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James Sample

@jamessample.bsky.social
945 followers 545 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
Only if the people, press, and courts don’t stand up to the authoritarianism. It’s up to all of us.
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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 · 19/09/2026
My quick turnaround analysis both on Substack and on MS Now - more or less as the story broke. Grateful if you’d share. 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 · 16/09/2026
Legitimate question. The key here (acknowledging that it’s untested in a post-immunity ruling world) is that stock trading is manifestly private, non-Article II conduct and therefore a post-presidency prosecution *should* be available. Electing Presidents who adhere to norms would be option A.
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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 · 06/08/2026
Thank you! It takes all of us!
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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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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
“a substantial if quieter pressure remains: the Republican Washington where they still intend to make their lives after January—the boards, the lobbying shops, the dinners, the players that you need to keep returning your calls.” So well said, Harry.
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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 · 28/06/2026
Great column, Adam. My meager substack making a similar point (albeit into a comparatively non-existent audience) is here: 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 · 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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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Thank you!
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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 · 02/06/2026
Thank you. It takes all of us. Appreciate you as well.
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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 · 24/05/2026
Yup. All of which are sure to be ignored via selective applications of convenient justiciability doctrines.
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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
Fair enough. If you *read* the piece - much less the Va Constitution and the Va opinion - you’ll see that not only did I want the same outcome as you (based on your posts) but I call the dissent forceful. It’s sad how committed to results-oriented orthodoxy in “analysis” society can be.
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Thank you. Such a difficult question in that there are so many good answers, but in my view - and I’m sure I have blind spots of my own here - “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstsein is astonishingly good. In paperback too.
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James Sample @jamessample.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Jamelle,We’ve met a couple times, and I greatly respect & admire your work — with which, additionally, I almost always agree. On this one, fwiw, I do think your characterizations of the ruling are off. Here’s my take. Happy to engage. open.substack.com/pub/jamessam...
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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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