David Cole

The White House is threatening to kill survivors of its strikes on boats in the Caribbean, even though "the entire operation is illegal from the outset," says @davidcole-gtown.bsky.social

And for those looking for a more extended analysis, see

www.nybooks.com/articles/202...

What’s wrong with killing suspected drug smuggler on the high seas? Here’s my answer, in a nutshell.

Getting Away with Murder | David Cole During his first presidential campaign Donald Trump famously claimed that he could “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” and not lose

No, you can’t shoot survivors hanging on for dear life to boat debris. And no, you can’t shoot suspected drug smugglers, either. This entire operation is illegal. Here’s why.

www.nybooks.com/articles/202...

“Such officials rarely speak out on military matters, but when they do they deserve to be heard, not criminally investigated.”
David Cole
@davidcole-gtown.bsky.social

He shared a gift link:
bsky.app/profile/ldad...

Opinion | Mark Kelly Is Being Investigated for Telling the Truth

In the discussion over the military and illegal orders, what does the law say? @davidcole-gtown.bsky.social offers an excellent primer in the @nytimes.com. A must read for those who may find themselves in conversations about this over turkey tomorrow.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/o...

Getting Away with Murder | David Cole During his first presidential campaign Donald Trump famously claimed that he could “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” and not lose

Here’s the memo I would have written had Trump asked me if he could lawfully kill suspected drug smugglers on high seas. I guess I would have been “reassigned.”

www.nybooks.com/articles/202...

Good news in Philly today

Getting Away with Murder | David Cole During his first presidential campaign Donald Trump famously claimed that he could “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” and not lose

Here’s the memo I would have written had Trump asked me if he could lawfully kill suspected drug smugglers on high seas. I guess I would have been “reassigned.”

www.nybooks.com/articles/202...

Reposting as long as this blatantly illegal killing spree continues.

Tanner Lecture Defending Free Speech From Its Progressive and Conservative Critics. TODAY @ 4.30 ET

LIVESTREAM LINK HERE: uchv.princeton.edu/events/tanne...

Tanner Lecture on Human Values: David D. Cole Progressives have increasingly lost faith in the First Amendment—at least as it has been interpreted and applied by the Supreme Court.  They argue that free speech has been “weaponized” by big busines...

I look forward to defending free speech from its progressive critics — and conservative assailants == as the Tanner Letures Nov. 12 and 13 @princeton.edu

A timely topic, sadly

lectures.princeton.edu/lectures/202...

Tanner Lecture on Human Values: David D. Cole Progressives have increasingly lost faith in the First Amendment—at least as it has been interpreted and applied by the Supreme Court.  They argue that free speech has been “weaponized” by big busines...

I look forward to defending free speech from its progressive critics — and conservative assailants == as the Tanner Letures Nov. 12 and 13 @princeton.edu

A timely topic, sadly

lectures.princeton.edu/lectures/202...

Reposting as long as they keep killing Civilians in cold blood.

We will be up shortly. 5-6.30 PM ET TODAY. Join us to discuss SCOTUS the day after it heard its first argument on the merits of a Trump initiative – and showed signs it might strike down his tariffs.

Getting Away with Murder | David Cole During his first presidential campaign Donald Trump famously claimed that he could “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” and not lose

"There was no conceivable legal authority for these killings." @davidcole-gtown.bsky.social www.nybooks.com/articles/202...

TOMORROW! Join us for a conversation about the Supreme Court — will it check President Trump? What can be done?

Join the fabulous Fintan O’Toole, Pam Karlan, and me for an online discussion of the Supreme Court in Trump 2.0. Sponsored by The New York Review of Books. Nov 6. Register here.

www.eventbrite.com/e/the-emerge...

Join the fabulous Fintan O’Toole, Pam Karlan, and me for an online discussion of the Supreme Court in Trump 2.0. Sponsored by The New York Review of Books. Nov 6. Register here.

www.eventbrite.com/e/the-emerge...

A Right to Commit Malpractice? | David Cole Does a state-licensed psychotherapist have a First Amendment right to provide “conversion therapy” counseling even though her profession defines it as a

There is no First Amendment right to commit malpractice, prescribe snake oil, or engage in “conversion therapy.” Here’s why.

www.nybooks.com/online/2025/...

this rocks. when indiana edu killed the student newspaper, Purdue stepped up, printed the forbidden issue, drove it to Bloomington and stocked the boxes.

Powerful sign at No Kings in Cleveland

An overhead view of a massive crowd of protesters marching down a Manhattan street, many carrying signs. Text overlaid says "NEW YORK"

Large crowds of protesters gathered in cities across the U.S. on Saturday as part of a mass “No Kings” demonstration against the Trump administration. nyti.ms/4hocDS0

This is what democracy looks like. #NoKings

Reposting because he keeps executing civilians without legal authority. Confusing a metaphorical war on drugs with an actual armed conflict. And getting away with murder.

A Right to Commit Malpractice? | David Cole Does a state-licensed psychotherapist have a First Amendment right to provide “conversion therapy” counseling even though her profession defines it as a

There is no First Amendment right to commit malpractice, prescribe snake oil, or engage in “conversion therapy.” Here’s why.

www.nybooks.com/online/2025/...

A Right to Commit Malpractice? | David Cole Does a state-licensed psychotherapist have a First Amendment right to provide “conversion therapy” counseling even though her profession defines it as a

I’ve spent my career defending First Amendment rights. Here’s why banning “conversion therapy” doesn’t violate the First Amendment — even though SCOTUS seems eager to say otherwise.

www.nybooks.com/online/2025/...

The Trump administration is committing "murder" with its attacks on boats in the Caribbean, says @davidcole-gtown.bsky.social
.
Would rationales of alleged drug-smuggling hold up if they were made by other countries about the U.S. drug trade?

Reposting because he keeps executing civilians without legal authority. Confusing a metaphorical war on drugs with an actual armed conflict. And getting away with murder.

Getting Away with Murder | David Cole During his first presidential campaign Donald Trump famously claimed that he could “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” and not lose

There’s abuse of power. And then there’s ordering the killing of civilians in cold blood. The latter is called murder under federal law.

Trump has crossed a line. Will it matter?

Getting Away with Murder | David Cole | The New York Review of Books

www.nybooks.com/online/2025/...