patrick mcneil (he/him)
@patrickryne.bsky.social
civil and human rights advocate, writer/editor 🏳️🌈
writing: nominationnotes.com
email: patrick@nominationnotes.com
signal: patrickryne.87
writing: nominationnotes.com
email: patrick@nominationnotes.com
signal: patrickryne.87
Senators had until 5 p.m. today to submit written questions for the record to these nominees. I hope @judiciarydems.senate.gov took advantage of this opportunity.
BREAKING: Four more judicial nominees today refused to say Trump lost the 2020 election and dodged questions related to January 6.
One nominee also said she needed to check whether two landmark Supreme Court decisions have been overturned.
More here: nominationnotes.substack.com/p/four-more-...
One nominee also said she needed to check whether two landmark Supreme Court decisions have been overturned.
More here: nominationnotes.substack.com/p/four-more-...
Four more judicial nominees refuse to say Trump lost the 2020 election
“I am insulted as a member of this body that you simply won't tell us the truth,” Senator Blumenthal said.
nominationnotes.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Senators had until 5 p.m. today to submit written questions for the record to these nominees. I hope @judiciarydems.senate.gov took advantage of this opportunity.
I don’t watch ice dancing very frequently but I am delighted by the term “twizzles” every time I do.
February 11, 2026 at 9:36 PM
I don’t watch ice dancing very frequently but I am delighted by the term “twizzles” every time I do.
Reposted by patrick mcneil (he/him)
Imagine the response if Eric Holder gave a single one of those sorts of answers at an oversight hearing.
February 11, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Imagine the response if Eric Holder gave a single one of those sorts of answers at an oversight hearing.
"They hate to see two woke bitches win." Oh, I so hope that Amber Glenn and Alysa Liu both medal again next week! www.erininthemorning.com/p/us-gold-me...
US Gold Medal Olympian Amber Glenn: "They Hate To See Two Woke B****es Win"
Amber Glenn, referring to herself and Alysa Liu, shot back at critics on social media while holding her gold medal and wearing a progress pride pin.
www.erininthemorning.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:48 PM
"They hate to see two woke bitches win." Oh, I so hope that Amber Glenn and Alysa Liu both medal again next week! www.erininthemorning.com/p/us-gold-me...
Bondi is an election denier who's now in charge of enforcing federal civil rights statutes, including the Voting Rights Act. She is not. And as she screeches her way through this testimony, the House is preparing to pass a bill today that could disenfranchise millions. Terrible moment for democracy.
Listening to the Attorney General of our country sitting as a witness in an Oversight hearing screech, scream and call sitting Representatives “that woman,” and refer to a Representative who is questioning her as “she” is truly a testament to how low Trump has brought all our institutions.
February 11, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Bondi is an election denier who's now in charge of enforcing federal civil rights statutes, including the Voting Rights Act. She is not. And as she screeches her way through this testimony, the House is preparing to pass a bill today that could disenfranchise millions. Terrible moment for democracy.
"It’s no coincidence that Republicans are aggressively promoting a new attempt to dramatically nationalize restrictions on voting at the same time that the Trump administration is undertaking unprecedented attempts to interfere in the midterms..."
House set to pass new version of SAVE Act today, making terrible bill even worse. Could disenfranchise:
-21 million Americans without access to citizenship papers
-69 million married women who took partner’s name
-21 million without current drivers license
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
-21 million Americans without access to citizenship papers
-69 million married women who took partner’s name
-21 million without current drivers license
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The GOP’s “show us your papers” bill Is the latest effort to help Trump take over elections
“If the SAVE Act were to pass, it would be the worst voter suppression law that Congress has ever enacted"
www.motherjones.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:27 PM
"It’s no coincidence that Republicans are aggressively promoting a new attempt to dramatically nationalize restrictions on voting at the same time that the Trump administration is undertaking unprecedented attempts to interfere in the midterms..."
Watching for this, and more, today.
Nomination watch: Trump hasn't publicly announced judicial nominees in five weeks. He'll need to nominate more by tomorrow if the Judiciary Committee is planning to hold a hearing on March 11.
I asked Grassley's office whether they've already received paperwork for others, but they didn't respond.
I asked Grassley's office whether they've already received paperwork for others, but they didn't respond.
February 11, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Watching for this, and more, today.
Reposted by patrick mcneil (he/him)
Bondi says DOJ's attorneys "are fighting for President Trump’s agenda” and takes aim at "liberal activist judges"
February 11, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Bondi says DOJ's attorneys "are fighting for President Trump’s agenda” and takes aim at "liberal activist judges"
With more judicial confirmations last week, Trump has now appointed more — or the same number of — white lifetime district court judges in almost half the states (23) as lifetime judges of color who have EVER served on district courts in those states. nominationnotes.substack.com/p/trump-want...
Trump wants the federal judiciary to be as white as possible
In many states, he's appointed more white judges than judges of color who’ve ever served there.
nominationnotes.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:06 AM
With more judicial confirmations last week, Trump has now appointed more — or the same number of — white lifetime district court judges in almost half the states (23) as lifetime judges of color who have EVER served on district courts in those states. nominationnotes.substack.com/p/trump-want...
Nomination watch: Trump hasn't publicly announced judicial nominees in five weeks. He'll need to nominate more by tomorrow if the Judiciary Committee is planning to hold a hearing on March 11.
I asked Grassley's office whether they've already received paperwork for others, but they didn't respond.
I asked Grassley's office whether they've already received paperwork for others, but they didn't respond.
February 11, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Nomination watch: Trump hasn't publicly announced judicial nominees in five weeks. He'll need to nominate more by tomorrow if the Judiciary Committee is planning to hold a hearing on March 11.
I asked Grassley's office whether they've already received paperwork for others, but they didn't respond.
I asked Grassley's office whether they've already received paperwork for others, but they didn't respond.
Reposted by patrick mcneil (he/him)
BREAKING: The Senate just confirmed Daniel Burrows to lead the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy. nominationnotes.substack.com/p/senate-to-...
Senate to vote on DOJ nominee responsible for advising on judicial nominations
Daniel Burrows is an election denier. And when asked for his ethical role models "in the legal profession," he listed biblical figures.
nominationnotes.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:18 PM
BREAKING: The Senate just confirmed Daniel Burrows to lead the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy. nominationnotes.substack.com/p/senate-to-...
BREAKING: The Senate just confirmed Daniel Burrows to lead the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy. nominationnotes.substack.com/p/senate-to-...
Senate to vote on DOJ nominee responsible for advising on judicial nominations
Daniel Burrows is an election denier. And when asked for his ethical role models "in the legal profession," he listed biblical figures.
nominationnotes.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:18 PM
BREAKING: The Senate just confirmed Daniel Burrows to lead the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy. nominationnotes.substack.com/p/senate-to-...
Reposted by patrick mcneil (he/him)
I mean, fuck these guys for removing the Pride flag from the Stonewall Monument, but also, fuck those guys.
The queer history of Stonewall isn't changing.
The queer people of today aren't changing.
Fuck off, haters.
The queer history of Stonewall isn't changing.
The queer people of today aren't changing.
Fuck off, haters.
February 10, 2026 at 4:12 PM
I mean, fuck these guys for removing the Pride flag from the Stonewall Monument, but also, fuck those guys.
The queer history of Stonewall isn't changing.
The queer people of today aren't changing.
Fuck off, haters.
The queer history of Stonewall isn't changing.
The queer people of today aren't changing.
Fuck off, haters.
Sen. @durbin.senate.gov just brought up “contortions” that nominees go through when asked who won the 2020 election. “They can’t answer it because it’s an article of faith: If you’re loyal to Trump, you never accept the premise that he lost an election.”
HE VOTED TO CONFIRM TWO OF THEM LAST WEEK.
HE VOTED TO CONFIRM TWO OF THEM LAST WEEK.
February 10, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Sen. @durbin.senate.gov just brought up “contortions” that nominees go through when asked who won the 2020 election. “They can’t answer it because it’s an article of faith: If you’re loyal to Trump, you never accept the premise that he lost an election.”
HE VOTED TO CONFIRM TWO OF THEM LAST WEEK.
HE VOTED TO CONFIRM TWO OF THEM LAST WEEK.
Reposted by patrick mcneil (he/him)
Make the calls TODAY!
“The SAVE Act will require voters to show proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections…”
“Only half of Americans hold a valid passport…Birth certificates are also problematic for many married women [whose] name may be different than the name on her birth certificate.”
“Only half of Americans hold a valid passport…Birth certificates are also problematic for many married women [whose] name may be different than the name on her birth certificate.”
February 10, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Make the calls TODAY!
Reposted by patrick mcneil (he/him)
NEW: With more judicial confirmations, Trump has now appointed more — or the same number of — white lifetime district court judges in almost half the states (23) as lifetime judges of color who have EVER served on district courts in those states.
More: nominationnotes.substack.com/p/trump-want...
More: nominationnotes.substack.com/p/trump-want...
Trump wants the federal judiciary to be as white as possible
In many states, he's appointed more white judges than judges of color who’ve ever served there.
nominationnotes.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:12 PM
NEW: With more judicial confirmations, Trump has now appointed more — or the same number of — white lifetime district court judges in almost half the states (23) as lifetime judges of color who have EVER served on district courts in those states.
More: nominationnotes.substack.com/p/trump-want...
More: nominationnotes.substack.com/p/trump-want...
Hamburg, PA is my (very small) hometown. I wish it were in the news for a different reason 😣
ICE is likely paying a premium to get the deal through quickly. E.g., in Hamburg, PA, the warehouse was purchased in 2024 for $57.5 million and sold to ICE for $87 million.
The real profit will come with the private prison companies and contractors hired to refurbish and staff these facilities.
The real profit will come with the private prison companies and contractors hired to refurbish and staff these facilities.
February 9, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Hamburg, PA is my (very small) hometown. I wish it were in the news for a different reason 😣
The Senate just advanced the nomination of Daniel Burrows to lead DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy, where he'll advise on judicial nominations.
He's an election denier. And when asked for his ethical role models in the legal profession, he listed biblical figures.
Confirmation vote should be tomorrow.
He's an election denier. And when asked for his ethical role models in the legal profession, he listed biblical figures.
Confirmation vote should be tomorrow.
February 9, 2026 at 11:22 PM
The Senate just advanced the nomination of Daniel Burrows to lead DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy, where he'll advise on judicial nominations.
He's an election denier. And when asked for his ethical role models in the legal profession, he listed biblical figures.
Confirmation vote should be tomorrow.
He's an election denier. And when asked for his ethical role models in the legal profession, he listed biblical figures.
Confirmation vote should be tomorrow.
Reminder that this man is up for confirmation this week to lead the DOJ's Office of Legal Policy. nominationnotes.substack.com/p/senate-to-...
Senate to vote on DOJ nominee responsible for advising on judicial nominations
Daniel Burrows is an election denier. And when asked for his ethical role models "in the legal profession," he listed biblical figures.
nominationnotes.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Reminder that this man is up for confirmation this week to lead the DOJ's Office of Legal Policy. nominationnotes.substack.com/p/senate-to-...
NEW: With more judicial confirmations, Trump has now appointed more — or the same number of — white lifetime district court judges in almost half the states (23) as lifetime judges of color who have EVER served on district courts in those states.
More: nominationnotes.substack.com/p/trump-want...
More: nominationnotes.substack.com/p/trump-want...
Trump wants the federal judiciary to be as white as possible
In many states, he's appointed more white judges than judges of color who’ve ever served there.
nominationnotes.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:12 PM
NEW: With more judicial confirmations, Trump has now appointed more — or the same number of — white lifetime district court judges in almost half the states (23) as lifetime judges of color who have EVER served on district courts in those states.
More: nominationnotes.substack.com/p/trump-want...
More: nominationnotes.substack.com/p/trump-want...
Reposted by patrick mcneil (he/him)
Reposted by patrick mcneil (he/him)
The ending to Bad Bunny's halftime show:
"The only thing more powerful than hate is love"
"Together, we are America"
"The only thing more powerful than hate is love"
"Together, we are America"
February 9, 2026 at 1:58 AM
The ending to Bad Bunny's halftime show:
"The only thing more powerful than hate is love"
"Together, we are America"
"The only thing more powerful than hate is love"
"Together, we are America"
Reposted by patrick mcneil (he/him)
Of Trump's 33 confirmed lifetime judges and 4 pending lifetime judicial nominees during his second term so far (37 people total), only one is Black.
Of the 60 circuit court judges he's appointed since 2017, zero are Black.
Happy Black History Month.
Of the 60 circuit court judges he's appointed since 2017, zero are Black.
Happy Black History Month.
February 6, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Of Trump's 33 confirmed lifetime judges and 4 pending lifetime judicial nominees during his second term so far (37 people total), only one is Black.
Of the 60 circuit court judges he's appointed since 2017, zero are Black.
Happy Black History Month.
Of the 60 circuit court judges he's appointed since 2017, zero are Black.
Happy Black History Month.
Demonstrating why judicial diversity matters and why it's important to have judges who respect & understand how the law impacts people’s lives.
I love that Judge Douglas (confirmed just a few years ago as the first woman of color to ever serve on the 5th Circuit) called out Jones & Duncan for this.
I love that Judge Douglas (confirmed just a few years ago as the first woman of color to ever serve on the 5th Circuit) called out Jones & Duncan for this.
Judge Dana Douglas, about Judges Edith Jones and Kyle Duncan:
"The majority seems to be unable to imagine what it might mean to be detained ... [and] to require the services of a federal habeas corpus lawyer to show that one ... deserves to see the outside of a detention center again."
"The majority seems to be unable to imagine what it might mean to be detained ... [and] to require the services of a federal habeas corpus lawyer to show that one ... deserves to see the outside of a detention center again."
This from Douglas is so very on point — and not at all subtle.
February 7, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Demonstrating why judicial diversity matters and why it's important to have judges who respect & understand how the law impacts people’s lives.
I love that Judge Douglas (confirmed just a few years ago as the first woman of color to ever serve on the 5th Circuit) called out Jones & Duncan for this.
I love that Judge Douglas (confirmed just a few years ago as the first woman of color to ever serve on the 5th Circuit) called out Jones & Duncan for this.
The dissenting judge, Judge Dana Douglas, is the first woman of color to EVER serve on the 5th Circuit. She was just confirmed in December 2022 and was one of the 40 Black women appointed to a lifetime judgeship during the Biden administration.
“Late Friday night, the Fifth Circuit adopted the extreme minority view—that the government can indefinitely detain without bond millions of non-citizens who have been here for generations; who have never committed a crime; and who pose neither a risk of flight nor any threat to public safety.”
208. The Fifth Circuit Jumps the Immigration Detention Shark
Late Friday, two of the nation's most right-wing circuit judges adopted an odious legal claim that district court judges from across the country (and ideological spectrum) have overwhelmingly rejected
www.stevevladeck.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The dissenting judge, Judge Dana Douglas, is the first woman of color to EVER serve on the 5th Circuit. She was just confirmed in December 2022 and was one of the 40 Black women appointed to a lifetime judgeship during the Biden administration.