Federal Government

Supreme Court adopts ethics code, addresses ‘misunderstanding’ that justices feel unrestrained by rules

Updated: The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it has adopted an ethics code amid controversies stemming in part from Justice Clarence Thomas’ acceptance of luxury travel from wealthy friends.

Nov 13, 2023 3:00 PM CST

Family members who step in to care for children can get extra support with ABA guidance

In late September, the U.S. Administration for Children and Families published a rule urging child welfare agencies to develop different standards for grandparents, aunts and uncles or other kinship caregivers who step in to raise children who can no longer live with their parents. The ABA Center on Children and the Law is now working to assist these states.

Nov 8, 2023 3:10 PM CST

Federalist Society lawyers deemed too timid for future Trump administration by ex-president’s allies

Former President Donald Trump had relied on the conservative Federalist Society to fill executive branch legal positions and advise on judicial nominees. But some of Trump’s allies view the group’s conservative elite lawyers as too timid to carry out his agenda.

Nov 2, 2023 12:41 PM CDT

Biden’s executive order on AI has ‘extensive to-do list’ for Homeland Security

President Joe Biden issued an executive order on artificial intelligence this week that is intended to reduce security risks, protect privacy and prevent use of the technology to discriminate.

Nov 2, 2023 9:25 AM CDT

DOJ will connect with pro bono tech platform

Updated: The U.S. Department of Justice has partnered with technology platform Paladin Partners to boost DOJ attorneys’ engagement with pro bono work, the company announced Monday.

Oct 24, 2023 3:45 PM CDT

Did US violate First Amendment by pressuring social media? Supreme Court will decide

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to consider whether the U.S. government unconstitutionally pressured social media companies to curb COVID-19 misinformation and other content.

Oct 24, 2023 9:00 AM CDT

As 1 judge temporarily lifts Trump gag order, another says he’s ‘way beyond’ warning stage

Former President Donald Trump had one temporary win and one loss last week as judges considered gag orders that they had imposed.

Oct 23, 2023 1:09 PM CDT

Trump’s claim of absolute immunity isn’t supported by Supreme Court precedent

Former President Donald Trump has little precedent to help him in his bid to dismiss the election-interference charges against him based on a claim of presidential immunity.

Oct 19, 2023 9:51 AM CDT

Hip-hop star seeks new trial over lawyer’s alleged use of artificial intelligence to draft closing argument

Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, a member of the hip-hop group Fugees, has said he is entitled to a new trial partly because his former lawyer used an experimental artificial intelligence program to draft an inadequate closing argument.

Oct 18, 2023 12:53 PM CDT

Migrant family-separation settlement provides path to asylum, 8-year ban on Trump-era policy

The U.S. government has agreed that for the next eight years, it won't reinstate a Trump administration zero-tolerance policy for illegal immigration that led to the separation of thousands of immigrant children from their families.

Oct 17, 2023 9:32 AM CDT

Meet Tanya Chutkan, the judge who won’t allow Trump to call special counsel ‘deranged’

A judge with a reputation for being “temperate but unflinching” imposed a partial gag order on former President Donald Trump on Monday. Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that Trump can’t attack special counsel Jack Smith, his family, his staff and witnesses.

Oct 16, 2023 1:22 PM CDT

Supreme Court adds second case challenging agency power that will allow Justice Jackson to participate

The U.S. Supreme Court won’t decide a challenge to Chevron deference without the participation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Oct 16, 2023 11:58 AM CDT

After US argues 5th Circuit ‘countermanded’ SCOTUS, Alito allows ‘ghost gun’ regulations, for now

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has temporarily allowed the Biden administration to enforce "ghost gun" regulations after the federal government that argued the lower courts had “effectively countermanded” a prior determination by the Supreme Court.

Oct 9, 2023 11:16 AM CDT

Biden plans to build part of border wall, says he was unable to redirect appropriated funds

President Joe Biden told reporters Thursday that he doesn’t think that a border wall is effective, but he is planning to build one anyway in Starr County, Texas.

Oct 5, 2023 2:59 PM CDT

Special counsel investigates Giuliani’s drinking habits, possibly to counter Trump defense

Special counsel Jack Smith is reportedly asking witnesses whether lawyer Rudy Giuliani was drinking when he advised then-President Donald Trump on election night in 2020 and whether Trump was aware of the lawyer’s alcohol issues.

Oct 5, 2023 12:16 PM CDT