“Lawmakers express doubt over Trump’s plan to replace FBI’s Christopher Wray”

December 1, 2024, 6:39 pmUncategorizedRule of LawJustin Levitt

WaPo on another rocky rule-of-law road ahead for a potential nominee. Wray, of course, was appointed by Trump in 2017 to a ten-year term. I’ve noted a few times now that Senators aren’t immune from an executive law enforcement… Continue reading

“Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to”

December 1, 2024, 6:39 pmUncategorizedRule of LawJustin Levitt

Here’s the AP take. And here’s the official statement and official pardon language.

“Election denialism has staying power even after Trump’s win”

December 1, 2024, 6:36 pmchicanery, election subversion riskThe Big LieJustin Levitt

A States Newsroom report on the continuing attempt to blame election losses on nefarious mysterious misconduct rather than … more valid votes being cast for someone else. For those claiming conspiracy, I continue to wonder at how they explain the… Continue reading

“Analysis: How redistricting helped Nevada Democrats — but not enough to gain supermajority”

December 1, 2024, 6:35 pmredistrictingJustin Levitt

The Nevada Independent goes deep on redistricting in Nevada — one of only four states, I believe, with no constraints in state law on how the lines are drawn.

“How Trump’s CIA Pick Funneled Congressional Campaign Funds To Himself And His Wife”

December 1, 2024, 6:34 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

Zach Everson, from Forbes ($), picks up where he left off.

Thanks to Tabatha for minding the store this past week

December 1, 2024, 6:33 pmUncategorizedJustin Levitt

Justin here, and solely to blame for the blog’s week to come. Tips/references, as always, welcome.

“What Comes Next? A Post-Election Discussion”

December 1, 2024, 7:32 amUncategorizedTabatha Abu El-Haj

Very excited to participate in this virtual event sponsored by the Boston Review next week. Event Details A post-election discussion with Boston Review contributors Maurice Mitchell, Lee Drutman, Doran Schrantz, Sam Rosenfeld, Tabatha Abu El-Haj, and Cerin Lindgrensavage. Join us for a virtual… Continue reading

“The danger of a narrative”

December 1, 2024, 7:18 am19th AmendmentTabatha Abu El-Haj

Interesting post from Seth Masket on the real-world consequences of suggesting “Harris lost because she’s a woman” without evidence. “Unless we’re really 100% sure Kamala Harris lost because she was a woman — and that, by extension, the Democratic Party… Continue reading

“Johnson condemns ‘insane’ bomb threats against Democrats”

December 1, 2024, 7:15 amauthoritarian threats in USTabatha Abu El-Haj

Axios: Several Democratic lawmakers received threats on Thanksgiving Day. The threats were signed to suggest they were from “MAGA.” A handful of Republican lawmakers also received threats in the past week. “This is dangerous and insane behavior,” Johnson… Continue reading

New Article: “A Path to Multiparty Democracy”

November 29, 2024, 7:36 amballot accessTabatha Abu El-Haj

Nate Ela (Temple Beasley School of Law) has posted a new article in relation to the state constitutional challenges to anti-fusion laws that are currently underway. Building on the work of Jessica Bulman-Pozen and Miriam Seifter, Ela argues that many… Continue reading

“Republican and Democratic Former Senate Counsels Agree: F.B.I. Checks on Trump Nominees Are a Must”

November 29, 2024, 7:23 amauthoritarian threats in USTabatha Abu El-Haj

Noah Bookbinder (former counsel for Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee) and Gregg Nunziata (formerly counsel for Republicans on the committee and chief nominations counsel beginning in 2006) in a Guest Essay at the New York Times: “Efforts to… Continue reading

“Trump signs transition agreement with Biden, but it lacks key guardrails”

November 27, 2024, 7:39 amauthoritarian threats in USTabatha Abu El-Haj

Washington Post: “The agreement clears the way for Trump-appointed ‘landing teams’ to start entering government offices to receive briefings from career staff about the operations of hundreds of federal agencies, a ritual of presidential transitions.” Security clearances remain a… Continue reading

“Ranked-choice voting continues to work in Alaska. It would everywhere else, too.”

November 27, 2024, 7:29 amalternative voting systems, primariesrank choice votingTabatha Abu El-Haj

Washington Post’s Editorial Board comes out in favor of RCV, arguing it is working well in both Alaska and Maine to select more moderate candidates that are more likely to reflect the preferences of electoral majorities, and that it is… Continue reading