Eric Columbus
@ericcolumbus.bsky.social
Senior Editor @lawfaremedia.org. Previously: Obama appointee at DOJ/DHS. Litigator for Speaker Pelosi and Jan. 6 Committee. Yankee Stadium 🌭 vendor. NYC born and bred. Wannabe historian. Dad joker.
Lotta folks here going all Steinbrenner Health Watch
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wn_...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wn_...
George Steinbrenner Health Watch - Saturday Night Live
YouTube video by Saturday Night Live
m.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Lotta folks here going all Steinbrenner Health Watch
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wn_...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wn_...
Reposted by Eric Columbus
One thing about Halligan and Habba and all the rest is that Bondi issued a memo last year threatening people with firings if they didn't toe the line (a response to the "deep state" of Trump 1) and DOJ STILL finds itself having to ship in political loyalists to handle the most-contentious cases.
January 21, 2026 at 2:42 AM
One thing about Halligan and Habba and all the rest is that Bondi issued a memo last year threatening people with firings if they didn't toe the line (a response to the "deep state" of Trump 1) and DOJ STILL finds itself having to ship in political loyalists to handle the most-contentious cases.
Reposted by Eric Columbus
An actual post by Ryanair 😭
January 20, 2026 at 11:50 PM
An actual post by Ryanair 😭
Reposted by Eric Columbus
In which George Will begins with a killer quote from Henry Adams and ends with a killer quote from Churchill. Everything in between is good too. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Greenland, Minnesota, Army-Navy game: Another day, another emergency
Greenland isn’t about national security. it’s about a president’s fragile ego, as usual.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:16 PM
In which George Will begins with a killer quote from Henry Adams and ends with a killer quote from Churchill. Everything in between is good too. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
WE FINALLY FOUND AN IDEA TOO CRAZY FOR TRUMP
A “reporter” from Lindell TV asks if he would visit Maduro in prison to ask him about Venezuela doing messing with the 2020 election (which didn’t happen) and he says nah, my lawyers wouldn’t be too happy with me.
A “reporter” from Lindell TV asks if he would visit Maduro in prison to ask him about Venezuela doing messing with the 2020 election (which didn’t happen) and he says nah, my lawyers wouldn’t be too happy with me.
January 20, 2026 at 8:20 PM
WE FINALLY FOUND AN IDEA TOO CRAZY FOR TRUMP
A “reporter” from Lindell TV asks if he would visit Maduro in prison to ask him about Venezuela doing messing with the 2020 election (which didn’t happen) and he says nah, my lawyers wouldn’t be too happy with me.
A “reporter” from Lindell TV asks if he would visit Maduro in prison to ask him about Venezuela doing messing with the 2020 election (which didn’t happen) and he says nah, my lawyers wouldn’t be too happy with me.
Trump is now 1 hr and 4 min into an appearance before the WH press corp at which he has taken no questions and appears to be working off of a list of alleged accomplishments during his first year, rambling about each one. It's worth checking out at the WH website if you're into this type of thing.
January 20, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Trump is now 1 hr and 4 min into an appearance before the WH press corp at which he has taken no questions and appears to be working off of a list of alleged accomplishments during his first year, rambling about each one. It's worth checking out at the WH website if you're into this type of thing.
Today is Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday
January 20, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Today is Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday
Reposted by Eric Columbus
Donald Trump reposting a bunch of bullshit about the 2020 election after his own DOJ — with a full year to investigate — failed to bring or even manufacture any fraud charges, and now the statute of limitations has expired
January 20, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Donald Trump reposting a bunch of bullshit about the 2020 election after his own DOJ — with a full year to investigate — failed to bring or even manufacture any fraud charges, and now the statute of limitations has expired
When Lindsey Halligan gets her Fox News gig she better thank Judge Novak for the recommendation
NEWS: Judge Novak strikes Lindsey Halligan’s use of the “U.S. Attorney” title, finding that her doing so “ignores a binding court order.”
He also says her brief on the matter contains “a level of vitriol more appropriate for a cable news talk show.”
He also says her brief on the matter contains “a level of vitriol more appropriate for a cable news talk show.”
![Virginia was invalid and that Ms. Halligan has been unlawfully serving in that role since September 22, 2025."). In both opinions, Judge Currie concluded that "[a]ll actions flowing from Ms. Halligan's defective appointment... [constituted] unlawful exercises of executive
power ...." Comey Opinion at 28; James Opinion at 25.
Ms. Halligan's response, in which she was joined by both the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General, contains a level of vitriol more appropriate for a cable news talk show and falls far beneath the level of advocacy expected from litigants in this Court, particularly the Department of Justice. The Court will not engage in a similar tit-for-tat and will instead analyze the few points that Ms. Halligan offers to justify her continued identification of her position as United States Attorney before the Court. Ultimately, the Court concludes for the reasons that follow that Ms. Halligan's continued identification of herself as the United States Attorney for this District ignores a binding court order and may not continue; otherwise, Ms. Halligan and anyone who joins her on a pleading containing the improper moniker subjects themselves to potential disciplinary action in this Court pursuant to the Court's Local Rules.
I.
Relevant Procedural History
In her opinions, Judge Currie set forth the procedural history leading up to her decision.
The Court recounts here only that history necessary to evaluate Ms. Halligan's position in this
case:
On January 20, 2025, Jessica Aber, who had been nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate, resigned from her position as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. The following day, the Attorney General appointed Erik Siebert as Interim U.S. Attorney under 28 U.S.C. § 546. Mr. Siebert's 120-day interim appointment vas set to expire on May 21, 2025. So, on May 9, 2025, the judges of the district xercised their authority under section 546(d) to appoint Mr. Siebert to continue in hi](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:t4x2ruk2qmob2b2cx55h4v7r/bafkreif3bv223wshsxxmb4jasqdgvweo47hwuddhlwuxr7rptl6edzh2qy@jpeg)
January 20, 2026 at 6:51 PM
When Lindsey Halligan gets her Fox News gig she better thank Judge Novak for the recommendation
The funny (?) thing is that Halligan's temporary gig would expire today even if she had been validly appointed.
January 20, 2026 at 6:42 PM
The funny (?) thing is that Halligan's temporary gig would expire today even if she had been validly appointed.
Trump reposts video—anyone know who this is?—of guy saying "You’re going to tell me that these Somalis who have an average IQ of 68 somehow came up with this fuckin’ plan to defraud the government? . . . [D]o you think they also came up with the plan to donate half of the money . . . to Act Blue?"
January 20, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Trump reposts video—anyone know who this is?—of guy saying "You’re going to tell me that these Somalis who have an average IQ of 68 somehow came up with this fuckin’ plan to defraud the government? . . . [D]o you think they also came up with the plan to donate half of the money . . . to Act Blue?"
Reposted by Eric Columbus
Maybe we should stick to a message this simple.
January 19, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Maybe we should stick to a message this simple.
"The best [GOP congresspersons] lack all conviction, while the worst/ Are full of passionate intensity."
Tillis: "To be clear -- I'm not critical of the president. I'm critical of the bad advice he's getting on Greenland."
January 20, 2026 at 3:45 PM
"The best [GOP congresspersons] lack all conviction, while the worst/ Are full of passionate intensity."
Nor do Congressional leaders stay mum when their party's President proposes a policy—an invasion!—opposed by 86%. Some GOP senators/reps have criticized Trump on Greenland but not nearly enough, and not leadership. Hard to imagine Dem leader silence on a 86-9 issue against a Dem president.
Presidents don't float policies that are opposed by the mass public 86 - 9. This is not normal.
Quinnipiac Poll, Jan 8-12 - poll.qu.edu/poll-release...
January 20, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Nor do Congressional leaders stay mum when their party's President proposes a policy—an invasion!—opposed by 86%. Some GOP senators/reps have criticized Trump on Greenland but not nearly enough, and not leadership. Hard to imagine Dem leader silence on a 86-9 issue against a Dem president.
Reposted by Eric Columbus
Presidents don't float policies that are opposed by the mass public 86 - 9. This is not normal.
Quinnipiac Poll, Jan 8-12 - poll.qu.edu/poll-release...
January 20, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Presidents don't float policies that are opposed by the mass public 86 - 9. This is not normal.
Reposted by Eric Columbus
DHS getting basic 4th Amendment law wrong on its official Twitter account.
Seems like this post is bound to show up as an exhibit in one of the cases challenging ICE/Border Control enforcement actions.
Seems like this post is bound to show up as an exhibit in one of the cases challenging ICE/Border Control enforcement actions.
January 17, 2026 at 6:57 PM
DHS getting basic 4th Amendment law wrong on its official Twitter account.
Seems like this post is bound to show up as an exhibit in one of the cases challenging ICE/Border Control enforcement actions.
Seems like this post is bound to show up as an exhibit in one of the cases challenging ICE/Border Control enforcement actions.
Reposted by Eric Columbus
"this is not who we are" is 90% of the time a normative statement of aspiration, it's not an empirical claim of "these events have never taken place in this country before". one of the most obnoxious genres of "actually..." is reacting like it's the latter when it's clearly the former.
January 16, 2026 at 9:58 PM
"this is not who we are" is 90% of the time a normative statement of aspiration, it's not an empirical claim of "these events have never taken place in this country before". one of the most obnoxious genres of "actually..." is reacting like it's the latter when it's clearly the former.
Reposted by Eric Columbus
Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
Breaking news: The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation alleging that they are impeding federal law enforcement officers’ abilities to do their jobs in the state.
Justice Dept. launches criminal investigation of Minnesota governor
The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation into impeding law enforcement.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
Reposted by Eric Columbus
This conversation is now live! Tune in here: youtube.com/live/riCgnX3...
January 16, 2026 at 9:02 PM
This conversation is now live! Tune in here: youtube.com/live/riCgnX3...
Reposted by Eric Columbus
My enthusiastic review of @pgeddington.com 's excellent, and all too timely book: "The Triumph of Fear: Domestic Surveillance and Political Repression from McKinley to Eisenhower."
"Eddington draws on extensive archival research to describe and explain the many ways in which fear pervaded the government and politics of the time and was built into the national security state’s DNA."
@heidikitrosser.bsky.social reviews "The Triumph of Fear" by Patrick Eddington.
@heidikitrosser.bsky.social reviews "The Triumph of Fear" by Patrick Eddington.
The Trump Administration’s Fear-Based Governance
A review of Patrick G. Eddington, “The Triumph of Fear: Domestic Surveillance and Political Repression from McKinley to Eisenhower” (Georgetown University Press, 2025).
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 16, 2026 at 6:56 PM
My enthusiastic review of @pgeddington.com 's excellent, and all too timely book: "The Triumph of Fear: Domestic Surveillance and Political Repression from McKinley to Eisenhower."
Reposted by Eric Columbus
Tired: Committing fraud, getting a Trump pardon
Wired: Committing fraud again, getting a Trump pardon again
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Wired: Committing fraud again, getting a Trump pardon again
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
January 16, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Tired: Committing fraud, getting a Trump pardon
Wired: Committing fraud again, getting a Trump pardon again
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Wired: Committing fraud again, getting a Trump pardon again
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Reposted by Eric Columbus
Frog we don’t have time for this
Toad sipped his tea. “Frog,” he asked, “are you making this up?”
“Maybe yes and maybe no,” said Frog.
“Maybe yes and maybe no,” said Frog.
January 12, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Frog we don’t have time for this
Lizza-Nuzzi goes into extra innings
January 16, 2026 at 3:32 AM
Lizza-Nuzzi goes into extra innings
HEATED RIVALRY (2026)
Trump on the Florida Panthers: "Good looking people. Young, beautiful people. I hate them. You hate standing here with all this power behind you. But I got power too. It's called the United States military. I don't care."
January 16, 2026 at 3:20 AM
HEATED RIVALRY (2026)
Reposted by Eric Columbus
🔵 This week's Tom the Dancing Bug
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A BUSY, BUSY ICE ENFORCEMENT OPERATION
with apologies to Richard Scarry
-
Brought to you by the rough and ready Inner Hive, including long-time member Brady Marsh and new member SquirrelSaver7. ( bit.ly/theInnerHive )
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READ IT RIGHT HERE👇
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A BUSY, BUSY ICE ENFORCEMENT OPERATION
with apologies to Richard Scarry
-
Brought to you by the rough and ready Inner Hive, including long-time member Brady Marsh and new member SquirrelSaver7. ( bit.ly/theInnerHive )
-
READ IT RIGHT HERE👇
January 15, 2026 at 4:03 PM
🔵 This week's Tom the Dancing Bug
-
A BUSY, BUSY ICE ENFORCEMENT OPERATION
with apologies to Richard Scarry
-
Brought to you by the rough and ready Inner Hive, including long-time member Brady Marsh and new member SquirrelSaver7. ( bit.ly/theInnerHive )
-
READ IT RIGHT HERE👇
-
A BUSY, BUSY ICE ENFORCEMENT OPERATION
with apologies to Richard Scarry
-
Brought to you by the rough and ready Inner Hive, including long-time member Brady Marsh and new member SquirrelSaver7. ( bit.ly/theInnerHive )
-
READ IT RIGHT HERE👇