Jim Hicks
@jimhicks.bsky.social
memento mori sed memento vivere
Lover of semi-colons, singular they, and the Oxford Comma
Lover of semi-colons, singular they, and the Oxford Comma
Pinned
Jim Hicks
@jimhicks.bsky.social
· Apr 18
Ok y’all … stay here for higher ed and politics and occasional sports.
Go to @chattagooner.bsky.social for CFC and LLS stuff.
Go to @chattagooner.bsky.social for CFC and LLS stuff.
Well, it’s about damn time.
NEWS: The Fifth Circuit today reversed Judge Matt Kacsmaryk's ruling allowing West Texas A&M's president to ban a charity drag show on campus.
Today, Judge Leslie Southwick, a GWB appointee, wrote the opinion reversing Kacsmaryk.
Background at Law Dork: www.lawdork.com/p/university...
Today, Judge Leslie Southwick, a GWB appointee, wrote the opinion reversing Kacsmaryk.
Background at Law Dork: www.lawdork.com/p/university...
August 19, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Well, it’s about damn time.
Reposted by Jim Hicks
Well done, John Roberts.
NEW: Trump’s budget chief suggested today he doesn’t need Congress or the Constitution to force through massive cuts to federal spending, as Trump demonstrates he’s “not cowing to a legislative branch’s understanding of its own authorities and powers.” www.huffpost.com/entry/russ-v...
Trump's Budget Chief Is About To Go Rogue On Massive Spending Cuts
Russ Vought said to expect more massive spending cuts because Trump is "not cowing to a legislative branch’s understanding of its own authorities and powers."
www.huffpost.com
July 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Well done, John Roberts.
but but I have it on the good authority of Advisory Opinions that it’s NOT a conservative 6-3 court, Steve.
Since April 4, #SCOTUS has issued 15 rulings on 17 emergency applications filed by Trump (three birthright citizenship apps were consolidated).
It has granted relief to Trump ... in all 15 rulings.
It has written majority opinions in only 3.
Today's order is the 7th with no explanation *at all.*
It has granted relief to Trump ... in all 15 rulings.
It has written majority opinions in only 3.
Today's order is the 7th with no explanation *at all.*
Here we go again: Over an acerbic dissenting opinion by Justice Sotomayor (joined in full by Justices Kagan and Jackson), #SCOTUS, with no explanation, grants a stay in the Department of Education RIFs case—effectively clearing the way for the Trump administration to dismantle much of the agency:
July 14, 2025 at 11:56 PM
but but I have it on the good authority of Advisory Opinions that it’s NOT a conservative 6-3 court, Steve.
Reposted by Jim Hicks
My quick take on Monday afternoon's unexplained #SCOTUS ruling in the Department of Education downsizing case—and how the justices' inconsistent treatment of the (similarly postured) student loan cases during the Biden administration illustrates in technicolor why the Court needs to explain itself:
167. The Inconsistent Court Strikes Again
Comparing Monday's unexplained grant of emergency relief in the Department of Education downsizing case to how the justices handled President Biden's student loan program is ... telling.
www.stevevladeck.com
July 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
My quick take on Monday afternoon's unexplained #SCOTUS ruling in the Department of Education downsizing case—and how the justices' inconsistent treatment of the (similarly postured) student loan cases during the Biden administration illustrates in technicolor why the Court needs to explain itself:
Reposted by Jim Hicks
The missing piece of this viral post is that the Texas officials are lying and deflecting blame. The NWS, hobbled as it is, issued an accurate flood watch for Kerr County the evening before and accurate escalating warnings overnight as the flood was developing.
After media reports & experts warned for months that drastic & sudden cuts at the Nat Weather Service by Trump could impair their forecasting ability & endanger lives during the storm season, TX officials blame an inaccurate forecast by NWS for the deadly results of the flood.
July 5, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The missing piece of this viral post is that the Texas officials are lying and deflecting blame. The NWS, hobbled as it is, issued an accurate flood watch for Kerr County the evening before and accurate escalating warnings overnight as the flood was developing.
Reposted by Jim Hicks
I just want these folks to ponder how they would react to some dirtbag claiming that they don't have any sympathy for Sandy Hook because Connecticut consistently votes blue.
That's what they're doing.
That's what they're doing.
July 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I just want these folks to ponder how they would react to some dirtbag claiming that they don't have any sympathy for Sandy Hook because Connecticut consistently votes blue.
That's what they're doing.
That's what they're doing.
FFS. Delete this, then put your phone down and go touch some grass.
July 5, 2025 at 5:33 PM
FFS. Delete this, then put your phone down and go touch some grass.
Reposted by Jim Hicks
Respectfully, news orgs should not report that "Harvard can no longer" do xyz -- Trump just saying some shit doesn't make it law. Stop carrying water for him rhetorically.
Harvard can no longer enroll international students after the Trump administration revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. The school called the decision "unlawful."
Trump administration revokes Harvard's ability to enroll international students
Harvard can no longer enroll international students after the Trump administration revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. The school called the decision "unlawful."
www.wbur.org
May 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Respectfully, news orgs should not report that "Harvard can no longer" do xyz -- Trump just saying some shit doesn't make it law. Stop carrying water for him rhetorically.
A TRO seems like a no brainer. I would hope they also ask for an injunction to just stop this until they can get it in front of a judge.
This is insane and not the kind of authority over Higher Ed that anyone with a brain wants to give the Federal Government .
This is insane and not the kind of authority over Higher Ed that anyone with a brain wants to give the Federal Government .
I presume we're going to see a lawsuit and request for TRO, maybe even as soon as today?
Sucks that Harvard will have to pay for more lawyers, but it must, and at this point it probably knows. No point having its other lawsuit and surrendering on this.
Sucks that Harvard will have to pay for more lawyers, but it must, and at this point it probably knows. No point having its other lawsuit and surrendering on this.
Here's the letter Noem sent Harvard, as posted on X. Nothing alleges ANY specific violation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Nothing. She cites no law violated, no regulation broken, no policy ignored.
I don't care what you think of Harvard; this is clear weaponization of government.
I don't care what you think of Harvard; this is clear weaponization of government.
May 22, 2025 at 7:39 PM
A TRO seems like a no brainer. I would hope they also ask for an injunction to just stop this until they can get it in front of a judge.
This is insane and not the kind of authority over Higher Ed that anyone with a brain wants to give the Federal Government .
This is insane and not the kind of authority over Higher Ed that anyone with a brain wants to give the Federal Government .
Reposted by Jim Hicks
I presume we're going to see a lawsuit and request for TRO, maybe even as soon as today?
Sucks that Harvard will have to pay for more lawyers, but it must, and at this point it probably knows. No point having its other lawsuit and surrendering on this.
Sucks that Harvard will have to pay for more lawyers, but it must, and at this point it probably knows. No point having its other lawsuit and surrendering on this.
Here's the letter Noem sent Harvard, as posted on X. Nothing alleges ANY specific violation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Nothing. She cites no law violated, no regulation broken, no policy ignored.
I don't care what you think of Harvard; this is clear weaponization of government.
I don't care what you think of Harvard; this is clear weaponization of government.
May 22, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I presume we're going to see a lawsuit and request for TRO, maybe even as soon as today?
Sucks that Harvard will have to pay for more lawyers, but it must, and at this point it probably knows. No point having its other lawsuit and surrendering on this.
Sucks that Harvard will have to pay for more lawyers, but it must, and at this point it probably knows. No point having its other lawsuit and surrendering on this.
Can’t wait to hear The Dispatch tell me on Advisory Opinions that Alito and Thomas actually have a good point.
This is an unusual order for several reasons, suggesting the majority thought it necessary. This was issued:
• after midnight
• before the government even responded (perhaps most irregular)
• while a Fifth Circuit request remains pending &
• before a dissenting justice could finish their statement.
• after midnight
• before the government even responded (perhaps most irregular)
• while a Fifth Circuit request remains pending &
• before a dissenting justice could finish their statement.
April 19, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Can’t wait to hear The Dispatch tell me on Advisory Opinions that Alito and Thomas actually have a good point.
I think it is fucking disgusting that this latest SCOTUS order isn’t 9-0.
April 19, 2025 at 5:27 AM
I think it is fucking disgusting that this latest SCOTUS order isn’t 9-0.
What the actual fuck is happening? These assholes are even more incompetent than they are malicious.
April 19, 2025 at 5:19 AM
What the actual fuck is happening? These assholes are even more incompetent than they are malicious.
Reposted by Jim Hicks
I think if Trump announced his coronation ceremony as emperor at national cathedral alito and thomas would support it bsky.app/profile/stev...
BREAKING: SCOTUS orders the government not to remove from the country, for the time being, any of the individuals slated for possible deportation to El Salvador. The vote is apparently 7-2, with Justices Thomas and Alito in dissent
April 19, 2025 at 5:09 AM
I think if Trump announced his coronation ceremony as emperor at national cathedral alito and thomas would support it bsky.app/profile/stev...
Can’t wait to read the depraved rantings of Alito later.
BREAKING: SCOTUS orders the government not to remove from the country, for the time being, any of the individuals slated for possible deportation to El Salvador. The vote is apparently 7-2, with Justices Thomas and Alito in dissent
April 19, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Can’t wait to read the depraved rantings of Alito later.
Apparently there are no rules and nothing matters. Some judges will just do what they want and make up the reasons later.
As Steve notes here, and as Judge Pillard points out in her dissenting footnote, the two Trump judges are pretty much bending the rules of appellate procedure to reach this outcome. bsky.app/profile/stev...
Chief Judge Boasberg's probable cause ruling is *not* an appealable order.
DOJ can ask the D.C. Circuit for an extraordinary writ of mandamus, but that requires showing that the district court ruling both (1) was clearly wrong; and (2) is not otherwise capable of being remedied on a future appeal.
DOJ can ask the D.C. Circuit for an extraordinary writ of mandamus, but that requires showing that the district court ruling both (1) was clearly wrong; and (2) is not otherwise capable of being remedied on a future appeal.
April 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Apparently there are no rules and nothing matters. Some judges will just do what they want and make up the reasons later.
Reposted by Jim Hicks
Welp:
Not so fast, says D.C. Circuit—with two Trump judges siding with Trump and voting to freeze Judge Boasberg’s order until at least next week.
(Both Katsas and Rao worked for the first Trump White House, one as deputy White House counsel and the other as OIRA head.) bsky.app/profile/josh...
Not so fast, says D.C. Circuit—with two Trump judges siding with Trump and voting to freeze Judge Boasberg’s order until at least next week.
(Both Katsas and Rao worked for the first Trump White House, one as deputy White House counsel and the other as OIRA head.) bsky.app/profile/josh...
JUST IN: D.C. Circuit halts Judge James Boasberg's plan for contempt-related proceedings v. Trump administration in case involving deportations of Venezuelans to El Salvador prison. "Administrative stay" for now. Doc: www.documentcloud.org/documents/25... Earlier: www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
JGGContemptCADCOrd041925
www.documentcloud.org
April 19, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Welp:
Not so fast, says D.C. Circuit—with two Trump judges siding with Trump and voting to freeze Judge Boasberg’s order until at least next week.
(Both Katsas and Rao worked for the first Trump White House, one as deputy White House counsel and the other as OIRA head.) bsky.app/profile/josh...
Not so fast, says D.C. Circuit—with two Trump judges siding with Trump and voting to freeze Judge Boasberg’s order until at least next week.
(Both Katsas and Rao worked for the first Trump White House, one as deputy White House counsel and the other as OIRA head.) bsky.app/profile/josh...
THIS
I don't really care what the "political consequences" are of fighting for the proposition that *everyone* is entitled to due process before they are removed from the United States and sent to a Salvadoran prison.
It's not really a principle if you only adhere to it when it's politically expedient.
It's not really a principle if you only adhere to it when it's politically expedient.
April 19, 2025 at 4:53 AM
THIS
Ok y’all … stay here for higher ed and politics and occasional sports.
Go to @chattagooner.bsky.social for CFC and LLS stuff.
Go to @chattagooner.bsky.social for CFC and LLS stuff.
April 18, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Ok y’all … stay here for higher ed and politics and occasional sports.
Go to @chattagooner.bsky.social for CFC and LLS stuff.
Go to @chattagooner.bsky.social for CFC and LLS stuff.
Reposted by Jim Hicks
The White House basically gave Boasberg no choice. And unless they start cooperating very quickly, possibly even if they do, they’re looking at criminal contempt like a freight train. That’s going to raise some tricky issues of penalty, but the underlying finding should be secure. What total jerks.
April 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The White House basically gave Boasberg no choice. And unless they start cooperating very quickly, possibly even if they do, they’re looking at criminal contempt like a freight train. That’s going to raise some tricky issues of penalty, but the underlying finding should be secure. What total jerks.
Reposted by Jim Hicks
I enthusiastically aid and abet terrorism.
JUST IN: Deputy Assistant to the President and "Counterterrorism Czar" Sebastian Gorka says anyone advocating for due process for Kilmar Abrego Garcia could be viewed as "aiding and abetting a terrorist" and be federally charged. (h/t Philip Germain)
April 17, 2025 at 3:03 AM
I enthusiastically aid and abet terrorism.
Bring it, Sebbie.
JUST IN: Deputy Assistant to the President and "Counterterrorism Czar" Sebastian Gorka says anyone advocating for due process for Kilmar Abrego Garcia could be viewed as "aiding and abetting a terrorist" and be federally charged. (h/t Philip Germain)
April 17, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Bring it, Sebbie.
Reposted by Jim Hicks
many of us have turned into champions of USL in the last few years but that doesn’t mean we have to be obtuse enough to not understand why Chattanooga FC is in MLS NP and continue to blame USL actions many years ago for this…
April 2, 2025 at 3:48 PM
many of us have turned into champions of USL in the last few years but that doesn’t mean we have to be obtuse enough to not understand why Chattanooga FC is in MLS NP and continue to blame USL actions many years ago for this…
Reposted by Jim Hicks
On the Chattanooga derby in the US Open Cup, USL, MLS, and the origins of a distinctly American soccer rivalry. For @nysoccertimes.com nysoccertimes.com/a-chattanoog...
A Chattanooga Derby Stoked By A Soccer War Gets Its US Open Cup Moment
Many of the biggest rivalries in sports grow from something beyond the competitive nature of the games themselves. When two Chattanooga teams meet in the US Open Cup second round on Wednesday night, i...
nysoccertimes.com
April 2, 2025 at 5:17 PM
On the Chattanooga derby in the US Open Cup, USL, MLS, and the origins of a distinctly American soccer rivalry. For @nysoccertimes.com nysoccertimes.com/a-chattanoog...