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James Sample

@jamessample.bsky.social
942 followers 544 following 61 posts

Law professor. Montanan in NYC. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAu…

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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"Security is a broad, vague generality, and a word that can mean anything can be made to justify anything." On the press ban, the security rationale "showed up three days later, on the morning the lawyers got involved." jamessample.substack.com/p/the-parch...
jamessample.substack.com
The Parchment vs. The Promises
The parchment is intact. It was never meant to be merely an exhibit.
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
""The parchment is intact. It was never meant to be merely an exhibit." New at Who Decides Who Decides?: The Parchment vs. The Promises www.google.com/url?q=https...
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CtObserve @ctobserve.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
@jamessample.bsky.social ⚖️with @ahylton26.bsky.social 'drops' one on Trump and his 'mob attorneys.'
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CtObserve @ctobserve.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
@jamessample.bsky.social ⚖️with @ahylton26.bsky.social 💥breaks down the First Amendment as Trump attempts to drive the latest 5 minute news cycle. Sample goes 'in' on the classification of 'viewpoint discrimination'[opinion/perspective]. It's like Sample said, you don't need law school for this.
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
A quick written explainer along with my comments on MS Now more or less as the story was breaking. jamessample.substack.com/p/banned-for...
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Justice Alito’s mail-in-ballots dissent vs. Justice Alito’s [purported] judicial philosophies.
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
jamessample.substack.com/p/a-win-for-...
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The Missouri mess; a Virginia analogy; the unconstitutional, impracticable USPS ballot scheme; plus SCOTUS as Supreme enabler … all in [a very sped up] 1:24
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
$10 million of Medicaid settlement funds from a pharmaceutical services company was supposed to go to Floridians… alas.
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pissed-off-g.bsky.social @pissed-off-g.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
President Trump and his allies continue their retribution campaign, now with new reporting that prosecutors examined a firm that had ties to the judge in Trump’s hush-money case. George Conway, co-Founder of the Lincoln Project and James Sample, Professor at Hofstra... youtu.be/KiR1HZ4B_D8?...
youtu.be
‘Pure gaslighting’: George Conway blasts Todd Blanche’s speech on anti-weaponization fund
YouTube video by MS NOW
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Michael Buie @michaelbuiefilms.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
James Sample said that he liked the way @ahylton26.bsky.social framed the current situation of the Trump Administration’s deportations to 3rd World countries, where they are often imprisoned: as a "matter of human rights. " She has an insightful grasp of the issues, no doubt. 🙏
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CtObserve @ctobserve.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
@jamessample.bsky.social Hofstra Law professor⚖️ with @ms.now anchor @ahylton26.bsky.social explained how Trump is pushing his and Miller's desire to end birthright citizenship with their 2nd executive order. Professor Sample summed it up best, "the cruelty is the point."
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Eric Segall @espinsegall.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Justice Alito’s “practical originalism” confirms what I’ve expressed in books, articles, and blog posts for decades: originalism is a political label not a serious theory of constitutional interpretation. Sadly, in our culture, labels have immense political power: www.wsj.com/opinion/just...
wsj.com
Opinion | Justice Samuel Alito: ‘Practical Originalism’ and Its Facile Critics
He explains his interpretive method and defends it against a hostile biographer—and his high-school English teacher.
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barlofa25.bsky.social @barlofa25.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
MS NOW Senior National Security Reporter David Rohde, Iraq War Veteran and Host of the "Independent Americans" podcast Paul Rieckhoff and Hofstra University Law Professor James Sample join Erielle Reshef to discuss. youtube.com/watch?v=4w-w...
youtube.com
'Wrong, un-American, offensive': Veteran slams Trump family profiting off of DoD amid Iran war
YouTube video by MS NOW
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
open.substack.com
Explainer Series: Is Priority Access His to Sell?
The President's posts move markets. His company is now charging trading firms for millisecond priority on them.
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SiriusXM Progress @siriusxmprog.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
ICYMI: @jamessample.bsky.social told @deanobeidallah.bsky.social that just because Todd Blanche is saying the slush fund is dead, it's unenforceable
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SafeWaterCleanAir 💦☮️🌏🌍🌎 @thisisme7.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
I’m afraid the far right on the SCOTUS have overthrown our constitution. They turned donations into money laundering for the rich and powerful, as explained by James Sample, law professor at Hofstra University on Connect this morning with Jacob Soboroff.
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Connect with Jacob Soboroff @connectwithjacob.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Democrats may have public opinion on their side, according to recent polls. But @jamessample.bsky.social warns Republicans have reshaped the playing field via money, maps, and voting rules. The question now: Is broad public support enough to overcome those structural advantages? #connectwithjacob
msnbc.com
Money & Maps: How GOP structural barriers are choking our democracy
The Supreme Court recently struck down limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates, marking the biggest shift in campaign finance since Citizens United. It lands as ...
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SiriusXM Progress @siriusxmprog.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Coming up on the @deanobeidallah.bsky.social show: @jamessample.bsky.social @amandamarcotte.bsky.social from @salon.com "What Just Happened?!" with @leighannlord.bsky.social, @scottyb5.bsky.social, and @taradublinrocks.com! Plus your 2 Minutes of Fame! ☎️: 866-997-4748 🔊: siriusxm.us/Dean
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
My take on a fascinating Eighth Amendment case. (Subscribing to my substack is 100% free at jamessample.substack.com ). An Alaskan Pilot. A Six-Pack of Beer. An Important Supreme Court Precedent. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | An Alaskan Pilot. A Six-Pack of Beer. An Important Supreme Court Precedent. (Gift Article)
An upcoming case will determine whether the Supreme Court treats an ordinary person with the same care it has long shown corporations.
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
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Connect with Jacob Soboroff @connectwithjacob.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Too "complicated"? Apparently, SCOTUS can't seem to figure out a basic ethics code… Or doesn’t want to. Justices have turned the question of who would enforce a code into a “reason not to create one,” says @chrisgeidner.bsky.social. #ConnectwithJacob
msnbc.com
Above the LAW? SCOTUS can't seem to figure out a basic ethics code
Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified before Congress, fielding questions about the Court's ethics code. Their testimony comes as a majority of Americans now support refor...
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Connect with Jacob Soboroff @connectwithjacob.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Please join me on MS NOW 10a-1p w/ @morelle.house.gov @rickhasen.bsky.social @paoramos.bsky.social @jonathanblitzer.bsky.social @profmmurray.bsky.social @chrisgeidner.bsky.social @jamessample.bsky.social @pingree.house.gov #Connect 1/2
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Ahead of tonight’s Presidential address, I explain the clear precedent establishing the White House’s inability to exercise authority over elections. TLDR: repeatedly saying the word “emergency” doesn’t change anything.
open.substack.com
Truman on Trump's [lack of] Emergency Election Powers
The recurring proposal to declare a national emergency over the midterms raises a settled question of constitutional structure, one the law has answered the same way since 1952.
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
open.substack.com
Press Freedom Is Security
A gifted plane, federal agents on reporters' doorsteps, and the vague little word that has quietly become the government's master key.
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Lee West @whodat35.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The Supreme Court wrapped up one of its most consequential terms Tuesday with rulings that give President Trump more power. Hofstra University Law Professor James Sample, MS NOW Political Analyst Molly Jong-Fast and former Congressman Max Rose (D-NY) join Stephanie Ruhle: youtu.be/w8WV7MhOQfI?...
youtu.be
'The presidency has a lot more POWER and a lot fewer checks': Panel on the Supreme Court under Trump
YouTube video by MS NOW
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
With the incomparable Erwin Chemerinsky: “One of the most important lessons from the just completed Supreme Court term is just how far the most conservative justices are willing to go in … allowing unchecked executive power.” Please share! tinyurl.com/y8wyujfk
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
open.substack.com
See No Evil
The Court's majority would not see the racism, would not hear it, and would not print it.
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Previewing a blockbuster week at SCOTUS open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
open.substack.com
Decision Days
The Supreme Court has opinion days scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday. A historic term enters its final days, with major decisions still to come.
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MS NOW Reports @msnowreports.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
President Trump is claiming, without any evidence, that Democrats were trying to steal the primaries for California governor and Los Angeles mayor. Former Rep. Max Rose and Hofstra University Law Professor James Sample join Katy Tur to share their reaction. www.ms.now/katy-tur/wat...
ms.now
Trump claims without proof that Dems are 'trying to steal' California elections
President Trump is claiming, without any evidence, that Democrats were trying to steal the primaries for California governor and Los Angeles mayor. Former Rep. Max Rose and Hofstra University Law Prof...
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TovahR 🇺🇦🏳️‍🌈🇨🇦🏳️‍⚧️🇺🇲 @tovahr.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
youtube.com/watch?v=8SF3... A federal judge has just rejected a last minute bid to keep President Donald Trump's name on the Kennedy Center. Hofstra University Law Professor James Sample and Democratic Strategist Basil Smikle join Antonia Hylton with their insight.
youtube.com
BREAKING: Judge rules Trump's name must be removed from the Kennedy Center
YouTube video by MS NOW
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
My take on four cases that will define the Supreme Court Term’s home stretch . . .and our democracy. open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
open.substack.com
June's Grand Slam
Who Decides, Four Times Over. Four cases, one question, and a June that will reshape democracy.
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
substack.com/@jamessample...
substack.com
But What About Obama?
The reply hit my feed within an hour of President Trump settling with himself
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CJ Fogler @cjzero.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
The relevant portion of the Jason Collins discussion
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
The Supreme Court of the U.S. - not the Supreme Court of Virginia - is the reason the state of democracy’s race to the bottom is as dire as it is.
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
My thoughts tonight on Virginia. Inclusive of clips. TLDR: The ruling is state-specific and defensible. The broader assault on representative democracy is not. Please consider sharing and subscribing (100% free always) to “Who Decides Who Decides?” (my substack). open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
open.substack.com
A Defensible Ruling. An Indefensible Landscape.
The questions people are asking about the Virginia ruling. And where the real injustices are (hint: not in Virginia).
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Dean Obeidallah @deanobeidallah.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
It's Dark Money Week on my SiriusXM show as we make the case to get big money out of politics. A great line up of elected officials and experts all week on ways we can save our democracy from the oligarchs!
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The Editorial Board @editorialboard.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
19. The ruling, according to Hofstra Law Professor James Sample, "is a diametrical shift in voting rights practices, a diametrical shift in the areas of race and racial discrimination and the remedies for racial discrimination."
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The Assignment with Antonia Hylton @theassignmentmsnow.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
JOINING US - @maxrose.bsky.social , @jamessample.bsky.social , Brian Schwartz, @nikkimcr.bsky.social, Paul Butler, @goangelo.bsky.social , @justinwolfers.bsky.social , @anthonycoley.bsky.social, @jconley.bsky.social , @repwesleybellmo.bsky.social, @alexismjpp.bsky.social, @tomsteyerhq.bsky.social
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
4 days. 3 branches. 1 brutal week for democracy. jamessample.substack.com/p/four-days-...
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Melanie Schmitz @melslien.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
"...The Court effectively constitutionalized a 'colorblindness' principle that forbids race-conscious solutions--even when addressing proven racial discrimination in voting." abcnews.com/Politics/5-t... via @jamessample.bsky.social
abcnews.com
5 things to know about the Supreme Court's landmark decision on the Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court, in Louisiana v. Callais, struck down Louisiana's second majority-Black congressional district.
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Millie Cassese ⚖️ @millienyc.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
"The message here is that Todd Blanche has an audience of one." - James Sample Hofstra law professor
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Discussing the themes in this piece today with Katy Tur on @MSNOW_Reports at 3:40pm ET today. open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
open.substack.com
Gerrymandering: The War Nobody Wins
Not Even When they "Win"
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
The Golden Age of Legal Bribery open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
open.substack.com
The Golden Age of Legal Bribery
Please share with others
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
open.substack.com
A Birthright Citizenship Tale of the Tape
On *Trump v. Barbara* and the Constitution’s settled guarantee
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
open.substack.com
Mail-in Ballots:SCOTUS Choose-Your-Own-Misadventure in Visuals
Summarizing oral argument in a "bonkers" case.
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Eric Segall @espinsegall.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
This case about late mail in ballots should be only about statutory interpretation: did Congress forbid this, yes or no (answer is no) so the MAGA Justices are using it to rewrite election law in their own image. Incredible. All values no law.
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