“I.R.S. Official Is Said to Assert Political Meddling in Hunter Biden Inquiry”

NYT: As Justice Department officials weigh whether to indict Hunter Biden, the investigator overseeing the Internal Revenue Service’s portion of the case has come forward with allegations of political favoritism in the inquiry that stand to add to the already… Continue reading

“Trump touts authoritarian vision for second term: ‘I am your justice'”

April 21, 2023, 7:20 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

WaPo: Mandatory stop-and-frisk. Deploying the military to fight street crime, break up gangs and deport immigrants. Purging the federal workforce and charging leakers. Former president Donald Trump has steadily begun outlining his vision for a second-term agenda, focusing on unfinished… Continue reading

“When GOP Attorneys General Embraced Jan. 6, Corporate Funders Fled. Now They’re Back.”

April 21, 2023, 7:15 amelection subversion riskRick Hasen

ProPublica: RAGA’s embrace of Stop the Steal also caused an organizational exodus. RAGA’s executive director resigned days after news of the robocall became public. Georgia’s Republican attorney general, Chris Carr, who was chairman of RAGA at the time, decided by… Continue reading

“The pessimist’s case on the state of American democracy”

April 21, 2023, 7:10 amelection subversion riskRick Hasen

Zach Montellaro: The 2022 election was cast as a defining moment for the future of American democracy, as ballots were filled with election conspiracy-minded candidates running for the offices that actually oversee elections. Most of the focus — including from… Continue reading

Steve Vladeck’s “The Shadow Docket”

April 21, 2023, 7:07 amELB Book Corner, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

I’ve just gotten an advanced copy of Steve Vladeck’s book, The Shadow Docket, out May 16, but you can preorder now. I’ve read the chapter on the Purcell Principle and it is terrific. The emergence of Supreme Court emergency… Continue reading

“Fox Can Deduct $787 Million Defamation Settlement Over Vote Fraud Claims”

April 21, 2023, 7:04 amtax law and election lawRick Hasen

Paul Caron at TaxProf Blog.

“Top GOP lawyer decries ease of campus voting in private pitch to RNC”

April 20, 2023, 8:59 amchicanery, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

WaPo: A top Republican legal strategist told a roomful of GOP donors over the weekend that conservatives must band together to limit voting on college campuses, same-day voter registration and automatic mailing of ballots to registered voters, according to a… Continue reading

“Mike Lindell’s firm told to pay $5 million in ‘Prove Mike Wrong’ election-fraud challenge”

April 20, 2023, 8:34 amelection subversion risk, fraudulent fraud squadRick Hasen

WaPo: MyPillow founder and prominent election denier Mike Lindell made a bold offer ahead of a “cyber symposium” he held in August 2021 in South Dakota: He claimed he had data showing Chinese interference and said he would pay $5… Continue reading

“After Fox settlement, experts warn election falsehoods will persist”

April 20, 2023, 7:49 amelection subversion riskRick Hasen

WaPo: Fox News’s $787.5 million settlement with a voting machine company sends a stark warning to others about the cost of making false statements, but that doesn’t mean election falsehoods will disappear. The constellation of conservative networks and right-wing websites… Continue reading

“Disinformation Nation: How Partisan Politicians Distort History”

April 20, 2023, 7:29 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

This virtual event at the Brennan Center today looks great: Misinformation is on the rise. From cable news to social media, we’re very aware that what we’re hearing or reading could be wrong. And it seems our skepticism of the… Continue reading

“Trump and His Allies Must Be Held Accountable for the January 6 Insurrection”

April 20, 2023, 7:22 amelection subversion riskRick Hasen

New report from CAP.

“Montana shelves GOP proposal to alter US Senate primary”

April 19, 2023, 11:33 ampolitical parties, primaries, third partiesRick Hasen

AP: A proposed change to next year’s Montana U.S. Senate primary that could have hurt Democratic Sen. Jon Tester’s reelection chances is likely dead after a state legislative committee shelved the GOP-backed measure Wednesday. Some Republican lawmakers urged on… Continue reading

“DeSantis group plans field program, showing the expanding role of super PACs”

April 19, 2023, 11:13 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

WaPo: Activists at 27 universities will soon begin meeting twice a month to organize their peers under the banner of Students for DeSantis. Office space supporting the Florida governor’s presidential ambitions will open in each of the early-voting states. And… Continue reading