Spencer Reynolds
@sreynolds.bsky.social
National security law and policy, NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Former intelligence and counterterrorism lawyer, US Department of Homeland Security. Former Brennan Center. Views my own, rarely the government's.
>> Signal: sreynolds.16
Former intelligence and counterterrorism lawyer, US Department of Homeland Security. Former Brennan Center. Views my own, rarely the government's.
>> Signal: sreynolds.16
Pinned
Trump’s Troubling Deployment of DHS Officers
An investigation from the Brennan Center highlights the impact of a little-known federal force which was deployed in LA.
time.com
Amid chaos this summer from the national guard and Marines, Homeland Security used a little-known police agency to lead its protest response in Los Angeles.
TIME has my analysis of images & video—and solutions to prevent future DHS abuse. 🧵
time.com/7307963/trum...
TIME has my analysis of images & video—and solutions to prevent future DHS abuse. 🧵
time.com/7307963/trum...
Personal news: I am excited to join the NAACP Legal Defense Fund as a senior counsel in Justice in Public Safety.
At LDF I will work on federal intelligence, police, and counterterrorism targeting of activists and immigrants, racial profiling, surveillance, police tech, local response, and more.
At LDF I will work on federal intelligence, police, and counterterrorism targeting of activists and immigrants, racial profiling, surveillance, police tech, local response, and more.
November 24, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Personal news: I am excited to join the NAACP Legal Defense Fund as a senior counsel in Justice in Public Safety.
At LDF I will work on federal intelligence, police, and counterterrorism targeting of activists and immigrants, racial profiling, surveillance, police tech, local response, and more.
At LDF I will work on federal intelligence, police, and counterterrorism targeting of activists and immigrants, racial profiling, surveillance, police tech, local response, and more.
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
WIRED is hiring for a senior politics reporter who will write our weekly newsletter; detailed job description below. This role will be based in New York or DC and report to me; the salary range is $95,000 - $132,000. condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CondeC...
November 21, 2025 at 2:21 PM
WIRED is hiring for a senior politics reporter who will write our weekly newsletter; detailed job description below. This role will be based in New York or DC and report to me; the salary range is $95,000 - $132,000. condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CondeC...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
New: cops used Flock AI-enabled cameras to monitor No Kings protests around the country. Also monitored No Hands protests and protests against DOGE.
"Should serve as a warning of how it may be used in the future to suppress dissent."
www.404media.co/cops-used-fl...
"Should serve as a warning of how it may be used in the future to suppress dissent."
www.404media.co/cops-used-fl...
Cops Used Flock to Monitor No Kings Protests Around the Country
A massive cache of Flock lookups collated by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) shows as many as 50 federal, state, and local agencies used Flock during protests over the last year.
www.404media.co
November 21, 2025 at 2:14 PM
New: cops used Flock AI-enabled cameras to monitor No Kings protests around the country. Also monitored No Hands protests and protests against DOGE.
"Should serve as a warning of how it may be used in the future to suppress dissent."
www.404media.co/cops-used-fl...
"Should serve as a warning of how it may be used in the future to suppress dissent."
www.404media.co/cops-used-fl...
The FBI infiltrated an encrypted chat of immigration court watchers in New York. Then it issued intelligence calling them violent extremists—terrorists.
As I told @theguardian.com, this targeting of people who show up for immigrants is straight COINTELPRO:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
As I told @theguardian.com, this targeting of people who show up for immigrants is straight COINTELPRO:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The FBI spied on a Signal group chat of immigration activists, records reveal
Exclusive: Agency accessed private conversations of New York ‘courtwatch’ group that was observing public hearings
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
The FBI infiltrated an encrypted chat of immigration court watchers in New York. Then it issued intelligence calling them violent extremists—terrorists.
As I told @theguardian.com, this targeting of people who show up for immigrants is straight COINTELPRO:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
As I told @theguardian.com, this targeting of people who show up for immigrants is straight COINTELPRO:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
"Police baked their own contempt into the data, listing people’s occupations as 'SCUM BAG,' 'TURD,' or simply 'BLACK.'"
Great FOIA work from @sreynolds.bsky.social and reporting from @dell.bsky.social
Worth noting this DHS-CPD partnership happened under Biden; no admin has had good DHS oversight.
Great FOIA work from @sreynolds.bsky.social and reporting from @dell.bsky.social
Worth noting this DHS-CPD partnership happened under Biden; no admin has had good DHS oversight.
NEW: DHS secretly obtained Chicago police data on 900 residents accused of gang ties. It was quietly deleted after intelligence officers violated rules against domestic spying.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
DHS Kept Chicago Police Records for Months in Violation of Domestic Espionage Rules
The Department of Homeland Security collected data on Chicago residents accused of gang ties to test if police files could feed an FBI watchlist. Months passed before anyone noticed it wasn’t deleted.
www.wired.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:43 PM
"Police baked their own contempt into the data, listing people’s occupations as 'SCUM BAG,' 'TURD,' or simply 'BLACK.'"
Great FOIA work from @sreynolds.bsky.social and reporting from @dell.bsky.social
Worth noting this DHS-CPD partnership happened under Biden; no admin has had good DHS oversight.
Great FOIA work from @sreynolds.bsky.social and reporting from @dell.bsky.social
Worth noting this DHS-CPD partnership happened under Biden; no admin has had good DHS oversight.
DHS acquired part of the Chicago gang database under Biden. But its power to do that remains, even after ineffective internal and congressional reforms.
The Trump admin also basically shuttered the civil rights office that oversees the agency.
Bad things are likely worse now, certainly not better.
The Trump admin also basically shuttered the civil rights office that oversees the agency.
Bad things are likely worse now, certainly not better.
This happened under the Biden admin, before people jump to conclusions. Great story, give it a read.
NEW: DHS secretly obtained Chicago police data on 900 residents accused of gang ties. It was quietly deleted after intelligence officers violated rules against domestic spying.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
November 13, 2025 at 1:01 AM
DHS acquired part of the Chicago gang database under Biden. But its power to do that remains, even after ineffective internal and congressional reforms.
The Trump admin also basically shuttered the civil rights office that oversees the agency.
Bad things are likely worse now, certainly not better.
The Trump admin also basically shuttered the civil rights office that oversees the agency.
Bad things are likely worse now, certainly not better.
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
Worth remembering: having "gang ties" is not a crime
NEW: DHS secretly obtained Chicago police data on 900 residents accused of gang ties. It was quietly deleted after intelligence officers violated rules against domestic spying.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
DHS Kept Chicago Police Records for Months in Violation of Domestic Espionage Rules
The Department of Homeland Security collected data on Chicago residents accused of gang ties to test if police files could feed an FBI watchlist. Months passed before anyone noticed it wasn’t deleted.
www.wired.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Worth remembering: having "gang ties" is not a crime
DHS's domestic intelligence unit got part of a discredited Chicago gang database amid efforts to put people on a watchlist. The agency operates under lax rules that it STILL broke. It's effectively unreformed and a way around local "sanctuary" laws.
By @dell.bsky.social w/ @brennancenter.org docs:
By @dell.bsky.social w/ @brennancenter.org docs:
NEW: DHS secretly obtained Chicago police data on 900 residents accused of gang ties. It was quietly deleted after intelligence officers violated rules against domestic spying.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
DHS Kept Chicago Police Records for Months in Violation of Domestic Espionage Rules
The Department of Homeland Security collected data on Chicago residents accused of gang ties to test if police files could feed an FBI watchlist. Months passed before anyone noticed it wasn’t deleted.
www.wired.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 AM
DHS's domestic intelligence unit got part of a discredited Chicago gang database amid efforts to put people on a watchlist. The agency operates under lax rules that it STILL broke. It's effectively unreformed and a way around local "sanctuary" laws.
By @dell.bsky.social w/ @brennancenter.org docs:
By @dell.bsky.social w/ @brennancenter.org docs:
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
“Why is the Trump administration refusing to be transparent about how much money it’s spending on this political stunt?” asked @warren.senate.gov. “People don’t need troops in their backyard — they need health care, housing, and cheaper groceries.”
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
Trump’s Military Occupations of U.S. Cities Cost $473 Million and Rising
Trump’s campaign to quell dissent by deploying the American military to U.S. cities comes at an immense price.
theintercept.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:12 PM
“Why is the Trump administration refusing to be transparent about how much money it’s spending on this political stunt?” asked @warren.senate.gov. “People don’t need troops in their backyard — they need health care, housing, and cheaper groceries.”
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
a new genre of photo in the last year is federal agents working for ICE pointing guns directly at photographers
November 11, 2025 at 12:41 AM
a new genre of photo in the last year is federal agents working for ICE pointing guns directly at photographers
Bail was set at $70,000 total for the four students.
UCPD has charged four UC Berkeley undergrads with *felony vandalism* because they attempted to hang a cardboard bug on Sather Gate.
4 UC Berkeley students arrested on felony vandalism charges for anti-TPUSA art installation
UCPD arrested four students early Monday morning for felony vandalism, according to information from campus administrators.
www.dailycal.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Bail was set at $70,000 total for the four students.
Another ridiculous and harmful effort to evade accountability by the Department of Homeland Security.
As always with DHS, this builds on prior bad deeds. Remember the Secret Service basically got off scot free when it deleted key text messages after January 6.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
As always with DHS, this builds on prior bad deeds. Remember the Secret Service basically got off scot free when it deleted key text messages after January 6.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
To Preserve Records, Homeland Security Now Relies on Officials to Take Screenshots
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Another ridiculous and harmful effort to evade accountability by the Department of Homeland Security.
As always with DHS, this builds on prior bad deeds. Remember the Secret Service basically got off scot free when it deleted key text messages after January 6.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
As always with DHS, this builds on prior bad deeds. Remember the Secret Service basically got off scot free when it deleted key text messages after January 6.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
Homeland Security fast-tracks expanded arrest powers off federal property
@oregonian.com
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
Homeland Security fast-tracks expanded arrest powers off federal property
Federal Protective Service agents are directed to arrest people who commit crime while wearing masks.
www.oregonlive.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Homeland Security fast-tracks expanded arrest powers off federal property
@oregonian.com
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
🚨 No sanctuary for dissent in Chicago: Matt Ruppert and I analyze how Illinois law enforcement run counterprotest operations that benefit ICE.
Current "sanctuary laws" don't prohibit this type of support. But they can and should.
www.justsecurity.org/124069/defen...
Current "sanctuary laws" don't prohibit this type of support. But they can and should.
www.justsecurity.org/124069/defen...
Defending 'Sanctuary' Principles During the Chicago Crackdown
Local governments must exercise their constitutional power to cut off cooperation with federal authorities that undermine residents' rights.
www.justsecurity.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🚨 No sanctuary for dissent in Chicago: Matt Ruppert and I analyze how Illinois law enforcement run counterprotest operations that benefit ICE.
Current "sanctuary laws" don't prohibit this type of support. But they can and should.
www.justsecurity.org/124069/defen...
Current "sanctuary laws" don't prohibit this type of support. But they can and should.
www.justsecurity.org/124069/defen...
The Dept. of Homeland Security has taken steps to further entrench its counterprotest operations. A new regulation formalizes a questionable DHS legal memo giving agency cops free rein over city streets.
Goes into effect today, abruptly pushed up from January. 🧵
www.dhs.gov/news/2025/11...
Goes into effect today, abruptly pushed up from January. 🧵
www.dhs.gov/news/2025/11...
DHS Announces Advanced Charging Authority to Address Rioter Violence at Federal Buildings, Protecting Law Enforcement and Taxpayer Property | Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Protective Services (FPS) announced the accelerated implementation of the Regulations Governing Conduct on Federal Property. The new regulations p...
www.dhs.gov
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The Dept. of Homeland Security has taken steps to further entrench its counterprotest operations. A new regulation formalizes a questionable DHS legal memo giving agency cops free rein over city streets.
Goes into effect today, abruptly pushed up from January. 🧵
www.dhs.gov/news/2025/11...
Goes into effect today, abruptly pushed up from January. 🧵
www.dhs.gov/news/2025/11...
Of the immigration raids and protest crackdowns in Chicago, the border patrol lead said, "If I had more CS gas, I would have deployed it."
Monstrous stuff to celebrate: news.wttw.com/2025/11/04/b...
Monstrous stuff to celebrate: news.wttw.com/2025/11/04/b...
Border Patrol Official Behind Chicago Immigration Crackdown Defends Tactics as Trump Cheers
From his use of chemical agents to a helicopter raid on an apartment building, Greg Bovino defended the approach of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as appropriate and necessary for what he says are...
news.wttw.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Of the immigration raids and protest crackdowns in Chicago, the border patrol lead said, "If I had more CS gas, I would have deployed it."
Monstrous stuff to celebrate: news.wttw.com/2025/11/04/b...
Monstrous stuff to celebrate: news.wttw.com/2025/11/04/b...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
The defense team presses Lairmore on whether the sandwich really 'exploded.' They return to the photo of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
November 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The defense team presses Lairmore on whether the sandwich really 'exploded.' They return to the photo of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
Fourteen years later, I *still* think one of the best ways for us to repudiate Cheney's legacy of torture would be to recognize and honor the courageous soldiers and public servants who exposed the torture policies and tried to end them. www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/o...
November 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Fourteen years later, I *still* think one of the best ways for us to repudiate Cheney's legacy of torture would be to recognize and honor the courageous soldiers and public servants who exposed the torture policies and tried to end them. www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/o...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
New from 404 Media: CBP has quietly launched a facial recognition app for local cops to do immigration enforcement. Scans their face, tells cops whether to contact ICE about this person or not. A truly rapid expansion of ICE's facial recognition app to local cops
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
CBP Quietly Launches Face Scanning App for Local Cops To Do Immigration Enforcement
The app, called Mobile Identify and available on the Google Play Store, is specifically for local and regional law enforcement agencies working with ICE on immigration enforcement.
www.404media.co
November 4, 2025 at 5:44 PM
New from 404 Media: CBP has quietly launched a facial recognition app for local cops to do immigration enforcement. Scans their face, tells cops whether to contact ICE about this person or not. A truly rapid expansion of ICE's facial recognition app to local cops
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
This Halloween, 30 days into a government shutdown, remember: For DHS, tear gassing children at neighborhood parades and locking up U.S. citizens in immigration detention are "essential" functions.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
Opinion: Full of faux bravado, Trump's Border Patrol turned a children's Halloween parade in Chicago into chaos, tossing tear gas canisters without warning.
Judge tells faux-tough-guy Border Patrol chief not to tear-gas trick-or-treaters | Opinion
Full of faux bravado, Trump's Border Patrol turned a children's Halloween parade in Chicago into chaos, tossing tear gas canisters without warning.
bit.ly
October 31, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This Halloween, 30 days into a government shutdown, remember: For DHS, tear gassing children at neighborhood parades and locking up U.S. citizens in immigration detention are "essential" functions.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
This Halloween, 30 days into a government shutdown, remember: For DHS, tear gassing children at neighborhood parades and locking up U.S. citizens in immigration detention are "essential" functions.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
Opinion: Full of faux bravado, Trump's Border Patrol turned a children's Halloween parade in Chicago into chaos, tossing tear gas canisters without warning.
Judge tells faux-tough-guy Border Patrol chief not to tear-gas trick-or-treaters | Opinion
Full of faux bravado, Trump's Border Patrol turned a children's Halloween parade in Chicago into chaos, tossing tear gas canisters without warning.
bit.ly
October 31, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This Halloween, 30 days into a government shutdown, remember: For DHS, tear gassing children at neighborhood parades and locking up U.S. citizens in immigration detention are "essential" functions.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
Great expose on the status of attack capabilities at Cellebrite, the defense company used by homeland security agents to crack your phones both at the U.S. border, airports, and interior.👇
New from 404 Media: someone managed to get into a Microsoft Teams call with phone hackers Cellebrite, who then detailed some of the company's hacking capabilities against Google Pixel phones. Also its capabilities against GrapheneOS, security-focused devices www.404media.co/someone-snuc...
Someone Snuck Into a Cellebrite Microsoft Teams Call and Leaked Phone Unlocking Details
The leaked slide focuses on Google Pixel phones and mentions those running the security-focused GrapheneOS operating system.
www.404media.co
October 30, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Great expose on the status of attack capabilities at Cellebrite, the defense company used by homeland security agents to crack your phones both at the U.S. border, airports, and interior.👇