All posts by Rick Hasen

A Tale of Two Law Firms: “Trump Targets WilmerHale, Citing Law Firm’s Connection to Robert Mueller”/”Skadden, a Top Law Firm, Is in Talks to Avert an Executive Order”

authoritarian threats in US
NYT: President Trump moved on Thursday to punish the law firm WilmerHale, where Robert S. Mueller III worked before and after he served as special counsel in the Trump-Russia investigation, expanding his widespread campaign of retribution. In an executive… Continue reading

My New One at Slate: “The Ultrarich Have Reshaped Presidential Elections. Here’s Where They’re Looking Next. Billionaire money could have even more of an impact on these races than it did on the 2024 election.”

campaign finance
I have written this piece for Slate. It begins: Although it has been more than a decade since judicial and administrative rulings freed the ultrawealthy to contribute unlimited sums to outside political groups, 2024 marked a sea change in… Continue reading

My New One at MSNBC Opinion: “Trump’s executive order on elections is a blatant power grab; It seems especially dangerous to take power away from the states when there are many threats to our democracy.”

authoritarian threats in US, election administration, Election Assistance Commission, fraudulent fraud squad, The Voting Wars
I have written this piece for MSNBC Opinion. It begins: By design, presidents have no power over the conduct of federal elections. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order on election administration aims to flip that, trying to take power… Continue reading

President Trump Issues Dangerous Executive Order That Would Shift to Presidency More Power Over the Conduct of Federal Elections and Potentially Disenfranchise Millions of Voters

election administration, Election Assistance Commission, Election Meltdown, election subversion risk, Elections Clause, The Voting Wars
I am still making my way through this new Trump executive order on election administration (helpfully posted by Chris Geidner). There is a lot in here, but let me make four initial points as I still digest this. An executive… Continue reading

“Elon Musk Revealed Why He’s Spending Millions to Flip the Wisconsin Supreme Court; It’s all about preserving gerrymandered districts that lock in Republican power.”

judicial elections, Plutocrats United, redistricting
Ari Berman in Mother Jones: On March 22, Elon Musk hosted conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel and US Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) for a discussion on X about the importance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court election on April… Continue reading