Carrie Johnson
@carriejohnson.bsky.social
Carrie Johnson covers the Justice Department for NPR.
Find something you love the way Archie loves a bully stick
November 18, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Find something you love the way Archie loves a bully stick
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
Thread
The apotheosis of the "judiciary must defer to the POTUS" argument (?):
In the case involving the National Guard in Chicago, I've argued--and now Illinois/Chicago do, too--that b/c "the regular forces" in 10 USC 12406 means the standing armed forces (esp. the Army), ... [1]
@justsecurity.org
In the case involving the National Guard in Chicago, I've argued--and now Illinois/Chicago do, too--that b/c "the regular forces" in 10 USC 12406 means the standing armed forces (esp. the Army), ... [1]
@justsecurity.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Thread
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
My new one @slate.com: The Supreme Court Just Took a Scary Voting Case That Has Trump Salivating. He Might Be Disappointed.
slate.com/news-and-pol...
slate.com/news-and-pol...
Trump’s Biggest Voting Bugaboo Reached the Supreme Court. Should We Be Worried?
President Donald Trump’s obsession with mail-in balloting reached the Supreme Court on Monday.
slate.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:36 PM
My new one @slate.com: The Supreme Court Just Took a Scary Voting Case That Has Trump Salivating. He Might Be Disappointed.
slate.com/news-and-pol...
slate.com/news-and-pol...
The piece I’ve been waiting to read
Nearly two decades after my book on Cheney, I took a shot at assessing his legacy. It’s more complicated than you might think. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
What I Learned About Dick Cheney
The former vice president was certain he knew better than the citizens he served what was good for them.
www.theatlantic.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The piece I’ve been waiting to read
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
What a joy to find that the geeat Sharon Begley had written an advace Watson obit. Her genius shines from beyond the grave in this lively, smart and unsparing piece. www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j... via @statnews.com
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:29 PM
What a joy to find that the geeat Sharon Begley had written an advace Watson obit. Her genius shines from beyond the grave in this lively, smart and unsparing piece. www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j... via @statnews.com
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
“Within days of her arrival at a Texas prison camp in early August, Ghislaine Maxwell gushed in emails to her friends and family over the cleanliness and safety of her new surroundings… Maxwell was moved days after meeting with Deputy AG Todd Blanche in July.” www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Ghislaine Maxwell's prison emails show she is 'happier' at minimum-security Texas facility
Maxwell, a convicted sex offender connected to Jeffrey Epstein, was moved to a less restrictive federal prison this summer. Congress is investigating allegations of special treatment.
www.nbcnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:09 AM
“Within days of her arrival at a Texas prison camp in early August, Ghislaine Maxwell gushed in emails to her friends and family over the cleanliness and safety of her new surroundings… Maxwell was moved days after meeting with Deputy AG Todd Blanche in July.” www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
😍
Today on @nprfreshair.bsky.social I’m reviewing the new 50th anniversary release of Patti Smith’s debut Horses followed by excerpts from Terry’s interviews w Smith over the years. Give a listen
www.npr.org/2025/11/07/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/07/n...
November 7, 2025 at 8:25 PM
😍
Thank you to @jessicahorton.bsky.social and the dozens of clerks who helped me report this story. Couldn’t have done it without you.
Turns out, law clerks for federal judges don’t qualify for any type of formal leave (they still don’t). It’s all up to the judge’s discretion.
My judge told me I could take two weeks off after my son was born. He was born a week early. I ended up taking three.
My judge told me I could take two weeks off after my son was born. He was born a week early. I ended up taking three.
November 6, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Thank you to @jessicahorton.bsky.social and the dozens of clerks who helped me report this story. Couldn’t have done it without you.
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
Just left the latest hearing in Jim Comey's criminal case. It did not go well for DOJ
The magistrate judge scolded them for an "indict first, investigate second" posture and ordered them to turn over reams of material — including all grand jury info — to Comey's team
Details TK
The magistrate judge scolded them for an "indict first, investigate second" posture and ordered them to turn over reams of material — including all grand jury info — to Comey's team
Details TK
November 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Just left the latest hearing in Jim Comey's criminal case. It did not go well for DOJ
The magistrate judge scolded them for an "indict first, investigate second" posture and ordered them to turn over reams of material — including all grand jury info — to Comey's team
Details TK
The magistrate judge scolded them for an "indict first, investigate second" posture and ordered them to turn over reams of material — including all grand jury info — to Comey's team
Details TK
Jury selection about to be underway in DC sandwich guy case, which judge says is the simplest in “the history of the world.”
www.npr.org/2025/11/03/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/03/n...
Trial begins Monday for the man who threw a sandwich at a federal officer in D.C.
The man who threw a foot-long sandwich at a federal officer in Washington, D.C., will go on trial Monday on a misdemeanor charge after a grand jury refused to indict him on more serious counts.
www.npr.org
November 3, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Jury selection about to be underway in DC sandwich guy case, which judge says is the simplest in “the history of the world.”
www.npr.org/2025/11/03/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/03/n...
Judge sentences former Jan. 6 defendant for hoax threat near Obama's home
www.npr.org/2025/10/30/g...
www.npr.org/2025/10/30/g...
Judge sentences former Jan. 6 defendant for hoax threat near Obama's home
Taylor Taranto's sentencing for time served comes as storming of the U.S. Capitol in 2021 continues to reverberate inside the Justice Department under the Trump administration.
www.npr.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Judge sentences former Jan. 6 defendant for hoax threat near Obama's home
www.npr.org/2025/10/30/g...
www.npr.org/2025/10/30/g...
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
Few amicus briefs move the needle. Kudos to @martylederman.bsky.social for being the exception. And in such an important case.
There's a longstanding debate over the value of law professor amicus briefs at #SCOTUS.
I'll just note that the additional briefing the Court ordered today in the Illinois National Guard case was in direct response to an amicus brief filed by ... a law professor (@martylederman.bsky.social).
I'll just note that the additional briefing the Court ordered today in the Illinois National Guard case was in direct response to an amicus brief filed by ... a law professor (@martylederman.bsky.social).
October 30, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Few amicus briefs move the needle. Kudos to @martylederman.bsky.social for being the exception. And in such an important case.
That’s what I’m talking about
October 28, 2025 at 10:29 PM
That’s what I’m talking about
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
NEW: In Rahimi, the Supreme Court said the 2nd Am lets govt disarm those found to be a credible threat, but left open whether other kinds of restraining orders permit disarmament under fed law. Yesterday, the 9th Cir said yes they do, at least on the facts here.
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
October 28, 2025 at 9:31 PM
NEW: In Rahimi, the Supreme Court said the 2nd Am lets govt disarm those found to be a credible threat, but left open whether other kinds of restraining orders permit disarmament under fed law. Yesterday, the 9th Cir said yes they do, at least on the facts here.
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
As expected, DOJ moves to quash a subpoena for Todd Blanche to testify at Kilmar Abrego Garcia's vindictive prosecution hearing.
In the conclusion, Nashville's top federal prosecutor Robert E. McGuire says he'll be taking the stand.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
In the conclusion, Nashville's top federal prosecutor Robert E. McGuire says he'll be taking the stand.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 27, 2025 at 3:41 PM
As expected, DOJ moves to quash a subpoena for Todd Blanche to testify at Kilmar Abrego Garcia's vindictive prosecution hearing.
In the conclusion, Nashville's top federal prosecutor Robert E. McGuire says he'll be taking the stand.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
In the conclusion, Nashville's top federal prosecutor Robert E. McGuire says he'll be taking the stand.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
You want to read? Well I’ll show you.
October 25, 2025 at 1:16 AM
You want to read? Well I’ll show you.
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
BREAKING: A Ninth Circuit judge has sua sponte — on their own — already called for a vote on whether there should be an en banc rehearing (which means all active judges will vote on whether the matter should be reheard). Briefing is called for on that question, due by mid-week.
October 20, 2025 at 9:08 PM
BREAKING: A Ninth Circuit judge has sua sponte — on their own — already called for a vote on whether there should be an en banc rehearing (which means all active judges will vote on whether the matter should be reheard). Briefing is called for on that question, due by mid-week.
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
Federal judge in Chicago demands testimony on whether ICE immediately violated her order 🔽
Ellis: "On Monday, I want the field director here. And the field director is going to explain to me why I am seeing images of tear gas being deployed and reading reports that there were no warnings given before it was deployed."
October 16, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Federal judge in Chicago demands testimony on whether ICE immediately violated her order 🔽
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
JUST IN: Judge tosses libel suit 2 IRS agents filed against attorney Abbe Lowell over claims the agents illegally leaked confidential information about Hunter Biden tax probe. Judge Richard Leon (GWBush) says the statements were legal arguments. Doc: ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
October 16, 2025 at 2:38 PM
JUST IN: Judge tosses libel suit 2 IRS agents filed against attorney Abbe Lowell over claims the agents illegally leaked confidential information about Hunter Biden tax probe. Judge Richard Leon (GWBush) says the statements were legal arguments. Doc: ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
Reposted by Carrie Johnson
I was at Judge Bove and Mascott's debut argument this morning, where they sat on opposite ends of the dais. Bove didn't ask any questions but Mascott dove right in and pressed lawyers about conducting a history and tradition analysis over New Jersey gun/magazine restrictions.
A more conservative Third Circuit will debut at en banc arguments, as two new appointees of President Donald Trump are expected to hear their first case, @jacqthomsen.bsky.social reports
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Trump Appointees’ Debut Marks Third Circuit’s Conservative Tilt
A more conservative Third Circuit will debut at en banc arguments, as two new appointees of President Donald Trump are expected to hear their first case.
news.bloomberglaw.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I was at Judge Bove and Mascott's debut argument this morning, where they sat on opposite ends of the dais. Bove didn't ask any questions but Mascott dove right in and pressed lawyers about conducting a history and tradition analysis over New Jersey gun/magazine restrictions.
People targeted by the Justice Department face steep costs, even if they win in court one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5574...
🔊 Listen Now: People targeted by the Justice Department face steep costs, even if they win in court
All Things Considered on NPR One | 5:00
one.npr.org
October 14, 2025 at 8:32 PM
People targeted by the Justice Department face steep costs, even if they win in court one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5574...
Oh how I adored Diane Keaton. Such an original and so bold in her choices. May she rest in peace.
October 11, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Oh how I adored Diane Keaton. Such an original and so bold in her choices. May she rest in peace.