Benjamin Wittes
@benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org
Editor in Chief, @lawfaremedia.org
Senior Fellow, Brookings
Author, #DogShirtDaily
Host, #DogShirtTV
Purveyor of mischief.
Harasser of Russian diplomats worldwide.
Senior Fellow, Brookings
Author, #DogShirtDaily
Host, #DogShirtTV
Purveyor of mischief.
Harasser of Russian diplomats worldwide.
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
On Lawfare Daily, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org sat down with Elizabeth Tsurkov to talk about the 903 days that she was held in captivity by an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, the circumstances of her detention, and U.S. hostage policy under the Biden and Trump admins. youtu.be/ynfDvM7B7pE
January 28, 2026 at 2:45 PM
On Lawfare Daily, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org sat down with Elizabeth Tsurkov to talk about the 903 days that she was held in captivity by an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, the circumstances of her detention, and U.S. hostage policy under the Biden and Trump admins. youtu.be/ynfDvM7B7pE
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
"One feels ridiculous, coming from a society that is busily, proudly endeavoring to destroy itself, spending time in a society that is working under the toughest of circumstances to preserve itself."
@benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org reflects on the Situation from Kyiv.
@benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org reflects on the Situation from Kyiv.
The Situation: A View From Kyiv
That ridiculous feeling of coming from a society that is endeavoring to destroy itself to visit a society that is working to preserve itself.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 28, 2026 at 6:33 PM
"One feels ridiculous, coming from a society that is busily, proudly endeavoring to destroy itself, spending time in a society that is working under the toughest of circumstances to preserve itself."
@benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org reflects on the Situation from Kyiv.
@benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org reflects on the Situation from Kyiv.
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
ICYMI: I joined @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org for yesterday's edition of "The Situation," in which we dissect Canadian PM Mark Carney's eulogy—er, speech—at Davos.
Read it now on @lawfaremedia.org: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
Read it now on @lawfaremedia.org: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
January 23, 2026 at 2:37 PM
ICYMI: I joined @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org for yesterday's edition of "The Situation," in which we dissect Canadian PM Mark Carney's eulogy—er, speech—at Davos.
Read it now on @lawfaremedia.org: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
Read it now on @lawfaremedia.org: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
In The Situation, @tylermcbrien.com and @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org discuss Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech at Davos in which he warned that the international rules based order is being irrevocably altered by the actions of President Trump.
The Situation: Our Closest Ally Compares Us To The Soviets
Reading Prime Minister Carney’s Davos speech carefully
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM
In The Situation, @tylermcbrien.com and @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org discuss Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech at Davos in which he warned that the international rules based order is being irrevocably altered by the actions of President Trump.
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
ICYMI: Watch @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, and Olivia Manes to discuss the arrest of protestors at a Minnesota church, Jack Smith’s public congressional testimony, oral arguments in a Alien Enemies Act lawsuit, and more.
Lawfare Live: Trials of the Trump Administration, Jan. 23
youtube.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:00 PM
ICYMI: Watch @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, and Olivia Manes to discuss the arrest of protestors at a Minnesota church, Jack Smith’s public congressional testimony, oral arguments in a Alien Enemies Act lawsuit, and more.
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
On Lawfare Daily, @mollyroberts.bsky.social joined @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org earlier this week to discuss the “grand conspiracy” that posits that there is one single conspiracy to foil President Trump’s electoral prospects. youtu.be/fqL-mNyumI4
January 24, 2026 at 7:01 PM
On Lawfare Daily, @mollyroberts.bsky.social joined @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org earlier this week to discuss the “grand conspiracy” that posits that there is one single conspiracy to foil President Trump’s electoral prospects. youtu.be/fqL-mNyumI4
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
I’ll try to live-blog for @lawfaremedia.org the TRO/preliminary injunction hearing in MN v. Noem this morning at 10am ET/ 9am CT. MN seeks to pause, reduce, or restrict DHS’s Operation Metro Surge, citing the 10th Amendment. Relief sought is below:
/1
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
/1
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Proposed Order to Judge – #17 in State of Minnesota v. Noem (D. Minnesota, 0:26-cv-00190) – CourtListener.com
PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re 5 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by City of Minneapolis, City of St. Paul, State of Minnesota.(Carter, Brian) (Entered: 01/12/2026)
storage.courtlistener.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:36 PM
I’ll try to live-blog for @lawfaremedia.org the TRO/preliminary injunction hearing in MN v. Noem this morning at 10am ET/ 9am CT. MN seeks to pause, reduce, or restrict DHS’s Operation Metro Surge, citing the 10th Amendment. Relief sought is below:
/1
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
/1
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
On Lawfare Daily, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, @annabower.bsky.social, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, Olivia Manes, and @rparloff.bsky.social discuss the criminal inquiries into Minnesota state officials and protestors, and more.
January 26, 2026 at 5:04 PM
On Lawfare Daily, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, @annabower.bsky.social, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, Olivia Manes, and @rparloff.bsky.social discuss the criminal inquiries into Minnesota state officials and protestors, and more.
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
Once again, please consider a donation to @lawfaremedia.org to help my colleagues and me cover events like this—people like @annabower.bsky.social @ericcolumbus.bsky.social @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org et many al.
THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!
givebutter.com/journalism/
THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!
givebutter.com/journalism/
Lawfare's Nonpartisan Journalism and Expert Analysis
Support the impactful and trustworthy coverage of Lawfare
givebutter.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Once again, please consider a donation to @lawfaremedia.org to help my colleagues and me cover events like this—people like @annabower.bsky.social @ericcolumbus.bsky.social @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org et many al.
THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!
givebutter.com/journalism/
THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!
givebutter.com/journalism/
Texting with @lapatina.bsky.social about how many giant batteries we have managed to buy and distribute to families in Kyiv to keep people warm be like.
January 22, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Texting with @lapatina.bsky.social about how many giant batteries we have managed to buy and distribute to families in Kyiv to keep people warm be like.
I will be co-moderating this event with Elizabeth Tsurkov today at 10:00 am at the Middle East Institute. Join us in person or virtually! mei.edu/events/held-...
Held Hostage by Iran’s Militias: Where Are They Now? - Middle East Institute
mei.edu
January 21, 2026 at 12:32 PM
I will be co-moderating this event with Elizabeth Tsurkov today at 10:00 am at the Middle East Institute. Join us in person or virtually! mei.edu/events/held-...
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
"Don’t kid yourself, folks: There is no magic bullet here," writes @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org in The Situation.
"There is, instead, a long hard slog ahead of us—a long hard slog of elections, advocacy, protest, litigation, and people fighting for their rights."
"There is, instead, a long hard slog ahead of us—a long hard slog of elections, advocacy, protest, litigation, and people fighting for their rights."
The Situation: “Evident Clinical Symptoms”
There is no magic bullet solution to a deranged president.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 20, 2026 at 10:15 PM
"Don’t kid yourself, folks: There is no magic bullet here," writes @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org in The Situation.
"There is, instead, a long hard slog ahead of us—a long hard slog of elections, advocacy, protest, litigation, and people fighting for their rights."
"There is, instead, a long hard slog ahead of us—a long hard slog of elections, advocacy, protest, litigation, and people fighting for their rights."
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
Speedo Eagle Man with Micah Holden - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAJt...
with @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org and @hollybfletcher.bsky.social
with @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org and @hollybfletcher.bsky.social
Speedo Eagle Man with Micah Holden
YouTube video by #DogShirtTV
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Speedo Eagle Man with Micah Holden - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAJt...
with @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org and @hollybfletcher.bsky.social
with @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org and @hollybfletcher.bsky.social
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
In the third lecture in her Lawfare Lecture series, Dr. @lkatfield.bsky.social discussed the post-liberal faction of the MAGA new right and its key figures, including Patrick Deneen and Adrian Vermeule.
Watch the lecture on YouTube: youtu.be/iRqK7a7kGxo
Watch the lecture on YouTube: youtu.be/iRqK7a7kGxo
January 20, 2026 at 5:13 PM
In the third lecture in her Lawfare Lecture series, Dr. @lkatfield.bsky.social discussed the post-liberal faction of the MAGA new right and its key figures, including Patrick Deneen and Adrian Vermeule.
Watch the lecture on YouTube: youtu.be/iRqK7a7kGxo
Watch the lecture on YouTube: youtu.be/iRqK7a7kGxo
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
And just in case you thought @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org was exaggerating when he posted this great piece yesterday, "Extortion as Governance" ...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
January 14, 2026 at 1:06 PM
And just in case you thought @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org was exaggerating when he posted this great piece yesterday, "Extortion as Governance" ...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
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 Benjamin Wittes
"I’ll be blunt: The brief is really assholeish."
@benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org discusses the Justice Department's recent brief responding to a judges inquiry as to why the name Lindsey Halligan keeps appearing on government briefs with the title “United States Attorney.”
@benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org discusses the Justice Department's recent brief responding to a judges inquiry as to why the name Lindsey Halligan keeps appearing on government briefs with the title “United States Attorney.”
The Situation: A Temper Tantrum in a Legal Brief
Even when the Justice Department is right, it manages to behave with wild impropriety.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:51 PM
"I’ll be blunt: The brief is really assholeish."
@benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org discusses the Justice Department's recent brief responding to a judges inquiry as to why the name Lindsey Halligan keeps appearing on government briefs with the title “United States Attorney.”
@benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org discusses the Justice Department's recent brief responding to a judges inquiry as to why the name Lindsey Halligan keeps appearing on government briefs with the title “United States Attorney.”
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
On today’s #DogShirtTV, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org welcomes Ari Tabatabai to answer questions from the #GreekChorus about the current situation in Iran. #IranProtests
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkhL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkhL...
Iran with Ari Tabatabai
YouTube video by #DogShirtTV
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:07 PM
On today’s #DogShirtTV, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org welcomes Ari Tabatabai to answer questions from the #GreekChorus about the current situation in Iran. #IranProtests
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkhL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkhL...
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 Benjamin Wittes
"Let’s start with the title: “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy.”
Yep. Seems appropriate. No notes."
@katherinepomps.bsky.social and @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org look for areas of agreement with the White House's account of the Jan 6 Capitol Riot.
Yep. Seems appropriate. No notes."
@katherinepomps.bsky.social and @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org look for areas of agreement with the White House's account of the Jan 6 Capitol Riot.
The Situation: We Agree
Finding points of common ground on Jan. 6 with the White House
lawfaremedia.org
January 12, 2026 at 4:40 PM
"Let’s start with the title: “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy.”
Yep. Seems appropriate. No notes."
@katherinepomps.bsky.social and @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org look for areas of agreement with the White House's account of the Jan 6 Capitol Riot.
Yep. Seems appropriate. No notes."
@katherinepomps.bsky.social and @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org look for areas of agreement with the White House's account of the Jan 6 Capitol Riot.
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
Today's Lawfare Daily is a Jan. 9 livestream where @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org sat down with @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, and @michael-feinberg.bsky.social to discuss updates in the Alien Enemies Act cases, the ICE shooting, and more. youtube.com/live/QdpoLVu...
January 12, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Today's Lawfare Daily is a Jan. 9 livestream where @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org sat down with @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, and @michael-feinberg.bsky.social to discuss updates in the Alien Enemies Act cases, the ICE shooting, and more. youtube.com/live/QdpoLVu...
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
ICYMI: Watch @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org sat down with @rparloff.bsky.social, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, and @michael-feinberg.bsky.social to discuss the shooting by an ICE agent in Minnesota, updates in the criminal case against Rep. LaMonica McIver, and more.
Lawfare Live: Trials of the Trump Administration, Jan. 9
youtube.com
January 10, 2026 at 5:01 PM
ICYMI: Watch @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org sat down with @rparloff.bsky.social, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, and @michael-feinberg.bsky.social to discuss the shooting by an ICE agent in Minnesota, updates in the criminal case against Rep. LaMonica McIver, and more.
Reposted by Benjamin Wittes
On today’s #DogShirtTV, @michael-feinberg.bsky.social discusses the death of shared #AmericanCulture, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org talks #Brahms, and Anastasiia Lapatina @lapatina.bsky.social drops by with an update from #Kyiv.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoQP...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoQP...
Culture, War, and Chamber Music
YouTube video by #DogShirtTV
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:13 PM
On today’s #DogShirtTV, @michael-feinberg.bsky.social discusses the death of shared #AmericanCulture, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org talks #Brahms, and Anastasiia Lapatina @lapatina.bsky.social drops by with an update from #Kyiv.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoQP...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoQP...