“Schwartz’s many documented biases and hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and working families living paycheck to paycheck, exemplify a lack of independence, fitness, and fortitude for a lifetime role on the federal judiciary." truthout.org/articles/tru...

NEW: Constraining Civic Life: State Bills Target Nonprofits Nationwide "Knowing the rules is not about pulling back. It is about protecting the ability to organize, speak, and build power over the long term." Read the full blog: afj.org/article/cons...

SCOTUS has sided with the Trump administration in a case limiting immigration judges’ ability to speak publicly on policy issues, reversing a lower-court decision that had allowed the challenge to move forward. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/u...

It deserves more attention that one of Trump’s new district court nominees—Michael Martin for ED Mich—is a top official in the US Attorney’s office that just fired 2 respected AUSAs who had prosecuted abortion-clinic blockaders.

@booker.senate.gov questioned second circuit judicial nominee Matthew Schwartz about a past article he wrote, which harshly opposed same-sex marriage. Our courts need judges who will protect LGBTQ+ rights — not nominees with histories of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. #UnfitAndUnqualified

Sixth Circuit judicial nominee Benjamin Flowers defended Ohio’s law capping damages for a rape survivor — even after a jury awarded her $20 million. When pressed by @hirono.senate.gov, he tried to distance himself from the impact of his own argument. #UnfitAndUnqualified

We joined more than 440 civil and human rights, faith, environmental, nonprofit organizations, and labor unions in demanding that Congress stand up to the Department of Justice’s baseless criminal charges against @splcenter.org. Read our letter: civilrights.org/2026/05/20/o...

As this administration makes it harder for voters to cast their ballot, takes away health care, and encourages violent immigration officers to hurt people, it is also targeting the nonprofits fighting back. The indictment of @splcenter.org is part of a coordinated strategy to silence opposition.

The Trump administration may be going after the Southern Poverty Law Center now, but make no mistake, this attack affects everyone. The point of prosecuting SPLC or others that make the president angry is to send a message: Fall in line or pay the price.

Hawai‘i became the first state to pass a “Corporate Power Reset” law aimed at limiting corporate political spending. NEW: “Corporate Power Reset” Movement: Updates from the States Read the full blog: afj.org/article/corp...

STARTING SOON – Join us TODAY at 3 PM ET for Holding Court: The Trump 2.0 DOJ on Trial. We'll examine tensions between the Department of Justice and the courts, this administration’s willingness to defy court orders, and the impact of widespread DOJ departures. JOIN: streamyard.com/watch/tcNq4g...

Freedom of the Press Foundation filed an ethics complaint against Florida Judge Jeffrey Kuntz after he ruled in Trump’s favor while reportedly seeking a federal judgeship from Trump — without recusing himself or disclosing the conflict. freedom.press/issues/compl...

Join us TOMORROW at 3 PM ET for Holding Court: The Trump 2.0 DOJ on Trial. We'll examine tensions between the Department of Justice and the courts, this administration’s willingness to defy court orders, and the impact of widespread DOJ departures. RSVP: streamyard.com/watch/tcNq4g...

Join us for Holding Court: The Trump 2.0 DOJ on Trial on Wednesday, May 20, at 3 PM ET. We'll examine tensions between the Department of Justice and the courts, this administration’s willingness to defy court orders, and the impact of widespread DOJ departures. RSVP: streamyard.com/watch/tcNq4g...

NEW: Trump Judicial Nominee Would Weaken Environmental Protections and Champion Corporations "His record on environmental issues reveals a pattern of protecting big corporations over everyday people." – AFJ's Morgan Flitt and @lcv.org's @douglindner.bsky.social Read more: afj.org/article/trum...

In Louisiana v. Callais, SCOTUS dismantled key protections that safeguarded fair representation for decades. Their message is clear: if discrimination is well hidden, it can continue unchecked. We won't accept this. Help us fight back against this lawless Court: secure.ngpvan.com/j-6qQnzXzk61...

Can you guess who filed this appeal??? None other than Trump’s Eighth Circuit judicial nominee and personal lawyer, Justin Smith, who argued that Trump would suffer “irreparable harm” if forced to comply with the judgment. Justin Smith isn’t just another nominee. He’s a Trump loyalist.

Year one consisted of Capitol Hill meetings and conversations across the country – with advocates, with funders, with staff. And if this year has taught me anything, it’s that justice work is deeply personal. And this is only the beginning.

Can’t believe it’s been one year since I joined the Alliance! We’ve accomplished so much, but we’re just getting started ✊🏽

Beyond humbled to receive such kind support from these incredible women leaders. Thank you to Vanita Gupta, Kristen Clarke, Cristine Soto DeBerry, Fatima Goss Graves and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander 🙏🏽

We are celebrating one year of strong leadership and making a meaningful impact with our President @rachelrossi.bsky.social. We are grateful to our community of partners and allies who shared messages recognizing this important milestone.

One year leading AFJ — and the stakes have never been clearer. Today, we’re renewing our commitment to defend fair courts and protect advocacy. Will you join us? youtu.be/et5gI1UApnU

One of the most amusingly petty things Justice Alito does is to put deadlines on administrative stays *only* when he is deeply *unsympathetic* to the applicants. He did it in the 2023 mife case and the 2024 SB4 immigration case; and he did it today. In all other cases, his stays are indefinite:

NEW: Trump Judicial Nominee Unsure Whether Constitution Applies to Trump This week, President Trump’s standards for federal judicial nominees sank to a new low for our democracy, with one nominee suggesting that constitutional amendments are optional. Read more: afj.org/article/trum...

John Marck refused to answer Senator Coons's question of whether President Trump is eligible to run for president in 2028. This isn’t a trick question – it's in the Constitution. If you can’t say a president can’t serve a third term, you shouldn’t be a federal judge. 🚩 @coons.senate.gov

“Confirming Kuntz’s nomination would further normalize the erosion of judicial independence and continue to signal to the public that loyalty to a president matters more than a judge’s own compliance with the rule of law." –AFJ President @rachelrossi.bsky.social news.bloomberglaw.com/white-collar...

Today is a dark day for our right to vote.

Today, the MAGA-led Supreme Court ruled in Louisiana v. Callais by a 6-3 majority that states are allowed to racially gerrymander so long as they are savvy enough to not explicitly voice their discriminatory intent. Our statement: afj.org/article/the-...

Here is @afj.org's statement on today's historically disastrous ruling in Callais v. Louisiana: afj.org/article/the-... @rachelrossi.bsky.social:

NEW: Justin Smith’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Attacks Could Lead to a Lifetime of Harm "Throughout his career defending anti-LGBTQ+ laws, he’s repeatedly used inappropriate and dehumanizing language while advocating for policies that enshrine ugly discrimination." afj.org/article/just...

AFJ is excited to introduce our newest member organizations: Coalition on Human Needs Black Feminist Future TransFamily SOS Undue Medical Debt Learn more about these impactful organizations below!🧵

“Nonprofits represent the voice of the people. Threats to silence them threaten us all.” – AFJ President @rachelrossi.bsky.social thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles...

Tuesday evening, the Department of Justice announced an indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on various charges. This investigation is the administration’s latest salvo against nonprofits that do not politically align with its agenda. Our statement: afj.org/article/doj-...

Justin Smith joined other judicial nominees in only confirming that President Biden was “certified” as the winner, but Smith isn’t just toeing the line. We know Smith is a Trump true believer because he actually tried to help overturn the 2020 election. afj.org/article/this...

Trump nominated judge fails law school 101? Tony Mattivi doesn't seem to know basic discrimination law. #UnfitAndUnqualified

Senator Adam Schiff is exactly right that Trump loyalist Justin Smith is trying to hide his shocking views. #StopJustinSmith #UnfitAndUnqualified

Why can't Trump's lawyer simply answer Senator Durbin's very straightforward question of who won the 2020 election? #StopJustinSmith #UnfitAndUnqualified @durbin.senate.gov

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse did an amazing job of connecting Leonard Leo’s network directly to Eighth Circuit Court nominee Justin Smith. #StopJustinSmith #UnfitAndUnqualified

Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to consider the Eighth Circuit nomination of Justin Smith. Today’s hearing further revealed how dangerously unfit Smith is to receive a lifetime appointment on a powerful federal appeals court. Our statement: afj.org/article/just...

Here is @afj.org's statement on today's hearing for Justin Smith: afj.org/article/just...

Today is Justin Smith’s Senate hearing. Trump’s personal lawyer wants a lifetime seat on the bench. A lifetime appointment means lifetime consequences — for our rights, our communities, our children, and our future. The Senate MUST reject him. 📢 Speak out. Take action. Protect our courts.

“Trump clearly cares about protecting himself over the rule of law or the Constitution, so he picks those loyal to his cause who will enable his authoritarian behavior." – Christine Chen Zinner, AFJ Federal Research and Advocacy Director news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

Justin Smith is a Trump true believer who demonstrates unfettered loyalty to him. His biased statements show he doesn't possess the judicial independence necessary to preside over a federal court that covers seven states. The Senate must reject his nomination. #StopJustinSmith #UnfitAndUnqualified

"27 of the 51 judges on the 9th Circuit actually wrote that Judge VanDyke's crude and vitriolic language made them sound like juveniles, not judges, and it undermines public trust in the courts. And ultimately, that's what this is about, right?" – @rachelrossi.bsky.social www.npr.org/2026/04/09/n...

During her short career, Trump loyalist Katie Lane has demonstrated a disturbing commitment to undermining basic rights in the pursuit of far-right ideology. Let us say it again: Katie Lane is #UnfitandUnqualified for the federal bench! The ABA agrees – now the Senate must reject this nomination.

As Trump’s attorney, Justin Smith showcased his belief that Trump should be able to abuse his power without accountability. Justin Smith is a Trump loyalist who does not belong on the federal bench. Our courts deserve better. #StopJustinSmith #UnfitAndUnqualified

🚨 Another precedent has been broken as President Trump became the first modern president to attend a SCOTUS oral argument. Presidents have long avoided this to prevent influencing the Court — but Trump insists on pressuring SCOTUS, especially the justices he appointed. www.cnn.com/2026/04/01/p...

The North Carolina Supreme Court’s GOP majority just overturned a 2022 ruling that allowed courts to order funding for public schools. This decision blocks efforts to ensure that students' constitutional right to receive a sound, basic education is upheld.

"It does call into question if someone only has nine years of legal experience and not that much trial experience, you know, why was she selected to preside over a federal courtroom?" – Christine Chen Zinner, AFJ Federal Research and Advocacy Director www.montanarightnow.com/bozeman/pres...

Today, SCOTUS ruled 8–1 in Chiles v. Salazar against Colorado’s conversion therapy ban. "Today’s decision is yet another harmful setback for the LGBTQ+ community and for the health care of everybody." – AFJ President @rachelrossi.bsky.social Read the full statement: afj.org/article/supr...