Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 1d

This is an appointments clause violation easily, no? Like the original formalist wins on separation of powers being ignored again? www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Bessent Picks Social Security Chief Frank Bisignano as IRS CEO

The Social Security head will do double duty at the tax agency while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent retains his formal title as acting IRS commissioner.

www.wsj.com

Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 3d

No one wants or needs Trump to send National Guard here. Kudos at last to the business community for being clear about this and how bad and counterproductive it would be. www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/chi...

Chicago biz groups push back on Trump's National Guard plan

Three high-profile organizations representing Chicago’s business community issued an unusual joint statement over the weekend rapping President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy Illinois National Guard tr...

www.chicagobusiness.com

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 5d

My heart breaks for this self-inflicted loss of vacation--the results of which have kept the *country* up at night (which doesn't get summers off).
www.law.com/nationallawj...

An Unrested Supreme Court Begins Contentious New Term | Law.com

A stream of divisive Trump cases kept the justices busy during the summer recess. On Monday, the court reconvenes for the start of its October 2025 term to tackle fundamental questions about president...

www.law.com

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 6d

The possibility of permission for commercial activity probably isn't broad enough for observation and reporting. But even if it is, it's government licensing the press and frustrating the anonymity protected by the first amendment.

Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 6d

This is an extraordinary attempt to avoid accountability, to hide the random, highly militarized practices we have seen on other video here. Video of government overreach is crucial. www.chicagobusiness.com/airlines-air...

At DHS request, FAA grounds drone flights across Chicago in rare 10-day ban

At the request of DHS, the FAA banned non-commercial drone flights across much of Chicago for 10 days, an unusually broad and long-lasting order.

www.chicagobusiness.com

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 7d

But how do we *know,* without a concurring opinion from Justice Kavanaugh?

George Pearkes @peark.es · 7d

Here's the order, nothing more (i.e. the status quo prevails and she remains on the Board of Governors). The fact they're not letting him remove her in the interim is a huge tell, because in all the other independent agency cases they permitted removal.
www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...

(ORDER LIST: 606 U.S.)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2025
ORDER IN PENDING CASE
25A312 TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF U.S., ET AL. V. COOK, LISA D.
The application for stay presented to The Chief Justice and
by him referred to the Court is deferred pending oral argument in
January 2026. The Clerk is directed to establish a briefing
schedule for amici curiae and any supplemental briefs responding
to amici.

Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 8d

Crowd was on it today!!

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 9d

It will be noted in fn 12 as an important issue raised in the amicus briefs but not strictly before the Court -- and lower courts will get slammed for not treating it as a holding.

Alan Mygatt-Tauber @amtappeals.bsky.social · 9d

So SCOTUS is going to let the President fire members of independent agencies. How long before they rule that requirements that the President appoint bipartisan members violates Article II?

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 14d

Does Matt Damon even know he's in a Stella commercial? (Which I'm sure is the bit, so kudos. And yet?). youtu.be/GAoeGC-eL4I?...

Stella Artois | David & Dave: The Other David

YouTube video by Stella Artois

youtu.be

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 14d

Have you read this article? Read it? I haven't even cited it yet!

leon @leyawn.bsky.social · 15d

CHOTINER: This game you like to play, what's it called?

ME: Slay the Spire.

CHOTINER: And you play it on the computer?

ME: Yeah. Well, I also have it on my phone. I played another 300 hours.

CHOTINER: And these other games in your Steam library. Have you finished them?

ME: Now hold on a second,

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 14d

I alos

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 14d

I also connect this to the administration's effort to remove for-cause removal protections for commissioners at independent agencies, long held constitutional (now likely to be overruled by the Supreme Court; argument in December). Those protections gave the FCC at least some ability to resist. 3/3

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 14d

To be sure, such actions would violate the first amendment, even the lesser version currently granted to broadcasters, but the first issue is FCC statutory authority--even the public doesn't perceive broadcast channels to be different from other video or know there are different regulations. 2/3

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 14d

Because L'affaire Kimmel continues, with new threats against ABC and other actions possible, I've recapped the FCC's Communications Act authority over broadcast licenses--which does not include denials, revocations, or refusal to transfer based on broadcaster viewpoints. 1/3 ssrn.com/abstract=552...

Recapping the FCC's Lack of Authority To Punish Broadcasters for their Viewpoints

Does the federal government have the power to punish broadcasters, by exercising its power over their licenses to use the airwaves, for speech the government do

ssrn.com

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 14d

Amazing. I didn't know that, but unsurprising -- especially given his withering disdain for Websters' Third New International Dictionary in MCI v. ATT. scholar.google.com/scholar_case...

scholar.google.com

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 15d

Perhaps a rereading of Fowler's would be a good escape from these times. Of course, the second edition, not the third or fourth, a matter this piece inexplicably fails to mention. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

The Autocrat of English Usage

Henry W. Fowler believed he knew how sentences should read—and his judgments have shaped The New Yorker’s style for a century.

www.newyorker.com

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 18d

Legalistically, the definition of arbitrary and capricious. Politically and economically bankrupt.

Justin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 18d

Critical part of the President's new $100,000 charge for H1-B visas: The Administration can also offer a $100,000 discount to any person, company, or industry that it wants. Replacing rules with arbitrary discretion.

Want visas? You know who to call and who to flatter.

Reposted by Jim Speta

Federalist Society Pitchbot @fedsocpitchbot.bsky.social · 20d

Late-Night Talk-Show Hosts as "Officers of the United States"

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 21d

The Chair of the Federal *Communications* Commission too. A remarkable level of hypocrisy.

www.wsj.com/opinion/pam-...

Opinion | Pam Bondi Needs a Free Speech Tutorial

The Attorney General seems to think ‘hate speech’ is illegal. Charlie Kirk knew better.

www.wsj.com

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · 23d

A reminder that Congress can and should stand up for Fed independence, even if (and before) the Supreme Court decides presidents can fire governors.
urldefense.com/v3/__https:/...

James B. Speta: What Congress can and should do about the Fed’s independence

Amid Donald Trump’s legal battle over the Fed’s Board of Governors. Congress should immediately act to preserve Fed independence.

urldefense.com

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · Sep 6

As a practical matter, yes, because lawyers are making MQD arguments before (and separate from) their arguments about "best interpretation." Courts do the same. As an analytical matter, that's still to be seen -- depending on what it means.

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · Sep 6

We are there.

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Reposted by Jim Speta

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · Sep 6

The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city.

This is not a joke. This is not normal.

Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.

2.1K 11K 36K

Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · Sep 6

a close up of a man with a beard and a quote about an army bred for a single purpose

ALT: a close up of a man with a beard and a quote about an army bred for a single purpose

media.tenor.com

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Jim Speta @jspeta.bsky.social · Sep 3

Florida: Hold my beer.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission @cpsc.gov · Sep 3

It's Baby Safety Month, but please continue practicing baby safety well into next month and in fact for the rest of your life.