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According to numerous outlets, President Trump formally notified Congress in a letter dated July 10 that the United States is once again at war with Iran and stated that military action “commenced on July 7.” (Politico.) (CBS.) (Reuters.) On Monday, he declared that the United States will reimpose its blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the United States will be “reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped” through the strait. (Truth Social.) (WSJ.) (BBC.) Andrew McCarthy argued that the toll exceeds presidential authority. (National Review.)
Judge Kathleen M. Williams (S.D. Fla.) on Monday sanctioned two of President Trump’s personal attorneys over his lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. Judge Williams found that the suit was brought “to gain the imprimatur of judicial legitimacy for a ‘settlement’ that had no viable basis in law or fact.” She also directed that the order be sent to bar authorities in New York and Washington, D.C., where disciplinary proceedings against Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward are ongoing. (Order.) (NYT.) (Politico.) For background on the case, see previous Roundups.
Judge Thomas E. Johnston (S.D. W. Va.) on Monday dismissed the Justice Department’s suit seeking West Virginia’s unredacted voter registration list. The dismissal marks the department’s 13th straight district court loss in its effort to obtain state voter rolls. (Order.) (Democracy Docket.)
Chief Judge James E. Boasberg (D.D.C.) on Friday declined to block the Federal Trade Commission from pursuing its enforcement action against the World Professional Association for Transgender Health in Texas. Judge Boasberg held that the Texas suit does not threaten his jurisdiction and that the cost of litigating in two forums is not irreparable harm. (Order.) (Law Dork.)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday announced a State Department-led campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Rubio vowed to tear the court down “brick by brick, if necessary.” (WSJ.) (CNN.) (NYT.)
Ilya Somin argued that the Court of International Trade should certify a class action for importers seeking refunds of tariffs invalidated by the Supreme Court’s February IEEPA decision. (Volokh.)
Julia Curlee wrote that the White House’s 2025 purges of the National Security Council “broke the interagency coordination system” and led to the planning failures of the Iran war. (Lawfare.)