Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 09.16.19

* Remember Deborah Ramirez, one of the first women to accuse Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct while he was going through his Supreme Court confirmation hearings? It turns out the FBI never really investigated her allegations because of limitations imposed by the Republican-controlled Senate. [New York Times] * President Trump, of course, has come forward to defend Kavanaugh against allegations that the justice exposed himself to unwilling women in college, proclaiming, “He is an innocent man who has been treated HORRIBLY,” and that Kavanaugh “should start suing people for libel, or the Justice Department should come to his rescue.” [NBC News] * What could happen if Donald Trump refuses to step down as president should he lose the 2020 election? National security expert Josh Geltzer says that as a nation, we should “be prepared for the worst.” [Slate] * “Desperate Housewife” Felicity Huffman was sentenced to 14 days in jail, one year of probation, 250 hours of community service, and a $30,000 fine for her role in the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal, while “Fuller House” star Lori Loughlin has “resolved” to stay out of the Big House. [CBS News; Page Six] * In case you missed it, Texas lawyer-politician Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) made a “death threat” via tweet against Beto O’Rourke, saying “My AR is ready for you,” after the Democratic presidential candidate promised to “take your AR-15[s]” during the latest debate, but there are likely no legal ethics repercussions coming his way. [Texas Lawyer]

By Staci Zaretsky on September 16, 2019 8:17 am

(Photo by MELINA MARA/AFP/Getty Images)

* Remember Deborah Ramirez, one of the first women to accuse Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct while he was going through his Supreme Court confirmation hearings? It turns out the FBI never really investigated her allegations because of limitations imposed by the Republican-controlled Senate. [New York Times]

* President Trump, of course, has come forward to defend Kavanaugh against allegations that the justice exposed himself to unwilling women in college, proclaiming, “He is an innocent man who has been treated HORRIBLY,” and that Kavanaugh “should start suing people for libel, or the Justice Department should come to his rescue.” [NBC News]

* What could happen if Donald Trump refuses to step down as president should he lose the 2020 election? National security expert Josh Geltzer says that as a nation, we should “be prepared for the worst.” [Slate]

* “Desperate Housewife” Felicity Huffman was sentenced to 14 days in jail, one year of probation, 250 hours of community service, and a $30,000 fine for her role in the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal, while “Fuller House” star Lori Loughlin has “resolved” to stay out of the Big House. [CBS News; Page Six]

* In case you missed it, Texas lawyer-politician Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) made a “death threat” via tweet against Beto O’Rourke, saying “My AR is ready for you,” after the Democratic presidential candidate promised to “take your AR-15[s]” during the latest debate, but there are likely no legal ethics repercussions coming his way. [Texas Lawyer]

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.