Judicial Branch

Judge Janet Protasiewicz onstage

Wisconsin Chooses a Progressive Justice in the Most Important Election of 2023 Wisconsin Chooses a Progressive Justice in the Most Important Election of 2023

Janet Protasiewicz’s victory matters not just for Wisconsin but for any American who cares about democracy, fair elections, voting rights, and much more.

Apr 5, 2023 / John Nichols

Stuart Kyle Duncan

Protesting an Anti-Trans Trump Judge Isn’t Disrespectful, It’s American Protesting an Anti-Trans Trump Judge Isn’t Disrespectful, It’s American

Judge Kyle Duncan lashed out at students who protested his appearance at Stanford Law School, but shouting at political figures is our most protected speech right.

Mar 15, 2023 / Elie Mystal

Demonstrators with signs of U.S. Supreme Court justices

The Supreme Court Can’t Even Agree on a Code of Ethics for Itself The Supreme Court Can’t Even Agree on a Code of Ethics for Itself

Since the high court won’t police itself, it’s time for someone else to institute ethics reform for it—no matter what the naysayers argue.

Feb 17, 2023 / Elie Mystal

The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll Took Place 60 Years Ago Today

The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll Took Place 60 Years Ago Today The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll Took Place 60 Years Ago Today

From Emmett Till to Hattie Carroll to Amadou Diallo to Freddie Gray to Breonna Taylor to Tyre Nichols—the senseless deaths caused by the racism embedded in the DNA of our country h...

Feb 9, 2023 / Marc Steiner

An Appeals Court Just Ruled to Give Guns Back to Domestic Abusers

An Appeals Court Just Ruled to Give Guns Back to Domestic Abusers An Appeals Court Just Ruled to Give Guns Back to Domestic Abusers

In the United States, the “right” to carry a gun now trumps the right not to be killed by an abusive partner.

Feb 8, 2023 / Elie Mystal

Conservatives Have a Sketchy New Legal Plot to Ban the Abortion Pill

Conservatives Have a Sketchy New Legal Plot to Ban the Abortion Pill Conservatives Have a Sketchy New Legal Plot to Ban the Abortion Pill

By forum-shopping their way to a hearing before a zealot judge, conservatives hope to win an unwinnable case—and not for the first time.

Jan 26, 2023 / Elie Mystal

Does Kathy Hochul Really Want to Go Down With Hector LaSalle’s Sinking Ship?

Does Kathy Hochul Really Want to Go Down With Hector LaSalle’s Sinking Ship? Does Kathy Hochul Really Want to Go Down With Hector LaSalle’s Sinking Ship?

The governor’s stubborn embrace of her pick for chief judge has already revealed some troubling truths about her political instincts—and beliefs.

Jan 19, 2023 / Elie Mystal

An Appeals Court Wants to Bring Back Bump Stocks, Beloved by Mass Shooters

An Appeals Court Wants to Bring Back Bump Stocks, Beloved by Mass Shooters An Appeals Court Wants to Bring Back Bump Stocks, Beloved by Mass Shooters

The decision by the Fifth Circuit is a painful lesson in why one-off weapons bans are doomed to fail in court, if not in practice.

Jan 13, 2023 / Elie Mystal

Should a Single Trump Judge Have the Power to Void Biden’s Policies?

Should a Single Trump Judge Have the Power to Void Biden’s Policies? Should a Single Trump Judge Have the Power to Void Biden’s Policies?

While the answer seems obvious, a Supreme Court case highlights why the question is legitimately complex.

Dec 1, 2022 / Elie Mystal

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) speaks at a press conference to discuss his runoff campaign in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 10, 2022.

Georgia Isn’t Just Gravy Georgia Isn’t Just Gravy

Democrats can do a lot more with 51 Senate seats.

Nov 14, 2022 / Jeet Heer

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