Jameel Jaffer
@jameeljaffer.bsky.social
Director, Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University; Exec Editor, Just Security; former ACLU. knightcolumbia.org.
The intro to Judge Rita Lin's 76-page opinion holding that the Trump admin's pressure campaign against the University of California system is coercive and retaliatory in violation of the First Amendment. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 15, 2025 at 1:12 AM
The intro to Judge Rita Lin's 76-page opinion holding that the Trump admin's pressure campaign against the University of California system is coercive and retaliatory in violation of the First Amendment. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Congrats and thanks to @aaup.org —this is a big victory that will help protect universities across the country.
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Congrats and thanks to @aaup.org —this is a big victory that will help protect universities across the country.
MAGA’s ongoing war on academic freedom, reflected in headlines from the last 24 hours.
November 14, 2025 at 1:17 PM
MAGA’s ongoing war on academic freedom, reflected in headlines from the last 24 hours.
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
📍NEXT THURSDAY 11/20 at 6pm ET: Join a film screening and conversation with @ramyakrishnan.bsky.social, @azmatzahra.bsky.social & Nadia Abu El-Haj. Co-sponsored by @knightcolumbia.org & @columbiajournalism.bsky.social. Open to CUID holders only. Register here: knightcolumbia.org/events/the-e...
November 13, 2025 at 8:42 PM
📍NEXT THURSDAY 11/20 at 6pm ET: Join a film screening and conversation with @ramyakrishnan.bsky.social, @azmatzahra.bsky.social & Nadia Abu El-Haj. Co-sponsored by @knightcolumbia.org & @columbiajournalism.bsky.social. Open to CUID holders only. Register here: knightcolumbia.org/events/the-e...
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
Monday 12:30 ET: The chilling effects of the Trump administration's policies (and jawboning) are widespread - how are they being challenged in court, and what is the state of 1A doctrine on chilling effects? An expert panel will discuss, including current cases AAUP v. Rubio and UAW v. State Dept:
Want to learn more about chilling effects and why they matter to the First Amendment? Join our webinar with litigators and experts on Monday, Nov. 17, including @carriedecell.bsky.social @evelyndouek.bsky.social @penney.bsky.social @stacylivingston.bsky.social:
knightcolumbia.org/events/litig...
knightcolumbia.org/events/litig...
Litigating Chilling Effects
knightcolumbia.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Monday 12:30 ET: The chilling effects of the Trump administration's policies (and jawboning) are widespread - how are they being challenged in court, and what is the state of 1A doctrine on chilling effects? An expert panel will discuss, including current cases AAUP v. Rubio and UAW v. State Dept:
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
WATCH: @raskin.house.gov explains the deal that would allow eight GOP senators lucrative lawsuits over phone record subpoenas:
"It's certainly the most corrupt provision authorizing financial self-dealing and plunder of the public passed by Congress in this century."
"It's certainly the most corrupt provision authorizing financial self-dealing and plunder of the public passed by Congress in this century."
November 13, 2025 at 4:32 AM
WATCH: @raskin.house.gov explains the deal that would allow eight GOP senators lucrative lawsuits over phone record subpoenas:
"It's certainly the most corrupt provision authorizing financial self-dealing and plunder of the public passed by Congress in this century."
"It's certainly the most corrupt provision authorizing financial self-dealing and plunder of the public passed by Congress in this century."
The whole world can see that these boat strikes are murder. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
US strikes against boats in Caribbean ‘disregard international law’, French minister says
G7 foreign ministers questioned Marco Rubio about the attacks on what the Trump administration claims are drug smugglers
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The whole world can see that these boat strikes are murder. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
“Lawyering Without Law” — @knightcolumbia.org call for proposals. knightcolumbia.org/blog/call-fo...
November 12, 2025 at 1:19 PM
“Lawyering Without Law” — @knightcolumbia.org call for proposals. knightcolumbia.org/blog/call-fo...
Not satisfied with having humiliated and weakened ABC and CBS, Trump turns his attention to the BBC. It goes without saying that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, self-styled champion of democracy, will raise no objection at all to this assault on press freedom. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/w...
A Trump Lawsuit Against the BBC Would Face Serious Hurdles
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Not satisfied with having humiliated and weakened ABC and CBS, Trump turns his attention to the BBC. It goes without saying that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, self-styled champion of democracy, will raise no objection at all to this assault on press freedom. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/w...
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
For more on how Kirk’s murder led to Trump’s team claiming to see Antifa everywhere — and what might come next — check out my new @lawfaremedia.org piece:
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what...
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez DeRemer: "It has been less than 2 months since Charlie Kirk was murdered, and the radical left is at it again. Antifa groups are terrorizing some of our cities ... I am so grateful that he has deployed the National Guard. The American people deserve law and order."
November 11, 2025 at 7:18 PM
For more on how Kirk’s murder led to Trump’s team claiming to see Antifa everywhere — and what might come next — check out my new @lawfaremedia.org piece:
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what...
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
Senators’ new privacy right illustrates the dire state of our democracy. The pluses are that it insulates against Trump abusing power to investigate his opponents and the cons are that it enables senatorial corruption.
Everyone should be able to sue for privacy violations. But not like this.
1/n
Everyone should be able to sue for privacy violations. But not like this.
1/n
It’s a sign of the times that the only Americans who will be able to obtain damages for constitutional violations are these corrupt Senators whose rights weren’t violated at all.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Senators’ new privacy right illustrates the dire state of our democracy. The pluses are that it insulates against Trump abusing power to investigate his opponents and the cons are that it enables senatorial corruption.
Everyone should be able to sue for privacy violations. But not like this.
1/n
Everyone should be able to sue for privacy violations. But not like this.
1/n
The United States' closest allies see the boat strikes as flagrantly unlawful, and understandably they want nothing to do with them.
NEW via CNN: “The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal”
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
www.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:07 PM
The United States' closest allies see the boat strikes as flagrantly unlawful, and understandably they want nothing to do with them.
Congress should be demanding much more than this, btw. If the Trump admin had charged these alleged drug-traffickers with crimes, they'd have had to introduce evidence in open court. Congress should demand that the Trump admin disclose that evidence now, if it exists. 1/2
The New York Times has quietly sued for access to video footage of Trump's flagrantly unlawful boat strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 11, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Congress should be demanding much more than this, btw. If the Trump admin had charged these alleged drug-traffickers with crimes, they'd have had to introduce evidence in open court. Congress should demand that the Trump admin disclose that evidence now, if it exists. 1/2
The New York Times has quietly sued for access to video footage of Trump's flagrantly unlawful boat strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 11, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The New York Times has quietly sued for access to video footage of Trump's flagrantly unlawful boat strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
It’s a sign of the times that the only Americans who will be able to obtain damages for constitutional violations are these corrupt Senators whose rights weren’t violated at all.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
It’s a sign of the times that the only Americans who will be able to obtain damages for constitutional violations are these corrupt Senators whose rights weren’t violated at all.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Major new @knightcolumbia.org initiative will address the role of the legal profession in the defense of democratic values and institutions. Excited to have the chance to work with Prof Madhav Khosla on this. knightcolumbia.org/content/new-...
New Knight Institute Initiative Will Explore the Role of the Legal Profession in an Age of Authoritarianism
knightcolumbia.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Major new @knightcolumbia.org initiative will address the role of the legal profession in the defense of democratic values and institutions. Excited to have the chance to work with Prof Madhav Khosla on this. knightcolumbia.org/content/new-...
The court already ruled that Rubio and Noem are violating the First Amendment. Now we’re asking for remedies. knightcolumbia.org/content/knig...
Knight Institute Asks Court to Block Trump Administration From Deporting Foreign Citizens for Pro-Palestinian Advocacy
knightcolumbia.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The court already ruled that Rubio and Noem are violating the First Amendment. Now we’re asking for remedies. knightcolumbia.org/content/knig...
This is really good--one of the most powerful and insightful pieces I've read about what @qjurecic.bsky.social appropriately calls "The Third Red Scare." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
November 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
This is really good--one of the most powerful and insightful pieces I've read about what @qjurecic.bsky.social appropriately calls "The Third Red Scare." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Boston Globe just filed a motion for access to the still-sealed materials that Judge William Young relied on to hold that Rubio and Noem violated the First Amendment by arresting and threatening to deport students for their pro-Palestinian advocacy. www.courtlistener.com/docket/69784...
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The Boston Globe just filed a motion for access to the still-sealed materials that Judge William Young relied on to hold that Rubio and Noem violated the First Amendment by arresting and threatening to deport students for their pro-Palestinian advocacy. www.courtlistener.com/docket/69784...
I hope this is a joke but I’m pretty sure it’s not.
yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/10...
yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/10...
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I hope this is a joke but I’m pretty sure it’s not.
yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/10...
yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/10...
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
Nearly two decades after my book on Cheney, I took a shot at assessing his legacy. It’s more complicated than you might think. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
What I Learned About Dick Cheney
The former vice president was certain he knew better than the citizens he served what was good for them.
www.theatlantic.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Nearly two decades after my book on Cheney, I took a shot at assessing his legacy. It’s more complicated than you might think. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
The incredible shrinking attack on U.S. universities continues.
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
November 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The incredible shrinking attack on U.S. universities continues.
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
Reposted by Jameel Jaffer
“ICE loves to demand our papers but it seems they don’t like it as much when we demand theirs,” said Ginger Quintero-McCall, one of FPF's lawyers in our latest FOIA lawsuit against the immigration agency.
FPF takes ICE to court over dangerous secrecy
FOIA lawsuit targets ICE’s efforts to stop congressional oversight of detention facilities
freedom.press
November 7, 2025 at 8:34 PM
“ICE loves to demand our papers but it seems they don’t like it as much when we demand theirs,” said Ginger Quintero-McCall, one of FPF's lawyers in our latest FOIA lawsuit against the immigration agency.
The NYT has used some version of this sentence in multiple stories about the Columbia settlement but it is highly misleading. Yes, the Columbia settlement included that pledge, but it also included multiple terms that “dictate academic matters.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
November 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The NYT has used some version of this sentence in multiple stories about the Columbia settlement but it is highly misleading. Yes, the Columbia settlement included that pledge, but it also included multiple terms that “dictate academic matters.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
If the Trump admin had evidence that Cornell systemically discriminated against Jewish students in violation of Title VI, it wouldn't let the university off the hook for a $30m investment in research about AI, robotics, and farming. /1
November 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
If the Trump admin had evidence that Cornell systemically discriminated against Jewish students in violation of Title VI, it wouldn't let the university off the hook for a $30m investment in research about AI, robotics, and farming. /1