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President Trump Administration Proposes Excluding Non-U.S. Citizens from 2030 Census Apportionment Count

President Trump Administration Proposes Excluding Non-U.S. Citizens from 2030 Census Apportionment Count

The Trump Administration has proposed significant changes to the 2030 census, including the exclusion of non-U.S. citizens from the population count used for congressional apportionment and the elimination of key race and ethnicity questions. This proposal, published by the U.S. Census Bureau, would mark the first time non-U.S. citizens are excluded from this count. The administration argues that 'illegal aliens (among others) should not be included in the apportionment count, as they are not true inhabitants, members of the body politic, or persons with a 'usual residence' in the United States due to their lack of a sufficient tie and allegiance to the United States.' This interpretation extends to immigrants legally present in the country without green cards or permanent residency. President Trump explicitly stated that politics was a key consideration, linking the changes to 'results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024.' The public comment period for this proposal is open until...
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Federal Judge Blocks Vermont AG's Investigation into Satirical AI Video Targeting Representative Balint

Federal Judge Blocks Vermont AG's Investigation into Satirical AI Video Targeting Representative Balint

A federal judge in Vermont has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the state's Attorney General, Charity Clark, from investigating content creator Henry L. Poitras, also known as 'Planet Hank.' The investigation stemmed from a 49-second AI-generated video Poitras posted on social media, which satirically depicted Republican challenger Mark Coester using an excavator to scoop up Democratic Representative Becca Balint and toss her into a dumpster. The video's narrator urged viewers to 'help Vermont take out the trash.' Attorney General Clark's office initiated a civil investigative demand under a state law requiring disclosure of AI use in fabricated content, despite the law containing an exception for satire or comedy. Poitras subsequently sued Clark's office, arguing that the investigation infringed upon his freedom of speech. Senior U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III reviewed the video and concluded that its 'ridiculous nature,' including the voiceover, unnatural appearances, and the act o...
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FCC Chairman Slams James Talarico as Running a ‘Hoax’ With Jimmy Kimmel Interview, Which ABC Punted to YouTube, to Get ‘Clicks and Donations’

FCC Chairman Slams James Talarico as Running a ‘Hoax’ With Jimmy Kimmel Interview, Which ABC Punted to YouTube, to Get ‘Clicks and Donations’

Brendan Carr, the Trump-aligned Republican chairman of the FCC, accused James Talarico, a Texas Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, of running a “hoax” to garner attention and campaign donations by sitting for an interview with Jimmy Kimmel — which ABC put on YouTube instead airing it on broadcast TV to avoid a potential clash […]
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Illinois AFL-CIO Endorses Incumbent Democrats, Including Representative Nikki Budzinski, After Temporary Pause

Illinois AFL-CIO Endorses Incumbent Democrats, Including Representative Nikki Budzinski, After Temporary Pause

The Illinois AFL-CIO has reinstated its candidate endorsements for the general election, including incumbent Democrats such as Representative Nikki Budzinski in the 13th congressional district and Eric Sorensen in the 17th. This decision follows a temporary pause in support for candidates, which Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea stated was a message to Democrats regarding their failure to advance measures prioritized by organized labor. Drea indicated that the message was received, and a more collaborative process is anticipated. In addition to endorsing incumbents, the Illinois AFL-CIO also endorsed Democrat Paul Nolley, who is challenging 16th District Congressman Darin LaHood. This move signifies a renewed commitment from the labor federation to support candidates who align with their agenda.
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Representative Frank Pallone Supports Lithium-Ion Battery Legislation Amidst Scrapyard Fires

Representative Frank Pallone Supports Lithium-Ion Battery Legislation Amidst Scrapyard Fires

U.S. Representative Donald Norcross is advocating for a bill designed to address recurring fires at a scrap metal recycling company in Camden, New Jersey. The proposed legislation aims to incentivize the detection and recycling of highly flammable lithium-ion batteries. EMR, a multinational scrap metal recycling company with facilities in Camden, attributes 14 major fires since 2020 to these batteries, which are often delivered despite being banned. These fires have led to dangerous pollution in the Waterfront South neighborhood, primarily affecting Black and Hispanic residents, causing evacuations, psychological distress, and health concerns. The bill seeks to provide tax credits to recycling companies for battery detectors and establish a lithium battery recycling grant program. Representative Frank Pallone, a Democrat from New Jersey and a potential future chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, has expressed support for the bill's progression if Democrats gain control of the House.
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EPA and Army Corps Seek Public Comment on Revised WOTUS Definition Affecting Farm Water Features

EPA and Army Corps Seek Public Comment on Revised WOTUS Definition Affecting Farm Water Features

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers have released a supplemental proposal seeking public comments on alternatives for defining 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. This action follows the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in *Sackett v. EPA*, which significantly narrowed federal jurisdiction over wetlands. According to Roger McEowen of the Washburn School of Law, the Supreme Court rejected the broader 'significant nexus' approach, requiring adjacent wetlands to have a continuous surface connection to a qualifying water body. This ruling created a clearer boundary for federal jurisdiction, particularly relevant for agricultural lands that often feature depressions, drainage features, and wetlands that are intermittently wet. The current proposal aims to further define the standards established by the Supreme Court, focusing on perennial waters, relatively permanent waters, and the continuous surface connection requirement. It also includes p...
USA TodayUSA Today
Don't force the Supreme Court to reveal its secrets | Opinion

Don't force the Supreme Court to reveal its secrets | Opinion

The Supreme Court's secrecy isn't a flaw. It's what lets justices compromise and change their minds without facing public backlash.
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Buckley Gent MacDonald Cary PC CPA Kevin C. Cary Specializes in Auditing, Accounting, and Tax Services in Albany, NY

Buckley Gent MacDonald Cary PC CPA Kevin C. Cary Specializes in Auditing, Accounting, and Tax Services in Albany, NY

Buckley Gent MacDonald Cary PC CPA Kevin C. Cary Specializes in Auditing, Accounting, and Tax Services in Albany, NY
USA TodayUSA Today
ABC, Kimmel show how the media found its spine against Trump | Opinion

ABC, Kimmel show how the media found its spine against Trump | Opinion

Amid Trump's war on the media, Jimmy Kimmel throws another elbow at the FCC. ABC, Disney and journalists are fighting in court for First Amendment.
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Constitutionality of Court Packing Affirmed Despite Concerns Over Wisdom

Constitutionality of Court Packing Affirmed Despite Concerns Over Wisdom

The concept of 'court packing,' or expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court, is constitutionally permissible, despite arguments that it may be an unwise policy. Article III, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution states that 'the judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.' Crucially, the Constitution does not specify the number of justices, leaving this decision to Congress. While a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed argued that court packing would undermine the separation of powers and judicial independence, this legal argument is not widely accepted as a constitutional barrier. The consensus among many legal scholars is that Congress has the authority to alter the size of the Supreme Court.
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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Suspended from Practicing Law in New York State

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Suspended from Practicing Law in New York State

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been suspended from practicing law in New York State. This action was taken by a New York State appeals court judge as part of a larger suspension affecting over 1,000 attorneys who failed to file required registration paperwork. State regulations mandate that attorneys file this paperwork every two years on their birthday, with a 30-day grace period. Senator Gillibrand was admitted to the bar in January 1991 and actively practiced law at two New York City-based firms until 2005. Her legal practice ceased when she began campaigning for Congress, ultimately being elected in 2006. The suspension stems from her failure to meet the biennial registration requirement, a common administrative oversight for attorneys who are no longer actively practicing.
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U.S. Bishops Petition Supreme Court Against Indefinite Detention of Noncitizens

U.S. Bishops Petition Supreme Court Against Indefinite Detention of Noncitizens

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) have filed a legal brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging it to rule against the indefinite detention of noncitizens without judicial review. The petition advocates for stronger due process rights for noncitizens facing deportation proceedings, aligning with Catholic teaching on human dignity and the common good. This intervention is in relation to the ongoing case of Genalo v. Keisy G.M., which involves a U.S. permanent resident from the Dominican Republic who was detained for 21 months by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a bond hearing. Keisy G.M. faced deportation after a felonious assault conviction but was later pardoned by New York State, ending the deportation threat.