Federal Government

Supreme Court once again ‘leapfrogging’ appeals court in decision to hear Idaho emergency abortion case

For 15 years, the U.S. Supreme Court did not grant a single petition for certiorari before judgment, which asks the high court hear a case before a federal appeals court weighs in.

Jan 8, 2024 12:35 PM CST

Trump ballot access case on ‘exceptionally fast’ briefing schedule’ in SCOTUS; ‘sprawling’ arguments possible

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Feb. 8 following its decision Friday to hear former President Donald Trump’s petition to overturn Colorado’s decision to keep him off the ballot in that state.

Jan 8, 2024 9:52 AM CST

‘Intriguing point’ in Trump SCOTUS brief could mean his vice president would replace him after an election win

In U.S. Supreme Court briefs seeking ballot access, former President Donald Trump and his former U.S. solicitor general are making an argument that could lead to a vice presidential candidate becoming president, according to Jeannie Suk Gersen, a Harvard Law School professor.

Jan 4, 2024 11:28 AM CST

Trump administration had worst Supreme Court record since at least FDR years, study says

The U.S. Supreme Court under the leadership of Chief Justice John Roberts “has not been particularly receptive” to former President Donald Trump’s arguments, showing that there is some truth in his claim that the justices “love to rule against me.”

Jan 4, 2024 8:39 AM CST

Federal guidance on stabilizing emergency abortions can’t be enforced in Texas, 5th Circuit says

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the federal government can’t enforce guidance in Texas that requires hospitals to provide stabilizing emergency abortions to prevent serious jeopardy to a patient’s health in emergency situations.

Jan 3, 2024 10:20 AM CST

Biden expands marijuana pardons, commutes sentences of 11 others serving long drug sentences

President Joe Biden on Friday expanded the types of marijuana offenses for which he is granting pardons.

Dec 22, 2023 1:27 PM CST

Was Jack Smith’s appointment unconstitutional? He has no more authority than Taylor Swift, amicus brief argues

Special counsel Jack Smith’s appointment was unconstitutional, leaving him powerless to obtain a quick U.S. Supreme Court decision on immunity claims by former President Donald Trump, according to an amicus brief signed by former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese and two law professors.

Dec 21, 2023 2:21 PM CST

Federal judge’s remarks were ‘hardly apolitical,’ GOP lawmaker says in ethics complaint

A Republican lawmaker has filed an ethics complaint alleging that U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell of Washington, D.C., suggested that reelecting former President Donald Trump "will lead to fascism in America” during a speech last month.

Dec 18, 2023 12:21 PM CST

Law firm boycotts on-campus interviews at Harvard Law because of congressional testimony by its president

The plaintiffs law firm Edelson has said it won’t be participating in on-campus interviews at Harvard Law School because of statements about genocide by the university’s president, Claudine Gay, during congressional testimony earlier this month.

Dec 14, 2023 3:11 PM CST

SCOTUS accepts case on scope of law that could impact Jan. 6 prosecutions, case against Trump

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether a Jan. 6, 2021, defendant can be prosecuted for corruptly obstructing an official congressional proceeding, a felony that carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Dec 13, 2023 11:47 AM CST

Are former presidents ‘above the law’? Acting quickly, special counsel asks SCOTUS for Trump immunity decision

Updated: Special counsel Jack Smith asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to decide whether former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Dec 11, 2023 3:14 PM CST

Judge approves settlement banning immigrant family separations at border for 8 years

The type of zero-tolerance immigration policy that led to family separations can’t be reinstated by the federal government for the next eight years under a settlement approved Friday by a judge in California.

Dec 11, 2023 11:38 AM CST

Alleged Cuban agent most recently worked in BigLaw

A former U.S. ambassador who was arrested Friday for allegedly acting as a Cuban agent had recently worked at Foley & Lardner as a senior adviser on international business.

Dec 5, 2023 10:10 AM CST

Trump doesn’t have ‘divine right of kings’ to avoid charges in election-subversion case, federal judge rules

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled Friday that former President Donald Trump isn’t immune from criminal charges in the case accusing him of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Dec 4, 2023 9:26 AM CST

In ‘catastrophic’ ruling for minority voters, 8th Circuit says only US can sue for discriminatory voting practices

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at St. Louis ruled Monday that private plaintiffs cannot sue for alleged violations of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which bans voting practices and procedures that deny or abridge the right to vote on the basis of race or color.

Nov 20, 2023 3:26 PM CST