Deborah Pearlstein
@debpearlstein.bsky.social
Director, Program on Law & Public Policy, Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs. Charles & Marie Robertson Visiting Professor of Law & Public Affairs. Still teaching Con law, still aiming to get out of the new social media market.
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
I look forward to writing the inevitable: "No. The Civil Service Is Not Unconstitutional." Who knew that I could build a tenure file on the back of just regurgitating black-letter law.
November 19, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I look forward to writing the inevitable: "No. The Civil Service Is Not Unconstitutional." Who knew that I could build a tenure file on the back of just regurgitating black-letter law.
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
Eleventh Circuit throws out Trump's suit against CNN in a per curiam unpublished ruling. Meaning Trump's arguments were totally meritless, not even worthy of a published opinion. s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
November 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Eleventh Circuit throws out Trump's suit against CNN in a per curiam unpublished ruling. Meaning Trump's arguments were totally meritless, not even worthy of a published opinion. s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
The City Bar condemns recent remarks by the Deputy Attorney General in which he described the Administration as being at “war” with the federal judiciary and invited young lawyers to “join the fight” against purported “activist judges.” Read the statement here: bit.ly/4nWdoDd
Deputy Attorney General’s “War” on the Judiciary is an Assault on Judicial Independence | New York City Bar Association
New York City Bar Association Statement The New York City Bar Association (“City Bar”) condemns the remarks delivered by Todd […]
bit.ly
November 17, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The City Bar condemns recent remarks by the Deputy Attorney General in which he described the Administration as being at “war” with the federal judiciary and invited young lawyers to “join the fight” against purported “activist judges.” Read the statement here: bit.ly/4nWdoDd
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
Trump Has the Power to Release the Epstein Files, With or Without Congress www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/u...
Trump Has the Power to Release the Epstein Files, With or Without Congress
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Trump Has the Power to Release the Epstein Files, With or Without Congress www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/u...
When democracy scholars talk about tools essential for pushing back against wouldbe authoritarians, a robust civil society is top of list. This is what that means. Another great, newly emergent effort to compensate for govt's destroyed ability to police itself.
1/6 A new standard for public accountability is here. GLOW—Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog—is officially launching today to hold government lawyers accountable. We're unveiling The Government Lawyers Database at glowlaw.org. #RuleOfLaw #Accountability
The Government Lawyers Database
glowlaw.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:19 AM
When democracy scholars talk about tools essential for pushing back against wouldbe authoritarians, a robust civil society is top of list. This is what that means. Another great, newly emergent effort to compensate for govt's destroyed ability to police itself.
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
As Trump again ramps up attacks on judges as biased, consider: his own appointees rule against his admin 49% of the time. Republican appointees 65%. Reporters should ask: If the judiciary is biased, why do the judges he picked keep ruling against him?
November 18, 2025 at 2:41 AM
As Trump again ramps up attacks on judges as biased, consider: his own appointees rule against his admin 49% of the time. Republican appointees 65%. Reporters should ask: If the judiciary is biased, why do the judges he picked keep ruling against him?
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
The DOJ ordered US Marshals to the house of the pardon attorney who refused to sign off on a pardon to give Mel Gibson back his guns. Big law firms told her they supported her but did not want to be seen representing her.
This is the use of government-sponsored fear to silence dissent.
This is the use of government-sponsored fear to silence dissent.
November 17, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The DOJ ordered US Marshals to the house of the pardon attorney who refused to sign off on a pardon to give Mel Gibson back his guns. Big law firms told her they supported her but did not want to be seen representing her.
This is the use of government-sponsored fear to silence dissent.
This is the use of government-sponsored fear to silence dissent.
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
ABA issues statement about lawmakers' impeachment threats against judges
"We urge policymakers to foster a judicial environment where judges can decide cases based on law, free from political influence, intimidation or threats of impeachment."
"We urge policymakers to foster a judicial environment where judges can decide cases based on law, free from political influence, intimidation or threats of impeachment."
November 17, 2025 at 9:38 PM
ABA issues statement about lawmakers' impeachment threats against judges
"We urge policymakers to foster a judicial environment where judges can decide cases based on law, free from political influence, intimidation or threats of impeachment."
"We urge policymakers to foster a judicial environment where judges can decide cases based on law, free from political influence, intimidation or threats of impeachment."
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
SCOOP: CDC officials on Monday linked for the first time the measles outbreak that began in Texas with another in Utah and Arizona, a finding that could end America’s status as a nation that has eliminated measles.
(Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...
(Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...
C.D.C. Links Measles Outbreaks in Multiple States for the First Time
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
SCOOP: CDC officials on Monday linked for the first time the measles outbreak that began in Texas with another in Utah and Arizona, a finding that could end America’s status as a nation that has eliminated measles.
(Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...
(Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...
Interesting. The conservative legal right is as riven as the rest of the right, FedSoc too. Especially when violent threats against federal judges at all levels are skyrocketing, I can imagine plenty of R-appointed judges, active & retired, pushing back hard against this rhetoric exactly.
The Federalist Society has apparently taken down the video of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's "Fireside Chat" at the National Lawyers Convention on November 7 (the one where he said that he and the Justice Department are at "war" against federal district courts):
I wonder why...
I wonder why...
2025 National Lawyers Convention
The National Lawyers Convention is now sold out. Over three days, the Federalist Society's 2025...
fedsoc.org
November 18, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Interesting. The conservative legal right is as riven as the rest of the right, FedSoc too. Especially when violent threats against federal judges at all levels are skyrocketing, I can imagine plenty of R-appointed judges, active & retired, pushing back hard against this rhetoric exactly.
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
We are a 501(c)(3) created specifically to document such abuse of power by government lawyers. Lawyers/law students - we need your help!
If interested in volunteering with us, please let us know here: glowlaw.org/volunteer
If interested in volunteering with us, please let us know here: glowlaw.org/volunteer
November 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
We are a 501(c)(3) created specifically to document such abuse of power by government lawyers. Lawyers/law students - we need your help!
If interested in volunteering with us, please let us know here: glowlaw.org/volunteer
If interested in volunteering with us, please let us know here: glowlaw.org/volunteer
Among many things, Halligan seems to have told grand jurors that if they indicted Comey, he'd be required to explain himself at trial. The expression EVERYONE knows "taking the 5th" is b/c 5th Amend says exactly the opposite. So how to read this: unfathomably stupid or just aggressively lawless?
BREAKING: Magistrate orders DOJ to turn over grand jury materials to Comey, finding real prospect that "government misconduct" may have tainted the case.
November 17, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Among many things, Halligan seems to have told grand jurors that if they indicted Comey, he'd be required to explain himself at trial. The expression EVERYONE knows "taking the 5th" is b/c 5th Amend says exactly the opposite. So how to read this: unfathomably stupid or just aggressively lawless?
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
The Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog, @glowlaw.org, looks like an interesting new project on government-lawyer accountability. Worth a follow!
November 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog, @glowlaw.org, looks like an interesting new project on government-lawyer accountability. Worth a follow!
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
Mag Judge Fitzpatrick says two statements by Halligan to grand jury "appear to be fundamental misstatements of the law that could compromise the integrity of the grand jury process."
November 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Mag Judge Fitzpatrick says two statements by Halligan to grand jury "appear to be fundamental misstatements of the law that could compromise the integrity of the grand jury process."
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
BREAKING: Moving quickly, Chief Judge Boasberg orders the Trump administration and challengers in the Alien Enemies Act case before him to be ready “to discuss next steps in this Court's contempt inquiry” in two days, at a hearing in the broader case already set for Wednesday.
November 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
BREAKING: Moving quickly, Chief Judge Boasberg orders the Trump administration and challengers in the Alien Enemies Act case before him to be ready “to discuss next steps in this Court's contempt inquiry” in two days, at a hearing in the broader case already set for Wednesday.
👇 Seriously folks. If Trump wanted the files to be public, they would be public. Please let's not pretend "waiting for Congress..." or "DOJ ethics regarding pending investigations..." suddenly pose some obstacle, esp not after a year's worth of Trump/Bondi behavior to the contrary.
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills. There’s no vote required if he wants to release them!
The only reason the house was voting was because he refused.
This is an obviously cynical ploy and major news outlets are running whole pieces without pointing this out. He could release them tonight.
The only reason the house was voting was because he refused.
This is an obviously cynical ploy and major news outlets are running whole pieces without pointing this out. He could release them tonight.
If he has nothing to hide he doesn’t need a House vote. He can just release everything.
November 17, 2025 at 1:40 PM
👇 Seriously folks. If Trump wanted the files to be public, they would be public. Please let's not pretend "waiting for Congress..." or "DOJ ethics regarding pending investigations..." suddenly pose some obstacle, esp not after a year's worth of Trump/Bondi behavior to the contrary.
Huh. Funny I missed the "signature policy" clause of Article II.
Bessent on tariffs: "This is one of President Trump's signature policies, and traditionally the Supreme Court does not interfere with a president's signature policy."
November 16, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Huh. Funny I missed the "signature policy" clause of Article II.
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
PBS NEWS WEEKEND has been cancelled and 34 jobs will be cut at WETA in Washington D.C.
The NEWS HOUR West Coast bureau will also close and the updated daily West Coast broadcast will end.
“We cannot fully compensate for the scope of the federal funding loss.”
current.org/2025/11/weta... #PBS
The NEWS HOUR West Coast bureau will also close and the updated daily West Coast broadcast will end.
“We cannot fully compensate for the scope of the federal funding loss.”
current.org/2025/11/weta... #PBS
WETA to cut staff, cancel ‘PBS News Weekend’ and close News Hour West bureau
The restructuring includes the elimination of 34 positions, following another round of cuts made in September.
current.org
November 16, 2025 at 12:36 AM
PBS NEWS WEEKEND has been cancelled and 34 jobs will be cut at WETA in Washington D.C.
The NEWS HOUR West Coast bureau will also close and the updated daily West Coast broadcast will end.
“We cannot fully compensate for the scope of the federal funding loss.”
current.org/2025/11/weta... #PBS
The NEWS HOUR West Coast bureau will also close and the updated daily West Coast broadcast will end.
“We cannot fully compensate for the scope of the federal funding loss.”
current.org/2025/11/weta... #PBS
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
One reason why elite schools (Columbia, Brown, Cornell) caving to Trump’s illegal impoundment and extortion is so galling — a betrayal, really — is that they would have won had they fought. By giving up, they guaranteed every other school will have to fight harder.
Judge bars Trump from immediately cutting funding to the University of California | CNN Politics
The Trump administration cannot immediately cut federal funding to the University of California or issue fines against the school system over claims it allows antisemitism or other forms of discrimina...
www.cnn.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:02 PM
One reason why elite schools (Columbia, Brown, Cornell) caving to Trump’s illegal impoundment and extortion is so galling — a betrayal, really — is that they would have won had they fought. By giving up, they guaranteed every other school will have to fight harder.
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
The intro to Judge Rita Lin's 76-page opinion holding that the Trump admin's pressure campaign against the University of California system is coercive and retaliatory in violation of the First Amendment. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 15, 2025 at 1:12 AM
The intro to Judge Rita Lin's 76-page opinion holding that the Trump admin's pressure campaign against the University of California system is coercive and retaliatory in violation of the First Amendment. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
As the FBI’s deputy director, Dan Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau background check is unprecedented, insiders say.
FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff
As the FBI’s deputy director, Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau backgr...
www.propublica.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:25 PM
As the FBI’s deputy director, Dan Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau background check is unprecedented, insiders say.
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
Indiana mid-decade redistricting news.
November 14, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Indiana mid-decade redistricting news.
The grift is just relentless.
NEW: DHS invoked the “national emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
Kristi Noem-Tied Firm Secretly Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Campaign
The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for the taxpayer-funded campaign.
www.propublica.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:37 PM
The grift is just relentless.
Reposted by Deborah Pearlstein
MAGA’s ongoing war on academic freedom, reflected in headlines from the last 24 hours.
November 14, 2025 at 1:17 PM
MAGA’s ongoing war on academic freedom, reflected in headlines from the last 24 hours.
These cases are heartbreaking. But the new state censors are losing these battles in court. Consistently. We just have to do what we can to support and encourage those targeted to fight.
Indiana Professor Removed From Class Over White Supremacy Lesson
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:55 AM
These cases are heartbreaking. But the new state censors are losing these battles in court. Consistently. We just have to do what we can to support and encourage those targeted to fight.