Category: Courts

U.S. Supreme Court Majority Says Trump Immunity Hinges on ‘Official’ vs. ‘Private’ Actions, and Alarmingly Expands Presidential Powers

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled July 1st that former President Donald Trump has criminal immunity for his “official” acts as President, but not for “private” acts.   The majority’s decision was not quite a “get out of jail free” card, but expanded the official powers of the President to near authoritarian levels.

Federal 5th Circuit Refuses Challenge to ‘Private Right of Action’ – For Now.  It’s the New Battleground to Dismantle the 1965 Voting Rights Act

A 2023 decision in an Arkansas redistricting case found individual voters did not have a “private right of action” to challenge the maps. The State of Louisiana tried the same tactic in its chaotic gerrymandering case, but was refused on June 24th. It appears to be the latest legal strategy to dismantle the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Fines Upheld for Alaska Pastor Using His Church Organization to Funnel ‘Free Speech’ Money to Political Groups Trying Repeal Ranked Choice Voting

Last year we reported on accusations of a pastor using his Alaskan church to funnel money to an anti-ranked choice voting group.  Most fines levied by the State of Alaska for not fully disclosing the donation were upheld last week, and a separate case challenging the repeal initiative it supported will be heard this week.