Mary Beth Kooper

May the Fourth be with YOU, from the Obama Presidential Center. Opening June 19. @BarackObama @MarkHamill

Healthy republics need functioning legislatures to limit executive power. Without a meaningful check on executive power, you no longer have a democracy. You have an authoritarian state. Mark Strand, a 24-year Capitol Hill veteran, discusses Congress’s paralysis and what would be needed to revive it. Read more: open.substack.com/pub/chkbal/p/r…

Today’s Supreme Court decision effectively guts a key pillar of the Voting Rights Act, freeing state legislatures to gerrymander legislative districts to systematically dilute and weaken the voting power of racial minorities - so long as they do it under the guise of “partisanship” rather than explicit “racial bias.” And it serves as just one more example of how a majority of the current Court seems intent on abandoning its vital role in ensuring equal participation in our democracy and protecting the rights of minority groups against majority overreach. The good news is that such setbacks can be overcome. But that will only happen if citizens across the country who cherish our democratic ideals continue to mobilize and vote in record numbers - not just in the upcoming midterms or in high profile races, but in every election and every level.

a bald eagle in upper manhattan. brought back from the edge of extinction by the very same endangered species act that the house of reps is voting to dismantle tomorrow, on earth day. call your rep NOW to shut it down: (202) 224-3121 #nyc #birdcpp #wildlife

Congratulations, Virginia! Republicans are trying to tilt the midterm elections in their favor, but they haven’t done it yet. Thanks for showing us what it looks like to stand up for our democracy and fight back.

Pam Bondi refused a congressional subpoena—so what can Congress actually do about it? We have a real problem: when the DOJ declines to prosecute executive officials, Congress’s enforcement power collapses—and oversight becomes optional. Read more: chkbal.substack.com/p/the-subpoena…

Will Brendan Carr follow the cautionary path of Pam Bondi—trading principle for political favor? Former FCC Chief Council Robert Corn-Revere argues it’s not too late for Carr to uphold his duty to the First Amendment. Read his open letter: chkbal.substack.com/p/an-open-lett…

America is a nation of laws—not of men. • No one is above the law • Courts must be respected • Truth matters These aren’t partisan ideas—they’re essential. Stand for them. Sign here: societyfortheruleoflaw.org/statement-of-p…

What happens when the Executive becomes prosecutor, judge, and jury? SRL leadership, including Board President @acraul, joined an amicus brief warning the President's executive orders bypass the courts and threaten the rule of law. Read more: chkbal.substack.com/p/society-for-…

The rule of law depends on equal accountability. The Society for the Rule of Law Institute has submitted comments warning that DOJ’s proposed rule on attorney discipline would place government lawyers above the standards that govern the rest of the profession. That’s a direct conflict with federal law—and a risk to public trust. Read more: chkbal.substack.com/p/society-for-…

It’s not that Americans don’t care about the country—it’s that they haven’t been shown how to turn that care into action. So how do we fix that? @DCInbox offers a compelling answer: chkbal.substack.com/p/in-need-of-c…

When the government punishes lawyers for representing disfavored clients, it’s not just the legal profession at risk—it’s the Constitution itself. We filed an amicus brief defending the right to legal advocacy—and the rule of law. Read more: chkbal.substack.com/p/society-for-…

Technology companies aren't neutral bystanders - every time they contract with the government, they're enacting policy that could encroach on our constitutionally protected privacies. @privacymama explains: chkbal.substack.com/p/we-are-sleep…

It was inspiring to watch the Artemis II launch yesterday — @NASA’s first crewed mission around the moon since 1972. Our space program has always captured an essential part of what it means to reach beyond what we thought was possible, and I hope the four brave astronauts on this mission will inspire a new generation to follow in their footsteps.

Wisconsin Supreme Court justices have a profound responsibility: protecting the rights of the people and delivering on the promise of equal justice under the law. Judge Chris Taylor is the only candidate running for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court with a proven record of delivering on that promise. I hope Wisconsin voters join me in supporting her candidacy for Wisconsin’s highest court. Election Day is April 7th — make your plan to vote now. myvote.wi.gov/en-us/

President Trump can sign all the executive orders he wants. It won't change the United States Constitution. States run their elections, not the President of the United States, not the Department of Homeland Security.

FACT: The Triad is in 1st place in #Webbys People’s Voice. FACT: They can’t win without your vote 👉 vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting?u…

What is the rule of law anyway? It’s a simple concept—but too many people have lost their grasp on what it actually means. At its core, it requires loyalty to institutions—not to any party or leader. @TimothySandefur explains: chkbal.substack.com/p/what-is-the-…

Who decides when an election is over? Federal courts shouldn't invent deadlines Congress never imposed.

Trump's ban of Anthropic is lawless. The administration designated the same AI company the Defense Secretary called "exquisite" a supply chain risk, with no due process. Today, a federal court weighs the case. But America needs a national policy to govern transformative AI, and only Congress can write it. SRL Board President @acraul explains: open.substack.com/pub/chkbal/p/c…