CATO argues that the proposed defense supplemental budget represents wasteful and unnecessary spending, largely driven by reactive measures related to the war in Iran. The article highlights that significant portions of this funding are dedicated to operational expenses and resupplying depleted munitions inventories. Furthermore, it notes that actual military outlays are consistently underreported because multiple agencies contribute funds outside the Department of Defense. Consequently, the continuous expansion of defense spending is deemed fiscally irresponsible, adding billions to an already excessive budget without providing clear benefits to American taxpayers.
Federal Judge Rebukes DOJ Subpoenas as Political Retaliation, Reaffirms Limits on Federal Power
English Summary
A federal judge quashed Justice Department subpoenas targeting Minnesota state officials, ruling that the actions constituted an abusive and unconstitutional attempt to politically coerce state leaders. The decision reinforced the anti-commandeering doctrine, asserting that the federal government cannot use criminal investigations to force states into compliance with its political agenda. This legal victory signals a growing judicial pushback against perceived federal overreach, citing patterns of prosecutorial misconduct in other jurisdictions. Strategically, the ruling strengthens the constitutional firewall protecting state and local governmental independence from weaponization by federal law enforcement agencies.
中文摘要
一名聯邦法官駁回了針對明尼蘇達州官員的司法部傳票，裁定該等行為構成濫用且違憲的政治脅迫州政府領導人的嘗試。此判決重申了「反強制徵召原則」（anti-commandeering doctrine），主張聯邦政府不能利用刑事調查來強迫各州遵守其政治議程。這項法律勝利顯示出司法界對所謂聯邦權力過大的日益反抗，並援引其他司法管轄區的檢察行為不當模式作為依據。從戰略角度來看，該判決加固了保護州和地方政府獨立性免受聯邦執法機構武器化侵害的憲法防火牆。
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Recent court rulings demonstrate significant judicial resistance to federal efforts attempting to intervene in state-level election administration. Judges have blocked presidential attempts to mandate changes to mail-in balloting, prevented the creation of large voter databases using inaccurate data, and generally dismissed suits demanding state voter files. These findings indicate that core electoral processes remain largely protected by state autonomy against broad federal mandates. Consequently, policy strategists should anticipate continued legal challenges limiting the scope of executive power in election mechanics, reinforcing decentralized control over voting procedures.
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4."Overwhelmingly a Positive Development": FDA Finally Stops Blocking Safe, Effective Bemotrizinol Sunscreens (CATO)
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CATO argues that current judicial interpretations of FOIA's Exemption 7 are flawed because some circuits apply a "per se" rule, automatically exempting any document compiled by law enforcement agencies regardless of its actual purpose. This interpretation contradicts the plain text of FOIA, which requires proof that records were compiled for legitimate law enforcement objectives. The pending Supreme Court case underscores this conflict, as broad exemptions allow the government to shield potential abuses and surveillance overreach from public scrutiny. Policy-wise, overturning the "per se" rule is critical to restoring transparency in federal governance and ensuring that public access remains an effective tool against governmental misconduct.