Stephen Spaulding
@stevespaulding.bsky.social
Brennan Center at NYU Law | Used-to-be: Policy Director for Senator Amy Klobuchar + the Senate Rules Committee | VP @ Common Cause | Sr. Counsel to Representative Zoe Lofgren + House Admin Committee Dems | Special Counsel at the FEC | opinions are my own 🏳️🌈
Citizens United v. FEC (unleashing a floodgate of money in politics)
Shelby County v. Holder (gutting the Voting Rights Act)
Rucho v. Common Cause (slamming the courthouse doors shut to ending partisan gerrymandering)
Trump v. U.S. (presidential immunity)
All brought to you by the Roberts Court.
Shelby County v. Holder (gutting the Voting Rights Act)
Rucho v. Common Cause (slamming the courthouse doors shut to ending partisan gerrymandering)
Trump v. U.S. (presidential immunity)
All brought to you by the Roberts Court.
January 15, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Citizens United v. FEC (unleashing a floodgate of money in politics)
Shelby County v. Holder (gutting the Voting Rights Act)
Rucho v. Common Cause (slamming the courthouse doors shut to ending partisan gerrymandering)
Trump v. U.S. (presidential immunity)
All brought to you by the Roberts Court.
Shelby County v. Holder (gutting the Voting Rights Act)
Rucho v. Common Cause (slamming the courthouse doors shut to ending partisan gerrymandering)
Trump v. U.S. (presidential immunity)
All brought to you by the Roberts Court.
“Far from calling balls & strikes, the Supreme Court’s record shows a pattern of altering fundamental rules for our system of elections—and undoing the historical role of the judicial branch as a key protector of the right to vote.”— @kareemcrayton.bsky.social of @brennancenter.org
Opinion | How Supreme Court rulings on redistricting have undermined voters of color
Kareem Crayton: The court’s retreat has made it easier for states to craft bolder gerrymanders and to insulate them from scrutiny by claiming partisan motives.
www.ms.now
January 14, 2026 at 11:55 PM
“Far from calling balls & strikes, the Supreme Court’s record shows a pattern of altering fundamental rules for our system of elections—and undoing the historical role of the judicial branch as a key protector of the right to vote.”— @kareemcrayton.bsky.social of @brennancenter.org
Reposted by Stephen Spaulding
Your regular reminder that the Supreme Court’s opinion giving presidents criminal immunity is not a serious decision for a serious democracy. @brennancenter.org
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
January 9, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Your regular reminder that the Supreme Court’s opinion giving presidents criminal immunity is not a serious decision for a serious democracy. @brennancenter.org
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Washington National Opera Is Leaving the Kennedy Center www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/a...
Washington National Opera Is Leaving the Kennedy Center
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Washington National Opera Is Leaving the Kennedy Center www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/a...
Where are the checks and where is the balancing?
January 7, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Where are the checks and where is the balancing?
Among many things to note about January 6th is how Congress later came together in a bipartisan way to reform the antiquated Electoral Count Act and how Congress certifies the presidential election.
I discussed this work a few years ago with Fordham Law. fordhamdemocracyproject.com/2022/12/26/r...
I discussed this work a few years ago with Fordham Law. fordhamdemocracyproject.com/2022/12/26/r...
Reforming the Electoral Count Act: A Conversation with Senator Klobuchar’s Policy Director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
fordhamdemocracyproject.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Among many things to note about January 6th is how Congress later came together in a bipartisan way to reform the antiquated Electoral Count Act and how Congress certifies the presidential election.
I discussed this work a few years ago with Fordham Law. fordhamdemocracyproject.com/2022/12/26/r...
I discussed this work a few years ago with Fordham Law. fordhamdemocracyproject.com/2022/12/26/r...
Reposted by Stephen Spaulding
Demolishing campaign finance rules. Gutting the Voting Rights Act. Allowing gerrymandered congressional districts. It’s time for the ideologues on the Supreme Court to stop meddling in elections. bit.ly/4a7H8d8
Supreme Court Hammers Away at Democracy
With its latest gerrymandering decision, the Court is creating a political system primed for distortion and deeper division.
www.brennancenter.org
January 6, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Demolishing campaign finance rules. Gutting the Voting Rights Act. Allowing gerrymandered congressional districts. It’s time for the ideologues on the Supreme Court to stop meddling in elections. bit.ly/4a7H8d8
Today Chief Justice Roberts will release the Supreme Court’s Year End report.
SCOTUS set the conditions we are seeing in our democracy today.
The presidential immunity ruling. Citizens United. Gutting the Voting Rights Act. Its decision to greenlight partisan gerrymandering.
So what will he say?
SCOTUS set the conditions we are seeing in our democracy today.
The presidential immunity ruling. Citizens United. Gutting the Voting Rights Act. Its decision to greenlight partisan gerrymandering.
So what will he say?
December 31, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Today Chief Justice Roberts will release the Supreme Court’s Year End report.
SCOTUS set the conditions we are seeing in our democracy today.
The presidential immunity ruling. Citizens United. Gutting the Voting Rights Act. Its decision to greenlight partisan gerrymandering.
So what will he say?
SCOTUS set the conditions we are seeing in our democracy today.
The presidential immunity ruling. Citizens United. Gutting the Voting Rights Act. Its decision to greenlight partisan gerrymandering.
So what will he say?
But have their bee colonies been corrupted by Citizens United?
December 30, 2025 at 9:30 PM
But have their bee colonies been corrupted by Citizens United?
Judges are facing a barrage of threats and intimidation, just for doing their job. It's an attack on their safety, and also an attack on judicial independence.
Watch this incredible video essay by Judge Salas, whose son was murdered by an aggrieved litigant.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Watch this incredible video essay by Judge Salas, whose son was murdered by an aggrieved litigant.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Opinion | The Judges Being Pizza Doxxed in My Dead Son’s Name
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Judges are facing a barrage of threats and intimidation, just for doing their job. It's an attack on their safety, and also an attack on judicial independence.
Watch this incredible video essay by Judge Salas, whose son was murdered by an aggrieved litigant.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Watch this incredible video essay by Judge Salas, whose son was murdered by an aggrieved litigant.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
An excellent roundup of top legal commentators’ thoughts on the biggest state constitutional cases of the year ⬇️
What state constitutional case from 2025 should our readers know about, and why?
We asked some of the country’s leading legal thinkers, and their answers highlight the myriad ways state courts can chart their own jurisprudential courses.
A must read piece to wrap up the year!
We asked some of the country’s leading legal thinkers, and their answers highlight the myriad ways state courts can chart their own jurisprudential courses.
A must read piece to wrap up the year!
2025’s Most Significant State Constitutional Cases
Leading legal thinkers weighed in on the state constitutional rulings our readers should know about from this past year.
statecourtreport.org
December 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
An excellent roundup of top legal commentators’ thoughts on the biggest state constitutional cases of the year ⬇️
Catching up on SCOTUS arguments. Justice Sotomayor hits the nail on the head in this case that could further empower wealthy campaign donors to drown everyone else out.
“Every time we interfere with Congressional design, we make matters worse.”
See, e.g., Citizens United and McCutcheon.
“Every time we interfere with Congressional design, we make matters worse.”
See, e.g., Citizens United and McCutcheon.
December 18, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Catching up on SCOTUS arguments. Justice Sotomayor hits the nail on the head in this case that could further empower wealthy campaign donors to drown everyone else out.
“Every time we interfere with Congressional design, we make matters worse.”
See, e.g., Citizens United and McCutcheon.
“Every time we interfere with Congressional design, we make matters worse.”
See, e.g., Citizens United and McCutcheon.
If you're a SiriusXM subscriber tune into the POTUS channel where I'll be discussing Bush v. Gore shortly -- that case was decided 25 years ago today and changed the course of history.
December 12, 2025 at 12:42 PM
If you're a SiriusXM subscriber tune into the POTUS channel where I'll be discussing Bush v. Gore shortly -- that case was decided 25 years ago today and changed the course of history.
Reposted by Stephen Spaulding
While Bush v. Gore was a disaster for public confidence in the Supreme Court, the 2000 Florida recount crisis did spur some constructive election reforms. bit.ly/48F2YSP
Supreme Court and Election Law Still Feel the Fallout 25 Years After Bush v. Gore
The 5–4 decision started a long slide in public approval for the court, accentuated by a widening partisan gap.
www.brennancenter.org
December 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
While Bush v. Gore was a disaster for public confidence in the Supreme Court, the 2000 Florida recount crisis did spur some constructive election reforms. bit.ly/48F2YSP
Reposted by Stephen Spaulding
1/ A few thoughts about @williambaude.bsky.social’s comment in yesterday’s NYT chat that, “It’s amazing how many of our problems today could be solved by a Congress that was willing and able to legislate in response to national problems.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/o...
Opinion | At the Supreme Court, Scenes From a Judicial Backlash
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:44 AM
1/ A few thoughts about @williambaude.bsky.social’s comment in yesterday’s NYT chat that, “It’s amazing how many of our problems today could be solved by a Congress that was willing and able to legislate in response to national problems.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/o...
Bush v. Gore was decided 25 years ago this week.
Bush may have won the case, but Justice Stevens wrote that "the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nation’s confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law.” www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Bush may have won the case, but Justice Stevens wrote that "the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nation’s confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law.” www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Supreme Court and Election Law Still Feel the Fallout 25 Years After Bush v. Gore
The 5–4 decision started a long slide in public approval for the court, accentuated by a widening partisan gap.
www.brennancenter.org
December 9, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Bush v. Gore was decided 25 years ago this week.
Bush may have won the case, but Justice Stevens wrote that "the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nation’s confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law.” www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Bush may have won the case, but Justice Stevens wrote that "the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nation’s confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law.” www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
How Congress Should Respond, Right Now, to Trump’s Boat Strikes www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/o...
Opinion | How Congress Should Respond, Right Now, to Trump’s Boat Strikes
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:55 AM
How Congress Should Respond, Right Now, to Trump’s Boat Strikes www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/o...
Today I learned that Buckley v. Valeo -- which turns 50 years old next year -- is the longest Supreme Court opinion ever written. The majority, concurrences, and dissents are as long as the first Harry Potter book, courtesy @scotusblog.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Today I learned that Buckley v. Valeo -- which turns 50 years old next year -- is the longest Supreme Court opinion ever written. The majority, concurrences, and dissents are as long as the first Harry Potter book, courtesy @scotusblog.com
A lot going on in my notifications
November 21, 2025 at 10:27 PM
A lot going on in my notifications
Reposted by Stephen Spaulding
Citizens United unleashed a flood of corporate money in politics. State trigger laws can prepare the ground for real reform when the Court changes course. bit.ly/3Xsczat
State Legislatures Can Push Back Against Citizens United
State lawmakers can fight the influence of big money in politics by passing trigger laws that would go into effect if the Supreme Court’s misguided ruling is reversed.
www.brennancenter.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Citizens United unleashed a flood of corporate money in politics. State trigger laws can prepare the ground for real reform when the Court changes course. bit.ly/3Xsczat
Reposted by Stephen Spaulding
State supreme courts are still overwhelmingly white & male
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
State Supreme Court Diversity - November 2025 Update
Many state supreme courts lack diversity in terms of their justices’ race, ethnicity, gender, and professional background.
www.brennancenter.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:47 PM
State supreme courts are still overwhelmingly white & male
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
Reposted by Stephen Spaulding
A strategy that helped antiabortion activists in their quest to overturn Roe v. Wade could also work for campaign finance reform: enacting state "trigger laws" that challenge the legitimacy of Citizens United. bit.ly/3Xsczat
State Legislatures Can Push Back Against Citizens United
State lawmakers can fight the influence of big money in politics by passing trigger laws that would go into effect if the Supreme Court’s misguided ruling is reversed.
www.brennancenter.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A strategy that helped antiabortion activists in their quest to overturn Roe v. Wade could also work for campaign finance reform: enacting state "trigger laws" that challenge the legitimacy of Citizens United. bit.ly/3Xsczat
Another day, another SCOTUS shadow docket decision.
This time blocking transgender Americans from getting a passport consistent with their gender identity.
SCOTUS says allowing such passports while litigation proceeds will create an "irreparable injury."
Really? 1/
This time blocking transgender Americans from getting a passport consistent with their gender identity.
SCOTUS says allowing such passports while litigation proceeds will create an "irreparable injury."
Really? 1/
November 6, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Another day, another SCOTUS shadow docket decision.
This time blocking transgender Americans from getting a passport consistent with their gender identity.
SCOTUS says allowing such passports while litigation proceeds will create an "irreparable injury."
Really? 1/
This time blocking transgender Americans from getting a passport consistent with their gender identity.
SCOTUS says allowing such passports while litigation proceeds will create an "irreparable injury."
Really? 1/
Reposted by Stephen Spaulding
In Trump’s second term, the need for congressional action against corruption has never been clearer. Our latest report offers recommendations for strengthening the vital anti-corruption safeguards in the Constitution’s Emoluments Clauses: bit.ly/3XdgCaq
Codifying the Constitution’s Emoluments Clauses
To prevent corruption, the Constitution prohibits the president and other officials from receiving untoward benefits. Congress, however, must take action to enable enforcement.
www.brennancenter.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:22 PM
In Trump’s second term, the need for congressional action against corruption has never been clearer. Our latest report offers recommendations for strengthening the vital anti-corruption safeguards in the Constitution’s Emoluments Clauses: bit.ly/3XdgCaq