David Laufman
@davidlaufman.bsky.social
Government investigations defense attorney. Former CIA analyst; Chief of Staff to the Deputy Attorney General; Assistant U.S. Attorney; and Chief of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence & Export Control Section.
No greater courage,
valor, or patriotism in defense of democracy January 6. A resilient voice since then to ensure Americans remember the truth of what happened that day. Continued thanks, Sergeant Gonell. 🇺🇸
open.substack.com/pub/ofthebra...
valor, or patriotism in defense of democracy January 6. A resilient voice since then to ensure Americans remember the truth of what happened that day. Continued thanks, Sergeant Gonell. 🇺🇸
open.substack.com/pub/ofthebra...
Rioters tried to kill me on January 6. Trump pardoned them.
What it’s like to defend democracy, only to be called an un-American traitor.
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:25 PM
No greater courage,
valor, or patriotism in defense of democracy January 6. A resilient voice since then to ensure Americans remember the truth of what happened that day. Continued thanks, Sergeant Gonell. 🇺🇸
open.substack.com/pub/ofthebra...
valor, or patriotism in defense of democracy January 6. A resilient voice since then to ensure Americans remember the truth of what happened that day. Continued thanks, Sergeant Gonell. 🇺🇸
open.substack.com/pub/ofthebra...
Reposted by David Laufman
Yeah, that’s not a thing.
Attorney General Pam Bondi says she has retroactively appointed former Trump attorney Lindsey Halligan as a "special attorney" for DOJ and has "ratified" all of her actions to date, including her presentations to the grand juries that indicted Trump's foes.
November 3, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Yeah, that’s not a thing.
Case Against Bolton Raises Questions Over Justice Dept.’s Use of Espionage Act www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
Case Against Bolton Raises Questions Over Justice Dept.’s Use of Espionage Act
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Case Against Bolton Raises Questions Over Justice Dept.’s Use of Espionage Act www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
The Administration’s senseless, malicious rampage against federal prosecutors for simply upholding their constitutional oath is destroying the Justice Department and torpedoing the careers of good men and women who have devoted their lives to protecting our country.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
Prosecutor Who Rejected Trump’s Pressure to Charge James Is Fired
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 12:50 AM
The Administration’s senseless, malicious rampage against federal prosecutors for simply upholding their constitutional oath is destroying the Justice Department and torpedoing the careers of good men and women who have devoted their lives to protecting our country.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
Reposted by David Laufman
Reposted by David Laufman
It's weird that this needs to be said.
The scenario described (and seen in this country) is absolutely reasonable suspicion for a violent felony, and one of many reasons law enforcement needs to be identifiable as such.
The scenario described (and seen in this country) is absolutely reasonable suspicion for a violent felony, and one of many reasons law enforcement needs to be identifiable as such.
D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges on masked agents in his city forcing people into their cars without identifying themselves:
"I will treat it as an armed kidnapping until the abductees are able to prove they have the legal authority to arrest someone."
"I will treat it as an armed kidnapping until the abductees are able to prove they have the legal authority to arrest someone."
September 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
It's weird that this needs to be said.
The scenario described (and seen in this country) is absolutely reasonable suspicion for a violent felony, and one of many reasons law enforcement needs to be identifiable as such.
The scenario described (and seen in this country) is absolutely reasonable suspicion for a violent felony, and one of many reasons law enforcement needs to be identifiable as such.
Reposted by David Laufman
Congressional oversight of DOJ’s reckless purge of career employees is badly needed.
As we told @cbsnews.com, we’re glad to see senators stepping up to investigate these firings.
As we told @cbsnews.com, we’re glad to see senators stepping up to investigate these firings.
Senate Democrats to investigate firings of Justice Dept. employees who worked for special counsel Jack Smith
Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee are asking Pam Bondi for records of at least 20 DOJ staff fired in August.
www.cbsnews.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Congressional oversight of DOJ’s reckless purge of career employees is badly needed.
As we told @cbsnews.com, we’re glad to see senators stepping up to investigate these firings.
As we told @cbsnews.com, we’re glad to see senators stepping up to investigate these firings.
The loss of counterintelligence expertise at the Justice Department and FBI has reached alarming proportions — and undermines America’s national security.
www.notus.org/trump-white-...
www.notus.org/trump-white-...
Inside the ‘Brain Drain’ of Counterintelligence Prosecutors at DOJ
“The magnitude of the loss of attorneys in CES is potentially very damaging for the national security of the United States,” said David Laufman, who led the team from late 2014 until early 2018.
www.notus.org
August 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The loss of counterintelligence expertise at the Justice Department and FBI has reached alarming proportions — and undermines America’s national security.
www.notus.org/trump-white-...
www.notus.org/trump-white-...
The Administration’s continued attack on dedicated officials and employees in the U.S. Intelligence Community and law enforcement now constitutes more than a “purge” — it’s an outright Reign of Terror. American national security, at home and abroad, will suffer.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/u...
N.S.A.’s Acting Director Tried to Save Top Scientist From Purge
www.nytimes.com
August 20, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The Administration’s continued attack on dedicated officials and employees in the U.S. Intelligence Community and law enforcement now constitutes more than a “purge” — it’s an outright Reign of Terror. American national security, at home and abroad, will suffer.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/u...
An exemplary public servant who put country above party or politics. RIP 🇺🇸
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/08/...
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/08/...
William Webster, former head of FBI and CIA, dies | CNN Politics
William Webster, the only person to lead both the FBI and CIA, has died. He was 101.
amp.cnn.com
August 8, 2025 at 10:17 PM
An exemplary public servant who put country above party or politics. RIP 🇺🇸
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/08/...
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/08/...
Reposted by David Laufman
DOJ employees are public servants to their core. Even after being pushed out, they feel a great sense of duty to protect the American people.
"It makes perfect sense that for some, serving through elected office, outside the president's chain of command, is a viable alternative," we told CBS.
"It makes perfect sense that for some, serving through elected office, outside the president's chain of command, is a viable alternative," we told CBS.
August 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
DOJ employees are public servants to their core. Even after being pushed out, they feel a great sense of duty to protect the American people.
"It makes perfect sense that for some, serving through elected office, outside the president's chain of command, is a viable alternative," we told CBS.
"It makes perfect sense that for some, serving through elected office, outside the president's chain of command, is a viable alternative," we told CBS.
History repeats itself: I’m old enough to remember when CBS terminated the highly rated Smothers Brothers show over its comedic criticism of the Nixon Administration. But good luck trying to suppress political speech: it has a knack for finding an outlet.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/b...
CBS Canceling ‘Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ After Next Season
www.nytimes.com
July 18, 2025 at 5:50 PM
History repeats itself: I’m old enough to remember when CBS terminated the highly rated Smothers Brothers show over its comedic criticism of the Nixon Administration. But good luck trying to suppress political speech: it has a knack for finding an outlet.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/b...
Proud to join my former Justice Department colleagues in signing this letter expressing concern over the nomination of Emil Bove to serve on the Third Circuit.
Justice Connection sent a letter signed by 900+ former DOJ attorneys urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to rigorously examine Emil Bove’s assault on the department and rule of law before voting on a lifetime judicial appointment.
Our full letter: bit.ly/3Ul58Ac
Our full letter: bit.ly/3Ul58Ac
July 16, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Proud to join my former Justice Department colleagues in signing this letter expressing concern over the nomination of Emil Bove to serve on the Third Circuit.
Reposted by David Laufman
Justice Connection sent a letter signed by 900+ former DOJ attorneys urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to rigorously examine Emil Bove’s assault on the department and rule of law before voting on a lifetime judicial appointment.
Our full letter: bit.ly/3Ul58Ac
Our full letter: bit.ly/3Ul58Ac
July 16, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Justice Connection sent a letter signed by 900+ former DOJ attorneys urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to rigorously examine Emil Bove’s assault on the department and rule of law before voting on a lifetime judicial appointment.
Our full letter: bit.ly/3Ul58Ac
Our full letter: bit.ly/3Ul58Ac
Reposted by David Laufman
I’m unaware of any other time when large numbers of judges (retired) publicly opposed a nominee for the federal bench. But this is what it is going to take.
July 15, 2025 at 12:25 PM
I’m unaware of any other time when large numbers of judges (retired) publicly opposed a nominee for the federal bench. But this is what it is going to take.
Reposted by David Laufman
Our government shouldn't be able to consign people to conditions in a foreign country that would be constitutional violations, and criminal too, here.
July 12, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Our government shouldn't be able to consign people to conditions in a foreign country that would be constitutional violations, and criminal too, here.
Reposted by David Laufman
Whistleblowing is critical to exposing gov’t abuses, and OSC has been a safe, nonpartisan venue for gov’t employees to file complaints. But if Trump’s nomination of an unqualified political extremist to head OSC succeeds, whistleblowers will be afraid to come forward.
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/07/...
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/07/...
Trump’s pick to lead whistleblower office shared 9/11 truther video | CNN Politics
He’s 30, loyal to Trump and pushed election lies. It’s a role designed to be politically independent.
amp.cnn.com
July 3, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Whistleblowing is critical to exposing gov’t abuses, and OSC has been a safe, nonpartisan venue for gov’t employees to file complaints. But if Trump’s nomination of an unqualified political extremist to head OSC succeeds, whistleblowers will be afraid to come forward.
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/07/...
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/07/...
Leak investigations might soon become more aggressive, as Trump indicates the government may demand source information directly from journalists.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump suggests he could demand journalists reveal source of Iran intel leak
After preliminary intelligence reports countered Trump’s claim that U.S. strikes “obliterated” Iran nuclear sites, he said the leakers should be found and prosecuted.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 3, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Leak investigations might soon become more aggressive, as Trump indicates the government may demand source information directly from journalists.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
“China’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday repeated its position that the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation must be approved by the central government in Beijing.”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Dalai Lama lays out succession plan, denying Chinese efforts at control
The Tibetan Buddhist leader, who turns 90 on Sunday, appears concerned that Beijing will sweep in after his death to install the next Dalai Lama.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:18 AM
“China’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday repeated its position that the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation must be approved by the central government in Beijing.”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
“This administration wants to ensure that classified intelligence is not ending up in irresponsible hands and that people who have the privilege of viewing this top-secret classified information are being responsible with it.”
Couldn’t agree more….
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Couldn’t agree more….
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Classified briefing on impact of Iran strikes leaves senators split
On Thursday, four Trump administration officials briefed senators on the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Lawmakers emerged divided.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 27, 2025 at 12:13 PM
“This administration wants to ensure that classified intelligence is not ending up in irresponsible hands and that people who have the privilege of viewing this top-secret classified information are being responsible with it.”
Couldn’t agree more….
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Couldn’t agree more….
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
If the Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility was permitted to perform its duties, these allegations regarding DOJ official Emil Bove almost certainly would have prompted an investigation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/u...
Justice Dept. Leader Suggested Violating Court Orders, Whistle-Blower Says
www.nytimes.com
June 24, 2025 at 5:06 PM
If the Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility was permitted to perform its duties, these allegations regarding DOJ official Emil Bove almost certainly would have prompted an investigation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/u...
Reposted by David Laufman
Erez Reuveni’s whistleblower disclosure alleges Emil Bove’s involvement in a campaign to defy federal court orders and lie to the court. The Senate must oppose Bove's nomination to a lifetime appointment to the Third Circuit.
June 24, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Erez Reuveni’s whistleblower disclosure alleges Emil Bove’s involvement in a campaign to defy federal court orders and lie to the court. The Senate must oppose Bove's nomination to a lifetime appointment to the Third Circuit.
When a federal prosecutor resigns like this, it sure sounds like a public official faithful to his oath and the historical norms and policies of the Department of Justice.
abcnews.go.com/US/mistakenl...
abcnews.go.com/US/mistakenl...
Kilmar Abrego Garcia back in US to face charges of helping traffic 'thousands' of migrants
Mistakenly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia is back in the United States to face charges of transporting undocumented migrants within the U.S.
abcnews.go.com
June 6, 2025 at 10:55 PM
When a federal prosecutor resigns like this, it sure sounds like a public official faithful to his oath and the historical norms and policies of the Department of Justice.
abcnews.go.com/US/mistakenl...
abcnews.go.com/US/mistakenl...