Cases And Controversies

A Texas district attorney says a convicted murderer shouldn't be executed, due to his intellectual disability. But the Texas state court disagreed, and now the case of Bobby James Moore is back at the U.S. Supreme Court after he already won a case there in 2017. The justices will discuss whether to take up his latest case at their Jan. 4 conference. Bloomberg Law reporters Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin unpack the twists and turns in the fascinating case on the latest episode of Cases and Controversies. Hosts: Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin. Producer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch.

What makes Justice Sonia Sotomayor's mind run wild? Is Justice Stephen Breyer just making it up as he goes along? And what's the essence of a brownie? These are just a few of the questions the justices tackled this year during some of lighter moments at the U.S. Supreme Court. Bloomberg Law counts down the top 10 funniest moments in this Supremely Funny podcast. Hosts: Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin. Producer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch.

President Trump’s appointment of Matthew Whitaker as acting Attorney General has prompted a “constitutional crisis,” says Tom Goldstein, the veteran U.S. Supreme Court lawyer and publisher of SCOTUSblog, who is challenging Whitaker's appointment at the high court in an unusual motion. Bloomberg Law reporters Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin speak to Goldstein and Steve Vladeck, the constitutional scholar at the University of Texas who argues the temporary appointment was legal. They discuss Goldstein’s motion, other pending challenges percolating in the courts, and the effect of Trump's Dec. 7 nomination of William Barr to take over Whitaker's role full-time. Goldstein maintains that, even if Barr is confirmed by the Senate, Whitaker's appointment will still have had disastrous consequences, including for law enforcement and national security. Hosts: Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin. Producer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch.

This is your SCOTUS Sneak Peek of the cases in front of the justices the week of December 3, featuring taxes, patents, and whether a big double jeopardy case could be a boon to convicts in President Trump's orbit. Hosts: Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin. Producer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch.

This is your SCOTUS Sneak Peek of the cases in front of the court the week of November 26, where the justices will take on questions about iPhones, Land Rovers, and whether half of Oklahoma is sitting on an American Indian reservation. Hosts: Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin Producer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch

The U.S. Supreme Court just wrapped up its November sitting. Bloomberg Law discusses the female justices’ approach to arguments, surprising questions from new-Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and how one advocate survived two high court arguments over a 48-hour period. Hosts: Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin. Producer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch.

This is your SCOTUS Sneak Peek of the cases in front of the justices the week of November 5, which will touch on federalism, executions, and, a high court favorite, hovercrafts. Hosts: Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin. Producer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch.

Class actions, criminal appeals, and cougars dominate the first week of arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court's upcoming "November sitting." In the inaugural episode of Cases and Controversies SCOTUS Sneak Peek, Bloomberg Law's legal reporters break down what to expect in the six cases set for argument the week of Oct. 29. Perry Cooper, Kimberly Robinson, and Jordan Rubin preview the action in the latest cases involving the Federal Arbitration Act, sovereign immunity, and more. Producer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch

After a bitter confirmation battle, Justice Brett Kavanaugh finally took the Supreme Court bench for oral arguments. Bloomberg Law recaps how he got there, discusses his demeanor during arguments, and highlights relationships to watch. Hosts: Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin. Producer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch.

The extraordinary opening statement by U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh at the Sept. 27 hearing was forceful at times, tearful at others. But Kavanaugh also condemned Democratic senators for their attacks on him, saying he was the target of a "political hit." Where does the Supreme Court, an institution that strives to be seen as above politics, go from here? Listen to this Bloomberg Law podcast for some answers. Hosts: Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin. Producer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch

The makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court is suddenly in doubt after Christine Blasey Ford publicly accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault when they were teens. Now the question is whether she’ll testify against him before the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee and whether they’ll care if she does. Bloomberg Law’s Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin discuss what’s next for Kavanaugh and they also preview a couple of interesting cases the justices could take up for review for the term starting Oct. 1, regardless whether Kavanaugh makes it onto the bench. Hosts: Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin. Producer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch.

Four days of confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh kick off Sept. 4. Bloomberg Law's Kimberly Robinson and Jordan Rubin discuss the likely focal points as the now-Judge gets grilled by Republican and Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee. Expect to hear tough questions on abortion, presidential powers, and Kavanaugh's earlier testimony—made during his confirmation hearings for the D.C. Circuit—regarding enemy combatants.

President Donald Trump has floated the idea of aiding farmers with a $12 billion package amid the recent barrage of U.S. tariffs — a clear anticipation of the tariffs’ impact on U.S. jobs. Agricultural groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation have criticized the surge in U.S. tariffs, saying Chinese retaliatory tariffs will likely hurt U.S. farmers. Automobile companies are also caught in the crosshairs: foreign companies with operations in the U.S., such as Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Kia Motors Corporation, said the added tariffs pose a risk to U.S. workers, according to the Association of Global Automakers. Will the Trump administration’s tariff actions live up to Trump’s campaign promises? For this episode of Cases & Controversies, Bloomberg Law international trade reporter Dave Sebastian speaks with Celeste Drake, a trade and globalization specialist at AFL-CIO, and William Hoagland, senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Follow Dave on Twitter: @depsebastian.

We know Donald Trump's presidency has been unconventional. That's true for his clemency grants, too. Trump's gotten a quicker start on that score than his recent predecessors. And he's also bucked the norm of waiting for recommendations from the Justice Department's pardon attorney before granting pardons and commutations. The president also has generated controversy not just with his pardon process—or lack thereof—but with who's received them. Recipients include lawbreaking ex-sheriff Joe Arpaio and conservative provocateur Dinesh D'Souza. In the latest episode of Cases and Controversies, Bloomberg Law's Jordan Rubin and Kimberly Robinson break down Trump's clemency practices.

Just last week, the Trump administration broke the record for the most circuit court judges confirmed. Bloomberg Government Congressional reporter Nancy Ognanovich and Bloomberg Law legal editor Patrick Gregory join this Cases and Controversies podcast to discuss the administration's successes, its failures, and what's next for Trump Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Enjoy!

The Supreme Court wrapped up its 2017 term on June 27, handing down a string of 5-4 decisions. Although the court won't be back in session until October, there's sure to be a lot of Supreme Court news, as the President and Senate move to fill the vacancy left by retiring longtime Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. Bloomberg Law's Supreme Court reporter Kimberly Robinson and criminal law reporter Jordan Rubin discuss this term's divisive nature, and what's likely to come next in the fight over Kennedy's seat in this Cases and Controversies podcast.

Bloomberg Law’s Jordan Rubin and Kimberly Robinson break down the U.S. Supreme Court’s latest big—but, yes, narrow!—decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop. They’re joined by the ACLU’s David Cole, who represented the same-sex couple turned away from the shop, and Jim Campbell of the Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented the baker. Cole and Campbell explain how the decision will affect future cases, including the impending Supreme Court ruling on President Trump’s travel ban.

Power up your cellular telephones, grab some carrots, and pop in your favorite French comedy as Bloomberg Law’s Jordan Rubin and Kimberly Robinson break down the funniest moments from the Supreme Court’s 2017 term. And be sure to vote for your favorite funny moment at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QFL6GX9.