while listening -- this from the ACLU today - (fighting hard)
"We're in court across the country to protect our rights – here are the latest updates on this critical work that have unfolded over the past few weeks:
Birthright Citizenship: We won two orders – including the only nationwide preliminary injunction on behalf of all affected individuals – blocking President Trump's blatantly unconstitutional executive order that would deny birthright citizenship to some babies. And this week, we're appearing in a federal appeals court to defend against the government's claim that Trump's order is lawful.
Family Separation: We stopped the first Trump administration's horrifying family separation policy – but now, a federal court has found that the second Trump administration has breached the settlement agreement in our case that obligates it to provide legal and social services to the families they tore apart. The judge ordered the government to adhere to the agreement. We'll keep fighting in the courts to ensure the government does not subject these families to further suffering.
ICE Detention: We're suing over due process violations at the new Everglades immigration detention center – cruelly dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” – that's already notorious for mistreatment of the people detained there. The Trump administration has denied people access to attorneys, so we'll see President Trump in court.
Mass Deportations: We sued when the Trump administration sent hundreds of Venezuelan men to a prison in El Salvador notorious for torture without due process. Now, months later, they have finally been released from the Salvadoran torture prison – and sent to Venezuela. The government continues to try to evade responsibility and accountability for the many ways in which it has violated the law, including by deporting many before decisions had even been reached in their deportation proceedings. We're calling on the courts to order the government to explain if it intends to bring these men back to the United States while our main case proceeds."
We've taken over 50 legal actions during President Trump's second term challenging this administration's cruel immigration policies alone – and we're not slowing down. With your support, we'll continue fighting these appalling attacks on our rights.
"Days into this Trump administration, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo illegally ordering a “temporary pause” on nearly all federal assistance, abruptly freezing billions of dollars that Congress had already appropriated for education, health care, public safety, and other essential services. People panicked. Chaos ensued. Nonprofits and government programs were put in limbo. The administration later attempted to clarify the memo, but it only created more uncertainty and confusion. The White House defended the freeze. “There is no uncertainty in this building,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. But she would have to “check back” on whether Medicaid would be impacted.
Immediately, states sued. In yet another ruling against this administration, a lower court temporarily blocked the funding freeze while the case plays out.
To be clear, presidents do not have the power to freeze funding by fiat. Only Congress has the power to determine how and when appropriations are spent — it alone has the power of the purse. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 made this even more explicit. After President Nixon purported to withhold congressional funds, the law was passed to require congressional approval for any deferral or rescission of funds as part of a larger movement pushing back against growing presidential power.
Now the case is before the First Circuit Court of Appeals. It’s part of the myriad of cases making their way through the courts challenging egregious power grabs by this administration. It’s one of the cases which we have been warning will determine the scope of presidential power for decades to come.
The Brennan Center is representing 157 members of Congress led by Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY), and Minority Whip Katherine Clark (MA), in a friend-of-the-court brief in this case. It explains how withholding congressionally appropriated funds directly violates the Constitution. The funding freeze “seeks to implement the President’s mistaken view that he alone embodies the popular will,” it affirms. “If the President or agencies could decline to make expenditures based on policy disagreements, then the President alone would remake the law.”
Heading over this week to my independent bookstore to order a copy of Prof. Litman's book. Awesome interview. I got totally hooked when she spoke to how WE -- we ordinary people without law degrees -- can understand these cases because fundamentally they are not that difficult.
That was so good.... Yes, our Supreme Court is betraying us. Lots of work to do.
Let's figure out how to impeach at least three of the Supreme Court Justices. It has to be ironclad, because the Bad Faithians will copy it against justices upholding the rule of law.
I remember reading that the main reason that the Nazis were able to take over the German government so quickly was that the judges of the country had been appointed by the Kaiser and were therefore sympathetic towards the Nazis.
Clearly, the right wing has followed their playbook; we have a corrupt and venal court. The right wing started this takeover at least as far back as 1980 with Reagan.
Also, it is an old-boy circle. I noticed how happy Roberts was when he swore in Gorsuch. He was obviously in the same social circle. I imagine that at least four of them are members of opus dei, a very conservative Catholic order.
Executive Order 'Ending crime & disorder on America's streets' July 24...... This seems yet another opportunity, like ICE, to move money from benefiting American's via health care & education into the hands of private prisons (incarcerating homeless people).... I do think this is an important issue that needs to be on the radar. You might have mentioned it, I'm not sure. Like in Hitler's Germany -- more & more categories of people/Americans are being added to the list..
I just read Professor Litman's book "Lawlesss..." and learned about the Supreme Court etc. viz Audiobook. I'm going to listen to it again due to the valuable information she shares. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, Professor and Simon too!
More on the law -- here is All Rise News on the perspective of the Victims of Epstein/Maxwell -- the victims have been largely ignored in recent news... (scroll down at link below for video). And perjury of Maxwell.
Great truths spoken today . The most outstanding eas confirmation that Bush Jr did not win 2000. Also true is scotus and Robert's tweeting democracy and the biggie....McConnell had a hand in destroying democracy since his 80s election. Thanks!
while listening -- this from the ACLU today - (fighting hard)
"We're in court across the country to protect our rights – here are the latest updates on this critical work that have unfolded over the past few weeks:
Birthright Citizenship: We won two orders – including the only nationwide preliminary injunction on behalf of all affected individuals – blocking President Trump's blatantly unconstitutional executive order that would deny birthright citizenship to some babies. And this week, we're appearing in a federal appeals court to defend against the government's claim that Trump's order is lawful.
Family Separation: We stopped the first Trump administration's horrifying family separation policy – but now, a federal court has found that the second Trump administration has breached the settlement agreement in our case that obligates it to provide legal and social services to the families they tore apart. The judge ordered the government to adhere to the agreement. We'll keep fighting in the courts to ensure the government does not subject these families to further suffering.
ICE Detention: We're suing over due process violations at the new Everglades immigration detention center – cruelly dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” – that's already notorious for mistreatment of the people detained there. The Trump administration has denied people access to attorneys, so we'll see President Trump in court.
Mass Deportations: We sued when the Trump administration sent hundreds of Venezuelan men to a prison in El Salvador notorious for torture without due process. Now, months later, they have finally been released from the Salvadoran torture prison – and sent to Venezuela. The government continues to try to evade responsibility and accountability for the many ways in which it has violated the law, including by deporting many before decisions had even been reached in their deportation proceedings. We're calling on the courts to order the government to explain if it intends to bring these men back to the United States while our main case proceeds."
We've taken over 50 legal actions during President Trump's second term challenging this administration's cruel immigration policies alone – and we're not slowing down. With your support, we'll continue fighting these appalling attacks on our rights.
Also the Brennan Center is fighting:
(friend-of-the-court brief mentioned below)
https://www.brennancenter.org/media/14191/download/2025.07.25-amicus-brief-on-behalf-of-157-members-of-congress.pdf?inline=1
"Days into this Trump administration, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo illegally ordering a “temporary pause” on nearly all federal assistance, abruptly freezing billions of dollars that Congress had already appropriated for education, health care, public safety, and other essential services. People panicked. Chaos ensued. Nonprofits and government programs were put in limbo. The administration later attempted to clarify the memo, but it only created more uncertainty and confusion. The White House defended the freeze. “There is no uncertainty in this building,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. But she would have to “check back” on whether Medicaid would be impacted.
Immediately, states sued. In yet another ruling against this administration, a lower court temporarily blocked the funding freeze while the case plays out.
To be clear, presidents do not have the power to freeze funding by fiat. Only Congress has the power to determine how and when appropriations are spent — it alone has the power of the purse. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 made this even more explicit. After President Nixon purported to withhold congressional funds, the law was passed to require congressional approval for any deferral or rescission of funds as part of a larger movement pushing back against growing presidential power.
Now the case is before the First Circuit Court of Appeals. It’s part of the myriad of cases making their way through the courts challenging egregious power grabs by this administration. It’s one of the cases which we have been warning will determine the scope of presidential power for decades to come.
The Brennan Center is representing 157 members of Congress led by Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY), and Minority Whip Katherine Clark (MA), in a friend-of-the-court brief in this case. It explains how withholding congressionally appropriated funds directly violates the Constitution. The funding freeze “seeks to implement the President’s mistaken view that he alone embodies the popular will,” it affirms. “If the President or agencies could decline to make expenditures based on policy disagreements, then the President alone would remake the law.”
Heading over this week to my independent bookstore to order a copy of Prof. Litman's book. Awesome interview. I got totally hooked when she spoke to how WE -- we ordinary people without law degrees -- can understand these cases because fundamentally they are not that difficult.
That was so good.... Yes, our Supreme Court is betraying us. Lots of work to do.
Great discussion! Thank you. Sickening that we have an activist SC.
That was great - thank you!
Link to book?
Yes! Read the book! It's fantastic
Let's figure out how to impeach at least three of the Supreme Court Justices. It has to be ironclad, because the Bad Faithians will copy it against justices upholding the rule of law.
I remember reading that the main reason that the Nazis were able to take over the German government so quickly was that the judges of the country had been appointed by the Kaiser and were therefore sympathetic towards the Nazis.
Clearly, the right wing has followed their playbook; we have a corrupt and venal court. The right wing started this takeover at least as far back as 1980 with Reagan.
Also, it is an old-boy circle. I noticed how happy Roberts was when he swore in Gorsuch. He was obviously in the same social circle. I imagine that at least four of them are members of opus dei, a very conservative Catholic order.
So good - just ordered her book for my library, and Strict Scrutiny is unmissable!
And yes, I am emailing called my Congressmen. Thank you to those who list key talking points -- they are very helpful in these overwhelming times.
Below is another scary move by the Regime. Creating/twisting a problem as an excuse to use force, kidnapping, terrorizing...
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/29/2025-14391/ending-crime-and-disorder-on-americas-streets
Executive Order 'Ending crime & disorder on America's streets' July 24...... This seems yet another opportunity, like ICE, to move money from benefiting American's via health care & education into the hands of private prisons (incarcerating homeless people).... I do think this is an important issue that needs to be on the radar. You might have mentioned it, I'm not sure. Like in Hitler's Germany -- more & more categories of people/Americans are being added to the list..
I just read Professor Litman's book "Lawlesss..." and learned about the Supreme Court etc. viz Audiobook. I'm going to listen to it again due to the valuable information she shares. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, Professor and Simon too!
Just in - DNC national call w Ken Martin for weekend of action, Thursday, July 31, at 6:30 p.m. EDT (3:30 p.m. PDT) https://dnc.actionkit.com/event/organizing-briefings/484056
This interview in my opinion is the single most important and informative I have ever heard. Must watch many times. Ordering the book.
More on the law -- here is All Rise News on the perspective of the Victims of Epstein/Maxwell -- the victims have been largely ignored in recent news... (scroll down at link below for video). And perjury of Maxwell.
https://www.allrisenews.com/p/trump-murdoch-expedited-deposition
Thank you for the interview and link to the book via Simon & Shuster, including through Barnes & Noble, etc. I see my local library has it too.
In other words, Our Country is being run on gut feelings and unchecked impulses rather than the rule of law. It could be a horror movie.
For those who want more info on Palantir.... food for thought
Review: The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West – Alexander C. Karp & Nicholas W. Zamiska (Bodley Head)
"Tech giant Palantir helps the US government monitor its citizens. Its CEO wants Silicon Valley to find its moral compass"
https://theconversation.com/tech-giant-palantir-helps-the-us-government-monitor-its-citizens-its-ceo-wants-silicon-valley-to-find-its-moral-compass-260824
Great truths spoken today . The most outstanding eas confirmation that Bush Jr did not win 2000. Also true is scotus and Robert's tweeting democracy and the biggie....McConnell had a hand in destroying democracy since his 80s election. Thanks!