“Why shouldn’t elephants have rights? They’re intelligent beings who can feel joy and sorrow.” Online at The Los Angeles Times, professor Jeff Sebo has an essay that begins, “The California Supreme Court is considering whether to grant a hearing for three elephants — Nolwazi, Amahle and Mabu — at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.”

“From COVID meds to abortion. Why conservatives are fighting the FDA’s power to regulate drugs.” John Fritze of USA Today has this report.

“Trump’s Court Whisperer Had a State Judicial Strategy. Its Full Extent Only Became Clear Years Later. Conservative activist Leonard Leo helped elect a judge in Wisconsin. Without him, the GOP feared their agenda would be ‘toast,’ according to an email.” Andrea Bernstein and Andy Kroll of ProPublica have this report.

“Texas is a Magic 8 Ball for the Country”: You can access today’s new episode of the “Strict Scrutiny” podcast via this link.

“If Trump Trial Isn’t Broadcast Live, a Plea to Record It for Posterity; A request to broadcast one of Donald Trump’s federal trials made an intriguing backup argument, one rooted not in the news cycle but in ensuring a complete historical record”: Adam Liptak will have this new installment of his “Sidebar” column in Tuesday’s edition of The New York Times.