Prof Caroline Mala Corbin
@carolinemalacorbin.bsky.social
Constitutional law prof specializing in First Amendment, both speech & religion. Also repro
Likes: art,science, feminism, LGBTQ rights, CRT, separation of church & state
Things I've written: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=797431
Likes: art,science, feminism, LGBTQ rights, CRT, separation of church & state
Things I've written: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=797431
Pinned
<p>New Judicial Federalism and the Establishment Clause: Classroom Ten Commandments as a Case Study in State Constitutional Protection</p>
<p><span>Louisiana recently enacted a law requiring a Ten Commandments display in every public school classroom from kindergarten to college. Forty-five years a
papers.ssrn.com
Very excited to have a new paper!!
Because the U.S. Supreme Court has essentially gutted the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Const, it is perhaps time to turn to the establishment provisions of the state constitutions to ensure some degree of separation of church and state
#ChristianNationalism
Because the U.S. Supreme Court has essentially gutted the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Const, it is perhaps time to turn to the establishment provisions of the state constitutions to ensure some degree of separation of church and state
#ChristianNationalism
"It is illegal for a coin to be issued with 'the image of a living former or current President, or of any deceased former President during the 2-year period following the date of the death...," per a law on currency designs." buff.ly/OueHVHp
It is ILLEGAL
Dictator Trump cares not at all
It is ILLEGAL
Dictator Trump cares not at all
Donald Trump Is Putting His Face on Both Sides of a New Coin. U.S. Treasury Reveals 'First Drafts'
The U.S. Treasury revealed the draft of a $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump on both sides.
people.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:13 PM
"It is illegal for a coin to be issued with 'the image of a living former or current President, or of any deceased former President during the 2-year period following the date of the death...," per a law on currency designs." buff.ly/OueHVHp
It is ILLEGAL
Dictator Trump cares not at all
It is ILLEGAL
Dictator Trump cares not at all
Reposted by Prof Caroline Mala Corbin
US supreme court rejects call to overturn decision legalizing same-sex marriage buff.ly/dTF7Btw
One less nightmare on the horizon
One less nightmare on the horizon
US supreme court rejects call to overturn decision legalizing same-sex marriage
Justices turn away appeal from former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
US supreme court rejects call to overturn decision legalizing same-sex marriage buff.ly/dTF7Btw
One less nightmare on the horizon
One less nightmare on the horizon
More Christian nationalism from the US Supreme Court
Dissent has it right: "[The government] provides no evidence of harmful confusion or other problems caused by transgender Americans who are using passports with sex markers corresponding to their current gender identity."
Dissent has it right: "[The government] provides no evidence of harmful confusion or other problems caused by transgender Americans who are using passports with sex markers corresponding to their current gender identity."
Supreme Court: Trump Administration Rules on Passport Gender Markers Can Go into Effect While Appeals Move Forward
In Trump v. Orr , (Sup. Ct., Nov. 6, 2025), the U.S. Supreme Court by a 6-3 vote granted an emergency stay of a preliminary injunction that ...
religionclause.blogspot.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM
More Christian nationalism from the US Supreme Court
Dissent has it right: "[The government] provides no evidence of harmful confusion or other problems caused by transgender Americans who are using passports with sex markers corresponding to their current gender identity."
Dissent has it right: "[The government] provides no evidence of harmful confusion or other problems caused by transgender Americans who are using passports with sex markers corresponding to their current gender identity."
Reposted by Prof Caroline Mala Corbin
Can’t stop won’t stop
November 6, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Can’t stop won’t stop
Why is the Onion more trenchant than the actual newspapers?
November 7, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Why is the Onion more trenchant than the actual newspapers?
Reposted by Prof Caroline Mala Corbin
That large numbers of people believe it isn’t possible to know what is actually happening in the world = a crisis for democracy
About half of the teens surveyed believe that journalists frequently “make up details, such as quotes” and “pay for sources.” More than a third of teens believe journalists could improve by simply “Telling the truth,” “Fact checking,” and “Not lying.” buff.ly/7vgO0ci
“Biased,” “Boring,” “Chaotic,” and “Bad”: A majority of teens hold negative views of news media, report finds
About half of the teens surveyed believe that journalists frequently “make up details, such as quotes” and “pay for sources.”
www.niemanlab.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
That large numbers of people believe it isn’t possible to know what is actually happening in the world = a crisis for democracy
November 7, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Welcome to America, the land that traumatizes little children
"[Chicago mom] Andrea Soria... overheard her 6-year-old whisper to her dolls: 'We have to be good or ICE will get us.'"
apnews.com/article/chic...
apnews.com/article/chic...
Chicago's children are getting caught in the chaos of immigration crackdowns
In Chicago, children and families have been traumatized by an immigration enforcement action involving tear gas.
apnews.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Welcome to America, the land that traumatizes little children
"It is not a violation of these canons for a judge to publicly refrain from performing a wedding ceremony based upon a sincerely held religious belief."
Language does not preclude refusing to perform mixed race weddings either.
Just wow, Texas.
I am embarrassed for you.
Language does not preclude refusing to perform mixed race weddings either.
Just wow, Texas.
I am embarrassed for you.
Texas Judicial Conduct Rules Changed To Allow Judges To Refuse To Perform Same-Sex Marriages
On Oct.24, the Texas Supreme Court added a Comment ( full text ) to Canon 4 of the Texas Code of Judical Conduct. The New Comment reads: It...
religionclause.blogspot.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:59 PM
"It is not a violation of these canons for a judge to publicly refrain from performing a wedding ceremony based upon a sincerely held religious belief."
Language does not preclude refusing to perform mixed race weddings either.
Just wow, Texas.
I am embarrassed for you.
Language does not preclude refusing to perform mixed race weddings either.
Just wow, Texas.
I am embarrassed for you.
Reposted by Prof Caroline Mala Corbin
They’ll fight to force women to give birth, then shrug when 16 million children lose food. This is what “pro-life” really looks like.
October 30, 2025 at 4:44 AM
They’ll fight to force women to give birth, then shrug when 16 million children lose food. This is what “pro-life” really looks like.
Protest frog learning Latin dance
Portland dance group offers free Latin dance lessons at ICE facility 💃🏽
October 30, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Protest frog learning Latin dance
Reposted by Prof Caroline Mala Corbin
Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, installation with Azores crocheted lace #WomensArt
October 27, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, installation with Azores crocheted lace #WomensArt
Change one letter, ruin a candy
Pounds
Pounds
Change one letter, ruin a candy
Knickers
Knickers
Change one letter, ruin a candy:
Milky Hay
Milky Hay
October 29, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Change one letter, ruin a candy
Pounds
Pounds
Reposted by Prof Caroline Mala Corbin
Blessing your timeline with the rotund rodent champ 💜
October 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Blessing your timeline with the rotund rodent champ 💜
Reposted by Prof Caroline Mala Corbin
The Walton family (who own Walmart) are worth over $400 billion, yet many of their employees are on SNAP.
Bezos is worth over $400 billion, many Amazon employees require SNAP.
The people who need help are not the problem.
It’s corporate greed. It’s an unwillingness to pay a living wage.
Bezos is worth over $400 billion, many Amazon employees require SNAP.
The people who need help are not the problem.
It’s corporate greed. It’s an unwillingness to pay a living wage.
October 27, 2025 at 9:08 PM
The Walton family (who own Walmart) are worth over $400 billion, yet many of their employees are on SNAP.
Bezos is worth over $400 billion, many Amazon employees require SNAP.
The people who need help are not the problem.
It’s corporate greed. It’s an unwillingness to pay a living wage.
Bezos is worth over $400 billion, many Amazon employees require SNAP.
The people who need help are not the problem.
It’s corporate greed. It’s an unwillingness to pay a living wage.
How Politics Is Changing the Way History Is Taught
"teachers are shying away from lessons that were once uncontroversial, on topics as basic as constitutional limits on executive power"
THE WHOLE POINT OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF GOVT IS TO PREVENT TRYANNY BY DIVIDING & LIMITING POWER
"teachers are shying away from lessons that were once uncontroversial, on topics as basic as constitutional limits on executive power"
THE WHOLE POINT OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF GOVT IS TO PREVENT TRYANNY BY DIVIDING & LIMITING POWER
How Politics Is Changing the Way History Is Taught
History lessons are being wiped from the internet, and California is retreating from ethnic studies, as education swings away from curriculums that are seen as too progressive.
buff.ly
October 27, 2025 at 11:58 AM
How Politics Is Changing the Way History Is Taught
"teachers are shying away from lessons that were once uncontroversial, on topics as basic as constitutional limits on executive power"
THE WHOLE POINT OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF GOVT IS TO PREVENT TRYANNY BY DIVIDING & LIMITING POWER
"teachers are shying away from lessons that were once uncontroversial, on topics as basic as constitutional limits on executive power"
THE WHOLE POINT OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF GOVT IS TO PREVENT TRYANNY BY DIVIDING & LIMITING POWER
Some good news!
Scientists have reported an encouraging trend in the population growth of the North Atlantic right whale.
One of the world's rarest whales that makes the Atlantic its home grows in population
Scientists have reported an encouraging trend in the population growth of the North Atlantic right whale.
bit.ly
October 26, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Some good news!
Reposted by Prof Caroline Mala Corbin
Nine months ago I put most of my hope in major institutions continuing to hold fascism in check, but had little expectation that regular people with little to no power would step up and put themselves at risk.
I had it exactly backward.
I had it exactly backward.
signs like these are up all over Chicago cafes and storefronts (here, cafes in Brighton Park and Back of the Yards) warning ICE not to enter without a judicial warrant
October 26, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Nine months ago I put most of my hope in major institutions continuing to hold fascism in check, but had little expectation that regular people with little to no power would step up and put themselves at risk.
I had it exactly backward.
I had it exactly backward.
A good decision by 4th Circuit
4th Cir.: hospital was not required to accommodate employee under Title VII following her request for a religious exemption to COVID vaccination bc accommodating her (and others) would jeoparize patient safety and increase the risk of a disruptive outbreak.
www.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinions/242...
www.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinions/242...
![With this clarified standard in mind, we turn to whether granting Hall a religious
exemption would have constituted an undue hardship for Sheppard Pratt. Viewing the
evidence in the light most favorable to Hall, we agree with the district court that Sheppard
Pratt satisfied its burden to show that it would have.
First and foremost, Sheppard Pratt put on undisputed evidence that allowing Hall to
remain unvaccinated posed an unacceptably high risk to patient safety. As her Complaint
makes clear, Hall did not dispute the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, nor its ability to
slow transmission of the virus.
And yet, the record is clear that Hall’s position required her to interact with
medically compromised patients. Sheppard Pratt understandably did not want to risk
exposure of those patients to the dangerous effects of COVID-19, and contemporaneous
evidence showed that vaccines were more effective in preventing transmission than
masking and testing weekly. Cf. Rodrique, 126 F.4th at 91 (“Because the record
demonstrates that [the employer] relied ‘on the objective, scientific information available
to [it],’ with particular attention to ‘the views of public health authorities,’ we hold that it
acted reasonably when it determined that vaccinated employees are less likely to transmit](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:24vva42nxim6zbcmnozegoef/bafkreidzi6u2ptwivhrxtlnnknprkj53lud2mxjulqpjgl5mm3nsahkp74@jpeg)
October 22, 2025 at 8:18 PM
A good decision by 4th Circuit
“I didn’t expect people to cave so easily,” said a transgender Texas Tech University alumna.
October 22, 2025 at 8:10 PM
“I didn’t expect people to cave so easily,” said a transgender Texas Tech University alumna.
Notably, "Almost all state legislators who voted for the Idaho Medical Freedom Act also voted to ban abortion, if they were in office at both times."
So much for bodily autonomy.
No autonomy to protext embryos
But autonomy is suddenly king even if it kills actual children
So much for bodily autonomy.
No autonomy to protext embryos
But autonomy is suddenly king even if it kills actual children
Idaho Banned Vaccine Mandates. Activists Want to Make It a Model for the Country.
The Idaho Medical Freedom Act makes it illegal to require anyone to take a vaccine or receive “medical intervention.” Leslie Manookian, the activist behind the law, hopes to make it a “societal norm”…
www.propublica.org
October 20, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Notably, "Almost all state legislators who voted for the Idaho Medical Freedom Act also voted to ban abortion, if they were in office at both times."
So much for bodily autonomy.
No autonomy to protext embryos
But autonomy is suddenly king even if it kills actual children
So much for bodily autonomy.
No autonomy to protext embryos
But autonomy is suddenly king even if it kills actual children
Obviously millions of people turned out yesterday for the #NoKings protest so why isn’t that the headline on all the American papers?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Millions across all 50 US states march in No Kings protests against Trump
Crowds of Americans, many in costumes, aligned behind message that US is sliding into authoritarianism
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Obviously millions of people turned out yesterday for the #NoKings protest so why isn’t that the headline on all the American papers?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The largest protest I have seen in Miami
October 18, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The largest protest I have seen in Miami