Ella Lee
@byellalee.bsky.social
Reporter at The Hill covering courts & justice, focused on cases tied to national politics. Previously: USA Today. 📩 elee@thehill.com
https://linktr.ee/byellalee
https://linktr.ee/byellalee
The head of GA's Prosecuting Attorneys' Council is taking over the 2020 election subversion case against Trump & allies, after "several" attys turned the job down.
Today was the deadline to pick a new lead post-Fani Willis's disqualification or face dismissal.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Today was the deadline to pick a new lead post-Fani Willis's disqualification or face dismissal.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
November 14, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The head of GA's Prosecuting Attorneys' Council is taking over the 2020 election subversion case against Trump & allies, after "several" attys turned the job down.
Today was the deadline to pick a new lead post-Fani Willis's disqualification or face dismissal.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Today was the deadline to pick a new lead post-Fani Willis's disqualification or face dismissal.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
SOON: President Trump’s sweeping tariff agenda will be dissected by the Supreme Court as his admin seeks to justify its global trade overhaul by pointing to emergency powers.
Story: thehill.com/homenews/558...
Story: thehill.com/homenews/558...
November 5, 2025 at 2:31 PM
SOON: President Trump’s sweeping tariff agenda will be dissected by the Supreme Court as his admin seeks to justify its global trade overhaul by pointing to emergency powers.
Story: thehill.com/homenews/558...
Story: thehill.com/homenews/558...
In AZ, AG Mayes was recently given an extension to Nov. 21 to decide whether to press forward with her office’s case or let it fizzle out.
A state judge ordered prosecutors to return the case to a grand jury, and a mid-level appeals court declined to review the case. So:
A state judge ordered prosecutors to return the case to a grand jury, and a mid-level appeals court declined to review the case. So:
October 29, 2025 at 8:54 PM
In AZ, AG Mayes was recently given an extension to Nov. 21 to decide whether to press forward with her office’s case or let it fizzle out.
A state judge ordered prosecutors to return the case to a grand jury, and a mid-level appeals court declined to review the case. So:
A state judge ordered prosecutors to return the case to a grand jury, and a mid-level appeals court declined to review the case. So:
The 2020 election subversion cases are on life support — but they’re not dead yet.
In this week's edition of The Gavel, @thehill.com's weekly courts digest, some updates on where things stand (🧵):
thehill.com/newsletters/...
In this week's edition of The Gavel, @thehill.com's weekly courts digest, some updates on where things stand (🧵):
thehill.com/newsletters/...
October 29, 2025 at 8:54 PM
The 2020 election subversion cases are on life support — but they’re not dead yet.
In this week's edition of The Gavel, @thehill.com's weekly courts digest, some updates on where things stand (🧵):
thehill.com/newsletters/...
In this week's edition of The Gavel, @thehill.com's weekly courts digest, some updates on where things stand (🧵):
thehill.com/newsletters/...
SCOTUS wants additional briefing in the pending case about Trump's National Guard deployment to the Chicagoland area:
October 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
SCOTUS wants additional briefing in the pending case about Trump's National Guard deployment to the Chicagoland area:
U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie, a Clinton appointee who sits on a federal court in South Carolina, has been assigned to weigh Comey's challenge to interim-US atty Lindsey Halligan's appointment.
Filing: www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459...
Filing: www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459...
October 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie, a Clinton appointee who sits on a federal court in South Carolina, has been assigned to weigh Comey's challenge to interim-US atty Lindsey Halligan's appointment.
Filing: www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459...
Filing: www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459...
An appeals court has temporarily lifted the part of a judge’s order blocking Trump’s federalization of the National Guard in Illinois but says they still can’t be deployed for now (though, looks like the TX troops can stay in the state):
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 11, 2025 at 7:29 PM
An appeals court has temporarily lifted the part of a judge’s order blocking Trump’s federalization of the National Guard in Illinois but says they still can’t be deployed for now (though, looks like the TX troops can stay in the state):
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
New: The indictment of NY AG Letitia James over real estate fraud allegations may ring a bell.
Though far smaller in scope, it echoes the civil fraud case she mounted against Trump that put her in the president’s crosshairs.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Though far smaller in scope, it echoes the civil fraud case she mounted against Trump that put her in the president’s crosshairs.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
October 11, 2025 at 4:37 PM
New: The indictment of NY AG Letitia James over real estate fraud allegations may ring a bell.
Though far smaller in scope, it echoes the civil fraud case she mounted against Trump that put her in the president’s crosshairs.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Though far smaller in scope, it echoes the civil fraud case she mounted against Trump that put her in the president’s crosshairs.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
The two-count indictment against New York AG Letitia James:
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601...
October 9, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The two-count indictment against New York AG Letitia James:
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601...
Ex-FBI director James Comey's arraignment has been moved up to Wednesday at 10am.
Judge cites security & other conflicting matters that are expected to draw "large numbers of people to the courthouse" at the same time.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge cites security & other conflicting matters that are expected to draw "large numbers of people to the courthouse" at the same time.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 6, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Ex-FBI director James Comey's arraignment has been moved up to Wednesday at 10am.
Judge cites security & other conflicting matters that are expected to draw "large numbers of people to the courthouse" at the same time.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge cites security & other conflicting matters that are expected to draw "large numbers of people to the courthouse" at the same time.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
BREAKING: Illinois and the city of Chicago have sued to block Trump's deployment of National Guard troops.
Filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 6, 2025 at 2:20 PM
BREAKING: Illinois and the city of Chicago have sued to block Trump's deployment of National Guard troops.
Filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
NEWS: The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments over Trump’s effort to fire the Fed's Lisa Cook in January.
In the meantime, she can stay in her role:
In the meantime, she can stay in her role:
October 1, 2025 at 2:56 PM
NEWS: The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments over Trump’s effort to fire the Fed's Lisa Cook in January.
In the meantime, she can stay in her role:
In the meantime, she can stay in her role:
More court docs confirm the grand jury did not indict on one of the three counts prosecutors pursued against Comey:
September 25, 2025 at 11:47 PM
More court docs confirm the grand jury did not indict on one of the three counts prosecutors pursued against Comey:
NOW: A 2-page criminal indictment against James Comey has been filed:
September 25, 2025 at 11:47 PM
NOW: A 2-page criminal indictment against James Comey has been filed:
Kagan, joined by Sotomayor & Jackson, dissents from the majority's decision to let Slaughter's removal stand until the court decides the case:
September 22, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Kagan, joined by Sotomayor & Jackson, dissents from the majority's decision to let Slaughter's removal stand until the court decides the case:
The Supreme Court takes up Trump's firing of FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, setting up a showdown over its 90-year precedent enabling protections for some regulators.
In the meantime, the firing can go into effect:
In the meantime, the firing can go into effect:
September 22, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The Supreme Court takes up Trump's firing of FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, setting up a showdown over its 90-year precedent enabling protections for some regulators.
In the meantime, the firing can go into effect:
In the meantime, the firing can go into effect:
Utah has filed formal notice of its intent to seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged with killing Charlie Kirk:
September 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Utah has filed formal notice of its intent to seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged with killing Charlie Kirk:
Developing: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported but returned to the U.S., has sued the Trump admin over its efforts to deport him again — this time to Uganda, a third country to which he has no known ties.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
August 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Developing: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported but returned to the U.S., has sued the Trump admin over its efforts to deport him again — this time to Uganda, a third country to which he has no known ties.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
A federal judge has rejected the Trump admin's bid to unseal Epstein grand jury materials, saying the gov is the “logical party” to make any sweeping disclosures.
Said the motion seems like a "diversion" from Epstein files already in gov's possession.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Said the motion seems like a "diversion" from Epstein files already in gov's possession.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
August 20, 2025 at 6:38 PM
A federal judge has rejected the Trump admin's bid to unseal Epstein grand jury materials, saying the gov is the “logical party” to make any sweeping disclosures.
Said the motion seems like a "diversion" from Epstein files already in gov's possession.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Said the motion seems like a "diversion" from Epstein files already in gov's possession.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
👀The DC church whose BLM banner was destroyed by the Proud Boys in 2020 has sued a local chapter for infringement/dilution over its continued use of the “Proud Boys” trademark, which the church won rights to (by default) in an earlier suit
Filing: www.courtlistener.com/docket/71021...
Filing: www.courtlistener.com/docket/71021...
August 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM
👀The DC church whose BLM banner was destroyed by the Proud Boys in 2020 has sued a local chapter for infringement/dilution over its continued use of the “Proud Boys” trademark, which the church won rights to (by default) in an earlier suit
Filing: www.courtlistener.com/docket/71021...
Filing: www.courtlistener.com/docket/71021...
Two judges presiding over major Trump admin cases gave rare public remarks today denouncing the threats they’ve faced as the White House's war with the judiciary rages on.
The threats have spanned “vile" voicemails to swatting and credible death threats.
Story:
thehill.com/regulation/c...
The threats have spanned “vile" voicemails to swatting and credible death threats.
Story:
thehill.com/regulation/c...
July 31, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Two judges presiding over major Trump admin cases gave rare public remarks today denouncing the threats they’ve faced as the White House's war with the judiciary rages on.
The threats have spanned “vile" voicemails to swatting and credible death threats.
Story:
thehill.com/regulation/c...
The threats have spanned “vile" voicemails to swatting and credible death threats.
Story:
thehill.com/regulation/c...
Justice Barrett faced heavy criticism this spring for breaking w/Trump in emergency rulings key to his second-term agenda.
But in the term’s most critical decisions, she proved her conservative bonafides, winning back some MAGA support.
Story w/ @zschonfeld.bsky.social: thehill.com/regulation/c...
But in the term’s most critical decisions, she proved her conservative bonafides, winning back some MAGA support.
Story w/ @zschonfeld.bsky.social: thehill.com/regulation/c...
July 1, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Justice Barrett faced heavy criticism this spring for breaking w/Trump in emergency rulings key to his second-term agenda.
But in the term’s most critical decisions, she proved her conservative bonafides, winning back some MAGA support.
Story w/ @zschonfeld.bsky.social: thehill.com/regulation/c...
But in the term’s most critical decisions, she proved her conservative bonafides, winning back some MAGA support.
Story w/ @zschonfeld.bsky.social: thehill.com/regulation/c...
A second federal judge has deemed one of Trump's orders targeting Big Law firms unlawful, this time against Jenner & Block.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Jenner & Block's statement:
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Jenner & Block's statement:
May 23, 2025 at 9:29 PM
A second federal judge has deemed one of Trump's orders targeting Big Law firms unlawful, this time against Jenner & Block.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Jenner & Block's statement:
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Jenner & Block's statement:
TODAY: Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs faced their most significant legal scrutiny yet as a group of small businesses sought to persuade a 3-judge panel on the U.S. Court of International Trade that the president exceeded his authority.
Story w/ @zschonfeld.bsky.social: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Story w/ @zschonfeld.bsky.social: thehill.com/regulation/c...
May 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
TODAY: Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs faced their most significant legal scrutiny yet as a group of small businesses sought to persuade a 3-judge panel on the U.S. Court of International Trade that the president exceeded his authority.
Story w/ @zschonfeld.bsky.social: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Story w/ @zschonfeld.bsky.social: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Exclusive: Dems on the House Oversight Committee are launching an investigation into the deals several law firms made with President Trump to avoid being targeted by executive orders.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
April 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Exclusive: Dems on the House Oversight Committee are launching an investigation into the deals several law firms made with President Trump to avoid being targeted by executive orders.
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...
Story: thehill.com/regulation/c...