Rachel Rothschild
@profrrothschild.bsky.social
Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Law School
https://michigan.law.umich.edu/faculty-and-scholarship/our-faculty/rachel-rothschild
Author of Poisonous Skies: Acid Rain and the Globalization of Pollution (Chicago, 2019)
https://michigan.law.umich.edu/faculty-and-scholarship/our-faculty/rachel-rothschild
Author of Poisonous Skies: Acid Rain and the Globalization of Pollution (Chicago, 2019)
Some of the best political reporting these days is coming out of Rolling Stone magazine.
This piece is among the most important I've read recently: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
This piece is among the most important I've read recently: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Melissa Hortman Died in a Shocking Act of Political Violence. This Is the Story of Her Life
Melissa Hortman died in a shocking act of political violence. This is her story
www.rollingstone.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Some of the best political reporting these days is coming out of Rolling Stone magazine.
This piece is among the most important I've read recently: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
This piece is among the most important I've read recently: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Wow, this piece hit home.
"If you’ve led a life that is—by the standards of history and the world—stable and comfortable, your brain is going to have a hard time truly getting how depraved people can become unless you see it directly."
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
"If you’ve led a life that is—by the standards of history and the world—stable and comfortable, your brain is going to have a hard time truly getting how depraved people can become unless you see it directly."
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
The Americans Who Saw All This Coming—but Were Ignored and Maligned
Call them the Cassandras: the people—mostly not white and male—who smelled the fascism all over Trump from jump street. Why were they “alarmists,” and how did “anti-alarmism” become cool?
newrepublic.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Wow, this piece hit home.
"If you’ve led a life that is—by the standards of history and the world—stable and comfortable, your brain is going to have a hard time truly getting how depraved people can become unless you see it directly."
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
"If you’ve led a life that is—by the standards of history and the world—stable and comfortable, your brain is going to have a hard time truly getting how depraved people can become unless you see it directly."
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
Reposted by Rachel Rothschild
1/ A few thoughts about @williambaude.bsky.social’s comment in yesterday’s NYT chat that, “It’s amazing how many of our problems today could be solved by a Congress that was willing and able to legislate in response to national problems.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/o...
Opinion | At the Supreme Court, Scenes From a Judicial Backlash
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:44 AM
1/ A few thoughts about @williambaude.bsky.social’s comment in yesterday’s NYT chat that, “It’s amazing how many of our problems today could be solved by a Congress that was willing and able to legislate in response to national problems.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/o...
Almost a year exactly after I had a horrific accident while figure skating - which shattered the bones in my left arm, requiring two surgeries plus 6+ months of physical therapy - I finally got back on the ice. Had a brace, took it slow, did not do anything fancy - but it was such joy to be back.
December 8, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Almost a year exactly after I had a horrific accident while figure skating - which shattered the bones in my left arm, requiring two surgeries plus 6+ months of physical therapy - I finally got back on the ice. Had a brace, took it slow, did not do anything fancy - but it was such joy to be back.
This is an admirable essay. I imagine it took a lot of courage and humility. Bravo.
Sunstein posted an admirably frank essay yesterday on the Unitary Executive Theory:
How he participated in this elite bipartisan political consensus —
and how he has been persuaded by overwhelming historical evidence that he & other high-ranking lawyers were wrong.
open.substack.com/pub/casssuns...
How he participated in this elite bipartisan political consensus —
and how he has been persuaded by overwhelming historical evidence that he & other high-ranking lawyers were wrong.
open.substack.com/pub/casssuns...
The Unitary Executive
Notes on how people know things
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
This is an admirable essay. I imagine it took a lot of courage and humility. Bravo.
We have somehow gotten a sunny snow day in Ann Arbor and I am so happy.
a woman is standing in the snow with her arms outstretched
ALT: a woman is standing in the snow with her arms outstretched
media.tenor.com
December 7, 2025 at 5:38 PM
We have somehow gotten a sunny snow day in Ann Arbor and I am so happy.
At its best, the law is not a tool of the powerful but a promise to the people. ❤️
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/o...
Opinion | Americans Won’t Have Faith in the Rule of Law Until the Law Works for Them
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:42 AM
At its best, the law is not a tool of the powerful but a promise to the people. ❤️
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/o...
Reposted by Rachel Rothschild
Imagining that the climate battle is about *information* -- that those who have good information will act; that those who aren't acting must be lacking information -- has been utterly disastrous for decades now, but advocates & pols can't seem to break out of it.
Many Fighting Climate Change Worry They Are Losing the Information War
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Imagining that the climate battle is about *information* -- that those who have good information will act; that those who aren't acting must be lacking information -- has been utterly disastrous for decades now, but advocates & pols can't seem to break out of it.
Reposted by Rachel Rothschild
just a reminder that *lots* of countries have universities, and (to my knowledge) none of them but the U.S. treat their universities as largely minor league sports franchises
LSU is paying its previous football coach over $50 million NOT to coach there while likely guaranteeing Kiffin something approaching double that, all while having an academic hiring freeze and budget cuts across the board. What is the purpose of a university (rhetorical)?
SOURCES: Lane Kiffin is expected to accept LSU's offer to become the Tigers next head coach. Kiffin is set to meet with his Ole Miss team this morning at 9 AM CT. As we reported yesterday morning, LSU has been very confident it was going to land Kiffin. www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
November 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
just a reminder that *lots* of countries have universities, and (to my knowledge) none of them but the U.S. treat their universities as largely minor league sports franchises
When we have found all the mysteries and lost all of the meaning, we will be alone on an empty shore.
Then, we will dance.
You will be sorely missed, Tom Stoppard. Your work touched so many (this writer included).
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/t...
Then, we will dance.
You will be sorely missed, Tom Stoppard. Your work touched so many (this writer included).
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/t...
The Language of Tom Stoppard, Ablaze With Energy and Urgency
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:12 AM
When we have found all the mysteries and lost all of the meaning, we will be alone on an empty shore.
Then, we will dance.
You will be sorely missed, Tom Stoppard. Your work touched so many (this writer included).
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/t...
Then, we will dance.
You will be sorely missed, Tom Stoppard. Your work touched so many (this writer included).
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/t...
Reposted by Rachel Rothschild
Your reminder that the Trump EPA & its head, Lee Zeldin, have prioritized AI data centers over clean water, clean air, a stable climate & safe food—despite their contribution to your rising electricity bills and massive drinking water consumption.
big late breaking news: the market monitor for the largest energy grid in the u.s., covering much of the midwest and mid-atlantic, has called to block new data centers connections to the grid, saying current course of growth assures regular blackouts
No more PJM data centers unless they can be reliably served: market monitor
The PJM Interconnection’s market monitor urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to rule that large data centers can only come online if the grid operator can still meet reliability metrics.
www.utilitydive.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Your reminder that the Trump EPA & its head, Lee Zeldin, have prioritized AI data centers over clean water, clean air, a stable climate & safe food—despite their contribution to your rising electricity bills and massive drinking water consumption.
Things are hard. But today I am alive. I get to hold my children, walk in the sunshine, and read good books. Tomorrow I will get to see a friend and hopefully (finally) organize my sabbatical schedule. And that is more than a lot of people will get.
November 22, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Things are hard. But today I am alive. I get to hold my children, walk in the sunshine, and read good books. Tomorrow I will get to see a friend and hopefully (finally) organize my sabbatical schedule. And that is more than a lot of people will get.
Reposted by Rachel Rothschild
All Dems have to say is "I support whatever energy is cheapest" which is what voters care about and also...happens to be solar+storage pretty much everywhere
Like let's not buy the false narrative that energy is a culture war issue when we can simply win on the economics, folks!!
Like let's not buy the false narrative that energy is a culture war issue when we can simply win on the economics, folks!!
Vast majorities in all parties support more solar and nuclear. Wind is popular in the center too.
Only minorities of Dems and Independents support more fossil-fuel production.
So why is anyone telling @TheDemocrats to promote fossil fuel production to win elections? 🤔
Only minorities of Dems and Independents support more fossil-fuel production.
So why is anyone telling @TheDemocrats to promote fossil fuel production to win elections? 🤔
November 17, 2025 at 9:56 PM
All Dems have to say is "I support whatever energy is cheapest" which is what voters care about and also...happens to be solar+storage pretty much everywhere
Like let's not buy the false narrative that energy is a culture war issue when we can simply win on the economics, folks!!
Like let's not buy the false narrative that energy is a culture war issue when we can simply win on the economics, folks!!
Reposted by Rachel Rothschild
Really thankful for this, from @winterjessica.bsky.social—a long-overdue corrective to an exhausting discourse. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
What Did Men Do to Deserve This?
Changes in the economy and in the culture seem to have hit them hard. Scott Galloway believes they need an “aspirational vision of masculinity.”
www.newyorker.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Really thankful for this, from @winterjessica.bsky.social—a long-overdue corrective to an exhausting discourse. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Brilliant, beautifully written, and devastating to read: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Third Red Scare
The Trump administration is cracking down on Americans’ freedom of speech with a new viciousness, but the First Amendment won’t go down without a fight.
www.theatlantic.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Brilliant, beautifully written, and devastating to read: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
A brave and powerful piece by Judge Wolf.
A brave and powerful piece by Judge Wolf.
Why I Am Resigning
A federal judge explains his reasoning for leaving the bench.
www.theatlantic.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
A brave and powerful piece by Judge Wolf.
A brave and powerful piece by Judge Wolf.
Reposted by Rachel Rothschild
What is Ezra Klein going to do
November 5, 2025 at 2:36 AM
What is Ezra Klein going to do
Reposted by Rachel Rothschild
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
This is the President openly announcing that he will violate court orders - two courts had concluded that the Trump regime withholding SNAP funding was illegal - and that the government had to pay out (at least reduced) SNAP benefits starting this week
This is the President openly announcing that he will violate court orders - two courts had concluded that the Trump regime withholding SNAP funding was illegal - and that the government had to pay out (at least reduced) SNAP benefits starting this week
November 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
This is the President openly announcing that he will violate court orders - two courts had concluded that the Trump regime withholding SNAP funding was illegal - and that the government had to pay out (at least reduced) SNAP benefits starting this week
This is the President openly announcing that he will violate court orders - two courts had concluded that the Trump regime withholding SNAP funding was illegal - and that the government had to pay out (at least reduced) SNAP benefits starting this week
With the caveat that Jonathan and I may not agree on whether Congress was worried/thinking about climate change when it enacted the 1970 Clean Air Act, this is an excellent analysis of the many problems with Attorney Barr’s WSJ op ed. Grateful to Jonathan for responding with a corrective.
In which I respond to William Barr's arguments for preempting climate suits.
reason.com/volokh/2025/...
reason.com/volokh/2025/...
William Barr Discovers the Economics of Tort Law (and Misrepresents the Law Governing Interstate Pollution)
Another reply to the former attorney general on climate litigation that may end up in the Supreme Court.
reason.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:56 AM
With the caveat that Jonathan and I may not agree on whether Congress was worried/thinking about climate change when it enacted the 1970 Clean Air Act, this is an excellent analysis of the many problems with Attorney Barr’s WSJ op ed. Grateful to Jonathan for responding with a corrective.
Reposted by Rachel Rothschild
Climate experts are being silenced, harassed, and discredited for doing their jobs. Hear from three people at the center of these attacks — about fear, resilience, and why they keep fighting for climate truth in an age of denial, disinformation, and erasure.
🎧 Listen now on Climate One:
🎧 Listen now on Climate One:
When Climate Work Comes at a Cost: Dispatches From the Upside Down
Human-caused climate change is fueling extreme floods, wildfires, rising seas, and record-breaking heat all around the world. At the same time, some of the most senior U.S. government officials and…
play.megaphone.fm
October 31, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Climate experts are being silenced, harassed, and discredited for doing their jobs. Hear from three people at the center of these attacks — about fear, resilience, and why they keep fighting for climate truth in an age of denial, disinformation, and erasure.
🎧 Listen now on Climate One:
🎧 Listen now on Climate One:
As many of you may know, a fossil fuel funded NGO is currently suing the University of Michigan to obtain my personal communications with environmental groups.
I recently went on the @climateone.org podcast to talk about my work and the toll the lawsuit has taken: www.climateone.org/audio/when-c...
I recently went on the @climateone.org podcast to talk about my work and the toll the lawsuit has taken: www.climateone.org/audio/when-c...
When Climate Work Comes at a Cost: Dispatches From the Upside Down
Human-caused climate change is fueling extreme floods, wildfires, rising seas, and record-breaking heat all around the world. At the same time, some of the most senior U.S. government officials and ot...
www.climateone.org
October 31, 2025 at 3:39 PM
As many of you may know, a fossil fuel funded NGO is currently suing the University of Michigan to obtain my personal communications with environmental groups.
I recently went on the @climateone.org podcast to talk about my work and the toll the lawsuit has taken: www.climateone.org/audio/when-c...
I recently went on the @climateone.org podcast to talk about my work and the toll the lawsuit has taken: www.climateone.org/audio/when-c...
Reposted by Rachel Rothschild
October 31, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Reposted by Rachel Rothschild
anyone who boosts AI has to explain to me why this is worth it
October 31, 2025 at 1:31 AM
anyone who boosts AI has to explain to me why this is worth it
This.
We have a growing antisemitism problem in America, but the federal government is controlled by Republicans, so instead of addressing it, the response is (a) to exacerbate it with messaging and (b) to exploit it as a pretext for attacks on academia, particularly women and minorities in academia.
A person in Alabama was arrested with a suitcase full of ammunition, body armor, and other items, intending to attack synagogues across the US South. www.cnn.com/2025/10/28/u...
October 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM
This.