emptywheel
@emptywheel.bsky.social
Coverage of American authoritarianism with a focus on legal cases. An American-Irish in Limerick, Ireland.
Legendary potty mouth!
Legendary potty mouth!
Reposted by emptywheel
Diane Cook, the MAGA Republican Legislative Aide to NC MAGA Republican Sen. Norman Sanderson (who was just arrested last month for DUI) was arrested yesterday for trying to burn two people alive in their homes. More Christian Conservative "love" from MAGA. #ncpol #ncleg www.cbs17.com/news/local-n...
Aide to NC senator arrested on first-degree arson charge
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The legislative assistant to Republican Senator Norman Sanderson, Diane Cook, has been arrested and booked into the Wake County Detention Center. Cook is accused of “wi…
www.cbs17.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Diane Cook, the MAGA Republican Legislative Aide to NC MAGA Republican Sen. Norman Sanderson (who was just arrested last month for DUI) was arrested yesterday for trying to burn two people alive in their homes. More Christian Conservative "love" from MAGA. #ncpol #ncleg www.cbs17.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by emptywheel
November 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by emptywheel
Lost in the huge Comey/James dismissals is Halligan has a new No. 2, an ex-prosecutor parachuting in from Ky., who'd be in line to refile the Trump retribution charges depending on outcome of appeal. Robert McBride has no EDVA experience. w/ Celine Castronuovo:
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
DOJ Defense of Top Prosecutors Tees Up Debate for Supreme Court
The Justice Department’s plans to appeal a ruling that an interim US attorney is unlawfully serving is likely to force the Supreme Court to weigh in on the Trump administration’s maneuvers to install ...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Lost in the huge Comey/James dismissals is Halligan has a new No. 2, an ex-prosecutor parachuting in from Ky., who'd be in line to refile the Trump retribution charges depending on outcome of appeal. Robert McBride has no EDVA experience. w/ Celine Castronuovo:
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Reposted by emptywheel
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
Reposted by emptywheel
At this point X is like 1950s Vienna, a whole place made up entirely of spies, running ops against other spies, with no non-spy people. Or maybe like a 1971 Black Panthers convention where 3/4 of the attendees are conintelrpo.
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 AM
At this point X is like 1950s Vienna, a whole place made up entirely of spies, running ops against other spies, with no non-spy people. Or maybe like a 1971 Black Panthers convention where 3/4 of the attendees are conintelrpo.
Reposted by emptywheel
"Stop blaming judges appointed by whichever President when Bondi is 100% to blame."
MAGAts Outraged Comey Indictment Dismissed on Same "Technicality" Trump's Was!
www.emptywheel.net/2025/11/25/m...
www.emptywheel.net/2025/11/25/m...
MAGAts Outraged Comey Indictment Dismissed on Same "Technicality" Trump's Was! - emptywheel
Right wing Trump supporters are outraged that Jim Comey's indictment was dismissed based on the very same "technicality" that Trump's stolen documents indictment was.
www.emptywheel.net
November 25, 2025 at 11:38 AM
"Stop blaming judges appointed by whichever President when Bondi is 100% to blame."
MAGAts Outraged Comey Indictment Dismissed on Same "Technicality" Trump's Was!
www.emptywheel.net/2025/11/25/m...
www.emptywheel.net/2025/11/25/m...
MAGAts Outraged Comey Indictment Dismissed on Same "Technicality" Trump's Was! - emptywheel
Right wing Trump supporters are outraged that Jim Comey's indictment was dismissed based on the very same "technicality" that Trump's stolen documents indictment was.
www.emptywheel.net
November 25, 2025 at 11:35 AM
MAGAts Outraged Comey Indictment Dismissed on Same "Technicality" Trump's Was!
www.emptywheel.net/2025/11/25/m...
www.emptywheel.net/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by emptywheel
Fucking Secretary of the Army told Ukraine and Europe that it had to accept Russia's terms for surrender by Thanksgiving. Traitorous loon.
Politico much confirms everything Marcy says between the lines of this report. And this also appears to be a thumb wrestling match for the future of the GOP between JD and Marco.
November 25, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Fucking Secretary of the Army told Ukraine and Europe that it had to accept Russia's terms for surrender by Thanksgiving. Traitorous loon.
I think this is right.
I said constantly between the 2022 and 2024 that Trump could very well win Nevada if he ran again. He did. Book it now: Democrats have a chance of flipping the governorship, at least two seats and if they are lucky, a Senate seat in Iowa.
November 25, 2025 at 12:08 AM
I think this is right.
At 23:00, James Pearce hits ons something I did: Currie said that EDVA gets to pick the next US Attorney, which has significant ramifications for whether they could charge again.
But as he notes, neither Comey nor James asked for that, and it may be independent cause for appeal.
But as he notes, neither Comey nor James asked for that, and it may be independent cause for appeal.
Watch @nkorpett.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, and James Pearce discuss the dismissal of the indictments against James Comey and Letitia James live now:
www.youtube.com/live/XxySL8H...
www.youtube.com/live/XxySL8H...
Lawfare Live: Judge Dismisses Indictments Against James Comey and Letita James
YouTube video by Lawfare
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:25 PM
At 23:00, James Pearce hits ons something I did: Currie said that EDVA gets to pick the next US Attorney, which has significant ramifications for whether they could charge again.
But as he notes, neither Comey nor James asked for that, and it may be independent cause for appeal.
But as he notes, neither Comey nor James asked for that, and it may be independent cause for appeal.
@pbump.com is being a bit snide here but more background is useful.
On the right, he's showing how Trump's AI/Crypto Czar begged for a bailout after he played a key role in starting a run on the bank.
On the left, Sacks is begging already.
On the right, he's showing how Trump's AI/Crypto Czar begged for a bailout after he played a key role in starting a run on the bank.
On the left, Sacks is begging already.
You have to keep giving money to avoid collapse and if there’s collapse you have to give more money. It’s called the free market.
November 24, 2025 at 10:56 PM
@pbump.com is being a bit snide here but more background is useful.
On the right, he's showing how Trump's AI/Crypto Czar begged for a bailout after he played a key role in starting a run on the bank.
On the left, Sacks is begging already.
On the right, he's showing how Trump's AI/Crypto Czar begged for a bailout after he played a key role in starting a run on the bank.
On the left, Sacks is begging already.
Reposted by emptywheel
You have to keep giving money to avoid collapse and if there’s collapse you have to give more money. It’s called the free market.
November 24, 2025 at 10:54 PM
You have to keep giving money to avoid collapse and if there’s collapse you have to give more money. It’s called the free market.
Reposted by emptywheel
Some outlets are reporting that DOGE "doesn't exist" anymore. But the fine print on that overturns the whole story: DOGE is just dropping its tarnished brand, not the chainsaw. 🧵
November 24, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Some outlets are reporting that DOGE "doesn't exist" anymore. But the fine print on that overturns the whole story: DOGE is just dropping its tarnished brand, not the chainsaw. 🧵
This video features Greg Bovino more prominently.
Briggs said he was going to call Bovino and--voila!--the case got dismissed.
Briggs said he was going to call Bovino and--voila!--the case got dismissed.
November 24, 2025 at 10:11 PM
This video features Greg Bovino more prominently.
Briggs said he was going to call Bovino and--voila!--the case got dismissed.
Briggs said he was going to call Bovino and--voila!--the case got dismissed.
This is the last of the "assaults" from September 27 that NDIL dismissed, a day where Greg Bovino was deliberately promising a "shitshow."
Basically they knocked over a 70-year old guy and then accused him of assault.
Basically they knocked over a 70-year old guy and then accused him of assault.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel Fuentes, in dismissing Midway Blitz-related charges against Dana Briggs last week, said he was lifting restrictions on relevant video.
Today he made the video available through the clerk's office at no cost to the public. Here's the first.
Today he made the video available through the clerk's office at no cost to the public. Here's the first.
November 24, 2025 at 10:10 PM
This is the last of the "assaults" from September 27 that NDIL dismissed, a day where Greg Bovino was deliberately promising a "shitshow."
Basically they knocked over a 70-year old guy and then accused him of assault.
Basically they knocked over a 70-year old guy and then accused him of assault.
In another month Trump can move Andrew Bailey into a normally confirmable position w/o confirmation, so D/FBI, AG, DAG.
Which do you think he'll replace?
Which do you think he'll replace?
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
In another month Trump can move Andrew Bailey into a normally confirmable position w/o confirmation, so D/FBI, AG, DAG.
Which do you think he'll replace?
Which do you think he'll replace?
There's a right wing propagandist on Xitter saying she expects Andrew Bailey to be promoted into DOJ shortly.
I would not be surprised if Trump fired Bondi over this, it was totally incompetent.
I would not be surprised if Trump fired Bondi over this, it was totally incompetent.
Understand that the Halligan thing is 100% Pam Bondi's fuck-up. She could have appointed Halligan Special Attorney and this thing would still be alive.
So it's not just that HALLIGAN is an incompetent bigot.
It's that Bondi is too.
So it's not just that HALLIGAN is an incompetent bigot.
It's that Bondi is too.
November 24, 2025 at 9:24 PM
There's a right wing propagandist on Xitter saying she expects Andrew Bailey to be promoted into DOJ shortly.
I would not be surprised if Trump fired Bondi over this, it was totally incompetent.
I would not be surprised if Trump fired Bondi over this, it was totally incompetent.
Republicans don't want my vote to count, the shitholes.
🚨BREAKING: The Republican National Committee (RNC) has filed a sweeping new lawsuit in Michigan that seeks to eliminate a state law that protects voting access for U.S. citizens living abroad. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Republicans Launch Major New Attack on Michigan-Based Overseas Voters
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Republicans don't want my vote to count, the shitholes.
Meanwhile Jesse Furman is not sure discovery should be stalled while NDNY tries to dismiss Maurene Comey's lawsuit.
(NDNY had asked for some time to catch up. Furman wans't having it.)
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
(NDNY had asked for some time to catch up. Furman wans't having it.)
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Meanwhile Jesse Furman is not sure discovery should be stalled while NDNY tries to dismiss Maurene Comey's lawsuit.
(NDNY had asked for some time to catch up. Furman wans't having it.)
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
(NDNY had asked for some time to catch up. Furman wans't having it.)
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Remember when Geoff Berman stood up to Bill Barr's efforts to fire him, he was all lawyered up to challenge being fired.
I have no idea what would happen if EDVA simply brought him back. But it might be a lawsuit to be able to fire him.
I have no idea what would happen if EDVA simply brought him back. But it might be a lawsuit to be able to fire him.
November 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Remember when Geoff Berman stood up to Bill Barr's efforts to fire him, he was all lawyered up to challenge being fired.
I have no idea what would happen if EDVA simply brought him back. But it might be a lawsuit to be able to fire him.
I have no idea what would happen if EDVA simply brought him back. But it might be a lawsuit to be able to fire him.
I've said since Trump picked on Mahmoud Khalil that he was picking his political martyrs poorly.
But this one...
But this one...
November 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I've said since Trump picked on Mahmoud Khalil that he was picking his political martyrs poorly.
But this one...
But this one...
Understand that the Halligan thing is 100% Pam Bondi's fuck-up. She could have appointed Halligan Special Attorney and this thing would still be alive.
So it's not just that HALLIGAN is an incompetent bigot.
It's that Bondi is too.
So it's not just that HALLIGAN is an incompetent bigot.
It's that Bondi is too.
November 24, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Understand that the Halligan thing is 100% Pam Bondi's fuck-up. She could have appointed Halligan Special Attorney and this thing would still be alive.
So it's not just that HALLIGAN is an incompetent bigot.
It's that Bondi is too.
So it's not just that HALLIGAN is an incompetent bigot.
It's that Bondi is too.
Note that Judge Currie cited this case for her decision that you unwind Lindsey's actions.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
![“When an appointment violates the Appointments Clause from the jump, the actor has
‘exercise[d] power that [she] did not lawfully possess.’” United States v. Giraud, No. 1:24-CR00768, 2025 WL 2196794, at *8 (D.N.J. Aug. 1, 2025) (Giraud I) (alterations in original) (quoting
Collins, 594 U.S. at 258); see also Collins, 594 U.S. at 276 (Gorsuch, J., concurring in part)
(explaining that when an officer is “unconstitutionally appointed,” “governmental action is taken
by someone erroneously claiming the mantle of executive power — and thus taken with no
authority at all”); id. at 266 (Thomas, J., concurring) (“[A]n officer must be properly appointed
before he can legally act as an officer.”). In such a case, “the proper remedy is invalidation of the
ultra vires action[s]” taken by the actor. United States v. Trump, 740 F. Supp. 3d 1245, 1302 (S.D. Fla. 2024). “Invalidation ‘follows directly from the government actor’s lack of authority to take
the challenged action in the first place. That is, winning the merits of the constitutional challenge
is enough.’” Id. (quoting Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau v. All Am. Check Cashing, Inc., 33 F.4th
218, 241 (5th Cir. 2022) (Jones, J., concurring)).](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bbp2b224lro3bfnzcqwwnkfo/bafkreig4hnndskansst2z63a5t7m27wut2idqfcqwirru2zurmyjjszdhm@jpeg)
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Note that Judge Currie cited this case for her decision that you unwind Lindsey's actions.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Given that Judge Currie has restored authority to appoint US Attorney to EDVA Judges, reupping exchange from Wednesday's hearing, where EDVA judge Michael Nachmanoff was very much not amused when Loaner AUSA Tyler Lemons accused the US Attorney selected by EDVA judges, Siebert, of "machinations."
November 24, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Given that Judge Currie has restored authority to appoint US Attorney to EDVA Judges, reupping exchange from Wednesday's hearing, where EDVA judge Michael Nachmanoff was very much not amused when Loaner AUSA Tyler Lemons accused the US Attorney selected by EDVA judges, Siebert, of "machinations."
Reposted by emptywheel
Moments ago: tenants of the South Shore apartment building that federal immigration agents raided at the end of September held a presser to announce they're forming a tenants union.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Moments ago: tenants of the South Shore apartment building that federal immigration agents raided at the end of September held a presser to announce they're forming a tenants union.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.