^{Posts January 2, 2018}

^{These are the posts that are accumulated in our weekly newsletter which goes out throughout the school year. The posts are organized by the major units in our Constitutional Law (5th ed.) student textbook.}

The top 10 legal news stories of 2017 [ABA Journal, 12/29/17]: t’s hard to imagine a year more packed with major legal news than 2017, much of it generated by President Donald Trump's administration. We may never get used to the frenetic pace. Here are 10 stories—themes, really—that dominated legal news reports.

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/the_top_10_legal_stories_of_a_very_newsy_2017/

I.          Introduction to Law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court [See TOPICS 1-10 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Judicial Nominations 2017 -- Year in Review [The Vetting Room blog, 1/1/18]:

https://vettingroom.org/2017/12/30/judicial-nominations-2017-year-in-review/

II.         Defining the Political System: Federalism and Checks and Balances [See TOPICS 11-15 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

^{The American Presidency [TOPIC 15_]}

Trump To Outline His Blueprint For Military And Foreign Policy NPR, 12/18/17]:  President Trump will set out his national security strategy, stressing strong defense, homeland protection and economic prosperity. It could help guide decisions on defense spending and trade.  https://www.npr.org/2017/12/18/571521743/trump-to-outline-his-blueprint-for-military-and-foreign-policy  

Travel ban case likely to end up before Supreme Court in 2018

 ^{[Washington Times, 1/1/18\:}  The Supreme Court already has heard major cases on gay and First Amendment rights and police searches, and the justices are likely to add a momentous case about presidential power to their list early in the new year.

^{https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/31/travel-ban-case-likely-to-end-up-before-supreme-co/}

White House aides already anxious about 2018 [Politico, 1/1/18]: Senior staff are looking down the pike of a difficult year, from the looming West Wing brain drain and ongoing Russia inquiries to the threat of a Democratic wave in the midterms.

^{https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/01/trump-aides-anxieties-worries-2018-319861}

III.        The Political System: Voting and Campaigns [See TOPICS 16-20 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

No-name congressmen, mayors and wannabes gun for Trump in 2020 [Politico, 1/1/18]: The rapidly proliferating group of would-be challengers is driven by one question: If Trump can do it, why not me?

^{https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/01/democrats-obscure-candidates-trump-312215}

^{Legislation and the Legislative Process}

GOP Obamacare quandary -- easy to hate, hard to kill [Politico, 1/2/18]: The repeal debate may fester in 2018 as Republicans split on strategy

^{.https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/02/obamacare-gop-quandary-319619}

IV.       Cminal Law and Procedure (4^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 8^th amendments) [See TOPICS 21-28 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Albemarle case over warrantless search for motorcycle is going to U.S. Supreme Court [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 1/2/18]: The high-speed pursuit of a motorcycle that began in Albemarle County 4½ years ago leads this month to the U.S. Supreme Court, whose justices will hear arguments on a search-and-seizure question.

^{http://www.richmond.com/news/local/central-virginia/alb emarle-case-over-warrantless-search-for-motorcycle-is-going-to/article_5044d436-5856-5797-b41a-985dbed91e7e.html}

V.        1^st Amendment (Speech, Religion, Press and Assembly) [See TOPICS 29-33 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Supreme Court free speech case could destroy a generation's rights to life and speech [Washington Times, 1/1/18]:  . Massachusetts has passed a law requiring Alcoholics Anonymous to hang posters at their meetings to advertise where to get alcohol.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/supreme-court-free-speech-case-could-destroy-a-generations-rights-to-life-and-speech/article/2644371

VI.       14^th Amendment, Discrimination, Privacy, Working, Citizenship & Immigration [See TOPICS 34-41 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Some recent articles that are relevant to this unit: