Josh Chafetz
@joshchafetz.bsky.social
Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Law and Politics, Georgetown Law: https://www.law.georgetown.edu/faculty/josh-chafetz/
Author, most recently, of _Congress's Constitution_: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300248334/
Author, most recently, of _Congress's Constitution_: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300248334/
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Josh Chafetz
@joshchafetz.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Congress's Constitution: Legislative Authority and the Separation of Powers: Chafetz, Josh: 9780300248333: Amazon.com: Books
Congress's Constitution: Legislative Authority and the Separation of Powers [Chafetz, Josh] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Congress's Constitution: Legislative Authority and the Separation of Powers
www.amazon.com
Hi new followers!
If you happen to be interested in the separation of powers, Congress, government shutdowns, contempt of Congress, the filibuster, and more, have I got the book for you! www.amazon.com/dp/0300248334/
If you happen to be interested in the separation of powers, Congress, government shutdowns, contempt of Congress, the filibuster, and more, have I got the book for you! www.amazon.com/dp/0300248334/
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
Some thoughts on what Trump has done in Venezuela and what it might mean for US national security. Caveat: not a Latin America scholar so this is focused on US policy. Clearly huge consequences for Venezuela that others can address.
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
January 3, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Some thoughts on what Trump has done in Venezuela and what it might mean for US national security. Caveat: not a Latin America scholar so this is focused on US policy. Clearly huge consequences for Venezuela that others can address.
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
Here’s a brief excerpt on the Panama precedent I recently wrote on the topic as part of a broader symposium on recognition for @ajil.bsky.social.
Note the quote from the then-legal adviser on why consent wouldn’t have been sufficient absent effective control.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Note the quote from the then-legal adviser on why consent wouldn’t have been sufficient absent effective control.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
January 3, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Here’s a brief excerpt on the Panama precedent I recently wrote on the topic as part of a broader symposium on recognition for @ajil.bsky.social.
Note the quote from the then-legal adviser on why consent wouldn’t have been sufficient absent effective control.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Note the quote from the then-legal adviser on why consent wouldn’t have been sufficient absent effective control.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Seems to me that the most parallel recentish US action would be the 1989 invasion of Panama, no?
January 3, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Seems to me that the most parallel recentish US action would be the 1989 invasion of Panama, no?
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
In Opinion
President Trump “is pushing our country toward an international crisis without valid reasons,” the editorial board writes after the U.S. attack on Venezuela was announced on Saturday. “If Mr. Trump wants to argue otherwise, the Constitution spells out what he must do: Go to Congress.”
President Trump “is pushing our country toward an international crisis without valid reasons,” the editorial board writes after the U.S. attack on Venezuela was announced on Saturday. “If Mr. Trump wants to argue otherwise, the Constitution spells out what he must do: Go to Congress.”
Opinion | Trump’s Attack on Venezuela Is Illegal and Unwise
We know that Mr. Trump’s warmongering violates the law.
nyti.ms
January 3, 2026 at 2:05 PM
In Opinion
President Trump “is pushing our country toward an international crisis without valid reasons,” the editorial board writes after the U.S. attack on Venezuela was announced on Saturday. “If Mr. Trump wants to argue otherwise, the Constitution spells out what he must do: Go to Congress.”
President Trump “is pushing our country toward an international crisis without valid reasons,” the editorial board writes after the U.S. attack on Venezuela was announced on Saturday. “If Mr. Trump wants to argue otherwise, the Constitution spells out what he must do: Go to Congress.”
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
This is what I mean by my previous post. Normally, our government takes a really long time getting people invested in the idea of a regime change. This time, they merely gestured at it a few times on social media. bsky.app/profile/jack...
Who specifically wants this? And why? It feels like more than just oil. I am not saying the reason is good or even rooted in reality, I just want know what it is. Is it just that some people have wanted this for a long time like they do with Iran?
January 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM
This is what I mean by my previous post. Normally, our government takes a really long time getting people invested in the idea of a regime change. This time, they merely gestured at it a few times on social media. bsky.app/profile/jack...
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
you cannot blockade a country and bomb its capital cities and capture its leader without being at war with it, is the thing
Are we at war with Venezuela?!?
I don't know. You don't know either.
It sure would be nice to have a legitimate Pentagon press corps right about now.
I don't know. You don't know either.
It sure would be nice to have a legitimate Pentagon press corps right about now.
January 3, 2026 at 10:23 AM
you cannot blockade a country and bomb its capital cities and capture its leader without being at war with it, is the thing
Pfft. Stubbs has been talking about the rule against perpetuities since he was but a wee pup
This has always worked for me.
My children have understood the hearsay rule, to use another example, since age 18 months.
My children have understood the hearsay rule, to use another example, since age 18 months.
I would never do the "Here comes the airplane" bit to feed my child. Embarrassing for us both. I would calmly explain the importance of adequate nutrition and they will yield to unimpeachable logic
January 3, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Pfft. Stubbs has been talking about the rule against perpetuities since he was but a wee pup
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
this is blowing my mind
“bears can squeeze into some pretty tiny spaces b/c they don’t have collarbones. All they need is an opening big enough for their heads to fit [...] we routinely receive reports of large, adult bears accessing crawlspaces through standard 8 by 16 inch foundation vents" WHAT
“bears can squeeze into some pretty tiny spaces b/c they don’t have collarbones. All they need is an opening big enough for their heads to fit [...] we routinely receive reports of large, adult bears accessing crawlspaces through standard 8 by 16 inch foundation vents" WHAT
They less abandoned him, and more
that this is how places handle this.
When I lived in the N.C. mountains, there was a ton of messaging to bear proof your property for the winter, and it always ended with “And if you don’t, leave the bear alone until spring.”
that this is how places handle this.
When I lived in the N.C. mountains, there was a ton of messaging to bear proof your property for the winter, and it always ended with “And if you don’t, leave the bear alone until spring.”
When a Bear Moves In: Preparing Your Property for Denning Season - Asheville.com
Slumber time for black bears is quickly approaching, and in some cases, already happening. Now is the time to start bear proofing residential and commercial properties to discourage winter denning.
www.asheville.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:52 PM
this is blowing my mind
“bears can squeeze into some pretty tiny spaces b/c they don’t have collarbones. All they need is an opening big enough for their heads to fit [...] we routinely receive reports of large, adult bears accessing crawlspaces through standard 8 by 16 inch foundation vents" WHAT
“bears can squeeze into some pretty tiny spaces b/c they don’t have collarbones. All they need is an opening big enough for their heads to fit [...] we routinely receive reports of large, adult bears accessing crawlspaces through standard 8 by 16 inch foundation vents" WHAT
Haven’t seen Marty Supreme yet, but one of the reasons I’ve always hated Seinfeld is that I just don’t want to watch something where every character is loathsome. It’s just not enjoyable.
i enjoyed MARTY SUPREME to the extent that i can enjoy spending two and a half hours with the worst person imaginable
January 3, 2026 at 1:41 AM
Haven’t seen Marty Supreme yet, but one of the reasons I’ve always hated Seinfeld is that I just don’t want to watch something where every character is loathsome. It’s just not enjoyable.
Admittedly, I’ll take savory over sweet any day, but …
The best dessert is one cup of pomegranate seeds. That’s all.
The best dessert is one cup of pomegranate seeds. That’s all.
January 3, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Admittedly, I’ll take savory over sweet any day, but …
The best dessert is one cup of pomegranate seeds. That’s all.
The best dessert is one cup of pomegranate seeds. That’s all.
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
By itself this would just be sort of tacky and inappropriate for a news organization, but “and make no apologies for saying so” is the real tell.
Incredible. CBS Evening News announces five new “simple values” — instead of their “38-page handbook” — as they roll out Tony Dokoupil is lead anchor.
One of those values is simply: “We love America and make no apologies for saying so.”
One of those values is simply: “We love America and make no apologies for saying so.”
January 2, 2026 at 9:17 PM
By itself this would just be sort of tacky and inappropriate for a news organization, but “and make no apologies for saying so” is the real tell.
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife owes Bear #2 some cherries, some caramel, and a heartfelt apology.
This one paragraph raises so many questions.
January 2, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife owes Bear #2 some cherries, some caramel, and a heartfelt apology.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife owes Bear #2 some cherries, some caramel, and a heartfelt apology.
This one paragraph raises so many questions.
January 2, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife owes Bear #2 some cherries, some caramel, and a heartfelt apology.
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
Fascinating paper by Hood, McKee & Pittman demonstrating that election deniers were less likely to vote in the 2021 Georgia Senate runoff election.
If fewer GA Republicans believed the big lie, both GA Senate seats might still be in Republican control.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
If fewer GA Republicans believed the big lie, both GA Senate seats might still be in Republican control.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
January 2, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Fascinating paper by Hood, McKee & Pittman demonstrating that election deniers were less likely to vote in the 2021 Georgia Senate runoff election.
If fewer GA Republicans believed the big lie, both GA Senate seats might still be in Republican control.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
If fewer GA Republicans believed the big lie, both GA Senate seats might still be in Republican control.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
I see a growing number of obviously AI generated ads, and it always makes me think two things: (1) This is a rinky-dink outfit that can't afford to film a commercial with real sets and actors, and more importantly (2) They are lying to me even more than ads usually do.
January 2, 2026 at 4:54 PM
I see a growing number of obviously AI generated ads, and it always makes me think two things: (1) This is a rinky-dink outfit that can't afford to film a commercial with real sets and actors, and more importantly (2) They are lying to me even more than ads usually do.
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
“‘The body cam software and the AI report writing software picked up on the movie that was playing in the background, which happened to be ‘The Princess and the Frog…'”
Cops Forced to Explain Why AI Generated Police Report Claimed Officer Transformed Into Frog
AI-powered software Draft One automatically generates police reports from body camera footage. It thought an officer turned into a frog.
futurism.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:50 PM
“‘The body cam software and the AI report writing software picked up on the movie that was playing in the background, which happened to be ‘The Princess and the Frog…'”
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
this is the most incredible interview i’ve ever read. the aei guy tries so hard to get sliwa to trash mamdani and he simply won’t. he also brings up flaco (rip) unprompted.
www.wsj.com/opinion/free...
www.wsj.com/opinion/free...
![How would you describe Mamdani's politics?
He's not a communist. People call him that. That's ridiculous. He is a democratic socialist. David Dinkins [New York mayor from 1990-93] was a democratic socialist. We've had a long history in New York City of socialism.
What's the biggest challenge Mamdani faces as mayor!
I don't think the Zohranistas totally understand the fiscal irresponsibility we just went through with the Adams years and how little money there's left.
There's not enough money to do all the things that Zohran wants to do.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ssxnmhdtz6le6nxu7jfhglz6/bafkreic7pxra6vmrjmqo4jmw4vdagiluj6xtkovqb3f4ex7fc55m7pzaxu@jpeg)
January 1, 2026 at 11:16 PM
this is the most incredible interview i’ve ever read. the aei guy tries so hard to get sliwa to trash mamdani and he simply won’t. he also brings up flaco (rip) unprompted.
www.wsj.com/opinion/free...
www.wsj.com/opinion/free...
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
Cover reveal. It's about how & why colonies/states controlled international & domestic migration until 1888, why in the late 19th c the feds took over, & what it was like for politically disfavored groups to live under that arrangement of power. You can't understand voluntary migration history 1/
January 2, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Cover reveal. It's about how & why colonies/states controlled international & domestic migration until 1888, why in the late 19th c the feds took over, & what it was like for politically disfavored groups to live under that arrangement of power. You can't understand voluntary migration history 1/
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
“For a forthcoming project, Times Opinion invites readers who have been affected by the expiring subsidies to tell us what changes, if any, they’re seeing in their premium bills &how they’re navigating those changes. An editor will get in touch with you before we publish any part of your submission”
Opinion | Millions of Americans Will Pay More for Health Care This Year. Are You One of Them?
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:36 PM
“For a forthcoming project, Times Opinion invites readers who have been affected by the expiring subsidies to tell us what changes, if any, they’re seeing in their premium bills &how they’re navigating those changes. An editor will get in touch with you before we publish any part of your submission”
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
I was wondering what Mamdani's first executive order would be, and I'm not disappointed by this.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
January 1, 2026 at 11:07 PM
I was wondering what Mamdani's first executive order would be, and I'm not disappointed by this.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
I'd go further. I'm with Dante. The best human existence is possible only in cities.
I'm entirely serious about this: until you internalize the view that urban America is Real America, you won't see the urgency of structural reform of an American government whose fundamental structures so disadvantage its population centers—the great engines of its prosperity, progress, & culture.
Another good practice for the New Year would be for all the non-fascists in America who want to opine about politics to really begin believing that urban America is Real America & that its denizens are The Authentic People. Get some self-respect & drop the volkish nationalist view that they're not
January 1, 2026 at 9:07 PM
I'd go further. I'm with Dante. The best human existence is possible only in cities.
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
Last month, I wrote on all legislative races of 2025. There were still a few elections left in the year, however. But now, they're all done.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
In 2025, Democrats Flipped 21 Percent of GOP-Held Legislative Seats - Bolts
Editor’s note: The article was updated on Dec. 31 to reflect the results of three special elections held in late December, none of which resulted in a partisan flip. At... Read More
boltsmag.org
January 1, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Last month, I wrote on all legislative races of 2025. There were still a few elections left in the year, however. But now, they're all done.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
A smaller but related point: can folks please stop contrasting academia and “the real world”? Last I checked, we academics are real, too.
Another good practice for the New Year would be for all the non-fascists in America who want to opine about politics to really begin believing that urban America is Real America & that its denizens are The Authentic People. Get some self-respect & drop the volkish nationalist view that they're not
And I think liberals should stop taking the bait and ceding ground on immigration.
Immigration is good. Multiculturalism is good. Free trade is good. Stop being embarrassed to say so.
Immigration is good. Multiculturalism is good. Free trade is good. Stop being embarrassed to say so.
January 1, 2026 at 3:27 PM
A smaller but related point: can folks please stop contrasting academia and “the real world”? Last I checked, we academics are real, too.
Pleased to announce that I have already fulfilled my resolution to start 2026 with a hangover.
January 1, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Pleased to announce that I have already fulfilled my resolution to start 2026 with a hangover.
Reposted by Josh Chafetz
Advocacy group accuses US appeals court judge of mistreating law clerks @nateraymond.bsky.social reut.rs/3YOawOy
December 31, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Advocacy group accuses US appeals court judge of mistreating law clerks @nateraymond.bsky.social reut.rs/3YOawOy