Bridget Lavender
@bridgetlavender.bsky.social
state constitutions, federalism, civil rights | currently Staff Attorney @UWLawDemocracy | views are my own
Pinned
California recently banned federal law enforcement officials (including ICE) from wearing masks or concealing their identities. At least 17 other states have proposed similar laws.
The federal government claims that these laws are unconstitutional. Is that right? Well, it's complicated 🧵 1/
The federal government claims that these laws are unconstitutional. Is that right? Well, it's complicated 🧵 1/
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
February 4, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
On a night of life-threatening cold, a homeless person entered a Lansing bus station seeking refuge from the freezing temperatures.
Video shows police slamming them to the ground and pinning them with knees on their neck as they plead, "I'm here because it's cold outside, and I have nowhere to go."
Video shows police slamming them to the ground and pinning them with knees on their neck as they plead, "I'm here because it's cold outside, and I have nowhere to go."
‘I Have Nowhere to Go!’: Michigan Cops Caught on Video Abusing Homeless Black Person Who Entered Bus Station for Warmth During Freezing Temperatures
"Caught on video: Michigan cops brutalize homeless Black person seeking shelter in freezing temperatures. Shocking abuse unfolds at city'...
atlantablackstar.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:49 PM
On a night of life-threatening cold, a homeless person entered a Lansing bus station seeking refuge from the freezing temperatures.
Video shows police slamming them to the ground and pinning them with knees on their neck as they plead, "I'm here because it's cold outside, and I have nowhere to go."
Video shows police slamming them to the ground and pinning them with knees on their neck as they plead, "I'm here because it's cold outside, and I have nowhere to go."
California recently banned federal law enforcement officials (including ICE) from wearing masks or concealing their identities. At least 17 other states have proposed similar laws.
The federal government claims that these laws are unconstitutional. Is that right? Well, it's complicated 🧵 1/
The federal government claims that these laws are unconstitutional. Is that right? Well, it's complicated 🧵 1/
January 30, 2026 at 1:19 PM
California recently banned federal law enforcement officials (including ICE) from wearing masks or concealing their identities. At least 17 other states have proposed similar laws.
The federal government claims that these laws are unconstitutional. Is that right? Well, it's complicated 🧵 1/
The federal government claims that these laws are unconstitutional. Is that right? Well, it's complicated 🧵 1/
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
NEW: Special elections in the razor-thin Democratic majority-Houses in Maine and Pennsylvania. Billions of dollars in funding for school. A congressional primary.
There are plenty of important elections right around corner, in FEBRUARY.
So i put together my monthly guide of elections to watch:
There are plenty of important elections right around corner, in FEBRUARY.
So i put together my monthly guide of elections to watch:
The 20 Elections to Watch This February - Bolts
Democrats hold the narrowest of majorities in Maine and Pennsylvania’s state Houses. They now need to defend vacant seats to retain their edge in each through the end of the... Read More
boltsmag.org
January 29, 2026 at 3:43 PM
NEW: Special elections in the razor-thin Democratic majority-Houses in Maine and Pennsylvania. Billions of dollars in funding for school. A congressional primary.
There are plenty of important elections right around corner, in FEBRUARY.
So i put together my monthly guide of elections to watch:
There are plenty of important elections right around corner, in FEBRUARY.
So i put together my monthly guide of elections to watch:
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
It seems timely to re-re-up this crystal clear Nov. 2025 @lawfaremedia.org article explaining precisely when federal officers can and cannot be criminally prosecuted by state authorities. It's by @bgodar.bsky.social of Univ of Wisconsin
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/are-...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/are-...
Are Federal Officials Immune From State Prosecution?
Contrary to recent assertions, federal officers do not have blanket immunity from criminal prosecutions brought by states.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 25, 2026 at 6:46 PM
It seems timely to re-re-up this crystal clear Nov. 2025 @lawfaremedia.org article explaining precisely when federal officers can and cannot be criminally prosecuted by state authorities. It's by @bgodar.bsky.social of Univ of Wisconsin
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/are-...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/are-...
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
To learn more about states’ powers in this moment, check out our checks on federal overreach pieces, including on state prosecutions of federal officials and on DOJ’s efforts to access state voter rolls (which Bondi raised in her MN letter yesterday) statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/research-exp...
Exploring State Checks Against Federal Overreach
Published: August 8, 2025 Updated: January 21, 2026 States have many tools to help counter federal abuses of power. Facing a torrent of controversial federal government actions, states today are pursu...
statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu
January 25, 2026 at 7:16 PM
To learn more about states’ powers in this moment, check out our checks on federal overreach pieces, including on state prosecutions of federal officials and on DOJ’s efforts to access state voter rolls (which Bondi raised in her MN letter yesterday) statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/research-exp...
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
On Lawfare Daily, @annabower.bsky.social spoke with @cshaplaw.bsky.social and @bgodar.bsky.social about the state of Minnesota’s jurisdiction to criminally investigate Jonathan Ross, the ICE official who reportedly shot and killed Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7. youtu.be/YzmBR71KPW8
January 22, 2026 at 2:49 PM
On Lawfare Daily, @annabower.bsky.social spoke with @cshaplaw.bsky.social and @bgodar.bsky.social about the state of Minnesota’s jurisdiction to criminally investigate Jonathan Ross, the ICE official who reportedly shot and killed Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7. youtu.be/YzmBR71KPW8
Homelessness is rising fast among a surprising group: Infants and toddlers hechingerreport.org/homelessness...
Infants and toddlers are a growing group among homeless children
Between 2021 and 2023, the number of homeless infants and toddlers increased in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Experts worry that official statistics have not captured the true number.
hechingerreport.org
January 22, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Homelessness is rising fast among a surprising group: Infants and toddlers hechingerreport.org/homelessness...
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
This, by @yeargain.bsky.social, looks super interesting and, better yet, incredibly useful. It's the kind of 50-state-constitutions survey that we at IJ often say "you know, that would be a really helpful article if only someone would write it."
Very interesting forthcoming article on state constitutional equivalents to the 4th Amendment, and how state courts do and don't interpret them, from Quinn Yeargain.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.... #N
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.... #N
January 21, 2026 at 3:36 PM
This, by @yeargain.bsky.social, looks super interesting and, better yet, incredibly useful. It's the kind of 50-state-constitutions survey that we at IJ often say "you know, that would be a really helpful article if only someone would write it."
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
The time to prepare for severe winter weather this weekend is now. Especially if you don't have a means to heat your home without power.
January 21, 2026 at 5:43 PM
The time to prepare for severe winter weather this weekend is now. Especially if you don't have a means to heat your home without power.
Incredible resource! My state supreme court clerkship was an absolutely incredible experience, but the process of getting it was incredibly confusing. This resource is the type of thing I dreamed of when I was a 2L!
NEW: For law students and young attorneys, state supreme court clerkships are among the most exciting jobs available, but the application process can be confusing. @jakemazeitis.bsky.social explains which courts regularly hire term law clerks and roughly how many opportunities might be available.
Who’s Hiring State Supreme Court Clerks?
State-by-state information to aid law students and young attorneys in securing a state clerkship.
statecourtreport.org
January 21, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Incredible resource! My state supreme court clerkship was an absolutely incredible experience, but the process of getting it was incredibly confusing. This resource is the type of thing I dreamed of when I was a 2L!
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
Fascinating new cert grant just dropped.
January 16, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Fascinating new cert grant just dropped.
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
It's time to talk to you about my cat.
Vital Cat Update
It’s time to talk about my cat. To which you might be saying, “Chuck, I didn’t know you had a cat!” and I’d respond with, “I didn’t know I had a cat either…
terribleminds.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:59 PM
It's time to talk to you about my cat.
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
When can the president invoke the Insurrection Act? What does invoking it allow the military to do? A Brennan Center explainer has the answers. bit.ly/3GsFBhL
The Insurrection Act, Explained
The vague and rarely used law gives the president broad power to deploy the military domestically — but it’s not a blank check.
www.brennancenter.org
January 16, 2026 at 6:15 PM
When can the president invoke the Insurrection Act? What does invoking it allow the military to do? A Brennan Center explainer has the answers. bit.ly/3GsFBhL
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
1/ Starting a thread to track the DOJ voter data litigation as courts begin hearing these cases. So far, DOJ has sued 23 states + DC for refusing to hand over sensitive voter data like SSNs and driver's license numbers.
My full analysis: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
My full analysis: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
Explainer: Can the Federal Government Force States to Hand Over Citizens’ Voter Information?
Derek Clinger, Senior Counsel PDF Available Here Published: December 19, 2025 In late October 2025, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson released an unusual video message “warning” the state’s r...
statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu
January 14, 2026 at 2:05 PM
1/ Starting a thread to track the DOJ voter data litigation as courts begin hearing these cases. So far, DOJ has sued 23 states + DC for refusing to hand over sensitive voter data like SSNs and driver's license numbers.
My full analysis: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
My full analysis: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
The state of Minnesota is suing the Trump administration, calling widespread federal immigration operations in the Twin Cities "a federal invasion." https://cnn.it/3LJgMEq
January 12, 2026 at 9:44 PM
The state of Minnesota is suing the Trump administration, calling widespread federal immigration operations in the Twin Cities "a federal invasion." https://cnn.it/3LJgMEq
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
@robyablon.bsky.social discusses the standard for immunity in regard to a fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota during an interview with AP News: buff.ly/dwjJIvz.
Fatal ICE shooting sparks jurisdiction clash between state and federal authorities
Fights over which agencies will be involved in the investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis are roiling as calls for a thorough investigation…
apnews.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:22 PM
@robyablon.bsky.social discusses the standard for immunity in regard to a fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota during an interview with AP News: buff.ly/dwjJIvz.
For the law nerds among us, my colleague Harrison Stark wrote an excellent piece explaining if and how these state created remedies would work.
statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
January 8, 2026 at 9:58 PM
For the law nerds among us, my colleague Harrison Stark wrote an excellent piece explaining if and how these state created remedies would work.
statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
The seven circuits to resolve the issue - the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, & 11th - all agree that the First Amendment protects the right to record police in public. The 8th, which covers Minnesota, hasn't joined yet but very likely would. My piece at @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social last fall.
DHS Says Videotaping ICE Agents Is Illegal. Federal Courts Disagree.
Filming law enforcement serves important goals central to a free republic.
www.cato.org
January 8, 2026 at 9:37 PM
The seven circuits to resolve the issue - the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, & 11th - all agree that the First Amendment protects the right to record police in public. The 8th, which covers Minnesota, hasn't joined yet but very likely would. My piece at @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social last fall.
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
NYCers: one of the things that’s helped me keep despair at bay is finding ways I can be useful/helpful, so I signed up with Reading Partners to help NYC kids become better readers and fall in love with books. You can too!
New York - Reading Partners
Reading Partners has been bringing our effective, affordable, and community-driven solution to empower students in New York since 2011.
readingpartners.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:20 PM
NYCers: one of the things that’s helped me keep despair at bay is finding ways I can be useful/helpful, so I signed up with Reading Partners to help NYC kids become better readers and fall in love with books. You can too!
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
Wrote a piece for @slate.com explaining that states have a long history of prosecuting federal officers when they allegedly use excessive force. Federal officers are only immune from such prosecutions when they act reasonably in carrying out lawful duties.
Minnesota Could Prosecute the ICE Shooter. Trump Can’t Pardon Him.
Shortly after an ICE officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, city leaders began looking into whether the officer had violated state criminal law.
slate.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Wrote a piece for @slate.com explaining that states have a long history of prosecuting federal officers when they allegedly use excessive force. Federal officers are only immune from such prosecutions when they act reasonably in carrying out lawful duties.
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
In case you're wondering, yes, states can prosecute federal officials if they act beyond the scope of their duties, violate federal law, or behave in an egregious or unwarranted manner. More info here: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
January 7, 2026 at 7:13 PM
In case you're wondering, yes, states can prosecute federal officials if they act beyond the scope of their duties, violate federal law, or behave in an egregious or unwarranted manner. More info here: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
To understand more about this, check out my colleague @bgodar.bsky.social's excellent explainer about when states can prosecute federal officials statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
January 7, 2026 at 7:05 PM
To understand more about this, check out my colleague @bgodar.bsky.social's excellent explainer about when states can prosecute federal officials statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
O'Hara says that Minneapolis police are investigating ICE's killing of a woman to see "if any state laws within the state of Minnesota have been violated"
January 7, 2026 at 6:57 PM
O'Hara says that Minneapolis police are investigating ICE's killing of a woman to see "if any state laws within the state of Minnesota have been violated"
Reposted by Bridget Lavender
NEW: The January edition of @skess108.bsky.social & @erings.bsky.social's state court oral argument roundup is here!
Issues on the docket this month include:
⚖️ UT's execution methods
⚖️ ID's school-choice program
⚖️ Legislative responses to MO’s voter-approved abortion rights amendment
And more!
Issues on the docket this month include:
⚖️ UT's execution methods
⚖️ ID's school-choice program
⚖️ Legislative responses to MO’s voter-approved abortion rights amendment
And more!
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in January
Issues on the dockets include legislative responses to Missouri’s voter-approved reproductive rights amendment, Utah’s execution methods, and Idaho’s school-choice program.
statecourtreport.org
January 6, 2026 at 3:45 PM
NEW: The January edition of @skess108.bsky.social & @erings.bsky.social's state court oral argument roundup is here!
Issues on the docket this month include:
⚖️ UT's execution methods
⚖️ ID's school-choice program
⚖️ Legislative responses to MO’s voter-approved abortion rights amendment
And more!
Issues on the docket this month include:
⚖️ UT's execution methods
⚖️ ID's school-choice program
⚖️ Legislative responses to MO’s voter-approved abortion rights amendment
And more!