Jacqueline Sahlberg  //  11/13/17  //  Daily Update


Special Counsel Mueller is investigating former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn’s alleged role in the forced removal of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric, from the US and his delivery Turkey in exchange for millions of dollars. A coalition of 20 states and 50 cities has pledged to follow the Paris climate accord commitments and pursue carbon emission reductions, even if President Trump withdraws. Chicago, Atlanta, and nine other cities have announced that they will join the growing list of jurisdictions that provide legal defense for undocumented immigrants in deportation hearings.

 

IMMIGRATION

Chicago, Atlanta, and nine other cities announce that they will join the growing list of jurisdictions that provide legal defense for undocumented immigrants in deportation hearings (NPR). 

The Future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program remains uncertain (Hill).

U.S. Postal Service delays led to the rejection of DACA applications that were mailed weeks in advance of Oct 5 deadline (NYTimes).

 

CIVIL RIGHTS 

House Republicans and White House advisor Ivanka Trump are pushing two different paid family leave plans (Hill).

 

JUSTICE & SAFETY

The Justice Department said it would vigorously prosecute protesters who damage pipelines (Reuters).

 

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

President Trump’s appointees may have many undisclosed conflicts of interest (NYTimes).

 

REGULATION

Significant differences remain between the House and Senate Tax plans (LATimes).

  • Rep. Kevin Brady, House Ways and Means Chairman, says the House will not approve the repeal of state and local tax deductions (Reuters, Bloomberg).
  • The bill is expected to receive a vote on the House floor this week (Hill, Politico). 

The United States Department of Agriculture is delaying implementation of Obama-era rules on the treatment of animals in the National Organic Program (Hill).

 

RULE OF LAW

President Trump should read the Constitution, writes the NY Times Editorial Board. 

President Trump’s appointments are reshaping the judicial branch (NYT).

Antitrust enforcement would usually be cause for celebration, but the Justice Department’s motives are “completely suspect” with regard to the AT&T—Time Warner merger,  writes the Editorial Board at the LA Times.

The Office of Special Counsel is investigating Securities and Exchange Commission whistleblower-retaliation allegations (WSJ).

 

FEDERALISM 

A coalition of 20 states and 50 cities pledge to follow the Paris climate accord commitments and pursue carbon emission reductions, even if President Trump withdraws (Hill, Politico).

 

MUELLER INVESTIGATION & RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE

As Mueller investigates, President Trump declares that he believes President Putin, who has denied interfering in 2016 election (NYTimes, NPR, WaPo).

  • President Trump cannot claim to side with American intelligence officials while also announcing that he believes Putin, write Ryan Goodman and John Sipher for Just Security.
  • Former US intelligence officials say Trump is being “played” (WaPo, WSJ).

Mueller is investigating former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn’s alleged role in the forced removal of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric, from the US and delivery Turkey in exchange for millions of dollars (WSJ).

  • The news has legal and political significance, write Susan Hennessey and Benjamin Wittes at Lawfare.

Daily Update | December 23, 2019

12/23/19  //  Daily Update

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell seek to leverage uncertainties in the rules for impeachment to their advantage. White House officials indicated that President Trump threatened to veto a recent spending bill if it included language requiring release of military aid to Ukraine early next year. The DHS OIG said that it found “no misconduct” by department officials in the deaths of two migrant children who died in Border Patrol custody last year. And the FISA court ordered the Justice Department to review all cases that former FBI official Kevin Clinesmith worked on.

Emily Morrow

Harvard Law School

Daily Update | December 20, 2019

12/20/19  //  Daily Update

Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated the House will be “ready” to move forward with the next steps once the Senate has agreed on ground rules, but the House may withhold from sending the articles to the Senate until after the new year. Commentary continues about the Fifth Circuit's mixed decision on the status of the ACA.

Emily Morrow

Harvard Law School

Daily Update | December 19, 2019

12/19/19  //  Daily Update

The House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump. Some Democrats urge House leaders to withhold the articles to delay a trial in the Senate. Meanwhile, the Fifth Circuit issues an inconclusive decision about the future of the ACA, and DHS and DOJ proposed a new rulemaking to amend the list of crimes that bar relief for asylum seekers.

Emily Morrow

Harvard Law School