Lowering the Bar
@loweringthebar.bsky.social
Legal humor. Seriously.
By Kevin Underhill
By Kevin Underhill
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
This reporter asks a legitimate, followup question—something the White House press corps doesn’t do all that often.
Trump isn’t used to this, and you can see how it gets under his skin.
Reporters need to do this more often, or at least come to the defense of those who are willing to do it.
Trump isn’t used to this, and you can see how it gets under his skin.
Reporters need to do this more often, or at least come to the defense of those who are willing to do it.
“You’re a stupid person” — Trump lashes out at a reporter who presses him on the fact that the suspected DC shooter was actually thoroughly vetted before he was let in the US from Afghanistan
November 28, 2025 at 12:13 PM
This reporter asks a legitimate, followup question—something the White House press corps doesn’t do all that often.
Trump isn’t used to this, and you can see how it gets under his skin.
Reporters need to do this more often, or at least come to the defense of those who are willing to do it.
Trump isn’t used to this, and you can see how it gets under his skin.
Reporters need to do this more often, or at least come to the defense of those who are willing to do it.
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
"Weeks of watching Florida insurance lawyer Lindsey Halligan flail around like a toddler trying to teach calculus should serve as a warning about the perils of crowdsourcing legal research to literal randos on the internet. *But it won’t.*" — @lizdye.bsky.social
Bill Pulte and Ed Martin's shitposting legal strategy
It's backfired so spectacularly that now *they're* the ones being investigated.
www.publicnotice.co
November 26, 2025 at 2:25 PM
"Weeks of watching Florida insurance lawyer Lindsey Halligan flail around like a toddler trying to teach calculus should serve as a warning about the perils of crowdsourcing legal research to literal randos on the internet. *But it won’t.*" — @lizdye.bsky.social
He’s right and luckily he also used other sentences to get that across.
I’d have gone with “AI’s dumb and using it makes you stupider” but I suppose his way is more eloquent.
I’d have gone with “AI’s dumb and using it makes you stupider” but I suppose his way is more eloquent.
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
He’s right and luckily he also used other sentences to get that across.
I’d have gone with “AI’s dumb and using it makes you stupider” but I suppose his way is more eloquent.
I’d have gone with “AI’s dumb and using it makes you stupider” but I suppose his way is more eloquent.
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
Yes, definitely go after the combat veteran, astronaut, and sitting US senator for stating that troops shouldn’t follow illegal orders, a statement that is true by definition. That will definitely go well for you.
Behind closed doors, Hegseth is weighing his options to punish Kelly for participating in the video, ones that range from reducing the retired US Navy captain’s rank and pension to prosecuting him under military law, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Hegseth focuses on potential punishments for Sen. Kelly in confrontation over ‘illegal orders’ video | CNN Politics
Publicly, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been highly critical of the six Democratic lawmakers who released a video last week urging military service members to disobey illegal orders, calling t...
www.cnn.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Yes, definitely go after the combat veteran, astronaut, and sitting US senator for stating that troops shouldn’t follow illegal orders, a statement that is true by definition. That will definitely go well for you.
OMG
OpenAI says they aren't liable for the suicide of a user their chat bot urged to kill himself because suicide is a violation of the TOS
Additionally, OpenAI argues its not liable because Raine, by using ChatGPT for self-harm, broke its terms of service
November 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
OMG
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
“By the way—every case you ever brought is dismissed. You’re not a lawfully appointed prosecutor so it’s weird saying that but just letting you know."
Lindsey Halligan's appointment as interim U.S. attorney invalid and dismissed the indictments against James Comey and Letitia James. Screenshot from order in the latter below:
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
“By the way—every case you ever brought is dismissed. You’re not a lawfully appointed prosecutor so it’s weird saying that but just letting you know."
This yet again. These weren’t attacks “on vessels trafficking drugs.” They were murders. Even if the dead people *were* traffickers, these would still be murders. These are illegal and unconstitutional acts. There’s nothing hard or confusing about this.
The military has released 21 video clips of U.S. attacks on vessels it says are trafficking drugs. But they tell only part of the story.
What the Pentagon’s Attack Videos Reveal About the Boat Strikes at Sea
The military has released 21 video clips of U.S. attacks on vessels it says are trafficking drugs. But they tell only part of the story.
nyti.ms
November 26, 2025 at 1:53 PM
This yet again. These weren’t attacks “on vessels trafficking drugs.” They were murders. Even if the dead people *were* traffickers, these would still be murders. These are illegal and unconstitutional acts. There’s nothing hard or confusing about this.
Well, it’s not like he read the plaque. Or anything else.
Trump tweeted a pic of a West Point plaque, but it notes that the US military places loyalty to the Constitution and the law over one man. Is anything more central to Trump’s presidency than his demand for fealty to him over the Constitution and the law?
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
November 25, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Well, it’s not like he read the plaque. Or anything else.
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
A federal judge on Monday dismissed the headline-grabbing indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, finding the controversial prosecutor handling both cases was not properly appointed.
Comey, James Defeat Charges Over Halligan's Appointment - Law360
A federal judge on Monday dismissed the headline-grabbing indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, finding the controversial prosecutor handling both cases was not properly appointed.
www.law360.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A federal judge on Monday dismissed the headline-grabbing indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, finding the controversial prosecutor handling both cases was not properly appointed.
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
Democracy dies in dampness
At this point, the Washpost edit page is just trolling its readers.
This is today's actual house editorial.
This is today's actual house editorial.
November 25, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Democracy dies in dampness
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
High school senior, a U.S. citizen, detained by ICE in Oregon
The 17-year-old was held more than five hours Friday in an ICE facility, his brother said.
www.oregonlive.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
It’s highly unusual for a sitting president to be such a dick. That’s the unusual part.
Rep. Jason Crow's office is seeking a Capitol Police investigation into Trump for what they described as "intimidating, threatening, and concerning" social media posts.
It's highly unusual for a member of Congress to request a police investigation into a sitting president of the United States.
It's highly unusual for a member of Congress to request a police investigation into a sitting president of the United States.
Scoop: Democrat requests police investigation into Trump over "threatening" posts
"All of these posts are intimidating, threatening, and concerning," Rep. Jason Crow's office wrote.
www.axios.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:05 PM
It’s highly unusual for a sitting president to be such a dick. That’s the unusual part.
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
While on tour promoting 'Wake Up Dead Man', Rian Johnson goes off on AI for “making everything worse in every single way.” bit.ly/47UBPfH
November 22, 2025 at 2:00 AM
While on tour promoting 'Wake Up Dead Man', Rian Johnson goes off on AI for “making everything worse in every single way.” bit.ly/47UBPfH
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
detailed WashPost account of how Trump and Stephen Miller sidelined serious lawyers so they could fabricate a justification for committing murder
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats
The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:23 PM
detailed WashPost account of how Trump and Stephen Miller sidelined serious lawyers so they could fabricate a justification for committing murder
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
What's weirdly missing from coverage of the Dem video is any discussion of this Q: Is it reasonable to fear Trump is giving illegal orders, or not? The answer is, yes, of course it is.
On the boat bombings, for instance, evidence is extensive. Here's a look at it:
newrepublic.com/article/2035...
On the boat bombings, for instance, evidence is extensive. Here's a look at it:
newrepublic.com/article/2035...
November 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
What's weirdly missing from coverage of the Dem video is any discussion of this Q: Is it reasonable to fear Trump is giving illegal orders, or not? The answer is, yes, of course it is.
On the boat bombings, for instance, evidence is extensive. Here's a look at it:
newrepublic.com/article/2035...
On the boat bombings, for instance, evidence is extensive. Here's a look at it:
newrepublic.com/article/2035...
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
“After Aceituno again told the agents he was a U.S. citizen, they finally threw him out of the van…[And] the agents had taken his car keys.
(Aceituno voted for Trump in 2024 because of the border and the economy. He now calls it ‘the worst decision of my life.’)”
www.thebulwark.com/p/baker-past...
(Aceituno voted for Trump in 2024 because of the border and the economy. He now calls it ‘the worst decision of my life.’)”
www.thebulwark.com/p/baker-past...
A Baker, a Pastor, and Charlotte’s Stand Against ICE
How everyday people are reminding the nation what it means to be American.
www.thebulwark.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
“After Aceituno again told the agents he was a U.S. citizen, they finally threw him out of the van…[And] the agents had taken his car keys.
(Aceituno voted for Trump in 2024 because of the border and the economy. He now calls it ‘the worst decision of my life.’)”
www.thebulwark.com/p/baker-past...
(Aceituno voted for Trump in 2024 because of the border and the economy. He now calls it ‘the worst decision of my life.’)”
www.thebulwark.com/p/baker-past...
Well, who hasn’t had a system crash in a way that selectively deletes information highly relevant to a lawsuit against them the day after the lawsuit is filed?
ICE’s Detention Center outside Chicago was sued on October 30 for allegedly abusing detainees. One day later, a "system crash" lost all video footage that could have shown how detainees were being treated. trib.al/QwT3aqI
November 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Well, who hasn’t had a system crash in a way that selectively deletes information highly relevant to a lawsuit against them the day after the lawsuit is filed?
Again with this. It is not a “military campaign against suspected boats.” It’s murdering actual people who are allegedly drug traffickers—according to an administration that lies routinely.
The realities of the drug trade in Latin America call into question part of the Trump administration’s unprecedented military campaign against suspected drug smuggling boats, and if it will have any significant effect on the supply of narcotics in the U.S., according to the officials and experts.
Drug boats from Venezuela are mainly moving cocaine to Europe — not fentanyl to the U.S., experts say
The realities of Latin America’s drug trade challenge the administration’s stated rationale for its strikes against suspected drug smuggling boats.
nbcnews.to
November 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Again with this. It is not a “military campaign against suspected boats.” It’s murdering actual people who are allegedly drug traffickers—according to an administration that lies routinely.
Reposted by Lowering the Bar
NEW: ICE has finally released post-shutdown detention data. The latest data reveals that a full 40%(!) of people arrested in the interior and held in ICE detention have no criminal record; no criminal charges or prior convictions. That is up from just 4% when Trump took office.
November 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: ICE has finally released post-shutdown detention data. The latest data reveals that a full 40%(!) of people arrested in the interior and held in ICE detention have no criminal record; no criminal charges or prior convictions. That is up from just 4% when Trump took office.
the estimate was off by A TRILLION DOLLARS
seems like maybe “estimate” is not the right word for what that was?
either way I would suggest whoever estimated that should maybe not be in the business of estimating things
seems like maybe “estimate” is not the right word for what that was?
either way I would suggest whoever estimated that should maybe not be in the business of estimating things
Trump tariffs to reduce US deficits by $1 trillion less than previous estimate, CBO says reut.rs/3LT5Ofm
Trump tariffs to reduce US deficits by $1 trillion less than previous estimate, CBO says
President Donald Trump's tariff increases on imports from foreign countries will reduce U.S. deficits by $3 trillion if they are maintained through 2035, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimated on Thursday, instead of the $4 trillion the agency projected in August.
reut.rs
November 21, 2025 at 3:50 AM
the estimate was off by A TRILLION DOLLARS
seems like maybe “estimate” is not the right word for what that was?
either way I would suggest whoever estimated that should maybe not be in the business of estimating things
seems like maybe “estimate” is not the right word for what that was?
either way I would suggest whoever estimated that should maybe not be in the business of estimating things
We definitely cannot be confident of that but it also wouldn’t matter. Murder is the unjustified killing of a human being. Murdering a drug trafficker is still murder. If they were all *murderers,* it would still be murder.
Cotton on Trump's boat strikes: "Use common sense. If any of these had been boats full of fisherman or refugees, CNN would've already been on the ground & interviewed all their families & told their stories. We can be confident all of these strikes have been against cartel-based drug traffickers."
November 20, 2025 at 4:06 PM
We definitely cannot be confident of that but it also wouldn’t matter. Murder is the unjustified killing of a human being. Murdering a drug trafficker is still murder. If they were all *murderers,* it would still be murder.
I don’t condone punching racist traitors in the face but I also don’t not condone it.
After receiving a pardon from Donald Trump, rioter Jake Lang decided to hold his own march in Dearborn, Michigan, holding a banner that read “Americans Against Islamification."
Dearbord is a city with a sizable Muslim and Arab American populace. trib.al/qdTF2kH
Dearbord is a city with a sizable Muslim and Arab American populace. trib.al/qdTF2kH
Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Punched in the Face During Racist March
After receiving a pardon from Donald Trump, Jake Lang decided to lead a racist march through the streets of Dearborn.
trib.al
November 19, 2025 at 9:15 PM
I don’t condone punching racist traitors in the face but I also don’t not condone it.