One of the most important functions of our system of justice is the selection of an impartial jury. Judges and lawyers do this through a jury selection process called voire dire. A few key points: There must be assurance that the jurors chosen are unbiased, i.e., willing to decide the case on the basis of … Read more
Aaron Blake of The Washington Post reports that Trump’s allies want to focus the Ukraine scandal on the tree, so you miss the forest: The new GOP strategy appears to be misdirection. In recent days, Republicans have maintained a laserlike focus on a very narrow defense of Trump: that there was nothing illegal about his July … Read more
Philip Zelikow is the White Burkett Miller Professor of History at the University of Virginia. He has practiced law and served in various government positions, including as the executive director of the 9/11 Commission. He lays out the case for the impeachment of Donald Trump at Lawfare Blog. This piece is likely to be influential … Read more
In the Watergate scandal, White House counsel John Dean had a photographic memory and near total recall of events in delivering his devastating testimony before Congress. The Nixon tapes later confirmed John Dean’s testimony in astonishing detail. Ambassador William Taylor may not have John Dean’s photographic memory, but he does appear to have near total … Read more
Permanent musical accompaniment: When the walls come crumblin’ down. Kurt Volker, the former special envoy to Ukraine who resigned abruptly, testified before lawmakers behind closed doors for more than nine hours [last] Thursday. He provided messages he had exchanged with other diplomats, the president’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and a high-level adviser to Ukrainian President … Read more