Appeals court throws out Trump’s $454 million civil fraud judgment.
Well, here we are, wrestling with another twist in the ongoing saga that is the legal battles surrounding Donald Trump. The Appeals Court has spoken, and the headline reads: the $454 million civil fraud judgment against Trump has been, essentially, tossed out. Now, before anyone starts cheering or throwing their hands up in despair, let’s break down what this actually *means*. The initial ruling found Trump, along with his sons and his business, guilty of a decade’s worth of business fraud. The court unequivocally stated that they had the intent to defraud.… Continue reading
Early American colonists vehemently opposed Britain’s practice of transporting convicts to the colonies and the subsequent trial of colonial defendants in England. This opposition is reflected in the Declaration of Independence’s grievances and likely influenced the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, including exile. James Madison strongly condemned deportation, even of non-citizens, highlighting the cruelty inherent in such banishment, particularly when considering the loss of property and connections. Given Madison’s views, the prospect of a U.S. government exiling its own citizens would likely have been seen as exceptionally egregious.
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Despite legal constraints, including the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment and the logistical challenges posed by U.S. Code 3621, Trump suggested expanding deportation beyond those who enter the country illegally. Deporting incarcerated U.S. citizens presents significant legal hurdles due to the need for court appearances and adherence to U.S. prison standards, which are not met in countries like El Salvador. The potential for human rights violations in countries like El Salvador further complicates such deportations.
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A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration’s directive to transfer transgender women inmates to men’s facilities and cease hormone therapy. The order, granted in response to a lawsuit filed by three transgender women, cites the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, arguing that such transfers would endanger the plaintiffs. The judge found the government’s arguments insufficient to justify immediate relocation, noting the low number of transgender women in women’s prisons and the lack of evidence of threats posed by the plaintiffs. This ruling surpasses a prior, narrower injunction concerning a single transgender woman.
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A transgender woman, identified as Maria Moe, is suing Donald Trump over a recent executive order mandating the placement of transgender women in men’s prisons. This federal lawsuit, the first of its kind, alleges the order violates Moe’s Fifth and Eighth Amendment rights by exposing her to extreme risks of violence and denying her gender-affirming care. The order dictates that only two biological sexes are recognized, impacting incarcerated transgender individuals disproportionately. Moe’s transfer to a men’s facility would severely endanger her safety and well-being.
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The recent Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outside has sparked a wave of controversy and mixed emotions among the public. As someone who has experienced homelessness personally, this decision strikes a chord deep within me. The ruling, authored by Gorsuch and joined by other conservative justices, goes against the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals’ previous stance that such bans violate the Eighth Amendment in areas with insufficient shelter space.
The case originated in Grants Pass, Oregon, a town struggling with a high poverty rate and limited resources. The local ordinances fined individuals for sleeping outside, leading to overcrowded public parks with tents.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker