Stories that are getting the most attention from our readers this month.
Following a landmark court ruling in favor of young climate activists, Montana’s Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to limit environmental litigation and restructure the judiciary. The prior court decision had mandated that state agencies weigh climate impacts before greenlighting fossil fuel projects, stirring hope among environmental advocates. Now, new bills aim to curtail that requirement and restrict how citizens—especially youth—can sue over climate policies. Critics say it’s an attempt to sidestep judicial oversight. Supporters claim it prevents costly lawsuits that hamper economic development. Tension is mounting over whether Montana’s constitutional climate protections will endure or be watered down by legislative action.
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan stands accused of aiding an undocumented defendant in evading ICE agents at her courthouse. Federal prosecutors allege she obstructed law enforcement, while supporters frame her actions as protecting the judiciary’s independence by preventing “courthouse ambushes.” This unusual arrest highlights the deep rift between local sanctuary-type stances and the Trump administration’s vigorous immigration enforcement. If Dugan is found guilty, it may instill fear in judges who feel morally inclined to shield defendants from deportation arrests in a legal setting. Immigration advocates argue that using courtrooms for ICE operations scares away witnesses and victims, harming the broader justice system.
The IRS is conducting fewer audits than ever before, with rates falling to a record low of 0.36% in 2023. This decline is attributed to significant workforce cuts, reducing the agency's capacity to conduct thorough audits. The IRS has collected only $4.5 billion from 2019 personal audits, a sharp decrease from previous years. Further cuts are planned, potentially exacerbating the issue and leading to billions in lost tax revenue.
All major U.S. indexes fell more than two percent after President Trump labeled Fed Chair Jerome Powell a “major loser” and threatened to fire him if rates are not cut. Legal scholars note the president likely cannot remove Powell easily, yet the rhetoric rattled investors already uneasy over tariffs.
President Trump commemorated his first 100 days back in office with a self-congratulatory rally in Michigan, touting job promises and sweeping executive actions. Critics note that public approval remains shaky, with economic concerns and tariff tensions overshadowing the celebration. Meanwhile, in Montana, Republican lawmakers push legislation to limit the impact of a landmark youth climate lawsuit, which previously mandated the state consider climate factors in energy projects. The proposed measures could curtail environmental litigation and alter how courts handle climate challenges. Both stories illustrate how politics can pivot quickly—Trump’s rapid policy execution underscores the power of the executive branch, while Montana’s legislative pushback reveals friction between judicial climate rulings and legislative agendas.