A federal appeals court let President Donald Trump maintain control of 4,000 California National Guard troops as legal challenges brought by the state continue. A three-judge panel unanimously ruled Thursday that a lower court erred last week in issuing a temporary restraining order requiring Trump to return control of the troops to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
Friday, June 20
View in browser ([link removed] )
NL-Header_DD-1 ([link removed] )
Appeals court upholds Trump’s control of California National Guard
- A federal appeals court allowed ([link removed] ) President Donald Trump to maintain control of 4,000 California National Guard troops as legal challenges brought by the state continue.
- A three-judge panel unanimously ruled Thursday that a lower court erred last week in issuing ([link removed] ) a temporary restraining order requiring Trump to return control of the troops to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
As the decision from the three-judge panel shows, the battle for democracy is in the courts and these lawsuits have real consequences. For deeper analysis on how these legal battles impact you, sign up for a Democracy Docket premium membership for just $120/year today ([link removed] ) .
BECOME A PREMIUM MEMBER
([link removed] )
Federal judge orders the release of Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil
- A federal judge ordered ([link removed] ) the immediate release of former Columbia University student and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Louisiana. Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was arrested and detained by ICE more than three months ago. During Friday’s court hearing, the judge said the government had “clearly not met” the standards for detaining Khalil.
- Khalil’s release comes after several other student-activists were recently released after court orders: Mohsen Mohdawi ([link removed] ) , another former Palestinian student at Columbia University; Rumeysa Ozturk ([link removed] ) , a Tufts University student; and Badar Khan ([link removed] ) , a Georgetown University scholar.
DOJ backs Alabama in fight over racially biased map
- The DOJ filed ([link removed] ) a statement of interest in the ongoing case over Alabama’s racially discriminatory congressional maps. DOJ is opposing an effort by the plaintiffs to put the state under federal supervision for its maps, arguing that Alabama should be left alone because there weren't multiple instances of “pervasive, flagrant, widespread, and rampant" discrimination.
- It’s the latest example of the department’s shift from a pro-voting organization that works to protect minority voting rights to an anti-voting one that sides with those accused of racial bias in voting.
In pardoning a corrupt sheriff, Trump undermines democracy… again
- Trump recently pardoned ([link removed] ) a MAGA-loving Virginia ex-sheriff who was convicted of bribery and let donors dodge gun laws and traffic tickets. It's another move by the Trump administration to reward political loyalty at the expense of public trust, Democracy Docket contributor Jessica Pishko writes in her latest piece.
A guide to ranked-choice voting in New York City
- New York City voters registered as Democrats will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballot in the city’s crowded mayoral primary election. But voters don’t have to pick just one candidate to vote for. Read ([link removed] ) our explainer from 2021 when NYC used ranked-choice for the first time.
Facebook ([link removed] )
X ([link removed] )
Instagram ([link removed] )
Bluesky_Logo-grey (2) ([link removed] )
YouTube ([link removed] )
Website ([link removed] )
TikTok ([link removed] )
This is a daily newsletter that provides a quick and easy rundown of the voting and democracy news of the day. If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to our newsletters here ([link removed] ) .
Unsubscribe ([link removed] ) | Manage Preferences ([link removed] ) | Donate ([link removed] )
Democracy Docket, LLC
250 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 400
Washington, D.C., 20009
