All articles tagged with #leonard leo
President Trump has publicly criticized the Federalist Society and Leonard Leo, citing disagreements over judicial nominations and alleging they provided bad advice, leading to a potential shift in his judicial appointment process and highlighting tensions within his circle over judicial picks.
The article discusses the growing rift between MAGA supporters and the Federalist Society, once a key supporter of Trump's judicial appointments, highlighting Trump's public criticism of Leonard Leo and the organization's shifting influence and internal conflicts over judicial nominations and ideological direction.
President Donald Trump criticized the conservative legal movement and Leonard Leo for a federal court ruling that blocked most of his tariffs, highlighting a growing rift with a key political community.
Leonard Leo, a key figure in shaping Trump's conservative judiciary, was recently criticized by Trump himself, despite Leo's significant role in appointing three Supreme Court justices and shaping the federal judiciary, which has been a major part of Trump's legacy.
President Trump has publicly disavowed his own judicial legacy, criticizing Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society for their role in shaping his conservative judicial appointments, and claiming that the federal judiciary is now conspiring against him, amid ongoing disputes over judicial rulings and his influence on the courts.
President Trump criticized Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society, accusing Leo of harboring anti-American sentiments and criticizing their advice on judicial nominations, amidst ongoing legal disputes over tariffs and judicial decisions.
President Trump publicly criticized Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society after a court struck down his tariffs, with Trump calling Leo a 'sleazebag' and blaming the organization for bad judicial advice, signaling a possible rift that could impact future judicial nominations and his relationship with conservative legal circles.
Leonard Leo, a key figure in establishing the conservative supermajority on the U.S. Supreme Court, is now focusing on expanding conservative influence in American culture through the Teneo Network. This initiative aims to counter liberal dominance in sectors like Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and finance by creating a talent pipeline for conservatives. Leo's strategy mirrors his judicial influence efforts, seeking to promote traditional values and reshape cultural power centers.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito flew an "Appeal to Heaven" flag, associated with far-right Christian nationalists, at his New Jersey beach house, raising concerns about his impartiality. The flag, co-opted by Christian nationalists and seen during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, was also flown by conservative influencer Leonard Leo. Leo, who has significant influence over the Supreme Court's conservative justices, claims the flag symbolizes civic duty and philanthropy. The incident adds to ongoing ethical concerns surrounding the Supreme Court and its justices' relationships with conservative megadonors.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has authorized subpoenas for GOP megadonor Harlan Crow and conservative judicial activist Leonard Leo as part of an investigation into ethics practices at the Supreme Court. The subpoenas seek documents related to gifts, trips, and lodging provided to any member of the high court. Republicans accused Democrats of targeting private citizens and undermining the Supreme Court, while Democrats argued that the subpoenas were necessary for oversight and to implement an enforceable code of conduct. Crow's office called the subpoena "invalid" and unenforceable, while Leo criticized the Democrats' "unlawful campaign of political retribution." The investigation follows reports of luxury trips provided to Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has authorized subpoenas for conservative activist Leonard Leo and GOP megadonor Harlan Crow as part of its ongoing Supreme Court ethics probe. The subpoenas were approved by 11 Democratic senators, while Republican members walked out of the committee room in protest. The meeting became contentious as Republicans accused Chairman Dick Durbin of not allowing them to speak about a judicial nominee. Durbin defended the subpoenas, stating that Crow and Leo had refused to comply with the committee's oversight request. The Supreme Court recently adopted a new code of conduct following allegations of ethical lapses, but its enforcement is limited as the justices would oversee it themselves.
If Donald Trump is elected president in 2024, he plans to remake the judiciary, civil service, Justice Department, and policing and immigration law, while also doing away with legal checks on executive power. However, one of the most alarming aspects of his campaign is his belief that the Federalist Society, led by Leonard Leo, is not conservative enough. Trump's rejection of the Federalist Society's more moderate approach has led him to seek out fringe and radical advisors who are willing to push the boundaries of the law. This shift highlights the tension within the conservative legal movement and the battle over the legitimacy of legal institutions.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed a vote to subpoena Leonard Leo, a conservative judicial activist, and Harlan Crow, a Republican megadonor, as part of its ethics investigation into the Supreme Court. The committee's Democratic majority argues that the subpoenas are necessary to understand the full scope of the court's ethical crisis, while Republicans accuse Democrats of playing politics and attempting to delegitimize the high court. The investigation stems from a report that Justice Clarence Thomas had accepted gifts from Crow without disclosing them on his financial disclosures. The committee may reschedule the vote for next week.
Rightwing activist Leonard Leo has been accused of funding a network of groups involved in a crucial US Supreme Court case that could weaken the federal government's ability to hold corporations accountable. The case, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v Community Financial Services Association of America, involves payday lenders and could have broader implications for consumer protection regulations. Leo, who played a significant role in the appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices, has allegedly invested over $9 million in groups supporting the payday lenders. Critics argue that Leo's involvement could undermine the federal administrative state and benefit predatory lenders at the expense of American consumers.
Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and conservative activists strategically created a non-profit group to exploit the Citizens United ruling, which designated money as political speech. Thomas collaborated with Federalist Society leader Leonard Leo to advance the conservative agenda, including overturning laws on abortion and affirmative action. The funding for their efforts came from Harlan Crow, a billionaire known for his fascination with Nazi memorabilia. Thomas faced scrutiny for her relationship with Crow, who provided initial donations for their group, Liberty Central. Thomas later created a for-profit consulting business, and Leo used a dormant tax-exempt group to pay her. Questions have been raised about the nature of Thomas' services and the financial reporting of the tax-exempt group.