Outside the Beltway

Day One of the questioning of Judge Neil Gorsuch went very well, and it suggests that his path to confirmation is basically clear of serious obstacles.

Two big admissions from the Director of the F.B.I. today are likely to lead to real political headaches for the Trump Administration.

Judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation hearings begin Monday morning, but it’s Senate Democrats who are in the hot seat.

Two more losses for the Trump Administration.

Senate Democrats are divided on how to approach the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, making it likely that he’ll be confirmed.

An unusual, if not unexpected, mass firing at the Justice Department on Friday afternoon.

South Korea removes a corrupt leader by peaceful means.

Hawaii is the first state to challenge the Trump Administration’s revised Muslim travel ban.

A majority of Americans support appointment of an Independent Counsel to investigate Russian influence in the 2016 election and the Trump’s campaign’s ties to Russia, but we should be careful before taking this step.

The Supreme Court has decided to return the case involving a transgender student’s right to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity to the Fourth Circuit rather than deciding it during this term.

The announcement of a new Muslim travel ban Executive Order has been delayed once again.

The Supreme Court will now consider a case regarding whether or not a state can bar a former felon from accessing social media sites.

A military judge has rejected a motion to dismiss the case against Bowe Bergdahl based on comments made by Donald Trump when he was a candidate for President.

The Trump Administration is continuing, and indeed expanding, its war on a free press.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer hinted that the Federal Government may stop giving deference to states that have legalized marijuana.

Malaysian police have evidence that seems to clearly link North Korea to the death of Kim Jong Il’s eldest son.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Maryland’s ban on certain so-called “assault weapons,” but it’s unclear if the Supreme Court will even take up the case.

Not surprisingly, the Trump Administration has revoked guidelines to public schools that required accommodation of transgender students.

The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled against a florist who refused to provide services for a same-sex wedding.

The President gathered supporters around him, and blatantly lied to them, so as to increase support for his policies.

Could Donald Trump’s comments about Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl on the campaign trail lead to the case against Bergdahl being dismissed? A military judge will have to decide.

North Korean Intrigue…….

Independent of the current controversy surrounding President Trump’s immigration order, Republicans in Congress are looking at a plan to break up the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Could National Security Adviser Michael Flynn be the first to go under Trump?

Stephen Miller said something very stupid on “Meet The Press” this morning.

Another judicial slap at the Trump Administration.

Judge Gorsuch isn’t much of a fan of Donald Trump’s comments about the judiciary.

After a highly contentious nomination process, Jeff Sessions was confirmed last night as the new Attorney General of the United States.

By the end of last night’s oral argument, at least two of the three judges hearing the appeal of the stay on the President’s Muslim travel ban appeared to be skeptical of the Federal Government’s arguments.

An initial setback for the Federal Government in its appeal of the ruling putting President Trump’s Muslim travel ban on hold.

A legal victory, at least for now, for opponents of Donald Trump’s ban on immigration from seven majority Muslim nations.

In the end, an effort by Democrats to block Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court does not seem like a good use of their rather limited options.

With a relatively smooth announcement, Donald Trump has named a solid and qualified conservative who will likely be confirmed to the nation’s highest court.

The Acting Attorney General was fired last night after announcing that she would refuse to defend President Trump’s Executive Order on immigration. As a result she was fired. Contrary to some arguments, this was not improper.

President Trump will name his first Supreme Court pick on his 11th day in office.

President Trump hinted today that he’s likely to name his Supreme Court choice next week, and the list to appears have narrowed to three men.

A potentially controversial commutation from President Obama today.

An important free speech case is coming up this week at the Supreme Court.

Not surprisingly, Dylann Roof received a sentence of death for the murder of nine people at a historic African-American church.

Just under a year ago, Senate Republicans took a big risk regarding the Supreme Court. Now, it’s paid off big time.

Survivors and family members of the Pulse Nightclub attack have filed what amounts to a frivolous lawsuit.

Another attack in what has been a bloody 2016 for Europe.

Obama has issued more commutations than all his predecessors combined. He set the single-day record Monday.

To nobody’s surprise, Dylann Roof was convicted of the race-motivated murders in a Charleston church.

New information raises serious questions about the integrity of the 2016 elections, and about Donald Trump and his supporters.

Another conflict of interest for President-Elect Trump.