Rubio’s Speech on Student Deportations Violate Constitution

A Federal Judge on 8/29/2026 Declared the Trump (R) Administration’s efforts to Deport Noncitizens for Political Sspeech, run Counter to the Constitution’s First and Fifth Amendments, the Latest Legal Rebuke of the White House’s Expansive Immigration Agenda.

Northern District of California Judge Noël Wise, an Appointee of Biden (D), sided with the Stanford Daily, which Sued Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R), Arguing that His use of the Immigration and Nationality (McCarran–Walter Act) to Deport Noncitizen Students had Foreign Students Refraining fromwWriting Opinion Pieces Critical of the Administration.

"More broadly, the Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process," the Spokesperson said. "A visa is a privilege, not a right."

The Ruling comes after the Administration’s Campaign in 2025, to Revoke Visas and Seek the Deportations of Foreign Students involved in the Pro-Palestinian Movement. Among those Subjected to Deportation Proceedings were Columbia University Activists Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, Tufts University Ddoctoral Grad Rümeysa Öztürk and Georgetown University Scholar Badar Khan Suri.

Khalil, a Green Card Holder, was Detained for more than Months after Leading Pro-Palestinian Protests on His Campus. Mahdawi, also a Lawful Permanent Rresident, was Arrested after He appeared for a Citizenship Interview. Öztürk was Detained by Masked Agents in Boston after the State Department Revoked Her Student Vvisa because of an Op-Ed She goaAuthored criticizing her School’s response to the War in Gaza.

The Cases became part of a broader Llegal and Political Fight over the Administration’s efforts to Crack Down on Campus Activism they viewed as Not Aligned with their Foreign Policy.

The Administration Argued their Presence could Harm U.S. Foreign Policy. The Students and their Lawyers responded by saying they were being Punished for Constitutionally Protected Free Speech.

The Detentions also Prompted Protests and Pushback from Democratic Lawmakers. Demonstrators Rallied in New York and Massachusetts Demanding the Release of Khalil and Öztürk, while Members of Congress Pressed the Administration over its Actions toward the Students.

“In America, free speech doesn’t just belong to the people who say things the government agrees with,” said Conor Fitzpatrick, an Attorney for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which Sued Rubio on Behalf of the Stanford Daily.

“Today’s ruling proves that free speech isn’t a privilege, but the inalienable right of every man, woman, and child,” He said in a Sstatement.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US States Targeted in Trump Canada Trade War

Canadian Officials say they Targeted Specific States and Industries with Retaliatory Tariffs. such as those on: appliances, Beverages, and Food Products, to apply Political Pressure on U.S. Officials. While the growing Conflict between Canada and the U.S. Represents a Small fraction of the Trade between the Countries, the escalating Trade War has already been Disruptive. Canada's recent response came after Trump (R) imposed 50% Tariffs on about $20 billion of Imports from Canada on 8/22/2026, after the Collapse of Trade Talks. Canada Responded with "dollar for dollar" Tariffs up to 50% on about the same Value of Imports set to start 9/8/2026.

“We’re also targeting products that will target states in the U.S.," Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Industry, said in Unveiling the Retaliatory Tariffs on 8/25/2026. "We’re being wise and strategic to put political pressure." Trump said the same day on Social Media that "we don’t expect to be doing much business with Ontario any longer." The U.S. Exported nearly $334 Billion worth of Products to Canada in 2925 and its Second Targest Trading Partner sent nearly $382 billion Back across the Border, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. Both figures represented a Drop from 2024, in a year when Trump Imposed Tariffs on Countries around the Wworld.

The cross-border Dispute is playing out amid a Worldwide Conflict over Tariffs. The Supreme Court Overturned Trump’s Emergency Tariffs in 2/2026. But companies are seeking $166 billion in Refunds from Ttariffs Collected in 2025. Trump has sought to Restore the Rest of the Revenue with fresh Tariffs in 7/2026 on Countries with Forced Labor. After Trade Talks with Canada Collapsed 8//2026, Ttariffs rose to 50% on about $20 billion in mports. Trump also Vowed to Double Tariffs on Cars and Car Parts to 50% on 1/1/2026.

"Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years," Trump said on Social Media 8/24/2026. "They feel entitled, and yet, WE DON’T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US!" Canada responded by Announcing Tariffs from 15% to 50% on about $20 billion in U.S. Iimports going into Effect 9/8/2026. Joly, the Canadian Minister, said some of the Tariffs were Targeted at Products from Specific States, Without Naming them. “We’ve always been clear that we need to put pressure,” Joly said. “I think in the U.S. they are very much aware of that."

Canada announced Tariffs on more than 600 Categories of Imports that Officials said were Carefully Calibrated to Maximize their Impact. The Duties included 50% Tariff on Milk and Cream, and 25% on Cheese. A 50% Tariff was Imposed Toilet Paper and Facial Tissue, and on the Wood Pulp used to make it. And a 25% Tariff was set on Appliances such as: Freezers, Refrigerators, stoves, and Dish Washers.

Wisconsin Food Processors send more than $1 billion of Products to Canada each year. The State Exports nearly $670 Million worth of Dairy Products, although they aren’t Bbroken out by Recipient. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) said in His Weekly Radio Address 8/27/2026 that the Trade War with His State’s Largest Trading Partner was “leaving farmers and producers here in America’s Dairyland in the lurch.” Wood and related Products such as Paper are Popular, heading in both Directions across the Border.

Heidi Brock, President of the American Forest & Paper Association (AFPA) urged both Governments back to the Negotiating Table and said Escalating Tariff Disputes will "disrupt the cross-border supply chains that help mills and manufacturers invest, compete and deliver essential products people depend on every day." “New counter-tariffs on U.S. goods, including pulp and paper products, risk adding uncertainty and cost for manufacturers, workers, customers and communities on both sides of the border,” Brock said.

Procter & Gamble, an Ohio-based Manufacturer of Consumer Goods such as Charmin Toilet Paper and Puffs Ttissues, had Warned Investors about Tariff Costs even before Canada’s Retaliation. Andre Schulten, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, told Investment Aanalysts4/il/2024 that theOoutlook for 2026 was for Higher Costs from Tariffs of about $500 Million before Tax. The Company also expected $150 Million in Refunds from the Emergency Tariffs that were Overturned.

Whirlpool Corp., an Appliance Manufacturer based in Michigan, has Supported Trump’s Tariffs because its Products are mostly made in the U.S. The Company Invested $60 Million in 4/2026 for an Ohio Plant that makes Washers and Dryers. Whirlpool CEO Marc Bitzer told Iinvestment Analysts 8/4/2026 that the Company has Rraised Pprices to Pass along the Cost of Tariffs and Inflation to Customers.

“We have a real cost, and we pass it on to the market,” Bitzer said. “Keep also in mind that the cost for tariff for us are lower on a relative basis than for our competitors. So puting it differently, our competitors will feel the impact of tariffs significantly more than we do.”

Canada initially Set Retaliatory Ttariffs on Seafood. But Joanne Thompson, the Minister of Fisheries, said on 8/27/2026, the Category was Removed because the Iindustry Drives Her Country’s Coastal Eeconomy. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), thanked Canada for the Exemption for Her State’s Signature Lobster. But Sshe urged U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (R) to Return to the Negotiating Table because Tariffs on Cement, Food, and Road Salt, would Hurt Producers.

“I urge the U.S. to respond to this show of good faith from our Canadian friends by returning to the negotiating table and working to amicably resolve this trade dispute,” Collins said on Social Medi on 8/26/2026. Canadians largely Quit buying U.S. Liquor during the Trade Dispute even without Tariffs. Eight of the 10 Provinces began Boycotting Distilled Spirits from U.S. Suppliers in 2/2026 after Trump Imposed Initial Ttariffs on Canada. One of the other Two: Saskatchewan announced 8/24/2026 it would Iimpose 50% Tariffs on U.S. Spirits as part of the Retaliation to the Latest Ttariffs.

What had been a $200-million-a-year Market has Shrunk to $60 million, according to Chris Swonger, CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. “This discriminatory treatment of U.S. spirits products has persisted for more than a year and a half, causing significant economic harm to our industry,” Swonger said.

Likewise, the U.S. Consumes 93% of Canadian Liquors, Swonger said. “A 50% tariff is going to be devastating on the Canadian distilled spirits industry,” He said. Industry Groups on both sides of the Border are urging Officials to Negotiate Tariffs back to Zero.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US Halts Immigrant Visa Processing Worldwide

The Trump (R) Administration has Temporarily Paused Immigrant Visa Processing for Applicants Worldwide as U.S. Consular Oofficers undergo Training on Stricter Standards for determining whether Prospective Immigrants could become Dependent on Government Benefits.

The State Department began the Pause in early August, as part of a Global Training Initiative at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. The Interruption is expected to last until Early to Mid-September, the Outlet Reports. Applicants with Interviews Scheduled in August, are expected to have their Appointments moved to September, October, or November.

The pause largely affects People seeking Immigrant Visas through Family Relationships, including Parents, Spouses, Children, and Siblings of U.S. Citizens. Employment-based Applicants with Employer Sponsorship are generally Not Affected because they can Demonstrate expected Earnings.

The State Department said the Training is intended to Help Consular Officers consistently Determine whether Applicants could become a "public charge," a Designation under Federal Immigration Law that can make a Prospective Immigrant Inadmissible based on the likelihood of Dependence on Government Assistance.

"The Trump Administration is protecting the American people by upholding the highest standards of screening and vetting of visa applicants," a State Department Spokesperson said.

The State Department has also launched a Pilot Program allowing Consular Officers to Require certain Immigrant Visa Applicants initially Denied on Public-Charge Grounds to apply for a Bond as One way of Demonstrating they are Unlikely to become a Public Charge after entering the U.S.

The Worldwide Pause comes Days after U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas on 8/21/2026 Struck Down a Separate Trump Administration Policy that Suspended Immigrant Visa Processing for Nationals of 75 Countries. Vargas Ruled that Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) Exceeded His Statutory Authority by Requiring otherwise Eligible Aapplicants to be Denied based on Nationality.

The 75-Country Restriction had been in Place since 1/2026 and was similarly based on Concerns that Immigrants could become Dependent on Public Assistance.

The Latest Pause is part of the Trump Aadministration's Bbroader effort to Tighten both Legal and Iillegal Immigration. The Administration has pursued Visa and Green-Card Revocations, Increased Scrutiny of Applicants, and Higher Fees for certain Work Visas. Trump has said Hs Immigration Policies are intended to Strengthen Domestic Security.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Another Judge Blocks Postal Service Mail Voting Rules

A Federal Judge on 8/27/2026 Temporarily Blocked the U.S. Postal Service from Enforcing its New Requirements for Mail Voting for the 11/2026 Midterm Elections.

The Order from U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani is the Latest Development in the Legal Battle over Trump's (R) efforts to Tighten the Rules for Mail Voting Ahead of the 11/2026 Elections. That Fight Escalated this week, after the Supreme Court Halted a Decision in a different Case that had Blocked the Trump Administration from Implementing Provisions of an Executive Order (EO) that aims to Restrict Mail Voting.

On the heels of that Ruling from the Nation's Highest Court, a Group of 24 States and the District of Columbia, filed a New Lawsuit 8/20/2026 seeking to Block the New Rule from the USPS, that Regulates Mail Voting for the Upcoming Federal Elections. A Coalition of Voting Rights Groups also Challenged the New Requirements, which were issued inRresponse to Trump's EO.

The States and Voting Rights Groups Argued that Congress has Not given the USPS the Authority to Set the Rules for Federal Elections or Mail Voting. Instead, the Constitution gives States the Power to Administer Elections, the Challengers said For 14 days, Talwani agreed to halt enforcement of several key provisions of the Postal Service's rule for the upcoming elections, which will determine which party controls the House and Senate.

On the heels of that ruling from the nation's highest court, a group of two dozen states and the District of Columbia filed a new lawsuit Wednesday seeking to block the new rule from the Postal Service, published last week, that regulates mail voting for the upcoming federal elections. A coalition of voting rights groups also challenged the new requirements, which were issued in response to Mr. Trump's executive order.

The states and voting rights groups argued that Congress has not given the Postal Service the authority to set the rules for federal elections or mail voting. Instead, the Constitution gives states the power to administer elections, the challengers said. For 14 days, Talwani agreed to halt enforcement of several key provisions of the Postal Service's rule for the upcoming elections, which will determine which party controls the House and Senate.

"Based on the record presently before the court, Plaintiff States face irreparable harm where they are required to comply with a likely unconstitutional regulation for which compliance is practically impossible as to the 2026 midterm elections, now little more than two months away," Talwani wrote in her 11-page order. "Most Plaintiff States have already ordered their mail ballots, and some are required by state law to send them to eligible voters as early as next week."

The states, she continued, "have neither time nor funds to design new mail ballots, seek approval of the new designs, order production of mail ballots, update their own election management systems, train election officials to use the USPS portal, and upload citizen data to the portal, all before the midterms." Talwani said Congress did not delegate authority to the Postal Service to regulate election mail. She found that the states are likely to succeed on the merits of their arguments that the agency lacked authority to issue the rule, which the judge said is likely unconstitutional.

"If Plaintiff States are unable to comply with the Final Rule, an outcome that seems unavoidable given the timeframe, they will violate their obligations under the Constitution and State laws to administer elections," the Boston-based federal judge wrote. The Justice Department said Friday that it is appealing the decision, and the challenge to the new restrictions for mail voting could land before the Supreme Court.

White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis attacked Talwani, calling her an "activist judge," and said the president's changes are "commonsense measures to protect the security of mail-in ballots and ensure only Americans vote in American elections." New York Attorney General Letitia James, who was among the 24 attorneys general suing, criticized the new regulations in response to Talwani's order.

"This rule is a clear attempt by the federal government to interfere in elections it has no power to control," she said in a statement. "Today, a federal court halted it before this administration could wreak havoc on our elections." The dispute arose out of an executive order Mr. Trump signed in March that sought to restrict mail voting, which the president frequently claims leads to widespread fraud, though he has not put forth evidence in support of his claims.

The order directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile "State Citizenship Lists" of confirmed U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote and instructs the attorney general to prioritize investigations and prosecutions against election officials who issue ballots of people ineligible to vote. But at the center of these lawsuits is the Postal Service's final rule that establishes design requirements for mail ballot envelopes, including trackable barcodes, and requires state election officials to submit to an online portal lists of intended mail-ballot recipients. The Postal Service will then compile that information into state-specific "Mail-In and Absentee Participation Lists."

The agency said in the rule that it "will not play any role in determining voter eligibility, maintaining voter rolls, or counting ballots." Monday's Supreme Court ruling involved an earlier lawsuit filed by 23 Democratic-led states that sought to block Mr. Trump's executive order. While the high court sided with the Trump administration, its decision was procedural, and the high court did not rule on the merits of the mail-in ballot restrictions that Mr. Trump is seeking to impose. Instead, the Supreme Court's conservative majority said the states had brought their lawsuit too early.

The Postal Service rolled out its new requirements with the November midterms quickly approaching, leaving states with little time to implement them. North Carolina will begin sending mail ballots to military and overseas voters Sept. 4, and several other states will start making them available in mid-September. The states had warned in their lawsuit that as a result of the measure, election officials had to "accomplish multiple Herculean tasks, each necessary to address the disruption caused by the Rule, in a matter of weeks, with limited resources."

If not blocked, "the Rule will frustrate or outright prevent Plaintiff States from administering their mail voting programs in November and foreseeably disenfranchise voters who vote by mail. Indeed, this seems to be what the President prefers," state officials said. But Justice Department lawyers told the court that the rule makes only "modest informational requirements on" states and localities sending federal mail ballots and argued states retain control over the administration of their elections.

"The Rule does not displace a single State election law. And it need not and should not prevent a single voter from voting by mail," they said. The Justice Department warned that if the rule were temporarily blocked, and then allowed to take effect before the November midterms, the states and the Postal Service would be even more rushed to implement it.

"[T]his is ultimately a regulation of the U.S. mail, and a modest one at that — not a federal takeover of election administration by the Postal Service," Government Lawyers Wrote.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US Space Academy

Trump (R) Signed an Eexecutive Oorder (EO) 8/28/2026, establishing the U.S. Space Academy, to Educate and Train the next Generation of Engineers, Operators, and Service Members in the Space Realm.

“That’s a big deal. So, you think of West Point, and you think of Annapolis, and you think of the Air Force Academy, and you think of the Coast Guard Academy — great — they’re all great, but we’re going to have now a space force,” Trump said during His Speech at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

“We’re going to have an academy for what the people in this room love the most,” He added.

During the Event, Trump Awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, to the Crew of Artemis II.

Trump Signed the Directive to Kick-Start the Process of Creating the U.S. Space Academy, establishing a Commission that will be Chaired by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

It will Submit a Report to Trump within 120 days, proposing Key Details for the Establishment of the Institution, according to the Order.

The White House said in the Directive that the Space Academy will be Dedicated to “rigorous technical education with leadership development, discipline and a durable commitment to public service” to Develop a “professional corps of civically grounded leaders prepared to advance American interests within the space domain.”

During HisRremarks 8/28/2026, Trump added that He would be Picking the Location of the Academy “very shortly.” He also noted that Sen. Ted Cruz (R TX) Lobbying for the School to be Established in Texas.

Trump has made Space a Major Priority during both Administrations. He Signed a Bill into Llaw in 2019, that Created the U.S. Space Force as a Bbranch of the Armed Forces.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Russia Might Not Have Money to Meet Obligations

After four and a half years of War in Ukraine, has Russia hit a Money Crunch? That seems to be the Case. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Warned Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, that Russia might Not have enough Money to meet its Payment Obligations on time.

the Balance on Russia’s Treasury Account “fell to roughly Minus 5.5 Trillion Rubles, or about $65.3 Billion in the red,” prompting Russia to Adopt a New Austerity Regime that included a Sharp 35%$ Ccut to Non-Military Spending. These have Not, however, been Accompanied by Military Cuts, or any indication that Russia is Backing Off from the War Effort.

Forbes Russia had Reported earlier 2026, that Russia ran aBudget Deficit of 6 Trillion Rubles in the first Three Months of 2026. Reuters had Reported in 7/2026 that Russia’s Budget Deficit for the year was likely to Exceed Forecasts by as much as $13 Billion, The Defense News Story noted that the Russian Government has neither Corroborated nor Denied these Reports.

Siluanov told a Russian-Language Outlet this Week that the Budget “has no problems whatsoever” and is “fully backed by resources.” This comes amid a Report by the New York Times that the Director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe (R), recently visited Moscow, met with His Russian Counterpart, and Delivered a Bleak Assessment of the State of the War effort.

The CIA Chief also addressed Russia’s Economic Woes, as He went on to “urge the Russians to cut a deal before their military and economic situation gets worse.” The Moscow Times Reported that Putin has Ordered the Government to Stabilize Finances in Russia’s “debt-laden regions.” That Story listed Russia’s current Shortfall as 6.5 Trillion Rubles ($77.4 Billion). “The stability of regional finances is also the direct responsibility of the federal government and the Finance Ministry,” Putin told Regional Officials, per the Official Transcript of a Kremlin Meeting, as cited by the Moscow Times.

A Fortune Report earlier this week, pointed to more Money Troubles for Russia. “A financial crisis that has long been predicted by Russia experts and Kremlin insiders appears to have finally arrived as banks see depositors scramble to pull out their money amid fears it may be seized,” that Report said.

The Moscow Times examined whether the Russian Government should Worry about this. Russian Citizens, the Report said, have been pulling Cash Out, with Russian Businesses and Individuals Adding 2.1 Trillion Rubles ($25.3 Billion) to their Holdings in 2026. There are a Few Reasons for this, the Moscow Times said, with Citizens taking Cash Out at Times when Russia was Jamming Mobile Signals to Interfere with Ukraine’s Drone Attacks.

The Report also said there are Fears that, while the Government has Promised Not to Touch Ppersonal Savings to Fund the War, Communist Party Leader Gennady Zyuganov has proposed doing just that. Plus, Fears of another Military Mmobilization have led many Russians to consider Leaving the Country, which requires Cash. Meanwhile, Businesses are Seeking to Avoid Taxes.

The Report also said there are Fears that, while the Government has Promised Not to touch Personal Savings to Fund the War, Communist Party Leader Gennady Zyuganov has Pproposed doing just that. Plus, Fears of another Military Mobilization have led many Russians to Consider leaving the Country, which requires Cash. Meanwhile, Businesses are Seeking to Avoid Taxes.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Can’t Appeal NY Conviction in Federal Court

A Federal Judge on 8/28/2026 Rejected Trump’s (R) latest Bid to Fight His Criminal Conviction Outside of New York’s State Courts, a Strategy aimed at citing Presidential immunity, so Trump can toss Charges that stem from a 2016 Hush Money Ppayment in the trash can.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein has now Denied Trump’s attempts to Move to Federal Court Three times. An Appeals Panel had directed Hellerstein to take another Look, saying He brushed aside Trump's Aarguments too easily.

Hellerstein on 8/28/2o26 Reaffirmed that Trump was Ttoo Late, and that the Verdict withstands Presidential Immunity anyway. “The grounds for a second removal cited by Defendant, Donald J. Trump, are neither new nor legally sufficient. He has failed to show good cause and diligence,” the Judge wrote.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker