Jack N. Rakove | Lightnews

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 3d

Next thing I know is that you will be discussing semantic or public meaning originalism, which, in its highest form, offers a neo-platonist approach to constitutional interpretation.

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 3d

Well, I do both and certainly when I write for the latter, I always aim to tighten my sentences with the general reader in mind. But I generally do the same thing with my academic prose, though perhaps less ardently. In my case it matters a lot that I was a product of Bailyn's legendary seminar.

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 3d

I like this kind of inventiveness, as in gerrymander or making 'gate a suffix for scandal. But in formal prose some norms should be enforced. E.g. I would never use a contraction and I would tell students the limited circumstances when they could use first person. Mixed feelings about morph though.

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 3d

one for the president, the other for the v.p.
In 1811 Madison's first v.p., George Clinton, cast a tie-breaking vote against JM's position to renew the charter of the first BUS.
That's one reason why John Roberts' treatment of the Trump-Pence relation in the presidential immunity case is flawed.

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 3d

One other point worth making: only in the mid 20th c. was the vice presidency thought to be part of the executive branch. Its constitutional function before then was to preside over the Senate. This remained true even after the 12th Amendment required each elector to cast two distinct votes /1/

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 3d

I taught a namesake descendant of Gerry at Colgate and can confirm the pronunciation.
Plus a descendant of Gouverneur Morris taught on the Stanford faculty so I know his first name is pronounced Governor.
And a strange fact: Madison was the only president to kill off both his vice presidents.

Jim Wald @citizenwald.bsky.social · 4d

Poor Elbridge Gerry, now known only 4 gerrymander
Upside: his name was originally pronounced with a hard "g,"so now you can show off ur superior knowledge at cocktail parties & faculty meetings

Boston 1775: Why Do We Pronounce “Gerrymander” with a Soft G?
boston1775.blogspot....

the original broadside depicting the Gerry-Mander, from Massachusetts Historical Society
Massachusetts Historical Society: Object of the Month: The Birth of the Gerrymander

https://www.masshist.org/object-of-the-month/objects/the-birth-of-the-gerrymander-2008-09-01

The description from Mass Humanities:

Although Elbridge Gerry devoted most of his life to public service, he is remembered not for his accomplishments but for giving life to an ugly political creature that still bears his name.

While Governor of Massachusetts, he signed a bill that authorized the legislature to redraw the boundaries of voting districts to favor one party over another. When the borders were redrawn, a map of one of the new districts looked like a monster. Opponents named that monster after the governor, and the "gerrymander" was born.

https://www.massmoments.org/moment-details/gerrymander-born-in-massachusetts.html

Jim Wald @citizenwald.bsky.social · 4d

Poor Elbridge Gerry, now known only 4 gerrymander
Upside: his name was originally pronounced with a hard "g,"so now you can show off ur superior knowledge at cocktail parties & faculty meetings

Boston 1775: Why Do We Pronounce “Gerrymander” with a Soft G?
boston1775.blogspot....

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 6d

da Bears

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 7d

Mon plaisir! And I was able to stay at Tocqueville's chateau for a conference last year.

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 7d

Brilliant piece (hope it is not paywalled).
Crucial conclusion: "If the price of liberty is eternal vigilance, a country that inflicts the ultimate punishment on those who dare to be vigilant can no longer be free."

www.nybooks.com/articles/202...

The Crime of Witness | Fintan O’Toole

Renée Good and Alex Pretti were murdered for daring to interfere with the Trump administration’s efforts to normalize abductions and state violence.

www.nybooks.com

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 8d

the problem is that they tend to rule differently when Democrats hold the presidency

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 8d

I have been musing about the hypothesis that the ultimate consequence of SCOTUS's opinion in Trump v. U.S. will be the destruction of the rule of law in the U.S. This gift article helps to explain why, in part by emphasizing the evisceration of the Dept. of Justice.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...

Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good’s Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop.

www.nytimes.com

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 8d

On the serious academic side of things, when we need a good diversion from current events, this is a brilliant review by @davidavrombell.bsky.social of the conceptual history of revolution written by my colleague (and neighbor) Dan Edelstein.

issforum.org/reviews/jerv...

Jervis Forum Review 165: Bell on Edelstein, The Revolution to Come

H-Diplo | Robert Jervis International Security Studies Forum Review 165 Dan Edelstein, The Revolution to Come: A History of an Idea from Thucydides to Lenin. Princeton University Press, 2025. ISBN…

issforum.org

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 10d

What a moron. One has to wonder (though probably not) whether she has read the Va. Statute of Religious Freedom, drafted by Jefferson and steered through the House of Delegates by Madison, admittedly before the presidency existed--but so what?

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 10d

White-Cain of WH Faith Office at the NPB on Trump:

"No president in modern history, or perhaps all of history, has done more, structurally, substantially, and sincerely, to elevate and protect religious liberty."

Note: Trump admin is currently being sued by dozens of religious denominations/groups

Paula White-Cain speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast.

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 10d

White-Cain of WH Faith Office at the NPB on Trump:

"No president in modern history, or perhaps all of history, has done more, structurally, substantially, and sincerely, to elevate and protect religious liberty."

Note: Trump admin is currently being sued by dozens of religious denominations/groups

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 10d

Thanks!

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 10d

Couldn't agree more, for all the manifest reasons.

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 10d

Playing the grinch at the 250th.

washingtonmonthly.com/2026/02/05/p...

Playing the Grinch at America’s 250th Birthday Party

How do we celebrate America's 250th anniversary as ICE and the Border Patrol threaten and abuse ordinary Americans?

washingtonmonthly.com

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 11d

Still good reading, I think. And for all you Cubs fans and Madisonians, look for another piece tied to the relation between the Revolution and the events in Minneapolis that will go live at the Washington Monthly's website tomorrow.

Washington Monthly @washingtonmonthly.com · 11d

On affordability, Democrats have the stronger hand. They just need to stop folding.

The winter issue of the Washington Monthly is here, featuring @glastris.bsky.social, @jrakove.bsky.social, @alexbronzini.bsky.social, @billscher.bsky.social, @gooznews.bsky.social + more: shorturl.at/38NmN

Washington Monthly @washingtonmonthly.com · 11d

On affordability, Democrats have the stronger hand. They just need to stop folding.

The winter issue of the Washington Monthly is here, featuring @glastris.bsky.social, @jrakove.bsky.social, @alexbronzini.bsky.social, @billscher.bsky.social, @gooznews.bsky.social + more: shorturl.at/38NmN

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 12d

This @bostonreview.bsky.social piece by @adambonica.bsky.social and @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social is an absolute must-read, as are many of the responses to it.

Spread this one far and wide.

How Not to Defeat Authoritarianism

Moderation used to help Democrats win, but its advantages now have been greatly exaggerated.

www.bostonreview.net

Matthew Segal @segalmr.bsky.social · 12d

This is just a guess, but maybe the rise in dramatic prose from district court judges is partly due to a growing belief among those judges that it's pointless to try to persuade SCOTUS and they must therefore focus on other potential audiences.

Rachel Shelden @rachelshelden.bsky.social · 13d

The idea that the Court should operate entirely in secret is a modern phenomenon. The idea that the Court should be separated from the public is a modern phenomenon. Earlier generations did not accept a powerful, isolated & secretive Court and we shouldn't either 1/6

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...

How the Supreme Court Secretly Made Itself Even More Secretive

www.nytimes.com

Tiffany C. Li @tiffanycli.bsky.social · 15d

Federal judge has ordered the release of Liam Ramos (the bunny hat boy) and his father. A brief and rather remarkable order. Clearly written to be shared widely, so please do. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Ultimately, Petitioners may, because of the arcane United States immigration system, return to
their home country, involuntarily or by self-deportation. But that result should occur through a more
orderly and humane policy than currently in place.
Philadelphia, September 17, 1787: "Well, Dr. Franklin, what do we have?" "A republic, if you
can keep it."
With a judicial finger in the constitutional dike,
It is so ORDERED.
SIGNED this 31st day of February, 2026.
7um Jing
FRED BIERY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Credit: Bystander
Matthew 19:14
John 11:35

There is also the photo of the boy from the viral stories included.

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 15d

We're going for an ocean-side walk at Half Moon Bay and it is overcast, at least for now. Tough work but someone has to do it.

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 17d

Please give us a recipe, which @unlawfulentries.bsky.social might also want to see. I use Ottolenghi's version in Plenty (just fed it to a former student and her family last Sunday). Once had some students over by telling them Dr. Shakshuka would be operating (based on the Tel Aviv joint).

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 19d

I reviewed Wendell Bird, Criminal Dissent: Prosecutions under the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 in the AHR, quite favorably. It is great on individual prosecutions, the fate of the printers, and key Federalist decision-makers. Even a couple of chapters would work well.

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 19d

Have to confess this is an issue I have not researched.

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 19d

I have a few things to argue with in this provocative review by @tribelaw.bsky.social , but a lot more to think about, especially his discussion of the uses of the 9th Amendment, which would be better if he said more about the reasons for its origins. Great reading for serious constitutionalists.

The New York Review of Books @nybooks.com · 22d

“Whatever its value as social history, We the People is highly misleading as legal history and jeopardizes today’s urgent project of preserving our republic and protecting its surviving strands of democracy.” —@tribelaw.bsky.social

Is the Constitution ‘Dead, Dead, Dead’? | Laurence H. Tribe

The difficulty of amending the Constitution does not mean that it is a flawed and outdated relic of a distant past.

www.nybooks.com

Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 20d

Good point. But most scholars (myself included) think that their correspondence on rights questions from 1787-89 was still consequential.

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