Tonight’s story about an out-of-control DOJ, coming on the heels of several incredibly troubling stories about attacks on press freedoms by DOJ, is incredibly troubling on a whole new level. nytimes.com/2021/06/10/us/…
Yes, these were actions by Sessions and Barr, but — as the story notes — many of the key people below them involved are still at DOJ, including John Demers, who remains the head of the National Security Division. And Garland has been in office for three months tomorrow.
Also, for me if for no other reason, with any story that talks about DOJ under Sessions *and* Barr, please include any known information about what happened during the months Matthew Whitaker was in charge (or that we don’t know), because, he was in charge — for 3+ months.
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#SCOTUS THREAD: Starting in 20 minutes, we are expecting one or more decisions. We don’t know which cases or how many. Twenty-two cases remain, however, including Obamacare, religious beliefs and gay rights, Voting Rights Act, NCAA, student speech rights, First Step Act, & more.
While you're waiting, you can read my latest, about next term's Puerto Rico SSI case:
Only one #SCOTUS opinion this morning, in Borden v. US. Kagan announces the judgment of the court, in which the defendant, Borden, wins in the ACCA case over whether recklessness criminal requirement qualifies as a violent felony. There is no majority opinion, however.
In my latest for @MSNBC, I write about the upcoming #SCOTUS Puerto Rico SSI exclusion case, Biden’s statement on the case, DOJ’s filing defending the exclusion, & why @POTUS knows better than to think this is the best he can do. [Spoiler: It’s about DOMA.] msnbc.com/opinion/puerto…
“Biden’s statement and his Justice Department’s actions reinforce the racist history that allowed for such exclusion in the first place.” msnbc.com/opinion/puerto…
Neals, who is 56, was originally nominated to the district court in 2015 by Obama. He was renominated (although for a different seat on the same court) by Biden this year.
Biden's second judicial nominee is due to be voted on later this afternoon. Regina Rodriguez, who is 57, was originally nominated to the district court in 2016 by Obama. She was renominated (for a different seat on the same court) by Biden this year.
It was 18 years ago, in spring 2003, that I fell in love with the whole coffee shop studying/working idea, and it’s stuck since (as everyone in Columbus and DC who knows me knows). I missed losing myself for hours in these almost-magical-for-me places. I’m so glad to be back.
The first thing I really dug into at a coffee shop was my first work as a research assistant for @MarcSpindelman, coding the Lawrence v. Texas briefs, which meant reading every merits and amicus brief closely — a couple of weekends that, looking back, probably changed my life.
And it continued. A few years later, I studied (successfully) for the bar at a coffee shop. Years later, I started my journalism career writing stories from coffee shops in DC. And so it continued through to tonight. Sitting there after more than a year away filled my heart. 💖
#SCOTUS will not hear the challenge to male-only selective service registration. Justice Sotomayor writes for her, Breyer, and Kavanaugh, talking about changes to women’s role in the military, but concluding that “at least for now,” deference to Congress makes sense.
Just to put this in a #SCOTUS news thread while we await opinions: A response was requested for the CDC eviction moratorium #SCOTUS application, per the Court's PIO. It is due 5p Thursday. (We got this info last week, but I forgot to hit send on the tweet.)
@thewydown There is only one opinion from #SCOTUS this morning: Van Buren v. US, about the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Barrett has the majority 6-3 opinion, reversing the 11th Circuit and FOR the defendant in the case. Thomas, joined by Roberts and Alito, dissents.