Barton Gellman
@bartongellman.bsky.social
@BrennanCenter | ex Atlantic, WaPo | Author, Angler & Dark Mirror | bartongellman.com/contact
Pinned
Barton Gellman
@bartongellman.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Verification: this is the real Barton Gellman, senior advisor at the Brennan Center, author of Dark Mirror & Angler, and former staff writer at The Atlantic and The Washington Post.
Reposted by Barton Gellman
The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority applies originalism to interpret the Constitution. Our new guide shows lawyers how to defeat shoddy historical arguments in court.
bit.ly/44yksPF
bit.ly/44yksPF
A New Playbook for Countering Originalism in Court
Our guide shows lawyers how to defeat shoddy historical arguments.
www.brennancenter.org
December 29, 2025 at 11:02 PM
The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority applies originalism to interpret the Constitution. Our new guide shows lawyers how to defeat shoddy historical arguments in court.
bit.ly/44yksPF
bit.ly/44yksPF
Reposted by Barton Gellman
The president has no authority to change election rules. Wendy Weiser and other Brennan Center experts discuss how we challenged President Trump's power grabs on the latest episode of The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/48SQYPc
December 30, 2025 at 4:32 PM
The president has no authority to change election rules. Wendy Weiser and other Brennan Center experts discuss how we challenged President Trump's power grabs on the latest episode of The Briefing with Michael Waldman: bit.ly/48SQYPc
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy
December 27, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable group. “Big tech has made their choice.”
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation Effort
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable…
www.404media.co
December 28, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable group. “Big tech has made their choice.”
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
Reposted by Barton Gellman
ICE has long used the latest spy tech to pursue immigrants — but now it’s also targeting anti-ICE protesters and anyone who allegedly funds them. bit.ly/3Kq348R
ICE Wants to Go After Dissenters as well as Immigrants
The Trump administration is being open about its plans to violate Americans’ First and Fourth Amendment rights.
www.brennancenter.org
December 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM
ICE has long used the latest spy tech to pursue immigrants — but now it’s also targeting anti-ICE protesters and anyone who allegedly funds them. bit.ly/3Kq348R
Reposted by Barton Gellman
It is international law 101 that a military blockade is not just a violation of the UN Charter, but a crime of aggression.
Unless that blockade is in response to an 'armed attack.'
None of President's Trump's list of complaints come close to an armed attack.
1/
Unless that blockade is in response to an 'armed attack.'
None of President's Trump's list of complaints come close to an armed attack.
1/
December 17, 2025 at 12:27 AM
It is international law 101 that a military blockade is not just a violation of the UN Charter, but a crime of aggression.
Unless that blockade is in response to an 'armed attack.'
None of President's Trump's list of complaints come close to an armed attack.
1/
Unless that blockade is in response to an 'armed attack.'
None of President's Trump's list of complaints come close to an armed attack.
1/
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Full show:
Substack: lnk.thebulwark.com/4rZK5CY
YouTube: lnk.thebulwark.com/4rUKbfn
Apple: lnk.thebulwark.com/3LLwajw
Spotify: lnk.thebulwark.com/4a8qqu7
Substack: lnk.thebulwark.com/4rZK5CY
YouTube: lnk.thebulwark.com/4rUKbfn
Apple: lnk.thebulwark.com/3LLwajw
Spotify: lnk.thebulwark.com/4a8qqu7
December 16, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Full show:
Substack: lnk.thebulwark.com/4rZK5CY
YouTube: lnk.thebulwark.com/4rUKbfn
Apple: lnk.thebulwark.com/3LLwajw
Spotify: lnk.thebulwark.com/4a8qqu7
Substack: lnk.thebulwark.com/4rZK5CY
YouTube: lnk.thebulwark.com/4rUKbfn
Apple: lnk.thebulwark.com/3LLwajw
Spotify: lnk.thebulwark.com/4a8qqu7
Reposted by Barton Gellman
The world's richest 0.001% now control 3x as much wealth as the entire bottom half of humanity combined.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
Just 0.001% hold three times the wealth of poorest half of humanity, report finds
Data from World Inequality Report also showed top 10% of income-earners earn more than the other 90%
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The world's richest 0.001% now control 3x as much wealth as the entire bottom half of humanity combined.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Trump's executive order to block states from protecting their citizens from AI will almost certainly fail in court. Why issue it? It may still have a chilling effect if states cave. And that would make some of the largest political spenders very happy. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Money in Politics Roundup — October 2025
Our new recurring feature covers key stories from the world of campaign finance and influence buying, from the AI industry to super PAC support for a lame-duck president.
www.brennancenter.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Trump's executive order to block states from protecting their citizens from AI will almost certainly fail in court. Why issue it? It may still have a chilling effect if states cave. And that would make some of the largest political spenders very happy. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Reposted by Barton Gellman
The Department of Justice filed lawsuits against four more states — CO, HI, MA, and NV— for not providing their statewide voter registration lists in response to the department’s request. The total number of states being sued over their voter files now stands at 18, which we are tracking here:
Tracker of Justice Department Requests for Voter Information
The Trump administration is pressing state officials to provide sensitive information about voters.
www.brennancenter.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:27 PM
The Department of Justice filed lawsuits against four more states — CO, HI, MA, and NV— for not providing their statewide voter registration lists in response to the department’s request. The total number of states being sued over their voter files now stands at 18, which we are tracking here:
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Remarkable how brutal the ruling against Trump on Abrego Garcia truly is: It details flagrant and malicious abuses of power all throughout. Trump and Stephen Miller were testing their ability to spread lawless state terror. But the court held the line. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
Fiasco for Trump as Judge Issues Harsh Rebuke in Abrego Garcia Case
Judge Paula Xinis’s ruling temporarily freed Kilmar Abrego Garcia from custody. It also savagely indicted Trump’s lawless handling of this whole affair from start to finish.
newrepublic.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Remarkable how brutal the ruling against Trump on Abrego Garcia truly is: It details flagrant and malicious abuses of power all throughout. Trump and Stephen Miller were testing their ability to spread lawless state terror. But the court held the line. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Yesterday, President Trump issued an executive order blocking state enforcement of AI regulation. This comes after a flood of donations from the AI industry to the Trump administration, as we map out in our money in politics roundup: bit.ly/42wEcSM
Money in Politics Roundup — October 2025
Our new recurring feature covers key stories from the world of campaign finance and influence buying, from the AI industry to super PAC support for a lame-duck president.
www.brennancenter.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Yesterday, President Trump issued an executive order blocking state enforcement of AI regulation. This comes after a flood of donations from the AI industry to the Trump administration, as we map out in our money in politics roundup: bit.ly/42wEcSM
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Seven conclusions about what we've learned about Trumpism and the resilience of American democracy across 2025 — the big one: Donald Trump is losing. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/donald-tru...
Donald Trump is losing.
Seven conclusions as 2025 winds down.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
December 12, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Seven conclusions about what we've learned about Trumpism and the resilience of American democracy across 2025 — the big one: Donald Trump is losing. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/donald-tru...
Reposted by Barton Gellman
The President of the United States has the exact same power to pardon a state-court conviction that you or I have—which is to say, none.
December 12, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The President of the United States has the exact same power to pardon a state-court conviction that you or I have—which is to say, none.
Reposted by Barton Gellman
State courts shape daily life more than you think, but keeping up with the decisions that matter can be a challenge. From legal scholars to students to rights advocates, hear from some of our superusers about how they use State Court Report.
Subscribe today: go.statecourtreport.org/subscribe.
Subscribe today: go.statecourtreport.org/subscribe.
December 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
State courts shape daily life more than you think, but keeping up with the decisions that matter can be a challenge. From legal scholars to students to rights advocates, hear from some of our superusers about how they use State Court Report.
Subscribe today: go.statecourtreport.org/subscribe.
Subscribe today: go.statecourtreport.org/subscribe.
If you're looking for a great read on the state of our space programs -- Moon, Mars, asteroids, robot probes, and don't forget the Oort Cloud -- check out this gem from @joelachenbach.bsky.social: slate.com/technology/2...
It May Be the Literal Key to Human Destiny. Under Trump, It’s the Greatest Disaster It’s Ever Been.
What happened to NASA?
slate.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:02 PM
If you're looking for a great read on the state of our space programs -- Moon, Mars, asteroids, robot probes, and don't forget the Oort Cloud -- check out this gem from @joelachenbach.bsky.social: slate.com/technology/2...
Yes. Please.
I would like the phrase and concept of "common decency" to make a comeback
December 11, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Yes. Please.
The Washington Post has a new deeply reported look into the September 2 boat strike. Balanced writing but disturbing details. wapo.st/4a6lypq
How a U.S. admiral decided to kill two boat strike survivors
The controversial order given by Adm. Frank Bradley is under scrutiny from Congress. Inside the most consequential deliberation of his career.
wapo.st
December 11, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The Washington Post has a new deeply reported look into the September 2 boat strike. Balanced writing but disturbing details. wapo.st/4a6lypq
Reposted by Barton Gellman
As we face up to SCOTUS arguments over birthright citizenship, understanding this constitutional guarantee has never been more important. @brennancenter.org & @oah.org have you covered with this video feat. @katemasur.bsky.social @marthasjones.bsky.social & Erika Lee: www.youtube.com/live/6QCIt0l...
The Guarantee of Birthright Citizenship
YouTube video by Brennan Center for Justice
www.youtube.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM
As we face up to SCOTUS arguments over birthright citizenship, understanding this constitutional guarantee has never been more important. @brennancenter.org & @oah.org have you covered with this video feat. @katemasur.bsky.social @marthasjones.bsky.social & Erika Lee: www.youtube.com/live/6QCIt0l...
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Presidents can’t rescind birthright citizenship.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana... @brennancenter.org
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana... @brennancenter.org
December 5, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Presidents can’t rescind birthright citizenship.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana... @brennancenter.org
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana... @brennancenter.org
Reposted by Barton Gellman
political science
Found when sorting an old drive. I still, very occasionally, say 'not many badgers in the House of Lords' and this is why:
December 6, 2025 at 12:47 PM
political science
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Elon Musk’s charitable foundation grew larger than ever in 2024. But, for the fourth year in a row, the huge charity failed to give away the minimum amount required by law — and the donations it did make went largely to charities closely tied to Musk himself, who is the world's richest man.
Elon Musk’s Foundation Grows to $14 Billion, but Gives Little to Outsiders
The philanthropy has become one of America’s biggest, but most of its giving went to charities closely tied to the world’s richest man.
nyti.ms
December 2, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Elon Musk’s charitable foundation grew larger than ever in 2024. But, for the fourth year in a row, the huge charity failed to give away the minimum amount required by law — and the donations it did make went largely to charities closely tied to Musk himself, who is the world's richest man.
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Much like our immigration system, there's so much shit that will make normal people go "but it shouldn't work like that!" in our prisons. Share Bolts widely.
NC prison officials say “shifting economic conditions” forced them to raise their markup on basic goods like food, drinks, batteries to run radios, etc
Phill Smith, who’s incarcerated there, reports on the impact of the price hike and how prisons squeeze revenue from those who can least afford it
Phill Smith, who’s incarcerated there, reports on the impact of the price hike and how prisons squeeze revenue from those who can least afford it
North Carolina Prison Officials Raise Prices for Those Who Can Least Afford It - Bolts
It’s 4:30 pm on a Monday as Colell Steele stands in front of the closed canteen window at Neuse Correctional, a medium-custody prison in North Carolina. He’s lined up to... Read More
boltsmag.org
December 2, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Much like our immigration system, there's so much shit that will make normal people go "but it shouldn't work like that!" in our prisons. Share Bolts widely.
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Noem: You made it through the hurricane season without a hurricane—you kept the hurricanes away. We appreciate that.
December 2, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Noem: You made it through the hurricane season without a hurricane—you kept the hurricanes away. We appreciate that.
Reposted by Barton Gellman
Noem: You have saved hundreds of millions of lives with the Cocaine you’ve blown up in the Caribbean
December 2, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Noem: You have saved hundreds of millions of lives with the Cocaine you’ve blown up in the Caribbean