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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- Opinion
Opposition to Kavanaugh Is Failing Because It’s Meritless
The American people have had a chance this week to hear directly from Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in what might be the longest nomination hearing in Supreme Court history. For more than 32 hours, Kavanaugh has sat before the TV lights of the Senate Judiciary Committee, fielding questions from our 21-member panel. By any…Sen. Chuck Grassley -
- Opinion
3 Reasons Why We Should Get Rid of Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings
I think it’s time to seriously consider getting rid of these hearings for Supreme Court nominees. The Constitution doesn’t require a hearing. All it says is that the Senate must give advise and consent. You can do that with a simple up-or-down vote. And let’s be real: Do we really think one senator’s vote is…Genevieve Wood -
- Opinion
Hatch-Kavanaugh Exchange Highlights Need for ‘Mens Rea’ Reform
An important issue was raised during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday that ought to receive more serious and thorough debate beyond the hearing itself. During his questioning of the nominee, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, discussed the need to correct errors that Congress has introduced into the substantive…John G. Malcolm -
- Opinion
Problematic Women: The Kavanaugh Meltdown
This week on “Problematic Women,” we break down the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings and the left’s ensuing meltdown, the new Nike Colin Kaepernick ad and how he didn’t really sacrifice anything, and the former TV actor who had to quit his job at Trader Joe’s thanks to the internet’s over reaction. We also give you…Lauren Evans -
- Opinion
Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearings Showcase the Paranoia of the Resistance
When cameras at Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court hearing caught sight of a woman named Zina Bash, a Republican lawyer, with her arm resting in a position that allowed her index finger and thumb to almost touch—a purportedly racist gesture—a conspiracy theory broke out on social media, accusing Bash of signaling her support of white nationalism….David Harsanyi -
- Opinion
3 Takeaways From Day 3 of Kavanaugh’s Confirmation Hearings
After a marathon 13 hours of questioning on Wednesday, Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings continued Thursday with more questions from the senators. Protesters continued to punctuate the senators’ questions throughout the day, and a dozen or so of the girls Kavanaugh has coached on basketball teams showed up in the afternoon to support…Thomas Jipping -
- Opinion
On the Court, Kavanaugh Will Be an Umpire, Not a Player
I’ve served on the Senate Judiciary Committee for more than 40 years, and this week marks my 15th and final hearing on a Supreme Court nominee. It also marks what I hope will be the end of partisan high jinks designed to delay the confirmation of an all-star nominee. After all these years, I’m good at judging judges. But you…Sen. Orrin Hatch -
- Opinion
Senate Democrats’ Disingenuous Double Standard for Supremely Qualified Kavanaugh
The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding hearings this week to review the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, an eminently qualified jurist to serve on the Supreme Court. When Kavanaugh, a long-serving federal appeals court judge, was first nominated, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, committed to every member that we would have the most open,…Sen. Thom Tillis -
- News
On the Street: Kavanaugh Protesters Refuse to Talk
On Day Two of the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, we went “On the Street” outside the Hart Senate Office Building to talk with those standing in line for seats inside the hearing room. But when we asked them why they were there, most seemed more interested in signing each other up for various petitions than sharing…Genevieve Wood -
- Opinion
5 Takeaways From Day 2 of Kavanaugh’s Confirmation Hearing
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing continued Wednesday, with senators posing questions to the nominee. Obstruction and absurdity were hallmarks of the first day—with Democrats demanding a delay, more than 60 protesters being arrested, conspiracy theories that a White House staffer and former law clerk sitting behind Kavanaugh was flashing a “white power” sign,…Thomas Jipping -
- Opinion
Here’s How Kavanaugh Has Applied the Constitution in Our High-Tech Era
The Senate Judiciary Committee hearings to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court opened with fireworks Tuesday, as Democratic senators schemed to halt the hearing and liberal activists heckled lawmakers from the audience. What did Kavanaugh do to deserve such antics? He is, after all, supremely qualified—even the American Bar Association, long recognized as…Jason Snead -
- Opinion
3 Takeaways From Day 1 of Kavanaugh’s Confirmation Fight
>> Check out 5 Takeaways From Day 2 of Kavanaugh’s Confirmation Hearing >> Check out 3 Takeaways From Day 3 of Kavanaugh’s Confirmation Hearing The Senate Judiciary Committee kicked off its hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh today, and it was no peaceful outing. The first day of a confirmation hearing is usually placid,…Thomas Jipping -
- News
Women’s March Leader Linda Sarsour Arrested at Kavanaugh Hearing
Women’s March leader Linda Sarsour was among the left-wing activists arrested Tuesday for interrupting the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Sarsour entered the hearing room in the Hart Senate Office Building just before 9:30 a.m. EDT. She sat quietly with other anti-Kavanaugh activists until the hearing opened, at which point she loudly rebuked…Kevin Daley -
- News
Protesters Disrupt Kavanaugh Hearing, Democrats Try to Delay
Chaos gripped the opening moments of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing Tuesday, as Democratic senators attempted to delay proceedings while protesters heckled Republican lawmakers. As Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, gave his opening statement, Democrats urged the panel to adjourn and delay the hearing, in view of the…Kevin Daley -
- Opinion
Fact-Checking 4 of Critics’ Claims About Brett Kavanaugh
Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to serve on the Supreme Court is the most contentious issue in the Senate, prompting intense partisan debate and numerous claims about his views. President Donald Trump nominated the federal appeals court judge July 8 to fill the seat of retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. Here are the facts on four of Democrats’…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
What to Expect in Kavanaugh’s Senate Hearings
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh begins at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Here’s what you can expect. The committee has 21 members—11 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is the chairman and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is the ranking member, or lead member of the minority…Thomas Jipping -
- News
What 2 Women Who Actually Clerked for Kavanaugh Really Think of Him
When Sarah Pitlyk went to clerk for Judge Brett Kavanaugh on the D.C. Circuit Court, she found herself in a unique situation: Between the time she interviewed for the job, and went to begin the clerkship, Pitlyk had given birth. “At the time,” Pitlyk told The Daily Signal, “it was unprecedented.” “I was the first…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
Senate Ramping Up Trump Judicial Confirmations This Week
Since March, Senate Democrats have forced 30 hours of debate on each of five of President Donald Trump’s federal district court judge nominees subsequently approved with at least 95 votes. District court judges—the first jurists to rule on often contentious cases—have been stalled, but Senate Republicans plan this week to keep the Senate in session…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Kavanaugh Follows the Law, Even Under the Most Difficult Circumstances
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., served on the Judiciary Committee in 2009. During the confirmation for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, Schumer said that even in “hot-button cases,” judges should follow the law even if it results in rulings against so-called sympathetic litigants.” That’s an important principle to follow as the Senate considers Judge…Thomas Jipping