Supreme Court

Following the latest dramatic twist in the ordeal surrounding Trump's Immigration Executive Order, when on Friday night Seattle Federal Judge Robart (appointed by George W. Bush in 2003) blocked Trump's travel ban from seven Muslim countries, the White House promptly responded by stating that it intends to file an emergency stay of this "outrageous order and defend the executive order of the President, which we believe is lawful and appropriate."

Submitted by Mike Shedlock via MishTalk.com,

Donald Trump named Neil Gorsuch to succeed Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court.

The leading candidates for the job all had strong conservative credentials.

 

Gorsuch, 49, joined an opinion in 2013 saying that owners of private companies could object on religious grounds to a provision of the Obamacare health insurance law requiring employers to provide coverage for birth control for women.

 

Yesterday we previewed 3 potential picks that seem to be emerging as front-runners to fill Justice Scalia's vacant seat on the Supreme Court (see "Obama Sets Record For Lowest Supreme Court Win Rate Since Zachary Taylor In 1850").  While various media outlets reported that William Pryor of Alabama, Neil Gorsuch of Colorado and Thomas Hardiman of Pennsylvania are the 3 mostly likely people to get the nod, the Los Angeles Times went one step further by declaring Gorsuch the most likely ultimate winner. 

Update: as feared, the Supreme Court Justice has died. Reuters with the update:

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Teori Zavascki was killed in a plane crash on Thursday, his son said, raising doubt over who will take over his blockbuster graft investigation into dozens of politicians.

 

Today is Bill of Rights Day in America.

Happy Bill of Rights Day!

This post explains the liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights – the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution – and provides a scorecard on the extent of the loss of each right.

Painting by Anthony Freda: www.AnthonyFreda.com

First Amendment

The 1st Amendment protects speech, religion, assembly and the press: