Tag Archives: Trump Administration

Washington Free Beacon: Trump Withdraws $716M Biden-Era Loan for New Jersey Green Energy Project, Dealing Latest Blow to Wind Industry

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‘The Trump administration is done subsidizing projects that ultimately raise energy prices,’ official tells Free Beacon

President Donald Trump’s Department of Energy withdrew a $715.8 million loan the Biden administration promised to a New Jersey utility company to help finance a proposed power line transporting offshore wind power to the grid, the Washington Free Beacon has learned.

According to three Energy Department officials, the agency withdrew the loan after negotiations with leaders of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCPL), the company behind the project. JCPL leaders, they said, acknowledged the project was likely no longer feasible in light of recent offshore wind project cancellations in New Jersey—in other words, the power line would be rendered useless without offshore wind projects.

The officials, who spoke with the Free Beacon on the condition of anonymity, added that the loan didn’t conform with the Trump administration’s energy agenda, which prioritizes traditional power generation over weather-dependent electricity like wind and solar.

“The Trump administration is done subsidizing projects that ultimately raise energy prices and that are bad investments for the American people. This decision should come as no surprise,” one of the officials said.

“We’re happy to work with these utilities. We just want to do things that actually solve the problem of fixing higher prices and making us more energy secure,” a second official told the Free Beacon.

It’s a significant blow to the offshore wind industry and adds to the growing list of setbacks the industry has faced since Trump took office seven months ago. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has rescinded wind energy subsidies, curbed preferential treatment for wind developers, added environmental requirements for wind projects, launched an overhaul of existing regulations that make it easier for wind projects to receive quick approvals, and paused an under-construction wind farm off the coast of Connecticut.

Those actions fulfill Trump’s promises to block green energy development, which he says has led to higher electricity prices and damages the environment. “We will not approve wind or farmer destroying Solar. The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!!” he wrote on Truth Social last week.

The Biden administration, meanwhile, issued its conditional loan commitment for JCPL’s power line project—the so-called Clean Energy Corridor project—just days before Trump took office in January, stating that it would help add “clean, resilient power” to the grid and support New Jersey’s green energy mandate laws.

It was one of dozens of green energy loans worth a total of more than $80 billion that Biden officials issued after Trump was elected in November.

The Department of Energy terminated another one of those loans, a conditional commitment worth $4.9 billion to help finance the Grain Belt Express power line in the Midwest. That project, like JCPL’s Clean Energy Corridor, was designed to transport wind energy.

“The last guys rushed all these things out, knowing that they didn’t really make sense. And they tried to bind us,” one of the Energy Department officials said. “We’re not going to fall for it—it’s not the way to behave if you’re a fiduciary for the American people.”

In a statement to the Free Beacon, JCPL said it has “no new updates” on the status of the loan.

EXCLUSIVE: Trump Withdraws $716M Biden-Era Loan for New Jersey Green Energy Project, Dealing Latest Blow to Wind Industry
President Donald Trump’s Department of Energy withdrew a $715.8 million loan the Biden administration promised to a New Jersey utility company to help finance a proposed power line transporting offshore wind power to the grid, the Washington Free Beacon has learned.

Washington Free Beacon: Trump Admin Revokes Visas for Palestinian Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly Meeting, Citing ‘Incitement to Terrorism’

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The Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization have long had a “pay-to-slay” policy of providing money to imprisoned terrorists and their families

The Trump administration on Friday revoked visas for Palestinian officials seeking to attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York City next month, denying them entry into the United States as punishment for inciting terrorism against Israel and pursuing statehood outside of the established peace process.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio “is denying and revoking visas from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian National Authority (PA) ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly,” a State Department spokesman confirmed to the Washington Free Beacon. The Trump administration’s decision marks the first time the U.S. government has denied the Palestinian government permission to attend the U.N. gathering.

“The Trump Administration has been clear: it is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace,” the State Department spokesman told the Free Beacon.

The decision is meant to derail the Palestinian officials’ unilateral bid to seek statehood when the U.N. General Assembly convenes for a session expected to revolve around the issue. France and Saudi Arabia hosted a two-state solution summit last month in hopes of building momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state among U.N. member nations.

French president Emmanuel Macron announced last month he “will recognize the State of Palestine” as part of his country’s “commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”

The U.S. government will only consider the PA and PLO “partners for peace” if they “consistently repudiate terrorism—including the October 7 massacre—and end incitement to terrorism in education, as required by law and as promised by the PLO,” the State Department spokesman said in a statement.

One of the more noteworthy forms of both organizations’ support for terrorism is known as “pay-to-slay,” a program in which the PA and PLO provide millions of dollars to imprisoned terrorists and their families. While PA president Mahmoud Abbas announced the end of the policy earlier this year, he subsequently said, “Even if we have [only] one penny left, it is for the prisoners and Martyrs.” There is no evidence to suggest the PA ceased its payments to terrorists after Abbas’s decree.

The PA must also end its pursuit of legal charges against Israel at the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, which the Trump administration described as “attempts to bypass negotiations.”

The State Department spokesman cited the PA’s “efforts to secure the unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state” as another reason for the punitive measures. “Both steps materially contributed to Hamas’s refusal to release its hostages, and to the breakdown of the Gaza ceasefire talks,” he said.

Preexisting agreements between the United States and United Nations mean the PA’s mission to the international organization will still receive waivers, but the State Department will not permit Abbas and other senior officials to enter the country.

The Trump administration said it “remains open to re-engagement that is consistent with our laws, should the PA/PLO meet their obligations and demonstrably take concrete steps to return to a constructive path of compromise and peaceful coexistence with the State of Israel.”

The decision to revoke the visas came after the State Department imposed sanctions on Palestinian officials in the West Bank last month over those leaders’ support for terrorism, “including incitement and glorification of violence.”

A senior State Department official told the Free Beacon ahead of the July two-state summit the “U.S. would absolutely consider blocking” the visas should Palestinian officials “try to even decide to visit the United States.”

“The heads of the PA have openly praised the horrific attack that took place on Oct. 7. They celebrated terrorism and the killing of hundreds of innocent people,” the official said at the time.

It’s time to move the United Nations headquarters from New York to Switzerland. The U.S. has no business controlling their dialogue and debate in this manner.

There will be no peace until the Palestinians get their due. If that means the end of Israel, so be it!

Trump Admin Revokes Visas for Palestinian Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly Meeting, Citing ‘Incitement to Terrorism’
The decision means Palestinian leaders will be unable to enter the United States for next month’s U.N. General Assembly.

Guardian: Detainees report alleged uprising at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: ‘A lot of people have bled’

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Reports of incident were denied by Florida and Ice officials as detainees say they were beaten and teargas was fired

Reports of incident were denied by Florida and Ice officials as detainees say they were beaten and teargas was fired

Richard Luscombe in MiamiFri 29 Aug 2025 12.37 EDTShare

Guards at Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration jail deployed teargas and engaged in a mass beating of detainees to quell a mini-uprising, it was reported on Friday.

The allegations, made by at least three detainees in phone calls to Miami’s Spanish language news channel Noticias 23, come as authorities race to empty the camp in compliance with a judge’s order to close the remote tented camp in the Everglades wetlands.

The incident took place after several migrants held there began shouting for “freedom” after one received news a relative had died, according to the outlet. A team of guards then rushed in and began beating individuals indiscriminately with batons, and fired teargas at them, the detainees said.

“They’ve beaten everyone here, a lot of people have bled.

Detainees report alleged uprising at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: ‘A lot of people have bled’
Reports of incident were denied by Florida and Ice officials as detainees say they were beat and teargas was fired

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/29/alligator-alcatraz-uprising-florida-immigration

CNBC: Most Trump tariffs ruled illegal in blow to White House trade policy

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  • A federal appeals court ruled that most of President Donald Trump’s global tariffs are illegal, striking a massive blow to the core of his aggressive trade policy.
  • Trump is all but certain to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that most of President Donald Trump‘s global tariffs are illegal, striking a massive blow to the core of his aggressive trade policy.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in a 7-4 ruling held that the law Trump invoked when he granted his most expansive tariffs does not actually grant him the power to impose those levies.

Trump is all but certain to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court. The appellate court paused its ruling from taking effect until Oct. 14, in order to give the Trump administration time to ask the Supreme Court to take up the case.

The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on Friday’s ruling, which is the second straight loss for Trump in the make-or-break case.

The Trump administration has argued that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, empowers the president to effectively impose country-specific tariffs at any level if he deems them necessary to address a national emergency.

The U.S. Court of International Trade in late May rejected that stance and struck down Trump’s IEEPA-based tariffs, including his worldwide “reciprocal” tariffs unveiled in early April. But the Federal Circuit quickly paused that ruling while Trump’s appeal played out.

Most Trump tariffs ruled illegal in blow to White House trade policy
The appeals court stayed its ruling until Oct. 14, giving the Trump administration time to ask the Supreme Court to hear the case.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/29/trump-trade-tariffs-appeals-court-ieepa.html

Raleigh News & Observer: Trump Suffers Major Legal Blow in Illinois

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U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman has dismissed a lawsuit from the Trump administration that sought to block Illinois’ Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act. The administration argued the state law conflicted with federal immigration enforcement regarding the E-Verify program. The court upheld Illinois’ authority over employment regulation, reinforcing state power in this area.

Coleman argued Illinois has authority over employment and that federal immigration law weakens state powers. The Trump administration has claimed Illinois’ law violates the 1986 IRCA by sanctioning employers of unauthorized workers.

Coleman wrote, “The federal government’s broad interpretation of its power to regulate matters of immigration would swallow the historic powers of the states over employment-related issues.”

Coleman added, “A person’s immigration or work authorization status is irrelevant to determine whether an employer has violated any of the provisions of the act.”

Coleman dismissed the administration’s claims. She claimed the government’s position is “simply too speculative a basis on which to rest a finding of pre-emption.”

Coleman added that the law “is not expressly preempted by IRCA and does not intrude upon the federal government’s constitutional powers in the space of immigration and foreign affairs.”

The ruling dealt a setback to Trump’s immigration policy, affirming state authority over employment and potentially spurring similar laws elsewhere. The administration reportedly plans to appeal to the Seventh Circuit.

Trump Suffers Major Legal Blow in Illinois
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https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-suffers-major-legal-blow-in-illinois/ss-AA1Lldgs

Knewz: Trump-appointed judge delivers legal blow to president

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A federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump has delivered a major legal blow to his own administration, ruling that it unlawfully withheld millions of dollars in congressionally approved funds from the National Endowment for Democracy. 

The lawsuit 

The NED filed suit against the Trump administration, arguing that the funding freeze violated the Administrative Procedure Act. According to the plaintiffs, the suspension created a “devastating” cash flow disaster that forced the organization to lay off 75 percent of its staff and suspend critical global pro-democracy programs.

The ruling

In response, the NED asked for emergency relief through a temporary restraining order and later a preliminary injunction to stop the administration from withholding the rest of its 2025 fiscal year funding. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, a Trump appointee from 2017, granted the request. “The defendants have likely unlawfully frozen the Endowment’s funding,” Friedrich wrote in a 15-page decision.

Judge rebukes Trump admin

Friedrich’s ruling emphasized that Congress has authority to approve funding for the NED. At the same time, the organization’s board is responsible for compliance with the NED Act. The executive branch, she wrote, is charged with executing that funding — but instead, the Trump administration withheld it for “impermissible policy reasons.” She concluded, “The defendants have fallen woefully short of providing an ‘annual grant’ that ‘enable[s]’ the Endowment to fulfill its statutory purposes.”

Trump admin’s impact

Friedrich outlined how the funding freeze disrupted NED’s operations and undermined its mission. “It was unable to fund 226 approved grants, 124 grants recommended for approval by the Board, and 53 core institute projects,” she wrote. “These are activities that the Endowment, in consultation with Congress, has determined are ‘important and time-sensitive’ … to fulfilling the Endowment’s mission.” Friedrich concluded that the administration failed to provide the required annual grant to support NED’s obligations.

Trump-appointed judge delivers legal blow to president
A Trump-appointed judge ruled the administration illegally withheld funds from the National Endowment for Democracy, causing major problems.

https://knewz.com/trump-appointed-judge-delivers-legal-blow-to-president

MSNBC: CDC in crisis: Director fights firing, top officials resign over RFK Jr anti-vaxx push

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CDC in crisis: Director fights firing, top officials resign over RFK Jr anti-vaxx push
After refusing to change vaccine policy, CDC Director Susan Monarez was reportedly ousted by RFK Jr—prompting several top officials to resign and plunging the agency into turmoil, though her lawyers say she has not formally resigned nor been fired.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cdc-in-crisis-director-fights-firing-top-officials-resign-over-rfk-jr-anti-vaxx-push/vi-AA1Lm5wh

ICE asks for access to Chicago-area Navy base to assist operations

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The request followed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem’s declaration that a “strike team” of immigration enforcement agents would arrive in Chicago soon.

The Trump administration wants to use a Navy base north of Chicago as a launchpad for federal law enforcement activity against undocumented immigration, defense officials said Tuesday, as the White House contemplates also deploying thousands of U.S. troops to the nation’s third-largest city amid rising tension with the Illinois governor.

ICE asks for access to Chicago-area Navy base to assist operations
The request followed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s declaration that a “strike team” of ICE agents would arrive in Chicago soon.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/08/27/trump-chicago-ice-military

Rolling Stone: Trump Threatens Criminal Charges Against Top Democratic Donor

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The president says Hungarian billionaire George Soros “should be charged”

President Donald Trump is continuing to transform the Justice Department into a tool for vengeance against his political enemies, including billionaire philanthropist and Democratic donor George Soros. 

“George Soros, and his wonderful Radical Left son, should be charged with RICO because of their support of Violent Protests, and much more, all throughout the United States of America,” Trump wrote Wednesday on Truth Social, referencing conspiracy theories claiming that Soros and his philanthropic group, the Open Society Foundation, pay money to and supply violent protesters. 

“We’re not going to allow these lunatics to rip apart America any more, never giving it so much as a chance to ‘BREATHE,’ and be FREE. Soros, and his group of psychopaths, have caused great damage to our Country! That includes his Crazy, West Coast friends. Be careful, we’re watching you!” Trump added. 

Soros has long been a boogeyman for right wingers, who have — for decades at this point — made the Jewish investor the centerpiece of antisemitic conspiracy theories, as well as other conspiracies claiming his financial support of pro-Democracy organizations is actually part of an effort to destroy “western civilization.”

In a statement to Rolling Stone, The Open Society Foundation wrote that “these accusations are outrageous and false. The Open Society Foundations do not support or fund violent protests. Our mission is to advance human rights, justice, and democratic principles at home and around the world.”

“We stand for fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, including the rights to free speech and peaceful protest that are hallmarks of any vibrant democracy,” the organization added.

In the early months of Trump’s second administration, and especially in recent weeks, the Justice Department and other federal agencies have been weaponized to go after people Trump  perceives as enemies, and critics of his political project.  

Last week, the FBI raided the home of former national security adviser John Bolton, who has been a public critic of the president since his departure from Trump’s first administration. Last month, the Department of Justice announced that it would launch a “strike force” to investigate former President Barack Obama, and placed New York Attorney General Letitia James — who successfully prosecuted Trump and his company — under investigation. The Justice Department is also probing Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) who led the first impeachment of Trump during his first term. The investigations into both James and Schiff center around potential mortgage fraud.

During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump denied he is weaponizing the government by, as a reporter put it to him, “digging into the mortgage records of officials you don’t like.” Trump responded by saying that the reporter should be the one doing the digging before quickly moving onto a different question.

During the same Cabinet meeting, Trump for the second straight day mused to reporters about the American people wanting a dictator. “I’m not a dictator, I just know how to stop crime,” Trump claimed.

But while Trump may claim he’s not an authoritarian, the way he’s transformed agencies intended to serve the public into his personal attack dogs has all the hallmarks of fascism.

Trump Threatens Criminal Charges Against Top Democratic Donor
President Donald Trump said billionaire Democratic donor George Soros should face RICO charges.

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-threatens-charges-george-soros-1235416539

UPI: Judge blocks Trump’s attempt to fire VOA [Voice of America] director

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A federal judge has prohibited the Trump administration from dismissing Voice of America director Michael Abramowitz, handing President Donald Trump a defeat in his effort to dismantle the government-run and federally funded international news organization.

In his ruling Thursday, Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of D.C. stated that the Trump administration cannot fire Abramowitz without approval of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board.

“The applicable statutory requirements could not be clearer: the director of Voice of America ‘may only be removed if such action has been approved by a majority of the vote,'” Lamberth wrote.

“There is no longer a question of whether the termination was unlawful.”

Trump has sought to dismantle Voice of America, a decades-old soft-power tool for the United States that broadcasts news internationally, since returning to the White House in January, stating the broadcaster creates anti-Trump and “radical propaganda.”

On taking office, Trump fired six of the seven International Broadcasting Advisory Board members, and then in March placed Abramowitz and 1,300 other Voice of American employees on administrative leave.

On July 8, the U.S. Agency for Global Media informed Abramowitz that he was being reassigned as chief management officer to Greenville, N.C., and if he did not accept the position, he would be fired.

Before the end of the month, Abramowitz sued.

Then on Aug. 1, USAGM sent Abramowitz a letter stating he would be fired effective the end of this month if he did not accept the Greenville transfer.

The government had argued before the court that Abramowitz’s claims are not valid because he has not yet been fired, and that the rule dictating advisory board approval for hiring and firing a VOA director interfered with Trump’s executive authority.

In response, Lamberth, a President Ronald Reagan appointee, countered that whether USAGM fired Abramowitz or transferred him, he would still be removed from his position without the board’s approval, and if the Trump wished to have a vote on the matter, he could replace the board members he removed.

“To the extent the Board’s current lack of quorum institutes a practical barrier to removing Abramowitz, the Broadcast Act gives the President a straightforward remedy: replacing the removed members,” he wrote.

“The defendants do not even feign that their efforts to remove Abramowitz comply with that statutory requirement. How could they, when the board has been without a quorum since January?”

Judge blocks Trump’s attempt to fire VOA director – UPI.com
A federal judge has prohibited the Trump administration from dismissing Voice of America director Michael Abramowitz.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/08/29/Trump-VOA/6481756449616