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Public Interest

4843 ABA Journal Public Interest articles.

Outlook for the second session of the 119th Congress

After a first session defined by procedural friction, short-term funding measures and a record government shutdown, the second session of the 119th Congress is unfolding with fresh challenges, along with unresolved issues from the previous session.

Jan 22, 2026 8:59 AM CST

Supreme Court seems skeptical of Hawaii limits on carrying guns

The Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared skeptical of the constitutionality of a Hawaii law that sharply restricts where people can carry firearms—a case that may offer a strong indication of how far the justices will go in their push to loosen restrictions on guns.

Jan 20, 2026 1:25 PM CST

Judge presiding over Border Patrol murder-plot case warned of threats to judges after family members were killed

A judge overseeing the trial of a man accused in a murder plot against U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino became an advocate for increased judicial security after family members were killed in 2005, according to a story by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Jan 20, 2026 10:34 AM CST

Trump cabinet secretaries conspired to violate Constitution, judge says

A federal judge Thursday decried what he said were “breathtaking” constitutional violations by senior Trump administration officials and called the president an “authoritarian” who expects everyone in the executive branch to “toe the line absolutely.”

Jan 16, 2026 11:55 AM CST

Judges in this state aren’t required to perform same-sex marriages, top state court rules

Texas judges can decline to perform same-sex weddings because of their "sincerely held religious belief" and not be in violation of the rules on judicial impartiality, according to the Texas Supreme Court.

Jan 14, 2026 1:43 PM CST

Whistleblower lawyer says his security clearance has been restored

A whistleblower lawyer said in a LinkedIn post Tuesday his access to classified information has been restored months after President Donald Trump announced in a memo that he was revoking the Washington, D.C., lawyer's security clearance.

Jan 13, 2026 2:33 PM CST

Supreme Court appears skeptical of arguments against bans of trans athletes

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared skeptical of arguments Tuesday against state bans on transgender athletes playing on women’s sports teams and whether such laws violate the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection.

Jan 13, 2026 2:10 PM CST

DOJ’s top civil rights prosecutors depart as office is cut out of key probes

At least five senior prosecutors in the criminal section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced their resignations this week, believing that the Trump administration has undermined the work and mission of the section, according to four people familiar with the personnel moves.

Jan 13, 2026 12:30 PM CST

Theater professor reinstated, awarded $500,000 after firing over Charlie Kirk comments on social media

A Tennessee theater professor who was fired after posting remarks about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was awarded $500,000 in a settlement with the university.

Jan 9, 2026 9:45 AM CST

ChatGPT creator must turn over 20M chat logs in copyright litigation, federal judge says

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, must turn over 20 million chat logs in its copyright litigation with the New York Times and other news media, a federal judge ruled Monday.

Jan 8, 2026 11:13 AM CST

Supreme Court considers challenges to laws banning transgender participation in sports

Becky Pepper-Jackson was assigned male at birth but began transitioning to a female gender identity in third grade. Her West Virginia school district has been sympathetic, providing a gender support plan that among other things respects her chosen name and pronouns.

Jan 8, 2026 10:54 AM CST

Federal appeals judge tells fellow judges ‘to get over themselves’

A federal appeals judge on Monday blasted fellow judges, claiming that too many of them "have an overinflated view of their intelligence and their abilities," and they ought "to get over themselves."

Jan 7, 2026 2:20 PM CST

Abortion pill ban is unconstitutional, Wyoming’s top court rules

The Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down the state’s near-total abortion ban and a first-of-its-kind prohibition on abortion pills, saying that the laws violated the state constitution.

Jan 7, 2026 10:36 AM CST

Former OJ Simpson attorney sues estate for over $1M in unpaid legal fees

A California attorney is suing the estate of former professional football player O.J. Simpson for more than $1 million in legal fees that he said he was owed before the death of the athlete-turned-actor.

Jan 6, 2026 1:03 PM CST

Judge convicted of obstructing federal immigration agents resigns

A Wisconsin judge who was convicted last month of obstructing federal agents trying to arrest an undocumented immigrant has resigned from her position, according to the New York Times.

Jan 6, 2026 10:03 AM CST

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