How State and Local Governments Can Fight Back Against Authoritarianism

About this episode

Erwin Chemerinsky and Aziz Huq discuss the powers and authorities that state and local governments can use to fight back against authoritarianism and serve as a check against federal overreach. Related Articles: • “Fight Back: How States Can Counter Authoritarianism” Series, Sept. 21, 2026 • Erwin Chemerinsky and Aziz Z. Huq, Introduction to “Fight Back: How States Can Counter Authoritarianism” Series (Aug. 20, 2026) • Jessica Bulman-Pozen, Commandeering, Coercion, and Executive Power (Aug. 21, 2026) • Steven J. Kochevar, States Can Fight Federal Overreach by Protecting State Data (Aug. 26, 2026) • Fred O. Smith, Jr., Collateral Accountability: The Oldest Check on Federal Lawlessness (Aug. 28, 2026) • Catherine E. Lhamon, State Imperatives to Protect Civil Rights for All (Sept. 2, 2026) • Jill Habig, Cities as Nodes of Resistance (Sept. 4, 2026) • Miriam Seifter, Governors and State Administration (Sept. 9, 2026) • David L. Noll, State Attorneys General Can Enforce Federal Laws the Executive Branch Won’t (Sept. 21, 2026)