mecpitt.bsky.social
@mecpitt.bsky.social
Reposted
309-14 against.

That's the scorecard of federal judges ruling on the Trump administration's attempt to treat *any* non-citizen who was never lawfully admitted as having been stopped at the border for purposes of detention w/o bail.

Here's my earlier explainer:

www.stevevladeck.com/p/195-the-im...
January 5, 2026 at 2:53 PM
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"If we hadn’t already, we’ve unquestionably joined the league of ordinary nations—a league in which we’re acting as little more than a bully, and in circumstances in which no obvious principle of self-defense, human rights, or even humantarianism writ large justifies our bellicosity."

Me on Maduro:
200. Five Questions About the Maduro Arrest Operation
Friday night's U.S. military operation in Venezuela was a textbook violation of international law. It's also entirely unauthorized by U.S. law, which ought to (but probably won't) matter.
www.stevevladeck.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:32 PM
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My quick take on the legality of the Venezuela invasion.

open.substack.com/pub/executiv...
On the Legality of the Venezuela Invasion
Executive branch precedents can be garnered to support the action—which does not, of course, mean that it is lawful.
open.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:57 PM
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Russia and China already know that the president of the United States is helping to clear the way for their adventures—and they should keep their faux-outrage to themselves.

www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Maybe Russia and China Should Sit This One Out
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are just shocked—shocked!—by the American attack on Venezuela.
www.theatlantic.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:41 PM
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I’ve argued since August we need a serious conversation about Trump’s health. One thing lacking so far: The excuse to turn this “news story” into a “news event.” This WSJ story — and Trump’s opening — should be the chance to do just that.

www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/it-s-time-...
January 1, 2026 at 3:18 PM
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“I can’t recall any other example of a federal policy that provoked quite so much litigation in such a short period of time—or in which so many judges from across the geographical and ideological spectrum so overwhelmingly rejected the executive branch’s new interpretation of the relevant statutes.”
195. The Immigration Detention Flood
The Trump administration's attempt to quietly—but massively—expand who can be detained pending their removal has been met with overwhelming pushback from a remarkably large number of district courts.
www.stevevladeck.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:35 PM
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A Dishonorable Strike
Indulging all assumptions in favor of the administration’s boat strikes, killing helpless men is murder

www.execfunctions.org/p/a-dishonor...
A Dishonorable Strike
Indulging all assumptions in favor of the administration’s boat strikes, killing helpless men is murder
www.execfunctions.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:26 AM
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The military has released 21 video clips of U.S. attacks on vessels it says are trafficking drugs. But they tell only part of the story.
What the Pentagon’s Attack Videos Reveal About the Boat Strikes at Sea
The military has released 21 video clips of U.S. attacks on vessels it says are trafficking drugs. But they tell only part of the story.
nyti.ms
November 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM
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After years of delays, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art announced its 2026 opening date. Take a first look inside the $1 billion, 300,000-square-foot museum.
Lucas Museum sets opening date: Take an exclusive first look inside
After nearly four years of delays, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has announced its opening date.
www.latimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:56 PM
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If you’re trying to catch up on what went down with #SNAP late last night at #SCOTUS, here’s my attempt to read the breadcrumbs on the “administrative stay” issued by Justice Jackson—and why a justice so critical of the Court’s grants of emergency relief to Trump still granted temporary relief here:
190. SNAP WTF?
A very quick explainer on why Justice Jackson issued an "administrative stay" in the SNAP case late on Friday night, and on what's likely to happen next
www.stevevladeck.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:18 PM
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photos of Trump sleeping through yesterday's Oval Office event via Andrew Harnik of Getty
November 7, 2025 at 4:38 PM
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I just want to remind everyone that this is a statewide mandate, unencumbered by maps.
November 5, 2025 at 5:05 AM
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2,500 pantries supported across the state
$80M in state funds fast-tracked for distribution
390 @calvolunteers.bsky.social — with hundreds more waiting in the wings
And National Guard men and women deployed, proud to be the good guys

We will not just let Californians in need go hungry.
October 28, 2025 at 10:24 PM
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a live look this morning at the demolished East Wing of the White House
October 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
No Kings Larchmont, Los Angeles! So many drivers honking! #turnrevolutionintolove @gtconway.bsky.social

www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/rE...
October 18, 2025 at 11:09 PM
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#SCOTUS all-but overruled a unanimous, 90-year-old precedent through an unexplained "administrative" stay this morning, and that's only the second-most-problematic thing it did before lunchtime.
September 8, 2025 at 4:17 PM
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There is, as of right now, no coverage of this protest on the WaPo website or in their @washingtonpost.com feed.

So, if you (you reading this) want people to SEE this protest, you must share it.
People from all over are showing up for DC. This is not a moment. It’s a movement. We are united in our demands. We are all DC! #FreeDC
September 6, 2025 at 6:14 PM
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This is what democracy looks like! A people united will never be defeated. We want federal forces out of DC NOW! #WeAreAllDC #FreeDC
September 6, 2025 at 5:16 PM
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1/ I worked at DoD. I literally cannot imagine lawyers coming up with a legal basis for lethal strike of suspected Venezuelan drug boat.

Hard to see how this would not be "murder" or war crime under international law that DoD considers applicable.

Read expert analysis by @bcfinucane.bsky.social⤵️
Legal Issues Raised by a Lethal U.S. Military Attack in the Caribbean
The Trump administration’s extraordinary lethal attack on this purported smuggling vessel raises significant potential legal issues.
www.justsecurity.org
September 3, 2025 at 9:41 PM
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Via "One First," my quick stab at the legal authority President Trump will likely claim allows him to deploy un-federalized Texas National Guard troops to Illinois; why such a deployment without Illinois's consent *ought* to be unlawful; and the options Illinois will have for litigating that issue:
176. Illinois v. Texas
A quick look at President Trump's (apparent) plan to send uninvited and un-federalized Texas National Guard troops into Illinois—and how it could (and maybe should) quickly end up in the Supreme Court
www.stevevladeck.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:02 AM
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Activists, Democratic leaders and voters gathered in crowds large and small around the U.S. on Monday to protest the Trump administration and voice support for workers on the Labor Day holiday.
Labor Day Protests Denounce Trump While Supporting Workers
The demonstrations were part of the continuing effort by Trump opponents to try to pressure his administration, even if many events were modest in size.
nyti.ms
September 1, 2025 at 11:05 PM
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It's crazy that we've spent more time this year talking about the *former* president's health than the current one's, given the numerous warning signs and unanswered questions that are accumulating.
Washington's speculation about Trump's health is at a fever pitch. We've seen multiple reasons this summer to ask questions — and the media doesn't seem to care. What's really going on? www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/it-s-time-...
It’s time to have a serious conversation about Trump’s health
Six questions worth digging into more.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
September 1, 2025 at 4:57 PM
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D.C. TODAY…
August 16, 2025 at 9:31 PM
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If you look a bit down the road, everything about this article is a giant flashing red five-alarm emergency for America. This, in quiet ways, is how the American dream dies. Addressing this should be the only topic of conversation for any serious politician. (Gift Link) www.wsj.com/economy/amer...
Nobody’s Buying Homes, Nobody’s Switching Jobs—and America’s Mobility Is Stalling
America’s mobility is stalling, and it has economic consequences for everyone. Growing families can’t upgrade, empty-nesters can’t downsize, and when people can’t move for a job offer, they often earn...
www.wsj.com
August 15, 2025 at 1:21 PM