On #SCOTUSLive, Justice Thomas' recent questioning streak proves shortlived as he strikes out when called by chief during args on Trump admin's religious exemption to Obamacare contraception mandate. Roberts 'buellers' Thomas 2x. No response. 'We'll come back to Justice Thomas.'
RBG does surface right after that. Voice sounds a tad shaky, but not much different than usual. She's said to be at hospital.
Roberts wasn't joking about going back to Thomas. Just did and he surfaced with a question. So, perhaps his streak is intact. Still awaiting a ruling from the booth. Maybe try video replay.
Sounded like Justice Sotomayor was trying to ask a follow-up Q and Chief Justice cut her off. Hard to know if he heard her or not. More fodder for @lylden
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For 2nd day in a row, GOP lawmakers hit Garland for proposing only 4 new DEA agents as Fentanyl deaths surge. But AG says real no. is 131, counting agents OK'd this year but not yet hired. Garland: 'The budget math and the actual math doesn’t always add up.'
Democrats are pointing out that across-the-board cuts GOP would impose government-wide as part of debt limit extension would actually slash spending by about 22%. Garland says: 'It would be devastating for our efforts to combat drug trafficking. Totally devastating.'
Garland says that would lead to 11,000 jobs at FBI being eliminated.
ON STAND NOW at Proud Boys trial as defense witness: S. Fla. rabbi Former Proud Boy George Meza. Meza on his exit: 'We in some way turned on each other and I was voted out of the club.' But generally presenting a flattering view of Proud Boys & their ideology
Meza says Proud Boys rules barred those 'currently identified' as white nationalists. They're kicked out 'or they're supposed to be,' he says
More Meza: 'The average minority, the average foreigner felt very comfortable around the proud boys because we put our lives in danger to protect them.'
HAPPENING NOW: AG Merrick Garland at Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing. Kicking off now. GOP senator(s) seem to have brought poster board visuals
Durbin wastes no time getting to prebuttal of expected GOP talking points, brings up Hunter Biden (although not by name, just as the president's son)
Durbin also praises Garland for not interfering in Hunter Biden probe, Durham probe or other special counsel probes. (Some Dems might fault Garland for not interfering more in Durham.)
Proud Boys trial drama: defendant Joseph Biggs' lawyer Norm Pattis proposes 'simple & elegant' solution that he withdraw from case in part due to his bar suspension related to Alex Jones case. Patiis also cites 'irreconcilable differences' with co-counsel Dan Hull
Judge Kelly says he is inclined to let Pattis go but not until another conflict issue with Hull is resolved. Hull gets up calls what Pattis said a 'complete falsehood.' Judge cuts him off. Hull keeps talking. Judge: 'Mr. Hull, take your seat, sir!' Hearing recessed may return
Court back in Session. Prosecutor Jason McCullough says a defense attorney for Biggs, Dan Hull, did get confidential information from another Proud Boy who's now cooperating with government & pled guilty, Jeremy Bertino. Prosecutor: 'It is not a nothingburger issue.'
At DC federal court this morning...Still in jury selection for Pelosi desk-sitter Richard Barnett....Proud Boys trial jury is chosen but we're in a semi-hiatus as defense lawyers argue, again, for change of venue based on juror bias...also lawyer issues to work through
Carmen Hernandez, lawyer for Proud Boy Zachary Rehl: 'We're getting smacked with the media attention out of Jan.6 committee right as we’re starting trial...This case is a perfect storm of those prejudicial aspects.'
Hernandez: "I have never, never experienced the level of prejudice and ill-will toward a set of defendants....It’s completely out of whack with what we consider due process and fair trial rights...This is worse than anything I have ever experienced."