Federal

Arizona GOP Rallies for Federal Backing to Reinstate Citizenship Voting Law After Appeals Court Setback

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Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Republicans are preparing to escalate their legal battle over a state law that mandates proof of citizenship for voting in federal elections, amid hopes for backing from the Trump administration following a recent court setback. This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit maintained earlier district court findings, branding the 2022 Arizona statute as an unlawful voter suppression tactic. The law had been challenged by the Department of Justice, various nonprofits, the Democratic National Committee, and the Arizona Democratic Party. The Supreme Court, however, in a ruling last … Read more

Federal Judge Rules Trump’s Dismissal of Watchdog Agency Head Unlawful, Sets Stage for Supreme Court Battle

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WASHINGTON — A federal judge’s recent ruling reaffirmed the constitutionality of limitations on the president’s authority to dismiss the leader of an autonomous watchdog, setting the stage for a potential Supreme Court confrontation. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson upheld the job security of Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel, who was abruptly dismissed by the White House on February 7. The Office of Special Counsel, a relatively minor yet influential entity, plays a crucial role in investigating whistleblower complaints and safeguarding the rights of federal employees. This agency is increasingly significant as … Read more

U.S. Cities Band Together in Major Lawsuit to Protect Sanctuary Status Against Federal Funding Threats

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Several cities and counties across the United States, prominently including locales from the Bay Area, have escalated legal action against a presidential executive order that threatens to strip federal funds from so-called sanctuary jurisdictions. These areas, which have enacted policies to not fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, are part of a growing legal challenge led by Santa Clara County and San Francisco. Filed initially on February 7 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the litigation seeks to prevent the enforcement of the executive order. The legal battle intensified last … Read more

Federal Judge Continues to Halt Ban on Government Funding for Gender-Affirming Healthcare

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A federal judge has issued a ruling to temporarily halt a ban, imposed under former President Trump’s administration, that aimed to prevent federal funds from supporting gender-affirming care. This decision, delivered directly from the bench, allows facilities that provide such care to continue receiving federal support, ensuring ongoing aid for transgender patients seeking medical treatments affiliated with their gender identity. The contentious policy, formulated during Trump’s term in office, specifically targeted the use of federal funds for any gender-transition procedures, casting a shadow of uncertainty over clinics and hospitals that offer these essential services. Such … Read more