John Q. Barrett

@johnqbarrett.bsky.social

Benjamin N. Cardozo Professor of Law, St. John's University, NYC. Robert H. Jackson Center. Jackson biographer. Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, Legal History, Nuremberg, SCOTUS. Iran-Contra & DOJ alum. Wisconsin native. #JacksonList

Yes, the Supreme Court works, which means that the public respects it and losing parties obey it, as a function of it getting enough of its decisions, in *our* (the public’s) views, right.

Steve Vladeck@stevevladeck.bsky.social · 2d ago

Lots of efforts to prop up #SCOTUS have focused on the claim that the Court has shown itself to be “independent” of Trump. As today’s “One First” explains, “independence” may make it possible for the Court to rule against the other branches, but it’s only the means—not the end—of judicial review:

Pretend that we had a proper U.S. Department of Justice. U.S. Attorney Pirro would have resigned or Acting Attorney General Blanche would have fired her. But of course we don’t. Misuse of federal law enforcement power to try to cover up Reflecting Pool contractor incompetence shows that plainly.

Listen to U.S. chief prosecutor Robert H. Jackson's closing statement at Nuremberg, the post-World War II trial of the top Nazi war criminals. Justice Jackson delivered his two-hour address to the court on July 26, 1946--80 years ago this weekend.

Newspaper clipping photograph of Jackson delivering his closing address at Nuremberg.

On October 15, 2026, I will have the honor of delivering the New York County Lawyers Association's 59th Charles Evans Hughes Memorial Lecture. My topic: “Presidential Material” Should Be “Supreme Court Material,” and Vice Versa: The Charles Evans Hughes Model.

I ran into Sen. John Cornyn in a hotel last week. We spoke pleasantly for a minute. I regret deeply not saying that he’s politically free now to do what’s right, & that voting against the nomination of law-breaker Todd Blanche to be Attorney General should top his list of patriotic things to do.

Outrageous. Read the First Amendment: “press.” Shame on the SDNY U.S. Attorney’s Office & the FBI for preparing & serving such lacking a compelling interest subpoenas on NYT reporters, and in heavy-handed ways. DOJ, when acting lawfully, is not a dictator’s anti-embarrassment army.

Eric Lipton NYT@ericlipton.nytimes.com · 4w ago

Times Journalists Subpoenaed as Trump Escalates Pressure on Media The Justice Department is seeking to compel testimony from reporters who wrote about the new Air Force One. The Times called the move a “brazen act.” www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/b...

In 1941, U.S. Attorney General Robert H. Jackson was supposed to give the Independence Day address to the National Mall crowd in Washington, DC. But the event was rained out. So he gave the address over nationwide radio. Here's a #JacksonList essay with details. thejacksonlist.com/2026/07/05/i...

Independence Day Address (1941)

This is a reprise posting of the essay below. It seems to be on point given the extreme heat, rain, lightning storms, and temporary evening evacuation of the National Mall that were parts of this F…

thejacksonlist.com

In 1935-36, Robert H. Jackson prosecuted the U.S. tax case against ex-Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon. After the litigating was done, Jackson's bosses wrote to him, expressing thanks. And he shared that with his team. Here's a #JacksonList essay with details. thejacksonlist.com/2026/07/01/b...

Bosses’ Thanks to the Mellon Case Team (1936)

In 1935 and 1936, Robert H. Jackson, Assistant General Counsel heading the Bureau of Internal Revenue in the United States Treasury Department, led the U.S. government team that litigated a major t…

thejacksonlist.com

On August 28, 1945, Brooklyn Dodgers President/GM Branch Rickey, in his office at 215 Montague Street, broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier by signing Negro League star Jackie Robinson. The building later was torn down. Its successor had a plaque. brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/356

Heights History: 215 Montague Street | Brooklyn Heights Blog

The structure that once stood at 215 Montague Street is gone, replaced by a commercial building anchored by Commerce Bank, but the address has earned its place in history. ...

brooklynheightsblog.com

Question for this Supreme Court week: Will Justice Alito, age 76, 20 years on the Supreme Court and 36 years total a U.S. judge, resign (cease to be a judge), retire (take senior status), or neither (remain a Justice in active service)? Your guess, prediction, or inside information?