The governments of Washington D.C. and Virginia asked a federal court to block construction of President Trump's planned " triumphal arch ," claiming it's unlawfully tall and would snarl traffic for years. Why it matters: It's a last-minute gambit to stop construction before the multi-year project begins, potentially as soon as this coming week. What they're saying: " This project is flagrantly unlawful," the two governments said in a Saturday filing in D.C. federal court, first reported by the Washington Post. "During the three-year period of construction, the Arch project will inevitably snarl traffic between the jurisdictions, produce pollution and stormwater runoff in the Potomac, interfere with emergency services, and pose numerous other challenges," they argue. They further claim that the defendants — the National Park Service and the Interior Department — have rushed the project without the proper consultations. The city and state are asking a judge to issue injunctions to stop any site preparation or construction on the project. Zoom out: The proposed 250-foot arch would be one of the largest such monuments in the world, sparking concerns that it could interfere with other national symbols, block views and even complicate landings for pilots at nearby airports. (The FAA found otherwise.) The Park Service's own August report indicated the construction of the arch would have adverse effects on nearby monuments and landmarks. The other side: The administration has argued it will be a major tourist attraction — but also vital to national security, serving as a base for snipers and drones. The White House was not immediately available to comment Saturday on the D.C. / Virginia petition. What's next: A federal judge held a hearing Friday on a separate challenge to the arch, and indicated she may block construction at least temporarily.
Results for “judge orders”
Legal experts welcome judge’s rejection of firing of James Comey’s daughter prosecutor but warn an appeal is likely A recent legal ruling against an effort to fire the star-prosecutor daughter of a former FBI chief targeted by Donald Trump could send a strong message about politicized firings – and influence other judges weighing similar cases, legal veterans said. Judge Jesse Furman ruled this week that the Department of Justice’s firing of assistant US attorney Maurene Comey without cause was unlawful. Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, successfully litigated numerous high-profile cases during her tenure at the southern district of New York, including guilty verdicts against Ghislaine Maxwell and Sean “Diddy” Combs. Continue reading...
Judge James Boasberg oversees the Ilhan Omar search warrant fight, deportation flights, and California voter rolls, raising assignment questions.
A federal appeals court paused a judge’s earlier ruling that ordered Idaho to allow exceptions to its abortion ban in cases where a doctor deemed it necessary to protect the mother’s health. In a 2-1 decision issued on Friday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that a doctor who sued over the state’s…
With control of Congress on the line, next week’s midterms amount to a referendum on Trump, who has urged voters to pretend he is on the ballot Sign up for the Breaking News US email Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog. Donald Trump is tele-rallying from Mar-a-Lago with just three days to go before the midterm elections. On Sunday, he will make appearances at rallies in Iowa in Kansas in a reversal after he initially backed out . The top federal prosecutor in Alaska confirmed on Friday the existence of a criminal and a civil investigation into an alleged scheme by Mary Peltola’s campaign and national Democrats to confuse voters in the closely watched Senate race by recruiting a spoiler candidate who shares a name with the Republican incumbent, Dan Sullivan . Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed resisted a demand from his defeated primary rival, congresswoman Haley Stevens , that he apologize for criticism of US military aid to Israel on Friday – two days before they were scheduled to campaign together in Detroit. Early voting this cycle has set a record. More than 49 million Americans have already cast ballots, either in person or by mail, the Associated Press reported. Continue reading...
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ordered his top military commanders to prepare for renewed confrontation with the US and Israel and expand Tehran’s options for retaliation.
A Biden-appointed judge late Friday ruled that the Trump administration exceeded its authority by threatening to prosecute state and county officials who do not comply with its election integrity efforts. U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson barred the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security from pressing local election officials to purge registered voters, withhold their ...
None of the firms that struck deals to avoid crippling executive orders are publicly involved in the major legal efforts to check the Trump administration’s attempts to meddle in the midterm elections, a review by The New York Times shows.
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from threatening election workers with prosecution over ballots tied to suspected noncitizens.
A California federal judge Friday ordered the Trump administration to stop threatening election officials with criminal prosecution in its ongoing efforts to crack down on noncitizen voting. U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson issued a temporary restraining order connected to a lawsuit brought by unions representing California election workers earlier Friday. In her decision, the Biden-appointed judge…
A federal judge ordered the federal government to stop demanding that state and local election officials separate out ballots and threatening criminal prosecution for noncompliance.
A federal judge issued a sweeping order blocking the Trump administration from threatening or intimidating election officials amid pressure tactics used by the administration in the weeks leading up to next week’s midterm elections.
A federal judge Friday blocked the Trump administration from threatening election workers with criminal prosecution for counting ballots cast by registered voters the administration claims are ineligible. Why it matters: The emergency order, issued four days before the midterms , prohibits federal pressure to sideline ballots based solely on allegations of ineligibility and forces the Justice Department to walk back threats it already sent to election officials. The big picture: The ruling adds to a series of courtroom losses for the administration, as federal officials intensify election-related investigations and challenges across the country. Judges are warning that federal threats and investigations are driving citizens out of elections and putting lawful votes at risk. Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson found that the Justice and Homeland Security departments likely violated the Voting Rights Act's prohibition on voter intimidation and exceeded their constitutional authority over elections. Her temporary restraining order prohibits demands that states remove registered voters, withhold their ballots or stop counting votes solely because the administration claims the voters are ineligible. It also bars threats of criminal prosecution against election workers who refuse those demands or process ballots in accordance with election laws. The judge ordered prosecutors to disclose pending search warrant applications, grand jury subpoenas and other demands related to its lists of allegedly ineligible voters. What she's saying: Thompson found the administration's actions forced election workers to choose between complying with "Defendants' unlawful demands" or risk criminal prosecution for performing their jobs. "In the lead-up to the election," she wrote, "high-ranking DOJ and DHS officials have engaged in a campaign to intimidate, threaten, and coerce state and local officials and employees who are engaged in administering the ongoing midterm 2026 e
Lawyers for the children praised the pause on fast-tracked interviews of unaccompanied minors, calling it a blow against the Trump administration’s “deportation assembly line.”
Judge Ana Reyes calls on US government lawyers to explain contradictory statements about the East Potomac Golf Links.
The federal government must pull three taxpayer-funded Trump administration ads that appear to have been made for political or propaganda purposes, including one touting the president's claim that every American will get $5,000 if Republicans keep control of Congress in the upcoming election, a judge ruled Friday.
Jessica Killin, Colorado Democratic Congressional candidate, says affordability is the central concern she hears from voters and argues Congress needs to take back its power on tariffs and the war with Iran. Killin says tariffs are raising costs for small businesses and calls for Congress to play a larger role in pursuing a longer-term agreement with Iran while also addressing housing and health care. Killin says her Army and private-sector background gives her an understanding of how to help the economy grow and calls questions over her Colorado residency a nonissue after a judge dismissed the case. She speaks with Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz on Bloomberg’s "Balance of Power." (Source: Bloomberg)
A federal judge is opening an formal inquiry into Trump officials' conduct in the East Potomac case, including whether they misled the court about their plans for the municipal golf course.
A federal appeals court rejected the Justice Department's emergency bid to set aside mail ballots tied to more than 20,000 California voters the Trump administration suspects are noncitizens. Why it matters: The 2–1 ruling leaves California's election procedures intact just days before the midterms, with the judges citing doubts about the DOJ's voter list and the risk of disenfranchising eligible voters. The ruling is a major setback for a DOJ that has doubled down on unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud in the Golden State. What they're saying: The majority cited the lower court's finding that the DOJ's process for identifying suspected noncitizens was "not credible," undermining its claims. "Granting [the United States]'s request would provoke catastrophic change, upending the administration of the election," it wrote, quoting the district court's finding. "There is a material risk that granting the United States its requested relief would result in disenfranchisement and could jeopardize [Los Angeles] County's entire election." The other side: Ninth U.S. Circuit Judge Patrick Bumatay dissented, arguing that counting votes from noncitizens dilutes the power of citizens. "The federal government proposes a modest remedy—stopping California from mixing the ballots of citizens and suspected noncitizens. This solution would not cancel any vote but would allow time to verify the eligibility of suspected noncitizens." The White House and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. Catch up quick: The DOJ sued California in mid October for refusing to segregate the ballots it asserted were sent to noncitizens. A district court denied the request for an injunction, deciding that the federal law the DOJ was relying on to bring the suit did not supersede existing state law. The Trump administration appealed, leading to Friday's decision. The administration can now appeal again to the Supreme Court. Zoom out: Trump has continu
A federal judge said Friday she plans to appoint a special master to investigate whether Justice and Interior Department officials misled the court about the Trump administration's plans to renovate a D.C. golf course, according to news reports . Why it matters: The investigation could lead to professional sanctions, contempt proceedings or criminal referrals against administration officials over allegations government lawyers misled the judge. Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes opened a hearing Friday by reading ethics rules requiring attorneys to be truthful with courts, then questioned Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. about the administration's conflicting accounts, according to news reports. Trump announced Oct. 18 the golf course would close Nov. 15 for roughly 15 months of renovations. Woodward told the court the next day there was "no plan to close the course." On Oct. 28, the Justice Department acknowledged Trump had directed the closure. Catch up quick: A preservation group and two golfers are suing the administration over what they say is President Trump's illegal plan to convert the historic, public East Potomac Golf Links into a championship-level golf course. After government crews cut down more than 400 trees, Reyes barred further tree removal without court approval and required 10 business days' notice before closing the park or making irreversible changes. The administration has appealed. What they're saying: "The Department of Justice will not be deterred from executing on the President's agenda," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The White House and DOI didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. What's next: Reyes said she intends to appoint a special master who could review documents, question witnesses under oath and hold hearings. The government would have five business days to object after a special master is selected, the Washington Post reported . This is a breaking news story and will be
The potential SCOTUS nominee qualifies his longstanding position that the U.S.-born children of unauthorized immigrants are citizens under the 14th Amendment.
A federal judge overseeing a legal fight over President Donald Trump’s plans to remake Washington, D.C.’s East Potomac Golf Links said Friday she would investigate whether administration officials misled the court and violated professional ethics rules during the proceedings. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said the inquiry would examine whether Interior Department officials, government attorneys, […]
The Justice Department filed notice Wednesday night that the plans were real.
The Justice Department and a group of veterans faced off in court over the fate of the 250-foot arch that President Trump wants to build.
The Trump administration must stop airing three partisan political ads, a federal judge ruled, expanding her earlier order blocking taxpayer-funded television spots lauding the president in the runup to next week’s midterm elections.
Judge Ana C. Reyes said an outside investigator would help determine whether parks officials or Justice Department lawyers withheld plans for Washington’s East Potomac Park.
The Ninth Circuit ruled that law firm Red Eagle lacked standing to challenge the State Department's indefinite pause on the diversity visa lottery.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said she will conduct a formal inquiry into whether government officials engaged in misconduct.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes has opened an investigation into the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) conduct in the ongoing legal battle over President Trump’s desire to redevelop East Potomac Golf Links. She ordered the probe during Friday’s hearing, the latest fiery courtroom clash. Meanwhile, lawyers for James Comey tried to persuade a federal judge Friday…
Lawyers for James Comey tried to persuade a federal judge Friday that the Trump administration’s third attempt to prosecute the former FBI director for allegedly disclosing national defense information should be stopped because the Department of Justice (DOJ) waited too long to bring the charges. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, an appointee of President Trump, is weighing whether the…
A federal judge has opened an investigation into concerns that the Trump administration lied to her in the ongoing legal battle over President Trump’s desire to redevelop East Potomac Golf Links. Friday’s hearing became the latest fiery courtroom clash between U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes and the Department of Justice (DOJ), which repeatedly took issue…
The factual allegations, from a Sept. 2025 decision in the case by Judge Susan Illston (N.D. Cal.) (the case is… The post Discovery Sanctions Recommended in "Are You a Jew? … Are You a Zionist?" Case appeared first on Reason Magazine.
Judge Ada Brown called attorney Ezra Young a "White savior" intimidated by "Black excellence" in a hearing now under Fifth Circuit investigation.
Former FBI Director James Comey's lawyers will ask a federal judge to block the Justice Department from pursuing its third criminal case against the outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and frequent target of the Republican’s outrage
The Big Bend Sector includes 517 miles of the 1,254-mile Texas-Mexico border, and construction was ongoing there until federal District Court Judge Kathleen Cardone ordered a halt earlier this month.
Attorneys for the former FBI director contend the third case isn’t valid on its face because it wasn’t presented to a federal grand jury within the statute of limitations.
A report alleged that people aligned with Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign helped recruit a candidate with the same first and last name as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Peltola denied the allegations.
I “came of age” professionally during some of the most contentious debates around such topics as abortion, sexuality, marriage, and gender. It was easy to judge which positions were faithful to Scripture. Progressivism generally rejects transcendent truth, denies the unborn equal dignity, opposes religious liberty, and endorses people’s chosen sexual practices and identities — all ...
A federal judge refused to force California to set aside mailed ballots from more than 20,000 people the Justice Department says are noncitizens. The post Federal Judge Blocks DOJ Effort to Sequester 20,000 California Ballots appeared first on Breitbart .
The subpoenas come just a day after a federal judge called into question the process the Trump administration used to identify alleged noncitizens.
A federal judge rejected on Wednesday a Trump administration request to stop California from processing the ballots of up to 20,000 people over allegations they are likely noncitizens, warning it would "wreak havoc" on the midterm elections.
Presented by Alliance for Aging Research {beacon} Health Care Health Care The Big Story HHS begins recruiting new vaccine advisors Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is looking to revive a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine advisory panel that’s been dormant since last year, after a federal judge blocked his efforts to…
The 2026 midterms already face a messy pileup of lawsuits and ballot battles, raising fears about election confidence before voters even finish casting ballots . Why it matters: Election challenges aren't unusual, but as the Trump administration continues to make false claims about widespread voter fraud, officials are juggling fights over voter lists, mail-ballot rules and election certification challenges. What they're saying: "The types of challenges that we are seeing pre-election, this close to election day, are very unusual, and mostly because they are coming from the federal government," Jonathan Diaz of the Campaign Legal Center told Axios. "These lawsuits are frivolous," Diaz said, adding they could "create doubt in the minds of the public about the legitimacy of the election process." The other side: The White House referred Axios to comments President Trump made to the media. The Department of Justice did not respond to Axios' request for comment. Here's some of the ways chaos and uncertainty have shaped the 2026 midterms: California In the Golden State, the Trump administration asked state election officials to set aside ballots from roughly 20,000 registered voters whom the DOJ suspects are noncitizens. A federal judge rejected that push Wednesday night, warning that the administration lacked sufficient evidence to justify potentially disenfranchising eligible voters. The judge noted that the DOJ had made similar claims in neighboring Nevada, where election officials determined that 185 voters the DOJ had flagged as noncitizens were actually U.S. citizens. Diaz told Axios that, from his perspective as a voting-rights advocate, the California battle is "not a real lawsuit. It's a political press release that they just happened to submit to the court." The other side: The White House directed questions about the ruling to remarks Trump made Thursday, in which he said "California is very corrupt," and the state's elections are "extremely corrupt." He did n