Asha Rangappa

2 weeks ago | asharangappa.substack.com | Asha Rangappa

So, I’m not an economist, and I don’t play one on TV. But like you, dear reader, I don’t have to look further than the value of my 401(k) to know that we are, indeed, in the stupidest timeline possible.

1 month ago | cafe.com | Asha Rangappa

Dear Reader,On Saturday, President Trump issued an executive order invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to remove (he claims) members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), from the U.S. In so doing, Trump is trying to use the post 9/11 terrorism playbook for immigration.

2 months ago | cafe.com | Asha Rangappa

Dear Reader,Almost four years ago, I wrote a CAFE Note called, “Never Let Your Skill Exceed Your Virtue.” It was about the special responsibility borne by lawyers, in particular, not to become complicit in efforts to undermine democracy by providing a veneer of legality for unethical, corrupt, or illegal acts.

2 months ago | asharangappa.substack.com | Asha Rangappa

The below statement was released yesterday by William B. Ray, President of the American Bar Association, and I am reprinting it here (with a pull quote of the part I hope resonates with everyone). Although his message is a call to action for elected officials and lawyers across the country, it is an important one for every American. I hope you will read and share widely. It has been three weeks since Inauguration Day. Most Americans recognize that newly elected leaders bring change. That is expected.

2 months ago | asharangappa.substack.com | Asha Rangappa

I normally don’t write on Sundays, but I have seen some alarming rumors that Elon Musk has purchased a $40 million Super Bowl ad in which he will expose the “fraud” and “corruption” at USAID. (See here and here.) If this is true, it is not great news: Musk’s “ad” will almost certainly be filled with mis- and disinformation, considering that he has promoted conspiracy theories regarding USAID on his own social media platform.