No data for MAGA & The Sad Parade
Welcome to The Instrum-Intel Daily, where we break down the major stories shaping the public conversation into What? So What? Now What? And then we use the Instrum-Intel #HaikuTheNews & #TabloidDroid tools to make the news snackable. It’s a strategy born from crisis comms and storytelling best practices that can help shift your attention from noise to clarity, and from insight to action.
Tuesday, September 2 2025
Jump to: Update on MAGA attacks on climate groups • Trump’s Parade Do-Over • NWS Hiring & EO Question • Park Police Pursuit Policy • Koch vs. VT Climate Policy • Veteran Arrested After ICE Protest • Climate Satellites Cut • WH Portrait & Autopen • NY Climate Superfund Act Challenge • Sierra Club Misconduct Complaint • Probe of Solar Imports • No Green Proposals Passed • Project 2025 @ DOE • ND Coal Leases Fast-Tracked • CA Pauses ‘Excess Profit’ Penalties • New Anti-Renewables Rule
Headline: State AGs Target Imaginary Lawfare Fairy with Scary Legal Parry
What?
As Instrumental revealed over the summer, there’s coordinated conservative campaign is accelerating efforts to defund and investigate climate-focused NGOs and philanthropic foundations. Most recently, Capital Research Center reported that the Ford Foundation spends $20 million monthly to fund progressive causes, prompting scrutiny from lawmakers and watchdogs. The report coincides with pressure from 23 Republican state attorneys general, who urged the EPA to revoke funding from the Environmental Law Institute’s Climate Judiciary Project, alleging it improperly influences judges (The Federalist). The EPA says it canceled two related grants in May (Daily Signal).
So What?
This is not an isolated event. These developments are the latest in a series of political, legal, and media maneuvers targeting philanthropy-backed climate advocacy and litigation. Reports by right-wing groups such as State Armor and narratives echoed in The Federalist, Daily Signal, Energy In Depth, and Fox News frame climate funders and education initiatives as radical, foreign-influenced, or deceptive. Even when specific organizations aren’t named, the narrative targets judicial education, climate litigation support, and ESG frameworks—areas where many major climate funders are directly or adjacently involved.
Now What?
The narrative is gaining traction and could influence federal oversight, grantmaking, and reputational risk for climate-aligned foundations and grantees. Coalition members and partners should prepare for increased scrutiny, potential congressional or state-level investigations, and efforts to restrict philanthropic or public funding. Strategic responses may include clarifying funding relationships, reinforcing the independence and legality of educational initiatives, and scenario planning for additional narrative or policy attacks.
Headline: Trump Was ‘Disappointed’ By the Army Parade On His Bday and Wants to Try Again
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What?
After an expensive and widely criticized Army parade held on his birthday in June 2025, President Trump expressed disappointment with the marching and plans to hold another military parade focused on the Navy later this year. The article also touches on political turmoil at the CDC and Trump’s proposal for a Republican midterm convention ahead of the 2026 elections.
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So What?
Trump is pushing for another large military parade, this time showcasing the Navy, after being dissatisfied with the Army parade. Significant controversy continues at the CDC following the firing of its director and resignations, raising concerns about public health decisions. Trump proposes a novel midterm convention for Republicans, signaling a change in political strategy.
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Now What?
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#HeadlineHaiku
Trump wants the navy on the land or on the sea to celebrate him
Headline: Want to work for National Weather Service? Be ready to explain how you agree with Trump
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What?
The National Weather Service is trying to hire up to 450 employees after deep cuts and asks applicants to explain how they would support President Donald Trump’s executive orders. Experts say this politicizes scientific hiring and could deter qualified meteorologists.
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So What?
Applicants need to address their stance on Trump’s executive orders and their commitment to constitutional principles. Experts argue meteorological expertise should determine hiring, not political views. Policy risks turning away skilled experts and impacting forecast quality and public safety.
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Now What?
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#HeadlineHaiku
Trump wants the navy on the land or on the sea to celebrate him
Headline: New Trump Executive Order Relaxes Chase Policies for U.S. Park Police
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What?
A new executive order from President Donald Trump's administration, issued on August 25, has eased restrictions on police pursuits by the U.S. Park Police in Washington, D.C. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum highlighted that the updated policy allows officers to pursue fleeing suspects, correcting previous limitations that prevented such actions.
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So What?
The policy change aims to enhance public safety by allowing the U.S. Park Police more freedom to conduct vehicle pursuits. The Fraternal Order of Police supports the change but emphasizes the need for balanced enforcement with public and officer safety. The interim pursuit policy will remain until a permanent version is established through further negotiations.
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Now What?
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#HeadlineHaiku
Police in pursuit / New order eases the way / to chase through the streets
Headline: How a Koch-funded campaign is trying to reverse climate action in Vermont
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What?
Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group funded by Koch Industries, has launched a campaign in Vermont aimed at rolling back progressive climate policies like the Affordable Heat Act and the Global Warming Solutions Act. Since 2023 the group has invested in mail, digital, and local events to oppose clean energy legislation and promote deregulation.
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So What?
AFP’s campaign represents a significant conservative push in a traditionally progressive state, targeting energy policies designed to reduce fossil fuel use. Vermont residents and lawmakers face increased influence from well-funded out-of-state groups opposing climate action and promoting deregulation. Expect continued conflicts over climate and energy policies.
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Now What?
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#HeadlineHaiku
Koch funds oppose change / In Vermont's green landscape fight / Water gets muddy.
Headline: FBI Arrests US Army Veteran for Conspiracy Over Protest Against ICE
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What?
Bajun Mavalwalla II, a US army veteran who served in Afghanistan, was arrested in July and charged with conspiracy to impede or injure officers after participating in a June protest against ICE in Spokane, Washington. His arrest has sparked concerns about potential overreach by the Trump administration in prosecuting First Amendment rights and targeting immigration protestors.
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So What?
The conspiracy charge represents a significant escalation in federal responses to protests, focusing on intent rather than direct violent acts. Supporters see Mavalwalla—a disabled veteran with no prior criminal record—as a symbol of unjust prosecution and selective targeting. This case may signal increased federal efforts to intimidate and suppress immigration-related protests.
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Now What?
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#HeadlineHaiku
shouting crowds lock arms / felonies for protesting / morning breaks with cuffs
Headline: Trump Administration Cuts Climate Satellites, Raising Concerns About Weather Forecasting
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What?
The administration is ending satellite missions that monitor Earth’s CO₂ and pollution, focusing resources solely on weather prediction. Scientists warn removing climate observation tools could impair both climate research and weather forecasting, which are interlinked.
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So What?
Eliminating climate satellites undercuts data needed for accurate forecasting and long-term planning, reflecting a broader political move to reduce climate research funding while maintaining weather services.
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Now What?
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#HeadlineHaiku
MAGA hates data / Satellites fall from the sky / Carbon still rises
Headline: Trump Unveils Plans for ‘Controversial’ New White House Portrait Featuring Biden Autopen
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What?
Former President Donald Trump announced plans to display a new, “hilarious” and “controversial” black-and-white portrait in the White House Rose Garden as part of a “Presidential Wall of Fame.” The portrait reportedly includes a depiction of President Biden’s autopen, a mechanical signature device that has been a source of contention between the two. The image is set to be revealed in two weeks.
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So What?
The portrait highlights ongoing political tensions, mocking Biden’s use of the autopen, which Trump has labeled a major scandal. The Rose Garden renovations are styled similarly to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, reflecting his influence on White House aesthetics. This continues a pattern of provocative artwork during his term.
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Now What?
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What?
DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division moved for summary judgment (Aug. 29, 2025) to invalidate New York’s Climate Change Superfund Act seeking ~$75B from energy companies, arguing conflicts with federal law and the Constitution; DOJ notes related May suits, including against Vermont.
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So What?
A DOJ win could chill state climate cost-recovery regimes; a loss could embolden similar statutes—either way, it resets the climate-liability landscape.
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Now What?
Track federal court action on the motion, progress in NY/VT cases, any executive directives cited to “protect American energy,” and requests for permanent injunctions.
Headline: Sierra Club Received Sex Harassment Complaint About Then-Chief Earlier This Year
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What?
A staffer alleged then–executive director Ben Jealous engaged in sexual harassment and bullying; Jealous denies the claims and alleges racial discrimination. The board later voted unanimously in August to terminate him for cause.
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So What?
While not land-use specific, the episode poses reputational and partnership risks across the environmental NGO ecosystem.
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Now What?
Monitor governance changes, investigations, and leadership transitions that could affect coalition collaborations.
Headline: US will proceed with probe of solar imports from India, Laos and Indonesia
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What?
The U.S. International Trade Commission voted unanimously to continue an investigation that could impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar products from India, Laos, and Indonesia.
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So What?
Tariffs could raise module costs and slow deployment timelines many clean-energy strategies depend on.
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Now What?
Key dates: Commerce prelim subsidy decisions ~Oct. 10; anti-dumping ~Dec. 24. Prepare pricing and availability scenarios.
Headline: US shareholders fail to pass any green proposals for first time in 6 years
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What?
For the first time since 2019, no environmental shareholder proposals passed in the U.S. proxy season.
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So What?
Signals headwinds for investor-led climate governance and reduced leverage through proxy routes.
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Now What?
Rebalance toward regulatory/legislative avenues and targeted board engagement; refine corporate campaign tactics.
Headline: Project 2025’s overhaul of the Department of Energy is well underway
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What?
Implementation of Heritage’s Project 2025 at DOE via legislation, staffing cuts, and program cancellations reversing clean-energy initiatives, including grant withdrawals and policy shifts.
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So What?
Shrinking DOE support complicates partnerships and funding; broader impacts on transmission, permitting, and markets.
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Now What?
Track the July 4 bill rolling back IRA credits, day-one LNG EOs, DOE’s ~$3.7B OCED grant withdrawals, and FERC’s GHG stance to recalibrate plans.
Headline: Federal coal leases fast-tracked in North Dakota; environmental groups object
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What?
BLM is expediting coal leasing at the Freedom and Falkirk mines under a national energy emergency, using an alternative process with shortened public input windows.
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So What?
Direct implications for federal land management and NEPA process integrity—key land-use governance concerns.
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Now What?
Near-term dates: Freedom sale this week; Falkirk Sept. 10. Prepare rapid comments, legal review, and local coalition engagement.
Headline: California energy regulators pause efforts to penalize oil companies for high profits
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What?
The California Energy Commission delayed any refinery “excess profit” penalty until 2030 due to supply concerns amid planned refinery closures; the state will pursue minimum on-hand fuel inventory rules and may streamline approvals for new wells in existing fields.
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So What?
Highlights tension between affordability/supply and climate/EJ goals; potential land-use touchpoints via streamlined drilling approvals.
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Now What?
Track inventory rulemaking, any interim well-approval streamlining, and EJ community responses; prepare testimony and engagement.
Headline: Trump admin’s new anti-renewables rule rooted in fossil-fuel misinformation (Yahoo reprint)
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What?
Interior ordered agencies to add a “capacity density” metric that disadvantages wind and solar in leasing and environmental reviews, while USDA curtailed REAP funding for large solar on “prime farmland.”
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So What?
Could slow renewable deployment and reshape siting narratives on public lands and agricultural co-use (agrivoltaics).
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Now What?
Track Interior’s Aug. 1 directive in NEPA/leasing processes and USDA criteria changes; prepare data-driven counters on land efficiency and grid benefits.
