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Laurent Pech 🇺🇦

@profpech.bsky.social

5.9K followers 1.3K following 1K posts

Professor of Law, Dean of @ucdschooloflaw.bsky.social, Senior Research Fellow at the CEU Democracy Institute in Budapest, and co-director of @goodlobbyprofs.bsky.social. Usual disclaimers.

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Political science 77%

Law 13%

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Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 6h

Merci David & safe travels today

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Reposted by Michael A. Clemens, Laurent Pech, William Myers , and 4 more Michael A. Clemens, Laurent Pech, William Myers, Nora V. Demleitner, Kate Starbird, Josh Pasek, David Darmofal

Walter Olson @walterolson.bsky.social · 10h

New from me at Cato: I go through the numerous and massive First Amendment and academic-freedom violations of Trump's proffered "compact" with universities and then talk about the mechanism by which it would be enforced, by way of what I describe as a "retroactive push-button guillotine."

Universities Must Defend Their Independence by Rejecting Trump's "Compact"

The Trump administration has proffered a “compact” to universities that would require them to surrender their independence and academic freedom. How many First Amendment violations can we identify in ...

www.cato.org

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Reposted by Safiya U. Noble, Christian Odendahl, Laurent Pech , and 4 more Safiya U. Noble, Christian Odendahl, Laurent Pech, Ann Bartow, Stuart White, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Renaud Morieux

Joey Fishkin @fishkin.bsky.social · 17h

@mit.edu has done an incredibly important service to the nation by being willing to be the first school to reject the administration's "compact."

President Kornbluth focuses—and she's right—on the principle that "scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone."

The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution. And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone.

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Reposted by Laurent Pech, Ben Tonra

Prof David Farrell, UCD @davidfarrell-ucd.bsky.social · 22h

Superb presentation by my @ucddublin.bsky.social @ucdschooloflaw.bsky.social colleague @profpech.bsky.social on the threats posed by democratic backsliding to the international rule of law

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Reposted by Laurent Pech

Kim Lane Scheppele @kimlanelaw.bsky.social · 1d

And yes, the Hungarian government was spying on European institutions . . .
www.direkt36.hu/en/sulyos-ug...

Inside the Fall of Viktor Orbán’s Secret Brussels Spy Network - Direkt36

In the 2010s, Hungarian intelligence began spying in Brussels against the EU and tried to recruit Hungarians working in EU institutions for this purpose. However, Hungarian intelligence carried it out...

www.direkt36.hu

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Reposted by Kim L. Scheppele, Kimberly A. Prather, Steve Peers , and 10 more Kim L. Scheppele, Kimberly A. Prather, Steve Peers, Rosemary A. Joyce, Shelly Lundberg, Trevon D. Logan, Laurent Pech, Alan Richardson, Robert B. Reich, Stephen P. Smith, Judith Freedman, Aviel Roshwald, Nathan P. Kalmoe

New York Attorney General Letitia James @newyorkstateag.bsky.social · 1d

This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.

I am not fearful — I am fearless.

We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights..

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Reposted by Laurent Pech, Nathan P. Kalmoe

Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 1d

The indictment may relate to mortgage documents James co-signed to help her niece secure a loan for a property in Virginia.

This @mollyroberts.bsky.social piece explains why it appears to be a pathetically weak case.

(Fixed the link, sorry!) ⬇️

www.lawfaremedia.org/article/next...

Courts & Litigation Criminal Justice & the Rule of Law
Next Up: Letitia James
Molly Roberts
Monday, October 6, 2025, 9:59 AM
Share On: f X in $ 6 B
It's hard to imagine a worse case than the one against James Comey-until you see the one against the attorney general of New York.

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Reposted by Pamela Samuelson, Laurent Pech

Leah Litman @leahlitman.bsky.social · 1d

From the Supreme Court opinion granting Trump immunity:

"Investigative & prosecutorial decisionmaking is the special province of the Executive ... allegations that the requested investigations were shams or proposed for an improper purpose do not divest the President of [his] exclusive authority"

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Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 1d

Reminder: "Hungary also faced EU scrutiny after Belgian and Hungarian media reported late last year that its intelligence agency had spied on EU officials visiting the country in 2015-2017"

www.politico.eu/article/lawm...

Anti-spying phone pouches offered to EU lawmakers for trip to Hungary

Budapest has faced EU scrutiny over the use of spyware against the opposition and civil society in past years.

www.politico.eu

Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 1d

After seemingly overseeing spying on the Commission from the outside, Orban's Commissioner has since been able to undermine the Commission from within repeatedly by eg attempting to doctor rule of law reports but VDL has repeatedly failed to hold him to account www.koha.mk/en/pas-dyshi...

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Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 1d

US university professor teaching a course on *anti-fascism* forced to flee to Spain with his wife and two children to escape death treats following harassment campaign by "Turning Point USA". Brought to you by self-appointed "free speech" champions #FascismInAmerica

www.aaup.org/issues-highe...

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Reposted by Laurent Pech

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 1d

💥🔎NEW INVESTIGATION: We reveal how, under now-Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, Hungarian intelligence spied in Brussels against the EU, attempting to recruit Hungarians working in EU institutions.

@direkt36.bsky.social @papertrailmedia.de @spiegel.de @tijd.be @larsbove.bsky.social @hmnzngr.bsky.social

Inside the Fall of Viktor Orbán’s Secret Brussels Spy Network - Direkt36

www.direkt36.hu

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Reposted by Laurent Pech, Robert C. Richards

Hillary Rodham Clinton @hillaryclinton.bsky.social · 2d

Children around the world have died because Trump and Musk needlessly destroyed USAID. These are some of their stories.

apnews.com/article/myan...

AP: Starving children screaming for food as US aid cuts unleash devastation and death across Myanmar

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Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 2d

& here is another instance of NYT sanewashing Trump’s authoritarianism and manifest unconstitutional/illegal motives/actions

stevelevitsky.bsky.social @stevelevitsky.bsky.social · 3d

They are not Trump's enemies. They are critics and opponents. He sees them as enemies, because that's how autocrats perceive their critics. NYT should not repeat and normalize authoritarian discourse.

How Trump Is Using the Justice Department to Target His Enemies www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

How Trump Is Using the Justice Department to Target His Enemies

President Trump has long spoken of seeking vengeance against his political enemies. Here’s a list of whom he is targeting.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche

Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 2d

🇺🇸 going through a worsening rule of law breakdown with top-down lawlessness coupled with fascistic rhetoric a daily reality & yet we continue to get media headlines sanewashing what’s unfolding…

Garrett M. Graff @vermontgmg.bsky.social · 2d

Welcome to the era of “Kavanaugh Raids.” www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/welcome-to...

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Reposted by Will Jennings, Rosemary A. Joyce, American Library Association , and 10 more Will Jennings, Rosemary A. Joyce, American Library Association, Sanford F. Schram, Laurent Pech, David R. Miller, Robert B. Reich, Michael D. McDonald, Alexandra Kemmerer, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Dan Immergluck, Colin Woodard, David Darmofal

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

Q: Do you agree that the mayor of Chicago and governor of Illinois should be in prison?

MIKE JOHNSON: Should they be in prison? I'm not the attorney general. I'm not following the day to day on that

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Reposted by Laurent Pech

Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 2d

Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune

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Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, James Q. Wilson, Patrick A. Jansen , and 25 more Ben H. Ansell, James Q. Wilson, Patrick A. Jansen, Nicole Dubilier, Steve Peers, Carl Henrik Knutsen, Michael A. Clemens, Efrén O. Pérez, Juan Cole, John Collins, Jussi T. Eronen, Laurent Pech, David R. Miller, Ben Tonra, Michael D. McDonald, Philipp Sarasin, Henry Jones, Greg Linden, Matthew P. McAllister, Cullen S. Hendrix, Nancy M. Wingfield, Aviel Roshwald, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Francesco Nicoli, Colin Woodard, Andrew Kydd, David Darmofal

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 2d

I will not back down.

Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power.

What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?

Donald Trump Truth Social Post: Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor Pritzker also.

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Reposted by Laurent Pech

Mehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan.bsky.social · 2d

‪
This line from Politico Playbook jumped out at me, in their coverage of the Comey arraignment.

"It’s a moment many believed would never come."

Erm, this is precisely the problem with our mainstream media. Journalists constantly downplayed the obvious threat from Trump in 2024. Some of us didn't

Subscribe to Zeteo

Zeteo is a new media organization that seeks to answer the questions that really matter, while always striving for the truth. Founded by Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo is a movement for media accountability, unfi...

zeteo.com

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Reposted by Laurent Pech, David R. Miller, Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche

Garrett M. Graff @vermontgmg.bsky.social · 2d

Welcome to the era of “Kavanaugh Raids.” www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/welcome-to...

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Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Laurent Pech, David R. Miller

stevelevitsky.bsky.social @stevelevitsky.bsky.social · 3d

How Trump Is Using the Justice Department to Target His Enemies

President Trump has long spoken of seeking vengeance against his political enemies. Here’s a list of whom he is targeting.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Timothy Snyder, Mark A. Lemley, Rosemary A. Joyce , and 5 more Timothy Snyder, Mark A. Lemley, Rosemary A. Joyce, Sanford F. Schram, Laurent Pech, Kate Starbird, Banu Özkazanç‐Pan, Henry Jones

Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 3d

JB Pritzker and Gavin Newsom are doing something new and important: They understand Stephen Miller's theory of fascist power politics, and they've developed a theory on how to combat it. More Dems need to reckon with Miller's understanding of the moment.

New from me:
newrepublic.com/article/2014...

Inside Stephen Miller’s Secret Plan to Normalize Trump’s Dictator Rule

He wants to supercharge searing civil tensions to get low-information voters to embrace their inner authoritarian. Exactly two Democrats appear to fully grasp this.

newrepublic.com

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Reposted by Dimitry Kochenov, R. Daniel Kelemen

Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 3d

I mean how can such a body be considered a court within the meaning of EU law...?

cc @kimlanelaw.bsky.social @rdanielkelemen.bsky.social @profkochenov.bsky.social @grabowskamoroz.bsky.social
@tjmcintyre.com

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Reposted by Dimitry Kochenov, Steve Peers

Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 3d

Important but arguably flawed ruling with rule of law implications as this is possibly the 1st time a non-EU body manifestly lacking characteristics of a court IMO - US Data Protection Review Court - is nonetheless recognised as a court within meaning of EU law...
www.politico.com/news/2024/01...

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Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 3d

Any other outcome would have made a mockery of the European Parliament’s own finding that Orban’s Hungary is no longer a democracy but an electoral autocracy aka a situation where Orban can influence and interfere with judicial proceedings at will

www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...

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Reposted by Joanna Bryson, Anna O. Law, Norbert Schwarz , and 10 more Joanna Bryson, Anna O. Law, Norbert Schwarz, Stephan Lewandowsky, Patrick Dunleavy, Rosemary A. Joyce, Laurent Pech, Robert C. Richards, David R. Miller, Dean Eckles, Judith Beyer, Nathan P. Kalmoe, David Darmofal

Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 3d

Monstrous.

"federal agents detained nearly every resident of the 130-unit building—including children and babies—placing them in zip ties and separating them by race into vans for more than two hours early Tuesday morning."

Daniel Knowles @dlknowles.bsky.social · 3d

Good reporting on the South Shore raid from South Side weekly here.

Confirms one thing I was told but didn't put in my own piece because I didn't have a second source and it seemed too insane: border agents segregated arrested residents by race

southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...

Federal Agents Storm South Shore Building, Detaining Families and Children

Families were woken by flashbangs and helicopters as hundreds of federal agents raided their homes. Days later, neighbors are still searching for the missing.

southsideweekly.com

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Reposted by Anna O. Law, Brendan Nyhan, Laurent Pech , and 1 more Anna O. Law, Brendan Nyhan, Laurent Pech, Nathan P. Kalmoe

John Pfaff @johnpfaff.bsky.social · 3d

They said on-line isn’t real life, and Bluesky is a niche social media site.

But here is @akalhan.bsky.social getting “Kavanaugh Stops” into the Boston Globe!

With a pic of Kav looking a little petulant too (but then when doesn’t he?).

Glad to see this is sticking to him.

Critics of Trump’s immigration crackdown are using the term ‘Kavanaugh stop.’ Here’s what it means. - The Boston Globe

The phrase, is "a window into where [the administration] can go next," some advocates say.

www.bostonglobe.com

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Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 3d

"For the administration to attempt to use federal funds to force colleges and universities to toe a conservative line is to create what our constitutional law calls unconstitutional conditions"

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Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 3d

"It would require American colleges and universities to become instruments of official thought control. This is what happened in the United States during World War I ... We have spent a century repenting those mistakes, and now the Trump administration demands that we repeat them."

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Reposted by Jan W. Mueller

Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 3d

Exactly right. See also by Professors Robert Post and Tom Ginsburg: "Holding hostage federal loans and grants, the “compact” is essentially a unilateral executive decree that cannot be refused"

www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...

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