Trump's Attack on the Free Press Threatens Democracy

By Mildred Robertson

According to PBS NewsHour, this week Donald Trump barred CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. He accused the outlets of false, unfavorable, and anti-Republican coverage, but gave no enforcement details. 

The Trump administration’s restrictions on press access raise a central democratic question: whether the government may limit journalists’ access in response to critical coverage. Retaliatory restrictions weaken First Amendment norms, reduce public access to independent reporting, and deepen distrust at a moment when voters need reliable information.

Among those reporters with whom Trump has clashed are Kaitlan Collins (CNN), who is known for asking uncomfortable follow-up questions; Jim Acosta (CNN) who refused to give up his microphone while asking about immigration; Kirsten Holmes (CNN) whom Trump accused of being fake news, calling her a "loud, boisterous person," and demanding that she "be quiet". Kelly O'Donnell (NBC News) stood up to Trump in the Oval Office and confronted him over his decision to ban competing news organizations from the executive branch complex. Numerous other news reporters and media outlets have come under attack from this administration for refusing to back down when asking the hard questions about Trump's policies. The administration currently is revoking press passes and denying West Wing access to any reporter representing CNN, MS NOW or Politico.

Although federal courts have consistently ruled against broad administrative efforts by the Trump administration to restrict press access he, nevertheless, warned other news outlets they might face similar restrictions.  Critics say this action violates the First Amendment which allows individuals the right to express their thoughts and opinions without government censorship or punishment. The Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..."

The dispute between news outlets and the Trump administration raises broader questions about the role of the free press in American politics. Constitutional protection of the press is rooted in the need to inform the public, scrutinize government, expose abuse, explain policy, and check political claims. It also seeks to facilitate the presentation of competing views and to highlight unfair treatment of U.S. citizens. The Trump administration appears to intend to muzzle all media who choose to report on the facts as they see them, rather than regurgitating the talking points of the administration. 

While retaliation against media for criticism violates constitutional free speech norms Trump's efforts have resulted in a chilling effect on journalism and factual reporting by some U.S. news media outlets. Trump's attack on reporters and news outlets who refuse to report the administration's false narratives has already resulted in some media self-censoring in order not to antagonize him. Among those organizations is ABC and CBS/Paramount who admitted to self-censorship, legal settlements and programming shifts.

It appears that the United States has fallen in global rankings and lost its long-standing status as a "liberal democracy. This recent degrading of freedom of speech and of the press in the U.S. point to a severe and unusually rapid erosion of American democracy. In fact the Pew Research Center states that the Economist Intelligence Unit (the world leader in global business intelligence and market insights), classifies the country as a "flawed democracy." Experts say it is rare in modern history to see the pace of institutional decline currently being experienced in America.

The need to stop the decline of democracy is at the forefront of 2026 midterms. Americans have become acutely aware of the struggle this administration has with the truth. Pew Research states that 83% of Americans believe the U.S. government is suppressing important news from the public. However, they also distrust the news organizations and social media.  This skepticism has resulted in a highly fractured political landscape where citizens struggle to find the truth in the various messages with which they are bombarded. 

This is a particularly critical as voters wade through conflicting messages from this administration and news outlets to find the facts they need to vote their best interest in November. It is imperative that the media be free to research and report the facts as they see them, and then let the people decided what is the truth. That can't happen if this administration muzzles large portions of the free press, and only shares information with those who will positively promote the president's agenda. 

Independent journalism supports democratic accountability. When reporting is limited to positive views of political actors, the media is weakened and reporting becomes a disservice to the American public. Limited access can favor official messaging, and sustained pressure may deter reporting and deepen distrust. The lack of fact-based reporting results in a misinformed public and leads to poor public policy making. It also leads to a lack of trust by other nations and world leaders.

 

Cautionary Tale: Check Your Voter Registration, NOW!

By Mildred Robertson

My granddaughter turned 18 in July, 2026. One of the first things we did was visit the Wake County Board of Elections to register her to vote. She excitedly waited for her Voter ID to show up in the mail. And it did, this week. However, the last name on the voter ID card was not her last name.

We immediately headed to the Board of Elections to straighten it out. The clerk indicated that her form had been filled out properly, with her CORRECT name, and said they would start an investigation to see what went wrong. We were assured that her name was correct in the database, and that she would experience no problems when voting in the upcoming election. I took little comfort from that, and plan to make sure that we vote on October 15th, so that if there is a problem, we have time to rectify it before November 3, 2026.

I don't know if this was a nefarious attempt to disenfranchise my grandchild, or whether it was simply a clerical error. I await feedback from the Board of Elections to determine how this error occurred. If it happened to her, it is possible that it happened to other eligible voters; who knows how many. 

Regardless, if you don't want to just cast a vote, but for that vote to be counted you must remain vigilant during this election season. We know that one party in particular plans to make it as difficult as possible for some of us to vote.

No matter how many elections you've voted in, check to ensure you are still on the roll. Have a plan on how and when you will vote. Determine where your polling place is, and if you wish to vote early learn the various locations around your county where you can cast your vote. You can get all that information from your county board of elections. 

This election is too important for us to allow clerical errors, or malicious tampering to deny even one eligible voter access to the ballot box. Register. Plan. Vote in this primary election. 

Ensure Your Vote Counts on November 3, 2026

 By Mildred Robertson

As the 2026 midterms approach, many Americans will tune in to the political battle immediately following the Labor Day holiday. Voting should be easy, but the fact is that we may have to struggle to cast our vote in 2026. However, we cannot be daunted or intimidated as we work to ensure that our voices are heard.

The Trump administration has gone to great lengths to try to make the process as confusing as possible, eliminating voting locations, decreasing ballot drop-off sites, gerrymandering voting districts and attacking the mail-in ballot process. The goal is to inject confusion into the process in the hope that many voters, particularly minority voters, will be frustrated enough not to participate in the election.

That tactic, however, will not prevail if voters are proactive in their preparation for the November 3^rd election. Every voter should have a plan on how they will ensure that their vote is both cast and counted.

In North Carolina, a key state in this year’s midterm, election boards across the state will begin to mail out absentee ballots on September 4 to voters who requested them. In-person early voting runs from October 15 through October 31.  Voters will cast their ballots at their designated precinct on election day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026. All those options are open to every North Carolinian. Each of us should assume the responsibility of making sure we are prepared to cast our vote in a way that cannot be challenged.

Each voter should contact their county board of elections to ensure that their name is still listed as active. Reasons you may be suspended or purged from the roll is if you have moved since the last election. You also might fall into this category if your name has changed since you last voted. This is particularly important for women who may have changed their name due to marriage or divorce. If your name has been suspended or purged for any reason, you can submit an updated voter registration form through the DMV website or your county registrar.

Another tactic by the Trump administration is to eliminate or change voting locations. You may have voted at the same location for years and find that that location is no longer a voting site.  So, make sure when you check your registration that you also check your voting location. If you do end up at the wrong site on November 3, let the official know that you are not in your precinct and want to vote using a provisional ballot.  The best way to ensure that your vote is cast and counted is to have a plan:

• Know when and where you are going to vote.
• Know where the ballot drop-off locations are.
• Know where the early voting locations are.
• Plan your transportation to the voting location.
• If you are going to mail in a ballot, do so in a timely fashion to ensure that it will arrive in time to be counted.

You can go online for status notifications through BallotTrax, which is available 30 days prior to the election.

This may be the most consequential election of your lifetime. Make sure you are prepared. Make sure you are involved. Make sure your vote counts on November 3, 2026.

Gary Indiana Becomes Trump's Katrina

BUT THE MEDIA DOESN'T CARE

By Mildred Robertson

Gary Indiana, a predominantly Black community where roughly a third of residents live below the poverty line, is struggling back from an unprecedented storm on August 11 that left many without power or resources. The storm is reminiscent of Katrina in New Orleans in 2005 where a lackluster federal response left thousands of New Orleanians struggling to survive. While Gary residents don't have to contend with the prolonged flooding experienced by New Orleans residents, the lack of access to life's necessities post-disaster are similar. 

Unfortunately, the vivid pictures of flooding that dominated the airwaves during the Katrina disaster have not occurred during the Gary, Indiana storm. Apparently, downed trees and damaged power lines are not as gripping or captivating for the media, as the heart-wrenching photos that came out of New Orleans. But the pain of the Indiana residents is just as real. 

The August 11 storms brought winds up to 99 mph to Northwest Indiana, downing trees and power lines and initially leaving more than half of Gary without electricity. Some residents entered a third week without power, creating the urgent need for food, laundry, showers, phone charging, and other basic services.

NIPSCO, one of Indiana's largest natural gas and electric companies, says it has experienced about 374,500 customer outages since Aug. 11.  The prolonged power outage affected more than 38,300 homes and businesses in Gary and government response has been slow.  Power restoration for remaining customers was expected by midnight on August 25, 2026.

The lengthy restoration has fueled questions about NIPSCO's response and the resilience of Gary's power grid, especially as neighboring communities recovered. While Gary struggled, residents in nearby Indiana received a better response rate to the disaster. ComEd restored nearly all customers across the state line within days.

 As of Monday morning, about 3,878 customers remained without power because of the storms. While Gary has received federal help through FEMA's emergency declaration, direct assistance to residents; food, supplies, cooling and other necessities is largely coming from charities and local and state efforts.  The August 15 emergency declaration allows FEMA to support state and local emergency protective measures, but it does not automatically provide individual assistance directly to households.

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton met with U.S. Senator Jim Banks to discuss federal disaster assistance and recovery needs. Melton also spoke with President Trump and urged swift federal action for Gary residents and neighborhoods.

While the disparity in restoration of services is troublesome, Gary apparently experienced more severe weather than Indiana. The National Weather Service says the storm intensified as it moved into Northwest Indiana, with a 99-mph gust recorded at Gary/Chicago International Airport, a speed that falls within the range of Category 2 hurricane winds.

Gary residents have called out state leaders, including Gov. Mike Braun, who said over the weekend that it was unacceptable that NIPSCO was taking so long to restore power while Illinois communities across the border had already been restored.

This is bigger than a power outage in Gary, Indiana," Bernice King, civil rights organizer and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr, said on social media. "It is part of a pattern. Black communities have too often been expected to endure conditions that would be treated as intolerable somewhere else."

Nonprofits, businesses, volunteers, and public figures have stepped up to fill the void, providing meals, supplies, funding, and other aid to affected residents. Raydia Martin, assistant director of the Flourish Community Hub at Flourish Church in Gary, said volunteers and community groups have been an important part of the response. The Chicago Bears announced a $200,000 storm relief donation, split evenly between Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary. World Central Kitchen distributed about 4,000 meals in Gary and nearby Lake Ridge with help from local volunteers.

As the city struggles to get back on its feet, the nation should examine partisan politics in federal services. On August 20, Indiana submitted a major disaster request seeking additional individual and public assistance, including possible FEMA support for households affected by this disaster. Gov. Mike Braun petitioned the federal government for assistance in 54 counties after the severe storm decimated the state's power system. President Trump approved the request for 21 counties,  less than half that number.  

Eligible residents in the designated counties can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to help cover immediate needs such as clothing and uninsured medical devices. Those affected should document damages and expenses and follow updates from the Indiana Department of Residents to find more information through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

Recovery and Cleanup

·   The American Red Cross offers disaster recovery resources on shelter, cleanup, and flood recovery. Call 1-800-733-2767 for assistance.  Keep photos and videos of storm damage and save receipts for repairs, temporary housing, replacement items, and other disaster-related expenses. Residents who were affected should continue saving documentation, monitoring official updates, and using available state and nonprofit recovery resources as they await further federal assistance. 

 

Low Global Approval of Trump, and Yet...

Public opinion on Donald Trump's standing on the world stage is dismissal. A multinational Pew Research Center report indicates that only 23% of adults across 36 countries worldwide express confidence in Trump to make good policy decisions on world affairs. His "America First" policies have strained relations with established Western allies, resulting in what appears to be an "America Alone" reality. 

While diplomatic tensions are high and traditional partnerships are strained, there seems to be inadequate pushback both domestically and internationally to curb this out-of-control despot as he wrecks havoc on the social and political stage both here and around the world.

Some of his most unconventional and disruptive policies include threatening sweeping tariffs on our closest allies like Canada and Mexico, threatening to annex Greenland and Canada, declaring international waterways as under U.S. control, undermining NATO and pulling the U.S. from multilateral pacts such as the Paris Climate Agreement. He also has suggested that the U.S. should control the Strait of Hormuz and charge for use of the vital shipping lane. He radically cut or froze international development funding, including global health initiatives. 

He has used the influence and might of the most powerful nation on this planet to play petty games, and one-up world leaders. His policies have denied food to starving people in Ethiopia while food rots in African harbours. He has disrupted the flow of lifesaving malaria prevention efforts and HIV/AIDS drug programs. He has rolled back the clock on climate change, erasing the positive strides of the Biden administration in the Paris Agreement on climate change. 

His positions on Ukraine, Gaza and Panama are haphazard. They are based on whim, rather than actual facts, planning and expertise. All of these policies have negatively impacted the world economy and threatened social stability worldwide. 

Nevertheless, world leaders still bow at his feet, strategizing about how to interact without triggering him. It is unbelievable to me that the entire WORLD seems to allow this toddler to throw tantrums as the world order devolves into a quagmire of his creation. 

Who will stop him? Clearly the American voter has not, up to this point, been able to do so. Perhaps November will show us a different America. Perhaps, in November, voters will stop looking for the PERFECT solution and pursue an ACHIEVABLE solution. Perhaps in November America will give the world something new to work with...a way to repair the damage inflicted by this toddler-king who still has not made it out of his diaper. 

Trump Accounts Closed Due To Money-Laundering Probe

 By Mildred Robertson

Capital One Bank closed roughly 385 accounts linked to President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization in 2021 after identifying characteristics associated with potential money-laundering risk under its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies.

Trump went to court, alleging that Capital One unlawfully denied the organization financial services for political reasons following the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The Trump Organization accused the bank of political discrimination, arguing that the decision reflected the shifting political climate after the attack.

A motion filed by Capital One in a Florida federal court refutes that claim, stating that the decision followed several months of internal review by its Financial Crimes Compliance Team. The court filing over this past weekend requested that the lawsuit be dismissed, stating that “The closures were the result of months of analysis and careful review by Capital One’s AML team in accordance with bank policies and regulatory guidance.” 

According to Capital One, AML is an internal financial crimes and risk-compliance unit that investigates suspicious transactions, screens customer accounts against global watchlists, and ensures adherence to federal bank regulations. AML cited patterns in the flagged Trump accounts that were consistent with those identified through federal banking guidance as suspect.  

It is reported that Capital One had been fined $390 million by federal regulators just months before closing Trump’s accounts, due to lax anti-money laundering practices, which caused a heightened internal scrutiny of compliance issues. While Capital One did not actually accuse the Trump organization of illegal money laundering, it states that the accounts were closed based upon standard regulatory practices. The bank says that it never publicly disclosed why the accounts were closed and that the organization was given several months to move funds elsewhere.

It will be left up to the court to decided whether the "debanking" of Trumps accounts is anti-money laundering enforcement as stated by the bank, or is political discrimination. This litigation does, however, open the possibility that sensitive financial information related to the Trump accounts may become a matter of public record; an occurrence likely not considered by the Trump organization when bringing this suit.

Supreme Court Campaign Finance Decision: Selling Democracy

 By Mildred Robertson

In a 6-3 decision issued on June 30, 2026, the Supreme Court struck down limits on how much political parties may spend in coordination with candidates. The ruling allows wealthy donors to channel far larger sums through political parties, giving them greater power to shape campaign messaging and election outcomes.

The Court held that post-Watergate limits on coordinated spending between political parties and candidates violate the First Amendment. With those limits removed, parties and outside political groups can play a larger role in financing campaign advertisements and related expenses.

• Individual contributions directly to candidates may still be limited, such as $7,000 per election.
• Wealthy donors can give much larger amounts to national political parties, which can then direct spending to support particular candidates.
• Super PACs may spend unlimited amounts on political messaging, including television ads, so long as they do not coordinate directly with a candidate’s official campaign.

Supporters argue that campaign spending is a form of political speech protected by the First Amendment. Critics counter that the ruling increases the risk of corruption by giving wealthy donors and special interest groups outsized influence over elections. In effect, they argue, the decision makes political power more available to those who can afford to spend the most.

Grassroots candidates can still build support through many small-dollar donations, but that model may struggle to compete with unlimited spending from corporations and wealthy donors. As more money flows into television, print, and social media advertising, small-dollar donors and ordinary voters may find their voices increasingly drowned out.

Put simply, these rulings give the wealthiest participants the loudest megaphone. Those with the most money will have the greatest ability to shape public messaging, influence opinion, and impact voting outcomes.

Many elected officials already respond to high-dollar donors by supporting legislation that aligns with donor priorities. As Super PACs, political parties, and wealthy contributors spend more aggressively, this influence is likely to grow. In practical terms, the decision moves American democratic rule further toward a system where political power is increasingly shaped by those able to spend the most, and that is not democracy.

Sources:

PBS: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/supreme-court-transforms-campaign-finance-rules-lifting-limits-on-party-spending

Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/30/campaign-spending-supreme-court-ruling-00980450