Jason Abel
@jasonaabel.bsky.social
Partner at Steptoe LLP; Adjunct Law Professor at GW Law and Penn Carey Law; Former Chief Counsel, U.S. Senate Rules & Administration Committee and Counsel, Senator Charles E. Schumer; Coach; Chicago & Illinois sports fan (+ Nats & Caps)
Reposted by Jason Abel
Judge Sara Ellis began with Carl Sandburg’s beloved poem, “Chicago.”
That’s the vision of the city she embraced as she decried the feds’ use of force here that “shocks the conscience,” and extended an order meant to curb it.
From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
That’s the vision of the city she embraced as she decried the feds’ use of force here that “shocks the conscience,” and extended an order meant to curb it.
From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Judge blasts Trump’s Chicago border ‘Blitz,’ extends curbs on use of force that ‘shocks the conscience’
Judge Sara Ellis said Trump's Justice Department lacks credibility, partly because of a lie told by U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Judge Sara Ellis began with Carl Sandburg’s beloved poem, “Chicago.”
That’s the vision of the city she embraced as she decried the feds’ use of force here that “shocks the conscience,” and extended an order meant to curb it.
From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
That’s the vision of the city she embraced as she decried the feds’ use of force here that “shocks the conscience,” and extended an order meant to curb it.
From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Do NOT look away, do NOT become desensitized to these attacks on individuals, do NOT accept this as normal.
NEW: Footage of a US citizen in Chicago being rammed then dragged from her car on her way to work.
Abducted, with no warrant, her family couldn’t find her for hours.
She was later released with NO CHARGE.
A DHS statement said she “violently resisted arrest, injuring two officers”.
You decide…
Abducted, with no warrant, her family couldn’t find her for hours.
She was later released with NO CHARGE.
A DHS statement said she “violently resisted arrest, injuring two officers”.
You decide…
November 4, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Do NOT look away, do NOT become desensitized to these attacks on individuals, do NOT accept this as normal.
Reposted by Jason Abel
"Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that."
Looking forward to seeing Jimmy back on the air.
Looking forward to seeing Jimmy back on the air.
Jimmy Kimmel Returns: ABC Ends Suspension Starting Tuesday
Jimmy Kimmel will return to late night on Tuesday
variety.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:22 PM
"Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that."
Looking forward to seeing Jimmy back on the air.
Looking forward to seeing Jimmy back on the air.
Reposted by Jason Abel
Attempting to rig elections on his behalf.
Turning the military on citizens.
Toying with the idea of declaring martial law.
Attacking political enemies and punishing those who speak out against his regime.
If this were happening in another country, what would you call it?
Turning the military on citizens.
Toying with the idea of declaring martial law.
Attacking political enemies and punishing those who speak out against his regime.
If this were happening in another country, what would you call it?
September 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Attempting to rig elections on his behalf.
Turning the military on citizens.
Toying with the idea of declaring martial law.
Attacking political enemies and punishing those who speak out against his regime.
If this were happening in another country, what would you call it?
Turning the military on citizens.
Toying with the idea of declaring martial law.
Attacking political enemies and punishing those who speak out against his regime.
If this were happening in another country, what would you call it?
Reposted by Jason Abel
This is frankly one of the worst things Donald Trump has ever posted, which is really saying something
September 6, 2025 at 4:50 PM
This is frankly one of the worst things Donald Trump has ever posted, which is really saying something
Reposted by Jason Abel
This “explicit” is a weird editorial choice. The constitution gives the president no power over this at all. It’s not ambiguous.
August 31, 2025 at 5:30 AM
This “explicit” is a weird editorial choice. The constitution gives the president no power over this at all. It’s not ambiguous.
Reposted by Jason Abel
Today, 187 Members of Congress—led by Equality Caucus Chair @repmarktakano.bsky.social & Vice Chair @reptedlieu.bsky.social & @merkley.senate.gov—filed a brief urging SCOTUS to protect young LGBTQI+ people and uphold Colorado's ban on so-called "conversion therapy."
Link in bio for more info.
Link in bio for more info.
August 26, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Today, 187 Members of Congress—led by Equality Caucus Chair @repmarktakano.bsky.social & Vice Chair @reptedlieu.bsky.social & @merkley.senate.gov—filed a brief urging SCOTUS to protect young LGBTQI+ people and uphold Colorado's ban on so-called "conversion therapy."
Link in bio for more info.
Link in bio for more info.
Reposted by Jason Abel
Illinois Gov. Pritzker vows to pursue Trump officials who participate in an illegal National Guard deployment to Chicago:
"If you hurt my people, nothing will stop me - not time or political circumstance - from making sure that you face justice under our constitutional rule of law."
"If you hurt my people, nothing will stop me - not time or political circumstance - from making sure that you face justice under our constitutional rule of law."
August 25, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Illinois Gov. Pritzker vows to pursue Trump officials who participate in an illegal National Guard deployment to Chicago:
"If you hurt my people, nothing will stop me - not time or political circumstance - from making sure that you face justice under our constitutional rule of law."
"If you hurt my people, nothing will stop me - not time or political circumstance - from making sure that you face justice under our constitutional rule of law."
Reposted by Jason Abel
Pritzker: This is not about fighting crime. This is about the President and his complicit lackey, Stephen Miller, searching for ways to lay the groundwork to circumvent our democracy, militarize our cities, and end elections.
August 25, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Pritzker: This is not about fighting crime. This is about the President and his complicit lackey, Stephen Miller, searching for ways to lay the groundwork to circumvent our democracy, militarize our cities, and end elections.
Reposted by Jason Abel
I am sounding the alarm on the real crisis we face today.
Donald Trump’s overreach is what our founders warned against – it is unprecedented, unwarranted, and un-American.
There’s no emergency here that calls for military intervention.
Donald Trump’s overreach is what our founders warned against – it is unprecedented, unwarranted, and un-American.
There’s no emergency here that calls for military intervention.
August 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I am sounding the alarm on the real crisis we face today.
Donald Trump’s overreach is what our founders warned against – it is unprecedented, unwarranted, and un-American.
There’s no emergency here that calls for military intervention.
Donald Trump’s overreach is what our founders warned against – it is unprecedented, unwarranted, and un-American.
There’s no emergency here that calls for military intervention.
Reposted by Jason Abel
The precise moment when and where in recent weeks America crossed that invisible line from democracy into authoritarianism can and will be debated by future historians, but it’s clear that the line itself has been crossed. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/america-ti...
America Tips Into Fascism
Today is different than before.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
August 25, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The precise moment when and where in recent weeks America crossed that invisible line from democracy into authoritarianism can and will be debated by future historians, but it’s clear that the line itself has been crossed. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/america-ti...
Reposted by Jason Abel
The road to authoritarianism is littered with people telling you you’re overreacting.
Breaking News: President Trump said he was taking control of the police in Washington, D.C., and deploying 800 National Guard troops there in response to “out of control” crime — even though violent crime in the city has fallen. Follow live updates. nyti.ms/3H9yVcu
August 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
The road to authoritarianism is littered with people telling you you’re overreacting.
Reposted by Jason Abel
Trump's raw authoritarian power grab in DC is part of a growing national crisis. He's playing dictator in our nation's capital as a dress rehearsal as he pushes democracy to the brink.
This assault on freedom is exactly why we've fought for DC statehood and to give DC control of its National Guard.
This assault on freedom is exactly why we've fought for DC statehood and to give DC control of its National Guard.
August 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Trump's raw authoritarian power grab in DC is part of a growing national crisis. He's playing dictator in our nation's capital as a dress rehearsal as he pushes democracy to the brink.
This assault on freedom is exactly why we've fought for DC statehood and to give DC control of its National Guard.
This assault on freedom is exactly why we've fought for DC statehood and to give DC control of its National Guard.
Reposted by Jason Abel
Donald Trump complaining about violent crime in DC is rich.
August 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Donald Trump complaining about violent crime in DC is rich.
Reposted by Jason Abel
What does authoritarianism look like in practice? This.
Trump mentions NYC, Baltimore, and Oakland, says "they're so far gone," and adds, "this will go further. We'll starting very strongly with DC."
August 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
What does authoritarianism look like in practice? This.
Reposted by Jason Abel
This is dictatorial stuff.
August 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
This is dictatorial stuff.
Reposted by Jason Abel
This is insane. And as dictatorial a power grab as we’ve ever seen in US history. Most of all, though, it’s also just unneeded. Crime is at a generational low in DC.
BREAKING
President Trump announces that he is invoking section 740 of the Home Rule Act.
Section 740 gives the President of the United States the authority to commandeer the DC Police Department in “conditions of an emergency nature”
Trump also confirms he is deploying the National Guard to DC.
President Trump announces that he is invoking section 740 of the Home Rule Act.
Section 740 gives the President of the United States the authority to commandeer the DC Police Department in “conditions of an emergency nature”
Trump also confirms he is deploying the National Guard to DC.
August 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
This is insane. And as dictatorial a power grab as we’ve ever seen in US history. Most of all, though, it’s also just unneeded. Crime is at a generational low in DC.
Reposted by Jason Abel
Not a great look that NYT still hasn't written anything about Trump using the antisemitic slur "shylock" during a rally yesterday.
July 4, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Not a great look that NYT still hasn't written anything about Trump using the antisemitic slur "shylock" during a rally yesterday.
Reposted by Jason Abel
🧵
@nytimes.com reported yesterday that Trump was urging the DOJ to investigate election officials for alleged crimes in failing to secure election systems. This doomed and twisted effort seems part of a larger scheme to sow distrust in upcoming elections. /1
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/u...
@nytimes.com reported yesterday that Trump was urging the DOJ to investigate election officials for alleged crimes in failing to secure election systems. This doomed and twisted effort seems part of a larger scheme to sow distrust in upcoming elections. /1
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/u...
Justice Dept. Explores Using Criminal Charges Against Election Officials
www.nytimes.com
July 3, 2025 at 1:24 PM
🧵
@nytimes.com reported yesterday that Trump was urging the DOJ to investigate election officials for alleged crimes in failing to secure election systems. This doomed and twisted effort seems part of a larger scheme to sow distrust in upcoming elections. /1
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/u...
@nytimes.com reported yesterday that Trump was urging the DOJ to investigate election officials for alleged crimes in failing to secure election systems. This doomed and twisted effort seems part of a larger scheme to sow distrust in upcoming elections. /1
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/u...
Reposted by Jason Abel
1/ On January 6th, Jared L. Wise "told other rioters who were attacking law enforcement officers, 'Kill ’em! Kill ’em! Kill ’em!'"
He is now "serving as a counselor to Ed Martin, the director of the so-called Weaponization Working Group" of the Bondi Justice Department.
He is now "serving as a counselor to Ed Martin, the director of the so-called Weaponization Working Group" of the Bondi Justice Department.
Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Who Threatened Police Joins Justice Dept.
www.nytimes.com
July 2, 2025 at 4:15 PM
1/ On January 6th, Jared L. Wise "told other rioters who were attacking law enforcement officers, 'Kill ’em! Kill ’em! Kill ’em!'"
He is now "serving as a counselor to Ed Martin, the director of the so-called Weaponization Working Group" of the Bondi Justice Department.
He is now "serving as a counselor to Ed Martin, the director of the so-called Weaponization Working Group" of the Bondi Justice Department.
Reposted by Jason Abel
I wrote about the day the president attended the opening of an American concentration camp:
The Grand Opening of an American Concentration Camp
The Republicans are proudly calling it “Alligator Alcatraz.” Let’s call it what it is.
newrepublic.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I wrote about the day the president attended the opening of an American concentration camp:
Reposted by Jason Abel
Here's a longer video of Brad Lander's detention just now inside 26 Federal Plaza as he tried to walk a man out of immigration court, by masked federal agents.
June 17, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Here's a longer video of Brad Lander's detention just now inside 26 Federal Plaza as he tried to walk a man out of immigration court, by masked federal agents.
Reposted by Jason Abel
A few key points:
- Senator Padilla is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety
- He identified himself as a Senator
- Right before this happened Noem literally said she was there to liberate Los Angeles from its elected leadership
- Senator Padilla is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety
- He identified himself as a Senator
- Right before this happened Noem literally said she was there to liberate Los Angeles from its elected leadership
Padilla's office issues new statement on Kristi Noem's goons manhandling him:
"He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed."
"He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed."
June 12, 2025 at 8:03 PM
A few key points:
- Senator Padilla is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety
- He identified himself as a Senator
- Right before this happened Noem literally said she was there to liberate Los Angeles from its elected leadership
- Senator Padilla is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety
- He identified himself as a Senator
- Right before this happened Noem literally said she was there to liberate Los Angeles from its elected leadership