Presidential Immunity and the Catch-22 of American Politics

All of the legal remedies are impossible.

Supreme Court Upholds Red Flag Law

A reasonable ruling clarifying a poorly-written prior opinion.

The Non-Emergent Democratic Majority?

The realignment of America’s political parties wasn’t quite what was hoped.

California’s Next Senator Lives in Maryland!

A mere technicality?

Why Trump Will Most Likely Be Convicted If Any Trial Moves Forward

tl;dr: Trump is a nightmare client & nightmare clients don’t do well in criminal courts

Of Motes and Beams

The left and right are attacking basic rights. But not equally.

We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Constitution

Is it time to call the whole thing off?

SCOTUS Strikes Down NY Gun Law

The 6-3 ruling broke down on predictable lines.

Protesting at Officials’ Homes

Is harassing judges, mayors, Senators, and the like in their private lives just free speech?

More Tabs to Clear

Maryland Removes Police Protections over Hogan’s Veto

The Free State may have gotten just a little freer.

This image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0 via pXhere. This image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0 via pXhere.

SCOTUS Lifts California Worship Ban

How should we balance public health and fundamental rights?

Congress Pushing to ‘Ratify’ ERA by Fiat

Amending the Constitutional through unconstitutional means is a very bad idea.

Majority Rule, Plurality Rule, and Minority Rule

Definitions are fun, right?

Against Packing the Supreme Court

Legitimacy hangs in the balance.

Is the Death Penalty Unconstitutional?

Dissenters to a denied emergency appeal argue it is.

Trump Floats National Quarantine, Backs Off

The Constitution in times of extreme crisis.

Virginia Putting ERA over the Top?

The Commonwealth is about to become the 38th State to ratify the Nixon-era Amendment.

Putting the Amendment Process in Perspective

Continuing a discuss from below.

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Ban On Assault Weapons

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has once again upheld a local ordinance banning assault weapons.

John Paul Stevens, Former Supreme Court Justice, Dies At 99

Just over nine years after retiring from the Supreme Court, former Associate Justice John Paul Stevens has passed away at the age of 99.

Supreme Court Holds That Maryland Peace Cross Can Stay On Public Land

The Supreme Court ruled that a World War One memorial that had been on public grounds for 70 years can stay where it is.

Trump Supports Amendment To Ban Flag Burning. He’s Wrong.

Donald Trump has endorsed a proposal by a Republican Senator to ban flag burning.

Supreme Court Upholds ‘Dual Sovereigns’ Exception To Double Jeopardy Clause

The Supreme Court has ruled to keep the long-standing “dual sovereigns” exception to the Double Jeopardy Clause in place.

Taxing the Very Rich

It’s a lot harder than it looks.

Separation Of Church And State Back Before The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral argument in a case involving a World War I Memorial in the form of a cross on public land in Suburban Maryland.

Florida Student Charged With Creating Disturbance Over Pledge Of Allegiance

A student in Florida has been charged with creating a disturbance after declining to recite the Pledge Of Allegiance in class.

Supreme Court Places Limits On Civil Asset Forfeiture

The Supreme Court issued a ruling that places new limits on civil asset forfeiture by state and local government.

Supreme Court Appears Poised to Rein In Civil Asset Forfeiture:

The Supreme Court appears ready to impose at least some limits on civil asset forfeiture at the state level.

Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski Married

The morning show co-hosts tied the knot at a secret ceremony at the National Archives.

Supreme Court Accepts Case Involving Maryland’s War Memorial Cross

There’s a new church/state separation case on the Supreme Court’s docket.

Democracy and Institutional Design II: A (Very) Basic Definition of Democracy

The second installment of a seemingly forgotten series.

Federal Judge Strikes Down State Law Targeting Boycotts Aimed At Israel

For the second time this year, a Federal Court has struck down a state law designed to punish businesses that engage in a boycott aimed at Israel.

Texas Trying To Force Students To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

The State of Texas is arguing in Court that a school district can force a student to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. This is a blatant violation of the First Amendment.

Supreme Court Opens New Term A Justice Short

For the second time in two years, the Supreme Court starts a new term down one Justice. That isn’t as big a problem as it might seem.

Federal Judge Blocks Release Of Plans For 3-D Printable Guns

A Federal Judge in Washington State has, at least temporarily, blocked the release of files that would allow anyone to make a 3-D printed gun. The First Amendment seems to clearly indicate that this ruling is wrong.

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Civil Asset Forfeiture Case

We may finally get a ruling applying the Excessive Fine Clause to the states and limiting the ability of police to confiscate property.

Is The E.R.A. Really Just One State Away From Ratification? Maybe, Maybe Not.

Earlier this week, the Illinois legislature ratified the Equal Rights Amendment. What’s unclear is if this act has any meaning at all.

Ebola Making A Reappearance In Africa

Ebola is making a reappearance in Central Africa.. Will the world be better prepared this time?

Why Do We Have Congressional Chaplains To Begin With?

The incident involving Paul Ryan and the House Chaplain has raised some questions.

If Trump Is Innocent, Why Is He Acting Like He’s Guilty?

It’s a valid question, but one should also be careful about drawing conclusions based on how a person in Trump’s position acts.

Federal Judge Upholds Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban

Another Federal Court loss for gun rights activists challenging state laws banning “assault weapons.”

Supreme Court Mulls Whether States Can Ban ‘Political’ Apparel At Polling Places

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in a case pitting the First Amendment against the right of states to regulate elections.

Are Laws Banning ‘Assault Weapons’ Unconstitutional? According To Four Federal Courts Of Appeal, They Aren’t.

Since the Supreme Court handed down its decision in District of Columbia v. Heller four separate Federal appellate courts have ruled that state and local laws banning “assault weapons” do not violate the Second Amendment.

Supreme Court Declines To Hear Yet Another Second Amendment Challenge To A State Gun Control Law

Continuing a pattern that has gone on for eight years now, the Supreme Court has declined to hear another appeal regarding a Second Amendment challenge to state gun control laws.

Yes, DACA Beneficiaries And Other Illegal Immigrants Should Be Able To Become Citizens

One of the main objections that many on the right seem to have to proposals to legalize DACA beneficiaries and other illegal immigrants is the idea that they could eventually become citizens. There’s no good reason they shouldn’t be able to do so.

Federal Court Strikes Down Law Requiring State Contractors To Promise They Won’t Boycott Israel

A Federal Judge In Kansas has blocked enforcement of a state law barring anyone who does business with the state from engaging in a boycott of Israel.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Strikes Down House District Map Due To Partisan Gerrymandering

Another win for forces fighting partisan Gerrymandering.

Alabama Senate Election Is A Toss Up, But Moore Seems To Be Favored

Polling remains uncertain in the Alabama Senate race, but the odds favor Roy Moore.