Brennan Center for Justice

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security purchased two private immigration detention centers in California from CoreCivic for a combined $1.5 billion. The facilities, in California City and San Diego, will remain operational under CoreCivic's management to counter potential state restrictions on for-profit jails. CoreCivic reported a $1.1 billion profit from the sale.

The Supreme Court struck down a law limiting coordinated spending by political parties in National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission, a decision criticized by Democrats and left-leaning groups as favoring donors and special interests. The author argues the ruling could strengthen political parties, reduce reliance on super PACs, and improve transparency in campaign finance.

Legislation imposing sweeping voting restrictions nationwide, the SAVE America Act, has stalled in Congress despite President Donald Trump's advocacy ahead of midterms. The bill requires voter ID, citizenship proof for registration, and limits mail-in voting, facing opposition from Democrats who argue it disenfranchises voters. The Supreme Court recently ruled states may count mail ballots postmarked by Election Day.

A federal judge denied the Justice Department's request for New Hampshire's detailed voter data, ruling the request violated the Civil Rights Act of 1960 and the Help America Vote Act of 2002. The decision aligns with similar dismissals in nine other states, as the DOJ sought unredacted voter rolls to assess compliance with federal election laws, though critics argued the demand violated privacy protections.

Police departments are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence to manage digital data from body cameras, surveillance, and case files, but civil liberties advocates warn the technology risks amplifying surveillance, introducing biases, and complicating legal challenges. Experts highlight concerns about AI's expanding role in policing and its potential to grant governments greater unchecked power.

Police departments are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence tools like ReportAI to analyze evidence, manage digital data, and draft reports, but civil liberties advocates and experts warn of risks including amplified surveillance, hidden biases, and challenges to legal accountability. The technology's rapid advancement outpaces regulatory and judicial frameworks, raising concerns about its future role in policing.

Police departments increasingly use artificial intelligence to analyze digital data from body cameras, surveillance systems, and case files. Civil liberties advocates and experts warn that AI could amplify surveillance, introduce biases, and complicate legal challenges, as regulations struggle to keep pace with technological advancements.

Police departments are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence tools like Mark43's ReportAI to manage digital evidence and analyze data from body cameras, surveillance, and protests. Experts warn that AI in policing could amplify surveillance, introduce biases, and complicate legal challenges, as regulatory frameworks struggle to keep pace with technological advancements.

A federal appeals court ruled that Michigan can restrict access to personal voter information, rejecting the Trump administration's request for details like birth dates and Social Security numbers. The court found the Justice Department's cited law did not support the request, upholding a lower court's decision. The administration claims the information is needed to ensure compliance with federal election law, while Michigan argues it could lead to misuse, such as creating a national voter file or sharing with Homeland Security.

A federal appeals court ruled that Michigan can restrict access to personal voter information, including birth dates and driver's license numbers, rejecting the Trump administration's request. The decision aligns with similar rulings in multiple states, as the administration seeks voter data to address election law compliance concerns. At least 13 states have provided or pledged to provide voter registration lists to the government.

A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit seeking detailed voter data from Maryland, joining other courts in rejecting similar requests. The DOJ has lost in nine states, citing federal civil rights law, while some states have provided the data. The ruling emphasized privacy laws and the lack of necessity for federal oversight in voter registration compliance.

FBI agents searched the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a voting rights group, during a statewide sweep. The group, which focuses on communities of color and low-income individuals, faces accusations of politically motivated targeting by the Trump administration. Federal law enforcement has not publicly explained the searches or provided legal justifications.

An unknown explosive device detonated near a polling place in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, during primary elections, causing partial destruction to a vehicle but no injuries. Authorities are investigating the incident, which occurred in the 7th Congressional District, where a competitive Democratic primary is underway against Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie.

The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a GOP-supported congressional map, rejecting claims it violated the state constitution. Legal challenges to gerrymandering are shifting to state courts following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana vs. Callais, which weakened protections against racial gerrymandering. State courts in multiple jurisdictions may now determine the validity of new redistricting maps.

President Donald Trump's 2020 election challenges were thwarted by institutional safeguards, but a ProPublica investigation reveals that 75 career election integrity officials have been replaced by Trump appointees, many linked to 2020 election fraud claims, raising concerns about election integrity in upcoming midterms.

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to weaken the Voting Rights Act removes key protections against discriminatory election practices, empowering local and state governments to redraw maps and alter voting rules with reduced oversight. This ruling makes it harder for minority voters to challenge gerrymandering and at-large elections, potentially diminishing representation for Black, Hispanic, and other minority communities.

Congress is reauthorizing the 2024 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA), which renews Section 702 of FISA, allowing warrantless surveillance of foreign targets and enabling U.S. officials to search communications linked to Americans overseas. Critics argue the law’s benefits are unclear and raise privacy concerns, while supporters claim it includes significant reforms to address past abuses. The law’s extension remains contentious, with debates over its effectiveness and potential for expanded surveillance.

Minnesota prosecutors have initiated a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration and federal agencies to hold ICE agents accountable for shootings involving Renee Good, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, and Alex Pretti. The case highlights a legal battle over states' rights versus federal immunity, with the administration refusing to release agent names or cooperate with investigations.