Legal Issues
US Supreme Court poised to finish off Voting Rights Act
By Ed Hightower, 4 March 2021
Tuesday’s discussion in the Supreme Court—essentially on the issue of how much voter suppression is permissible—should serve as another warning that American democracy is on life support.
999 Supreme Court hears voting rights case
3 March 2021
Former French President Nicholas Sarkozy sentenced to one year in prison
By Anthony Torres, 3 March 2021
Sarkozy had sought to bribe a representative of the legal system in order to suppress the fallout from the Bettencourt affair
In Senate hearing
FBI Director Wray confirms coordinated planning by pro-Trump far-right terrorists in January 6 attack
By Jacob Crosse, 3 March 2021
While the FBI head acknowledged the central role in the attempted coup played by far-right “militia extremists,” many questions relating to the lack of security on the part of the police and the National Guard were not seriously pursued and remained unanswered.
German court imposes lengthy sentence on Islamist preacher accused of supporting ISIS terrorist group
By Peter Schwarz, 3 March 2021
Although the trial lasted three years and included 246 days of proceedings, it raised more questions than it answered.
999 Minneapolis preparations for Chauvin trial
3 March 2021
Australia cancels citizenship of woman labelled ISIS terrorist
By Tom Peters, 27 February 2021
A dual Australia-New Zealand citizen and her two young children, detained in Turkey, now face deportation to New Zealand.
Grand jury declines to charge Rochester, New York officers who killed Daniel Prude
By Trévon Austin, 25 February 2021
Prude died last March after police handcuffed him, put a hood over his head and pushed him into the cold pavement.
West Virginia Senate outlaws public employee strikes as state demands schools reopen
By Nick Barrickman, 25 February 2021
On the third anniversary of the historic 2018 West Virginia teachers’ strike, the state senate passed a punitive bill codifying anti-strike measures into state law.
Democratic cowardice leaves Trump’s Republican conspirators unscathed
Republicans acquit coup plotter Trump after Democrats refuse to call witnesses
By Joseph Kishore, 13 February 2021
Not a single Democrat had the courage to point an accusing finger at the Republican senators and bluntly state: “All of you who condoned and legitimized Trump’s lies, who supported his claim that the election was stolen, functioned as his political accomplices in the preparation of the coup d’état.”
No charges for officers who violently shoved 75-year-old protester in Buffalo, New York
By Alex Findijs, 13 February 2021
Martin Gugino’s skull was fractured when he was shoved to the ground by officers at a protest against police violence in June 2020.
Day 3 of Trump impeachment trial
Democrats conclude case in impeachment trial over January 6 Trump coup attempt
By Jacob Crosse, 12 February 2021
Democratic House managers detailed Trump’s years of inciting and supporting violence, including Charlottesville and Michigan.
999 Section 230 legislation targeting social media
12 February 2021
Right-wing US Supreme Court majority again exempts large religious gatherings from COVID-19 safety measures
By John Burton, 10 February 2021
For the second time since the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett, the court has struck down state measures to control the spread of COVID-19 that limit indoor religious services, reversing rulings earlier in the pandemic.
999 St. Louis jail uprising
8 February 2021
999 Kwame Kilpatrick pardon
3 February 2021
Trade war erupts over vaccine supplies between Europe and UK
By Samuel Tissot and Will Morrow, 30 January 2021
As 100,000 die every three weeks across the continent, the EU and UK are escalating conflict over supply of the life-saving AstraZeneca vaccine.
Court rules Spanish fascist regime did not commit crimes against humanity
By Alejandro López, 30 January 2021
The Constitutional Court ruling is a warning: If the crimes of Fascism are being rehabilitated, it is because sections of the ruling class are plotting a pre-emptive counter-revolution.
Fiji wins presidency of UN Human Rights Council
By John Braddock, 29 January 2021
The diplomatic maneuvering around Fiji’s appointment underscores the tensions produced by the escalating US-led offensive against China, which is set to deepen under the Biden administration.
Detroit City Council approves funding for counter-lawsuit against police violence protesters
By Kevin Reed, 28 January 2021
Democrats on the council approved funding for a lawsuit that charges protest organization Detroit Will Breathe with civil conspiracy, rioting and destruction of property during the George Floyd protests last summer and attacks their First Amendment rights.
999 12 Houston, Texas officers charged in relation to 2019 double killing
28 January 2021
999 Leon Black resigns over Epstein funding
28 January 2021
Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, to plead guilty to bribing UAW officials
By Tom Hall, 27 January 2021
The $30 million fine is less than pocket change for Stellantis, the world’s fourth-largest automaker and the product of FCA’s merger earlier this month with France’s PSA Group.
Lockerbie bombing: Megrahi's posthumous appeal rejected by Scottish judges
By Steve James, 20 January 2021
Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi is the only person to be convicted for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, which killed 270 people
Former governor Rick Snyder charged over role in Flint, Michigan water poisoning
By James Brewer, 15 January 2021
Snyder and eight others were indicted Thursday on charges relating to the criminal poisoning of the city’s water supply that began almost seven years ago.
Mentally ill woman executed as Trump continues federal killing spree
By Chase Lawrence, 15 January 2021
The US Supreme Court cleared the way for the execution of Lisa Montgomery at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, despite clear evidence of her mental incompetency.
999 Detroit countersuing Black Lives Matter protest org over protests
15 January 2021
FBI reveals “dozens” of neo-Nazis and white supremacists on Terror Watch List traveled to D.C. for January 6 coup
By Jacob Crosse, 15 January 2021
In addition to active Republican politicians and off-duty military and police, many militiamen and fascists claiming membership in the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys and III Percenters marched on the Capitol
999 India's Supreme Court lays groundwork for state assault on farmers' protest
13 January 2021
Video shows Modesto, California police officer gunned down unarmed man with hands up
By Shawn Velia and John Andrews, 13 January 2021
A body camera recording released by the Modesto Police Department in California shows an unarmed man gunned down, and then shot a second time while trying to surrender with his hands raised.
999 Execution of female federal prisoner stayed
13 January 2021
Details emerge of high-level state involvement in Wednesday’s coup attempt
By Eric London, 9 January 2021
New revelations show the fascist putsch was prepared with the involvement of sections of the military, police and Republican Party and that the danger has not passed.
For a full, public investigation of Trump’s January 6 coup!
By Statement of the Socialist Equality Party, 8 January 2021
The Democratic Party is joining with the Republicans and the Trump administration to cover up for those politically responsible for fascist violence at the US Capitol.
The fascist coup of January 6
By David North, 7 January 2021
The fascist insurrection in Washington DC is a turning point in the political history of the United States.
No charges filed against officer who shot Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin
By Chase Lawrence, 6 January 2021
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, announced Monday the mobilization of 500 National Guard soldiers ahead of the decision to aid the police in the suppression of expected protests.
Remove coup plotter Trump immediately!
By Patrick Martin and David North, 6 January 2021
Thousands of Trump supporters have stormed the Capitol and halted the congressional certification of Trump’s defeat in the presidential election.
Trump intensifies coup plot as Congress meets to certify election results
By Andre Damon, 6 January 2021
The events of this week have made clear that US President Donald Trump is actively engaged in a conspiracy to reject the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, overthrow the Constitution, and establish a dictatorship in the United States.
999 Georgia election
6 January 2021
In Georgia speech, Trump pledges to overturn election result
By Patrick Martin, 5 January 2021
US President Donald Trump doubled down on his efforts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in a speech in Georgia Tuesday, pledging, “They are not taking this White House, we are going to fight like hell.”
UK judge rules against US extradition: Release Julian Assange now!
By Thomas Scripps, 4 January 2021
A political decision has been reached that upholds the threat to democratic rights represented by the prosecution’s case, leaves Assange in danger of continued persecution, and demands the intensification of the campaign to secure his freedom.
Trump pardons Blackwater killers for Nisour Square massacre
By Patrick Martin, 24 December 2020
The four mercenaries, all former Marines, killed 14 unarmed Iraqis in 2007 in an unprovoked slaughter in Baghdad.
Crisis mounts in Chicago as Lightfoot admits lying and an official resigns following brutal police raid
By Alexander Fangmann, 22 December 2020
The resignation of Corporation Counsel Mark Flessner is part of a campaign to deflect attention away from the deeply entrenched lawlessness and violence that has been cultivated in the police through nearly a century of Democratic Party rule.
Trump held White House meeting on martial law plan to overturn election
By Patrick Martin, 21 December 2020
The president and his aides discussed the possibility of declaring martial law and rerunning the presidential election in key states during a meeting Friday in the Oval Office.
Report details widespread illegal extraction of smartphone data by US law enforcement
By Kevin Reed, 17 December 2020
An extensive report from Upturn, a nonprofit civil rights organization, shows that law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels are each day routinely extracting smartphone data in violation of the Fourth Amendment’s guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Republican state senators call on Trump to declare martial law to overturn Biden election victory
By Jacob Crosse, 17 December 2020
Despite Monday’s electoral college certification of Joe Biden’s victory, Trump continues to push forward with his efforts to subvert the election results, claiming his loss was fraudulent and inciting his supporters against those who claim otherwise.
Family demands investigation after 23-year-old shot three times by police in Columbus, Ohio
By Katy Kinner, 9 December 2020
Casey Goodson, Jr. was killed by a sheriff’s deputy as he was returning home from a dentist appointment. His grandmother and two young children were standing near the door and witnessed the killing.
Trump, Republicans continue attempts to overturn election results
By Jacob Crosse, 9 December 2020
Trump continues to refuse to concede even as his increasingly unhinged lawsuits seeking to nullify the elections fail in the courts.
Biden selects recently retired general, ex-Mideast war commander to head Pentagon
By Bill Van Auken, 9 December 2020
The media and the Democrats have hailed the choice of Lloyd Austin as the first African American nominee for secretary of defense, glossing over the implications of another general being tapped for the Pentagon’s top civilian post.
Trump administration plans five federal executions before January 20, authorizes use of firing squads, electric chair and asphyxiation
By Kate Randall, 5 December 2020
The rush to carry out these executions in the weeks leading up to inauguration, and the regulation permitting various barbaric forms of putting prisoners to death, are in line with the violence being promoted by fascistic forces in and around President Trump following his electoral defeat.
zzzzz999 Two years since Camp fire destroyed Paradise
2 December 2020
New ultra-right Supreme Court majority invokes religion to block COVID-19 safety measures
By John Burton, 28 November 2020
The Supreme Court struck down New York’s measures to control the spread of COVID-19 by limiting indoor events, including religious services, heralding the power of the new five-justice, ultra-reactionary bloc.
President Trump issues full pardon of former national security advisor Michael Flynn
By Kevin Reed, 26 November 2020
Trump’s action ends the case against the right-wing White House aide who lied to the FBI during the early days of the investigation into claims of “Russian interference” in the 2016 US elections.
Florida Sheriff’s Office intelligence-gathering program labels student youth as future criminals
By Alex Johnson, 24 November 2020
The police agency’s strategies for tracking youth shed light on the extraordinary lengths the department has gone to carry out repressive measures against underaged Pasco residents.
North Carolina pastor who led peaceful march to polls charged with felony assault
By Jacob Crosse, 24 November 2020
Three weeks after police assaulted peaceful marchers on their way to register to vote, the county sheriff’s office announced felony and misdemeanor charges against organizer Reverend Greg Drumwright.
999 US election crisis, vote certifications
24 November 2020
Trial 4: A shameless police frame-up in Boston
By Joanne Laurier, 24 November 2020
Trial 4 is an eight-episode documentary television series, currently streaming on Netflix that examines the case of Sean Ellis, a black teenager wrongly convicted of the 1993 murder of police officer John Mulligan.
Federal prisoner Orlando Hall executed after US Supreme Court clears the way
By Kate Randall, 21 November 2020
The Trump administration aims to carry out at least three more executions before Inauguration Day, including that of the first federal woman prisoner in almost seven decades.
Fascist Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse released after posting $2 million bail
By Jacob Crosse, 21 November 2020
The bail money was raised by defense attorneys and generously supported by Republican party donors.
Trump administration delays enforcement of TikTok ban
By Kevin Reed, 21 November 2020
The White House backed off from its threat to shut down the video-sharing app TikTok if its Chinese owner ByteDance did not divest itself of the popular social media platform to an American owner by November 12.
Pentagon shakeup aimed at paving path to Trump coup
By Bill Van Auken, 21 November 2020
The extra-constitutional attempts to nullify the US elections and overturn basic democratic rights cannot be accomplished without massive state repression.
Former Sheriff David Clarke calls for Proud Boys chapter in Wisconsin
By Chase Lawrence, 19 November 2020
Clarke spoke at a Milwaukee County Republican event on Saturday, along with Republican State Senator Chris Kapenga.
States certifying Biden victory despite Trump lawsuits, recount demands
By Patrick Martin, 19 November 2020
The effective cutoff date for Trump’s efforts to overturn the election through the courts is Dec. 8, when states submit their lists of presidential electors to the federal government.
Louisville Metro Police Department and city officials implicated in cover-up of child sexual abuse ring
By Dominic Gustavo, 19 November 2020
The department concealed and then destroyed at least 738,000 records documenting the sexual abuse of minors in a youth program designed for children and teens who aspire to be police officers.
Facebook censors IYSSE online meeting about Trump coup threat
By Kevin Reed, 18 November 2020
The blocking of a meeting about the post-election coup plotting of Donald Trump from being posted on Facebook is an example of the intensification of political censorship being carried out by the social media platforms against left-wing and socialist organizations and publishers.
999 California voters reject affirmative action proposition
18 November 2020
999 Louisville police hid 750k records on sexual abuse
18 November 2020
Justice Department attorney tells appeals court the government can kill US citizens without judicial review
By Harvey Simpkins, 18 November 2020
The Trump administration’s despotic assertion of the right to kill people, including US citizens, without any judicial review is a continuation and extension of powers asserted and acted upon by the Obama administration.
999 California voters reject affirmative action proposition
17 November 2020
Trump adviser calls for people to “rise up” against coronavirus restrictions
By Patrick Martin, 17 November 2020
The top White House coronavirus adviser, Dr. Scott Atlas, called for the people of Michigan to “rise up” against the new public health measures announced by Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
The pandemic and Trump’s plots
By Joseph Kishore, 16 November 2020
Three events over the past three days cast light on the character of Trump’s post-election conspiracies and the social and economic interests driving them.
Citing illegal appointment of acting Homeland Security secretary, judge invalidates Trump’s restrictions on DACA program
By Jacob Crosse, 16 November 2020
It is entirely possible that the acting DHS secretary will be confirmed by the Senate and the restrictions he had imposed will be allowed to proceed, paving the way for the deportation of thousands of young people.
As Biden popular vote lead hits five million
Trump, Republicans continue campaign to overturn election
By Patrick Martin, 12 November 2020
Republican efforts are focused on six states, all won by Biden: Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada.
More than 660 parents of separated immigrant children cannot be located by the US government
By Harvey Simpkins, 11 November 2020
After an ACLU lawsuit last month revealed that the parents of 545 immigrant children could not be located, a lawyer tasked with reuniting families revealed this week that the total has now risen to 666.
Wisconsin man charged with providing assault rifle to Kenosha shooter Rittenhouse
By Kevin Reed, 11 November 2020
Nineteen-year-old Dominick Black has been arrested and charged with intentionally providing a dangerous weapon to Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, who shot and killed two protesters with the rifle during protests against police violence in Kenosha on August 25.
US Supreme Court justices signal support for upholding Affordable Care Act
By Kate Randall, 11 November 2020
Most of the justices gave a skeptical hearing to arguments that Obamacare should be struck down in its entirety because Congress eliminated the tax penalty for those who did not purchase insurance.
Arkansas police chief resigns after calling on social media for execution of “Marxist Democrats”
By Jacob Crosse, 11 November 2020
Lang Holland is the latest high-ranking cop forced to resign after calling for violence against opponents of Trump.
Stop Trump’s conspiracy to nullify the 2020 elections!
By Socialist Equality Party (US) Political Committee, 11 November 2020
The events of the past 48 hours have made clear that President Donald Trump is refusing to accept his electoral defeat and is actively engaged in a coup to overturn the elections and establish a personalist dictatorship.
US judge blocks shutdown of TikTok scheduled for November 12
By Kevin Reed, 10 November 2020
A Pennsylvania district court judge ruled in favor of a lawsuit filed by three TikTok users seeking a temporary injunction against the Trump administration’s plan to shut down the video sharing app if it is not sold to a US owner by November 12.
Breonna Taylor’s mother demands an independent investigation into police killing after exposure of grand jury whitewash
By Steve Filips, 5 November 2020
Tamika Palmer is demanding a new investigation after three jurors revealed that Republican Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron did not follow procedure and present the possibility of six homicide charges against the officers who killed Taylor.
As millions vote against him, Trump pushes violence and suppression of votes
By Patrick Martin, 3 November 2020
Voter turnout is at record levels, fueled by popular outrage against the Trump administration.
999 Breonna Taylor's family demands independent investigation after exposure of grand jury whitewash
3 November 2020
Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse extradited to Wisconsin
By By Kevin Reed, 2 November 2020
The 17-year-old vigilante was being held in an Illinois juvenile detention facility on charges of gunning down two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin in August, and wounding a third.
As US vote total surges, Trump, Republicans seek to block counting
By Patrick Martin, 29 October 2020
Record numbers of voters have cast early votes or voted by mail, an indication of a growing politicization of the American population.
Google providing US Department of Homeland Security with tech platform for virtual border wall
By Kevin Reed, 29 October 2020
Documents show that Google has been secretly working with the Trump administration on the development of a high-tech surveillance wall at the US-Mexico border.
Trump escalates coup plotting with swearing-in of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett
By Patrick Martin, 27 October 2020
The installation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, without significant resistance by the Democrats, is a key step in Trump’s plans to hijack the presidential election.
Hundreds of migrant children torn from their families under Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy yet to be reunited with parents
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 22 October 2020
More than 500 children who were taken away by the Trump administration as part of its brutal crackdown on undocumented immigrants three years ago are yet to be reunited with their families.
Fair Wayne Bryant, jailed for life for stealing hedge clippers, granted parole by Louisiana Pardon Board
By Helen Halyard, 21 October 2020
Imprisoned for life at the notorious Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana on one count of attempted simple burglary, he was granted parole by a 3-0 vote of the state Parole Board, after being denied parole on three previous occasions.
Democrats let Amy Coney Barrett sail through Supreme Court confirmation hearings
By Barry Grey, 17 October 2020
In the course of the hearings, the Democrats deliberately downplayed the connection between the rush to confirm and install Barrett on the Supreme Court and Trump’s conspiracy to carry out an election coup.
Democrats silent on Trump’s election coup plans as confirmation hearings begin on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett
By Barry Grey, 13 October 2020
Besides her potential role in an election coup d’etat, Barrett will shift the Supreme Court further to the right, gutting abortion rights, reversing protections for gays, attacking the separation of church and state, lifting restrictions on guns and blocking federal regulation of business.
Breonna Taylor police murder grand jury proceedings released by Kentucky court
By Matthew MacEgan, 3 October 2020
In an extraordinary development, over 20 hours of previously sealed audio recordings have been released after an unidentified juror disputed the explanation given for why no one was charged over Taylor’s killing.
Assange’s extradition hearing concludes at London’s Old Bailey, with decision due January 4
By Thomas Scripps, 2 October 2020
In a final affront to due process, Judge Vanessa Baraitser refused to admit into evidence a statement by veteran human rights campaigner and Assange’s instructing solicitor Gareth Peirce.
Federal district judge blocks President Trump’s TikTok download ban
By Kevin Reed, 29 September 2020
A US district court judge blocked Trump’s emergency ban of the video sharing app on Sunday, saying it violates the exchange of “information and informational materials” protected by the constitution.
Protests across the US against whitewash of Breonna Taylor murder met with police repression
By Jacob Crosse, 25 September 2020
Four months of largely peaceful protests against police violence have been answered with violent repression and judicial cover-ups.
Lessons from history: The 2000 elections and the new “irrepressible conflict”
By David North, 25 September 2020
This lecture was given by David North, chairman of the World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board, at a public meeting of the Socialist Equality Party of Australia on December 3, 2000 in Sydney.
Assange lawyers expose politically biased medical evidence
By Thomas Scripps and Laura Tiernan, 25 September 2020
Edward Fitzgerald QC told the court that Dr Blackwood had described the Truesdale correctional centre in “glowing” terms. Yet he had failed to acknowledge Chelsea Manning’s suicide attempt there.
Trump’s coup d’état election
By Joseph Kishore and David North, 24 September 2020
Trump has publicly declared that he will not transfer power peacefully if he loses the November 3 election.
Witnesses recall Collateral Murder attack: “Look at those dead bastards,” shooters said
By Thomas Scripps and Laura Tiernan, 19 September 2020
“The publication of that video and those words was the equivalent of the death of George Floyd and his words ‘I can’t breathe’. They had a profound effect on public opinion in the world.”
OSHA fines meatpacking industry $30,000 after 203 COVID-19 deaths and 18,000 infections
By Cordell Gascoigne, 18 September 2020
The two fines amount to less than $2,500 for each worker who died at the JBS and Smithfield plants in Colorado and South Dakota
Iraq Body Count co-founder: WikiLeaks exposed mass civilian casualties to a global audience
By Thomas Scripps and Laura Tiernan, 18 September 2020
John Sloboda said that the Iraq War Logs had been brought “to the largest global audience of any single release.” There have been no comparable revelations in the last decade.
Former CIA director Leon Panetta: We are prosecuting Assange to intimidate others
By Oscar Grenfell, 18 September 2020
Panetta’s comments confirmed the mafia-character of the US-pursuit of Assange, its politically-motivated nature and flagrant disregard for international laws.
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