Constitutional Topics

Flipping on Taxes, Trump Tests America’s Founding Principles

Populism often challenges the stability of constitutional structures. The Founding Fathers designed our Constitution with checks and balances to prevent hasty decisions, particularly regarding tax policies. Populist rhetoric sometimes clashes with these constitutional guardrails, favoring direct...

Judge Orders Migrant’s Return to US

Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr.’s recent ruling has thrown a wrench in the Trump administration’s plans regarding the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The decision critically examines whether the circumstances envisioned by the statute align with the administration’s actions. Rodriguez clarified that...

Yellowstone’s ‘Zone of Death’: Could You Really Get Away with Murder?

Deep in Yellowstone National Park lies a 50-square-mile strip of Idaho known as the “Zone of Death,” where a legal quirk could, in theory, let someone dodge prosecution for serious crimes like murder. First flagged by law professor Brian C. Kalt in 2005, this loophole stems from a clash between...

Second Amendment Irony: Disarming the Government, Not the People?

Rep. Barry Moore of Alabama has introduced the “Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act,” proposing to remove firearms and ammunition from IRS agents. The plan would: Prohibit the IRS from using funds to acquire firearms and ammunition Transfer existing weapons to the Administrator of General Services...

Tax Cuts For Everyone Or Should The Wealthy Pay More?

Tax policy remains a contentious issue in U.S. politics, with the Republican Party steadfastly committed to reducing taxes across the board. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a key figure in this approach, has consistently voiced opposition to tax increases on high-income earners. Recent discussions...

REAL ID and Surveillance State Concerns

The REAL ID Act, set to be enforced on May 7, 2025 , will change domestic travel in the United States. This federal law requires REAL ID-compliant licenses or other approved identification for boarding domestic flights. To obtain a REAL ID in Arizona, for example, individuals need: Proof of birth...

Arizona Takes Action on Noncitizen Voters

Arizona is verifying and removing noncitizens from its voter rolls following a lawsuit by America First Legal (AFL), led by former Trump advisor Stephen Miller. The suit, targeting 15 Arizona counties, claimed they weren’t following state law on citizenship verification. Now, these counties are...

1968 Civil Rights Act Signed

April 11, 1968, marked a pivotal moment in American history with the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 , also known as the Fair Housing Act, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This legislative milestone came just a week after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, which acted as a catalyst for...

What It Means When Democrats Vote Like Republicans

In 2025, American politics resembles a battlefield more than a republic, with key figures like Jared Golden marking new paths by crossing party lines. Golden supported the SAVE Act, which demands proof of citizenship before voting—a move he defends as necessary to prevent fraud. Critics argue it...

Can Congress Regain Tariff Power?

The U.S. Constitution designates Congress as the primary authority over tariffs. Article I, Section 8 endows Congress with the power to "lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises," and to "regulate Commerce with foreign Nations." These words cement Congress's central role in shaping...

Presidential Authority on the Brink: Will the Court Rewrite the Rules?

The recent legal developments concerning President Trump’s dismissals of Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board and Cathy Harris from the Merit Systems Protection Board have significant implications. A federal appeals court’s en banc 7-4 decision to reinstate these members,...

A True Battle Between Judiciary & Executive: Trump’s Rebellion Intensifies

Judge James Boasberg finds himself at the center of a legal showdown with the Trump administration over deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. In a recent hearing, Boasberg pointed out potential rule-breaking as two planes carrying alleged Venezuelan gang members were sent to El Salvador despite...

Maine Faces Legal Consequences for Defying Transgender Athlete Policy

Maine finds itself in a heated conflict with the Trump administration over its approach to transgender participation in girls’ sports. The issue centers on Title IX enforcement —a federal civil rights law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education. Maine has allowed transgender girls to...

Presidential Pardon for Dark Web’s Most Infamous Kingpin

When the dark web’s most infamous kingpin walks free at the hands of a U.S. president, the world takes notice. Ulbricht, the mastermind behind Silk Road , envisioned a decentralized, anonymous marketplace rooted in libertarian ideals and enabled by emerging technologies like Tor and Bitcoin. But...

Boasberg Considers Contempt of Court

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg closely examined the Trump administration’s handling of deportations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. This scrutiny arose from the administration’s apparent disregard of a court order halting deportations of Venezuelan nationals. Boasberg focused on the March...

Are we watching the slow dismantling of federal healthcare guarantees?

The Supreme Court’s deliberations on the Medicaid Act’s “qualified provider” definition have sparked debate over states’ ability to block Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood. This issue centers on interpreting the Act’s guarantee of patient choice in healthcare providers. The...

Trump’s Gold Card Visa

President Trump's "gold card" proposal suggests a streamlined path to U.S. citizenship for wealthy investors. Unlike the current EB-5 Visa, which requires substantial investment leading to job creation, the gold card offers a simpler option — a $5 million payment without the need to demonstrate...

Constitutional Basis for Trump’s Voter Order Lawsuit

In the United States, the Constitution establishes the foundation for our republic. It clearly defines the powers of Congress and the states to regulate elections, intentionally excluding the President from this authority. This division ensures protection against executive overreach. A recent...

Republican Bill Targes Supreme Court Leaks

Supreme Court leaks have become a contentious issue. The 2022 leak of the Dobbs decision draft opinion marked a significant change, exposing the court’s position on a major abortion case. It ignited protests outside the homes of conservative justices, highlighting potential risks of such...

Did Trump Find a Loophole to Extend His Presidency?

The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, restricts presidents from being elected beyond two terms. This rule was inspired by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms as president. While the amendment seems straightforward, some legal scholars have identified a potential loophole. Consider...