Milan Markovic
@profmarkovic.bsky.social
Canadian law professor based in the US. I write about legal ethics, access to justice, and the future of law. My views are not those of my employers.
Pinned
Milan Markovic
@profmarkovic.bsky.social
· Dec 11
We lost our beloved dog Monty yesterday. A fiercely independent rescue, with strong likes (sunbathing, toy hedgehogs) and dislikes (rain, horses), he was a part of too many cherished moments to count. Rescuing Monty in 2013 was one of the greatest honors of my life. RIP--you were a very good boy.
Van Hollen deserves an immense amount of credit for highlighting the administration's abuse of detainees at a time when the Blue Rose / Third Way types were desperate to talk only about groceries. He is showing real leadership once again.
Van Hollen: We are here to say not one more dime for Donald Trump's ICE operations
January 13, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Van Hollen deserves an immense amount of credit for highlighting the administration's abuse of detainees at a time when the Blue Rose / Third Way types were desperate to talk only about groceries. He is showing real leadership once again.
Political interference in DOJ investigations would have been viewed as impeachable a few years ago. Now it's just a Tuesday under unitary executive theory.
So, if I'm reading this right:
4 prosecutors at the Dept of Justice Civil Rights division quit because the Trump-appointed leadership won't investigate Good's killer,
and
6 from the Minnesota US Attorney's office quit when they were told instead to investigate her widow.
(HT @benjaminkabak.com)
4 prosecutors at the Dept of Justice Civil Rights division quit because the Trump-appointed leadership won't investigate Good's killer,
and
6 from the Minnesota US Attorney's office quit when they were told instead to investigate her widow.
(HT @benjaminkabak.com)
Federal prosecutors quit in protest over lack of investigation into ICE shooting
Six lawyers from US attorney’s office in Minnesota quit along with four leaders of DoJ’s civil rights division
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Political interference in DOJ investigations would have been viewed as impeachable a few years ago. Now it's just a Tuesday under unitary executive theory.
👀
NEW: Far-right Zionist group Betar US will disband following an investigation by NY State Attorney General Letitia James into the group's "violence against and harassment of Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and Jewish activists" and failure to register as a charity in NY despite soliciting donations.
January 13, 2026 at 9:15 PM
👀
Trump caters to his base whereas Schumer and Jeffries reflexively oppose theirs.
BTW, while "Abolish ICE?" is currently polling at 46/43, the same weekly poll had "Abolish the Department of Education?" at 28% support, 58% opposed before Trump did it anyway.
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/ec...
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/ec...
January 13, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Trump caters to his base whereas Schumer and Jeffries reflexively oppose theirs.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
“Now, with funding for parts of the government set to expire once again, Democrats appear suddenly reluctant to use their leverage to address another issue that is important to their base (and, frankly, a lot of voters outside of it): the money pouring into ICE.”
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Democrats Appear Ready to Duck a Key Fight on ICE
Top Senate Democrats are focused on other priorities in the government funding fight.
open.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:34 PM
“Now, with funding for parts of the government set to expire once again, Democrats appear suddenly reluctant to use their leverage to address another issue that is important to their base (and, frankly, a lot of voters outside of it): the money pouring into ICE.”
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
It's easy to be cynical about the legal profession, but very few lawyers are willing to serve as the administration's vengeful agents.
Breaking: NYT now says *six* federal prosecutors in Minnesota have just resigned over the Justice Department's push to investigate the widow of Renee Good and the department's reluctance to investigate the ICE agent who shot Good, according to people with knowledge of their decision.
Six Prosecutors Quit Over Push to Investigate ICE Shooting Victim’s Widow
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:06 PM
It's easy to be cynical about the legal profession, but very few lawyers are willing to serve as the administration's vengeful agents.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
Holy crap. Without completing portions of the required paperwork, with a likely failed drug test, and with clear indication that no HR person had ever Googled her or done even a cursory background check, ICE "hired" @laurajedeed.bsky.social.
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.
What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We're all finding out.
slate.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Holy crap. Without completing portions of the required paperwork, with a likely failed drug test, and with clear indication that no HR person had ever Googled her or done even a cursory background check, ICE "hired" @laurajedeed.bsky.social.
Shocking--SCOTUS indulging yet another culture war case that is moot/unripe.
So, I should have started with the fact that the first case, Hecox, might be "moot." That's because the named plaintiff (as trans Boise State track athlete) decided that she would stop playing sports because of all of the negative reaction she received from bigots.
January 13, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Shocking--SCOTUS indulging yet another culture war case that is moot/unripe.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
It should be evident by now that the economy is unlikely to implode by the midterms, so I can only assume that Democratic leadership has a plan beyond "how does X impeachable act make things more affordable?"
January 12, 2026 at 9:13 PM
It should be evident by now that the economy is unlikely to implode by the midterms, so I can only assume that Democratic leadership has a plan beyond "how does X impeachable act make things more affordable?"
Reposted by Milan Markovic
If you were involved in the planning for this operation and want to blow the whistle lawfully you should coordinate with private counsel to protect yourself.
Breaking NYT:
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
U.S. Attacked Boat With Aircraft That Looked Like a Civilian Plane
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:58 AM
If you were involved in the planning for this operation and want to blow the whistle lawfully you should coordinate with private counsel to protect yourself.
It should be evident by now that the economy is unlikely to implode by the midterms, so I can only assume that Democratic leadership has a plan beyond "how does X impeachable act make things more affordable?"
January 12, 2026 at 9:13 PM
It should be evident by now that the economy is unlikely to implode by the midterms, so I can only assume that Democratic leadership has a plan beyond "how does X impeachable act make things more affordable?"
Just spoke to someone who was unaware of anything going on in Minnesota and thought that Trump wanted "people from different cultures to come here and become citizens."
January 12, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Just spoke to someone who was unaware of anything going on in Minnesota and thought that Trump wanted "people from different cultures to come here and become citizens."
Reposted by Milan Markovic
I joked a few months ago on here that Democrats would maintain ICE's massive budget while mandating cultural sensitivity training. That appears to be close to the plan.
There is no amount of training that will turn racist secret police into anything other than racist secret police. ICE as an agency is illegitimate, full stop.
Chris Murphy: "The amount of training that's given to an ICE officer has been cut in half by this administration. The number of days of training they get are 47. You know why they get 47 days? As an homage to the vanity of POTUS. No wonder the number of violent incidents are going through the roof."
January 11, 2026 at 5:10 PM
I joked a few months ago on here that Democrats would maintain ICE's massive budget while mandating cultural sensitivity training. That appears to be close to the plan.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
Trump’s savvy decision to have an ICE officer publicly execute a protester could pay big political dividends by distracting the country from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the nation’s weak economy.
January 12, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Trump’s savvy decision to have an ICE officer publicly execute a protester could pay big political dividends by distracting the country from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the nation’s weak economy.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
Free idea: Have corporations protest ICE since they definitely have First Amendment protection
January 11, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Free idea: Have corporations protest ICE since they definitely have First Amendment protection
I joked a few months ago on here that Democrats would maintain ICE's massive budget while mandating cultural sensitivity training. That appears to be close to the plan.
There is no amount of training that will turn racist secret police into anything other than racist secret police. ICE as an agency is illegitimate, full stop.
Chris Murphy: "The amount of training that's given to an ICE officer has been cut in half by this administration. The number of days of training they get are 47. You know why they get 47 days? As an homage to the vanity of POTUS. No wonder the number of violent incidents are going through the roof."
January 11, 2026 at 5:10 PM
I joked a few months ago on here that Democrats would maintain ICE's massive budget while mandating cultural sensitivity training. That appears to be close to the plan.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
We already knew that Trump had completely reshaped the federal courts, but these stats are incredible. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
January 11, 2026 at 12:17 PM
We already knew that Trump had completely reshaped the federal courts, but these stats are incredible. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
This is a very disappointing statement from @chrismurphyct.bsky.social. ICE has committed human rights violations on a massive scale. Continuing to fund it while hoping that it behaves is ludicrous and would endanger many more communities.
Chris Murphy: "It's reasonable for Democrats, speaking on behalf of the majority of the American public who don't approve of what ICE is doing, to say, 'If you want to fund DHS, I want to fund a DHS that is operating in a safe and legal manner.'"
January 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
This is a very disappointing statement from @chrismurphyct.bsky.social. ICE has committed human rights violations on a massive scale. Continuing to fund it while hoping that it behaves is ludicrous and would endanger many more communities.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
Spinning the Wheel of Airstrikes again.
Which country will the US bomb next?
Tune in to find out!
Which country will the US bomb next?
Tune in to find out!
January 10, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Spinning the Wheel of Airstrikes again.
Which country will the US bomb next?
Tune in to find out!
Which country will the US bomb next?
Tune in to find out!
Reposted by Milan Markovic
Fully agree: the budget is a huge win AND things are definitively not OK. An entire generation of early career scientists has been severely affected, many more senior scientists have been pushed out of jobs, and there’s a lingering air of uncertainty that will affect decision-making for *years*.
This is a HUGE win…and one that happened because we ~collectively~ said “NO!”
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
Congress Is Reversing Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Fully agree: the budget is a huge win AND things are definitively not OK. An entire generation of early career scientists has been severely affected, many more senior scientists have been pushed out of jobs, and there’s a lingering air of uncertainty that will affect decision-making for *years*.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
well well well
AI layoffs are looking more and more like corporate fiction that's masking a darker reality, Oxford Economics suggests | Fortune
"Firms don't appear to be replacing workers with AI on a significant scale," the firm said. It suspects some are trying to "dress up layoffs" as good news.
fortune.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:52 PM
well well well
Reposted by Milan Markovic
I can't describe how bad Minneapolis feels right now. My neighbors are pulling kids out of school. The public schools are offering remote learning until 2/12. We are having conversations in our alleys about how to protect ourselves. It feels like a military occupation with a blockade.
The US Department of Agriculture suspends all federal funding to Minnesota, effective immediately.
January 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM
I can't describe how bad Minneapolis feels right now. My neighbors are pulling kids out of school. The public schools are offering remote learning until 2/12. We are having conversations in our alleys about how to protect ourselves. It feels like a military occupation with a blockade.
A few suggestions for law professors in the current moment. 👇
I spoke on a great #AALS panel yesterday organized by @jonleelawprof.bsky.social and @legalethics.bsky.social on the Law Professor's Role in Protecting Our Legal System. My goal was to encourage law profs to engage with the public and not succumb to fear. Some thoughts for those not in attendance:
January 10, 2026 at 4:22 PM
A few suggestions for law professors in the current moment. 👇
Good 🧵. I will add one thought: If Minnesota authorities indict Ross, he will very likely remove and a judge (not a jury) will have to decide if his actions were "objectively reasonable" and thus immune. If MN wins, you can then expect Ross to appeal to the 8th Circuit--all before any trial.
Here’s a comment for the people who are upset that MN hasn’t charged Jonathan Ross already:
If you just Leeeroy Jenkins this shit you will lose and you will empower fascism and murder.
It is indescribably hard to prosecute cops for murder. It is even hard when the murder is ON VIDEO.
/1
If you just Leeeroy Jenkins this shit you will lose and you will empower fascism and murder.
It is indescribably hard to prosecute cops for murder. It is even hard when the murder is ON VIDEO.
/1
January 9, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Good 🧵. I will add one thought: If Minnesota authorities indict Ross, he will very likely remove and a judge (not a jury) will have to decide if his actions were "objectively reasonable" and thus immune. If MN wins, you can then expect Ross to appeal to the 8th Circuit--all before any trial.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
I spoke on a great #AALS panel yesterday organized by @jonleelawprof.bsky.social and @legalethics.bsky.social on the Law Professor's Role in Protecting Our Legal System. My goal was to encourage law profs to engage with the public and not succumb to fear. Some thoughts for those not in attendance:
January 9, 2026 at 5:34 PM
I spoke on a great #AALS panel yesterday organized by @jonleelawprof.bsky.social and @legalethics.bsky.social on the Law Professor's Role in Protecting Our Legal System. My goal was to encourage law profs to engage with the public and not succumb to fear. Some thoughts for those not in attendance: