Lauren Harper
@laurenleharper.bsky.social
Daniel Ellsberg Chair on Government Secrecy at @freedom.press. Interested in reducing overclassification, FOIA reform, enforcement of the Presidential Records Act, and preservation of federal records. Opinions mine. Signal leharper.89
Reposted by Lauren Harper
Fascinating. So Congress knows how to write a bill allowing people to sue federal officers?! www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Fascinating. So Congress knows how to write a bill allowing people to sue federal officers?! www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Oh interesting - this bill would close a giant surveillance loophole for exactly 100 people and not for any of the other 340+ million people in this country.
Good thing Congress is getting back to the important business of governing!
Good thing Congress is getting back to the important business of governing!
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Oh interesting - this bill would close a giant surveillance loophole for exactly 100 people and not for any of the other 340+ million people in this country.
Good thing Congress is getting back to the important business of governing!
Good thing Congress is getting back to the important business of governing!
Have this funny (obvious) feeling they are still going to find a way to disrupt SNAP payments and backpay for furloughed workers.
Tim Kaine on backlash he's getting: "I got the first good night's sleep last night that I've gotten since Oct 1, b/c I wasn't worried about being able to look Capitol Police in the eye when I walked in, or what a furloughed fed worker would say to me at church, or what somebody would say about SNAP"
November 10, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Have this funny (obvious) feeling they are still going to find a way to disrupt SNAP payments and backpay for furloughed workers.
Read my mind. Submitted a FOIA today for all Bovino’s body worn camera footage beginning on 10/31 through the date they process the request - which I’m sure will be sometime around the year 2057.
Now that Greg Bovino is wearing his court-ordered body cam, he's wide open to FOIA requests, so have fun with that.
November 10, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Read my mind. Submitted a FOIA today for all Bovino’s body worn camera footage beginning on 10/31 through the date they process the request - which I’m sure will be sometime around the year 2057.
Reposted by Lauren Harper
Our new FOIA Forum is next week, Weds 19th! In this hour+ live-streamed event, we'll show you how researchers got Flock "network audits," which show what cops are tapping into Flock's nationwide network of AI surveillance cameras for, including helping ICE
Details: www.404media.co/our-new-foia...
Details: www.404media.co/our-new-foia...
Our New FOIA Forum! 11/19, 1PM ET
Come learn how researchers and others learned what cops were using Flock's nationwide network of cameras for, including searches for ICE.
www.404media.co
November 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Our new FOIA Forum is next week, Weds 19th! In this hour+ live-streamed event, we'll show you how researchers got Flock "network audits," which show what cops are tapping into Flock's nationwide network of AI surveillance cameras for, including helping ICE
Details: www.404media.co/our-new-foia...
Details: www.404media.co/our-new-foia...
Reposted by Lauren Harper
NEWS: The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a subcommittee hearing chaired by Cruz on 11/18 titled "Impeachment: Holding Rogue Judges Responsible"
This is a big escalation in the rhetoric we've been hearing for months on this
This is a big escalation in the rhetoric we've been hearing for months on this
November 10, 2025 at 7:09 PM
NEWS: The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a subcommittee hearing chaired by Cruz on 11/18 titled "Impeachment: Holding Rogue Judges Responsible"
This is a big escalation in the rhetoric we've been hearing for months on this
This is a big escalation in the rhetoric we've been hearing for months on this
I have been thinking about this point from @americalabs.org all morning.
“The reality is the government was shut down the first day Trump entered office. We just didn’t talk about it that way.”
“The reality is the government was shut down the first day Trump entered office. We just didn’t talk about it that way.”
We know this because he told us.
The reality is the government was shut down the first day Trump entered office. We just didn't talk about it that way.
The only real leverage Dems had is on appropriations. Schumer screwed that up in February/March for FY 26. It imperiled his political support.
The reality is the government was shut down the first day Trump entered office. We just didn't talk about it that way.
The only real leverage Dems had is on appropriations. Schumer screwed that up in February/March for FY 26. It imperiled his political support.
November 10, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I have been thinking about this point from @americalabs.org all morning.
“The reality is the government was shut down the first day Trump entered office. We just didn’t talk about it that way.”
“The reality is the government was shut down the first day Trump entered office. We just didn’t talk about it that way.”
Reposted by Lauren Harper
"[T]his is not just a secret war, but a secret unauthorized war. Or, in reality, a make-believe war, because most of these groups we probably couldn’t even be in a war with,” said @bcfinucane.bsky.social about US claims it is in armed conflict with 24 cartel groups
theintercept.com/2025/11/07/t...
theintercept.com/2025/11/07/t...
Trump Has a Secret List of 24 “Designated Terrorist Organizations.” We Got Some of the Names.
The U.S. claims it is engaged in “armed conflict” with Tren de Aragua, Ejército de Liberación Nacional, and Cártel de los Soles, among others.
theintercept.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:07 PM
"[T]his is not just a secret war, but a secret unauthorized war. Or, in reality, a make-believe war, because most of these groups we probably couldn’t even be in a war with,” said @bcfinucane.bsky.social about US claims it is in armed conflict with 24 cartel groups
theintercept.com/2025/11/07/t...
theintercept.com/2025/11/07/t...
Reposted by Lauren Harper
We know this because he told us.
The reality is the government was shut down the first day Trump entered office. We just didn't talk about it that way.
The only real leverage Dems had is on appropriations. Schumer screwed that up in February/March for FY 26. It imperiled his political support.
The reality is the government was shut down the first day Trump entered office. We just didn't talk about it that way.
The only real leverage Dems had is on appropriations. Schumer screwed that up in February/March for FY 26. It imperiled his political support.
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
We know this because he told us.
The reality is the government was shut down the first day Trump entered office. We just didn't talk about it that way.
The only real leverage Dems had is on appropriations. Schumer screwed that up in February/March for FY 26. It imperiled his political support.
The reality is the government was shut down the first day Trump entered office. We just didn't talk about it that way.
The only real leverage Dems had is on appropriations. Schumer screwed that up in February/March for FY 26. It imperiled his political support.
Has anybody found any of the DOJ quarterly reports detailing the "progress" of the weaponization working group?
The reports are supposed to be provided to the WH once a quarter. I just filed a FOIA for them but feel one or two must be floating around.
The reports are supposed to be provided to the WH once a quarter. I just filed a FOIA for them but feel one or two must be floating around.
November 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Has anybody found any of the DOJ quarterly reports detailing the "progress" of the weaponization working group?
The reports are supposed to be provided to the WH once a quarter. I just filed a FOIA for them but feel one or two must be floating around.
The reports are supposed to be provided to the WH once a quarter. I just filed a FOIA for them but feel one or two must be floating around.
The Labor Dept. seems to think that only white, blonde men need/deserve jobs.
We can guess what's motivating them, but an actual paper trail is always helpful for reporting and any future litigation.
So I've FOIA'd the AI search terms used to generate the images for its social media campaign.
We can guess what's motivating them, but an actual paper trail is always helpful for reporting and any future litigation.
So I've FOIA'd the AI search terms used to generate the images for its social media campaign.
Labor Department social media campaign depicts a White male workforce
The campaign has drawn scrutiny, with critics saying it is not realistically portraying the country’s diversity and is sending messages that feel exclusionary.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The Labor Dept. seems to think that only white, blonde men need/deserve jobs.
We can guess what's motivating them, but an actual paper trail is always helpful for reporting and any future litigation.
So I've FOIA'd the AI search terms used to generate the images for its social media campaign.
We can guess what's motivating them, but an actual paper trail is always helpful for reporting and any future litigation.
So I've FOIA'd the AI search terms used to generate the images for its social media campaign.
Make the National Security Council subject to FOIA again
Exclusive: US intel found Israeli military lawyers warned there was evidence of Gaza war crimes, former US officials say
The previously unreported intelligence pointed to doubts within the Israeli military about the legality of its tactics that contrasted sharply with Israel’s public stance defending its actions.
www.reuters.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Make the National Security Council subject to FOIA again
The FBI is basically saying that Gabbard is lying if she suggests that the IC 100% supports her having a bigger role in counterintelligence.
FOIAing the turf war between these two is fun; you never know when an agency is going to be generous in a FOIA response if it makes another agency look bad.
FOIAing the turf war between these two is fun; you never know when an agency is going to be generous in a FOIA response if it makes another agency look bad.
F.B.I. Opposes Push for Gabbard to Take Lead on Counterintelligence
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
The FBI is basically saying that Gabbard is lying if she suggests that the IC 100% supports her having a bigger role in counterintelligence.
FOIAing the turf war between these two is fun; you never know when an agency is going to be generous in a FOIA response if it makes another agency look bad.
FOIAing the turf war between these two is fun; you never know when an agency is going to be generous in a FOIA response if it makes another agency look bad.
How did Joe Kent twist the arm of a lower-level FBI employee to get access to the files around Charlie Kirk's murder to the extreme ire of Kash Patel?
Let's FOIA and find out.
Let's FOIA and find out.
Official’s Access to F.B.I. Files in Charlie Kirk Case Drew Pushback
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
How did Joe Kent twist the arm of a lower-level FBI employee to get access to the files around Charlie Kirk's murder to the extreme ire of Kash Patel?
Let's FOIA and find out.
Let's FOIA and find out.
Cue Kash Patel trying to take the Vault offline
ICYMI: I reviewed hundreds of internal FBI emails and documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
The records appear to undermine a core premise underlying the charges against James Comey.
My latest for @lawfaremedia.org:
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/more...
The records appear to undermine a core premise underlying the charges against James Comey.
My latest for @lawfaremedia.org:
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/more...
More Trouble for the Comey Indictment?
Public documents may undermine a core premise underlying the charges against James Comey.
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Cue Kash Patel trying to take the Vault offline
Reposted by Lauren Harper
ICYMI: I reviewed hundreds of internal FBI emails and documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
The records appear to undermine a core premise underlying the charges against James Comey.
My latest for @lawfaremedia.org:
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/more...
The records appear to undermine a core premise underlying the charges against James Comey.
My latest for @lawfaremedia.org:
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/more...
More Trouble for the Comey Indictment?
Public documents may undermine a core premise underlying the charges against James Comey.
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
ICYMI: I reviewed hundreds of internal FBI emails and documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
The records appear to undermine a core premise underlying the charges against James Comey.
My latest for @lawfaremedia.org:
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/more...
The records appear to undermine a core premise underlying the charges against James Comey.
My latest for @lawfaremedia.org:
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/more...
Off to go FOIA the responses to this memo because ffs what’s the consequence worse than people starving?
Breaking news: The Trump administration over the weekend ordered states to stop distributing full food assistance benefits for November to the 42 million low-income Americans risking food insecurity.
Trump administration orders states to pause paying full SNAP benefits
A memo issued by the Agriculture Dept. warns states that if they fail to comply with the new orders, they will face consequences.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Off to go FOIA the responses to this memo because ffs what’s the consequence worse than people starving?
Reposted by Lauren Harper
ICE agent in Chicago draws and trains a firearm on protestors armed with iPhones. Trump's America in 2025.
November 8, 2025 at 11:12 PM
ICE agent in Chicago draws and trains a firearm on protestors armed with iPhones. Trump's America in 2025.
Reposted by Lauren Harper
Hear from FPF's @laurenleharper.bsky.social and others at @publicknowledge.bsky.social's "The People’s Oversight Hearing," addressing Congress’s abdication of its oversight duties and more.
📍 1200 U Street Northwest, Washington D.C.
🕒 Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. EST
RSVP:
📍 1200 U Street Northwest, Washington D.C.
🕒 Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. EST
RSVP:
The People’s Oversight Hearing
All Day event
publicknowledge.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Hear from FPF's @laurenleharper.bsky.social and others at @publicknowledge.bsky.social's "The People’s Oversight Hearing," addressing Congress’s abdication of its oversight duties and more.
📍 1200 U Street Northwest, Washington D.C.
🕒 Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. EST
RSVP:
📍 1200 U Street Northwest, Washington D.C.
🕒 Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. EST
RSVP:
It's not clocking to the Trump administration that presidential artifacts and papers aren't knick knacks you can give away at parties because you want King Charles to like you.
After Declining to Give Trump a Sword for King Charles, a Museum Leader Is Out
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:59 PM
It's not clocking to the Trump administration that presidential artifacts and papers aren't knick knacks you can give away at parties because you want King Charles to like you.
These guys are too busy shooting priests to be taking screenshots of their texts.
In the year 2025 - as even DOGE could have told them - we need more automation in records preservation, not less. This is an obvious ploy to destroy/lose records.
In the year 2025 - as even DOGE could have told them - we need more automation in records preservation, not less. This is an obvious ploy to destroy/lose records.
“If you are an immigration official or an agent and believe that ... your records could help you be held accountable, would you go out of the way to preserve those records that might expose wrongdoing?” @laurenleharper.bsky.social told @nytimes.com.
To Preserve Records, Homeland Security Now Relies on Officials to Take Screenshots
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM
These guys are too busy shooting priests to be taking screenshots of their texts.
In the year 2025 - as even DOGE could have told them - we need more automation in records preservation, not less. This is an obvious ploy to destroy/lose records.
In the year 2025 - as even DOGE could have told them - we need more automation in records preservation, not less. This is an obvious ploy to destroy/lose records.
Reposted by Lauren Harper
If ICE is too busy stalking daycare pickups to read their emails from Congress, they should really be thanking Lauren for FOIAing them
Our attorney @kevinok.bsky.social is spot on: “ICE will find hiding from FOIA harder than simply pulling on their balaclavas, which tend to be frowned on in court.”
Read more about our latest FOIA lawsuit, in which we are represented by Free Information Group, here:
Read more about our latest FOIA lawsuit, in which we are represented by Free Information Group, here:
FPF takes ICE to court over dangerous secrecy
FOIA lawsuit targets ICE’s efforts to stop congressional oversight of detention facilities
freedom.press
November 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
If ICE is too busy stalking daycare pickups to read their emails from Congress, they should really be thanking Lauren for FOIAing them
Our attorney @kevinok.bsky.social is spot on: “ICE will find hiding from FOIA harder than simply pulling on their balaclavas, which tend to be frowned on in court.”
Read more about our latest FOIA lawsuit, in which we are represented by Free Information Group, here:
Read more about our latest FOIA lawsuit, in which we are represented by Free Information Group, here:
FPF takes ICE to court over dangerous secrecy
FOIA lawsuit targets ICE’s efforts to stop congressional oversight of detention facilities
freedom.press
November 7, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Our attorney @kevinok.bsky.social is spot on: “ICE will find hiding from FOIA harder than simply pulling on their balaclavas, which tend to be frowned on in court.”
Read more about our latest FOIA lawsuit, in which we are represented by Free Information Group, here:
Read more about our latest FOIA lawsuit, in which we are represented by Free Information Group, here:
“ICE loves to demand our papers but it seems they don’t like it as much when we demand theirs,” said Ginger Quintero-McCall, one of our attorneys in our most recent FOIA lawsuit against ICE.
Thank you to Ginger and @kevinok.bsky.social at Free Information Group making this suit possible.
Thank you to Ginger and @kevinok.bsky.social at Free Information Group making this suit possible.
FPF takes ICE to court over dangerous secrecy
FOIA lawsuit targets ICE’s efforts to stop congressional oversight of detention facilities
freedom.press
November 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
“ICE loves to demand our papers but it seems they don’t like it as much when we demand theirs,” said Ginger Quintero-McCall, one of our attorneys in our most recent FOIA lawsuit against ICE.
Thank you to Ginger and @kevinok.bsky.social at Free Information Group making this suit possible.
Thank you to Ginger and @kevinok.bsky.social at Free Information Group making this suit possible.