Christina Ford  //  11/6/17  //  Daily Update

Special Counsel Mueller has enough evidence to bring charges against the Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. New documents regarding Papadopoulos’s Russian connections call into question previous assertions by members of the Trump Administration that they were unaware of any contacts with Russia before the 2016 election. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross retained investments in a shipping firm with business ties to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s inner circle. In a Supreme Court filing, DOJ accused the ACLU of misconduct and is seeking sanctions in the recent Jane Doe abortion case.

MUELLER INVESTIGATION & RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE

Special Counsel Mueller has enough evidence to bring charges against the Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn (NBC).

The ability to charge Flynn should strengthen the obstruction of justice case against President Trump, writes Ryan Goodman at Just Security.

Trump Campaign Advisor Carter Page met with Russian government officials in 2016 and altered the campaign to the meeting (NYT).

President Trump’s attorney reiterated that his team would challenge Special Counsel Mueller if the probe began looking at Trump’s former real estate deals (The Hill).

The House Intelligence Committee will question President Trump’s former bodyguard over the firing of James Comey and a 2013 trip to Moscow (WaPo; The Hill)

New documents regarding Papadopoulos’s Russian connections call into question previous assertions by members of the Trump Administration that they were unaware of any contacts with Russia before the 2016 election (WSJ).

• Senate Democrats have demanded that Attorney General Sessions explain a previously undisclosed meeting with Papadopoulos.

IMMIGRATION

Following an ACLU lawsuit, a 10-year-old immigrant with cerebral palsy who was detained after surgery was released from immigration custody (NYT).

The Trump Administration will decide on Monday whether to extend stay for Hondurans and Nicaraguans under a temporary protected status program (WSJ).

DOJ details plan to slash immigration court backlog by adding judges and refusing to extend delays in deportation cases (WaPo).

CIVIL RIGHTS

In a Supreme Court filing, DOJ accused the ACLU of misconduct and is seeking sanctions in the recent Jane Doe abortion case (NYT; WaPo)

• You can read DOJ’s filing at the Supreme Court here.

JUSTICE & SAFETY

The Pentagon has released the Marine General that was held at Guantanamo in Military Commissions Dispute (WSJ).

The Pentagon says securing North Korean nuclear sites would require a ground invasion (WaPo).

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross retained investments in a shipping firm with business ties to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s inner circle (NYT).

REGULATION

President Trump’s campaign to sabotage the ACA violates the Constitution, writes Simon Lazarus at ACSBlog.

RULE OF LAW

President Trump criticized top law enforcement, saying DOJ and FBI must ‘Do What Is Right’ and investigate Democrats (NYT).

• Senator Corker criticized President Trump over his “inappropriate” remarks regarding the Justice Department.
• Benjamin Wittes offered commentary on President Trump’s comments that it was the “saddest thing” he could not control the DOJ or FBI.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s directive prohibiting certain scientists from serving on advisory boards may be illegal,argues Michael Burger at Climate Law Blog.

President Trump risks interfering with New York attack prosecution, despite warnings from recent Bergdahl case (LATimes).

CHECKS & BALANCES

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have filed suit to compel the General Services Administration to release details on the Trump International Hotel (Project on Government Oversight).