Richard Primus
@richardprimus.bsky.social
Professor, University of Michigan Law School. Senior Editorial Adviser, Journal of American Constitutional History. I study the constitutional past and try to do my part for the rule of law in the present.
Pinned
Richard Primus
@richardprimus.bsky.social
· Mar 25
So after Paul Weiss makes a deal, they come for Jenner.
No sane person thinks it will stop there.
Three choices: fight now, fight later from a weaker position, or give up and let them do whatever they want. No other options.
No sane person thinks it will stop there.
Three choices: fight now, fight later from a weaker position, or give up and let them do whatever they want. No other options.
Reposted by Richard Primus
Is anyone talking about Richard Primus’ new book? This would be a GREAT way for congress to begin fixing their learned helplessness. Primus analyzes anew the popular application of the enumerated powers in the book. (Hopefully I am grasping it correctly as a layman.) @richardprimus.bsky.social
Richard Primus (@richardprimus.bsky.social)
Professor, University of Michigan Law School. Senior Editorial Adviser, Journal of American Constitutional History. I study the constitutional past and try to do my part for the rule of law in the pre...
richardprimus.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Is anyone talking about Richard Primus’ new book? This would be a GREAT way for congress to begin fixing their learned helplessness. Primus analyzes anew the popular application of the enumerated powers in the book. (Hopefully I am grasping it correctly as a layman.) @richardprimus.bsky.social
Thread. This is good news.
VICTORY: Judge Ellis granted the most powerful rebuke of the Trump admin’s immigration enforcement tactics yet — a preliminary injunction to more permanently stop the violent and lawless tactics federal agents have deployed against protestors, press, and clergy in the Chicago area.
November 6, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Thread. This is good news.
Reposted by Richard Primus
Great column by @jamellebouie.net on how a future Congress can wield its "broad array of powers" to restore our democracy. With quotes from excellent books by @richardprimus.bsky.social and my @georgetownlaw.bsky.social colleague @joshchafetz.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Opinion | The Empty Promises of Trump’s Imperial Presidency
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Great column by @jamellebouie.net on how a future Congress can wield its "broad array of powers" to restore our democracy. With quotes from excellent books by @richardprimus.bsky.social and my @georgetownlaw.bsky.social colleague @joshchafetz.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Reposted by Richard Primus
Later today, with the support of @sbagen.bsky.social and @richardprimus.bsky.social, I’ll be moving a Faculty Senate resolution calling on the University of Michigan to reject the federal government’s proposed “Academic Compact.” Join the discussion if you can! docs.google.com/document/u/0...
11.3.25 Senate Motion3.docx
The University of Michigan University Senate Motion #110325-3 Resolution to Reject Participation in the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” Whereas on 1 October 2025 the Trump Admin...
docs.google.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Later today, with the support of @sbagen.bsky.social and @richardprimus.bsky.social, I’ll be moving a Faculty Senate resolution calling on the University of Michigan to reject the federal government’s proposed “Academic Compact.” Join the discussion if you can! docs.google.com/document/u/0...
In which two leading experts focus on a timely question: How should courts deal with an executive branch that asks the judiciary for special favors while behaving rather badly?
@williambaude.bsky.social
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
@williambaude.bsky.social
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
When the Executive Has Unclean Hands
Those who come into equity must come with clean hands. But what happens when it is the executive who seeks equitable relief? This Essay argues that the unclean-
papers.ssrn.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:58 PM
In which two leading experts focus on a timely question: How should courts deal with an executive branch that asks the judiciary for special favors while behaving rather badly?
@williambaude.bsky.social
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
@williambaude.bsky.social
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
In the Trump Presidency, the Rules Are Vague. That Might Be the Point.
www.nytimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Richard Primus
There are a lot of important threads in here, but Trump getting one of his billionaire friends to fund the military really gets me. I want the troops to be paid. But a privately funded army, which evades Congress’s power to oversee how the $ is spent, should ring all our republican alarms.
October 31, 2025 at 10:50 AM
There are a lot of important threads in here, but Trump getting one of his billionaire friends to fund the military really gets me. I want the troops to be paid. But a privately funded army, which evades Congress’s power to oversee how the $ is spent, should ring all our republican alarms.
Reposted by Richard Primus
But the key point is that winning really matters. On climate especially, the worst Democrat in DC is (and was when it was Manchin!) significantly more helpful than the best Republican.
October 31, 2025 at 11:37 AM
But the key point is that winning really matters. On climate especially, the worst Democrat in DC is (and was when it was Manchin!) significantly more helpful than the best Republican.
Reposted by Richard Primus
Climate hawks (like me!) should listen to the Deciding to Win/Searchlight/Yglesias warning that climate talk turns off swing voters. But here’s some popular stuff to talk about:
- Solar
- Clean air (even Trump talks it up!)
- Denial is dumb
- Banning renewables is bad
- Solar
- Clean air (even Trump talks it up!)
- Denial is dumb
- Banning renewables is bad
October 31, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Climate hawks (like me!) should listen to the Deciding to Win/Searchlight/Yglesias warning that climate talk turns off swing voters. But here’s some popular stuff to talk about:
- Solar
- Clean air (even Trump talks it up!)
- Denial is dumb
- Banning renewables is bad
- Solar
- Clean air (even Trump talks it up!)
- Denial is dumb
- Banning renewables is bad
Important.
Tomorrow, the Trump-Vance admin will publish a new rule allowing the Dept of Ed to disqualify employers from Public Service Loan Forgiveness that disagree w/ their right-wing agenda.
It’s an unlawful attack on nurses, teachers, first responders & public service workers.
We will see them in court.
It’s an unlawful attack on nurses, teachers, first responders & public service workers.
We will see them in court.
October 30, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Important.
Few amicus briefs move the needle. Kudos to @martylederman.bsky.social for being the exception. And in such an important case.
There's a longstanding debate over the value of law professor amicus briefs at #SCOTUS.
I'll just note that the additional briefing the Court ordered today in the Illinois National Guard case was in direct response to an amicus brief filed by ... a law professor (@martylederman.bsky.social).
I'll just note that the additional briefing the Court ordered today in the Illinois National Guard case was in direct response to an amicus brief filed by ... a law professor (@martylederman.bsky.social).
October 30, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Few amicus briefs move the needle. Kudos to @martylederman.bsky.social for being the exception. And in such an important case.
Reposted by Richard Primus
#CollectiveCourage: Roughly 7 million Americans — one in every 34 people! — peacefully and patriotically defended democracy at #NoKings demonstrations, making it the largest protest gathering in American history. The movement doesn’t stop there, here’s some suggestions to keep up the momentum:
The introverts’ guide to fighting for democracy
Fighting for democracy as an introvert can be difficult, but you’ve taken the first and most difficult step: committing to action.
protectdemocracy.org
October 29, 2025 at 6:08 PM
#CollectiveCourage: Roughly 7 million Americans — one in every 34 people! — peacefully and patriotically defended democracy at #NoKings demonstrations, making it the largest protest gathering in American history. The movement doesn’t stop there, here’s some suggestions to keep up the momentum:
Enroute to the Byrd Center for Congressional Research in Shepherdstown, WV, to talk about enumerated powers. If you’re in the area, come participate!
October 30, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Enroute to the Byrd Center for Congressional Research in Shepherdstown, WV, to talk about enumerated powers. If you’re in the area, come participate!
Good for the Wayne County Airport Authority.
October 30, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Good for the Wayne County Airport Authority.
It is absolutely not OK for the Administration to hold a military-issues briefing restricted to members of a single political party. There is nothing--nothing--where nonpartisanship is more essential than in the governance of the military. A one-party military is not an instutition of a democracy.
Democrats are furious that the Trump Administration held a briefing on Capitol Hill today about U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats. Only Republicans were invited. This is from Sen. Mark Warner D-VA.
October 30, 2025 at 1:03 AM
It is absolutely not OK for the Administration to hold a military-issues briefing restricted to members of a single political party. There is nothing--nothing--where nonpartisanship is more essential than in the governance of the military. A one-party military is not an instutition of a democracy.
Reposted by Richard Primus
Fantastic @jamellebouie.net column today -- and not *just* because he quotes @richardprimus.bsky.social and me ... www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Opinion | The Empty Promises of Trump’s Imperial Presidency
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Fantastic @jamellebouie.net column today -- and not *just* because he quotes @richardprimus.bsky.social and me ... www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
We're still waiting for the Supreme Court to act on DJT's petition for emergency relief from a federal district court's order impeding the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. Below, some thoughts on why this case is so important. H/t Max Weber.
open.substack.com/pub/richardp...
open.substack.com/pub/richardp...
The Emperor's New Court
Max Weber comes to Chicago
open.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:36 PM
We're still waiting for the Supreme Court to act on DJT's petition for emergency relief from a federal district court's order impeding the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. Below, some thoughts on why this case is so important. H/t Max Weber.
open.substack.com/pub/richardp...
open.substack.com/pub/richardp...
Reposted by Richard Primus
Outstanding @jamellebouie.net column. Or as I might say it, Mister we could use a man like Thaddeus Stevens again. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Opinion | The Empty Promises of Trump’s Imperial Presidency
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Outstanding @jamellebouie.net column. Or as I might say it, Mister we could use a man like Thaddeus Stevens again. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Opinion | The Empty Promises of Trump’s Imperial Presidency
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Thread on today’s hearing in Chicago.
Greetings from the Dirksen federal courthouse, where Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino is set to appear before U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis.
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, Who Fired Tear Gas at Little Village Crowd, Set to Face Federal Judge
U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis ordered Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino to appear in her courtroom at the Dirksen Federal Building in downtown Chicago at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
news.wttw.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Thread on today’s hearing in Chicago.
Tonight!
Ann Arbor: On Tuesday at 6:30pm, at Literati Bookstore downtown, Gil Seinfeld will interview me about my new book, *The Oldest Constitutional Question.*
literatibookstore.com/event/2025-1...
literatibookstore.com/event/2025-1...
Richard Primus: The Oldest Constitutional Question
An independent bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Staff picks, curated displays, author events, book clubs, book subscriptions, and more.
literatibookstore.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Tonight!
Reposted by Richard Primus
If the game goes much longer, Koufax will need to suit up. (He turns 90 in December.)
October 28, 2025 at 4:46 AM
If the game goes much longer, Koufax will need to suit up. (He turns 90 in December.)
Do people know about this Ohtani guy? He seems good.
October 28, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Do people know about this Ohtani guy? He seems good.