#legal malpractice insurance

[casefoxinc]

Planning Your Next Chapter: A Lawyer’s Guide to Retirement Preparation

Ready to transition from the courtroom to a well-deserved retirement? Our comprehensive guide helps lawyers navigate the journey to retirement with ease. From financial planning and investment strategies to lifestyle adjustments and maintaining a sense of purpose, discover the essential steps to ensure a smooth and fulfilling retirement. Start planning your next chapter today!

[mattersuite]

The Benefits of Legal Malpractice Insurance for Lawyers

Lawsuits can happen to anyone, even the best lawyers and attorneys. Legal malpractice insurance provides critical protection for your practice. Explore the benefits, from safeguarding assets to upholding client trust. Learn how to choose the right policy and avoid common pitfalls. Get insured, get empowered to focus on what matters: your clients.

[attorneysfirst]

Protect Your Law Practice with Attorneys First Malpractice Insurance

In the legal profession, the stakes are high. Even the most experienced attorneys can make mistakes or face unexpected challenges that could lead to a lawsuit. To protect themselves and their firms, attorneys need a solid safety net. That’s where Attorneys Malpractice Insurance comes into play. Attorneys First Insurance specializes in providing this essential coverage, safeguarding legal professionals from potential financial and reputational harm.

What is Attorneys Malpractice Insurance?

Attorneys Malpractice Insurance, also known as professional liability insurance for lawyers, is designed to protect attorneys from claims of negligence, errors, or omissions made during the course of their professional duties. This type of coverage is crucial because even a small oversight can result in significant legal fees, settlements, or damage to a law firm’s reputation. Attorneys First Insurance offers specialized policies that cater to the unique needs of legal professionals, ensuring that their practice is protected from unexpected claims.

Why is Attorneys Malpractice Insurance Necessary?

Legal malpractice claims are not uncommon. They can arise from a variety of situations, including missed deadlines, conflicts of interest, errors in legal documentation, or failure to communicate effectively with clients. Even if a claim is unfounded, defending against it can be costly and time-consuming. Having Attorneys Malpractice Insurance provides a financial safety net, covering legal fees, court costs, and potential settlements, allowing attorneys to focus on their practice without the constant worry of unexpected liabilities.

Coverage Tailored to Your Needs

Attorneys First Insurance understands that no two law practices are the same. Whether you’re a solo practitioner, part of a small firm, or manage a large legal team, they offer tailored coverage that fits your specific requirements. Their policies cover a wide range of potential claims, including:

• Negligence: Protection from claims of failure to exercise the standard of care expected in legal practice. • Errors and Omissions: Coverage for inadvertent mistakes that may occur during legal work. • Defense Costs: Assistance with legal fees and court costs associated with defending against a malpractice claim. • Settlements and Judgments: Financial support for settlements or judgments if a claim results in a loss.

Why Choose Attorneys First Insurance?

Choosing the right provider for Attorneys Malpractice Insurance is crucial. Attorneys First Insurance stands out because of their commitment to the legal profession. They offer competitive rates, comprehensive coverage options, and personalized service to ensure each attorney’s needs are met. Their expertise in the industry means they understand the unique challenges lawyers face and provide guidance to help select the best policy for each situation.

Conclusion

For attorneys, malpractice insurance is not just a safety net—it's a necessity. Protecting your career and reputation is essential, and Attorneys First Insurance is there to help. By investing in Attorneys Malpractice Insurance, you’re taking a proactive step to ensure that your practice is shielded from unexpected risks, allowing you to focus on what you do best: serving your clients.

If you’re looking for reliable, affordable, and tailored malpractice insurance coverage, consider Attorneys First Insurance. They are dedicated to protecting the legal professionals who protect others.

[qualityloveparadise]

Injury attorney san Antonio, USA 2023

An injury attorney in San Antonio, USA is a legal professional who specializes in handling cases related to personal injury. Personal injury cases can involve a variety of accidents or incidents, such as car accidents, workplace accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, and more. The primary role of an injury attorney is to represent their clients in court and negotiate on their…

[alpaca-clouds]

I learned an important lesson yesterday: Lawyers are fucking magic. They wave their "make your problems go away" stick and your problems go away.

It turns out that the family of one of my work colleagues entirely works in medical law. So, I talked with them on the phone yesterday. And in the end his dad called the hospital yesterday in the afternoon. And he was just like: "Gentle reminder: Not treating your patients is in fact illegal. If it turns out your diagnosis is wrong and you hence treated it wrongly, there is no fault. But if you have a diagnosis and do not treat it, that is actually malpractice. Do you need this in writing or will this phone call surfice?" And I kid you not, 15 minutes later I finally got the corticoids I have been trying to get for 8 fucking weeks.

Moral of the story: I will get myself legal insurance now. Because it allows me the ability to go: "I will call my lawyer."

In Germany there is the saying: "There is a difference between having a legal right and being able to use a legal right." And I am afraid this difference is called having a fucking lawyer.

And given how many times some companies already pulled shit like: "You gotta pay XYZ" because they know that a lot of people will simply pay up... Yeah... I so far always took myself a lawyer, who then just replied: "No, I do not think my client will pay that." To which the companies would always react with: "Oh. Okay. I guess."

There was a case once where one of my phone providers suddenly came out of nowhere like: "Oh, you did not properly end our contract with us. Now pay up 3000€ for the last three years." And I had the presence of mind to just go to a lawyer. And the lawyer was like: "I do not think my client will pay it. But we will be kind and pay for six months, which would be 120€." And the phone provider was liek: "Oh. Oh. Yeah. Uhm... That is fair."

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

WIBTA for reporting my previous place of employment for shady work practices?

Disclaimer: this would be strictly petty revenge for firing me - while illegal, technically, the malpractice doesn't harm anyone.

This might get a little long.

Backstory:

I worked a receptionist position at a family-owned funeral home (in the US) where recently, the managing funeral director was replaced from a highly respected individual by a couple from a different state that had come out of retirement and were completely changing everything - some for the better, most to their liking... and some that while legal in their home state isn't allowed in the current state we are.

I had a strong feeling out the gate that the person out of the two that would end up becoming my direct supervisor didn't like any of the current staff, which got solidified when during a meeting she pretty much stated it would be her way or the highway.

Sometimes when we're slammed, we all work through our lunch and don't get a break for 8+ hours at all, so instead of forgoing eating altogether the entire staff got used to just scarfing down their food super fast at their desks.

We also don't have company cellphones, we only have landlines, and the way we dispatch our team to go pick someone up after they pass is to call the person to make sure they're available, and then text them the needed info (we also don't get a stipend to offset our cell bills).

Dilemma:

Tuesday morning, I got fired due to "gross insubordination" for a. eating at my desk and b. using my cellphone to call the dispatch team. The owner himself fired me, and was pretty rude and, imo, pretty heartless about it (due to some events that occurred on Sunday, I had to call out of work Monday, and when I asked if I should prep myself for the meeting since I had a rough weekend, he responded with "well, it's about to get worse").

He already had my final check in hand (which had a copy of my timesheet with the days that I skipped lunch marked as "busy" or "no lunch cover") along with a termination letter, so he didn't even care to hear my side of the story.

Since I was the receptionist, I've got receipts on some, if not most, of the slightly shady things that they were doing (i.e. selling insurance without a license, selling insurance under a different identity, breaking some state statutes from false advertising, etc etc), and was thinking about reporting them to the necessary agencies.

Its possible that this could lead to the place getting shut down (i dont doubt that the fines would definitely add up) and leave people without work (which is my main deterrent but out of everyone that works there, only a few of the original staff is still there - the rest have either quit or are actively looking), but at the same time, if they continue unchecked they're gonna keep getting away with it, keep making bank, and with the state we're in being a right to work state, as long as they can frame it a certain way, they can use anything at all to fire someone.

So... WIBTA if I went through the proper channels to report them for their malpractice and have them audited?

What are these acronyms?

[sysmedsaresexist]

So have you talked about Colin Ross abusing and traumatizing his patients, or him believing he can shoot beams of energy out of his eyeballs, or any of that stuff or did i miss those posts or what

I did :) keep looking, I'm sure you're almost there

In all seriousness, no one is saying he's a saint or unproblematic, but him believing he can shoot lasers doesn't exactly affect the results of fmris or the readings of other clinicians in the studies compiling results

I mean, unless he shot the lasers right into the machine

That might skew the results a bit

But if you're going to dismiss Ross, you also have to dismiss van der Hart, Braun (RIP???), Poznanski, and all of the other psychotherapy clinicians involved in 15-20% of yearly medical malpractice lawsuits (statistics in these areas are horrible to wade through).

Malpractice lawsuits are a fact of life in the medical field and that's why every doctor is legally required to have insurance. It's estimated that by the age of 65 years, 75% of physicians in low-risk specialties had faced a malpractice claim (this includes psychiatry), as compared with 99% of physicians in high-risk specialties (surgeons and the like). At least 10% of an average 40 year career is spent with an open lawsuit on file. 96% of medical malpractice cases are settled out of court, without you ever knowing they happened. Your family/general doctor has more than likely been sued before, and you have zero idea. Of the cases that go to court, over 55% are dismissed. Of the remainder, over 70% are awarded to the physician. These numbers are terrifying. Not only are the number of frivolous lawsuits incredibly high, the fact that so few cases are won by the patient is just depressing.

Based on the above, like 1 case out of roughly 3,500 yearly malpractice suits against therapists will succeed in court.

(The above numbers are US based)

To reiterate, over half of those cases never go to court and you don't know they happened, because at that point, insurance companies prefer to just make things go away with money, whether it's valid or not.

How many can't afford to sue?

These cases range from therapists oversharing, bad note taking, confidentiality concerns, sexual relationships, business relationships, misdiagnosis, prescription management, lack of training in techniques, disagreements, and any number of other things. More often than not, malpractice suits aren't for emotional damage, but procedural and ethical issues.

The more well-known you are, the harder the cases you take, the more likely you are to be sued. I don't actually know of a case where Ross was the sole named physician, usually there's 3 or 4 named and Ross has only made it to the settlement stage once, though we can't see what part he played or if he was held responsible over the other physicians. I don't think he was ever named as the primary physician, meaning he came into these cases after another doctor had made the diagnosis.

How would you feel if every doctor decided to reassess you themselves rather than trust another diagnosing physician? This is a real question that matters. It's not rhetorical. I'm not defending Ross, either, but I'd be pretty frustrated by the third round of testing. Multiple diagnosing clinicians just isn't always feasible, and yes, it leads to errors. But that's not just psychiatry.

I don't really know what to say to this ask. No one is denying he's got problems, but can those problems be directly tied to the research and did they skew results? Where do we draw the line to decide who's officially useless as a clinician (people like Hart) and who's just getting sued in a normal daily event?

Can we talk about the laser beam thing for a second, though?

Colin Ross has an eyebeam of energy he'd like you to hear

Ross applied to the James Randi Educational Foundation’s One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

Ross's basic claim is that with the aid of special goggles he’s assembled using a blue Aqua Sphere swim mask, electrical wiring and, naturally, scraps of tin foil, he can harness the energy from his eyes and use the energy to play a tone on a computer. He describes it like an on-off switch. And he plans to use the technology he’ll develop to add receptors to such devices as iPods and light switches, allowing folks to turn them on or off using our eyebeams.

He won an award. A Pigasus. I think this is hilarious.

The Pigasus Award is given each year, “To the scientist or academic who said or did the silliest thing related to the supernatural, paranormal or occult.” Dr. Ross’ 2009 Pigasus Award stems from his ability to focus his own electromagnetic field to send a beam of energy from his eyes and make a tone sound out of a speaker. He has applied to the One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge administered by the JREF.

The JREF has ridiculed Dr. Ross since he filed his challenge application. James Randi wrote on his web page: “You think you’ve seen every sort of claim that could be thrown at the JREF…. Most have been preposterous, silly, irrational, and/or astonishing. Now we have one that is all of those…Dr. Colin A. Ross.”

“I am not the first unconventional thinker who has had to endure the snickering of cynics and skeptics, so I happily accept this recognition,” said Dr. Ross. “Every significant scientific advance faces resistance, but it is time that the JREF stop ridiculing me and tests the protocol.”

I don't know where I'm going with all this, it's just food for thought, context. Nothing is ever quite so black and white, even eye lasers, and sometimes you keep the bathwater and toss the evil baby.

It's hard, it's a balance. Do we say you can't trust the ToSD because of Hart? Can bad people still make reliable resources? As much as it sucks, I think some research is still valuable, and we need to teach people how to critically examine methods and conclusions to decide if the research has merit, not just decide based on whose name is first in the authors list.

[mcginnlawfirm]

How Long Will My Personal Injury Case Take?

When you're dealing with a personal injury claim, it's natural to wonder, "How long will this take?" The answer depends on several factors, but one thing is clear—having the right legal team can make a significant difference. With the right guidance, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect at every stage of the process.

1. The Investigation Stage

Once you’ve filed your claim, the first step is gathering key information about the accident. This includes medical records, accident reports, and witness statements. Depending on how quickly this information is collected, the investigation stage could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

While this part may seem slow, being thorough is crucial to building a strong case. A solid foundation can help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

2. Negotiating and Settling

After the investigation is complete, the next step is settlement negotiations. This is when your attorney works with the insurance company or the other party to try and reach a fair resolution.

The timeline for negotiations varies. Some cases settle quickly, while others take longer if disagreements arise. Rushing to settle can result in receiving less than what you’re entitled to, so patience is key. Staying informed throughout this stage helps you understand your options better.

3. Filing a Lawsuit (If Needed)

If a fair settlement isn’t reached, filing a lawsuit might be the next step. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean your case will go to trial—many cases settle even after legal action is initiated.

Once a lawsuit is filed, the case enters the discovery phase, where both sides exchange information and continue gathering evidence. Depending on the complexity of the case, this phase can last several months. Throughout this period, negotiations can continue in hopes of reaching a settlement.

4. Going to Trial (If Necessary)

Most personal injury cases settle before reaching trial, but if a resolution isn’t found, a trial may be necessary. Trials can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the issues involved.

While the idea of going to court can feel overwhelming, having experienced legal support can help you feel more confident and prepared for what’s ahead.

What Can Affect the Timeline?

Several factors can influence how long your case might take, including:

Case Complexity: More severe injuries, disputes over liability, or multiple parties involved can extend the process.

Your Medical Treatment: It's often best to wait until you've reached "maximum medical improvement" before settling to ensure future medical expenses are covered.

Court Scheduling: If your case goes to trial, court availability can impact the timeline, as some courts face backlogs that lead to delays.

Overview of the Process

A typical personal injury case follows these key steps:

Initial Consultation: Discuss the details of your case with an attorney.

Investigation: Collecting evidence and medical records to build your case.

Negotiation: Working to reach a fair settlement.

Trial (If Needed): Pursuing legal action if an agreement can't be reached.

Factors That Impact the Timeline

Understanding the unique aspects of your case can help set realistic expectations. Some factors that can influence the duration include:

Type of Negligence: Straightforward cases like car accidents may resolve quicker, while complex cases such as medical malpractice might take longer.

Liability Disputes: If there's disagreement about who is at fault, negotiations may take longer.

Ongoing Medical Treatment: Waiting until you're fully recovered or in a stable condition can ensure a more accurate settlement.

Multiple Parties: Cases involving several individuals or entities may experience extended timelines due to additional negotiations.

Get Help with Your Personal Injury Claim

Every personal injury case is different, and getting the right support can make the process smoother and less stressful. If you have questions about how long your case might take or need legal guidance, consulting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and work toward the compensation you deserve.

[abboudlawfirm-tucson]

Can I Get Compensation for a Personal Injury?

A personal injury can disrupt your life in ways you never expected. From physical pain to mounting financial challenges, these situations often leave you overwhelmed and searching for answers. If you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, you may wonder whether seeking compensation is an option for you. Rest assured, it’s a question many people ask as they navigate their journey toward recovery.

Understanding how personal injury claims work can be a turning point in reclaiming control over your situation. Whether your injury resulted from a car accident, a slip and fall, or another form of negligence, exploring your legal options is a step toward financial stability and peace of mind. With the right guidance, you can ensure your rights are protected while focusing on healing.

Seeking compensation doesn’t have to be an intimidating process. By partnering with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney, you’ll gain a trusted ally who understands the complexities of these cases. An attorney can help you explore the compensation you may be entitled to and navigate the legal process with confidence.

What Does Personal Injury Compensation Cover?

When someone else's carelessness causes harm, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. Personal injury compensation typically falls into three categories:

General Damages: These address non-tangible impacts such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or a reduced quality of life.

Special Damages: These cover direct financial losses like medical bills, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury.

Punitive Damages: Rarely awarded, these aim to punish particularly reckless behavior and discourage similar actions in the future.

Each case is unique, and the exact amount of compensation depends on the specifics of your injury and circumstances. A skilled attorney can help you calculate your losses to ensure no detail is overlooked.

Why Work with a Personal Injury Attorney?

The legal system can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with the aftermath of an injury. A dedicated personal injury attorney can lighten the load by guiding you through the process and advocating for your rights. Here's how they help:

Building a Strong Case: Attorneys gather critical evidence like medical records, accident reports, and witness statements to establish negligence.

Maximizing Your Claim: They ensure all current and future losses are accounted for, giving you the best chance at a fair settlement.

Navigating the Legal System: From filing paperwork to meeting deadlines, your attorney will handle the procedural complexities so you can focus on recovery.

Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters often aim to minimize payouts. An experienced attorney negotiates to secure compensation that reflects your true losses.

By choosing the right attorney, you’re investing in an ally who will stand by your side throughout this challenging time.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury claims arise from many situations, such as:

Car Accidents: Negligent actions like distracted driving or speeding often lead to injuries.

Slip and Fall Accidents: Hazardous conditions on someone else’s property can result in premises liability claims.

Workplace Injuries: Some injuries go beyond workers' compensation and may involve third-party claims.

Medical Malpractice: Errors by healthcare providers can lead to serious harm and potential claims.

Defective Products: Faulty designs or manufacturing defects can harm consumers, leading to liability claims.

If you’ve experienced any of these scenarios, consulting an attorney can help you understand your options for seeking justice.

Your Next Steps in the Claims Process

Starting a personal injury claim involves a few important steps:

Document Everything: Keep detailed records of your injuries, medical expenses, and any financial losses.

Consult an Attorney: Schedule a consultation to review your case and explore your legal options.

File Your Claim: With your attorney's guidance, submit your claim to the responsible party or their insurer.

Negotiate a Settlement: Your attorney will work toward a resolution that fairly compensates you.

Proceed to Trial, If Necessary: If negotiations don’t succeed, your attorney can represent you in court.

When someone’s negligence causes you harm, seeking compensation is about more than just covering costs—it’s about reclaiming control over your life. Partnering with a skilled personal injury attorney can make all the difference, ensuring your rights are protected while pursuing the financial recovery you need.

Don’t let the stress of navigating this process alone hold you back. Reach out for a consultation today and take the first step toward healing and justice.

[attorneysfirst]

Shielding Excellence: The Vital Role of Law Firm Malpractice Insurance

In the ever-evolving landscape of legal practice, law firms shoulder immense responsibilities while navigating intricate legal matters. However, the risk of facing malpractice claims is an inherent aspect of the profession, emphasizing the crucial need for Law Firm Malpractice Insurance.

Understanding Law Firm Malpractice Insurance

Law Firm Malpractice Insurance, a specialized form of professional liability coverage, is designed to safeguard law firms from the financial repercussions of legal malpractice claims. These claims can arise from various scenarios, including errors, omissions, or negligence in providing legal services. This insurance is an essential tool for risk management, ensuring that law firms can continue their operations even in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Comprehensive Coverage Features

Professional Liability Protection: The core of Law Firm Malpractice Insurance is professional liability coverage, offering financial protection in the event of claims related to errors, omissions, or negligent acts during legal representation.

Legal Defense Costs: Malpractice claims often lead to extensive legal expenses. This insurance covers the costs associated with defending the law firm against such claims, allowing firms to mount a robust defense without compromising their financial stability.

Settlements and Judgments: In instances where a malpractice claim results in a settlement or judgment, the insurance steps in to cover these financial obligations, preventing severe economic setbacks for the law firm.

Extended Reporting Period (ERP): Law Firm Malpractice Insurance typically includes an Extended Reporting Period, commonly known as "tail coverage." This feature enables the reporting of claims even after the policy expires, provided the incident occurred during the policy period.

Importance for Law Firms

For law firms of all sizes, from boutique practices to large multinational entities, Malpractice Insurance is a critical aspect of risk management. The nature of collaborative efforts within a firm and the potential for multiple attorneys working on a case heighten the importance of having a comprehensive insurance policy. It not only protects the firm's financial health but also upholds its professional reputation.

Conclusion

In the dynamic and challenging field of legal practice, law firms must proactively manage the risks associated with professional liability. Attorneys First Insurance stands as a bulwark against potential financial crises, ensuring that legal professionals can focus on delivering exceptional services without the constant specter of malpractice claims. It is not merely a safeguard; it is an indispensable investment in preserving the excellence and longevity of a law firm's reputation and success in the legal arena.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

12/4/2024- Transfer of Power :: Clay Bennett

* * * *

Governing is hard . . . as Trump is about to find out

December 10, 2024

Robert B. Hubbell

I am circling back to events that occurred late last week and over the weekend. Others have discussed these developments fully, especially Donald Trump's first “sit down” interview as president-elect. See, for example, Jay Kuo on Substack, Status Kuo, The Interview. I recommend Jay Kuo’s article for a detailed analysis of Trump's lies during his first formal interview as president-elect.

As Kuo describes in his essay, Trump touched on five major topics:

He vowed to end birthright citizenship under the US Constitution.

He is still exploring “concepts of a plan” to replace the Affordable Care Act;

He acknowledged that his threatened tariffs might contribute to inflation;

He threatened the January 6 Committee members with imprisonment while pledging to pardon January 6 insurrectionists;

He threatened to “send them all back,” referring to ten million immigrants whom he believes are subject to immediate detention and deportation.

Trump's threats outlined above will cause tens of millions of Americans to experience fear and anxiety and will inflict financial and emotional hardship on innocent family members. While that damage must never be minimized, we must also recognize that Trump's threats--collectively and individually—portend a disastrous start to his second term.

If he is stupid enough to follow through on his threats (and he is), they will provide Democrats, Independents, and shell-shocked Republicans with a common platform to resist and obstruct Trump's agenda, and punish his party.

Although NBC published a post-interview fact check and Kristen Welker pushed back against many of Trump’s falsehoods, Welker and NBC gave Trump plenty of airtime to repeat his outrageous lies.

Giving Trump that platform is journalistic malpractice—one that the major networks and cable outlets commit again and again. Readers sent me several dozen copies of David Pepper’s criticisms of the NBC interview: See Pepperspectives (on Substack), Platforming Disinformation - by David Pepper.

David Pepper prescribes the only rational approach to interviewing Trump (an approach not followed by Kristen Welker):

I’ll re-make the simple suggestion I made [when NBC interviewed Trump over a year ago]: Never move on from the FIRST lie until Trump acknowledges it’s a lie. NEVER. Literally….end the interview rather than moving onto the next topic. Why does this matter? Because Trump and other dishonest subjects go into these interviews KNOWING they can get away with endless lying, for two reasons. First, in many cases, most of the lies are not even fact-checked. Second, even if they are fact checked, the liar KNOWS that the interviewer’s goal is to get through a long list of questions. That list of questions, more than truth itself, becomes the goal of the interview.

David Pepper is absolutely correct! Unless journalists are willing to do the real work of holding Trump accountable for his lies, they are providing a platform for those lies.

Back to my thesis: Each of Trump's threats mentioned during the NBC interview will sow the seeds of MAGA’s defeat. For example, Trump wrongly claims that he can “end” birthright citizenship—a right explicitly guaranteed in the 14th Amendment. His proposal has been met with derision and scorn by legal scholars, who have described Trump's theory as a “lunatic fringe argument” and akin to believing in “unicorns.”

But that won’t stop Trump from issuing an unconstitutional executive order that will immediately cloud the status of legal residency, employment, Social Security benefits, healthcare, and unemployment insurance for tens of millions of Americans. Many millions of those American citizens likely voted for Trump in the mistaken belief that his lunacy would be directed at other people.

Trump intentionally ratcheted up the fear factor by saying that his termination of birthright citizenship should not “break up families.” Instead, Trump proposes to deport everyone in the family in which only some members have birthright citizenship.

Deportation based on “guilt by association” is extraordinarily unlikely to happen, but it did not stop Trump from making the threat during the interview and frightening millions of American families in which some, but not all, of the family members are US citizens by birth.

The same cruelty is embedded in Trump's massive deportation plan, which he has previously acknowledged will sweep in US citizens or legal residents entitled to remain in the US.

Even Trump knows he went too far in his interview bombast. He was forced to acknowledge during the interview that his tariffs “might” contribute to inflation—a statement that is as close as Trump ever comes to an admission that he is wrong.

Moreover, on Monday, a Trump spokesperson went further in attempting to “walk back” one of Trump's statements about jailing members of the January 6 Committee. The unusual move by Trump came after some of Trump's stalwart allies in the legal world blasted Trump for claiming that members of the January 6 Committee should be imprisoned.

Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington School of Law and a frequent defender of Trump during impeachment hearings, said the following on Fox “news”:

The fact, however, is that there is no viable criminal case to be made against the J6 Committee members for their investigation or report. We need to move beyond the rage rhetoric if this country is going to come together to face the tough challenges ahead.

Trump spokesperson Jason Miller tried to dispute the clear implication of Trump's threat against the J6 Committee members by saying that Trump only wants “the law to be applied equally to everyone” and that the decision would be left up to law enforcement officials, including Kash Patel.

Of course, Jason Miller did not acknowledge that Kash Patel (nominee for FBI) has a political enemies list that includes every prominent member of the January 6 Committee.

If Trump follows through with his threat to pursue that January 6 Committee, his effort will crash and burn—even if it makes its way to the compromised and corrupt Roberts’ reactionary majority. The work of the January 6 Committee is absolutely protected by the Speech and Debate Clause of the US Constitution.

Finally, Trump's pledge to pardon the January 6 insurrectionists is a lose-lose proposition for Trump. If he pardons all of them (unlikely) he will pardon dozens of insurrectionists who attacked and inflicted serious injuries on dozens of law enforcement officers. If Trump pardons fewer than all of the insurrectionists, he will be viewed as having broken his promise and betrayed his most violent supporters among the January 6 mob. As I said, lose, lose.

Here's my point: Trump is in the “talking tough, consequence free” portion of his post-election fantasy tour. As soon as he attempts to act on any of his anti-democratic, “lunatic fringe,” family-busting threats, the consequences of his cruelty will dominate the airwaves non-stop. And that will horrify Americans and weaken Trump politically.

I expect that many readers will disagree with my analysis. But the Trump team has already seen this train coming down the tracks, which is why Jason Miller has started to walk-back some of Trump's comments and Trump has himself acknowledged that tariffs will raise prices in the US.

I believe that Trump has overplayed his hand. Yes, he will carry through with some of his threats and will inflict pain on millions of Americans. That tragic state of affairs will be our opening to convince the majority of Americans that Trump and his party of enablers are toxic to democracy.

[Robert B. Hubbell]

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Erin Reed at Erin In The Morning:

On Tuesday, Gov. Janet Mills of Maine signed LD 227, a sanctuary bill that protects transgender and abortion providers and patients from out-of-state prosecution, into law. With this action, Maine becomes the 16th state to explicitly protect transgender and abortion care in state law from prosecution. This follows several bomb threats targeting state legislators after social media attacks from far-right anti-trans influencers such as Riley Gaines and Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok. An earlier version of the bill failed in committee after similar attacks in January. Undeterred, Democrats reconvened and added additional protections to the bill before it was passed into law.

The law is extensive. It asserts that gender-affirming care and reproductive health care are "legal rights" in Maine. It states that criminal and civil actions against providers and patients are not enforceable if the provision or access to that care occurred within Maine’s borders, asserting jurisdiction over those matters. It bars cooperation with out-of-state subpoenas and arrest warrants for gender-affirming care and abortion that happen within the state. It even protects doctors who provide gender-affirming care and abortion from certain adverse actions by medical boards, malpractice insurance, and other regulating entities, shielding those providers from attempts to economically harm them through out-of-state legislation designed to dissuade them from providing care.

The bill also explicitly enshrines the World Professional Association of Transgender Health’s Standards of Care, which have been the target of right-wing disinformation campaigns, into state law for the coverage of transgender healthcare.

The bill is said to be necessary due to attempts to prosecute doctors and seek information from patients across state lines. In recent months, attorneys general in other states have attempted to obtain health care data on transgender patients who traveled to obtain care. According to the United States Senate Finance Committee, attorneys general in Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri, and Texas attempted to obtain detailed medical records "to terrorize transgender teens in their states… opening the door to criminalizing women’s private reproductive health care choices." The most blatant of these attempts was from the Attorney General of Texas, who, according to the Senate Finance Committee, "sent demands to at least two non-Texas entities." 

[...] Despite these threats, legislators strengthened both the abortion and gender-affirming care provisions and pressed forward, passing the bill into law. Provisions found in the new bill include protecting people who "aid and assist" gender-affirming care and abortion, protections against court orders from other states for care obtained in Maine, and even protections against adverse actions by health insurance and malpractice insurance providers, which have been recent targets of out-of-state legislation aimed at financially discouraging doctors from providing gender-affirming care and abortion care even in states where it is legal.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) signs gender-affirming care and abortion sanctuary state bill LD227 into law despite the best efforts of right-wing anti-trans extremists such as Riley Gaines, Courage Is A Habit, and Libs of TikTok who sought to thwart its passage and signature into law.