University of Wisconsin–Madison

Category: News

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Justice Department files formal complaint against Judge Boasberg

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a formal complaint against District Judge James Boasberg, accusing him of misconduct and demanding his removal from a key deportation case. The complaint stems from Boasberg’s reported private remarks expressing concern that the Trump administration might ignore court rulings—comments DOJ officials claim undermine public trust in the judiciary. The …

India: Call for Transparent Judicial Removal Mechanisms

In a lecture at NALSAR University, Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran emphasized the need for a transparent and constitutionally grounded mechanism for removing judges in India to ensure a balance between judicial independence and accountability. Drawing on his experience with the Justice V. Ramaswami impeachment case—the country’s first attempted judicial removal—he warned against the judiciary’s growing …

Kagan Urges Caution in Supreme Court Use of ‘Shadow Docket’

In a speech at the Ninth Circuit’s judicial conference, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan expressed strong concerns about the Court’s increasing reliance on the “shadow docket” — emergency rulings issued without full briefing, oral arguments, or detailed explanation. She urged caution, noting that such untransparent decisions can undermine lower courts and judicial accountability. Kagan’s …

Judges Resist Political Interference

In New Jersey on July 22, a panel of federal judges refused to extend the interim tenure of Alina Habba – a former lawyer for President Donald Trump – as U.S. Attorney. They instead appointed career prosecutor Desiree Grace to replace Habba, whose 120-day term was expiring. Hours later, Trump’s Attorney General Pam Bondi removed …

US considered charging Minnesota judges, lawyers in immigration crackdown, sources say

In a previously unreported investigation, the U.S. Justice Department explored bringing criminal charges against Minnesota judges and defense attorneys who suggested virtual court hearings to protect undocumented immigrants from arrest by federal agents. The FBI launched a preliminary probe in early 2025, citing concerns that such practices might obstruct immigration enforcement. These virtual hearings, widely …

Hundreds of DOJ alumni warn Senate against Trump’s appellate judge nominee

More than 900 former U.S. Department of Justice employees have signed a letter warning the Senate Judiciary Committee against confirming Emil Bove, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The letter, organized by the advocacy group Justice Connection, criticizes Bove’s leadership and alleged role in undermining constitutional norms, …

UN warns that lawyers are being imprisoned in Tunisia for speaking out

The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has condemned the Tunisian government’s escalating repression of lawyers, warning that arrests and prosecutions of legal professionals for exercising free speech or defending politically sensitive clients pose a grave threat to judicial independence and fair trial rights. Central to the concern is the arrest of prominent lawyer Ahmed Souab …

Twelve Hong Kong activists appeal convictions in landmark ’47 democrats’ case

Twelve pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have appealed their convictions and prison sentences in the landmark “47 democrats” case, which has become a global symbol of Beijing’s crackdown on dissent under the National Security Law. The case stems from a 2020 unofficial primary election organized by opposition figures, which authorities labeled a subversive plot. Of …