Appeals court clears way for U.S. to reopen border for asylum seekers
It was not clear when asylum processing would resume, and the Trump administration is likely to appeal the decision.
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DOJ watchdog launches review of compliance with Epstein files law
The choice to focus a prominent effort on the Epstein disclosures will also almost certainly extend a debate that has become a persistent pain point for the Trump administration.
Trump officials reclassify medical marijuana as lower-risk drug
Marijuana has long had the same Schedule I classification as heroin, but administration officials have sought to reclassify the drug as Schedule III.
5th Circuit allows Texas to require Ten Commandments in classrooms
The case is widely expected to head next to the Supreme Court, where the conservative majority has been steadily removing restrictions on government support for religion.
FBI Director Kash Patel sues the Atlantic for $250M, alleging defamation
The Atlantic’s article contained extensive reporting — attributed to anonymous individuals — alleging Patel engaged in “excessive drinking” and “unexplained absences” while leading the FBI.
Supreme Court justices turn children’s books into big paydays
What at first glance might seem odd — some of the smartest (and busiest) legal minds in the country writing books for kids —is actually close to becoming a majority opinion at the high court.
Justice Sotomayor issues rare apology for remarks about conservative colleague
The personal swipe came during a talk at the University of Kansas School of Law, when Sotomayor suggested that Justice Kavanaugh lacked the life experience to appreciate the potential impacts of his opinion on immigration stops.
DOJ moves to undo Jan. 6 rioters’ convictions for seditious conspiracy
The move to undo the most serious convictions stemming from the assault on the Capitol marks the latest step in President Donald Trump’s quest to rewrite the event’s violent history.
New disclosures reveal how DOGE actually worked
The disclosures have confirmed news coverage from last year about the extent of DOGE cuts and identified several key DOGE figures operating in federal agencies.
Fired Fannie Mae workers can’t sue agency head for defamation, a judge rules
One year later, Bill Pulte has yet to release evidence of fraud by the Fannie Mae employees he terminated, all of whom share Indian-national origins, and none of whom were charged with crimes.
Judge dismisses Trump’s $10B lawsuit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein drawing
U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles found that the president — who sued in his personal capacity — had not met the burden of showing that the newspaper acted with actual malice, a legal standard established in the landmark New York Times v. Sullivan case in 1964.
Detectives test out a potential crime-fighting partner: AI
A detective was able to sift through thousands of pages of financial documents and identify patterns in a fraction of the usual time.
Justice Department says Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional
The decision could, potentially, upend decades-old legal precedent established in response to Richard M. Nixon’s effort to keep control of records upon his resignation from the Oval Office.
Acting AG says Trump has ‘duty’ to identify people who should be investigated
Todd Blanche, who is leading the Justice Department after Pam Bondi’s ouster, defended investigations of the president’s political foes.
Justice Dept. says the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional
The PRA was passed in 1978 amid a struggle between Congress and President Richard Nixon over his effort to keep control over millions of documents and White House tapes that exposed the Watergate scandal.
Judge halts construction on Trump’s ballroom, says Congress must decide
For more than three months, lawyers have battled over whether the president needed congressional approval for his project.
Judges are increasingly using AI to draft rulings and prepare for hearings
AI use in court has made headlines for a stream of fabricated citations and other mistakes in filings that have embarrassed attorneys.
Supreme Court casts doubt on Trump’s bid to limit birthright citizenship as he attends arguments
The birthright citizenship order, which Trump signed the first day of his second term, is part of his Republican administration’s broad immigration crackdown.
EEOC lawsuit says a women’s retreat is discrimination
The agency is already investigating footwear giant Nike and financial services firm Northwestern Mutual over their corporate diversity initiatives.
DACA recipient returns to US after judge finds she was unlawfully deported
Maria de Jesus Estrada was arrested after showing up at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for an appointment on Feb. 18.