Executive Branch
How Joe Biden and Donald Trump's Perverse Pardons Undermined the Rule of Law
Biden's pardons for friends and Trump's blanket pardons for January 6 participants set terrible precedents.
Have You Ever Seen an Emolument Fly?
From Qatar, with love, a "palace in the sky."
President Biden's and the Democrats' Assault on the Supreme Court and the Rule of Law
Democrats tried to alter unconstitutionally the membership of the Supreme Court; they extorted Facebook into censoring free speech; they issued presidential executive orders unsupported by statute; and they pushed unprecedented prosecutions of Biden's predecessor in office, and his 2024 opponent, in the presidential race.
Colorado Federal District Court Issues Additional Alien Enemies Act Ruling Against Trump
The court instituted a preliminary injunction against the Administration's use of the Act to deport Venezuelans.
NPR Interview on Legal Challenges to Trump's IEEPA Tariffs
Steve Inskeep of NPR interviewed me about the case against Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs.
Trump Administration Makes Damaging Admissions on Alien Enemies Act and Deportations
Trump admits he could return migrant illegally deported to El Salvador. And an intelligence community report concludes the Tren de Aragua drug gang isn't controlled by the Venezuelan government.
Yet Another Federal Court Rules Against Trump in an Alien Enemies Act Case
The Southern District of New York rules Trump invoked the Act illegally, because there is no "invasion" or "predatory incursion."
Rep. Suzan DelBene on Tariffs, Trade Policy, and Congressional Authority
"I've been very vocal about congressional authority under a Democratic president or now under a Republican president," the Washington state congresswoman tells Reason.
What if the President Tries to Annex Greenland and Canada?
Trump's new imperialism makes neither economic nor geopolitical sense.
Can the President Refuse To Spend Money Authorized by Congress?
Impoundment, line-item vetoes, and the tricky problem of cutting spending through the executive branch
Why the Major Questions Doctrine Applies to the President, Not Just Executive Agencies
This is a key issue in cases seeking to limit executive branch power grabs, including Trump's tariffs. Judge Ryan Nelson (a conservative Trump appointee) explains why the president is not exempt from the doctrine.
Trump Tries To Defund NPR and PBS by Executive Order
A new executive order would keep the Corporation for Public Broadcasting alive while telling it to cut off the two biggest public broadcasting networks. Get ready for a legal fight.
Federal Judge Rules Trump's Alien Enemies Act Proclamation Is Unlawful
The Trump-appointed judge found that the administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act "exceeds the scope of the statute and is contrary to the plain, ordinary meaning of the statute's terms."
Federal Court Issues Two Important Rulings Against Trump in Alien Enemies Act Case
Federal district court Judge Fernando Rodriguez ruled that Trump invoked the AEA illegally, and that migrants threatened with deportation under the Act can file class action habeas petitions.
Senate Republicans Voted Overwhelmingly To Continue Trump's Trade War
Sen. Rand Paul's attempt to end the non-existent economic emergency failed to pass the Senate on Wednesday night.
Washington Outsider Report Podcast Interview on the Trump Tariff Litigation
I was interviewed by attorney/podcaster Irina Tsukerman.
The Tariffs Imposed by President Trump Are Unconstitutional
Presidential power must stem from the Constitution or a statute, and the tariffs imposed by President Trump are unauthorized by statute, making them both unlawful and unconstitutional.
Trump's Tariffs Usurp the Legislature's Tax Power
The president’s sweeping import levies have no basis in the statute he cites.
Trump's 100-Day Energy Policy Scorecard: Disrupted Markets and Slowed Investment
So much for unleashing American energy.
New York Times Symposium on "A Road Map of Trump's Lawless Presidency"
I was one of 35 legal scholars who took part.
Trump's Understanding of Due Process Is Just As Farcical As His Definition of 'Alien Enemies'
A new ACLU lawsuit argues that the government still is not giving alleged gang members the "notice" required by a Supreme Court order.
Pacific Legal Foundation Files Case Challenging Trump's IEEPA Tariffs
PLF is a leading libertarian-leaning public interest organization. Their case is similar to that filed by Liberty Justice Center and myself.
Could 'Princess Awesome' Defeat Trump's Tariffs?
Small businesses and a dozen states have filed a pair of lawsuits challenging Trump's authority to impose tariffs on board games, clothes, and lots of other things.
Twelve States File Lawsuit Challenging Trump's IEEPA Tariffs
The suit resembles previous ones on the same subject filed by the state of California, and by the Liberty Justice Center and myself.
Federal District Court Rules Against Trump in Alien Enemies Act Case
The court ruled that Trump invoked the AEA illegally, blocks deportation of Venezuelan migrants who filed the case, and sets out standards for notifying them of their rights to challenge their deportation.
By Openly Retaliating Against Disfavored Law Firms, Trump Attacks Free Speech and the Right to Counsel
Two of his targets are seeking permanent injunctions against the president's blatantly unconstitutional executive orders.
Bipartisan Group of Prominent Legal Scholars and Former Government Officials Files Amicus Brief Supporting Our Case Challenging Trump's "Liberation Day" Tariffs
Signers include Steve Calabresi, Harold Koh, Richard Epstein, Michael McConnell, Alan Sykes, former Attorney General Michael Mukasey, and others.
Free Press Symposium on "Is Donald Trump Breaking the Law?"
The degree of agreement among participants with major ideological diferences is striking.
Supreme Court Issues Unusual Order in Alien Enemies Act Deportation Case
The order temporarily blocks AEA deportations. It likely also reflects the Court's growing frustration with the Trump Administration.
Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Temporary Restraining Order, and Summary Judgement in Our Case Against Trump's "Liberation Day" Tariffs
The motion was filed today, and sets out our case in detail.
My New Lawfare Article on "The Constitutional Case Against Trump's Trade War"
It explains why the IEEPA "Liberation Day" tariffs are illegal and how our case against them relates to the other three cases challenging Trup's tariffs.
What Happens When Presidents Defy Court Orders?
“The Executive will lose much from a public perception of its lawlessness and all of its attendant contagions.”
Bloomberg and Forbes Podcast Interviews About our Lawsuit Challenging Trump's "Liberation Day" Tariffs
The Liberty Justice Center and I filed the case on Monday.
Federal Judge in Deportation Case Finds Probable Cause To Hold the Trump Administration in Contempt
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg says the evidence indicates that the government "willfully disobeyed" his order blocking removal of alleged Venezuelan gang members.
Cato Institute Podcast on Our Lawsuit Challenging Trump's "Liberation Day" Tariffs
I was interviewed by Caleb Brown of Cato.
California Files Lawsuit Against Trump's Tariffs
They challenge both the "Liberation Day" IEEPA tariffs, and earlier ones imposed on Canada, Mexico and China.
Trump Says Alleged Gang Members Don't Need Hearings Because the Government Is Infallible
The Supreme Court unanimously rejected that claim, upholding the right to due process in deportation cases.
Are Trump's 'Liberation Day' Tariffs Illegal?
Several businesses harmed by Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs have filed a lawsuit challenging his use of emergency economic powers.
Why the Wilson Center Had To Go
The taxpayer-funded think tank cloaked elite impunity and American interventionism in the language of liberalism.
Trump Flagrantly Targets Political Opponents in Executive Orders
Richard Nixon infamously drafted an "enemies list" of people he wanted to go after. At least Trump conducts his corruption out in the open.
Liberty Justice Center and I File Lawsuit Challenging Trump's "Liberation Day" Tariffs
It was filed today in the US Court of International Trade.
Blackfeet Nation Indians File Lawsuit Challenging Trump's Canada Tariffs
They argue the tariffs violate the constitutional separation of powers and their tribal treaty rights.
Supreme Court Unanimously Orders Trump To 'Facilitate' the Return of Wrongly Deported Man
Trump lost on his most aggressive claims of executive power for the second time in a week.
"The Supreme Court Is Not Cowering Before Trump on the Shadow Docket"
"Nor is it taking a new approach."
Supreme Court Rules Trump Administration Must "Facilitate" Return of Illegally Deported Salvadoran Migrant
Unanimous ruling is a big win for immigrant rights. But it does have unfortunate ambiguities.
