It’s heartening to hear many principled voices argue that those in office should wield political power in a way that they would be happy to have it wielded when they’re not in power. But it’s worth saying this clearly: the current administration is not acting as if it intends to be out of power.

1/ I think a lot about this passage from Seila Law: "[T]he Framers made the President the most democratic and politically accountable official in Government. Only the President (along with the Vice President) is elected by the entire Nation."

It’s heartening to hear many principled voices argue that those in office should wield political power in a way that they would be happy to have it wielded when they’re not in power. But it’s worth saying this clearly: the current administration is not acting as if it intends to be out of power.

Finding myself in a reflective mood today, I decided to reread Humberto Eco’s 1995 essay “Ur-Fascism.” Meditating on the definition & essential properties of fascism, Eco identified 14 key features, only one of which is needed “to allow fascism to coagulate around it." It is, perhaps, relevant. 🧵

Buh bye, academia dot edu

It is by now abundantly clear that Trump’s legal advisors have informed him of the magic incantations needed to bootstrap a national security justification for lawlessly obliterating boats—and humans—that posed no actionable threat to US borders, citizens, or interests.

It is by now abundantly clear that Trump’s legal advisors have informed him of the magic incantations needed to bootstrap a national security justification for lawlessly obliterating boats—and humans—that posed no actionable threat to US borders, citizens, or interests.

Thread 🧵

Finding myself in a reflective mood today, I decided to reread Humberto Eco’s 1995 essay “Ur-Fascism.” Meditating on the definition & essential properties of fascism, Eco identified 14 key features, only one of which is needed “to allow fascism to coagulate around it." It is, perhaps, relevant. 🧵

Brace yourself. Recommendation letter requests are coming.

Brace yourself. Recommendation letter requests are coming.

And from one of the scary textbook chapters.

And from one of the scary textbook chapters.

And then there was one.

Out with the old, in with the...older. Let it never be said that I'm hiding behind an outdated profile picture!

Out with the old, in with the...older. Let it never be said that I'm hiding behind an outdated profile picture!

Constitution Day is a good time to reflect on the “pantheon of values” embraced by the Constitution. Those values exist in tension with one another—a tension we should seek not so much to resolve as to negotiate & a tension that invites citizens into the work of self-government.

D, and it's not even close.

Guess the school. I guarantee you're wrong.

Guess the school. I guarantee you're wrong.

Perhaps worth noting two things here: (1) the incoming president of the Ford Foundation was until very recently the dean of Yale Law School, and (2) Vance’s YLS mentor has long running beef with the until-very-recently dean of YLS.

Perhaps worth noting two things here: (1) the incoming president of the Ford Foundation was until very recently the dean of Yale Law School, and (2) Vance’s YLS mentor has long running beef with the until-very-recently dean of YLS.

Me, after reading the reviewer reports on my manuscript:

Me, after reading the reviewer reports on my manuscript:

Apropos of, well, lot of things.

Apparently they don’t sell drip coffee in Vancouver?

Can’t think of a more effective way to undermine your heretofore world class institutions of higher education.

Listen, if someone accused me of writing a predatory, skin-crawlingly repellent letter intimating the unspeakable, I would hope my friends could come up with more than, “That doesn’t look like his signature.”

Listen, if someone accused me of writing a predatory, skin-crawlingly repellent letter intimating the unspeakable, I would hope my friends could come up with more than, “That doesn’t look like his signature.”

Their argument about the signature reveals that even they believe the birthday letter sounds exactly like something Trump would write.

In addition to being excited about seeing friends and eating good food in Vancouver, I'm looking forward to these great panels at APSA. Originalism, democracy, the Constitution, and much else besides. Something for everyone!

*taps sign*

Your car is essentially worthless when it’s not at the gas station.

Your car is essentially worthless when it’s not at the gas station.

45 min into the US Open men’s final—where the average ticket cost ~$1.6k—the stadium is maybe 2/3 full because the president wanted to have a good time and hear some people clap for him.

One important difference between this and earlier protectionist misadventures is that today much of the tariff-induced corruption is basically done in broad daylight.

One important difference between this and earlier protectionist misadventures is that today much of the tariff-induced corruption is basically done in broad daylight.

10/10. Chef's kiss. No notes. 💯

10/10. Chef's kiss. No notes. 💯

Case Viewer, my quirky side project of building my ideal legal search & reading app, has come a long way. With lots of help, it's grown into the best way to find & read cases on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad. Check it out or download on the App Store below. And follow @CaseViewerApp for updates!

Getting new headshots taken. Which tie?

Getting new headshots taken. Which tie?

In hindsight, this attack may well be viewed as a pivotal moment in the aggrandizement of executive power and the subversion of constitutional governance. As ever, executive overreach has been enabled by pervasive—at times gleeful—congressional underreach.

In hindsight, this attack may well be viewed as a pivotal moment in the aggrandizement of executive power and the subversion of constitutional governance. As ever, executive overreach has been enabled by pervasive—at times gleeful—congressional underreach.

I am a bona fide Congress expert with letters after my name and a long list of publications backing up the claim and this is 100% true.

He's running.