5/10/17  //  Daily Update

President Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey. The White House did not limit Michael Flynn’s security clearance despite warnings that Flynn was vulnerable to blackmail. Dark money has infected the federal judicial appointments process under President Trump.

5/9/17  //  Daily Update

President Trump’s campaign rhetoric was the primary focus of Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals oral arguments on the revised entry ban. Former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates testified that she warned the White House that Michael Flynn could be blackmailed by Russia. The EPA Administrator dismissed half of the scientific advisers on a key board. And there are reports that no women are included in the Republican effort to rewrite the health care bill in the Senate.

5/8/17  //  Daily Update

Today, the Fourth Circuit hears oral argument on the revised travel ban. Analysis continues of President Trump's religious liberty executive order. Conduct by the Kushner family has raised new questions about conflicts within the Trump Administration. The American Health Care Act now moves to the Senate. Amid questions about the future of U.S. climate and environmental policy, EPA Chief Scott Pruitt has recused himself from key lawsuits challenging Obama-era rules against his agency.

5/5/17  //  Daily Update

The House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA), a bill that Republicans characterize as an effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The AHCA now faces significant hurdles in the Senate. In other news, the Senate passed a funding bill to avert a government shutdown but excluded many of Trump's more controversial policy proposals. And Trump signed an executive order entitled "Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty," which was narrower than expected (but still significant).

5/5/17  //  Daily Update

The House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA), a bill that Republicans characterize as an effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The AHCA now faces significant hurdles in the Senate. In other news, the Senate passed a funding bill to avert a government shutdown but excluded many of Trump's more controversial policy proposals. And Trump signed an executive order entitled "Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty," which was narrower than expected (but still significant).

5/4/17  //  Daily Update

Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III has recused from the Fourth Circuit travel ban appeal. Today, the House is expected to vote on the American Health Care Act and President Trump is expected to issue an executive order relating to religious liberty protections. Trump has been sued for trying to undo Obama-era decisions that withdrew millions of acres of the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans from future oil and gas speculation. FBI Director Comey defended his actions prior to the 2016 election before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and refused to comment further on the investigation of Russian Interference.

5/3/17  //  Daily Update

Reports emerge that the President will issue an executive order on Thursday that could cut back on protections for LGBT people. The President continues his inaccurate statements about Republicans' proposed healthcare legislation. And commentators react to President Trump's willingness to praise autocratic leaders.

5/2/17  //  Daily Update

President Trump issued a controversial "Loyalty Day" proclamation. The new budget does not permit Trump to build a border wall with Mexico. The Office of Government Ethics detailed new restrictions on Ivanka Trump. Trump has misdescribed (or lied about) key aspects of his proposed health care bill, including its coverage of people with pre-existing conditions. The D.C. Circuit declined to reconsider a decision upholding Obama-era net neutrality rules, though Trump's FCC likely will revise that policy.

5/1/17  //  Daily Update

Courts keep taking Trump at his word and invalidating programs on that basis. Assessments of Trump's first 100 days focused on his regulatory agenda. EPA has removed the climate change page from its website. The NSA has announced the suspension of the "About" program.

4/28/17  //  Daily Update

Episode 2 of the Versus Trump podcast covers the incitement suit against Trump and the revised travel ban. Commentators have weighed in on the ruling against Trump's executive order threatening sanctuary cities with loss of federal funds. Use of the federal death penalty may increase under Trump. The FCC Chairman has proposed rolling back Obama-era net neutrality rules. Still more Trump-related conflicts have been discovered.

4/28/17  //  Daily Update

Episode 2 of the Versus Trump podcast covers the incitement suit against Trump and the revised travel ban. Commentators have weighed in on the ruling against Trump's executive order threatening sanctuary cities with loss of federal funds. Use of the federal death penalty may increase under Trump. The FCC Chairman has proposed rolling back Obama-era net neutrality rules. Still more Trump-related conflicts have been discovered.

4/27/17  //  Daily Update

President Trump proposed drastic reductions in individual and corporate tax rates in a one-page tax plan. President Trump also vowed on Twitter to appeal decisions enjoining both his travel ban and sanctuary cities executive orders and indicated a desire to break up the Ninth Circuit. The Department of Homeland Security announced the launch of the Victims of Illegal Immigrant Crime Engagement Office. The House Freedom Caucus announced its support of a new bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. And President Trump may sign an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the U.S. from NAFTA.

4/27/17  //  Daily Update

President Trump proposed drastic reductions in individual and corporate tax rates in a one-page tax plan. President Trump also vowed on Twitter to appeal decisions enjoining both his travel ban and sanctuary cities executive orders and indicated a desire to break up the Ninth Circuit. The Department of Homeland Security announced the launch of the Victims of Illegal Immigrant Crime Engagement Office. The House Freedom Caucus announced its support of a new bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. And President Trump may sign an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the U.S. from NAFTA.

4/26/17  //  Daily Update

A judge in the Northern District of California issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against President Trump’s executive order authorizing the withholding of federal grant money from sanctuary cities. President Trump abandoned his demand that this week’s spending bill, needed to avoid a government shutdown, include funding for his proposed border wall. President Trump has asserted presidential immunity in response to a lawsuit filed by individuals injured at one of his campaign events. And Michael Flynn, President Trump’s former national security adviser, likely violated federal law by not disclosing business dealings with Russia.

4/25/17  //  Daily Update

A government shut down is on the horizon, pending the upcoming fight over funding for the border wall. The State Department promotes Mar-a-Lago in a blog post. Another ballistic missile test by North Korea sparks debate over how to appropriately respond. And net neutrality rules set for a complete overhaul.