NATO in Crisis? President Trump Openly Criticizes Allies

The annual NATO summit took place on Wednesday July 11th. President Trump took no time to openly throw NATO allies, including Germany and Britain, under the bus in the media. "Germany is a captive of Russia," said Trump on Wednesday. Such accusations have only escalated the tension among the United States’ European allies, provoking anxiety among some US officials. “NATO is indispensable,” said Paul Ryan upon hearing Trump’s hasty remarks.

Supreme Court Nomination: The New Era of Conservatism?  

With the sudden announcement of Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement, President Trump was given the opportunity to nominate a candidate to fill Justice Kennedy’s position. On July 9, President Trump chose Brett Kavanaugh, a conservative judge who Democrats, LGBTQ and, abortion rights supporters fear will become the deciding factor in the Supreme Court if confirmed.

This week, President Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Kennedy on the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh has ruled against the rights to birth control and abortion throughout his career. His nomination threatens the protections of Roe v. Wade and signals the growing disparity between the United States and international human rights norms.

With ten years of experience on the progressive interpretation of international law under our belts, we know how to use the power of the law to protect the rights of women and girls around the world.  

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In this episode of That's Illegal, GJC President Akila Radhakrishnan and Legal Fellow Kristin Smith discuss the United States' policy of refugee detention at the border, Trump's executive order on family separation, and how it all fits in the context of international law. 

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Lopez Obrador Becomes First Leftist to Govern Mexico in Years

Andrés Manuel López Obrador has won Mexico’s presidential election after the concession of his top two rivals. This victory makes him the first leftist president since Mexico transitioned to a multiparty democracy 30 years ago. The former mayor of Mexico City has made promises to the poor and declared a battle against corruption. Obrador said his government would, “represent all citizens rich and poor, religious or nonbelievers, migrants, human beings of all manner of thought and all sexual preferences.”

Trump Weighs Top Picks for Supreme Court

President Trump said he is close to deciding his Supreme Court nominee after evaluating the four leading candidates at his New Jersey golf club. The President must take into account the likely response of key senators and his core supporters to each prospect. Trump has remained quiet about his decision, which he is expected to announce on July 9^th at 9 pm, but it will likely be one of the following federal judges: Raymond Kethledge, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Thomas Hardiman. This decision could move abortion opponents one step closer to overturning the landmark case of Roe v. Wade.