Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

I will admit this was one that I had to both click through and then search for myself to believe it's real.

Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 5h

Jeffrey Epstein to Bill Gates in December 2016:

“come to visit the island. new adminstration people visiting”

(www.justice.gov/epstein/file...)

From: "jeffrey E." <jeevacation@gmail.com
To: Bill Gates
Subject:
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2016 10:14:35 +0000
come to visit the island. new adminstration people visiting

February 13, 2026 at 5:02 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Josh Gerstein

@joshgerstein.bsky.social

NEW: After announcement of end to MN immigration surge, Trump admin slammed by Trump-appointed judge for denying detainees access to lawyers. Feds also drop criminal charges against 2 immigrants over incident Noem called "attempted murder." w/@kyledcheney.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2026/02...

Court rebukes Trump administration for denying immigration detainees access to lawyers

It’s the latest and perhaps most pointed rebuke yet from Minnesota federal judges.

www.politico.com

February 13, 2026 at 2:40 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

BeijingPalmer

@beijingpalmer.bsky.social

Arnaud is, as has long been known, a fucking idiot, but this is a surprisingly common delusion about Chinese history, as is the idea that it was consistently 'religiously tolerant.' Religious politics were extremely intense, and persecution of disliked sects common.

𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℍ𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕒 ℙ𝕠𝕕𝕔𝕒𝕤𝕥 @thoc.bsky.social · 10h

It is this humble servant's duty to report that Arnaud Bertrand is never beating the charges of being a thoroughly historically-illiterate dumbass...

February 13, 2026 at 2:48 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Mother Jones

@motherjones.com

According to ICE’s own data, none of its officers have been killed by an immigrant in the agency’s history.

How dangerous is it really to work for ICE?

According to ICE’s own data, none of its officers have been killed by an immigrant in the agency’s history.

www.motherjones.com

February 13, 2026 at 3:00 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Mark Jacob

@markjacob.bsky.social

Here’s a gift link to a well-written and perceptive story by Robert Draper in the New York Times. He’s 100% correct that the Epstein scandal has exposed the moral rot in America’s elite.

The Epstein Files and the Hidden World of an Unaccountable Elite

www.nytimes.com

February 13, 2026 at 3:07 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Carl Quintanilla

@carlquintanilla.bsky.social

“.. Noem and Lewandowski frequently berate senior level staff, give polygraph tests to employees they don’t trust and have fired employees—in one incident, Lewandowski fired a U.S. Coast Guard pilot after Noem’s blanket was left behind on a plane ..”

@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

February 13, 2026 at 2:09 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Fubar 🇨🇦

@captainfubar.bsky.social

This is just unconscionable man

February 13, 2026 at 1:43 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

The TRO goes in depth and provides very specific requirements.

Defendants shall ensure that every noncitizen taken into custody under the
Immigration and Nationality Act and initially detained at the ERO Holding
Facility at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building located at 1 Federal
Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota ("Detainee"), within one hour of their
36
CASE 0:26-cv-00749-NEB-DLM Doc. 95 Filed 02/12/26
Page 37 of 41
detention and prior to being transferred out of state, is given the following
materials:
a. Defendants shall provide Detainees their A-number in writing.
b. Defendants shall provide a printed copy of Exhibit A to this Order.
c. Defendants shall attach to Exhibit A a list of accurate telephone
numbers for current free legal service providers serving the
jurisdiction of the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations St. Paul
Office.
d. Exhibit A, the list of free legal service providers, and written
notification of the Detainee's A-number shall be furnished to each
Detainee in English, Spanish, Somali, French, and Hmong.
Defendants shall provide, without charge, to each Detainee who is
illiterate or not proficient in any of those languages an in-person or
telephonic oral translation of these materials.

Defendants shall provide Detainees with reasonable and equitable access to
telephones. Within one hour of detention and prior to being transferred out
of the Whipple Federal Building, Detainees shall be provided free, private, and
unmonitored access to the telephone. Defendants shall permit Detainees to
make the number of calls necessary to reach counsel or family.
37
CASE 0:26-cv-00749-NEB-DLM Doc. 95 Filed 02/12/26 Page 38 of 41
3. Thereafter, Defendants shall provide Detainees with access to confidential
telephone calls with their legal representation at no charge to the Detainee.
a. Defendants shall not restrict the number of calls a Detainee places to
their legal representatives or to obtain representation. Defendants
shall not limit the duration of such calls by rule or automatic cut-off,
unless necessary for security purposes or to maintain orderly and fair
access to telephones. If time limits are necessary for such calls, the
calls shall be no shorter than 20 minutes, and the Detainee shall be
allowed to continue the call, if desired, at the first available
opportunity. Additionally, Defendants shall ensure privacy for
Detainees' telephone calls regarding legal matters. Detainees must be
able to make such calls without being overheard by officers, other
staff, or other Detainees.

Defendants shall allow inbound confidential calls from Detainees'
legal representation. A telephone number for counsel to call in order
to reach Detainees shall be conspicuously displayed online.
Defendants shall monitor that telephone line from 9:00 A.M. to
5:00 P.M. CST, seven days per week. If an attorney requests that
Defendants provide the attorney's name, phone number, or other
38
CASE 0:26-cv-00749-NEB-DLM
Doc. 95 Filed 02/12/26
Page 39 of 41
message to a Detainee, the Detainee shall receive that information, in
writing, as promptly as possible.
4. Detainees with disabilities shall be provided access to telephone services on the
same terms as Detainees without disabilities are provided access to telephones.
Such telephone services may include video relay service or video remote
interpretation service.
5. Defendants shall ensure that the Online Detainee Locator System of defendant
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement accurately identifies the location of
each Detainee by name, date of birth, and A-number in real time.
6. Defendants shall not transfer a Detainee out of Minnesota during the first 72
hours of their detention.

If Defendants transfer a Detainee from the Whipple Federal Building, the
following obligations apply:
a. First and foremost, Defendants shall inform the Detainee of the
transfer destination.
b. After being told the transfer destination, Defendants shall provide the
Detainee with the opportunity to use the telephone until they are able
to reach counsel or family. These calls shall be free, private, and
accessible as outlined in Paragraphs 2 and 4, above.
39
CASE 0:26-cv-00749-NEB-DLM Doc. 95 Filed 02/12/26 Page 40 of 41
8. Defendants shall provide access to the Whipple Federal Building for legal
visitation by current and prospective attorneys, legal representatives, and legal
assistants. Legal visitation shall be permitted seven days per week, for a
minimum of eight hours per day on business days (Monday through Friday),
and a minimum of four hours per day on weekends and holidays. Defendants
shall provide private rooms for closed-door discussions between Detainees and
current and prospective attorneys, legal representatives, and legal assistants.
9. Defendants shall not retaliate in any manner against any Plaintiff or Detainee,
including in their immigration proceedings or in any other context, for
participating in this litigation or complaining about any alleged violation of this
Temporary Restraining Order.

February 13, 2026 at 12:47 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

Context note here: Judge Brasel was nominated by Trump, but at the recommendation of Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat.

Brasel was nominated alongside Judge Tostrud, who was nominated at the recommendation of then-Rep. Erik Paulsen, a Republican.

www.startribune.com/minnesota-fe...

Minnesota federal judicial nominees tested on Capitol Hill

Hennepin County judge, Mitchell Hamline law prof could join federal court.

www.startribune.com

February 13, 2026 at 12:35 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

After looking at other cases from elsewhere, Brasel is brutal: "Under any explication of the due process analysis on this record, the obstacles the government has put in place at Whipple rise to the level of an unconstitutional infringement of noncitizen detainees' right to access counsel."

So too here. Defendants do not attempt to rebut or distinguish these cases. Under
any explication of the due process analysis on this record, the obstacles the government
has put in place at Whipple rise to the level of an unconstitutional infringement of
noncitizen detainees' right to access counsel.

February 13, 2026 at 12:23 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

Here's the opinion and order from Brasel, finding a likely Fifth Amendment violation: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

This echoes the D.C. rulings I discussed at Law Dork earlier today: www.lawdork.com/p/the-dc-dis...

The D.C. District Court strikes back

Three judges issued three rulings protecting constitutional rights in cases relating to Trump admin actions against federal inmates, Alien Enemies Act deportees, and Sen. Mark Kelly.

www.lawdork.com

February 13, 2026 at 12:18 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

BREAKING: Judge Nancy Brasel, a Trump appointee, has issued a TRO in the Minnesota access-to-counsel case about treatment at Whipple.

"It appears that in planning for Operation Metro Surge, the government failed to plan for the constitutional rights of its civil detainees."

It appears that in planning for Operation Metro Surge, the government failed to
plan for the constitutional rights of its civil detainees. The government suggests — with minimal explanation and even less evidence — that doing so would result in "chaos." The Constitution does not permit the government to arrest thousands of individuals and then disregard their constitutional rights because it would be too challenging to honor those rights. 14
At this preliminary stage, Plaintiffs have made a clear showing of likelihood of
success on their Fifth Amendment claim.

February 13, 2026 at 12:14 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Byline Times

@bylinetimes.bsky.social

📌 ICYMI — Trump Pardon Buries FBI’s Secret Work for Putin’s Oligarchs

The former FBI agent's pardon came after his co-defendant’s daughter donated $3.5 million to Donald Trump

https://bylinetimes.com/2026/02/11/trump-pardon-buries-fbis-secret-work-for-putins-oligarchs/

Trump Pardon Buries FBI's Secret Work for Putin's Oligarchs

The former FBI agent's pardon came after his co-defendant’s daughter donated $3.5 million to Donald Trump

bylinetimes.com

February 13, 2026 at 12:16 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Acyn

@acyn.bsky.social

Klein: People are afraid to come into clinics or hospitals because they’re afraid they’ll be snatched. So they’re staying home with acute conditions like appendicitis. They’re not going to their follow-up neonatal appointments. They’re allowing their jaundiced babies to go untreated.

February 13, 2026 at 12:51 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

I, meanwhile, am working with a nonprofit organization to improve access to courts.

If you want to subscribe to Law Dork — www.lawdork.com — and/or support Public Justice — www.publicjustice.net — in our efforts, we would so appreciate it.

Dave Karpf @davekarpf.bsky.social · 8h

TIL that Polymarket sponsors Matt Yglesias’s Substack.

1
Polymarket is sponsoring this post, but the odds are not meaningfully different in other markets.

February 13, 2026 at 12:58 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Mother Jones

@motherjones.com

“There’s no respect for what these veterans need, which is privacy…even though I love working with veterans, and I have loved being at the VA for the most part, it was just really demoralizing.”

Why VA psychologists are quitting in record numbers

The agency shed mental health staff for the first time in a decade as demand for care soared 40 percent.

www.motherjones.com

February 13, 2026 at 1:00 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

ProPublica

@propublica.org

“You starve your public schools to feed your private schools and charter schools,” said one superintendent about the state’s efforts to grow charter schools. “Our foundation was set up for a free and appropriate education for all kids. All kids!”

(Published Oct. 2025)

This Is Ground Zero in the Conservative Quest for More Patriotic and Christian Public Schools

Oklahoma has spent years reshaping public schools to integrate lessons about Jesus and encourage pride in America’s history. By the time the second Trump administration began espousing its “America Fi...

www.propublica.org

February 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

David Sainez

@davidsainez.com

If you live or even drive through the south bay (California), Flock doesn't need Ring since it has a contract with the city of San Jose.

www.404media.co/aclu-and-eff...

ACLU and EFF Sue a City Blanketed With Flock Surveillance Cameras

“Most drivers are unaware that San Jose’s Police Department is tracking their locations and do not know all that their saved location data can reveal about their private lives and activities."

www.404media.co

February 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze)

@newsjennifer.bsky.social

Consumers have so much power. Keep using it!

The Verge @theverge.com · 9h

Ring cancels its partnership with Flock Safety after surveillance backlash

Flock off

buff.ly

February 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Kyle Cheney

@kyledcheney.bsky.social

BREAKING: The Trump administraiton has committed a mass violation of ICE detainees' constitutional rights in MN, effectively blocking their acess to attorneys in the Whipple building, a judge ruled tonight.

The judge: Trump appointeee Nancy Brasel

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

February 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

emptywheel

@emptywheel.bsky.social

Another shooting case falls apart (this time ICE, not CBP).

These are the Venezuelans that ICE excused shooting by claiming they beat him w/shovels.

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
v.
(1) ALFREDO ALEJANDRO ALJORNA
and
(2) JULIO CESAR SOSA-CELIS,
Defendants.
Government’s Motion to Dismiss
Complaint with Prejudice
The United States of America, by and through its undersigned attorneys,
hereby respectfully moves the Court for an order to dismiss with prejudice the
Complaint filed in this matter against the defendants, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and
Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, pursuant to Rule 48(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal
Procedure.
Newly discovered evidence in this matter is materially inconsistent with the
allegations in the Complaint Affidavit, filed on January 16, 2026, as ECF 1-1, as well
as the preliminary-hearing testimony (ECF 18, 19) that was based on information
presented to the Affiant. Accordingly, dismissal with prejudice will serve the
interests of justice.
Dated: February 11, 2026 Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL N. ROSEN

February 13, 2026 at 12:03 AM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Governor Newsom Press Office

@govpressoffice.gov.ca.gov

While Trump withholds federal relief from LA fire survivors, @governor.ca.gov is expanding CalAssist’s mortgage relief program by quadrupling support for disaster-affected homeowners

CA is stepping up to close the gap between relief and recovery, helping families rebuild and stay in their homes

February 12, 2026 at 11:09 PM

Reposted by Bathsheba in Blue

Mother Jones

@motherjones.com

"I feel grateful that I got this privilege of being a federal employee. But I wear my uniform home because I’m too scared not to. I could be targeted."