In a unique twist, the recent legislation passed to reopen the government includes a provision that might raise eyebrows. According to Anya Bidwell and Patrick Jaicomo of The Wall Street Journal, senators have exclusively awarded themselves the legal power to sue the government. They argue this should be a universal right, stirring debates about legal privileges and the democratic process. More on this can be found in their insightful essay [here](https://www.wsj.com/opinion/a-senators-only-right-to-sue-in-shutdown-deal-88e6f79e?st=ykPauh&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink).

In the world of podcasts, David Lat continues to delve deep into the intricacies of the justice system with his latest episode of “Original Jurisdiction.” This week, he features retired Federal Judge Nancy Gertner, discussing judicial changes and challenges during the Trump era. Interested listeners can tune in [via this link](https://davidlat.substack.com/p/nancy-gertner-retired-federal-judge-podcast-interview).

Meanwhile, Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Sonia Sotomayor are taking on an unexpected role—children's book authors. Justin Wise of Bloomberg Law explores how these judicial figures are reaching out to the younger generation through literature. The full report is available [here](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/gorsuch-joins-sotomayor-as-supreme-court-childrens-author).

In a striking legal battle, Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI director James B. Comey, took on the Trump administration after her abrupt dismissal. The Justice Department faced challenges in handling her lawsuit, but now, the U.S. attorney in Albany has stepped in. Details of this unfolding story are covered by Jonah E. Bromwich and William K. Rashbaum of The New York Times [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/nyregion/justice-department-maurene-comey-lawyers.html).

On the topic of reproductive rights, an editorial by The New York Times discusses the current accessibility of abortion and the looming changes that could restrict it further. The editorial provides a nuanced look at the ongoing debates and legal battles over abortion pills, accessible [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/opinion/abortion-pills.html).

Lastly, the Supreme Court’s decision to hear a potentially groundbreaking voting case has caught the attention of many, including former President Trump. Richard L. Hasen, a law professor, discusses what’s at stake and why the outcome might not be what Trump expects in his Jurisprudence essay for Slate. Read his analysis [here](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/11/trump-mail-voting-supreme-court-fraud-florida.html).

For more intriguing legal narratives and expert insights, visit Howard Bashman’s "How Appealing" blog at Above the Law.