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bradheath.bsky.social
Brad Heath
@bradheath.bsky.social
54K followers 470 following 1.6K posts
DC reporter for Reuters on crime, justice and investigations. Data, documents and "convoluted KGB style back-door" stuff. Lawyer, but not yours. 202-527-9709, brad.heath@tr.com
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bradheath.bsky.social
Brad Heath @bradheath.bsky.social · Nov 12
How to reach me:

Email: Brad.heath@tr.com
Phone, Signal: 202 527-9709
WhatsApp: 703 835-7998

1333 H St., NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
Reposted by Brad Heath
charlesornstein.bsky.social
“You are not entitled to a response from us, or anyone, ever,” is what a US Education Department spokesperson wrote to one of our reporters, @megomatz.bsky.social, after she repeatedly tried to get comment from the department and its officials. My column on the condemnation of good journalism.
Our Reporters Reached Out for Comment. They Were Accused of Stalking and Intimidation.
Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But in this environment, they’ve found their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated.
www.propublica.org
December 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
royalpratt.bsky.social
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz. Our team fanned out to cover the before, during and after of the federal government’s months-long raid on an American city. This is worth your time to understand the United States today
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz
President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement operation led to most surreal autumn in Chicago history. What happened during those 64 days will be remembered for a long time.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
schraubd.bsky.social
Speaking of typos, someone should direct Ms. Dhillon to U.S. v. Murphy, 406 F.3d 857, 859 n.1 (7th Cir. 2005), aka the greatest footnote in appellate court history.
scholar.google.com/scholar_case...
Tweet by Dhillon calling conservative influencers “hoes”. “The trial transcript quotes Ms. Hayden as saying Murphy called her a snitch bitch "hoe." A "hoe," of course, is a tool used for weeding and gardening. We think the court reporter, unfamiliar with rap music (perhaps thankfully so), misunderstood Hayden's response. We have taken the liberty of changing "hoe" to "ho," a staple of rap music vernacular as, for example, when Ludacris raps "You doin' ho activities with ho tendencies."”
December 29, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
emptywheel.bsky.social
For those who asked for an update.
Dhillon, RTing the first tweet in this thread, saying: This tweet may be unfair to hoes! Sorry! Followed by a second tweet: My staff has asked me to kindly stop invoking hoes. Sorry for being me, people!
December 29, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Reposted by Brad Heath
daveweigel.bsky.social
I feel like "attention hacking" is most of politics now. The Minnesota aid fraud story is becoming a perfect example.

Recap: In 2022, the Biden DOJ filed the first charges against dozens of fraudsters, many of them Somali-American, who'd fleeced a state food aid program. (1/x)
December 29, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Reposted by Brad Heath
lawrencehurley.bsky.social
NEW:

One brought a gun home.

One moved.

Others improved home security.

Life as a federal judge in the age of Trump:

www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
Judges who ruled against Trump say harassment and threats have changed their lives
More than 100 pizzas were delivered to the homes of judges and their families this year, some with signs of foreign involvement. Judges say the message is clear: We know where you live.
www.nbcnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
bradheath.bsky.social
About the card Jeffrey Epstein purportedly sent to Larry Nassar:

* The postmark is from Virginia, not New York where Epstein was jailed
* The return address is incorrect and doesn't include his register number
* FBI sought a handwriting analysis. Don't know outcome.

www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
Justice Department releases card mentioning Trump, purportedly sent from Epstein to Nassar
The U.S. Justice Department released an image on Tuesday of a card that makes a crude reference to President Donald Trump, purportedly written by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar...
www.reuters.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
bradheath.bsky.social
During President Trump’s second term, ICE’s public affairs arm has rapidly transformed into an influencer-style media machine, churning out flashy videos of tactical operations and immigration raids.

www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
December 23, 2025 at 4:03 PM
bradheath.bsky.social
The DOJ's latest release of Epstein files includes an email from a federal prosecutor saying Trump flew aboard the sex offender's private jet "many more times than previously has been reported."

www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
December 23, 2025 at 2:32 PM
bradheath.bsky.social
I have seen DOJ do some strange redactions before, but this is up there:
December 23, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
jameeljaffer.bsky.social
Judge Aileen Cannon rejects motions from @knightcolumbia.org and @weareoversight.bsky.social asserting statutory, common law, and constitutional rights of access to Jack Smith's report about Trump's hoarding of classified docs at Mar-a-Lago. knightcolumbia.org/documents/r1...
December 23, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Reposted by Brad Heath
bigcases.bots.law
New filing: "J.G.G. v. TRUMP (Boasberg: Alien Enemies Act)"
Doc #215: MEMORANDUM OPINION re 214 Order on Summary Judgment and Class Certification Motions. Signed by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on December 22, 2025. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

Download PDF | View Full Case

#CL69741724
Thumbnail of page 1 of the PDF linked above. Thumbnail of page 2 of the PDF linked above. Thumbnail of page 3 of the PDF linked above. Thumbnail of page 4 of the PDF linked above.
December 22, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
legal.reuters.com
The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior career diplomats to ensure embassies reflect its “America First” priorities, a move critics said would weaken U.S. credibility abroad.
Trump pulls 30 envoys in ‘America First’ push, critics say it weakens US abroad
The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior career diplomats to ensure embassies reflect its “America First” priorities, a move critics said would weaken U.S. credibility abroad.
reut.rs
December 22, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
josepagliery.bsky.social
A sloppy redaction just revealed that the DOJ's top brass closely oversaw the quickly spun-up criminal case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

@notus.com:

www.notus.org/courts/abreg...
A Court Filing Revealed Todd Blanche’s Office Closely Oversaw the Prosecution of Abrego Garcia
The DOJ has said indicting Abrego Garcia was an independent decision by prosecutors in Tennessee not mired by politics.
www.notus.org
December 22, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
jeffasher.bsky.social
Crime in the US almost certainly fell at a historic clip in 2025 led by the largest drop in murder ever recorded. The US likely had the lowest murder & property crime rates since at least 1960 & lowest violent crime rate since the mid-60s. My year in review:

jasher.substack.com/p/2025-year-...
2025 Year in Review: A Remarkable Drop In Crime
Crime almost certainly fell an enormous amount in 2025.
jasher.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
andycraig.bsky.social
Landry rushed to clarify he isn't resigning as governor of Louisiana and this will be, like, his side gig I guess. The state constitution explicitly bans state officeholders from simultaneously holding any federal office.
paleofuture.bsky.social Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 13d
Trump says he’s appointing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as “special envoy” to Greenland.

Landry has previously expressed support for Trump’s plan to invade Greenland.
Trump: I am pleased to announce that I am appointing the GREAT Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland. Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country's Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World. Congratulations Jeff! 4 ReTruths 18 Likes 12/21/25, 6:21 PM
December 22, 2025 at 8:33 AM
bradheath.bsky.social
NEW: The federal government has retreated from gun enforcement in Baltimore and elsewhere this year as more of its investigators turn their attention to President Donald Trump’s new priority for law enforcement: hunting immigrants in the U.S. illegally to deport.

www.reuters.com/world/how-im...
December 22, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
legal.reuters.com
The US Justice Department released a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, bowing to pressure from Congress reut.rs/4p0eLBl
December 19, 2025 at 9:13 PM
bradheath.bsky.social
DOJ, after repeatedly failing to repair its case against New York Attorney General Letitia James by re-indicting her, has said it will appeal a judge's decision that threw out the charges because Trump's U.S. attorney was not legally appointed to the post.
December 19, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
jonseidel.bsky.social
Federal prosecutors in Chicago are dropping another case tied to Operation Midway Blitz. This time it's USA v. Cristal Caballero, which had been set for a preliminary hearing Monday.

Motion below, followed by excerpts from the criminal complaint.
GOVERNMENT’S MOTION TO DISMISS COMPLAINT The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, by and through its attorney, ANDREW S. BOUTROS, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, respectfully moves that this Honorable Court dismiss the complaint in the above- captioned case against the above-captioned defendant without prejudice pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 48(a). FACTS SUPPORTING PROBABLE CAUSE 4. According to my review of body worn camera video and based on information provided by Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) with United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP): a. On or about October 4, 2025, at approximately 3:55 p.m., BPAs and other law enforcement officials with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) were assisting with crowd control and attempting to enforce a perimeter around S. Kedzie Avenue and West Pershing Road in Chicago, Illinois. The BPAs were wearing camouflage uniforms that indicated their status as law enforcement officials. The CPD officers were wearing uniforms with vests labeled with the word “Police” in large lettering. b. At approximately 3:55 p.m. as captured on body worn camera video, CABALLERO, wearing a white mask and sunglasses, had a verbal exchange with BPAs as another individual in the crowd pulled CABALLERO away from the BPAs. c. Certain individuals in the crowd breached the perimeter, and CABALLERO began running behind BPAs as the BPAs attempted to control the crowd. Two BPAs (Border Patrol Agent A and Border Patrol Agent B) approached CABALLERO, who continued to run. d. Border Patrol Agent A and Border Patrol Agent B attempted to detain CABALLERO. At approximately 3:56 p.m. on the body-worn camera video of Border Patrol Agent B, CABALLERO extended her arm to push Border Patrol Agent B and made physical contact with Border Patrol Agent B. At approximately 3:56 p.m. on the body-worn camera video of Border Patrol Agent A, CABALLERO resisted arrest by Border Patrol Agent A and physically struggled with Border Patrol Agent A. e. Border Patrol Agent A brought CABALLERO to the ground and attempted to place CABALLERO under arrest. CABALLERO began resisting Border Patrol Agent A’s attempts to place handcuffs on CABALLERO but ultimately submitted. CONCLUSION 5. Based on the above information, I submit that there is probable cause to believe that on or about October 4, 2025, CRISTAL CABALLERO did forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with any person designated in section 111 of this title while engaged in or on account of the performance of official duties, and such acts involved physical contact with the victims. I therefore respectfully request that this Court issue a criminal complaint charging CABALLERO with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a)(1).
December 18, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
tessowen.bsky.social
big scoop from reuters:

pardoned j6-ers are.... advising DOJ officials" "weaponization working group" on whether to bring charges against prosecutors who worked on j6 cases.

www.reuters.com/investigatio...
They prosecuted the Capitol rioters. Now the rioters and the DOJ are after them.
After Trump’s mass pardons of the U.S. Capitol rioters, some have gained influence inside the Justice Department. The January 6 prosecutors describe mounting threats, harassment and fear of lasting da...
www.reuters.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:12 PM
bradheath.bsky.social
This is a whole thing.

www.wsj.com/tech/ai/anth...
We Let AI Run Our Office Vending Machine. It Lost Hundreds of Dollars.
An AI agent ran a snack operation in the WSJ newsroom. It gave away a free PlayStation, ordered a live fish—and taught us lessons about the future of AI.
www.wsj.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
BREAKING: The full DC Circuit will rehear the case over the Trump admin's effort to "shut down" the CFPB en banc, with arguments set for Feb. 24.

The 2-1 panel decision in August siding with the Trump admin was a Katsas, joined by Rao, majority. Pillard dissented.
United States Court of Appeals FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT No. 25-5091 September Term, 2025 1:25-cv-00381-ABJ Filed On: December 17, 2025 National Treasury Employees Union, et al., Appellees ≤ Russell T. Vought, in his official capacity as Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Appellants BEFORE: Srinivasan, Chief Judge, and Henderson, Millett, Pillard, Wilkins, Katsas, Rao, Walker, Childs, Pan, and Garcia, Circuit Judges ORDER Upon consideration of the petition for rehearing en banc and the response thereto; the motions for invitation to file amicus curiae briefs in support of rehearing en banc filed by the Constitutional Accountability Center, the 41 nonprofit organizations, and the 36 members of Congress; the lodged briefs; the letters; and the vote in favor of the petition by a majority of the judges eligible to participate, it is ORDERED that the motions for invitation to file amicus curiae briefs be granted. The Clerk is directed to file the lodged amicus briefs. It is FURTHER ORDERED that the petition be granted. This case will be reheard by the court sitting en banc. It is FURTHER ORDERED that the court's judgment filed August 15, 2025, be vacated. The partial stay pending appeal entered on April 11, 2025, and later modified on April 28, 2025, is in effect. It is FURTHER ORDERED that oral argument before the en banc court be heard at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in Courtroom 20. It is FURTHER ORDERED that, in addition to filing briefs electronically, the parties file 30 paper copies of each of the briefs and the appendix, in accordance with the following schedule: Brief for Appellants January 9, 2026 Joint Appendix January 9, 2026 Briefs) for Amici Curiae in support of Appellants January 16, 2026 Brief for Appellees February 2, 2026 Briefs) for Amici Curiae in support of Appellees February 9, 2026 Reply Brief for Appellants February 17, 2026 To enhance the clarity of their briefs, the parties are urged to limit the use of abbreviations, including acronyms. While acronyms may be used for entities and statutes with widely recognized initials, briefs should not contain acronyms that are not widely known. See D.C. Circuit Handbook of Practice and Internal Procedures 43-44 (2025); Notice Regarding Use of Acronyms (D.C. Cir. Jan. 26, 2010). Parties are strongly encouraged to hand deliver the paper copies of their briefs to the Clerk's Office on the due date. Filing by mail may delay the processing of the brief. Additionally, counsel are reminded that if filing by mail, they must use a class of mail that is at least as expeditious as first-class mail. See Fed. R. App. P. 25(a). All briefs and appendices must contain the date that the cases are scheduled for oral argument at the top of the cover. See D.C. Cir. Rule 28(a)(8). Because the briefing schedule is keyed to the date of argument, the court will grant requests for extension of time limits only for extraordinarily compelling reasons. A separate order will issue regarding allocation of argument time. Per Curiam BY: FOR THE COURT: Clifton B. Cislak, Clerk /s/ Michael C. McGrail Deputy Clerk
December 17, 2025 at 9:23 PM
bradheath.bsky.social
NEW: Pardoned January 6 rioters have been advising Justice Department officials how to pursue – and perhaps prosecute – the very prosecutors who helped put them behind bars.

www.reuters.com/investigatio...
December 17, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Brad Heath
kyledcheney.bsky.social
NEW: Jack Smith will make his case to Congress today while navigating a labyrinth of secrecy rules, laws and restrictions — and a room full of Republican lawmakers eager to trip him up and incriminate him.

w/ @Hailey_Fuchs

www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Jack Smith wants to tell Congress about his Trump investigations. That comes with risks.
The House Judiciary Committee will question the former special counsel behind closed doors.
www.politico.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:38 PM