White House Allows Expansion Of Reopened Kavanaugh Background Check

After placing limits on the scope of the F.B.I.’s reopened background investigation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the White House has relented and is allowing a more open-ended investigation.

Brett Kavanaugh on the Importance of Judicial Temperament

In a 2015 speech, he told law students that it’s vital for judges “To keep our emotions in check. To be calm amidst the storm.”

Federal Judge Allows Congressional Emoluments Clause Lawsuit To Proceed

A Federal Judge ruled late last week that a lawsuit under the Foreign Emoluments Clause by more than 200 Congressmen and Senators can proceed forward.

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.

Is The F.B.I’s Reopened Investigation Real, Or Just A Political Sham?

Is the reopened investigation of Brett Kavanaugh a real investigation of the charges made against him by three separate women, or is it a political sham? It’s beginning to look much more like the latter than the former.

Ford/Kavanaugh Hearing Takes Over SNL Cold Open

Saturday Night Live inevitably mocked the Ford/Kavanaugh hearing on Thursday in their cold open.

Elon Musk Settles SEC Lawsuit, Will Step Aside As Tesla Chairman

Elon Musk has apparently come to his senses. At least for now.

Is the Federalist Society Nefarious?

By popular demand . . .

Kavanaugh Confirmation Vote On Hold Pending Renewed F.B.I. Investigation

Surprise developments yesterday led to a pause in the confirmation process for Brett Kavanaugh. Where it goes from here is unclear.

Kavanaugh and Gorsuch Yearbooks

A telling contrast of two Georgetown Prep schoolmates.

Revised Thoughts on the Kavanaugh Hearings

I’ve changed my mind on a couple of things and hardened my opinion on others.

Judiciary Committee Advances Kavanaugh Nomination Amid Talk Of Delay

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the floor, but a last minute maneuver could delay a final vote pending an F.B.I. investigation.

Elon Musk Sued For Fraud Over Aborted Plan To Take Tesla Private

The legal troubles for Tesla’s Elon Musk just got a lot more serious.

Republicans Proceeding Forward With Kavanaugh Nomination In Doubt

Republicans intend to “plow through” on the Kavanaugh nomination even after yesterday’s hearing, but it’s not clear that they have the votes to confirm him.

Ford/Kavanaugh Hearing Ends With Questions, Doubts, And Only One Option

After eight hours of testimony, the only impression a non-partisan mind could be left with from the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh is that we need a full investigation of the charges against the Supreme Court nominee. Unfortunately, we’re not going to get that.

Ford-Kavanaugh Hearings Reinforce Previous Conceptions

An ugly day for the United States Senate and the United States of America.

Kavanaugh/Ford Hearing Livestream And Open Thread

For better or worse, and likely for worse, the latest round of the Brett Kavanaugh hearings is moving forward.

Kavanaugh/Ford Hearings Begin Amid New Accusations And Questions

Just hours before hearings that will likely determine the fate of Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, new accusations and revelations are coming to light.

Stop the Kavanaugh Farce

A wave of allegations against Supreme Court nominee make voting on him tomorrow untenable.

Third Woman Comes Forward With Allegations Against Brett Kavanaugh

Less than a day before a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, a third woman has come forward with new allegations involving Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Amber Guyger Fired From Dallas Police Department Over Botham Jean Shooting

Amber Guyger has been fired by the Dallas Police Department, now it’s up to the justice system to hold her accountable for her actions.

Republicans Intent On ‘Plowing Right Through’ Kavanuagh Nomination

Republicans have set a Judiciary Committee vote for less than a day after hearing from Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Bill Cosby Sentenced To Up To Ten Years In Prison

After forty years, a sexual predator finally gets at least some of what he deserves.

Brett Kavanaugh Takes Refuge In The Friendly Confines Of Fox News Channel

In what appears to be a first, Judge Brett Kavanaugh took to the media to defend his nomination. Not surprisingly, he chose a friendly venue.

Job Interviews and Criminal Accusations

Why a much-cited analogy in the Brett Kavanaugh controversy is problematic.

Republicans Don’t Seem To Care What Christine Blasey Ford Has To Say

Based on their own rhetoric, it seems clear that Republicans don’t really care what Christine Blasey Ford has to say regarding what happened to her in 1982.

Historical Perspective on SCOTUS Nominations

Despite what seems to be the prevailing mythos, most nominations fights are nothing like the current one.

New Allegations Begin A Crucial Week For Brett Kavanaugh

New allegations of sexual misconduct mark the start of a crucial week for the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Kavanaugh is Toast and So is Our Political Climate

We’ll likely never know whether the Supreme Court nominee is a sexual assaulter. But it really doesn’t matter.

Another Allegation

I spoke too soon…

My Bottom Line on the Kavanaugh Situation

My last post on this subject for the weekend (I think).

The Political Stakes in the Kavanaugh Nomination

Thinking about the political calculus.

Hearing On Charges Against Brett Kavanaugh Set For Thursday

Some details still need to be worked out, but it looks as though Dr. Christine Blasey Ford will be testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

Bork 2.0?

The Bork hearings have come up in the context of the Kavanaugh confirmation, Some thoughts ensue.

More Gasoline On The Trump v. Justice Department Fire

A new report from The New York Times is likely to cause President Trump’s war on the Justice Department to heat up.

Status Of Kavanaugh Hearings Still Up In The Air

The status of a potential hearing in the Brett Kavanaugh nomination regarding the charges made by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford remain unclear, but the likelihood is that she will testify in the end.

Kavanaugh’s Defenders Aren’t Helping

Prominent supporters of the embattled Supreme Court nominee, including the President, are doing him no favors.

Trump Attacks Christine Blasey Ford In Latest Twitter Rant

This morning, President Trump took to Twitter to attack Dr. Christine Blasey Ford over her allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Kavanaugh Hearing Up In The Air Amid Negotiations

Monday’s hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the charges made against Judge Brett Kavanaugh is still on as scheduled, but the details are still being negotiated.

Kavanaugh Nomination At An Impasse Over Hearing On Sexual Assault Charges

The status of Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation remains up in the air, as does the question of whether or not Christine Blasey Ford will appear for a hearing on Monday morning.

Sunstein’s Muddled Take on Kavanaugh

I’m not the only one confused on what to do about the allegations against President Trump’s nominee to replace Anthony Kennedy.

Kavanaugh Musings

Several days after detailed sexual assault allegations against the Supreme Court nominee, I’m not fully sure what to believe.

Kavanaugh Accuser Wants F.B.I. Investigation Before Testifying

Attorneys for Christine Blasey Ford want the F.B.I. to investigate the charges she has made against Judge Kavanaugh before she testifies, but it’s entirely unclear what such an investigation would accomplish.

Judiciary Committee To Hold Hearing On Accusations Against Judge Kavanaugh

After a day of political pressure, Senate Republicans have agreed to hold a hearing regarding the sexual assault allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh next week.

Republicans Join Call For Delay In Kavanaugh Vote Pending Investigation

Cracks are beginning to show in the previously united Republican front on the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation notwithstanding what appear to be credible allegations of sexual assault.

California Woman Accusing Brett Kavanaugh Of Sexual Assault Comes Forward

A woman accusing Brett Kavanaugh of having assaulted her when he was 17 and she was 15 has come forward. What happens next is anyone’s guess.

On The Twenty-Fifth Amendment

The Twenty-Fifth Amendment has been in the news a lot lately, but what would it actually take to use it to remove a President from power?

Shooting By Off-Duty Dallas Policewoman Raises Far More Questions Than It Answers

The shooting of Botham Jean by off-duty Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger earlier this month seems like a clear cut murder. So why is she only charged with manslaughter?

Paul Manafort Pleads Guilty, Will Cooperate With Mueller

Another day, another plea agreement in the Mueller investigation. This one could prove to be problematic for the President.

Dianne Feinstein Refers ‘Secret’ Letter About Kavanaugh To F.B.I.

Some last minute dramatics in the Kavanaugh nomination fight, but it seems unlikely to impact the outcome of the nomination fight.