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Barb McQuade

@barbmcquade.bsky.social
355K followers 783 following 2.6K posts

Wife, Mom, UMich Law School Professor from Practice, MSNOW legal analyst, The Contrarian contributor, former U.S. Attorney, EDMI

PostsRepliesMedia
Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 2h
Executing Hassan makes him a martyr. Livestreaming his death dehumanizes us all. 
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 3h
Caught red-handed with sensitive national defense documents he was not legally entitled to possess, Trump obstructed justice by moving them around to evade detection. Now, he has the audacity to blame the investigators. His mentor, Roy Cohn, would be proud. Gift link www.nytimes.com/2026/10/11/u...
nytimes.com
How the White House Manufactured a Narrative About a Trump Aide’s Call Logs (Gift Article)
A release of selected records from the classified documents inquiry is a case study in how omitting context can create political ammunition.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 3h
This Supreme Court would likely find it a violation of the first amendment. They think money is speech, as only a rich person would. 
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 3h
Death threats should not be part of public service. It’s no coincidence that this climate of fear coincides with Trump‘s rhetoric. I’m grateful for the public servants who serve anyway, but there are also good people unwilling to risk the safety of their families.  www.nytimes.com/2026/10/11/u...
nytimes.com
Threats of Political Violence Have America’s Elected Officials Living in Fear (Gift Article)
A Times investigation has found that violent threats have become a new normal among public officials, reshaped private lives, cost millions in security and pushed people out of office.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 4h
Citizens United could be overturned on the basis of a new understanding of the facts. Limits on expenditures that are narrowly tailored to achieve the compelling objective of fair elections could pass First Amendment scrutiny. But I don’t see this Court doing so, so we must amend the Constitution.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
In new episode of #SistersInLaw, we discuss the ongoing impact of the Dobbs decision on abortion laws, apparent violations of the Posse Comitatus Act, and reported criminal investigation of Cassidy Hutchinson, just in time for the midterms. You can listen here 👇 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Donald Trump’s demolition of the rule of law makes a mockery of our Constitution and endangers our country. My thoughts in the Philadelphia @Inquirer.com. www.inquirer.com/opinion/edit...
inquirer.com
The Case for Impeachment: Trump’s contempt for the rule of law subverts democracy | Opinion
A breathtaking disregard for the principles and institutions that have underpinned the foundations of our free society for 250 years.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
We can debate the death penalty, but live-streaming an execution demeans human dignity, Hasan’s and ours. www.detroitnews.com/story/opinio...
detroitnews.com
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Even Trump’s henchmen at DOJ are learning that you can’t indict a “grand conspiracy” without evidence. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/09/u...
nytimes.com
How Trump’s Revenge Campaign Descended Into Turmoil (Gift Article)
The president’s allies have sought to prove a “grand conspiracy” through a sprawling Justice Department inquiry. It has buckled under staffing shake-ups, internal disputes and trouble finding evidence...
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Reports say DOJ is conducting grand jury investigation of former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson. I’ll discuss either @jonathancapehart.bsky.social at 10:20 pm ET on @msnownews.bsky.social
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Quotas all but ensure that ICE will skip the investigative work it takes to identify the undocumented immigrants who are genuine risks to public safety in favor of quick-hit arrests. www.cnn.com/2026/10/08/p...
cnn.com
Exclusive: ICE agents told to ramp up daily immigration arrests despite GOP unease as midterms near | CNN Politics
Immigration and Customs Enforcement leadership told agents nationwide on Tuesday to increase immigration arrests by 1,000 more people daily, returning to a previous goal of 3,000 daily arrests, accord...
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I spoke to Paul Lisnek about my new book, The Fix. Collective action is the key to overcoming a mob-style government. You can listen to our conversation here. youtu.be/Ou3OtfcZIUE
youtu.be
McQuade’s New Book: “The Fix: Saving America form the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government”
YouTube video by Paul on Politics
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Next he’ll be agreeing to call it “Trump Intelligence.” The new robber barons know what they need to say to appease their master and keep the money flowing.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The #Sisters take your questions on the 8th Amendment, elevating a new Chief Justice, and election interference by foreign actors. If you have a question for us, send to sistersinlaw@politicon.com Listen to the latest episode here 👇 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
With elections ahead, what legal challenges can we expect at the Supreme Court? I talked with Julie Mason today on POTUS Channel on Sirius XM. You can listen here sxm-publish-clips.content-ingest.siriusxm.com/clip/ad4dc8d...
sxm-publish-clips.content-ingest.siriusxm.com
Barbara McQuade on Supreme Court Machinations and Midterms
Barbara McQuade on Supreme Court Machinations and Midterms
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Another court has rejected Trump’s efforts to evade Senate confirmation and override court appointments of US Attorneys. My thoughts in @opinion.bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
bloomberg.com
Trump’s Firing of US Attorneys Is Another Power Grab
The Trump administration’s latest effort to evade the Senate confirmation process and upset the constitutional balance of power is focused on the fifth floor of a federal office building in downtown S...
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
It’s October and the neighbors are back with #SkeletonCrew. Strong start!
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Former DOJ official Bruce Swartz explains why Trump’s $5000 “dividend” is illegal and is not covered by immunity from prosecution.  www.justsecurity.org/159770/aucti...
justsecurity.org
Auctioning Democracy: Trump’s Promise of a $5,000 “Dividend”
Trump's pledge to pay $5,000 to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of Congress could violate federal criminal law.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Journalism and protest work — Trump says he will now use PAC funds instead of diverting our tax dollars to pay for $20 million ad campaign amid public outrage. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/05/u...
nytimes.com
Facing Backlash, Trump Says His Super PAC Will Pay for Taxpayer-Funded Ads (Gift Article)
The president said that his PAC, MAGA, Inc., would pay for TV ads promoting him that had been paid for with taxpayer money.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Illegal. Don’t waste your vote on Trump’s false promise to buy it.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Glad to see Dems on Fox News reaching out to conservative voters.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
And with a five-year statute of limitations, those who are buying subscriptions risk potential criminal prosecution for insider trading in the next administration.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Congrats to the Gophers, but Michigan made too many mistakes.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
No. Just to understand the pettiness and distorted priorities of Trump.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Trump doxes GOP Sen Tom Cotton by sharing his cell phone number online over … Daylight Savings Time. Trump says golfers want more daylight for later tee times. This is the leader of the free world, ladies and gentlemen. apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com
Trump posts cell phone number of Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton in fight over daylight saving time
President Donald Trump is urging people to call the personal cellphone number of Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas after posting the number online.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Still processing that @UMichfootball loss. The only word I can think of is “dysfunctional.”
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
This week, #SistersInLaw discuss government-funded political ads, third-country removal of immigrants, and the upcoming SCOTUS term. And as always we answer your questions. Email us at sistersinlaw@politicon.com You can listen here👇 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Trump is corruptly misappropriating taxpayer funds to pay for political ads. And rather than object, his GOP allies in Congress shrink in fear. Gift link: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
washingtonpost.com
Campaign-style Trump ads use money meant for border security, memorials
The White House Office of Management and Budget added $20 million to the pot for commemorative events a day before DHS awarded an advertising contract of the same amount.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
And at the turn of the 20th Century, the American people saw the wisdom of antitrust, food and drug regulation, child labor laws, and national park preservation. Let’s go!
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
We should consider IGs investigators pursuant to Congress’s impeachment power.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Part of the post-Trump repairs to democracy must be inspectors general. What if we house them in the legislative branch, where a president cannot fire them? Courts could serve as a check.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
In important decision for separation of powers, court rules Trump cannot fire court-appointed US Attorney, which would circumvent Senate’s role of advice and consent. If Trump wants to replace him, Trump must nominate a confirmable candidate. www.politico.com/news/2026/10...
politico.com
Judge rules Trump can’t fire court-appointed prosecutors
The ruling is a major loss for Trump’s effort to install loyalists in key positions.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Gift link. Rewriting Nixon’s Watergate story allows DOJ to reject the ethical reforms that followed. www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
wsj.com
Exclusive | Decades After Watergate, Justice Department Reviews Whether Nixon Got a Raw Deal
A revisionist historian went to the DOJ headquarters to present his case that the former president and his associates weren’t treated fairly.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Denying that affordability is an issue is worse than blaming Joe Biden for the economy.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Trump preys on the public’s willingness to believe a good conspiracy theory. At what point do people see through the act? In the meantime, he is destroying our democracy.  www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
‘Page one of repressive playbook’: critics warn of Trump’s conspiratorial attacks
President’s outlandish and extensive conspiracy theories endanger US freedoms, health and science, experts say
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Gift link to Lina Khan’s op ed on regulating AI. While existing law can provide some accountability, it is absurd to think private companies can police themselves. Give Congress funds to hire real experts and legislate, just as we do with other dangerous products. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump Wants A.I. Companies to Police Themselves. What Can Go Wrong? (Gift Article)
Government enforcers have the laws and the experience to control A.I.
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Reposted by Barb McQuade
Bobbi @bobbifl.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
My take away: trump engaged in serious crimes against the nation.
Photo of Jack Smith at Senate hearing
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Political pandering to the religious right, just in time for the midterms.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The renewed political smear campaign against Jack Smith comes as GOP faces massive losses in midterms. It is a distraction and a lie. Smith did his job as a prosecutor — investigated the facts, found evidence of crimes that could be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, and filed charges.
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Reposted by Barb McQuade
MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 30/09/2026
Here's footage of Jack Smith at the Iowa vs. Maryland game on February 3rd, 2024 btw
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If you want to see a witch hunt, watch Sen. Erik Schmitt attack Jack Smith. Schmitt makes false accusations, suggests being in Atlanta proves conspiracy, and when it becomes clear Smith was not in Atlanta at all, persists in name-calling. And no, he has no shame. www.nbcnews.com/video/republ...
nbcnews.com
‘A total dirtbag’: GOP senator mistakenly accuses Smith of perjury over NBA game
Former special counsel Jack Smith’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing became tense after Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., presented a text message to Smith that he suggested showed he was in Atlanta for a b...
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
It’s Wednesday, so #SistersInLaw SideBar is here to answer your questions. We address Mike Johnson’s power to seat members of Congress, gift taxes, contacting our representatives, and that time Jill Fought The Law & the Law Won LISTEN HERE ⬇️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Trump defenders in the Senate are a disgrace. They can’t event set a perjury trap without ensnaring themselves. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/u...
nytimes.com
Jack Smith Defends Trump Charges as Senator’s Perjury Claim Falls Apart (Gift Article)
A Republican eager to prove the former special counsel was dishonest appeared to instead demonstrate his own confusion over basic facts.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Looking forward to delivering today’s 9th annual Paul A. Rosen Lecture at Wayne State Law School Details here. events.wayne.edu/2026/09/28/t...
events.wayne.edu
The 9th Annual Paul A. Rosen Constitutional Law Speaker Series
Join us for the 9th Annual Paul A. Rosen Constitutional Law Speaker Series.  The Rosen Endowed Lecture was established in honor of Paul A. Rosen, a civil rights attorney who graduated from Wayne ...
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
In new episode of #SistersInLaw, we discuss Trump's war on the press, third-country deportations, and the corruption o Trump API. And as always, we answer your questions. Please send us your questions to sistersinlaw@politicon.com You can listen here. ⬇️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Supreme Court rules states may use DHS database to verify voter eligibility. I’ll discuss at 10 PM on at MSNOW
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Access restored! The rule of law prevails! U-S-A! 🥳 www.ms.now/news/ms-now-...
ms.now
MS NOW, CNN, Politico seek emergency hearing after White House denies access despite court order
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly had ordered the Trump administration to temporarily restore press passes to journalists from the outlets.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
If you are a lawyer, and want to help defend our democracy, your way for you to get involved. 
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
White House is violating court’s order with impunity, and CNN, MSNOW, and Politico are heading back to court. DOJ’s options are to admit incompetence or confess contempt of a court order and the rule of law.
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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Court rules White House must restore access to media outlets, and Secret Service bars them anyway. I’ll discuss the legal implications on @msnownews.bsky.social at 9 am ET.
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