USA Archive - Law Commentary

A bartender pouring a mixed drink into two glasses with garnishes at a bar.

Florida Senators Bradley and Brandes Seek to Make Pandemic Ruling on ‘Cocktails To-Go’ a Permanent One

With so many states finding creative ways to keep their economies going during the pandemic, Florida is looking to have some temporary changes made during the pandemic turn into permanent ones. And in true Florida fashion, the state is starting with its alcoholic beverage laws. Florida’s newest senator, Jennifer Bradley... Read More about Florida Senators Bradley and Brandes Seek to Make Pandemic Ruling on ‘Cocktails To-Go’ a Permanent One

Former President Donald Trump speaking at a podium with the presidential seal, alongside a woman in a dark jacket, during a press event.

Promoting the Use of Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in the Federal Government

The Trump administration outlined a plan for federal executive agencies to design, develop, and use “trustworthy Artificial Intelligence” to assist in accomplishing their missions. Executive Order 13960, signed on December 3, 2020, recognized that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has improved the “operations, processes, and procedures” of agencies and businesses already. This... Read More about Promoting the Use of Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in the Federal Government

Storage tanks and industrial facilities related to liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing and transport.

DOE Says No More Environmental Reviews for Marine Transport of LNG

The US Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final rule on December 4, 2020, that revises its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Previously, under NEPA, liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport license applications required an environmental review, but only sometimes. If the shipments were going to countries with... Read More about DOE Says No More Environmental Reviews for Marine Transport of LNG

Steve Bannon speaking at an event with an American flag backdrop.

Guiliani’s Personal Lawyer to Represent Steve Bannon After Prior Attorney Threatens Fauci and Withdraws from Case

The former adviser to President Trump and co-founder of Breitbart Steve Bannon is now fighting criminal fraud charges with a new attorney: Steve Costello, who also happens to represent Rudy Giuliani, the personal attorney for the president. Bannon’s prior attorney, William Burck, withdrew from the criminal case on November 5... Read More about Guiliani’s Personal Lawyer to Represent Steve Bannon After Prior Attorney Threatens Fauci and Withdraws from Case

A mural depicting a soldier with wings, surrounded by flags and a memorial of flowers and candles.

Supreme Court Overturns Military Court: Ends Statute of Limitations on Military Rape Cases

In a unanimous vote of 8-0, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the United States in U.S. v Briggs. The decision means that the military will now be able to prosecute cases of sexual assaults committed between 1986 and 2006. The ruling overturns a loophole that applied a... Read More about Supreme Court Overturns Military Court: Ends Statute of Limitations on Military Rape Cases

Exterior of the U.S. Small Business Administration building.

SBA Faces Lawsuit for Unfair Questionnaire Regarding PPP Loan Forgiveness

On December 8, the Associated General Contractors of America filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) regarding loan forgiveness for the Paycheck Protection Program loans. According to the complaint, the SBA is making it harder for businesses to seek forgiveness for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans that... Read More about SBA Faces Lawsuit for Unfair Questionnaire Regarding PPP Loan Forgiveness

Exterior view of a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office building.

U.S. Citizenship Test Is Longer and More Difficult, Drawing Criticism From Many

The pathway to becoming a U.S. citizen will now be a little more difficult for new applicants than it was in the past. The citizenship test taken during the naturalization process is now lengthier, with more civics questions added. The new U.S. citizenship test is a two-part test consisting of... Read More about U.S. Citizenship Test Is Longer and More Difficult, Drawing Criticism From Many

Image of the U.S. Supreme Court building with its iconic columns and statue in front.

High Court Rules Muslim Men Wrongly Put On ‘No-Fly’ List Can Now Sue FBI Agents Who Put Them There

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week in a unanimous vote that three Muslim men who were put on the no-fly list after they refused to act as informants can now officially sue federal agents for monetary damages. The case of Tanzin v. Tanvir began when three Muslim men, Muhammad... Read More about High Court Rules Muslim Men Wrongly Put On ‘No-Fly’ List Can Now Sue FBI Agents Who Put Them There

Close-up portrait of musician FKA Twigs, featuring dramatic makeup and ornate earrings.

Actor Shia LeBeouf Faces Lawsuit from FKA Twigs for Abusive Relationship

Los Angeles-based musician Tahliah Barnett, who is known professionally as FKA Twigs, has filed a lawsuit against celebrity actor Shia LeBeouf for a “relentless” abusive relationship. Charges include sexual battery, assault, and infliction of emotional distress. Barnett is seeking a trial by jury. The actor, the star of “Transformers” and... Read More about Actor Shia LeBeouf Faces Lawsuit from FKA Twigs for Abusive Relationship

U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia during a Senate hearing.

Department of Labor implemented a new rule that allows federal contractors to discriminate against employees under the guise of religious freedom

On December 7, 2020, the Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract and Compliance Program (OFCCP) released a finalized rule that allows federal contractors to cite "religious freedom" as their reasoning behind not hiring certain applicants. The rule expands the definition of religious organizations to now include for-profit organizations, which... Read More about Department of Labor implemented a new rule that allows federal contractors to discriminate against employees under the guise of religious freedom

Mark Zuckerberg testifying before Congress during a session related to antitrust concerns surrounding Facebook.

Facebook Faces Massive Lawsuits by US Feds & 46 States, Company Could Lose Instagram & WhatsApp Assets

In a staggering lawsuit brought against Facebook, the US Federal Trade Commission along with 46 states accused the tech company of being a monopoly with a "buy or bury" edict to disrupt competition. The only states and US territories not to participate in the lawsuit are Washington, D.C., Guam, Alabama,... Read More about Facebook Faces Massive Lawsuits by US Feds & 46 States, Company Could Lose Instagram & WhatsApp Assets

A person holding a red ribbon, symbolizing awareness and support for HIV/AIDS.

Grants from the American Bar Association to Boost Legal Services Related to AIDS

While the world remains focused on the coronavirus pandemic, the American Bar Association (ABA) is generously reminding everyone that another virus, HIV/AIDS, is still negatively impacting the lives of millions of people who still need legal help. On World AIDS Day, December 1, members of the ABA’s HIV/AIDS Impact Project... Read More about Grants from the American Bar Association to Boost Legal Services Related to AIDS

A person walking near a helicopter with the words "United States of America" visible.

Court Documents Shed Only a Little Light on Investigation Into Possible Bribes Offered to Obtain Presidential Pardons

On December 1, 2020, Judge Beryl Howell of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the partial unsealing of a memorandum opinion and order dated August 28 of this year. The result, redacted to omit the names of all parties concerned and all of the case’s... Read More about Court Documents Shed Only a Little Light on Investigation Into Possible Bribes Offered to Obtain Presidential Pardons

Gloved hands typing on a laptop keyboard, possibly indicating hacking activities.

Supreme Court Weighs Proper Access Under Anti-hacking Law

In 2015, a police sergeant from Cumming, GA, accepted money from a widower he’d previously arrested and who was apparently known for frequenting prostitutes. The money was a loan, given on condition that Sergeant Nathan Van Buren use the license plate database to find out if a girl the widower had... Read More about Supreme Court Weighs Proper Access Under Anti-hacking Law

A healthcare professional administering a vaccine to a patient.

CDC to Collect Data on Vaccine Recipients, States Push Back Amid Privacy Concerns

As part of the COVID-19 vaccination procedures, the CDC will require states to sign an agreement that allows the CDC to collect information from those who receive the vaccine. The CDC states that the information collected will include names, birthdates, ethnicities, and the address of where a vaccine recipient lives.... Read More about CDC to Collect Data on Vaccine Recipients, States Push Back Amid Privacy Concerns