Kyle Cheney
@kyledcheney.bsky.social
Senior legal affairs reporter at POLITICO with a focus on democracy, the balance of power and the clash between the Trump administration and courts.
It's strange for the President of the United States to be litigating in his personal capacity against the Justice Department he runs — but he's seeking an order barring "current, former and future" DOJ officials from releasing Jack Smith's second volume. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 20, 2026 at 11:38 PM
It's strange for the President of the United States to be litigating in his personal capacity against the Justice Department he runs — but he's seeking an order barring "current, former and future" DOJ officials from releasing Jack Smith's second volume. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
JUST IN: A federal judge orders Halligan and the US attorney's office in EDVA to stop referring to her as the US attorney or risk discipline.
Judge Novak says DOJ's argument was so vitriolic it was "more appropriate for a cable news talk show" than DOJ. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Novak says DOJ's argument was so vitriolic it was "more appropriate for a cable news talk show" than DOJ. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 20, 2026 at 8:26 PM
JUST IN: A federal judge orders Halligan and the US attorney's office in EDVA to stop referring to her as the US attorney or risk discipline.
Judge Novak says DOJ's argument was so vitriolic it was "more appropriate for a cable news talk show" than DOJ. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Novak says DOJ's argument was so vitriolic it was "more appropriate for a cable news talk show" than DOJ. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
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
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...
Trump amplifies post that says NATO — not China or Russia — is part of the “real threat” to America.
January 20, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Trump amplifies post that says NATO — not China or Russia — is part of the “real threat” to America.
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
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...
NEWS: A federal judge found that ICE had repeatedly retaliated against peaceful protesters in unconstitutional ways — and barred agents involved in Minnesota's "Operation Metro Surge" from using similar tactics and force.
w/ @joshgerstein @hassankanu
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
w/ @joshgerstein @hassankanu
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 17, 2026 at 1:55 AM
NEWS: A federal judge found that ICE had repeatedly retaliated against peaceful protesters in unconstitutional ways — and barred agents involved in Minnesota's "Operation Metro Surge" from using similar tactics and force.
w/ @joshgerstein @hassankanu
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
w/ @joshgerstein @hassankanu
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
JUST IN: Judge Stearns has issued an order requiring DOJ to request that Secretary of State RUbio issue a student visa to a Babson student inadverntetly deported to Honduras.
The admin has apologized for the error in court.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The admin has apologized for the error in court.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 16, 2026 at 11:03 PM
JUST IN: Judge Stearns has issued an order requiring DOJ to request that Secretary of State RUbio issue a student visa to a Babson student inadverntetly deported to Honduras.
The admin has apologized for the error in court.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The admin has apologized for the error in court.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
NEW: The Supreme Court will decide the constitutionality of "geofence" warrants for smartphone location data – the kind of dragnet that authorities used to identify Jan. 6 defendants.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 16, 2026 at 10:18 PM
NEW: The Supreme Court will decide the constitutionality of "geofence" warrants for smartphone location data – the kind of dragnet that authorities used to identify Jan. 6 defendants.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
NEW: In 4 days, records of Trump’s first term will become publicly available via NARA.
Trump’s gatekeeper to the archives is Deputy AG Todd Blanche — a vestige of days as Trump’s personal lawyer. Now a watchdog group is urging him to relinquish that role
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Trump’s gatekeeper to the archives is Deputy AG Todd Blanche — a vestige of days as Trump’s personal lawyer. Now a watchdog group is urging him to relinquish that role
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Watchdog group urges Blanche to step aside as Trump’s records gatekeeper
The deputy attorney general is also Trump’s representative to the National Archives.
www.politico.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:58 AM
NEW: In 4 days, records of Trump’s first term will become publicly available via NARA.
Trump’s gatekeeper to the archives is Deputy AG Todd Blanche — a vestige of days as Trump’s personal lawyer. Now a watchdog group is urging him to relinquish that role
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Trump’s gatekeeper to the archives is Deputy AG Todd Blanche — a vestige of days as Trump’s personal lawyer. Now a watchdog group is urging him to relinquish that role
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
NEW: A federal judge today blasted Secretaries Noem and Rubio, saying they led an 'unconstitutional conspiracy' to violate the free speech of foreign students with pro-Palestinian views.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social @hassankanu.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social @hassankanu.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 16, 2026 at 3:50 AM
NEW: A federal judge today blasted Secretaries Noem and Rubio, saying they led an 'unconstitutional conspiracy' to violate the free speech of foreign students with pro-Palestinian views.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social @hassankanu.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social @hassankanu.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
JUST IN: DOJ concludes that a federal ban on mailing concealable firearms is unconstitutional, saying the ban cannot be enforced and the Postal Service should remove its restrictions. www.justice.gov/olc/media/14...
January 15, 2026 at 7:12 PM
JUST IN: DOJ concludes that a federal ban on mailing concealable firearms is unconstitutional, saying the ban cannot be enforced and the Postal Service should remove its restrictions. www.justice.gov/olc/media/14...
JUST IN: New ACLU class action lawsuit in Minnesota seeks to bar ICE from stopping Latino and Somali residents without probable cause. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 15, 2026 at 5:47 PM
JUST IN: New ACLU class action lawsuit in Minnesota seeks to bar ICE from stopping Latino and Somali residents without probable cause. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The man the Trump administration accused of leaking classified info to the Washington Post notes in court papers that prosecutors have not presented any evidence he actually disseminated classified info.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 15, 2026 at 5:38 PM
The man the Trump administration accused of leaking classified info to the Washington Post notes in court papers that prosecutors have not presented any evidence he actually disseminated classified info.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
NEW: President Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act adds fuel to an increasingly volatile situation in Minneapolis, particularly as judges weigh the legality of ICE's deployment and tactics.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 15, 2026 at 2:52 PM
NEW: President Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act adds fuel to an increasingly volatile situation in Minneapolis, particularly as judges weigh the legality of ICE's deployment and tactics.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
JUST IN: Big win for the Trump administration in the 3rd Circuit, ruling that a federal judge in NJ never had jurisdiction to consider Mahmoud Khalil's challenge to his detention.
Unclear what immediate effect it will have given tangle of other issues/rulings.
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Unclear what immediate effect it will have given tangle of other issues/rulings.
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
January 15, 2026 at 1:53 PM
JUST IN: Big win for the Trump administration in the 3rd Circuit, ruling that a federal judge in NJ never had jurisdiction to consider Mahmoud Khalil's challenge to his detention.
Unclear what immediate effect it will have given tangle of other issues/rulings.
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Unclear what immediate effect it will have given tangle of other issues/rulings.
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
A federal judge has barred USDA from cutting funds to help Minnesota administer its SNAP program.
January 14, 2026 at 11:42 PM
A federal judge has barred USDA from cutting funds to help Minnesota administer its SNAP program.
NEW: A defense contractor charged with keeping classified info in his home and car led FBI officials to search the home of WaPo reporter Hannah Natanson.
There's no indication in the criminal case, at this point, that the man "disseminated" classified info.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
There's no indication in the criminal case, at this point, that the man "disseminated" classified info.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 14, 2026 at 4:35 PM
NEW: A defense contractor charged with keeping classified info in his home and car led FBI officials to search the home of WaPo reporter Hannah Natanson.
There's no indication in the criminal case, at this point, that the man "disseminated" classified info.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
There's no indication in the criminal case, at this point, that the man "disseminated" classified info.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Judge COBB is asking the Trump administration to prove that it isn't using prohibited funding to bar members of Congress from touring ICE facilities without notice.
Attorneys for the lawmakers say DHS is defying Cobb's December order blocking this policy.
Attorneys for the lawmakers say DHS is defying Cobb's December order blocking this policy.
January 14, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Judge COBB is asking the Trump administration to prove that it isn't using prohibited funding to bar members of Congress from touring ICE facilities without notice.
Attorneys for the lawmakers say DHS is defying Cobb's December order blocking this policy.
Attorneys for the lawmakers say DHS is defying Cobb's December order blocking this policy.
Reporting suggests that the search warrant for Post reporter Hannah Natanson's home stemmed from the case of Aurelio Perez-Lugones, who is currently facing charges of illegally removing and retaining classified information.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 14, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Reporting suggests that the search warrant for Post reporter Hannah Natanson's home stemmed from the case of Aurelio Perez-Lugones, who is currently facing charges of illegally removing and retaining classified information.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
HAPPENING NOW: In federal court in MN, DOJ is struggling to articulate why a person following an ICE vehicle — so long as they are obeying traffic laws — can be stopped for "reasonable suspicion" of a crime.
Judge Menendez sharply questioning that contention.
Judge Menendez sharply questioning that contention.
January 13, 2026 at 4:28 PM
HAPPENING NOW: In federal court in MN, DOJ is struggling to articulate why a person following an ICE vehicle — so long as they are obeying traffic laws — can be stopped for "reasonable suspicion" of a crime.
Judge Menendez sharply questioning that contention.
Judge Menendez sharply questioning that contention.
NEW: President Donald Trump’s campaign to criminally investigate his political adversaries keeps running into an intractable problem: his mouth.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Trump may have damaged the case against Jerome Powell before it’s even begun
Trump’s long-running attacks against the Fed chief could complicate any effort to prosecute him.
www.politico.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:09 PM
NEW: President Donald Trump’s campaign to criminally investigate his political adversaries keeps running into an intractable problem: his mouth.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
JUST IN: Rubio tells Judge Boasberg that there’s no way to retrieve the 137 Venezuelans deported under the Alien Enemies Act — or even offer them due process — given the delicate negotiations with Venezuela’s new post-Maduro regime. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Declaration of Secretary of State Rubio – #229, Att. #1 in J.G.G. v. TRUMP (D.D.C., 1:25-cv-00766) – CourtListener.com
NOTICE of Response to Court Order by PAMELA J. BONDI, PETER B. HEGSETH, KRISTI L. NOEM, MARCO A. RUBIO, MADISON SHEAHAN, DONALD J. TRUMP, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURI...
storage.courtlistener.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:16 AM
JUST IN: Rubio tells Judge Boasberg that there’s no way to retrieve the 137 Venezuelans deported under the Alien Enemies Act — or even offer them due process — given the delicate negotiations with Venezuela’s new post-Maduro regime. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
JUST IN: Sen. Kelly is suing Secretary Hegseth -- precise details of lawsuit are not yet docketed.
January 12, 2026 at 6:31 PM
JUST IN: Sen. Kelly is suing Secretary Hegseth -- precise details of lawsuit are not yet docketed.
JUST IN: Judge Mehta rules that Trump/Russ Vought's termination of environmental grants during the shutdown — targeted solely at states that voted for Kamala Harris — violated the 5th Amendment's Equal Protection clause and orders them restored.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
January 12, 2026 at 6:04 PM
JUST IN: Judge Mehta rules that Trump/Russ Vought's termination of environmental grants during the shutdown — targeted solely at states that voted for Kamala Harris — violated the 5th Amendment's Equal Protection clause and orders them restored.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
JUST IN: A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore $12 million in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics, saying the terminations appear to be retaliation for the group's view points re: vaccine safety/efficacy. ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
January 12, 2026 at 4:29 AM
JUST IN: A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore $12 million in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics, saying the terminations appear to be retaliation for the group's view points re: vaccine safety/efficacy. ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...