Federal judiciary

A federal judge has ordered the White House to explain by 12:30 PM why it has not complied with a court order concerning press access. The ruling escalates a legal standoff between the judiciary and the administration over journalists' access to the president. The deadline puts immediate pressure on the White House to respond or face potential contempt proceedings.

Former special counsel Jack Smith is testifying publicly before the Senate Judiciary Committee as Republican lawmakers examine the Justice Department investigations he led into Donald Trump. The hearings, covered live by major outlets, are expected to focus on how the classified documents and election interference cases were conducted. The appearance marks a rare public account from Smith, who brought two federal criminal cases against Trump.

Senators are preparing for a confrontation with Jack Smith at the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to Roll Call. Smith, the former special counsel who led federal investigations into Donald Trump, is expected to face pointed questioning from lawmakers. The hearing signals continued partisan tension over the prosecutions and their handling of cases involving the president.

Utah Senator Mike Lee is pushing for the impeachment of a federal judge who ruled against President Trump, and has asked supporters for $5 donations to back the effort. The move escalates Republican criticism of the judiciary and raises questions about congressional retaliation against judges over rulings, drawing scrutiny over the independence of the federal courts and the use of fundraising around impeachment efforts.

The US judiciary is preparing a pilot programme for courthouse management, according to Facilities Dive. Details of the pilot's scope, timeline and participating courthouses were not provided in the initial report. The initiative suggests the federal court system is testing new approaches to how its facilities are administered.