Circuit Scoop - February 2025 - Above the LawFederal courts are playing a critical role in interpreting laws and balancing individual rights against governmental authority in recent key decisions.
Trump's Judicial Defiance Is New to the Autocrat Playbook, Experts SayTrump's conflict with federal courts is unusually aggressive and resembles severe cases of democratic backsliding seen in countries like Hungary and Turkey.
Federal courts trumpet steps to protect workers after #MeToo movementFederal courts are working to protect employees from abuse and improve reporting mechanisms following #MeToo.
Miranda Devine: Trump is fighting a cartel of vile, corrupt and far-left judges trying to kill his campaign promisesFederal judges are seen as a barrier to Trump's policies, effectively undermining his administration's agenda.
Forum shopping happens, but has the Northern District of Texas gone too far?The Northern District of Texas's case assignment method allows forum shopping, resulting in high-profile judges like Kacsmaryk receiving an abundance of conservative-related cases.
Trump's Judicial Defiance Is New to the Autocrat Playbook, Experts SayTrump's conflict with federal courts is unusually aggressive and resembles severe cases of democratic backsliding seen in countries like Hungary and Turkey.
Federal courts trumpet steps to protect workers after #MeToo movementFederal courts are working to protect employees from abuse and improve reporting mechanisms following #MeToo.
Miranda Devine: Trump is fighting a cartel of vile, corrupt and far-left judges trying to kill his campaign promisesFederal judges are seen as a barrier to Trump's policies, effectively undermining his administration's agenda.
Forum shopping happens, but has the Northern District of Texas gone too far?The Northern District of Texas's case assignment method allows forum shopping, resulting in high-profile judges like Kacsmaryk receiving an abundance of conservative-related cases.
Three Court Rulings Put a Halt on Trump's Executive OrdersFederal courts dealt significant setbacks to Trump's executive orders on refugee admissions and spending freezes, emphasizing limits on presidential authority.
Blocked, Unblocked, Reblocked: How to Understand the DOGE Court RulingsLegal disputes involving Musk and DOGE reveal the critical role of technicalities in judicial rulings.
Judge Sets Hearing to Press Trump Administration on Deportation FlightsThe Trump administration faces legal challenges over deportations, raising concerns about due process and constitutional authority.
Defying Veto Threat, House Approves Measure Adding 66 New U.S. JudgesHouse approves creation of 66 new federal district court seats despite veto threat, with partisan divisions becoming evident after election outcomes.
A Court Showdown on DeportationsFederal judge scrutinizes Trump administration for deporting migrants without due process.
GOP Congressman Calls For Trump To Ignore Court Orders: Take A Page Out Of Andrew Jackson's Playbook'Chip Roy urges Trump to ignore federal court orders, drawing comparisons to Andrew Jackson's defiance of Supreme Court rulings.
Three Court Rulings Put a Halt on Trump's Executive OrdersFederal courts dealt significant setbacks to Trump's executive orders on refugee admissions and spending freezes, emphasizing limits on presidential authority.
Blocked, Unblocked, Reblocked: How to Understand the DOGE Court RulingsLegal disputes involving Musk and DOGE reveal the critical role of technicalities in judicial rulings.
Judge Sets Hearing to Press Trump Administration on Deportation FlightsThe Trump administration faces legal challenges over deportations, raising concerns about due process and constitutional authority.
Defying Veto Threat, House Approves Measure Adding 66 New U.S. JudgesHouse approves creation of 66 new federal district court seats despite veto threat, with partisan divisions becoming evident after election outcomes.
A Court Showdown on DeportationsFederal judge scrutinizes Trump administration for deporting migrants without due process.
GOP Congressman Calls For Trump To Ignore Court Orders: Take A Page Out Of Andrew Jackson's Playbook'Chip Roy urges Trump to ignore federal court orders, drawing comparisons to Andrew Jackson's defiance of Supreme Court rulings.
When it comes to harassment, are federal judges above the law?Federal judges wield significant power with minimal oversight.Judges' staff face risks of mistreatment and harassment.There is a culture of fear preventing court employees from reporting abuse.
SF Judge Temporarily Blocks Musk and Trump's Mass Firing of Federal EmployeesA federal judge halted Trump and Musk's attempt to mass-fire thousands of government employees, ruling they lacked legal authority.
Opinion | The Senate Should Leave No Judgeship UnfilledThe Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity may lead to greater scrutiny of extreme executive actions in federal courts.
Trump is the most lawless president in American history | Robert ReichDonald Trump's administration is defying federal court orders regarding spending freezes, raising significant concerns about the balance of power in the U.S. government.
SF Judge Temporarily Blocks Musk and Trump's Mass Firing of Federal EmployeesA federal judge halted Trump and Musk's attempt to mass-fire thousands of government employees, ruling they lacked legal authority.
Opinion | The Senate Should Leave No Judgeship UnfilledThe Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity may lead to greater scrutiny of extreme executive actions in federal courts.
Trump is the most lawless president in American history | Robert ReichDonald Trump's administration is defying federal court orders regarding spending freezes, raising significant concerns about the balance of power in the U.S. government.
Judges Generally Let Prosecutors Drop Charges. Maybe Not for Adams.The case against Mayor Adams may challenge the typical prosecutorial process in federal courts.
Second federal judge pauses Trump's order against gender-affirming care for youthFederal judges have paused Trump's executive order that halts support for gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
PACER Sucks More Than Usual... And We Know Exactly Who To BlamePACER's mid-morning slowdowns stem from data miners accessing the system simultaneously with litigators, indicating a need for better management of access.
Alert For Lawyers: Don't Fall For This Federal Courts Phishing ScamLawyers are facing a surge of phishing emails impersonating federal courts, urging them to remain vigilant and protect their sensitive information.
Court to Weigh Protections for Immigrants Brought to U.S. as ChildrenThe future of DACA hangs in the balance as courts address the legality of protecting undocumented minors from deportation.
9th Circuit upholds California gun bans in some 'sensitive' places, but not othersCalifornia may enforce its gun ban in certain public places but not in hospitals or places of worship, as ruled by a federal appeals court.
No Concrete Plans, No Standing: Federal Circuit's Latest on IPR AppealsFederal courts can only address actual controversies, not hypothetical situations, as established by the standing doctrine.The Platinum Optics v. Viavi Solutions case reiterates the importance of standing requirements in patent appeals.
Can Robert Menendez's Bribery Conviction Survive an Appeal?Federal corruption cases involving political figures have seen overturned convictions due to a narrowed legal definition of corruption by the U.S. Supreme Court since 2010.
These 3 Supreme Court cases will test federal agencies' power over abortion and reproductive rightsThe Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo ruling shifted power from federal agencies to federal courts in interpreting federal law.
G.O.P.-Led States, Claiming Invasion,' Push to Expand Power to Curb ImmigrationRepublican lawmakers in multiple states are trying to adopt laws similar to Texas empowering police to arrest undocumented migrants, echoing the immigration focus of the 2024 presidential election.
GOP Bill Aims to Protect Trump From Current and Future State-Based Criminal Court CasesThe bill to move Trump's case is unlikely to pass due to Republican opposition.