Anna Bower
@annabower.bsky.social
Just asking questions.
Senior Editor, Lawfaremedia.org.
Send story ideas and tips to anna.bower@lawfaremedia.org
Senior Editor, Lawfaremedia.org.
Send story ideas and tips to anna.bower@lawfaremedia.org
Pinned
Anna Bower
@annabower.bsky.social
· Oct 20
EXCLUSIVE: One Saturday afternoon in October, my phone lit up with a notification.
I glanced down at the message.
“Anna, Lindsey Halligan here,” it began.
So began my text exchange with the woman who is prosecuting the president's perceived political enemies.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/anna...
I glanced down at the message.
“Anna, Lindsey Halligan here,” it began.
So began my text exchange with the woman who is prosecuting the president's perceived political enemies.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/anna...
Reposted by Anna Bower
🚨WHOA. The El Paso Medical Examiner says it will rule the death of a 55-year-old Cuban man at ICE's "Camp East Montana" tent camp as a homicide.
He was allegedly choked to death by a guard during a "struggle" after he refused to enter a housing unit without his medications.
He was allegedly choked to death by a guard during a "struggle" after he refused to enter a housing unit without his medications.
January 15, 2026 at 11:03 PM
🚨WHOA. The El Paso Medical Examiner says it will rule the death of a 55-year-old Cuban man at ICE's "Camp East Montana" tent camp as a homicide.
He was allegedly choked to death by a guard during a "struggle" after he refused to enter a housing unit without his medications.
He was allegedly choked to death by a guard during a "struggle" after he refused to enter a housing unit without his medications.
taylor swift reading that kyrsten sinema lawsuit
a woman is holding a microphone and saying i would very much like to be excluded from this narrative .
Alt: a woman is holding a microphone and saying i would very much like to be excluded from this narrative. It’s Taylor swift
media.tenor.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:34 PM
taylor swift reading that kyrsten sinema lawsuit
The only inaccuracy in this video is that no one is wearing a Dog Shirt™️
This AI-generated video is an absolutely accurate depiction of what working at @lawfaremedia.org is like:
January 15, 2026 at 6:11 PM
The only inaccuracy in this video is that no one is wearing a Dog Shirt™️
Reposted by Anna Bower
This AI-generated video is an absolutely accurate depiction of what working at @lawfaremedia.org is like:
January 14, 2026 at 2:02 AM
This AI-generated video is an absolutely accurate depiction of what working at @lawfaremedia.org is like:
Reposted by Anna Bower
An impt report from @jessicahuseman.bsky.social and @votebeat.org
The Trump regime’s politicization of what is supposed to be neutral, free and fair election administration has undercut years of productive relationship-building between states and the fed government.
www.votebeat.org/2026/01/15/c...
The Trump regime’s politicization of what is supposed to be neutral, free and fair election administration has undercut years of productive relationship-building between states and the fed government.
www.votebeat.org/2026/01/15/c...
Election officials say trust with CISA is broken — maybe permanently
States once relied on CISA for election security. Now officials say politicization and retreating support have shattered that trust.
www.votebeat.org
January 15, 2026 at 5:34 PM
An impt report from @jessicahuseman.bsky.social and @votebeat.org
The Trump regime’s politicization of what is supposed to be neutral, free and fair election administration has undercut years of productive relationship-building between states and the fed government.
www.votebeat.org/2026/01/15/c...
The Trump regime’s politicization of what is supposed to be neutral, free and fair election administration has undercut years of productive relationship-building between states and the fed government.
www.votebeat.org/2026/01/15/c...
Reposted by Anna Bower
🚨🚨🚨 I know everything is going to hell, but a reminder that the FINAL DEADLINE to enroll in #ACA healthcare coverage is MIDNIGHT *TONIGHT* in 40 states. 1/
acasignups.net/26/01/12/gro...
acasignups.net/26/01/12/gro...
Grouching towards Enrollment: My 2026 ACA OEP Guide
Almost exactly a year ago I began my 2025 ACA Open Enrollment Period guide with the following words: This is the best OEP ever for the ACA for several reasons: The expanded/enhanced premium subsidies ...
acasignups.net
January 15, 2026 at 1:52 PM
🚨🚨🚨 I know everything is going to hell, but a reminder that the FINAL DEADLINE to enroll in #ACA healthcare coverage is MIDNIGHT *TONIGHT* in 40 states. 1/
acasignups.net/26/01/12/gro...
acasignups.net/26/01/12/gro...
In which @rdeliason.bsky.social corrects the Washington Post editorial board:
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Jack Smith is no anti-speech villain. And Trump is no victim.
Free speech, Jonathan Ross and cowboy hats, through readers’ eyes.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:48 PM
In which @rdeliason.bsky.social corrects the Washington Post editorial board:
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Anna Bower
Before you read about the FBI raid and think about how bad it is for our democracy, read about Hannah’s life this year and think about how unbelievably brutal it is for her. archive.ph/2025.12.27-1...
January 14, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Before you read about the FBI raid and think about how bad it is for our democracy, read about Hannah’s life this year and think about how unbelievably brutal it is for her. archive.ph/2025.12.27-1...
Reposted by Anna Bower
DOJ has occasionally claimed that it needs to search reporters' records to find the source of a security leak.
But that's pretty obviously not what they were doing when they searched the Post reporter's house. They arrested a suspect days ago, after more or less catching him in the act.
But that's pretty obviously not what they were doing when they searched the Post reporter's house. They arrested a suspect days ago, after more or less catching him in the act.
Bondi statement on FBI search at Washington Post reporter’s home:
January 14, 2026 at 3:49 PM
DOJ has occasionally claimed that it needs to search reporters' records to find the source of a security leak.
But that's pretty obviously not what they were doing when they searched the Post reporter's house. They arrested a suspect days ago, after more or less catching him in the act.
But that's pretty obviously not what they were doing when they searched the Post reporter's house. They arrested a suspect days ago, after more or less catching him in the act.
Bondi statement on FBI search at Washington Post reporter’s home:
January 14, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Bondi statement on FBI search at Washington Post reporter’s home:
Reposted by Anna Bower
Hannah Natanson is an exceptional reporter and should never have been subjected to this type of extraordinary intimidation tactic. We have few details now, but it’s hard to interpret this as anything other than an attempt to squash the freedom of the press.
January 14, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Hannah Natanson is an exceptional reporter and should never have been subjected to this type of extraordinary intimidation tactic. We have few details now, but it’s hard to interpret this as anything other than an attempt to squash the freedom of the press.
Reposted by Anna Bower
In case you hit a paywall, this is gifted.
wapo.st/4pFh6lw
wapo.st/4pFh6lw
FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s home
The reporter, Hannah Natanson, covers the federal workforce and has been part of The Post’s most sensitive coverage of the first year of the second Trump administration.
wapo.st
January 14, 2026 at 2:11 PM
In case you hit a paywall, this is gifted.
wapo.st/4pFh6lw
wapo.st/4pFh6lw
Reposted by Anna Bower
More details here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s home
The reporter, Hannah Natanson, covers the federal workforce and has been part of The Post’s most sensitive coverage of the first year of the second Trump administration.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:08 PM
More details here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Anna Bower
The majority of the leadership team inside Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office resigned Tuesday in protest of directives from federal officials in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, according to sources familiar with the decision.
Joe Thompson, U.S. Attorney who uncovered massive fraud in Minnesota, resigns from office
Thompson has been at the center of the national debate around fraud in Minnesota and has claimed that billions have been stolen from tax payers.
bit.ly
January 13, 2026 at 8:20 PM
The majority of the leadership team inside Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office resigned Tuesday in protest of directives from federal officials in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, according to sources familiar with the decision.
Reposted by Anna Bower
Today at 34 & Park in Minneapolis, a woman tried to drive down the street where a protest had broken out in front of a home ICE was raiding, saying she had a doctor apt to get to. ICE agents busted out her windows, cut off her seatbelt, and pulled her out before arresting her.
January 13, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Today at 34 & Park in Minneapolis, a woman tried to drive down the street where a protest had broken out in front of a home ICE was raiding, saying she had a doctor apt to get to. ICE agents busted out her windows, cut off her seatbelt, and pulled her out before arresting her.
Reposted by Anna Bower
Even by the standards of Trump's DOJ, this one is worth a read. Always finding new and creative ways to make me say WTF.
Halligan’s response accuses the judge of “gross abuse of power,” among other things.
Read the filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Read the filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 13, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Even by the standards of Trump's DOJ, this one is worth a read. Always finding new and creative ways to make me say WTF.
Halligan’s response accuses the judge of “gross abuse of power,” among other things.
Read the filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Read the filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 13, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Halligan’s response accuses the judge of “gross abuse of power,” among other things.
Read the filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Read the filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Anna Bower
Gift link to my piece with @oonahathaway.bsky.social on our slide to a nihilistic future. www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/r...
A World Without Rules
The consequences of Trump’s assault on international law.
www.foreignaffairs.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Gift link to my piece with @oonahathaway.bsky.social on our slide to a nihilistic future. www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/r...
Typo alert: Describing stalled negotiations with opposing counsel in the Dan Richman case, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward says he does not “err this grievance lightly.”
![United States provided further edits to the joint motion the next morning, on January 9. Since that
time - and at the time of this filing - the United States has not received feedback on that draft
despite representations that such feedback would be forthcoming on January 10.
Despite the undersigned representing to Petitioner-Movant's counsel multiple times a
desire to resolve this matter promptly, no agreement has been reached. The undersigned does not or this grievance lightly, but does so only out of respect for the Court's deadline and out of regret
for not seeking an extension earlier. The undersigned further represents that the effort to resolve
the Parties remaining disagreements constitutes good cause to further extend the deadline within
which the United States must certify its compliance with the Court's Orders nune pro tunc.
Rule 6(b)(1)(A) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that, "[w]hen an act may
or must be done within a specified time, the court may, for good cause, extend the time ... with or without motion or notice if the court acts, or if a request is made, before the original time or its extension expires." Good cause exists to extend the deadline by which the United States must comply with the Court's Order insofar as discussions between the Parties continue that may alleviate the necessity of the Court spending judicial resources resolving any dispute as between the parties. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b)(I)(A); Nasreen v. Capitol Petroleum Group, LLC, 2021 WL 5310565, at *4 (D.D.C. Nov. 15, 2021).
So that these discussions may continue, the United States respectfully requests the
deadline to comply with the Court's Order by providing a certification of compliance with the same be extended to January 19, 2026. The United States is not requesting any other modification or alteration to the Court's Order (or the clarifications or modifications thereto) at this time.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:t4x2ruk2qmob2b2cx55h4v7r/bafkreigxenno5krsshr5csgvrzpy6s6pj3tmor2kp5r5n5zt7b4imtavmy@jpeg)
January 13, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Typo alert: Describing stalled negotiations with opposing counsel in the Dan Richman case, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward says he does not “err this grievance lightly.”
Reposted by Anna Bower
Responding to Judge Boasberg’s order to propose relief to 137 Venezuelans unlawfully sent to CECOT & then Venezuela, Secy Rubio says that addressing the issue now would cause “material damage to US foreign policy interests.” So apparently the govt's not going to.
January 13, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Responding to Judge Boasberg’s order to propose relief to 137 Venezuelans unlawfully sent to CECOT & then Venezuela, Secy Rubio says that addressing the issue now would cause “material damage to US foreign policy interests.” So apparently the govt's not going to.
Reposted by Anna Bower
Within a day or so of the shooting, myself, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, and @annabower.bsky.social predicted on the Lawfare Podcast that this would be the focus of any investigation; there’s no joy in having been correct — just a growing sense of dismay.
F.B.I. Inquiry Into ICE Shooting Is Examining Victim’s Possible Ties to Activist Groups
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Within a day or so of the shooting, myself, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, and @annabower.bsky.social predicted on the Lawfare Podcast that this would be the focus of any investigation; there’s no joy in having been correct — just a growing sense of dismay.
INBOX: Former Special Counsel Jack Smith launches his own law firm alongside former Jan. 6 Committee counsel Tim Heaphy and DOJ alum David Harbach and Thomas Windom.
January 12, 2026 at 12:17 PM
INBOX: Former Special Counsel Jack Smith launches his own law firm alongside former Jan. 6 Committee counsel Tim Heaphy and DOJ alum David Harbach and Thomas Windom.
Will be interesting to see who suddenly cares about the president’s weaponization of the Justice Department now that it might threaten their bottom line $$$
January 12, 2026 at 2:46 AM
Will be interesting to see who suddenly cares about the president’s weaponization of the Justice Department now that it might threaten their bottom line $$$