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Lyle Denniston

@lylden.bsky.social
364 followers 198 following 349 posts
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
In the first ruling of its kind, a fed judge in Miami decides Congress has no power to set qualifications for voters in fed elections, including no power to criminally prosecute non-citizens who do vote. Major setback for Trump election maneuvering. Details at: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/10/03/n...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
In a blunt command to two lower courts, SCt today issued a binding order that Missouri officials are not to use a GOP-favored, gerrymandered district map for this year's congressional election. Full explanation at: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/09/25/c...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Hours keep going by with no action by SCt on latest flap over Missouri congressional election. All briefs were in by 10 p.m. last night. What's going on? Maybe, this time, it will explain what it does and maybe, this time, it won't be 9-0. Either or both of those would mean writings that take time
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It is possible that, by the end of the day today, the SCt will react to the latest crisis in the Missouri congressional race this year. State must reply by 2 pm today to voting rights group plea for SCt reinforcing its Sept. 10 order that supposedly had settled this dispute.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The voting rights group seeking to block GOP-gerrymandered congressional districts in Missouri has now asked 8th CA to put all of its Monday ruling on hold, says CA has contradicted SCt order Sept. 10. Update of earlier post, see here: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/09/22/p...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The deep uncertainty over this year's congressional election in Missouri -- important to election law generally -- grows deeper as the 8th CA mandates use in November of a GOP-favored map for the House of Reps. seats. Want it sorted out? Check this: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/09/22/p...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Really curious: Justice Kavanaugh did not rely on Purcell principle in finding Post Office rules were coming out too close to election. Instead, he relied on Admin Procedure Act -- from which the Post Office is specifically exempted. Is he walking away from Purcell b/c it inhibits the President?
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
By 7-2 vote, SCt refuses to allow postal officials to impose strict new limits on mail-in balloting at this year's elections. This follows SCt action last week against Trump attempt to give GOP another seat in House of Reps. Full explanation at this link: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/09/14/v...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A legal flap between red states and blue states over the proposed merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. has reached SCt as red states ask the SCt to change how it handles cases on its Original docket. What's this about? See: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/09/14/t...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
DC fed judge Carl Nichols in Sunday opinion blocked all key parts of new Postal Service rule to restrict mail-in voting. Goes beyond what Massachusetts judge did (which awaits SCt reaction, which is probably coming soon).
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The Missouri congressional election this year has become a tangled web of conflicting court rulings, state and federal, as the days roll by before voters go to the polls. The situation has national implications. It is sorted out here: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/09/09/b...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Difficult election law disputes continue to test the SCt over this year's voting. Historic new case from Missouri on partisan gerrymandering is the next up. For details and analysis, see: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/09/07/b...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Trump Admin and Post Office file Sunday plea to SCt for stay of injunction issued by Boston fed judge stopping efforts to curb mail-in voting this year. Docketed as 26A305.. Response due Sept. 9. Prior stay applic (26A297) on earlier TRO now withdrawn.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Boston fed judge Talwani blocked today key parts of Postal Service new controls; comprehensive 49-page opinion. Makes moot current DOJ plea for stay of the judge's earlier and now dissolved TRO (SCt docket 26A297). DOJ will have to start a new stay plea.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Want to understand, in lay terms, both the practical and legal meanings of today's SCt ruling allowing White House ballroom project to continue? Check this out: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/08/31/c...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
In these sad and weary days of political buffoons, so thoroughly refreshing to watch the poised and supremely talented Scottie Scheffler quietly win another golf tournament.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
For those trying to catch up with the 11th CA's query to counsel about whether it has juris. over Trump appeal re the "settlement" of Trump v IRS, the case at 11th CA is 26-12692, and the query documents are at ECF # 42. Hat tip to Harry Litman for the original alert about this.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Lawyers for E. Jean Carroll were due to file by this Monday their responses to the Trump and DOJ appeals challenging the $83 million damages verdict. That has now been extended, until Oct. 30.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
If there was a problem getting docketed the new petition challenging Texas mandate of Ten Commandments on school classroom walls, it seems to have been solved. Now on docket as 26-257. It says was filed Aug. 17 but it only showed up on docket today, 11 days later. Go figure. Response due 9-18.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Quite a few ideas now circulating on how to change the SCt. What are the chances that any will succeed? A deep dive into that, here: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/08/28/c...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
With 68 days left before the midterm elections, a Boston judge Thursday night blocked the Postal Service's complex new rules that seek to carry out President Trump's opposition to mail-in voting. The order will keep the plans on hold for 14 days. See this report: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/08/28/t...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Flurry of activity today in multiple fed courts -- especially in Boston -- with new attempts to stop Postal Service from enforcing its new restrictions on mail-in voting in this year's elections. SCt on Monday allowed it to take steps but left open whether legal or not. That's now key issue.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Democratic leaders file a new lawsuit in fed court in WashDC to challenge Trump and Post Office attempts to curtail mail-in voting in this year's elections. A prior lawsuit failed on lack of ripeness. Tomorrow, League of Women Voters et al. will begin a new challenge in fed ct in Boston.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Challengers to Trump order to limit mail-in voting plan to file tomorrow an amendment to their lawsuit in Boston, this time aiming at final ruling by Postal Service on 8/21. They argue SCt ruling yesterday leaves open their new challenge, which Post Office and DOJ consent to filing.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Quickly following up on SCt ruling Monday on Trump challenge to mail-in voting, Justice Departments seeks to apply that decision to overturn another order against Postal Service on the issue. See UPDATED version of earlier post on this venue: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/08/24/t...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
In a preliminary ruling on President's attempt to curb mail-in voting, SCt allows only the first steps, leaving legality of the effort to a future case. Want this sorted out? Check this: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/08/24/t...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
A week now gone by and SCt has not clarified why ACLU petition re Ten Commandments public school display was once docketed but not now. Any idea what's going on? Only clue is there might hv been something wrong with filing of this "joint" petition on 2 separate 5th CA orders. Are lawyers redoing?
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Something strange happening at SCt re ACLU's petition on Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. It was supposedly docketed as 26-221 bur has now disappeared from docket and that number assigned to another case. Something wrong with the ACLU petition in form supposedly filed 8-17?
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
For those interested in ACLU's SCt petition challenging Texas law requiring 10 Commandments on classroom walls, it was finally docketed today. It is 26-221, Rabbi Mara Nathan v. Alamo Heights School District et al. Response now due on Sept. 21. No explanation why it took 4 days to docket..
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Puzzled that, 2 days after ACLU said it had filed cert petition on the issue of Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, SCt docket still does not show it as filed. It is a joint petition re two separate rulings by 5th CA; is that the problem? Or it is just summer doldrums?
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
SCt order this morning denying rehearing plea by Trump in Jean Carroll $5 million verdict case (noted in earlier post today on this venue) is definitely not the last step in this long legal feud. Further analysis at: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/08/17/t...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
SCt, w/ no explanation & no vote count, denies Trump plea to rehear challenge to $5 mil. jury verdict for E. Jean Carroll. Ct had denied petition in June. Today's order not likely to end their ongoing legal feud. Brief report here (longer version later today): lyldenlawnews.com/2026/08/17/t...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Overnight, Trump legal team asks 11th CA for stay of Fla. fed Judge Williams sanctions order over bogus settlement of Trump v IRS lawsuit. J Williams refused to expedite stay request but has not yet acted on whether to grant or deny. Trump team says issue is time sensitive, prodding CA.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
It is no surprise, but Pres. Trump has now made a move to impose new restrictions on birthright citizenship for children born here to foreign parents. He found a phrase in SCt's June ruling as legal permission. Details at: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/08/09/c...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Miami fed judge Williams turns down Trump plea to swiftly postpone her 7-13 ruling denouncing Trump v IRS "settlement," & gives high-profile amici lawyers until 8-14 to answer Trump challenges to her ruling.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Fed Judge Mehta in DC erases last of the criminal charges for Jan. 6 rioters who had not been pardoned by Trump. Judge laments that he had little choice given prosecutor discretion. Explained at: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/08/05/t...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Trump's big ally payoff fund gets a revision from Acting AG Blanche and it satisfies 2 objecting GOP Senators. New version leaves legality still much in doubt. Explained at: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/08/03/t...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
The politics of Trump's "slush fund" gets more uncertain, but so too is the constitutional controversy arising out of court cases challenging the Fund. Full details explained at: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/08/01/p...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
The docketing of the Trump-DOJ petitions re Jean Carroll is now complete: Trump's is 26-141, DOJ is 26-142. For no known reason, it took 2 days for them to be docketed after their file date of July 28.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
SCt has finally put on its docket new Trump petition vs. Jean Carroll over $83 million jury verdict. It is 26-141. No sign yet of DOJ separate petition. Unclear what the holdup has been. Maybe just summer doldrums.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
I remain totally puzzled that, 36 hours or so after Trump and DOJ filed new SCt petitions in Jean Carroll case, the SCt still does not show either on the docket. Anybody have an explanation? Do the petitions even have docket numbers yet, so one can start to follow?
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Trump and Justice Dept. move to SCt in bid to overturn $83 million verdict against Trump in favor of Jean Carroll. They agree on what they ultimately want, but by different paths. Details at: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/07/29/t...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Would be grateful to anyone who could supply text of Trump new cert petition on second Jean Carroll verdict. Also for Justice Dept. separate petition on Westfall Act factor in that case. News orgs have seen one by Trump via leaks, but not on docket at SCt yet.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Week ahead should bring to SCt Trump cert petition in $83 million verdict for E. Jean Carroll. After the Court listed the $5 million verdict case 16 times before simply denying review, and that case was very thin, good bet the new, more certworthy petition will be a grant.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Word seems to be out that Trump damage verdict of $5.6 million has been paid to Jean Carroll. Not sure that's true; Trump team still has a challenge motion pending at 2d CA and SCt has not denied rehearing petition.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Florida fed judge undercuts any legal basis for the Trump $1.8 B slush fund and finds serious ethical violations in the proceedings leading to creation of that fund and to a new immunity grant for Trump. Details at: lyldenlawnews.com/2026/07/13/t...
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
SCt docket in Trump v. Jean Carroll (the $5 million verdict) has now been revised to show that the corrected rehearing petition has been accepted as filed. Don't know if that will make any difference in speeding up payment of verdict amount to Carroll.
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
8th CA, like SCt before it, made no sense in remand NoDak Native Amer redistrict case under Callais. If thr was no standing to sue under Sec 2 of VRA, there is zip to decide on remand. No matter what Dist Ct now does re Callais impact, CA has not abandoned its ban on private Sec 2 suits. What's up?
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
SCt refused today to let Trump legal team file petition for rehearing after Ct denied review of Trump challenge to $5 million verdict for Jean Carroll. No reason given but probably a flaw in the rehearing plea under SCt Rule 44.2. This is a major insult to Trump lawyers. Any speculation on it here?
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Lyle Denniston @lylden.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
I would much appreciate seeing a copy of the filing E. Jean Carroll's lawyers made seeking enforcement of the $5 million judgment against Trump. I've seen a couple of references but no link. Thanks.
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