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Chris Geidner
@chrisgeidner.bsky.social
310K followers 2K following 23K posts
Subscribe to www.lawdork.com for SCOTUS, Trump, LGBTQ, criminal justice, and other legal news. / Email: lawdorknews@gmail.com / Signal: crg.32 / About me: Sober. Queer. Bipolar. Theater. Buckeye. / He/him.
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chrisgeidner.bsky.social
Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · Feb 24
REMINDERS:
* Not every post is for every person; some are to inform legal folks of something.
* If I have time & if it matters, I say more, but I don't always have time & it doesn't always matter.
* If it's important, I usually cover it at Law Dork, where I work to make reports accessible to all.
Law Dork | Chris Geidner | Substack
The Supreme Court, law, politics, and more. Click to read Law Dork, by Chris Geidner, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.
www.lawdork.com
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
Truly. What is a DOJ?

The latest order in the Daniel Richman case: Extending a deadline for certifying compliance with a December order for a fifth time.

DOJ's request came in at 3:16 p.m. on the day of a 5:00 p.m. deadline.
MINUTE ORDER: The Court is in receipt of the Government's Unopposed 47 Motion for Extension of Time, which was filed at 3:16 p.m. ET this afternoon, less than two hours before the Government's deadline to certify its compliance with this Court's 20 Order dated December 12, 2025, as clarified and amended. This motion is the Government's fifth request to extend the deadline to certify its compliance with the Court's 20 Order, and its second consecutive request for an extension filed just hours before the relevant deadline. However, with the understanding that the parties are conferring in good faith and the Government has complied with the Court's 20 Order (as clarified and amended) in all respects except for the narrow unresolved issues identified in the 47 Motion, the Court shall GRANT the Government's Unopposed 47 Motion to the following extent: [Deadline] is EXTENDED to 5:00 p.m. ET on January 27, 2026. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall file any further motions to extend, modify, or continue this deadline no later than one full business day before the relevant deadline. Requests for extension of time that are not in compliance with this Order will be granted only in the event of truly exceptional circumstances. As previously ordered, the Government and its agents shall not access Petitioner Richman's covered materials, except for the limited purpose of deleting the purportedly classified memorandum already identified in the record, or share, disseminate, disclose, or transfer those materials to any person, without first seeking and obtaining leave of this Court. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 01/20/2026. (lcckk1)
January 20, 2026 at 11:09 PM
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
THEN DON'T FOLLOW ME.
joshuagraha12.bsky.social Joshuagraham/DJJoshua @joshuagraha12.bsky.social · 1h
C'mon. I don't follow you for workout pics. Respect for your normal posts, tho.
January 20, 2026 at 10:25 PM
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
For me, good vibes are very much helped along by taking care of myself in the midst of *gestures broadly* all this. (Now, back to work.)
Chris at the gym in short maroon shorts and a gray cut-off T-shirt.
January 20, 2026 at 10:18 PM
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
BREAKING: This Friday's en banc Fifth Circuit arguments over West Texas A&M's drag ban are cancelled, as the preliminary injunction appeal is now moot since a final judgment was issued in the case over the weekend.
United States Court of Appeals for the fifth Circuit No. 23-10994 United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit FILED January 20, 2026 Lyle W. Cayce Clerk SPECTRUM WT, Plaintiff- Appellant, versus WALTER WENDLER; DR. CHRISTOPHER THOMAS, Defendants- Appellees. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas USDC No. 2:23-CV-48 ORDER: IT IS ORDERED that Appellant's motion to dismiss the appeal is GRANTED as the appeal is moot. The district court's denial of Appellant's request for permanent relief moots the pending appeal from a denial of preliminary relief. See Harper ex rel. Harper v. Poway Unified School Dist., 549 U.S. 1262, 1262 (2007); accord. Koppula v. Jaddou, 72 F.4th 83, 84 (5th Cir. 2023); 16 Charles Alan Wright, Arthur R. Miller, & Edward H. Cooper, Federal Practice and Procedure § 3921 (3d. ed. 2025).
January 20, 2026 at 7:47 PM
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
Donald Trump begins his sixth year as president of the United States:
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 5h
Trump: "Whoo. I'm glad my finger wasn't in that sucker. That could've dome some damage but you know what? I wouldn't have shown the pain. I would've gone back. Boy did you hear that? That was nasty. But I would not have shown the pain. I would've acted like nothing happens as my finger fell off."
January 20, 2026 at 7:29 PM
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
is it good when a trump appointee refers to the actions of a federal government lawyer and the arguments advanced by doj in filing joined by the attorney general and deputy attorney general as a 'charade'?
chrisgeidner.bsky.social Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 5h
BREAKING: Federal court in Virginia—noting DOJ's filing "falls far beneath the level of advocacy expected from litigants in this Court, particularly the Department of Justice"—rules that Lindsey Halligan cannot hold herself out as "United States Attorney," striking that language from case filings.
Ms. Halligan's response, in which she was joined by both the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General, contains a level of vitriol more appropriate for a cable news talk show and falls far beneath the level of advocacy expected from litigants in this Court, particularly the Department of Justice. The Court will not engage in a similar tit-for-tat and will instead analyze the few points that Ms. Halligan offers to justify her continued identification of her position as United States Attorney before the Court. Ultimately, the Court concludes for the reasons that follow that Ms. Halligan's continued identification of herself as the United States Attorney for this District ignores a binding court order and may not continue; otherwise, Ms. Halligan and anyone who joins her on a pleading containing the improper moniker subjects themselves to potential disciplinary action in this Court pursuant to the Court's Local Rules. Ill. Conclusion The Eastern District of Virginia has long enjoyed the service of experienced prosecutors with unquestioned integrity from both political parties serving as the United States Attorney. Despite coming from different political backgrounds and holding very different ideological views, they all shared an unwavering commitment to the Rule of Law, putting the interests of the citizens of the District before their own personal ambitions, as true public servants do. Unfortunately, it appears that this ethos has come to an end. A district judge acting at the direction of the Chief Judge of the Fourth Circuit has ruled on behalf of the district judges of this District that Ms. Halligan was invalidly appointed as the United States Attorney. No matter all of her machinations, Ms. Halligan has no legal basis to represent to this Court that she holds the position. And any such representation going forward can only be described as a false statement made in direct defiance of valid court orders. In short, this charade of Ms. Halligan masquerading as the United States Attorney for this District in direct defiance of binding court orders must come to an end. For all of these reasons, the Court hereby STRIKES the words "United States Attorney" from the signature block on the Indictment (ECF No. 1), as well as all other Government filings in this case. (ECF Nos. 13, 18, 22.) The Court further BARS Ms. Halligan from representing herself as the United States Attorney in any pleading or otherwise before this Court until such time as she may lawfully hold the office either by Senate confirmation or appointment by this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546(d), should either occur. That bar shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on January 21, 2026, and shall apply to any filings submitted thereafter. The Court recognizes that Ms. Halligan lacks the prosecutorial experience that has long been the norm for those nominated to the position of United States Attorney in this District. Consequently, and in light of her inexperience, the Court grants Ms. Halligan the benefit of the doubt and refrains from referring her for further investigation and disciplinary action regarding her misrepresentations to this Court at this time. However, this Memorandum Order provides notice that, should Ms. Halligan persist in ignoring Judge Currie's Orders and this Memorandum Order in any matter before the undersigned, the Court will initiate disciplinary proceedings against Ms. Halligan and any other signatory to an offending pleading pursuant to Federal Rule of Disciplinary Enforcement V(A). Let the Clerk file a copy of this Order electronically and notify all counsel of record, the Chief Judge and all United States District Judges, Magistrate Judges and Bankruptcy Judges of this Court, Judge Currie, and all members of the Richmond Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia with current CM/ECF registrations. The Court further ORDERS that Ms. Halligan shall provide a copy of this Memorandum Order to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, since they appear as signatories on her Response. It is so ORDERED. /s/ David J. Novak United States District Judge Richmond, Virginia Dated: January 20. 2026
January 20, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
sarahjeong.bsky.social
Surely the bus is going to turn around
Dollar falls sharply and Wall Street stocks drop over Greenland crisis US president insists ‘there can be no going back’ on demand for island
January 20, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
sarahjeong.bsky.social
Jerome Powell is at the front of the bus with his phone on speaker. Surely this will solve things. Surely the bus is going to turn around
January 20, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
sarahjeong.bsky.social
i feel like the viral bus thread resonates because at every step of the way you're like "ok surely this will be resolved shortly, any second now," which seems like what all the passengers are also thinking. then the fact that the situation doesn't resolve and the bus just keeps going is an Allegory
January 20, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
kyledcheney.bsky.social
NEWS: The Social Security Administration has referred two DOGE employees for Hatch Act violations after discovering contacts with a political group seeking SSA data to overturn election results. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 20, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
musicologyduck.bsky.social
NO
marketing email from Greyhound with subject line "Want a weekend adventure to brag about?"
January 20, 2026 at 6:26 PM
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the Republican appointees of the Supreme Court OK'ed this and Noem has said they are going further and has lied about the fact that they are going even further than what she claimed.

Law Dork coverage: www.lawdork.com/p/noem-says-...
January 20, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
kevinmkruse.bsky.social
He goes on to describe one of his officers being stopped when she was off-duty solely because she's non-white, harassed by ICE goons who slapped her phone out of her hand as she tried to record, only to be let go when she finally revealed she was a cop.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 6h
Brooklyn Park police chief Mark Bruley: "We're hearing people being stopped with no cause & being demanded to show paperwork to determine if they're here legally. We started hearing from our police officers the same complaints. Every one of these individuals is a person of color... it has to stop"
January 20, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
theaurorac.bsky.social
I know everything is in crisis, but we can have a bench-slap morale boost as a little treat.
chrisgeidner.bsky.social Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 5h
Novak also orders Halligan, personally, to give the order to Bondi and Blanche.
The Court further ORDERS that Ms. Halligan shall provide a copy of this Memorandum Order to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, since they appear as signatories on her Response. It is so ORDERED. /s/ David J. Novak United States District Judge Richmond, Virginia Dated: January 20. 2026
January 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
Game of Thrones Lady Olenna Tyrell meme, altered: "Tell Bondi. I want her to know it was me."
January 20, 2026 at 6:58 PM
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
BREAKING: Federal court in Virginia—noting DOJ's filing "falls far beneath the level of advocacy expected from litigants in this Court, particularly the Department of Justice"—rules that Lindsey Halligan cannot hold herself out as "United States Attorney," striking that language from case filings.
Ms. Halligan's response, in which she was joined by both the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General, contains a level of vitriol more appropriate for a cable news talk show and falls far beneath the level of advocacy expected from litigants in this Court, particularly the Department of Justice. The Court will not engage in a similar tit-for-tat and will instead analyze the few points that Ms. Halligan offers to justify her continued identification of her position as United States Attorney before the Court. Ultimately, the Court concludes for the reasons that follow that Ms. Halligan's continued identification of herself as the United States Attorney for this District ignores a binding court order and may not continue; otherwise, Ms. Halligan and anyone who joins her on a pleading containing the improper moniker subjects themselves to potential disciplinary action in this Court pursuant to the Court's Local Rules. Ill. Conclusion The Eastern District of Virginia has long enjoyed the service of experienced prosecutors with unquestioned integrity from both political parties serving as the United States Attorney. Despite coming from different political backgrounds and holding very different ideological views, they all shared an unwavering commitment to the Rule of Law, putting the interests of the citizens of the District before their own personal ambitions, as true public servants do. Unfortunately, it appears that this ethos has come to an end. A district judge acting at the direction of the Chief Judge of the Fourth Circuit has ruled on behalf of the district judges of this District that Ms. Halligan was invalidly appointed as the United States Attorney. No matter all of her machinations, Ms. Halligan has no legal basis to represent to this Court that she holds the position. And any such representation going forward can only be described as a false statement made in direct defiance of valid court orders. In short, this charade of Ms. Halligan masquerading as the United States Attorney for this District in direct defiance of binding court orders must come to an end. For all of these reasons, the Court hereby STRIKES the words "United States Attorney" from the signature block on the Indictment (ECF No. 1), as well as all other Government filings in this case. (ECF Nos. 13, 18, 22.) The Court further BARS Ms. Halligan from representing herself as the United States Attorney in any pleading or otherwise before this Court until such time as she may lawfully hold the office either by Senate confirmation or appointment by this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546(d), should either occur. That bar shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on January 21, 2026, and shall apply to any filings submitted thereafter. The Court recognizes that Ms. Halligan lacks the prosecutorial experience that has long been the norm for those nominated to the position of United States Attorney in this District. Consequently, and in light of her inexperience, the Court grants Ms. Halligan the benefit of the doubt and refrains from referring her for further investigation and disciplinary action regarding her misrepresentations to this Court at this time. However, this Memorandum Order provides notice that, should Ms. Halligan persist in ignoring Judge Currie's Orders and this Memorandum Order in any matter before the undersigned, the Court will initiate disciplinary proceedings against Ms. Halligan and any other signatory to an offending pleading pursuant to Federal Rule of Disciplinary Enforcement V(A). Let the Clerk file a copy of this Order electronically and notify all counsel of record, the Chief Judge and all United States District Judges, Magistrate Judges and Bankruptcy Judges of this Court, Judge Currie, and all members of the Richmond Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia with current CM/ECF registrations. The Court further ORDERS that Ms. Halligan shall provide a copy of this Memorandum Order to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, since they appear as signatories on her Response. It is so ORDERED. /s/ David J. Novak United States District Judge Richmond, Virginia Dated: January 20. 2026
January 20, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
kyledcheney.bsky.social
Here is the vacancy announcemnet. Application deadline: 2/10. www.vaed.uscourts.gov/sites/vaed/f...
January 20, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
kyledcheney.bsky.social
JUST IN: Federal judges Virginia are seeking applicants to succeed Lindsey Halligan as interim U.S. attorney, whose 120-day appointment expires today, they say. www.vaed.uscourts.gov/sites/vaed/f...
January 20, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
ilhanmn.bsky.social
We cannot normalize this federal occupation of Minneapolis.

It is not normal to watch people abducted in front of our eyes—dragged from car windows, pulled from their homes, and children left without parents.

This is not about immigration. It’s about unchecked cruelty.
January 20, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
murshedz.bsky.social
Honestly, not sure how I would have made through this past year without the indispensable reporting/writing of Chris and number of other brilliant reporters/writers who are anchoring their coverage around bluesky. They deserve this community's full support.
chrisgeidner.bsky.social Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 6h
It’s been a year.

Donald Trump took the oath of office and returned to the presidency one year ago today. In the time since, I’ve published nearly 250 stories here at Law Dork.

Help me drink more coffee — and cover year two — with a paid Law Dork subscription today.
Trump two, year two. I will be covering it, and I need your help — and more coffee.
It’s been a year.
www.lawdork.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:49 PM
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
Listen to Bethanne and subscribe now! www.lawdork.com/p/trump-two-...
bethannewills.bsky.social Bethanne Wills @bethannewills.bsky.social · 6h
Best money I’ve spent on a newsletter!
January 20, 2026 at 5:56 PM
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
My "No, Earth Won’t Lose Gravity for 7 Seconds on August 12" has people asking a lot of questions already answered by my shirt.
January 20, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
ryrapture.bsky.social
Important 👇👇
chrisgeidner.bsky.social Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 6h
It’s been a year.

Donald Trump took the oath of office and returned to the presidency one year ago today. In the time since, I’ve published nearly 250 stories here at Law Dork.

Help me drink more coffee — and cover year two — with a paid Law Dork subscription today.
Trump two, year two. I will be covering it, and I need your help — and more coffee.
It’s been a year.
www.lawdork.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
colincarlson.bsky.social
don't make Chris cover my trial
January 20, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by Chris Geidner
colincarlson.bsky.social
if you don't give chris a coffee i'll post a legally actionable threat in your replies. this obviously doesn't count www.lawdork.com/p/trump-two-...
Trump two, year two. I will be covering it, and I need your help — and more coffee.
It’s been a year.
www.lawdork.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:45 PM