A Panamanian citizens’ coalition, Sal de las Redes, filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of a recent agreement allowing U.S. troop deployment near the Panama Canal. The agreement, signed under pressure from the U.S. President, permits U.S. forces to conduct training and maneuvers in areas adjacent to the canal, raising concerns about a de facto re-establishment of U.S. military bases. The coalition argues the agreement violates the Panamanian Constitution and the 1977 treaty transferring canal control to Panama, despite government assurances to the contrary. The agreement’s potential impact on Panamanian sovereignty and its implications for the canal’s neutrality are central to the dispute.
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Fourteen states have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and President Trump, arguing that Musk’s position within DOGE violates the Constitution’s Appointments Clause. The suit mirrors the successful challenge to Jack Smith’s authority in the Mar-a-Lago documents case, utilizing Justice Thomas’s concurrence in that case to support their claim that Musk is an unappointed principal officer. The plaintiffs contend that the executive branch lacks the power to unilaterally create DOGE and that Musk’s actions are therefore unconstitutional. They seek a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, and declaratory relief to halt DOGE’s operations and nullify Musk’s actions.
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Governor Josh Shapiro is suing the Trump administration for withholding over $2 billion in congressionally approved federal funding for Pennsylvania. This funding, crucial for water safety, utility assistance, and environmental cleanup, has been blocked despite court orders. The lawsuit alleges that the federal government’s actions violate the Constitution by unilaterally suspending allocated funds and imposing new conditions. These funds are vital for numerous projects, including abandoned mine reclamation and utility bill assistance for thousands of households, and their delay poses significant risks to public safety and infrastructure.
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John Q. Hosedrinker