Jamal Greene
@jamalgreene.bsky.social
Dwight Professor of Law, Columbia Law School. Ex-DOJ/OLC. Becoming familiar with your game.
How Rights Went Wrong available at Bookshop.org (https://tinyurl.com/se32my4r), Amazon (https://tinyurl.com/3vbcfwa4), or a decent public library.
How Rights Went Wrong available at Bookshop.org (https://tinyurl.com/se32my4r), Amazon (https://tinyurl.com/3vbcfwa4), or a decent public library.
Pinned
Jamal Greene
@jamalgreene.bsky.social
· Jun 10
Zaitsev, a 36-yr-old Russian citizen w/a pending asylum case, said he was beaten by ICE agents...Photos in court filings show Zaitsev with bruises and scabs on his face. “We came to the US for protection because of what we encountered in Russia. It seems that we are encountering here what we fled.”
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Looks like @martylederman.bsky.social FTW.
BREAKING: by an apparent vote of 7–2, the Supreme Court has *denied* President Trump‘s plea to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago
December 23, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Looks like @martylederman.bsky.social FTW.
This seems better than the other stuff DHS has been up to. Here's to more of this and less of that.
A TSA choir at BWI Airport has gone viral with their rendition of the Mariah Carey classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” buff.ly/YeF6xFK
December 23, 2025 at 6:59 PM
This seems better than the other stuff DHS has been up to. Here's to more of this and less of that.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
It's actually worse. The Supreme Court has held 9-0 -- Clarence Thomas and other executive power fanatics included -- that detainees rendered to another country via the Alien Enemies Act are entitled to a pre-deportation hearing. There is no legal debate whatsoever.
Belatedly, this line from Weiss' memo is...something
Let's get someone who says banishing to CECOT was legit, she says
Here's the thing: There's a consensus among legal experts that *wasn't* legit
You can find someone who says moon is made outta Fluffernutter. Doesn't mean you should quote 'em
Let's get someone who says banishing to CECOT was legit, she says
Here's the thing: There's a consensus among legal experts that *wasn't* legit
You can find someone who says moon is made outta Fluffernutter. Doesn't mean you should quote 'em
December 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
It's actually worse. The Supreme Court has held 9-0 -- Clarence Thomas and other executive power fanatics included -- that detainees rendered to another country via the Alien Enemies Act are entitled to a pre-deportation hearing. There is no legal debate whatsoever.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
BREAKING: We are suing Trump & his cronies to restore the Kennedy Center’s lawful name
We @democracydefendersaction.org are proud to represent Kennedy Center Trustee @repbeatty.bsky.social w/ our friends at Washington Litigation Group
Congress named the Kennedy Center & only they can change it
We @democracydefendersaction.org are proud to represent Kennedy Center Trustee @repbeatty.bsky.social w/ our friends at Washington Litigation Group
Congress named the Kennedy Center & only they can change it
Press Release | Democracy Defenders Action
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty today sued President Trump and others to stop the unlawful renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of the Congressw...
www.democracydefendersaction.org
December 23, 2025 at 1:57 AM
BREAKING: We are suing Trump & his cronies to restore the Kennedy Center’s lawful name
We @democracydefendersaction.org are proud to represent Kennedy Center Trustee @repbeatty.bsky.social w/ our friends at Washington Litigation Group
Congress named the Kennedy Center & only they can change it
We @democracydefendersaction.org are proud to represent Kennedy Center Trustee @repbeatty.bsky.social w/ our friends at Washington Litigation Group
Congress named the Kennedy Center & only they can change it
As of today, I don't think it should be called the Streisand effect anymore. Congrats, Barbra, you're free.
December 23, 2025 at 1:13 AM
As of today, I don't think it should be called the Streisand effect anymore. Congrats, Barbra, you're free.
Watch @jamellebouie.net's video, which is very informative, but also note that there are many good reasons for Supreme Court expansion apart from trying to achieve progressive political outcomes. It would be a better, more defensible institution if it were bigger. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
December 22, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Watch @jamellebouie.net's video, which is very informative, but also note that there are many good reasons for Supreme Court expansion apart from trying to achieve progressive political outcomes. It would be a better, more defensible institution if it were bigger. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Jamal Greene
2/ To make the one on the right more legible.⬇️
Also in full here (too long for alt-text window):
www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/6...
Also in full here (too long for alt-text window):
www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/6...
December 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
2/ To make the one on the right more legible.⬇️
Also in full here (too long for alt-text window):
www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/6...
Also in full here (too long for alt-text window):
www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/6...
Reposted by Jamal Greene
@jamalgreene.bsky.social’s How Rights Went Wrong was hugely influential on my own thinking, and I’m happy to see him jump into the Court Expansion space
Greene on Supreme Court Expansion
Jamal Greene (Columbia University - Law School) has posted The Nonpartisan Case for Supreme Court Expansion (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: It should be a shared premise across the ideological spectrum that…
Jamal Greene (Columbia University - Law School) has posted The Nonpartisan Case for Supreme Court Expansion (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: It should be a shared premise across the ideological spectrum that…
Greene on Supreme Court Expansion
Jamal Greene (Columbia University - Law School) has posted The Nonpartisan Case for Supreme Court Expansion (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: It should be a shared premise across the ideological spectrum that individual Supreme Court justices hold too much power. The only other public officials in the world with a justice’s degree of power and influence over the affairs of their country for as long as justices exercise it are dictators and monarchs.
legaltheoryblog.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:49 PM
@jamalgreene.bsky.social’s How Rights Went Wrong was hugely influential on my own thinking, and I’m happy to see him jump into the Court Expansion space
Reposted by Jamal Greene
Great piece.
Greene on Supreme Court Expansion
Jamal Greene (Columbia University - Law School) has posted The Nonpartisan Case for Supreme Court Expansion (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: It should be a shared premise across the ideological spectrum that…
Jamal Greene (Columbia University - Law School) has posted The Nonpartisan Case for Supreme Court Expansion (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: It should be a shared premise across the ideological spectrum that…
Greene on Supreme Court Expansion
Jamal Greene (Columbia University - Law School) has posted The Nonpartisan Case for Supreme Court Expansion (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: It should be a shared premise across the ideological spectrum that individual Supreme Court justices hold too much power. The only other public officials in the world with a justice’s degree of power and influence over the affairs of their country for as long as justices exercise it are dictators and monarchs.
legaltheoryblog.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Great piece.
It would be fair to require a journalist to seek an on-the-record comment from the administration. It is preposterous to require such a comment before running a story, since the administration doesn't get to make publishing decisions.
“Weiss told colleagues this weekend the piece — planned for Sunday night's show — could not run without an on-the-record comment from a Trump administration official.” www.npr.org/2025/12/22/g...
CBS News chief Bari Weiss pulls '60 Minutes' story, sparking outcry
CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss pulled a 60 Minutes segment on allegations of abuses at an El Salvador detention center where the Trump administration sent hundreds of Venezuelan migrants.
www.npr.org
December 22, 2025 at 2:32 PM
It would be fair to require a journalist to seek an on-the-record comment from the administration. It is preposterous to require such a comment before running a story, since the administration doesn't get to make publishing decisions.
I always interpreted it as a "Cheer up, Mate, have an egg nog" response to Happy XMas (War Is Over), but this is funnier.
This was my biggest tweet over in the bad place. It will live here now. 🧙♀️🎄
December 20, 2025 at 9:19 PM
I always interpreted it as a "Cheer up, Mate, have an egg nog" response to Happy XMas (War Is Over), but this is funnier.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
Greene on Supreme Court Expansion
Jamal Greene (Columbia University - Law School) has posted The Nonpartisan Case for Supreme Court Expansion (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: It should be a shared premise across the ideological spectrum that…
Jamal Greene (Columbia University - Law School) has posted The Nonpartisan Case for Supreme Court Expansion (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: It should be a shared premise across the ideological spectrum that…
Greene on Supreme Court Expansion
Jamal Greene (Columbia University - Law School) has posted The Nonpartisan Case for Supreme Court Expansion (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: It should be a shared premise across the ideological spectrum that individual Supreme Court justices hold too much power. The only other public officials in the world with a justice’s degree of power and influence over the affairs of their country for as long as justices exercise it are dictators and monarchs.
legaltheoryblog.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Greene on Supreme Court Expansion
Jamal Greene (Columbia University - Law School) has posted The Nonpartisan Case for Supreme Court Expansion (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: It should be a shared premise across the ideological spectrum that…
Jamal Greene (Columbia University - Law School) has posted The Nonpartisan Case for Supreme Court Expansion (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: It should be a shared premise across the ideological spectrum that…
Anytime someone tries to stir up a panic over the alleged lack of disagreement at universities, take a moment to think about the denominator and not just what you are being made aware of before you reach a conclusion.
Yeah, here is the thing: Bari Weiss is fine with conspiracy theories that target her enemies. The biggest causes of political violence in America? Universities, which operate like madrassas.
That’s a conspiracy theory dressed up as respectable middle-of-the-road punditocracy. That’s what it is.
That’s a conspiracy theory dressed up as respectable middle-of-the-road punditocracy. That’s what it is.
December 19, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Anytime someone tries to stir up a panic over the alleged lack of disagreement at universities, take a moment to think about the denominator and not just what you are being made aware of before you reach a conclusion.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
The lawless killing spree continues.
Do not become inured.
This is premeditated killing outside of armed conflict.
We call that murder.
Do not become inured.
This is premeditated killing outside of armed conflict.
We call that murder.
December 19, 2025 at 2:56 AM
The lawless killing spree continues.
Do not become inured.
This is premeditated killing outside of armed conflict.
We call that murder.
Do not become inured.
This is premeditated killing outside of armed conflict.
We call that murder.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
And if we don’t know the norms being violated, his behavior gets normalized.
It’s important to reveal how abnormal this is—not to him or his administration, but to everyone else.
It’s important to reveal how abnormal this is—not to him or his administration, but to everyone else.
I get the same thing. “Trump doesn’t care about norms from the past!”
Cool. I’m still going to care, though?
Cool. I’m still going to care, though?
December 18, 2025 at 9:22 PM
And if we don’t know the norms being violated, his behavior gets normalized.
It’s important to reveal how abnormal this is—not to him or his administration, but to everyone else.
It’s important to reveal how abnormal this is—not to him or his administration, but to everyone else.
NB: When I, a professor of law, profess that an act is unlawful, I am not doing it to inform the lawbreaker, but rather to inform you, the reader.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
December 18, 2025 at 9:01 PM
NB: When I, a professor of law, profess that an act is unlawful, I am not doing it to inform the lawbreaker, but rather to inform you, the reader.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
The Kennedy Center name is established by federal statute, and therefore may be repealed only by federal statute. www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
December 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The Kennedy Center name is established by federal statute, and therefore may be repealed only by federal statute. www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
Reposted by Jamal Greene
Total victory on this issue; members of Congress will again have the right to conduct surprise inspections of ICE detention centers.
NEW: Judge blocks Trump administration's attempt to limit lawmakers' access to immigration jails. Advance notice no longer required & detention facilities at field offices are open to Congress. w/ @kyledcheney.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Judge lifts Trump administration limits on lawmaker visits to ICE jails
A federal judge ruled that ICE cannot enforce newly adopted policies that require lawmakers to provide seven days notice before visiting detention facilities.
www.politico.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Total victory on this issue; members of Congress will again have the right to conduct surprise inspections of ICE detention centers.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
The US Administration has banned Americans from *adopting babies* from much of the African continent.
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
On that last post: I genuinely cannot think of any good-faith reason to bar international adoptions from those 39 countries. Under this new ban, consulates will refuse adoption visas for any baby from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Nigeria, or any of the 39 other countries.
December 17, 2025 at 3:04 AM
The US Administration has banned Americans from *adopting babies* from much of the African continent.
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
Does the NBA Cup banner go into the rafters? Kind of hope not. Great win, but not the goal.
December 17, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Does the NBA Cup banner go into the rafters? Kind of hope not. Great win, but not the goal.
"I judge people by their genes," per the Vanity Fair piece.
I agree that Trump is unusually transparent, generally lacking hidden intentions, but I don't regard him as a blank canvas with *no* commitments beyond his own aggrandizement. I don't think I'm projecting when I say he is a white supremacist who is devoted to white supremacy as a political project.
Because he is, in effect, a nullity, because there's nothing to him, because he is transparent, it follows that anyone who sees content, sees depth, is capable of being surprised, is *projecting*.
This is why Trump is useful & somewhat fascinating: he is a blank canvas upon which people project.
This is why Trump is useful & somewhat fascinating: he is a blank canvas upon which people project.
December 16, 2025 at 5:50 PM
"I judge people by their genes," per the Vanity Fair piece.
Uber and DoorDash say it violates the First Amendment to require their apps to provide a tip option before checkout. We are through the looking glass, people. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/n...
Uber and DoorDash Try to Halt N.Y.C. Law That Encourages Tipping
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Uber and DoorDash say it violates the First Amendment to require their apps to provide a tip option before checkout. We are through the looking glass, people. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/n...
I agree that Trump is unusually transparent, generally lacking hidden intentions, but I don't regard him as a blank canvas with *no* commitments beyond his own aggrandizement. I don't think I'm projecting when I say he is a white supremacist who is devoted to white supremacy as a political project.
Because he is, in effect, a nullity, because there's nothing to him, because he is transparent, it follows that anyone who sees content, sees depth, is capable of being surprised, is *projecting*.
This is why Trump is useful & somewhat fascinating: he is a blank canvas upon which people project.
This is why Trump is useful & somewhat fascinating: he is a blank canvas upon which people project.
December 15, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I agree that Trump is unusually transparent, generally lacking hidden intentions, but I don't regard him as a blank canvas with *no* commitments beyond his own aggrandizement. I don't think I'm projecting when I say he is a white supremacist who is devoted to white supremacy as a political project.
Need to put on some more Blue Jays-Dodgers games to juice Sports-sky.
The best way to start making Bluesky more culturally polycentric is through sport.
Only six out of 30 NBA franchises have a Bluesky account. The World Cup is coming to North America in 7 months but it's crickets here.
Fans should demand change from their respective teams, leagues, and federations
Only six out of 30 NBA franchises have a Bluesky account. The World Cup is coming to North America in 7 months but it's crickets here.
Fans should demand change from their respective teams, leagues, and federations
It is true that Bluesky will never be Twitter, it’s too American and too culturally homogenous, but even if you dumped every current BlueSky user back onto X The Everything App™️ today, you still wouldn’t get Twitter back, because the tools & principles that made it work were broken by a rich toddler
December 15, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Need to put on some more Blue Jays-Dodgers games to juice Sports-sky.
With this and the stories pouring in about Rob Reiner and Michele Singer, we are seeing and hearing about the full human spectrum from kindness and generosity to cruelty and callous disregard for the humanity of others.
Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who tackled one of the Bondi killers, became an Australian citizen 3 years ago.
His deed was "his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship."
He took 5 bullets, and fears he'll lose his left arm.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
His deed was "his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship."
He took 5 bullets, and fears he'll lose his left arm.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
December 15, 2025 at 5:10 PM
With this and the stories pouring in about Rob Reiner and Michele Singer, we are seeing and hearing about the full human spectrum from kindness and generosity to cruelty and callous disregard for the humanity of others.