In Memoriam: John Troughton Sr.

 

John Troughton Sr

A legendary Wyoming judge, and one of the few with roots in Wyoming's past who had been still with us.

Deep state, swamp creature, lawyers?

There's no earthly way I would have ever have voted for Alabama Becky Bextel in the first place, but eee gads.

I haven't watched it, so I have no comments, yet.

It sounds like Alabama Becky was into name calling.

She called the Judicial Nominating Committee "deep state, swamp creature, lawyers".

Idiotic.

Wyoming uses the Ohio system.  A committee elects three names from applicants (it can go beyond the list of applicants and name somebody of their own choosing, but rarely does so) and submits the names to the Governor.  He picks one of the three.  They stand for retention every six years.  By and large its a good system, and much better than the one where judges run for the position.

Wyoming Freedom Caucus types get upset with it as they want right wing political judges, basically. They wouldn't admit that, but they do, given as they are populists, and simply feel their views are absolutely right, and everyone else's absolutely wrong.

I'm not always happy with the selections, but by and large, they do a good job.

Wyoming courts investigate extent of personal data exposed in cybersecurity breach

 

Wyoming courts investigate extent of personal data exposed in cybersecurity breach

 

Wyoming Judicial Branch warns of cybersecurity breach

Wyoming judges and lawyers urge Barrasso, Lummis to reject Blanche

 

Wyoming judges and lawyers urge Barrasso, Lummis to reject Blanche

Wyoming judges: We must protect the independence of our judiciary by Alan B. Johnson, Kelly H. Rankin and Scott W. Skavdahl

 

Wyoming judges: We must protect the independence of our judiciary

by Alan B. Johnson, Kelly H. Rankin and Scott W. Skavdahl

Justice Thomas on Taking Ownership of Our Country

Televised comments by Supreme Court justices are fairly rare.

This one is already making lots of headlines, but he's not really saying anything particularly shocking.

Donald Trump attends oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara.

That's the birthright citizenship case.

Trump's going to lose this case, which will be another example of the wheels coming off of his administration.  His presence at the Court will not impress anyone, let alone the Justices. Trump seems to have lost any sense that he's not that impressive to about 70% of Americans.

His attendance is, frankly, appalling.

Cont (April 1, 2026)

JUSTICE NEIL GORSUCH: Do you think Native Americans today are birthright citizens under your test and under your friend's test?

D. JOHN SAUER, U.S. SOLICITOR GENERAL: I think so. I mean, obviously, they've been granted citizenship by statute ...

GORSUCH: Put aside the statute. Do you think they're birthright citizens?

SAUER: No, I think the clear understanding that everybody agrees in the congressional debates is that the children of tribal Indians are not birthright citizens.

GORSUCH: I understand that's what they said. But your test is the domicile of the parents, and that would be the test you'd have us apply today, right?

SAUER: Yes, yes. So, if a tribal Indian, for example, you know, gives up allegiance to ...

GORSUCH: Are tribal members born today birthright citizens?

SAUER: I think so, on our test, if they're lawfully domiciled here. I'm not s—, I have to think that through, but that's my reaction.

GORSUCH: I'll take the yes. That's alright.

Gee Louise, this administration is really something. 

Lex Anteinternet: Court Watch, Part V.

Lex Anteinternet: Court Watch, Part V.:  Expect a major hissy fit. I think we can confidently assume this project is dead, and that some lesser more useful construction will take p...

Court Watch, Part V.

 Expect a major hissy fit.

I think we can confidently assume this project is dead, and that some lesser more useful construction will take place after Trump is out of office.

The judge ruled that the plaintiff was likely to prevail as the administration likely lacks the authority they tried to exercise here.

They should refund the money and Trump should pay for this destruction himself.

April 1, 2026

Trump's executive order on mail voting is set to face legal challenges

Not of the west at all, but a tragedy.

 

After abortion ruling, lawmaker tries to deny Wyoming court security funding 

The House struck down Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams’ amendment to deny about $3.6M in funding for court security.

Rep. Lieu Says Illegal for Military to Use Force Against Greenland Without Congress Authorization

The American way

The American way: If we truly want to reestablish our national “greatness,” then we, and especially those who represent us in government, must all recommit to the fundamental and very simple proposition that America is, and has always been, a nation of laws, not men, write a group of Wyoming attorneys and retired judges.