Constitutional Accountability Center Constitutional Accountability Center

Today in the News, 2.17.09

  • “That mix of backgrounds and expertise might strike some as valuable, but the chief justice suggested that it tended to inject policy and politics into an area properly reserved for the law.” The NY Times featured an article over the weekend highlighting comments made by Chief Justice John Roberts, in which he suggested that it’s preferable to have former appellate judges, rather than individuals with other backgrounds, serve as Supreme Court justices. (Volokh has an interesting rebuttal here.)

  • “The exclusionary rule does more than simply put a check on police misconduct. It protects the integrity of the judicial system.” Also in the NY Times this weekend, Adam Cohen writes an editorial challenging the escalating efforts by the Court’s conservatives to eliminate the exclusionary rule.

  • “More than 90% of the 1,027 adults surveyed said judges should be removed from a case if it involves an individual or group that contributed to the judge’s election campaign.” USA Today rounds out a weekend of news coverage of the soon-to-argued Supreme Court case Caperton v. Massey Coal, “a case with the feel of a best seller” according to USA Today. (The Legal Times, NYT, and West Virginia Gazette, have more.)

More from

Immigration and Citizenship
U.S. Supreme Court

Noem v. Al Otro Lado

In Noem v. Al Otro Lado, the Supreme Court is considering whether the government can ignore certain legal protections for people seeking asylum at ports of entry.
Civil and Human Rights
March 2, 2026

AI and Constitutional Democracy at 250

Host: Constitutional Accountability Center and William & Mary (W&M) Law School’s Digital Democracy Lab
Access to Justice
February 12, 2026

February Newsletter: CAC Supports Everyday Americans Fighting for Their Day in Court

At every level of our judicial system, a complex set of doctrines determines what cases...
Rule of Law
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Climate United Fund v. Citibank

In Climate United Fund v. Citibank, the en banc United States of Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is considering whether the Trump administration can unilaterally abolish a mandatory grant program created by Congress.
Rule of Law
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Oregon v. Landis

In Oregon v. Landis, the Ninth Circuit is considering when states may prosecute federal officers for state crimes.
Rule of Law
February 4, 2026

‘This Occupation Has to End!’ Omar Argues After Homan Says Most Agents Will Stay in Minnesota

Common Dreams
“Every single ICE and CBP agent should be out of Minnesota,” the congresswoman said. “The...