Daily Update | October 16, 2017
10/16/17 // Daily Update
DOJ plans to assist in the prosecution of a man charged with murdering a transgender teenager in Iowa, reportedly at the urging of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. DOJ also may implement quotas for immigration judges to evaluate performance. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel denied that media licenses will be revoked because President Trump doesn’t like the coverage outlets generate.
Daily Update | October 12, 2017
10/12/17 // Daily Update
The Supreme Court dismisses as moot a challenge to Trump's travel ban version 2.0. Trump's words are not only cause for concern, but a possible basis for impeachment. McConnell suggests he will stop the practice of allowing Senators to block judicial nominees. The D.C. Superior Court finds that the DOJ overstepped by requesting IP addresses for anti-Trump protest organizers. Trump indicates that the U.S. will withdraw from NAFTA and that it should increase the size of its nuclear arsenal. And the Trump administration takes strides towards eliminating major Obama-era regulations, including the Clean Power Plan and the birth control-coverage mandate.
Daily Update | September 25, 2017
9/25/17 // Daily Update
President Trump issued a proclamation modifying and extending the travel ban. The pending Supreme Court cases challenging Trump's second revised travel ban might now be moot. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos rescinded two Obama-era policies relating to college sexual-assault investigations. The federal government alerted twenty-one states that hackers targeted their voting systems in the 2016 presidential election. HHS Secretary Tom Price is under investigation for use of government funds to pay for private flights. Jared Kushner has used private e-mail accounts for some White House business since taking office. Finally, President Trump tweeted criticism of the NFL and certain players; these tweets were met with a firestorm of criticism.
Daily Update | September 22, 2017
9/22/17 // Daily Update
Reports emerge about controversial document requests by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The President is reportedly reviewing a security report that may serve as the basis of a new or revised Muslim travel ban.
Daily Update | June 19, 2017
6/19/17 // Daily Update
President Trump announced a new policy toward Cuba Friday that leaves in place many Obama-era changes but prohibits any commercial dealings with the Cuban military, and somewhat limits the freedom of U.S. citizens to travel to the island. The President appeared to publicly acknowledge he is under investigation in a Friday Twitter rant directed against Acting Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Meanwhile, rumors have surfaced that President Trump may attempt to fire special counsel Robert Mueller.
Daily Update | June 12, 2017
6/12/17 // Daily Update
The Supreme Court could decide as as soon as this week whether President Trump’s travel ban should be stopped or implemented. The Government filed a memo in support of its motion to dismiss in the emoluments case Trump v. Crew, arguing that foreign payments to the President's businesses are legal. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has agreed to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, in response to James Comey’s testimony. President Trump has also reportedly said that he is “100 percent” willing to testify about his conversations with Comey.
Daily Update | June 5, 2017
6/5/17 // Daily Update
Analysis continues of the Trump Administration's request for Supreme Court review of injunctions against its revised travel ban. The Administration's draft contraception coverage rules have leaked, and have drawn heavy criticism. The Office of Government Ethics plans to further investigate waivers issued by the White House to its staffers. Experts have weighed in on Trump's power to block former FBI Director James Comey from testifying before Congress. The President's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement raises a host of complex legal and political questions, both at home and abroad.
Daily Update | May 25, 2017
5/25/17 // Daily Update
Discussion of the President's proposed budget continues. The CBO releases its long-awaited analysis of the version of the American Health Care Act that has already passed the House of Representatives. Former CIA Director Brennan testifies before Congress that Russia "brazenly" interfered with the election. And the search continues for a new FBI director.
Daily Update | May 23, 2017
5/23/17 // Daily Update
Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn invokes the Fifth Amendment before Congress. Representative Cummings accuses Flynn of misleading investigators. And discussion about the potential legal and political merits of impeachment of the President continues. Meanwhile, the President visits the Middle East, and details leak about his forthcoming budget proposal.
Daily Update | May 23, 2017
5/23/17 // Daily Update
Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn invokes the Fifth Amendment before Congress. Representative Cummings accuses Flynn of misleading investigators. And discussion about the potential legal and political merits of impeachment of the President continues. Meanwhile, the President visits the Middle East, and details leak about his forthcoming budget proposal.
Daily Update | May 15, 2017
5/15/17 // Daily Update
Discussion continues about the legal and political ramifications of the President's firing of FBI Director James Comey. Scholars and politicians debate whether the President may have obstructed justice, and whether we are now in the midst of a constitutional crisis. There has also been recent commentary about the President's so-called “election integrity” commission, among many other topics.
Daily Update | April 5, 2017
4/5/17 // Daily Update
Department of Homeland Security agents plan to make unannounced visits to companies that rely heavily on H-1B visas. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has ordered a nationwide review of consent decrees implemented to address civil rights violations. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has confirmed that President Trump can withdraw money from his businesses at any time. Government officials have expressed concern about allegations that former National Security Advisor Susan Rice sought to identify surveilled Trump associates.
Daily Update | April 4, 2017
4/4/17 // Daily Update
DOJ's brief defending the revised entry ban is flawed. VP Pence's policy of refusing to dine alone with women raises legal and ethical concerns. Notwithstanding a trust arrangement, President Trump can still access his assets, including his businesses, at will. Trump's deregulatory agenda has raised a host of legal challenges and may have grave national security implications. Trump has continued to deflect attention from the Russia inquiry by tweeting about President Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Daily Update | April 3, 2017
4/3/17 // Daily Update
The Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security have criticized the California Chief Justice for objecting to federal immigration enforcement near state courthouses. President Trump's advisors have submitted financial disclosures that raise extensive conflict of interest concerns. Trump has signed two executive orders relating to international trade. Environmental groups have challenged Trump's approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline. A federal judge has ruled that a suit against President Trump for inciting violence at a campaign rally may proceed. And there have been new developments in the investigation surrounding Russia, Trump, and Michael Flynn.