Cristian Farias
@cristianfarias.com
Legal journalist and beachgoer. I write about courts, the law, and the politics shaping them for @vanityfair.com, @nymag.com, and @newyorker.com. Plotting a new thing.
Signal: cristianfarias.33
Signal: cristianfarias.33
Pinned
Cristian Farias
@cristianfarias.com
· Mar 26
How John Roberts Has Empowered a Lawless Presidency
The Chief Justice’s rebuke of Donald Trump over his calls to impeach judges obscures Roberts’s own role in fostering the destruction in Washington.
www.newyorker.com
For @newyorker.com: I wrote a crash course on how John Roberts empowered the current destruction and lawlessness in Washington.
There’s a perception this began with the immunity ruling, but he has long been pushing the idea of an unrestrained, unchecked presidency. www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
There’s a perception this began with the immunity ruling, but he has long been pushing the idea of an unrestrained, unchecked presidency. www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Reposted by Cristian Farias
Appalling doesn't begin to describe it. Not just doubling down. Authoritarian bullshit to the I've-lost-count power.
This is appalling: Top DOJ officials are actively pushing for a criminal investigation into the widow of Renee Good, leading prosecutors to quit en masse, NYT is reporting.
Who in the White House ordered DOJ to do this? That's the next thing to establish.
Who in the White House ordered DOJ to do this? That's the next thing to establish.
January 13, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Appalling doesn't begin to describe it. Not just doubling down. Authoritarian bullshit to the I've-lost-count power.
Sonia Sotomayor, out of context: “Have you read any law cases?”
January 13, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Sonia Sotomayor, out of context: “Have you read any law cases?”
Reposted by Cristian Farias
Wow — New YouGov / Economist poll:
46% support abolishing ICE
43% oppose abolishing ICE
This is the first time that abolishing ICE has received net positive support
46% support abolishing ICE
43% oppose abolishing ICE
This is the first time that abolishing ICE has received net positive support
January 13, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Wow — New YouGov / Economist poll:
46% support abolishing ICE
43% oppose abolishing ICE
This is the first time that abolishing ICE has received net positive support
46% support abolishing ICE
43% oppose abolishing ICE
This is the first time that abolishing ICE has received net positive support
Reposted by Cristian Farias
Reposted by Cristian Farias
This just shows how absurd the whole "armed conflict" framing is. The men on the boats weren't members of an organized armed force, and therefore the question of "perfidy" is inapposite. The problem is that they were civilians who were murdered.
@justsecurity.org
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
@justsecurity.org
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
U.S. Attacked Boat With Aircraft That Looked Like a Civilian Plane
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:52 PM
This just shows how absurd the whole "armed conflict" framing is. The men on the boats weren't members of an organized armed force, and therefore the question of "perfidy" is inapposite. The problem is that they were civilians who were murdered.
@justsecurity.org
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
@justsecurity.org
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
Reposted by Cristian Farias
greatest steam update of all time, because of one unnecessary detail
January 12, 2026 at 9:34 PM
greatest steam update of all time, because of one unnecessary detail
The Bivens Act of 2025 is a five-word amendment, which is close enough to Steve’s suggestion:
hankjohnson.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
hankjohnson.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
It would take a two-word amendment to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to subject ICE agents and other federal law enforcement officers to the same liability for constitutional violations that local and state officers currently face.
If Congress actually cared about what it's seeing, it could pass that overnight.
If Congress actually cared about what it's seeing, it could pass that overnight.
January 13, 2026 at 4:26 AM
The Bivens Act of 2025 is a five-word amendment, which is close enough to Steve’s suggestion:
hankjohnson.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
hankjohnson.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
I love love love love love that the first cause of action in this complaint is a Tenth Amendment claim.
![Screenshot of federal complaint in Minnesota v. Noem, which reads in part:
"190. The Tenth Amendment provides that “[t]he powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” See Printz v. United States, 521 U.S. 898, 935 (1997).
191. As set forth above, Defendants have sent an unprecedented number of federal law enforcement officers to the Twin Cities and Defendants’ agents have engaged in unlawful conduct that harms Plaintiffs’ residents, infringes on Plaintiffs’ police powers, and violates state sovereignty."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jech7rem6vijss4euf4fijao/bafkreia2hri26nmb2hetp2hzq6kbrf64hbmdrvj7e4ivimouhur3vuwz3m@jpeg)
January 12, 2026 at 10:53 PM
I love love love love love that the first cause of action in this complaint is a Tenth Amendment claim.
Reposted by Cristian Farias
What can history teach us about what happens when a populist strongman with an idiosyncratic taste for low interest rates undermines central bank independence?
January 12, 2026 at 1:44 AM
What can history teach us about what happens when a populist strongman with an idiosyncratic taste for low interest rates undermines central bank independence?
Banana republic stuff.
The Supreme Court sets aside lower court decisions upholding convictions for bribery related to the FIFA scandal because the Trump administration decided to dismiss those criminal cases "in the interests of justice." The FIFA prosecution ends in a whimper. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
January 12, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Banana republic stuff.
John Roberts’ god-awful immunity decision made this possible.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte was a driving force behind the Trump administration’s decision to subpoena the Federal Reserve, according to people familiar with the matter.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Bill Pulte Seen as Key Instigator Behind Powell Subpoena
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte was a driving force behind the Trump administration’s decision to subpoena the Federal Reserve, according to people familiar with the matter, intensi...
www.bloomberg.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:43 AM
John Roberts’ god-awful immunity decision made this possible.
One hell of a statement.
Kind of amazing to think that Jerome Powell did this on a Sunday because he's a public servant who cares about monetary policy and economic stability and the Federal Reserve's independence—which are essential to avoid crashing the economy or destroying people's futures.
Kind of amazing to think that Jerome Powell did this on a Sunday because he's a public servant who cares about monetary policy and economic stability and the Federal Reserve's independence—which are essential to avoid crashing the economy or destroying people's futures.
Powell, showing more guts than almost any GOP legislators:
"The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Fed setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President."
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
"The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Fed setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President."
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
January 12, 2026 at 4:33 AM
One hell of a statement.
Kind of amazing to think that Jerome Powell did this on a Sunday because he's a public servant who cares about monetary policy and economic stability and the Federal Reserve's independence—which are essential to avoid crashing the economy or destroying people's futures.
Kind of amazing to think that Jerome Powell did this on a Sunday because he's a public servant who cares about monetary policy and economic stability and the Federal Reserve's independence—which are essential to avoid crashing the economy or destroying people's futures.
Reposted by Cristian Farias
Congratulations to John Roberts
January 12, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Congratulations to John Roberts
Reposted by Cristian Farias
I can't believe I'm posting this video - but we actually have to have a conversation about the real world implications of America going to war over Greenland.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
January 11, 2026 at 2:44 AM
I can't believe I'm posting this video - but we actually have to have a conversation about the real world implications of America going to war over Greenland.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
Reposted by Cristian Farias
Border Patrol just detained a man at a bus stop on Lake in Minneapolis.
January 11, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Border Patrol just detained a man at a bus stop on Lake in Minneapolis.
Reposted by Cristian Farias
WSJ investigation: In the past 6 months ICE agents have fired at vehicles 13 times, leading to:
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
Videos Show How ICE Vehicle Stops Can Escalate to Shootings
A WSJ visual investigation found that the Minneapolis ICE killing is one of 13 incidents where federal immigration agents have used deadly force against civilians in vehicles since July.
www.wsj.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:44 PM
WSJ investigation: In the past 6 months ICE agents have fired at vehicles 13 times, leading to:
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
Nothing further, ladies and gentlemen of the jury.
SHOCK CELL PHONE VIDEO: Renee Good's final words to her murderer: “That’s fine dude, I’m not mad at you.”
ICE agent Jonathan Ross after shooting and killing her seconds later: “Fuckin’ bitch.”
Via Alpha News
ICE agent Jonathan Ross after shooting and killing her seconds later: “Fuckin’ bitch.”
Via Alpha News
January 9, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Nothing further, ladies and gentlemen of the jury.
This didn't get a whole lot of coverage, but a judge last year issued a permanent injunction against an illegal show-me-your-papers executive order.
"[T]he President has no constitutional power over election regulation that would support this unilateral exercise of authority."
"[T]he President has no constitutional power over election regulation that would support this unilateral exercise of authority."
More from the party of federalism: "the states are merely an agent for the federal government in counting and tabulating the votes. They must do what the federal government, as represented by the president of the United States, tells them, for the good of the country, to do."
January 9, 2026 at 6:47 PM
This didn't get a whole lot of coverage, but a judge last year issued a permanent injunction against an illegal show-me-your-papers executive order.
"[T]he President has no constitutional power over election regulation that would support this unilateral exercise of authority."
"[T]he President has no constitutional power over election regulation that would support this unilateral exercise of authority."
Judicial candidates should be people "whose goal isn’t to get onto a bench, but to get into heaven," writes James Ho.
January 9, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Judicial candidates should be people "whose goal isn’t to get onto a bench, but to get into heaven," writes James Ho.
Your regular reminder that John Roberts told us in the immunity decision that a president ordering his Justice Department to conduct even “sham” investigations is totally fine, constitutionally speaking.
nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com/intelligence...
Breaking News: Federal prosecutors are said to be investigating financial transactions involving Letitia James and her hairdresser. It was the latest front in the Justice Department’s campaign to build a criminal case against the New York attorney general.
Prosecutors Said to Pursue New Investigation of Letitia James
The New York attorney general’s longtime hairdresser has come under scrutiny as the Justice Department’s efforts to charge Ms. James on other fronts falter.
nyti.ms
January 8, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Your regular reminder that John Roberts told us in the immunity decision that a president ordering his Justice Department to conduct even “sham” investigations is totally fine, constitutionally speaking.
nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com/intelligence...
Reposted by Cristian Farias
Remembering today that having your heart broken is a necessary step on the path to becoming fully human. Whichever heartbreak is your first, it’s probably critical that a state break your heart so that you can develop a political imagination. If this is your first, I’m sorry and also welcome.
January 8, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Remembering today that having your heart broken is a necessary step on the path to becoming fully human. Whichever heartbreak is your first, it’s probably critical that a state break your heart so that you can develop a political imagination. If this is your first, I’m sorry and also welcome.
The bootlicking has been off the charts.
January 8, 2026 at 8:50 PM
The bootlicking has been off the charts.
Reposted by Cristian Farias
This is not the law.
January 8, 2026 at 6:59 PM
This is not the law.
Reposted by Cristian Farias
The federal government claimed that the states have no jurisdiction to prosecute murders committed by its agents is the kind of thing the Founders would probably have done a whole entire revolution over
This is bullshit. They absolutely have jurisdiction.
Noem on Minnesota officials: "They have not been cut out. They don't have any jurisdiction in this investigation."
January 8, 2026 at 6:03 PM
The federal government claimed that the states have no jurisdiction to prosecute murders committed by its agents is the kind of thing the Founders would probably have done a whole entire revolution over
Reposted by Cristian Farias
New: we've obtained material explaining how an ICE surveillance system, called Webloc, works. Draw shape on a map, see all phones available there, follow them home. All without warrant
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
Inside ICE’s Tool to Monitor Phones in Entire Neighborhoods
404 Media has obtained material that explains how Tangles and Webloc, two surveillance systems ICE recently purchased, work. Webloc can track phones without a warrant and follow their owners home or t...
www.404media.co
January 8, 2026 at 2:03 PM
New: we've obtained material explaining how an ICE surveillance system, called Webloc, works. Draw shape on a map, see all phones available there, follow them home. All without warrant
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...