Politics | Op-Ed

It didn't start with Merrick Garland: Trump should now nominate Miguel Estrada to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals

In addition to a political and judicial victory, Estrada’s re-nomination would also send a powerful message to Democrats that the way to victory isn’t smears, obstruction, or crazy tactics.

Politics | The SCOTUS

Brett Kavanaugh, Merrick Garland voted together 93 percent of the time - Washington Times

President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh voted 93 percent of the time with his colleague Judge Merrick Garland, who President Obama unsuccessfully nominated to the Supreme Court in 2016, when they both heard cases together on a federal appe

Politics | The SCOTUS

Brett Kavanaugh just hired the Supreme Court's first all-women law clerk team

Official site of The Week Magazine, offering commentary and analysis of the day's breaking news and current events as well as arts, entertainment, people and gossip, and political cartoons.

Liberals will say that this was a backlash to the sexual assault allegations. The problem is: he's been doing this for years. Oops.

Politics | Politics

Kavanaugh Will Join The Supreme Court And Republicans Have The 2018 Momentum. Here's Why.

In the space of three weeks, Democratic fortunes have turned in a shocking way.

Politics | Politics

Collins to support Kavanaugh, securing enough votes for confirmation

GOP Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) said Friday that she will support Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination, clinching the votes needed for confirmation.

“Elections have consequences.”

News | The News

WOW! Ford's witness and friend Leland Keyser just dropped a BOMBSHELL on her and it's bad (like REALLY bad)

Now, why would Ford's allies do THIS?

Oops!

Politics | The SCOTUS

Kavanaugh Releases Surprise Op-Ed Before Confirmation Vote | Daily Wire

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday ahead of his confirmation vote this weekend, pledging that he will be a fair and impartial judge on the nation's highest court.

Politics | The SCOTUS

BOMBSHELL: Ford Lied Under Oath About 'Never' Coaching Others On How To Take A Polygraph, New Letter Suggests

A new letter, released by Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), states that a former boyfriend of Christine Blasey Ford says that he personally witnessed her coaching someone on how to take a polygraph test, despite the fact that she testified

News | The News

Judiciary Committee Staff Have Asked Avenatti for Evidence Six Times | National Review

Senate Judiciary Committee staff have contacted Michael Avenatti on six separate occasions asking that he produce evidence to substantiate the allegation levied against Brett Kavanaugh by his clien…

Politics | Op-Ed

Belief Outweighs Truth in the Kavanaugh Hearings | National Review

When proof is subordinated to mere belief, the standard of evidence is reduced to whatever bolsters that belief.

Politics | The SCOTUS

BOMBSHELL: Kavanaugh Has Evidence That Casts Doubts On Accuser's Claim, Report Says | Daily Wire

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh reportedly has calendars from 1982 which show that he was out of town for much of the summer when his accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, claims that a party happened where Kavanaugh acted in an inappropriate manner towar

Politics | The SCOTUS

Long-Time Friend of Christine Blasey Ford Contradicts Her on Party | National Review

A friend of the woman who has accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault has denied that she was at the party where the alleged assault occurred.

Politics | POLITICS

SURVEY: Only 39% Of Americans Believe That If Kavanaugh Allegations Are True, It Would ‘Disqualify’ Him From SCOTUS

According to a HuffPo/YouGov survey of 1,000 adults conducted between September 17-18, a large percentage of Americans don’t believe that the allegations against SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh

Politics | The SCOTUS

Brett Kavanaugh and the Therapy Mob | National Review

Too many of his detractors mistake the man for their abstract mental mock-up of a “privileged” preppy white male.

Let's face it: leftism, not liberalism, but actual leftism, has a large component of people who clearly suffer from mental illness.

Politics | The SCOTUS

WATCH: Dershowitz Says Kavanaugh Has A ‘Core Right’ To Confront His Accuser

As Democratic lawmakers are attempting to delay Kavanaugh's confirmation by demanding that Republicans not "bully" his accuser into testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz is saying that the Supreme Cou

The last honest liberal.

Politics | Leftist Lunacy

WATCH: This MSNBC Commentator Just Said The Most Disgusting Thing Anyone Has Yet Said About The Kavanaugh Allegations |

On Monday evening, Wonkette founder Ana Marie Cox let the cat out of the bag regarding the Left’s perspective on the allegations of sexual assault against Judge Brett Kavanaugh: it doesn’t matter whether he’s guilty or innocent. He’s guilty.

Politics | From CNN

Brett Kavanaugh is willing to answer questions on allegations as Susan Collins calls for him, accuser to testify - CNNPolitics

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and the woman accusing him of physical and sexual assault, Christine Blasey Ford, said Monday that they would be willing to testify to Congress about the allegations.

Politics | POLITICS

Ben Sasse Conducts a Two-Minute Master Class in American Civics | National Review

Good for Senator Sasse to remind us all of the Supreme Court’s proper place.

This is excellent. No matter what you think of Sasse, these are principles that every American should know.

News | The News

Senate Fast-Tracks Trump's Judicial Nominees As Dems Cave | Daily Wire

On Tuesday the Senate cut a deal to fast-track votes on 11 nominations to the judiciary, seven of which were President Trump’s nominees for district court judges.

Politics | Interesting Links

SURVEY: 52% Of Voters Cannot Name A Single Supreme Court Justice | Daily Wire

According to a C-SPAN/PBS survey of 1,000 likely voters conducted between August 13-15, a staggering 52% of Americans cannot name

This is why most people shouldn't be voting.

Politics | Politics

Opposition to Kavanaugh Cracks as Liberal Feminist Democrat Endorses Him

Democrat opposition to Judge Kavanaugh took a hit when liberal feminist Lisa Blatt, a Supreme Court star, called on Democrats to confirm him.

Politics | Politics

Thread by @Heritage: "LONG THREAD @SenateDems have done an about-face on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination. At first, they had no doubt he was anything l […]" #SCOTUS

Thread by @Heritage: "LONG THREAD @SenateDems have done an about-face on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination. At first, they had no doubt he wless than an existential threat to the Constitution. If he were confirmed, they said, millions of liv […]" #SC

Politics | Second Amendment

The Ninth Circuit Protects Gun Rights and Stops Confiscation | National Review

The stage may be set for Brett Kavanaugh’s first Second Amendment test as a justice.

Politics | POLITICS

An Open Letter from Yale Law Students Illustrates the Decline of the Radical Legal Mind

Progressives’ anti-Kavanaugh hysteria is already in full bloom.

Politics | PC Culture

SCOTUS pick Brett Kavanaugh used credit cards to buy baseball tickets and Shannon Watts is suspicious

If there's any reason to oppose Brett Kavanaugh for SCOTUS, it's certainly this.

The dude likes baseball. Each day you think the democrats can’t be more foolish. Then the next day happens.

Politics | Leftist Lunacy

Hey, why not? Daily Beast spreads idea that #SCOTUSPick Brett Kavanaugh could help ban contraception

Actually, Judge Kavanaugh wrote that the government has a "compelling interest" in providing access to contraception, but whatever.

He’s also going to ban candy, puppies, and toddlers! The level of insanity from the left isn’t surprising. At all. This is why they are losing. They do this every single time. Democrats can’t win without fear and people are finally realizing how dishonest they are.

Politics | The Hall of Idiots

Joy Behar Just Said The Stupidest Thing About Kavanaugh Anyone Has Yet Said | Daily Wire

On Tuesday, the great minds of The View sounded off on their legal theories regarding the appointment of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court by President Trump.

This topic is called "The Hall of Idiots" specifically because of people like Joy Behar.

"Joy Behar, that paradigm of dignity and jurisprudential expertise, explained that Kavanaugh “might just be a quieter version of Judge Jeanine.”

This makes perfectly sense if you were dropped on the head repeatedly as a child, smoked extraordinarily strong strains of marijuana for your entire teenage life, or underwent a voluntary frontal lobotomy."

I agree.

Politics | The SCOTUS

Leftists Lose Their Minds Over Kavanaugh, Promptly Use Nomination To Raise Money

It wouldn't have mattered: President Trump could've nominated Mahatma Gandhi and the Left still would have screeched.

Politics | Media Bias

ABC News Makes Announcement About Trump's SCOTUS Nominee, Gets Slammed

ABC News' "Nightline" made an announcement about President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee on Monday night before the pick had even been announced, calling the unknown nominee "controversial."

These people’s total disregard for integrity is disgusting. What’s amazing is how obvious it is that they don’t even care about even pretending anymore.

Politics | The SCOTUS

WHOOPS! Women's March was TOO eager to release a statement blasting Trump's 'XX'-rated SCOTUS nominee

"2018 activism summed up in one hilarious screenshot."

This is the BEST!

Politics | The SCOTUS

Cory Booker hits every Dem talking point in his rejection of swampy SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh

Sen. Cory Booker has hit every item on the Democrat checklist in his thread opposing Kavanaugh.

Let the hysteria begin! I have to say that watching the left act like total lunatics every time the president does anything has been a serious highlight of this presidency.

News | Abortion

Trump Blows Away a Penumbra

Liberals are hysterical because a long era of judge-made law may be about to end.

It’s time to end Roe. The states should be making the decision. The left’s hysteria about this is absurd.

Politics | Politics

Exclusive: Vacant Supreme Court seat will likely influence U.S. election turnout, poll shows

U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects a second tax overhaul to be unveiled in October or a bit earlier, and he is considering cutting the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 21 percent.

Politics | Politics

Donald Trump Made Justice Kennedy an Offer He Couldn’t Refuse | Vanity Fair

Behind the scenes, the president worked for months to assure Kennedy his legacy would be in good hands. “I think the Gorsuch nomination had a huge impact,” one law professor said.

Politics | Other Politics

Kennedy’s Retirement Could Clear Path for Trump’s Environmental Rollbacks

On issues like climate change and water pollution, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy was often a decisive vote.

Politics | Op-Ed

Justice Kennedy Retires, and the Legal and Political Ramifications Are Immense | National Review

The next few months may well define the Supreme Court for a generation — and help decide who controls Congress. Buckle up. It’s going to be a wild ride.

News | News

Anthony Kennedy retiring from Supreme Court

The retirement gives President Donald Trump another chance to fundamentally reshape the top of the judiciary.

Politics | Politics

Supreme Court upholds Trump travel ban

Lower courts had found that the initial order and later version exceeded the president’s authority granted by Congress.

News | News

Apple Gets U.S. Supreme Court Review on iPhone App Fee Suit

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Apple Inc.’s bid to kill an antitrust lawsuit over the market for iPhone apps in a case that could shield e-commerce companies from consumer claims over high commissions.

Politics | Politics

Supreme Court rules in favor of Ohio 'voter purge'

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld Ohio’s "use it or lose it" practice of cleaning up its voter rolls. 

News | The News

Tennessee store puts 'No Gays Allowed' sign back up after Supreme Court cake ruling

A Tennessee hardware store owner is celebrating the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of a bakery that refused to bake a cake for a gay couple's wedding by placing a "No Gays Allowed" sign in front of his store. 

So concerning

Politics | Politics

If the Second Amendment falls, our entire Bill of Rights falls

The startling new proposal by 97-year-old former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens calling for the repeal of the Second Amendment to our Constitution’s Bill of Rights is unwise, dangerous and totally unrealistic.

Politics | Politics

OPINION: Trump's travel ban victory should force media to examine itself | TheHill

OPINION | The Supreme Court's stay should concentrate minds in both the judiciary and the media on the loss of objectivity in analysis over the president's immigration order.

I agree with this. People MUST judge the things Trump does on the merits and NOT on whether they hate (or like) Trump. I think the SCOTUS was absolutely correct here and agree that:

"The court ruled “when it comes to refugees who lack any such connection to the United States, for the reasons we have set out, the balance tips in favor of the Government’s compelling need to provide for the Nation’s security.”

It's time for everyone to grow up and start thinking about the welfare of the country, and to stop putting the narrative above all else.

News | Interesting Stories

Supreme Court: Rejecting trademarks that ‘disparage’ others violates the First Amendment - The Washington Post

The outcome is likely to affect the legal case of the Washington Redskins, whose trademark registration was revoked in 2014 under the same disparagement clause.

Politics | Politics

The Senate Filibuster, Explained

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court nomination of Judge Neil M. Gorsuch is now going to the Senate floor. The Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer of New York, has pledged to lead Democrats in a filibuster of the nomination.

The idea that a 60 vote majority is necessary for cloture is not an ancient, embedded, original feature of the Senate, and neither are Judiciary hearings. I support the idea of a filibuster, but originally, cloture did not exist and endless filibusters won't work in 2017.

Politics | Politics

Gorsuch: Trump's attack on judges 'demoralizing' | TheHill

Neil Gorsuch, President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, on Wednesday called the president's tweets attacking federal judges "disheartening" and "demoralizing."

It turns more into a circus everyday, which is the opposite of what happens with most incoming administrations. I applaud Gorsuch for his integrity.

Politics | Politics

Here Is What It Takes To Confirm A Supreme Court Nominee

President Trump plans to announce his choice to fill the vacant ninth seat on Tuesday. There are a series of actions required to make the replacement official; it is expected to take months.

Politics | Trump

This Trump Tweet Shows Why I Don't Want any of Trump's Supreme Court Justices | RedState

The last scare tactic that the reluctant Trump adopters use against those of us who are still stubborn Trump refuseniks is the threat of Hillary Clinton appointing Supreme Court Justices. On a surface level, it's an effective appeal to pragmatism, be

Politics | Politics

Hawaii To Add All Gun Owners To CRIMINAL Database

Tell us the end goal isn't banning all guns?

Politics | Politics

Dispense Contraception or Pay U.S. $1000

A few days ago, I described a pending House bill that would gut the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.   Now, I find out that my a bunch of Democrat U.S. Senators have introduced a bill that would require pharmacists to dispense contraception–even if v

Politics | Politics

Yes, Hillary Wants to Get Rid of the Second Amendment

A “gun violence prevention proposal” such as Hillary’s is simply a smokescreen over the ultimate aim of gun confiscation.

Politics | Obamacare

Judge strikes down Obama health law insurance subsidy in victory for House GOP - The Washington Post

Decision stayed pending certain administration appeal to D.C. circuit court

Politics | Liberal "Tolerance"

Obama Jokes about SCOTUS Pick: 'Yeah, He's a White Guy - Sorry!' | MRCTV

During a question and answer session at University of Chicago Law School, President Obama joked he is “sorry” his U.S. Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, is white.

Captain Hypocrite strikes again.

Politics | Op-Ed

Supreme Court -- Merrick Garland: Republicans’ Nomination Blocking Is Indefensible

The Republican party’s incoherent response to the Supreme Court vacancy is a partisan reflex in search of a justifying principle. The multiplicity of Republican rationalizations for their refusal to even consider Merrick Garland radiates insincerity.

Politics | Other Politics

Meet Obama's New Apointee to the SCOTUS

Merrick Garland, a judge with 18 years' experience, was not the first choice of liberals. But President Obama hopes his ability to win over conservatives will extend to the Supreme Court.

Miscellaneous | Interesting Links

Justice Clarence Thomas breaks 10-year streak, asks question in court - CNNPolitics.com

For the first time in a decade, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas spoke during oral arguments.

I haven't posted in this category for a long time. But not as long as Clarence Thomas went without asking a question in court!

Politics | Politics

McConnell: Senate Won't Vote On Obama's Supreme Court Nominee

Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate Majority Leader, has definitively confirmed that the G...

Politics | Politics

Supreme Court justices don’t belong at the State of the Union - The Boston Globe

The Constitution directs the president to periodically “give to the Congress information of the State of the Union,” and most presidents since Woodrow Wilson have delivered that “information” in a formal speech. But nothing in the Constitution req

There has been a lot made about Scalia skipping State of the Union speeches. The Justices are under no obligation to attend a SOTU. We have three co-equal branches of government. The president is not a king. The Court is non-partisan. The SOTU no longer is. It is perfectly reasonable for them to not attend. I remember the days when the Court was considered to be above politics. The objectivity of the Court is crucial in keeping the country from descending into a completely partisan mess.

News | The News

Oops: Dems in Senate passed a resolution in1960 against election year Supreme Court appointments

Read it and weep, Democrats. The shoe is on the other foot.

Politics | Op-Ed

Dear Democrats, Please Stop Insulting Our Intelligence on Judicial Nominations

Does any sentient human being believe that if the Democrats had the Senate majority in the final year of a conservative president’s second term – and Justice Ginsburg’s seat came open — that they would approve any nominee from that president?

Politics | POLITICS

Ruth Bader Ginsburg released a moving tribute to her 'best buddy,' Antonin Scalia

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sunday released a statement paying tribute to a man she called her

Politics | Politics

What Justice Scalia’s death means for pending Supreme Court decisions

Justice Antonin Scalia, the Supreme Court’s conservative firebrand, died Saturday, leaving the fate of a controversial and high-stakes term very much up in the air.

News | News

Supreme Court gives broader immunity to police using deadly force in chases

The Supreme Court made it harder Monday to sue police for using deadly force against fleeing suspects, ruling that officers are immune from lawsuits unless it is “beyond debate” that a shooting was unjustified and clearly unreasonable.

News | In The News

Ginsburg: Liberal Justices Make A Point To Speak With One Voice : It's All Politics : NPR

Being in one opinion is important, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said Thursday. "If you want to make sure you're read, you do it together, and you do it short," she said.

I love justice Ginsburg!

Politics | Op-Ed

Time for the States to Declare Independence From the Federal Government - Breitbart

One hundred and fifty years after the end of the Civil War, it is becoming increasingly clear that there are two Americas—one where the principles of constitutionally limited government and individual liberty are still revered, the other where statism a

Is it that time? The constitution remedies malfeasance by judges with impeachment. Obviously we are, as a country, unwilling ti recognize heinously inappropriate judicial activism as an impeachable offense. Maybe we need to find a different way to restore our freedom from the tyranny of the bench.

News | The News

Valerie Jarrett Organized White House Rainbow Lights - Breitbart

White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett was one of the mobilizing forces behind the decision to light up the White House with the colors of the gay pride movement to celebrate the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage.

No surprise here. One of the most interesting aspects of the cultish devotion to Obama is that his supporters don't care at all that this un-elected person, born in Iran, has acted as prime advisor to the president and we have no idea just how much influence she has.

News | The News

Sports Teams Ignore Gay Marriage, Are Bigots

The new homophobia, where sports teams are bigots because they didn't change their logos rainbow.

But of course they attacked. That's what they do. Agree with us or else.

Politics | PC Culture

U.S. Department of Education Celebrates Same-Sex Marriage With Rainbow on Facebook - Breitbart

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Education (USED), under Secretary Arne Duncan, posted an image of its logo that incorporated a rainbow to show its support for the contentious ruling.

This is wrong, but the activist court is the product of the activist POTUS whose primary goal, from the beginning, was social engineering and not effective governance, so nobody should be surprised.

Politics | From CNN

Most states to abide by same-sex marriage ruling, but.... - CNN.com

With last week's Supreme Court ruling, same-sex couples are flocking to the altar in all 50 states, right? Eh, almost.

Politics | Malfeasance

SCOTUS: States Cannot Force Voters To Prove Citizenship

The Supreme Court handed voting rights advocates a victory by not hearing a case that sought for voters to provide proof of citizenship with federal forms.

The activism and malfeasance of this court is unprecedented.

News | The News

Alleged JP Morgan Chase Memo Tells Employees the Word 'Wife' Insults LGBT Coworkers

Employees are being told “to help create an environment for open and honest dialogue.” The document notes descriptors such as “wife” and “boyfriend” are frowned upon, and “partner” is preferred. Not referring to your wife as your wife “o

News | In The News

Texas Attorney General says county clerks can refuse same-sex marriages

Texas AG Ken Paxton is the latest politician to lash out and strike back at the Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling.

Politics | Op-Ed

America's post-Constitutional culture | Fox News

The Supreme Court's latest ObamaCare decision cements the role of the Court as the Executive Branch’s lap dog in the protection of government power.

News | The News

Scalia: Gay marriage decision shows America's 'ruler' is Supreme Court

Justice Antonin Scalia is chastising the Supreme Court’s landmark decision legalizing same-sex marriage on Friday as an affront to the principle of democratic rule.

Agreed. The decision today fundamentally changes the nature of our so called republic.

News | In The News

The most important sentence in the Fair Housing Act ruling - Business Insider

Over the long term, the Supreme Court’s ruling Thursday on the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is potentially even more important than its Obamacare decision.

Politics | Obamacare

Supreme Court rules in favor of Obamacare in King v. Burwell

The decision means that the Affordable Care Act stands unchanged and that the government can continue subsidizing coverage for millions of Americans.

Politics | Op-Ed

Blog: Yesterday I was informed that I am not a resident of Israel - Blogs - Jerusalem Post

Six Supreme Court Justices from the United States informed me that, as far as they were concerned, I am a resident of Jerusalem, Full Stop.

I love the United States, but its stance on Jerusalem is absurd, disingenuous and nonsensical.

News | News

Supreme Court Denies 'Jerusalem, Israel' in Passports; Roberts Slams Majority - Breitbart

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday in the case of Zivotofksy v. Kerry that the Constitution does not permit Congress to force the president to allow a U.S. citizen born in Jerusalem to list his birthplace as

"The result was that 'the Court takes the perilous step–for the first time in our history–of allowing the President to defy an Act of Congress [the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 2002] in the field of foreign affairs.'" Agreed. The unconscionable part of this is that the Knesset is on land that has never been disputed. So, aside from the continuing urge to appease the Arabs, WHAT is the problem with recognizing Jerusalem as what it, obviously is, always has been, and always will be: the capital.

News | News

First US terrorism trial against Palestinian Authority begins today - Arab-Israeli Conflict - Jerusalem Post

Dozens of survivors of the attacks may testify in a trial, expected to last up to three months.

This is great. I am hope that it will force people to understand that the PA, and Abbas, are not that different than Hamas. Fatah is, literally, the PLO with a new name.

Politics | Obamacare

Supremes to White House: What about ‘death panel?’

The Supreme Court is telling the Obama administration to present its case for Obamacare’s Independent Payment Advisory Board – the provision that critics have described as a “death panel” – even if it doesn’t want to

Politics | Obamacare

Jonathan Gruber Remains MIA as Obamacare Returns to Supreme Court

Ever since it was announced yesterday that the Supreme Court will once again take up Obamacare in the case of King vs Burwell, one figure has remained noticeably absent: Jonathan "Speak-O" Gruber. Since the case revolves around whether Congress

Politics | Obamacare

King v. Burwell: The new Supreme Court case that could gut Obamacare, explained - Vox

The Supreme Court is going to take up Obamacare again. And it could prove disastrous for the administration — and for millions of individuals and families who have found affordable coverage under the law.

Politics | Politics

Constitution Check: Will the Supreme Court reinforce majority rule in Congress? - Yahoo News

From Yahoo News: Lyle Denniston, the National Constitution Center’s adviser on constitutional literacy, looks at a challenge that will attempt to persuade the Supreme Court to finally rule on the constitutionality of Senate filibusters.

Music | Music

The Supreme Court connection to the Led Zeppelin lawsuit - Yahoo News

From Yahoo News: Led Zeppelin is now in a literal battle of the bands over the rights to its biggest song “Stairway To Heaven,” in an interesting twist related to a copyright decision handed down by the Supreme Court in June.

News | News

Broken lights and the Fourth Amendment - Yahoo News

From Yahoo News: Is it a violation of the Constitution for a police officer to act on a misunderstanding of the law? That’s what the Supreme Court asked in its first case of the new term.