August 7, 2026


Defiance and Delays: Key Updates from the Legal and Political Arenas — See Also

In a bold move that continues to stir controversy, former President Donald Trump has issued executive orders related to birthright citizenship, directly challenging the Supreme Court's recent decisions. Despite losing in the high court, Trump declared victory through these new orders, raising significant questions about the limits of executive power and the ongoing battle over immigration laws.

In another twist in the political sphere, Todd Blanche's confirmation as the next U.S. Attorney General hangs by a thread. Key votes from Senators Collins and Murkowski went against him, and with Senate Majority Leader McConnell absent during the vote, Blanche's confirmation was anything but assured. His eventual approval marks a narrow escape and signals potentially contentious times ahead for the Justice Department.

Meanwhile, on the educational front, the state of Washington has made a controversial decision regarding bar exam results. First-time exam takers who were unable to sit for the test due to logistical failures will be waived through to licensure. However, those who endured the flawed exam conditions and received their scores will have to accept their results, sparking frustration among new law graduates who feel unfairly treated.

In the corporate legal world, Biglaw associates are growing impatient over delayed salary increases. As summer ends, major law firms have yet to announce associate raises, traditionally influenced by the benchmark set by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. This delay has prompted calls for firms to act independently of Cravath's decisions, highlighting a growing unrest among young lawyers about compensation practices in the industry.

Adding a lighter, albeit perplexing, note to recent legal and political developments, a co-founder of the Federalist Society has been publicly puzzled by the nature of green bananas. This unusual revelation came during discussions unrelated to legal matters, demonstrating that even seasoned legal minds can stumble over everyday mysteries.

As these stories unfold, they reveal the complex interplay of law, politics, and societal expectations, underscoring a period of significant tension and transition in the United States.