Outside the Beltway

A dark and regrettable time in American history is finally seeing the light of day.

A New York City Grand Jury refuses to indict a cop who appears from all available evidence to choked a guy to death for no good reason.

The U.S. Government is looking for lawyers willing to work for free.

Regardless of the outcome of the Michael Brown investigation, there are legitimate problems that need to be addressed.

On a preliminary examination, the President’s executive action on immigration appears to be within the boundaries of applicable law. However, as with other exercises of Executive Branch authority, it raises some important concerns about the precedent that it sets.

The Office of Legal Counsel told the president Wednesday he couldn’t do what he did on Thursday.

In the end, there appears to be very little, if anything, the GOP can do to stop or roll back the executive actions the President will announce Thursday evening.

The idea that the U.S. does not negotiate with terrorists is simply not historically accurate, so should we be reconsidering the policy of not negotiating with ISIS for the release of Western hostages?

A 69-year-old former polygraph examiner for the Oklahoma City police department has been indicted for coaching people to thwart the machines.

We appear to be just days away from an announcement from the Grand Jury investigating the Michael Brown shooting, and the consensus seems to be that there will be no indictment at all.

The White House is now leaking out details of what seems like an inevitable decision by the President. How it plays out politically, though, is the big question.

On his way out of office, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe is set to pardon his son for an 11 year-old non-violent marijuana conviction.

Civil asset forfeiture gives “highway robbery” a whole new meaning.

The GOP is dominant in the Southern United States, but it’s unlikely to last as long as Democratic dominance of the region did.

The Supreme Court heard argument this week in a case involving a somewhat strange application of Federal law.

Reports from the Justice Department seem to be laying the groundwork for more disappointment for those hoping for charges against Officer Darren Wilson.

What if the Grand Jury investigating the Michael Brown shooting fails to indict Officer Darren Wilson? We may find out if newly leaked evidence is accurate.

Early voting is a still new idea in the United States, but one that has quickly spread to a majority of states. But, is it a good idea?

Another pre-election stay ruling from the Supreme Court.

The Roberts court has been very good on First Amendment issues, but it needs to address the First Amendment issue right outside its front windows.

A victory for opponents of Voter ID in Texas, but it’s not likely to stand up on appeal.

Frank Foer proclaims, “Amazon Must Be Stopped. It’s too big. It’s cannibalizing the economy.”

It appears that there will be no Federal charges against George Zimmerman for shooting Trayvon Martin. This is not a surprise.

The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are pushing back against Apple and Google’s efforts to provide greater privacy to users.. They’re wrong.

The next Attorney General will likely see their nomination taken up by Senators who will not be in office past December. That’s somewhat disturbing, but it’s become all too common in Washington.

One of last members of President Obama’s original cabinet is stepping aside.

A Federal investigation of lane closures on the George Washington Bridge appears to vindicate Governor Chris Christie.

A Federal Judge in Ohio has issued a very troubling ruling on that state’s early voting law.

The shooting of Michael Brown is just another example of an ongoing problem.

A major voting rights ruling out of North Carolina.

Another Obamacare case is heading to the Supreme Court, but it’s unclear if they’ll agree to hear it, or when they’d hear it if they did.

The Grey Lady sees the light on a major part of the War On Drugs.

Contradictory rulings from two Federal Courts of Appeal show that statutory construction isn’t a simple thing.

There are legitimate issues regarding Presidential overreach and separation of powers that President Obama’s actions while in office have raised. But none of that will be discussed in our hyperpartisan political culture.

The justice system works, there’s no need to scrap it.

We’ve seen a notable number of 9-0 Supreme Court decisions this term, but that doesn’t mean that the side that lost was making an extreme or meritless argument.

After appearing to be at the end of his political career, Thad Cochran has pulled off a surprising victory over his Tea Party backed challenger.

The IRS’s claim that it lost some unknown number of Lois Lerner’s emails doesn’t really add up.

All of a sudden, the IRS announced it doesn’t have communications records it once claimed it did have.

There’s essentially no analogue in the civilian justice system. Here’s why.

Another legal victory for marriage equality.

The Supreme Court rejected another opportunity to clarify Federal Law on testimonial immunity for journalists.

A victory for Federalism and sanity in the War On Drugs.

Two news items yesterday advanced in some small measure the protection of journalists from having to reveal sources under Court Order.

James Oliphant asks, “Why Hasn’t the GOP Treated Fort Hood Like Benghazi?”

A legal setback for Voter ID laws in Wisconsin.

Chase is closing accounts because it doesn’t like the career their customers have chosen.

The Justice Department thinks police should be able to search the smart phones of anyone arrested for anything.