PROFILE
FROM Mark Joseph Stern
Will Sessions appoint a special counsel? News broke yesterday that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is considering whether to appoint a special counsel to investigate President Trump’s political rivals, including an investigation into the Clinton Foundation. The report raises questions about whether the Justice Department is operating independently from the Trump Administration.
Is Arpaio pardon a bad sign for the Mueller investigation? Sheriff Joe Arpaio speaking with supporters of Donald Trump at a rally at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona.
Gorsuch sworn in to fill ninth SCOTUS seat After more than a year since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, Neil Gorsuch was sworn in today as the ninth Justice of the US Supreme Court.
Opening day of the Gorsuch nomination hearings Republicans in the Senate never allowed a vote on President Obama's appointment of Merrick Garland to the US Supreme Court. Democrats have not forgotten. That was clear today as the Judiciary Committee took up President Trump's nomination of Neil Gorsuch . Mark Jospeh Stern , legal affairs reporter for Slate , has an update.
The brewing battle over Number 9 In splashy prime-time fashion President Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch , a federal appellate court judge from Colorado to the US Supreme Court yesterday, fulfilling a campaign promise to nominate a conservative originalist. At 49, Gorsuch is expected to keep the court's conservative status quo for years to come.
Is it possible to get rid of the Electoral College? Last Tuesday, about 700,000 more Americans voted for Hillary Clinton than Donald Trump. Nevertheless, Trump won because of the Electoral College. Now there are ideas to get rid of it or work around it.
A strange new term begins at the US Supreme Court Photo by Matt Wade Conservative Justice Antonin Scalia died early this year, and the Senate has not even considered President Obama's nominee to replace him. Today, the Court heard the first arguments of this year's session with an empty chair -- and an uncertain future. Mark Joseph Stern, who covers the Court for Slate, looks at which…
Is Justice Ginsburg Risking Her Legacy Over Trump? In the past week, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, has publicly criticized Donald Trump—suggesting that his election as President would pose a danger to the Republic. Her remarks been criticized from the left and the right.
NC Governor Sues Federal Government over "Bathroom Law" Governor Pat McCrory today said North Carolina's new law regulating the use of public bathrooms by transgender people has become a national issue. The State has already sued the federal government for over-reach.
Kentucky Clerk Defies Orders, Turns Gay Couples Away Yesterday, a federal judge ordered clerks in Kentucky to issue licenses for same-sex marriage. This morning, two gay couples were turned down by Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis. Mark Joseph Stern covers law and the courts for Slate .
Could Texas Become Nearly Abortion-Free? Access to abortion is already limited to 20 or so clinics in Texas. Now a federal court ruling could close down even more. Yesterday, in Whole Woman’s Health v. Lakey , the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of abortion limits in the Lone Star State — partly on the ground that women in Texas can drive to another state.
Recommended
President Trump addresses the nation NPR's special coverage the president's prime time address.
Throw caution to the wind Zocalo commentator Joe Mathews has some advice for incoming California Gavin Newsom: don’t follow in the footsteps of Jerry Brown.
Trump‘s Wall and the Politics of ‘Us Versus Them’ Politically, Trump’s great wall may not be worth the government shutdown. But it appeals to his base, including evangelical Christians. As the country’s white, protestant majority gives way to diversity, some fear that the essence of America is changing. Opposition to immigration in Western Europe is no coincidence.
What are charter schools? LAUSD teachers were picket lines for a second day Tuesday. And this morning the teachers union organized a march to the California Charter Schools Association office downtown, to draw attention to their criticisms of local charter schools. But what are charter schools anyway?