Happy Monday and welcome back to today’s edition of Common Sense with Ally Sammarco—your daily briefing on politics. Let’s break it down.
A Federal Judge Tosses Trump-Era Indictments of Comey & James….A federal judge just threw out the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James—not because the evidence fell apart, but because the prosecutor never had the legal authority to bring the charges in the first place. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie ruled that Interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, handpicked by Donald Trump and installed after he ousted the prior U.S. attorney, was unconstitutionally appointed and her indictments were “unlawful” and “ineffective.” The dismissals are without prejudice, meaning the DOJ could technically refile—though the statute of limitations on Comey’s case is likely already gone. James’ case could still be revived, but for now, both walk away from what critics have long described as Trump’s political revenge tour masquerading as law enforcement. Letitia James called the ruling a “victory” and vowed to keep fighting for New Yorkers.
Common Sense takeaway: This is poetic justice. Trump is manipulating the DOJ to prosecute people he doesn’t like, and he can’t even get that right. And the best part is it’s not on the grounds of the case but procedural error! What an embarrassment to our country, but an ideal outcome for these two.
U.S. Scales Back Controversial Ukraine Peace Plan Amid Fierce Fighting….The U.S.-proposed Russia-Ukraine peace plan has been trimmed from 28 points to 19 after tense negotiations in Geneva, as American, European, and Ukrainian officials scramble to make the proposal something Kyiv can actually accept. Democrats and other officials warn the original draft looked more like a roadmap for Ukrainian surrender than a peace deal. Trump is teasing “big progress,” while simultaneously blasting Ukraine for showing “zero gratitude.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Geneva meetings the “most productive” yet, but stressed the plan is a “living document” with major gaps still to bridge. All this comes as Russia escalates its drone barrage: 162 drones launched overnight, with Kharkiv hit hardest and multiple civilians killed. Zelenskyy says Ukraine is working with partners but won’t accept any deal that weakens the country—especially with Russia not yet part of the talks and still insisting Ukraine is delusional for resisting.
Common Sense takeaway: Let’s be clear: giving away massive regions of Ukraine to Russia (some that are not even currently occupied by Russia!) is not a deal—it’s a surrender. With friends pushing a deal like that, who needs enemies? The only solution to this war is for Russia to get out of Ukraine and go home. Period.
Common Sense with Ally Sammarco is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Nurses Left Out of New “Professional Degree” Loan Rules, Sparking Backlash……The Department of Education has quietly reclassified nursing — yes, nursing—as not a “professional degree” under Trump’s new One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The shift means that starting in 2026, graduate nursing students will see their federal loan access slashed in half, capped at $20,500 a year instead of $50,000 like medical, law, and other approved programs. Nursing groups are warning this is a disaster in the making. At a time when the U.S. is battling a historic nurse shortage, the administration is making it harder and more expensive to train nurse practitioners, anesthetists, and other advanced practitioners who keep rural and underserved communities afloat. The American Nurses Association says the move “threatens the very foundation of patient care.” The Department of Education claims it didn’t “remove” nursing—it just never included it in the first place. But with Grad PLUS loans ending for new borrowers in 2026 and repayment options shrinking, the new rules could cut off the pipeline for critical healthcare workers.
Common Sense takeaway: So let me get this straight: in 2020 during the pandemic, nurses were American heroes but now, they’re not even considered professional degrees? Nursing is an essential profession that we ~quite literally~ couldn’t function without. Meanwhile, hospitals are closing, healthcare costs are rising, and this administration is focused on attacking nursing professionals.
Trump’s “Government Efficiency” Agency Quietly Disbands — After Delivering… Not Much….The Trump administration’s much-hyped Department of Government Efficiency—DOGE, the agency once fronted by Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw—has quietly dissolved eight months before its mandate was up. The Office of Personnel Management confirmed the obvious: “That doesn’t exist.” Launched with fanfare as Trump’s signature plan to shrink government, DOGE spent its early months storming federal agencies, slashing budgets, and claiming (without evidence) that it saved “tens of billions.” But the unit never released real data, Musk flamed out after a public feud with Trump, and its staff has since scattered across other departments or into Trump’s new “National Design Studio,” tasked with beautifying government websites. Despite an executive order saying DOGE would run through 2026, the project faded away as Trump and his team increasingly spoke of it in the past tense.
Common Sense takeaway: DOGE essentially wasted money trying to save money and now it’s being cut in an attempt to stop spending money. Hilarious. DOGE was a shadow agency to begin with and never should have been given the access to data and information it demanded. Let this go down as just another one of the Trump administration’s failed projects.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense. Check back tomorrow for more.
Happy Monday and welcome back to today’s edition of Common Sense with Ally Sammarco—your daily briefing on politics. Let’s break it down.
A Federal Judge Tosses Trump-Era Indictments of Comey & James….A federal judge just threw out the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James—not because the evidence fell apart, but because the prosecutor never had the legal authority to bring the charges in the first place. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie ruled that Interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, handpicked by Donald Trump and installed after he ousted the prior U.S. attorney, was unconstitutionally appointed and her indictments were “unlawful” and “ineffective.” The dismissals are without prejudice, meaning the DOJ could technically refile—though the statute of limitations on Comey’s case is likely already gone. James’ case could still be revived, but for now, both walk away from what critics have long described as Trump’s political revenge tour masquerading as law enforcement. Letitia James called the ruling a “victory” and vowed to keep fighting for New Yorkers.
Common Sense takeaway: This is poetic justice. Trump is manipulating the DOJ to prosecute people he doesn’t like, and he can’t even get that right. And the best part is it’s not on the grounds of the case but procedural error! What an embarrassment to our country, but an ideal outcome for these two.
U.S. Scales Back Controversial Ukraine Peace Plan Amid Fierce Fighting….The U.S.-proposed Russia-Ukraine peace plan has been trimmed from 28 points to 19 after tense negotiations in Geneva, as American, European, and Ukrainian officials scramble to make the proposal something Kyiv can actually accept. Democrats and other officials warn the original draft looked more like a roadmap for Ukrainian surrender than a peace deal. Trump is teasing “big progress,” while simultaneously blasting Ukraine for showing “zero gratitude.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Geneva meetings the “most productive” yet, but stressed the plan is a “living document” with major gaps still to bridge. All this comes as Russia escalates its drone barrage: 162 drones launched overnight, with Kharkiv hit hardest and multiple civilians killed. Zelenskyy says Ukraine is working with partners but won’t accept any deal that weakens the country—especially with Russia not yet part of the talks and still insisting Ukraine is delusional for resisting.
Common Sense takeaway: Let’s be clear: giving away massive regions of Ukraine to Russia (some that are not even currently occupied by Russia!) is not a deal—it’s a surrender. With friends pushing a deal like that, who needs enemies? The only solution to this war is for Russia to get out of Ukraine and go home. Period.
Common Sense with Ally Sammarco is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Nurses Left Out of New “Professional Degree” Loan Rules, Sparking Backlash……The Department of Education has quietly reclassified nursing — yes, nursing—as not a “professional degree” under Trump’s new One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The shift means that starting in 2026, graduate nursing students will see their federal loan access slashed in half, capped at $20,500 a year instead of $50,000 like medical, law, and other approved programs. Nursing groups are warning this is a disaster in the making. At a time when the U.S. is battling a historic nurse shortage, the administration is making it harder and more expensive to train nurse practitioners, anesthetists, and other advanced practitioners who keep rural and underserved communities afloat. The American Nurses Association says the move “threatens the very foundation of patient care.” The Department of Education claims it didn’t “remove” nursing—it just never included it in the first place. But with Grad PLUS loans ending for new borrowers in 2026 and repayment options shrinking, the new rules could cut off the pipeline for critical healthcare workers.
Common Sense takeaway: So let me get this straight: in 2020 during the pandemic, nurses were American heroes but now, they’re not even considered professional degrees? Nursing is an essential profession that we ~quite literally~ couldn’t function without. Meanwhile, hospitals are closing, healthcare costs are rising, and this administration is focused on attacking nursing professionals.
Trump’s “Government Efficiency” Agency Quietly Disbands — After Delivering… Not Much….The Trump administration’s much-hyped Department of Government Efficiency—DOGE, the agency once fronted by Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw—has quietly dissolved eight months before its mandate was up. The Office of Personnel Management confirmed the obvious: “That doesn’t exist.” Launched with fanfare as Trump’s signature plan to shrink government, DOGE spent its early months storming federal agencies, slashing budgets, and claiming (without evidence) that it saved “tens of billions.” But the unit never released real data, Musk flamed out after a public feud with Trump, and its staff has since scattered across other departments or into Trump’s new “National Design Studio,” tasked with beautifying government websites. Despite an executive order saying DOGE would run through 2026, the project faded away as Trump and his team increasingly spoke of it in the past tense.
Common Sense takeaway: DOGE essentially wasted money trying to save money and now it’s being cut in an attempt to stop spending money. Hilarious. DOGE was a shadow agency to begin with and never should have been given the access to data and information it demanded. Let this go down as just another one of the Trump administration’s failed projects.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense. Check back tomorrow for more.
Happy Monday and welcome back to today’s edition of Common Sense with Ally Sammarco—your daily briefing on politics. Let’s break it down.
A Federal Judge Tosses Indictments of Comey & James….A federal judge just threw out the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James—not because the evidence fell apart, but because the prosecutor never had the legal authority to bring the charges in the first place. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie ruled that Interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, handpicked by Donald Trump and installed after he ousted the prior U.S. attorney, was unconstitutionally appointed and her indictments were “unlawful” and “ineffective.” The dismissals are without prejudice, meaning the DOJ could technically refile—though the statute of limitations on Comey’s case is likely already gone. James’ case could still be revived, but for now, both walk away from what critics have long described as Trump’s political revenge tour masquerading as law enforcement. Letitia James called the ruling a “victory” and vowed to keep fighting for New Yorkers.
Common Sense takeaway: This is poetic justice. Trump is manipulating the DOJ to prosecute people he doesn’t like, and he can’t even get that right. And the best part is it’s not on the grounds of the case but procedural error! What an embarrassment to our country, but an ideal outcome for these two.
U.S. Scales Back Controversial Ukraine Peace Plan Amid Fierce Fighting….The U.S.-proposed Russia-Ukraine peace plan has been trimmed from 28 points to 19 after tense negotiations in Geneva, as American, European, and Ukrainian officials scramble to make the proposal something Kyiv can actually accept. Democrats and other officials warn the original draft looked more like a roadmap for Ukrainian surrender than a peace deal. Trump is teasing “big progress,” while simultaneously blasting Ukraine for showing “zero gratitude.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Geneva meetings the “most productive” yet, but stressed the plan is a “living document” with major gaps still to bridge. All this comes as Russia escalates its drone barrage: 162 drones launched overnight, with Kharkiv hit hardest and multiple civilians killed. Zelenskyy says Ukraine is working with partners but won’t accept any deal that weakens the country—especially with Russia not yet part of the talks and still insisting Ukraine is delusional for resisting.
Common Sense takeaway: Let’s be clear: giving away massive regions of Ukraine to Russia (some that are not even currently occupied by Russia!) is not a deal—it’s a surrender. With friends pushing a deal like that, who needs enemies? The only solution to this war is for Russia to get out of Ukraine and go home. Period.
Nurses Left Out of New “Professional Degree” Loan Rules……The Department of Education has quietly reclassified nursing — yes, nursing—as not a “professional degree” under Trump’s new One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The shift means that starting in 2026, graduate nursing students will see their federal loan access slashed in half, capped at $20,500 a year instead of $50,000 like medical, law, and other approved programs. Nursing groups are warning this is a disaster in the making. At a time when the U.S. is battling a historic nurse shortage, the administration is making it harder and more expensive to train nurse practitioners, anesthetists, and other advanced practitioners who keep rural and underserved communities afloat. The American Nurses Association says the move “threatens the very foundation of patient care.” The Department of Education claims it didn’t “remove” nursing—it just never included it in the first place. But with Grad PLUS loans ending for new borrowers in 2026 and repayment options shrinking, the new rules could cut off the pipeline for critical healthcare workers.
Common Sense takeaway: So let me get this straight: in 2020 during the pandemic, nurses were American heroes but now, they’re not even considered professional degrees? Nursing is an essential profession that we ~quite literally~ couldn’t function without. Meanwhile, hospitals are closing, healthcare costs are rising, and this administration is focused on attacking nursing professionals.
DOGE Quietly Disbands After Delivering… Not Much….The Trump administration’s much-hyped Department of Government Efficiency—DOGE, the agency once fronted by Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw—has quietly dissolved eight months before its mandate was up. The Office of Personnel Management confirmed the obvious: “That doesn’t exist.” Launched with fanfare as Trump’s signature plan to shrink government, DOGE spent its early months storming federal agencies, slashing budgets, and claiming (without evidence) that it saved “tens of billions.” But the unit never released real data, Musk flamed out after a public feud with Trump, and its staff has since scattered across other departments or into Trump’s new “National Design Studio,” tasked with beautifying government websites. Despite an executive order saying DOGE would run through 2026, the project faded away as Trump and his team increasingly spoke of it in the past tense.
Common Sense takeaway: DOGE essentially wasted money trying to save money and now it’s being cut in an attempt to stop spending money. Hilarious. DOGE was a shadow agency to begin with and never should have been given the access to data and information it demanded. Let this go down as just another one of the Trump administration’s failed projects.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense. Check back tomorrow for more.
I'm going to add a correction to what she said about the Comey case. In addition to dismissing without prejudice, the judge ruled that this means it's as if the case never existed. Therefore, it rolls the clock back to when the indictment was filed back in April. so the clock has NOT run out. It's actually restarted.