All posts by Rick Hasen

“Why Federal Courts May Be the Last Bulwark Against Trump”

February 9, 2025, 9:18 amauthoritarian threats in USRick Hasen

NYT: More than 40 lawsuits filed in recent days by state attorneys general, unions and nonprofits seek to erect a bulwark in the federal courts against President Trump’s blitzkrieg of executive actions that have upended much of the federal government… Continue reading

“Trump’s defamation and media litigation spikes”

February 9, 2025, 9:10 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Axios: Since President Trump began his political career in 2015, the number of media and defamation lawsuits involving him or his businesses as either the plaintiff or defendant quadrupled compared to the prior three decades, according to an Axios analysis… Continue reading

“Trump and Musk Attack Journalists by Name in Social Media Posts”

February 8, 2025, 2:06 pmauthoritarian threats in US, cheap speech, chicaneryRick Hasen

NYT: President Trump has made clear his animus toward mainstream media organizations. Now he’s getting more personal. Mr. Trump and his key lieutenant, Elon Musk, who has been empowered to run what they call the Department of Government Efficiency… Continue reading

“Trump Targets Independent Campaign Finance Watchdog in Latest Ouster”

February 8, 2025, 11:33 amfederal election commissionRick Hasen

Dan Weiner: This latest move by the president smashes through longstanding safeguards. It’s too early to tell the full scale of the impact of Trump’s actions. Weintraub was set to help decide dozens of complaints related to the 2024… Continue reading

“Trump administration cuts teams that fight foreign election interference”

February 8, 2025, 11:26 amchicanery, election subversion riskRick Hasen

WaPo: The Trump administration this week eliminated much of the federal government’s front line of defense against foreign interference in U.S. elections. The move, which follows years of Trump and his allies disputing the role that Russian influence campaigns played… Continue reading

“Judge Halts Access to Treasury Payment Systems by Elon Musk’s Team”

February 8, 2025, 7:56 amRemediesRick Hasen

NYT: A federal judge early Saturday temporarily restricted access by Elon Musk’s government efficiency program to the Treasury Department’s payment and data systems, saying there was a risk of “irreparable harm.” The Trump administration’s new policy of allowing political appointees… Continue reading

“Trump continues federal purge, gutting cyber workers who combat disinformation”

February 7, 2025, 10:24 amcheap speech, chicanery, election subversion riskRick Hasen

Politico: The Trump administration has moved to push out a swathe of federal workers previously involved in combating election-related disinformation, according to three people familiar with the matter, amid allegations from congressional Republicans that their work unfairly targeted conservative speech… Continue reading

“Justice Dept.’s Weaponization Group Underscores Trump’s Quest for Retribution”

February 7, 2025, 7:40 amauthoritarian threats in US, Department of JusticeRick Hasen

NYT: The Justice Department’s newly formed “Weaponization Working Group,” announced in a memo this week by Attorney General Pam Bondi, was purportedly intended to root out “abuses of the criminal justice process” by local and federal law enforcement officers. But… Continue reading

“Suit Over Firing by Trump Could Pave Way for Broader Presidential Power”

February 7, 2025, 7:37 amSupreme CourtRick Hasen

Adam Liptak for the NYT: When Gwynne A. Wilcox sued President Trump on Wednesday over her firing from the National Labor Relations Board, her lawsuit included an unusually candid statement. Ms. Wilcox knew, she said, that Mr. Trump was hoping… Continue reading

“Meagan Wolfe can stay on as Wisconsin’s top election official, state Supreme Court rules”

February 7, 2025, 7:30 amelection administration, election law bizRick Hasen

Votebeat: What happened? The Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously ruled Friday that the state’s chief election official, Meagan Wolfe, can stay in her job even though her term has expired, heading off a yearslong effort by some Republicans to oust her.… Continue reading

Trump Purports to Fire FEC Commissioner Ellen Weintraub

February 6, 2025, 3:58 pmchicanery, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Commissioner Weintraub: Received a letter from POTUS today purporting to remove me as Commissioner and Chair of the FEC. There's a legal way to replace FEC commissioners-this isn't it. I've been so fortunate to serve the American people and stir… Continue reading

“Altered image of Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate in new ad raises ethics concerns”

February 6, 2025, 2:09 pmcheap speech, judicial electionsRick Hasen

AP: A new television attack ad in Wisconsin’s hotly contested Supreme Court race features a doctored image of the liberal candidate, a move that her campaign claims could be a violation of a recently enacted state law. The image in… Continue reading

Brennan Center: “New York State’s Public Campaign Financing Program Empowers Constituent Small Donors”

February 6, 2025, 11:50 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

New analysis: Candidates relied much more on small donations from constituents. The program has made in-district contributions of $250 or less a central component of fundraising. These donations leaped from less than 5 percent of overall funding in recent… Continue reading

“New LEO Report Out Today”

February 6, 2025, 11:48 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Michelle Schafer at Electionline: Local Election Officials (LEOs) are “stewards of democracy” who are positioned at the frontline of elections in the United States. They ensure fair, free, accessible, and secure elections. LEOs skillfully manage the new obstacles that come with… Continue reading