Jerry Edwards
@jerryedwards.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Law at West Virginia University College of Law. Formerly an ACLUFL Attorney. I enjoy writing about free expression, academic freedom, and American history.
All opinions are my own, not my employer's, and are correct, probably.
All opinions are my own, not my employer's, and are correct, probably.
Pinned
Jerry Edwards
@jerryedwards.bsky.social
· Aug 15
I am excited to announce that my article, Academic Freedom's Inflection Point, will be published in the Boston College Law Review in 2026. The SSRN link is below. I plan to make revisions to address feedback & new developments (ex. a terrible govt speech opinion). Comments are welcome & appreciated!
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
People assume this was the kidnapper but maybe ICE just had the wrong address
February 10, 2026 at 6:25 PM
People assume this was the kidnapper but maybe ICE just had the wrong address
I agree that was a longstanding tradition. That's a great argument for why modern rights should not rely on history and tradition.
February 10, 2026 at 6:17 PM
I agree that was a longstanding tradition. That's a great argument for why modern rights should not rely on history and tradition.
But if SCOTUS wants to do history and tradition, it needs to do it right. Only looking at positive law and ignoring everything else is not a good methodology or an intellectually honest approach to history.
February 10, 2026 at 6:16 PM
But if SCOTUS wants to do history and tradition, it needs to do it right. Only looking at positive law and ignoring everything else is not a good methodology or an intellectually honest approach to history.
Personally, I think the Bruen test is nonsensical and would prefer a return to the tiers of scrutiny approach. I'm even sympathetic to the argument that courts weren't treating 2A appropriately in their tiers of scrutiny analysis pre-Bruen. That's solvable without the THT test.
February 10, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Personally, I think the Bruen test is nonsensical and would prefer a return to the tiers of scrutiny approach. I'm even sympathetic to the argument that courts weren't treating 2A appropriately in their tiers of scrutiny analysis pre-Bruen. That's solvable without the THT test.
If we're going to use a history & tradition test, we should actually care what our history & tradition is. Because of the careful work of historians (like Laura Edwards), we know that statutory law did not play the leading role in preserving the public order in the early parts of the 19th century.
February 10, 2026 at 6:16 PM
If we're going to use a history & tradition test, we should actually care what our history & tradition is. Because of the careful work of historians (like Laura Edwards), we know that statutory law did not play the leading role in preserving the public order in the early parts of the 19th century.
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
my joke about vance is still making the right-wing rounds. they are furious about this! the worst thing ever said by a human being, apparently.
February 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
my joke about vance is still making the right-wing rounds. they are furious about this! the worst thing ever said by a human being, apparently.
I think it's humorous that they still write these pieces after the Trump administration destroyed their whole "we care about merit" charade.
If only you were an angry, conservative white man, Jamelle. You'd be a cabinet secretary by now. 😉
If only you were an angry, conservative white man, Jamelle. You'd be a cabinet secretary by now. 😉
February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM
I think it's humorous that they still write these pieces after the Trump administration destroyed their whole "we care about merit" charade.
If only you were an angry, conservative white man, Jamelle. You'd be a cabinet secretary by now. 😉
If only you were an angry, conservative white man, Jamelle. You'd be a cabinet secretary by now. 😉
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
Some recent polls have shown John Cornyn in *third* place in the #TXSen GOP primary. At our request, the one and only Eric Ostermeier of the Univ. of Minnesota graciously cataloged just how rare it is for an incumbent senator to finish third (or worse!). It's only ever happened 13 times.
How Often Do Sitting US Senators Place Third (Or Worse) in Primaries? - Smart Politics
A competitive Texas Republican U.S. Senate primary could lead to a result not seen in more than 60 years.
smartpolitics.lib.umn.edu
February 10, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Some recent polls have shown John Cornyn in *third* place in the #TXSen GOP primary. At our request, the one and only Eric Ostermeier of the Univ. of Minnesota graciously cataloged just how rare it is for an incumbent senator to finish third (or worse!). It's only ever happened 13 times.
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
remember what side of the public opinion these MOCs are choosing, too www.gelliottmorris.com/p/what-ameri...
February 10, 2026 at 4:12 AM
remember what side of the public opinion these MOCs are choosing, too www.gelliottmorris.com/p/what-ameri...
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
NEW: Federal judges are increasingly furious at what they see as a pattern / playbook of defiance by the Trump administration to court orders in immigration cases — in Minnesota and around the country.
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
How the Trump administration skirts — and defies — court rulings on ICE detentions
A POLITICO review of hundreds of cases brought by ICE detainees shows a pattern of noncompliance that has frustrated judges across the country.
www.politico.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:15 AM
NEW: Federal judges are increasingly furious at what they see as a pattern / playbook of defiance by the Trump administration to court orders in immigration cases — in Minnesota and around the country.
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
321 days after she was arrested.
NEW: An immigration court has terminated removal proceedings against Tufts doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk, finding that DHS did not meet its burden of establishing that she was removable, her lawyers tell the Second Circuit. live-awp-vermont.pantheonsite.io/app/uploads/...
February 10, 2026 at 12:36 AM
321 days after she was arrested.
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
"Appeasement is being coordinated while resistance is not" is exactly right. (This op-ed from Arne Duncan and David Pressman is excellent; I hope university leaders will read it.) www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Universities are sending Trump a dangerous message
Higher education is under attack. Drop the appeasement.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:28 PM
"Appeasement is being coordinated while resistance is not" is exactly right. (This op-ed from Arne Duncan and David Pressman is excellent; I hope university leaders will read it.) www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
I was extra influenced by @emilysbremer.bsky.social , who is in my opinion the dean of the quasi-judicial category. She has a new piece out with my the chair of my PhD Committee, ~Wild~ Bill Eskridge , that would be well worth your time.
February 9, 2026 at 3:15 PM
I was extra influenced by @emilysbremer.bsky.social , who is in my opinion the dean of the quasi-judicial category. She has a new piece out with my the chair of my PhD Committee, ~Wild~ Bill Eskridge , that would be well worth your time.
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
i think this more than anything is what miller wants. vast detention camps with all of the suffering and death that means.
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ICE to begin detaining immigrants inside Social Circle warehouse in April
Homeland Security plans to build warehouse detention facilities in other cities being met with opposition.
www.ajc.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:56 AM
i think this more than anything is what miller wants. vast detention camps with all of the suffering and death that means.
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
Tomorrow I will testify before subcommittee of House Judiciary Committee against the proposed "Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act," which would authorize exclusion/deportation of all or most non-citizen Muslim immigrants. My written testimony posted here: reason.com/wp-content/u...
reason.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Tomorrow I will testify before subcommittee of House Judiciary Committee against the proposed "Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act," which would authorize exclusion/deportation of all or most non-citizen Muslim immigrants. My written testimony posted here: reason.com/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
This proposed act is so evil.
Tomorrow I will testify before subcommittee of House Judiciary Committee against the proposed "Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act," which would authorize exclusion/deportation of all or most non-citizen Muslim immigrants. My written testimony posted here: reason.com/wp-content/u...
reason.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:32 AM
This proposed act is so evil.
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
Happy #Lawyercat Anniversary for all who celebrate! It's been four years since the kitten appeared in my Zoom courtroom, and I released the 48 second video that made the whole world laugh. Here is the full video showing the big reveal at the end (in two parts because Blue sky). Enjoy!
February 9, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Happy #Lawyercat Anniversary for all who celebrate! It's been four years since the kitten appeared in my Zoom courtroom, and I released the 48 second video that made the whole world laugh. Here is the full video showing the big reveal at the end (in two parts because Blue sky). Enjoy!
My fellow Jerry looking like he's asleep; hearing, "I'm not a cat"; immediately snapping to attention; laughing; and then calling somebody else into the room to show them what's happening. 🤣
February 10, 2026 at 3:53 AM
My fellow Jerry looking like he's asleep; hearing, "I'm not a cat"; immediately snapping to attention; laughing; and then calling somebody else into the room to show them what's happening. 🤣
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
A hearing in the case of J.G.G. v. Trump is about to begin:
Judge Boasberg will consider what relief is available to immigrants whisked out of the U.S. in March 2025 without notice or a hearing.
Some background below the main story here at All Rise News
Judge Boasberg will consider what relief is available to immigrants whisked out of the U.S. in March 2025 without notice or a hearing.
Some background below the main story here at All Rise News
Rising This Week: 'The border is now everywhere'
A dissenting opinion decodes the radical implications of Trump's Fifth Circuit victory.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 3:02 PM
A hearing in the case of J.G.G. v. Trump is about to begin:
Judge Boasberg will consider what relief is available to immigrants whisked out of the U.S. in March 2025 without notice or a hearing.
Some background below the main story here at All Rise News
Judge Boasberg will consider what relief is available to immigrants whisked out of the U.S. in March 2025 without notice or a hearing.
Some background below the main story here at All Rise News
Sounds like a lot of work, Jonathon. Can't I just check and see if there were any statutes on point and then call it a day? Surely, you're not suggesting that social practices and norms existed in the past independent of statutory law! 🙃
February 10, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Sounds like a lot of work, Jonathon. Can't I just check and see if there were any statutes on point and then call it a day? Surely, you're not suggesting that social practices and norms existed in the past independent of statutory law! 🙃
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
A student came up to me after tonight's event and said they'd heard about originalism in school and it didn't sit right with them but they couldn't articulate the problem, and no one else around them acted like there were any problems with it, so they were grateful for my talk 🥹🥲
February 10, 2026 at 2:58 AM
A student came up to me after tonight's event and said they'd heard about originalism in school and it didn't sit right with them but they couldn't articulate the problem, and no one else around them acted like there were any problems with it, so they were grateful for my talk 🥹🥲
I have no excuses. I'm just longwinded.
February 10, 2026 at 3:18 AM
I have no excuses. I'm just longwinded.
Unfortunately, my two favorite Mexican restaurants there (a seafood place and a burrito joint) did not survive COVID.
February 10, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Unfortunately, my two favorite Mexican restaurants there (a seafood place and a burrito joint) did not survive COVID.
I don't know how y'all feel about steak, but Cattleman's is an experience. It's near El Paso. They don't take reservations, though, and the wait can be quite long. (The lobster there is also quite good and huge.) Echo Cafe Central as an upscale dining place. Will also echo L&J Cafe.
February 10, 2026 at 3:11 AM
I don't know how y'all feel about steak, but Cattleman's is an experience. It's near El Paso. They don't take reservations, though, and the wait can be quite long. (The lobster there is also quite good and huge.) Echo Cafe Central as an upscale dining place. Will also echo L&J Cafe.
Reposted by Jerry Edwards
🚨 New research: FIRST EVER county-level study of racial disparities at the arrest-to-court transition in CA. In county after county, arrests of Black & Hispanic individuals reach court at far lower rates than those of white ones. People burdened with records for cases never worth filing. #LawSky
OSF
osf.io
February 9, 2026 at 11:29 AM
🚨 New research: FIRST EVER county-level study of racial disparities at the arrest-to-court transition in CA. In county after county, arrests of Black & Hispanic individuals reach court at far lower rates than those of white ones. People burdened with records for cases never worth filing. #LawSky