Ken Vandevelde
@kenvandevelde.bsky.social
Husband. Dad. Lawyer. Historian. Teach Constitutional Law and Business Associations at UCLA. Formerly taught Constitutional History and the History of U.S. Foreign Relations at UCSD.
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
Anyone need a quick lesson about how Trump's tariffs (massive tax) will have a devastating impact on our economy, this 40 second clip from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" will explain it all:
April 3, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Anyone need a quick lesson about how Trump's tariffs (massive tax) will have a devastating impact on our economy, this 40 second clip from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" will explain it all:
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
BREAKING: A federal judge has ordered a stop to mass firings in federal agencies (except Pentagon, OPM and NARA) saying the so-called “reductions in force (RIFs)” broke the law.
“Employees purportedly terminated … are returned to government employ.”
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
“Employees purportedly terminated … are returned to government employ.”
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
March 14, 2025 at 1:27 AM
BREAKING: A federal judge has ordered a stop to mass firings in federal agencies (except Pentagon, OPM and NARA) saying the so-called “reductions in force (RIFs)” broke the law.
“Employees purportedly terminated … are returned to government employ.”
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
“Employees purportedly terminated … are returned to government employ.”
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
This is Marco Rubio explaining how the USA promised to defend Ukraine forever if they got rid of their nuclear arsenal left after the Soviet Union fell.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
March 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This is Marco Rubio explaining how the USA promised to defend Ukraine forever if they got rid of their nuclear arsenal left after the Soviet Union fell.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
Once upon a time, a powerful speech in favor of collective security against an aggressor would have been given by an American president of either party. This was the very purpose of the U.N., which we sponsored. Under Trump, we must look to the Danish Prime Minister to remind us of who we once were.
Astonishing speech by Danish Prime Minister.
YouTube video by Dylan Burrill
www.youtube.com
March 2, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Once upon a time, a powerful speech in favor of collective security against an aggressor would have been given by an American president of either party. This was the very purpose of the U.N., which we sponsored. Under Trump, we must look to the Danish Prime Minister to remind us of who we once were.
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
MORE: As Judge Chuang pressed for more information, counsel for the government revealed that DOJ's Federal Programs Branch “has been cut in half.”
"They're cutting people across the government," the judge replied. "If you're saying you don't have enough people, maybe that's part of the problem..."
"They're cutting people across the government," the judge replied. "If you're saying you don't have enough people, maybe that's part of the problem..."
![JUDGE CHUANG: Why do we get a declaration [from Peter Marocco] but there’s really no documentation of anything there? Marocco says every decision was approved by the Secretary [Marco Rubio]. I've got no documentation—a letter, an email—showing that the Secretary approved anything, right?
GARDNER: I think it’s important that everyone understands the context here. Since January 20, we have received approximately 80 lawsuits and our staff at the Justice Department’s Federal Programs Branch has been cut in half. We have about half the number of staff that we had in November, and we are working on these expedited schedules….
JUDGE CHUANG: Marocco could have provided more. It wouldn’t have taken extra work on your part to seek more documentation…. If it really was a decision by USAID, there should be a piece of paper or an electronic message from Secretary Rubio himself, saying, “I'm approving this.” Marocco said he had the authority. Marocco would have had access to anything he signed. Why don’t we have that?
GARDNER: I’m not trying to be “obsequious.” We’re doing the best we can to get as much information as possible…
JUDGE CHUANG: “You're saying that the Justice Department isn't taking this case seriously? That they’re not staffing it sufficiently?”
GARDNER: It’s the opposite. I haven’t had a day off since January 20. We’re working day and night.
JUDGE CHUANG: I understand that. They’re cutting people across the government. If you’re saying you don’t have enough people, maybe that’s part of the problem… I mean, If USAID can’t respond to lawsuits, maybe they need more people.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:t4x2ruk2qmob2b2cx55h4v7r/bafkreieavbdersfwvfk3dveitlmzlq6dfb2u4r4lzlymop5siwxd4il6wa@jpeg)
March 1, 2025 at 2:20 PM
MORE: As Judge Chuang pressed for more information, counsel for the government revealed that DOJ's Federal Programs Branch “has been cut in half.”
"They're cutting people across the government," the judge replied. "If you're saying you don't have enough people, maybe that's part of the problem..."
"They're cutting people across the government," the judge replied. "If you're saying you don't have enough people, maybe that's part of the problem..."
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
The judge went so far as to describe the lack of information as "highly suspicious."
"I'm not saying you're not being candid, but the whole thing raises questions," he told Justice Department attorney Joshua Gardner.
"I'm not saying you're not being candid, but the whole thing raises questions," he told Justice Department attorney Joshua Gardner.
February 28, 2025 at 11:29 PM
The judge went so far as to describe the lack of information as "highly suspicious."
"I'm not saying you're not being candid, but the whole thing raises questions," he told Justice Department attorney Joshua Gardner.
"I'm not saying you're not being candid, but the whole thing raises questions," he told Justice Department attorney Joshua Gardner.
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
NEW: During a 3-hour preliminary injunction hearing in a suit alleging that Elon Musk wields unprecedented power in violation of the Appointments Clause, a federal judge grew frustrated with government counsel's inability to answer questions about DOGE’s chain of command and Musk's role.
![JUDGE: Who was the head of DOGE before Amy Gleason?
GOVERNMENT COUNSEL: I can’t answer that, I don’t know.
JUDGE: I mean, that seems like a knowable fact, doesn’t it?
GOVERNMENT COUNSEL: I’m sure it is knowable; I just don’t know it. I’m very conscious of being accurate with the court…I just can’t make a representation.
JUDGE: Have you asked anyone?
GOVERNMENT COUNSEL: I have not asked…actually, strike that. I have asked previously, and I was not able to get answer.
JUDGE: Are you saying there was an administrator before Ms. Gleason? Or that there was nobody until this new person [Gleason] was put in?
GOVERNMENT COUNSEL: I’m not saying either, because I don’t know.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:t4x2ruk2qmob2b2cx55h4v7r/bafkreic3k7xhk3l2hgbwbfnwv7exmw3hq2buhout5qjxgt2iyuelzvuzv4@jpeg)
February 28, 2025 at 11:21 PM
NEW: During a 3-hour preliminary injunction hearing in a suit alleging that Elon Musk wields unprecedented power in violation of the Appointments Clause, a federal judge grew frustrated with government counsel's inability to answer questions about DOGE’s chain of command and Musk's role.
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
Elon Musk at Trump's first Cabinet meeting: "I think this is the best Cabinet ever. Literally. So, uh, and I do not give false praise... I think it‘s literally the best Cabinet that the country has ever had."
February 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Elon Musk at Trump's first Cabinet meeting: "I think this is the best Cabinet ever. Literally. So, uh, and I do not give false praise... I think it‘s literally the best Cabinet that the country has ever had."
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
This is the guy that every single Republican in the Senate is going to act like is unacceptable ad Deputy FBI Director and then vote for after pussing out again. Dan Bongino is a fascist monster.
February 24, 2025 at 2:33 AM
This is the guy that every single Republican in the Senate is going to act like is unacceptable ad Deputy FBI Director and then vote for after pussing out again. Dan Bongino is a fascist monster.
Congress has been creating independent agencies since 1887 to ensure that laws enacted by Congress to protect workers, consumers & the environment and to manage the economy are implemented by experts insulated from politics. Trump wants to politcize the process so he can gut those protections.
What to know about Trump’s executive order and ‘unprecedented’ power grab within the government | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump’s executive order grasping far greater control over independent federal agencies embraces a constitutionally questionable theory that presidents dating back to Ronald Reagan hav...
www.cnn.com
February 22, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Congress has been creating independent agencies since 1887 to ensure that laws enacted by Congress to protect workers, consumers & the environment and to manage the economy are implemented by experts insulated from politics. Trump wants to politcize the process so he can gut those protections.
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
Obviously plaintiffs will file documents quoting Trump's concession.
But ideally they shouldn't have to; the DOJ should correct the record.
But ideally they shouldn't have to; the DOJ should correct the record.
TWO DAYS AGO, a government employee declared in a court filing that Elon Musk is actually not in charge of *or* an employee of DOGE.
MINUTES AGO, the President of the United States said: “I signed an order creating the Department of Government Efficiency and put a man named Elon Musk in charge.”
MINUTES AGO, the President of the United States said: “I signed an order creating the Department of Government Efficiency and put a man named Elon Musk in charge.”
February 20, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Obviously plaintiffs will file documents quoting Trump's concession.
But ideally they shouldn't have to; the DOJ should correct the record.
But ideally they shouldn't have to; the DOJ should correct the record.
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
Usually when states go to court alleging federal coercion in violation of the 10th Amendment there is not a literal video of the President doing it.
TRUMP: The NCAA has complied immediately. That's good. But I understand Maine -- is the governor of Maine here?
JANET MILLS: Yeah I'm here
TRUMP: Are you not gonna comply?
JM: I'm going to comply with state and federal law
T: You better do it bc you're not gonna get any federal funding at all
JANET MILLS: Yeah I'm here
TRUMP: Are you not gonna comply?
JM: I'm going to comply with state and federal law
T: You better do it bc you're not gonna get any federal funding at all
February 21, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Usually when states go to court alleging federal coercion in violation of the 10th Amendment there is not a literal video of the President doing it.
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
The Trump admin has told organizations that provide federally funded legal representation to unaccompanied migrant children to halt the service.
"The administration's decision to suspend this program undermines due process."
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
"The administration's decision to suspend this program undermines due process."
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Trump administration cuts off legal funding for nearly 26,000 unaccompanied migrant children
A stop-work order by the Interior Department halts legal work for children who crossed the border without their parents.
www.nbcnews.com
February 21, 2025 at 12:15 AM
The Trump admin has told organizations that provide federally funded legal representation to unaccompanied migrant children to halt the service.
"The administration's decision to suspend this program undermines due process."
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
"The administration's decision to suspend this program undermines due process."
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
Is That Legal? A Guide to Trump’s Big Moves So Far.
Examining the legality of 38 major actions the president has taken in his first month.
w/ @upshot.nytimes.com 's Francesca Paris
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/u...
Examining the legality of 38 major actions the president has taken in his first month.
w/ @upshot.nytimes.com 's Francesca Paris
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/u...
Is That Legal? A Guide to Trump’s Big Moves So Far.
Examining the legality of 38 major actions the president has taken in his first month.
www.nytimes.com
February 21, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Is That Legal? A Guide to Trump’s Big Moves So Far.
Examining the legality of 38 major actions the president has taken in his first month.
w/ @upshot.nytimes.com 's Francesca Paris
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/u...
Examining the legality of 38 major actions the president has taken in his first month.
w/ @upshot.nytimes.com 's Francesca Paris
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/u...
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is trying to reverse the firing of some employees who were involved in responding to the nation’s growing bird flu outbreak, officials said this week.
Agriculture Department Moves to Rehire Some Bird Flu Response Workers
It’s the latest instance of the Trump administration having to reverse course after making sweeping cuts.
www.nytimes.com
February 21, 2025 at 3:30 AM
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is trying to reverse the firing of some employees who were involved in responding to the nation’s growing bird flu outbreak, officials said this week.
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
JUST IN: A 9th Circuit appeals court panel has denied the Trump administration’s bid for emergency relief from the injunction blocking President Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order.
February 20, 2025 at 2:09 AM
JUST IN: A 9th Circuit appeals court panel has denied the Trump administration’s bid for emergency relief from the injunction blocking President Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order.
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
That sound you hear is twelve different lawyers updating their pleadings.
TWO DAYS AGO, a government employee declared in a court filing that Elon Musk is actually not in charge of *or* an employee of DOGE.
MINUTES AGO, the President of the United States said: “I signed an order creating the Department of Government Efficiency and put a man named Elon Musk in charge.”
MINUTES AGO, the President of the United States said: “I signed an order creating the Department of Government Efficiency and put a man named Elon Musk in charge.”
February 20, 2025 at 1:29 AM
That sound you hear is twelve different lawyers updating their pleadings.
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
Trump's lawyers are absolutely flailing in the courts right now
February 19, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Trump's lawyers are absolutely flailing in the courts right now
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
Trump official announces that Trump has signed an executive order claiming that only the president can speak for “what the law is”
(This is not how the Constitution works)
(This is not how the Constitution works)
February 18, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Trump official announces that Trump has signed an executive order claiming that only the president can speak for “what the law is”
(This is not how the Constitution works)
(This is not how the Constitution works)
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
In the first case to reach the Supreme Court arising from the blitz of actions taken in the early weeks of the new administration, lawyers for President Trump asked the justices on Sunday to let him fire a government lawyer who leads a watchdog agency.
First Test of Trump’s Power to Fire Officials Reaches Supreme Court
The court’s conservative majority may be receptive to the argument that presidents have unlimited power to remove leaders of independent agencies.
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2025 at 11:35 PM
In the first case to reach the Supreme Court arising from the blitz of actions taken in the early weeks of the new administration, lawyers for President Trump asked the justices on Sunday to let him fire a government lawyer who leads a watchdog agency.
Alexander Hamilton in Federalist #78 wrote that the rule of law requires insulating judges from political pressure. He urged that they have life tenure. Immigration judges don't have it & now the Trump administration is firing them, apparently for political reasons, ignoring the case backlog.
Justice Department fires multiple immigration judges amid case backlog
A union representing the judges said it “makes no sense” to make cuts to immigration courts as Trump promises to carry out mass deportations, which must go through the courts.
www.nbcnews.com
February 16, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Alexander Hamilton in Federalist #78 wrote that the rule of law requires insulating judges from political pressure. He urged that they have life tenure. Immigration judges don't have it & now the Trump administration is firing them, apparently for political reasons, ignoring the case backlog.
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
This is a big deal. The DOJ will no longer defend for cause removal protections for commissioners of agencies like the FTC, removing a barrier to the President firing minority commissioners at will
February 12, 2025 at 11:51 PM
This is a big deal. The DOJ will no longer defend for cause removal protections for commissioners of agencies like the FTC, removing a barrier to the President firing minority commissioners at will
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
Reposted by Ken Vandevelde
#ACTUALNEWS The Department of Homeland Security, as part of an evaluation of its election security mission, said on Tuesday that personnel focused on misinformation, disinformation and foreign influence operations aimed at U.S. elections have been placed on administrative leave.
February 12, 2025 at 2:55 AM
#ACTUALNEWS The Department of Homeland Security, as part of an evaluation of its election security mission, said on Tuesday that personnel focused on misinformation, disinformation and foreign influence operations aimed at U.S. elections have been placed on administrative leave.