A moving and thoughtful piece from a great legal newsletter I highly recommend!
NEW: Gregory Bovino is exactly who E.B. White — author of 'Charlotte's Web' — warned us about.
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
Tonight, at Law Dork:
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
Tonight, at Law Dork:
Gregory Bovino is exactly who E.B. White — author of 'Charlotte's Web' — warned us about
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
www.lawdork.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:09 PM
A moving and thoughtful piece from a great legal newsletter I highly recommend!
This story is insane - a must read if you can stomach it. This is a “Kavanaugh stop” in action: citizen is violently detained after ICE rammed into her car, driven around for hours w/ no access to counsel or ability to contact family, then released w/ no explanation, medical attention, or recourse 😡
Agents forcibly opened her door and pulled her out of the vehicle by her legs without identifying themselves, presenting a warrant or informing her that she was under arrest. As bystanders yelled, “You hit her! We have it on video!” agents ignored the crowd and forced her into a van and drove away.
Chicago woman dragged out of her car after colliding with ICE demands accountability
The arrest of Dayanne Figueroa highlights growing concerns about the use of force against U.S. citizens and due process. She was released after a few hours without charges.
trib.al
November 4, 2025 at 12:15 AM
This story is insane - a must read if you can stomach it. This is a “Kavanaugh stop” in action: citizen is violently detained after ICE rammed into her car, driven around for hours w/ no access to counsel or ability to contact family, then released w/ no explanation, medical attention, or recourse 😡
Reposted by Julia S
If the Supreme Court lets Trump’s tariffs stand, he and future presidents could claim nonexistent emergencies to act unilaterally on any number of issues, from climate policy to technology regulation. bit.ly/43OZTxQ
What’s at Stake in the Supreme Court Tariffs Case
If the Court blesses the president’s use of emergency powers to evade Congress, the consequences would be profound.
www.brennancenter.org
November 4, 2025 at 12:02 AM
If the Supreme Court lets Trump’s tariffs stand, he and future presidents could claim nonexistent emergencies to act unilaterally on any number of issues, from climate policy to technology regulation. bit.ly/43OZTxQ
Reposted by Julia S
You can write this only if, by virtue of your income, identity, or both, you are utterly removed from the consequences of politics. To pretend that the racist, misogynistic, anti-gay vileness that Kirk spent his life spreading is secondary to the fact that he spread it "the right way" is appalling.
Charlie Kirk Was Practicing Politics the Right Way
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/o...
Opinion | Charlie Kirk Was Practicing Politics the Right Way
www.nytimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:21 PM
You can write this only if, by virtue of your income, identity, or both, you are utterly removed from the consequences of politics. To pretend that the racist, misogynistic, anti-gay vileness that Kirk spent his life spreading is secondary to the fact that he spread it "the right way" is appalling.
As @sifill.bsky.social says in her excellent substack, SCOTUS’ decision in Noem v Vasquez Perdomo is unconscionably out of touch w/ reality. But of course there’s no need for the justices to consider facts b/c that would give away their game: green-light the racist, fascist Trump agenda at all costs
SCOTUS, ICE Raids & The Matter of Facts
There is a lot one can say about today’s Supreme Court order lifting the stay issued by a federal district court in Noem v Vasquez Perdomo,[i]. This is the case that challenges the constitutionality o...
open.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:27 AM
As @sifill.bsky.social says in her excellent substack, SCOTUS’ decision in Noem v Vasquez Perdomo is unconscionably out of touch w/ reality. But of course there’s no need for the justices to consider facts b/c that would give away their game: green-light the racist, fascist Trump agenda at all costs
Reposted by Julia S
Bottom feeders, these people. Deporting children, alone, back to dangerous situations. What stories do they have to tell themselves to justify doing this? That the children are dangerous criminals??
How can they sleep at night?
How can they sleep at night?
Judge Sooknanan: As I said at the start of this hearing, I got a call at 2:36 am [last night] because the government chose the wee hours of the morning on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend to execute a plan to move these children. That's why we're here.
September 1, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Bottom feeders, these people. Deporting children, alone, back to dangerous situations. What stories do they have to tell themselves to justify doing this? That the children are dangerous criminals??
How can they sleep at night?
How can they sleep at night?
This has got to be a nod to @strictscrutiny.bsky.social’s “stare decisis is for suckers” right??
“It’s the toxic combination of the conservative SCOTUS majority + a political party that believes longstanding norms are for suckers and that lacks any commitment to fair play and majority rule.”
“It’s the toxic combination of the conservative SCOTUS majority + a political party that believes longstanding norms are for suckers and that lacks any commitment to fair play and majority rule.”
Opinion | Trump Isn’t the Only One to Blame for the Gerrymander Mess
www.nytimes.com
August 14, 2025 at 12:39 PM
This has got to be a nod to @strictscrutiny.bsky.social’s “stare decisis is for suckers” right??
“It’s the toxic combination of the conservative SCOTUS majority + a political party that believes longstanding norms are for suckers and that lacks any commitment to fair play and majority rule.”
“It’s the toxic combination of the conservative SCOTUS majority + a political party that believes longstanding norms are for suckers and that lacks any commitment to fair play and majority rule.”
Reposted by Julia S
Yesterday, President Trump took to Truth Social to call on Washington, DC to change its laws to charge more children as adults.
At Juvenile Law Center, we believe in treating kids as kids and we have been fighting against charging children as adults for half a century. Here's why.
At Juvenile Law Center, we believe in treating kids as kids and we have been fighting against charging children as adults for half a century. Here's why.
August 6, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Yesterday, President Trump took to Truth Social to call on Washington, DC to change its laws to charge more children as adults.
At Juvenile Law Center, we believe in treating kids as kids and we have been fighting against charging children as adults for half a century. Here's why.
At Juvenile Law Center, we believe in treating kids as kids and we have been fighting against charging children as adults for half a century. Here's why.
“The lesson of Hungary is this: We cannot claim to care about democracy only when it costs nothing…Trump, like Mr. Orban, no doubt believes that everyone can be bought. America’s elites are proving him right. There is a Hungarian phrase I heard often: “Van az a penz” — “There’s always a price.”
“After years watching Hungary suffocate under the weight of its democratic collapse, I came to understand that the real danger of a strongman isn’t his tactics; it’s how others, especially those with power, justify their acquiescence,” David Pressman writes.
Opinion | I Watched It Happen in Hungary. Now It’s Happening Here.
The real danger of a strongman isn’t his tactics; it’s how others, especially those with power, justify their acquiescence.
nyti.ms
July 31, 2025 at 2:10 PM
“The lesson of Hungary is this: We cannot claim to care about democracy only when it costs nothing…Trump, like Mr. Orban, no doubt believes that everyone can be bought. America’s elites are proving him right. There is a Hungarian phrase I heard often: “Van az a penz” — “There’s always a price.”
Reposted by Julia S
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 Julia S
My LGBTQ friends knew I wasn't going to miss the most bigoted decision from this court. In case you missed it, Sam Alito's opinion in the "bigots are afriad of picture books" case is one of the most homophobic screeds ever from the SCOTUS.
My latest @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
My latest @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Samuel Alito Takes Pride in Gay-Bashing
With his majority opinion in Mahmoud v. Taylor, Alito gave bigoted parents a big, fat kiss—and changed the nature of public education.
www.thenation.com
July 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
My LGBTQ friends knew I wasn't going to miss the most bigoted decision from this court. In case you missed it, Sam Alito's opinion in the "bigots are afriad of picture books" case is one of the most homophobic screeds ever from the SCOTUS.
My latest @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
My latest @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Reposted by Julia S
it is the Imperial Judiciary when courts say that presidents can’t unilaterally overturn constitutional text, and the Proper Order of Things when courts say that your rights rest on the whims of who happens to be in office
Woah. Fierce cut-down of the junior justice by the next-most-junior justice.
Barrett giving Jackson the back of her hand:
Barrett giving Jackson the back of her hand:
June 27, 2025 at 2:26 PM
it is the Imperial Judiciary when courts say that presidents can’t unilaterally overturn constitutional text, and the Proper Order of Things when courts say that your rights rest on the whims of who happens to be in office
Reposted by Julia S
Justice Sotomayor dissenting on birthright citizenship case: "The gamesmanship in this request is apparent and the Government makes no attempt to hide it. Yet, shamefully, this Court plays along. Because I will not be complicit in so grave an attack on our system of law, I dissent."
June 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Justice Sotomayor dissenting on birthright citizenship case: "The gamesmanship in this request is apparent and the Government makes no attempt to hide it. Yet, shamefully, this Court plays along. Because I will not be complicit in so grave an attack on our system of law, I dissent."
It's estimated that DOGE's cuts "have already resulted in about 300,000 deaths, most of them of children, and will most likely lead to significantly more by the end of the year. That is what Musk’s foray into politics accomplished." He must be held accountable.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
Opinion | Elon Musk’s Legacy Is Disease, Starvation and Death
www.nytimes.com
June 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
It's estimated that DOGE's cuts "have already resulted in about 300,000 deaths, most of them of children, and will most likely lead to significantly more by the end of the year. That is what Musk’s foray into politics accomplished." He must be held accountable.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
An incredibly important story that is going under the radar, especially as PACs continue to push the boundaries of campaign finance law with Musk, crypto, lavish private events with the president, etc. “Without a quorum, the FEC is a watchdog without a bark or bite”
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
Departure on FEC hobbles the election enforcement agency
The agency responsible for enforcing federal election law has also lost its ability to proactively make policies.
www.politico.com
May 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
An incredibly important story that is going under the radar, especially as PACs continue to push the boundaries of campaign finance law with Musk, crypto, lavish private events with the president, etc. “Without a quorum, the FEC is a watchdog without a bark or bite”
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
Interesting/depressing/prescient read about the “Dual State” - a hybrid system where authoritarianism takes hold in some areas while the broader legal system appears to function normally. Guess who feels authoritarianism first? And guess when this happened before?
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
America Is Watching the Rise of a Dual State
For most people, the courts will continue to operate as usual—until they don’t.
www.theatlantic.com
May 4, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Interesting/depressing/prescient read about the “Dual State” - a hybrid system where authoritarianism takes hold in some areas while the broader legal system appears to function normally. Guess who feels authoritarianism first? And guess when this happened before?
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
On top of the loss of vital and sometimes life-saving services, it’s not surprising that this DOGE chaos will cost taxpayers an estimated $135 billion this fiscal year stemming from “firings, re-hirings, lost productivity and paid leave of thousands of workers.” 🙄
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/u...
Elon Musk and DOGE’s Savings May Be Erased by New Costs
An expert on the federal work force estimates that the speed and chaos of Mr. Musk’s cuts to the bureaucracy will cost taxpayers $135 billion this fiscal year.
www.nytimes.com
April 26, 2025 at 4:04 PM
On top of the loss of vital and sometimes life-saving services, it’s not surprising that this DOGE chaos will cost taxpayers an estimated $135 billion this fiscal year stemming from “firings, re-hirings, lost productivity and paid leave of thousands of workers.” 🙄
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/u...
Reposted by Julia S
I won’t share RFK Jr.’s lies about autism.
It’s disgusting and dangerous.
If he had a shred of decency, he would apologize and resign.
Autistic people contribute every day to our nation’s greatness.
To every kid with autism, I’m in this fight all the way for you.
It’s disgusting and dangerous.
If he had a shred of decency, he would apologize and resign.
Autistic people contribute every day to our nation’s greatness.
To every kid with autism, I’m in this fight all the way for you.
April 17, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I won’t share RFK Jr.’s lies about autism.
It’s disgusting and dangerous.
If he had a shred of decency, he would apologize and resign.
Autistic people contribute every day to our nation’s greatness.
To every kid with autism, I’m in this fight all the way for you.
It’s disgusting and dangerous.
If he had a shred of decency, he would apologize and resign.
Autistic people contribute every day to our nation’s greatness.
To every kid with autism, I’m in this fight all the way for you.
Reposted by Julia S
INCREDIBLE opinion by Wilkinson refusing to stay Judge Xinis's orders in the Abrego Garcia case, condemning DOJ's arguments as "shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
April 17, 2025 at 7:07 PM
INCREDIBLE opinion by Wilkinson refusing to stay Judge Xinis's orders in the Abrego Garcia case, condemning DOJ's arguments as "shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Julia S
What we saw today was two jumped up thugs and their bootlicking sychophants laughing at the US Constitution, the supreme court, and the idea that anyone can stop them from doing anything they want www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
The Constitutional Crisis Is Here
The Supreme Court told the Trump administration to “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador’s infamous CECOT prison. So far, the administration is pretending to comply while re...
www.theatlantic.com
April 14, 2025 at 7:22 PM
What we saw today was two jumped up thugs and their bootlicking sychophants laughing at the US Constitution, the supreme court, and the idea that anyone can stop them from doing anything they want www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
This is a concentration camp
🧵(1/2) So Kristi Noem flies to El Salvador on taxpayer $ to joyfully check out the horrific conditions of the prison where the United States paid $6 million to store humans. She got in front of the cameras, with the bare chested prisoners behind her amp-cnn-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp.cnn....
Kristi Noem visits El Salvador prison where deported Venezuelans are held | CNN
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday visited the high-security El Salvador prison where Venezuelans who the Trump administration alleges are gang members have been held since their ...
amp-cnn-com.cdn.ampproject.org
March 27, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This is a concentration camp
Reposted by Julia S
From @rtraister.bsky.social Triangle Day and the Impossibility of Remaining Intensely Peaceable open.substack.com/pub/rebeccat...
Triangle Day and the Impossibility of Remaining Intensely Peaceable
Today is the 114th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, a day I remember every year, because it also happens to be the 91st anniversary of Gloria Steinem’s birth, the 83rd anniversary of Ar...
open.substack.com
March 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
From @rtraister.bsky.social Triangle Day and the Impossibility of Remaining Intensely Peaceable open.substack.com/pub/rebeccat...