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PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Arizona’s 15 counties have initiated a process to verify and remove noncitizens from their voter lists. Nearly 50,000 registrations without proof of U.S. citizenship are under review.
👥 Who’s Involved: America First Legal (AFL) led the initiative, filing a lawsuit on behalf of EZAZ.org and naturalized citizen Yvonne Cahill. The counties are collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for verification.
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📍 Where & When: This process is occurring across all counties in Arizona, set into motion after a lawsuit was filed last year.
💬 Key Quote: James Rogers, AFL senior counsel, stated, “This settlement is a great result for all Arizonans.”
⚠️ Impact: The verification effort aims to secure election integrity by ensuring only citizens can vote in state and local elections. Confirmed citizens will be transferred to regular voter lists, while noncitizens will have their registrations canceled.
IN FULL:
Arizona election officials have started verifying the citizenship status of registered voters following a legal settlement stemming from a lawsuit filed late last year. The verification process includes reviewing the state’s “federal-only voters” list, which comprises approximately 50,000 registrants who have not provided proof of U.S. citizenship. State law mandates that voters on the list undergo verification in order to participate in state and local elections.
The voter roll purge resulted from a lawsuit filed by America First Legal (AFL) on behalf of EZAZ.org and Yvonne Cahill, a naturalized citizen and registered voter. AFL’s lawsuit argued that the counties failed to adhere to state legislation demanding monthly checks for noncitizens among voter rolls. As a result of the settlement, Arizona’s 15 counties are working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to validate the status of voters. County officials previously faced criticism for not utilizing available resources to check citizenship, which Arizona law requires.
Although the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 prevented states from enforcing voter registration requirements beyond the federal obligation to affirm citizenship, Arizona law continues to enforce proof of citizenship for voting in state and local elections. The state law also requires monthly verification by county recorders to ensure registrants on the so-called “federal-only” list, which includes nearly 50,000 individuals, hold U.S. citizenship.
“This will help County Recorders find and remove any aliens on their voter rolls,” says AFL’s James Rogers, adding: “It will also potentially enfranchise federal-only voters whose citizenship is confirmed, which would allow them to vote in state and local elections. AFL congratulates each of Arizona’s 15 county recorders for taking this bold and important step for election integrity in the state.”
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump announced agreements with five major law firms to provide pro bono services worth hundreds of millions of dollars for causes supported by him and the firms. The law firms include Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump; the law firms Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP; and the EEOC.
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📍 Where & When: Announced on Truth Social, the agreements were publicized on Friday, April 11.
💬 Key Quote: “The Law Firms affirm that they will not deny representation to clients, such as members of politically disenfranchised groups and Government Officials, employees, and advisors, who have not historically received Legal representation from major National Law Firms, including in pro bono matters, and in support of non-profits, because of the personal political views of individual lawyers,” Trump’s Truth Social post states.
⚠️ Impact: The pro bono pledges have exceeded $900 million, bringing to heel a number of major law firms that have sought to undermine the Trump agenda by assisting lawfare efforts in recent years.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump has revealed commitments from five prominent law firms to deliver pro bono services totaling $600 million for various causes they mutually endorse. The firms joining this initiative include Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, with the latter contributing $100 million. Services pledged by these firms will span supporting veterans, military families, law enforcement, and first responders, as well as addressing fairness in the justice system and combating anti-Semitism, according to statements released by Trump.
Trump’s announcement, made on Truth Social, noted that these legal entities will not partake in “illegal” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities. The decision is also linked to the recent withdrawal of inquiries from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), with Trump referencing this move as part of an agreement.
“The Law Firms affirm their commitment to Merit-Based Hiring, Promotion, and Retention. Accordingly, the Law Firms will not engage in illegal DEI discrimination and preferences,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding: “The Law Firms affirm that they will not deny representation to clients, such as members of politically disenfranchised groups and Government Officials, employees, and advisors, who have not historically received Legal representation from major National Law Firms, including in pro bono matters, and in support of non-profits, because of the personal political views of individual lawyers.”
This development marks a significant expansion in the scale of legal services committed on a pro bono basis, notably for causes that are perceived to align closely with the Trump administration’s priorities. The total value of these pro bono pledges by law firms has now surpassed $900 million. Trump highlighted the bipartisan nature of the pro bono work to be undertaken, asserting that it will uphold a wide range of political perspectives, including conservative values.
These agreements come after Trump earlier enacted Executive Orders that penalized certain high-profile law firms. The law firms involved have previously been noted for engaging in lawfare efforts against Trump or employing individuals who have pursued dubious legal actions against him to hamper his 2024 presidential campaign and political agenda.
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