Trump administration files same mail-ballot appeal three times, wins on third, own allies call it a trap

…(cont) Back in Boston, the same judge, with the case still alive, issues what her order calls a "new and complete" block days later. The administration appeals — this time to the circuit court, not the justices. The appeal sits. The block holds. Call it one win, one loss.

Five days before the administration's next trip to the marble steps, a Postal Service whistleblower's disclosure — submitted to members of Congress and released in full by Sen. Richard Blumenthal — warns that the rule, as written, risks a "catastrophic failure" in November. Wisconsin and North Carolina start mailing ballots anyway. The Republican who chairs Wisconsin's elections commission tells reporters there is no practical way for his clerks to comply with the order either way.

On Sunday, the administration is back at the Supreme Court for a third time, asking, again, to lift the same judge's block on the same rule. The justices grant it, 5 to 4. Two wins, one loss, and the case that finally landed reads exactly like the two that didn't.

All together now — line two: the clause the win's own side isn't toasting. "Don't order the champagne yet," the Washington Examiner writes about the ruling its side just won, counting the reasons to treat it as settled at zero. The order doesn't rule the plan lawful. It rules that the judge in Boston moved too fast. That's the entire holding, on the record, from the people who wanted it to say more.

Three trips to the same building, over the same rule, until five of nine said yes — and the friendliest coverage of the win comes with a warning label attached. Case closed. Ballots, somehow, still not delivered.