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.
Yes indeed. I've written quite a bit about the movement and unitary executive theory, e.g., here: jach.law.wisc.edu/democracy-ef...
The Democracy Effects of Legal Polarization: Movement Lawyering at the Dawn of the Unitary Executive
by Deborah Pearlstein
In the 1980s, a conservative legal movement began to advance a unitary executive theory of constitutional power inside the Executive Branch; these efforts functioned to kneecap a...
jach.law.wisc.edu
November 18, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Yes indeed. I've written quite a bit about the movement and unitary executive theory, e.g., here: jach.law.wisc.edu/democracy-ef...
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.
100% agree more is required, esp of leading partners & academics who know better. But as this 40+ yr old conservative legal coalition fractures, seems as important to make clear those who choose law over chaos will be heard widely when they break the right way.
November 18, 2025 at 1:40 AM
100% agree more is required, esp of leading partners & academics who know better. But as this 40+ yr old conservative legal coalition fractures, seems as important to make clear those who choose law over chaos will be heard widely when they break the right way.
Fair Q; you’re right I haven’t. But FedSoc is today bleeding dissenters from both left (as it were) & right. Among moderates, the art3 coalition of retired judges & rule of law society have spoken out against comparable attacks. On far right, Mike Davis‘ group is driving them. Unclear how this ends.
November 18, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Fair Q; you’re right I haven’t. But FedSoc is today bleeding dissenters from both left (as it were) & right. Among moderates, the art3 coalition of retired judges & rule of law society have spoken out against comparable attacks. On far right, Mike Davis‘ group is driving them. Unclear how this ends.