Jason P. Steed
@profsteed.bsky.social
was @5thCircAppeals at The Bad Place • former English prof & practicing appellate lawyer, now Assist Prof @ UToledo Law • he/him • all the disclaimers
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
How the hell did the Republican Party go from Abraham Lincoln to Donald Trump?
For @zeit.de, I tried to answer that question in an essay telling the story of a long-term radicalization that ultimately paved the way for Trump’s rise – and now threatens the survival of the Republic:
For @zeit.de, I tried to answer that question in an essay telling the story of a long-term radicalization that ultimately paved the way for Trump’s rise – and now threatens the survival of the Republic:
Extremismus und Geschwurbel gehören heute zum Kern der US-Republikaner. In fünf Etappen hat sich die Partei radikalisiert. Und nein, es begann nicht erst 2016 mit Trump.
US-Republikaner: Wie sich die Republikaner selbst vernichtet haben
Extremismus und Geschwurbel gehören heute zum Kern der US-Republikaner. In fünf Etappen hat sich die Partei radikalisiert. Und nein, es begann nicht erst 2016 mit Trump.
www.zeit.de
October 27, 2025 at 8:16 PM
How the hell did the Republican Party go from Abraham Lincoln to Donald Trump?
For @zeit.de, I tried to answer that question in an essay telling the story of a long-term radicalization that ultimately paved the way for Trump’s rise – and now threatens the survival of the Republic:
For @zeit.de, I tried to answer that question in an essay telling the story of a long-term radicalization that ultimately paved the way for Trump’s rise – and now threatens the survival of the Republic:
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
say it with me: it’s a Kavanaugh Stop
ICE detains mother dropping off child at elementary school—refuses to even look at her U.S. legal papers.
"What documents?" agent sarcastically replies—holding up the folder.
"The ones in your hands!" witnesses yell back.
Madison Elementary School in Santa Ana, California.
"What documents?" agent sarcastically replies—holding up the folder.
"The ones in your hands!" witnesses yell back.
Madison Elementary School in Santa Ana, California.
October 24, 2025 at 10:14 PM
say it with me: it’s a Kavanaugh Stop
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
yes indeed -->
Trump’s “mental faculties are crumbling like blue cheese, and major media need to write prominent stories about this alarming problem – not just stick a sentence into the 14th paragraph of a news story.”
My free Stop the Presses newsletter.
My free Stop the Presses newsletter.
Media must cover — not cover up — Trump’s unfitness
The president benefits from the failure to focus on his broken brain
www.stopthepresses.news
October 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
yes indeed -->
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
Anthony Boyd asked Supreme Court justices to spare him from a torturous death by nitrogen hypoxia. They said no. His execution took 37 minutes. This is barbarous.
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/antho...
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/antho...
The Conservative Justices Chose to Make Anthony Boyd Suffer
Anthony Boyd, whom the state of Alabama executed last week, asked the justices to spare him from execution by nitrogen hypoxia. They said no.
ballsandstrikes.org
October 27, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Anthony Boyd asked Supreme Court justices to spare him from a torturous death by nitrogen hypoxia. They said no. His execution took 37 minutes. This is barbarous.
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/antho...
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/antho...
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
This thread makes a point I find myself coming to often these days.
It's hard to make this point in a way that doesn't sound like a threat, but it's just a fact that for centuries the wealthy in America worried that the mob would come get them and did all they could to avoid that fate.
It's hard to make this point in a way that doesn't sound like a threat, but it's just a fact that for centuries the wealthy in America worried that the mob would come get them and did all they could to avoid that fate.
lol what the wealthy today don't seem to understand is part of staying wealthy in society is not pissing off the masses.
There's a reason why Carnegie and the Rockefellers poured money into institutions. Gutting institutions and making it harder for the masses to survive is a...choice.
There's a reason why Carnegie and the Rockefellers poured money into institutions. Gutting institutions and making it harder for the masses to survive is a...choice.
October 27, 2025 at 6:36 PM
This thread makes a point I find myself coming to often these days.
It's hard to make this point in a way that doesn't sound like a threat, but it's just a fact that for centuries the wealthy in America worried that the mob would come get them and did all they could to avoid that fate.
It's hard to make this point in a way that doesn't sound like a threat, but it's just a fact that for centuries the wealthy in America worried that the mob would come get them and did all they could to avoid that fate.
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
New analysis from Americans for Tax Fairness: US Billionaires added $5.1 trillion to their fortunes since 2017. To put that in perspective, if that money went to the American people instead, every household would get $37,800.
October 27, 2025 at 8:32 PM
New analysis from Americans for Tax Fairness: US Billionaires added $5.1 trillion to their fortunes since 2017. To put that in perspective, if that money went to the American people instead, every household would get $37,800.
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
ICE abducts people and then immediately moves them around to prevent access to lawyers and habeas corpus petitions. @emmarjanssen.bsky.social has the story on this consistent game being played to frustrate due process.
prospect.org/justice/2025...
prospect.org/justice/2025...
How ICE Hides Detainees From Their Lawyers
‘It seems like cruelty is the point,’ one attorney said.
prospect.org
October 6, 2025 at 2:04 PM
ICE abducts people and then immediately moves them around to prevent access to lawyers and habeas corpus petitions. @emmarjanssen.bsky.social has the story on this consistent game being played to frustrate due process.
prospect.org/justice/2025...
prospect.org/justice/2025...
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
The U.S. Supreme Court was set on Tuesday to hear a free speech challenge to a Colorado law banning psychotherapists from conducting "conversion therapy" that aims to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity.
US Supreme Court to examine Colorado's gay 'conversion therapy' ban
The U.S. Supreme Court was set on Tuesday to hear a free speech challenge to a Colorado law banning psychotherapists from conducting "conversion therapy" that aims to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity.
reut.rs
October 7, 2025 at 10:25 AM
The U.S. Supreme Court was set on Tuesday to hear a free speech challenge to a Colorado law banning psychotherapists from conducting "conversion therapy" that aims to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Pretty sure Jan 6th was an attempt by violence to beat votes.
Stephen Miller: "Eventually elections don’t carry the day because violence beats votes… When we see a muscular response from the federal government, it’s because we’re not going to let violence beat votes."
Is he implying federal intervention determines political legitimacy, not ballots or courts?
Is he implying federal intervention determines political legitimacy, not ballots or courts?
October 7, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Pretty sure Jan 6th was an attempt by violence to beat votes.
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
Records obtained by ProPublica indicate that food banks across the country were expecting more than 27 million pounds of chicken, 2 million gallons of milk, 10 million pounds of dried fruit and 60 million eggs that never arrived.
Trump Canceled 94 Million Pounds of Food Aid. Here’s What Never Arrived.
ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the administration’s cut...
projects.propublica.org
October 7, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Records obtained by ProPublica indicate that food banks across the country were expecting more than 27 million pounds of chicken, 2 million gallons of milk, 10 million pounds of dried fruit and 60 million eggs that never arrived.
I’ve been saying this for months. The 2026 elections won’t save us — by then it will be too late.
at this point you have to acknowledge that there is no way that these guys don't try to mess with the 2026 midterms. there is absolutely no respect for the legitimacy of the opposition
Stephen Miller: "Eventually elections don’t carry the day because violence beats votes… When we see a muscular response from the federal government, it’s because we’re not going to let violence beat votes."
Is he implying federal intervention determines political legitimacy, not ballots or courts?
Is he implying federal intervention determines political legitimacy, not ballots or courts?
October 7, 2025 at 11:22 AM
I’ve been saying this for months. The 2026 elections won’t save us — by then it will be too late.
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
Once you accept that the Supreme Court behaves as a constitutional policymaking body, you won’t be surprised that originalism is used situationally and strategically—just like every other interpretive approach.
October 6, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Once you accept that the Supreme Court behaves as a constitutional policymaking body, you won’t be surprised that originalism is used situationally and strategically—just like every other interpretive approach.
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
We’re in a moment now where it would be worth people taking three hours to watch Gandhi, particularly the scene of the salt march. There is value to making the brutality of your opponent so plain as day that no one can argue with it. The clarity of that brought down an empire
October 7, 2025 at 3:54 AM
We’re in a moment now where it would be worth people taking three hours to watch Gandhi, particularly the scene of the salt march. There is value to making the brutality of your opponent so plain as day that no one can argue with it. The clarity of that brought down an empire
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
It's a pretty big deal that the NYC Bar Association--one of the most prominent and respected bar associations in the country--is accusing the President of ordering the "unlawful summary execution," i.e. murder--of civilians in violation of US and international law. www.nycbar.org/press-releas...
October 6, 2025 at 8:40 PM
It's a pretty big deal that the NYC Bar Association--one of the most prominent and respected bar associations in the country--is accusing the President of ordering the "unlawful summary execution," i.e. murder--of civilians in violation of US and international law. www.nycbar.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
US universities must reject Trump’s ‘compact’. It is full of traps | Jan-Werner Müller
US universities must reject Trump’s ‘compact’. It is full of traps | Jan-Werner Müller
The administration is trying to make nine universities an offer they seemingly cannot refuse
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:46 AM
US universities must reject Trump’s ‘compact’. It is full of traps | Jan-Werner Müller
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
The ruin of Gaza: how Israel’s two-year assault has devastated the territory
The ruin of Gaza: how Israel’s two-year assault has devastated the territory
IDF’s bombs and ground offensive have killed tens of thousands of people and reduced entire cities to rubble
The devastating war in Gaza has entered its third year, standing as Israel’s longest war since the 1948 conflict that led to the country’s creation.
The majority of those killed by Israel’s offensive in the strip have been civilians, and the overall total now exceeds 67,000. Entire families have been wiped out in a single airstrike. Sometimes, only a single individual, frequently a child, is left alive. There are also nearly 170,000 injured. In all, casualties amount to roughly 10% of Gaza’s pre-war population of 2.3 million. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:50 AM
The ruin of Gaza: how Israel’s two-year assault has devastated the territory
This is journalistic malpractice.
"President Donald Trump and his top aides are using the word 'insurrection' more frequently to describe anti-ICE protests in places like Portland," writes Zachary B. Wolf. https://cnn.it/4pWYmzr
October 7, 2025 at 11:15 AM
This is journalistic malpractice.
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
Same thing happened in LA, same thing happened in DC: prosecutors charged people with assaulting a federal officer and then furiously backpedaled when the evidence didn’t support it
Body-camera video appears to contradict the government’s claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed.
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
Attorney for woman shot by Border Patrol claims officer said 'Do something b-----' before shooting
Body-camera video appears to contradict the government's claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed. A judge ordered Martinez and a co-defendant released pending trial.
trib.al
October 6, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Same thing happened in LA, same thing happened in DC: prosecutors charged people with assaulting a federal officer and then furiously backpedaled when the evidence didn’t support it
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
Claim: 10 cars rammed ICE
Truth: No cars rammed ICE
Claim: She boxed ICE in
Truth: ICE boxed her in
Claim: She shot a rifle at ICE
Truth: She did not have a rifle
Claim: ICE returned fire
Truth: Only ICE fired
Claim: She drove herself to the hospital
Truth: Paramedics found her
Truth: No cars rammed ICE
Claim: She boxed ICE in
Truth: ICE boxed her in
Claim: She shot a rifle at ICE
Truth: She did not have a rifle
Claim: ICE returned fire
Truth: Only ICE fired
Claim: She drove herself to the hospital
Truth: Paramedics found her
Body-camera video appears to contradict the government’s claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed.
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
Attorney for woman shot by Border Patrol claims officer said 'Do something b-----' before shooting
Body-camera video appears to contradict the government's claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed. A judge ordered Martinez and a co-defendant released pending trial.
trib.al
October 6, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Claim: 10 cars rammed ICE
Truth: No cars rammed ICE
Claim: She boxed ICE in
Truth: ICE boxed her in
Claim: She shot a rifle at ICE
Truth: She did not have a rifle
Claim: ICE returned fire
Truth: Only ICE fired
Claim: She drove herself to the hospital
Truth: Paramedics found her
Truth: No cars rammed ICE
Claim: She boxed ICE in
Truth: ICE boxed her in
Claim: She shot a rifle at ICE
Truth: She did not have a rifle
Claim: ICE returned fire
Truth: Only ICE fired
Claim: She drove herself to the hospital
Truth: Paramedics found her
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
Interesting set of opinions from the Washington Supreme Court last week, so I dusted off the old blog and wrote it up. The Court cited its own internal rules and procedures (!) to justify providing a short per curiam explaining the 4-4-1 split. Helpful!
ziffblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/29/t...
ziffblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/29/t...
The Washington Supreme Court Helps Us Count to Five
First of all: Hi. It’s been a while. I’m trying to get in the habit of posting my random musings here instead of in Bluesky threads. But you can still find me there! Anyway, an interest…
ziffblog.wordpress.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Interesting set of opinions from the Washington Supreme Court last week, so I dusted off the old blog and wrote it up. The Court cited its own internal rules and procedures (!) to justify providing a short per curiam explaining the 4-4-1 split. Helpful!
ziffblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/29/t...
ziffblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/29/t...
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
this business model should be flatly illegal
taking on a bunch of debt to buy a company and then burning the company to the ground to service that debt while paying yourselves huge fees is a purely destructive practice that has never once had a positive outcome
ban it completely
taking on a bunch of debt to buy a company and then burning the company to the ground to service that debt while paying yourselves huge fees is a purely destructive practice that has never once had a positive outcome
ban it completely
It’s official: EA is going private.
The leveraged buyout will be financed by a staggering $20 billion of debt, which likely means some *aggressive* cost cutting is ahead for EA in the coming months and years.
www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...
The leveraged buyout will be financed by a staggering $20 billion of debt, which likely means some *aggressive* cost cutting is ahead for EA in the coming months and years.
www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...
www.businesswire.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM
this business model should be flatly illegal
taking on a bunch of debt to buy a company and then burning the company to the ground to service that debt while paying yourselves huge fees is a purely destructive practice that has never once had a positive outcome
ban it completely
taking on a bunch of debt to buy a company and then burning the company to the ground to service that debt while paying yourselves huge fees is a purely destructive practice that has never once had a positive outcome
ban it completely
Reposted by Jason P. Steed
A federal judge in Washington ordered the Trump administration on Monday to pause the layoffs of hundreds of employees from the agency that owns the U.S. news service Voice of America, adding that government officials had shown "concerning disrespect" for the court's directives.
US court suspends Trump layoff of hundreds at Voice of America
A federal judge in Washington ordered the Trump administration on Monday to pause the layoffs of hundreds of employees from the agency that owns the U.S. news service Voice of America, adding that government officials had shown "concerning disrespect" for the court's directives.
reut.rs
September 30, 2025 at 9:45 AM
A federal judge in Washington ordered the Trump administration on Monday to pause the layoffs of hundreds of employees from the agency that owns the U.S. news service Voice of America, adding that government officials had shown "concerning disrespect" for the court's directives.