Sign in

Richard W. Painter

@rwpusa.bsky.social
14K followers 10 following 170 posts

lawyer, law professor, Independent, Minnesota, USA. Go Gophers!

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
When are you going to begin the independent investigation of sexual misconduct at Bard urged by many alumni and faculty as well as by the Episcopal Bishop of New York?
094
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Matthew Heyd, Episcopal Bishop of New York and ex officio Trustee of BardCollege, this morning informed Prof. Karen Painter (U. Minnesota) that he told Bard’s interim president Jonathan Becker that he supports an independent investigation of sexual misconduct at Bard. He will tell the trustees also.
0122
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Just published: This deeply troubling essay about a disturbing and inappropriate relationship between a professor and a student at Bard College. open.substack.com/pub/tallulah...
open.substack.com
The Hand That Feeds You
An essay about one of my favorite professors.
331
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Just published by Oxford University Press: academic.oup.com/book/62560?l...
academic.oup.com
Conduct Unbecoming: The Ethics Crisis at the Supreme Court and how Legitimacy Can be Restored
Abstract. This book is about the ethics crisis on the Supreme Court, how the justices claim to comply with judicial ethics rules but do not do so, and the
25215
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Restrictions on time, place and manner of speech make sense. There's no right to block access to Hillel, make noise in the library, disrupt class, or commandeer departmental websites. But does any credible First Amendment lawyer support restricting the content of student speech?
0193
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
This federal lawsuit against Harvard is premised on the wrongheaded, and dangerous, idea that to fight antisemitism on campuses, universities must restrict speech. www.foxnews.com/politics/tru...
foxnews.com
Trump administration sues Harvard over alleged failure to protect Jewish and Israeli students, seeks billions
The Trump administration is suing Harvard, alleging it failed to protect Jewish students from antisemitism and seeking billions in taxpayer funds back.
1216
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Moira Donegan @moiradonegan.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Hard to overstate the extent to which Leon Botstein’s personal scorn for feminist anti-rape politics permeated Bard College’s culture while I was there. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/u...
nytimes.com
A $50,000 Watch and Friendly Notes: One College Leader’s Ties to Epstein
18955297
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Oona Hathaway @oonahathaway.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
"No president in the modern era has ordered more military strikes against as many different countries as Donald Trump." www.axios.com/2026/03/02/t...
axios.com
Trump campaign peace promises loom large over Iran war
The "anti-war" candidate has bombed seven countries and launched a new regime-change war in Iran.
2319
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Trump’s War on Iran Is Illegal: Neither a future threat nor regime change can be legal justification for war without congressional authorization. My op-ed with John Danforth, Norman Eisen, Eugene Fidell, Richard Gephardt, and J. Michael Luttig is here: open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com
Trump’s War on Iran Is Illegal
Neither a future threat nor regime change can be legal justification for war without congressional authorization.
1268
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
This is what happens when military lawyers start splitting hairs between genocide and willful failure to mitigate civilian casualties in war. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/28/w...
nytimes.com
Iran Says Dozens Are Killed in Strike on School
2215
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Here, Claire Finkelstein and coauthors explained last summer why POTUS could attack Iran without consent of Congress. Their main argument: other presidents have done it. Does that excuse apply to everything Trump does that violates our laws and Constitution? www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
washingtonpost.com
Opinion | Why Trump didn’t have to ask Congress before striking Iran
It has been presidential practice for decades to unilaterally undertake similar military action.
1163
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
This attack is illegal under U.S. law and under international law. The Constitution says Congress declares war, not the president. He needed consent from Congress. This is also a violation of the UN Charter, as Iran did not attack the United States first. www.cbsnews.com/live-updates...
cbsnews.com
Live Updates: Iran retaliates after U.S.-Israel strikes; Trump calls for regime change
The U.S. and Israel are attacking Iran, which is responding with attacks on U.S. bases in the region, as President Trump confirms "major combat operations."
14516
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Carolyn Dicey Jennings @cdj.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Another chilling story. Alberto Castañeda Mondragón is said to have entered the country legally with no criminal history, a job and family. After being racially profiled by ICE he suffers injuries that give him brain damage, memory loss, an inability to work, and large medical bills. Disgusting.
0249
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Going to war with Iran is not a decision for POTUS alone to make. Under the Constitution and War Powers Act he must get an authorization for use of military force from Congress. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
wsj.com
Second U.S. Aircraft Carrier Approaches Middle East as Nuclear Deal With Iran Remains Elusive
U.S. F-22 fighters and aerial tankers are gathering in Israel, adding to the military buildup.
4427
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
"No one just happened to be there. Epstein also didn’t pull people into his web and then corrupt them. The club existed. He fit right in." A troubling perspective on elite academia from Ana Marie Cox: newrepublic.com/article/2068... .
newrepublic.com
The Paranoid Style of Jeffrey Epstein Has Come for Us All
The pedophile plutocrat had some peculiar predilections—especially for academics and thinkers who showed a potential to further his grand experiments in inhumanity.
1225
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Kate Manne @katemanne.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Botstein palled around with Epstein for years and helped launder his reputation. The Epsteins cannot exist without the Botsteins. It's time for accountability katemanne.substack.com/p/bards-pres...
katemanne.substack.com
Bard’s President Should Resign Today
Leon Botstein has been revealed to have deep ties to Epstein. It’s time for accountability.
830794
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Musicology Duck @musicologyduck.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Here is a (certainly incomplete) list of things that went down around Jeffrey Epstein attending Leon Botstein's rehearsal 🧵
117656
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Musicology Duck @musicologyduck.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
In October, he takes a known victim, a musician who he was grooming, to a concert and to see Leon backstage (extra redaction by me in the screenshot). And for ...reasons? JE doesn't want it officially on the schedule www.justice.gov/epstein/file... www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
To: Catherine Luiggi
From: redacted
Sent Mon 9/30/2013 5:07:42 PM
Subject Re: Jeffrey Epstein

between you and me...JE had me send an email to [redacted] saying he is trying to arrange for her to
meet Leon before the concert...do you know if JE and Leon are emailing on this? originally,
Jeffrey had asked if Leon could meet with after the concert...just want to make sure we
are all on the same page...does it matter i the 'meet' takes place before or after the concert?
:) Lesley
On Sep 30, 2013, at 11:41 AM, Catherine Luiggi wrote:
I remember the days of Karate Kid with my boys too!
Opening night with the Philadelphia Orchestra is Wednesday, Oct. 2 and Leon's
concert is on Thursday the 3rd. You mentioned that she already had her ticket for
Leon's concert. Now I will work on the Oct. 2nd show
I am sure there is no problem regarding meeting with [redacted] backstage. I will get
back to you with all the information.
Thanks.
Catherine
• Catherine Susser Luiggi I Executive Assistant to the President Bard CollegeFrom: Lesley Groff
Sent: Thursday, October 3, 2013 10:55 AM
To: Jeffrey Epstein
Subject: Re: FYI-Carnegie Hall-Botstein's office
ok great. will relay to Catherine (and keep OFF itinerary)
On Oct 3, 2013, at 6:53 AM, Jeffrey Epstein <mailto:jeevacation@gmail.com. wrote:
either way i will meet leon at =To: Lesley Groff
From: Jeffrey Epstein
Sent Tue 10/1/2013 1:34:18 PM
Subject Re: Leon Botstein 6:15pm
yes, but do not put on schedule

On Tue, Oct 1, 2013 at 9:33 AM, Lesley Groff wrote:
May I confirm with Catherine in Leon Botstein's office that you and [redacted in red] will meet Leon at 6:15pm on Thurs at Carnegie Hall prior to his preconcert talk?
16512
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Do we have a First Amendment or do we not? www.nbcnews.com/business/med...
nbcnews.com
Stephen Colbert says CBS didn't air interview out of fear of FCC
Colbert kicked off Monday's episode of "The Late Show" by saying that the network's lawyers told him he could not have Texas state Rep. James Talarico on the broadcast.
13310
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Many of us in Minnesota disagree with Ilhan Omar on politics, but we will stand up to anyone who seeks to justify or excuse violence against her, falsely accuses her of promoting violence when she has not done so, or spreads false rumors of insurrection and civil war in Minnesota.
3317
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
As I told MINNPOST here, with all the threats toward lawmakers, heated rhetoric, and crazy people saying there could be civil war in Minnesota, our lawmakers must hire extra security. They have no choice. www.minnpost.com/national/was...
minnpost.com
Minnesota lawmakers tap campaign funds to bolster their security - MinnPost
Although Congress has boosted the amount of money for members' security, some Minnesota lawmakers are spending more for their safety.
2146
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Unless you think it's OK for a college president to ask a convicted sexual predator to visit a high school..... www.change.org/p/resign-leon
change.org
Sign the Petition
RESIGN, Leon
1208
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Wag the dog. Bomb Iran. Whatever.... It's amazing what people will say when President Trump abuses his power to do what they want him to do. www.fdd.org/analysis/202...
fdd.org
Why Trump didn’t have to ask Congress before striking Iran
President Donald Trump had the authority to order attacks on Iran’s nuclear weapons facilities without seeking congressional approval first.
0277
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Here we go, again. Fake national security lawyers said Trump had the legal right to bomb Iran last summer. Now, with plummeting poll ratings, he wants to wag the dog again. This insanity has to end. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
US build-up of warships and fighter jets tracked near Iran
BBC Verify has seen US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln near Iran ahead of talks between the two countries
24114
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
The common theme that explains what we have experienced for the past 13 months is this: Abuse of presidential power. My new book with E. Thomas Sullivan is here: www.cambridge.org/core/books/u...
cambridge.org
The U.S. Presidency
Cambridge Core - US Law - The U.S. Presidency
13712
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Too many crazy people are running simulations of civil war over on X. But here, Tom Sullivan and I explain what really happened when Minnesotans peacefully stood up to Operation Metro Surge. www.startribune.com/tom-homan-an...
startribune.com
Opinion | Constitutional rights are under assault in Minnesota
While the Trump administration has announced a withdrawal of some ICE agents from Minnesota, questions remain about the constitutionality of Operation Metro Surge in the first place.
23716
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
ICE has a pedo vetting new hires in Minnesota? No wonder we've had so many problems with them here. They hire people nobody else will. www.youtube.com/shorts/HWt6W...
youtube.com
Homeland Security employee among 16 arrested in 'Operation Creep' sex sting
YouTube video by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
14255130
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
While extremists spread fake news of insurrection and civil war, Tom Sullivan and I discuss here what's really happening in Minnesota. Citizens and lawyers are peacefully defending the rule of law. Minnesota and the U.S. Constitution open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com
Minnesota and the U.S. Constitution
There is no insurrection occurring in Minnesota. The state's response has been peaceful-- relying on the Constitution, the laws, and the courts
0196
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Richard Epstein is famous for thinking he's an expert on everything. In 2020 he was an expert on why COVID would only kill 500 Americans. Now he's telling SCOTUS why the Natural Born Citizen Clause does not apply to natural born citizens. This brief is a joke.
832978
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Our letter to the Justice Department requesting release of the OLC memo authorizing murder on the high seas, and an investigation, is here: dea5edf3-e27d-4adc-a42a-b9c082bc3167.usrfiles.com/ugd/dea5ed_8...
dea5edf3-e27d-4adc-a42a-b9c082bc3167.usrfiles.com
1277
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Virginia Canter, Norman Eisen and I yesterday sent this letter to the Justice Department requesting an internal investigation and a copy of the OLC memo authorizing murder on the high seas. www.cbsnews.com/news/justice...
cbsnews.com
Justice Department faces call for internal probe into legal opinion on Venezuelan boat strikes
A bipartisan group of former ethics officials is asking for an internal Justice Department investigation into the legal opinion justifying strikes against alleged drug boats.
2258
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
Now Available: Principles of the Law, Government Ethics. Professor Richard Briffault and I thank the ALI and all involved with our work on this project. As federal government ethics implode, state and local governments should take the high road and raise the bar. www.ali.org/news/article...
ali.org
Now Available: Principles of the Law, Government Ethics
03916
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
An air force base for Qatar in Idaho? Is this what the United States is doing in return for the "free" 747 they want to make into a Qatari Air Force One? www.thedailybeast.com/pete-hegseth...
thedailybeast.com
Pentagon Pete Backtracks After Qatari Air Base Confusion
After triggering a significant backlash, Hegseth took to social media to issue a clarification.
26225
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
Here @normeisen.bsky.social, former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic, and son of a Holocaust survivor, weighs in on what is quickly becoming yet another antisemitism scandal at U. Minnesota as extremists here promote a researcher who made a baseless claim defaming a concentration camp prisoner.
1175
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
As someone who has written about the Holocaust, it makes no sense at all to suggest an "affair" between an SS guard & an inmate The circumstances make that impossible--plus here the family of the prisoner denies any such relationship occurred www.theguardian.com/education/20...
theguardian.com
Court fines historian over claims of Holocaust survivor's lesbian affair
Dr Anna Hájková fined €4,000 amid legal battle brought by daughter of ex-concentration camp prisoner
613625
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
First Amendment rights are in grave danger in our universities, on the airwaves and on social media. We must take a stand. This is how Minnesota's law dean responded when he was told about the false rumor that the University of Minnesota intervened about my social media posts. x.com/RWPUSA/statu...
x.com
Richard W. Painter on X: "A man named Brian Leiter, and perhaps others, have blogged about the false rumor that the University of Minnesota intervened about my social media posts. This is the response of the law dean. Freedom of expression is still the norm and the law in Minnesota. https://t.co/VQfSmeTWkT" / X
A man named Brian Leiter, and perhaps others, have blogged about the false rumor that the University of Minnesota intervened about my social media posts. This is the response of the law dean. Freedom of expression is still the norm and the law in Minnesota. https://t.co/VQfSmeTWkT
43512
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
NEW 🧵The White House has now issued its first formal legal justification for the lethal attack on a vessel in the Caribbean. This War Powers report to Congress is long on bluster and short on substance. This letter does not adequately justify the premeditated killing of apparent civilians. 1/n
17031031187
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Michael Pacholek @michaelpacholek.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
Happy Birthday to Peter Golenbock. Although he is best known for his writing about baseball, he clearly understands Trump and his phenomenon.
11510
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
A lot of people's presidential war powers arguments appear to be based on personal views about the underlying conflict (Israel vs. Iran) as opposed to the Constitution. How many people who support military action now would do so if Trump were to attack China, Russia or some other country?
0429
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
I strongly disagree with this. Only Congress can declare war under the Constitution. This op-ed makes the "everyone does it" argument for military action without consent of Congress. What next? An attack on China to protect Taiwan? Congress must consent. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
washingtonpost.com
Opinion | Why Trump didn’t have to ask Congress before striking Iran
It has been presidential practice for decades to unilaterally undertake similar military action.
96220
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
We'll have academic freedom at U. Minnesota when a music professor has as much right to criticize musicians who collaborated with Hitler as professors elsewhere in the University have to criticize the United States and Israel. Our AAUP chapter supports propaganda not academic freedom.
33610
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
This isn't just about Israel. As I testified before the Minnesota Senate, revisionist history of the Nazi era is on the upswing. A tenured music professor was threatened with discipline after she criticized Hitler's favorite Berlin Philharmonic conductor. www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/minu...
lrl.mn.gov
12910
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
More on the politicization of the AAUP from Tom Ginsburg, a left leaning professor at U. Chicago. Even he has had too much. AAUP leaders do not stand for academic freedom (unless you agree with them). www.chronicle.com/article/can-...
chronicle.com
Can Academic Freedom Survive the AAUP?
The organization’s new policies imperil the sector they’re supposed to protect.
0134
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
AAUP is an extremist organization and has no credibility in this fight. At U. Minnesota, an AAUP chapter leader secretly tried to get a tenured professor fired or retired for reporting sexual harassment and disagreeing with colleagues on Title VI. National AAUP leaders say they don't care.
296
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
When the federal government is accusing universities of violating free speech, false accusations must be exposed. No administrator at U. Minnesota has ever intervened to influence my public statements or suggested that any of my social media posts violate a policy.
04710
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
This post by Brian Leiter is a lie. No U of M administrator has "intervened" about my social media posts. Nobody here questioned my honesty although some (left and right) disagree with my politics. This accusation of censorship by our University is false. leiterlawschool.typepad.com/leiter/2024/...
leiterlawschool.typepad.com
Brian Leiter's Law School Reports
Information about the Law Professor Blogs Network.
216827
Reposted by Richard W. Painter
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Won't help when you also attack the Anti-Defamation League, one of the oldest civil rights organizations in America. Your leaders write secret letters to CLA deans trying to get tenured professors transferred or forced into retirement for disagreeing with colleagues. This AAUP chapter is a disgrace.
0165
Richard W. Painter @rwpusa.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
I am pleased to join Deborah Pearlstein, Suzanne Nossel, Sidney Blumenthal and Sean Wilentz for this webinar Freedom from Fear: The Assault on the Rule of Law April 10, 2025 from 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. EST RSVP here: buttondown.com/courtofhisto...
buttondown.com
Freedom from Fear: The Assault on the Rule of Law
Norman Rockwell, Freedom of Speech (1943) Join The Court of History and our expert panelists for an urgent webinar discussing the administration’s assault on...
337862