Federal Judge [Trump nemesis Boasberg for once!!!] Upholds Jones Act, Tossing Hawaii Rum Maker’s Challenge. Trump America First policy praised.

Mike Schuler

January 20, 2026

"A federal judge has dismissed a high-profile constitutional challenge to the Jones Act, delivering a major win for the U.S. maritime industry and the Trump Administration’s defense of America’s cabotage laws.

"In a 46-page opinion, Chief Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia rejected claims from Hawaii-based Koloa Rum Company that the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly referred to as the Jones Act, violates the Constitution’s Due Process and Port Preference clauses. The distillery, backed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, argued that the Jones Act’s requirement that cargo moving between U.S. ports be carried on American-built, American-owned, and American-crewed vessels unfairly burdens non-contiguous states such as Hawaii and Alaska.

Boasberg disagreed, calling the Jones Act “neutral legislation that does not create any direct preferences by channeling commerce through the ports of one state at the expense of others.” The court noted that the law “emerged from a centuries-old tradition of cabotage laws” and applies uniformly across transportation modes, including aviation—evidence, the judge wrote, of consistent national policy rather than regional discrimination.

"The court also held that the statute easily satisfies rational-basis review, citing long-standing government interests in maintaining “a strong domestic merchant marine, protecting national security by ensuring that vessels are available for military use, and supporting American maritime employment.”

"Maritime industry groups quickly hailed the decision. “We commend the Trump Administration for vigorously defending the Jones Act in court and defending the men and women who serve America’s national security, homeland security and economic security,” said Jennifer Carpenter, president of the American Maritime Partnership. “This decision reaffirms not only the constitutionality but also the critical importance of the Jones Act to every American.”

https://gcaptain.com/federal-judge-upholds-jones-act-tossing-hawaii-rum-makers-challenge/

>>24268391

More Jones Act Hijinks:

Desperate California importing oil from Bahamas using century-old loophole as state faces highest US gas prices

By Ariel Zilber

Published Feb. 16, 2026, 10:34 a.m. PT

"California has had to increase its reliance on fuel shipped from the Atlantic due to the closure of the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles this past October.

"The indirect route is used by suppliers to sidestep the Jones Act.

"The 1920 law requires goods transported between US ports to travel on US-built and US-crewed ships.

"There are only about 55 Jones Act-compliant tankers worldwide, compared with thousands of foreign-flagged vessels — making direct Gulf Coast shipments to California prohibitively expensive.

"Chartering a foreign-flagged tanker has historically been significantly cheaper than using a Jones Act-compliant vessel

_____

"The Golden State has seen a wave of refinery closures in recent years due to the rising costs energy companies are forced to bear under more stringent environmental rules.

"California’s shrinking refinery capacity is forcing suppliers to import more gasoline — a shift that is adding pressure at the pump.

"After Phillips 66 was shuttered, gasoline imports to California climbed to the highest level since 2016, according to Vortex data cited by Bloomberg News.

Golden State motorists may have to pay even more for gas as Valero Energy Corp. is preparing to close a refinery in Northern California this coming spring.

"The average is up from $4.478 a week ago and $4.205 a month ago, according to the latest data from AAA.

"Prices are still below the $4.841 drivers were paying a year ago, but the recent climb shows steady upward momentum heading into the holiday weekend. Mid-grade is averaging $4.797, premium $4.996, and diesel has crossed the $5 mark at $5.029 per gallon.

https://nypost.com/2026/02/16/us-news/desperate-california-now-shipping-oil-from-the-bahamas-using-bizarre-loophole/

>>24268443

Wow. Contamination or simply not filling orders when needed. Just 2 ways puting our national security and the safety of those in the aircraft - and below if they come down - at unnecessary risk of life and limb.

The decision to source diesel fuel from China for California airbases seems so questionable as to be incomprehensible. Treason? Willful compromise of our armed forces?