The world is watching as tennis ace Novak Djokovic takes on the Australian government over his visa ban, ahead of the Australian Open.
Tennis star Novak Djokovic’s visa hearing is taking place in Melbourne and the decision will determine whether he can remain in Australia and compete in the Australian Open.
His visa was canceled last week for entering Australia without a valid medical exemption from the country’s Covid vaccination requirement for all arrivals.
If the court upholds the cancellation, Djokovic will be deported as soon as possible.
Monday’s court hearing was delayed by technical issues. A live feed set up for the public to watch appeared overwhelmed and failed to load.
The hearing is under way and Djokovic’s lawyers, led by Nicholas Wood, SC, are addressing the tennis player’s entry into Australia under the Biosecurity Act.
Mr Wood tells Judge Anthony Kelly the Act does not require entrants to provide evidence of a medical contraindication, but Djokovic did.
Supporters gather
Fans and protesters alike have been gathering outside the Park Hotel in Melbourne since Novak Djokovic was moved to the temporary detention facility.
Djokovic case has prompted anger from people who feel the rich and powerful are getting an easy ride when it comes to Australia’s tough Covid-19 rules.
Djokovic remains in the Park Hotel in Melbourne, despite his repeated requests to be moved to a “more suitable place of detention,” according to court documents published Saturday.
The tennis star had wanted to train in the event he’s released from immigration detention to contest the Australian Open after Monday’s hearing.
Serbian officials have managed to negotiate extra concessions, the country’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told Serbian national TV station RTV Pink on Saturday.
“The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice” had its world premiere at The Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.
The new documentary explores the controversial legal challenges faced by John Eastman, a prominent constitutional scholar and former adviser to President Donald Trump.
The Madison Media Fund released the film, which delves into claims that Eastman and other conservative attorneys have been unfairly targeted for their legal representation of Trump following the 2020 presidential election.
Thee film raises broader questions about free speech and the ability of attorneys to represent politically divisive clients without facing personal or professional retribution.
President-elect Trump along with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio attended the film’s premiere with other dignitaries, guests, and members of the media.
The film’s release comes amid ongoing national debates over judicial impartiality and the balance between legal representation and political activism.
The message of “The Eastman Dilemma” seeks to spark a national conversation about fairness in the legal system and the rights of attorneys to provide counsel without fear of career-ending consequences.
Several high-profile attendees discussed on the red carpet the main themes surrounding the documentary and Trump’s second term in office including Eastman, Peter Navarro, Gen. Michael Flynn, David Freiheit, Kevin and Sam Sorbo, Michael Harris, Philip Nicozisis, and Gabriela Berrospi.
New film questions the fairness of the Justice System in politically charged cases
A newly released documentary, “The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice,” delves into the controversial legal battles surrounding John Eastman, a constitutional scholar and former adviser to President Donald Trump.
The film produced by the Madison Media Fund and released in early 2025, examines claims that Eastman and other conservative attorneys faced disproportionate professional repercussions for their legal defense of Trump following the 2020 presidential election.
Eastman, a Senior Fellow at the Claremont Institute, has maintained his stance that his legal counsel was constitutionally justified, despite widespread criticism and professional consequences.
His involvement in the aftermath of the 2020 election, including disputes over electoral certifications, made him a target in high-profile investigations.
Florida’s Attorney General to replace Marco Rubio following his expected confirmation as Secretary of State
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Thursday his decision to appoint state Attorney General Ashley Moody to the U.S. Senate, pending Senator Marco Rubio’s expected confirmation as President-elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of State. Rubio, a two-term senator, is widely anticipated to step down after Trump’s inauguration, making way for Moody’s appointment.
Moody, who has served as Florida’s attorney general since 2019, has been a key political ally of DeSantis, often collaborating on high-profile legal challenges and conservative policy initiatives.
Her alignment with DeSantis on issues such as law enforcement support, immigration enforcement, and state autonomy has solidified her as a prominent figure in Florida’s political landscape.
DeSantis praised Moody’s qualifications and commitment to public service, stating she would bring a “principled, conservative voice” to Washington, D.C. Moody’s appointment would mark a continuation of the state’s GOP leadership in the Senate, reinforcing the Republican majority ahead of Trump’s administration taking office.
Rubio’s departure comes as Trump assembles a Cabinet filled with loyalists and prominent conservatives. His selection as Secretary of State underscores Trump’s focus on experienced political figures in key diplomatic roles.
Moody’s appointment to the Senate, if confirmed, would likely shape legislative debates on issues ranging from judicial reform to national security.