[U] Live Argument: "Sanctuary Cities" Case, In The Ninth Circuit...

LIVE BLOGGING UNDERWAY: Chad A. Readler (Acting US AG) barely gets started, when the panel jumps in to pepper him with questions. The lawyers for 45 admit that if Congress did not expressly allow "strings" on grants to cities from the feds, then Donald Trump has no authority to "graft" them on later, by executive order. . . .

L O S E R.

Having now listened to the entire argument session, I will say quite confidently that the injunctions will be upheld by the Ninth Circuit, and ultimately then sent on to the Supremes, when 45 appeals to that court. The County of Santa Clara and the City of San Francisco appellate counsel handled the arguments quite deftly, and never faced a single hostile question -- because I surmise it is plain they are in the right, on the settled black letter law, here. . . .

Nothing new from Kenilworth on the putative Propecia/Proscar settlement papers this morning, so we will jump right on, to the West Coast, live:

. . . .Executive Order 13,678 (hereafter, the “Executive Order” or “Order”) represents an impermissible bid by the president to exceed his constitutional powers and punish communities whose local governments choose -- consistent with their rightful role in our federal system -- to decline conscription into a scheme of immigration law enforcement that threatens to undermine public safety and up-end community stability. [Technology and life sciences companies] and the communities in which they are embedded have benefited from the open values, the diverse and inclusive culture, the lawful and welcoming immigration practices, and the supportive local governments that were jeopardized by a hastily imposed and unconstitutional Executive Order. . . .

Starting in about one hour and fifteen minutes, now -- expect 45's lawyers to lose -- and lose handily, here. Love to all -- malice toward no one of genuine good will, on this perfectly sunny, warm spring morning. . . . in the greatest place on Earth.

नमस्ते