Megan Stifel
@megans.bsky.social
Mom. Cyber & NatSec policy and law. Not what you might think.
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Pinned
Reposted by Megan Stifel
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination
Audio recordings, intercepted phone calls and other intelligence link Mohammed bin Salman to killing that Saudis say was conducted by rogue elements.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
Reposted by Megan Stifel
Will a single reporter ever ask Trump or Bondi why they're suddenly opening up investigations into Epstein again after declaring DOJ had closed its investigation into Epstein and potential co-conspirators because they'd concluded there was nothing actionable there?
www.rawstory.com/jeffrey-epst...
www.rawstory.com/jeffrey-epst...
'He finally learned his lesson': Mike Johnson pummeled by GOP colleague over Epstein delay
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was dragged Sunday by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) over having dragged out efforts to force the Justice Department to release its files on Jeffrey Epstein, with the Kent...
www.rawstory.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Will a single reporter ever ask Trump or Bondi why they're suddenly opening up investigations into Epstein again after declaring DOJ had closed its investigation into Epstein and potential co-conspirators because they'd concluded there was nothing actionable there?
www.rawstory.com/jeffrey-epst...
www.rawstory.com/jeffrey-epst...
Reposted by Megan Stifel
This should alarm everyone.
On Thursday, Florida, by unanimous vote, became the first state in the country to adopt “The Phoenix Declaration: An American Vision for Education.”
It was written by the Heritage Foundation, the same group behind Project 2025.
THIS IS INDOCTRINATION
On Thursday, Florida, by unanimous vote, became the first state in the country to adopt “The Phoenix Declaration: An American Vision for Education.”
It was written by the Heritage Foundation, the same group behind Project 2025.
THIS IS INDOCTRINATION
November 17, 2025 at 12:21 AM
This should alarm everyone.
On Thursday, Florida, by unanimous vote, became the first state in the country to adopt “The Phoenix Declaration: An American Vision for Education.”
It was written by the Heritage Foundation, the same group behind Project 2025.
THIS IS INDOCTRINATION
On Thursday, Florida, by unanimous vote, became the first state in the country to adopt “The Phoenix Declaration: An American Vision for Education.”
It was written by the Heritage Foundation, the same group behind Project 2025.
THIS IS INDOCTRINATION
Reposted by Megan Stifel
I know I’m a broken record at this point, but I cannot believe the media has largely ignored Donald Trump admitting he has no idea who he’s pardoning. Like, every day he’s pardoning at least a handful of people, and he has no idea who the hell they are. They’re just buying a pardon. What the fuck?
November 17, 2025 at 2:10 AM
I know I’m a broken record at this point, but I cannot believe the media has largely ignored Donald Trump admitting he has no idea who he’s pardoning. Like, every day he’s pardoning at least a handful of people, and he has no idea who the hell they are. They’re just buying a pardon. What the fuck?
Reposted by Megan Stifel
A federal appeals court has upheld the hate crime convictions of three white men who chased and killed Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia more than five years ago
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...
via ABC News App
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...
via ABC News App
US appeals court upholds hate crime convictions of white men in Ahmaud Arbery killing
A federal appeals court has upheld the hate crime convictions of three white men who chased and killed Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia more than five years ago
abcnews.go.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:49 AM
A federal appeals court has upheld the hate crime convictions of three white men who chased and killed Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia more than five years ago
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...
via ABC News App
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...
via ABC News App
Reposted by Megan Stifel
UPDATE: Today, DOJ filed an "emergency" motion in the Ninth Circuit seeking a stay of Judge Immergut's Nov. 7 ruling siding with Oregon (and others suing) in the case over Trump's effort to federalize and deploy National Guard troops in the state.
Filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 17, 2025 at 3:08 AM
UPDATE: Today, DOJ filed an "emergency" motion in the Ninth Circuit seeking a stay of Judge Immergut's Nov. 7 ruling siding with Oregon (and others suing) in the case over Trump's effort to federalize and deploy National Guard troops in the state.
Filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Filing: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Megan Stifel
The use of terror is not a byproduct of Trumpian politics: it is central to how he governs.
(Politico) - An Indiana Senate Republican who President Donald Trump called out in a Truth Social post Sunday for not backing the White House’s plan to draw new congressional maps was later targeted by a swatting, according to local authorities.
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
November 17, 2025 at 2:15 AM
The use of terror is not a byproduct of Trumpian politics: it is central to how he governs.
Reposted by Megan Stifel
Trump doesn’t have to call on House Republican to vote to release the file.
Trump can order Bondi and Patel to release the files. Tomorrow.
The question is, has he already ordered Bondi and Patel to destroy some of the files after they went through them months ago.
Trump can order Bondi and Patel to release the files. Tomorrow.
The question is, has he already ordered Bondi and Patel to destroy some of the files after they went through them months ago.
Trump: "House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide."
November 17, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Trump doesn’t have to call on House Republican to vote to release the file.
Trump can order Bondi and Patel to release the files. Tomorrow.
The question is, has he already ordered Bondi and Patel to destroy some of the files after they went through them months ago.
Trump can order Bondi and Patel to release the files. Tomorrow.
The question is, has he already ordered Bondi and Patel to destroy some of the files after they went through them months ago.
Reposted by Megan Stifel
“The influence that money played in securing this pardon is unprecedented,” says Elizabeth Oyer, former U.S. pardon attorney, about President Trump’s pardon of crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao.
Zhao didn’t respond to 60 Minutes’ request for an interview. cbsn.ws/4806u9Y
Zhao didn’t respond to 60 Minutes’ request for an interview. cbsn.ws/4806u9Y
November 17, 2025 at 12:53 AM
“The influence that money played in securing this pardon is unprecedented,” says Elizabeth Oyer, former U.S. pardon attorney, about President Trump’s pardon of crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao.
Zhao didn’t respond to 60 Minutes’ request for an interview. cbsn.ws/4806u9Y
Zhao didn’t respond to 60 Minutes’ request for an interview. cbsn.ws/4806u9Y
As you absorb this information keep the reviewing attorneys in mind.
Among the thankless jobs taken for granted.
Among the thankless jobs taken for granted.
November 13, 2025 at 3:14 AM
As you absorb this information keep the reviewing attorneys in mind.
Among the thankless jobs taken for granted.
Among the thankless jobs taken for granted.
Thank you, Veterans, for your service, sacrifice, and commitment to democracy! 🇺🇸
November 11, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Thank you, Veterans, for your service, sacrifice, and commitment to democracy! 🇺🇸
Reposted by Megan Stifel
Kash Patel did what anybody would do when taking heat for overusing their taxpayer-funded private jet: fly his private jet to Florida for a little break from it all. www.thebulwark.com/p/kash-patel...
Kash Patel’s Private Jet Problem Is Even Worse Than It Looks
This dude can’t stop flying to Nashville.
www.thebulwark.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Kash Patel did what anybody would do when taking heat for overusing their taxpayer-funded private jet: fly his private jet to Florida for a little break from it all. www.thebulwark.com/p/kash-patel...
Reposted by Megan Stifel
history will ultimately decide this but i think joyce carol oates might have just landed the most devastating burn in human history. like the death star trench run of posting
November 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
history will ultimately decide this but i think joyce carol oates might have just landed the most devastating burn in human history. like the death star trench run of posting
Reposted by Megan Stifel
highly recommend @qjurecic.bsky.social's piece in the atlantic. i think it's crucial to understand, as she notes, how overtly political trump admin repression is. it's not abt some bipartisan sense of threat. it's censorship to squash debate, civic space, criticism. the extremes of authoritarianism.
The Third Red Scare
The Trump administration is cracking down on Americans’ freedom of speech with a new viciousness, but the First Amendment won’t go down without a fight.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
highly recommend @qjurecic.bsky.social's piece in the atlantic. i think it's crucial to understand, as she notes, how overtly political trump admin repression is. it's not abt some bipartisan sense of threat. it's censorship to squash debate, civic space, criticism. the extremes of authoritarianism.
Reposted by Megan Stifel
So the oldest person ever to become president keeps falling asleep in his office during public events and there’s no big public discussion on how this is a coverup or how republicans are lying to us about how this government is running?
November 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM
So the oldest person ever to become president keeps falling asleep in his office during public events and there’s no big public discussion on how this is a coverup or how republicans are lying to us about how this government is running?
Reposted by Megan Stifel
Another pardoned January 6 attacker arrested and charged with other, new felonies (in this case, kidnapping and sexual assault).
And don’t miss the part where he got caught firing off a gun on Jan. 6. You may recall the argument that it couldn’t have been an insurrection because it wasn’t armed.
And don’t miss the part where he got caught firing off a gun on Jan. 6. You may recall the argument that it couldn’t have been an insurrection because it wasn’t armed.
A Trump supporter who fired off a gun during the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol was arrested last month on kidnapping and sexual assault charges, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois.
Former Jan. 6 defendant arrested on kidnapping and aggravated assault charges
The Utah man was previously charged with firing a gun outside the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.
www.nbcnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Another pardoned January 6 attacker arrested and charged with other, new felonies (in this case, kidnapping and sexual assault).
And don’t miss the part where he got caught firing off a gun on Jan. 6. You may recall the argument that it couldn’t have been an insurrection because it wasn’t armed.
And don’t miss the part where he got caught firing off a gun on Jan. 6. You may recall the argument that it couldn’t have been an insurrection because it wasn’t armed.
Reposted by Megan Stifel
I know several people who worked on this rollout. They were really proud of it.
The I.R.S. is shutting down its free online system for filing tax returns, a program that the Biden administration introduced last year and that users gave high marks.
via @tarasiegelbernard.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/b...
via @tarasiegelbernard.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/b...
I.R.S. Halts Free Online Offering for Filing Taxes Directly
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
I know several people who worked on this rollout. They were really proud of it.
Reposted by Megan Stifel
A must-read.
My new article "Immigration is Not Invasion" is now up on SSRN. It comprehensively explains why illegal migration and drug smuggling do not qualify as "invasion" under the Constitution and the Alien Enemies Act of 1798: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Immigration is Not Invasion
<div>
In recent years, state governments and the second Trump Administration have increasingly advanced the argument that illegal migration and cross-border dr
papers.ssrn.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:45 AM
A must-read.
November 9, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Reposted by Megan Stifel
Take down these names. Make sure they never work anywhere near Washington again.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
The Kennedy Center Crackup
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Take down these names. Make sure they never work anywhere near Washington again.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
Reposted by Megan Stifel
“President Trump has approved a pardon for a retired New York police officer who was sentenced in April to 18 months in prison for his participation in a Chinese government plot to locate, surveil and intimidate a family in the New Jersey suburbs.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
Trump Approves Pardon for Ex-Officer Convicted in a Chinese Government Plot
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:57 PM
“President Trump has approved a pardon for a retired New York police officer who was sentenced in April to 18 months in prison for his participation in a Chinese government plot to locate, surveil and intimidate a family in the New Jersey suburbs.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
Reposted by Megan Stifel
Crockett: When you go and you hit those booths come the midterms, think about which party decided that it was okay to literally be on vacation while people were going hungry in the streets of America.
November 8, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Crockett: When you go and you hit those booths come the midterms, think about which party decided that it was okay to literally be on vacation while people were going hungry in the streets of America.
Reposted by Megan Stifel
Sandwich verdict wasn’t jury nullification. It was failure to prove the required “reasonable fear of physical injury” in a case where the agent was wearing A BULLETPROOF VEST. The only crime was the waste of resources on this case. My thoughts in @MSNBCDaily.
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | The sandwich thrower was wrong. But Jeanine Pirro was, too.
To establish a forcible assault, jurors were required to find that Dunn caused “reasonable apprehension of immediate bodily harm.” That allegation was laughable.
www.msnbc.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Sandwich verdict wasn’t jury nullification. It was failure to prove the required “reasonable fear of physical injury” in a case where the agent was wearing A BULLETPROOF VEST. The only crime was the waste of resources on this case. My thoughts in @MSNBCDaily.
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Reposted by Megan Stifel
