A federal judge in Seattle ruled against the Trump administration’s Executive Order 14248, which sought to reshape election administration, including requiring proof of citizenship and ending vote-by-mail systems that count ballots received after Election Day. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit from Oregon and Washington, states that utilize vote-by-mail. The court found that the President lacked the constitutional authority to dictate election procedures, citing the Constitution’s assignment of election regulation to the states and Congress. Consequently, multiple provisions of the executive order were permanently blocked, and the states were permitted to maintain their existing ballot-receipt deadlines.
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani began his term by swiftly revoking most executive orders issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams, after his indictment on corruption charges. This move, one of several executive orders, aims to provide a “fresh start” while also vowing to reinstate some key orders, such as maintaining the Office to Combat Antisemitism. Mamdani also focused on housing, signing orders to revitalize the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants and establish task forces to expedite housing construction and streamline development processes, appointing left-wing activist Cea Weaver as the director of the Office to Protect Tenants. The mayor’s final executive order established new leadership roles and outlined the continued operation of several offices within his administration.
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani began his term by repealing all executive orders from the previous administration after the former mayor’s federal indictment and formally appointing his deputy mayors. Focusing on housing, the new mayor launched two task forces, LIFT and SPEED, with the goal of expediting home construction and appointed a housing advocate to head the Office to Protect Tenants. The administration is also intervening in the bankruptcy sale of a building with thousands of hazardous violations to protect tenants, demonstrating the commitment to improving housing conditions for all New Yorkers.
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Moments after his inauguration, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced three new executive orders focused on housing in New York City. These orders aim to protect tenants by revitalizing the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, appointing Cea Weaver as director and pledging to intervene in cases of illegal conditions. Additionally, the new administration will work to speed up housing construction and increase supply through the SPEED and LIFT task forces, designed to promote building on city-owned land and cut bureaucratic delays. The mayor’s first major action will be in court, intervening in the bankruptcy proceedings of Pinnacle Realty to seek relief for tenants.
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New York Signs AI Safety Bill Into Law, Ignoring Trump Executive Order is a really interesting development, and it’s got me thinking. It seems New York is making a clear statement here. Executive orders, at least in this case, are essentially just…suggestions. They carry no weight over state laws. It’s like, you can’t tell the states what to do; they have their own power.
It’s pretty satisfying, in a way, to see Trump’s pronouncements not hold sway. He can huff and puff all he wants, but New York’s new AI safety bill is going into effect regardless. It is a clear act of defiance, and it is satisfying.… Continue reading
President Donald Trump signed an executive order classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, broadening the U.S. government’s authority to combat the opioid crisis. This designation allows the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to deploy tools typically used against weapons proliferation to combat drug traffickers. The move follows Trump’s earlier designation of drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, leading to military strikes against suspected drug vessels. While the administration claims these actions are necessary, critics, including legal experts, question their legality and call for congressional oversight.
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According to sources, President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order that could reclassify marijuana, potentially as early as Monday. This action would shift cannabis companies to different tax regulations and encourage investment. Such a move is anticipated to be a positive development for the cannabis industry, possibly allowing banks to more easily serve the sector. While seen as progress towards normalizing cannabis under national law, experts note that reclassification is a partial victory, and further action, including Congressional involvement, will be needed for broader regulatory changes and reforms.
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Former President Donald Trump has stated that AI will be stifled if companies are forced to navigate 50 different state-level regulatory frameworks. He plans to sign an executive order to establish a singular national standard for AI, arguing against the complexity of individual state approvals. A draft of this order could potentially authorize the Department of Justice to challenge states with what are considered to be “onerous” AI laws. This stance is likely to face opposition, especially from Republicans who typically advocate for states’ rights.
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NYC Mayor Adams signs executive order banning divestments from Israel, and it’s certainly stirring up a reaction. It seems like a lot of folks are raising eyebrows at this move, and for good reason. The core of the concern appears to be a First Amendment issue. Many people feel this is a blatant attempt to stifle free speech by essentially punishing those who choose to express their political or economic views by divesting from Israel. The use of executive power in this way, to police such expression, is viewed by many as a dangerous overreach.
The question of enforceability is also being loudly asked.… Continue reading
Former President Donald Trump declared his intention to terminate all executive orders allegedly signed by Joe Biden using an autopen, claiming approximately 92% of Biden’s actions were executed in this manner. Legal experts dispute the validity of this claim, asserting that the method of signing has no bearing on the legitimacy of executive orders. Trump’s declaration comes after he previously ordered an investigation into Biden’s autopen use, which has been criticized by some as a major political scandal. While the exact implications of Trump’s announcement remain uncertain, it highlights a debate over the use of automated signature devices and their role in presidential actions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood