Heather Walter-McCabe
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profwaltermac.bsky.social
Heather Walter-McCabe
@profwaltermac.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.2K following 550 posts
Law Professor at SLU - JD/MSW - fueled by coffee and anxiety while working at the intersection of law, social work, & public health. My emphasis is on LGBTQ health equity. My work is intersectional. #TransRights is non-negotiable. Legal Epi.🏳️‍🌈
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Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
lawdorknews.bsky.social
BREAKING: The First Circuit denied the DOJ’s request to block a district court’s enforcement order that the Trump administration pay full SNAP benefits for November. That doesn’t end things, though. Now, the matter goes back to SCOTUS. substack.com/@chrisgeidne...
Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner)
BREAKING: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit denied the Justice Department’s request to block a district court’s enforcement order that the Trump administration pay full SNAP benefits for...
substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
mikiesherrill.bsky.social
My statement on the proposed Senate deal
November 10, 2025 at 1:14 AM
profwaltermac.bsky.social
Trying not to circle the drain. It feels like the suffering imposed by this shutdown has been for nothing. Continuing to focus on Mutual aid. Local systems change. And accountability at the ballot box so long as that is available. The old systems have to change. Schumer is a part of the old system.
November 10, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
emptywheel.bsky.social
Jim Comey's appendix of Trump attacks was 60 pages (tho it did not claim to be comprehensive).

Tish James' is 113 pages.
Appendix of Public Statements of President Donald J. Trump About or Concerning AG James or this Case 1 No. Date/Time (ET) Location Speaker Comment / Post Link 2019–20212 1 3/13/2019 10:26 AM X (formerly Twitter) Trump All part of the Witch Hunt Hoax. Started by little Eric Schneiderman & Cuomo. So many leaving New York! [Replying to @GOP statement: The NY Attorney General called President Trump an “illegitimate president.” She has proven to have a vendetta against @realDonaldTrump & is using her position of power to baselessly smear the President & the work he’s done for the American people.] https://perma.c c/4NS6-UGEV 2 3/13/2019 10:26 AM X (formerly Twitter) Trump RT @DiamondandSilk: AG Letitia James of New York is abusing her power by targeting the POTUS. Using the Attorney General office as a weapon to deliberately target the President because of Political Bias should be against the Law and a violation of the Hatch Act! https://perma.c c/553N-C2GE 3 4/29/2019 8:18 AM X (formerly Twitter) Trump The NRA is under siege by Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the State’s legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organization, & others. It must get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS - FAST! https://perma.c c/6RA9-DE98 4 7/1/2019 12:10 PM X (formerly Twitter) Trump It is very hard and expensive to live in New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo uses his Attorney General as a bludgeoning tool for his own purposes. They sue on everything, always in search of a crime. I even got sued on a Foundation which took Zero rent & expenses & gave away... https://perma.c c/Q477-7HSN 5 7/1/2019 12:10 PM X (formerly Twitter) Trump ....more money than it had. Going on for years, originally brought by Crooked Hillary’s Campaign Chair, A.G. Eric Schneiderman, until forced to https://perma.c c/89EZ-UP7B 1 This appendix reflects the best efforts of counsel to compile all of the President’s statements relevant to…
November 7, 2025 at 10:17 PM
profwaltermac.bsky.social
chrisgeidner.bsky.social Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 4d
BREAKING: The Sixth Circuit, in a 10-7 en banc decision, holds that an Ohio school district's anti-bullying policy that requires students to use children's preferred pronouns is likely unconstitutional on these facts.

Judge Murphy, a Trump appointee, writes the court's decision.
OPINION MURPHY, Circuit Judge. An Ohio public school district bars its students from referring to transgender and nonbinary classmates using the pronouns that match their biological sex if the classmates prefer to go by different pronouns. The plaintiff in this case has parent and student members who believe that a person's sex is immutable. The members want to express this view by using biological pronouns. And they believe that they would convey a falsehood —that a person's gender is fluid—if they use preferred pronouns. So the plaintiff challenged the school district's speech ban on behalf of its members under the First Amendment's Free Speech Clause. This case about pronouns pits two important interests against each other. On the one hand, the school district has prohibited speech (biological pronouns) that expresses a message on a matter of pressing public concern. And because the district requires other speech (preferred pronouns) that expresses a competing view, it has discriminated based on its students' viewpoints. Its approach thus raises serious free-speech concerns. On the other hand, the school district rightly responds that it has a duty to protect all students- including transgender and nonbinary students— from bullying and harassment. And this protection, while necessarily restricting speech, does not violate the Free Speech Clause. So which of these competing concerns should prevail in this case? The Supreme Court's cases provide a clear answer. A school district may not restrict personal speech on matters of public concern unless the speech would "materially and substantially disrupt" school activities or infringe the legal "rights of others" in the school community. Tinker v. Des Moines Indep. Cmty. Sch. Dist., 393 U.S. 503, 513 (1969). In this case's current posture, the school district has fallen far short of meeting this demanding standard. It introduced no evidence that the use of biological pronouns would disrupt school functions or qualify as harassment under Ohio law. Our society continues to debate whether biological pronouns are appropriate or offensive just as it continues to debate many other issues surrounding transgender rights. The school district may not skew this debate by forcing one side to change the way it conveys its message or by compelling it to express a different view. We thus reverse and remand Case: 23-3630 Document: 253-2 Filed: 11/06/2025 Page: 4 No. 23-3630 Defending Educ. v. Olentangy Loc. Sch. Dist. Bd. of Educ., et al. Page 4 for the entry of an appropriately tailored preliminary injunction barring the district from punishing students for the commonplace use of biological pronouns. Yet nothing we say here forecloses the district from enforcing its anti-harassment policies against the abuse of transgender students just as it enforces those policies against the abuse of all other students.
November 7, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
doritreiss.bsky.social
Says Rachel Vilensky in panel on children in the courts in #IHLRsymposium about Child Advocacy and Health Law: Counsel for foster children: Indiana is one of only 5 state that do not give kids in the foster system lawyer (it does for criminal cases).
November 7, 2025 at 4:55 PM
profwaltermac.bsky.social
SCOTUS, imo, has completely abandoned even trying to appear to simply apply the law to LGBTQ issues. Thankful for Justice Jackson’s refusal to play along.
mefcorv.bsky.social Probably Not A Crow, Unfortunately @mefcorv.bsky.social · 3d
“Once again, Justice Jackson is exactly right. Once again, the majority offers no response, let alone a remotely satisfactory one.”
stevevladeck.bsky.social Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 3d
Even though it mustered only 356 words to justify putting Trump's spiteful anti-trans passport policy back into effect, #SCOTUS managed to show us two of the flawed analytical moves it keeps making *only* in Trump cases to provide cover for granting emergency relief.

My latest, via "One First":
November 7, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
Honestly one of the worst, most disturbing paragraphs — on the basis of process, substance, and effect — I’ve read in a Supreme Court order or opinion in a very long time.
Displaying passport holders' sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth—in both cases, the Government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment. And on this record, respondents have failed to establish that the Government's choice to display biological sex "lack[s] any purpose other than a bare ... desire to harm a politically unpopular group." Trump v. Hawaii, 585 U. S. 667, 705 (2018) (internal quotation marks omitted). Nor are respondents likely to prevail in arguing that the State Department acted arbitrarily and capriciously by declining to depart from Presidential rules that Congress expressly required it to follow. See 22 U. S. C. §211a.
November 7, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
stevevladeck.bsky.social
As of today, total number of written opinions dissenting (in whole or in part) from #SCOTUS rulings on Trump II emergency applications:

Jackson: 10
Sotomayor: 6
Kagan: 5
Gorsuch: 2
Roberts: 1
Alito: 1
Kavanaugh: 1
Thomas: 0
Barrett: 0
November 6, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
stevevladeck.bsky.social
On March 6, #SCOTUS denied a Trump emergency application in the Dellinger case. That was the last time that happened; today's ruling is the 24th (consecutive) grant since then.

I survey this broader pattern (and its alarming implications) in a new draft paper here:

papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
November 6, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
esqueer.net
SCOTUS has granted a stay in Trump v. Orr, the trans passport case, meaning that the government will be able to once again deny gender marker changes to trans passport applicants.

This is a terrible decision with horrifying consequences for trans folks.

www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p...
A scanned Supreme Court of the United States order, dated November 6, 2025, in the case Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, et al. v. Ashton Orr, et al., No. 25A319. The document discusses an Executive Branch policy requiring passports to display an individual’s biological sex at birth. The highlighted passage reads: “Displaying passport holders’ sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth—in both cases.” The Court grants the government’s application for a stay at this preliminary stage, reasoning that the government is likely to succeed on the merits and that the policy does not violate equal protection principles.
November 6, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
piperformissouri.bsky.social
Dear National Democrats,

You see how progressive politics can win in the cities. Now come back to rural America and help us take over the country.
November 5, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
esqueer.net
Zohran Mamdani wins with >50% of the vote.

Clean sweeps in statewide races in New Jersey and Virginia.

Pennsylvania retains all democratic Supreme Court justices.

California passes prop 50.

This is the best possible outcome that could've happened tonight.
November 5, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
“While we cast our ballots alone, we chose hope together,” Zohran Mamdani declared in his victory speech in New York City. Mamdani, speaking of “a new era of leadership,” will be New York City’s next mayor.

On Dems, Debs, and DSA's big night:
Zohran Mamdani will be NYC's next mayor, as Dems win big across the board
“While we cast our ballots alone, we chose hope together,” Mamdani declared in his victory speech. Dems Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey also won.
www.lawdork.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:53 AM
profwaltermac.bsky.social
Listening to Mamdani and Spanberger tonight gave me hope again. Thanks to all who voted today.
November 5, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
gwensmith.com
“Your struggle is ours too." - Zohran Mamdani, 4th November, 2025

I just want to take a moment and contrast this with the Biden “we have your back” that the trans community heard once every year or so. It rang hollower with each utterance.
erininthemorning.com Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 6d
"Here we believe in standing up for those we love, whether you are an immigrant, a member of the trans community, one of the many black women Trump has fired, a single mom waiting for the cost of groceries to go down, or anyone else with your back against the wall. Your struggle is ours too."
November 5, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
MAMDANI: "I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life, but let tonight be the last time I utter his name ...."
November 5, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
erininthemorning.com
1. On Tuesday Night, Democrats won elections nationwide in a stunning rebuke of anti-transgender politics.

From Virginia to New Jersey to New York and beyond, anti-trans candidates fell left and right after spending tons of time and money campaigning on hate.

Subscribe to support our journalism.
"A Stunning Rebuke Of Anti-Trans Politics"—Dems Win Elections Nationwide Despite Anti-Trans Ads
As election results poured in on Tuesday night, it became clear that Democrats were winning nationwide against anti-trans opponents.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
trans.bsky.social
TRANS RIGHTS ARE A WINNING POLITICAL ISSUE

Every single centrist claiming we must all compromise our bodily autonomy for their personal comfort is a traitor to American democracy & rational human decency.

They have no place in a modern Democratic Party, toss them out. Total liberation for all.
estibass.com esti @estibass.com · Jun 25
Zohran at the rally for trans youth on february 8 ❣️ he was polling single digits.
Zohran standing amidst a crowd in winter clothing
November 5, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
The last New York City mayoral candidate to secure over 1 million votes was John Lindsay in 1969.

Zohran Mamdani will be the seventh New York City mayor ever to receive more than 1 million votes.
chrisgeidner.bsky.social Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 6d
OVER 1 MILLION VOTES.
N.Y.C. Mayoral Election Results › Candidate Party Votes Pct. Mamdani K Dem. 1,018,190 50.3% Cuomo Ind. 841,476 41.6 Sliwa Rep. 144,554 7.1 89% of votes in Source: Associated Press
November 5, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
npr.org
Public health leaders convene in Washington, D.C. this week to defend their vision for America's health, and look ahead for how to rebuild after the Trump administration's attacks on the system. n.pr/43O0EY7
With MAHA on the rise, traditional public health regroups
Public health leaders convene in Washington, D.C. this week to defend their vision for America's health, and look ahead for how to rebuild after the Trump administration's attacks on the system.
n.pr
November 4, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
apha.org
The U.S. public health system has been gutted this year. But advocates have a chance to rebuild it in an even better way, according to #APHA2025 speakers: www.apha.org/publications...
November 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
profgoldberg.bsky.social
👀
atheendar.bsky.social Atheendar Venkataramani @atheendar.bsky.social · 7d
1/ New paper w/ @rourkeobrien.bsky.social, @clowenstein.bsky.social, and Elizabeth Bair showing how the Voting Rights Act had starkly different effects on #mortality by race and age -- and the potential importance of #status #threat in explaining these findings.

www.nber.org/papers/w34421
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
neguse.house.gov
The Trump administration’s lawlessness cannot be ignored.

Period.
October 31, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Reposted by Heather Walter-McCabe
sarahkateellis.bsky.social
Every major medical association and leading world health authority supports health care for transgender people and youth.

Here are excerpts from 30+ organizations’ statements ⤵️
glaad.org/medical-asso...
Medical Association Statements in Support of Health Care for Transgender People and Youth | GLAAD
Original article posted June 21,2023 Every major medical association and leading world health authority supports health care for transgender people and youth. They are also increasingly speaking out a...
glaad.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM