Mary Beth Williams
@mbwilliams.bsky.social
Made from Maine Wabanakiak, Isles of Shoals fishermen, and Welsh coal miners. Oregon transplant. Constitutional law and state/tribal/fed gov't wonk (JD). North Atlantic historian obsessed with wampum, cod fishing, and dual-host pathogens.
Pinned
If you believe climate change is an existential threat, then don't support any Democratic member of Congress who advocates for:
1. Generative AI
2. Cryptocurrency mining
3. Indoor cannabis cultivation
unless they can immediately point to a detailed plan to make said activity carbon neutral.
1. Generative AI
2. Cryptocurrency mining
3. Indoor cannabis cultivation
unless they can immediately point to a detailed plan to make said activity carbon neutral.
Do they really think we're stupid?
House GOP file an amended SAVE Act, wherein they purport to address the issue with non-conforming names on photo ID and citizenship records. Thing is, it doesn't do anything different than the original bill, other than including name in the wording. 1/x
House GOP file an amended SAVE Act, wherein they purport to address the issue with non-conforming names on photo ID and citizenship records. Thing is, it doesn't do anything different than the original bill, other than including name in the wording. 1/x
February 8, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Do they really think we're stupid?
House GOP file an amended SAVE Act, wherein they purport to address the issue with non-conforming names on photo ID and citizenship records. Thing is, it doesn't do anything different than the original bill, other than including name in the wording. 1/x
House GOP file an amended SAVE Act, wherein they purport to address the issue with non-conforming names on photo ID and citizenship records. Thing is, it doesn't do anything different than the original bill, other than including name in the wording. 1/x
After four kids and 30 years, including the last one on tirzepatide, I can comfortably wear form-fitting clothing again—only to learn that gunny sacks and barrel pants are now the fashion.
February 7, 2026 at 5:35 PM
After four kids and 30 years, including the last one on tirzepatide, I can comfortably wear form-fitting clothing again—only to learn that gunny sacks and barrel pants are now the fashion.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
This week, the D.C. courts issued an order allowing trained community justice workers — who are not lawyers — to provide legal assistance to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer: newsroom.dccourts.gov/press-releas...
In November, we ran this opinion piece in support of the then-proposal:
In November, we ran this opinion piece in support of the then-proposal:
Opinion: Too many people can't afford legal advice. Let non-lawyers help.
D.C. courts are considering a proposed “community justice worker” program that would authorize trained people without law degrees to offer free legal advice.
51st.news
February 7, 2026 at 3:01 PM
This week, the D.C. courts issued an order allowing trained community justice workers — who are not lawyers — to provide legal assistance to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer: newsroom.dccourts.gov/press-releas...
In November, we ran this opinion piece in support of the then-proposal:
In November, we ran this opinion piece in support of the then-proposal:
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
i think we all need to step back and realize that peak art was made when neolithic pot in the shape of a pig was fired
February 6, 2026 at 7:46 PM
i think we all need to step back and realize that peak art was made when neolithic pot in the shape of a pig was fired
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
“Note that whoever is born upon the king's land is the king's subject, and whoever is [present] upon any part of the land, even if he is an alien, owes obedience to the king” Edward Coke
Here’s the clincher. Another set of Coke’s private notes on the subject
February 6, 2026 at 12:10 AM
“Note that whoever is born upon the king's land is the king's subject, and whoever is [present] upon any part of the land, even if he is an alien, owes obedience to the king” Edward Coke
Oregon's short session starts off with a bang!
The Act would set "rules for when federal agents or agents from another state carry out operations in this state. The Act also creates a cause of action when agents violate the rules."
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/D...
The Act would set "rules for when federal agents or agents from another state carry out operations in this state. The Act also creates a cause of action when agents violate the rules."
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/D...
February 6, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Oregon's short session starts off with a bang!
The Act would set "rules for when federal agents or agents from another state carry out operations in this state. The Act also creates a cause of action when agents violate the rules."
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/D...
The Act would set "rules for when federal agents or agents from another state carry out operations in this state. The Act also creates a cause of action when agents violate the rules."
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/D...
Every single city should be considering whether the streets leading to DHS detention sites need to be repaved. Or the sewers dug up and replaced. For the safety of the facility's personnel, of course.
February 5, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Every single city should be considering whether the streets leading to DHS detention sites need to be repaved. Or the sewers dug up and replaced. For the safety of the facility's personnel, of course.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
Oregon mayors and Gov. Kotek have called on the Trump administration to halt all immigration enforcement efforts in the state.
https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/02/people-are-scared-gov-tina-kotek-dozens-of-mayors-call-on-trump-administration-to-halt-immigration-enforcement-in-oregon.html
https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/02/people-are-scared-gov-tina-kotek-dozens-of-mayors-call-on-trump-administration-to-halt-immigration-enforcement-in-oregon.html
February 5, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Oregon mayors and Gov. Kotek have called on the Trump administration to halt all immigration enforcement efforts in the state.
https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/02/people-are-scared-gov-tina-kotek-dozens-of-mayors-call-on-trump-administration-to-halt-immigration-enforcement-in-oregon.html
https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/02/people-are-scared-gov-tina-kotek-dozens-of-mayors-call-on-trump-administration-to-halt-immigration-enforcement-in-oregon.html
While federal LEOs cannot be sued under §1983—except in a very small set of circumstances—state and local police, though partially shielded by qualified immunity, can be sued for excessive force under the 4th and 14th Amendments.
Why be left holding the bag for ICE/CBP brutality?
Why be left holding the bag for ICE/CBP brutality?
Chat is it a good sign if the cops are publicly disavowing the regimes actions on Twitter
February 4, 2026 at 12:27 AM
While federal LEOs cannot be sued under §1983—except in a very small set of circumstances—state and local police, though partially shielded by qualified immunity, can be sued for excessive force under the 4th and 14th Amendments.
Why be left holding the bag for ICE/CBP brutality?
Why be left holding the bag for ICE/CBP brutality?
I'm barely here due to mad and incessant brief writing, but after seeing what looks itself like a human dumpster fire, I want to urge folks:
PLEASE DO NOT SET REAL DUMPSTERS ON FIRE!
Batteries and tanks can explode. Toxic smoke causes all kinds of respiratory and neurological damage. Don't do it.
PLEASE DO NOT SET REAL DUMPSTERS ON FIRE!
Batteries and tanks can explode. Toxic smoke causes all kinds of respiratory and neurological damage. Don't do it.
February 4, 2026 at 12:19 AM
I'm barely here due to mad and incessant brief writing, but after seeing what looks itself like a human dumpster fire, I want to urge folks:
PLEASE DO NOT SET REAL DUMPSTERS ON FIRE!
Batteries and tanks can explode. Toxic smoke causes all kinds of respiratory and neurological damage. Don't do it.
PLEASE DO NOT SET REAL DUMPSTERS ON FIRE!
Batteries and tanks can explode. Toxic smoke causes all kinds of respiratory and neurological damage. Don't do it.
Look folks, only MI, MN, NY, VT, and WA offer IDs that serve as proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. These licenses meet the security standards of the REAL ID Act and are marked by the word “Enhanced”.
If your REAL ID isn't from these states, under the SAVE Act, it's not proof of citizenship.
If your REAL ID isn't from these states, under the SAVE Act, it's not proof of citizenship.
February 3, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Look folks, only MI, MN, NY, VT, and WA offer IDs that serve as proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. These licenses meet the security standards of the REAL ID Act and are marked by the word “Enhanced”.
If your REAL ID isn't from these states, under the SAVE Act, it's not proof of citizenship.
If your REAL ID isn't from these states, under the SAVE Act, it's not proof of citizenship.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
There's already a 35+ year old decision by the Supreme Court which every state and local government can rely upon to prevent feds from commandeering their employees.
Printz v. United States, 521 U.S. 898 (1997)
Yeah, I sound like a broken record.
Printz v. United States, 521 U.S. 898 (1997)
Yeah, I sound like a broken record.
Local cops should be focused on local crime.
Today I'm announcing the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act to stop ICE from deputizing police to do a federal agency’s job.
Today I'm announcing the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act to stop ICE from deputizing police to do a federal agency’s job.
February 3, 2026 at 4:33 AM
There's already a 35+ year old decision by the Supreme Court which every state and local government can rely upon to prevent feds from commandeering their employees.
Printz v. United States, 521 U.S. 898 (1997)
Yeah, I sound like a broken record.
Printz v. United States, 521 U.S. 898 (1997)
Yeah, I sound like a broken record.
Now that the SAVE Act is making news again, understand that it's not just people who changed their names who might have trouble registering to vote.
Think you're fine because you have a REAL ID? Think again. Only a few states have REAL ID which indicates citizenship status.
Think you're fine because you have a REAL ID? Think again. Only a few states have REAL ID which indicates citizenship status.
February 2, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Now that the SAVE Act is making news again, understand that it's not just people who changed their names who might have trouble registering to vote.
Think you're fine because you have a REAL ID? Think again. Only a few states have REAL ID which indicates citizenship status.
Think you're fine because you have a REAL ID? Think again. Only a few states have REAL ID which indicates citizenship status.
"Sanctuary" status isn't just about doing good. It's a survival strategy for states who understand that state and local "cooperation" with DHS actually means that we pick up much of the bill for federal immigration enforcement.
The DHS budget for 2026 is $332,720,000,000.
The DHS budget for 2026 is $332,720,000,000.
Trump’s ICE Problem—and Ours
Trump can’t legally force “sanctuary” cities to help ICE. So he flooded Minneapolis with federal agents. Here’s what comes next.
washingtonmonthly.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:36 PM
"Sanctuary" status isn't just about doing good. It's a survival strategy for states who understand that state and local "cooperation" with DHS actually means that we pick up much of the bill for federal immigration enforcement.
The DHS budget for 2026 is $332,720,000,000.
The DHS budget for 2026 is $332,720,000,000.
I spent the day briefing qualified immunity in the 2nd Circuit, and I have to confess that I'm much less despondent about QI than I was a few weeks ago. Even with a RW SCOTUS, courts are making incremental "adjustments" to otherwise bad precedent from above, changes that affect real people.
February 1, 2026 at 7:18 AM
I spent the day briefing qualified immunity in the 2nd Circuit, and I have to confess that I'm much less despondent about QI than I was a few weeks ago. Even with a RW SCOTUS, courts are making incremental "adjustments" to otherwise bad precedent from above, changes that affect real people.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
This is just insane. It’s only a matter of time before DHS kills another innocent person here.
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
January 31, 2026 at 6:13 PM
This is just insane. It’s only a matter of time before DHS kills another innocent person here.
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
Btw, I am working under the presumption that this Epstein drop is heavily fucked with, as to leave no trace of Trump in it on purpose. So it's interesting to me what and who remains in this drop, and who they therefore deem disposable. Elon, obviously, but maybe Melania?
January 31, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Btw, I am working under the presumption that this Epstein drop is heavily fucked with, as to leave no trace of Trump in it on purpose. So it's interesting to me what and who remains in this drop, and who they therefore deem disposable. Elon, obviously, but maybe Melania?
You know the Mad King is panicking over how his brutal immigration/terror operation is cratering his poll numbers when he releases the Epstein files as a distraction.
January 31, 2026 at 5:44 PM
You know the Mad King is panicking over how his brutal immigration/terror operation is cratering his poll numbers when he releases the Epstein files as a distraction.
These goons learned to lie this way from Trump himself: Recall in 2020, when video documented a 75-year-old man pushed to the ground by Buffalo riot police—fracturing his skull—Trump claimed the man faked the force of the push and threw himself on the ground.
DHS doesn’t even bother trying to lie well. The man whose skull was shattered told the hospital he’d been struck by ICE officers, an ICE officer told hospital staff the guy “got his sh*t rocked,” then when it became clear how badly he was injured, they claimed he deliberately ran into a wall.
January 31, 2026 at 5:16 PM
These goons learned to lie this way from Trump himself: Recall in 2020, when video documented a 75-year-old man pushed to the ground by Buffalo riot police—fracturing his skull—Trump claimed the man faked the force of the push and threw himself on the ground.
Once in a blue moon, you find a case that is so beautifully crafted by a court that it makes your heart sing.
Okay, well, obviously that's just me. And, yeah, I'm a nerd.
But wow. Just wow.
Okay, well, obviously that's just me. And, yeah, I'm a nerd.
But wow. Just wow.
January 31, 2026 at 4:52 AM
Once in a blue moon, you find a case that is so beautifully crafted by a court that it makes your heart sing.
Okay, well, obviously that's just me. And, yeah, I'm a nerd.
But wow. Just wow.
Okay, well, obviously that's just me. And, yeah, I'm a nerd.
But wow. Just wow.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
Oh come on
A different kind of April fools
*SUPREME COURT SETS BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ARGUMENTS FOR APRIL 1
*SUPREME COURT SETS BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ARGUMENTS FOR APRIL 1
January 30, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Oh come on
This is one of the most unsettling things I've read this week, and I'm still working on our 2020 excessive force/1st A brief.
The gov't files clearly false charges against you, resulting in a bunch of bail restrictions. Even after charges are tossed, they use the courts to further restrict you.
The gov't files clearly false charges against you, resulting in a bunch of bail restrictions. Even after charges are tossed, they use the courts to further restrict you.
while on the topic, there is no update on this — the 11CCA has yet to respond to the DOJ's motion to grant them 3 more months of time to write a 30 page appeal. It's been 128 days since my felony charges were dismissed; I am still as of now not able to travel outside the Middle District of Florida
Four months ago, Judge Mizelle dismissed my felony charges. Yesterday, the DOJ moved for another THREE MONTHS to file their appeal of that dismissal. To be clear, this motion is very much OPPOSED & I only learned of it when it was filed at 4:38 yesterday afternoon, 22 minutes before their deadline
January 30, 2026 at 3:22 PM
This is one of the most unsettling things I've read this week, and I'm still working on our 2020 excessive force/1st A brief.
The gov't files clearly false charges against you, resulting in a bunch of bail restrictions. Even after charges are tossed, they use the courts to further restrict you.
The gov't files clearly false charges against you, resulting in a bunch of bail restrictions. Even after charges are tossed, they use the courts to further restrict you.
Abbe Lowell is probably the second most busy lawyer in the US—after Mark Zaid—and good luck arguing he's a completely partisan Dem: He recently represented my early 00s obsession (for all who followed my blog back in the day,) Jack Abramoff.
Statement from Abbe Lowell, Don Lemon’s lawyer: “This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand. Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”
January 30, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Abbe Lowell is probably the second most busy lawyer in the US—after Mark Zaid—and good luck arguing he's a completely partisan Dem: He recently represented my early 00s obsession (for all who followed my blog back in the day,) Jack Abramoff.