Federal Government

Ex-DOJ official faces ethics charges for draft election letter that spurred threat of mass resignations

A former Department of Justice official who drafted a letter about election fraud concerns and alternate electors in Georgia is facing ethics charges for the allegedly false statements.

Jul 22, 2022 12:17 PM CDT

In first SCOTUS vote, Jackson joins liberal justices and Barrett in opposing block on Biden immigration policy

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday refused to reinstate a Biden administration immigration policy that prioritizes apprehension and deportation of people who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security.

Jul 22, 2022 10:06 AM CDT

Could abortion clinics be placed on federal land? Law prof who proposed it sees some risks

Some Democrats and academics are proposing that the Biden administration place abortion clinics on land under exclusive federal control within states with laws that ban the procedure.

Jul 20, 2022 9:22 AM CDT

Washington Supreme Court justice shows ‘representation does matter’

G. Helen Whitener brings several different perspectives to her work as a state supreme court justice. She is the first Black woman and fourth immigrant-born justice to sit on the Washington Supreme Court. She is the first Black LGBT judge in the state of Washington. She also identifies as an individual with a disability.

Jul 20, 2022 8:42 AM CDT

Little-known lawyer advised Trump on firing acting AG, lawyers in White House counsel’s office

A little-known lawyer advised former President Donald Trump on how he could overturn the 2020 presidential election results with the help of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Jul 19, 2022 11:47 AM CDT

Federal judge blocks guidance on bathroom, locker room access for transgender students and employees

A federal judge in Tennessee has blocked guidance that says federal bans on sex discrimination protect transgender students and employees who want to use bathrooms and locker rooms and play on sports teams that correspond with their gender identity.

Jul 18, 2022 10:05 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Jan. 6 panel subpoenas ex-White House counsel; former Judge Alex Kozinski represents Trump

Ex-White House counsel subpoenaed by Jan. 6 panel Former White House counsel Pat Cipollone has been subpoenaed to testify before the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. The subpoena follows testimony by former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson claiming that Cipollone had warned of being…

Jul 8, 2022 11:32 AM CDT

Online petition seeking impeachment of Justice Thomas has more than a million signatures

A MoveOn.org online petition calls for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to resign from the high court or face impeachment.

Jul 7, 2022 9:17 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Old arrest warrant found in Emmett Till case; former White House counsel subpoenaed

Emmett Till’s family seeks arrest after warrant found Researchers have found an unserved 1955 arrest warrant in the basement of a Mississippi courthouse that accuses Carolyn Bryant Donham in the kidnapping of 14-year-old Emmett Till, who was lynched after the white woman accused the Black teenager of making improper advances.…

Jul 1, 2022 1:35 PM CDT

House committee approves record $675M in funding for civil legal services

The U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Appropriations has approved $675 million in funding for the Legal Services Corp. in fiscal year 2023, an increase of $186 million.

Jun 30, 2022 1:05 PM CDT

Supreme Court allows Biden to end remain-in-Mexico policy; chief justice’s opinion joined by Kavanaugh, liberal justices

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled for the Biden administration on Thursday when it allowed repeal of the remain-in-Mexico policy for asylum-seekers.

Jun 30, 2022 10:13 AM CDT

SCOTUS limits EPA’s authority to regulate climate change, cites ‘major questions’ doctrine curbing agency power

Updated: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Thursday that the Environmental Protection Agency didn’t have broad power to regulate climate change under the Clean Air Act.

Jun 30, 2022 9:32 AM CDT

Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony undermines possible Trump defense in potential criminal case, experts say

Experts said the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, the former principal assistant to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, could help in any federal criminal investigation or prosecution of former President Donald Trump.

Jun 29, 2022 3:06 PM CDT

SCOTUS limits scope of McGirt, allows Oklahoma to prosecute some crimes on reservations

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Wednesday that Oklahoma has the authority to prosecute crimes by non-Indians against Native Americans on reservations. The decision limits the reach of a prior decision that barred the state from prosecuting tribal members on reservations.

Jun 29, 2022 11:08 AM CDT

Biden doesn’t support Supreme Court expansion, press secretary says

President Joe Biden doesn’t support expanding the U.S. Supreme Court, despite his criticism of its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the White House press secretary told reporters Saturday.

Jun 27, 2022 1:23 PM CDT