September 2, 2025


1878 Is The New 2025 — A Retro Approach to Modern Issues

In an intriguing twist of legal and cultural commentary, it appears that the echoes of 1878 are resounding in the year 2025, highlighting a unique intersection of past precedents and present-day debates.

The Trump Administration, embroiled in controversy, has revitalized a 19th-century legal statute, the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of U.S. military forces in domestic law enforcement. This old but gold legal boundary has been brought into the limelight as discussions surface about the appropriate roles of military power in civil affairs. The administration's attempt to deploy military solutions to contemporary problems has sparked a debate reminiscent of post-Reconstruction America, raising questions about the evolution, or lack thereof, in governmental tactics.

Simultaneously, the landscape of legal education is undergoing significant transformations. The law school tuition bubble, which has long been inflated to critical limits, is finally showing signs of deflation. With prospective students becoming increasingly hesitant to shoulder crippling debt, law schools are compelled to reconsider their pricing strategies. This shift could be a turning point in how legal education markets itself and manages financial accessibility.

The public sphere is also witnessing its share of legal drama, with prominent figures learning tough lessons about the boundaries of free speech and defamation. Legal heavyweight Alan Dershowitz faced a harsh reality check, distinguishing being factually incorrect in public discourse from being legally defamed. This serves as a potent reminder of the enduring complexities surrounding freedom of expression and the legal protections against defamation.

Adding a touch of celebrity to legal proceedings, Kim Kardashian joins the ranks of anxious candidates awaiting bar exam results. Her journey underscores the universal challenges and pressures faced by all law students, irrespective of their fame. It highlights the rigorous standards upheld by the legal profession, reinforcing that law's demanding nature spares no one based on celebrity status.

Lastly, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s recent hospitalization following a car accident reminds us of the human aspects behind public figures. The incident, drawing public and media attention, emphasizes the ongoing public interest in the personal lives of political figures.

As we navigate through 2025, the shadows of 1878 cast a long and instructive shadow, offering lessons and warnings from the past to steer current and future policies. This melding of centuries underlines the cyclical nature of history and the continuous relevance of past laws and experiences in shaping modern governance and societal norms.