Law

In March 2019, Attorney Alan Dershowitz speaks with reporters outside of Manhattan Federal Court after Virginia Giuffre filed a defamation lawsuit that includes allegations against him.

National

Alan Dershowitz Denies Epstein Rape Accusations And Defends Role In Sweetheart Deal

4:28pm July 15, 2019

by Noel King

Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz worked as Jeffrey Epstein's lawyer when he received his 2008 plea deal: "You should always feel bad about producing results like this but it's your job."

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Protesters against gerrymandering at a March 2019 rally coinciding with Supreme Court hearings on major redistricting cases. After the court said the federal judiciary has no role in partisan redistricting cases, legal action is focused on state courts.

North Carolina Gerrymandering Trial Could Serve As Blueprint For Other States

11:14am July 15, 2019

by Jeff Tiberii

The case has the potential to significantly alter how political maps are established in North Carolina while serving as a blueprint for legal challenges in other states.

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Justice Clarence Thomas, the longest-serving member of the current Supreme Court, has views that perhaps can be described only as unique. Some court watchers, however, use other terms: idiosyncratic, eccentric, provocative, thoughtful and, yes, wacky.

Politics & Government

Clarence Thomas: From 'Black Panther Type' To Supreme Court's Conservative Beacon

2:36pm July 14, 2019

by Nina Totenberg

The longest-serving member of the current court is also its furthest to the right, least traditional and most controversial — and with a new conservative majority, he may be having a moment.

Alex Acosta said Friday he is stepping down as labor secretary so his handling of a 2008 prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein won't distract from the U.S. economy's "amazing" performance.

National

New Accusations For Epstein As Some In South Florida Say 'Good Riddance' To Acosta

10:08pm July 12, 2019

by Brakkton Booker

After Labor Secretary Alex Acosta's resignation, federal prosecutors in Manhattan alleged financier Jeffrey Epstein attempted to buy influence over people who were set to testify against him.

A panel of federal appeals court judges heard arguments Friday in a lawsuit over President Trump's financial records. The judges will decide whether to order Trump's accountants to release information to a Democratic congressional committee.

Politics & Government

Court Hears Trump's Appeal To Block House Subpoena, Shield Finances

6:04pm July 12, 2019

by Ryan Lucas

A federal three-judge panel is weighing arguments for and against ordering the president's accountants to release information to a Democratic congressional committee.

President Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House on June 21, 2018. Just over a year later, he's had turnover in the departments of Justice, Interior, Homeland Security, Defense, Labor, and a number of lower agencies.

Politics & Government

Trump's 'Acting' Cabinet Grows With Acosta Departure

4:28pm July 12, 2019

by Arnie Seipel

The Labor Department will be led by the third current acting cabinet secretary when Alex Acosta steps down on July 19. About a dozen major agencies are without permanent, Senate-confirmed leadership.

There Are Limits To What Immigration And Customs Enforcement Can Do During Raids

4:17pm July 12, 2019

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Northeastern University law professor Hemanth Gundavaram about legal issues surrounding this weekend's planned ICE raids in major U.S. cities.

Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta testifies during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on April 3.

Alexander Acosta Steps Down As Labor Secretary Amid Epstein Controversy

2:58pm July 12, 2019

by Ayesha Rascoe

The departure follows scrutiny over his role in a plea deal as a U.S. attorney in 2008. The agreement eased punishment for multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein for alleged sex crimes.

This June photo of R. Kelly shows him departing a courtroom in Chicago in a case related to a state sexual abuse case. On Thursday, federal prosecutors said an additional criminal prosecution against Kelly has been launched.

Music & Culture

R. Kelly Arrested On Federal Charges, Including Child Pornography And Kidnapping

2:58pm July 12, 2019

by Bobby Allyn

Kelly was arrested Thursday evening in Chicago and charged with 13 federal counts. On Friday morning, prosecutors in New York's Eastern District unsealed five other counts, including racketeering.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro crew members board a semi-submersible suspected of carrying drugs on June 18 while operating in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

WATCH: U.S. Coast Guard Boards Suspected Narco-Sub In High-Speed Chase

2:14pm July 12, 2019

by Sasha Ingber

The semi-submersible vessel was reportedly carrying more than 17,000 pounds of cocaine, worth some $232 million.