Executive Branch

13 ABA Journal Executive Branch articles.

4 of 5 modern lawyer presidents graduated from T-14 law schools; Harris wouldn’t be in that group if elected

Updated: Vice President Kamala Harris would be the second modern president with a law degree from a school outside the top 14 if she is elected in November.

Aug 20, 2024 8:50 AM CDT

How term limits for Supreme Court justices—now backed by Biden—could work

U.S. Supreme Court justices should be subject to term limits and a binding ethics code, President Joe Biden has said in an op-ed for the Washington Post.

Jul 29, 2024 10:08 AM CDT

As a prosecutor, Kamala Harris ‘tried to bridge the tricky divide’

Before she became a U.S. senator, the vice president and the potential Democratic nominee for president, Kamala Harris was a prosecutor in California who opposed the death penalty but defended capital punishment on behalf of the state. After graduating from the school formerly known as the University of California Hastings…

Jul 23, 2024 3:40 PM CDT

8th Circuit blocks Biden’s student loan repayment plan

A federal appeals court on Thursday blocked President Biden’s new student loan repayment plan, leaving millions of borrowers enrolled in the cost-cutting program in the lurch.

Jul 19, 2024 10:15 AM CDT

Special counsel will appeal dismissal of classified documents case against Trump

Special counsel Jack Smith has formally filed notice that he will appeal a Florida judge’s decision to dismiss Donald Trump’s 40-count indictment for allegedly mishandling classified documents and obstructing government efforts to retrieve them.

Jul 18, 2024 2:35 PM CDT

Trump classified documents case dismissed by Florida judge

A federal judge has dismissed the criminal case against Donald Trump accusing him of mishandling classified information, finding that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith was unconstitutional.

Jul 15, 2024 9:40 AM CDT

Supreme Court’s Trump immunity ruling poses risk for democracy, scholars say

In its immunity decision Monday, the Supreme Court emphasized the long-cherished ideal that no one in America is above the law, not even the president. The court’s dissenters and a chorus of critics said the majority had undercut that notion, elevating the president to a king who can easily avoid prosecution.

Jul 3, 2024 10:45 AM CDT

10th Circuit lifts ban on Biden’s student loan repayment plan

President Biden can move forward with implementing a key part of his new student loan repayment plan after a federal appeals court lifted a temporary ban on that aspect of the program.

Jul 2, 2024 2:10 PM CDT

Former presidents have ‘absolute immunity’ for official acts, says SCOTUS in 6-3 decision

Former presidents are immune from prosecution for official actions taken while in the White House, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday, but do not have immunity for unofficial acts. The 6-3 ruling along ideological lines likely means that Donald Trump’s federal trial could proceed in D.C., but only after additional delay.

Jul 1, 2024 9:35 AM CDT

Justice Department rejects contempt case against attorney general

Justice Department officials said Friday that the agency will not pursue contempt of Congress charges against Attorney General Merrick Garland that the Republican-run House had voted for this week.

Jun 14, 2024 3:30 PM CDT

GOP-run House votes to hold AG Merrick Garland in contempt

The Republican-controlled House voted Wednesday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. The vote, which passed with an initial tally of 216-207, marks the third time in a dozen years that a sitting attorney general was found in contempt by a majority of House members.

Jun 12, 2024 4:14 PM CDT

Biden blasts Trump for ‘reckless’ attacks on the justice system

“It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, and it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict,” President Joe Biden said from the White House after Donald Trump’s Thursday conviction. “The justice system should be respected, and we should never allow anyone to tear it down.”

May 31, 2024 3:30 PM CDT

No president has been convicted before, but this one was arrested

On Thursday, former president Donald Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts by a New York jury. This was the first time a former president was convicted of a crime. But a sitting president was arrested once.

May 31, 2024 12:30 PM CDT