Legal News
Reports on lawmaking, constitutional issues, and court cases. The Daily Signal combines news reporting with conservative commentary and legal analysis.
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- News
College Students Push University to Cancel Class Taught by Kavanaugh
Students at George Mason University are advocating the termination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who is scheduled to teach a George Mason law class in England this summer. Kavanaugh is currently scheduled to teach the class “Creation of the Constitution” to George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School students in Runnymede, England, where the Magna…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
We Hear You: Jussie Smollett, Judicial Activism, and Abortion Survivors
Editor's note: We begin with some reaction from The Daily Signal's audience to Chicago's about-face in the strange case of a TV actor, then on to some responses to news not covered elsewhere. Join in by writing to [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: I look at the photo of actor Jussie Smollett accompanying your podcast…Ken McIntyre -
- News
Amid Rumors, Clarence Thomas Says ‘I’m Not Retiring’
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas denied any interest in retirement this weekend, telling a friendly audience in Beverly Hills, California, that he has no plans to leave judicial service in the near future. Speaking at Pepperdine University School of Law’s annual dinner, the 70-year-old Thomas emphatically denied speculation that he will leave the Supreme Court,…Kevin Daley -
- News
Supreme Court Turns Down Bids to Stop Trump’s Bump Stock Ban
The Supreme Court has turned down two bids to halt the Trump administration’s ban on bump stocks, an accessory that increases a semiautomatic rifle’s rate of fire. The new federal prohibition, prompted by the deadly Harvest music festival massacre in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017, took effect Tuesday. Chief Justice John Roberts rejected one application to…Kevin Daley -
- Opinion
Courts Should Stay Out of the ‘Political Thicket’ of Gerrymandering
The Supreme Court heard oral argument this week in two cases challenging congressional district lines drawn for partisan advantage. The question before the justices is whether state legislators violate the Constitution when they draw up district lines with politics in mind. Partisan politics has been part-and-parcel of the redistricting process since Gov. Elbridge Gerry gave…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Attorney General Sees No Case for Obstruction as Mueller Finds No Collusion With Russia
It’s no longer only President Donald Trump and his allies saying “no collusion.” Special counsel Robert Mueller has reached the same conclusion that the Trump campaign did not conspire with Moscow to gain advantage in the 2016 election. Mueller also did not uncover actionable evidence in his 22-month probe that Trump sought to obstruct justice…Fred Lucas -
- News
Mueller Delivers Report on Russia Probe to Attorney General
Special counsel Robert Mueller delivered a report Friday on his investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and allegations of collusion by the Trump campaign. Attorney General William Barr, who took office Feb. 14, informed the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Judiciary committees that he had received Mueller’s report….Fred Lucas -
- News
GOP Lawmaker to Introduce Bill to Keep Supreme Court Justices at 9
A lawmaker from Tennessee plans to introduce a bill in Congress to keep the Supreme Court at nine justices amid efforts by some Democrats to increase the number to as many as 15. “This Thursday, I will be introducing a constitutional amendment that would limit the number of Supreme Court justices to 9—the number of…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
Democrats Vote Against Trump’s Judicial Nominees Far More Than Republicans Did Against Obama’s
The Senate has confirmed Neomi Rao to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. She’s exactly the kind of impartial judge that we need across the judiciary. That makes 91 judges overall, and 36 to the federal appeals court, since President Donald Trump took office. Whatever those numbers mean on their own, the…Thomas Jipping -
- Opinion
Supreme Court Is Back in Session. Here’s What’s on the Docket.
After a two-week break, the Supreme Court is set to hear oral argument in several cases during its March sitting. Among the issues the court will address are partisan gerrymandering (for a second year in a row), racial bias in jury selection, and whether courts should defer to administrative agencies in interpreting their regulations. Rucho…Elizabeth Slattery -
- News
Senate Confirms Rao to Succeed Kavanaugh on DC Circuit Court
President Donald Trump’s nominee to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit left by now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday 53-46. The vote to confirm Neomi Rao to the appellate court was entirely along party lines, with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., not voting….Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
Senate Should Keep Pedal to the Metal on Judicial Nominees This Week
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday will hold its fourth judicial confirmation hearing of the 116th Congress, this one featuring two nominees to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. This hopefully signals that the new chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., will continue a robust pace for hearings on President Donald Trump’s judicial…Thomas Jipping -
- Opinion
The Left Is Doubling Down on Schemes to Pack the Supreme Court
Anything the left can’t control, it aims to destroy. From campaigns to abolish the Senate to the growing movement to upend the Electoral College after Hillary Clinton’s defeat in the 2016 presidential election, progressives have few qualms about getting rid of long-standing constitutional institutions. Now they’re doubling down on their efforts to wage war on…Jarrett Stepman -
- News
Eric Holder: Democrats Should Consider Packing Supreme Court
Former Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday said Democrats should consider packing the Supreme Court when they regain political power. Holder said he would “seriously consider” adding two seats to the court if he were president, as revenge for the two seats on the court that President Donald Trump has filled since taking office. Holder wants other Democrats to follow suit….Peter Hasson -
- Opinion
Supreme Court’s 9-0 Ruling Protects Americans Against Excessive Fines
It’s a good day when all nine justices of the Supreme Court make a stand for liberty. On Wednesday, the court held unanimously that the excessive fines clause of the Constitution’s Eighth Amendment applies to the states. The ruling is potentially a major win for property owners and individual citizens facing excessive fines, fees, and…Jason Snead -
- News
Justice Ginsburg Is Back at the Supreme Court, and She’s Sending a Message
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg took the bench at the Supreme Court Tuesday, the first time she has heard arguments since her treatment for lung cancer in December 2018. The justice’s presence at Tuesday’s arguments was expected—the high court’s public information office announced Friday that Ginsburg would participate in a private conference among the justices to discuss pending…Kevin Daley -
- News
Supreme Court Expedites Citizenship Question in Census Case
The Supreme Court will settle the question on whether the question of citizenship can be included in the 2020 census, bypassing an appeals court hearing. The high court announced Friday it will hear arguments in April, with a likely decision by June. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced last year the Census Bureau would add the…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
William Barr Is Our New Attorney General. Here Are 4 Things He Should Focus on Right Away
With the confirmation of William Barr as the 85th attorney general of the United States, we now have an experienced hand leading the Department of Justice. At his confirmation hearing, Barr vowed to focus on violent crime, enforce our immigration laws, and protect the right to vote. But our country faces many additional challenges today, many of which…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Justice Ginsburg Returns to Supreme Court After Cancer Treatment
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg returned to the Supreme Court Friday, concluding a two-month absence that followed her treatment for lung cancer in December 2018. The Supreme Court’s Public Information Office announced that Ginsburg will attend Friday’s private conference, where the justices make decisions about pending petitions. The court will consider several urgent matters during the…Kevin Daley -
- News
Senate Confirms William Barr as New Attorney General
The Senate confirmed William Barr as the new attorney general Thursday afternoon, returning Barr for a second tour atop the Department of Justice. The confirmation vote largely followed party lines—GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted against confirmation given Barr’s views on domestic surveillance and the Fourth Amendment. Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia,…Kevin Daley