News On Tap For Tuesday, August 26, 2025

America Ain't Over Yet

Today's "News On Tap" has a flavor that stands up, punches back, & may cheer you up, even in the midst of all this fascism. From governors, of multiple kinds pushing back against Trump’s fascism, to wins in the redistricting wars, on immigration, & wins against the Trump regime, Plus, the latest on Grampy’s failings, updates on the wars over there - and Taylor & Travis are gettin' hitched! Plus, we’ve got long time friend and uncompromising radio legend Nicole Sandler in the bar tonight too. But first…

First Round - Standing Up For Freedom Works

Courage Is Contagious

• Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Issues Blistering Clap Back Warning To Trump: 'Mr. President, Do Not Come To Chicago'

• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Renews Call For Trump To Visit Baltimore Amid Their Ongoing Feud

• In Address At DNC Summer Meeting, Gov. Tim Walz Trounces Trump, Touts Successes Of Democratic Governing In Minnesota

• DNC Chair Ken Martin At Summer Meeting: Democrats Can’t Be "The Only Party That Plays By The Rules Anymore"

Fed Governor To Trump: Eff Off

• Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook Says She Won’t Resign, Will Sue Trump; Notes Trump’s Lack Of Authority To Fire Her [Gift Link]

• Leah Litman: How The Supreme Court Got Us Into The Fight Between Trump & The Fed

• Steve Benen: Why Trump’s Offensive Against The Fed's Lisa Cook Is A ‘Five-Alarm Fire’

• Paul Krugman: Trump’s Attempt To Fire A Fed Governor Is Illegal. Now We Find Out Whether That Matters.

You Get What You Fight For

• New Study Shows Blue States That Sued Kept Most CDC Grants, While Red States Who Did Nothing Feel Brunt Of Trump & Republican Clawbacks

• Trump Admin. To Restore $6.8B In Education Funds After 23 Mostly Democratic-Led States Sue & Win

• Trump & Republicans' Public Broadcast Cuts Are Hitting Rural Areas Hard, Forcing Republicans In Rural Alaska To Fight Back To Save Their Stations

Second Round - The Right's Losing Wars

The Redistricting Wars

• Judge Tosses Republican-Dominated Legislature’s Gerrymandered Congressional Map, Orders New Map That Could Give Democrats Another House Seat — In Utah

• Gov. Wes Moore Says Maryland Is Still Eying A Map Redraw; Spanberger Says No Changes Are Planned In Virginia

• Follow Up: Texas House Republicans Vote Against Retroactive Punishments For Democratic Quorum Breakers

• New Poll Shows 81% Majority Of Indiana Voters Oppose Mid-Decade Redistricting, Severely Endangering Indiana Republicans' Attempts To Rig Their Maps

Immigration Wars

• Federal Judge Rules Trump Admin. ‘Absolutely Forbidden’ From Removing Kilmar Abrego Garcia From U.S. Until After Legal Issues Have Been Settled

• Florida's MAGA Attorney General Vows To Defy Federal Judge's Order To Close 'Alligator Alcatraz'

War In The Courts

• In Big Win For Voters, Court Rules Pennsylvania Must Count Undated Mail-In Ballots

• Federal Judge Dismisses Trump Lawsuit Against Maryland-Based Judges Over Handling Of Immigration Cases

• Jack Smith’s Legal Team Finally Fires Back Against Trump Regime Ethics Complaint [Gift Link]

Third Round - More News To Drink About

Grampy's Latest Failings

• Trump Says He Wants To Ignore The Power Of Congress Needed To Rename The Department Of Defense To The "Department Of War"

• Trump Gets Stuck On ‘Magnets’ In Deranged Rant During Oval Office Meeting With South Korean President

• The Five Most Insane Gaffes From Trump’s Day Of Marathon Pressers

Tech & Trumponomics

• Trump Threatens ‘Substantial’ New Tariffs Against Countries With ‘Discriminatory’ Digital Rules Against U.S. Tech Corporations

• Pentagon’s Tech Innovation Head Abruptly Resigns Amid Purge Of Experienced Military Leaders

Election Land

• Democrats Look To Flip Republican Seats In Georgia & Iowa Special Elections Today

• Strength In Numbers Polling: Democrats Now Lead The U.S. House Generic Ballot By 8, As Voters Strongly Back Fair Maps And Oppose Trump's Tariffs

Fourth Round - Over There

• Israeli Govt. Facing Growing Pressure Over Hostages And Gaza Offensive

• Reuters & AP Issue Joint Letter To Israeli Govt. Demanding Answers Over Journalists Killed In Hospital Airstrike: “We Are Outraged”

• Trump Reportedly Angry With Putin As Russia's Strikes On Ukraine Continue, Despite Trump's Peace Push

• Just Discovered - U.S. & Russian Officials Discussed Energy Deals Alongside Latest Ukraine Peace Talks

Fifth Round - Media, Entertainment, & More

• Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Announce Engagement After 2 Years Of Dating

• Fox, Fox Sports, & Fox Propaganda Channel All At Risk Of Being Pulled From YouTube TV By Wednesday In Carriage Dispute

• YouTube TV Hits Six Consecutive Months As Top TV Distributor In The U.S.

• E. Jean Carroll To Talk Trump Legal Battle And Trailblazing Career In New Documentary

• St. Louis Cardinals' Player Wilson Contreras Hits Cardinals Coach In Face With Bat Toss During Meltdown After Correctly Called Strike 3

• Caitlin Clark Remains Out For Critical Matchup Tonight Vs The Seattle Storm, With Her Indiana Fever Clinging To The Final WNBA Playoff Spot

• Venus Williams Shines In US Open Return Despite 3-Set Loss

Today’s Special Guest

Nicole Sandler is a life-long radio fan & broadcasting legend, and host of her long-running eponymous radio & streaming show, “The Nicole Sandler Show.” As a veteran of left-leaning talk, radio, she’s learned to adapt well, making her show available on YouTube, Substack, and on all kinds of audio streaming platforms. From famous music artists to famous politicians (like Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, above), to other left-leaning talkers, Nicole’s talked with them all, in some legendary interviews. Tonight, we get the pleasure of talking with her here at The Politics Bar!

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