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The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order.

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Hon. Patrick J. Bumatay on a judge’s duty to the Constitution: “While it’s wise to remember that judges are unelected and that we are the weakest branch, you can’t ignore that our highest duty is always to the Constitution, and we must acknowledge that we are now in a different time. Judicial restraint isn't always a virtue in itself. Fidelity to the Constitution is.”

Hon. Patrick J. Bumatay on a judge’s duty to the Constitution: “While it’s wise to remember that judges are unelected and that we are the weakest branch, you can’t ignore that our highest duty is always to the Constitution, and we must acknowledge that we are now in a different time. Judicial restraint isn't always a virtue in itself. Fidelity to the Constitution is.”

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.Senator Eric Schmitt, U.S. Senator, State of Missouri, on the left's attacks against Supreme Court justices, including leaking the Dobbs decision: "Look at what they were willing to do. People tried to murder Supreme Court justices. Merrick Garland looked the other way when they were being harassed. When the leak happened after Dobbs, they leaked the decision with the hope that it would change the outcome. That somebody would go soft. And we've got to be unafraid to talk about this stuff, because this is what they're willing to do."

.Senator Eric Schmitt, U.S. Senator, State of Missouri, on the left's attacks against Supreme Court justices, including leaking the Dobbs decision: "Look at what they were willing to do. People tried to murder Supreme Court justices. Merrick Garland looked the other way when they were being harassed. When the leak happened after Dobbs, they leaked the decision with the hope that it would change the outcome. That somebody would go soft. And we've got to be unafraid to talk about this stuff, because this is what they're willing to do."

Federalist Society

100,143 views • 14 days ago

.Senator Ted Cruz: "I think it is a time for every elected official. I think it is a time for every editorialist. I think it is a time for every lawyer, for every student to decide where do you stand. As for me, and I'm confident as for the men and women of the Federalist Society, we will stand for liberty. We will stand for the Constitution. We will stand for the Bill of Rights. But we will also stand for truth."

.Senator Ted Cruz: "I think it is a time for every elected official. I think it is a time for every editorialist. I think it is a time for every lawyer, for every student to decide where do you stand. As for me, and I'm confident as for the men and women of the Federalist Society, we will stand for liberty. We will stand for the Constitution. We will stand for the Bill of Rights. But we will also stand for truth."

Federalist Society

500,028 views • 6 months ago

“This is not just one incident. It's just the latest in a string of incidents on campuses across the country.” At yesterday’s FedSoc event, Judge Ho argued episodes like what happened at UCLA Law reveal a deeper crisis in legal education: “Too many law schools have stopped teaching students how to be good citizens, let alone good lawyers. Too many institutions of legal education have become incubators of intolerance.”

“This is not just one incident. It's just the latest in a string of incidents on campuses across the country.” At yesterday’s FedSoc event, Judge Ho argued episodes like what happened at UCLA Law reveal a deeper crisis in legal education: “Too many law schools have stopped teaching students how to be good citizens, let alone good lawyers. Too many institutions of legal education have become incubators of intolerance.”

Federalist Society

65,254 views • 27 days ago

Mr. David Dewhirst, Solicitor General, Florida Attorney General's Office, on how Florida is working to loosen the grip of the American Bar Association (ABA): “The ABA is incredibly powerful across the country. Over the last year, we encouraged our state Supreme Court to revisit the requirement that you graduate from an ABA-accredited school in order to be qualified to take the Florida bar exam — and so they did. They just removed that back in February. … We're doing our best to defang them as a relevant actor when it comes to representing the legal community nationwide and particularly playing such a pivotal role in legal education.”

Mr. David Dewhirst, Solicitor General, Florida Attorney General's Office, on how Florida is working to loosen the grip of the American Bar Association (ABA): “The ABA is incredibly powerful across the country. Over the last year, we encouraged our state Supreme Court to revisit the requirement that you graduate from an ABA-accredited school in order to be qualified to take the Florida bar exam — and so they did. They just removed that back in February. … We're doing our best to defang them as a relevant actor when it comes to representing the legal community nationwide and particularly playing such a pivotal role in legal education.”

Federalist Society

33,379 views • 13 days ago

Mr. Samuel Adkisson, Associate Counsel to the President, White House Counsel's Office, on presidential accountability over the executive branch: “To the extent federal agencies exercise significant executive power, that agency must be accountable to the president. Article II of the Constitution vests the executive power in a president of the United States of America, period. The Constitution also provides that the president shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. But if the president can't effectively supervise his subordinates in the executive branch — if, in other words, he is not in charge — it becomes practically impossible for the president to fulfill his duties under Article II of the Constitution. It also begs the question: who would be in charge? It's not the courts. It's not Congress. It's certainly not the people.”

Mr. Samuel Adkisson, Associate Counsel to the President, White House Counsel's Office, on presidential accountability over the executive branch: “To the extent federal agencies exercise significant executive power, that agency must be accountable to the president. Article II of the Constitution vests the executive power in a president of the United States of America, period. The Constitution also provides that the president shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. But if the president can't effectively supervise his subordinates in the executive branch — if, in other words, he is not in charge — it becomes practically impossible for the president to fulfill his duties under Article II of the Constitution. It also begs the question: who would be in charge? It's not the courts. It's not Congress. It's certainly not the people.”

Federalist Society

24,274 views • 13 days ago

Mr. Eric W., Solicitor General, Iowa Attorney General's Office, raises the concern over how states like New York are attempting to impose their laws nationwide, including in Iowa: “New York has decided that it wants to impose a policy of mandating certain disclosures relating to greenhouse gas emissions — and as I've always said, that'd be fine if they wanted to do that for folks in New York. But they also want that to apply to anyone who does any business in New York. And it turns out that no matter how self-important New York City thinks it is, there's more stuff going on outside of New York than there is in New York, even New York state. And so we think there are a lot of reasons why New York or California or any one of a number of states should not be able to mandate what the rest of the states do in their own state.”

Mr. Eric W., Solicitor General, Iowa Attorney General's Office, raises the concern over how states like New York are attempting to impose their laws nationwide, including in Iowa: “New York has decided that it wants to impose a policy of mandating certain disclosures relating to greenhouse gas emissions — and as I've always said, that'd be fine if they wanted to do that for folks in New York. But they also want that to apply to anyone who does any business in New York. And it turns out that no matter how self-important New York City thinks it is, there's more stuff going on outside of New York than there is in New York, even New York state. And so we think there are a lot of reasons why New York or California or any one of a number of states should not be able to mandate what the rest of the states do in their own state.”

Federalist Society

18,313 views • 13 days ago

In Case You Missed It: Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon (Harmeet K. Dhillon) delivered remarks at a FedSoc event responding to the recent incident at UCLA Law, addressing the state of free speech, civil discourse, and viewpoint discrimination on American campuses. Watch her full remarks below. ⬇️

In Case You Missed It: Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon (Harmeet K. Dhillon) delivered remarks at a FedSoc event responding to the recent incident at UCLA Law, addressing the state of free speech, civil discourse, and viewpoint discrimination on American campuses. Watch her full remarks below. ⬇️

Federalist Society

28,092 views • 26 days ago

Mr. Yuval Levin, Senior Fellow American Enterprise Institute, reflects on the role of Congress: "If we're going to have a politics in which deliberation plays a central role, we have to have a politics in which Congress plays a central role. That part can only be played by a plural institution that is both representative and deliberative, and that is what Congress is designed to be." … "We are living in a political moment where the deepest differences do not get worked out, and we've persuaded ourselves that this is because we're polarized, or it's because we're divided, or it's social media. We're not more polarized than the America of the late eighteenth century. We're not more divided than the America of the mid-nineteenth century. These technologies have not changed human nature or the character of politics. The core institution of our system now does not want the role it is assigned, and that is what has to change."

Mr. Yuval Levin, Senior Fellow American Enterprise Institute, reflects on the role of Congress: "If we're going to have a politics in which deliberation plays a central role, we have to have a politics in which Congress plays a central role. That part can only be played by a plural institution that is both representative and deliberative, and that is what Congress is designed to be." … "We are living in a political moment where the deepest differences do not get worked out, and we've persuaded ourselves that this is because we're polarized, or it's because we're divided, or it's social media. We're not more polarized than the America of the late eighteenth century. We're not more divided than the America of the mid-nineteenth century. These technologies have not changed human nature or the character of politics. The core institution of our system now does not want the role it is assigned, and that is what has to change."

Federalist Society

13,045 views • 14 days ago

Hon. Derek Brown, Office of the Utah Attorney General, calls out the "bait and switch" being pursued by blue states when they sue energy companies for legal energy production: "That's what makes a lot of these climate lawsuits frustrating for me — the companies that are being sued are being sued for doing not only what they are legally allowed to do, but also for following a very extensive and long list of regulations and permitting requirements to get to that point. And so what we basically said is regulations and laws ought to mean something, and that's what I said… 'Do we want to have legislation through legislators or through lawsuits? What's it going to be?' I said, 'Look, you're the lawmakers. We should legislate through laws and not through lawsuits, because laws are predictable — with lawsuits, it's anyone's guess.'"

Hon. Derek Brown, Office of the Utah Attorney General, calls out the "bait and switch" being pursued by blue states when they sue energy companies for legal energy production: "That's what makes a lot of these climate lawsuits frustrating for me — the companies that are being sued are being sued for doing not only what they are legally allowed to do, but also for following a very extensive and long list of regulations and permitting requirements to get to that point. And so what we basically said is regulations and laws ought to mean something, and that's what I said… 'Do we want to have legislation through legislators or through lawsuits? What's it going to be?' I said, 'Look, you're the lawmakers. We should legislate through laws and not through lawsuits, because laws are predictable — with lawsuits, it's anyone's guess.'"

Federalist Society

12,435 views • 14 days ago

Hon. Stanley E. Woodward Jr., Associate Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, on the importance of humility among prosecutors: “With that power must come humility. It requires discipline. And, above all, it requires accountability. Because when prosecutorial power becomes untethered from constitutional structure, public trust evaporates… Restoring that trust requires more than slogans. It requires a return to constitutional first principles, which is why this administration has focused on restoring clarity, discipline, and democratic accountability across the executive branch.”

Hon. Stanley E. Woodward Jr., Associate Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, on the importance of humility among prosecutors: “With that power must come humility. It requires discipline. And, above all, it requires accountability. Because when prosecutorial power becomes untethered from constitutional structure, public trust evaporates… Restoring that trust requires more than slogans. It requires a return to constitutional first principles, which is why this administration has focused on restoring clarity, discipline, and democratic accountability across the executive branch.”

Federalist Society

10,372 views • 13 days ago

Tennessee Solicitor General Matthew Rice on the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Skrmetti: “I think it reaffirmed that politically accountable lawmakers and the democratic process is where this belongs, much like the Court did in the Dobbs decision when it returned the issue of abortion to the states.”⁩

Tennessee Solicitor General Matthew Rice on the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Skrmetti: “I think it reaffirmed that politically accountable lawmakers and the democratic process is where this belongs, much like the Court did in the Dobbs decision when it returned the issue of abortion to the states.”⁩

Federalist Society

67,145 views • 6 months ago

NEW FILM! 🎬 In March 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order scaling back federal DEI initiatives, signaling a major turning point in the national conversation around race-conscious policies in the workplace. Regulatory Transparency Project's latest short film revisits American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund and asks whether these DEI initiatives are a necessary path to equality—or an obstacle to it. Devon Westhill FearlessFund Aditi Juneja

NEW FILM! 🎬 In March 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order scaling back federal DEI initiatives, signaling a major turning point in the national conversation around race-conscious policies in the workplace. Regulatory Transparency Project's latest short film revisits American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund and asks whether these DEI initiatives are a necessary path to equality—or an obstacle to it. Devon Westhill FearlessFund Aditi Juneja

Federalist Society

71,110 views • 1 year ago

“If the framers were right that the only rightful purpose of the government is to respect and protect the natural rights of our citizens, then it is only fitting that we, as lawyers, continue to hold our government to that standard, and sometimes we participate in advancing those ideals.” - Harmeet K. Dhillon

“If the framers were right that the only rightful purpose of the government is to respect and protect the natural rights of our citizens, then it is only fitting that we, as lawyers, continue to hold our government to that standard, and sometimes we participate in advancing those ideals.” - Harmeet K. Dhillon

Federalist Society

43,842 views • 6 months ago

Georgetown University Law Center Prof. Stephanie Barclay: “I agree with the fact that originalism isn't any history. Justice Barrett has a great line she’s once said, ‘just because you've pointed to something old doesn't mean that you're doing originalism.’ So history that is leading up to or shortly after the founding period, I think sheds context on what those words meant, and that's what we're after.”

Georgetown University Law Center Prof. Stephanie Barclay: “I agree with the fact that originalism isn't any history. Justice Barrett has a great line she’s once said, ‘just because you've pointed to something old doesn't mean that you're doing originalism.’ So history that is leading up to or shortly after the founding period, I think sheds context on what those words meant, and that's what we're after.”

Federalist Society

25,947 views • 6 months ago

“The law is not a tool for personal gain or for punishing our political opponents. It is how we reaffirm the Constitution will be colorblind, as Justice Harlan wrote, and that all Americans will be treated fairly.” - Harmeet K. Dhillon #FedSoc2025

“The law is not a tool for personal gain or for punishing our political opponents. It is how we reaffirm the Constitution will be colorblind, as Justice Harlan wrote, and that all Americans will be treated fairly.” - Harmeet K. Dhillon #FedSoc2025

Federalist Society

20,240 views • 6 months ago

Hon. Amul Thapar, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, at the 2025 National Lawyers Convention: "Israel restraint on the battlefield proves that any suggestion of genocidal intent is absolutely crazy. Would the Nazis or Hutus have taken any measures whatsoever to save the lives of those they sought to exterminate? To ask the question answers it."

Hon. Amul Thapar, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, at the 2025 National Lawyers Convention: "Israel restraint on the battlefield proves that any suggestion of genocidal intent is absolutely crazy. Would the Nazis or Hutus have taken any measures whatsoever to save the lives of those they sought to exterminate? To ask the question answers it."

Federalist Society

16,756 views • 5 months ago

Hon. Patrick J. Bumatay's message to students: “Before I close, I’d like to talk to the students in the audience. My message of being bold isn’t just for the judges. It’s for you too. I know you have dealt with a lot these past few years. I know you might feel besieged on campuses. But I hope your time this week will embolden you to return to your schools and keep advocating for your principles. Organize events, debate your peers, and don’t be afraid to stand up for your values. As you will see here, you are not alone. And then, when the debate is over, go have a drink with your fellow students on the other side. I spoke earlier about collegiality among judges. We can be fierce adversaries in our writings but friends outside of them. That goes for students as well.”

Hon. Patrick J. Bumatay's message to students: “Before I close, I’d like to talk to the students in the audience. My message of being bold isn’t just for the judges. It’s for you too. I know you have dealt with a lot these past few years. I know you might feel besieged on campuses. But I hope your time this week will embolden you to return to your schools and keep advocating for your principles. Organize events, debate your peers, and don’t be afraid to stand up for your values. As you will see here, you are not alone. And then, when the debate is over, go have a drink with your fellow students on the other side. I spoke earlier about collegiality among judges. We can be fierce adversaries in our writings but friends outside of them. That goes for students as well.”

Federalist Society

15,797 views • 6 months ago

An Amish rebellion against public school laws in 1972 reshaped religious freedom in America. Now, that same case is influencing a new Supreme Court showdown: Mahmoud v. Taylor. Learn the story of Wisconsin v. Yoder in our new film "The Amish Exception."

An Amish rebellion against public school laws in 1972 reshaped religious freedom in America. Now, that same case is influencing a new Supreme Court showdown: Mahmoud v. Taylor. Learn the story of Wisconsin v. Yoder in our new film "The Amish Exception."

Federalist Society

19,488 views • 11 months ago

“For all of history, all of human history, not just the last couple hundred years, thousands of years, people, societies, have recognized, and this would have not been foreign to our Founders, that control over your territory, control over your borders, is an inherent power that belongs to any sovereign nation.” - America First Legal's Gene Hamilton

“For all of history, all of human history, not just the last couple hundred years, thousands of years, people, societies, have recognized, and this would have not been foreign to our Founders, that control over your territory, control over your borders, is an inherent power that belongs to any sovereign nation.” - America First Legal's Gene Hamilton

Federalist Society

11,219 views • 6 months ago

This week marked a historic milestone– Justice Clarence Thomas became the sixth longest serving Justice in Supreme Court history, sharing this distinction with Justice John Marshall Harlan. Learn more about Justice Thomas’ journey to the bench:

This week marked a historic milestone– Justice Clarence Thomas became the sixth longest serving Justice in Supreme Court history, sharing this distinction with Justice John Marshall Harlan. Learn more about Justice Thomas’ journey to the bench:

Federalist Society

12,635 views • 9 months ago