Federal judge finds Trump's IRS case and "settlement" was "improper," sanctions lawyers
Judge Williams: "[T]his was an attempt to use the Court to provide some legitimacy to an agreement to confer immunity to people and entities affiliated with the President."
Update: Judge denies WPATH request to block FTC from proceeding in Texas
Judge James Boasberg heard arguments on Thursday afternoon in D.C.
Second federal judge blocks DOJ from getting trans minors' info via grand jury subpoena
Judge Pitts issued the preliminary injunction covering a subpoena directed at Stanford. Also: About the dismissed charges in the "judge shopping" case. And: The SCOTUS shadow…
Federal judge blocks DOJ from seeking NYC trans care information via grand jury subpoena
Judge Failla found that DOJ’s request “shocks the conscience” by seeking the “most personal and sensitive information a medical provider could hold” without justifying its need.
Immigration cases continue to reach shadow docket as Supreme Court recesses for summer
This week at SCOTUS, a student previously diagnosed with schizophrenia has been detained for 13 months. Also: An appellate academic freedom win. And, for paid subscribers: Closing…
Trans prisoners' medical care remains protected after a flurry of court rulings on Wednesday
A D.C. Circuit ruling would have allowed the Trump admin's anti-trans policy to go into effect, but a new district court injunction issued hours later blocked the policy yet again.
Before marriage, there was the nearly 20-year fight over sodomy laws
In 2003, the Supreme Court overturned its 1986 decision upholding sodomy laws. Both cases have a lot to teach us in and about this moment.
Thursday was Sam Alito's big decision day. Was it his last?
Justice Alito had two decisions backing restrictive immigration policies and a ruling striking down a Hawaii concealed carry restriction. Is a retirement announcement coming next…
The Trump admin went so far Thursday night that even Judge Reed O'Connor put a case on hold
O'Connor has been very receptive to the Trump admin and its anti-trans efforts, but an FTC request to him is now on hold after "consultation" with Judge James Boasberg in D.C.
John Roberts's 5-4 opinion saving the Fed should have saved all independent agencies
In his 6-3 opinion over the Federal Trade Commission, however, Roberts ended the independence of the FTC and other agencies, sowing "chaos" across the federal government.
This is what a 6-3 Supreme Court looks like
On a rainy Tuesday in Washington, D.C., the reality of today's high court was abundantly clear as the court handed down four 6-3 decisions moving the law to the right.
Does DOJ even know how to issue subpoenas for a proper purpose these days?
Judge Patrick Schiltz quashed federal grand jury subpoenas issued against Minnesota officials. The move echoes the quashed Federal Reserve and trans care subpoenas.
Eight Supreme Court cases remaining
The next, but not last, decision day is Monday. Also: A reporter's privilege case on the shadow docket. And, for paid subscribers: Closing my tabs.
The six opinions in the birthright citizenship ruling have a lot to teach us about the U.S. today
The 5-4 decision was the least the court could do to keep the United States of America on a constitutional path.
E. Jean Carroll got paid, despite Trump having "stall[ed] this case for years”
More than three years after a jury's verdict, Trump ran out of options to avoid paying the woman who, a jury found in 2023, he had sexually abused and defamed.
Two-hundred-and-fifty years in, Justice Jackson is doing the work that is needed from our leaders
The United States needs leaders willing to speak forthrightly about our past and ambitiously about our future in order to make it through the treacherous present.
Justices rule feds' prosecution of marijuana user for gun possession violates Second Amendment
There were no dissents, but the four divergent opinions on Thursday show continuing disagreement over how to judge the constitutionality of gun regulations.
As the Trump admin begins a new prosecution in Minnesota, the "Broadview Six" fallout continues
Fifteen people were charged Tuesday as part of the Trump admin's effort to go after its “antifa” boogeyman. Also: The "Broadview Six" aren't going away.
Reflecting on four years of Law Dork
It's a difficult time, but I'm extremely grateful that so many of you trust me to be a part of helping you to understand what is happening.
Supreme Court's conservatives OK trans sports bans
Kavanaugh wrote the court's opinion, but Sotomayor dissented to explain for the liberal trio what the court got wrong about equal protection law.