Finally! The East Coast is getting some snow and that holiday feeling is everywhere. As the year comes to a close, many of us are reflecting on what we learned and what happened this year. So, what did 2016 meme to you? Welcome to RantCrush Top 5, where we take you through today’s top five controversial stories in the world of law and policy. Who’s ranting and raving right now? Check it out below:

It’s All About Russia Right Now

Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest claimed that Donald Trump and the GOP have known that Russia was trying to interfere in the election for a while–possibly even before October. Earnest suggested that Trump’s repeated invitations for Russia to hack Clinton’s emails meant that he knew what was going on. “It was obvious to those who were covering the race that the hack-and-leak strategy that had been operationalized was not being equally applied to the two parties and to the two campaigns,” Earnest said.

Presidential Spokesman Josh Earnest: Trump may have known Russia behind hacking before Election Day https://t.co/rINAuUMEGp

— Peter Eisner (@PeterEisner) December 14, 2016

It is now believed that Vladimir Putin himself was directly involved in the data breach because of a personal vendetta against Hillary Clinton. But Putin may have also wanted to undermine America’s rep as a global leader. And according to investigators, he’s likely a fan of the way that Trump views Russia.

After all these revelations, Trump, instead of demanding an investigation into why a foreign nation would interfere with our election, questioned why the White House only mentioned this issue after Hillary Clinton lost.

If Russia, or some other entity, was hacking, why did the White House wait so long to act? Why did they only complain after Hillary lost?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2016

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post RantCrush Top 5: December 15, 2016 appeared first on Law Street.

Happy Monday Law Streeters! Last week Taiwan readied to become the first asian nation to legalize gay marriage, post-election donations crashed the ACLU website, and Joe Biden memes made all of us laugh. ICYMI–check out the top stories from Law Street below!

1. Taiwan Set to Become First Asian Nation to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Taiwan is poised to become the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Lawmakers from the country’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party are working on three marriage equality bills at the moment, one of which is expected to pass within the next few months. Read the full article here.

2. ACLU Website Crashes After Tons of Donations

In the wake of Donald Trump’s presidential win on Tuesday night, a lot of people were concerned about what a Trump presidency might mean for Americans’ civil rights. One of the biggest defenders of those rights is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a legal organization that regularly sues the government when it believes individuals’ rights are being infringed upon. In the wake of Trump’s election, the ACLU has seen record donations, so many, in fact, that the organization’s website crashed on Wednesday morning. Read the full article here.

3. Memes of Biden Trolling Trump Are Helping Us Laugh Away Our Tears

After last week’s poll-defying election results, half of Americans were left stunned and feeling a bit like they’d just been cast in a Doomsday movie. Luckily meme connoisseur Josh Billinson, was there to deliver some much needed comedic relief. Read the full article here.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post ICYMI: Best of the Week appeared first on Law Street.

Welcome to the RantCrush Top 5, where we take you through the top five controversial and crazy stories in the world of law and policy each day. So who is ranting and who is raving today? Check it out below:

Will the #BernieTrumpDebate ever happen?

Looks like the #BernieTrumpDebate is one big pipe dream. Donald Trump told Jimmy Kimmel last night that he’d love to debate Bernie Sanders for charity. Now that would be great TV! While many sources say the debate will never happen, seems like Sanders is up for the challenge:

Has Casey Anthony been outed by her attorney-slash-lover?

Remember Casey Anthony? The Florida woman accused of killing her young daughter is back in the news. New documents report that she paid her defense attorney, Jose Baez, with sex. What’s more? Baez supposedly ratted out his client, saying she actually did kill her daughter. Anthony was found not guilty in 2011. We’ll see what this new information does for her so-called innocence!

Years later, Casey Anthony and George Zimmerman are making headlines. smh #Florida pic.twitter.com/ppWYMwI5Lt

— Gavin (@renovargas_) May 26, 2016

Elizabeth Warren Hits Trump Right on the Money

Warren seems to have made it her personal mission to make sure Trump never reaches the White House. At the Center for Popular Democracy, Elizabeth Warren and her “goofy” self took to the mic to slam the presumptive GOP nom, calling him a “small, insecure money grubber.” Ouch! The mudslinging has never been more real!

Taiwanese president criticized for being single…Seriously?

These days women are criticized for pretty much everything, especially women in powerful positions. This week a Chinese military official criticized Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen for being unmarried, claiming she was “extreme” and “emotional” because she didn’t have a husband. Should Tsai’s relationship status influence her politics? NOPE. Should China mind its business? YAS. Keep stuntin’ Ing-wen!

Taiwan president accused of being “extremist” and “erratic” because she’s single: https://t.co/NPhhu96dJj pic.twitter.com/Z8YV8WSSpm

— Women in the World (@WomenintheWorld) May 25, 2016

Marijuana Legalization is on the Come-Up in W. Virginia

Delegates in a West Virginia special budget session introduced a bill legalizing marijuana in the state. The bill would decriminalize the drug and permit use, growth, and possession of certain amounts by those over age 21. West Virginia faces a financial crisis and the hope is that legalization would alleviate the money problems.

via GIPHY

Rant Crush

RantCrush collects the top trending topics in the law and policy world each day just for you.

The post RantCrush Top 5: May 26, 2016 appeared first on Law Street.