Billy F. R.
@wfrison89.bsky.social
Vermont, Law, Higher Ed Policy, & DC Sports
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Getting rid of disparate impact liability under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act would mean cutting millions of people of color off from recourse for anything but the most obvious and explicit discrimination
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
How the Trump Administration Is Quietly Resegregating the American Workforce
The Justice Department’s rollback of disparate impact is just one new policy that makes it harder for people of color to challenge illegal discrimination.
ballsandstrikes.org
December 17, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Getting rid of disparate impact liability under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act would mean cutting millions of people of color off from recourse for anything but the most obvious and explicit discrimination
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Former Rep. Tom Perriello, a Virginia Democrat who won his sole term in a huge 2008 upset, unexpectedly announces campaign against GOP Rep. John McGuire. Trump carried the current version of #VA05 56-43, but it could look a lot different if Democrats convince voters to approve a new map this spring.
Tom Perriello For Congress Launch Video
YouTube video by Tom Perriello
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Former Rep. Tom Perriello, a Virginia Democrat who won his sole term in a huge 2008 upset, unexpectedly announces campaign against GOP Rep. John McGuire. Trump carried the current version of #VA05 56-43, but it could look a lot different if Democrats convince voters to approve a new map this spring.
Reposted by Billy F. R.
again, it is just arrogance. “there is one true meaning of the constitution and it can only be derived by a special caste of lawyers with a special interpretative lens and once discovered it is binding.”
December 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM
again, it is just arrogance. “there is one true meaning of the constitution and it can only be derived by a special caste of lawyers with a special interpretative lens and once discovered it is binding.”
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Supreme Court oral argument this morning, in sum
Sotomayor: you're asking us to destroy the foundation of government (derogatory)
Gorsuch: you're asking us to destroy the foundation of government (complimentary)
Sotomayor: you're asking us to destroy the foundation of government (derogatory)
Gorsuch: you're asking us to destroy the foundation of government (complimentary)
December 8, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Supreme Court oral argument this morning, in sum
Sotomayor: you're asking us to destroy the foundation of government (derogatory)
Gorsuch: you're asking us to destroy the foundation of government (complimentary)
Sotomayor: you're asking us to destroy the foundation of government (derogatory)
Gorsuch: you're asking us to destroy the foundation of government (complimentary)
Reposted by Billy F. R.
NEW: @propublica.org investigated the Chicago apartment raid where kids were zip-tied and citizens detained for hours. They find:
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
November 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM
NEW: @propublica.org investigated the Chicago apartment raid where kids were zip-tied and citizens detained for hours. They find:
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
Bye 👋
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Kim Davis' call to overturn its 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
www.mississippifreepress.org/us-supreme-c...
www.mississippifreepress.org/us-supreme-c...
US Supreme Court Rejects Kim Davis' Call to Overturn Same-Sex Marriage Rights
The Supreme Court has rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Bye 👋
Reposted by Billy F. R.
New: The Supreme Court DENIES Kim Davis' request to overturn Obergefell, the marriage equality decision. No noted dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
New: The Supreme Court DENIES Kim Davis' request to overturn Obergefell, the marriage equality decision. No noted dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Fun fact. Trump destruction of soybean exports (rightfully) gets lots of attention. But you know what we sell even more of to China? Education.
2024 soybean exports to China: $13B.
Higher Ed: $14B.
Yes, all those internat’l students count as *exports.* Trump is STILL actively destroying that market.
2024 soybean exports to China: $13B.
Higher Ed: $14B.
Yes, all those internat’l students count as *exports.* Trump is STILL actively destroying that market.
Bessent says China to delay rare earths rules by a year, buy U.S. soybeans reut.rs/42YJMO9
Bessent says China to delay rare earths rules by a year, buy U.S. soybeans
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that he anticipates that China will revive substantial purchases of U.S. soybeans for several years and will delay its expanded licensing regime for rare earths by a year and re-examine it after two days of trade talks in Malaysia.
reut.rs
October 27, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Fun fact. Trump destruction of soybean exports (rightfully) gets lots of attention. But you know what we sell even more of to China? Education.
2024 soybean exports to China: $13B.
Higher Ed: $14B.
Yes, all those internat’l students count as *exports.* Trump is STILL actively destroying that market.
2024 soybean exports to China: $13B.
Higher Ed: $14B.
Yes, all those internat’l students count as *exports.* Trump is STILL actively destroying that market.
Reposted by Billy F. R.
SNAP, the country's largest anti-hunger program, dates back to the Great Depression and has never been disrupted this way. Most recipients are seniors, families with kids, and those with disabilities.
'Uncharted territory': Ongoing shutdown threatens food aid for 42 million people
SNAP, the country's largest anti-hunger program, dates back to the Great Depression and has never been disrupted this way. Most recipients are seniors, families with kids, and those with disabilities.
n.pr
October 27, 2025 at 1:37 PM
SNAP, the country's largest anti-hunger program, dates back to the Great Depression and has never been disrupted this way. Most recipients are seniors, families with kids, and those with disabilities.
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Pregnant women detained by ICE report horrifying treatment: shackling, solitary confinement, no prenatal vitamins, inadequate food. ICE's own directives and regulations require the agency to avoid detention of pregnant people in the first place. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Pregnant women describe miscarrying and bleeding out while in ICE custody, advocates say
The ACLU and other groups are pressing for ICE to identify and release all pregnant women in custody and to stop detaining anyone known to be pregnant, postpartum or nursing.
www.nbcnews.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Pregnant women detained by ICE report horrifying treatment: shackling, solitary confinement, no prenatal vitamins, inadequate food. ICE's own directives and regulations require the agency to avoid detention of pregnant people in the first place. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Billy F. R.
"A 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 may have to pay $31,000 for a health insurance plan in Kentucky...
$28,000 for a plan in Oregon...
$44,000 for a plan in Vermont..."
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
$28,000 for a plan in Oregon...
$44,000 for a plan in Vermont..."
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Health insurance sticker shock begins as shutdown battle over subsidies rages
Many states have shown rising premiums ahead of open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans. The government shutdown is driven by Democrats and Republicans being far apart on the issue of extended s...
www.washingtonpost.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:04 PM
"A 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 may have to pay $31,000 for a health insurance plan in Kentucky...
$28,000 for a plan in Oregon...
$44,000 for a plan in Vermont..."
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
$28,000 for a plan in Oregon...
$44,000 for a plan in Vermont..."
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Billy F. R.
From a month ago, talking about the extrajudicial murders in international waters. An evil joke that's become true. No conscious.
Vance on Trump's strikes on boats: "I wouldn't go fishing right now in that area of the world."
October 20, 2025 at 12:29 PM
From a month ago, talking about the extrajudicial murders in international waters. An evil joke that's become true. No conscious.
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Watch this. And then the whole thing. They are destroying the rule of law: www.cbsnews.com/news/justice...
October 20, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Watch this. And then the whole thing. They are destroying the rule of law: www.cbsnews.com/news/justice...
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Quite the endorsement of Justice Kavanaugh's opinion.
for @slate.com I wrote about Joe Arpaio's view on the SCOTUS shadow docket decision in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo, the case in which Kavanaugh said it was okay to racially profile people.
“I was vindicated by the Supreme Court of all this shit.”
slate.com/news-and-pol...
“I was vindicated by the Supreme Court of all this shit.”
slate.com/news-and-pol...
He Was the Most Notorious Sheriff in America. He Says the Supreme Court Vindicated Him.
Thanks, SCOTUS.
slate.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Quite the endorsement of Justice Kavanaugh's opinion.
@roxanegay.bsky.social is one of the best writers of our time. Persuasive, passionate, and right. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/o...
Opinion | Civility Is a Fantasy
www.nytimes.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
@roxanegay.bsky.social is one of the best writers of our time. Persuasive, passionate, and right. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/o...
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Lucy, when you're done messing around, there's a football to be kicked.
Happy New Year, Mr. President.
When you’re finished ranting, we can sit down and discuss health care.
When you’re finished ranting, we can sit down and discuss health care.
September 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Lucy, when you're done messing around, there's a football to be kicked.
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Kagan’s short dissent is unanswerable.
Order here: www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p....
www.supremecourt.gov
September 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Kagan’s short dissent is unanswerable.
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Why is this horrible for Universities?
Just about everyone who isn't a citizen or green card holder already who's hired for a tenure track faculty position is hired through an H1B and then, after 3-5 years, applies for a green card.
This is literally "No more foreign professors can be hired"
Just about everyone who isn't a citizen or green card holder already who's hired for a tenure track faculty position is hired through an H1B and then, after 3-5 years, applies for a green card.
This is literally "No more foreign professors can be hired"
Those on an H1B cannot return to the US from tomorrow (Sunday) unless paying $100K. This is an out-of-the blue presidential action. We’ll see software engineers stranded abroad.
One easy to predict outcome: those on US visas will travel less… for work, for conferences etc.
One easy to predict outcome: those on US visas will travel less… for work, for conferences etc.
September 20, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Why is this horrible for Universities?
Just about everyone who isn't a citizen or green card holder already who's hired for a tenure track faculty position is hired through an H1B and then, after 3-5 years, applies for a green card.
This is literally "No more foreign professors can be hired"
Just about everyone who isn't a citizen or green card holder already who's hired for a tenure track faculty position is hired through an H1B and then, after 3-5 years, applies for a green card.
This is literally "No more foreign professors can be hired"
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Not really an overstatement to say that the test of a free society is whether or not comedians can make fun of the country's leader on TV without repurcussions.
July 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Not really an overstatement to say that the test of a free society is whether or not comedians can make fun of the country's leader on TV without repurcussions.
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Today's bonus "One First" goes deep into Justice Kavanaugh's concurrence in the ICE roving patrols case:
"If this is the kind of analysis that’s driving the justices’ votes in the other Trump-related cases, perhaps it really is understandable why the Court is so often declining to explain itself."
"If this is the kind of analysis that’s driving the justices’ votes in the other Trump-related cases, perhaps it really is understandable why the Court is so often declining to explain itself."
Bonus 177: A Closer Look at Justice Kavanaugh's ICE Raids Opinion
Walking through the only opinion written in support of Monday's Supreme Court stay in the ICE roving arrests case helps to highlight *how* the Court may be stacking the deck in Trump-related cases.
www.stevevladeck.com
September 11, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Today's bonus "One First" goes deep into Justice Kavanaugh's concurrence in the ICE roving patrols case:
"If this is the kind of analysis that’s driving the justices’ votes in the other Trump-related cases, perhaps it really is understandable why the Court is so often declining to explain itself."
"If this is the kind of analysis that’s driving the justices’ votes in the other Trump-related cases, perhaps it really is understandable why the Court is so often declining to explain itself."
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Yeah, @jaywillis.net nails it: "One possible reason the conservative justices usually don’t explain their pro-Trump shadow docket opinions: Their pro-Trump shadow docket opinions might read like this."
Brett Kavanaugh’s Racial Profiling Apologia Is Bad and Embarrassing
One possible reason the conservative justices usually don’t explain their pro-Trump shadow docket opinions: Their pro-Trump shadow docket opinions might read like this.
ballsandstrikes.org
September 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Yeah, @jaywillis.net nails it: "One possible reason the conservative justices usually don’t explain their pro-Trump shadow docket opinions: Their pro-Trump shadow docket opinions might read like this."
Reposted by Billy F. R.
I wrote this story because the case of the Guatemalan children hasn’t received nearly as much media attention as it deserves.
I wanted to highlight the full extent of the government’s depraved conduct.
I hope you’ll read and share. Don’t look away.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
I wanted to highlight the full extent of the government’s depraved conduct.
I hope you’ll read and share. Don’t look away.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
September 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I wrote this story because the case of the Guatemalan children hasn’t received nearly as much media attention as it deserves.
I wanted to highlight the full extent of the government’s depraved conduct.
I hope you’ll read and share. Don’t look away.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
I wanted to highlight the full extent of the government’s depraved conduct.
I hope you’ll read and share. Don’t look away.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
Reposted by Billy F. R.
This is the official spokesperson for the White House, stating that the President hopes to deploy the United States military to occupy every city controlled by the political party that opposes him. Explicitly.
Leavitt: "These are the bad guys that we are picking up in Washington DC every day. The president would love to do this in every Democrat-run city across the country."
September 9, 2025 at 6:16 PM
This is the official spokesperson for the White House, stating that the President hopes to deploy the United States military to occupy every city controlled by the political party that opposes him. Explicitly.
Reposted by Billy F. R.
Over the next 15 months, we can expect a coordinated campaign — backed by the full power of the executive branch — to undermine confidence in our election system. Here’s what to expect, and how key actors can be ready to respond: bit.ly/4fRIqtA
What to Expect Next in the Trump Administration’s Strategy to Meddle with the Vote
Efforts to protect the coming elections must begin now.
www.brennancenter.org
September 9, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Over the next 15 months, we can expect a coordinated campaign — backed by the full power of the executive branch — to undermine confidence in our election system. Here’s what to expect, and how key actors can be ready to respond: bit.ly/4fRIqtA