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Friday, February 21

Want to know the easiest way to support Democracy Docket? Take a few seconds to forward this email to a friend ([link removed]) so that they can stay informed on the fight for our democracy in the courts.

DOJ says Trump should be allowed to fire administrative law judges

* Using the unitary executive theory, the U.S. Department of Justice said ([link removed]) barriers preventing President Donald Trump from firing administrative law judges were unconstitutional. These judges can currently only be removed by a board protecting federal employees from unfair practices.

Federal judge denies request to block Trump from shutting down USAID

* A federal judge in Washington, D.C. denied ([link removed]) a preliminary injunction and ended a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from putting over 2,000 U.S. Agency for International Development employees on administrative leave.

Arizona GOP leaders ask DOJ to change stance on proof of citizenship

* Arizona Republicans urged ([link removed]) U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) to reconsider the DOJ’s stance in a lawsuit challenging two state laws requiring extremely strict proof of citizenship to vote, which the Biden DOJ previously said violated federal law.

What is unitary executive theory? How is Trump using it to push his agenda?

* Trump's efforts to remake the federal government with sweeping executive orders and unlawful dismissals are driven by the radical unitary executive theory. Read here ([link removed]) to learn more about the implications of this right-wing idea and its disastrous consequences.

Don’t let the shock and awe distract you from the importance of state courts

* As Trump attempts to remake the federal government into an instrument of destruction, we must turn to state courts as a critical defense for our civil rights, health and safety, Democracy Docket contributor Keith Thirion of Alliance for Justice argued ([link removed]) in a new piece.

North Carolina Supreme Court rejects petition to bypass appeals court

* In a 4-2 order, the North Carolina Supreme Court rejected ([link removed]) the state board’s petition to bypass the appeals court level in GOP candidate Jefferson Griffin’s legal bid to overturn his 2024 election loss to Democratic incumbent Justice Allison Riggs.

Hearings coming up Monday

* A hearing will be held ([link removed]) in Washington, D.C. in a lawsuit seeking to block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive Treasury Department information. A group of unions argued that DOGE's efforts violate federal law.
* A South Carolina court will hear ([link removed]) a challenge to a state law that only allows no-excuse absentee voting for people over the age of 65. Voters alleged the law violates the First, 14th and 26th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

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