USA Archive - Law Commentary

President Donald Trump gestures behind a model of a proposed triumphal arch.

Judge Halts Trump's 250-Foot Arch Hours After Federal Approval

A federal judge temporarily blocked construction of President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, November 5, 2026, hours after a federal planning commission approved the monument in an 8-4 vote.U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a 14-day restraining order stopping excavation, demolition, road closures... Read More about Judge Halts Trump's 250-Foot Arch Hours After Federal Approval

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a podium with U.S. and California flags behind him.

Newsom Moves to Commute All 548 California Death Sentences

California Gov. Gavin Newsom moved Thursday, November 5, 2026, to commute the death sentences of all 548 prisoners on the state's death row to life imprisonment without parole before leaving office in January. Hundreds of the commutations require approval from the California Supreme Court.The decision would eliminate every existing death... Read More about Newsom Moves to Commute All 548 California Death Sentences

Russell Brand Convicted of Rape, Taken Into Custody

Russell Brand was convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault on Thursday, November 5, 2026, after a London jury found him guilty of attacking four women during his years as a comedian and television personality.The 51-year-old was taken into custody at Southwark Crown Court after Judge Joel Bennathan... Read More about Russell Brand Convicted of Rape, Taken Into Custody

Billy Evans and Elizabeth Holmes walk together on a city street.

Elizabeth Holmes' Partner Billy Evans Denies Controlling Her From Prison

Billy Evans, the partner of convicted Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, has denied controlling her personal and financial affairs while she serves a federal prison sentence, responding to questions raised by the documentary You Can See Everything.During a question-and-answer session on X beginning Monday, November 2, 2026, Evans defended his use... Read More about Elizabeth Holmes' Partner Billy Evans Denies Controlling Her From Prison

BTS members pose together on a red carpet in coordinated white and black outfits.

BTS 'Swim' Copyright Lawsuit Dropped After Just 4 Months

Three songwriters who accused the companies behind BTS of copying their unreleased demo for the group's No. 1 hit "Swim" have dropped their federal copyright lawsuit less than four months after filing it.U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II dismissed the case without prejudice Wednesday, November 4, 2026, after Steve... Read More about BTS 'Swim' Copyright Lawsuit Dropped After Just 4 Months

Princess Diana and Prince Charles pose together in their wedding attire, with Diana’s long ivory gown and train spread across the floor.

Princess Diana's Wedding Dress Designer Sues Over Las Vegas Replica

The designer of Princess Diana's wedding dress has filed a copyright lawsuit against the companies behind a Las Vegas exhibition, accusing them of displaying an unauthorized life-size replica of the gown after negotiations for permission to reproduce it failed.British fashion designer Elizabeth Emanuel filed the complaint Monday, November 2, 2026,... Read More about Princess Diana's Wedding Dress Designer Sues Over Las Vegas Replica

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks at a microphone outdoors.

Appeals Court Throws Out Lawsuit Over Mamdani’s Second-Home Tax

A New York appeals court has thrown out a homeowners' lawsuit challenging Mayor Zohran Mamdani's pied-à-terre tax rollout, overturning a judge's order that would have forced the city to redo thousands of tax notices and property assessments.A unanimous four-judge panel of the Appellate Division, Second Department, ruled Wednesday, November 4,... Read More about Appeals Court Throws Out Lawsuit Over Mamdani’s Second-Home Tax

3M to Pay $7.35 Billion to Settle Firefighting Foam Cancer Claims

3M has agreed to pay $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits involving as many as 120,000 people who allege that toxic chemicals in firefighting foam caused cancer and other serious illnesses.The company announced the agreement Tuesday, November 3, 2026, saying it would resolve approximately 99% of existing personal injury claims involving... Read More about 3M to Pay $7.35 Billion to Settle Firefighting Foam Cancer Claims

Timbaland, wearing sunglasses and a white embellished tuxedo jacket, points toward the camera at an event.

Timbaland Accuses Former Managers of Stealing Millions in $15M Lawsuit

Grammy-winning producer Timbaland has sued his former manager and business manager for more than $15 million, accusing them of taking millions in unauthorized payments, falsifying financial records and mishandling his finances so badly that his home nearly went into foreclosure.In a lawsuit filed Friday, October 30, 2026, in Los Angeles... Read More about Timbaland Accuses Former Managers of Stealing Millions in $15M Lawsuit

A tank sits above a brick sign reading “Welcome to Fort Knox” at the base entrance.

Man Suspected of Fort Knox Attack Loses Second Amendment Appeal

A federal appeals court has upheld the conviction and four-year prison sentence of a man whom FBI agents believed was preparing for a mass casualty attack at Fort Knox, Kentucky, ruling that his prior court-ordered psychiatric commitment justified restricting his right to possess firearms.Alexander Miguel Laykovich was wearing body armor... Read More about Man Suspected of Fort Knox Attack Loses Second Amendment Appeal

Two wedding rings rest on a rainbow-colored Pride flag.

Virginia Voters Overturn 20-Year-Old Same-Sex Marriage Ban

Virginia voters have overturned a 20-year-old constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, approving an amendment that protects the right of same-sex and interracial couples to marry under state law.Question 2 passed Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with approximately 57% support, replacing language adopted in 2006 that defined marriage exclusively as a union... Read More about Virginia Voters Overturn 20-Year-Old Same-Sex Marriage Ban

U.S. passport and voter registration application resting on an American flag beside a gold pen.

Arizona Rejects Voter ID Overhaul as Kansas Backs Citizenship Amendment

Arizona voters rejected a sweeping election overhaul Tuesday, November 3, 2026, while Kansas voters supported a constitutional amendment explicitly limiting voting eligibility to U.S. citizens, according to preliminary election results.Arizona's Proposition 144 faced opposition from approximately 57% of voters in early returns. In Kansas, the citizenship amendment had received 54.31%... Read More about Arizona Rejects Voter ID Overhaul as Kansas Backs Citizenship Amendment

A woman speaks at a podium displaying a “Save Lives, Tax Billionaires” Proposition 40 campaign sign, with supporters and water bottles nearby.

California's 5% Billionaire Tax Faces Defeat as Voters Back Tax Ban

California's proposed 5% billionaire tax was heading toward defeat Tuesday, November 3, 2026, as voters backed a competing constitutional amendment that would prohibit the state from imposing similar taxes on personal wealth.Proposition 40 had received 43.4% support in preliminary statewide returns, with 56.6% voting against it. Proposition 42, which would... Read More about California's 5% Billionaire Tax Faces Defeat as Voters Back Tax Ban

Russell Brand Rape Trial Goes to Jury After 3 Weeks of Testimony

Jurors began deliberating Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in Russell Brand's rape and sexual assault trial after three weeks of testimony at London's Southwark Crown Court, bringing the seven criminal charges against the British comedian one step closer to a verdict.Judge Joel Bennathan sent the 12-member jury, consisting of eight men... Read More about Russell Brand Rape Trial Goes to Jury After 3 Weeks of Testimony

The U.S. Capitol building and dome stand beneath a blue sky, with an American flag flying nearby.

Democrats Flip House and Senate, Ending Republican Control of Congress

Democrats won control of both the House of Representatives and Senate in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections, ending Republican control of Congress and setting up two years of divided government during the remainder of President Donald Trump's term.The victories give Democrats majorities in both chambers for the first time... Read More about Democrats Flip House and Senate, Ending Republican Control of Congress