Richard J. Oparil
@roparil.bsky.social
DC/NY litigator with 40 years of experience. Democrat. Unafraid of Trump, his minions or his lawless Executive Orders. Don’t obey in advance. This 🇺🇸stands with 🇨🇦🇪🇺🇺🇦. Nothing said here is legal advice.
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
Hard to put into words how big of an own-goal it is for the United States to normalize shipping tolls at all, much less tolls at 20%. It's the kind of thing that appeals to someone who has only ever known how to run short-term scams.
Trump: "The USA will be, from this point forward, known as 'THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,' but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security ... "
July 13, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Hard to put into words how big of an own-goal it is for the United States to normalize shipping tolls at all, much less tolls at 20%. It's the kind of thing that appeals to someone who has only ever known how to run short-term scams.
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
Whoa, it's some actual "law" being applied to Trump and his administration. Didn't think that was a thing anymore.
BREAKING: Federal judge finds that Trump's IRS suit was improper because Trump controlled both sides of the litigation.
Judge Kathleen Williams also sanctions Trump's lawyers, issues monetary sanctions, and harshly criticizes DOJ's "untenable" conduct.
More to come at Law Dork: www.lawdork.com
Judge Kathleen Williams also sanctions Trump's lawyers, issues monetary sanctions, and harshly criticizes DOJ's "untenable" conduct.
More to come at Law Dork: www.lawdork.com
July 13, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Whoa, it's some actual "law" being applied to Trump and his administration. Didn't think that was a thing anymore.
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
For the 2nd time in a week, ICE agents who kill an unarmed man aren’t wearing body cameras. So what are they doing with the taxpayer $ Trump demanded they receive? Congress could pass laws requiring every agent involved in this work wear a working bodycam. www.pressherald.com/2026/07/13/s...
Live updates: ICE agents involved in shooting of Biddeford man were not wearing body cameras, King says
Protests are growing after a man identified as a 26-year-old from Colombia was fatally shot. Immigration advocates say he was authorized to work in the U.S.
www.pressherald.com
July 13, 2026 at 6:12 PM
For the 2nd time in a week, ICE agents who kill an unarmed man aren’t wearing body cameras. So what are they doing with the taxpayer $ Trump demanded they receive? Congress could pass laws requiring every agent involved in this work wear a working bodycam. www.pressherald.com/2026/07/13/s...
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
It really is that simple: there's no reason for an agency tasked with "Immigration and Customs Enforcement" to function as a gestapo that invades neighborhoods and shoots people. Why do they have military weapons and use military tactics? They're supposed to be paperwork clerks.
On the scene here in Biddeford where ICE shot and killed someone this morning. Still so many unknowns.
Let me be clear: Federal immigration enforcement should NOT be using deadly force against anyone in our communities. Period.
We need a full, independent investigation, and we need answers.
Let me be clear: Federal immigration enforcement should NOT be using deadly force against anyone in our communities. Period.
We need a full, independent investigation, and we need answers.
July 13, 2026 at 6:29 PM
It really is that simple: there's no reason for an agency tasked with "Immigration and Customs Enforcement" to function as a gestapo that invades neighborhoods and shoots people. Why do they have military weapons and use military tactics? They're supposed to be paperwork clerks.
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
i feel like this is one of the first ledes i've seen about the war that captures the absurdity of how it is being executed
Trump said the U.S. would start guiding commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. The plan doesn’t involve U.S. warships escorting the vessels.
Trump Says U.S. Will ‘Guide’ Stranded Ships Through Strait of Hormuz
The president called the plan, which doesn’t involve escorts by U.S. warships, a humanitarian gesture, and said that discussions with Iran continue.
on.wsj.com
May 3, 2026 at 10:35 PM
i feel like this is one of the first ledes i've seen about the war that captures the absurdity of how it is being executed
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
Another war Trump started and lost
April 22, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Another war Trump started and lost
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
As we’ve come to expect the unacceptable, from the purveyor of misinformation and fabrication
April 22, 2026 at 8:54 PM
As we’ve come to expect the unacceptable, from the purveyor of misinformation and fabrication
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
Reporter: What do you make of Republicans saying that Virginia—
AOC: Wah wah wah.
We have asked Republicans for 10 years to ban partisan gerrymandering. And for 10 years, Republicans have said no.
What they’re just mad at is that they have been accustomed to a Democratic Party that rolls over.
AOC: Wah wah wah.
We have asked Republicans for 10 years to ban partisan gerrymandering. And for 10 years, Republicans have said no.
What they’re just mad at is that they have been accustomed to a Democratic Party that rolls over.
April 22, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Reporter: What do you make of Republicans saying that Virginia—
AOC: Wah wah wah.
We have asked Republicans for 10 years to ban partisan gerrymandering. And for 10 years, Republicans have said no.
What they’re just mad at is that they have been accustomed to a Democratic Party that rolls over.
AOC: Wah wah wah.
We have asked Republicans for 10 years to ban partisan gerrymandering. And for 10 years, Republicans have said no.
What they’re just mad at is that they have been accustomed to a Democratic Party that rolls over.
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
The President and his Administration have already failed twice in court trying to intimidate me, and he's still not letting up. Just more proof that he'll do anything it takes to silence those of us willing to call him out. I'm not backing down — ever.
April 22, 2026 at 7:48 PM
The President and his Administration have already failed twice in court trying to intimidate me, and he's still not letting up. Just more proof that he'll do anything it takes to silence those of us willing to call him out. I'm not backing down — ever.
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
Burchett is right: the most DC thing ever *is* a member of Congress blaming the city for something he and his colleagues did themselves.
April 22, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Burchett is right: the most DC thing ever *is* a member of Congress blaming the city for something he and his colleagues did themselves.
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
I have frequently said that it is hard for me to imagine how Trump could further damage the institution of the DOJ, but that only demonstrates the limits of my imagination.
I did not imagine Trump putting Joe diGenova in charge of investigating his political enemies. It just got worse.
GIFT LINK
I did not imagine Trump putting Joe diGenova in charge of investigating his political enemies. It just got worse.
GIFT LINK
U.S. Installs a Trump Loyalist to Lead ‘Grand Conspiracy’ Case Into Trump Foes
www.nytimes.com
April 19, 2026 at 10:45 AM
I have frequently said that it is hard for me to imagine how Trump could further damage the institution of the DOJ, but that only demonstrates the limits of my imagination.
I did not imagine Trump putting Joe diGenova in charge of investigating his political enemies. It just got worse.
GIFT LINK
I did not imagine Trump putting Joe diGenova in charge of investigating his political enemies. It just got worse.
GIFT LINK
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
1/The Justice Department has moved to drop the last remaining January 6 insurrection criminal matters: the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys seditious conspiracy cases. Trump commuted their sentences when he returned to office, which got them out of prison, but it didn’t erase their convictions.
April 19, 2026 at 1:18 PM
1/The Justice Department has moved to drop the last remaining January 6 insurrection criminal matters: the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys seditious conspiracy cases. Trump commuted their sentences when he returned to office, which got them out of prison, but it didn’t erase their convictions.
www.syracuse.com
March 11, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
I'm no fancy political consultant, but, hey, if you're in Dem comms, you should notice that Fox News panicked over Trump wearing a cheap Trump merch baseball cap to receive the bodies of soldiers he got killed for no reason he can articulate, and you should absolutely lean into that.
Fox ran older footage but labeled it as happening Saturday.
March 8, 2026 at 2:52 PM
I'm no fancy political consultant, but, hey, if you're in Dem comms, you should notice that Fox News panicked over Trump wearing a cheap Trump merch baseball cap to receive the bodies of soldiers he got killed for no reason he can articulate, and you should absolutely lean into that.
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
Among the many infuriating things about these guys is their endless obscene macho posturing—to the point of admitting war crimes because it sounds tough—then instantly cowering at a select few dictators like Putin instead of remaining macho with something like "we're giving Ukraine nukes."
Steve Witkoff: I've communicated to Russians to stop sending targeting information to Iranians.
"I've strongly said that," he told reporters.
"I've strongly said that," he told reporters.
March 8, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Among the many infuriating things about these guys is their endless obscene macho posturing—to the point of admitting war crimes because it sounds tough—then instantly cowering at a select few dictators like Putin instead of remaining macho with something like "we're giving Ukraine nukes."
In Gorsuch’s Homage to Legislative Power, a Subtle Reproach of a Neutered Congress www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/u...
In Gorsuch’s Homage to Legislative Power, a Subtle Reproach of a Neutered Congress
www.nytimes.com
March 3, 2026 at 4:09 PM
In Gorsuch’s Homage to Legislative Power, a Subtle Reproach of a Neutered Congress www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/u...
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
Remember when Trump yanked funds from Mississippi after learning that the state's welfare chief had directed millions in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to sports celebrities, including not only Brett Favre, but the Million Dollar man and his two pro-wrestler sons?
Wait. He didn't.
Wait. He didn't.
JD Vance: "We're announcing today that we have decided to temporarily halt certain amounts of Medicaid funding that is going to the state of Minnesota in order to ensure that the state of Minnesota takes its obligations seriously to be good stewards of the American people's tax money."
February 26, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Remember when Trump yanked funds from Mississippi after learning that the state's welfare chief had directed millions in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to sports celebrities, including not only Brett Favre, but the Million Dollar man and his two pro-wrestler sons?
Wait. He didn't.
Wait. He didn't.
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
The Ford’s sailors have been away from home for eight months already, setting up a possible deployment of 11 months, he said. That would break the record for a continuous deployment by a U.S. Navy ship. www.wsj.com/us-news/miss...
Missed Funerals and Blocked Toilets: Iran Deployment Takes a Toll on U.S. Sailors
The lengthy mission of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is causing strains for the crew members and their families.
www.wsj.com
February 21, 2026 at 1:35 PM
The Ford’s sailors have been away from home for eight months already, setting up a possible deployment of 11 months, he said. That would break the record for a continuous deployment by a U.S. Navy ship. www.wsj.com/us-news/miss...
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
10% yesterday.
15% today.
As Gorsuch wrote, could be “1 percent or 1,000,000 percent .. and he may change his mind at any time for nearly any reason.” 🤡
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/b...
15% today.
As Gorsuch wrote, could be “1 percent or 1,000,000 percent .. and he may change his mind at any time for nearly any reason.” 🤡
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/b...
February 21, 2026 at 4:40 PM
10% yesterday.
15% today.
As Gorsuch wrote, could be “1 percent or 1,000,000 percent .. and he may change his mind at any time for nearly any reason.” 🤡
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/b...
15% today.
As Gorsuch wrote, could be “1 percent or 1,000,000 percent .. and he may change his mind at any time for nearly any reason.” 🤡
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/b...
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
This is delusional. Putin has shown no willingness to meet Zelensky.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said a meeting between Putin and Zelensky could happen within the next three weeks. In an interview with Fox News, he said Trump might also take part. Witkoff said he and Kushner are optimistic their proposed initiatives could narrow differences and lead to a summit.
February 22, 2026 at 2:30 PM
This is delusional. Putin has shown no willingness to meet Zelensky.
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
Trump just can’t stop thinking about Greenland… www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/u...
Denmark Rejects Trump’s Plan to Send Hospital Boat to Greenland
www.nytimes.com
February 22, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Trump just can’t stop thinking about Greenland… www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/u...
Reposted by Richard J. Oparil
That's absurd, and also: Anthropic just caused a stir with their legal plugin, but what she's saying undermines using Claude for law. A "kind and worldly assistant" is different from a "zealous advocate." I don't need praise for my draft brief, I need to see how an unethical opponent will attack it.
“She compares her work to the efforts of a parent raising a child. She’s training Claude to detect the difference between right and wrong while imbuing it with unique personality traits.”
This Philosopher Is Teaching AI to Have Morals
The tech company has entrusted the philosopher to endow its chatbot with a sense of right and wrong.
www.wsj.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:59 PM
That's absurd, and also: Anthropic just caused a stir with their legal plugin, but what she's saying undermines using Claude for law. A "kind and worldly assistant" is different from a "zealous advocate." I don't need praise for my draft brief, I need to see how an unethical opponent will attack it.