Professor Lee Kovarsky discusses the concept of patronage pardons, which are used by presidents to reward political supporters and potentially induce misconduct, especially during the Trump administration. He highlights how such pardons serve as signals of loyalty and protection, often promoting criminal behavior among supporters, and notes that this practice has become more overt and transactional under Trump. Kovarsky also addresses legal and institutional challenges to limiting such abuses, including the scope of presidential pardon power and potential state-level prosecutions, emphasizing that these practices threaten constitutional order and accountability.
President Donald Trump suggested Texas Senator Ted Cruz as a potential Supreme Court nominee, praising him as talented but also acknowledging his unpopularity among some voters. While there are no current vacancies, Trump could nominate him if a justice steps down before the end of his term. Cruz, known for his conservative stance and polarizing reputation, has recently been positioning for a 2028 presidential bid, which could lead to conflicts within the Republican Party.
The article criticizes Donald Trump's approach to war, suggesting it prioritizes displays of strength and nihilism rather than strategic victory, with ongoing conflicts serving as tools for intimidation and division. It argues that the Trump administration's foreign and domestic policies are motivated by self-interest, chaos, and spectacle, rather than coherent objectives, leading to futile and destructive efforts. The piece also condemns the use of policies like the war on transgender Americans as cynical tactics that generate superficial victories without real resolution, ultimately risking the self-destruction of the nation.
The Trump administration ordered U.S. agencies to cease using Anthropic's AI technology, citing security concerns and designating the company as a supply chain risk, which could hinder military partnerships. President Trump criticized Anthropic's stance on AI safeguards and granted a six-month phase-out period for military use. The dispute centers on Anthropic's reluctance to allow unrestricted military applications of its AI, leading to broader tensions within the AI industry and concerns about national security and AI safety standards.
The Pentagon announced it will prohibit military personnel from attending Columbia, Yale, Brown, MIT, and other universities starting next academic year, citing concerns over "wokeness" and "anti-American resentment" as reasons for the break in ties. This follow similar actions against Harvard and are part of a broader campaign by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to distance the military from institutions he claims undermine military values. The policy's implementation and scope remain unclear, with ongoing questions about its effect on existing military education programs.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced federal charges against 30 individuals involved in a January protest at a Minnesota church where a pastor works for ICE. The protest, which disrupted a service and involved acts of intimidation, led to a total of 39 people facing conspiracy and interference with religious freedom charges, with some already in custody. The incident occurred amid tense immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota, including controversial operations and deadly shootings by federal officers.
Anthropic announced that the Department of War is to designate it a supply chain risk, following negotiations over AI use for mass domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons, which Anthropic opposes. The company states this designation would be unprecedented and legally questionable, and plans to challenge it in court. The designation would not affect commercial customers or non-military use of Anthropic's AI services.
The article criticizes a recent Supreme Court decision regarding tariff powers, arguing that the Court failed to prevent the executive branch from illegally delegating Congress's constitutional authority to impose taxes and regulate commerce. It contends that various statutes cited to justify presidential tariffs are illegal due to unconstitutional delegation of legislative powers, and emphasizes that only Congress has the constitutional authority for law-making in these areas. The author advocates for a return to original constitutional principles, specifically the non-delegation doctrine, to limit executive power and uphold federalism.
A phone call from President Trump to the Emirati leader in November 2022 allegedly triggered a feud between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, two key U.S. allies in the Middle East. The dispute arose after Trump indicated he would impose sanctions on the UAE over its support for rebel groups in Sudan, leading to heightened tensions and a Saudi bombing of Emirati weapons shipments in December. The incident complicates U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region and highlights the ongoing regional disputes despite Trump’s claims of ending conflicts during his presidency.
Many cases against protesters charged during Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago have been dropped or failed to result in convictions, highlighting the challenges and costs of federal prosecutions, including threats of prison and reputational damage. Despite winning cases, defendants like Ray Collins and Jocelyne Robledo experienced lengthy detentions and emotional stress, with charges against nearly half of the 32 known defendants ultimately dismissed. Experts note that these prosecutions have a chilling effect on activism, and the rapid failure of many cases raises concerns about the credibility and priorities of the justice system.
Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read expressed concern after a February 25 call with election officials that included a conspiracy theorist and federal representatives urging states to verify voter lists using the DHS SAVE database, which is primarily intended for immigration and benefits purposes. Read criticized the event for its lack of factual basis and warned against relying on the system for voter list maintenance, citing its history of misidentifying citizens. The call also involved false claims about federal agents at polling stations and raised concerns about election interference.
President Donald Trump ordered all federal agencies to phase out the use of Anthropic's AI technology amid a dispute with the Pentagon over safety and national security concerns. The conflict centers on Anthropic's reluctance to allow unrestricted military use of its chatbot Claude, leading to threats of contract cancellation and classifying the company as a supply chain risk. Despite internal disagreements and industry support for Anthropic's stance on safety safeguards, the Pentagon has pressured the company to accept broader use, with some industry leaders and lawmakers expressing concern over the implications for AI safety and defense policies.
