All posts by Rick Hasen

ELB Book Corner: Ciara Torres-Spelliscy: “The Musical Influences on Elections”

June 17, 2025, 6:00 amELB Book CornerRick Hasen

I am pleased to welcome Ciara Torres-Spelliscy to the ELB Book Corner, writing about her new book Corporatocracy. This is the second of four posts: My new book Corporatocracy gave me a chance to look at events in recent… Continue reading

“Mike Lee Draws Outrage for Posts Blaming Assassination on the Far Left”

June 16, 2025, 2:56 pmchicaneryRick Hasen

NYT: Scarcely 24 hours after a Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota was assassinated in her home, Senator Mike Lee, Republican of Utah, posted a pair of politically charged messages mocking the attack. “This is what happens When Marxists don’t get their… Continue reading

“Eastman disbarment recommended by State Bar Court’s Review Department; California Supreme Court is next”

June 16, 2025, 12:32 pmchicanery, election subversion riskRick Hasen

At the Lectern: On Friday, the California State Bar Court’s three-judge Review Department came to the same conclusion as a hearing judge over a year ago and recommended the disbarment of President Trump’s former lawyer, John Eastman. (98-page decision and… Continue reading

“Like School Shootings, Political Violence Is Becoming Almost Routine”

June 16, 2025, 7:48 amchicaneryRick Hasen

NYT: In the past three months alone, a man set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s residence while Mr. Shapiro and his family were asleep inside; another man gunned down a pair of workers from the Israeli Embassy outside an event… Continue reading

“Trump’s Strategy in Law Firm Cases: Lose, Don’t Appeal, Yet Prevail”

June 16, 2025, 7:46 amauthoritarian threats in USRick Hasen

Adam Liptak for the NYT: The Trump administration is ordinarily quick to appeal its losses. When courts in recent weeks blocked President Trump’s tariff plans and his takeover of National Guard troops in California, government lawyers filed appeals within … Continue reading

ELB Book Corner: Ciara Torres-Spelliscy: “Not Corruption’s First Rodeo”

June 16, 2025, 6:00 amELB Book CornerRick Hasen

I am pleased to welcome Ciara Torres-Spelliscy to the ELB Book Corner, writing about her new book Corporatocracy. This is the first of four posts: Press coverage of the political events in 2025 often lament that the corruption unfolding… Continue reading

My Statement: Thoughts on the Despicable Assassination (and Attempted Assassination) of Minnesota Legislators, the Rise in Political Violence in the United States, and the Threats to Free and Fair Elections

June 14, 2025, 12:18 pmauthoritarian threats in US, chicaneryRick Hasen

Violence directed at innocent people is abhorrent and political violence even more so because it is an attack not just on people but on the institution of democracy itself and an attempt to change government not through elections but through… Continue reading

Nate Cohn: “Is There an Opening for a Third Party?”

June 14, 2025, 11:21 amthird partiesRick Hasen

NYT’s “The Tilt” newsletter: Of all of Elon Musk’s explosive X posts last week during his public sparring with President Trump, perhaps the one that received the least attention was his call for a third party. Even if… Continue reading

“New Hampshire jury acquits consultant behind AI robocalls mimicking Biden on all charges”

June 14, 2025, 11:07 amcheap speech, chicaneryRick Hasen

AP: A political consultant who sent artificial intelligence-generated robocalls mimicking former President Joe Biden to New Hampshire Democrats last year was acquitted Friday of voter suppression and impersonating a candidate. Steven Kramer, 56, of New Orleans, admitted orchestrating a message… Continue reading

“Trump’s financial disclosures reveal millions in income from guitars, bibles and watches with his name on them”

June 13, 2025, 3:59 pmconflict of interest lawsRick Hasen

NBC News: President Donald Trump continues to enjoy income streams from scores of luxury properties and business ventures, many of which are worth tens of millions of dollars, according to a financial disclosure form filed late Friday. Released… Continue reading

“Billionaire Michael Bloomberg opens his wallet for Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral bid”

June 13, 2025, 12:59 pmcampaign finance, Plutocrats UnitedRick Hasen

Politico: Billionaire Michael Bloomberg was no fan of Andrew Cuomo when the two served overlapping tenures as mayor and governor. But on Friday all appeared forgiven, with Bloomberg’s $5 million donation to a super PAC boosting Cuomo’s mayoral bid. It’s… Continue reading

“Colorado Strengthens Access to Ballots in Spanish”

June 13, 2025, 10:45 amVoting Rights ActRick Hasen

Bolts: With these voters in mind, Colorado lawmakers this spring adopted reforms that will improve access to ballots in Spanish, which should benefit tens of thousands of voters. Senate Bill 1, a landmark package called the Colorado Voting Rights… Continue reading

June and July ELB Bloggers

June 13, 2025, 10:25 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Here’s the revised schedule. Please send your tips and queries to the ELB contributor on duty that week: Week of June 16, 2025Tabatha Abu El-HajWeek of June 23, 2025Justin LevittWeek of June 30, 2025Rick PildesWeek of July 7, 2025Guy CharlesWeek… Continue reading

“Ex-New York Assembly Candidate Charged With Campaign Finance Fraud”

June 13, 2025, 10:24 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

NYT: A former New York State Assembly candidate used fake donations and forged signatures to fraudulently inflate the share of public matching funds he received in last year’s election, federal prosecutors said on Friday. The former candidate, Dao Yin, was… Continue reading