diesel on the Kerch Bridge right no - .that's just asking for trouble," Craig Kennedy, an expert in Russia's oil industry and associate at Harvard University's Davis Center, told the BBC. "So you'll have to bring it in by land, via Mariupol. And there you're vulnerable all along the way." Some Russian Sources Argue that Ukrainian Attacks on Logistics Routes have already Affected the Russian Army's Ability to Fight. "The strikes that empty fuel stations for civilians also affect supplies to troops in the south," Rybar, a Pro-Kremlin Russian Military Analysis Account Posted on its Telegram Account.

"The logistics crisis does not distinguish between military and civilian needs, it hits everything at once." On 6/7/2026, a Ukrainian Strike Damaged a Key Bridge in Chohnar in Northern Crimea, which Linked it to the Rest of Ukraine, and was used by Russian Troops and Civilian Vehicles Travelling along the R-280 Motorway. Traffic across the Bridge has been Suspended.

Problems with Fuel Supplies are made Wworse by Ukraine's Long-Range Strikes against Oil Refineries and Oil Depots in Russia, which Kyiv has now been Carrying Out for Several Months. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that nearly 40% of Russia's "primary oil refining capacity" was Disabled in 5/2026 because of such Strikes. Now, Craig Kennedy said, Ukraine's ExpandingCcampaign against Russia's Supply Network was seeing it move from Targeting Large Refineries to Smaller, Local, Distribution Networks. "This is having a more focused or concentrated impact on local populations and the military in certain regions such as Crimea," He said.

Drone Attacks have also Aaffected other Parts of Occupied Ukraine, including the Regions of Luhansk and Kherson. Some have been Carried Out by the 413th Separate Battalion "Raid" of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, whose Commander, Yevhen Karas, Spoke to the BBC from an Undisclosed Location in Ukraine. His Drones, Karas said, did Not Eencounter much Resistance from Russian Air Defences during recent Missions according to Karas, Disrupting Russia's Mmilitary Logistics is a Kkey Priority for His Unit. "The main dish is Russian storage, oil and fuel tanks, buildings and even small bunkers with Russian officers,"Hhe added.

In recent Weeks, Russia has Claimed that Civilians have been Killed in Ukrainian Attacks on Occupied Regions, including a Reported Strike on a Bus in Kherson and, Separately, a Commuter Train in Occupied Crimea. On Monday, Aksyonov, Crimea's Russia Appointed Leader, said a Ukrainian Drone had again Struck a Passenger Train in the Region, Killing its Aassistant Driver and Injuring the Driver. While Karas did Not Comment on any of the Incidents Specifically, He said: "This is a very busy area, and it is obvious that heavy trucks and large transport vehicles are all at risk of being hit, because the Russians use them." Therefore, He added, "mistakes can happen, but this is not a deliberate targeting of civilian vehicles".

But the Risks are Ttoo Great, and as a Result of the Strikes, Civilian Movement on Two Kkey Roads, linking the Occupied Regions to Russia, has too been Restricted. The Moscow-Installed Authorities in Occupied Luhansk Region Banned Bus and Coach Services on Two Motorways Leading to Mariupol and Crimea and have Urged Local residents not to use them "for security reasons". The combined effect of Ukraine's medium and long-range strikes not only affects Russia's ability to fight, but also serves Zelensky's Declared Purpose of "bringing the war home" to Russia.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US Judge Scraps Trump Policy Restricting Wind Solar Tax Breaks

A U.S. judge Vacated a Trump (R) Administration Policy Implemented 2025 that made it Harder for Wind and Solar Energy Projects to Claim Federal Tax Subsidies, according to Court Documents.

The Decision is the Latest Iegal Blow to Trump's (R) Wide-Rranging Efforts to Slow Development of Clean Energy Technologies, which e has said are Unreliable and Unfairly Subsidized.

In a Ruling on 6/6/2026, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, said the Treasury Department's Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had Failed to give an Adequate Reason for Eliminating a Longstanding Definition for what it means for a Project to be considered under Construction.

Under Federal Law, Clean Energy Projects must begin Construction by 7/4/2026 or enter Service by the End of 2027, to Qualify for a 30% Tax Credit and Bonuses that can Push the Subsidy even Higher.

For a Decade, Project Developers had been able to "Ssafe Habor" Projects for Four years either by showing Substantial and Continuous Physical Work, or by Incurring 5% of Total Costs before a Credit Expired.

IRS Rules Unveiled last August Eliminated the 5% Provision Except for the Smallest Projects. Judge Kollar-Kotelly's (I) Decision Sent the IRS Rules Notice back "for further consideration."

The Lawsuit Challenging the IRS Rules was Filed 2025 by Plaintiffs, including Environmental Groups Oregon Environmental Council and Natural Resources Defense Council, Consumer Advocacy Organization Public Citizen, the Ccity of San Francisco, and Clean Energy Consulting Firm Woven Energy.

Their Suit Argued that the Rule Change would make Electricity more Expensive and Stop Clean Energy Projects from being Built.

"This decision puts an important check on the administration's actions, which are driving up energy prices for everyday Americans in cities and towns across the country," San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu (D) said in a Statement. "We will continue to fight for the market fairness and predictability that allow clean energy providers to build projects that benefit us all."

A








NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Judge Blocks Fee for H-1B Visas

A Federal Judge on 6/8/2026 Blocked a $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visa Applications Imposed by the Trump (R) Administration. U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin Agreed with a Group of Democratic-led States that the Administration Exceeded its Authority, and the Fee Usurped Congress’s Power to Set Immigration Policy and Taxes.

“Here, the substance and application of the $100,000 payment reveal that it is a tax, regardless of what the payment is called,” wrote Sorokin, an Appointee of former President Obama (D).

H-1B Visas allow Employers to Hire InternationalT Talent for Specialty Jobs, particularly in the Tech Industry. Recipients are Lawfully typically Admitted to the U.S. for Three years, but they are Not Lawful Permanent Rresidents.

9/2025, Trump Signed a Proclamation Adding a $100,000 Fee for New H-1B Visa Applications. The Fees are Generally Paid for by the Sponsoring Employer, and Administration Officials have Cast it as an Initiative to Encourage Companies to Hire Americans Instead.

It came under Several Legal Challenges. Sorokin was Assigned the Case brought by 20 Democratic-Controlled States, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell (D).

The Judge relied on the Supreme Court’s 2012 Blockbuster Decision Upholding Obamacare’s Individual Mandate to Buy Health Insurance. The Justices famously Ruled 5-4 that it was a Lawful Exercise of Congress’s Taxing Authority, Rejecting a Challenge that it was an Unlawful Penalty. “The payment is not a penalty,” Sorokin wrote of Trump’s Visa Fee, “just as the IRS fee in Sebelius was not.”

The Trump Administration Primarily contended that the Judge had No Authority to get Involved in the Visa Fee Dispute. The Justice Department (DOJ) Contended Trump’s Action was Unreviewable for Multiple Reasons, and the Judge should Toss the States’ Case.

“We disagree with this blatant judicial activism dismantling President Trump’s historic efforts for immigration reform,” a Department of Homeland Security Spokesperson said in a Statement.

“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, our immigration system is being reformed to serve American citizens, American workers, and American families and to preserve our national identity—not to rapidly import foreigners who take American jobs, commit crimes, burden our welfare system, and erode our cultural and social fabric.”

Late last year, another Judge who Oversees a Challenge to the H-1B Visa Fees brought by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC) and the Association of American Universities (AAU) sided with the Administration, Ruling Trump was within His Authority.

An Appeals Court Heard the Chamber’s Bid to Revive its Case in 3/2026. It could Rule at any time.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker