Andrew Grainger

Cognoscenti contributor

Andrew Grainger is a retired associate justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court. He has been designated a senior Fulbright scholar by the U.S. Department of State. He has taught legal courses in numerous foreign universities, and also teaches locally.

Recently published

Attorney General William Barr listens as President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP)

People Of Good Character, At Every Level Of Government, Are The Antidote To Trump

Without people of character who are dedicated to goals weightier than personal power and self-interest, writes Andrew Grainger, the nation’s founding documents, however eloquent and well-conceived, are simply words.

Cognoscenti

Feb 18, 2020

House Judiciary Committee ranking member Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga.,and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, right, talk as the House Judiciary Committee hears investigative findings in the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Lots Of Republicans In Congress Went To Law School. They’ve Forgotten Every Lesson

Common sense and all the other tools we use to marshal the truth are not collateral damage, writes Andrew Grainger. They are intended casualties in a partisan crusade.

Cognoscenti

Dec 12, 2019

President Trump talks to reporters before boarding Air Force One for a trip to Chicago on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (Evan Vucci/AP)

To Check Trump's Lies, Check His Lawyers

Trump can be brought to heel by disciplining the lawyers who enable him, writes Andrew Grainger.

Cognoscenti

Oct 31, 2019

Attorney Ronald Sullivan, formerly for Harvey Weinstein, enters State Supreme Court in New York, Friday, April 26, 2019. (Richard Drew/AP)

Harvard Bungled The Harvey Weinstein Lawyer Case. But Liberal Bias Wasn’t The Culprit

Both Harvard and Oberlin, facing its own troubles, squandered teaching opportunities, writes Andrew Grainger. This is better described as institutional cowardice.

Cognoscenti

Jul 2, 2019

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts talks with Justices Elena Kagan, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito at services for former President George H.W. Bush on Dec. 3, 2018. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

The Trouble With Clarence Thomas

Justice Clarence Thomas broke his silence to ask several questions in the case of Flowers vs. Mississippi, writes Andrew Grainger. Unfortunately Thomas’ rare participation amounted to “whataboutism.”

Cognoscenti

Apr 4, 2019

Protesters of President Trump's national emergency declaration gather on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, in New York. (Frank Franklin II/AP)

Precedent Doesn’t Favor Trump’s Emergency Declaration. But What Happens Next Is Anybody’s Guess

So long as the Supreme Court employs even a scintilla of intellectual honesty, it cannot turn a blind eye to the public record, writes Andrew Grainger.

Cognoscenti

Feb 22, 2019

Attorney General nominee William Barr departs after a meeting with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019 in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP)

William Barr Is A Stellar Candidate For AG — Except When It Comes To Issues Involving Trump

The president's pick for attorney general believes congressional oversight encroaches on the executive branch’s broad authority, writes Andrew Grainger.

Cognoscenti

Jan 15, 2019

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Trump's Attacks On The Press Only Strengthen The First Amendment

The relationship between the White House and the reporters covering it has grown more tense than ever, writes Andrew Grainger.

Cognoscenti

Dec 3, 2018

Supporters of President Donald Trump cheer as the president arrives to speak during a rally at Show Me Center, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Cape Girardeau, Mo.. (Carolyn KasterAP)

An Afternoon In Trump Country

Donald Trump shouldn't prevent us from recognizing the humanity in one another, writes Andrew Grainger.

Cognoscenti

Nov 15, 2018

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, center, accompanied by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., left, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, second from left, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the ranking member, second from right, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., right, speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee markup meeting on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

It's Hard To Get The Truth If You're Not Trying To Find It

The fight between Senate Republicans and the women who have accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct will be decided by political power, writes Andrew Grainger.

Cognoscenti

Sep 25, 2018