A Week in Review: Under Color of Law
Welcome to Under Color of Law’s weekly recap of the biggest legal stories shaping the headlines.
Each week, I break down the cases, controversies, and courtroom moments you need to know — all in one place. From inside-the-DOJ insights to legal analysis that cuts through the noise, here’s everything I’ve covered this week.
Let’s get into it.
Supreme Court’s Birthright Citizenship Decision: Power Grab in Disguise
Originally published on MSNBC
The so-called birthright citizenship case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court today proved an irresistible shiny object to the court’s hubris, gleaming with the chance to address fringe conservative ideology and enhance the power and ego of the high court.
DOJ Whistleblower Bombshell: What You’re Not Hearing About Emil Bove’s Confirmation
You’re going to see plenty of headlines about the whistleblower complaint tied to Emil Bove — Trump’s former personal attorney, current high-ranking DOJ official, and nominee for a lifetime seat on the federal appeals court.
But what do the headlines miss?
As a former DOJ insider, I’m breaking down what Bove’s confirmation hearing really reveals about the state of the legal system under Trump — and what the mainstream coverage isn’t telling you.
Watch the full Legal AF video here:
Key Takeaways
Who Is Emil Bove?
Bove isn’t just any lawyer. He’s:
Trump’s former personal attorney
The Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General - the #2 official in the Deputy AG’s office, often described as the DOJ’s COO
Currently nominated for a lifetime seat on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals
That’s a fast track to the Supreme Court — and it raises real questions.
The Whistleblower Complaint
Career DOJ lawyer Eris Revan has filed a 27-page complaint that includes explosive allegations, including:
Bove telling DOJ attorneys to be ready to “tell the court to f*** off”
Involvement in misleading legal arguments to defy a court order
Promoting false links between a deported man and MS-13 gang members
Retaliation against Revan for refusing to lie, including suspension and termination
This isn’t partisan drama. Revan himself held MAGA-aligned immigration views but says he drew the line at lying to the court.
Why the Confirmation Hearing Matters
What’s truly shocking?
That Bove may still testify under oath at his Senate confirmation hearing, despite these serious allegations.
If he lies or evades questions, he could face perjury charges. But the bigger issue? It reveals how confident Trump-aligned DOJ officials feel about dodging accountability.
My Take as a DOJ Veteran
This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about:
Integrity in federal judicial appointments
The erosion of internal checks at the DOJ
The risk of confirming someone who allegedly sees courts as enemies to manipulate
Ultimately, one question should be asked: Should someone with this record hold a lifetime seat on the second-highest court in the country?
What to Watch For:
If Bove testifies confidently, it signals how tightly Trump-aligned officials feel they control the DOJ.
If he pleads the Fifth or backs out, it means there’s still life in DOJ accountability.
Who’s Really to Blame for Trump’s Reckless Bombing of Iran?
Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on Iran. Now he wants credit for a ceasefire.
But let’s not forget: He lit the match. Now he wants praise for putting out the fire.
In my latest analysis, I break down:
What really led to the strike on Iran
Why Trump’s obsession with “lethality” is dangerous
How intelligence failures and performative politics are putting us at risk
Watch the full video here:
Key Takeaways
The Arsonist-Rescuer Act
Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal. Now, after escalating tensions and authorizing bombings, he’s patting himself on the back for a temporary ceasefire - one that’s already been broken.
A Decision-Making Process Unlike Any Other
Trump once described his approach to war like this:
“I’d like to make the final decision one second before it’s due... nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
That’s not strategy. It’s volatility. His decision-making appears to involve:
No clear intelligence briefing process
No meaningful consultation with allies
A fixation on “looking tough” rather than being effective
What the Bombing Actually Did
Trump called the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities a “spectacular success.” He claimed enrichment facilities were “completely obliterated.”
But here’s what we don’t know:
Did we actually eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities?
Was any enriched uranium destroyed, or had it already been moved?
Did the strikes accelerate Iran’s drive for a bomb?
There’s near-uniform agreement among intelligence experts: We don’t know what we hit, what was damaged, or what Iran’s next move will be.
The “War Room” Photo Op
One absurd moment: Trump released a staged “war room” photo wearing a MAGA hat, claiming command over the operation.
Imagine Obama in the Situation Room wearing a “Yes We Can” pin. It’s a joke, but also a warning: this is all about optics, not substance.
The Obsession with “Lethality”
Trump’s only consistent military talking point? Lethality. He brags that the U.S. makes “the most lethal military equipment.” But “lethality” is not a strategy — it’s a buzzword.
“Any angry person with a weapon is lethal. That doesn’t make them a strategist — it makes them a threat.”
This fetishization of strength reveals a dangerous misunderstanding of:
Diplomacy
Modern military strategy
Intelligence gathering
Why It All Matters
Post-9/11, U.S. intelligence evolved. We moved from Cold War-style state spying to fast-moving intelligence designed for non-state threats.
But under Trump, that careful evolution is being ignored — or worse, reversed.
This is performative foreign policy with real-world consequences. And the danger isn’t just what we’ve done. It’s what happens next — when we don’t actually know what damage we caused or what threats we provoked.
Want more in-depth analysis on law, politics, and the hidden threads behind today’s headlines?
Written by former DOJ prosecutor Shanlon Wu, this newsletter cuts through the noise to expose the legal forces shaping our democracy.
Thank you Shan! Your insights are amazing as always.