Radley Balko
@radleybalko.bsky.social
Journalist. Quattrone Center journalism fellow.
Author: Rise of the Warrior Cop.
Co-author: The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist.
New podcast: Collateral Damage
Substack: radleybalko.substack.com
Signal: radleybalko.52
Author: Rise of the Warrior Cop.
Co-author: The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist.
New podcast: Collateral Damage
Substack: radleybalko.substack.com
Signal: radleybalko.52
Reposted by Radley Balko
Circle back to this one. It’s still a crime for an agency head to lie to Congress, last I checked.
Asked about the Maine ICE agent who told a protester that her info would be entered into a "nice little database," Lyons said there is no such database.
"There is no database that’s tracking U.S. citizens."
"There is no database that’s tracking U.S. citizens."
February 10, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Circle back to this one. It’s still a crime for an agency head to lie to Congress, last I checked.
Reposted by Radley Balko
My father in law published a deeply reported article about the real world impacts of the governments position on bond hearings a couple of weeks ago.
Helps provide the background to explain the Judge's exasperation at the government's bad faith behavior:
Helps provide the background to explain the Judge's exasperation at the government's bad faith behavior:
‘Is Bond Now Being Granted?’: Conflicting Orders Leave Detainees, Attorneys in Limbo - Documented
The Trump administration has continued to push mandatory detention despite a court order to stop.
documentedny.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:36 PM
My father in law published a deeply reported article about the real world impacts of the governments position on bond hearings a couple of weeks ago.
Helps provide the background to explain the Judge's exasperation at the government's bad faith behavior:
Helps provide the background to explain the Judge's exasperation at the government's bad faith behavior:
Reposted by Radley Balko
"[I]mmediate release is appropriate for two reasons. First, this Court has no faith that the Government would comply with an order to hold a bond hearing. ... Second, a bond hearing would be futile."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 10, 2026 at 4:12 PM
"[I]mmediate release is appropriate for two reasons. First, this Court has no faith that the Government would comply with an order to hold a bond hearing. ... Second, a bond hearing would be futile."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Radley Balko
Alarming new revelations about ICE's use of administrative subpoenas to get information about people the administration wanted to detain and deport because of their protests against government policies. theintercept.com/2026/02/10/g...
Google Handed ICE Student Journalist’s Bank and Credit Card Numbers
Amandla Thomas-Johnson didn't know how much information ICE requested in a subpoena now. Google never gave him a chance to fight it.
theintercept.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Alarming new revelations about ICE's use of administrative subpoenas to get information about people the administration wanted to detain and deport because of their protests against government policies. theintercept.com/2026/02/10/g...
Reposted by Radley Balko
Here's what DHS doesn't want you to know: Working for ICE is one of the safest jobs in America — and last year was the second-safest year for the agency on record.
And the doxxing? It hasn't actually happened even once.
The masks are justified by a lie. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-s-mask...
And the doxxing? It hasn't actually happened even once.
The masks are justified by a lie. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-s-mask...
ICE's Masks Are All a Lie
Working for ICE is actually less dangerous than being an elementary school student in America.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
February 10, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Here's what DHS doesn't want you to know: Working for ICE is one of the safest jobs in America — and last year was the second-safest year for the agency on record.
And the doxxing? It hasn't actually happened even once.
The masks are justified by a lie. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-s-mask...
And the doxxing? It hasn't actually happened even once.
The masks are justified by a lie. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-s-mask...
Reposted by Radley Balko
NEW: ICE is leasing offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
ICE Is Expanding Across the US at Breakneck Speed. Here’s Where It’s Going Next
ICE plans to lease offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
www.wired.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:07 PM
NEW: ICE is leasing offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
Reposted by Radley Balko
He doesn't know if the Census Bureau is part of the department he runs?! Or he doesn't know the Census Bureau establishes the poverty line?
Either way, that's the kind of staggering admission of utter cluelessness that should get this ass-kissing toady shown the door
Either way, that's the kind of staggering admission of utter cluelessness that should get this ass-kissing toady shown the door
KENNEDY: The Census Bureau is under your jurisdiction & responsible for defining what it means to be poor, is that right?
LUTNICK: I don't know
K: Well you need to look, bc it does. What's the % of Americans who live below poverty level?
L: I don't know
K: It's around 11%. It's been constant
LUTNICK: I don't know
K: Well you need to look, bc it does. What's the % of Americans who live below poverty level?
L: I don't know
K: It's around 11%. It's been constant
February 10, 2026 at 5:38 PM
He doesn't know if the Census Bureau is part of the department he runs?! Or he doesn't know the Census Bureau establishes the poverty line?
Either way, that's the kind of staggering admission of utter cluelessness that should get this ass-kissing toady shown the door
Either way, that's the kind of staggering admission of utter cluelessness that should get this ass-kissing toady shown the door
Reposted by Radley Balko
The ethic that the Trump administration is instilling in government agencies is one of evasion, defiance and dishonesty
ICE officials under a judge’s order to clean up squalid conditions on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza detained migrants on a secret floor where they decided that ruling didn’t apply, attorneys for the Trump administration said Monday.
www.thecity.nyc/2026/02/09/2...
www.thecity.nyc/2026/02/09/2...
ICE Moved Detainees to Previously Undisclosed Floor of 26 Federal Plaza
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reduce overcrowding and squalid conditions at a Manhattan holding room. Months later, he finds ICE merely shifted floors.
www.thecity.nyc
February 10, 2026 at 3:06 AM
The ethic that the Trump administration is instilling in government agencies is one of evasion, defiance and dishonesty
Reposted by Radley Balko
This is why domestic "shuffle" flights between ICE detention centers have skyrocketed, much moreso than ICE deportation flights.
When you are moved to a different jurisdiction, you have to refile your habeas petition all over again. They want to wear people down so they'll give up on their cases.
When you are moved to a different jurisdiction, you have to refile your habeas petition all over again. They want to wear people down so they'll give up on their cases.
February 10, 2026 at 3:26 PM
This is why domestic "shuffle" flights between ICE detention centers have skyrocketed, much moreso than ICE deportation flights.
When you are moved to a different jurisdiction, you have to refile your habeas petition all over again. They want to wear people down so they'll give up on their cases.
When you are moved to a different jurisdiction, you have to refile your habeas petition all over again. They want to wear people down so they'll give up on their cases.
Reposted by Radley Balko
Trump's racist video depicting the Obamas as apes wasn't a mistake—it's part of a pattern. From DHS posting neo-Nazi recruitment material to erasing slavery exhibits, white nationalism has become official government policy.
My latest in @theunpopulist.net
My latest in @theunpopulist.net
Trump's Vile Obama Video Follows the White House's Official White Nationalist Line
DHS and other agencies have been spewing racist goals as government policy
www.theunpopulist.net
February 9, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Trump's racist video depicting the Obamas as apes wasn't a mistake—it's part of a pattern. From DHS posting neo-Nazi recruitment material to erasing slavery exhibits, white nationalism has become official government policy.
My latest in @theunpopulist.net
My latest in @theunpopulist.net
Reposted by Radley Balko
Ex-LAPD Officer Clifford Proctor was indicted for murder.
Then, he spent a year flying internationally and living at his Southern California home without DHS or L.A. authorities trying to arrest him.
Latest from the "Wait... what?" files w/ @lacrimes.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Then, he spent a year flying internationally and living at his Southern California home without DHS or L.A. authorities trying to arrest him.
Latest from the "Wait... what?" files w/ @lacrimes.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Ex-cop wanted on murder charge flew overseas, lived in L.A. for a year without arrest
Former LAPD Officer Clifford Proctor was indicted for murder by an L.A. County grand jury in September 2024. He was able to leave the U.S. four times and live in Carson for more than a year before bei...
www.latimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Ex-LAPD Officer Clifford Proctor was indicted for murder.
Then, he spent a year flying internationally and living at his Southern California home without DHS or L.A. authorities trying to arrest him.
Latest from the "Wait... what?" files w/ @lacrimes.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Then, he spent a year flying internationally and living at his Southern California home without DHS or L.A. authorities trying to arrest him.
Latest from the "Wait... what?" files w/ @lacrimes.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Radley Balko
Thomas Massie is cooking right now and explicitly states that UAE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem was sending torture videos to Epstein
February 10, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Thomas Massie is cooking right now and explicitly states that UAE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem was sending torture videos to Epstein
Reposted by Radley Balko
In July 2006, Trump told Palm Beach police chief 'everyone' knew about Epstein and 'evil' Maxwell. But he continued to party and deal with them for another decade, at least (likely longer). www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...
Trump told Palm Beach police chief ‘everyone’ knew about Epstein, Maxwell was ‘evil’
The new information comes as Ghislaine Maxwell was summoned to appear Monday before a Congressional committee.
www.miamiherald.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:03 PM
In July 2006, Trump told Palm Beach police chief 'everyone' knew about Epstein and 'evil' Maxwell. But he continued to party and deal with them for another decade, at least (likely longer). www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Radley Balko
Reposted by Radley Balko
Was not expecting the “China is coming for our Stanley Cup playoffs” twist in this unhinged rant.
Yes, this is a real thing posted by the deranged lunatic today.
It must be so embarrassing to have to try to defend this nutjob
It must be so embarrassing to have to try to defend this nutjob
February 10, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Was not expecting the “China is coming for our Stanley Cup playoffs” twist in this unhinged rant.
Trump was mad that the FBI agents who searched his hime didn’t take off their shoes.
Fine. But the next time documents need to be retrieved from Mar-a-Lago, archivists will just send in the National Archives SWAT team! They will use explosive breaching charges; because why bother with niceties like asking courts for permission or knocking on doors?
This is literally what CURRENT LAW requires. It’s in the Constitution! www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 10, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Trump was mad that the FBI agents who searched his hime didn’t take off their shoes.
Reposted by Radley Balko
"If the government may simply seize *someone* without due process, there is no check on its ability to seize *anyone*."
Perhaps the most fundamental check against tyranny. And it is gravely threatened.
Perhaps the most fundamental check against tyranny. And it is gravely threatened.
BONUS RULING: Judge Thomas Johnston, a George W. Bush appoiintee in West Virginia, used a recent ruling to warn of the dangers of defying due process for immigrants because of what it could also mean for Americans. It's worth a read.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 10, 2026 at 1:40 PM
"If the government may simply seize *someone* without due process, there is no check on its ability to seize *anyone*."
Perhaps the most fundamental check against tyranny. And it is gravely threatened.
Perhaps the most fundamental check against tyranny. And it is gravely threatened.
Reposted by Radley Balko
this is incredibly frustrating. By framing this as a policy demand Dems are aiding a disinformation campaign that is intended to confuse the public about what is constitutionally required.
This is literally what CURRENT LAW requires. It’s in the Constitution! www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 10, 2026 at 2:11 PM
this is incredibly frustrating. By framing this as a policy demand Dems are aiding a disinformation campaign that is intended to confuse the public about what is constitutionally required.
Reposted by Radley Balko
“What are you doing about the reverse vampire problem”
It will surprise y’all to hear that there are no “Muslims taking over the state” and there is no “sharia law” in Texas that threatens anyone.
This is genuinely disgusting.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
This is genuinely disgusting.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
February 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM
“What are you doing about the reverse vampire problem”
Reposted by Radley Balko
New in PN: The death of the CIA Factbook and Trump's war on usefulness
"There’s nothing partisan about the CIA World Factbook, so it’s hard to imagine how allowing people to use it could impede the MAGA agenda. Unless, that is, you realize the Factbook had to go *precisely because it was useful.*"
"There’s nothing partisan about the CIA World Factbook, so it’s hard to imagine how allowing people to use it could impede the MAGA agenda. Unless, that is, you realize the Factbook had to go *precisely because it was useful.*"
The death of the CIA Factbook and Trump's war on usefulness
Wherever government does something helpful, the regime wants to kill it.
www.publicnotice.co
February 10, 2026 at 12:37 PM
New in PN: The death of the CIA Factbook and Trump's war on usefulness
"There’s nothing partisan about the CIA World Factbook, so it’s hard to imagine how allowing people to use it could impede the MAGA agenda. Unless, that is, you realize the Factbook had to go *precisely because it was useful.*"
"There’s nothing partisan about the CIA World Factbook, so it’s hard to imagine how allowing people to use it could impede the MAGA agenda. Unless, that is, you realize the Factbook had to go *precisely because it was useful.*"
Reposted by Radley Balko
This is literally what CURRENT LAW requires. It’s in the Constitution! www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 10, 2026 at 3:18 AM
This is literally what CURRENT LAW requires. It’s in the Constitution! www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Radley Balko
They terrorized this woman for nothing.
An immigration court dropped its case against Turkish graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk, a little less than a year after federal agents arrested her on a street near Tufts University
Immigration Court Drops Case Against Tufts Student Rumeysa Ozturk
The Turkish national had been arrested by plainclothes federal officers outside her apartment.
on.wsj.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:28 PM
They terrorized this woman for nothing.
Reposted by Radley Balko
Reposted by Radley Balko
And here's a fine PBS report on the Dilley concentration camp.
Doing the work so no one can say, "We didn't know."
Doing the work so no one can say, "We didn't know."
February 10, 2026 at 12:20 PM
And here's a fine PBS report on the Dilley concentration camp.
Doing the work so no one can say, "We didn't know."
Doing the work so no one can say, "We didn't know."