Alan Neff
@alanneff.bsky.social
Law, current events, and/or humor. Lapsed litigator. Tiresome empiricist. Not terminally online, but asymptotically approaching it. BLUESKY user #: 1,492,816. He/him. My recent writing can be found here:
https://www.justsecurity.org/author/alanneff/
https://www.justsecurity.org/author/alanneff/
Pinned
Alan Neff
@alanneff.bsky.social
· Feb 19
How Trump “Won”
The Anesthetized Anti-MAGA Majority
substack.com
Every time I read this, I learn new things from this thought-provoking, data-based analysis of voters' behavior in the 2024 election as compared to the 2020 election.
I urge everyone to read it.
Thanks to @mikepod.bsky.social for writing it and sharing it.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
I urge everyone to read it.
Thanks to @mikepod.bsky.social for writing it and sharing it.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Another discharge petition in 3...2...1...
Top Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) introduced a resolution opposing a presidential commutation or pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, the accomplice to the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein who is now serving time in prison for sex trafficking.
A top House Democrat pushes to oppose Ghislaine Maxwell pardon
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) introduced a symbolic measure to put House members on the record opposing a pardon for Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplice.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Another discharge petition in 3...2...1...
Reposted by Alan Neff
It’s hard to decide which is more disturbing—that the president of the United States thinks that being disliked is a mitigating factor in the murder of a journalist; or that he considers reporters who ask questions he doesn’t like to be “insubordinate.” www.thebulwark.com/p/push-back-...
Push Back Against Trump’s Press Abuse
It’s long past time for the Fourth Estate to challenge the president’s unhinged hostility and unbridled misogyny.
www.thebulwark.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:59 PM
It’s hard to decide which is more disturbing—that the president of the United States thinks that being disliked is a mitigating factor in the murder of a journalist; or that he considers reporters who ask questions he doesn’t like to be “insubordinate.” www.thebulwark.com/p/push-back-...
Reposted by Alan Neff
Remember, Kushner EXPRESSLY PROMISED he would not play a role in Trump's second administration as a way of waiving away criticism that he took billions in Saudi investments
November 23, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Remember, Kushner EXPRESSLY PROMISED he would not play a role in Trump's second administration as a way of waiving away criticism that he took billions in Saudi investments
Reposted by Alan Neff
Pretty remarkable that Trump has installed someone on the Saudi dole — Jared Kushner collects millions in fees from the Saudis every year — in a key role for America's most sensitive and consequential foreign policy negotiations (Gaza, Ukraine), and it is largely TREATED AS A NON-STORY
November 23, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Pretty remarkable that Trump has installed someone on the Saudi dole — Jared Kushner collects millions in fees from the Saudis every year — in a key role for America's most sensitive and consequential foreign policy negotiations (Gaza, Ukraine), and it is largely TREATED AS A NON-STORY
Reposted by Alan Neff
“These economic royalists complain that we seek to overthrow the institutions of America. What they really complain of is that we seek to take away their power. Our allegiance to American institutions requires the overthrow of this kind of power.” #FDR 1936
November 23, 2025 at 11:14 PM
“These economic royalists complain that we seek to overthrow the institutions of America. What they really complain of is that we seek to take away their power. Our allegiance to American institutions requires the overthrow of this kind of power.” #FDR 1936
Reposted by Alan Neff
New at Media Nation: @marisakabas.bsky.social is the alternative to wallowing in Olivia Nuzzi's tale of dysfunction and deceit. There are 42,000 journalists across the U.S., and the vast majority are performing honorably and ethically. dankennedy.net/2025/11/22/m...
Marisa Kabas is the alternative to wallowing in Olivia Nuzzi’s tale of dysfunction and deceit
Colby Hall’s Mediaite commentary about Olivia Nuzzi is winning a lot of praise. The redoubtable Jay Rosen goes so far as to call it “the best thing I have read about her.” Sign up…
dankennedy.net
November 22, 2025 at 2:45 PM
New at Media Nation: @marisakabas.bsky.social is the alternative to wallowing in Olivia Nuzzi's tale of dysfunction and deceit. There are 42,000 journalists across the U.S., and the vast majority are performing honorably and ethically. dankennedy.net/2025/11/22/m...
Reposted by Alan Neff
Neither Trump, nor half of his cabinet have “ancestors” who were in North America before the revolution. I’d guess that less than half of current US citizens do. “Your ancestors” is doing a lot of implicitly white Christian nationalist work here.
November 22, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Neither Trump, nor half of his cabinet have “ancestors” who were in North America before the revolution. I’d guess that less than half of current US citizens do. “Your ancestors” is doing a lot of implicitly white Christian nationalist work here.
Reposted by Alan Neff
If the Republican position is "Republicans should get away with committing crimes in public office" and the Democrat position is "Republicans should get away with committing crimes in public office" then the result will be that Republicans keep getting away with committing crimes in public office
There are going to be prominent Democrats and mainstream media voices who insist that we have to "turn the page" and "forgive and forget" and they should all be roundly ignored, if not mercilessly mocked.
It’s crazy to think about the crimes we’re going to learn about after this regime ends.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
November 22, 2025 at 11:29 PM
If the Republican position is "Republicans should get away with committing crimes in public office" and the Democrat position is "Republicans should get away with committing crimes in public office" then the result will be that Republicans keep getting away with committing crimes in public office
In her Substack, @hcrichardson.bsky.social reminded us that today's the 112th anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
Government of the people, for the people, and by the people must not perish from this earth. That's our duty to Mr. Lincoln and all others who've sacrificed for this principle.
Government of the people, for the people, and by the people must not perish from this earth. That's our duty to Mr. Lincoln and all others who've sacrificed for this principle.
November 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM
In her Substack, @hcrichardson.bsky.social reminded us that today's the 112th anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
Government of the people, for the people, and by the people must not perish from this earth. That's our duty to Mr. Lincoln and all others who've sacrificed for this principle.
Government of the people, for the people, and by the people must not perish from this earth. That's our duty to Mr. Lincoln and all others who've sacrificed for this principle.
I'm sure she can make up for her social losses by engaging positively and supportively with her transgender friends and - wait (taps ear-bud), what's that? Oh. Never mind.
November 19, 2025 at 1:50 AM
I'm sure she can make up for her social losses by engaging positively and supportively with her transgender friends and - wait (taps ear-bud), what's that? Oh. Never mind.
Hi, Dave! Long time no talk. Speaking as one of the semites on here (albeit the purely secular flavored variety), we work with what we have to do what we can.
November 19, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Hi, Dave! Long time no talk. Speaking as one of the semites on here (albeit the purely secular flavored variety), we work with what we have to do what we can.
Reposted by Alan Neff
God this is so utterly despicable. Trump is “he was no angel”- ing a journalist who was murdered and dismembered with a bone saw by agents of an authoritarian regime.
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 19, 2025 at 1:24 AM
God this is so utterly despicable. Trump is “he was no angel”- ing a journalist who was murdered and dismembered with a bone saw by agents of an authoritarian regime.
...and just like that, a craven Senate majority of R senators gets past this embarrassing moment. But, we'll take the win.
You might not have caught what just happened on the Senate floor, but the Senate just “deemed as passed” the Epstein resolution.
That means as soon as it arrives from the House, it automatically passes the Senate (with no amendments) and heads to the President’s desk.
Wow.
That means as soon as it arrives from the House, it automatically passes the Senate (with no amendments) and heads to the President’s desk.
Wow.
November 19, 2025 at 1:41 AM
...and just like that, a craven Senate majority of R senators gets past this embarrassing moment. But, we'll take the win.
Reposted by Alan Neff
Trump has conned tens of millions of people after Fox News and other disinformation softened them up. But he’s actually a terrible liar who always tells on himself. And it’s clear he’s terrified now that the Epstein files and his old sex predator friend Ghislaine Maxwell will reveal the ugly truth.
November 15, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Trump has conned tens of millions of people after Fox News and other disinformation softened them up. But he’s actually a terrible liar who always tells on himself. And it’s clear he’s terrified now that the Epstein files and his old sex predator friend Ghislaine Maxwell will reveal the ugly truth.
Has any reporter asked Rep. Boebert what Bondi, et al, told her/asked her to do in the Situation Room regarding the Epstein Files discharge petition? I can't think of any privilege anyone can invoke to prevent the disclosure of that kind of inter-branch communication.
November 15, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Has any reporter asked Rep. Boebert what Bondi, et al, told her/asked her to do in the Situation Room regarding the Epstein Files discharge petition? I can't think of any privilege anyone can invoke to prevent the disclosure of that kind of inter-branch communication.
Reposted by Alan Neff
Reposted by Alan Neff
“woke” is when you acknowledge that black people have contributed to the united states
Two panels commemorating the contribution of Black American soldiers towards the liberation of the Netherlands in World War Two have been quietly removed from a cemetery in Limburg. It follows a complaint by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission.
November 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
“woke” is when you acknowledge that black people have contributed to the united states
Reposted by Alan Neff
one thing i find crazy-making is the idea that getting rid of the filibuster would make congress a purely majoritarian institution. bicameralism itself is counter-majoritarian! equal state representation is counter-majoritarian! the fact that senate elections are staggered is counter-majoritarian!
November 8, 2025 at 10:26 PM
one thing i find crazy-making is the idea that getting rid of the filibuster would make congress a purely majoritarian institution. bicameralism itself is counter-majoritarian! equal state representation is counter-majoritarian! the fact that senate elections are staggered is counter-majoritarian!
A week of wins for democracy, and now this:
Wordle 1,603 1/6
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle 1,603 1/6
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
November 8, 2025 at 4:09 PM
A week of wins for democracy, and now this:
Wordle 1,603 1/6
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle 1,603 1/6
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
I made an attempt, but I probably injected too much provincial snark into the discussion.
November 7, 2025 at 11:57 PM
I made an attempt, but I probably injected too much provincial snark into the discussion.
Reposted by Alan Neff
Mamdani’s win is a warning for media:
Better get some leftist contributors or you simply won’t be able to cover/understand what is happening around America.
Better get some leftist contributors or you simply won’t be able to cover/understand what is happening around America.
November 5, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Mamdani’s win is a warning for media:
Better get some leftist contributors or you simply won’t be able to cover/understand what is happening around America.
Better get some leftist contributors or you simply won’t be able to cover/understand what is happening around America.
He knows better, but he knows on which side of the bread he finds the Orange butter.
November 7, 2025 at 11:14 PM
He knows better, but he knows on which side of the bread he finds the Orange butter.
Today's dispatch from the People's Department of Jury Nullification*:
(*Jury nullification is the result where, notwithstanding evidence that could support a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a jury decides to acquit.)
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
(*Jury nullification is the result where, notwithstanding evidence that could support a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a jury decides to acquit.)
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Jury finds D.C. ‘sandwich guy’ not guilty of assaulting officer
Sean C. Dunn admitted he flung the hoagie at a federal agent. His attorneys called it a “harmless gesture” of protest as Trump commandeered D.C. police.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today's dispatch from the People's Department of Jury Nullification*:
(*Jury nullification is the result where, notwithstanding evidence that could support a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a jury decides to acquit.)
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
(*Jury nullification is the result where, notwithstanding evidence that could support a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a jury decides to acquit.)
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Reposted by Alan Neff
Really stunning that the British Royal Family — just about the most insulated institution in the free world! — has managed to enact stronger consequences for an Epstein friend than anything the US has managed at all.
Lot happening in the world but this is truly a remarkable, and damming, development: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/w...
Prince Andrew to Be Stripped of His Royal Title
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Really stunning that the British Royal Family — just about the most insulated institution in the free world! — has managed to enact stronger consequences for an Epstein friend than anything the US has managed at all.
Reposted by Alan Neff
The Senate is still meeting and holding votes as normal despite the shutdown.
The House has not held a vote in a month and a half now solely because Mike Johnson wants to prevent the release of the Epstein Files.
They've killed our government to save their pedophiles.
The House has not held a vote in a month and a half now solely because Mike Johnson wants to prevent the release of the Epstein Files.
They've killed our government to save their pedophiles.
A quick reminder that the House is not in session because Speaker Johnson CANCELED it, not because of the current shutdown.
October 29, 2025 at 12:04 PM
The Senate is still meeting and holding votes as normal despite the shutdown.
The House has not held a vote in a month and a half now solely because Mike Johnson wants to prevent the release of the Epstein Files.
They've killed our government to save their pedophiles.
The House has not held a vote in a month and a half now solely because Mike Johnson wants to prevent the release of the Epstein Files.
They've killed our government to save their pedophiles.