Current Legal Issues
@currentlegalissues.bsky.social
Officials are calling for transparent investigations into controversial shootings involving federal agents. Here's a recap of the latest developments in Portland and Minneapolis.
Federal agents shoot 2 in Portland after an ICE agent killed a woman in Minneapolis
Officials are calling for transparent investigations into controversial shootings involving federal agents. Here's a recap of the latest developments in Portland and Minneapolis.
n.pr
January 9, 2026 at 7:48 PM
A Department of Homeland Security rule ending automatic extension of immigrants’ work permits with pending renewal applications is unlawful and should be set aside, a new lawsuit filed by spouses of H-1B visa holders argues.
H-1B Spouses Sue US Over Ending Automatic Work Permit Extensions
A Department of Homeland Security rule ending automatic extension of immigrants’ work permits with pending renewal applications is unlawful and should be set aside, a new lawsuit filed by spouses of H-1B visa holders argues.
bit.ly
January 9, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Judge disqualifies federal prosecutor in investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
Judge disqualifies federal prosecutor in investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James
A judge has disqualified a federal prosecutor from overseeing investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James. U.S. District Judge Lorna G.
apnews.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Judge disqualifies federal prosecutor in investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
In two different press conferences roughly one hour apart, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and the White House disagreed about the facts behind Wednesday's fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Federal and state officials are no longer cooperating in the investigation of the incident. n.pr/4sv6DMj
Minnesota and federal officials are no longer cooperating in ICE shooting investigation
In two different press conferences roughly one hour apart, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and the White House disagreed about the facts behind Wednesday's fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Federal and state officials are no longer cooperating in the investigation of the incident.
n.pr
January 8, 2026 at 9:09 PM
As always, Defector gets it right: defector.com/ice-agent-ki...
ICE Agent Kills Woman, DHS Tells Obvious, Insane Lies About It | Defector
On Wednesday in Minneapolis, masked government agents apparently representing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surrounded a stationary vehicle stopped in the middle of a residential street. O...
defector.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Gift link! (Dewan is a great reporter.)
Authorities Often Justify Motorist Shootings by Saying the Vehicle Was a Weapon
By Shaila Dewan
Federal officials said the Minneapolis driver who was shot by an immigration agent was using her vehicle as a weapon, a claim that local officials have disputed.
Authorities Often Justify Motorist Shootings by Saying the Vehicle Was a Weapon
By Shaila Dewan
Federal officials said the Minneapolis driver who was shot by an immigration agent was using her vehicle as a weapon, a claim that local officials have disputed.
Authorities Often Justify Motorist Shootings by Saying the Vehicle Was a Weapon
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Vice President JD Vance suggested that federal law enforcement agents enjoy the same absolute immunity as that bestowed upon President Donald Trump by the conservative U.S. Supreme Court.
JD Vance stuns with claim ICE agent who killed woman shares Trump's 'absolute immunity'
Vice President JD Vance suggested that federal law enforcement agents enjoy the same absolute immunity as that bestowed upon President Donald Trump by the conservative U.S. Supreme Court.The vice president spent Thursday morning justifying the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an Immigrati...
bit.ly
January 8, 2026 at 8:17 PM
President Trump is declaring victory in Venezuela. Critics are decrying a breach of checks and balances. Listen as leading Brennan Center experts discuss the legal issues at play and what Congress can do to respond.
An Emergency in Venezuela
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:58 PM
In our constitutional system, decisions about the use of force must be made democratically and accountably, not behind closed doors based on misinterpretations of history and the law. bit.ly/49qN4Mv
No Legal Basis for Invading Venezuela
1989’s U.S. military action in Panama offers no constitutional cover for Trump’s Venezuela attack.
www.brennancenter.org
January 8, 2026 at 1:58 PM
White House completes plan to curb bedrock environmental law; Trump has no interest in clean water, air
apnews.com/article/nepa...
apnews.com/article/nepa...
White House completes plan to curb bedrock environmental law
The Trump administration has finalized a plan to roll back regulations implementing a landmark environmental law that the White House says needlessly delays federal approvals for energy and infrastruc...
apnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:50 PM
White House completes plan to curb bedrock environmental law; Trump has no interest in clean water, air
apnews.com/article/nepa...
apnews.com/article/nepa...
Wednesday’s shooting happened a day after the Department of Homeland Security announced that “the largest DHS operation ever is happening right now in Minnesota.” (via
@mprnews.org)
@mprnews.org)
Live updates: Officials confirm ICE-involved shooting in south Minneapolis
Witnesses reported a person was shot in south Minneapolis on Wednesday morning, amid a large presence of federal law enforcement officers. It was not immediately clear who may have been shot, or who m...
www.mprnews.org
January 7, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Ohio appeals court quashes overly broad ruling used to strike down abortion law www.courthousenews.com/ohio-appeals...
Ohio appeals court quashes overly broad ruling used to strike down abortion law
A panel of judges found a state court went too far by considering the constitutionality of all the provisions in the Buckeye State's
www.courthousenews.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Famed defense attorney Alan Jackson announced on Wednesday that he was withdrawing as counsel for Nick Reiner, who is accused of the murders of his parents Michele Reiner and filmmaker Rob Reiner. www.courthousenews.com/nick-reiner-...
Nick Reiner attorney abruptly withdraws from case
Defense Attorney Alan Jackson didn't say why he was removing himself, but pronounced his client not guilty of the murder of his mother and father, filmmaker Rob Reiner.
www.courthousenews.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:55 PM
OPINION: When Donald Trump and the buffoons who surround him invaded Venezuela and captured Nicolas Maduro, they broke with almost a century of American-led respect for the international rule of law and, instead, nakedly embraced the Putin Doctrine.
This brutal doctrine explains what Trump's done to America — and what's coming next
When Donald Trump and the buffoons who surround him invaded Venezuela and captured Nicolás Maduro, they broke with almost a century of American-led respect for the international rule of law and, instead, nakedly embraced the Putin Doctrine.There was a brief, shining moment when Russia was a democrac...
bit.ly
January 6, 2026 at 11:28 PM
White House: Trump ‘discussing a range of options’ to take Greenland — including military force
White House: Trump ‘discussing a range of options’ to take Greenland — including military force
The statement came hours after a show of European solidarity against any U.S. attempt to take Greenland from Denmark, a NATO ally.
dlvr.it
January 6, 2026 at 11:27 PM
FIVE YEARS & he has not been held accountable for one of the most disgraceful events in this nation's history.
Trying to overturn a fair election in an attempted coup against his own government is the very definition of TREASON. We can never move forward until this is fully adjudicated. #ShameOnUS🇺🇸
Trying to overturn a fair election in an attempted coup against his own government is the very definition of TREASON. We can never move forward until this is fully adjudicated. #ShameOnUS🇺🇸
January 6, 2026 at 7:43 PM
It's been five years since Trump tried to overthrow the Constitution.
What unfolded over the five years that followed will be remembered as one of the greatest failures of American institutions in our history.
What unfolded over the five years that followed will be remembered as one of the greatest failures of American institutions in our history.
January 6, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Politicians love to ban Chinese farmland until it impacts the hog market. Oklahoma’s new law restricts foreign ownership but explicitly protects Smithfield Foods, a Chinese-owned behemoth. National security is paramount, provided it doesn’t inconvenience corporate agriculture or interrupt profits.
Oklahoma’s Ban on Chinese-Owned Farmland Made an Exception for Smithfield Foods
While approximately 4.3% of Oklahoma farmland is foreign-owned, according to the USDA’s most recent filings, most of that is held by Canadian and European companies for renewable energy projects. Less than 1% of that share is Chinese.
www.agriculture.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen:
“I believe one should take the American president seriously when he says that he wants Greenland. But I will also make it clear that if the US chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO…”
“I believe one should take the American president seriously when he says that he wants Greenland. But I will also make it clear that if the US chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO…”
January 5, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested he was backing down from his threat to court-martial Mark Kelly and would instead seek to reduce his retirement pay.
Pete Hegseth caves on Mark Kelly court martial threat
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested he was backing down from his threat to court-martial Mark Kelly and would instead seek to reduce his retirement pay.In a video with other Democratic lawmakers, Kelly said troops had a responsibility not to obey illegal orders. The video came after the Trump a...
bit.ly
January 5, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan resigned over the weekend. She was found guilty in December of obstructing an ICE arrest. www.courthousenews.com/milwaukee-ju...
Milwaukee judge convicted of obstructing ICE resigns after impeachment threat
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was convicted in December on felony charges after a jury found she intended to obstruct ICE from making an arrest in the courthouse.
www.courthousenews.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:14 PM