Jonathan Yeasting
@yeasting.bsky.social
Lawyer, not brewer (and not your lawyer).
Appellate. I try to overturn convictions.
Chicago. Michigan.
(Comments my own, not employer’s)
Appellate. I try to overturn convictions.
Chicago. Michigan.
(Comments my own, not employer’s)
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
NEW: DHS secretly obtained Chicago police data on 900 residents accused of gang ties. It was quietly deleted after intelligence officers violated rules against domestic spying.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
DHS Kept Chicago Police Records for Months in Violation of Domestic Espionage Rules
The Department of Homeland Security collected data on Chicago residents accused of gang ties to test if police files could feed an FBI watchlist. Months passed before anyone noticed it wasn’t deleted.
www.wired.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:04 PM
NEW: DHS secretly obtained Chicago police data on 900 residents accused of gang ties. It was quietly deleted after intelligence officers violated rules against domestic spying.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
This is not a deal — it's an empty promise.
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Senate reaches deal on ending the shutdown
Democrats are coalescing around a bipartisan agreement to fund the government.
www.politico.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
This is not a deal — it's an empty promise.
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
“This Article may be cited as the
Illinois Bivens Act”
…
“Any person may bring a civil action against any person who, while conducting civil immigration enforcement, knowingly engages in conduct that violates the Illinois Constitution or the United States Constitution...
ilga.gov/documents/le...
Illinois Bivens Act”
…
“Any person may bring a civil action against any person who, while conducting civil immigration enforcement, knowingly engages in conduct that violates the Illinois Constitution or the United States Constitution...
ilga.gov/documents/le...
ilga.gov
October 31, 2025 at 11:27 AM
“This Article may be cited as the
Illinois Bivens Act”
…
“Any person may bring a civil action against any person who, while conducting civil immigration enforcement, knowingly engages in conduct that violates the Illinois Constitution or the United States Constitution...
ilga.gov/documents/le...
Illinois Bivens Act”
…
“Any person may bring a civil action against any person who, while conducting civil immigration enforcement, knowingly engages in conduct that violates the Illinois Constitution or the United States Constitution...
ilga.gov/documents/le...
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
“The question would be whether a reasonable officer would have thought that the conduct giving rise to the state law criminal charges was necessary to discharge the authorized federal duties. That’s a generous standard, to be sure. But it is by no means a get-out-of-prosecution-free card.”
Today's "One First" explains why Stephen Miller is wrong that ICE officers have "federal immunity" from prosecution for all actions they take in their official duties, and that anyone attempting to prosecute them is committing a felony.
Supremacy Clause immunity is a thing, but it's *not* absolute:
Supremacy Clause immunity is a thing, but it's *not* absolute:
186. When Can States Prosecute Federal Officers?
Stephen Miller claims that ICE officers have "immunity" for anything they do while enforcing immigration law. Even as an argument about *state* criminal prosecutions, that claim is overstated at best.
www.stevevladeck.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:43 AM
“The question would be whether a reasonable officer would have thought that the conduct giving rise to the state law criminal charges was necessary to discharge the authorized federal duties. That’s a generous standard, to be sure. But it is by no means a get-out-of-prosecution-free card.”
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
@umich.edu faculty call for an honorary degree for Trump
“We have proven that we have no hard moral principles and no hill on which we will die.”
www.michigandaily.com/opinion/op-e...
“We have proven that we have no hard moral principles and no hill on which we will die.”
www.michigandaily.com/opinion/op-e...
Why Trump would be perfect for an honorary U-M doctoral degree
Awarding Trump an honorary doctoral degree would be an opportunity to recognize the long way the University has walked in less than two years. U-M juniors may still remember times when the campus code...
www.michigandaily.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:06 PM
@umich.edu faculty call for an honorary degree for Trump
“We have proven that we have no hard moral principles and no hill on which we will die.”
www.michigandaily.com/opinion/op-e...
“We have proven that we have no hard moral principles and no hill on which we will die.”
www.michigandaily.com/opinion/op-e...
The operative part of the order includes information gatehring, and:
"... g. Refer, as appropriate, information or reports of potential violations of law to the agencies or entities responsible for investigating or enforcing such violations..."
Link to the order:
www.illinois.gov/government/e...
"... g. Refer, as appropriate, information or reports of potential violations of law to the agencies or entities responsible for investigating or enforcing such violations..."
Link to the order:
www.illinois.gov/government/e...
October 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The operative part of the order includes information gatehring, and:
"... g. Refer, as appropriate, information or reports of potential violations of law to the agencies or entities responsible for investigating or enforcing such violations..."
Link to the order:
www.illinois.gov/government/e...
"... g. Refer, as appropriate, information or reports of potential violations of law to the agencies or entities responsible for investigating or enforcing such violations..."
Link to the order:
www.illinois.gov/government/e...
Breaking Roscoe Village news:
Chicago Rat Hole is really a Squirrel Splat.
Damn ichnologists.
Chicago Rat Hole is really a Squirrel Splat.
Damn ichnologists.
🧪Did I really have time for this story? No, I did not, for reasons I'll be sharing soon. Did I absolutely feel compelled to write it anyways? You know I did! A viral mystery solved by science. Read on @sciencenews.bsky.social
Also, I have a new to-do for my trip to Chicago for #SciWri25 next month!
Also, I have a new to-do for my trip to Chicago for #SciWri25 next month!
The viral Chicago ‘Rat Hole’ almost certainly wasn't made by a rat
Researchers used methods from paleontology to analyze the quirky local landmark, created when a rodent of a certain size fell into wet concrete.
www.sciencenews.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Breaking Roscoe Village news:
Chicago Rat Hole is really a Squirrel Splat.
Damn ichnologists.
Chicago Rat Hole is really a Squirrel Splat.
Damn ichnologists.
I so barely qualify as an author.
(I got co-author credit on a pop nonfiction book when I was an undergrad, umm, 25 years ago)
But I'm doing it anyways.
(I got co-author credit on a pop nonfiction book when I was an undergrad, umm, 25 years ago)
But I'm doing it anyways.
It's banned books week and so I'm legally obligated to bully you, a person who has ever had their name on a book, into joining @authorsabb.bsky.social.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
We fight the source of book bans with calls to action, partnership w everyone in the game, and offer training.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
We fight the source of book bans with calls to action, partnership w everyone in the game, and offer training.
AABB Author Sign-Up Form
Hello! We're Authors Against Book Bans, a group of authors who’ve come together to protect and promote the freedom to read on both the national and local levels. We’re creating a network of authors to...
docs.google.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:33 PM
I so barely qualify as an author.
(I got co-author credit on a pop nonfiction book when I was an undergrad, umm, 25 years ago)
But I'm doing it anyways.
(I got co-author credit on a pop nonfiction book when I was an undergrad, umm, 25 years ago)
But I'm doing it anyways.
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
John Roberts: Good morning, counsel. Before we begin, I understand that there is an update to the caption in this case?
Me: Yes, your honor. My client recently changed their name.
JR: Alright. And what is your client's new name?
Me: Webster Bivens, your honor.
JR: <covering the mic> oh shit
Me: Yes, your honor. My client recently changed their name.
JR: Alright. And what is your client's new name?
Me: Webster Bivens, your honor.
JR: <covering the mic> oh shit
October 5, 2025 at 7:03 PM
John Roberts: Good morning, counsel. Before we begin, I understand that there is an update to the caption in this case?
Me: Yes, your honor. My client recently changed their name.
JR: Alright. And what is your client's new name?
Me: Webster Bivens, your honor.
JR: <covering the mic> oh shit
Me: Yes, your honor. My client recently changed their name.
JR: Alright. And what is your client's new name?
Me: Webster Bivens, your honor.
JR: <covering the mic> oh shit
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
The Kavanaugh Stop
In which a top US Border Patrol official, incredibly, tells my tall and Anglo colleague @chipmitchell1.bsky.social that he's not the type they're looking for as they go about downtown Chicago arresting people based on "how they look"
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Feds in military gear flood downtown Chicago; top border official says arrests based on 'how they look'
The immigration agents were spotted making arrests in downtown Chicago and River North neighborhood early Sunday.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:11 AM
The Kavanaugh Stop
Black’s Sabbath.
Ruin a band with law:
Pet Shopkeeper’s Defense
<feel like I saw this one before but can’t find>
Pet Shopkeeper’s Defense
<feel like I saw this one before but can’t find>
Ruin a band with law:
No Reasonable Doubt
No Reasonable Doubt
September 28, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Black’s Sabbath.
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
It turns out that states have a surprising number of options. See statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
September 22, 2025 at 3:31 PM
It turns out that states have a surprising number of options. See statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
State laws ban bribery too, y’know.
September 21, 2025 at 3:45 AM
State laws ban bribery too, y’know.
Would like to see this courage in other blue states’ courts— instead of uncritically reading state law rights in “lockstep” with Roberts Court’s constitutional interpretations, as if SCOTUS decisions still had some morally persuasive force.
September 20, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Would like to see this courage in other blue states’ courts— instead of uncritically reading state law rights in “lockstep” with Roberts Court’s constitutional interpretations, as if SCOTUS decisions still had some morally persuasive force.
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
After many requests, here are the files to print three different anonymous Chicago contractor-style flyers about ICE, as well my new zine of Tasks for the National Guard in Chicago. Print and resist, friends! drive.google.com/drive/folder...
September 8, 2025 at 3:49 PM
After many requests, here are the files to print three different anonymous Chicago contractor-style flyers about ICE, as well my new zine of Tasks for the National Guard in Chicago. Print and resist, friends! drive.google.com/drive/folder...
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
We call on Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke to stand with other electeds and reject Trump's abuse!
~Jasmine Smith, @caarprnow.bsky.social at Chicago press conference called in response to Trump's military threats to Chicago
~Jasmine Smith, @caarprnow.bsky.social at Chicago press conference called in response to Trump's military threats to Chicago
August 28, 2025 at 9:54 PM
We call on Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke to stand with other electeds and reject Trump's abuse!
~Jasmine Smith, @caarprnow.bsky.social at Chicago press conference called in response to Trump's military threats to Chicago
~Jasmine Smith, @caarprnow.bsky.social at Chicago press conference called in response to Trump's military threats to Chicago
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
Your law students/law firm coworkers should never have used this tool; Open AI has been clear that they would disclose information to law enforcement this entire time
But since APPARENTLY this has to be said several THOUSAND times before people digest it,
DO NOT f***ing use this, lawyers
But since APPARENTLY this has to be said several THOUSAND times before people digest it,
DO NOT f***ing use this, lawyers
NEW: After numerous tragedies, OpenAI says it's scanning users' conversations, escalating to human readers, and contacting law enforcement where necessary
futurism.com/openai-scann...
futurism.com/openai-scann...
OpenAI Says It's Scanning Users' Conversations and Reporting Content to the Police
OpenAI has authorized itself to call law enforcement if users say threatening enough things when talking to ChatGPT.
futurism.com
August 28, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Your law students/law firm coworkers should never have used this tool; Open AI has been clear that they would disclose information to law enforcement this entire time
But since APPARENTLY this has to be said several THOUSAND times before people digest it,
DO NOT f***ing use this, lawyers
But since APPARENTLY this has to be said several THOUSAND times before people digest it,
DO NOT f***ing use this, lawyers
Would like to see a strong statement by the State’s Attorney that she won’t prosecute cases brought to her from National Guard or military arrests.
(I think it’s unsettled in Illinois law whether an arrest that violates posse comitatus requires evidence to be suppressed).
(I think it’s unsettled in Illinois law whether an arrest that violates posse comitatus requires evidence to be suppressed).
Trump said Chicago will be the next city that his administration targets following D.C.
Trump says Chicago next up for federal crime crackdown | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump said Friday that Chicago will be the next city that his administration targets for a federal crackdown on crime.
www.cnn.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Would like to see a strong statement by the State’s Attorney that she won’t prosecute cases brought to her from National Guard or military arrests.
(I think it’s unsettled in Illinois law whether an arrest that violates posse comitatus requires evidence to be suppressed).
(I think it’s unsettled in Illinois law whether an arrest that violates posse comitatus requires evidence to be suppressed).
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
Yesterday, @govpritzker.illinois.gov signed the FAIR Act into law!
This historic legislation creates a Statewide Public Defender Office, marking the first major overhaul of the state’s trial-level public defense system since 1949.
endmoneybond.org/2025/08/16/g...
This historic legislation creates a Statewide Public Defender Office, marking the first major overhaul of the state’s trial-level public defense system since 1949.
endmoneybond.org/2025/08/16/g...
Governor Pritzker Signs the FAIR Act into Law! - Coalition to End Money Bond
Yeseterday, Governor JB Pritzker signed the FAIR (Funded Advocacy & Independent Representation) Act into law. Advocates and public defenders across Illinois are celebrating this meaningful and long ov...
endmoneybond.org
August 16, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Yesterday, @govpritzker.illinois.gov signed the FAIR Act into law!
This historic legislation creates a Statewide Public Defender Office, marking the first major overhaul of the state’s trial-level public defense system since 1949.
endmoneybond.org/2025/08/16/g...
This historic legislation creates a Statewide Public Defender Office, marking the first major overhaul of the state’s trial-level public defense system since 1949.
endmoneybond.org/2025/08/16/g...
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
There's DC Cir case law on point
D.C. Checkpoint (Mills v. D.C.) - Court of Appeals Opinion 2009 - Partnership for Civil Justice Fund share.google/sXOOZ1en3hJY...
D.C. Checkpoint (Mills v. D.C.) - Court of Appeals Opinion 2009 - Partnership for Civil Justice Fund share.google/sXOOZ1en3hJY...
D.C. Checkpoint (Mills v. D.C.) - Court of Appeals Opinion 2009 - Partnership for Civil Justice Fund
The PCJF filed the successful lawsuit challenging the military-style checkpoint program whereby police could surround a targeted neighborhood, interrogate people without suspicion, and prohibit entry ...
share.google
August 14, 2025 at 12:37 PM
There's DC Cir case law on point
D.C. Checkpoint (Mills v. D.C.) - Court of Appeals Opinion 2009 - Partnership for Civil Justice Fund share.google/sXOOZ1en3hJY...
D.C. Checkpoint (Mills v. D.C.) - Court of Appeals Opinion 2009 - Partnership for Civil Justice Fund share.google/sXOOZ1en3hJY...
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
📢 My friends at ACLU of Michigan are looking to hire another lawyer. Check out this position description if you would like to use your skills to protect the civil liberties of our fellow Americans.
www.aclumich.org/sites/defaul...
www.aclumich.org/sites/defaul...
www.aclumich.org
August 14, 2025 at 1:06 AM
📢 My friends at ACLU of Michigan are looking to hire another lawyer. Check out this position description if you would like to use your skills to protect the civil liberties of our fellow Americans.
www.aclumich.org/sites/defaul...
www.aclumich.org/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
NEW: Despite growing attention to state con law, many courts still lockstep w/ the federal constitution as a default. I wrote about recent cases in CT, TX & PA where justices called on their courts to embrace independent state constitutional interpretation. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Recent State Judicial Opinions Critique Lockstepping
Justices in Connecticut, Texas, and Pennsylvania have called on their courts to embrace independent state constitutional interpretations.
statecourtreport.org
August 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
NEW: Despite growing attention to state con law, many courts still lockstep w/ the federal constitution as a default. I wrote about recent cases in CT, TX & PA where justices called on their courts to embrace independent state constitutional interpretation. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
Reposted by Jonathan Yeasting
😬The Supreme Court will consider whether the intentional creation of a majority-minority congressional district violates the 14th or 15th Amendments.
If the answer is yes, SCOTUS will effectively declare that what remains of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. This is very, very ominous.
If the answer is yes, SCOTUS will effectively declare that what remains of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. This is very, very ominous.
August 1, 2025 at 9:39 PM
😬The Supreme Court will consider whether the intentional creation of a majority-minority congressional district violates the 14th or 15th Amendments.
If the answer is yes, SCOTUS will effectively declare that what remains of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. This is very, very ominous.
If the answer is yes, SCOTUS will effectively declare that what remains of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. This is very, very ominous.