USA Archive - Law Commentary

A crowd of protesters outside the U.S. Department of Education, holding signs advocating for education funding and diversity programs.

Federal Judges Block Trump Administration’s Effort to Cut Funding Over Diversity Programs in Schools

On Thursday, federal judges in Maryland, New Hampshire, and Washington, D.C. blocked an Education Department policy threatening to withhold federal funding from public schools and universities that maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The rulings came in lawsuits filed by teachers’ unions and civil rights organizations challenging a February... Read More about Federal Judges Block Trump Administration’s Effort to Cut Funding Over Diversity Programs in Schools

A boat named Chota Princess II with a banner for Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, near the water.

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Joins Alabama in Federal Lawsuit over Raw Sewage Contamination From Public Utility

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, a river watchdog nonprofit, is joining a lawsuit that was brought forward by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management against the Phenix City Department of Public Utilities. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper joined the lawsuit in an effort to make meaningful change, something they argue may not happen if the state... Read More about Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Joins Alabama in Federal Lawsuit over Raw Sewage Contamination From Public Utility

Demonstrators holding signs in support of Planned Parenthood outside the Supreme Court during a protest.

A Divided Supreme court hears South Carolinas suit to defund Medicaid for Planned Parenthood, based on Governor’s order

In a decision that will have a sweeping impact upon a person’s right to choose their health provider while using Medicaid, the Supreme Court Justices are not in alignment as they consider whether or not the law protects individuals in their right to choose. The issue on the table is... Read More about A Divided Supreme court hears South Carolinas suit to defund Medicaid for Planned Parenthood, based on Governor’s order

Former President Donald Trump seated at a desk in the Oval Office, with a serious expression.

Sixteen Democratic state Attorney Generals sue Trump administration to stop $1.1 billion Dept. of Education cuts for students’ post-COVID issues

The pandemic may be over, but the battle to address long-term and other COVID issues is ongoing, as a group of Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The coalition of AGs want to restore $1.1 billion in funding cuts that had been earmarked for K12-high... Read More about Sixteen Democratic state Attorney Generals sue Trump administration to stop $1.1 billion Dept. of Education cuts for students’ post-COVID issues

Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at a podium with the California state seal, addressing the media during a press conference.

California and Governor Newsom Sue Trump in First State Challenge to Tariff Orders Under Emergency Powers

California has filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump over his sweeping imposition of global tariffs, marking the first legal challenge by a U.S. state to the administration’s use of emergency powers in the international trade arena. Governor Gavin Newsom alleges in the complaint that the tariffs are illegal,... Read More about California and Governor Newsom Sue Trump in First State Challenge to Tariff Orders Under Emergency Powers

A split image featuring a transgender veteran, Jo Ellis, on the left in casual attire and on the right in military uniform.

Trans Veteran Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Right-Wing Influencer Over Fatal Black Hawk Crash in D.C.

A transgender veteran, Jo Ellis, has filed a defamation lawsuit against right-wing social media personality Matt Wallace, alleging that he falsely identified her as the pilot responsible for a deadly mid-air collision in Washington, D.C., earlier this year. The crash, which involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial... Read More about Trans Veteran Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Right-Wing Influencer Over Fatal Black Hawk Crash in D.C.

Assorted jars of baby food in various colors and textures.

Judge Orders Walmart, Gerber, Beech-Nut, and Others to Face National Lawsuit Over Alleged Heavy Metal Contamination in Baby Foods

Over 20 lawsuits have recently been consolidated into a national, multi-state lawsuit against major retailers and baby-food manufacturers, including Walmart, Gerber, Beech-Nut, and Campbell Soup Co. Parents allege that heavy metal contamination in these companies' products caused their children to develop autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). U.S. District... Read More about Judge Orders Walmart, Gerber, Beech-Nut, and Others to Face National Lawsuit Over Alleged Heavy Metal Contamination in Baby Foods

Image of Anthony Paredes with visible injuries to the face and neck, lying in a hospital setting.

$1.6 Million Settlement Approved in San Jose Police K-9 Excessive Force Case

On March 25, the San Jose City Council unanimously approved a $1.6 million settlement to Anthony Paredes, a resident of Santa Clara, following a severe attack by a police dog named Tex. The lawsuit, filed by Paredes, accused the city, the San Jose Police Department, canine officers Michael Jeffrey and... Read More about $1.6 Million Settlement Approved in San Jose Police K-9 Excessive Force Case

A person holding a yellow e-cigarette device.

Supreme Court Overturns Lower Court’s Ruling That FDA Can’t Block Vape Makers From Selling Flavored Products

The FDA enjoyed a win last week when the Supreme Court agreed with the agency’s refusal to approve the use of sweet-flavored e-cigarettes. The High Court unanimously struck down a lower court’s ruling that the FDA was wrong to block vape manufacturers, Triton Distribution and Vapetasia, from selling their flavored... Read More about Supreme Court Overturns Lower Court’s Ruling That FDA Can’t Block Vape Makers From Selling Flavored Products

Image depicting Taylor Swift and Kanye West, highlighting their ongoing legal dispute.

Taylor Swift Issues Cease-and-Desist to Kanye West Over Sexually Explicit Online Allegations

Taylor Swift has initiated legal action against Kanye West following a barrage of explicit and defamatory social media posts by the rapper, who alleged—without evidence—that the pop star engaged in sexual activity with fellow musicians Justin Bieber and Harry Styles. The claims, described in graphic detail by West, prompted Swift... Read More about Taylor Swift Issues Cease-and-Desist to Kanye West Over Sexually Explicit Online Allegations

A smartphone displaying various social media app icons, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and others, arranged in a folder labeled "Social."

Zuckerberg Testifies as FTC’s Landmark Antitrust Trial Against Meta Threatens to Break Up Instagram and WhatsApp

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand in a Washington, D.C., courtroom Monday, facing federal antitrust allegations that could dismantle core pillars of his social media empire. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking to force Meta Platforms Inc. to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, arguing that Facebook’s acquisitions of the... Read More about Zuckerberg Testifies as FTC’s Landmark Antitrust Trial Against Meta Threatens to Break Up Instagram and WhatsApp

Courtroom sketch depicting legal proceedings related to the defamation trial involving Sarah Palin and The New York Times.

Palin v. New York Times Returns to Court as Defamation Trial Resurfaces in Shifting Media Landscape

The long-running legal saga between former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and The New York Times returns to federal court this week, as a retrial begins in a defamation case that has grown into a litmus test for the First Amendment in an era of widespread distrust in the media. Originally... Read More about Palin v. New York Times Returns to Court as Defamation Trial Resurfaces in Shifting Media Landscape

A group of women outdoors, with one woman in the foreground appearing confident and composed, while two others stand slightly behind her.

The Orgasms Were Real, but the Evidence Was Fake. Judge Dismisses Case Against “Orgasmic Meditation” Founder and Former Sales Head Due to Unreal Evidence

When federal prosecutors charged a popular sexual wellness company with forced labor conspiracy in 2023, following a Netflix “true crime” documentary, little did they know that almost two years later their case would be thrown out of court. The 2023 federal indictment accused founder and former One Taste CEO Nicole... Read More about The Orgasms Were Real, but the Evidence Was Fake. Judge Dismisses Case Against “Orgasmic Meditation” Founder and Former Sales Head Due to Unreal Evidence

Signage of a Burger King restaurant illuminated at night.

Fast Food Giant Burger King Will Face Lawsuit Over No-Hire Agreement

Burger King will face a lawsuit brought by current and former Burger King employees who say the restaurant franchise violated antitrust laws. Miami U.S. District Judge Jose Martinez ruled that workers in the proposed class action lawsuit have provided enough factual details to support their claims and that the case... Read More about Fast Food Giant Burger King Will Face Lawsuit Over No-Hire Agreement

A law professor standing in a courtroom setting with arms crossed, wearing a purple dress.

Conservative Group Sues University for Access to Private Emails of Law Professor Who Authored a New Legal Strategy for Forcing Fossil Fuel Companies to Pay for Climate Damage

A law professor who helped draft legislation to force oil, gas, and coal companies to pay for harm done to the climate due to their work is now being pressured by a conservative group through a lawsuit against her University. Rachel Rothschild, an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan... Read More about Conservative Group Sues University for Access to Private Emails of Law Professor Who Authored a New Legal Strategy for Forcing Fossil Fuel Companies to Pay for Climate Damage