Commentaries by Randel Johnson

Does the Rule of Law Apply in the US Government’s Enforcement Proceedings?

Gulbenk, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Does the Rule of Law Apply in the US Government’s Enforcement Proceedings?

August 20, 2024 11:30:04 am

Does the Rule of Law Apply in the US Government’s Enforcement Proceedings? It seems likely that most people would respond to the question with a resounding “Yes, of course, isn’t this America?” Unfortunately, the answer is, “Often No.” Policymakers and judicial authorities in the United States and other developed countries often generally speak of the [...]

THIS DAY @ LAW

Dutch leader Johan de Witt killed by mob

The Grand Pensionary of Holland, Johan de Witt and his brother Cornelis de Witt were lynched on August 20, 1672, after an angry mob took the two from a prison, where Cornelis was being held on charges of treason, and killed them both. William of Orange (later William III of England & Scotland) became Stadtholder of Holland a month before the killings and remained in the position until his death in 1702. Learn more about Johan de Witt from the Rijksmuseum.

UN Security Council resolution condemned Israeli declaration of all Jerusalem as capital

On August 20, 1980, the UN Security Council passed by 14-0 a resolution condemning an Israeli declaration that all of Jerusalem is its capital. The US abstained.

Economic Opportunity Act signed into law

On August 20, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Economic Opportunity Act. The bill approved $1 billion for social programs to combat poverty. It was central to President Johnson's Great Society legislation program. Learn more about President Johnson's War on Poverty from NPR.