Courts News
The Daily Signal covers courts news with reporting, analysis, and commentary on major cases, the Supreme Court, and the judicial system.
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- Opinion
History Is Being Distorted to Insinuate Trump Will ‘Defy’ Courts Like Andrew Jackson
Sometimes, an old media fabrication is used to justify a new one. Such is the case with the response to President Donald Trump’s executive order on refugees that created a firestorm on Saturday. Several courts ordered a halt to provisions of Trump’s order, prompting members of the media to speculate that this could create a…Jarrett Stepman -
- News
Trump’s ‘Historic’ Opportunity to Reshape the Federal Courts
After an election in which the Supreme Court proved to be a deciding factor in how people voted, President-elect Donald Trump has a significant opportunity to reshape the federal judiciary from top to bottom. In addition to the vacant Supreme Court seat, Trump will inherit at least 103 openings in the lower courts—that is, district…Josh Siegel -
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Trump Could Reshape the Federal Courts Dramatically
President-elect Donald Trump can substantively recast the direction of the federal courts from the earliest days of his administration, after two years of divided government have left vacancies open across the federal bench. Though the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court occasioned by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia is the most prominent of these…Kevin Daley -
- Opinion
With Trump’s Election, the Future of the Courts Looks Brighter
Now that the election is over, many conservatives who were concerned about the future of the federal courts are breathing a little easier. President-elect Donald Trump has put together a consolidated list of 21 distinguished men and women—20 of whom are sitting judges who have had distinguished careers before joining the bench—and has vowed to…John G. Malcolm -
- Opinion
When Transgender Inclusion Moves From Bathrooms to Basketball Courts
North Carolina’s legislative body passed a bill mandating a statewide policy banning individuals from using public bathrooms that do not correspond to their biological sex, as opposed to their opinion of their sex. The law, the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, means people must use bathrooms and other public facilities where occupants can be…Walter E. Williams -
- Opinion
How Obama and GOP Lawmakers Gave Liberals Control of the Courts
Liberals have a plan to enact their radical agenda. The problem is that it bypasses Congress and voters. Here is why their strategy to pack the courts with activist judges could be one of the biggest threats to your liberties.Genevieve Wood -
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How Liberal Judges Took Control of 70% of US Appeals Courts
On the campaign trail in 2008, Barack Obama promised to fundamentally transform the United States of America. After nearly eight years as president, he has delivered on one front by reshaping the federal judiciary. That revolution has been comprehensive, dramatic, and under the radar. When Obama entered the Oval Office, liberal judges controlled just one…Philip Wegmann -
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A House Freshman Seeks to Take Power From Executive Branch, Give It to Courts
He’s only a freshman, but Rep. John Ratcliffe says he already is pursuing the “most important solution to a problem” that he ever will during his time in Congress. Ratcliffe, 50, a Texas Republican who spent a portion of his career prosecuting suspected terrorists, has chosen to make his name in Congress working on an…Josh Siegel -
- News
Here Are the 9 ‘Most Unfair’ Courts for Civil Lawsuits
In nine courts around the country, trial lawyers and judges work together in extracting large sums of money from people who may not deserve it, according to a new report. By taking advantage of tort laws, the ease with which civil justice cases are tried in these “judicial hellholes” can lead to higher costs of…Melissa Quinn -
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How States Are Using the Courts to Fight Police Taking People’s Money and Property
From coast to coast, states are tackling legislation that would protect property owners from abuses of a system that has become known as policing for profit. Some of the states have seen success with that strategy. But opponents of the tool known as civil asset forfeiture are also taking their battles to federal courtrooms. Last…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
26 States Have Been Forced by Courts to Allow Gay Marriages
In 2004, voters in Michigan and 10 other states passed state constitutional amendments defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Ten years later, in March 2014, a federal judge struck down the law saying it violated the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. But just eight months later, the 6th…Genevieve Wood -
- Opinion
Obama Administration Courts Iran While Slapping Israel
As the Obama administration mounts a final diplomatic push to secure a nuclear agreement with Iran, bilateral Israeli-American relations continue to deteriorate. This week Secretary of State John Kerry joined Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Lausanne, Switzerland for an intensive round of negotiations ahead of the March 31 deadline for a framework agreement on…James Phillips -
- Opinion
FCC Votes Against Innovation: Net Neutrality Debate Now Moves to Courts and Congress
Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to place massive “net neutrality” restrictions on America’s Internet providers, in the process redefining them as public utilities. If the decision stands, it would be a significant blow for the Internet and for its users. The issue is far from settled, however: the FCC’s rules will almost certainly…James Gattuso -
- Opinion
The People, Not the Courts, Should Decide on Same-Sex Marriage
On June 26 of last year, the Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act in United States v. Windsor, and since then lower courts have issued a string of decisions redefining marriage in the states. This month, in a widely celebrated opinion written by Judge Richard Posner, the U.S….Ed Meese -
- Opinion
Obama’s Greatest Legacy: Remaking the Federal Courts
In President Barack Obama’s second term, the Senate has confirmed more than twice the number of judicial nominees than were confirmed in President George W. Bush’s second term. This is due mostly to the fact that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., succeeded in eliminating the filibuster for judicial nominees (excluding the Supreme Court, at…Elizabeth Slattery -
- Opinion
Court: D.C. Can’t Require Tour Guides to Pass a Test
Tour guides no longer have to pass a test and pay a fee to lead visitors around the District of Columbia. This morning, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that requiring Segway sight-seeing tour guides to pay the $200 fee and pass a test violated the First Amendment. Segs in…Christina Davis