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Judges

All articles tagged with #judges

Booker Prize judges' tussle yields six-book shortlist
literature17 days ago

Booker Prize judges' tussle yields six-book shortlist

The Booker Prize judging panel—Dame Mary Beard (chair), Rebecca Liu, Jarvis Cocker, Raymond Antrobus and Patricia Lockwood—described a ‘tussle’ in narrowing the longlist to six finalists for 2026, including past winners Marlon James (The Disappearers) and Douglas Stuart (John of John). The other shortlisted titles are The End of Everything (M John Harrison), Black Bag (Luke Kennard), May We Feed the King (Rebecca Perry) and The Things We Never Say (Elizabeth Strout). Seven longlisted books were dropped, including Emma Cline’s Switzy. The winner receives £50,000 and will be announced in London on 9 November, with BBC Radio 4’s Front Row broadcasting the ceremony.

Brooklyn Dems Hit With $190K in Judge Donations, Sparking Pay-to-Play Debate
politics19 days ago

Brooklyn Dems Hit With $190K in Judge Donations, Sparking Pay-to-Play Debate

Brooklyn Democratic leaders Frank Seddio and Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn, along with allies, have raked in about $190,000 from judges and judicial candidates since 2012, plus additional payments linked to political clubs, prompting critics to call it a pay-to-play dynamic that could influence endorsements. Officials say donations were permitted under existing rules, but watchdogs argue rules are being bypassed and demand a broader probe into the potential erosion of judicial independence.

Quiet coordination by Minnesota judges on Trump immigration cases sparks ethics questions
politics22 days ago

Quiet coordination by Minnesota judges on Trump immigration cases sparks ethics questions

During Operation Metro Surge, Minnesota federal judges reportedly coordinated behind the scenes via email and templates to manage a flood of habeas petitions, prompting questions about possible collusion versus efficient sharing of court-management tactics; the DOJ and DHS criticized public comments and potential recusals, while judges insist they made independent merits-based rulings despite the unusual caseload.

DHS counsel faces ethics complaint for public attacks on judges
politics-and-policy1 month ago

DHS counsel faces ethics complaint for public attacks on judges

A top DHS official, James Percival, used his official social media to attack sitting district judges who ruled against the Trump administration, labeling them the “Worst of the Worst” and accusing them of “judicial sabotage.” Nearly 130 former judges and two watchdog groups filed a Florida Bar ethics complaint seeking an investigation for potential professional-conduct violations. Ethics experts say the remarks breach rules restricting disparagement of judges and could undermine judicial credibility and public trust, a concern magnified by rising threats to judges (415 threats in 2026 through Aug. 17). Percival has not commented beyond a DHS post referencing a related award nomination; the Florida Bar’s investigation status remains unclear.

Threats rise after Rhode Island judge blocks Trump funding plan
national2 months ago

Threats rise after Rhode Island judge blocks Trump funding plan

U.S. District Judge John McConnell, who blocked the Trump administration’s sweeping funding freeze in 2025, has since received credible death threats, illustrating the climate of intimidation facing jurists across political lines; a pizza-delivery incident in the name of a deceased son highlighted how threats can manifest, underscoring concerns about judge safety and the ongoing need for strong protections of the judiciary and the rule of law.

Kepner Family Finds Peace as Stepbrother Is Remanded Ahead of Trial
us-news3 months ago

Kepner Family Finds Peace as Stepbrother Is Remanded Ahead of Trial

The Kepner family says they are at peace now that Timothy Hudson—Anna Kepner’s stepbrother accused of raping and murdering her aboard a Carnival Cruise—had his pretrial release revoked and was sent to jail ahead of his trial. Hudson, charged as an adult with murder and aggravated sexual abuse, has pleaded not guilty, and his custody ensures he cannot harm anyone else while the case proceeds.

Judges Question DOJ Candor as Trust in Federal Courts Frays
politics4 months ago

Judges Question DOJ Candor as Trust in Federal Courts Frays

A wave of federal rulings accuses Justice Department lawyers of dishonesty and withholding information, calling into question the long-held trust that government counsel will be candid in court; from Rhode Island's hospital records case to Chicago grand-jury transcripts and related matters, judges fault misrepresentations, redactions, and delays, prompting outside counsel investigations and debates over ethics, with experts warning that eroding candor could undermine the federal judiciary even as DOJ officials defend their conduct.

DOJ fires six immigration judges after deportation rulings in pro-Palestinian cases
law-and-justice5 months ago

DOJ fires six immigration judges after deportation rulings in pro-Palestinian cases

Six immigration judges were terminated by the Department of Justice, including Roopal Patel and Nina Froes who had blocked deportations of pro-Palestinian students Rümeysa Öztürk and Mohsen Mahdawi. The DOJ touted routine evaluations for impartiality and professionalism, while critics warn the firings could erode due process and reduce experienced immigrant-defense expertise on the bench.

Trump admin sacks Virginia interim U.S. attorney moments after judges named him
politics7 months ago

Trump admin sacks Virginia interim U.S. attorney moments after judges named him

Hours after Virginia judges unanimously named James W Hundley interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, the Trump administration fired him—marking a second such firing this month of a prosecutor appointed by judges—as Deputy AG Todd Blanche asserted the president makes the appointment, underscoring a clash over interim U.S. attorney authority.

Courts Find ICE Detentions Illegal More Than 4,400 Times in Five Months Amid Mass Deportation Push
politics7 months ago

Courts Find ICE Detentions Illegal More Than 4,400 Times in Five Months Amid Mass Deportation Push

A Reuters investigation found judges have ruled ICE detainees were held illegally more than 4,400 times since October, as the Trump administration expanded mass deportations and ICE custody rose to about 68,000. The administration pursued aggressive arrest quotas, while habeas petitions topped 20,000, with hundreds of court orders violated and officials urged to be held accountable for widespread due-process violations.

politics8 months ago

GOP Leader Johnson backs impeachment moves against judges clashing with Trump

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he’s “for it” on impeachment articles against judges perceived as antagonistic to President Trump, marking a shift in his stance and spotlighting Judge James Boasberg as a target in a revived conservative push—though GOP lawmakers acknowledge impeachment would be an extreme, uncertain path with uncertain votes.