Gender-Affirming Care in the Court’s Crosshairs
Strict Scrutiny
Deep Dive
Why did the Federalist Society National Lawyers Convention attract attention?
The convention featured panels and keynote speeches, including a notable exchange between Judge Edith Jones and Professor Steve Vladeck, where Jones brought printed tweets to criticize Vladeck's remarks.
What was the main issue discussed in the panel titled 'The Continued Independence of the Judiciary'?
The panel, moderated by Judge Jim Ho, discussed the judiciary's independence and its relationship with the elected branches, emphasizing the need for public support.
How did Judge Edith Jones defend her colleagues during the panel?
Jones defended Fifth Circuit District Judges by arguing against relentless attacks from certain professors, including Vladeck, whom she accused of casting illegitimate aspersions.
What was the reaction from the Republican side to the Federalist Society convention?
Republicans latched onto the exchange between Jones and Vladeck, amplifying it as a victimization narrative and using it as a rallying cry against perceived academic elitism.
What was the significance of Justice Gorsuch mentioning Peanut the Squirrel in his keynote remarks?
Gorsuch's mention of Peanut, a rallying cry in the MAGAverse, underscored his alignment with and immersion in conservative media culture, highlighting his connection to the MAGA movement.
Why did Chuck Schumer's deal on judicial appointments raise concerns?
Schumer negotiated a deal to withdraw four Court of Appeals nominees in exchange for confirming around 12 district court judges, despite being in the majority, which critics saw as unnecessary and potentially harmful to Democratic judicial priorities.
What was the outcome of the Facebook versus Amalgamated Bank case?
The Supreme Court dismissed the case as improvidently granted, allowing the Ninth Circuit's ruling to stand, which means the shareholder suit against Meta will proceed.
What is the main issue in the case United States v. Cremetti?
The case concerns Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors and whether this ban discriminates on the basis of sex, triggering heightened scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause.
How does the Tennessee law treat gender-affirming care differently?
The law prohibits hormone therapy for minors based on their sex assigned at birth, allowing treatments like testosterone for males but not estrogen for females, creating a clear sex-based distinction.
What is the significance of the FDA versus wages and White Lion investments case?
The case involves the FDA's denial of authorization for certain e-cigarette flavors, focusing on the arbitrary and capricious standard for evaluating agency action, and how aggressively the court will scrutinize the FDA's decisions.
What flavors of e-cigarettes were at the center of the FDA's denial?
The FDA denied flavors like Pink Lemonade, Rainbow Road, Chewy Clouds, Sour Grape, and Creme Brulee, citing concerns that these flavors might appeal more to children.
What is the main issue in the case Seven County Infrastructure Coalition versus Eagle County, Colorado?
The case revolves around the obligations of agencies under NEPA to consider environmental impacts, specifically whether the STB's environmental assessment was sufficient in considering upstream and downstream effects of a proposed rail line.
What is the tragic consequence highlighted in the ProPublica report?
ProPublica reported on the death of Portia N. Gumezi, who suffered a miscarriage and died due to severe blood loss because Texas doctors did not perform a DNC, a standard procedure that was restricted under the state's abortion laws.
How did states respond to the findings of maternal mortality due to abortion bans?
Both Georgia and Texas disbanded their Maternal Mortality Commissions, effectively halting the examination of cases related to maternal deaths during the first two years of restrictive abortion laws being in effect.
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