John Ross
@johnkennethross.bsky.social
Editor of the Short Circuit newsletter: @shortcircuitij.bsky.social
Listen to Bound By Oath, a podcast on constitutional history: https://ij.org/podcasts/bound-by-oath/mr-thorntons-woods-season-3-ep-1/
Listen to Bound By Oath, a podcast on constitutional history: https://ij.org/podcasts/bound-by-oath/mr-thorntons-woods-season-3-ep-1/
Reposted by John Ross
WOW. Remember this May video of a US citizen wrestled to the ground by ICE agents and detained for an hour despite having a valid REAL ID?
It gets worse. Two weeks later, ICE did it AGAIN — handcuffed him and detained him for 20 minutes despite his REAL ID. Now the Institute for Justice is suing.
It gets worse. Two weeks later, ICE did it AGAIN — handcuffed him and detained him for 20 minutes despite his REAL ID. Now the Institute for Justice is suing.
September 30, 2025 at 9:25 PM
WOW. Remember this May video of a US citizen wrestled to the ground by ICE agents and detained for an hour despite having a valid REAL ID?
It gets worse. Two weeks later, ICE did it AGAIN — handcuffed him and detained him for 20 minutes despite his REAL ID. Now the Institute for Justice is suing.
It gets worse. Two weeks later, ICE did it AGAIN — handcuffed him and detained him for 20 minutes despite his REAL ID. Now the Institute for Justice is suing.
Reposted by John Ross
NEW CASE: We just sued DHS to stop the immigration raids on construction sites.
Our client, Leo García Venegas, has been arrested twice just for working in construction while Latino—despite being a US citizen with a Real ID.
Here’s a short video explaining the case:
youtu.be/rYSfX9Wxs3M
Our client, Leo García Venegas, has been arrested twice just for working in construction while Latino—despite being a US citizen with a Real ID.
Here’s a short video explaining the case:
youtu.be/rYSfX9Wxs3M
Innocent CITIZEN Arrested TWICE by ICE
YouTube video by Institute for Justice
youtu.be
September 30, 2025 at 3:06 PM
NEW CASE: We just sued DHS to stop the immigration raids on construction sites.
Our client, Leo García Venegas, has been arrested twice just for working in construction while Latino—despite being a US citizen with a Real ID.
Here’s a short video explaining the case:
youtu.be/rYSfX9Wxs3M
Our client, Leo García Venegas, has been arrested twice just for working in construction while Latino—despite being a US citizen with a Real ID.
Here’s a short video explaining the case:
youtu.be/rYSfX9Wxs3M
Reposted by John Ross
I didn't believe the RFK Jr. crew for a moment when they claimed to be for health freedom, and I was right.
FDA limits approval for new coronavirus vaccines to high-risk people
The narrowed approval marks a shift from past recommendations for everyone ages 6 months and older to receive annual coronavirus vaccines.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I didn't believe the RFK Jr. crew for a moment when they claimed to be for health freedom, and I was right.
Reposted by John Ross
Grateful for this terrific and generous essay by @ijsanders.bsky.social and a round of applause, while I am at it, to the Institute for Justice (we don't agree on everything, but we agree on a lot).
Last week @casssunstein.bsky.social wrote about "big tent liberalism" and his recent appreciation for thinkers like Hayek and von Mises. We at @ij.org have a response: It's an honor to be in the tent with you.
ij.org/cje-post/lib...
ij.org/cje-post/lib...
Liberalism, the Constitution, and Big Tents - Institute for Justice
IJ welcomes Cass Sunstein's move toward "big tent liberalism" and libertarians such as Hayek and von Mises.
ij.org
August 26, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Grateful for this terrific and generous essay by @ijsanders.bsky.social and a round of applause, while I am at it, to the Institute for Justice (we don't agree on everything, but we agree on a lot).
Reposted by John Ross
New case: @ij.org is representing George Retes, an army vet who ICE disappeared during the raid on a cannabis farm.
They held George for three days without charges. He never got a phone call, let alone access to an attorney.
He missed his daughter's third birthday.
t.co/TtGX8jKXF6
They held George for three days without charges. He never got a phone call, let alone access to an attorney.
He missed his daughter's third birthday.
t.co/TtGX8jKXF6
August 18, 2025 at 8:57 PM
New case: @ij.org is representing George Retes, an army vet who ICE disappeared during the raid on a cannabis farm.
They held George for three days without charges. He never got a phone call, let alone access to an attorney.
He missed his daughter's third birthday.
t.co/TtGX8jKXF6
They held George for three days without charges. He never got a phone call, let alone access to an attorney.
He missed his daughter's third birthday.
t.co/TtGX8jKXF6
Reposted by John Ross
There will now be 10,000 new ICE agents & 100,000 new detention beds--and few safeguards protecting people from constitutional violations by the feds.
Time for states to pass laws allowing people to sue fed agents. Read about it these "converse-1983" statutes here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Time for states to pass laws allowing people to sue fed agents. Read about it these "converse-1983" statutes here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
July 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
There will now be 10,000 new ICE agents & 100,000 new detention beds--and few safeguards protecting people from constitutional violations by the feds.
Time for states to pass laws allowing people to sue fed agents. Read about it these "converse-1983" statutes here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Time for states to pass laws allowing people to sue fed agents. Read about it these "converse-1983" statutes here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by John Ross
We filed another mistaken-identity case. The video is genuinely harrowing: youtu.be/3J6SBmLyfG8
It's so fucked that this happens all the time and no one ever faces any consequences. All our clients say that going through this completely erodes whatever trust they had trust in law enforcement.
It's so fucked that this happens all the time and no one ever faces any consequences. All our clients say that going through this completely erodes whatever trust they had trust in law enforcement.
Grandma "Kidnapped" by US Marshals (BODYCAM)
YouTube video by Institute for Justice
youtu.be
June 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
We filed another mistaken-identity case. The video is genuinely harrowing: youtu.be/3J6SBmLyfG8
It's so fucked that this happens all the time and no one ever faces any consequences. All our clients say that going through this completely erodes whatever trust they had trust in law enforcement.
It's so fucked that this happens all the time and no one ever faces any consequences. All our clients say that going through this completely erodes whatever trust they had trust in law enforcement.
Reposted by John Ross
In all the universal/nationwide injunctions debate almost no one (including SCOTUS) has said anything about state & local governments. That’s terribly unfortunate because UIs are needed in suits against them the most, as I explain here. 1/ 🧵
ij.org/cje-post/uni...
ij.org/cje-post/uni...
Universal Injunctions Are a Bigger Deal for States and Cities Than for the Feds - Institute for Justice
Universal injunctions are even more important when states or cities violate the constitution than when the feds do.
ij.org
May 20, 2025 at 6:32 PM
In all the universal/nationwide injunctions debate almost no one (including SCOTUS) has said anything about state & local governments. That’s terribly unfortunate because UIs are needed in suits against them the most, as I explain here. 1/ 🧵
ij.org/cje-post/uni...
ij.org/cje-post/uni...
Reposted by John Ross
Argument is tomorrow, Tuesday, April 29, at 10 am. Check out IJ's listeners' guide for more information: ij.org/case/martin-...
END
END
Listeners' Guide to Martin v. US - Institute for Justice
Supreme Court Argument Resources Media Contact Andrew [email protected](703) 298-5938 Video Photo Gallery What happened to the Martins? In 2017, Trina Martin and her son Gabe […]
ij.org
April 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Argument is tomorrow, Tuesday, April 29, at 10 am. Check out IJ's listeners' guide for more information: ij.org/case/martin-...
END
END
Reposted by John Ross
New episode of Bound By Oath is a great explainer on the technical issues for tomorrow's SCOTUS argument in Martin v. United States.
It answers the age-old question: "Can an administrative functionary have discretion to commit an intentional tort?" No, they cannot.
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
It answers the age-old question: "Can an administrative functionary have discretion to commit an intentional tort?" No, they cannot.
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
Trust But Verify | Season 3, Ep. 12 - Institute for Justice
In 1973, federal narcotics agents raided a pair of homes in Collinsville, Illinois by mistake. They didn’t find any drugs, but they did terrorize two […]
ij.org
April 28, 2025 at 2:43 PM
New episode of Bound By Oath is a great explainer on the technical issues for tomorrow's SCOTUS argument in Martin v. United States.
It answers the age-old question: "Can an administrative functionary have discretion to commit an intentional tort?" No, they cannot.
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
It answers the age-old question: "Can an administrative functionary have discretion to commit an intentional tort?" No, they cannot.
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
Reposted by John Ross
In the latest episode of #BoundByOath we discuss how wrong house raids in 1973 led Congress to give victims of federal agents a remedy for similar outrages. It's essential background to the Supreme Court's oral argument next week in Martin v. U.S.
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
Trust But Verify | Season 3, Ep. 12 - Institute for Justice
In 1973, federal narcotics agents raided a pair of homes in Collinsville, Illinois by mistake. They didn’t find any drugs, but they did terrorize two […]
ij.org
April 24, 2025 at 8:41 PM
In the latest episode of #BoundByOath we discuss how wrong house raids in 1973 led Congress to give victims of federal agents a remedy for similar outrages. It's essential background to the Supreme Court's oral argument next week in Martin v. U.S.
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
Reposted by John Ross
Thank you to everyone who came to @shortcircuitij.bsky.social 10th anniversary last night! Among other things we learned from @rmfifthcircuit.bsky.social that arbitration is hilarious (seriously, it got the biggest laughs of the night).
April 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Thank you to everyone who came to @shortcircuitij.bsky.social 10th anniversary last night! Among other things we learned from @rmfifthcircuit.bsky.social that arbitration is hilarious (seriously, it got the biggest laughs of the night).
Reposted by John Ross
One day until showtime.
April 2, 2025 at 8:28 PM
One day until showtime.
Reposted by John Ross
In North Carolina today to launch yet another @ij.org case about a SWAT team raiding the wrong house.
Watch the case video here: youtu.be/5ukdm8QBTzc
Watch the case video here: youtu.be/5ukdm8QBTzc
SWAT Raids Wrong House, Sends Owner to Hospital
YouTube video by Institute for Justice
youtu.be
April 2, 2025 at 2:02 PM
In North Carolina today to launch yet another @ij.org case about a SWAT team raiding the wrong house.
Watch the case video here: youtu.be/5ukdm8QBTzc
Watch the case video here: youtu.be/5ukdm8QBTzc
Reposted by John Ross
After 4 relists, the court denied cert this morning in our Texas Wrong House Raid case
Sotomayor and Jackson would have granted cert
It was a great case to address QI b/c the SWAT leader conceded he violated 4A, & the 5th Cir granted QI anyway b/c he did more than "nothing" to find the right house
Sotomayor and Jackson would have granted cert
It was a great case to address QI b/c the SWAT leader conceded he violated 4A, & the 5th Cir granted QI anyway b/c he did more than "nothing" to find the right house
February 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM
After 4 relists, the court denied cert this morning in our Texas Wrong House Raid case
Sotomayor and Jackson would have granted cert
It was a great case to address QI b/c the SWAT leader conceded he violated 4A, & the 5th Cir granted QI anyway b/c he did more than "nothing" to find the right house
Sotomayor and Jackson would have granted cert
It was a great case to address QI b/c the SWAT leader conceded he violated 4A, & the 5th Cir granted QI anyway b/c he did more than "nothing" to find the right house
Reposted by John Ross
10 years ago today, Feb 13, 2015, @ij.org published our 1st Short Circuit newsletter. Thanks to all who have read @johnkennethross.bsky.social's weekly work since the beginning (the few the proud!) or have joined along the way. Here's a short 🧵down memory lane (this is our original webpage). 1/
February 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
10 years ago today, Feb 13, 2015, @ij.org published our 1st Short Circuit newsletter. Thanks to all who have read @johnkennethross.bsky.social's weekly work since the beginning (the few the proud!) or have joined along the way. Here's a short 🧵down memory lane (this is our original webpage). 1/
Reposted by John Ross
It's the latest episode of #BoundByOath, our legal history podcast! Get the real story of Camara v. Municipal Court (1967). With an interview of Marshall Krause, who argued the rental inspection case on behalf of Roland Camara.
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
Everything You Eat, Drink, and Wear | Season 3, Ep. 11 - Institute for Justice
Government officials must obtain a warrant before forcibly entering a home (absent consent or an emergency). That rule goes back to the Founding. But in […]
ij.org
January 31, 2025 at 12:58 AM
It's the latest episode of #BoundByOath, our legal history podcast! Get the real story of Camara v. Municipal Court (1967). With an interview of Marshall Krause, who argued the rental inspection case on behalf of Roland Camara.
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
Reposted by John Ross
2025 marks 10 years of Short Circuit. We've holding a party & you're invited!
April 3 @ 7pm in DC. See Judges Diane Wood & Kent Jordan @adamliptak.bsky.social Eugene Volokh @volokhc.bsky.social @rmfifthcircuit.bsky.social @conlawwarrior.bsky.social plus @ij.org folks. Register below! #AppellateSky
April 3 @ 7pm in DC. See Judges Diane Wood & Kent Jordan @adamliptak.bsky.social Eugene Volokh @volokhc.bsky.social @rmfifthcircuit.bsky.social @conlawwarrior.bsky.social plus @ij.org folks. Register below! #AppellateSky
January 17, 2025 at 8:35 PM
2025 marks 10 years of Short Circuit. We've holding a party & you're invited!
April 3 @ 7pm in DC. See Judges Diane Wood & Kent Jordan @adamliptak.bsky.social Eugene Volokh @volokhc.bsky.social @rmfifthcircuit.bsky.social @conlawwarrior.bsky.social plus @ij.org folks. Register below! #AppellateSky
April 3 @ 7pm in DC. See Judges Diane Wood & Kent Jordan @adamliptak.bsky.social Eugene Volokh @volokhc.bsky.social @rmfifthcircuit.bsky.social @conlawwarrior.bsky.social plus @ij.org folks. Register below! #AppellateSky
Reposted by John Ross
Humboldt fined Rhonda Olson $7.47M for property she just bought for $60K. The fines were because the prior owner grew weed on land that loggers had graded without a permit back in the 80s. The trial court said she had no constitutional case.
Last week, the Ninth Circuit reversed: bit.ly/4a9Nsi7. 🧵
Last week, the Ninth Circuit reversed: bit.ly/4a9Nsi7. 🧵
January 7, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Humboldt fined Rhonda Olson $7.47M for property she just bought for $60K. The fines were because the prior owner grew weed on land that loggers had graded without a permit back in the 80s. The trial court said she had no constitutional case.
Last week, the Ninth Circuit reversed: bit.ly/4a9Nsi7. 🧵
Last week, the Ninth Circuit reversed: bit.ly/4a9Nsi7. 🧵
Reposted by John Ross
The latest episode of #BoundByOath! We look at SWAT tactics & ask: who pays the tab when the government damages or destroys private property for the public good—the unlucky owner or the public as a whole?
W/ @mollyxbrady.bsky.social @pjaicomo.bsky.social & Jeffrey Redfern!
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
W/ @mollyxbrady.bsky.social @pjaicomo.bsky.social & Jeffrey Redfern!
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
Special Weapons and Tactics | Season 3, Ep. 10 - Institute for Justice
In 2020, a police SWAT team blew up Vicki Baker’s house after a fugitive barricaded himself inside. On this episode, we ask: who pays the […]
ij.org
January 1, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The latest episode of #BoundByOath! We look at SWAT tactics & ask: who pays the tab when the government damages or destroys private property for the public good—the unlucky owner or the public as a whole?
W/ @mollyxbrady.bsky.social @pjaicomo.bsky.social & Jeffrey Redfern!
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
W/ @mollyxbrady.bsky.social @pjaicomo.bsky.social & Jeffrey Redfern!
ij.org/podcasts/bou...
Reposted by John Ross
We won (on 9 of our 10 issues on appeal)!
Sometimes looking crazy pays off.
The Ninth Circuit ruled that we stated four constitutional claims against Humboldt County’s extortive use of fines against anyone they suspected of growing weed without a permit.
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
Sometimes looking crazy pays off.
The Ninth Circuit ruled that we stated four constitutional claims against Humboldt County’s extortive use of fines against anyone they suspected of growing weed without a permit.
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
December 31, 2024 at 12:19 AM
We won (on 9 of our 10 issues on appeal)!
Sometimes looking crazy pays off.
The Ninth Circuit ruled that we stated four constitutional claims against Humboldt County’s extortive use of fines against anyone they suspected of growing weed without a permit.
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
Sometimes looking crazy pays off.
The Ninth Circuit ruled that we stated four constitutional claims against Humboldt County’s extortive use of fines against anyone they suspected of growing weed without a permit.
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
Reposted by John Ross
🚨#QUALIFIEDIMMUNITY CERT ALERT🚨
In October, @ij.org filed cert. on behalf of an innocent family, subjected to a #WrongHouseRaid in the Dallas metro area.
In Jimerson v. Lewis, we ask #SCOTUS to either hear the case or summarily reverse the 5th Cir.'s grant of QI. 1/10
ij.org/press-releas...
In October, @ij.org filed cert. on behalf of an innocent family, subjected to a #WrongHouseRaid in the Dallas metro area.
In Jimerson v. Lewis, we ask #SCOTUS to either hear the case or summarily reverse the 5th Cir.'s grant of QI. 1/10
ij.org/press-releas...
Family Asks Supreme Court to Hear Qualified Immunity Case Against SWAT Commander Who Ordered Officers to Raid Wrong Home - Institute for Justice
WASHINGTON—Today, an innocent family whose Lancaster, Texas, home was raided by a SWAT team in March 2019 asked the United States Supreme Court to hear […]
ij.org
December 2, 2024 at 3:07 PM
🚨#QUALIFIEDIMMUNITY CERT ALERT🚨
In October, @ij.org filed cert. on behalf of an innocent family, subjected to a #WrongHouseRaid in the Dallas metro area.
In Jimerson v. Lewis, we ask #SCOTUS to either hear the case or summarily reverse the 5th Cir.'s grant of QI. 1/10
ij.org/press-releas...
In October, @ij.org filed cert. on behalf of an innocent family, subjected to a #WrongHouseRaid in the Dallas metro area.
In Jimerson v. Lewis, we ask #SCOTUS to either hear the case or summarily reverse the 5th Cir.'s grant of QI. 1/10
ij.org/press-releas...
Reposted by John Ross
Sad news: The Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed the right of SLAPP-suit filers to evade consequences by nonsuiting: tncourts.gov/sites/defaul.... The calamitous effects of this ruling are guaranteed.
tncourts.gov
October 9, 2024 at 5:24 PM
Sad news: The Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed the right of SLAPP-suit filers to evade consequences by nonsuiting: tncourts.gov/sites/defaul.... The calamitous effects of this ruling are guaranteed.