Trevor Timm
@trevortimm.bsky.social
Executive Director at @freedom.press
Reposted by Trevor Timm
In 2025, @pressfreedomtracker.us documented at least 32 instances in which journalists were detained or charged — just for doing their jobs.
Nearly 90% of them occurred while journalists were covering demonstrations.
Read our annual arrest report:
Nearly 90% of them occurred while journalists were covering demonstrations.
Read our annual arrest report:
Press arrests used to silence protest coverage in 2025
More than 30 journalists detained, nearly all released without charges or with them quickly dropped
pressfreedomtracker.us
December 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM
In 2025, @pressfreedomtracker.us documented at least 32 instances in which journalists were detained or charged — just for doing their jobs.
Nearly 90% of them occurred while journalists were covering demonstrations.
Read our annual arrest report:
Nearly 90% of them occurred while journalists were covering demonstrations.
Read our annual arrest report:
ICE claims it has no bodycam footage of its Chicago operations, in response to our @freedom.press FOIA request.
As the @nytimes.com reports, this contradicts its "sworn court testimony and the fact that it had previously submitted video footage to a judge." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...
As the @nytimes.com reports, this contradicts its "sworn court testimony and the fact that it had previously submitted video footage to a judge." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...
ICE Tells Watchdog It Has No Videos to Release of Chicago Operations
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:41 PM
ICE claims it has no bodycam footage of its Chicago operations, in response to our @freedom.press FOIA request.
As the @nytimes.com reports, this contradicts its "sworn court testimony and the fact that it had previously submitted video footage to a judge." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...
As the @nytimes.com reports, this contradicts its "sworn court testimony and the fact that it had previously submitted video footage to a judge." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...
Reposted by Trevor Timm
Congratulations to the indefatigable @nsarchive.bsky.social on 40 years of clawing back the self-serving veil of government secrecy!
We need organizations like yours now more than ever.
We need organizations like yours now more than ever.
“Heroic Excavators of Government Secrets”
Washington, D.C., December 10, 2025 - Almost 40 years ago, as White House aide Lt. Col. Oliver North was secretly running the Reagan administration’s Iran-Contra operations, he became concerned about ...
nsarchive.gwu.edu
December 10, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Congratulations to the indefatigable @nsarchive.bsky.social on 40 years of clawing back the self-serving veil of government secrecy!
We need organizations like yours now more than ever.
We need organizations like yours now more than ever.
Great to see news orgs with a spine and fighting back.
Our statement at @freedom.press on the @nytimes.com suing the Pentagon over its absurd and unconstitutional loyalty pledge: freedom.press/issues/appea...
Our statement at @freedom.press on the @nytimes.com suing the Pentagon over its absurd and unconstitutional loyalty pledge: freedom.press/issues/appea...
December 4, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Great to see news orgs with a spine and fighting back.
Our statement at @freedom.press on the @nytimes.com suing the Pentagon over its absurd and unconstitutional loyalty pledge: freedom.press/issues/appea...
Our statement at @freedom.press on the @nytimes.com suing the Pentagon over its absurd and unconstitutional loyalty pledge: freedom.press/issues/appea...
Reposted by Trevor Timm
i will be at mozfest with @trevortimm.bsky.social - come say hi!
👋 Come watch our Freedom of the Press Foundation talk on "lessons from a decade of building whistleblower tech" later this week at Barcelona's #MozFest.
It's kicking off the conference at 9 a.m. local time on Friday.
It's kicking off the conference at 9 a.m. local time on Friday.
Mozilla Festival Schedule
For 15 years, Mozilla Festival has been the home for big ideas, bold conversations, and the movement for a better internet. From November 7th to 9th, we’re bringing that energy back to Barcelona, and you're invited to be a part of it.
schedule.mozillafestival.org
November 5, 2025 at 7:45 PM
i will be at mozfest with @trevortimm.bsky.social - come say hi!
Wired and 404 Media make FOIA reporting free. Other news outlets should too freedom.press/issues/wired...
Wired and 404 Media make FOIA reporting free. Other news outlets should too
We spoke to Katie Drummond of Wired, Joseph Cox of 404 Media, and Lauren Harper of Freedom of the Press Foundation about the case for unpaywalling public records-based reporting
freedom.press
October 30, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Wired and 404 Media make FOIA reporting free. Other news outlets should too freedom.press/issues/wired...
Reposted by Trevor Timm
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
PSA: we're aware that Signal is down for some people. This appears to be related to a major AWS outage. Stand by.
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
Reposted by Trevor Timm
Griffith was found guilty of failure to disperse and fined $50.
That's unconstitutional -- even the DOJ recognizes journalists' right to cover how law enforcement disperses protesters.
But it also shows what a giant waste of taxpayer funds it is to prosecute journalists for doing their jobs.
That's unconstitutional -- even the DOJ recognizes journalists' right to cover how law enforcement disperses protesters.
But it also shows what a giant waste of taxpayer funds it is to prosecute journalists for doing their jobs.
Student journalist Lucas Griffith faces trial today for covering a protest against the deportation of Ayman Soliman, who himself fled persecution for his journalism in Egypt.
Lucas did nothing wrong. This is a big deal and would be national news in normal times.
Lucas did nothing wrong. This is a big deal and would be national news in normal times.
On trial for journalism in Kentucky.
Two months after their arrests while covering a protest, a pair of local reporters face criminal charges.
www.cjr.org
October 2, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Griffith was found guilty of failure to disperse and fined $50.
That's unconstitutional -- even the DOJ recognizes journalists' right to cover how law enforcement disperses protesters.
But it also shows what a giant waste of taxpayer funds it is to prosecute journalists for doing their jobs.
That's unconstitutional -- even the DOJ recognizes journalists' right to cover how law enforcement disperses protesters.
But it also shows what a giant waste of taxpayer funds it is to prosecute journalists for doing their jobs.
Reposted by Trevor Timm
We’re very excited to welcome @adamrose.bsky.social as our new deputy director of advocacy on the @freedom.press team!
He’ll primarily focus on protecting local press freedom, so reach out if you’re a journalist who needs help.
He’ll primarily focus on protecting local press freedom, so reach out if you’re a journalist who needs help.
Adam Rose joins FPF to bolster press freedom at the local level
FPF’s new deputy director of advocacy will work to strengthen press freedom in cities and states across the country.
freedom.press
September 30, 2025 at 8:36 PM
We’re very excited to welcome @adamrose.bsky.social as our new deputy director of advocacy on the @freedom.press team!
He’ll primarily focus on protecting local press freedom, so reach out if you’re a journalist who needs help.
He’ll primarily focus on protecting local press freedom, so reach out if you’re a journalist who needs help.
Reposted by Trevor Timm
Abusing FCC authority to pressure media outlets into censorship or bribes is plainly unconstitutional. But it turns out, it's also incredibly unpopular, even with the president's own supporters!
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/p...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/p...
September 30, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Abusing FCC authority to pressure media outlets into censorship or bribes is plainly unconstitutional. But it turns out, it's also incredibly unpopular, even with the president's own supporters!
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/p...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/p...
Reposted by Trevor Timm
Your kitchen cabinets? A national security threat.
Your favorite movie? Also a national security threat.
Your favorite cocktail? Possibly a national security threat.
Here’s our current top five list of the dumbest things officials have done, or hidden, ostensibly to protect national security.
Your favorite movie? Also a national security threat.
Your favorite cocktail? Possibly a national security threat.
Here’s our current top five list of the dumbest things officials have done, or hidden, ostensibly to protect national security.
Your kitchen cabinets are a national security threat
The dumbest things the government has done, or hidden, in the name of national security
freedom.press
September 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Your kitchen cabinets? A national security threat.
Your favorite movie? Also a national security threat.
Your favorite cocktail? Possibly a national security threat.
Here’s our current top five list of the dumbest things officials have done, or hidden, ostensibly to protect national security.
Your favorite movie? Also a national security threat.
Your favorite cocktail? Possibly a national security threat.
Here’s our current top five list of the dumbest things officials have done, or hidden, ostensibly to protect national security.
Reposted by Trevor Timm
The First Amendment protects your right to call Trump a fascist. You can say it on a street corner, wear it on a shirt in the courthouse, or even shout it in a crowded theater.
Trump, Miller, and Bannon know that the First Amendment protects all of this speech and association. They want Americans to be terrified of exercising rights that the Constitution guarantees. newrepublic.com/article/2009...
Trump’s Eruption of Rage at Texas ICE Shooting Hints at a Darker Story
To Trumpworld, the Dallas shooting appears to provide the perfect pretext to start silencing wholly lawful advocacy groups—for inciting “violence and terrorism.”
newrepublic.com
September 26, 2025 at 11:59 AM
The First Amendment protects your right to call Trump a fascist. You can say it on a street corner, wear it on a shirt in the courthouse, or even shout it in a crowded theater.
Reposted by Trevor Timm
Government officials do not get to decide that your rights have become inconvenient or problematic. They are your rights. They are not privileges provided by the government and revocable at will.
GOP Senator Cynthia Lummis: "Under normal times, in normal circumstances, I tend to think that the First Amendment should always be sort of the ultimate right... I don't feel that way anymore." www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
Kimmel’s suspension prompts free-speech Republicans to reconsider their boundaries
One Republican said she no longer considers the First Amendment to “be sort of the ultimate right,” as she would “in normal circumstances.”
www.semafor.com
September 19, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Government officials do not get to decide that your rights have become inconvenient or problematic. They are your rights. They are not privileges provided by the government and revocable at will.
Reposted by Trevor Timm
Los Angeles Press Club press rights chair @adamrose.bsky.social graciously spent some time with me discussing the long history of violence against journalists in L.A.
He also highlighted victories in lawsuits against DHS and the LAPD.
Watch/listen here: thedissenter.org/las-long-his...
He also highlighted victories in lawsuits against DHS and the LAPD.
Watch/listen here: thedissenter.org/las-long-his...
September 17, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Los Angeles Press Club press rights chair @adamrose.bsky.social graciously spent some time with me discussing the long history of violence against journalists in L.A.
He also highlighted victories in lawsuits against DHS and the LAPD.
Watch/listen here: thedissenter.org/las-long-his...
He also highlighted victories in lawsuits against DHS and the LAPD.
Watch/listen here: thedissenter.org/las-long-his...
Reposted by Trevor Timm
🔔 Join us to discuss first steps newsrooms need to take when ICE arrests a journalist, with @attorneynora.bsky.social, @scarletprim.bsky.social, @caitlinvogus.bsky.social, @writeralejandra.bsky.social, Samantha C. Hamilton, and Marium Uddin.
🕒 Sept. 15, 4 pm EDT
RSVP: http://freedom.press...
🕒 Sept. 15, 4 pm EDT
RSVP: http://freedom.press...
September 13, 2025 at 4:05 PM
🔔 Join us to discuss first steps newsrooms need to take when ICE arrests a journalist, with @attorneynora.bsky.social, @scarletprim.bsky.social, @caitlinvogus.bsky.social, @writeralejandra.bsky.social, Samantha C. Hamilton, and Marium Uddin.
🕒 Sept. 15, 4 pm EDT
RSVP: http://freedom.press...
🕒 Sept. 15, 4 pm EDT
RSVP: http://freedom.press...
Reposted by Trevor Timm
I'm thrilled for this line in court order against LAPD.
Officers at protests got away with shameful conduct for years, tarnishing badge and endangering others (including fellow officers).
Subtle, but this puts officers on hook for discipline. Now we can prove they were aware this conduct is wrong.
Officers at protests got away with shameful conduct for years, tarnishing badge and endangering others (including fellow officers).
Subtle, but this puts officers on hook for discipline. Now we can prove they were aware this conduct is wrong.
September 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
I'm thrilled for this line in court order against LAPD.
Officers at protests got away with shameful conduct for years, tarnishing badge and endangering others (including fellow officers).
Subtle, but this puts officers on hook for discipline. Now we can prove they were aware this conduct is wrong.
Officers at protests got away with shameful conduct for years, tarnishing badge and endangering others (including fellow officers).
Subtle, but this puts officers on hook for discipline. Now we can prove they were aware this conduct is wrong.
Reposted by Trevor Timm
BREAKING: Federal judge issues preliminary injunction against LAPD to restrict use of force on press.
First line: "It is déjà vu all over again." Cities 25 year history.
Judge in LA Press Club v. City of LA also issued injunction against DHS yesterday in LAPC v. Noem.
Big wins!!!
Full order:
First line: "It is déjà vu all over again." Cities 25 year history.
Judge in LA Press Club v. City of LA also issued injunction against DHS yesterday in LAPC v. Noem.
Big wins!!!
Full order:
083 Order Granting PI.pdf
drive.google.com
September 11, 2025 at 8:19 PM
BREAKING: Federal judge issues preliminary injunction against LAPD to restrict use of force on press.
First line: "It is déjà vu all over again." Cities 25 year history.
Judge in LA Press Club v. City of LA also issued injunction against DHS yesterday in LAPC v. Noem.
Big wins!!!
Full order:
First line: "It is déjà vu all over again." Cities 25 year history.
Judge in LA Press Club v. City of LA also issued injunction against DHS yesterday in LAPC v. Noem.
Big wins!!!
Full order:
Reposted by Trevor Timm
"The idea of 'official' versus 'unofficial' press is a ridiculous invention, completely at odds with constitutional protections and civic norms."
freedom.press/issues/journ...
freedom.press/issues/journ...
Journalist speaks out after attempt to silence him with a restraining order
Attempted restraining order yet another instance of local officials punishing routine journalism
freedom.press
September 3, 2025 at 12:49 PM
"The idea of 'official' versus 'unofficial' press is a ridiculous invention, completely at odds with constitutional protections and civic norms."
freedom.press/issues/journ...
freedom.press/issues/journ...
Reposted by Trevor Timm
A giant in the civil liberties field! We all owe a debt of gratitude to Cindy Cohn for her indelible leadership at @eff.org for so many years (and for being our legal counsel at @freedom.press since our founding in 2012).
Cindy Cohn Is Leaving the EFF, but Not the Fight for Digital Rights
After 25 years at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Cindy Cohn is stepping down as executive director. In a WIRED interview, she reflects on encryption, AI, and why she’s not ready to quit the battl...
www.wired.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:47 PM
A giant in the civil liberties field! We all owe a debt of gratitude to Cindy Cohn for her indelible leadership at @eff.org for so many years (and for being our legal counsel at @freedom.press since our founding in 2012).
Reposted by Trevor Timm
traditionally prosecutors have had better luck charging the sandwich
Federal prosecutors on Tuesday were unable to secure a felony assault indictment against a man who threw a sandwich at a federal agent on the streets of Washington this month, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Prosecutors Fail to Secure Indictment Against Man Who Threw Sandwich at Federal Agent
www.nytimes.com
August 27, 2025 at 2:03 PM
traditionally prosecutors have had better luck charging the sandwich
Reposted by Trevor Timm
One thing to note about this is that it was apparently a double-tap strike: Israel killed one journalist (among others) in the first strike, waited a few minutes, and then carried out a second strike that killed first-responders and other journalists. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Israel hits Gaza hospital, killing at least 15 people, including journalists
Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital in Gaza on Monday killed at least 15 people, including three journalists, one of whom worked for Reuters, Palestinian health officials said.
www.reuters.com
August 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
One thing to note about this is that it was apparently a double-tap strike: Israel killed one journalist (among others) in the first strike, waited a few minutes, and then carried out a second strike that killed first-responders and other journalists. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Trevor Timm
Our statement on Israel's killing of more journalists in #Gaza. "Israel’s killing of journalists continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has faced in recent history,” said CPJ’s Sara Qudah. “These murders must end now.”
cpj.org/2025/08/at-l...
cpj.org/2025/08/at-l...
At least 4 Gazan journalists killed in Israeli strikes on Nasser hospital - Committee to Protect Journalists
New York, August 25, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Israeli strikes that killed four journalists in Nasser hospital in southern Gaza and calls for the international community t...
cpj.org
August 25, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Our statement on Israel's killing of more journalists in #Gaza. "Israel’s killing of journalists continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has faced in recent history,” said CPJ’s Sara Qudah. “These murders must end now.”
cpj.org/2025/08/at-l...
cpj.org/2025/08/at-l...
Reposted by Trevor Timm
Punishing universities for "fighting back"--that is, for petitioning the courts for redress of grievances--would be a serious violation of the First Amendment even if Trump's broader campaign against the universities was lawful, which it isn't. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/u...
August 20, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Punishing universities for "fighting back"--that is, for petitioning the courts for redress of grievances--would be a serious violation of the First Amendment even if Trump's broader campaign against the universities was lawful, which it isn't. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/u...
Reposted by Trevor Timm
UPDATE: I just got one of the emails from DOE. I've screenshotted it below. It doesn't even reference a specific #FOIA request, just links to the Federal Register notice.
Absolutely ridiculous.
Absolutely ridiculous.
August 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
UPDATE: I just got one of the emails from DOE. I've screenshotted it below. It doesn't even reference a specific #FOIA request, just links to the Federal Register notice.
Absolutely ridiculous.
Absolutely ridiculous.
Reposted by Trevor Timm
And this was the precise purpose, to silence a journalist who was producing more than one man and a team have ever produced over this period of time and under these conditions
August 13, 2025 at 5:59 PM
And this was the precise purpose, to silence a journalist who was producing more than one man and a team have ever produced over this period of time and under these conditions