iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 7h

I spoke with @axios.com about the Trump administration’s unprecedented use of the shadow docket to get SCOTUS to revive presidential policies that lower-court judges—including judges appointed by presidents of both parties—have found likely unlawful. www.axios.com/2026/09/29/t...

axios.com

Trump leans on SCOTUS shadow docket more than Biden, Obama and Bush combined

Trump's 41 filings far outpace the emergency applications of recent administrations.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 9h

Friendly reminder that Senator Klobuchar’s father was a sportswriter for the StarTrib and she literally wrote a book on the Metrodome. She knows sports and facts. 🏀✅

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Today the Trump administration hit a new milestone. It filed its 41st application on the Supreme Court's shadow docket. Forty-one. That's how many it filed during the president's *entire* first term.

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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 25/09/2026

"If mounting threats and baseless impeachments influence who is willing to serve as a judge, how judges make decisions or whether their families can live safely, we risk allowing intimidation to infect the judicial process," a former federal judge writes in @thehill.com.

thehill.com

Attacks and threats against federal judges have spiked, and it threatens our democracy

If those in power continue attacking judges with violent words and images without consequence, we risk losing the founders’ design of judicial independence.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Congressional Women’s Softball Game live on @c-span.bsky.social 🥎

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

NEW: Today Marquette released fresh September polling on SCOTUS. Public approval continues to decline. 📉 But support for Supreme Court term limits remains strong & resilient at 79 percent—including supermajorities of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

today.marquette.edu

Marquette Law School Poll finds approval of United States Supreme Court declines from 47% to 43% | Marquette Today

Also: A new Marquette Law School Poll national survey finds approval of the United States Supreme Court dipped to 43% in September, down from 47% in July. Disapproval rose to 57% in September, from 53...

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Something the House of Representatives spent time on today before leaving until mid-November. 🦖🦕

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

New Hampshire’s Chief Justice resigned today—the result of an investigation done pursuant to transparent, enforceable judicial ethics rules. By contrast, SCOTUS—the highest court in the land—has no such rules. That must change.

nhpr.org

NH Chief Justice MacDonald announces resignation; ethics probe loomed

Gordon MacDonald, the state's top judge, announced his sudden resignation on Tuesday. He was facing potential discipline for his role in a unique personnel maneuver that benefited a top ally.

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Reposted by Stephen Spaulding

Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 15/09/2026

BREAKING: Tonight’s Supreme Court ruling is a victory for the millions of American citizens who rely on mail voting. The Trump administration tried to use the postal service to interfere in our elections: it failed. 1/2

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Great to join @katieleebarlow.bsky.social to discuss the @brennancenter.org’s recent report on the barrage of threats that federal judges and their families are facing at a time of democracy under strain. District court judges in particular are on the front lines of upholding our Constitution.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”—Mr. Rogers

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The Supreme Court has had its own building for only about 91 years. Kind of remarkable, when you think about it. Congress otherwise loaned the Court space in the Capitol, most recently the Old Senate Chamber.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The AP covers the important research @brennancenter.org published this week about the barrage of threats and intimidation aimed at federal judges. Long term, there really can be a danger to the rule of law, as @gowriramachandran.bsky.social discusses below.

abcnews.com

US judges reveal panic buttons, private security in chilling new reports about threats

Two new studies provide chilling testimony about the spike in threats against federal judges

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The @washingtonpost.com just covered a major new report that the @brennancenter.org published today. We interviewed 35 sitting & retired federal judges. What they told us was chilling: judges and their families are facing a barrage of threats to their safety. This must be addressed.

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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 31/08/2026

New: Federal judges and their families are facing extraordinary pressures. Improved security can ensure that they remain safe and that judicial independence remains uncompromised. Here are our recommendations.

brennancenter.org

Protecting Judges from Rising Threats

Federal judges and their families are facing extraordinary pressures. Improved security can ensure that they remain safe and that judicial independence remains uncompromised.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Here's what happened today at SCOTUS re: voting ⬇️

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Excellent profile by the @newyorker.com's Margaret Talbot on the Chief Justice, including the reminder that he was once a strong proponent of term limits for federal judges so that they'd "not lose all touch with reality."

newyorker.com

The Delusions of John Roberts

The Chief Justice insists that his Supreme Court isn’t biased even as it keeps making dramatic leaps rightward.

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Reposted by Stephen Spaulding

Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 20/08/2026

Lawmakers are laying out a vision to reform a clearly broken Supreme Court. bit.ly/4glJ7w4

brennancenter.org

Supreme Court Reform Gathers Momentum

The public wants a better Court, and politicians are listening.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Terrific conversation with @brennancenter.org President @mawaldman.bsky.social, Sr. Fellow @kornbergmaya.bsky.social and former Congressman @tommalinowski.bsky.social on how to unstick Congress on The Briefing with Michael Waldman. Get it wherever you get your podcasts, or below:

youtube.com

Let’s Unstick Congress (with Tom Malinowski and Maya Kornberg)

YouTube video by Brennan Center for Justice

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

61 years ago today, the Voting Rights Act became law. Congress then reauthorized it five times—each time with overwhelming bipartisan votes. Then the Roberts Court started dismantling it. Congress must be repair & strengthen the VRA after the damage done by the Supreme Court.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Tomorrow marks the 61st anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act. I'm sharing some thoughts on what it can teach us about Supreme Court reform.

brennancenter.org

What the Voting Rights Act Can Teach About Supreme Court Reform

No institution should be beyond meaningful democratic accountability.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Public opinion on the Supreme Court continues to decline. This is not healthy for democracy. Polls are one barometer to track over time, and we're compiling them here. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

brennancenter.org

Public Polling on the Supreme Court

The data includes sentiment on the Supreme Court itself and reform proposals.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

This by @pewresearch.org is the third major poll this month showing rock bottom approval of the Supreme Court. Note the historic partisan gap in approval of the Court. It is not healthy to have this degree of polarization between Republicans and Democrats.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Re-upping this Gallup poll from yesterday and the public's record disapproval of the Supreme Court. Note how 25 years ago -- when the Court handed the presidency to George W. Bush -- approval barely took a dip. Approval took a dive after Dobbs and it's only getting worse.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Later this afternoon the Senate is going to take a cloture vote on a resolution providing for the “en bloc” consideration of 74 nominees. This is the result of Senate Republicans invoking the nuclear option last year to jam Trump’s exec noms through in one up-or-down vote.

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Sean Eldridge @seaneldridge.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Americans’ approval of the Supreme Court just hit a record low — 61% disapprove in the latest Gallup poll. We need bold reform, including term limits, to restore faith in our nation's highest court. news.gallup.com/poll/713096/...

news.gallup.com

Supreme Court Job Approval Slumps to Record Low

The U.S. Supreme Court's 33% job approval rating is the lowest in Gallup's 26-year trend by a significant margin.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

A great @acslaw event in FL w/ Judge Barkett on Congress, the Constitution and SCOTUS. Many thanks to Elliot Williams for moderating the discussion. Judge Barkett made plain that there’s no principled reason the highest court in the land shouldn’t have a binding ethics code. 1/

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

I’m looking forward to discussing Supreme Court reform efforts with Judge Rosemary Barkett (ret.) in a conversation moderated by Elliot Williams tonight in Miami. Thanks to our friends at the @acslaw.bsky.social’s South Florida Chapter for hosting!

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

The photo below was taken 20 years ago today -- July 27, 2006. It's President George W. Bush signing the Voting Rights Act reauthorization and amendments into law. It passed a GOP-controlled House by a huge bipartisan vote of 390-33 and the Senate unanimously (98-0).

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Excuse me? Will Chief Justice John Roberts — the Smithsonian’s Chancellor — be saying anything about this?

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Today Senator @whitehouse.senate.gov, joined by 10 other senators, introduced a bill to strengthen accountability for the Supreme Court. It’s time for Supreme Court term limits. 1/

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

A strong majority of the American people disapprove of the Supreme Court and the way it's doing its job. 55 percent disapprove, according to a poll just released by the Washington Post/Ipsos. We're compiling the polls and data here to learn more: www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

brennancenter.org

Public Polling on the Supreme Court

The data includes sentiment on the Supreme Court itself and reform proposals.

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Alicia Bannon @aliciabannon.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Can Supreme Court term limits be implemented by statute? I authored a detailed legal analysis with Eliazar Chacha & @stevespaulding.bsky.social, concluding that the leading proposals, in which justices retain their offices w/ reduced duties, are constitutional. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

brennancenter.org

Supreme Court Term Limits Are Constitutional

This legal analysis of leading proposals for term limits demonstrates that they can be implemented by statute.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Important op-ed by @coons.senate.gov — “The Supreme Court’s Quiet Coup.” www.scotusblog.com/2026/07/the-...

scotusblog.com

The Supreme Court’s quiet coup

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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 07/07/2026

As we celebrate 250 years, judges will be meeting Americans in their communities to discuss why the rule of law and judicial independence matter to everyone. No matter who you are, the rule of law must ensure equal justice for all. Follow their journey and learn more.

justiceinmotion.us

Justice In Motion

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

#JusticeInMotion launches Today! Judges are meeting Americans outside courthouses AND in the community to talk about how the #RuleofLaw must ensure equal justice and fairness in everyday American life. Follow their journey in: PA ➡️ OH ➡️ MI 👉 justiceinmotion.us

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

"This is my home, the country where my heart is. Here are my hopes, my dreams. But other hearts in other lands are beating, with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.” 1/

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

New from @propublica.org: "In its term that ended last October, the Supreme Court passed an important milestone that went unnoticed: For the first time, it decided more cases by secret ballot, and with few signed opinions, than it did for cases argued in open court."

propublica.org

A Troubling Milestone: Most Supreme Court Rulings Are Secretive Votes With Little Justification

ProPublica conducted a new analysis that shows the court is deciding more consequential rulings than ever before in largely unsigned orders with little to no explanation.

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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 30/06/2026

BREAKING: Today's 6-3 campaign finance ruling is part of the Roberts Court's 16-year drive to destroy anti-corruption law. From Citizens United forward, these justices have ushered in an era of massive money in politics. If you don't like how the political system works, blame the Supreme Court. 1/5

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Eric Petry @eepetry.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

BREAKING: In NRSC v. FEC, the Roberts Court again strikes down campaign finance limits, continuing its 16-year drive to dismantle anticorruption guardrails under a radically wrong interpretation of the First Amendment.

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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 29/06/2026

BREAKING: Today was another power grab by the Supreme Court — and a big increase in power for unaccountable presidents. 1/4

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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 29/06/2026

BREAKING: In a mail voting case, the Supreme Court chose not to do the wrong thing. The laws in many states stand: voters can vote by mail, and if they do so by Election Day, states will count their ballots. Voters should make a plan to vote and their vote will count.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

The Supreme Court is likely to end its term next week, and the scuttle about whether Justice Alito—or another Justice—will retire is ramping up. Here's why strategic retirements are damaging and what Congress can do about it. Term limit the Justices. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...

brennancenter.org

Strategic Retirements Hurt the Supreme Court. Term Limits Would End Them.

Justices timing their exits to happen under a particular president undermines trust in judicial impartiality.

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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Today the Supreme Court on a 6-3 voted to allow the Trump Administration to end temporary protections for immigrants fleeing countries facing humanitarian crises. The case came to SCOTUS by way of the shadow docket, which @brennancenter.org is tracking. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

brennancenter.org

Supreme Court Shadow Docket Tracker — Challenges to Trump Administration Actions

The Court is ruling on challenges to government actions on its emergency docket, often without explaining its decisions or providing guidance to lower courts.

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