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Balls & Strikes

@ballsandstrikes.org
11K followers 8 following 1.5K posts

A nonprofit media outlet for progressive, bullshit-free commentary about courts, judges, and the legal system they uphold. Run by @jaywillis.net.

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Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 3h
The official position of the Trump White House is that constitutional rights are actually privileges that an elderly racist president gets to dole out
ballsandstrikes.org
The Trump White House Keeps Treating the First Amendment as More of a Suggestion
Where normal people see “rights,” the White House sees privileges that the president may grant or withhold as he sees fit.
094
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 5h
"Equitable powers are supposed to protect people from harm. But the Court is simply unwilling or unable to honestly weigh harms experienced by people who aren’t like them."
ballsandstrikes.org
Ketanji Brown Jackson Is Getting Tired of the Supreme Court’s Shadow Docket Abuses
The conservative supermajority keeps refusing to take the real-world harms of its work seriously.
0196
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 7h
Whenever possible, try to avoid getting your Supreme Court analysis from a Trump DOJ flack who had her friend Brett Kavanaugh officiate her wedding
ballsandstrikes.org
The Conservative Takeover of SCOTUSblog Is Just What the Supreme Court Needed
SCOTUSblog used to cover the Supreme Court. Now, it cheers for it.
0264
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 29/09/2026
When the Supreme Court’s quasi-official news site is run by a high-profile lawyer who is also a high-stakes poker player facing years in federal prison, things can unravel really, really fast
ballsandstrikes.org
The Conservative Takeover of SCOTUSblog Is Just What the Supreme Court Needed
SCOTUSblog used to cover the Supreme Court. Now, it cheers for it.
0125
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 29/09/2026
"The harms of climate change would continue to proliferate. But the legal system would be unwilling or unable to hold anyone responsible."
ballsandstrikes.org
How the Supreme Court Could Slam the Courthouse Door On Climate Accountability
The justices’ decision in Suncor Energy could leave cities and states ravaged by climate change with no meaningful recourse.
144
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 29/09/2026
When a sitting Supreme Court justices is describing something the Court does regularly as "oblivious" and "hollow," it's not a great sign
ballsandstrikes.org
Ketanji Brown Jackson Is Getting Tired of the Supreme Court’s Shadow Docket Abuses
The conservative supermajority keeps refusing to take the real-world harms of its work seriously.
03114
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 28/09/2026
Brett Kavanaugh, the only man in America who is surprised when ICE thugs do not allow wrongfully detained people to "promptly go free"
ballsandstrikes.org
Brett Kavanaugh’s Imaginary Immigration Stops Opinion Gets More Embarrassing Every Day
The fact that ICE officers do not allow wrongfully detained people to “promptly go free” is a surprise to only one man in America.
12512
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 28/09/2026
The justices’ decision in Suncor Energy—the first case the Supreme Court will hear next week—could leave cities and states ravaged by climate change with no meaningful recourse.
ballsandstrikes.org
How the Supreme Court Could Slam the Courthouse Door On Climate Accountability
The justices’ decision in Suncor Energy could leave cities and states ravaged by climate change with no meaningful recourse.
033
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 28/09/2026
Greg Cook is going to have a challenging time persuading senators that he simply calls balls and strikes
ballsandstrikes.substack.com
Trump Nominee: For Ethical Reasons, I Cannot Discuss the Time I Called Biden a “Great National Nightmare”
Lots of judges are Republicans. Not all of them are this loud about it.
082
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 28/09/2026
Ketanji Brown Jackson sounds pretty annoyed by the Supreme Court's shadow docket chicanery
ballsandstrikes.org
Ketanji Brown Jackson Is Getting Tired of the Supreme Court’s Shadow Docket Abuses
The conservative supermajority keeps refusing to take the real-world harms of its work seriously.
0187
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 25/09/2026
Oil companies want the Supreme Court to finish what the Trump administration started
ballsandstrikes.org
How the Supreme Court Could Slam the Courthouse Door On Climate Accountability
The justices’ decision in Suncor Energy could leave cities and states ravaged by climate change with no meaningful recourse.
064
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 24/09/2026
Nothing makes a White House official more upset than the possibility that law students might learn that racism exists
ballsandstrikes.org
How the Trump White House Is Trying to Bring the Legal Profession to Heel
The administration's attacks on the American Bar Association's accreditation powers are part of a broader ideological project.
03513
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 24/09/2026
First up on the Supreme Court's docket: a case that oil companies hope makes it functionally impossible to hold them accountable for climate change
ballsandstrikes.org
How the Supreme Court Could Slam the Courthouse Door On Climate Accountability
The justices’ decision in Suncor Energy could leave cities and states ravaged by climate change with no meaningful recourse.
083
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 24/09/2026
Not every federal judge is as willing to let Trump do whatever he wants in the name of "national security" as John Roberts is
ballsandstrikes.org
Federal Judge Baffled, Annoyed By Trump’s Lazy Crackdown On International Students
When a judge is describing your legal argument as “exceptionally weak” and “largely disconnected from academic or practical realities,” things are not going as you’d hoped.
0196
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 24/09/2026
Normal people feel very differently about corporate power than conservative Supreme Court justices
ballsandstrikes.org
How States Are Pushing Back Against the Supreme Court’s Citizens United Decision
As it turns out, normal people do not like political corruption as much as the conservative legal movement does.
0146
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 24/09/2026
May Brett Kavanaugh's legacy be "I like beer" and his description of immigration stops that feature armed ICE goons beating the hell out of people as "typically brief"
ballsandstrikes.org
Brett Kavanaugh’s Racial Profiling Apologia Is Bad and Embarrassing
One possible reason the conservative justices usually don’t explain their pro-Trump shadow docket opinions: Their pro-Trump shadow docket opinions might read like this.
0176
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 24/09/2026
The most credulous dope the Federalisty Society machine ever produced
ballsandstrikes.org
Brett Kavanaugh’s Imaginary Immigration Stops Opinion Gets More Embarrassing Every Day
The fact that ICE officers do not allow wrongfully detained people to “promptly go free” is a surprise to only one man in America.
0289
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 23/09/2026
The fact that ICE officers do not allow wrongfully detained people to “promptly go free” is a surprise to only one man in America
ballsandstrikes.org
Brett Kavanaugh’s Imaginary Immigration Stops Opinion Gets More Embarrassing Every Day
The fact that ICE officers do not allow wrongfully detained people to “promptly go free” is a surprise to only one man in America.
03013
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 23/09/2026
An immigration lawyer explains how just how brutal and dystopian immigration courts really are for people who don't understand English
ballsandstrikes.org
Interpretation In Immigration Court Is a Cruel Joke
The immigration court system has never treated non-English-speakers fairly. The Trump administration has only made things worse.
0127
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 22/09/2026
You're never going to believe this, but normal people like political corruption way less than Anthony Kennedy
ballsandstrikes.org
How States Are Pushing Back Against the Supreme Court’s Citizens United Decision
As it turns out, normal people do not like political corruption as much as the conservative legal movement does.
02211
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 22/09/2026
The federal immigration court system couldn't deliver on its promise of "fairness" even if Trump administration wanted to
ballsandstrikes.org
Interpretation In Immigration Court Is a Cruel Joke
The immigration court system has never treated non-English-speakers fairly. The Trump administration has only made things worse.
088
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 21/09/2026
His conduct in several recent cases suggests that Alito is deep in the right-wing conspiracy theory weeds
ballsandstrikes.org
A Brief History of Sam Alito’s Delusional Obsession With Voter Fraud
His conduct in several recent cases suggests that Alito is deep in the right-wing conspiracy theory weeds.
1134
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 21/09/2026
When a judge is describing your legal argument as “exceptionally weak” and “largely disconnected from academic or practical realities,” things are not going as you’d hoped.
ballsandstrikes.org
Federal Judge Baffled, Annoyed By Trump’s Lazy Crackdown On International Students
When a judge is describing your legal argument as “exceptionally weak” and “largely disconnected from academic or practical realities,” things are not going as you’d hoped.
0206
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 21/09/2026
Good interpretation is essential in immigration court. Trump's DOJ isn't providing it
ballsandstrikes.org
Interpretation In Immigration Court Is a Cruel Joke
The immigration court system has never treated non-English-speakers fairly. The Trump administration has only made things worse.
053
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 17/09/2026
"Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, an immigration attorney who currently represents Abrego Garcia, told Politico on Monday that he worked on three illegal deportation cases between 2008 and 2025. Now, his firm gets three such cases every month."
ballsandstrikes.org
The Trump Justice Department Is Way Too Comfortable Violating Court Orders
Judges have tools for responding to noncompliance. They just have to use them.
063
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 16/09/2026
The Supreme Court's conservatives like Donald Trump and want to see his ballroom get built
ballsandstrikes.org
The Supreme Court’s Ballroom Decision Gave Trump the Only Thing He Cared About
The justices in the majority say they aren’t deciding on the “legality” of Trump’s ballroom. They also can’t wait to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
094
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 16/09/2026
The conservative legal movement is looking for its next big culture war
ballsandstrikes.org
How Anti-Abortion Activists Are Using a Child Custody Case to Attack Surrogacy
The Alliance Defending Freedom has ulterior motives for getting involved in the fight for custody of Rumi Ali Ahmed.
142
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 16/09/2026
Imagine if there were meaningful consequences for a White House that thinks court orders are optional
ballsandstrikes.org
The Trump Justice Department Is Way Too Comfortable Violating Court Orders
Judges have tools for responding to noncompliance. They just have to use them.
0205
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 16/09/2026
Guy is more or less a right-wing podcaster in a robe
ballsandstrikes.org
Samuel Alito: Disenfranchising Millions of Voters Is No Big Deal If Mister Trump Wants It
For Alito and Thomas, there is no greater injustice than Donald Trump not getting what he wants, when he wants it.
28619
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 16/09/2026
Gee, wonder where Trump could have gotten the idea that he can weaponize the DOJ to accomplish his political goals
ballsandstrikes.org
Trump Is Doing Exactly What John Roberts Said He Could
The Supreme Court has made clear that presidents can direct DOJ as they see fit. Trump is taking full advantage.
0125
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 15/09/2026
If you are a newspaper columnist it is so important to incorporate information from the last 20 years into your work
ballsandstrikes.substack.com
John Roberts Is Not an “Institutionalist”
Based on recent history, if Roberts is the “only person” who can preserve the Smithsonian’s independence, the Smithsonian’s independence should be dead by the end of June.
1143
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 15/09/2026
"For Thomas and Alito, there is no test to apply in order to determine whether an executive act is legal. There is just a solemn duty to give their favorite president what he wants, when he wants it."
ballsandstrikes.org
Samuel Alito: Disenfranchising Millions of Voters Is No Big Deal If Mister Trump Wants It
For Alito and Thomas, there is no greater injustice than Donald Trump not getting what he wants, when he wants it.
0232
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 15/09/2026
Still trying to find the limit of illegal Trump stunts that Sam Alito and Clarence Thomas wouldn't enthusiastically greenlight ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/supre...
ballsandstrikes.org
Samuel Alito: Disenfranchising Millions of Voters Is No Big Deal If Mister Trump Wants It
For Alito and Thomas, there is no greater injustice than Donald Trump not getting what he wants, when he wants it.
06018
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 15/09/2026
If you are a pundit uncritically characterizing John Roberts as an "institutionalist" in 2026, you should be banned from using a keyboard for a period of 6-8 weeks
ballsandstrikes.substack.com
John Roberts Is Not an “Institutionalist”
Based on recent history, if Roberts is the “only person” who can preserve the Smithsonian’s independence, the Smithsonian’s independence should be dead by the end of June.
1201
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 15/09/2026
Trump's ongoing bid to hijack the 2026 midterms is happening in large part because John Roberts said he can do that
ballsandstrikes.org
Trump Is Doing Exactly What John Roberts Said He Could
The Supreme Court has made clear that presidents can direct DOJ as they see fit. Trump is taking full advantage.
0123
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 15/09/2026
This is your brain on originalism
ballsandstrikes.org
Fifth Circuit: Unfortunately, Originalism Means the Government Is Allowed to Poison Your Drinking Water
By defining constitutional rights as narrowly as possible, conservative judges make it easy to conclude that those rights do not exist.
1153
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 14/09/2026
The Trump administration’s attacks on the American Bar Association are part of a broader push to prevent law schools from teaching things conservatives do not like.
ballsandstrikes.org
How the Trump White House Is Trying to Bring the Legal Profession to Heel
The administration's attacks on the American Bar Association's accreditation powers are part of a broader ideological project.
0104
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 14/09/2026
We are once again pleading with newspapers not to do free PR for John Roberts
ballsandstrikes.substack.com
John Roberts Is Not an “Institutionalist”
Based on recent history, if Roberts is the “only person” who can preserve the Smithsonian’s independence, the Smithsonian’s independence should be dead by the end of June.
0199
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 14/09/2026
Gee, where could Trump have gotten the idea that he can use the Justice Department to seize control of elections?
ballsandstrikes.org
Trump Is Doing Exactly What John Roberts Said He Could
The Supreme Court has made clear that presidents can direct DOJ as they see fit. Trump is taking full advantage.
0132
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 11/09/2026
An easy question for people who can read the Constitution
ballsandstrikes.org
“Is Court Packing Constitutional?” and Other Questions Easily Answered By Reading the Constitution
The Constitution empowers Congress to set the number of justices on the Supreme Court. Only one columnist dares to ask: What if it didn’t?
0122
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 10/09/2026
The Constitution empowers Congress to set the number of justices on the Supreme Court. Only one columnist dares to ask: What if it didn’t?
ballsandstrikes.org
“Is Court Packing Constitutional?” and Other Questions Easily Answered By Reading the Constitution
The Constitution empowers Congress to set the number of justices on the Supreme Court. Only one columnist dares to ask: What if it didn’t?
052
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 10/09/2026
None of Trump's newest judicial nominess can be confirmed before the midterms, which means that if Democrats win the Senate in November, Republicans will have only the lame-duck session—and all the hurdles that come with it—to push them through
ballsandstrikes.org
Here Are the Last Judicial Nominees Trump Wants Confirmed Before the Midterms
A few frantic weeks during the Senate’s lame-duck session could shape voting rights, immigration law, and presidential power for a generation.
0113
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 10/09/2026
Once again we are pleading with Democratic politicians to stop tiptoeing around the idea of reforming an institution that your voters hate
ballsandstrikes.substack.com
Democrats Who Are Still Afraid of Supreme Court Expansion Need to Grow Up
Democrats are finally grasping that their voters do not like the Supreme Court and do not want to be represented by politicians who defend it.
0328
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 09/09/2026
The Trump White House is trying to push through one more slate of judicial nominees before the 2026 midterms
ballsandstrikes.org
Here Are the Last Judicial Nominees Trump Wants Confirmed Before the Midterms
A few frantic weeks during the Senate’s lame-duck session could shape voting rights, immigration law, and presidential power for a generation.
11814
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 09/09/2026
"The Democratic caucus still has a long way to go to get where it needs to be. But the opportunity to expand the Court will be there. It will be on them to take advantage of it."
ballsandstrikes.substack.com
Democrats Who Are Still Afraid of Supreme Court Expansion Need to Grow Up
Democrats are finally grasping that their voters do not like the Supreme Court and do not want to be represented by politicians who defend it.
193
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 09/09/2026
It's the return of Very Reasonable Guy Brett Kavanaugh
ballsandstrikes.org
Brett Kavanaugh’s Reasonable Guy Act Is Not Fooling the Trump Justice Department
Or anyone else, really.
050
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 08/09/2026
Democrats who are still afraid of talking about Supreme Court reform are simply not paying attention to what their voters want
ballsandstrikes.substack.com
Democrats Who Are Still Afraid of Supreme Court Expansion Need to Grow Up
Democrats are finally grasping that their voters do not like the Supreme Court and do not want to be represented by politicians who defend it.
0206
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 08/09/2026
Hard to imagine anything scarier for John Roberts than being held even the tiniest bit accountable for his actions
ballsandstrikes.org
Supreme Court Justices Are Afraid of Accountability Even After Their Deaths
The papers of Supreme Court justices can help the public understand how the Court actually works. For John Roberts, that’s a real problem.
44011
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 08/09/2026
The Trump DOJ is weirdly confident Brett Kavanaugh and company will see things its way
ballsandstrikes.org
Brett Kavanaugh’s Reasonable Guy Act Is Not Fooling the Trump Justice Department
Or anyone else, really.
062
Balls & Strikes @ballsandstrikes.org · 04/09/2026
No one's going to have more fun at the Trump ballroom ribbon-cutting ceremony than Clarence and Ginni Thomas
ballsandstrikes.org
The Supreme Court’s Ballroom Decision Gave Trump the Only Thing He Cared About
The justices in the majority say they aren’t deciding on the “legality” of Trump’s ballroom. They also can’t wait to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
2396