Washington Post columnist, mom of two grown women and one adorable Bernedoodle stuck in mischievous adolescence. Knitting, cooking, hiking, Wyoming.https://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lzrhoy2euc25We all knew the moment would come in the second Trump term when he got his way and used the DOJ to pursue foes. But it fees like a gut punch nonetheless. The Flimsy, Dangerous Indictment of James Comey https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-flimsy-dangerous-indictment-of-james-comey?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=tny&utm_mailing=TNY_Daily_092625&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&utm_term=tny_daily_digest&bxid=67e769cb61c220a4db06f5e8&cndid=88133585&hasha=a14ee46ce3797d4d57f0ed8f6e47efcf&hashb=8357be24a9ea7c8d73456e323f74954b03bd8cac&hashc=f01fba36b721f139f0ebbd35d1cbf341fb0596afc38c8f47be0f833fd0d80281&esrc=VERSO_NAVIGATION&mbid=CRMNYR01201926 Sep 2025 22:00 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzrhoy2euc25https://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lwrutfmxy22mIn Pam Bondi, Donald Trump finally has the attorney general he always wanted. My latest for the New Yorker, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/08/25/pam-bondi-profile19 Aug 2025 21:40 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwrutfmxy22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3ltnt65mzas2lErez Reuveni, the Justice Department whistleblower, speaks out. His words are powerful. My latest, https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/why-a-devoted-justice-department-lawyer-became-a-whistle-blower?_sp=fb3f27ae-8b6a-4809-a70c-cf87746b294a.175220149318711 Jul 2025 02:43 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3ltnt65mzas2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lqcol6pnjs2zThe federal courts have been doing an impressive job of standing up to Trump. This includes SCOTUS, at times. But not always. See its latest gift to presidential power--conveniently ignoring a 90-year-old precedent. My latest for New Yorker https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-supreme-court-undercuts-another-check-on-executive-power29 May 2025 12:06 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqcol6pnjs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lq5qtu5lhs2zAnnals of a judiciary losing its patience--this from the judge overseeing the case of migrants deported to dangerous third countries: "Defendants have mischaracterized this Court’s order, while at the same time manufacturing the very chaos they decry." https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.282404/gov.uscourts.mad.282404.135.0.pdf27 May 2025 13:04 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lq5qtu5lhs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lpyqlb5uik2iVance v. Roberts. My latest from New Yorker, about the vice president's wrongheaded claim that the federal courts are frustrating the will of the voters--and that the chief justice should intervene. https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/j-d-vance-warns-courts-to-get-in-line25 May 2025 13:16 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpyqlb5uik2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lpmotrhx5c2bFact check: No, Secretary Noem. Habeas corpus is not a constitutional right the president has to remove people from the country. It is a right the people have to combar the arbitrary use of executive power. I have a handy explanation for you here. https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-astonishing-threat-to-suspend-habeas-corpus [contains quote post or other embedded content]20 May 2025 18:13 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpmotrhx5c2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lpjkdvkrxs2bMy take on the surprising and at least somewhat cheering oral arguments in the birthright citizenship case. The skeptical reception some justices gave to SG John Sauer was, I think, evidence that the Trump administration's aggressiveness may be costing it in court. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/05/26/behind-the-birthright-citizenship-case?utm_brand=tny&utm_source=twitter&utm_social-type=owned&mbid=social_twitter&utm_medium=social19 May 2025 12:14 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpjkdvkrxs2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lpfoa6nudc2mWho’s weaponizing now? Taking career prosecutors out of the equation and leaving it to Trump-installed US Attorneys is yet another dangerous move. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/17/trump-justice-department-prosecutions/17 May 2025 23:13 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpfoa6nudc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lp37ctiijs2bThe right to go to court to protest unlawful detention--habeas corpus--is, SCOTUS has said, “the fundamental instrument for safeguarding individual freedom against arbitrary and lawless state action.” Trump is "actively considering" suspending it. My latest, https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-astonishing-threat-to-suspend-habeas-corpus13 May 2025 19:20 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp37ctiijs2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3loqjednjt22bRest in peace, Justice David Souter. He was a remarkable and welcome surprise on the bench--touted (by WHCOS John Sununu) as a "home run for conservatives," he turned out to be a solid liberal who kept the court from lurching to the right for many years. Thank you, Justice Souter.09 May 2025 13:20 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3loqjednjt22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3loj7ehglo22gmy latest for the New Yorker, on the incredible shrinking Establishment Clause. https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/is-this-the-end-of-the-separation-of-church-and-state06 May 2025 15:32 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3loj7ehglo22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lnnofq7w4k2gWhen it figured Donald Trump was coming for it, WilmerHale had a "Better Call Paul" moment. https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/the-conservative-lawyer-defending-a-firm-from-donald-trump25 Apr 2025 16:47 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnnofq7w4k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lnfggzxhx225The Supreme Court Finally Takes on Trump https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-supreme-court-finally-takes-on-trump22 Apr 2025 10:03 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnfggzxhx225https://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lnabvdwuks2gJustice Alito's dissent is out in the Alien Enemies Act deportation case, joined by Justice Thomas. His issues with the court's "unprecedented and legally questionable relief" are technical, but I am struck by his reliance on government lawyer's assertion that no flights were planned for Fri or Sat.20 Apr 2025 08:59 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnabvdwuks2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3ln5iyudios27Thank God for the Supeme Court—a sentence I rarely write these days. Every day the administration’s defiance becomes more breathtaking and more blatant. Yesterday it was poised to violate a Supreme Coirt ruling that required it to provide due process to alleged Venezuelan gang members before…19 Apr 2025 06:28 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3ln5iyudios27https://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3ln3gewhu7k2gPlease sign up for New Yorker Daily to read rest: "We’re past the point of wondering whether the Administration will violate court orders... The pressing question is how forcefully judges will respond—and whether the Supreme Court will back them up. Developments this week bode well... "18 Apr 2025 10:36 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3ln3gewhu7k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lmwmcguods2qThe AmLaw 100 numbers for Big Law are out. No 1: Kirkland & Ellis, profits per partner $9.2 million, up 16%. You think they could have afforded to stand up to Donald Trump? (Spoiler: they caved, preemptively). No. 2: Latham & Watkins: ppp $7 million, up 23%. (Also caved.)16 Apr 2025 12:38 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmwmcguods2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lmwdsgdwpc2gThe people of Iowa--the American people--understand the danger posed by a government that illegally snatches people off the streets and sends them to a foreign prison without any court review. If it could happen to Kilmar Abrego Garcia it could happen to you. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/15/us/politics/chuck-grassley-town-hall-iowa.html16 Apr 2025 10:06 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmwdsgdwpc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lmstxrpepk2pWill the Supreme Court let Trump play it for a fool? My latest for the New Yorker on the administration’s defiance, and the threat of judicial ostriches. https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/will-the-supreme-court-stop-donald-trump15 Apr 2025 00:45 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmstxrpepk2phttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3llyexs4nh22aHas Trump’s Legal Strategy Backfired? Treating federal judges like junior associates at law firms, ignoring court orders, making preposterous legal arguments—these may win with the base, but in court? Not so much. My latest, for New Yorker04 Apr 2025 12:07 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3llyexs4nh22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3llwsxow5ek2zHLS prof, Bush 43 DOJ alum Jack Goldsmith calls Ed Martin, Trump's nominee to be US Atty for DC, "the most openly politicizing and weaponizing figure in the most politicized and weaponizing department in our history." https://executivefunctions.substack.com/p/the-senate-and-the-edward-martin03 Apr 2025 21:12 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3llwsxow5ek2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3lltpx4vayk2zJudge Ho agreed to dismiss the Eric Adams prosecution, but he also laid into the DOJ rationale for doing so. He said there was "no evidence--zero" prosecutors had "improper motives" in bringing the case. He said the idea that the case was brought too close to an election "lacks any support."02 Apr 2025 15:40 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3lltpx4vayk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3llt6hb6z4k2eAnyone who believes that the Trump administration had a serious basis for believing that all the Venezuelans it sent to El Salvador were gang members should read this horrifying story by Jonathan Blitzer in the New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-immigration/the-makeup-artist-donald-trump-deported-under-the-alien-enemies-act02 Apr 2025 10:27 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3llt6hb6z4k2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3llt533fim22eI'm glad Susan Crawford won the Wisconsin Supreme Court race and glad Elon Musk didn't succeed in buying the seat. But no one should feel good about a state supreme court race that cost $100 million. (Musk spent $25 million.) That's obscene.02 Apr 2025 10:02 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3llt533fim22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3llrtxcb5gc2vColin Powell used the Pottery Barn rule--if you break it you own it. This adminstration breaks everything and owns nothing. It admits has wrongfully deported a Salvadoran man and claims it cannot get him back. Is the United States, is President Trump, so powerless?01 Apr 2025 21:47 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3llrtxcb5gc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3llragj4c4k2fThis is beyond horrifying. The U.S. government admits it improprly deported an El Salvadoran man who fled gang violence there. It now says it can't secure his return to U.S., where he has a wife and children. What kind of country are we living in? https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/04/01/trump-el-salvador-maryland-deportation/?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wp_news_alert_revere&location=alert01 Apr 2025 15:57 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3llragj4c4k2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3llhma4gwss2cLawyers, Big Law firms--you have a choice. Will you be Paul Weiss and Skadden, or will you be Jenner and WilmerHale. Appease Trump or fight his flagrantly unconstitutional orders. Partners, what will you tell your children?28 Mar 2025 20:02 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3llhma4gwss2chttps://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3llfhq2p6lc26I wrote this for the New Yorker about Donald Trump’s reign of terror against Big Law. Now he has gone after WilmerHale. https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/how-donald-trump-throttled-big-law27 Mar 2025 23:36 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3llfhq2p6lc26https://bsky.app/profile/ruthmarcus.bsky.social/post/3llfhl26ngs26WilmerHale is the latest target of Trump’s campaign of terror against law firms. He rails about Wilmer partner Bob Mueller, without mentioning that his deputy attorney general asked Mueller to be special counsel.27 Mar 2025 23:33 +0000at://did:plc:weq7saqhyey4x6pyrzjuqtv5/app.bsky.feed.post/3llfhl26ngs26