POLITICS09/29/26

Alito Recuses from Climate Case

Justice Alito withdrew from a major Supreme Court climate lawsuit involving oil companies.

Photo: New Republic

DIFFERENT FOCUS

New Republic emphasized Ethical Pressure Vindicated; Breitbart News emphasized Neutral Procedural Announcement.

LEFT FOCUS

▸Alito faced mounting pressure from progressive groups like Consumer Watchdog to step down. — New Republic
▸Alito holds investments in ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66, companies involved in similar climate lawsuits. — New Republic
▸The recusal was framed as a 'remarkable aboutface' for the conservative justice. — New Republic

RIGHT FOCUS

▸A coalition of 30 organizations asked the Senate Judiciary Committee in May to investigate Alito's involvement. — Breitbart News
▸The oil companies are asking the Court to decide whether federal law blocks local governments' state-law claims. — Breitbart News
▸The groups noted Alito had previously stayed out of an earlier related Supreme Court proceeding. — Breitbart News

SCOTUS Takes Montgomery County Magnet School Case

The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a challenge to Montgomery County, Maryland's magnet school admissions policy.

Left: Court may strike policies limiting Asian students.

Right: Justices take up race-based admissions discrimination.

Trump donor Eric Deters sued Kimberly Guilfoyle for defamation on October 15, 2026.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Oct 12: Trump and Rubio reportedly weighing firing Ambassador Guilfoyle amid misconduct allegations

Oct 14: Guilfoyle forced to resign as Greece ambassador

Friday: Donor Eric Deters sues Guilfoyle for defamation

Left: Donor says suit could shake Trump's whole team.

Right: Lawsuit follows Trump-requested resignation Tuesday.

Federal judge issues preliminary injunction restoring White House access for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Oct 14: Judge Timothy Kelly extended the block on Trump administration's ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.

Thursday: Judge extends White House press access indefinitely

Left: Court delivers 'major win' for press freedom

Right: Access extended indefinitely; Trump to appeal

The DOJ warned California officials that processing ballots from suspected noncitizens could result in criminal prosecution.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: The Justice Department gave California 48 hours to review flagged noncitizen voters or face emergency legal action.

Sunday: DOJ threatens criminal prosecution for processing noncitizen ballots

Left: Feds pressure California mid-election with criminal threat

Right: Trump vows jail if noncitizen ballots are counted