Judicial matters in the news, since the last post:
Article drop for 01/08
Trump triggers a renaissance for grand juries
Grand juries have increasingly become a headache for prosecutors trying to advance controversial Trump policies.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01/07/trump-grand-juries-letitia-james-comey-indictments-00713579
Hundreds of judges reject Trump’s mandatory detention policy, with no end in sight
Judges have ruled against the administration in more than 1,600 cases.
Federal judge halts ICE attempt to stop court order mandating better conditions in S.F. holding cells
ICE holding cells must be improved
missionlocal.org/2026/01/sansome-ice-san-francisco-lawyers-committee/
This is what happens when your immigration judge is fired
The SF court will be down to four judges in January. Thousands of asylum seekers will have to wait years more for their hearing dates.
sfstandard.com/2025/12/29/sf-immigration-court-judges-thousands-cases-delayed/
Ninth Circuit Rules That Trump Must Return Control of National Guard to California
Wyoming Supreme Court protects abortion access
A Red-State High Court Just Struck Down an Abortion Ban. The GOP Has Itself to Blame.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/01/wyoming-strikes-down-abortion-ban-republicans-blame.html
Federal judges strike down California open-carry ban
The California Department of Justice is reviewing the opinion and “considering all options,” a spokesperson said.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01/02/federal-judges-strike-down-california-open-carry-ban-00709555
Beg Your Pardon? Trump Appointee Claims the President Won’t ‘Pardon People for Committing Crimes’
‘We Let Bad People Go!’ Republican Senator Rages At Trump’s J6 Pardons
www.mediaite.com/politics/we-let-bad-people-go-republican-senator-rages-at-trumps-j6-pardons/
Trump May Have Accidentally Pardoned the Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber
The Justice Department has touted the arrest, but he might still walk free.
www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/01/06/jan-6-pipe-bomber-trump-pardon-column-00712039
Minnesota Could Prosecute the ICE Shooter. Trump Can’t Pardon Him.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/01/is-minneapolis-ice-shooter-immune-state-prosecution-supreme-court.html
Wisconsin judge convicted of obstructing arrest of immigrant resigns as GOP threatens impeachment
Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, will work to fill the vacancy without delay, a spokesperson said.
92-year-old judge handling Maduro case ‘doesn’t give a s--t what anyone thinks about him’
Lawyers who have practiced before the Clinton appointee say he’s known to operate a bit differently.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01/05/venezuela-maduro-judge-hellerstein-00710894
Court watchers fear Emil Bove’s ‘level of allegiance’ to Trump
Trump’s former personal lawyer may still be in his client’s corner, experts say.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01/06/emil-bove-trump-00711295
Even When It’s Pointless, the Trump Admin Automatically Ignores Judge’s Rulings
Lindsey Halligan has apparently just continued to call herself U.S. attorney for the last month and a half, ignoring a judge's ruling disqualifying her.
https://www.jezebel.com/lindsey-halligan-us-attorney-judge-orders-ruling-ignored-trump-justice-department-illegal
Trump’s revenge campaign is now putting the entire Justice Department at risk
One of Trump’s most high-profile DOJ appointments faces a rare disciplinary threat from the bench.
www.vox.com/politics/474356/lindsey-halligan-discipline-federal-judge
Trump Loyalist Investigating Letitia James Is Disqualified By Judge
A federal judge has formally disqualified John Sarcone from serving as the head prosecutor in the Northern District of New York.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/latest-news-trump-maduro_n_695bb603e4b0d6beb5fd9469/liveblog_695fdd58e4b088e2524d76b6?origin=home-latest-news-unit
Article drop for 12/31
Lobbyists Stand To Make Millions From 'Pardon-Shopping Industry' Driven By Trump: Report
I Was the President’s Pardon Attorney. He’s Making a Mockery of the Pardon Process.
