Introduction: In his December 10, 2025 column for Justia VERDICT, legal commentator Akshai Vikram argues that growing public concern over what many view as executive overreach under Donald J. Trump’s second administration is fueling calls for a stronger, more assertive Congress. Verdict Widespread Disquiet Among Voters Poll after poll in…
Articles Posted in Commentary and Opinion
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Update: Tariffs, Revenues and the Federal Defecit–What the Latest Numbers Show
An Update from the Congressional Budget Office. * INTRODUCTION: The Congressional Budget Office’s November 2025 update shows that rapidly changing tariff policies have significantly reshaped federal budget projections. As of mid November, the effective U.S. tariff rate is about 14 percentage points higher than a year earlier, and CBO now…
Why the United States Has Not Yet Elected a Woman President
This posting provides a concise analytical summary of several key explanations for why the United States, despite more than two centuries of democratic development and expanding opportunities for women in public life, has yet to elect a female president. A curated selection of relevant reference sources follows, intended to enhance…
The Impact of Judge Shopping on Court Decisions in Criminal Cases
Judge shopping, the practice of attempting to steer a legal case toward a particular judge perceived as favorable, raises serious concerns in criminal justice. While often discussed in civil litigation, its consequences in criminal cases are profound, influencing bail, evidentiary rulings, trial outcomes, and sentencing. This posting examines how judge…
What is Antifa? Understanding its Origins and Impact on U.S. Criminal Behavior
INTRODUCTION: Antifa is a decentralized, far left political movement that participates in protests and counter-protests, with some individuals engaging in criminal and violent acts. While specific incidents of violence have been attributed to individuals identifying with the movement, analysts and law enforcement agencies note that the most significant and lethal…
Whistleblowing Against Corrupt Competitors
Article from the American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section:* INTRODUCTION: “As widely reported, the U.S. Department of Justice’s updated FCPA guidelines, released June 9, mark a high-profile strategic shift in enforcement priorities. Most of the law firm commentary has focused on internal compliance and investigation. The overall take-away is that…
Power Plays in Washington: A Deep Dive Into the 2025 Government Shutdown
OVERVIEW: In their opinion feature “‘The wrong hill to die on’: 3 writers discuss the government shutdown”, Benjy Sarlin (Assignment Editor), Robert Gebelhoff (Editorial Board), and James Hohmann (Deputy Opinion Editor) dissect the unfolding government shutdown standoff. The authors explore the tug of war between Democrats’ demand to extend health…
Special Libraries Association (SLA) Community Guidance: Transitioning to ASIS&T
The purpose of this framework is to provide guidance to SLA Community leadership and members as SLA moves towards dissolution and merger with ASIS&T (Association for Information Science and Technology)* INTRODUCTION: On August 21, 2025 SLA and ASIS&T announced the approval of the merger by both association memberships. Uniting SLA…
After the Death of Charlie Kirk; Why America Must Pause and Reflect
In their provocative and urgent reflection, Austin Sarat and Steve Kramer confront what they view as one of the most dire questions for America today: what happens the spectacle of a public assassination becomes another battleground for opinion and outrage? In “After the Death of Charlie Kirk, America Needs to…
From Co Counsel to Blockchain: Recent Key Legal Technology Updates
INTRODUCTION: The legal tech landscape is accelerating, with major announcements spanning AI, blockchain, and automation. Highlights include the American Arbitration Association’s partnership with Integra Ledger on blockchain document authentication, Thomson Reuters expanding CoCounsel and Westlaw Deep Research into law schools, law firms, law libraries and new product launches from Exterro,…