“AOC’s Met Gala appearance violated House gift rules, ethics panel says”

July 26, 2025, 9:16 amethics investigationsDan Tokaji

Washington Post: The House Committee on Ethics determined in a report released Friday that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) failed to comply with the House’s gifting rule as part of her appearance at the 2021 Met Gala, determining that… Continue reading

“Minnesota rejects DOJ demand for state’s voter rolls”

July 26, 2025, 9:05 amDepartment of Justice, voter registrationDan Tokaji

Minnesota Star Tribune: The Justice Department asked Minnesota election officials in June for voter rolls and other information to show proof of compliance with federal election law. Similar requests were made to other states, including Colorado, Wisconsin and… Continue reading

Ballot Stuffing in Brooklyn?

July 26, 2025, 9:00 amchicaneryDan Tokaji

From the NYT, reports of what sounds like old-fashioned election fraud in a GOP city council primary: The New York City Board of Elections asked prosecutors on Friday to investigate possible ballot stuffing and votes being cast by dead… Continue reading

“Democrats Get Lowest Rating From Voters in 35 Years, WSJ Poll Finds”

July 26, 2025, 8:13 amUncategorizedRichard Pildes

This is from the WSJ, which is paywalled. To put this in a broader perspective, the combined “favorability” of both parties is -41% (Rs at -11%, Ds at -30%), which is the worst combined ratings for the two parties… Continue reading

Waiting for Callais

July 25, 2025, 12:29 pmredistricting, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActTravis Crum

Earlier today, Rick Pildes flagged the Court’s inexplicable month-long delay in issuing a re-argument order in Louisiana v. Callais, last Term’s—and now next Term’s—major Shaw case. I agree with Pildes’s concerns and want to add a few points. First, to… Continue reading

“Fired prosecutor who handled Capitol riot cases sues government”

July 25, 2025, 10:21 amauthoritarian threats in US, Department of Justice, election subversion riskDan Tokaji

Washington Post: A prosecutor who handled some of the most high-profile cases against Jan. 6, 2021 rioters is suing the government over his dismissal last month, arguing that the decision was politically motivated. Former assistant U.S. attorney Michael Gordon… Continue reading

Texas Redistricting Hearing

July 25, 2025, 10:17 amredistrictingDan Tokaji

NYT and Texas Tribune report on yesterday’s hearing in Austin before a select committee of the Texas house on redrawing the state’s congressional districts. From the Texas Tribune story: The Legislature has not yet revealed any proposed revisions of… Continue reading

What’s Going on with the Re-Argument Order in the Louisiana Voting Rights Act Case?

July 25, 2025, 9:34 amUncategorizedRichard Pildes

It’s been nearly a month since the Court announced it would hear re-argument in this case and would issue a supplemental order with additional questions to be briefed. That’s a surprisingly long delay. The Court rarely orders cases to be… Continue reading

“Could Missouri get caught up in a redistricting frenzy? It’s looking likely”

July 25, 2025, 6:41 amredistrictingTravis Crum

STLPR reports: President Donald Trump wants Missouri to join in on a mid-decade redistricting extravaganza ahead of the midterm elections, according to a Missouri GOP congressman. But if Missouri Republicans do target Missouri’s Kansas City-based 5th District at the behest… Continue reading

Toobin: “The Line Trump Crossed by Accusing Obama of Treason”

July 25, 2025, 5:27 amDepartment of Justice, Supreme CourtDan Tokaji

Jeffrey Toobin in NYT on President Trump’s assertion that former President Obama engaged in “treason” in connection with the investigation into Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election: President Trump’s history of intemperate remarks has earned him a perverse kind… Continue reading

“Texas plan to redraw maps could protect GOP House majority”

July 25, 2025, 5:19 amredistrictingDan Tokaji

Washington Post: After the 2020 Census, Texas Republicans drew lines to protect incumbents instead of maximizing their chances of gaining more seats. In establishing new lines this year, they could give themselves opportunities in several districts. Under the current… Continue reading

“Justice Kagan Urges Supreme Court to Explain Itself in Emergency Decisions”

July 25, 2025, 5:07 amSupreme CourtDan Tokaji

NYT: Justice Elena Kagan said Thursday that the Supreme Court was shortchanging the public and lower court judges by failing to explain its reasoning in rulings on cases that come before the court on an emergency basis, including challenges… Continue reading