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Here’s the highlight reel of the past week’s posts and events. Grab a cup of coffee and get ready to catch up on anything you may have missed.
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The Week Ahead: All the tails were wagging all the dogs as we entered the week. As the strikes against Iran continued, we looked towards continued developments at home—with the Epstein Files, where Republican senators were pressuring Pam Bondi to release files the DOJ has withheld involving Trump, and to federal judges, who, led by Minnesota, have been taking a consistent stand against ICE and for the rule of law.
Grok on Chickens and Democracy: Is it come for the chickens, stay for the democracy, or come for the democracy and stay for the chickens? Plus some community fun with AI.
Another Big Loss for the Little Bully: In a move that, spoiler alert, would be reversed the following day, DOJ abandoned its legal defense of Trump’s revenge executive orders that sanctioned four major law firms.
DOJ Changes Course: After DOJ’s abrupt change of course in the case defending (then not defending, now defending again) Trump’s executive orders targeting major law firms, an in-depth explainer of the case, the filings, and DOJ’s weak position. We also touch on the Minnesota case involving ICE agents returning property seized from immigrants who were detained, another bad look for DOJ, and on the last-term energy Senator Thom Tillis brought to an Oversight Committee hearing questioning now-former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem—and why we need more of this energy in Congress.
Last Night in Texas We Saw the Future: More Voter Suppression: Local Republican parties in two Texas counties opted out of joint primaries, creating confusion and chaos for Democratic voters on Election Day. It’s bad on its own, and it gives us an idea what we need to be prepared for in the midterms. But combine it with the SCOTUS ruling in U.S. Postal Service V. Konan, which removes legal consequences for the intentional non-delivery of mail (including mail-in ballots) and Trump’s push to “nationalize” elections, and you’ll see a coordinated push for voter suppression. Information and preparation are our tools—read here to understand the landscape.
Fired, But for the Wrong Reason: The president fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem—via Truth Social, of course. It was long overdue, and any one of many substantive issues including defying court orders, civil rights violations, and the death of American citizens at the hands of ICE agents, provide good reason for the move. But in the reality-show presidency, Trump made the move why? To protect his ratings.
No More Benefit of the Doubt: We go in-depth for an analysis of an important Friday-night ruling from Judge John Tunheim in the Minnesota case regarding the failure of ICE agents to return personal property seized from detainees. The Judge did not pull any punches. If you missed this Friday night, it’s definitely worth your time.
Bloody Sunday: Sixty-one years ago our country turned outrage over Selma into progress and the Voting Rights Act. We need to find that courage in ourselves again to combat Trumpism.
These are complicated legal times, and it’s easy for the truth to get lost in the chaos. Civil Discourse doesn’t just track today’s headlines—it connects them to the legal and political history that explains why they matter. We won’t forget what’s at stake, or let Trump and his allies rewrite the past. You can subscribe to Civil Discourse for free and get clear analysis that helps you see the whole picture, delivered straight to your inbox. If you’re in a position to, your paid subscription helps me devote the time and resources it takes to write the newsletter. That means everyone has access to information they can share with friends and family—a constructive act we can all participate in right now, helping more Americans understand how critical this moment is.
We’re in this together,
Joyce
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