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President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that directs the Justice Department to create a task force to challenge state regulations deemed to be inconsistent with “a minimally burdensome national policy framework for AI.” The order also directs departments and agencies to explore withholding federal funds to states with unfavorable AI laws. (Executive Order.) (NPR.) Chuck Hagel argued that “American leadership in artificial intelligence will not be secured by weakening the few guardrails that exist.” (The Atlantic.)
A federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia declined for a second time to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday. (NYT.) For background on the case, see the Roundup Library.
Twenty-one Republicans in Indiana’s state Senate joined Democrats to reject President Trump’s push for mid-decade redistricting. The redrawn maps passed by the state House likely would have given Republicans two additional congressional districts. (WaPo.)
Several outlets reported that a divided three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit appeared skeptical of the Justice Department’s effort to lift a preliminary injunction blocking the CIA from firing 19 intelligence officers previously assigned to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Two judges pressed whether the terminations were discretionary decisions under the National Security Act, as the government argued, or a reduction in force subject to agency procedures and review. (Law.com.) (Bloomberg Law.) (Politico.) (Audio of oral argument.)
The Washington Post, per three anonymous sources, reported that the United States will likely begin seizing more oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela. (WaPo.)
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday announced changes to the Financial Stability Oversight Council aimed at easing financial regulations. He stated that the council will work to consider “whether aspects of the U.S. financial regulatory framework impose undue burdens and negatively impact economic growth.” (Letter.) (NYT.)
Emily Bazelon and David French discussed Trump v. Slaughter and the campaign finance case heard by the Supreme Court this week. (NYT.) Steve Vladeck contended that during oral argument in Trump v. Slaughter, the Court’s conservative justices appeared to show little interest in grappling with the doctrinal and practical consequences of overruling Humphrey’s Executor. (One First.)
Pending Interim Order Applications Involving the U.S. Government in the Supreme Court
Blanche v. Perlmutter: The government filed an emergency application on October 27 requesting the Supreme Court to stay a district court interlocutory injunction that temporarily reinstated Shira Perlmutter to her role as Register of Copyrights while litigation over her removal continues. Chief Justice Roberts formally set a deadline of November 10 for a response to the application. Perlmutter submitted a response on November 10. Blanche submitted a reply on November 12. The Court deferred the application for stay on November 28 pending the Court’s decisions in Trump v. Slaughter and Trump v. Cook.
Trump v. Illinois: The government filed an emergency application on October 17 requesting the Supreme Court stay a district court order barring the deployment of the National Guard to Illinois. Justice Barrett formally set a deadline of October 20 for a response to the application. Illinois and the City of Chicago submitted a response on October 20. President Trump filed a reply on October 21. On October 29, Justice Barrett requested supplemental briefs to be filed by November 10. President Trump, as well as Illinois and the City of Chicago, both filed supplemental letter briefs on November 10 and supplemental letter replies on November 17.
Trump v. Cook: The government filed an emergency application on September 18 requesting the Supreme Court to stay a preliminary injunction issued by a district court that blocked President Trump from removing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Cook filed an opposition to the request on the same day. The Chief Justice formally set a deadline of September 25 for a response to the application. Cook filed a response on September 25. On October 1, the Court deferred action on the stay application pending oral argument in January 2026 and established a supplemental briefing schedule. Additional amicus briefs were filed on October 29. The Court set argument for January 21, 2026, and both sides filed supplemental briefs on November 19.