In response to the Supreme Court’s decision invalidating his prior import duties, President Trump has signed a new executive order imposing a 10% “global tariff.” This new measure, effective immediately and lasting 150 days, utilizes Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, replacing tariffs previously enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). While some countries may see reduced tariff rates compared to prior agreements, the administration indicated that higher rates could be reinstated for specific nations as alternative legal pathways are explored. The President expressed strong disapproval of the Supreme Court’s ruling, stating he would continue to pursue tariffs without congressional involvement.
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The president has signed an executive order to protect the domestic production of glyphosate-based herbicides, such as Roundup, and elemental phosphorus, citing national security concerns related to food supply. This order also aims to provide immunity for manufacturers from liability, a move strongly criticized by health and environmental advocates who highlight the herbicide’s links to cancer and ongoing litigation against companies like Bayer. Critics argue this order prioritizes chemical companies over public health and betrays promises made to voters concerned about pesticide use.
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Despite a landmark $289 million verdict against Monsanto for distributing a weedkiller containing the carcinogenic chemical glyphosate, President Trump issued an executive order mandating its production. Invoking the Defense Production Act, Trump claimed a lack of glyphosate herbicides would “critically jeopardize agricultural productivity.” This decision, however, drew sharp criticism from public health advocates and environmental groups who viewed it as a betrayal of promises to protect public health and a move to grant legal immunity to Bayer, the company that acquired Monsanto. The executive order also came after a study supporting glyphosate’s safety was retracted due to ethical concerns regarding Monsanto’s involvement and after Bayer had made a significant donation to the Trump inaugural committee.
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Fueled by former President Trump’s calls for stricter voting measures and concerns about election integrity, a House-passed bill requiring proof of citizenship and photo ID for voting now heads to the Senate. Despite Trump’s assertion that he will implement national voter ID requirements via executive order if Congress fails to act, the bill faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where Democrats vow to block its passage. Critics argue the legislation, dubbed the SAVE America Act, could disenfranchise voters and serve as a pretext for election interference, while proponents maintain it is essential for securing election outcomes.
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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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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood