#JUDGES

[thestarlightforge]

Super educational website about how this works & which seats are up for election in 2025 (scroll down)

Hey Americans, if you have a state Supreme Court vote coming up, vote in it. A Supreme Court can make or break a state, especially in this current political climate, and we actually have control over who gets into our state courts.

Wisconsites, we have a Supreme Court vote coming up in April and if you don't vote in it, I'm going to cut a hole into all your window screens, right on the very edge so it's in a place where you can't just patch it but it's too big to just ignore. Enjoy your box elder bugs and grass spiders 🔫

[batboyblog]

Things the Biden-Harris Administration Did This Week #30

August 2-9 2024

The Department of Interior announced the largest investment since 1979 in outdoor recreation and conservation projects. The $325 million will go to support State, territorial, DC, and tribal governments in buying new land for parks and outdoor recreation sites. It also supports expansion and refurbishment of existing sites.

The EPA announced that Birmingham Alabama will get $171 million to update and replace its water system. The city of Birmingham is 70% black and like many black majority cities as struggled with aging water systems and lead pipes causing dangerous drinking water conditions. This investment is part of the Biden-Harris administrations plan to replace all of the nation's lead pipes.

The Department of Energy announced $2.2 billion in investments in the national power grid to help boost resiliency in the face of extreme weather. The projects will add 13 gigawatts of capacity, support 5,000 new jobs and upgrade 1,000 miles of transmission. Major projects will cut power outages in the west, drive down energy prices in New England, add off shore wind, and enable the development of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s wind resources.

The Justice Department won its massive anti-trust case against Google. A federal judge ruled that Google was an illegal monopoly. The DOJ has an ongoing antitrust suit against Apple, while the Federal Trade Commission is suing Facebook and Amazon for their monopolist practices

The US Government announced $3.9 billion in direct aid to Ukraine. The money will help the Government of Ukraine make up for massive budget short falls caused by the war with Russia. It'll help pay the salaries of teachers, emergency workers, and other public employees, as well helping displaced persons, low-income families and people with disabilities.

The Department of Energy announced $190 million to improve air quality and energy upgrades in K-12 schools. The grants to 320 schools across 25 states will impact 123,000 students, 94% of these schools service student bodies where over half the students qualify for free and reduced lunch. In the face of climate change more schools have been forced to close for extreme heat. These grants will help schools with everything from air filtration, to AC, to more robust energy systems, to replacing lighting.

USAID announced $424 million in additional humanitarian aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Due to ongoing conflict and food insecurity, 25 million Congolese are in need of humanitarian aid. This year alone the US has sent close to a billion dollars in aid to the DRC, making it the single largest donor to the crisis.

The Senate approved President Biden's appointment of Stacey Neumann of Maine, Meredith Vacca of New York, and Joseph Saporito Jr. of Pennsylvania to life time federal Judgeships. This brings the total of judges appointed by President Biden to 205. President Biden is the first President who's judicial nominations have not been majority white men, Judge Vacca is the first Asian American to serve in her district court. President Biden has also focused on former public defenders, like Judge Saporito, and former labor lawyers like Judge Neumann, as well as civil rights lawyers.

[political-us]

[whenweallvote]

Court decisions across the country impact our lives every day, including:  

🗳️ Voting rights 

🩺 Reproductive healthcare

💪🏽 Workers’ rights  

⚖️ Criminal court cases 

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ rights 

At least 13 states have judges on the ballot in 2025 — and YOUR vote helps decide who is in charge of our courts. Check your voter registration now at WhenWeAllVote.org/check. 👩🏾‍⚖️🏛️

[climate-changing]

Resist!

There have been 46 cases in which federal judges have blocked Trump policies.

The rulings in those cases have come from 39 different judges appointed by 5 different presidents of both parties to 11 different district courts in 7 different circuits.

Maybe it's not the judges?

[thashining]

Chess

[somepersonyan]

Predator poofs

floofs of doom? bloodthirsty boopers? the fluffsecutioners? Bark assassins?

[catkora]

First it was members of congress, now it's judges. The trump administration can't get any of their unconstitutional orders through without resorting to threats of violence.

Some judges have required extra security because of rulings made against the current administration. They wanted to uphold the constitution and people's freedoms and are now being punished for it.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/judges-face-rise-threats-musk-blasts-them-over-rulings-2025-03-05/

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

All over DC and NYC today

* * * *

Backstopping the courts!

February 11, 2025

Robert B. Hubbell

Here is the topline: Defenders of the rule of law are on a judicial winning streak. At the same time, it appears unclear whether Trump and Musk are complying with existing orders compelling them to cease their unlawful behavior. The ‘overwhelming question’ that confronts our democracy is, “What happens if Trump and Musk refuse to obey court orders?”

Legal analysts and political commentators are focusing on that question and often conclude their analysis with something like, “It will be a constitutional crisis.”

That is a highly unsatisfying and incomplete answer. None of the analysts or commentators mention the role of American citizens in pushing back against the ongoing billionaire coup. Yes, we may indeed end up with a constitutional standoff between the executive and the courts, but to pretend that the people have no say in the outcome is an oversight of profound dimensions.

As I wrote yesterday, a system in which the leaders claim to be exempt from the rule of law contains an inherent instability: If the rule of law does not apply to the leaders, it does not apply to the people. That is not a threat but an observation of how other nations have brought dictators to heel. Trump and Musk should, therefore, stop their lawless spree well short of mass action by citizens fed up with a lawless ���government.”

The power of mass protests, strikes, stoppages, and boycotts will be particularly potent in America. The US is the largest economy in the world because its markets are stable, its political climate is (relatively) corruption-free, and the rule of law is enforced.

Business thrives on order, predictability, and risk management. If the rule of law is overthrown, business profits will take a nose-dive. The bond market is acting in an unnatural manner, suggesting a deep-seated suspicion that something bad may be happening. The markets are not worried only about Trump's tariffs increasing inflation. They are beginning to price in a risk premium for political instability. (That is my personal opinion based on reading the financial press; I am not an economist.)

Moreover, the full faith and credit of the US depend entirely on American citizens' belief that their tax dollars are spent under the system established in the Constitution—appropriations made by Congress through legislation, signed into law by the president, and implemented by the executive departments and agencies. If Trump and Musk break that system, it raises the obvious question: “What’s in it for the American taxpayer?”

I raise these points not to frighten anyone but rather to give us confidence by following the logic of the current crisis to its inevitable conclusion: The people will prevail.

Even if Trump and Musk lack the emotional intelligence or self-awareness to intuit that fact, the business community that is providing Trump a free pass at the moment is keenly aware of the consequences of breaking the social compact.

I don’t think the crisis will get that far because I believe those around Trump understand the consequences of “crossing the Rubicon” of disregarding court orders. But if it does get that far, I feel pretty good about the prospects of the American people in a political tug of war with Trump and Musk.

With that background, let’s look at how the major developments fit into the narrative.

Courts continue to enjoin illegal and unconstitutional actions by Trump and Musk

As noted above, those defending democracy and the rule of law are on a winning streak against Trump and Musk. But there is worrisome evidence that Trump and Musk are already disregarding court orders. See NYTimes, Judge Says White House Defied His Ruling, as Showdown with Trump Nears (Accessible to all.)

As explained in the Times article,

A federal judge said on Monday that the White House had defied his order to release billions of dollars in federal grants, marking the first time a judge has expressly declared that the Trump administration is disobeying a judicial mandate.

The ruling by Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island federal court ordered administration officials to comply with what the judge called “the plain text” of an ruling he issued on Jan. 29. That order, he wrote, was “clear and unambiguous, and there are no impediments to the Defendants’ compliance.”

The flicker of hope in the above description of the “freeze” lawsuit is that the DOJ is appealing Judge McConnell's ruling. It could have been otherwise; the White House could have simply announced that it was not going to abide by the ruling. The appeal from Judge McConnell's order may be the vehicle that brings the conflict to the Supreme Court.

But, to be absolutely clear, the White House did not say it would comply with Judge McConnell’s order, so the possibility remains that Trump is defying a binding court order as we speak. Time will tell.

Similar cases are trailing behind, including restraining orders or injunctions against executive orders purporting to take the following actions:

Trump's buyout offer to federal workers: USA Today, Judge blocks Trump buyout offer to federal workers.

Trump's massive cuts to healthcare grants (by limiting overhead to 15%). See Politico, Judge temporarily blocks Trump cuts to health research grants.

And new lawsuits are challenging other Trump executive orders:

Public Citizen filed a lawsuit seeking to block the shutdown of foreign aid: Politico, First lawsuit targets Trump’s foreign aid freeze.

A union has sued Trump to prevent the CFPB shutdown. See Axios, Union sues Trump admin over CFPB shutdown attempt and DOGE access

The takeaway is that these legal challenges are headed to the Supreme Court—if we are lucky. Getting to the Supreme Court means that (a) Trump is losing and (b) he recognizes that the courts have a role in resolving the disputes.

Trump expands his campaign of lawlessness and corruption

Trump is pillaging and burning his way through laws and agencies designed to protect consumers from deceitful, misleading, and dishonest practices by American businesses in the US and businessmen making deals abroad.

As noted above, Trump has effectively shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau—an agency created and funded by Congress. Trump has no authority to unilaterally shut down an agency created by statute.

The unseemly end for the CFPB is bad for consumers. Very. See NBC, What's at stake for consumers as Trump officials target the CFPB (“Congress granted the CFPB the power to supervise banks with more than $10 billion in assets and to regulate lending by nonbank entities, including mortgage, auto, payday and private student loan issuers.”)

As the result of a CFPB rule, consumers saved $6 billion (not a mistake: $6 billion) in check overdraft fees charged by banks. The House Banking Committee has proposed legislation to eliminate that protection.

Trump has also announced suspension of enforcement of a federal anti-bribery statute that prohibits the use of bribes in securing foreign contracts. See The Independent, Trump orders Justice Department to stop enforcing foreign anti-bribery law.

In a truly stunning talking point on a White House “fact sheet” seen by The Independent, the Trump administration seemed to be giving the green light to bribes as a means of doing business overseas.

Per The Independent:

The fact sheet states the White House view that American corporations are disadvantaged by prohibitions on bribing corrupt foreign officials because such activity is common in international business transactions.

(Expletive deleted!) The American economy thrives partly because its markets are viewed as orderly and (relatively) corruption-free. If doing business in America includes bribing suppliers overseas, guess who will most assuredly lose: American consumers.

Bribing foreign producers will deter market-based behavior that rewards honest competition. Instead, the company most willing to engage in criminal bribery will win the contract. Unbelievable!

Speaking of encouraging bribery, Trump pardoned former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted of soliciting bribes to fill Barack Obama’s seat in the Senate when Obama was elected president. See CBS Chicago, President Trump officially pardons former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. (“I didn't know him, other than I believe he was on 'The Apprentice' for a little while," said President Trump).

Even worse, Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York to dismiss the federal indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. See AP News, Top Justice Department official orders prosecutors to drop charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. (“[I]n a remarkable departure from long-standing norms, [the DOJ argued] that the case was interfering with the mayor’s ability to aid the president’s crackdown on illegal immigration.”)

But here is a ray of hope amidst the sudden collapse of the legal profession in the Trump administration: The American Bar Association released a statement calling on lawyers to uphold the rule of law! Read the entire statement here: The ABA supports the rule of law.

The statement says, in part,

Moreover, refusing to spend money appropriated by Congress under the euphemism of a pause is a violation of the rule of law and suggests that the executive branch can overrule the other two co-equal branches of government. This is contrary to the constitutional framework and not the way our democracy works. The money appropriated by Congress must be spent in accordance with what Congress has said. It cannot be changed or paused because a newly elected administration desires it. Our elected representatives know this. The lawyers of this country know this. It must stop. [¶¶] We urge every attorney to join us and insist that our government, a government of the people, follow the law. It is part of the oath we took when we became lawyers. Whatever your political party or your views, change must be made in the right way. Americans expect no less.

Well done and well said! We need other organizations and leaders to follow the example of the ABA!

Robert B. Hubbell Newsletter

[reality-detective]

Wisconsin Your Vote Matters 🤔

[mim70]

Grand Choral Synagogue, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

[benjaminallhope-fulltimemind]

complain all he wants Trump is still a convicted criminal and with Biden out of the race he and Republicans lost the 'Biden Crime Family' angle they were abusing. It doesn't help that Kamala Harris is a well known prosecutor with a kinda okay record, while apparently scummy at times she was never fully corrupt like Trump has been and she's a changed woman I hope. All in all Democrats need to hammer the prosecutor Vs felon angle cause it's very effective, I do think Kamala needs to appeal to the left more than the center but we could have worse. So vote for Kamala Harris in the upcoming elections and let's cuck Trump to save democracy! It's disturbing that even while running for president he is still trying to influence and subvert the Justice system in order to get off scot free, remember that trump is a morally bankrupt businessman willing to do everything he can to gain and maintain power he doesn't care about democracy or freedom people?

[saywhat-politics]

"Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power," the vice president wrote

J.D. Vance signaled the Trump administration may try to ignore judicial orders, which could trigger a constitutional crisis.

The vice president wrote on X, “If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, that would be illegal. If a judge tried to command the attorney general in how to use her discretion as a prosecutor, that’s also illegal. Judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.”

Vance also shared a post by Adrian Vermeule, professor of constitutional law at Harvard, who wrote, “Judicial interference with legitimate acts of state, especially the internal functioning of a co-equal branch, is a violation of the separation of powers.”

Elon Musk, who has led Donald Trump‘s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as it attempts to dismantle and take over federal agencies, signaled he may also support defying the courts. He reshared an X post by “Insurrection Barbie” that said in part, “I don’t like the precedent it sets when you defy a judicial ruling, but I’m just wondering what other options are these judges leaving us.”

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #19

May 17-24 2024

President Biden wiped out the student loan debt of 160,000 more Americans. This debt cancellation of 7.7 billion dollars brings the total student loan debt relieved by the Biden Administration to $167 billion. The Administration has canceled student loan debt for 4.75 million Americans so far. The 160,000 borrowers forgiven this week owned an average of $35,000 each and are now debt free. The Administration announced plans last month to bring debt forgiveness to 30 million Americans with student loans coming this fall.

The Department of Justice announced it is suing Ticketmaster for being a monopoly. DoJ is suing Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation for monopolistic practices. Ticketmaster controls 70% of the live show ticket market leading to skyrocketing prices, hidden fees and last minute cancellation. The Justice Department is seeking to break up Live Nation and help bring competition back into the market. This is one of a number of monopoly law suits brought by the Biden administration against Apple in March and Amazon in September 2023.

The EPA announced $225 million in new funding to improve drinking and wastewater for tribal communities. The money will go to tribes in the mainland US as well as Alaska Native Villages. It'll help with testing for forever chemicals, and replacing of lead pipes as well as sustainability projects.

The EPA announced $300 million in grants to clean up former industrial sites. Known as "Brownfield" sites these former industrial sites are to be cleaned and redeveloped into community assets. The money will fund 200 projects across 178 communities. One such project will transform a former oil station in Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighborhood, currently polluted with lead and other toxins into a waterfront bike trail.

The Department of Agriculture announced a historic expansion of its program to feed low income kids over the summer holidays. Since the 1960s the SUN Meals have served in person meals at schools and community centers during the summer holidays to low income children. This Year the Biden administration is rolling out SUN Bucks, a $120 per child grocery benefit. This benefit has been rejected by many Republican governors but in the states that will take part 21 million kids will benefit. Last year the Biden administration introduced SUN Meals To-Go, offering pick-up and delivery options expanding SUN's reach into rural communities. These expansions are part of the Biden administration's plan to end hunger and reduce diet-related disease by 2030.

Vice-President Harris builds on her work in Africa to announce a plan to give 80% of Africa internet access by 2030, up from just 40% today. This push builds off efforts Harris has spearheaded since her trip to Africa in 2023, including $7 billion in climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation, and $1 billion to empower women. The public-private partnership between the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard plans to bring internet access to 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria, before expanding to Uganda, Ethiopia, and Ghana, and then the rest of the continent, bring internet to 100 million people and businesses over the next 10 years. This is together with the work of Partnership for Digital Access in Africa which is hoping to bring internet access to 80% of Africans by 2030, up from 40% now, and just 30% of women on the continent. The Vice-President also announced $1 billion for the Women in the Digital Economy Fund to assure women in Africa have meaningful access to the internet and its economic opportunities.

The Senate approved Seth Aframe to be a Judge on the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, it also approved Krissa Lanham, and Angela Martinez to district Judgeships in Arizona, as well as Dena Coggins to a district court seat in California. Bring the total number of judges appointed by President Biden to 201. Biden's Judges have been historically diverse. 64% of them are women and 62% of them are people of color. President Biden has appointed more black women to federal judgeships, more Hispanic judges and more Asian American judges and more LGBT judges than any other President, including Obama's full 8 years in office. President Biden has also focused on backgrounds appointing a record breaking number of former public defenders to judgeships, as well as labor and civil rights lawyers.

[political-us]