Jameel Jaffer
@jameeljaffer.bsky.social
Director, Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University; Exec Editor, Just Security; former ACLU. knightcolumbia.org.
Major new @knightcolumbia.org initiative will address the role of the legal profession in the defense of democratic values and institutions. Excited to have the chance to work with Prof Madhav Khosla on this. knightcolumbia.org/content/new-...
New Knight Institute Initiative Will Explore the Role of the Legal Profession in an Age of Authoritarianism
knightcolumbia.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Major new @knightcolumbia.org initiative will address the role of the legal profession in the defense of democratic values and institutions. Excited to have the chance to work with Prof Madhav Khosla on this. knightcolumbia.org/content/new-...
The court already ruled that Rubio and Noem are violating the First Amendment. Now we’re asking for remedies. knightcolumbia.org/content/knig...
Knight Institute Asks Court to Block Trump Administration From Deporting Foreign Citizens for Pro-Palestinian Advocacy
knightcolumbia.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The court already ruled that Rubio and Noem are violating the First Amendment. Now we’re asking for remedies. knightcolumbia.org/content/knig...
This is really good--one of the most powerful and insightful pieces I've read about what @qjurecic.bsky.social appropriately calls "The Third Red Scare." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
November 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
This is really good--one of the most powerful and insightful pieces I've read about what @qjurecic.bsky.social appropriately calls "The Third Red Scare." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Boston Globe just filed a motion for access to the still-sealed materials that Judge William Young relied on to hold that Rubio and Noem violated the First Amendment by arresting and threatening to deport students for their pro-Palestinian advocacy. www.courtlistener.com/docket/69784...
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The Boston Globe just filed a motion for access to the still-sealed materials that Judge William Young relied on to hold that Rubio and Noem violated the First Amendment by arresting and threatening to deport students for their pro-Palestinian advocacy. www.courtlistener.com/docket/69784...
I hope this is a joke but I’m pretty sure it’s not.
yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/10...
yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/10...
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I hope this is a joke but I’m pretty sure it’s not.
yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/10...
yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/10...
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
Nearly two decades after my book on Cheney, I took a shot at assessing his legacy. It’s more complicated than you might think. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
What I Learned About Dick Cheney
The former vice president was certain he knew better than the citizens he served what was good for them.
www.theatlantic.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Nearly two decades after my book on Cheney, I took a shot at assessing his legacy. It’s more complicated than you might think. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
The incredible shrinking attack on U.S. universities continues.
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
November 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The incredible shrinking attack on U.S. universities continues.
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
“ICE loves to demand our papers but it seems they don’t like it as much when we demand theirs,” said Ginger Quintero-McCall, one of FPF's lawyers in our latest FOIA lawsuit against the immigration agency.
FPF takes ICE to court over dangerous secrecy
FOIA lawsuit targets ICE’s efforts to stop congressional oversight of detention facilities
freedom.press
November 7, 2025 at 8:34 PM
“ICE loves to demand our papers but it seems they don’t like it as much when we demand theirs,” said Ginger Quintero-McCall, one of FPF's lawyers in our latest FOIA lawsuit against the immigration agency.
The NYT has used some version of this sentence in multiple stories about the Columbia settlement but it is highly misleading. Yes, the Columbia settlement included that pledge, but it also included multiple terms that “dictate academic matters.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
November 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The NYT has used some version of this sentence in multiple stories about the Columbia settlement but it is highly misleading. Yes, the Columbia settlement included that pledge, but it also included multiple terms that “dictate academic matters.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
If the Trump admin had evidence that Cornell systemically discriminated against Jewish students in violation of Title VI, it wouldn't let the university off the hook for a $30m investment in research about AI, robotics, and farming. /1
November 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
If the Trump admin had evidence that Cornell systemically discriminated against Jewish students in violation of Title VI, it wouldn't let the university off the hook for a $30m investment in research about AI, robotics, and farming. /1
Justice Department lawyers who said yes to the extrajudicial killing of suspected drug traffickers are unlikely to say no to missile strikes on Venezuela.
I'd missed this. Evidently Rubio, Hegseth & someone from OLC told Congress in classified session that the administration doesn't currently have a legal justification for attacking Venezuela.
Trump admin tells Congress it currently lacks legal justification to strike Venezuela | CNN Politics
The “execute order” that launched the US military campaign against suspected drug boats in September also does not extend to land targets, the briefers said, according to the sources.
www.cnn.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Justice Department lawyers who said yes to the extrajudicial killing of suspected drug traffickers are unlikely to say no to missile strikes on Venezuela.
Lots of very good ideas in here for @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social about what it might look like to have a tech policy agenda aligned with human rights principles.
By resisting surveillance and extraction and pursuing goals such as affordability, dignity, and justice, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani can show how technology can truly serve people, writes Rebecca Williams. The first step, she says, is to protect immigrants.
buff.ly/Mwk8vRu
buff.ly/Mwk8vRu
November 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Lots of very good ideas in here for @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social about what it might look like to have a tech policy agenda aligned with human rights principles.
It was clear from testimony in AAUP v. Rubio that some very senior government officials have no idea at all what the First Amendment means. We're seeing that again here. These officials have an obligation to uphold constitutional rights but they don't know what the constitution says or means.
Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino called federal agents' use of force in Chicago "more than exemplary." blockclubchi.co/3Jnwa8y
November 6, 2025 at 3:25 PM
It was clear from testimony in AAUP v. Rubio that some very senior government officials have no idea at all what the First Amendment means. We're seeing that again here. These officials have an obligation to uphold constitutional rights but they don't know what the constitution says or means.
Lots of people are concerned enough about press freedom that they're willing to spend their lunch hour talking about it, and trying to figure out what to do to protect it. (The photo is from today's @knightcolumbia.org event on press freedom in an era of authoritarianism.)
November 6, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Lots of people are concerned enough about press freedom that they're willing to spend their lunch hour talking about it, and trying to figure out what to do to protect it. (The photo is from today's @knightcolumbia.org event on press freedom in an era of authoritarianism.)
More than 200 people in the room for this @knightcolumbia.org panel on the future of press freedom. Thanks to @columbiajournalism.bsky.social for hosting!
November 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
More than 200 people in the room for this @knightcolumbia.org panel on the future of press freedom. Thanks to @columbiajournalism.bsky.social for hosting!
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
If this were an atheist teacher posting a “God is a Fairytale” sign in a 7th grade classroom, every single person piously insisting it’s a matter of personal religious expression would be screaming themselves hoarse (justly) demanding her firing. www.friendlyatheist.com/p/federal-ju...
Federal judge rules against defiant teacher who refused to remove crucifix from classroom
Marisol Arroyo-Castro’s lawsuit backfired as the court reaffirmed that public schools are not churches
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
If this were an atheist teacher posting a “God is a Fairytale” sign in a 7th grade classroom, every single person piously insisting it’s a matter of personal religious expression would be screaming themselves hoarse (justly) demanding her firing. www.friendlyatheist.com/p/federal-ju...
Debs ran for president from his prison cell after being sentenced to 10 years behind bars for his anti-war advocacy. First Amendment hero, even to people who don’t like his socialist politics.
In 1918, Eugene Debs was convicted of sedition for publicly opposing American participation in World War I. Debs gave a statement upon being convicted that was, among other things, hopeful that we would make a more just society. Last night, Mamdani said those words from his victory stage.
November 5, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Debs ran for president from his prison cell after being sentenced to 10 years behind bars for his anti-war advocacy. First Amendment hero, even to people who don’t like his socialist politics.
Today at Columbia Journalism School--with @azmatzahra.bsky.social @sulliview.bsky.social @joelsimonsays.bsky.social @attorneynora.bsky.social @randersenjones.bsky.social & @sonjawest.bsky.social . Register at @knightcolumbia.org below. knightcolumbia.org/events/the-f...
The Future of Press Freedom in an Era of Democratic Backsliding
knightcolumbia.org
November 5, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Today at Columbia Journalism School--with @azmatzahra.bsky.social @sulliview.bsky.social @joelsimonsays.bsky.social @attorneynora.bsky.social @randersenjones.bsky.social & @sonjawest.bsky.social . Register at @knightcolumbia.org below. knightcolumbia.org/events/the-f...
Fourteen years later, I *still* think one of the best ways for us to repudiate Cheney's legacy of torture would be to recognize and honor the courageous soldiers and public servants who exposed the torture policies and tried to end them. www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/o...
November 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Fourteen years later, I *still* think one of the best ways for us to repudiate Cheney's legacy of torture would be to recognize and honor the courageous soldiers and public servants who exposed the torture policies and tried to end them. www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/o...
This is the Cheney obituary to read. www.thenation.com/article/poli...
His Works Completed, Dick Cheney, Mass Murderer of Iraqis and American Democracy, Dies
As much as the Trumpists claim to disavow the War on Terror, they walk a path paved by the most powerful vice president in U.S. history.
www.thenation.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:06 PM
This is the Cheney obituary to read. www.thenation.com/article/poli...
This yet-to-be produced Cheney obit is the one to read.
No one commissioned a Cheney obit from me except a friend who subsequently left his outlet. If you’re an editor and you pay more than $1.50/word, reach out. If I hate your outlet, be prepared to pay more.
If these terms are not acceptable, my book works as a Cheney obituary:
If these terms are not acceptable, my book works as a Cheney obituary:
Reign of Terror: How the 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump
How the 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump
bookshop.org
November 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM
This yet-to-be produced Cheney obit is the one to read.
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
This is deeply sad, journalistically. Teen Vogue has done much brave political coverage in an age when few outlets are willing.
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 3, 2025 at 9:13 PM
This is deeply sad, journalistically. Teen Vogue has done much brave political coverage in an age when few outlets are willing.
Just in: Eleventh Circuit gives Judge Aileen Cannon 60 days to rule on @knightcolumbia.org petition for access to Jack Smith's report about Trump's absconding to Mar-a-Lago with classified docs.
November 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Just in: Eleventh Circuit gives Judge Aileen Cannon 60 days to rule on @knightcolumbia.org petition for access to Jack Smith's report about Trump's absconding to Mar-a-Lago with classified docs.
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
We @knightcolumbia.org are doing two online events on chilling effects: First on 11/17 on the state of 1A doctrine and current cases involving chilling effects claims, and 2nd on 12/10 on using social science to study the chill caused by particular laws and policies. RSVP links below & in next post:
Want to learn more about chilling effects and why they matter to the First Amendment? Join our webinar with litigators and experts on Monday, Nov. 17, including @carriedecell.bsky.social @evelyndouek.bsky.social @penney.bsky.social @stacylivingston.bsky.social:
knightcolumbia.org/events/litig...
knightcolumbia.org/events/litig...
Litigating Chilling Effects
knightcolumbia.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:21 PM
We @knightcolumbia.org are doing two online events on chilling effects: First on 11/17 on the state of 1A doctrine and current cases involving chilling effects claims, and 2nd on 12/10 on using social science to study the chill caused by particular laws and policies. RSVP links below & in next post:
Summer legal internships at @knightcolumbia.org. Send us the best people! knightcolumbia.org/page/summer-...
| Knight First Amendment Institute
knightcolumbia.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Summer legal internships at @knightcolumbia.org. Send us the best people! knightcolumbia.org/page/summer-...