News You Can Use Digest – September 5, 2025

National/Federal

Federal Appellate Panel Rejects Trump’s Deportations Under Wartime Law

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 9/3/2025

A federal court ruled President Trump unlawfully invoked a centuries-old wartime law to deport Venezuelan migrants, blocking one of his most contentious immigration initiatives and teeing up a legal battle sure to end up before the Supreme Court. A divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit rejected Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to remove alleged members of the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua gang, concluding their presence in the country did not amount to the type of invasion or “predatory incursion” lawmakers envisioned when they drafted the statute allowing fast-tracked deportations.

Mark Warner Says Spy Agency Visit Canceled Over Posts by Laura Loomer

MSN – Noah Robertson and Warren Strobel (Washington Post) | Published: 9/3/2025

The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee said he was blocked from a planned visit to a major U.S. spy agency as part of his routine congressional oversight duties after a series of social media posts by Laura Loomer, the far-right activist and provocateur. Sen. Mark Warner had arranged meetings with top officials at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which analyzes data from spy satellites for the Pentagon and intelligence community, but said his visit was abruptly canceled after Loomer attacked him and the agency’s director online.

Republicans Fail to Censure Rep. LaMonica McIver as Democrats Threaten Retaliation

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor, Kadia Goba, and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 9/3/2025

House Republicans surprisingly failed to censure Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver and strip her from a committee assignment. The Republican-led vote came in response to McIver’s indictment by a federal grand jury earlier this year for allegedly interfering with law enforcement while attempting to enter an immigration detention facility. The House will also soon consider another resolution, this one to censure a Republican, brought by Democrats retaliating in defense of McIver.

Judge Rules Trump Administration Cannot Withhold Funding from Harvard

MSN – Susan Svrluga, Joanna Slater, and Laura Meckler (Washington Post) | Published: 9/4/2025

A federal judge ruled the Trump administration violated the Constitution by freezing federal research funding at Harvard University, dealing the White House a setback in its efforts to force change at the country’s oldest university and higher education nationwide. U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs said freezing and canceling more than $2 billion in research grants and other federal actions violated Harvard’s First Amendment rights and amounted to “retaliation, unconstitutional conditions, and unconstitutional coercion.”

Epstein Accusers Join Lawmakers to Push for Full Release of Documents

MSN – Amy Wang, Mariana Alfaro, Kadia Goba, Marianna Sotomayor, and Katie Tarrant (Washington Post) | Published: 9/3/2025

About a dozen accusers of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein joined House lawmakers and a crowd of hundreds at the U.S. Capitol to push for the Justice Department to release all its files related to its investigations of the disgraced financier and of his imprisoned associate Ghislaine Maxwell. In emotional testimony, the women recounted how they were lured as teenagers into a sex-trafficking operation run by Epstein and Maxwell and abused for years. All voiced their support for lawmakers to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act that would compel the Trump administration to publicly disclose far more documents on Epstein.

The Supreme Court Has Expanded Trump’s Power. He’s Seeking Much More.

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 9/1/2025

The Supreme Court has expanded President Trump’s authority in a string of emergency rulings, but in his firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and other issues probably headed to the court, he is signaling that he continues to seek broader powers for the executive branch. The cases could serve as tests of how much further the high court is willing to go to bless the president’s assertion of executive authority. They differ from previous showdowns because of the magnitude of the authority Trump is seeking to wield and because he wants greater control over powers the Constitution ascribes to another branch of government.

Bipartisan Group of House Lawmakers Introduce Stock Trading Ban Legislation

MSN – Annie Grayer (CNN) | Published: 9/3/2025

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced legislation to ban stock trading for members of Congress as pressure has escalated for elected officials to weed out corruption and restore public trust. The bill introduced in the House comes after Sen. Josh Hawley led a similar effort that advanced out of committee in July and is awaiting a Senate floor vote. One key difference is Hawley’s bill reaches into the executive branch and would impact President Trump as a result, while the House bill only addresses Congress.

Trump’s Pick for Federal Reserve Plans to Keep His White House Job While on Fed

MSN – Andrew Ackerman (Washington Post) | Published: 9/4/2025

Federal Reserve nominee Stephen Miran, a senior White House economic adviser, told senators he does not plan to resign from the Trump administration if confirmed to the Federal Reserve’s board of governors, an unusual arrangement likely to raise concerns about the central bank’s independence. Miran said he plans to take an unpaid leave instead of stepping down from the White House because he would only be filling a short-term slot on the board. He said repeatedly he was citing the advice of an attorney. If confirmed, he would be the first modern-day Federal Reserve Board member to maintain such close ties to the White House.

Wall Street Is Coming for K Street

WAMU – Taylor Giorno (NOTUS) | Published: 9/3/2025

Shamrock Capital recently purchased strategic communications and public affairs firm Penta Group from another private equity company, infusing a degree of confidence in these deals, which have been popping up along K Street in earnest over the past five years. Advisers on both sides of these deals also observe a growing comfort with investments in lobbying shops like Monument Advocacy, which made its first acquisition since the firm secured an investment from Everlane Equity Partners.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Trump’s Use of the National Guard During Los Angeles Immigration Protests Is Illegal, a Judge Says

Yahoo News – Olga Rodriguez (Associated Press) | Published: 9/2/2025

The Trump administration violated federal law by sending National Guard troops to Southern California during immigration enforcement operations and accompanying protests, a federal judge ruled. The order comes after California sued, saying the troops sent to Los Angeles over the summer were violating a law that prohibits military enforcement of domestic laws. Lawyers for the administration argued the Posse Comitatus Act does not apply because the troops were protecting federal officers, not enforcing laws.

Florida – Nonprofit Tied to Florida’s Lt. Gov. Won State Contracts During His Senate Stint

Yahoo News – Jeffrey Schweers (Orlando Sentinel) | Published: 9/2/2025

In three years, Jay Collins has gone from nonprofit executive to state senator to a lieutenant governor viewed as having an inside track in the North Carolina governor’s race. During that time, the nonprofit organization where Collins served as a top officer entered the Florida market and received $16 million in disaster relief business from the state. The Legislature is responsible for deciding the state’s spending plan each year and setting rules for the awarding of grants and contracts. As a senator, Collins does not appear to have voted on any money going directly to his organization or appear to have disclosed any conflicts-of-interest.

Georgia – Judge Throws Out Campaign Finance Lawsuit Between Republican Rivals in Georgia Governor’s Race

Yahoo News – Russ Bynum (Associated Press) | Published: 8/28/2025

A federal judge threw out a lawsuit by one of Georgia’s top Republican officials against his chief rival for the 2026 GOP nomination for governor that claimed the opponent had an unfair advantage in campaign fundraising. The judge’s ruling allows Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to continue raising unlimited campaign funds using a special leadership committee granted to a select group of Georgia officials under a 2021 law.

Iowa – Joni Ernst Expected to Announce She Won’t Seek Reelection in 2026, Sources Say

MSN – Stephen Gruber-Miller (Des Moines Register) | Published: 8/30/2025

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst will not seek reelection in 2026, according to people familiar with her decision, setting off a major upheaval in one of Iowa’s marquee midterm contests. Ernst has endured national scrutiny over comments she made at a May town hall, saying, “well, we all are going to die,” after a constituent shouted that people would die because of Medicaid cuts in President Trump’s spending bill. The next day, after facing backlash, Ernst shared a sarcastic apology video she filmed while walking through a cemetery.

Kansas – Advocates’ Lawsuit Against Foreign Contributions Ban Stalls as Kansas Crafts Rules

Yahoo News – Anna Kaminski (Kansas Reflector) | Published: 8/27/2025

Kansas officials brought clarity to a new law that bans financial contributions from foreign nationals to campaigns for or against state constitutional amendments, a law at the center of an ongoing lawsuit. The case in federal court has stagnated while parties waited for the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission to straighten out details of the law. A recent meeting was one of the first times commissioners were able to publicly weigh the law’s framework and craft rules for enforcement. Now, it is up to a judge whether the court case will continue.

Kentucky – Louisville Ethics Commission Sues City Over Alleged Power Grab by County Attorney’s Office

MSN – Lucas Aulbach (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 8/29/2025

The Louisville Ethics Commission is taking the city to court, claiming the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office is pushing for improper control over the advisory board. County Attorney Mike O’Connell’s office, meanwhile, has contended the commission’s lawyer has conflicts-of-interest that could lead to serious issues as he represents the board in charge of ensuring city employees are following the Ethics Code.

Maryland – Baltimore County Council Approves IG Appointment Board, Sends Question to Voters

MSN – Natalie Jones (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 9/2/2025

Baltimore County voters will decide whether the county’s inspector general should be selected by an independent appointment board in the future. The Baltimore County Council unanimously approved a charter amendment that would create a seven-member panel to appoint or reappoint an inspector general to the role. Under current laws, the county executive is responsible for appointing an inspector general, who the county council must also confirm.

Michigan – Records: Beydoun, other MEDC officials skipped conflict of interest reports

Bridge Michigan – Paula Gardner | Published: 9/2/2025

Members of the board in charge of Michigan’s billion-dollar economic development strategy skipped filing just over half of their required annual conflict-of-interest certification documents from 2019 to 2022. Records show the omissions peaked in 2022, when just four of 18 members on the Michigan Economic Development Corp. executive committee signed the documents – all of them in March, two months after they were due.

Missouri – Republicans Eye Next House Carveout with Missouri Special Session

MSN – Dylan Wells, Hannah Knowles, and Kadia Goba (Washington Post) | Published: 8/29/2025

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe moved toward helping the Republican Party gain another seat in the U.S. House, announcing a special session to redraw the state’s congressional maps. The session follows a nationwide pressure campaign from President Trump aimed at beefing up his party’s chances in the 2026 midterm elections with an aggressive and rare mid-cycle overhauling of congressional maps.

Missouri – Trump’s DOJ Seeks Election Equipment in Red State Ahead of 2026 Election

MSN – Yvonne Winget Sanchez and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 9/3/2025

A top official for President Trump’s Justice Department recently sought access to voting equipment used by two Republican clerks in Missouri during the 2020 election, an unusual request from federal officials amid continued efforts by the president to malign the integrity of the nation’s voting systems. Trump overwhelmingly won each of his three elections in Missouri, yet many of his supporters there and elsewhere continue to champion the president’s false claim that voting equipment was rigged against him in 2020 and ballots should be tallied by hand.

Missouri – Council Member Revives Effort to Cap Campaign Contributions for City Council Elections

Springfield Daily Citizen – Jack McGee | Published: 8/28/2025

The Springfield City Council will once again consider capping campaign contributions for city council and mayoral candidates. In 2016, Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment establishing limits on campaign contributions to political parties and candidates for statewide offices, among other changes to campaign finance law. But the contribution limit did not apply to municipal elections, leaving Springfield without any cap on campaign contributions after a previous change to state law nullified the city’s $500 limit.

Nevada – A Majority of Nevada’s Legislation Aimed at Government Transparency Failed During the 2025 Session

MSN – Annie Vong (Nevada Independent) | Published: 9/2/2025

Though Nevada lawmakers in 2025 were able to pass some transparency laws focused on certain areas, such as requiring more reporting on school police use of force and creating a public records task force, the vast majority of transparency bills failed to make it across the finish line. According to a Nevada Independent analysis, 26 bills and resolutions were introduced in 2025 that sought to increase transparency in government and campaigns. Only eight were signed into law.

New Jersey – NJ to Regulate Campaign Spending on Security as Political Violence Mounts

Yahoo News – Dana DiFilippo (News Jersey Monitor) | Published: 8/28/2025

As political violence becomes a growing threat and reality, New Jersey’s election watchdog has moved to officially allow candidates to use campaign money to pay for security services and devices. The Election Law Enforcement Commission has historically permitted such expenses, but commission members voted to propose regulations to codify and standardize the use of campaign funds to bolster security.

New York – Campaign Board Deepens Probe into Eric Adams Fundraising

Yahoo News – Joe Anuta (Politico) | Published: 8/29/2025

A New York City oversight board petitioned the Department of Justice, hired an outside investigator, and issued subpoenas as part of a widening probe into Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign fundraising practices. Those revelations came in a trove of federal court papers that paint the clearest picture yet of the Campaign Finance Board’s independent investigation into Adams’ 2021 and 2025 mayoral runs, along with more detailed reasoning behind the board’s decision to repeatedly deny the mayor public matching funds.

New York – Talks Underway Over Trump Administration Role for NYC Mayor Adams Amid Efforts to Stop Mamdani, Sources Say

Yahoo News – Chris Sommerfeldt and Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) | Published: 9/3/2025

While vowing to still run for reelection, New York City Mayor Eric Adams did not dismiss the possibility of joining President Trump’s administration as sources said conversations are underway about a potential job opportunity. Adams remains dogged in his reelection efforts by accusations that he is beholden to Trump, whose Justice Department quashed the mayor’s corruption indictment in a controversial move. It was reported that the push to get Adams a job is aimed at culling the mayoral race field to maximize chances of stopping Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, who is polling as the favorite to win November’s contest.

North Carolina – NC Indian-American Group Promoted Event as Political Fundraiser. Was That Legit?

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 9/2/2025

The North Carolina Association of Indian Americans hosted a fundraiser on May 31 that benefitted longtime Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall. The association’s filings with the state describe it as a nonprofit under the 501(c)(3) designation in the federal tax code, which means it is not supposed to engage in political fundraising. Bob Hall, the retired executive director of Democracy North Carolina, is preparing a complaint to the State Board of Elections about the fundraiser.

North Dakota – Ethics Commission Highlights Time Management in Annual Report

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (Noth Dakota Monitor) | Published: 8/29/2025

A new report shows that North Dakota Ethics Commission complaints that do not require a full investigation are usually closed in fewer than six months. The commission was directed by the state Legislature to compile annual reports to help the public understand how it operates, especially in light of ongoing concerns from state officials that the agency takes too long to resolve baseless allegations.

Oklahoma – Lobbyists Spent Hundreds of Thousands in Oklahoma’s Legislative Session. Here’s Where the Money Went

Golfweek – Alexia Aston (Oklahoman) | Published: 9/3/2025

A push to cut income taxes, solve a state agency’s financial crisis, and reduce government spending dominated the 2025 legislative session in Oklahoma. Lobbyists spent over $460,000 during the session, largely on meals and events with lawmakers. Lobbyists often play an outsize role in shaping policy, and they are required to disclose how much they spend on behalf of clients and who they spend it on. The Oklahoman analyzed their expense reports, as well as lobbying data compiled by the state Ethics Commission, from the 2025 session.

Oklahoma – Education Department Forced to Release Key Card Data for Matt Langston

Oklahoma Watch – Jennifer Palmer | Published: 9/3/2025

Texan Matt Langston has kept his campaign business in Texas running while collecting a six-figure salary as the Oklahoma Department of Education’s chief policy advisor, though he rarely comes into the office. He has spent just 42 days in the office since Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters hired Langston in January 2023 and issued a directive ending telework for the agency’s employees. Since 2023, Langston’s political consulting firm, Engage Right, has sent campaign emails on Walters’ behalf.

Pennsylvania – Lobbying: How public agencies spend millions to shape state government

LancasterOnline – Gregory Scott | Published: 8/30/2025

From school districts and townships to transit agencies and boroughs, public entities across Pennsylvania are paying big money to be heard in the Capitol. At least 90 local governments have paid nearly $7 million in taxpayer money to hire 38 private lobbying firms since last year, all to influence lawmakers and secure more state funding. Many of those firms were founded by or employ political insiders who know the system and have connections to the major players in the Legislature and the executive branch.

Rhode Island – Cranston City Council President, Lawyer Resign Over Relationship Concerns

Cranston Herald – Rosegalie Cineus | Published: 8/28/2025

Cranston City Council President Jessica Marino and council lawyer Stephen Angell resigned. Their departure from city government followed public allegations, including comments by Mayor Ken Hopkins, of a romantic relationship between the two and contentions it created conflicts-of-interest. Marino and Angell neither confirmed nor denied the existence of a personal relationship, but both said they had committed no wrongdoing.

Texas – Measures Seeking to Prevent Future Quorum Breaks by Texas Lawmakers Approved Wednesday

MSN – Aarón Torres (Dallas Morning News) | Published: 9/4/2025

Texas Republicans passed measures that aim to prevent future walkouts by increasing the punishments for lawmakers who break quorum and preventing them from fundraising during that time. House Bill 18 would ban any state lawmaker who is absent for the purposes of impeding legislative action from accepting campaign contributions greater than $221, the amount lawmakers receive as a daily per diem during a regular or special session.

Virginia – Public Housing Director in Virginia Caught Living in One of His Agency’s Units

MSN – Daniel Wu and Teo Armus (Washington Post) | Published: 9/2/2025

The city of Alexandria’s public housing agency is investigating its chief executive officer, Erik Johnson, after he was found to be living in a public housing unit near the Potomac River, sparking outrage in the wealthy Northern Virginia community where access to affordable housing has long been a challenge. His move into the project effectively allowed him to jump ahead of a decade-long waiting list that is rarely opened up to new families, officials and advocates said.