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5 of the most surprising jury verdicts ever

In October 2016, a jury stunned observers by acquitting armed antigovernment protesters, led by Ammon and Ryan Bundy, of federal conspiracy and weapons charges stemming from last winter’s takeover of the federally-owned Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The occupation that began in January eventually swelled to up to 25 armed occupiers, drawing national attention to and highlighting…

The legal powers—and limits—of ‘sanctuary cities’

In a mid-November news conference, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined other big-city mayors who are insisting they will continue leading “sanctuary cities” in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s hardline positions on illegal immigration. Standing beside immigration activists, area business leaders, and state and federal lawmakers, Emanuel sought to reduce the fear of immigrants living in this country without authorization. “To all those…

The Trump tape, and the legality of secret recordings

Recently, the release of an obscene 11-year-old audio recording sent the campaign of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump into a tailspin. Over a “hot mic,” the former reality star was captured speaking to then-Access Hollywood host Billy Bush about making unsolicited advances on women. “You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful—I just start kissing them. It’s like a…

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