Laurence H. Tribe
@tribelaw.bsky.social
After teaching and writing about constitutional law for 50 yrs, it seemed time for me to reach beyond Harvard’s walls — to spread understanding and appreciation of the rule of law, of justice as fairness, and of a republic if we can keep it
Pinned
Bessent Plans to Attend Tariff Arguments at the Supreme Court
www.nytimes.com
There’s nothing wrong with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attending the tariff argument on Trump’s key policy initiative. After all, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius attended the ACA argument on the key Obama initiative.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
Ridiculous. Cruel. Lawless.
November 7, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Ridiculous. Cruel. Lawless.
“The destruction of U.S.A.I.D. [caused] public man-made death. And the cruelty and lethality will only grow as the Administration expands its rollback of public-health advances to the homeland.”
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:50 PM
“The destruction of U.S.A.I.D. [caused] public man-made death. And the cruelty and lethality will only grow as the Administration expands its rollback of public-health advances to the homeland.”
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
There’s nothing wrong with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attending the tariff argument on Trump’s key policy initiative. After all, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius attended the ACA argument on the key Obama initiative.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
Bessent Plans to Attend Tariff Arguments at the Supreme Court
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:05 AM
There’s nothing wrong with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attending the tariff argument on Trump’s key policy initiative. After all, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius attended the ACA argument on the key Obama initiative.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
A rare good sign from #SCOTUS
#BREAKING: In the Illinois National Guard case, #SCOTUS is asking for additional briefing on one of the key substantive questions (and one flagged by my Georgetown colleague @martylederman.bsky.social in an amicus brief):
Among other things, this means no ruling until *at least* the week of 11/17.
Among other things, this means no ruling until *at least* the week of 11/17.
October 31, 2025 at 10:08 AM
A rare good sign from #SCOTUS
Reposted by Laurence H. Tribe
The “press” asks about the East Wing.
October 28, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The “press” asks about the East Wing.
The East Wing of the White House — which Trump is demolishing as though it belongs to him — is 70,000 square feet. A football field is 56,000 square feet. Trump’s palatial ballroom will occupy 90,000 square feet. Enough said.
October 23, 2025 at 8:53 PM
The East Wing of the White House — which Trump is demolishing as though it belongs to him — is 70,000 square feet. A football field is 56,000 square feet. Trump’s palatial ballroom will occupy 90,000 square feet. Enough said.
“Pardons and commutations offer X-rays into the souls of presidents. More than any other presidential actions, clemencies tell us who they are.” Jeff Toobin has this exactly right. Trump’s use of the pardon power sullies its purpose but reveals who the man is.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/o...
Opinion | The Santos Commutation Is No Joke
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:18 PM
“Pardons and commutations offer X-rays into the souls of presidents. More than any other presidential actions, clemencies tell us who they are.” Jeff Toobin has this exactly right. Trump’s use of the pardon power sullies its purpose but reveals who the man is.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/o...
In a recent study, participants inside fMRI scanners played a game in which they could enrich themselves by deceiving others. The more people lied to other players, the more exaggerated their lies were likely to be the next time around.
October 15, 2025 at 9:02 PM
In a recent study, participants inside fMRI scanners played a game in which they could enrich themselves by deceiving others. The more people lied to other players, the more exaggerated their lies were likely to be the next time around.
On Indigenous Peoples Day (which Trump insists on calling Columbus Day): For an honest history of the 15th and 20th century origins of a national holiday and its layers of meaning, read Heather Cox Richardson today 👇🏼
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
October 12, 2025
On October 9, President Donald J.
open.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM
On Indigenous Peoples Day (which Trump insists on calling Columbus Day): For an honest history of the 15th and 20th century origins of a national holiday and its layers of meaning, read Heather Cox Richardson today 👇🏼
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
This weekend, Trump said “the Biden FBI” placed 274 agents in the January 6 insurrectionist mob.
He wrote “If this is so, which it is, a lot of very good people will be owed big apologies.”
But it ISN’T so: TRUMP was still POTUS until January 20. It was the TRUMP FBI.
Oops. Never mind. 👑 😳😵💫😎😟
He wrote “If this is so, which it is, a lot of very good people will be owed big apologies.”
But it ISN’T so: TRUMP was still POTUS until January 20. It was the TRUMP FBI.
Oops. Never mind. 👑 😳😵💫😎😟
October 13, 2025 at 10:04 AM
This weekend, Trump said “the Biden FBI” placed 274 agents in the January 6 insurrectionist mob.
He wrote “If this is so, which it is, a lot of very good people will be owed big apologies.”
But it ISN’T so: TRUMP was still POTUS until January 20. It was the TRUMP FBI.
Oops. Never mind. 👑 😳😵💫😎😟
He wrote “If this is so, which it is, a lot of very good people will be owed big apologies.”
But it ISN’T so: TRUMP was still POTUS until January 20. It was the TRUMP FBI.
Oops. Never mind. 👑 😳😵💫😎😟
Freedom of speech may be the one constitutional right the current Supreme Court doesn’t demolish.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/07/n...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/07/n...
Supreme Court seems skeptical about state bans on conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ kids - The Boston Globe
The court’s conservative majority didn’t seem convinced that states can restrict talk therapy aimed at changing feelings while allowing counseling that affirms kids identifying as gay or transgender.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Freedom of speech may be the one constitutional right the current Supreme Court doesn’t demolish.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/07/n...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/07/n...
“This is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law. Defendants have made a range of arguments that . . risk blurring the line between civil and military federal power—to the detriment of this nation.” — Trump-appointed U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut (Oct. 4, 2025).
October 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM
“This is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law. Defendants have made a range of arguments that . . risk blurring the line between civil and military federal power—to the detriment of this nation.” — Trump-appointed U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut (Oct. 4, 2025).
This federal judge appointed by President Trump found his claims of “chaos“ in Portland, Oregon “untethered to the facts.“
October 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
This federal judge appointed by President Trump found his claims of “chaos“ in Portland, Oregon “untethered to the facts.“
Working on a new book, “The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government.” Drawing from my experience as a prosecutor, the book offers ideas to take back our democracy and a vision for the future. Available June 9, 2026. Here’s the cover. What do you think?
October 5, 2025 at 12:23 PM
In a decision issued October 1, 2025, Reagan-appointed U.S. District Judge William Young includes a postcard sent to him saying “Trump has pardons and tanks ... what do you have?" He responds "Alone, I have nothing but my sense of duty. Together, We the People ... have our magnificent Constitution."
October 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM
In a decision issued October 1, 2025, Reagan-appointed U.S. District Judge William Young includes a postcard sent to him saying “Trump has pardons and tanks ... what do you have?" He responds "Alone, I have nothing but my sense of duty. Together, We the People ... have our magnificent Constitution."
“A government shutdown could draw precious attention to the regime’s worst outrages and persuade more Americans that they have a viable alternative. It could even help Democrats gain enough power to do more than yell and scream about it.”
open.substack.com/pub/harrylit...
open.substack.com/pub/harrylit...
Why Democrats Should Shut Down the Government
Guest Submission from Josh Gohlke
open.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
“A government shutdown could draw precious attention to the regime’s worst outrages and persuade more Americans that they have a viable alternative. It could even help Democrats gain enough power to do more than yell and scream about it.”
open.substack.com/pub/harrylit...
open.substack.com/pub/harrylit...
“When historians look back on this moment in American history, the date that may stand out to them is . . . Sept. 15, when [VP Vance] promised that the federal government would use the assassination [of Charlie Kirk] to begin cracking down on leftist organizations.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/o...
Opinion | The Retribution Has Begun
www.nytimes.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:46 PM
“When historians look back on this moment in American history, the date that may stand out to them is . . . Sept. 15, when [VP Vance] promised that the federal government would use the assassination [of Charlie Kirk] to begin cracking down on leftist organizations.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/o...
The very label “mind-ALTERING” drugs assumes a specific baseline.
This fascinating feature by the author of the forthcoming book, “The Frenchmen” — a great read about the French philosophers who changed American culture — is eye-opening and mind-bending but sober:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/b...
This fascinating feature by the author of the forthcoming book, “The Frenchmen” — a great read about the French philosophers who changed American culture — is eye-opening and mind-bending but sober:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/b...
Psychedelics Blew His Mind. He Wants Other Philosophers to Open Theirs.
www.nytimes.com
September 21, 2025 at 12:34 PM
The very label “mind-ALTERING” drugs assumes a specific baseline.
This fascinating feature by the author of the forthcoming book, “The Frenchmen” — a great read about the French philosophers who changed American culture — is eye-opening and mind-bending but sober:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/b...
This fascinating feature by the author of the forthcoming book, “The Frenchmen” — a great read about the French philosophers who changed American culture — is eye-opening and mind-bending but sober:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/b...
“No doubt the spirit and energy of the world is what is acting in us, as the sea is what rises in every little wave; but it passes through us; and, cry out as we may, it will move on. Our privilege is to have perceived it as it moved.”
— George Santayana, “Skepticism and Animal Faith” (1923)
— George Santayana, “Skepticism and Animal Faith” (1923)
September 21, 2025 at 11:21 AM
“No doubt the spirit and energy of the world is what is acting in us, as the sea is what rises in every little wave; but it passes through us; and, cry out as we may, it will move on. Our privilege is to have perceived it as it moved.”
— George Santayana, “Skepticism and Animal Faith” (1923)
— George Santayana, “Skepticism and Animal Faith” (1923)
Hobart, New York: where the REAL Supreme Court holds court . . .
September 20, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Hobart, New York: where the REAL Supreme Court holds court . . .
“The idea that speech or thought contrary to the government line could trigger punishment is the dream of autocrats. Eventually, it makes enemies of everyone.”
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Seeing Enemies Everywhere
The government’s working definition of “hate speech” now seems to include anything that offends Donald Trump personally—including late-night comedy.
www.newyorker.com
September 20, 2025 at 7:19 PM
“The idea that speech or thought contrary to the government line could trigger punishment is the dream of autocrats. Eventually, it makes enemies of everyone.”
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
This victory for freedom of artistic expression and the 1st Amendment was clearly right and will very likely be upheld on appeal . . . but the struggle will probably be over a stay of any injunctive relief, and if it’s stayed then irreparable harm will occur anyway.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/a...
Court Rules Against Arts Endowment on Trump’s ‘Gender Ideology’ Order
www.nytimes.com
September 20, 2025 at 2:54 PM
This victory for freedom of artistic expression and the 1st Amendment was clearly right and will very likely be upheld on appeal . . . but the struggle will probably be over a stay of any injunctive relief, and if it’s stayed then irreparable harm will occur anyway.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/a...
Agreed! In today’s Supreme Court, Jimmy Kimmel would have an extremely strong First Amendment claim against Trump’s FCC for pressuring Disney and ABC to censor fully protected commentary by firing Kimmel. Either 8-1 or 9-0.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Opinion | Jimmy Kimmel Should Have Strong Odds at the Supreme Court
He should sue the Trump administration.
www.politico.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Agreed! In today’s Supreme Court, Jimmy Kimmel would have an extremely strong First Amendment claim against Trump’s FCC for pressuring Disney and ABC to censor fully protected commentary by firing Kimmel. Either 8-1 or 9-0.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Exactly right!
It’s no wonder the three branches of government no longer check each other. The Roberts Court, Trump, and the Republican House/Senate caucuses are all on the same team—shadows of the same shadowcasters.
September 19, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Exactly right!