The Trump administration has finalized a rule that significantly alters the enforcement of the Endangered Species Act by narrowing the definition of “harm.” This change permits development activities like logging and oil drilling in critical wildlife habitats, provided animals are not directly killed or injured, a departure from the previous broad interpretation that included habitat encroachment. Environmental groups contend this move could lead to species extinction by enabling habitat destruction, while administration officials argue it aligns with the law’s original intent and protects property rights.
Read More
President Trump is set to deliver a televised address regarding newly declassified intelligence on US election investigations and alleged voting machine vulnerabilities. This speech is expected to reiterate his unfounded claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Despite assurances from election officials and a lack of evidence supporting foreign interference that altered past results, the administration has been pursuing increased federal oversight of elections. Concerns have been raised by Democrats and cybersecurity experts that these actions could be aimed at influencing upcoming midterm elections.
Read More
President Donald Trump is slated to announce in a Thursday evening address that newly declassified intelligence reports expose a foreign nation’s intentions to interfere in the 2020 presidential election. He is expected to be accompanied by key national security officials. This planned announcement follows Trump’s repeated, unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, which he lost to President Joe Biden.
Read More
The US government has returned $81 billion in tariffs collected this fiscal year, a significant increase attributed to a Supreme Court ruling that found a substantial portion of President Trump’s ordered tariffs illegal. This mandated repayment has reversed the deficit-reducing effect of those tariffs, with the federal deficit now growing again. Despite the expiration of a global tariff set for July 24th, the administration is reportedly developing new duties related to labor laws and industrial capacity.
Read More
President Trump’s declaration of a U.S. blockade on Iran and a demand for reimbursement for assisting ships through the Strait of Hormuz caused oil prices to surge over 9%. This development halted the decline in U.S. gasoline prices, with projections suggesting a national average of $4 per gallon within days. The International Maritime Organization rejected the reimbursement idea, citing no legal basis for such tolls, though Iran’s foreign minister suggested a lower rate. The blockade, effective Tuesday, targets vessels to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas, following recent U.S. strikes in retaliation for Iranian attacks on commercial vessels.
Read More
A federal judge has ruled that former President Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS for an improper purpose, aiming to legitimize a settlement that lacked legal or factual basis. This settlement, which granted Trump and his entities immunity from audits and investigations, was viewed by the judge as an attempt to leverage presidential power over government agencies to secure benefits. The judge also noted that provisions of the settlement potentially violate federal law regarding presidential compensation and audit interference, referring Trump’s lawyer for disciplinary review.
Read More
The ruling characterized Trump’s 2026 lawsuit, filed by himself, his sons, and the Trump Organization, not as a typical dispute between adversaries. Instead, it was depicted as an action orchestrated by lawyers with affiliations to Trump and individuals who asserted they were targeted by the government. This framing suggests the legal action was driven by a specific group with shared connections and grievances.
Read More
The court found that the lawsuit’s aim was to legitimize an agreement granting immunity to individuals and entities connected to the President and to divert taxpayer funds for undefined grievances. Consequently, any party involved in the settlement, including the Treasury Department and the IRS, is barred from referencing the arrangement in official capacities. Furthermore, the president’s attorney was referred to the Florida bar for potential disciplinary action, and the court observed that the legal action was initiated only after the president returned to office.
Read More
Following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an Iranian newspaper published a front page depicting numerous international leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in prison uniforms with targets on their heads, identifying them as allegedly responsible. This imagery was released after a message attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei vowed that “revenge will come soon.” The published list featured other senior U.S. and Israeli officials, alongside European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Trump has concurrently asserted he is at the top of Iran’s assassination list and has stated he has issued instructions for a forceful response should Iran attempt to assassinate him.
Read More
Following the unexpected death of Senator Lindsey Graham, President Donald Trump has publicly urged South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to appoint Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to fill the vacant Senate seat. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina has also voiced his support for this appointment, citing Graham Nordone’s understanding of Graham’s dedication to family, the state, and the nation. Governor McMaster, who has the authority to make the interim appointment, is expected to announce his decision later today.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker