Ben Farley
@brfarley.bsky.social
International law, law of armed conflict, national security law and policy, constitutional and criminal law.
Pinned
Ben Farley
@brfarley.bsky.social
· May 11
A to-do list for a future Democratically controlled Congress:
- repeal AUMFs
- repeal authority for transfer of military armaments to state/local police departments
- prohibit federal law enforcement from obscuring identity and affiliation
- authorize private tort action against federal officials
- repeal AUMFs
- repeal authority for transfer of military armaments to state/local police departments
- prohibit federal law enforcement from obscuring identity and affiliation
- authorize private tort action against federal officials
Reposted by Ben Farley
Trump ends National Guard deployment in 3 cities after Supreme Court loss
Trump ends National Guard deployment in 3 cities after Supreme Court loss
The president said troops will no longer be in Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland.
dlvr.it
December 31, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Trump ends National Guard deployment in 3 cities after Supreme Court loss
Going to be hell on the mailbox rule
As of 12/24/25, USPS changed policy on when they postmark mail. Mail dropped off is no longer guaranteed a same-day postmark. Tax returns & other time-sensitive items are now stamped when they reach a regional processing center, which may be days later. Plan deadlines accordingly to avoid penalties.
USPS Announces Changes to the Postmark Date System
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has adopted a final rule (FR Doc.
share.google
December 29, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Going to be hell on the mailbox rule
Uhhhh this would be illegal and it strikes me as a major escalation
Trump says this December 26 in an interview with John Catsimatidis that the US destroyed a drug trafficking plant in Venezuela on Christmas Eve.
“They have a big plant. A building from where the boats leave. Two nights ago we hit them hard.”
“They have a big plant. A building from where the boats leave. Two nights ago we hit them hard.”
December 28, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Uhhhh this would be illegal and it strikes me as a major escalation
Reposted by Ben Farley
Increase in productivity since 1979: 87%
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
December 28, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Increase in productivity since 1979: 87%
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Reposted by Ben Farley
Ukraine is facing the same choice as Ireland in the 1920s and India in the 1940s. Sovereignty will come at a territorial price. It could de facto concede some, but not do so de jure, then use proxies in occupied to territory to continuously destabilize Russia. Russia's gift horse may become Trojan.
December 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Ukraine is facing the same choice as Ireland in the 1920s and India in the 1940s. Sovereignty will come at a territorial price. It could de facto concede some, but not do so de jure, then use proxies in occupied to territory to continuously destabilize Russia. Russia's gift horse may become Trojan.
The @nytimes.com reports that Israel recognized Somaliland’s statehood in reciprocal recognition deal:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/w...
Israel Becomes the First Nation to Recognize Somaliland
www.nytimes.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:39 PM
The @nytimes.com reports that Israel recognized Somaliland’s statehood in reciprocal recognition deal:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/w...
If only there were a term for that.
Camps where tens of thousands of politically disfavored people will be concentrated.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
ICE documents reveal plan to hold 80,000 immigrants in warehouses
The Trump administration wants to build seven large-scale deportation hubs to speed up deportations, internal ICE documents show.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
If only there were a term for that.
Let these folks go home to their families, already
National Guard wearing Santa hats while patrolling in DC.
December 24, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Let these folks go home to their families, already
Reposted by Ben Farley
Kavanaugh goes out of his way to pen a footnote not having to deal with the case at hand.
He appears to be trying to narrow the forces he unleashed with his prior opinion allowing for race- and ethnicity-based #KavanaughStops
He appears to be trying to narrow the forces he unleashed with his prior opinion allowing for race- and ethnicity-based #KavanaughStops
December 23, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Kavanaugh goes out of his way to pen a footnote not having to deal with the case at hand.
He appears to be trying to narrow the forces he unleashed with his prior opinion allowing for race- and ethnicity-based #KavanaughStops
He appears to be trying to narrow the forces he unleashed with his prior opinion allowing for race- and ethnicity-based #KavanaughStops
Huge decision on the shadow docket from SCOTUS concerning the circumstances in which the President may federalize the national guard and deploy them domestically.
December 24, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Huge decision on the shadow docket from SCOTUS concerning the circumstances in which the President may federalize the national guard and deploy them domestically.
Reposted by Ben Farley
I really appreciate that @pbsnews.org ended the interview with this graphic.
It captures, in the simplest and starkest terms, the brutal arithmetic driving this country's homelessness catastrophe.
It captures, in the simplest and starkest terms, the brutal arithmetic driving this country's homelessness catastrophe.
November 30, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I really appreciate that @pbsnews.org ended the interview with this graphic.
It captures, in the simplest and starkest terms, the brutal arithmetic driving this country's homelessness catastrophe.
It captures, in the simplest and starkest terms, the brutal arithmetic driving this country's homelessness catastrophe.
Reposted by Ben Farley
My latest - on the Venezuela Blockade. With my friend, Commodore (RAN ret'd) and Professor Rob McLaughlin. With thanks to the ever-professional team at @justsecurity.org
Blockading Venezuela: The International Law Consequences
By top experts Mike Schmitt and Rob McLaughlin
“Execution of the blockade would constitute an act of aggression, which by definition is an unlawful use of force. It would also qualify as an armed attack by the United States on Venezuela.”
By top experts Mike Schmitt and Rob McLaughlin
“Execution of the blockade would constitute an act of aggression, which by definition is an unlawful use of force. It would also qualify as an armed attack by the United States on Venezuela.”
Blockading Venezuela: The International Law Consequences
Expert analysis of the announced U.S. military blockade of Venezuela and international law.
www.justsecurity.org
December 18, 2025 at 8:18 PM
My latest - on the Venezuela Blockade. With my friend, Commodore (RAN ret'd) and Professor Rob McLaughlin. With thanks to the ever-professional team at @justsecurity.org
Ironic given, you know, the role of the militia in 1776.
So the National Guard doesn’t get the little $1776 bonus, just Regular forces
Not a great look, since that part of the military is currently bearing the brunt of the administration’s domestic deployments and has 3 dead in the last 3 weeks (DC and Syria)
Not a great look, since that part of the military is currently bearing the brunt of the administration’s domestic deployments and has 3 dead in the last 3 weeks (DC and Syria)
December 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Ironic given, you know, the role of the militia in 1776.
More excellent reporting from @ellenwapo.bsky.social, @alexhorton.bsky.social, and @danlamothe.bsky.social in the @washingtonpost.com on the Trump administration's campaign of murder in the Caribbean and Pacific:
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Stephen Miller’s hard-line Mexico strategy morphed into deadly boat strikes
President Donald Trump’s homeland security adviser, Stephen Miller, had a plan to target Mexican drug cartels. That strategy morphed into lethal boat strikes.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
More excellent reporting from @ellenwapo.bsky.social, @alexhorton.bsky.social, and @danlamothe.bsky.social in the @washingtonpost.com on the Trump administration's campaign of murder in the Caribbean and Pacific:
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
“That was some weird shit.”
December 18, 2025 at 2:21 AM
“That was some weird shit.”
A little dog-walking music this morning
December 17, 2025 at 12:07 PM
A little dog-walking music this morning
Reposted by Ben Farley
It’s not at all clear what is being threatened in this embarrassing word salad, but if it is a US naval blockade of Venezuela, this sure is a threat of an illegal use of force, also known as aggression.
It’s never been about the drugs. It’s always been about Maduro.
It’s never been about the drugs. It’s always been about Maduro.
December 17, 2025 at 1:14 AM
It’s not at all clear what is being threatened in this embarrassing word salad, but if it is a US naval blockade of Venezuela, this sure is a threat of an illegal use of force, also known as aggression.
It’s never been about the drugs. It’s always been about Maduro.
It’s never been about the drugs. It’s always been about Maduro.
Reposted by Ben Farley
“A blockade of the ports or coasts of a State is generally regarded as a measure involving force against that State for the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.”
DOD Law of War Manual 13.10.2.1
DOD Law of War Manual 13.10.2.1
December 17, 2025 at 12:56 AM
“A blockade of the ports or coasts of a State is generally regarded as a measure involving force against that State for the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.”
DOD Law of War Manual 13.10.2.1
DOD Law of War Manual 13.10.2.1
So, a blockade—if instituted—represents a quintessential use of a State’s belligerent rights. So much so that, when used against a non-State actor, it traditionally caused such an actor to be treated as if it were a State for law-of-war purposes.
Breaking news: President Trump ordered a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, a dramatic escalation in his months-long pressure campaign against the government of President Nicolás Maduro.
Trump announces ‘complete blockade’ of sanctioned oil tankers to Venezuela
In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump also declared the government of President Nicolás Maduro a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:59 AM
So, a blockade—if instituted—represents a quintessential use of a State’s belligerent rights. So much so that, when used against a non-State actor, it traditionally caused such an actor to be treated as if it were a State for law-of-war purposes.
Reposted by Ben Farley
Look back at US history over the past 35 years. 3 Democratic presidents: Clinton, Obama, Biden. 3 GOP presidents: Bush 41, Bush 43,Trump. The Dem presidents have had to clean up the economic messes left by their GOP predecessors. In 2029, it will happen again. You want a good economy? Elect a Dem.
December 16, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Look back at US history over the past 35 years. 3 Democratic presidents: Clinton, Obama, Biden. 3 GOP presidents: Bush 41, Bush 43,Trump. The Dem presidents have had to clean up the economic messes left by their GOP predecessors. In 2029, it will happen again. You want a good economy? Elect a Dem.
TIL Susie Wiles' father was Pat Summerall. Wild
December 16, 2025 at 6:27 PM
TIL Susie Wiles' father was Pat Summerall. Wild
Reposted by Ben Farley
Honored to serve on the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic.
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
Human Rights Council President appoints Members of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
GENEVA - The President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Jürg Lauber (Switzerland), has appointed Monia Ammar (Tunisia) and Fionnuala Ní Aoláin (Republic of Ireland) to serve as members of the U...
www.ohchr.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Honored to serve on the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic.
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
Congratulations to @niaolainf.bsky.social on her appointment to the UN Independent International of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic!
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
Human Rights Council President appoints Members of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
GENEVA - The President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Jürg Lauber (Switzerland), has appointed Monia Ammar (Tunisia) and Fionnuala Ní Aoláin (Republic of Ireland) to serve as members of the U...
www.ohchr.org
December 15, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Congratulations to @niaolainf.bsky.social on her appointment to the UN Independent International of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic!
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...