Courts and Trump

Independent, UK -   A second federal judge has blocked Donald Trump’s ban on transgender service members in the U.S. military, a “plainly” discriminatory directive with “no evidence” to support the administration’s claims, according to the ruling.  “The government’s arguments are not persuasive, and it is not an especially close question on this record,” George W. Bush-appointed District Judge Benjamin Settle wrote in a 65-page opinion Thursday. 

 Roll Call - A federal judge in Washington ordered Trump administration officials Thursday to temporarily preserve records of a leaked Signal group chat where senior officials discussed sensitive information about a military action against the Houthis.

Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said he would enter the order in a lawsuit that alleges potential violations of the Federal Records Act, which requires agencies to retain records of their deliberations and decisions.

The order is set to last for two weeks and could be the start of further court action over whether Trump officials’ use of Signal or other messaging apps runs afoul of the records law.