Tuesday Talk*: Settlement Or Fraud Upon The Court?
Trump’s attorneys filed a Rule 41 voluntary dismissal with prejudice, labeling the action as a dismissal rather than a settlement. The Department of Justice simultaneously announced a $1.776 billion Anti‑Weaponization Fund sourced from the Judgment Fund, which critics describe as a slush‑money pool for Trump allies. By using a self‑executing dismissal, the filing divests the court of jurisdiction, sidestepping Local Rule 16.4’s settlement‑notice requirement. The strategy raises serious questions about fraud upon the court and the circumvention of congressional spending authority.
DoJ Sues To Insulate Trump Administration Lawyers From Discipline
Attorney General Todd Blanche has filed a lawsuit against the District of Columbia Bar, seeking to block disciplinary actions against former Trump administration lawyers such as Jeffrey Clark and Ed Martin. Blanche claims the bar is a partisan entity and argues...
Tuesday Talk*: Can A Jewish DA Prosecute Pro-Palestinian Protesters?
Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Kelly Paul ordered District Attorney Jeff Rosen to step aside from prosecuting five Stanford pro‑Palestinian protesters after a February mistrial, citing a clear conflict of interest. Rosen had highlighted the case on a campaign website...
When AI Is In The Room
Law firms are increasingly deploying AI‑powered note‑taking tools to record meetings, attracted by speed and convenience. However, AI transcripts capture every utterance—including jokes and off‑hand remarks—making them fully discoverable and potentially breaching attorney‑client privilege if the AI is treated as...
A Principled Decision In An Unprincipled Game
The Virginia Supreme Court struck down a state constitutional amendment that would have allowed a redistricting plan to eliminate congressional districts deemed safely Democratic. The court ruled the amendment unconstitutional because it was adopted without satisfying the constitutional requirement that...
Disbar AUSA Kevin Bolan
U.S. Attorney Kevin Bolan failed to disclose a Dominican Republic murder charge against immigrant Bryan Rafael Gomez during a bail hearing, violating his duty of candor to the court. Judge Melissa DuBose, unaware of the foreign charge, released Gomez and...
Better Red Than Race
The Supreme Court, in a 6‑3 opinion authored by Justice Sam Alito, narrowed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by requiring plaintiffs to prove a "strong inference" that a map was drawn with the intent to diminish minority voting power....
The Collapse Of Competency
In the last 24 hours the Justice Department filed a far‑cited indictment against former FBI director James Comey over an Instagram post that read “8647,” and submitted a bizarre pleading seeking to lift an injunction on a secret security ballroom...
Tuesday Talk*: Did Pirro Blow The Top Count?
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that Cole Allen faces three federal charges, including the top count of attempted assassination of the President under 18 U.S.C. § 1751(c). The indictment relies on an email manifesto that lists "administration officials" as targets but...
When War Powers Run Out
Democrats have filed multiple war‑powers resolutions to criticize President Trump’s Iran operation, but none have moved forward. Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the 60‑day limit without congressional authorization expires this Friday, making the conflict potentially illegal. Legal scholars argue...
Is There Really Any Case and Controversy?
President Donald Trump, his sons and the Trump Organization have filed a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service seeking $10 billion in damages over the release of his tax return. The complaint was lodged in the Southern District of Florida, and...
Seaton Travelogue: Great Stirrup Cay
Great Stirrup Cay, a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, is still being built, with several "COMING SOON" signs for new water slides and attractions. Visitors can partake in unique excursions such as swimming with rescued pigs and friendly...
California’s “No Vigilantes Act” Violates Supremacy Clause
A federal appeals court struck down California’s “No Vigilantes Act,” which required all law‑enforcement officers, including federal agents, to visibly display name tags or badge numbers. The Ninth Circuit held that the statute’s misdemeanor provision violates the Supremacy Clause and...
Weaseling Around The Order Ignored
The D.C. Circuit majority, led by Judges Neomi Rao and Andrew Walker, issued a mandamus order halting Judge James Boasberg’s contempt proceedings after the executive branch ignored a temporary restraining order that barred the removal of certain aliens. The panel...
Tuesday Talk*: The Chilling Cost Of Challenging Trump
Former President Donald Trump filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, claiming the paper published a fake Epstein birthday note. A federal judge dismissed the case, finding Trump failed to prove actual malice because the Journal had...