Jamal Greene
@jamalgreene.bsky.social
Dwight Professor of Law, Columbia Law School. Ex-DOJ/OLC. Becoming familiar with your game.
How Rights Went Wrong available at Bookshop.org (https://tinyurl.com/se32my4r), Amazon (https://tinyurl.com/3vbcfwa4), or a decent public library.
How Rights Went Wrong available at Bookshop.org (https://tinyurl.com/se32my4r), Amazon (https://tinyurl.com/3vbcfwa4), or a decent public library.
Pinned
Jamal Greene
@jamalgreene.bsky.social
· Jun 10
Zaitsev, a 36-yr-old Russian citizen w/a pending asylum case, said he was beaten by ICE agents...Photos in court filings show Zaitsev with bruises and scabs on his face. “We came to the US for protection because of what we encountered in Russia. It seems that we are encountering here what we fled.”
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Reposted by Jamal Greene
BREAKING: Comey case dismissed without prejudice. Halligan invalidly appointed, judge rules. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
BREAKING: Comey case dismissed without prejudice. Halligan invalidly appointed, judge rules. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Jamal Greene
We're hiring! Legislative & Advocacy Specialist to develop integrated advocacy approaches using policy & comms strategies. Seeking candidates with 3+ yrs of experience, at least 1 yr working on the Hill or fed legislative advocacy. Hybrid position based in D.C. Details: https://protdem.org/3LVQP4q
November 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
We're hiring! Legislative & Advocacy Specialist to develop integrated advocacy approaches using policy & comms strategies. Seeking candidates with 3+ yrs of experience, at least 1 yr working on the Hill or fed legislative advocacy. Hybrid position based in D.C. Details: https://protdem.org/3LVQP4q
How would this work logistically given that primaries aren’t winner-take-all? Would delegates be allocated based on order of elimination?
“Scoop: Dems eye ranked-choice voting for primaries” electionlawblog.org?p=153200
"Scoop: Dems eye ranked-choice voting for primaries" #ELB
Axios: Democratic politicians and activists are quietly lobbying to upend the way the party picks its presidential nominee by urging the use of ranked-choice voting. Driving the news: Democratic Natio...
electionlawblog.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:16 PM
How would this work logistically given that primaries aren’t winner-take-all? Would delegates be allocated based on order of elimination?
As Orin's great post reflects, one key to a good law school exam answer is to reason *through* the legal materials, esp. cases, rather than to reason independently and then just cite the cases, as many students do. The "truth" is stylized in this domain, and it's important to see that.
Especially for the 1Ls out there, preparing for their 1st set of law school exams, I wrote this post back in 2007 about how to get a good grade on a law school issue spotter. The post, "Bad Answers, Good Answers, and Terrific Answers," is available here:
volokh.com/posts/116838...
volokh.com/posts/116838...
November 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
As Orin's great post reflects, one key to a good law school exam answer is to reason *through* the legal materials, esp. cases, rather than to reason independently and then just cite the cases, as many students do. The "truth" is stylized in this domain, and it's important to see that.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
2/ CIA Acting General Counsel, a career lawyer, "was among those who had raised questions about the legality of the agency’s use of lethal force."
What happened next?
CIA Deputy Director Ellis stepped in to become acting General Counsel and still hold his policy position. He then approved the ops.
What happened next?
CIA Deputy Director Ellis stepped in to become acting General Counsel and still hold his policy position. He then approved the ops.
November 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
2/ CIA Acting General Counsel, a career lawyer, "was among those who had raised questions about the legality of the agency’s use of lethal force."
What happened next?
CIA Deputy Director Ellis stepped in to become acting General Counsel and still hold his policy position. He then approved the ops.
What happened next?
CIA Deputy Director Ellis stepped in to become acting General Counsel and still hold his policy position. He then approved the ops.
You can just call me a living constitutionalist. It's easier than explaining.
November 21, 2025 at 10:37 PM
You can just call me a living constitutionalist. It's easier than explaining.
Unless there are significant facts missing from this account, the school's demand is a clear constitutional violation.
This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.
November 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Unless there are significant facts missing from this account, the school's demand is a clear constitutional violation.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
In honor of Larry Summers, I asked the female members of my college class (1987) to say if they had any experiences with sexual harassment by teachers/professors, back when this was tolerated as, I dunno, the cost of attending college, and OH MY GOD.
November 21, 2025 at 12:13 AM
In honor of Larry Summers, I asked the female members of my college class (1987) to say if they had any experiences with sexual harassment by teachers/professors, back when this was tolerated as, I dunno, the cost of attending college, and OH MY GOD.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
AP and others *have* been on the ground and interviewing families and telling their stories, and the people on the boats appear to the mostly working class low-level people smuggling cocaine, not hardened cartel operatives bringing in fentanyl as the admin repeatedly has suggested.
Cotton on Trump's boat strikes: "Use common sense. If any of these had been boats full of fisherman or refugees, CNN would've already been on the ground & interviewed all their families & told their stories. We can be confident all of these strikes have been against cartel-based drug traffickers."
November 20, 2025 at 2:56 PM
AP and others *have* been on the ground and interviewing families and telling their stories, and the people on the boats appear to the mostly working class low-level people smuggling cocaine, not hardened cartel operatives bringing in fentanyl as the admin repeatedly has suggested.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
Strangling the world-beating export industry which cross-subsidizes higher education for Americans. The White House says that's good news!
The White House just blasted this out under the headline "Good News You May Have Missed"
November 20, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Strangling the world-beating export industry which cross-subsidizes higher education for Americans. The White House says that's good news!
In light of how Purcell has been applied in election litigation, issuing a PI in a redistricting case before the dissent is filed seems to me not just a duty but a responsibility.
November 19, 2025 at 9:02 PM
In light of how Purcell has been applied in election litigation, issuing a PI in a redistricting case before the dissent is filed seems to me not just a duty but a responsibility.
The Crimson is genuinely independent media, and based on historical trends, a typical Crimson masthead has an astounding amount of journalistic talent.
You know what media is NOT bending the knee in the Trump era? College journalists! The Harvard Crimson's brutal takedown of the lecherous ex-prez Larry Summers is just the latest example of students showing a failing 'grown-up' media how it's done
My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
College journalism exposes the rot of ‘grown-ups’ | Will Bunch Newsletter
Plus a history lesson on the real ‘Charlotte’s Web,’ and fascism,
www.inquirer.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:32 PM
The Crimson is genuinely independent media, and based on historical trends, a typical Crimson masthead has an astounding amount of journalistic talent.
Wouldn't be surprised if SCOTUS stays this PI until it decides Callais, then blocks a new PI under Purcell. (IOW: don't get too excited.)
BREAKING & BIG: Federal judge BLOCKS Texas from implementing new, gerrymandered maps for 2026 midterms. Judge Jeffrey Brown (TRUMP APPOINTEE) wrote opinion, joined by Judge David Guaderrama (Obama appointee). Judge Jerry Smith (Reagan appointee) dissents.
storage.courtlistene...
storage.courtlistene...
November 18, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Wouldn't be surprised if SCOTUS stays this PI until it decides Callais, then blocks a new PI under Purcell. (IOW: don't get too excited.)
Snark aside, Bessent's statement is wildly, comically wrong.
I'm suddenly confused as to why the ACA was called "Obamacare."
Bessent on tariffs: "This is one of President Trump's signature policies, and traditionally the Supreme Court does not interfere with a president's signature policy."
November 18, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Snark aside, Bessent's statement is wildly, comically wrong.
I'm suddenly confused as to why the ACA was called "Obamacare."
Bessent on tariffs: "This is one of President Trump's signature policies, and traditionally the Supreme Court does not interfere with a president's signature policy."
November 18, 2025 at 12:31 AM
I'm suddenly confused as to why the ACA was called "Obamacare."
Reposted by Jamal Greene
The SG has filed his reply letter brief in the Chicago case involving the National Guard. I've already filed two briefs in the case that address the vast majority of what the SG writes here, but perhaps it's worthwhile to respond to a few discrete things. [1]
www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25...
www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25...
www.supremecourt.gov
November 17, 2025 at 10:31 PM
The SG has filed his reply letter brief in the Chicago case involving the National Guard. I've already filed two briefs in the case that address the vast majority of what the SG writes here, but perhaps it's worthwhile to respond to a few discrete things. [1]
www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25...
www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25...
It seems like this shouldn’t be possible in a legal system in which principles of estoppel are pervasive.
79-year-old Paul Bojerski was born to Polish parents in a WWII German refugee camp. His family legally emigrated to the U.S. when he was 5.
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
Sanford grandfather, born in refugee camp, nabbed by ICE after 70 years in U.S.
Paul Bojerski never gained official residency, but he checked in regularly with ICE for years. Then in July, at age 79, he was detained and sent to Alligator Alcatraz.
www.orlandosentinel.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:32 PM
It seems like this shouldn’t be possible in a legal system in which principles of estoppel are pervasive.
This last point is what I’m thinking. Trump is trying to set up an Article II defense to releasing files to Congress.
Massie: "The president has been saying this is a hoax. Well, he's just now decided to investigate a hoax, if it's a hoax. And I have another concern about these investigations he's announced. If they have ongoing investigations, those documents can't be released. So this might be a big smokescreen."
November 16, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This last point is what I’m thinking. Trump is trying to set up an Article II defense to releasing files to Congress.
Eldridge Cleaver wouldn’t have signed the Constitution either.
My brain has this embarrassing habit of mixing up similar names that have nothing to do with one another.
Recent whimsical example, pointed out by an amused editor: Meant to write Elbridge Gerry, co-founder of the country. Instead wrote Eldridge Cleaver, co-founder of the Black Panthers.
Recent whimsical example, pointed out by an amused editor: Meant to write Elbridge Gerry, co-founder of the country. Instead wrote Eldridge Cleaver, co-founder of the Black Panthers.
November 14, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Eldridge Cleaver wouldn’t have signed the Constitution either.
I’m slower than many others on here to rail against the Times, which I still think is the worst paper except for all the other ones, but man, some of these headlines.
November 14, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I’m slower than many others on here to rail against the Times, which I still think is the worst paper except for all the other ones, but man, some of these headlines.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
DOJ, according to 3 people with knowledge of the matter, has struggled to determine which of its offices and lawyers will handle Ms. Comey’s lawsuit, leading to the highly unusual lapse. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal DOJ affairs.
Justice Dept. Struggled to Find Lawyers to Handle Maurene Comey Suit
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:50 PM
DOJ, according to 3 people with knowledge of the matter, has struggled to determine which of its offices and lawyers will handle Ms. Comey’s lawsuit, leading to the highly unusual lapse. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal DOJ affairs.
New twist on "I'm your favorite player's favorite player."
Jeffrey Epstein: "I have met some very bad people. None as bad as Trump. Not one decent cell in his body."
November 13, 2025 at 3:14 PM
New twist on "I'm your favorite player's favorite player."
For some reason, reminded today of Cliff Clavin's classic Final Jeopardy question: "Who are 3 people who've never been in my kitchen?"
November 12, 2025 at 8:22 PM
For some reason, reminded today of Cliff Clavin's classic Final Jeopardy question: "Who are 3 people who've never been in my kitchen?"
A reminder that it's not the job of Justice Department lawyers to go after the President's political opponents.
November 12, 2025 at 3:54 PM
A reminder that it's not the job of Justice Department lawyers to go after the President's political opponents.
Reposted by Jamal Greene
The apotheosis of the "judiciary must defer to the POTUS" argument (?):
In the case involving the National Guard in Chicago, I've argued--and now Illinois/Chicago do, too--that b/c "the regular forces" in 10 USC 12406 means the standing armed forces (esp. the Army), ... [1]
@justsecurity.org
In the case involving the National Guard in Chicago, I've argued--and now Illinois/Chicago do, too--that b/c "the regular forces" in 10 USC 12406 means the standing armed forces (esp. the Army), ... [1]
@justsecurity.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The apotheosis of the "judiciary must defer to the POTUS" argument (?):
In the case involving the National Guard in Chicago, I've argued--and now Illinois/Chicago do, too--that b/c "the regular forces" in 10 USC 12406 means the standing armed forces (esp. the Army), ... [1]
@justsecurity.org
In the case involving the National Guard in Chicago, I've argued--and now Illinois/Chicago do, too--that b/c "the regular forces" in 10 USC 12406 means the standing armed forces (esp. the Army), ... [1]
@justsecurity.org