Lee Kovarsky in the Media

Lawfare February 27, 2026

Patronage Pardons: A Conversation with Prof. Lee Kovarsky about a Novel Feature of the Trump Administration

Professor Lee Kovarsky speaks with Lawfare about patronage pardons, considers whether the founders anticipated them, gives examples, and explores what makes the pardons unique.

Democracy Docket January 30, 2026

Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon, independent reporter arrested over anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church

Professor Lee Kovarsky questions the probable cause needed to detain two journalists recently arrested over an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church.

The Atlantic October 24, 2025

Trump Grants Clemency to One of the World’s Richest Men

Professor Lee Kovarsky discusses President Trump's recent pardons and categorizes them into two different types, based on the factors leading to the actions.

The Marshall Project July 28, 2025

Trump Flouts Pardon Rules — and Costs Victims and Taxpayers More Than $1 Billion

Professor Lee Kovarsky comments on questionable pardons by President Trump, including those of the January 6 insurrectionists which he identifies as "patronage pardoning."

Lousiana Illuminator July 28, 2025

Trump flaunts pardon rules, costs victims and public more than $1 billion

Professor Lee Kovarsky described Trump’s early pardons as “patronage pardoning”—highly public acts meant to reward allies who broke the law on his behalf.

Bloomberg Law June 13, 2025

Senate Republicans Eye Limits on Judicial Power in Tax Bill

Professor Lee Kovarsky warns that the language in the court-limiting proposal by Senate Republicans could give the Trump administration a “blank check” to enforce unconstitutional policies without ever being subject to court orders, similarly dangerous to the House version that allows for violation with impunity.

The New York Times June 9, 2025

Trump’s patronage pardons redefine the presidency’s legal boundaries

In his opinion piece, Professor Lee Kovarsky argues that Trump’s loyalty-driven clemency strategy transforms pardons into tools of political leverage, undermining traditional checks on executive authority.

Bloomberg Law May 22, 2025

Maryland’s US Court Halts Fast Removals of Detained Migrants

Professor Lee Kovarsky praises the actions taken by courts, such as the Maryland federal district court, to adapt their procedures to the unprecedented rates of removal of noncitizens by the Trump administration.

Lawfare May 22, 2025

Class Actions and the Alien Enemies Act

Professor Lee Kovarsky and Professor Teddy Rave examine the legal challenges arising from a federal court's refusal to certify an Alien Enemies Act detainee class following the Trump administration's invocation of removal authority targeting alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragu.

More of: D Theodore Rave

Bloomberg Law May 20, 2025

Justices Give Other Path to Block Trump Orders Nationwide

Professor Lee Kovarsky suggests the recent Supreme Court ruling on Venezuelan deportations provides an alternative to block President Trump's orders through temporary relief granted by lower courts beyond the named parties with class certification.

Reason March 30, 2025

Lee Kovarsky on the Venue Issue in the Alien Enemies Act Case

Professor Lee Kovarsky authors a guest post evaluating the Department of Justice's legal argument surrounding habeas corpus laws as they apply to JGG v. Trump, the lawsuit in which the Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations.

MSNBC December 23, 2024

Joe Biden’s justifiable mercy

Professor Lee Kovarsky authors a piece about the politics and morals of President Biden's decision to commute 37 death penalty sentences.