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 | Representative Zoe Lofgren + House Administration Committee Dems | Special Counsel at the FEC | opinions are my own 🏳️🌈
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
Reposted by Stephen Spaulding
The Supreme Court just heard oral arguments in the challenge to Trump’s worldwide tariffs. No matter how the Court rules (and I’ll do just a tiny bit of tea leaf-reading here), its decision will have enormous implications for the scope of presidential power. 1/25
November 5, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The Supreme Court just heard oral arguments in the challenge to Trump’s worldwide tariffs. No matter how the Court rules (and I’ll do just a tiny bit of tea leaf-reading here), its decision will have enormous implications for the scope of presidential power. 1/25
eastern standard time in Shenandoah National Park this weekend 🍂
November 3, 2025 at 2:50 AM
eastern standard time in Shenandoah National Park this weekend 🍂
A win for democracy!
Court Strikes Down Key Part of Trump’s Unlawful Voting Executive Order, Permanently Blocking Show-Your-Papers Requirement
The decision grants summary judgment to the plaintiffs, finding that the president lacks the authority to unilaterally alter election procedures — powers that rest with Congress and the states.
www.brennancenter.org
November 1, 2025 at 2:39 AM
A win for democracy!
Spotted in Dupont Circle. And it’s true, trust in SCOTUS is hovering at record lows. 🪦🎃
October 31, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Spotted in Dupont Circle. And it’s true, trust in SCOTUS is hovering at record lows. 🪦🎃
The Trump administration filed another request on the Supreme Court's shadow docket, this time to let the president fire the head of the Library of Congress' copyright office. The DC Circuit blocked her removal.
Our updated @brennancenter.org tracker is here:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Our updated @brennancenter.org tracker is here:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Supreme Court Shadow Docket Tracker — Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
The Court is ruling on challenges to government actions on its emergency docket, often without explaining its decisions or providing guidance to lower courts.
www.brennancenter.org
October 28, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The Trump administration filed another request on the Supreme Court's shadow docket, this time to let the president fire the head of the Library of Congress' copyright office. The DC Circuit blocked her removal.
Our updated @brennancenter.org tracker is here:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Our updated @brennancenter.org tracker is here:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Burnin’ Down the House www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/o...
Opinion | Burnin’ Down the House
www.nytimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Burnin’ Down the House www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/o...
States this year "are nearly on pace to match the number of restrictive voting laws enacted in 2021, when states enacted more restrictive legislation than at any other point so far in the 14 years the @brennancenter.org has tracked state voting legislation." www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
State Voting Laws Roundup: October 2025
The number of new restrictive voting laws has increased this year, while legislation aimed at expanding voting access has lagged.
www.brennancenter.org
October 24, 2025 at 8:16 PM
States this year "are nearly on pace to match the number of restrictive voting laws enacted in 2021, when states enacted more restrictive legislation than at any other point so far in the 14 years the @brennancenter.org has tracked state voting legislation." www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Americans agree - 18 years for a Supreme Court term is long enough. Lifetime power is too long. www.newsweek.com/most-republi...
Most Republicans want Supreme Court term limits—Poll
A new PRRI poll found that majority of Americans support term limits for Supreme Court justices.
www.newsweek.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Americans agree - 18 years for a Supreme Court term is long enough. Lifetime power is too long. www.newsweek.com/most-republi...
NEW: You've probably heard about the shadow docket. It's where the Supreme Court makes snap decisions as cases are ongoing in the lower courts. The Court has ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Trump administration, often w/ little explanation at all. 1/ www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Supreme Court Shadow Docket Tracker — Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
The Court is ruling on challenges to government actions on its emergency docket, often without explaining its decisions or providing guidance to lower courts.
www.brennancenter.org
October 21, 2025 at 9:01 PM
NEW: You've probably heard about the shadow docket. It's where the Supreme Court makes snap decisions as cases are ongoing in the lower courts. The Court has ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Trump administration, often w/ little explanation at all. 1/ www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Judge Graber of the 9th Circuit with a stark message -- this is the case about the deployment of National Guard troops in Portland.
"Above all, I ask those who are watching this case unfold to retain faith in our judicial system for just a little longer." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"Above all, I ask those who are watching this case unfold to retain faith in our judicial system for just a little longer." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 21, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Judge Graber of the 9th Circuit with a stark message -- this is the case about the deployment of National Guard troops in Portland.
"Above all, I ask those who are watching this case unfold to retain faith in our judicial system for just a little longer." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"Above all, I ask those who are watching this case unfold to retain faith in our judicial system for just a little longer." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Stephen Spaulding
NEW: Voters in six states will consider ballot measures this November. @erings.bsky.social shares what you need to know about what's on the ballot in @statecourtreport.org.
statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
2025 Ballot Measures to Watch
Voters will decide whether to amend their state constitutions or statutes regarding redistricting, voting, firearm access, parental rights, taxes, and more.
statecourtreport.org
October 20, 2025 at 9:41 PM
NEW: Voters in six states will consider ballot measures this November. @erings.bsky.social shares what you need to know about what's on the ballot in @statecourtreport.org.
statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Read this terrific resource by my colleagues at the @brennancenter.org.
"The Department of Justice’s Broken Accountability System—the Trump administration has dismantled its internal checks on abuses of power, and courts are grappling with the consequences."
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
"The Department of Justice’s Broken Accountability System—the Trump administration has dismantled its internal checks on abuses of power, and courts are grappling with the consequences."
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
The Department of Justice’s Broken Accountability System
The Trump administration has dismantled its internal checks on abuses of power, and courts are grappling with the consequences.
www.brennancenter.org
October 20, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Read this terrific resource by my colleagues at the @brennancenter.org.
"The Department of Justice’s Broken Accountability System—the Trump administration has dismantled its internal checks on abuses of power, and courts are grappling with the consequences."
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
"The Department of Justice’s Broken Accountability System—the Trump administration has dismantled its internal checks on abuses of power, and courts are grappling with the consequences."
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
AI-generated deepfakes are barreling toward an election near you. The danger is obvious. @amyklobuchar.com is leading a bipartisan bill w/ Senator Hawley, @coons.senate.gov, Senator Collins & @michaelbennet.bsky.social that would takes these deceptive ads head on. www.npr.org/2025/10/17/n...
A GOP attack ad deepfakes Chuck Schumer with AI
The 30-second video from the National Republican Senatorial Committee is raising alarms among many observers who warn it crosses a new boundary in politics and could unleash a flood of AI-generated de...
www.npr.org
October 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
AI-generated deepfakes are barreling toward an election near you. The danger is obvious. @amyklobuchar.com is leading a bipartisan bill w/ Senator Hawley, @coons.senate.gov, Senator Collins & @michaelbennet.bsky.social that would takes these deceptive ads head on. www.npr.org/2025/10/17/n...
Justice Kennedy also authored Citizens United and voted to gut the Voting Rights Act.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, who retired from #SCOTUS in 2018, is worried about this country. In an NPR interview the Reagan appointee warns that “Democracy is not guaranteed to survive.”
www.npr.org/2025/10/13/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/13/n...
Former Supreme Court Justice Kennedy's new memoir is unusually revealing
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who stepped down from the court in 2018, has written a book about his life on the court and off. It's far more revealing than most books written by justices.
www.npr.org
October 14, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Justice Kennedy also authored Citizens United and voted to gut the Voting Rights Act.
Must read: Federal Judges, Warning of ‘Judicial Crisis,’ Fault Supreme Court’s Emergency Orders
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
Federal Judges, Warning of ‘Judicial Crisis,’ Fault Supreme Court’s Emergency Orders
www.nytimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Must read: Federal Judges, Warning of ‘Judicial Crisis,’ Fault Supreme Court’s Emergency Orders
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
I continue to believe that the GOP’s exercise of the nuclear option to allow en bloc confirmation of executive branch nominees is one of the most consequential and under-covered Hill stories of the year.
There are now only 16 in the queue.
There are now only 16 in the queue.
Senate GOP beats Biden's confirmation numbers
Thanks to new rules through the "nuclear option."
www.axios.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:25 AM
I continue to believe that the GOP’s exercise of the nuclear option to allow en bloc confirmation of executive branch nominees is one of the most consequential and under-covered Hill stories of the year.
There are now only 16 in the queue.
There are now only 16 in the queue.
Reposted by Stephen Spaulding
The Trump administration is pressuring states to hand over sensitive information about voters. The Brennan Center is tracking the DOJ’s requests and how states respond. bit.ly/3JFbKaB
Tracker of Justice Department Requests for Voter Information
The Trump administration is pressing state officials to provide sensitive information about voters.
www.brennancenter.org
September 13, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The Trump administration is pressuring states to hand over sensitive information about voters. The Brennan Center is tracking the DOJ’s requests and how states respond. bit.ly/3JFbKaB
🚨And Justice Jackson calls out the continued "grave misuse" of the emergency a/k/a shadow docket and its "repeated, gratuitous, and harmful interference in the lower courts while lives hang in the balance."
October 3, 2025 at 9:14 PM
🚨And Justice Jackson calls out the continued "grave misuse" of the emergency a/k/a shadow docket and its "repeated, gratuitous, and harmful interference in the lower courts while lives hang in the balance."