Legal Reporter, The Washington Independent
Attorney and journalist; legal reporter for The Washington Independent, a web-paper on politics and policy published by the Center for Independent Media
PROFILE
Daphne Evitar
Guest
FROM Daphne Evitar
Which Way, L.A.?
The US Supreme Court and Partisan Politics The first morning of Judge Sonia Sotomayor 's confirmation hearings for the US Supreme Court began and ended without her uttering a single word. Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee held forth at length, starting with Democratic Chairman Patrick Leahy.
To the Point
The US Supreme Court and Partisan Politics The first morning of Judge Sonia Sotomayor 's confirmation hearings for the US Supreme Court began and ended without her uttering a single word. Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee held forth at length, in a debate they conceded was more about politics than the law. Democrats called her a "moderate" with a classic American story. Republicans said her "empathy" for one side means prejudice against the other. They raised hot-button issues including women's rights, the death penalty and affirmative action. We hear about the first day of hearings on a nominee who's widely expected to be confirmed. Are both parties in the business of setting agendas?
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To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.