The Trump administration’s bid to separate 20,000 mail ballots in California that it says are likely from noncitizens met another defeat Wednesday as a trial judge refused to intervene.  U.S. District Judge David Carter ruled California can continue to accept the questioned ballots like any other. “This request violates longstanding constitutional principles mandating that states have control over…

The Trump administration’s bid to separate 20,000 mail ballots in California that it says are likely from noncitizens met another defeat Wednesday as a trial judge refused to intervene.  U.S. District Judge David Carter ruled California can continue to accept the questioned ballots like any other. “This request violates longstanding constitutional principles mandating that states have control over…

Alvin Hellerstein, a longtime federal judge who was set to oversee the criminal trial of deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro died on Wednesday. He was 92. Hellerstein’s death was confirmed by the court’s chief judge, Laura Taylor Swain, who called him an “insightful and dedicated lawyer.” “His energetic and dedicated service to this Court continued until his death. He…

Alvin Hellerstein, a longtime federal judge who was set to oversee the criminal trial of deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro died on Wednesday. He was 92. Hellerstein’s death was confirmed by the court’s chief judge, Laura Taylor Swain, who called him an “insightful and dedicated lawyer.” “His energetic and dedicated service to this Court continued until his death. He…

An Alabama-based construction company sued the State Department on Wednesday over accusations it refused to pay for pandemic-era cost overruns at a dozen embassy and consulate projects during the pandemic.  BL Harbert International says the government had agreed to a settlement until political appointees under Secretary of State Marco Rubio inserted themselves into the process.  “And, on…

An Alabama-based construction company sued the State Department on Wednesday over accusations it refused to pay for pandemic-era cost overruns at a dozen embassy and consulate projects during the pandemic.  BL Harbert International says the government had agreed to a settlement until political appointees under Secretary of State Marco Rubio inserted themselves into the process.  “And, on…

A federal appeals court panel Monday refused to order California to set aside 20,000 mail ballots that the Trump administration says are likely from noncitizens. In a 2-1 vote, the panel found it has no jurisdiction and the administration needs to wait for the trial judge to rule. He’s set to hold a hearing Tuesday, but…

A federal judge ruled Monday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) unlawfully fired and must provide back pay to Maurene Comey, former FBI Director James Comey’s daughter who was terminated as a prosecutor last year. U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman rejected the Trump administration’s arguments that it had constitutional authority to fire her.  “Defendants’ argument is contrary…

A federal appeals court appeared unlikely to immediately agree to the Trump administration’s bid to segregate 20,000 California ballots it says are likely from noncitizen voters, expressing skepticism at a rare Sunday hearing that a trial judge needs to move quicker. “I don’t see how we have jurisdiction,” said U.S. Circuit Judge Mark Bennett.  The Department of Justice…

A federal appeals court on Friday ruled 2-1 that President Trump’s National Guard deployment to the Los Angeles area last year was unlawful.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit rejected Trump’s assertion that violent demonstrations in the city protesting his immigration crackdown justified him wresting control of the troops from Gov. Gavin…

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled New Hampshire’s top election official can fully stop voters from using their student IDs when showing up to the polls in the midterms — a request backed by the Republican National Committee (RNC). A lower judge ruled officials had improperly gone further than a new state law placing restrictions on…