Tag: Courts
On the current status of Trump’s coup attempt—and its future
It may look like this is one frivolity and absurdity after another—and it is. But if this electoral clash reaches the Supreme Court, all bets are off. by Marjorie Cohn Sunday, November 22, 2020 Joe Biden…
Federal prosecutors hold protesters for months pretrial
Dozens of protesters who took part in the uprisings after George Floyd’s murder have faced prolonged detention despite COVID-19 outbreaks. By Aaron Miguel Cantú, Reveal Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Just after midnight on May 31 in…
Federal Judge blocks Trump order that has already led to ‘illegal’ expulsion of 13,000 unaccompanied children
“Today’s ruling is a critical step in halting the Trump administration’s unprecedented and illegal attempt to expel children under the thin guise of public health.” by Andrea Germanos, staff writer November 18, 2020, Wednesday, A federal…
McConnell readies Lame Duck push to further pack courts with Trump’s judicial appointees
“That’s His Priority as the Pandemic Rages On” “It is literally sickening to see Mitch McConnell continue to indulge his partisan obsession with confirming far-right judges, instead of taking action on the Covid pandemic that continues…
The Trump Campaign can’t find a judge who will ignore facts — but it’s trying
The Trump campaign’s legal strategy has come down to this: Even as judges dismiss lawsuits as baseless, it files nearly identical ones in new courts, hoping for more favorable judges. Failure has not slowed it down….
Lawyers can’t locate parents of 666 seized migrant children—121 more than previously believed
. The children were separated from their families under the Trump administration’s widely condemned “zero tolerance” immigration policy. by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Tuesday, November 10 Last month, the world was shocked and outraged to learn…
If Trump tries to sue his way to election victory, here’s what happens
It’s easy enough for the Trump campaign to file a lawsuit claiming improprieties, but a lot harder to provide evidence of wrongdoing or a convincing legal argument. Here’s what you need to know as the election…
To fix ‘out of whack’ US Judiciary and Supreme Court, Biden says he’ll create commission to study reforms
“There’s a number of alternatives that… go well beyond packing,” Biden asserted. “The last thing we need to do is turn the Supreme Court into just a political football.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Thursday, October…
Montana judge rules Trump’s illegal land manager’s decisions are invalid. ‘The Pendley Fire’
Illegal, unconfirmed acting official charade has consequences. Meteor staff Monday, October 19, 2020 Late last Friday, federal district judge Brian Morris ruled William Perry Pendley’s decisions as acting Bureau of Land Management director in Montana were…
SCOTUS nominee Barrett says she would approach election tampering with ‘an open mind’
“This shouldn’t be a hard question. The fact that she would not answer it is deeply troubling.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Tuesday, October 13 When Judge Amy Coney Barrett was asked Tuesday during her second…
Methane ruling seen as ominous sign with Barrett poised to join Supreme Court
The judge delivered a “puzzling and unsupported conclusion that the Bureau of Land Management can’t limit methane waste because that would reduce greenhouse gas pollution.” by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Friday, October 9 A federal court’s…
Barrett’s right-wing ideology and past rulings signal she could intentionally ‘make the country a more unjust place’
“Sometimes her opinions have been downright cruel. They disqualify her, full stop.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Monday, September 28 Since President Donald Trump on Saturday confirmed reports that he is nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett…
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…
