Federal Government

Obama Calls for Quicker Judicial Nominee Votes, Mortgage Crisis Unit; Four Justices Skip Speech

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. stayed away from the State of the Union speech for the second year in a row after his well-publicized reaction to the 2010 speech. Alito was one of four justices who did not attend on Tuesday evening, according to The BLT: The Blog of Legal…

Jan 25, 2012 12:59 PM CST

4th Circuit Nixes Damages Suit by ‘Enemy Combatant’ Jose Padilla Over Alleged US Torture

In a move decried by the American Civil Liberties Union as a sad day for the rule of law, a federal appeals court today upheld a lower court’s ruling that an American citizen who claimed he was illegally detained and tortured at a U.S. military jail in South Carolina cannot…

Jan 23, 2012 11:41 PM CST

DOJ Charges Former CIA Agent with Leaking Classified Info in Post-9/11 World

A former CIA officer has been criminally charged by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly leaking classified information that may have been used by journalists. The criminal complaint (PDF) filed today against John Kiriakou, 47, in the Eastern District of Virginia obscures details of the accusations against him, the…

Jan 23, 2012 9:15 PM CST

‘Anonymous’ Claims Credit for DOJ, FBI Website Shutdowns, Retaliating for Megaupload Case

Responding to a U.S. Department of Justice announcement today of a major criminal case against operators of a website accused of pirating copyrighted material, the activist group of hackers known as Anonymous has claimed responsibility for subsequently interrupting service on the DOJ’s website and others. The DOJ said the timing…

Jan 20, 2012 2:20 AM CST

CAIR Calls Gingrich ‘Relic of an Ugly Era’ over Shariah Law Criticism

The Council of American Islamic Relations is blasting Newt Gingrich for saying he would not back a Muslim for president unless the candidate renounces Shariah law. Gingrich made his remarks Tuesday during a town hall appearance in South Carolina, according to Fox News and the Huffington Post. Asked if he…

Jan 19, 2012 1:20 PM CST

DOJ Legal Opinion Backs Obama’s Recess Appointment Power During ‘Pro Forma’ Sessions

The president has the authority to make recess appointments during “pro forma” Senate sessions, according to a Justice Department legal opinion released today. The opinion is dated Jan. 6, two days after President Obama made four controversial recess appointments—that of Richard Cordray to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Agency…

Jan 12, 2012 5:02 PM CST

How Long of a Recess Is Needed for a Recess Appointment? Obama Action Raises Constitutional Question

President Obama made four recess appointments on Wednesday in a move that raises constitutional issues and sets up a possible Supreme Court case. Obama appointed former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Agency and named three appointees to the National Labor Relations Board, report…

Jan 5, 2012 3:04 PM CST

Despite Widespread Wrongdoing, Fed’l Prosecution of Institutions Involved in Mortgage Mess is Rare

Despite widespread evidence of fraud and other wrongdoing, federal prosecutions related to the reckless mortgage lending that nearly brought down the nation’s banking system in recent years are few and far between. From the “robosigning” of thousands of mortgage foreclosure documents by individuals who apparently didn’t have authority to do…

Dec 22, 2011 8:35 PM CST

New Supreme Court Shortlist Names Likely Nominees if GOP Takes White House

As GOP presidential contenders clamor for primary votes, one publication is looking ahead and considering the likely Supreme Court nominees if the party wins the general election. The Huffington Post asked conservative legal experts for likely nominees, and found that five names were most often mentioned. Here are three of…

Dec 22, 2011 1:04 PM CST

Political Spat Puts Divorcing Couples in NJ County in ‘Uncomfortable Purgatory’

A political spat over judicial appointments in New Jersey has put contested divorce trials on hold in the state’s busiest county court system. Gov. Chris Christie has refused to approve candidates to fill six judicial vacancies in Essex County because Democrats have held up his appointments to boards and commissions,…

Dec 21, 2011 12:41 PM CST

Gingrich Elaborates on Plan to Subpoena Judges: Arrest Them If They Don’t Show Up

GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich continued his attacks on activist judges this weekend by elaborating on his plan to subpoena judges who issue controversial decisions opposed by Congress. Gingrich indicated he’d be willing to enforce the subpoenas by arresting judges who don’t comply, report the Huffington Post, the Hill’s Ballot…

Dec 19, 2011 11:30 AM CST

‘Astoundingly Critical’ DOJ Report Finds Widespread Use of Excessive Force by Seattle Police

Updated: Federal officials warned Seattle’s mayor and police chief at a closed-door meeting last night that the city must either correct officers’ widespread and routine use of excessive force or face a civil rights lawsuit. The U.S. Department of Justice has been looking into the city’s police force for nearly…

Dec 16, 2011 6:24 PM CST

Obama to Sign Bill Authorizing Indefinite Detention; Holder Stayed on the Sidelines

President Obama has indicated he will sign a bill that allows indefinite detention of terrorism suspects and gives prosecution authority to the military. Obama had threatened to veto the bill, but changed his mind after amendments addressed his concerns, the New York Times reports. Attorney General Eric Holder “took an…

Dec 16, 2011 3:43 PM CST

NTSB Seeks Ban on Cellphone Talking, Texting While Driving

The National Transportation and Safety Board is recommending a nationwide ban on all cellphone talking and texting while driving. The recommendation is aimed at preventing distracted-driving crashes, agency officials say. “Too many people are texting, talking and driving at the same time,” NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman said at a hearing…

Dec 13, 2011 9:17 PM CST

SEC Sues SIPC, Seeks to Force Industry Insurer to Ante Up for R. Allen Stanford Customer Losses

In what may be the first such case ever brought, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed suit against a securities industry insurance fund, seeking to force it to liquidate the operation of R. Allen Stanford, reports the Houston Chronicle. If the SEC suit against the Securities Investor Protection…

Dec 13, 2011 3:51 PM CST