Justin Pidot
@justinpidot.bsky.social
Law professor at University of Arizona studying environmental and natural resources law. Occasional federal employee in favorable times.
Congress considers permitting “reform” to allow agencies to simply ignore science (and public comments too).
legal-planet.org/2025/09/07/h...
legal-planet.org/2025/09/07/h...
House Natural Resources Committee Holds Hearing on Another Ill-Conceived Permitting Reform Bill - Legal Planet
The SPEED Act, the latest NEPA "reform" bill, would fatally compromise a recipe for ill-conceived decisions, not better government.
legal-planet.org
September 7, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Congress considers permitting “reform” to allow agencies to simply ignore science (and public comments too).
legal-planet.org/2025/09/07/h...
legal-planet.org/2025/09/07/h...
OLC reared its head recently to opine that Trump can abolish any national monument he wants. Here are just a few of the problems with OLC’s opinion.
www.yalejreg.com/nc/olc-rears...
www.yalejreg.com/nc/olc-rears...
OLC Rears Its Head to Recognize an Unlimited Presidential Power to Abolish National Monuments for Any Reason, by Justin Pidot - Yale Journal on Regulation
As Jack Goldsmith observed in February, one of the “innovations” of the second Trump presidency has been to “cut down or eliminate” the legal interpretive authority of the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC...
www.yalejreg.com
July 14, 2025 at 2:43 AM
OLC reared its head recently to opine that Trump can abolish any national monument he wants. Here are just a few of the problems with OLC’s opinion.
www.yalejreg.com/nc/olc-rears...
www.yalejreg.com/nc/olc-rears...
Trump is coming for libraries and museums too. Arizona Law’s Teresa Miguel-Sterns writes about what we stand to lose.
tucson.com/opinion/colu...
tucson.com/opinion/colu...
Local opinion: Federal support is disappearing for Arizona's libraries and museums
What's at stake isn't merely buildings with books and artifacts, but our shared commitment to an informed society.
tucson.com
April 16, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Trump is coming for libraries and museums too. Arizona Law’s Teresa Miguel-Sterns writes about what we stand to lose.
tucson.com/opinion/colu...
tucson.com/opinion/colu...
A beautiful and haunting reflection on Trump’s assault on the Smithsonian.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | What exactly does Trump think is in the Smithsonian?
Following his most recent executive order, I went in search of some “corrosive ideology.”
www.washingtonpost.com
April 2, 2025 at 12:43 PM
A beautiful and haunting reflection on Trump’s assault on the Smithsonian.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Justin Pidot
This is the most important news right now. Finally, someone stands up in the Senate & uses the filibuster. We need to see more of this, but that only happens if we pay attention. He has committed to stand & talk on the Senate floor until he can’t anymore.
Give this man some support!
Give this man some support!
Watch now! Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) filibustering against administration’s actions on the Senate floor.
WATCH LIVE: Cory Booker Takes To Senate Floor To Filibuster Trump Administration Actions
YouTube video by Forbes Breaking News
www.youtube.com
April 1, 2025 at 2:51 AM
This is the most important news right now. Finally, someone stands up in the Senate & uses the filibuster. We need to see more of this, but that only happens if we pay attention. He has committed to stand & talk on the Senate floor until he can’t anymore.
Give this man some support!
Give this man some support!
Reposted by Justin Pidot
Environmental Justice is Not About “Them.” It’s About All of Us. Check out this @acslaw.bsky.social op-ed co-authored by Prof. Sharmila Murthy @sharmilamurthy.bsky.social, former director for environmental justice at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
www.acslaw.org/expertforum/...
www.acslaw.org/expertforum/...
Environmental Justice is Not About “Them.” It’s About All of Us. | ACS
www.acslaw.org
March 28, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Environmental Justice is Not About “Them.” It’s About All of Us. Check out this @acslaw.bsky.social op-ed co-authored by Prof. Sharmila Murthy @sharmilamurthy.bsky.social, former director for environmental justice at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
www.acslaw.org/expertforum/...
www.acslaw.org/expertforum/...
Trump is making the environmental review process under NEPA worse. Worse for the environment. Worse for the public. Even worse for business.
John Ruple, Jamie Pleune, and I explain at the link and in a comment we filed with 25 other profs to CEQ.
progressivereform.org/cpr-blog/tru...
John Ruple, Jamie Pleune, and I explain at the link and in a comment we filed with 25 other profs to CEQ.
progressivereform.org/cpr-blog/tru...
The Trump Administration Is Making the NEPA Process Worse for Everyone - Center for Progressive Reform
On February 25, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued an interim final rule (IFR) rescinding the CEQ regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). On M...
progressivereform.org
March 28, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Trump is making the environmental review process under NEPA worse. Worse for the environment. Worse for the public. Even worse for business.
John Ruple, Jamie Pleune, and I explain at the link and in a comment we filed with 25 other profs to CEQ.
progressivereform.org/cpr-blog/tru...
John Ruple, Jamie Pleune, and I explain at the link and in a comment we filed with 25 other profs to CEQ.
progressivereform.org/cpr-blog/tru...
Reposted by Justin Pidot
We apologize to our Ukrainian supporters. We are embarrassed by how our president and vice president have behaved. We are fighting to redeem the soul of America. 🇺🇸
February 28, 2025 at 8:04 PM
We apologize to our Ukrainian supporters. We are embarrassed by how our president and vice president have behaved. We are fighting to redeem the soul of America. 🇺🇸
Reposted by Justin Pidot
Leadership is doubling down, but GOP members are getting nervous about the budget’s extreme unpopularity.
You can call your Representative now at 202-224-3121.
You can call your Representative now at 202-224-3121.
Looks like tomorrow will bring votes on a Republican plan to fund tax cuts for the rich by slashing Medicaid.
So this is a great time to contact your Member of Congress.
So this is a great time to contact your Member of Congress.
February 25, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Leadership is doubling down, but GOP members are getting nervous about the budget’s extreme unpopularity.
You can call your Representative now at 202-224-3121.
You can call your Representative now at 202-224-3121.
Reposted by Justin Pidot
Your regular reminder that the US air & water pollution laws passed in the 60s & 70s -- and the elaborate federal bureaucracy created to administer them -- constitute one of the most successful gov't interventions in history. WILDLY successful. The envy of the world.
February 24, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Your regular reminder that the US air & water pollution laws passed in the 60s & 70s -- and the elaborate federal bureaucracy created to administer them -- constitute one of the most successful gov't interventions in history. WILDLY successful. The envy of the world.
Another Friday, another Friday night massacre. May the military’s new leadership remember that their first loyalty is to the constitution.
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/...
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/...
Trump administration fires top US general and Navy chief in unprecedented purge of military leadership | CNN Politics
In an unprecedented purge of the military’s senior leadership Friday night, President Donald Trump fired the top US general just moments before his defense secretary fired the chief of the US Navy and...
amp.cnn.com
February 22, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Another Friday, another Friday night massacre. May the military’s new leadership remember that their first loyalty is to the constitution.
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/...
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/...
Reposted by Justin Pidot
I'm quoted along with @rickhills.bsky.social and other experts in this deep dive on the attempted revocation of federal approval for congestion pricing, by @henrygrabar.bsky.social. slate.com/business/202...
Trump’s Attempt to Kill Congestion Pricing Will Backfire
Traffic tolls, welcome to the resistance.
slate.com
February 20, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I'm quoted along with @rickhills.bsky.social and other experts in this deep dive on the attempted revocation of federal approval for congestion pricing, by @henrygrabar.bsky.social. slate.com/business/202...
And just like that, all of the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act are gone. Don’t know how they are going to avoid this causing massive chaos and unpredictability for anyone seeking a federal permit.
ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-re...
ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-re...
ceq.doe.gov
February 20, 2025 at 2:23 AM
And just like that, all of the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act are gone. Don’t know how they are going to avoid this causing massive chaos and unpredictability for anyone seeking a federal permit.
ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-re...
ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-re...
Reposted by Justin Pidot
Firings are happening right now at the National Science Foundation. Essential staff are being cut.
This isn’t about the budget. If it was, they’d be going after the military (17%) or state appropriations (38%). NSF is 0.7% of the federal budget. All federal employees make up only 4% of the budget.
This isn’t about the budget. If it was, they’d be going after the military (17%) or state appropriations (38%). NSF is 0.7% of the federal budget. All federal employees make up only 4% of the budget.
February 18, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Firings are happening right now at the National Science Foundation. Essential staff are being cut.
This isn’t about the budget. If it was, they’d be going after the military (17%) or state appropriations (38%). NSF is 0.7% of the federal budget. All federal employees make up only 4% of the budget.
This isn’t about the budget. If it was, they’d be going after the military (17%) or state appropriations (38%). NSF is 0.7% of the federal budget. All federal employees make up only 4% of the budget.
How can we have fair elections if the incumbent president controls the Federal Elections Commission? We need an independent agency to oversee our elections, not a political operations designed to steamroll opposition parties.
February 19, 2025 at 3:09 PM
How can we have fair elections if the incumbent president controls the Federal Elections Commission? We need an independent agency to oversee our elections, not a political operations designed to steamroll opposition parties.
That THIS EO does not infringe on the independence or authority of courts doesn't mean those core principals aren't under threat (see statements of Vance). We need to save our fire on that front for when it's needed. 3/3
February 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
That THIS EO does not infringe on the independence or authority of courts doesn't mean those core principals aren't under threat (see statements of Vance). We need to save our fire on that front for when it's needed. 3/3
Trump's EO asserts that the President and AG provide "authoritative interpretations of law for the executive branch." The effect is to bind independent agencies, which have been understood to have the authority to adopt their own legal interpretations, not the "independent judiciary." 2/3
February 19, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Trump's EO asserts that the President and AG provide "authoritative interpretations of law for the executive branch." The effect is to bind independent agencies, which have been understood to have the authority to adopt their own legal interpretations, not the "independent judiciary." 2/3
Let's be clear about the nature of Trump's latest power-grab . He is effectively ending the independence of independent agencies (if the courts allow him to). He DID NOT assert that the President's interpretation of the law overrides Congress or the Courts. 1/3
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
www.whitehouse.gov
February 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Let's be clear about the nature of Trump's latest power-grab . He is effectively ending the independence of independent agencies (if the courts allow him to). He DID NOT assert that the President's interpretation of the law overrides Congress or the Courts. 1/3
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Reposted by Justin Pidot
Musk and his lackeys are taking the unprecedented, outrageous, unnecessary, and suspect step of accessing the tax returns and social security payments of every American family and business.
Will the public wake up? Will Democrats successfully make hay? Will Republicans finally speak up?
Will the public wake up? Will Democrats successfully make hay? Will Republicans finally speak up?
February 18, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Musk and his lackeys are taking the unprecedented, outrageous, unnecessary, and suspect step of accessing the tax returns and social security payments of every American family and business.
Will the public wake up? Will Democrats successfully make hay? Will Republicans finally speak up?
Will the public wake up? Will Democrats successfully make hay? Will Republicans finally speak up?
Scientists explaining the devastating impact of Trump's assault on science.
"[Trump's] actions will end research that is working to cure cancer, develop new technologies, drugs, and therapies, clean up environmental contamination, or solve climate change."
tucson.com/opinion/colu...
"[Trump's] actions will end research that is working to cure cancer, develop new technologies, drugs, and therapies, clean up environmental contamination, or solve climate change."
tucson.com/opinion/colu...
Local opinion: Cutting funding for science in Arizona hurts our economy and our future
The cuts are leading us down a path that will cede the United States' world leadership in science, medicine and health.
tucson.com
February 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Scientists explaining the devastating impact of Trump's assault on science.
"[Trump's] actions will end research that is working to cure cancer, develop new technologies, drugs, and therapies, clean up environmental contamination, or solve climate change."
tucson.com/opinion/colu...
"[Trump's] actions will end research that is working to cure cancer, develop new technologies, drugs, and therapies, clean up environmental contamination, or solve climate change."
tucson.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Justin Pidot
In response to Trump’s assertion, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” we say:
The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants.
The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants.
February 15, 2025 at 11:25 PM
In response to Trump’s assertion, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” we say:
The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants.
The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants.
Reposted by Justin Pidot
Here is the oath all executive branch employees take. It is to support and defend the Constitution, not to “implement the president’s agenda.” If the two purposes diverge, the Constitution prevails.
February 15, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Here is the oath all executive branch employees take. It is to support and defend the Constitution, not to “implement the president’s agenda.” If the two purposes diverge, the Constitution prevails.
Reposted by Justin Pidot
I hear the nagging question you ask inside your head a few hundred times a day: "Is it me, or has a huge portion of this country lost its mind?"
It isn't you.
johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/dont-gasli...
It isn't you.
johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/dont-gasli...
Don't Gaslight Yourself. You're Right To Grieve What's Happening to America.
I know what you're thinking.
johnpavlovitz.substack.com
February 15, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I hear the nagging question you ask inside your head a few hundred times a day: "Is it me, or has a huge portion of this country lost its mind?"
It isn't you.
johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/dont-gasli...
It isn't you.
johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/dont-gasli...
“And though it may be objectively shocking that a modern American president would repeatedly admit to this, without fear of significant pushback, on a random Saturday, it is regrettably unsurprising for this particular president.”
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Trump Publicly Admits He Thinks He Can Break Any Law He Wants
Trump posted on Presidents Day weekend, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law” — a startling, if not surprising admission.
www.rollingstone.com
February 15, 2025 at 9:39 PM
“And though it may be objectively shocking that a modern American president would repeatedly admit to this, without fear of significant pushback, on a random Saturday, it is regrettably unsurprising for this particular president.”
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
This is what slashing the federal workforce looks like. Human suffering. Opportunity squandered. And the continuing selflessness of (former) civil servants. And for what? Nothing that serves the America people.
taskandpurpose.com/news/veteran...
taskandpurpose.com/news/veteran...
A Marine vet thought he found a 'home' working at the VA. Now he's one of 1,000 fired.
Andrew Lennox, who was terminated from the VA, noted the irony of the VA claiming it had fired some veterans to help veterans.
taskandpurpose.com
February 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
This is what slashing the federal workforce looks like. Human suffering. Opportunity squandered. And the continuing selflessness of (former) civil servants. And for what? Nothing that serves the America people.
taskandpurpose.com/news/veteran...
taskandpurpose.com/news/veteran...