In @nytopinion.nytimes.com “When the Supreme Court rules against the Trump administration’s attempt to constrict birthright citizenship, we should applaud that result,” Stephen Vladeck says. “We must not lose sight, however, of the opportunities the court won’t have to rein in the administration.”

I need to know what 23-year-old marketing assistant approved this. Diabolical.

The most common question I get about @stevevladeck.bsky.social is “when does he sleep?!” — a nod to just how much content he puts out (second most common: wait, how tall IS he!?) Today’s One First explores how Steve writes the newsletter. Hint: it’s not AI! www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-215-...

I have jury duty today. On the way to the courthouse, I swung by @stevevladeck.bsky.social’s office at Georgetown Law. Picking which prop from his office to bring to jury duty was really hard! I narrowed it down to these two. Think I’ll get selected?!

Ok but why is this what our 7-year-old is designing on Canva??

Our displeased 10-year-old after the Supreme Court’s evening news drop interrupted our post-dinner family hearts game: “UGHH couldn’t dad have just been, like, an architect or something?!?!?”

I realize that we are in a war right now and there are far more serious things going on in the world but this is the funniest school email I’ve received in my decade+ of parenting and I can’t stop laughing

We just got our oldest daughter’s Bat Mitzvah date and surely it must be a mistake since she was just born last week 😭😭😭😭😭 (Luckily it’s not until 2029 so I have a few years to pull myself together but STILL Y’ALL)

Every Jewish mom texting her family group chat this morning some variation of “Did you know Jack Hughes is half Jewish and had a Bar Mitzvah?!”

Watching Alysa Liu win gold by being no one but herself and doing it for the sheer joy of the sport with my own aspiring figure skater was truly moving. Sydney (7) said “She’s my mentor!” I think she meant role model, but all the same. What an amazing athlete and person we are all lucky to watch.

We used to go away for Valentine’s Day (or at least out to dinner!) Now we just travel to multiple states for different kids’ sport tournaments. Photo almost 20-years (!!!!) old. We still look like these babies though, right @stevevladeck.bsky.social?? 💕💕

I’m learning that being the house where your daughter’s Girl Scout Troop stores all of its cookies for distribution is extremely dangerous.

The companies/law firms that these men in the Epstein files work for all knew about these internal emails years ago. They just never thought they’d be released. Don’t forget that.

Live shot of everyone in our neighborhood trying to get their cars out

For those scoring at home: yes we are still fully snowed in; no our street has not been plowed; no our kids do not have school tomorrow again and frankly might not all week.

This morning, I recorded a video on TikTok about why DHS’s arguments for the power to enter homes without judicial warrants in immigration cases are bunk. Nine hours later, TikTok still says my video is “under review,” and can’t be shared. Well, here’s a link: georgetown.box.com/v/Vladeck-IC...

Our 10-year-old, calling into @stevevladeck.bsky.social’s office while he is filming a video on the unconstitutionality of ICE going door to door without a warrant: “Dad don’t make it too long! People on TikTok have very short attention spans.”

Really hard to look at this and all the other examples of bravery and kindness from ordinary people in this moment not think also of the tremendous cowardice exhibited over the past year by some of the richest, most well-protected people in business, media and politics

I can't put into words the feeling of watching our government, a hive of evil antisocial filth, the absolute worst humanity has to offer, colliding with the best. Ordinary people trying to help each other, risking everything to stand up for what's plainly, unambiguously fair and right. It's unreal

Big storm + freeze coming means many days ahead home with our kids. What are some good family movies we should watch together? Which ones am I forgetting? For reference, our girls are 7 and 10.

Arrived at Union Station at the same time the March For Life let out and curious how many of these people are also protesting ICE’s atrocious actions since they care so much about human life.

"But you will find great meaning if you dedicate yourself to disappearing people off the street and detaining 5-year-olds on their way home from school."

DMV parents buckle up: I’m calling it now that we won’t have school until at LEAST Wednesday next week, possibly Thursday. This one is going to be a doozy. ❄️❄️❄️

If I’ve learned anything in the years I’ve lived in DC it’s that supermarkets will run out of food regardless of whether we get snow so do your shopping way earlier than you think you need to. Oh and if we do get major snow the city will be shut down for a week.

Today @stevevladeck.bsky.social and I celebrate one full decade of being parents as our oldest daughter turns 10. Being a parent is the hardest and most rewarding part of our lives. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Happy birthday to our big girl — and cheers to us for surviving the first 10.

This morning, as @stevevladeck.bsky.social is leaving the house: "Give 'em hell babe. Especially Cruz." 9-year-old: "Wait. You're meeting Tom Cruise today?!?!?!" www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-ac...

Never come between a mom and a Goodwill donation collection bag on the last day of winter break. Truly nothing in this house is safe.

See also: www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8y76n2B/

Me: What you going to do while I take the girls to the library? Steve: Idk, I guess go down to the office and work? 90 minutes later: open.substack.com/pub/stevevla...

There’s always hope that this will be the year

Spending the last day of 2025 with @stevevladeck.bsky.social recording a bonus podcast episode of One First, which will drop tomorrow. Happy new year, everyone. May your 2026 be filled with good health and peace.

Watching The Eras Tour documentary and all I can think is I should have gone to even more shows than I did.

When you play Ado Annie in your 1998 8th grade play these are the texts you get from your mom in 2025

Live somewhere with seasons, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.

Really interesting thread on the Netflix/WB merger from an antitrust perspective. 👇

No matter how tired he is or what an insane week he has had, Steve takes our daughter to every single early morning skate. And for that, I am very grateful. Next step: mastering the figure skating hair bun (and writing another book).

Idk what mom of very young kids need to hear this but when mine were very little, I used to dread (and I mean DREAD) winter break. They are now 7 and almost 10 and I cannot wait. Truly counting down the minutes until it starts. If you’re in the trenches, just keep going. It gets better.

Do they allow popcorn in Dirksen? Asking for me.

Home for the holidays

I saw Cady Heron wearing army pants and flip flops, so I bought army pants and flip flops.

Lindsey Halligan finding out she actually had to show the Comey indictment to the *entire* grand jury

Steve [to our children]: “My Substack newsletter is about to reach 100k subscribers. Isn’t that cool?” 7-YO: “How is that even possible? Who on earth would want to read that thing?!?” The Vladeck Girls — keeping @stevevladeck.bsky.social humble always

Overheard conversation between our daughters watching the Bejewled music video: 9-YO: “She gets the prince in the end but ditches him because she has the castle. Smart.” 7-YO: “Well yeah. Who needs a prince when you have the whole castle.” We are doing ok, @stevevladeck.bsky.social ✅

Spent today not feeling completely insane for the first time in a year so that was good.

Follow along for @stevevladeck.bsky.social’s real time analysis of the tariff arguments. Our girls criticized all his clothing (and other) choices this morning so he could use the love. www.cnn.com/politics/liv...

The men are quaking in their boots, ladies. Keep it up 💪

What are they saying over on Fox? Elections were rigged? Yelling about something Biden did in 2021? All of these are D states anyway so who really cares? All of the above? I’m curious but not curious enough to actually turn it on.

Populist Dems won. Moderate Dems won. We won in blue states. We won in purple states. Maybe the take is that (a) people think Trump is out of control; and (b) people like Dems when we're taking a stand and fighting for what we believe in - as we have been for the last month.

Let’s gooooo!!!!! 💙💙💙💙

Our DC community showed up this weekend at our daughters’ food drive and bake sale. $450 raised (which @stevevladeck.bsky.social and I will match) and TONS of food heading to the Capital Area Food Bank. Trying to make some light during these dark times. 🩷