Kate Brannen
@k8brannen.bsky.social
Non-Resident Journalism Fellow at NYU’s Reiss Center on Law and Security. Formerly: Foreign Affairs, Just Security, Foreign Policy, and Politico.
Reposted by Kate Brannen
The prohibition on perfidy was established so that opposing armies won't shoot at targets that appear to be civilian. But here, the men on the boats weren't going to shoot at anyone, and *they* were the civilians who were unlawfully targeted.
January 12, 2026 at 11:55 PM
The prohibition on perfidy was established so that opposing armies won't shoot at targets that appear to be civilian. But here, the men on the boats weren't going to shoot at anyone, and *they* were the civilians who were unlawfully targeted.
Reposted by Kate Brannen
This just shows how absurd the whole "armed conflict" framing is. The men on the boats weren't members of an organized armed force, and therefore the question of "perfidy" is inapposite. The problem is that they were civilians who were murdered.
@justsecurity.org
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
@justsecurity.org
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
U.S. Attacked Boat With Aircraft That Looked Like a Civilian Plane
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:52 PM
This just shows how absurd the whole "armed conflict" framing is. The men on the boats weren't members of an organized armed force, and therefore the question of "perfidy" is inapposite. The problem is that they were civilians who were murdered.
@justsecurity.org
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
@justsecurity.org
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
Reposted by Kate Brannen
i just watched this video and the fact that they believe this to be exculpatory is genuinely insane
ah. they all got the memo
xcancel.com/JDVance/stat...
xcancel.com/JDVance/stat...
January 9, 2026 at 6:57 PM
i just watched this video and the fact that they believe this to be exculpatory is genuinely insane
Reposted by Kate Brannen
"Americans have been dragged, tackled, beaten, tased and shot by immigration agents.
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
www.propublica.org
January 8, 2026 at 2:00 AM
"Americans have been dragged, tackled, beaten, tased and shot by immigration agents.
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
Reposted by Kate Brannen
ICE killed a member of our community today. ICE showed up at my kid’s daycare today. ICE is bragging about the number of families they’ve torn apart in a matter of days, and promising that their campaign of terror isn’t done.
January 7, 2026 at 10:51 PM
ICE killed a member of our community today. ICE showed up at my kid’s daycare today. ICE is bragging about the number of families they’ve torn apart in a matter of days, and promising that their campaign of terror isn’t done.
Reposted by Kate Brannen
Renee Nicole Good, the woman shot & killed by an ICE agent, had a young son whose father died in 2023, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune
“There’s nobody else in his life,” the boy’s grandfather told the paper. “I’ll drive. I’ll fly. To come get my grandchild.” www.huffpost.com/entry/latest...
“There’s nobody else in his life,” the boy’s grandfather told the paper. “I’ll drive. I’ll fly. To come get my grandchild.” www.huffpost.com/entry/latest...
January 7, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Renee Nicole Good, the woman shot & killed by an ICE agent, had a young son whose father died in 2023, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune
“There’s nobody else in his life,” the boy’s grandfather told the paper. “I’ll drive. I’ll fly. To come get my grandchild.” www.huffpost.com/entry/latest...
“There’s nobody else in his life,” the boy’s grandfather told the paper. “I’ll drive. I’ll fly. To come get my grandchild.” www.huffpost.com/entry/latest...
Reposted by Kate Brannen
Video makes clear almost every word of this is a lie.
January 7, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Video makes clear almost every word of this is a lie.
Reposted by Kate Brannen
The fundamental problem here--even if there were some legal basis for using such force to destroy the cocaine headed to Suriname (there's not)--is that Bradley accepted at face value ... [1]
@justsecurity.org
@justsecurity.org
Take this in.
"[Admiral] Bradley ... affirmed having sought real-time legal advice, but that he did not say whether his military lawyer considered the survivors shipwrecked and out of the fight."
"[Admiral] Bradley ... affirmed having sought real-time legal advice, but that he did not say whether his military lawyer considered the survivors shipwrecked and out of the fight."
How a U.S. admiral decided to kill two boat strike survivors
The controversial order given by Adm. Frank Bradley is under scrutiny from Congress. Inside the most consequential deliberation of his career.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:39 PM
The fundamental problem here--even if there were some legal basis for using such force to destroy the cocaine headed to Suriname (there's not)--is that Bradley accepted at face value ... [1]
@justsecurity.org
@justsecurity.org
Reposted by Kate Brannen
This is the big story:
1) The President ordered a killing campaign outside of the law.
2) He got OLC to make up a fake war to justify killing real people.
3) And he got the military to carry out the killings.
Purporting to justify those killings is aiding in covering up that plain reality 👇
2/2
1) The President ordered a killing campaign outside of the law.
2) He got OLC to make up a fake war to justify killing real people.
3) And he got the military to carry out the killings.
Purporting to justify those killings is aiding in covering up that plain reality 👇
2/2
December 5, 2025 at 10:46 PM
This is the big story:
1) The President ordered a killing campaign outside of the law.
2) He got OLC to make up a fake war to justify killing real people.
3) And he got the military to carry out the killings.
Purporting to justify those killings is aiding in covering up that plain reality 👇
2/2
1) The President ordered a killing campaign outside of the law.
2) He got OLC to make up a fake war to justify killing real people.
3) And he got the military to carry out the killings.
Purporting to justify those killings is aiding in covering up that plain reality 👇
2/2
Reposted by Kate Brannen
Person who actually deserves a trophy is the artist who made the FIFA peace prize trophy look like everyone in the entire world holding their head in their hands out of secondhand embarrassment
December 5, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Person who actually deserves a trophy is the artist who made the FIFA peace prize trophy look like everyone in the entire world holding their head in their hands out of secondhand embarrassment
Reposted by Kate Brannen
Drones over French nuclear submarine base last night.
The French armed forces minister, Catherine Vautrin, says that the drones were “intercepted” by the navy. Whether that means shot down or jammed is not clear
December 5, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Drones over French nuclear submarine base last night.
Reposted by Kate Brannen
(1/3) It’s time for one of our favorite annual traditions, end-of-year book recommendations from the Just Security community!
www.justsecurity.org/126111/just-...
www.justsecurity.org/126111/just-...
The Just Security 2025 Year-End Book Recommendations
Just Security editors recommend books they read this year, including those that illuminated world issues and brought joy into their 2025.
www.justsecurity.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:13 PM
(1/3) It’s time for one of our favorite annual traditions, end-of-year book recommendations from the Just Security community!
www.justsecurity.org/126111/just-...
www.justsecurity.org/126111/just-...
Reposted by Kate Brannen
Ex-DEA agent who worked on the case against former Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernandez calls his release "devastating":
“It means any attempt to work your investigations to the highest levels is meaningless”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
“It means any attempt to work your investigations to the highest levels is meaningless”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Former Honduras president, convicted of trafficking, freed on Trump pardon
A former DEA agent called the release “devastating”: “It means any attempt to work your investigations to the highest levels is meaningless.”
www.washingtonpost.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Ex-DEA agent who worked on the case against former Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernandez calls his release "devastating":
“It means any attempt to work your investigations to the highest levels is meaningless”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
“It means any attempt to work your investigations to the highest levels is meaningless”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Reposted by Kate Brannen
"While Hegseth did not make an appearance in the briefing room, he and his wife made time to sit for a chummy interview inside the Pentagon with former Trump official-turned-podcaster Katie Miller, where she asked about his favorite chicken wings and the current shows they are binge-watching"
The Pentagon held its first media briefing in months, hand-selecting a group of MAGA influencers to lob softballs—a charade that disgusted the actual journalists Pete Hegseth exiled earlier this year.
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/pentagon-m...
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/pentagon-m...
The Pentagon’s Propagandists
The Pentagon held its first media briefing in months, hand-selecting a group of MAGA influencers to lob softballs—a charade that disgusted the actual journalists Pete Hegseth exiled earlier this year.
www.status.news
December 3, 2025 at 2:46 PM
"While Hegseth did not make an appearance in the briefing room, he and his wife made time to sit for a chummy interview inside the Pentagon with former Trump official-turned-podcaster Katie Miller, where she asked about his favorite chicken wings and the current shows they are binge-watching"
"If the United States were in an armed conflict (it is not), it would be illegal to target shipwrecked survivors at sea."
Expert Q&A on the U.S. Boat Strikes with @tessbridgeman.bsky.social, @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, & @rgoodlaw.bsky.social: www.justsecurity.org/126156/exper...
Expert Q&A on the U.S. Boat Strikes with @tessbridgeman.bsky.social, @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, & @rgoodlaw.bsky.social: www.justsecurity.org/126156/exper...
Expert Q&A on the U.S. Boat Strikes
An expert Q & A on the Trump administration's lethal strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats on the high seas.
www.justsecurity.org
December 3, 2025 at 2:42 PM
"If the United States were in an armed conflict (it is not), it would be illegal to target shipwrecked survivors at sea."
Expert Q&A on the U.S. Boat Strikes with @tessbridgeman.bsky.social, @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, & @rgoodlaw.bsky.social: www.justsecurity.org/126156/exper...
Expert Q&A on the U.S. Boat Strikes with @tessbridgeman.bsky.social, @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, & @rgoodlaw.bsky.social: www.justsecurity.org/126156/exper...
Reposted by Kate Brannen
Must read by @marknevitt.bsky.social on why killing survivors at sea is a moral & strategic disaster for all of us:
"If America chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice."
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
"If America chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice."
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
Killing Shipwrecked Survivors is Not Just Illegal—It Endangers U.S. Servicemembers
If the United States chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice.
www.justsecurity.org
December 2, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Must read by @marknevitt.bsky.social on why killing survivors at sea is a moral & strategic disaster for all of us:
"If America chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice."
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
"If America chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice."
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
Reposted by Kate Brannen
I believe folks know the important work we're doing at @justsecurity.org, especially in these challenging times.
But we made this short video as a reminder!
We really need your support this #GivingTuesday.
For tax-deductible gifts: justsecurity.org/donate/
But we made this short video as a reminder!
We really need your support this #GivingTuesday.
For tax-deductible gifts: justsecurity.org/donate/
December 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I believe folks know the important work we're doing at @justsecurity.org, especially in these challenging times.
But we made this short video as a reminder!
We really need your support this #GivingTuesday.
For tax-deductible gifts: justsecurity.org/donate/
But we made this short video as a reminder!
We really need your support this #GivingTuesday.
For tax-deductible gifts: justsecurity.org/donate/
Reposted by Kate Brannen
1) @washingtonpost.com reported Thursday on a controversial policy downgrading how nooses and swastikas are labeled in the Coast Guard.
2) Admin officials attacked The Post, falsely alleging the reporting of "fake crap."
3) The CG said it would review policy language.
4) The CG reversed course.
2) Admin officials attacked The Post, falsely alleging the reporting of "fake crap."
3) The CG said it would review policy language.
4) The CG reversed course.
November 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM
1) @washingtonpost.com reported Thursday on a controversial policy downgrading how nooses and swastikas are labeled in the Coast Guard.
2) Admin officials attacked The Post, falsely alleging the reporting of "fake crap."
3) The CG said it would review policy language.
4) The CG reversed course.
2) Admin officials attacked The Post, falsely alleging the reporting of "fake crap."
3) The CG said it would review policy language.
4) The CG reversed course.
Reposted by Kate Brannen
The Post is keeping an updating map and list of the Trump administration’s extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific (Gift link)
wapo.st/4oNn8RJ
wapo.st/4oNn8RJ
Mapping U.S. strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific
An ongoing record of U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since Sept. 2.
wapo.st
November 18, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The Post is keeping an updating map and list of the Trump administration’s extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific (Gift link)
wapo.st/4oNn8RJ
wapo.st/4oNn8RJ
Reposted by Kate Brannen
Breaking News: A Tennessee judge temporarily blocked the deployment of the National Guard in Memphis, which was ordered by the state’s Republican governor.
Tennessee Judge Temporarily Blocks National Guard Deployment in Memphis
The judge said the case “raises important questions concerning the use of the state’s military forces for domestic law enforcement purposes.”
nyti.ms
November 18, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Breaking News: A Tennessee judge temporarily blocked the deployment of the National Guard in Memphis, which was ordered by the state’s Republican governor.
Reposted by Kate Brannen
Greg Bovino is leading a rebel cavalry terrorizing America—and it's important to recognize that it's in retreat. While the trauma and terror Bovino’s raiders instill is real and damaging, it’s remarkable to note how ineffective the force has turned out to be. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/trump-bord...
Trump, Border Patrol Retreat in Failure from Chicago
Five important lessons of the first six months of Trump’s immigration raids — and why CBP’s Greg Bovino is the Nathan Bedford Forrest of the Trump era.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
November 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Greg Bovino is leading a rebel cavalry terrorizing America—and it's important to recognize that it's in retreat. While the trauma and terror Bovino’s raiders instill is real and damaging, it’s remarkable to note how ineffective the force has turned out to be. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/trump-bord...
Reposted by Kate Brannen
Reposted by Kate Brannen
I don’t want to seem out of touch but I don’t actually understand the economy anymore.
November 18, 2025 at 3:23 AM
I don’t want to seem out of touch but I don’t actually understand the economy anymore.
Reposted by Kate Brannen
ICE vs the clergy
November 15, 2025 at 1:32 AM
ICE vs the clergy
Reposted by Kate Brannen
Something that’s so striking in these emails is how…unimpressive Epstein is. He comes off as a pompous, sub-literate lech. Yes everyone is so mortifyingly solicitous of him! All fawning and flattery! Why?????
November 13, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Something that’s so striking in these emails is how…unimpressive Epstein is. He comes off as a pompous, sub-literate lech. Yes everyone is so mortifyingly solicitous of him! All fawning and flattery! Why?????