Daniel Sharfstein
@danielsharfstein.bsky.social
Vanderbilt law prof, American legal history, property, federal Indian law, author of THUNDER IN THE MOUNTAINS and THE INVISIBLE LINE
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
This is what newspapers used to call “racially tinged” news
“Americans will get free admission to national parks on President Donald Trump's birthday but no longer on Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, according to the National Park Service website”
National parks cut free entry for MLK Day, add Trump's birthday
NPS changed its free admission days in 2026, removing MLK Day and Juneteenth while adding Trump's birthday.
www.usatoday.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:34 AM
This is what newspapers used to call “racially tinged” news
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
What university is going to learn from FIFA and create a random award to get Trump to leave them alone? Watch it happen.
December 5, 2025 at 4:42 PM
What university is going to learn from FIFA and create a random award to get Trump to leave them alone? Watch it happen.
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
and I fear that even more re-redistricting will be on the way, perhaps even later in the year if the Supreme Court waters down or kills Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in the Callais case.
December 4, 2025 at 11:40 PM
and I fear that even more re-redistricting will be on the way, perhaps even later in the year if the Supreme Court waters down or kills Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in the Callais case.
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
All the Republican-appointed Justices are letting Texas engage in re-redistricting, at least for the 2026 elections, and all the Democratic appointed Justices reached a contrary conclusion.
December 4, 2025 at 11:38 PM
All the Republican-appointed Justices are letting Texas engage in re-redistricting, at least for the 2026 elections, and all the Democratic appointed Justices reached a contrary conclusion.
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
To average Americans these rulings come out of the blue, because there's no oral argument and less focus on the shadow docket. And when the Court fails to explain its emergency rulings, they undermine their own legitimacy because they appear to be acting in an unprincipled way.
December 4, 2025 at 6:51 PM
To average Americans these rulings come out of the blue, because there's no oral argument and less focus on the shadow docket. And when the Court fails to explain its emergency rulings, they undermine their own legitimacy because they appear to be acting in an unprincipled way.
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
I spoke to the New York Times in this great explainer piece by Charlie Savage
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
December 4, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I spoke to the New York Times in this great explainer piece by Charlie Savage
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
Important developments. The Montana Supreme Court has played a really important role in heading off far-right conservatism in the state, so of course the Republican Party is weaponizing the ethics process to attack them.
Pretty alarming that Republican lawmakers in Montana are no longer even pretending to respect the state supreme court as part of a co-equal branch of government
Montana Republicans Are Trying to Hijack the Montana Supreme Court
The state’s highest court ruled against GOP lawmakers in a few high-profile cases. GOP lawmakers are responding in kind.
ballsandstrikes.org
November 26, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Important developments. The Montana Supreme Court has played a really important role in heading off far-right conservatism in the state, so of course the Republican Party is weaponizing the ethics process to attack them.
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
Insulting to have to point this out, but if you have spent even 30 minutes reading US history, you realize that every decade has been dominated by racist hysteria that the "new" people won't ever fit in.
This exact prejudice would have been applied to Miller's forebears, when they fled pogroms.
This exact prejudice would have been applied to Miller's forebears, when they fled pogroms.
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Insulting to have to point this out, but if you have spent even 30 minutes reading US history, you realize that every decade has been dominated by racist hysteria that the "new" people won't ever fit in.
This exact prejudice would have been applied to Miller's forebears, when they fled pogroms.
This exact prejudice would have been applied to Miller's forebears, when they fled pogroms.
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, keeps shooting out of the ground in Oklahoma.
Experts say it means even more wastewater is spreading underground, poisoning the state’s water supply.
With @readfrontier.bsky.social
Experts say it means even more wastewater is spreading underground, poisoning the state’s water supply.
With @readfrontier.bsky.social
Toxic Wastewater From Oil Fields Keeps Pouring Out of the Ground. Oklahoma Regulators Failed to Stop It.
Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, is spewing from old wells. Experts warn of a pollution crisis spreading underground and threatening Oklahoma’s drin...
www.propublica.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, keeps shooting out of the ground in Oklahoma.
Experts say it means even more wastewater is spreading underground, poisoning the state’s water supply.
With @readfrontier.bsky.social
Experts say it means even more wastewater is spreading underground, poisoning the state’s water supply.
With @readfrontier.bsky.social
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
"The DTH asked Atkins in a September 2024 interview whether or not he replaced the advisory board. He went silent for a minute and a half, and never answered the question."
The student-run Daily Tar Heel is doing stellar reporting on deep struggles over #UNC's School of Civic Life and Leadership, created by the legislature, here's the latest from reporter Aidan Lockhart: www.dailytarheel.com/article/inve...
'Dictatorial powers': SCiLL dean ignored vote of the School's advisory board
New evidence obtained by The Daily Tar Heel gives weight to claims made by professors who resigned from the School of Civic Life and Leadership.
www.dailytarheel.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:17 PM
"The DTH asked Atkins in a September 2024 interview whether or not he replaced the advisory board. He went silent for a minute and a half, and never answered the question."
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
There's an all-out AI arms race afoot between hackers and defenders. In the near term at least, cybercriminals may be coming out ahead: www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Chatbots Are Becoming Really, Really Good Criminals
Cybersecurity was already a nightmare. Now comes AI.
www.theatlantic.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:06 PM
There's an all-out AI arms race afoot between hackers and defenders. In the near term at least, cybercriminals may be coming out ahead: www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
"'If Aftyn Behn comes within 10 points, I absolutely think most Democrats in Tennessee will see this as ammunition to run further to the left in all races,' said a local elected official."
Why Dems Are Pouring Money Into the Tennessee 7th
Party’s high hopes in special election leave Republicans rattled.
lnk.thebulwark.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
"'If Aftyn Behn comes within 10 points, I absolutely think most Democrats in Tennessee will see this as ammunition to run further to the left in all races,' said a local elected official."
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
This is spot-on.
The UVA "deal" might be the worst/most dangerous (so far). With the help of UVA's leadership, Trump coerced a leading U.S. university to foreswear all efforts (including 100% lawful measures) to achieve diversity.
A betrayal of our values.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The UVA "deal" might be the worst/most dangerous (so far). With the help of UVA's leadership, Trump coerced a leading U.S. university to foreswear all efforts (including 100% lawful measures) to achieve diversity.
A betrayal of our values.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The University of Virginia and Cornell deals with Trump set a dangerous precedent | Serena Mayeri and Amanda Shanor
The bespoke agreements are full of peril for the universities, allowing the federal government to quietly exert control
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 AM
This is spot-on.
The UVA "deal" might be the worst/most dangerous (so far). With the help of UVA's leadership, Trump coerced a leading U.S. university to foreswear all efforts (including 100% lawful measures) to achieve diversity.
A betrayal of our values.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The UVA "deal" might be the worst/most dangerous (so far). With the help of UVA's leadership, Trump coerced a leading U.S. university to foreswear all efforts (including 100% lawful measures) to achieve diversity.
A betrayal of our values.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
BREAKING🚨🚨🚨: Judge rules Trump pick Lindsey Halligan illegally appointed to US Attorney post, dismisses Comey & James cases. But "without prejudice," so they could be refiled although Comey's attorneys say statute of limitations has run. w/ @kyledcheney.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Comey, James cases dismissed as judge disqualifies interim US attorney Lindsey Halligan
A judge concluded Halligan’s appointment violated laws that limit the ability of DOJ to install top prosecutors without Senate confirmation.
www.politico.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:54 PM
BREAKING🚨🚨🚨: Judge rules Trump pick Lindsey Halligan illegally appointed to US Attorney post, dismisses Comey & James cases. But "without prejudice," so they could be refiled although Comey's attorneys say statute of limitations has run. w/ @kyledcheney.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
NEW: Judge Currie finds that Lindsay Halligan was UNLAWFULLY APPOINTED and dismisses the James Comey and Letitia James indictments without prejudice. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 24, 2025 at 5:54 PM
NEW: Judge Currie finds that Lindsay Halligan was UNLAWFULLY APPOINTED and dismisses the James Comey and Letitia James indictments without prejudice. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
Except, of course, it’s *not* all he can say.
Cassidy could concede publicly that confirming Kennedy was a tragic mistake. He could call for RFK Jr's resignation. He could schedule hearings, haul the secretary to Capitol Hill, and demand the CDC’s public resources reflect the scientific cannon.
Cassidy could concede publicly that confirming Kennedy was a tragic mistake. He could call for RFK Jr's resignation. He could schedule hearings, haul the secretary to Capitol Hill, and demand the CDC’s public resources reflect the scientific cannon.
TAPPER: You were the deciding vote that allowed RFK Jr to ascend to the role of Health Secretary. Did you give him too much credit?
CASSIDY: The fact is the scientific community agrees that vaccines are safe. That's all I can say.
CASSIDY: The fact is the scientific community agrees that vaccines are safe. That's all I can say.
November 23, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Except, of course, it’s *not* all he can say.
Cassidy could concede publicly that confirming Kennedy was a tragic mistake. He could call for RFK Jr's resignation. He could schedule hearings, haul the secretary to Capitol Hill, and demand the CDC’s public resources reflect the scientific cannon.
Cassidy could concede publicly that confirming Kennedy was a tragic mistake. He could call for RFK Jr's resignation. He could schedule hearings, haul the secretary to Capitol Hill, and demand the CDC’s public resources reflect the scientific cannon.
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
Gift link to NYT transcript of Trump/ Mamdani presser. WH used to do transcripts but stopped. Outlets should do this more often! www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/n...
Trump and Mamdani’s News Conference: Read the Transcript
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Gift link to NYT transcript of Trump/ Mamdani presser. WH used to do transcripts but stopped. Outlets should do this more often! www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/n...
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
Yeah they say politics is the art of the possible but this is really something
Q: Are you affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist?
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
November 21, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Yeah they say politics is the art of the possible but this is really something
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
wrote with @matteowong.bsky.social about Elon's ritual humiliation at the hand of his chatbot, Grok. It's hilarious, yes. But it's also a reminder that he's trying to bend his platform/tools to rewrite or warp history (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
November 21, 2025 at 7:05 PM
wrote with @matteowong.bsky.social about Elon's ritual humiliation at the hand of his chatbot, Grok. It's hilarious, yes. But it's also a reminder that he's trying to bend his platform/tools to rewrite or warp history (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
#Tennessee ##TN07 #Nashville #Bellevue #Clarksville #Robertson
WHOM do you know in NASHVILLE?
Talk to them! Aftyn will win if you do!
Come out and vote!
Vote for @aftynbehn.bsky.social !!
WHOM do you know in NASHVILLE?
Talk to them! Aftyn will win if you do!
Come out and vote!
Vote for @aftynbehn.bsky.social !!
@aftynbehn.bsky.social This is going to be a crucial part of get out the vote. People in Nashville don't want Trump's thugs in their city. Gotta spread this far as wide. I was elated when I saw him say this in the Clarksville Now interview. What an idiot.
Matt Van Epps will be another rubber stamp for Trump. the Ohio transplant doesn’t care about the issues that Tennesseans care about, his only interest is being a yes man for Trump! Now through Nov 26, you can vote for Aftyn Behn and tell this Yes man, NO!
Check out ⬇️
www.mobilize.us/aftynforcong...
Check out ⬇️
www.mobilize.us/aftynforcong...
November 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
#Tennessee ##TN07 #Nashville #Bellevue #Clarksville #Robertson
WHOM do you know in NASHVILLE?
Talk to them! Aftyn will win if you do!
Come out and vote!
Vote for @aftynbehn.bsky.social !!
WHOM do you know in NASHVILLE?
Talk to them! Aftyn will win if you do!
Come out and vote!
Vote for @aftynbehn.bsky.social !!
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
#Tennessee ##TN07 #Nashville #Bellevue #Clarksville #Robertson
NASHVILLE, COME ON!
Speak to each other!
Come out and vote!
Vote for @aftynbehn.bsky.social !!
NASHVILLE, COME ON!
Speak to each other!
Come out and vote!
Vote for @aftynbehn.bsky.social !!
November 20, 2025 at 11:09 AM
#Tennessee ##TN07 #Nashville #Bellevue #Clarksville #Robertson
NASHVILLE, COME ON!
Speak to each other!
Come out and vote!
Vote for @aftynbehn.bsky.social !!
NASHVILLE, COME ON!
Speak to each other!
Come out and vote!
Vote for @aftynbehn.bsky.social !!
As my neighbor likes to say, we’re voting early and Aftyn! Good luck @aftynbehn.bsky.social !
November 20, 2025 at 4:41 PM
As my neighbor likes to say, we’re voting early and Aftyn! Good luck @aftynbehn.bsky.social !
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
TN-07, you’ve got one week left to vote early for @aftynbehn.bsky.social!
November 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
TN-07, you’ve got one week left to vote early for @aftynbehn.bsky.social!
Reposted by Daniel Sharfstein
Trying to assess GOP health plans right now is like “trying to read tea leaves, only the cup is full of mud”
— @adrianna.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/not-so-imp...
— @adrianna.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/not-so-imp...
The Not-So-Impressive “New” Health Care Ideas Republicans Want to Rush Out
What GOP leaders are missing in their mad scramble to remake health care policy.
www.thebulwark.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Trying to assess GOP health plans right now is like “trying to read tea leaves, only the cup is full of mud”
— @adrianna.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/not-so-imp...
— @adrianna.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/not-so-imp...