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Brennan Center
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Funding cuts by the Trump administration represent a departure from long-standing bipartisan support for criminal justice research and data collection — the cuts undermine that work and, by extension, public safety. bit.ly/3Y4QGP2
Rollback of Federal Investment in Research and Data Collection Jeopardizes Public Safety
The Trump administration’s abrupt termination of funding for criminal justice data and research will upend years of progress toward building safer communities.
www.brennancenter.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Demolishing campaign finance rules. Gutting the Voting Rights Act. Allowing gerrymandered congressional districts. It’s time for the ideologues on the Supreme Court to stop meddling in elections. bit.ly/4a7H8d8
Supreme Court Hammers Away at Democracy
With its latest gerrymandering decision, the Court is creating a political system primed for distortion and deeper division.
www.brennancenter.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Congress, not the president, has the power to decide when and against whom the United States goes to war. It’s a core component of our constitutional system of checks and balances.
bit.ly/49bZRDC
Attack in Venezuela Was Unconstitutional 
Congress must assert its control of military matters.
www.brennancenter.org
January 8, 2026 at 6:03 PM
The Trump administration’s military operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro was an unprecedented use of war powers without congressional consent. Legal experts discuss the implications — and what could happen next — on the latest episode of The Briefing with Michael Waldman. apple.co/3Ytt7iU
An Emergency in Venezuela
Over the weekend, the Trump administration launched a military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro. Such an aggressive use of war powers
podcasts.apple.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:33 PM
To improve transparency and accountability for prison deaths, New York is now requiring prisons to install more surveillance cameras and expanding the state’s independent oversight agency.
bit.ly/49Djzbo
How New York’s Legislature Addressed the Correctional Crisis in Its 2025 Session
New legislation addresses key accountability and oversight challenges in the state’s prison system.
www.brennancenter.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Trump’s invasion of Venezuela was a blatant violation of the constitutional order. Congress, not the president, has the power to decide when and against whom the United States goes to war. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM
January 8, 2026 at 3:22 PM
ICE has long used the latest spy tech to pursue immigrants — but now it’s also targeting anti-ICE protesters. Here's what you need to know:
January 8, 2026 at 2:12 PM
In our constitutional system, decisions about the use of force must be made democratically and accountably, not behind closed doors based on misinterpretations of history and the law. bit.ly/49qN4Mv
No Legal Basis for Invading Venezuela
1989’s U.S. military action in Panama offers no constitutional cover for Trump’s Venezuela attack.
www.brennancenter.org
January 8, 2026 at 1:57 PM
President Trump is declaring victory in Venezuela. Critics are decrying a breach of checks and balances. Listen as leading Brennan Center experts discuss the legal issues at play and what Congress can do to respond.
An Emergency in Venezuela
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Reposted by Brennan Center
📣 Attending #AALS this week?

Join @brennancenter.org and ACS tomorrow for a discussion on Democratic Reconstruction, feat. Kate Andrias, Joseph Fishkin, Risa Goluboff, @michelegoodwin.bsky.social, & @olatij.bsky.social! Reception to follow.
January 7, 2026 at 8:35 PM
The president’s use of military force goes against what the courts have continuously upheld. Listen to the latest episode of The Briefing with Michael Waldman to hear what Congress can do to respond: bit.ly/451ux85
January 7, 2026 at 7:29 PM
The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority applies originalism to interpret the Constitution. Our new guide shows lawyers how to defeat shoddy historical arguments in court.
bit.ly/44yksPF
A New Playbook for Countering Originalism in Court
Our guide shows lawyers how to defeat shoddy historical arguments.
www.brennancenter.org
January 7, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Trump’s invasion of Venezuela was a blatant violation of the constitutional order. Congress must push back and reclaim its authority over matters of war.
bit.ly/49bZRDC
Attack in Venezuela Was Unconstitutional 
Congress must assert its control of military matters.
www.brennancenter.org
January 7, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Funding cuts by the Trump administration represent a departure from long-standing bipartisan support for criminal justice research and data collection — the cuts undermine that work and, by extension, public safety bit.ly/3Y4QGP2
Rollback of Federal Investment in Research and Data Collection Jeopardizes Public Safety
The Trump administration’s abrupt termination of funding for criminal justice data and research will upend years of progress toward building safer communities.
www.brennancenter.org
January 7, 2026 at 4:30 PM
To improve transparency and accountability for prison deaths, New York is now requiring prisons to install more surveillance cameras and expanding the state’s independent oversight agency.
bit.ly/49Djzbo
How New York’s Legislature Addressed the Correctional Crisis in Its 2025 Session
New legislation addresses key accountability and oversight challenges in the state’s prison system.
www.brennancenter.org
January 7, 2026 at 3:41 PM
The Trump administration’s military operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro was an unprecedented use of war powers without congressional consent. Legal experts discuss the implications — and what could happen next — on the latest episode of The Briefing with Michael Waldman. apple.co/3Ytt7iU
An Emergency in Venezuela
Over the weekend, the Trump administration launched a military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro. Such an aggressive use of war powers
podcasts.apple.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:01 PM
“Gunboat diplomacy, coupled with a systematic lack of regard for basic safeguards to prevent self-dealing, is very, very dangerous," says @danw329.bsky.social about Trump's designs on Venezuelan oil.
Trump is running a private equity playbook on Venezuela | CNN Business
Trump is running a private equity playbook on Venezuela
www.cnn.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:54 PM
The Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to declare war. bit.ly/49qN4Mv
No Legal Basis for Invading Venezuela
1989’s U.S. military action in Panama offers no constitutional cover for Trump’s Venezuela attack.
www.brennancenter.org
January 7, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Our nation’s founders knew the danger of putting the power of war in the wrong hands. Many had lived through two major wars and had served themselves. It’s a main reason why they gave only Congress the power to declare war.
Attack in Venezuela Was Unconstitutional
Congress must assert its control of military matters.
www.brennancenter.org
January 6, 2026 at 11:04 PM
The president’s use of military force goes against what the courts have continuously upheld: We are not at war with Venezuela. Listen to the latest episode of The Briefing with Michael Waldman to hear what Congress can do to respond: bit.ly/451ux85
January 6, 2026 at 10:00 PM
President Trump's “obsession” with the 2020 election served a purpose, @mawaldman.bsky.social says. “It lays a predicate for trying to undermine the 2026 election.”
Five Years On, Trump Keeps Pushing Jan. 6 Conspiracies
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Reposted by Brennan Center
The Trump administration claims there was no need for Congress to authorize the military attack in Venezuela because the military was merely supporting a “law enforcement operation” (i.e., executing arrest warrants against the Maduros). That’s wrong on multiple counts. 1/20
January 6, 2026 at 8:22 PM
President Trump is declaring victory in Venezuela. Critics are decrying a breach of checks and balances. What are the implications of this unilateral abuse of military force, and what could happen next? Listen on the latest episode of The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/49kPMTv
An Emergency in Venezuela
Over the weekend, the Trump administration launched a military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro. Such an aggressive use of war powe...
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Reposted by Brennan Center
NEW: The January edition of @skess108.bsky.social & @erings.bsky.social's state court oral argument roundup is here!

Issues on the docket this month include:

⚖️ UT's execution methods

⚖️ ID's school-choice program

⚖️ Legislative responses to MO’s voter-approved abortion rights amendment

And more!
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in January
Issues on the dockets include legislative responses to Missouri’s voter-approved reproductive rights amendment, Utah’s execution methods, and Idaho’s school-choice program.
statecourtreport.org
January 6, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Reposted by Brennan Center
For Con Law profs looking for a last minute syllabus addition…
Courts are using originalist arguments to expand executive power, weaken long-standing rights and protections, and entrench inequality. It’s crucial that lawyers push back. Our new guide shows you how. bit.ly/4iQ1v0B
Countering Originalism
This guide offers lawyers strategies, arguments, and citations to address originalist claims they encounter in litigation.
www.brennancenter.org
January 6, 2026 at 7:02 PM