USA Archive - Law Commentary

Donald Trump standing outdoors, wearing a suit and tie, with trees in the background.

Trump's Lawyer Pushes U.S. Appeals Court to Bring Marketing Scam Civil Lawsuit to Confidential Arbitration

Donald Trump’s attorney Thomas McCarthy has requested a federal appeals court to halt a civil lawsuit accusing the president of targeting poor and working-class Americans in promoting a multi-tiered marketing scam. The charges against the Trumps say they exploited their famous name to secretly benefit from unsuspecting lower-income investors. The... Read More about Trump's Lawyer Pushes U.S. Appeals Court to Bring Marketing Scam Civil Lawsuit to Confidential Arbitration

Mugshot of Richard Barnett, a suspect arrested in connection with the Capitol Hill attack.

Every Picture Tells a Story as Feds Arrest Pelosi’s Capitol Hill Office Intruder

A photo-bombing suspect who posed with his feet up on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk during the Capitol Hill attack was found and arrested by federal prosecutors. Richard Barnett, 60, from Gravette Arkansas, faces several criminal charges, said US Attorney Kenneth Kohl. Barnett is faced with federal charges, including unlawful... Read More about Every Picture Tells a Story as Feds Arrest Pelosi’s Capitol Hill Office Intruder

Seal of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on a building with reflections of American flags in the windows.

National Defense Authorization Act Expands SEC’s Authority in Seeking Disgorgement

In December, Trump vetoed a $740.5 billion defense spending bill after it passed Congress. His objections did not relate to the disgorgement provisions included regarding the SEC’s work. On December 28, 2020, the House overrode Trump’s veto. On January 1, the Senate voted to override the president’s veto as well... Read More about National Defense Authorization Act Expands SEC’s Authority in Seeking Disgorgement

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser speaking at a press conference regarding the investigation into Elijah McClain's death.

Colorado Grand Jury Convened for Elijah McClain's Death by Carotid Chokehold by Police & Ketamine Injection by Paramedics

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser launched a new probe into the death of unarmed, 23-year old Elijah McClain in Colorado in 2019. The US Justice Department has also launched a civil rights probe into the death of the unarmed young man by police. With echoes of the infamous choking death... Read More about Colorado Grand Jury Convened for Elijah McClain's Death by Carotid Chokehold by Police & Ketamine Injection by Paramedics

A group of individuals raising their fists in solidarity, possibly advocating for social justice, in an urban environment.

Support Grows for Monument Commemorating Falsely Accused ‘Central Park Five’

There is growing support for a monument to be established in Central Park commemorating the five wrongly accused men in the "Central Park Jogger" case. The chairwoman of Community Board 10’s Park and Recreation Committee, Karen Horry, has shared her vision of the exhibit with various other boards explaining, “We... Read More about Support Grows for Monument Commemorating Falsely Accused ‘Central Park Five’

Parler Sues Amazon for Disabling Site as Youtube, GooglePlay and Apple Follow

Parler, the conservative-owned social media platform, is suing Amazon Web Services (AWS) for disabling its site. In the eighteen-page lawsuit, the company alleges hosting service Amazon violated antitrust law and breached their contractual agreement. Like dominoes, fellow giant social media platforms followed Amazon and banned Parler on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube,... Read More about Parler Sues Amazon for Disabling Site as Youtube, GooglePlay and Apple Follow

Clashes between law enforcement and protesters during the January 6 Capitol riot, highlighting the chaos and violence of the day.

Officer Sicknick Laid to Rest As WMP Investigates His Death as a Homicide

Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, was one of five individuals killed after riots turned deadly on January 6th. Following his passing, the Washington Metropolitan Police announced that they will be investigating his death as a homicide. The FBI is also assisting in the investigation. The insurrection that led... Read More about Officer Sicknick Laid to Rest As WMP Investigates His Death as a Homicide

Former President Trump speaking to the press near an airplane.

Trump campaign lawyer asks to withdraw from suit, says filing was used to incite violence

On January 7, 2021, Pennsylvania attorney Jerome Marcus requested to withdraw from a suit he initiated on behalf of the Trump campaign in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The suit, filed against the Philadelphia County Board of Elections on November 4, 2020, alleges that “the... Read More about Trump campaign lawyer asks to withdraw from suit, says filing was used to incite violence

DOJ & Federal Courts Report Email and Court Files Hacks Via SolarWinds Breach

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and US federal courts announced on January 6 they were both hacked by a prior, similar government breach into SolarWinds, a network security management firm that worked inside the systems of multiple US government agencies. The breach also includes a suspected hacking into the... Read More about DOJ & Federal Courts Report Email and Court Files Hacks Via SolarWinds Breach

People wearing masks outside a building near a parked car, with two uniformed officers in the background.

“SoHo Karen” Faces a Slew of Charges After Falsely Accusing Black Teen of Stealing Her Phone

“SoHo Karen,” the white woman who made headlines earlier this year after wrongly accusing a black teenager of stealing her phone at a New York City Hotel, has been identified and arrested in California this past week.22-year-old Miya Ponsetto was taken into custody late last week by detectives from the... Read More about “SoHo Karen” Faces a Slew of Charges After Falsely Accusing Black Teen of Stealing Her Phone

Asylum seekers wait in a shelter, demonstrating the impact of immigration policies on families and individuals seeking refuge.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Restrictive Post-COVID-19 Asylum Rules

With less than two weeks before President-elect Biden takes office, a federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s proposed asylum restrictions that would have overhauled the immigration system with restrictive new provisions. The new rule was to take effect on January 11. While the granting of... Read More about Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Restrictive Post-COVID-19 Asylum Rules

Amazon and Apple Join Google in Dropping Parler App after Capitol Hill Riot

Quick-to-rise social media app Parler touts itself as the alternative to Twitter in providing a platform for unrestricted “free speech.” Because of its lack of censorship of political views and fringe ideologies, the app has drawn users who have been kicked off of mainstream platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.... Read More about Amazon and Apple Join Google in Dropping Parler App after Capitol Hill Riot

Image of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bomber, looking directly at the camera.

Boston Bomber Sues Federal Government for $250,000 Following “Discrimination” Allegations

The Boston Marathon Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 26, is suing the Florence Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for discriminatory treatment that has led to his mental and physical decline. In the handwritten lawsuit that was filed on December 22, 2020, Tsarnaev alleges that "the BOP has enabled the Unit Manager, A.... Read More about Boston Bomber Sues Federal Government for $250,000 Following “Discrimination” Allegations

Close-up of a Nintendo Wii gaming console.

COVID-19 Causes Federal Circuit to Cancel Arguments in Nintendo Patent Case

In August 2017, iLife Technologies, Inc., a Los Angeles hardware and software maker, won a ruling against Nintendo, which was accused of infringing a patent for motion-sensing technologies used in its Wii products. In January 2020, a Northern District of Texas judge found that under the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision... Read More about COVID-19 Causes Federal Circuit to Cancel Arguments in Nintendo Patent Case

Sign indicating a rideshare pick-up zone.

The U.S. Department of Labor Announces New Guidance to States on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program Extending Coverage for Gig Workers and “Mixed Earners”

On December 30, 2020, just days after President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) 2021 into law, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration published guidance for states on implementing unemployment insurance programs. After waiting weeks for Congress to agree on the finalized budget for 2021, the stimulus... Read More about The U.S. Department of Labor Announces New Guidance to States on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program Extending Coverage for Gig Workers and “Mixed Earners”