Supreme court gerrymandering decision raises alarm as Kagan issues searing dissent – live

Justice says move ‘imperils system of government’ as court blocks 2020 census citizenship question for now in blow to Trump

The big question around the citizenship/census ruling: will the Trump administration have the time / organization to mount a new effort to put the question in place before 2020 Census season (and it’s unclear just when the cutoff here is)?:

This seems like the same “unring the bell” logic of the Muslim ban decision. “Come back and lie to us about your motives more convincingly, please.” https://t.co/LjgGeyc6Xx

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This ruling on gerrymandering is exactly why it is not enough to just win the next election. The Supreme Court is helping Republicans *rig* the elections. Democrats need a *proactive* plan to confront the partisan capture of the Court.

On the census, the Trump administration’s lies went so far that even this Supreme Court had to say no. If this leads to a result with no citizenship question, that would be a very welcome outcome, and it would also preserve the status quo. This should have been an easy case, and in the end, it was.

But Chief Justice Roberts’ ruling that no federal court can ever consider claims of extreme and unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering is truly appalling for the long term health of our democracy. It’s a judicial green light for egregious partisanship, a permission slip for politicians to entrench themselves without fear of judicial intervention.

This is a victory for all New Yorkers who refuse to be undercounted, discriminated against, or driven into the shadows. The Trump administration must not be allowed to weaponize the census in its war on immigrants, people of color, and the poor. From the very beginning, the administration has hoped to add a citizenship question in order to undercount, marginalize, and limit the political power of immigrant communities. The justices saw through the Trump administration’s absurd excuses for the addition of the question. We will do everything we can with our partners to ensure that all New Yorkers are counted.”

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Curtis Flowers’ conviction overturned over removal of black jurors

Justice Brett Kavanaugh said Flowers’ trial record showed ‘relentless effort’ by prosecutor to rid jury of black individuals

The supreme court has thrown out the murder conviction and death sentence of a black man in Mississippi because of a prosecutor’s efforts to keep African Americans off the jury.

The justices ruled 7-2 that the removal of black prospective jurors had deprived Curtis Flowers of a fair trial.

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White House blocks Trump’s ex-counsel from testifying before Congress – live

Justice department said Don McGahn, who was subpoenaed by the House judiciary committee, cannot be compelled to answer questions under oath

President Trump’s attorneys have been fighting a House oversight committee subpoena of one of the president’s accounting firms, Mazars USA, for eight years of Trump’s personal and business records.

Today, Judge Amit Mehta ruled in favor of the House oversight committee.

BREAKING: A federal judge in DC will not block a House subpoena to Trump's accounting firm — expect a quick notice of appeal from Trump's lawyers https://t.co/Izk2q1F2Yh More shortly. pic.twitter.com/ZlgQnFPT6c

MONEY QUOTE: Congress says it wants Trump files to guide future legislation. "[I]t is not for the court to question whether the Committee’s actions are truly motivated by political considerations. Accordingly, the court will enter judgment in favor of the Oversight Committee.

Hey all, Vivian Ho taking over for Sabrina Siddiqui. It appears a federal judge has ruled against the efforts of President Trump’s attorneys to overturn the House oversight committee subpoena for the president’s financial documents.

BREAKING: U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta rules in favor of House Democrats in their subpoena to Mazars for Trump’s financial records.

More TK

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Better the devil they know: how Christians came to terms with Trump

Evangelical backing for a thrice-married celebrity is not as odd as it seems: on abortion, the supreme court and more, the president keeps delivering

After bowing his head in prayer, Donald Trump addressed faith leaders in the sunshine of the White House rose garden.

Related: Trump wants Barr to consider investigating Biden – Giuliani

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Supreme court gives Trump victory on detaining immigrants with criminal convictions

Court rules 5-4 that authorities can detain immigrants awaiting deportation anytime after they have completed prison terms

The US supreme court on Tuesday endorsed US government authority to detain immigrants awaiting deportation at any time – potentially even years – after they have completed prison terms for criminal convictions, handing Donald Trump a victory as he pursues hardline immigration policies.

The court ruled 5-4, with its conservative justices in the majority and its liberal justices dissenting, that federal authorities could pick up such immigrants and place them into indefinite detention at any time, not just immediately after they finish their prison sentences.

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Ruth Bader Ginsburg misses supreme court arguments for first time in 25 years

Court spokeswoman says Ginsburg, 85, is working from home as she recuperates from cancer surgery last month

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was on Monday missing supreme court arguments for the first time in more than 25 years, as she recuperates from cancer surgery last month, the court said.

Ginsburg was not on the bench as the court met to hear arguments. It was not clear when she would return to the court, which will hear more cases on Tuesday and Wednesday and again next week.

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9 gay things I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving

In some ways, 2018 has felt like the worst of times: mass shootings becoming a new normal, the continued rise of nationalism, earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires ravaging California, a U.S. Supreme Court that protects homophobia masquerading as freedom of religion, and of course, President Donald Trump. Yes, there has been an abundance of darkness in 2018, but as a gay, black man, I'm thankful for occasional bursts of sunshine.

Dems’ sad history includes segregation, abortion; Independents…

The Democratic Party has almost always been on the wrong side of history, as it is now by favoring abortion rights, denying those little people who live in the first "habitat for humanity" their "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness." Our leftist media, ably assisted by a woefully inadequate and misguided public education system, has succeeded in keeping the truth of this party from the people.

Repubs Attempt State Supreme Court Coups in FL, WV as SCOTUS May Have …

" Repubs Attempt State Supreme Court Coups in FL, WV as SCOTUS May Have Stolen U.S. Senate: 'BradCast' 10/16/2018 " Guest: Slate's Mark Joseph Stern; Also: SCOTUS steals US Senate; Early voting fails on first day in GA; Michael death toll rising... Florida Panhandle facing catastrophe; Michael was 4th 'major' hurricane to make US landfall in 15 months; PLUS: Despite destruction, GOP still denying science, economic impacts... Guest: Jordan Wilkie of WhoWhatWhy; Also: Despite devastating cost of recent hurricanes, Rubio, Trump offer false claims about economy to justify lack of action on climate change... Anything and everything to keep us looking away from the stuff that actually matters, in PDiddie's latest toon collection... Guest-host Angie Coiro w/ Tina Vasquez on ICE, immigration; Bill Browder on Khashoggi; Sarah Craft on the death penalty; Eliza Griswold on a family's fight against ... (more)

America’s deepening gender divide and the midterm elections

The 2018 U.S. midterm elections are shaping up as a dramatic test not only of sentiment about the Trump administration, but also of prevailing gender roles in American society. For much of the past year the #MeToo movement has drawn attention to sexual harassment and discrimination across broad segments of American society, ranging from motion pictures and the mass media to politics, and finally to Supreme Court appointments.