Sign in

Jess Marsden

@jessmarsden.bsky.social
2.8K followers 191 following 14 posts

Director of Impact Programs & Counsel @protectdemocracy.org. Opinions my own.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
It's hard to tell which is weirder: the fact that these guys seriously suggest that models like Claude have consciousness/sentience or that they actually invest time and money (weird!) trying to convince the Pope as well as theologians and legal scholars of this belief.
821017242
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 19/09/2026
Peaceful protest is patriotic. Our country's long history of dissent is part of how we demand a government that listens. @rachelegoodman.bsky.social and Katie Schwartzmann cover how civil society should talk about protest in the face of attempts to suppress it. NEW for @npquarterly.bsky.social ⬇️
nonprofitquarterly.org
Flipping the Script: How Civil Society Organizations Can Support Protest in the Face of Suppression | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.
In our democracy, US civil society plays a critical role in protecting civic space for robust debate and opposition to government policies.
03117
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 18/09/2026
NEW: We just sued DHS on behalf of a coalition of racial justice and civil rights groups and labor unions to protect voters' right to cast ballots free from intimidation. Their suit challenges threats to deploy ICE and federal forces near polling places. Read the complaint: protdem.org/4rjLHaF
Graphic announcing a lawsuit filed by civil rights groups to prevent armed federal agents from being deployed near polling places during elections.
14625
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 16/09/2026
BREAKING: We filed a class-action suit on behalf of researchers challenging NIH's practice of screening grant applications and already awarded grants for a growing blacklist of terms the Trump administration disfavors. Read the complaint: protdem.org/4rdaY6m
The image contains the text: "Lawsuit Filed. Researchers Fight NIH Censorship. Plaintiffs assert First Amendment right against illegal, viewpoint-based funding cuts to vital research." It features two megaphones and an abstract design with stars and stripes.
15115
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Chris Polansky @chrispolansky.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Sam Waterston, the television and film actor, said he was motivated to attend the demonstration because he did not want his alma mater to “give in to a bully.” “This [presidential] administration has been getting us all acquainted with what it feels like to live in an authoritarian society."
ctpublic.org
Yale demonstrators challenge potential Trump DOJ settlement
The university prohibited reporters from covering the event on campus.
91256262
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 20/08/2026
BREAKING: We’re suing DHS for failing to release records we requested on whether taxpayer dollars & special access were used to manufacture favorable coverage while shutting out independent reporters. When the government creates propaganda, the law requires answers. protdem.org/3Ut8qEW
LAWSUIT FILED
FOIA Suit Probes Government Propaganda
Protect Democracy sues DHS for documents detailing collaboration with content creators to produce biased coverage
14312
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Amanda Carpenter @amandacarpenter.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
*News* We are suing ICE and CBP to get FOIA records to find out whether the federal government used our tax dollars to manufacture favorable content about its own immigration operations. protectdemocracy.org/work/uncover...
protectdemocracy.org
Uncovering how public money funds government propaganda
Protect Democracy, represented by Loevy + Loevy, sues ICE and CBP to enforce FOIA requests, seeking documents detailing the departments’ collaboration with content creators.
819765
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
The Yale Daily News on alumni organizing against #Yale President McInnis and the trustees' rush to surrender to the Trump administration. yaledailynews.com/articles/in-...
36222
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Alondra Nelson @alondra.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
“We show that elites have adopted a distinct narrative about breaking with Trump: public retaliation, an unwavering party base & harassment and threats from followers make dissent appear prohibitively costly. This anticipatory side of elite complicity…is central to understanding democratic erosion.”
complicity.is
0309
Jess Marsden @jessmarsden.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
If you harbored any doubt that Trump will try his best to overturn this year’s elections (just like he did in 2020), this weekend’s FIFA shenanigans should disabuse you of that notion for good - he simply can’t tolerate accountability or the basic rules of fair play.
100
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Amanda Carpenter @amandacarpenter.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Got a quick minute? Let's talk about the raid on the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. Oh, you haven't heard of it? That's the problem. The Trump Admin isn't just going after the high-profile names. It's widening its target.
510647
Jess Marsden @jessmarsden.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Proud to join @anne-tindall.bsky.social and hundreds of parents in my community to support our schools and reject book bans.
010
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 22/04/2026
The indictment of veteran civil rights organization @splcenter.org is the Trump admin’s latest attempt to silence critics, perceived opponents, and those who continue to pursue justice, equality, and the rule of law. SPLC has made clear it won’t be silenced. The rest of us should do the same.
youtube.com
A Beacon of Hope in the Fight Against Hate and Extremism
YouTube video by Southern Poverty Law Center
16636
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 20/04/2026
VICTORY: The Commonwealth of Virginia agreed to stop its illegal voter purge program that impacted naturalized citizens on the eve of federal elections — a major victory for voters after SCOTUS permitted this potential disenfranchisement ahead of the '24 presidential election. protdem.org/41FQsj5
VICTORY: VA’s disruptive voter removal practice ended
The Commonwealth agreed to end the program following a lawsuit by a pro-voter coalition
“This rule was part of a national campaign to undermine the public’s trust in the election process. Federal law exists precisely to prevent this kind of last-minute, error-prone purging — and today's settlement affirms that those protections work,” said Anna Dorman, Counsel at Protect Democracy.
25413
Jess Marsden @jessmarsden.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Meaning they could have been paying TSA this whole time - making the decision to send ICE to airports a performative show of force, just another step towards normalizing the idea of ICE as an all-purpose law enforcement force, available to go anywhere for any purpose at the president's whim.
051
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 10/03/2026
NEW: 11 former military lawyers warn in new brief - the Trump admin using JAGs to fill gaps in US Atty offices: ⚠️ is illegal ⚠️ shatters historical norms ⚠️ threatens to erode faith in legal system & civilian<>military trust ⚠️ undermines our natl security Read their brief 🔗 protdem.org/4bfVl6B
[Quote graphic]
The American tradition of separating the military from civilian law enforcement is foundational to our republic…In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson indicted King George III for ‘affecting to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power’ 
Former military lawyers
Amici in U.S. v Johnson
15717
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 09/03/2026
🚨 VICTORY 🚨 A federal judge ordered DHS to stop flooding Portland homes with toxic chemical munitions. For months, federal agents have knowingly gassed the families, veterans, and seniors living at Gray’s Landing. The court said: No more. ⬇️🧵 protdem.org/4b0Vr3m
Headline: DHS Ordered to Stop Gassing Portland Residents
Subheader: Ruling asserts the government cannot knowingly poison families in their own home
17931
Jess Marsden @jessmarsden.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Proud to be part of the team @protectdemocracy.org at that is representing the brave Mainers standing up against unlawful intimidation and surveillance in this case.
06015
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Rachel Goodman @rachelegoodman.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
This. Is. Why. We. Have. Grand. Juries. protectdemocracy.org/work/constit...
protectdemocracy.org
Constitutional gatekeepers: The history and role of grand juries
How grand juries serve as a vital shield against retaliatory prosecutions.
033
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Pay attention to this. The purpose of these investigations is not just to manufacture evidence to support Trump’s 2020 “voter fraud” accusations, but also to set the stage for another round of efforts to suppress votes and delegitimize election results in 2026 (which the GOP is likely to lose).
23823405
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Amanda Carpenter @amandacarpenter.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Don’t be fooled. The policy architecture that the administration has built to exploit immigration concerns, deploy federal agents, sideline critics, and tilt the electoral playing field in its favor is still fully intact. Especially in Minnesota. From me. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/personnel-...
ifyoucankeepit.org
Personnel shuffles, not policy shifts in Minnesota
Trump’s not ditching the authoritarian playbook
919671
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Amanda Carpenter @amandacarpenter.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
What does ICE have to do w/ the midterms? Trump wants to treat dissenters like terrorists. They did it to Renee Good. This is the environment shaping the midterms. If we don't keep our free speech now, we won't have free elections later. From me. www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/free-speec...
ifyoucankeepit.org
Free speech, ICE, and free elections in 2026
More than immigration enforcement and protest suppression
48035
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 13/01/2026
Gov. Hochul just announced she will advance legislation that gives New Yorkers whose constitutional rights are violated by the fed gov, a clear path to seek justice. This is possible via a statute called the Universal Constitutional Remedies Act (UCRA). She said this about her state's proposal:
"No one, from the president on down, is above the law. That’s why I will move to have New Yorkers hold ICE agents and others accountable in court when they act outside of their scope of duty. We need accountability.""This does not interfere with local law enforcement or public safety. It simply affirms a core truth: power does not justify abuse. And if someone’s constitutional rights are violated here in the state of New York, I say, they deserve their day in court." Governor Kathy Hochul, State of the State Address
217358
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Joshua Eaton @joshuaeaton.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Remarkable statement from an elected official.
411829375
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 18/12/2025
There will come a time when people of good faith are empowered to uphold the law. When that time comes, Illinois will have the testimony and records needed to pursue justice to its fullest extent. The truth of what Trump and his masked agents are doing in Chicago will be told.
13642391259
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Interfaith Alliance @interfaithalliance.org · 18/12/2025
ICE’s cruelty is tearing our neighbors apart during the holiest time of the year. As faithful Americans, we demand that ICE stop attacking our neighbors. Watch our new ad with @protectdemocracy.org and then head over to LoveNotICE.org to add your name to our letter. #LoveNotICE
7229117
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 11/12/2025
Men and women in uniform signed up to defend us from foreign adversaries, not police our communities. Get the facts on how domestic deployments harm our servicemembers and communities at: NotTheMission.org
06928
Jess Marsden @jessmarsden.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
This ... does not end well for women!
021
Jess Marsden @jessmarsden.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Proud of the brave plaintiffs, cocounsel and my amazing colleagues @protectdemocracy.org for this important win!
021
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 26/09/2025
Delays by Trump’s OMB have put billions of federal funds on track to expire on Sept 30 – funds Congress passed a law to spend on things like lifesaving cancer research, substance abuse prevention, and more. Our new report examines the top 6 examples of funds at risk: protdem.org/4gYT4iZ
Header: Trump’s Backdoor Funding Cuts 
Subheader: Top 6 examples of funds at risk of expiring on Sept 30 due to OMB’s delay tactics

$1.69B for cancer research
$289M for affordable housing & small business support
$479M for chronic disease prevention
$1.1B for mental health services
$2.6B for substance abuse treatment
$2.59B for higher education access
15535
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Justice Jackson taking on Gorsuch's "pure textualism" and arguing for a more holistic reading of Congress' handiwork—worth reading in full. www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
The majority’s contention that I reject “ ‘pure textualism’ [a]s insufficiently pliable to secure the result [I] seek,” ante, at 10, stems from an
unfortunate misunderstanding of the judicial role. Our interpretative
task is not to seek our own desired results (whatever they may be). And,
indeed, it is precisely because of this solemn duty that, in my view, it is
imperative that we interpret statutes consistent with all relevant indicia
of what Congress wanted, as best we can ascertain its intent. A methodology that includes consideration of Congress’s aims does exactly that—
and no more. By contrast, pure textualism’s refusal to try to understand
the text of a statute in the larger context of what Congress sought to
achieve turns the interpretive task into a potent weapon for advancing
judicial policy preferences. By “finding” answers in ambiguous text, and
not bothering to consider whether those answers align with other sources
of statutory meaning, pure textualists can easily disguise their own preferences as “textual” inevitabilities. So, really, far from being “insufficiently pliable,” I think pure textualism is incessantly malleable—that’s
its primary problem—and, indeed, it is certainly somehow always flexible enough to secure the majority’s desired outcome.
12439511093
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Jimmy Kimmel Live @jimmykimmellive.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Jimmy on Trump’s disgusting abuse of power and what’s REALLY happening in LA…
youtu.be
Jimmy Kimmel on Trump’s Disgusting Abuse of Power and What’s REALLY Happening in LA
YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live
26320118
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 14/05/2025
USDA & DOGE are demanding sweeping access to sensitive info about SNAP beneficiaries. Along with @epic.org + @cendemtech.bsky.social, we’ve urged states & their vendors to decline this unlawful and dangerous invasion of privacy. Read our letter outlining the risks of complying: protdem.org/usdadoge
States and Vendors:
Do Not Comply With DOGE and USDA’s
Unlawful Demands
Requests to share sensitive personal data are unlawful
and suggest dangerous invasions of privacyUSDA’s requests disregard the basic protections enacted by Congress to protect Americans’ sensitive data, and do not comply with the many legal requirements Congress placed on agencies before they are permitted to collect and store sensitive information about individual Americans.
protect democracy

More at protdem.org/usdadoge
15625
Jess Marsden @jessmarsden.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
This is a victory for North Carolina voters — and an important development for future free and fair elections in this country.
191
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
The freezing of federal grants, the firing of all inspector generals, the immunization of political violence - does everybody not see what’s happening? In a blitzkrieg, Trump is trying to collapse our democracy - and probably our economy - and seize control. Call it what it is.
52145301553
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Ari Berman @ariberman.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Five alarm fire in North Carolina, where right-wing GOP majority on State Supreme Court just blocked certification of Democratic Justice Allison Riggs’ victory & appears to be laying groundwork to overturn the election www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
Republicans on NC Supreme Court block certification of Dem justice's victory
The Court’s GOP majority could be laying the groundwork to overturn the election.
651278722
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Marin K. Levy @marinklevy.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
This letter from Adeel Mangi (who was nominated to the Third Circuit) to President Biden is worth reading. "The unfortunate fact remains: we have a fundamentally broken process for choosing federal judges. This is no longer a system for evaluating fitness for judicial office." aboutblaw.com/bgA0
aboutblaw.com
47635
Jess Marsden @jessmarsden.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
We sounded the alarm on the profusion of “zombie lawsuits” filed in the weeks leading up to Election Day. Turns out they didn’t matter for the presidential election, but the R NC Supreme Court candidate is trying to bring one of the zombies back to life - and disenfranchise 60K voters along the way.
121
Reposted by Jess Marsden
Rachel Goodman @rachelegoodman.bsky.social · 18/10/2024
Proud to represent Michele White along with @joshuaerlich.bsky.social and the Selendy Gay team. Her story really crystallizes how election deniers' hunger for fodder destroys lives.
1155