Appeals Panel Blocks Ballroom Project

Trump (R) Cannot continue Building the Ballroom, without Approval from Congress, a Federal Appeals Court Panel Ruled on 8/7/2026. The Ruling, by Three Judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, dealt a Blow to Trump’s efforts to press ahead with the Project, and drew an Angry Rebuke from Trump, who has Vowed to Appeal to the Supreme Court. It Upheld, a Lower Court’s Findings, that No Law or Authority gives Trump the Power to Raze and Replace Sections of the White House, without Congressional Authorization.

The Decision does not mean Construction will Halt immediately. The Judges paused their Ruling for 14 days, to give the Administration a chance to Appeal. The Lower Court Judge had similarly Suspended His Ruling to allow time for an appeal, and Trump has continued Building.

The Ruling on 8/7/2026 was Ssplit, with Judges Patricia Millett, an Obama (D) Appointee, and Bradley Garcia, a Biden (D) Appointee, forming a 2-to-1 Majority. Judge Neomi Rao, a Trump Appointee, Dissented “Each president is a temporary tenant, not the owner, of the White House, and its Executive Residence,” Judge Millett and Judge Garcia wrote. They said there was No Historical Precedent for a Chief Executive tearing down substantial Portions of the White House “unilaterally and using privately collected funds.” The Construction of a “massive ballroom,” they said, “is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for executive self-help.”

Trump’s pledge to Appeal the Ruling to the Supreme Court, sets the Stage for another Potential Showdown over Executive Power, One that comes after a Term where His Administration made a Number of Novel Assertions of Presidential Authority and the Ccourt gave it some, but Not All.

The Dispute over the Ballroom Promises to make the Abstract Question of Presidential Power, as Tangible as Bricks and Mortar Judge Richard J. Leon, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, hadRruled in 4/2026, that the Ballroom Project far Exceeded the Scale of the kind of Minor Changes Presidents have traditionally made to the White House Grounds, entering Territory that required Collaboration with Congress.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill

The Senate on 8/7/2026 passed a long-sought bipartisan bill that would impose harsher sanctions on Russia and the top five buyers of Russian oil, along with extending existing sanctions on Iran. That measure was a major legislative goal of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), The vote was 86-11.

The legislation sat in limbo for most of the week as senators haggled behind the scenes over amendments to the measure. Some senators in both parties raised concerns about potentially further raising tariffs on major trading partners. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) offered an amendment to strike out language giving the executive branch the authority to impose tariffs of up 100% on countries that buy energy products from Russia.

Paul’s amendment failed by a vote of 32-64, setting the stage for Senate passage of the broader bill. If enacted, the measure would impose harsher sanctions on Russia and buyers of Russian oil and gas than the U.S. has previously enforced and extend existing sanctions on Iran, aiming to economically squeeze the two countries. The Iran provision was a later add, requested by President Trump, to prevent longstanding sanctions from lapsing at the end of the year.

The bill’s passage underscores an urgency from many lawmakers to make progress in showing support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Most senators met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month after he attended Graham’s funeral, and he made the case for more military aid, as well as the sanctions bill. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the lead Democratic Sponsor of the measure, hailed it as a huge victory, and recalled some of the final words he heard from Graham, the Chief GOP Sponsor, about the bill’s imminent passage.

“As he said to me in some of his last words, this is a big f’ing deal. We all did good,” He said. “A bipartisan team achieved this overwhelming 86-11 vote. President Zelenskyy is watching in Ukraine. President Putin is watching in Moscow. “Today we send a message to Vladimir Putin: You will not win this war. Time to come to the table for peace. Your economy, already on its heels, is going to be throttled, even decimated by cutting off the flow of revenue from Russian oil and gas,” He said. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) said that the Bill is a Symbol of Congress’ Attitude about the War, but that Trump (R) has a Responsibility to further Crack Down on Russia.

“Zelenskyy’s been clear with us; they’re steadily running out of interceptors,” Coons said. “Putin has made it clear he’s going to continue killing civilians and pummeling. And what really matters is not this bill; it’s what does Trump do with it? Will Trump finally actually take the side of the country that is aligned with our values and our interests and our priorities against the country that isn’t? And we can pass a bill as an important sign that Congress wants him to take more of an active role, but he’s got to decide to do it. That’s what matters.” The Specifics of the Bill caused some Friction with Democrats, who generally Support Ukraine but were Concerned about the Power the Legislation would give Trump to tariff countries seen as “facilitators” of Russian evasion of sanctions.

“We’ve seen the ways in which he illegally uses the authorities he has,” Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) told reporters last week. “I think we can write this bill in such a way that we do the necessary work of stopping Putin’s aggression, while at the same time not giving the president even more authorities to handle tariffs in the reckless way in which he is doing it.” Warnock secured a written commitment from U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to put guardrails on Trump’s tariff authority.

That commitment was enough to satisfy Warnock to withdraw an amendment that would have put those guardrails in the legislation. The Georgia Democrat called the pledge from Greer “a small but meaningful victory for all Americans who’ve suffered under this president’s reckless tariffs.” “It continue to reject the idea that we have to choose between putting a check on Putin’s aggression and putting a check on this president’s tariff regime,” he said. Warnock had placed a hold on the bill to get leverage for a vote on his amendment, delaying it for part of the week. The bill now heads to the House, where it faces an uncertain future after lawmakers return from their August recess.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Tariffs on Electronics and Solar Panels Polysilicon

The Trump (R) Administration will impose a Minimum Import Price for Polysilicon, a key component for Semiconductors and Solar Panels, as well as Tariffs for Products made with Polysilicon. Trump on 8/6/2026 signed a Proclamation that would create a Minimum Price for Imports of Polysilicon and Impose a 15% Tariff on Products made with the Material, in an effort to Support Domestic Production of a Key Component in Semiconductors and Solar Panels.

The Tariffs will go into effect in early 12/2026. By setting a Minimum Import Price for Polysilicon and Products made with it, the Administration will Block any Products priced Below those Levels from entering the U.S. Market. That will allow U.S. based Manufacturers to Sell their Products at Prices where they can be Profitable. The Administration said the move would help Create a Protected Domestic Market Free from Global Ddistortions, and may be Adjusted for Countries that have Trade Agreements with the U.S., the Order said.

Trump also Ordered Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (R) to establish an Incentive Program for Companies that Build or Expand Factories to produce Ppolysilicon or its Dderivatives in the U.S. The Proclamation said thatDdomestic Polysilicon Production was Essential for National Security, because it is a Key Ingredient for Semiconductors used in a variety of Electronics and Defense Systems such as Radar and Communication systems as well as Control systems for Missiles and Drones.

Polysilicon is a widely used Raw Material in Solar Photovoltaic Panels as well as in Semiconductors for Ccomputer Chips and other Electronics. The U.S. was once a Wworld Leader in Pproduction of the material, but China has since become the world’s dominant producer after funding domestic manufacturers. Today, China produces roughly 90% of the World’s Supply, while the U.S. Produces less than 2%.

While Trump’s Order emphasized the Importance of Polysilicon for Electronics and Defense Purposes, the Solar Industry is by far the Biggest Consumer of the Material and some U.S. Manufacturers of Solar Components have pushed for Protections against Chinese Imports.

U.S. Solar Manufacturers have Repeatedly Won Trade Cases against Foreign Competitors related to Unfair Subsidization and Pricing, Resulting in the U.S. Government putting Tariffs on Ssolar Panels and Polysilicon from Specific Countries. But Chinese Manufacturers, which Ddominate Solar Production, have quickly found ways to Sidestep those Rules by Expanding Globally and Exporting to the U.S. from New Countries that do Not face Restrictions.

The Pattern has resulted in Waves of Exports and Tariffs being Imposed on Southeast Asia, China, and Taiwan. In 5/2026, Eight Domestic Solar Companies filed a Request for the Government to Investigate Solar Products Assembled in Ethiopia with Chinese-Origin Components, saying the Country had become the latest Export Platform to Help Circumvent U.S. Tariffs.

The Domestic Companies said they had seen similar Trends in: the Philippines, the Middle East, and Countries in Africa, including Egypt and Nigeria. U.S. Firms have Complained that the Country-based Tariffs are Iinefficient and result in High Legal Expenses for American Manufacturers.

Jon Toomey, the President of the Coalition for Prosperous America (CPA), a Trade Group that Ssupported the Tariffs, said the New Global Tariffs would “solve the endless game” that Polysilicon and Solar Manufacturers had been Fighting for Decades. “For the First time, the U.S. is Protecting the entire Solar Supply Chain with a single action,” He said.

The Polysilicon Tariffs were issued under another National-Security-related Provision called Section 232, which the Administration has also used to impose Tariffs on Foreign Steel, Aluminum, Cars, Copper and Pharmaceuticals, among other Products.

There are currently just Two Companies that produce Polysilicon in the U.S., Hemlock Semiconductor and Wacker Chemie. In 2024, REC Silicon attempted to Restart Polysilicon production in Moses Lake, Washington, but Closed later that year.

Although a Large Number of U.S.-based Factories now Assemble Solar Panel Modules, many of the Underlying Components are still Imported from Abroad, including Silicon Wafers and Photovoltaic Cells. Last year, Republicans in Congress Phased Out Tax Credits Rewarding Solar Developers that Installed Domestically made Panels, but kept in Place a Credit to Encourage U.S. Solar Factories.

While the New Tariffs have the Potential to Increase the Cost of Installing Solar Power, which is Currently the Fastest-Growing Source of Electricity in the U.S. Some Solar Mmanufacturers with U.S.-based Operations, including Hanwha QCells, and T1 Energy, praised the move.

“Today’s decision from the White House balances the reality of where America’s solar energy manufacturing is today while advancing our collective ambition to onshore the entire supply chain from polysilicon to finished panels in the U.S.,” Andy Park, Global Chief Eexecutive of Hanwha Qcells, a South Korean Company that Operates Large Solar Manufacturing Facilities in Georgia.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Old Air Force One Going to Trump Library

Trump (R) will use an Old Air Force One at His Presidential Library in Miami.

Trump said in 2025, the New Plane would go “directly to the library after I leave office,” with His Library Foundation Assuming Control of the Plane, at the End of His Term in 2029.

The Plane was set to Serve as a Bridge Aircraft between the Aging Boeing 747-200s Presidents have Flown on for more than Two Decades. and Two New Planes Boeing is Scheduled to Complete in 2028.

The Plane will features a New Color Scheme with Dark Blue, a Gold Stripe, and Red Trim, which was Applied to an Older Air Force One 757.

Officials and Lawmakers Question whether the Qatari-Gifted JJet was Upgraded Sufficiently, to include Defensive Measures. and the Ability to Re-Fuel during Flight. Capabilities necessary to Protect the Commander-in-Chief while Traveling.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

IRS Workers Sue Trump Slush Fund Over Legal Trap

Trump's (R) Administration is being Sued by a Group of IRS Wworkers, because they Cclaim H $1.776 Billion Slush Fund for His Ssupporters, by including a Rrequirement that neither Trump nor His Family ever be Audited, requires them to Bbreak the Law.

"An organization representing career internal revenue service employees has joined a Lawsuit over the contentious settlement reached in connection with Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, challenging a carveout that would give him and his Family immunity from certain Tax Audits.

1/6/2026 Prosecutor Fired by the Trump Administration and Others previously Sued, to Block a Fund that could have gone to Trump Allies who said they wereVvictims of Wwaponization, potentially including 1/6 Rioters. A Federal Jjudge then Ttemporarily Blocked the Fund from moving forward in May.

Now, an Amended Version of Llawsuit Filed in the Eastern District of Virginia Aalleges, that the IRS Audit Immunity that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche (R) Agreed to for Trump and His Family Members in Connection with the Purported Settlement is Unlawful and Unconstitutional. The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which Represents Career IRS Auditors, has Joined the litigation.

In their Official Filing, the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Argued that Trump is Lying about Canceling the Slush Fund and that, Regardless, the Demand that He Not be Audited is Legally Unenforceable.

"The Department of Justice's (DOJ) Concurrent Statement about the Immunity Order Purports to Narrow the Scope of that Order,but does Not Rrescind it," the Case said. "This unsigned piece of paper, which carries no more weight than a press release, confirms that the IRS will terminate tax audits and liability at the request of the President and conscript Plaintiff NTEU members into violating their oath and the Internal Revenue Code to grant the President with an unconstitutional emolument."

The Lawsuit places Career Civil Servants at the Ccenter of an Uunprecedented C showdown over Executive Power and Tax Ccompliance. By Forcing IRS Auditors to Grant Llifetime Immunity, the Administration Effectively Commands them to Violate their Professional Oaths to Uphold the Tax Ccode Equally. Legal Experts warn that if the ImmunityOorder stands, it establishes a Dangerous Double Standard, Transforming a Federal Agency into a Political Shield. With the National Treasury Employees Union now Driving the Litigation, the Battle moves Beyond mere Partisan Fighting to Focus on Safeguarding the Institutional Integrity of the Nation's Tax System against Unprecedented Presidential.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Judge Orders Pentagon to End Halting Wind Projects

A Federal Judge has ordered the Pentagon to End its Freeze on reviewing onshore Wind Projects, marking yet another Crushing Court Loss for the Trump (R) Administration in its Efforts to Block the Development of Wind Power. Judge Karin Immergut of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, who was Nominated by Trump, Ruled in Favor of a Group of Renewable Energy Groups that Claimed the Trump Administration was Unlawfully Delaying Dozens of Wind Projects, and Costing States Tens-of-Billions of Dollars.

In April, the Department of War (DOW), Halted All Military Reviews of proposed Onshore Wind Farms. These Reviews have Long been Considered Routine and are Conducted to Determine that New Turbines do Not Interfere with Military Operations, Local Radar, or even Flight Paths.

The Renewable Energy Groups asked the Court to Order the Resumption of the Reviews in 6/2026, claiming it had Stalled 106 Planned Wind Projects in 21 States. Overall, the Freeze has Cost those States $47 Billion in Potential Investments, the Plaintiffs said Immergut Ruled on 8/6/2026 that the Pentagon Violated Legal Deadlines when it Halted the Reviews and determined that the Groups were likely to Prevail if the Case moves forward.

She has since Ordered the Agency to resume the Reviews and provide Updates to the Court on its Progress every 30 days. The Ruling was quickly Celebrated by Environmentalist Organizations, with the Sierra Club’s Senior Attorney Joshua Berman calling it a “victory for the rule of law.” “Trump’s agencies have tried every trick in the book to stop or slow-walk renewable energy development, and courts have seen through their ruses time after time,” Berman said.

The Trump Administration has maintained that the Pause in Reviews was driven by National Ssecurity concerns. The Freeze was just One Ppart of a Whole-of-Government attempt to Block the Development of Onshore and Offshore Wind, as Trump has repeatedly Promised to Stop any Wind Farms from being Built under His second term. Last year, the Aadministration imposed New Regulatory Hurdles for Future Wind Ffarms, Canceled more than $679 Million in Funding for Offshore Wind Projects, and Attempted to Rescind Permits or Leases for Under-Construction Projects.

The Administration has found some Success in Blocking New Projects by Striking what it Ddescribes as “Settlement” Agreements with Offshore Wind Developers, Paying the Companies to Relinquish their Offshore Leases and Divert Investments to Fossil Fuels.

The Latest of these Deals was Announced on 8/6/2026 by German Energy Developer RWE, which has been paid $1.22 Billion to Scrap Tthree off the Coasts of: California, Louisiana, and New York.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Limits Birthright Citizenship

Trump (R) on 8/6/2026 Signed Two Executive Orders, again aimed at Restricting Birthright Citizenship, an attempt to Circumvent the Supreme Court Ruling, that Upheld the Constitutional Protection.

In late 6/2026, the Supreme Court Struck Down Trump’s Executive Order (EO) that sought to End Automatic Birthright Citizenship for All Children Born on U.S. Soil, holding it Violated the 14th Amendment.

“We had a very unfortunate decision in the Supreme Court concerning birthright,” Trump said. “It was close, but a very, very unfortunate decision. So we’re making adjustments because it’s very unfair.”

One of Trump's Orders Expands the Definition of Who would be Ineligible for Automatic Citizenship, including “alien enemies of the United States, members of foreign terrorist organizations, and large categories of people who lobby and act on behalf of foreign governments,” according to Officials.

The Second Order seeks to Ban the Practice of “Birth Tourism,” a form of Obtaining a Visa on Fraudulent Grounds, that is already Illegal but has become a Target of the Right.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker