Tag: Courts
Trump says he Is ‘Counting on the Federal Court System’ to declare winner on Election Night—before many ballots are tallied
“This is an open admission that Trump hopes to use the Supreme Court to steal the election.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Monday, September 21 President Donald Trump said during a campaign rally over the weekend…
McConnell quietly rams through more lifetime Trump judges while blocking Covid relief
“It’s outrageous that McConnell continues to prioritize the Trump court takeover amid the pandemic. Enough.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Wednesday, September 16 As Covid-19 relief for jobless and hungry Americans, collapsing small businesses, and state…
DOJ moves to take over Trump’s defense in suit filed by rape accuser
AG Barr Slammed for Acting as ‘Personal Henchman’ of Trump “By putting the DOJ to work defending him over conduct that has nothing to do with his official capacity, Trump has taken another giant step toward…
“Defendant shall not attend protests”: In Portland, getting out of jail requires relinquishing Constitutional Rights
A dozen protesters facing federal charges are barred from going to “public gatherings” as a condition of release from jail — a tactic one expert described as “sort of hilariously unconstitutional.” by Dara Lind July 28,…
4 lawsuits that challenge Trump’s federal agents in Portland test issues other cities will likely face
Federal officers using large amounts of tear gas against protesters in Portland, Oregon on July 21. John Rudoff/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images by Sarah J. Adams-Schoen, University of Oregon President Donald Trump has announced that the…
County judge orders journalists to turn over footage to Seattle police
‘Disturbing—and Dangerous’ “This turns journalists into an arm of the government. We are not here to do surveillance for police.” by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Friday, July 24 Journalists and civil liberties advocates alike condemned a…
Federal judge curbs powers of Trump’s secret police in Portland
“This injunction is a critical protection for journalists and legal observers exercising their fundamental right to record and observe police activities at these important protests.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Friday, July 24 A federal judge…
‘Monumental Victory’: Tribes and climate activists celebrate court-ordered shutdown of Dakota Access Pipeline
“If the events of 2020 have taught us anything, it’s that health and justice must be prioritized early on in any decision-making process if we want to avoid a crisis later on.” by Jessica Corbett, staff…
Senate GOP confirms ‘anti-healthcare’ McConnell protégé Justin Walker to lifetime judgeship instead of vote on Covid-19 Relief
“Another shameful step in the McConnell/Trump takeover of our judiciary.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Thursday, June 18 In spite of public pressure on Congress to prioritize providing more relief to Americans impacted by the ongoing…
Huge victory for LGBTQ Equality: US Supreme Court affirms workplace protections
“The court has caught up to the majority of our country, which already knows that discriminating against LGBTQ people is both unfair and against the law.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Monday June 15, 2020 Labor…
Federal court urged to hold ‘rogue’ EPA in contempt for blatant defiance of ban on toxic weed killer
“EPA needs a lesson in separation of powers and we’re asking the court to give it to them.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, June 12 A coalition of farming and conservation groups is calling on…
New York Supreme Court Judge rules protesters can be detained indefinitely
“This is suspension of habeas corpus, it is unconstitutional,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, June 5 A New York State Supreme Court judge on Thursday rejected a petition seeking the immediate…
‘Watershed moment in election law’ as judge rules ‘modern day Poll Tax’ in Florida unconstitutional
Advocates for restoring the voting rights of people with past convictions welcomed the ruling as “a powerful reminder that no one can trump the U.S. Constitution.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Monday, May 25 Civil liberties…
Historic power struggle between Trump and Congress to be reviewed by Supreme Court
by Stanley M. Brand, Pennsylvania State University Saturday, May 9, 2020 On May 12, the Supreme Court will hear argument in two cases concerning congressional demands, known as subpoenas, for materials that President Donald Trump…
McConnell to bring Senate back not to fight Covid-19 but to confirm more judges
‘We Should All Be Alarmed’ “McConnell cares more about ushering his unqualified 38-year-old crony onto one of the country’s highest courts than about ensuring Americans’ health in the middle of a pandemic.” by Jake Johnson, staff…
Drug rehab ‘skirted compliance with the labor laws’ for financial gain, judge rules
By Shoshana Walter April 21, 2020 In a class-action ruling that could affect work-based rehabs across the country, a federal judge has ordered an Arkansas senator’s company and a drug rehab program to pay former participants…
Coconino County Courts modify schedules and procedures
Courts will remain open Meteor Staff report. Monday March 23 State and County Court officials are modifying schedules and accepting motions to continue cases and adjust fine payment schedules in preparation for advancement of COVID-19 into…
DOJ using coronavirus crisis to push for expansive emergency powers
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer The Department of Justice is using the coronavirus outbreak to ask Congress for sweeping emergency powers including suspending habeas corpus during an emergency, a power grab that was denounced by civil…
Immigration Courts are telling employees to come to work — Ignoring health risks and local shelter-in-place orders
Interviews with 10 workers at immigration courts around the country reveal fear, contradictory messages and continuing perils for the employees. by Dara Lind March 20, 3:48 p.m. MST On Tuesday night — over a day after…
Court approves settlement requiring EPA rules on most dangerous chemical spills
Saturday, March 14 The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York approved a consent decree between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a coalition of community and environmental organizations, including the Environmental Justice…
Conservation groups sue the Trump administration to prevent further damage to Arizona’s San Pedro River
By Meteor Staff Saturday, March 14, 2020 Flagstaff Conservation groups sued the Trump administration yesterday to prevent further damage to Arizona’s San Pedro River and its endangered species from excessive groundwater pumping in the Fort…
Appeals court rules Forest Service acted illegally opening Colorado forest to coal mining
“This is a victory for the remarkable wild forests of the North Fork Valley,” said Robin Cooley, the Earthjustice attorney who argued the case on behalf of the conservation groups. “The Court reversed the Forest Service’s…
ACLU challenges new border wall funds transfer
by Meteor staff Feb 28, 2020 The American Civil Liberties Union filed a new lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s transfer of an additional $3.8 billion in military funds for border wall construction. Congress did not…
Ninth Circuit tells Trump Admin to stop denying asylum seekers for crossing at unofficial locations
By Meteor Staff Feb 28, 2020 A federal appeals court (9th Circuit in San Francisco) has upheld a block on the Trump administration’s attempt to restrict asylum applications to ports of entry. The lawsuit, East…
