This section covers law across the United States — legislation, court decisions and the constitutional questions that shape federal policy. Reporting takes in the full range of legal developments, from statutes to judicial interpretation.
A federal judge has not yet ruled on a challenge to a November 19 seabed mining lease auction off American Samoa.
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November 6, 2026
Democrats to Probe Supreme Court Justices in 2026Senate and House Democrats plan subpoenas of justices once they take majorities in January, drawing a lawfare objection from a Missouri senator.
November 6, 2026
Judge Blocks Trump's 250-Foot Arch ConstructionA federal judge temporarily halted construction of the proposed arch in Washington after a lawsuit from the District of Columbia and Virginia.
November 6, 2026
Cook County Seeks Dismissal of AR-15 Gun CaseAfter one plaintiff withdrew, Illinois county asks the Supreme Court to drop Viramontes v. Cook County as moot before December oral arguments.
November 5, 2026
Justice Department Subpoenas Probe Supreme Court LeakFederal prosecutors are seeking testimony and information from people who worked at the court when a draft abortion ruling was disclosed.
November 5, 2026
Justice Department Moves to Vacate Bannon ConvictionThe Justice Department asked a federal court to dismiss Steve Bannon's contempt of Congress conviction, citing the interests of justice.
November 5, 2026
Grassley Calls Campaign Spending Limits UnconstitutionalIowa Senator Chuck Grassley argues that caps on political spending conflict with First Amendment protections.
November 5, 2026
Democrats Could Halt Suppressor Rules in 2027A federal court struck down NFA registration requirements on suppressors, and Democrats may try to reinstate them after taking control of Congress.
November 4, 2026
Judges Doubt Hospital's Due Process Claim in Subpoena FightTwo Fifth Circuit judges questioned whether Rhode Island Hospital was denied due process in its effort to quash a Justice Department subpoena.
November 4, 2026
Republicans Race to Confirm Trump Judicial PicksWith Democrats set to take Senate control in January, more than 20 judicial nominees remain pending before the chamber.
November 4, 2026
Scott Warns Officials of Prison Over RecordsHouse Democrat Bobby Scott cautioned Trump administration officials that unlawfully destroying federal records could bring up to three years in prison.
Coverage here tracks court rulings and what follows from them, legislative texts as they move through the process, and constitutional challenges from filing to final decision. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Phoenix anchor the legal markets where many of these proceedings concentrate. Federal courts resolve the most consequential cases, and a ruling's reach often depends on the circuit in which it lands. Legislation tends to generate the most sustained coverage, since the gap between a bill's passage and its full effect can stretch across years.
