Cathy Gellis
@cathygellis.bsky.social
Lawyer, writer, all-around-great person
I mostly post about technology, law, and civil liberties (especially free speech), and how they intersect. And mostly at Techdirt: https://www.techdirt.com/user/cathy/
I also post silly things too.
I mostly post about technology, law, and civil liberties (especially free speech), and how they intersect. And mostly at Techdirt: https://www.techdirt.com/user/cathy/
I also post silly things too.
Pinned
Cathy Gellis
@cathygellis.bsky.social
· Jan 3
Oaths Of Office, And How Everyone Not Moving To Impeach Trump Is Violating Their Own
Until very recently the only member of Congress excused from not having moved to impeach Trump was Rep. Grijalva, because until someone swore her in there was nothing she could officially do. But f…
www.techdirt.com
A reminder: any member of Congress not impeaching is violating their own oath of office.
It's not optional.
www.techdirt.com/2025/11/26/o...
It's not optional.
www.techdirt.com/2025/11/26/o...
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
They can't tolerate this because their political power, largely built on minority rule dynamics as it is, always outstrips their cultural and even economic market power. But they have the government hammer, so everything looks like a nail.
You are allowed to say, "this performance was not to my personal taste, a thing that sometimes happens in a free society," and move on with your life.
Rep Mark Alford (R-MO) says House Rs are "investigating" Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show & talking with FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. Alford says he didn't watch the whole thing & also doesn't know Spanish but suspects it might have been "much worse than the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction"
February 10, 2026 at 6:34 PM
They can't tolerate this because their political power, largely built on minority rule dynamics as it is, always outstrips their cultural and even economic market power. But they have the government hammer, so everything looks like a nail.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
“'[I]t is unconstitutional for the Government to detain a person without explanation, without a hearing, without notice, or without any means of challenging that detention,' which is 'exactly what the Government did' here."
![“[I]t is unconstitutional for the Government to detain a person without explanation, without
a hearing, without notice, or without any means of challenging that detention,” which is “exactly
what the Government did” here. See Larrazabal-Gonzalez, 2026 WL 221706, at *4.
Application of the Mathews factors supports this finding. See generally id.; accord Duarte
Escobar, 2025 WL 3006742, at *15 (holding that an immigrant’s continued detention without a
bond hearing violates his Fifth Amendment due process rights); Cordoba, 2025 WL 3228945, at
*8 (same); Bethancourt Soto, 2025 WL 2976572, at *8 (same); see also Mercado, --- F.Supp.3d -
--, 2025 WL 3295903, at *4.
Accordingly, Petitioner has met his burden of proving that he is being held contrary to law
by a preponderance of the evidence.
13
Walker, 312 U.S. at 286.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yokssolxkvz4lobktvx6yvxb/bafkreihflzhe7qqrg3psnc4fd4uuq4kefiwx4fg5nnsj3xuf6s5o6en6aa@jpeg)
February 10, 2026 at 6:36 PM
“'[I]t is unconstitutional for the Government to detain a person without explanation, without a hearing, without notice, or without any means of challenging that detention,' which is 'exactly what the Government did' here."
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
"This is an accountability movement that has gained traction. . . and above all will send a message to the whole administration that, to quote Springsteen, “We’ll remember the names of those who died on the streets of Minneapolis.”
Read it here:
archive.ph/mgGmI
Read it here:
archive.ph/mgGmI
Kristi Noem Must Be Impeached
Members of Congress have a constitutional duty to remove this gangster from office.
www.thenation.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:05 PM
"This is an accountability movement that has gained traction. . . and above all will send a message to the whole administration that, to quote Springsteen, “We’ll remember the names of those who died on the streets of Minneapolis.”
Read it here:
archive.ph/mgGmI
Read it here:
archive.ph/mgGmI
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Don't miss that this statement by the judge is based on a concession by the government
"*By the government's own admission,* its position is that if an ICE officer made a mistake and . . . detained someone who was legally in the US, that detainee would not be entitled to a bond hearing."
"*By the government's own admission,* its position is that if an ICE officer made a mistake and . . . detained someone who was legally in the US, that detainee would not be entitled to a bond hearing."
February 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Don't miss that this statement by the judge is based on a concession by the government
"*By the government's own admission,* its position is that if an ICE officer made a mistake and . . . detained someone who was legally in the US, that detainee would not be entitled to a bond hearing."
"*By the government's own admission,* its position is that if an ICE officer made a mistake and . . . detained someone who was legally in the US, that detainee would not be entitled to a bond hearing."
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
The party of free speech strikes again.
House Oversight hearing on ICE opens with the rules:
"It is also a clear violation of the rules of the House to make statements that might personally be offensive to the President or the Vice President of the United States."
"It is also a clear violation of the rules of the House to make statements that might personally be offensive to the President or the Vice President of the United States."
February 10, 2026 at 6:20 PM
The party of free speech strikes again.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
I was hoping some political reporter might ask Rep. Tony Gonzales to finish the thought he started before being cut off on Face the Nation where he insisted it was okay to lock up 5 year old asylum seekers because otherwise it would harm 5 year old citizens. I want him to explain why.
Hey Rep. Gonzales, Finish The Thought: What About That Five-Year-Old US Citizen?
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales from Texas went on Face the Nation on Sunday and said a lot of silly things, doing his best as a loyal Trump foot soldier to defend the indefensible, to make sense of the nonsensical, and…
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales from Texas went on Face the Nation on Sunday and said a lot of silly things, doing his best as a loyal Trump foot soldier to defend the indefensible, to make sense of the nonsensical, and…
Hey Rep. Gonzales, Finish The Thought: What About That Five-Year-Old US Citizen?
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales from Texas went on Face the Nation on Sunday and said a lot of silly things, doing his best as a loyal Trump foot soldier to defend the indefensible, to make sense of the nonsensical, and to lie about all the rest. However, I wanted to focus on one bit of the clip that I’ve watched over a dozen times, and still can’t figure out what Rep.
www.techdirt.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:28 PM
I was hoping some political reporter might ask Rep. Tony Gonzales to finish the thought he started before being cut off on Face the Nation where he insisted it was okay to lock up 5 year old asylum seekers because otherwise it would harm 5 year old citizens. I want him to explain why.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons tells Rep. Troy Carter of Louisiana that ICE doesn't arrest U.S. citizens — then adds that Americans have been detained.
February 10, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons tells Rep. Troy Carter of Louisiana that ICE doesn't arrest U.S. citizens — then adds that Americans have been detained.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Alarming new revelations about ICE's use of administrative subpoenas to get information about people the administration wanted to detain and deport because of their protests against government policies. theintercept.com/2026/02/10/g...
Google Handed ICE Student Journalist’s Bank and Credit Card Numbers
Amandla Thomas-Johnson didn't know how much information ICE requested in a subpoena now. Google never gave him a chance to fight it.
theintercept.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Alarming new revelations about ICE's use of administrative subpoenas to get information about people the administration wanted to detain and deport because of their protests against government policies. theintercept.com/2026/02/10/g...
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
"they were so happy; it must be wrong!"
these people are so sad.
these people are so sad.
Rep Mark Alford (R-MO) says House Rs are "investigating" Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show & talking with FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. Alford says he didn't watch the whole thing & also doesn't know Spanish but suspects it might have been "much worse than the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction"
February 10, 2026 at 6:07 PM
"they were so happy; it must be wrong!"
these people are so sad.
these people are so sad.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Spectacular reporting by @wired.com
NEW: ICE has a plan to lease offices across the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
ICE Is Expanding Across the US at Breakneck Speed. Here’s Where It’s Going Next
ICE plans to lease offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
www.wired.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Spectacular reporting by @wired.com
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Show proof of a payment. Show one.
KNOTT: Why is it that there is so much tension in Minneapolis/St Paul right now?
SCOTT: Because paid agitators are actively trying to stop law enforcement action. Without that, you wouldn't even have any idea most of these arrests were taking place
SCOTT: Because paid agitators are actively trying to stop law enforcement action. Without that, you wouldn't even have any idea most of these arrests were taking place
February 10, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Show proof of a payment. Show one.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
What a pathetic excuse for a party.
Rep. Mark Alford (R-TX) revealed that House Republicans are "investigating" Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show because they suspect it was "much worse than the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction.
House GOP launches Bad Bunny probe: 'Worse than the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction'
Rep. Mark Alford (R-TX) revealed that House Republicans are "investigating" Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show because they suspect it was "much worse than the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction."During a Tuesday interview on Real America's Voice, Alford told the hosts that he and other House Repu...
bit.ly
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
What a pathetic excuse for a party.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Jesus Christ
February 10, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Jesus Christ
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
more 👏 of 👏 this 👏 energy
McIVER: Do you consider yourself a religious man?
LYONS: Yes mam
McIVER: How do you think judgment day will work for you with so much blood on your hands?
LYONS: I'm not going to entertain that question
McIVER: Do you think you're going to hell, Mr Lyons?
LYONS: Yes mam
McIVER: How do you think judgment day will work for you with so much blood on your hands?
LYONS: I'm not going to entertain that question
McIVER: Do you think you're going to hell, Mr Lyons?
February 10, 2026 at 5:41 PM
more 👏 of 👏 this 👏 energy
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
"You have used your power to perpetrate great evil." - Rep. Delia Remirez @ramirez.house.gov
"Your agencies are unaccountable paramilitary forces."
"Your agencies are unaccountable paramilitary forces."
Rep. Delia Ramirez to DHS officials: "I have as much respect for you as I do for the last white men who put on masks to terrorize communities of color. I have no respect for the inheritors of the Klanhood and the slave patrol. Those activities were criminal and so are yours."
February 10, 2026 at 5:46 PM
"You have used your power to perpetrate great evil." - Rep. Delia Remirez @ramirez.house.gov
"Your agencies are unaccountable paramilitary forces."
"Your agencies are unaccountable paramilitary forces."
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Asked if he would commit to unmasking ICE agents, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons gives a one-word answer in a House hearing today:
"No."
"No."
February 10, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Asked if he would commit to unmasking ICE agents, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons gives a one-word answer in a House hearing today:
"No."
"No."
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Bad Bunny's halftime show turned me into a newt.
Rep. Mark Alford (R-TX) revealed that House Republicans are "investigating" Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show because they suspect it was "much worse than the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction.
House GOP launches Bad Bunny probe: 'Worse than the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction'
Rep. Mark Alford (R-TX) revealed that House Republicans are "investigating" Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show because they suspect it was "much worse than the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction."During a Tuesday interview on Real America's Voice, Alford told the hosts that he and other House Repu...
bit.ly
February 10, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Bad Bunny's halftime show turned me into a newt.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
After being interrupted by the chair for asking Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons if he thought he would be going to hell, Rep. LaMonic McIver tells the Lyons, the others testifying, and her Republican colleagues, "The people are watching you," adding, "[T]hat's why we should abolish ICE."
February 10, 2026 at 5:34 PM
After being interrupted by the chair for asking Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons if he thought he would be going to hell, Rep. LaMonic McIver tells the Lyons, the others testifying, and her Republican colleagues, "The people are watching you," adding, "[T]hat's why we should abolish ICE."
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
This is what Kagan was describing in Trump v CASA as the fallout of limiting injunctions for nonparties
"You're going to have individual by individual by individual, and all of those individuals are going to win, and the ones who can't afford to go to court, they're the ones who are going to lose."
"You're going to have individual by individual by individual, and all of those individuals are going to win, and the ones who can't afford to go to court, they're the ones who are going to lose."
February 10, 2026 at 5:41 PM
This is what Kagan was describing in Trump v CASA as the fallout of limiting injunctions for nonparties
"You're going to have individual by individual by individual, and all of those individuals are going to win, and the ones who can't afford to go to court, they're the ones who are going to lose."
"You're going to have individual by individual by individual, and all of those individuals are going to win, and the ones who can't afford to go to court, they're the ones who are going to lose."
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons says that ICE will be a key part of World Cup security.
February 10, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons says that ICE will be a key part of World Cup security.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Calling out fascism is not threatening to anyone but fascists.
Goldman to Lyons: "You said in your opening statement that references to ICE as 'the Gestapo' or 'secret police' encourages threats against ICE agents. The problem is you have it backwards. People are simply making valid observations about your tactics, which are un-American and outright fascist."
February 10, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Calling out fascism is not threatening to anyone but fascists.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Great piece from Brennan's @kasiawolfkot.bsky.social about the important revival of litigation in state courts and under state constitutions.
Robust State Constitutionalism Can Protect Rights and Resist Authoritarianism
We need a movement to fully unlock the potential for resistance by states
www.theunpopulist.net
February 10, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Great piece from Brennan's @kasiawolfkot.bsky.social about the important revival of litigation in state courts and under state constitutions.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Immigration judge--a brave one--dismisses the case against Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk. (Her federal habeas case may continue, because govt might still appeal to Bureau of Immigration Appeals.)
www.cnn.com/2026/02/09/u...
www.cnn.com/2026/02/09/u...
Immigration judge terminates removal proceedings against Tufts student detained by Trump administration, attorneys say | CNN
An immigration judge terminated removal proceedings against Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk, who was detained for over a month last year as part of the Trump administration’s effort t...
www.cnn.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Immigration judge--a brave one--dismisses the case against Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk. (Her federal habeas case may continue, because govt might still appeal to Bureau of Immigration Appeals.)
www.cnn.com/2026/02/09/u...
www.cnn.com/2026/02/09/u...
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
But transmitting classified information over it ….
Rep. August Pfluger suggests that Twin Cities residents who are using Signal to communicate about ICE are committing "domestic terrorism"
February 10, 2026 at 5:02 PM
But transmitting classified information over it ….