Paul Weich

“Deal or No Deal” – Mnuchin Says “Yes” and Shakes Hands, Trump Doesn’t Give a Whit

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Although Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin proclaimed he reached a “Deal!” with the leaders of both Houses of Congress – and he knew of the accountability provisions included in the deal – President Donald Trump ripped up a key part of that deal two hours after signing it into law.

The smooth-yet-gutless trick came in the form of a rare presidential “signing statement”. However, this statement was not released until the Congressional leaders and Cabinet members left the Oval Office signing ceremony. (No doubt, Democratic leaders are even more glad that they were not invited to stand behind him.)

The key provision that the signing statement demolished was that the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (the actual title) would report to Congress every three months. That report is to include “a detailed statement of all loans, loan guarantees, other

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Anti-Trump Group To Spend $600k Running Controversial “Hoax” Ad In Arizona

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An anti-Trump Super PAC announced this morning that it will spend $600,000 in Arizona over the next few weeks to air an ad that the President’s campaign is demanding stations not air.

Priorities USA Action responded to yesterday’s cease and desist letters in other battleground states by doubling down and buying air time in Phoenix and Tucson for the ad. (The ad is below.)

Guy Cecil, the Chair of the committee, was defiant: “The fact that Trump is going to such great

lengths to keep the American people from hearing his own words adds to the urgency of communicating them far and wide. Trump doesn’t want voters to know the truth. We will not be intimidated.”

The Trump campaign made its cease and desist letter public yesterday and noted that Fox News agreed not to air the ad. It claims that the President’s well-publicized “hoax” comment referred to the Democrats’ politicization of the crisis, and not the virus itself. The letter leans heavily – without irony – on several articles from mainstream media

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“The Perfect Storm” – Expanded Arizona Supreme Court Sets Two Records In 2019

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The Arizona Supreme Court set two new records in 2019, and Chief Justice Robert Brutinel notes that it was the “perfect storm”. He says 2020 will show a noticeable increase in the number of opinions from the expanded court.

The Supreme Court’s 26 opinions in 2019 are the fewest issued by Arizona’s highest court in modern times* Also, the 7 justices have not issued an opinion since the Brush & Nib opinion attracted national attention on September 16; never* has the Supreme Court gone this long without releasing an opinion.**

Brutinel tells AZ Law that it is “a funny set of circumstances” that led to fewer opinions being issued. Among the confluence of events was the departures of Chief Justice Scott Bales and Justice John Pelander, the resulting appointment of two new justices “who really want the first ones to be good” and naming of a new Chief Justice and Vice Chief Justice. In addition, a “minor factor” may have also been the difficulty and 110- page length of the Brush & Nib opinion. (James Beene and Bill Montgomery are the two new Justices.)

“We’ll get back into a regular rhythm as people get a little more experienced,” the new Chief Justice explained. “The reality is we’re trying to take more cases, (we are) a group of people that wants to work hard – they’re here to write opinions.”

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NEW: Some House Dems Are Pushing Censure, Not Impeachment; AZ Rep. O’Halleran Is NOT Part Of That Group

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A group of about 10 vulnerable Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives is floating the idea of censuring President Donald Trump instead of impeaching him. Arizona Rep. Tom O’Halleran is NOT part of that group, Arizona’s Politics has learned. Politico reported on the Democrats – running for re-election in districts that voted for Trump in 2016 – … Read more

WATCH: GOP Senators Push Tucson Judges In Today’s Confirmation Hearing; READ Their Questionnaires

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Both Pima County judges recently nominated by President Donald Trump to the U.S. District Court bench in Tucson received their confirmation hearings today, and both were questioned more closely by Republican Senators than their Democratic colleagues.

Judges Scott Rash and John Hinderaker were introduced to the committee by Arizona Senators Martha McSally and Kyrsten Sinema, respectively. Each judge later took three minutes to introduce family and friends, and to thank colleagues. (Judge Rash getting choked up with emotion.)

But, the fun did not begin until Senators had their opportunities to question the nominees. Freshman Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) opened by grilling Judge Hinderaker about his views on the Second Amendment; the back and forth went on for a couple of minutes before the nominee noted that his experience as a litigator was in the civil arena and that he has not litigated (or, judicially handled) any Second Amendment cases. (The exchange begins at 2:05:07 in the video.)

Both judges received softball questions from Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) – Judge Rash devoted much time and effort as an attorney to helping the homeless population in Tucson

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