The Feds' Bulk Collection of Our Data Records Has Been Expensive and Useless. But That Doesn't Mean It's Going to Stop.
A congressional battle erupts over how much to reform the soon-to-expire USA Freedom Act—if they reform it at all.
Law & Government
Why Libertarian-Leaning Reps. Massie and Amash Voted Against the House's Anti-Lynching Bill
Lynchings are already illegal. But the law would give prosecutors more power—including what amounts to an expansion of the federal death penalty.
Trump White House Considering Limiting Justice Department Influence Over Pardons
Criminal justice reformers say federal prosecutors torpedoed clemency petitions in worthy cases.
On the Money: Presidential Portraiture and Power in D.C.
Kehinde Wiley's pre-presidential works criticized inequalities and hierarchies of power. His presidential portrait doesn't do the same.
Can Senseless Gun Regulations Be Constitutional?
Under New York's rules, licensed pistol and revolver owners were not allowed to leave home with their handguns unless they were traveling to or from a shooting range.
Trump's Continuing Commentary on Criminal Cases Reflects His Disdain for the Rule of Law
The president remains frankly puzzled by the distinction between can and should.
Trump Uses Clemency To Help Drug War Victims, Reward GOP Donors, and Spite James Comey
Plus: China boots three reporters, megacities are getting a smaller share of growth than they used to, and Dems gather to debate in Las Vegas..
Imprisoned Leaker Reality Winner Seeks Mercy From Trump
She’s nearly three years into a five-year sentence for releasing classified documents showing Russian attempts to hack U.S. election systems.
A Nondelegation Challenge to Trump's Travel Bans [updated to include some additional material]
Other possible legal challenges to Trump's expanded travel ban may be precluded by the Supreme Court's ruling in Trump v. Hawaii. This one is not.
Judge Napolitano on the Politics of Impeachment
"Each president has more authority than his predecessors."
Virginia Is About To Require a Government License for 'Art Therapy,' Because Glue and Scissors Are 'Potentially' Dangerous
The real motive for laws like this has nothing to do with scissors and glue. It's all about protectionism.
Even Without Trump's Tweets, the Attorney General's Intervention on Roger Stone's Behalf Would Have Looked Bad
If Barr is so concerned about the appearance of integrity, why did he insert himself into a high-profile case involving a presidential pal?
How the Government Is Using Nonsense Rules to Keep Out Immigrants
Plus: South Park, Fortnite currency, D.C. food trucks, and more...
Can the Criminal Justice System Be Fixed? The Jury's Still Out.
Under the law, prosecutors are supposed to pursue justice and not only seek convictions.
Senate Passes Bill Stopping Further Military Action Against Iran Without Approval
Eight Republicans join the vote, but that's not enough to overrule a likely veto.
Michael Bloomberg and the Imperious Presidency
Until we start denuding the Oval Office, we will continue getting the royals we deserve.
Republican Lawmakers Introduce Trillion Trees Act To Combat Climate Change
A real plan or just a "climate messaging exercise"?
America Has Given Up Trying To Define Success in Afghanistan
"Most of the [indicators] of measuring success are now classified, or we don't collect it," the special inspector general for the Afghanistan reconstruction told a Senate committee.
Joe Biden Blocked Robert Bork's Supreme Court Nomination. Now, Biden Is Getting 'Borked' Too.
Paradoxically, in the current moment—a moment Biden helped to create by blocking Bork—being unqualified for the presidency is the best qualification a candidate can have.
The Democrats' Miserable Week
From Iowa to impeachment, Biden burnout to Trump triumph, the opposition party had itself a rough 7 days.
This New Deal Precedent May Decide the Fate of Elizabeth Warren's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
What’s at stake in Seila Law v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Could President Trump Control the CFPB After He Leaves Office? (Updated)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau could be completely independent of the next occupant of the White House.
Instead of Removing Trump From Power, Remove Power From the Presidency
After Watergate, Democrats rolled back executive power. Under Trump, they just want to be the ones who get to wield it.
Kesha Defamed Former Producer in Private Text to Lady Gaga About Rape, Says Judge
Plus: Maybe Buttigieg didn't win Iowa? Vermont considers decriminalizing prostitution. Customs and Border Protection gets a status change. And more...
Michael Bloomberg and the Imperious Presidency
Until we start denuding the Oval Office, we will continue getting the royals we deserve.
Trump Denounces 'Dirty Cops,' 'Leakers,' and 'Liars' in Post-Acquittal Victory Speech
"These people are vicious," Trump said.
Did Republicans Buy the Argument That Impeachment Requires a Crime?
While some senators seemed to endorse that misbegotten claim, others explicitly rejected it.
Senate Votes To Acquit Trump on All Charges
While some Republicans conceded that the president acted inappropriately, they concluded that his conduct was not impeachable.
'The President Is Guilty.' Mitt Romney Will Break Party Lines, Vote To Remove Trump.
It won't change the result of Trump's impeachment trial. It matters anyway.
Trump Bashes Socialism While Endorsing a Status Quo Socialism of His Own
The president promised to protect Medicare and Social Security, America's biggest entitlement programs.
State of the Union: Trump Tells Tall Tales, Dems Walk Out
Plus: Iowa updates, Ancestry.com tells cops to buzz off, and more...
Good and Bad Reasons for Acquitting Trump
Republicans should think twice before endorsing the dangerous myth that impeachment requires a criminal violation.
Trump Admitted His Trade Policies Have Hurt Manufacturing Jobs in His State of the Union, but You Probably Missed It
American manufacturing has been in a recession for the past year.
Trump Is Making Criminal Justice Reform a Theme of his Campaign
But he'll have to do more than coast on a few commendable pardons if he wants to prove he's serious.
Trump Brags About Killing Terrorists While Promising He's Working Toward Peace at State of the Union Address
President Donald Trump's schizophrenic approach to foreign policy was on full display during his State of the Union address tonight.
Trump: 'No Parent Should Be Forced To Send Their Child to a Failing Government School'
In his State of the Union address, the president promised to give an opportunity scholarship to a specific child who needed one.
McConnell Says Trump's Articles of Impeachment Are 'Constitutionally Incoherent.' But Are They?
The Senate majority leader announced he will acquit President Trump.
Adam Schiff: 'Trump Has Betrayed Our National Security, and He Will Do So Again'
Schiff, in a broad final plea, seemed to zero in on moderate Republicans who might toe the party line.
How 3 Past Presidents Dealt With Scandal During Their State of the Union Addresses
From Clinton's cockiness to Reagan's contrition to Nixon's defiance, three different models for Donald Trump
House Bill To Undo State-Level 'Right To Work' Laws Is a Preview of Democrats' Post-2020 Priorities
The PRO Act would implement a veritable grab bag of policies that labor unions have been pushing Congress to pass for years. The House will vote on it this week.
To Defend Trump, Ken Starr Invokes Martin Luther King
Starr urges senators to follow King's example and uphold "freedom and justice."
The State of Our Union Is…Drunk?
The Reason Roundtable podcast grapples with a news week so packed it makes Manhattan look like Kansas
This Crackdown on a Jury Nullification Activist Violates the First Amendment
What’s at stake in Michigan v. Wood
Let Us Bury Prof. Dershowitz' Inane Impeachment Theory
It is the crowning achievement of Professor Dershowitz' long career. Not in a good way.
