Rahat Babar
@rahatbabar.bsky.social
Executive leading policy and law. Former New Jersey judge.
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New Jersey Insight | Rahat Babar | Substack
A newsletter to make law and politics in New Jersey (and beyond) more accessible. Click to read New Jersey Insight, by Rahat Babar, a Substack publication. Launched a year ago.
newjerseyinsight.com
Friends, I've launched New Jersey Insight, a periodic newsletter to make law and politics (through a New Jersey lens) more accessible.
You can find news on law & politics anywhere. My take, however, will often have a distinctive New Jersey hook. Feel free to check it out!
newjerseyinsight.com
You can find news on law & politics anywhere. My take, however, will often have a distinctive New Jersey hook. Feel free to check it out!
newjerseyinsight.com
Before the government can enter your home, they need to prove not only probable cause, but also show that a detached and neutral arbiter agreed. A recently revealed internal ICE memo completely upends that basic premise, one that I followed as a judge.
My latest:
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
My latest:
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
Your Home is Your Castle. Does the Federal Government Know That?
In an internal memo, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement completely upends the warrant requirement under the Fourth Amendment.
open.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Before the government can enter your home, they need to prove not only probable cause, but also show that a detached and neutral arbiter agreed. A recently revealed internal ICE memo completely upends that basic premise, one that I followed as a judge.
My latest:
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
My latest:
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
Friends, I've launched New Jersey Insight, a periodic newsletter to make law and politics (through a New Jersey lens) more accessible.
You can find news on law & politics anywhere. My take, however, will often have a distinctive New Jersey hook. Feel free to check it out!
newjerseyinsight.com
You can find news on law & politics anywhere. My take, however, will often have a distinctive New Jersey hook. Feel free to check it out!
newjerseyinsight.com
New Jersey Insight | Rahat Babar | Substack
A newsletter to make law and politics in New Jersey (and beyond) more accessible. Click to read New Jersey Insight, by Rahat Babar, a Substack publication. Launched a year ago.
newjerseyinsight.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:48 AM
Friends, I've launched New Jersey Insight, a periodic newsletter to make law and politics (through a New Jersey lens) more accessible.
You can find news on law & politics anywhere. My take, however, will often have a distinctive New Jersey hook. Feel free to check it out!
newjerseyinsight.com
You can find news on law & politics anywhere. My take, however, will often have a distinctive New Jersey hook. Feel free to check it out!
newjerseyinsight.com
I've spent so much of my career defending law enforcement, the vast majority of whom were professionals and took their oath to uphold the law and serve the public seriously. And when those fall below those very high standards, accountability followed. We accepted that.
And so should Congress.
And so should Congress.
"Just like the killing of Renée Good, Saturday morning’s shooting once again raises the question of why it is so damned difficult to hold federal officers—and the federal government itself—accountable if and when they violate our rights."
Me on the federal accountability gap—and how to close it:
Me on the federal accountability gap—and how to close it:
204. Accountability After Minneapolis
A short post explaining (1) why it's so hard to hold federal officers and/or the federal government liable for violating our rights; and (2) how a one-sentence statute could (and *SHOULD*) fix it.
www.stevevladeck.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:32 PM
I've spent so much of my career defending law enforcement, the vast majority of whom were professionals and took their oath to uphold the law and serve the public seriously. And when those fall below those very high standards, accountability followed. We accepted that.
And so should Congress.
And so should Congress.
In my latest on New Jersey Insight, I explore a question that takes on particular resonance in light of events in Minnesota: whether a state can allow someone to sue a federal officer for civil rights violations. MN is exploring it; NJ likely allows it. rahatbabar.substack.com/p/do-you-wan...
Do You Want to Sue a Federal Officer? Check Out New Jersey
Minnesota lawmakers are exploring legislation to allow individuals to sue federal officers for civil rights violations. New Jersey may already allow it.
rahatbabar.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:26 AM
In my latest on New Jersey Insight, I explore a question that takes on particular resonance in light of events in Minnesota: whether a state can allow someone to sue a federal officer for civil rights violations. MN is exploring it; NJ likely allows it. rahatbabar.substack.com/p/do-you-wan...
Accountability matters. In a democracy, the people must know who to either blame or credit. Recent actions in New Jersey and the increasingly worrying developments in Minneapolis bring this question to the forefront. rahatbabar.substack.com/p/minneapoli...
Minneapolis Shows the Importance of Lines of Accountability
Which elected official should we blame?
rahatbabar.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Accountability matters. In a democracy, the people must know who to either blame or credit. Recent actions in New Jersey and the increasingly worrying developments in Minneapolis bring this question to the forefront. rahatbabar.substack.com/p/minneapoli...
After a brazen U.S. military operation in Venezuela, the country's disputed leader, Nicolás Maduro, has been captured. He will now face a criminal trial, but that does not excuse the circumstances of his capture. In matters of war and peace, the means matter: rahatbabar.substack.com/p/ends-and-m...
Ends and Means: The Arrest of Nicolás Maduro
Maduro must face the charges against him, but that does not excuse the circumstances of his capture.
rahatbabar.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:15 AM
After a brazen U.S. military operation in Venezuela, the country's disputed leader, Nicolás Maduro, has been captured. He will now face a criminal trial, but that does not excuse the circumstances of his capture. In matters of war and peace, the means matter: rahatbabar.substack.com/p/ends-and-m...
Who is an American? This question has haunted the nation since its founding. In 2025, it has permeated through the waves of political and cultural changes.
Looking back, some thoughts from me on American identity. The short answer: it's complicated.
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
Looking back, some thoughts from me on American identity. The short answer: it's complicated.
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
The Perpetual Question of American Identity
It's complicated.
open.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Who is an American? This question has haunted the nation since its founding. In 2025, it has permeated through the waves of political and cultural changes.
Looking back, some thoughts from me on American identity. The short answer: it's complicated.
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
Looking back, some thoughts from me on American identity. The short answer: it's complicated.
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
In New Jersey, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill is immersed in transition. One of her most consequential decisions will be her selection to be the next state attorney general. My thoughts on what the Governor-elect should consider in making her choice:
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
The Essential Qualities for the Next Attorney General of New Jersey
What does it take?
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:27 AM
In New Jersey, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill is immersed in transition. One of her most consequential decisions will be her selection to be the next state attorney general. My thoughts on what the Governor-elect should consider in making her choice:
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
open.substack.com/pub/rahatbab...
“The rule of law is under attack.”
“Democracy is at stake.”
We hear these lines often enough, but they fall flat with most listeners. What do they even mean?
On this Presidents’ Day, let’s go back to fundamentals. My thoughts: medium.com/@rahatbabar/...
“Democracy is at stake.”
We hear these lines often enough, but they fall flat with most listeners. What do they even mean?
On this Presidents’ Day, let’s go back to fundamentals. My thoughts: medium.com/@rahatbabar/...
Are the Rule of Law and Democracy Real?
Yes, they are.
medium.com
February 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM
“The rule of law is under attack.”
“Democracy is at stake.”
We hear these lines often enough, but they fall flat with most listeners. What do they even mean?
On this Presidents’ Day, let’s go back to fundamentals. My thoughts: medium.com/@rahatbabar/...
“Democracy is at stake.”
We hear these lines often enough, but they fall flat with most listeners. What do they even mean?
On this Presidents’ Day, let’s go back to fundamentals. My thoughts: medium.com/@rahatbabar/...