Posts for January 13, 2017

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 (5^th ed.) student textbook.

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

The Supreme Court, the Trump Transition, and the Future of the Constitutional 'Border [“Just Security” blog, 1/13/17]: With all due respect to the Emoluments Clauses, perhaps the most important set of constitutional questions implicated by the presidential transition involves the individual rights of non-citizens, be they immigrants physically in the United States (with or without lawful status, Muslim and otherwise), arriving non-citizens stopped “at the border,” refugees seeking shelter from active war zones or other inhumane conditions, or those on foreign soil who are subjected to U.S. uses of force (whether through cross-border shootings, drone strikes, or otherwise). 

https://www.justsecurity.org/36234/border/

Donald Trump's other Supreme Court decision [CNN, 1/13/17]: It's the most coveted legal post in Washington, but few people outside of the Beltway know it even exists. And now the plum job -- that of solicitor general -- is up for grabs.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/13/politics/trump-solicitor-general/

Trump's second Supreme Court pick could be the real drama [CNN, 1/13/17]: President-elect Donald Trump is looking for a surefire conservative for the Supreme Court, and Senate Democrats are vowing to fight his choice. But for all the escalating rancor, this round to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia could be the prelude to a more consequential battle.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/13/politics/trump-supreme-court-second-pick/

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

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

U.S. VP-elect Pence to be sworn in by conservative Justice Thomas [Reuters, 1/12/17]: Thomas's role was included in the official program for Republican President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration posted online by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-thomas-idUSKBN14W34V

Constitutional Lessons from the Senate’s Quick Processing of President-Elect Trump’s Cabinet Picks? [Justia, 1/13/17]: Professor Amar describes two lessons we should take away from the Senate’s processing of President-elect Trump’s nominees for his Cabinet. First, Amar explains the constitutional difference between executive and judicial appointments. Second, Amar explains the relatively long time between the end of the election and when the president-elect actually takes office, and also proposes a way to reduce this period and ease transition.

https://verdict.justia.com/2017/01/13/constitutional-lessons-senates-quick-processing-president-elect-trumps-cabinet-picks

A Deep Drive Into The Department Of Justice Transition [“Above the Law” blog, 1/12/17]: With Sessions’ confirmation hearings complete, he can now focus on the Department of Justice transition more generally — and it sounds like it could use some help. Based on what I’ve heard from numerous sources, things are… rather chaotic right now.

http://abovethelaw.com/2017/01/a-deep-drive-into-the-department-of-justice-transition/

The Supreme Court Saved Obama's Legacy [Huff Post, 1/13/17]: His Legacy Changed The Court; The law and the politics of justice will never be the same.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/obama-supreme-court-legacy_us_58704aafe4b02b5f85890071

Trump's inauguration to shatter Washington norms [Politico, 1/13/17]: The city's hotels, restaurants and event spaces will be packed with a potent mix of Trump’s supporters and protesters.

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/trump-inauguration-dc-bookings-233564

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

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

Not one Kansas state senator is a lawyer, making compliance with obscure statute impossible [ABA Journal, 1/11/17]: An obscure Kansas statute requires at least one lawyer from the state senate to participate in a committee that handles some claims against the state. Compliance is impossible, however. For the first time ever, the 40-member Kansas Senate has no lawyers,

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

IV. Criminal 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] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit

Prosecutor defends 22-year sentence for theft of remote control [ABA Journal, 1/11/17]: A suburban Chicago prosecutor is defending a 22-year sentence for a man convicted of stealing a universal television remote from the common area of an apartment complex in Wheaton, Illinois.

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/prosecutor_defends_22_year_sentence_for_theft_of_remote_control/

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

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