Anne Joseph O’Connell

In this engaging discussion, Stanford Law professor Anne Joseph O’Connell, an expert on the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, unpacks the nuances of presidential power and accountability, particularly during Trump’s presidency. O’Connell reveals how the Act was potentially circumvented to appoint acting heads without Senate confirmation. She shares insights from her own experience in government, the implications of 'acting' appointments on national policy, and memorable moments clerking for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, blending legal expertise with personal anecdotes.

Joining the conversation are Stephanie Barkley, a Georgetown Law Professor specializing in religious liberty, Eric Goldman from Santa Clara University Law, and Ann Joseph O'Connell, a Stanford Law expert on political appointments. They tackle the Supreme Court deadlock on religious charter school funding and its separation of church and state issues. The discussion also explores the legal battles against social media platforms linked to violent acts and the complexities surrounding interim appointments in the U.S. justice system, examining their implications for executive authority.

Eric Goldman, a law professor at Santa Clara University, tackles the lawsuits from Buffalo shooting victims' families against social media giants for spreading harmful content. He discusses the challenges of Section 230 and tech companies' liability for inciting violence. Anne Joseph O’Connell from Stanford Law School sheds light on the trend of temporary appointments in government, analyzing the implications for accountability and the federal vacancies system. Together, they unpack pressing legal issues rooted in our digital age and government practices.