Randall Eliason
@rdeliason.bsky.social
White collar crime prof, former federal prosecutor, columnist and blogger, a cappella singer, husband, dad and grandpa.
Pinned
Randall Eliason
@rdeliason.bsky.social
· Feb 16
The Great Courses
www.thegreatcourses.com
There's never been a better time to become better informed about white collar crime topics such as fraud, public corruption, and obstruction of justice.
You can purchase my course, "White Collar Criminal Law Explained," at the Great Courses website.
www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/whit...
You can purchase my course, "White Collar Criminal Law Explained," at the Great Courses website.
www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/whit...
Reposted by Randall Eliason
For years I've argued that the "ham sandwich" critique is wrong and that the discipline of having to go through the grand jury to obtain an indictment still acts as an important check on prosecutorial power. Grand juries under the Trump regime continue to prove it.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
Grand Jury Rebuffs Justice Dept. Attempt to Indict 6 Democrats in Congress
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:25 AM
For years I've argued that the "ham sandwich" critique is wrong and that the discipline of having to go through the grand jury to obtain an indictment still acts as an important check on prosecutorial power. Grand juries under the Trump regime continue to prove it.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
OK, the Dunkin’ ad and the singing toilets were pretty funny.
February 9, 2026 at 1:14 AM
OK, the Dunkin’ ad and the singing toilets were pretty funny.
The curious thing, given the inroads Trump made with Hispanics last year, is Bannon's apparent assumption that keeping them away from the polls in November would be good for Republicans.
Sort of like Trump's attacks on mail-in voting - may hurt R's as much or more than D's.
Sort of like Trump's attacks on mail-in voting - may hurt R's as much or more than D's.
February 5, 2026 at 10:34 PM
The curious thing, given the inroads Trump made with Hispanics last year, is Bannon's apparent assumption that keeping them away from the polls in November would be good for Republicans.
Sort of like Trump's attacks on mail-in voting - may hurt R's as much or more than D's.
Sort of like Trump's attacks on mail-in voting - may hurt R's as much or more than D's.
The renovations undoubtedly will include lots of gold trimmings and a giant bust of Trump’s head to go next to JFK’s - but slightly larger, of course.
Trump: "I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time, with a scheduled Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything."
February 2, 2026 at 1:35 AM
The renovations undoubtedly will include lots of gold trimmings and a giant bust of Trump’s head to go next to JFK’s - but slightly larger, of course.
Reposted by Randall Eliason
WaPo’s editorial board STILL doesn’t grapple with why THREE trial judges, and THREE appellate courts found a gag order against Trump was necessary.
It also sidesteps that Smith AVOIDED a 1A battle by selecting charges that didn’t require proving incitement.
It also sidesteps that Smith AVOIDED a 1A battle by selecting charges that didn’t require proving incitement.
It continues to amaze me that the Washington Post appears more concerned about whether Trump’s gag order (prompted by his own unhinged attacks) was too broad than it is about his efforts to overturn the election, including unleashing a mob on the Capitol.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Jack Smith is in First Amendment denial
The former special counsel defends an indefensible bid to gag Donald Trump as he ran for president.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:07 PM
WaPo’s editorial board STILL doesn’t grapple with why THREE trial judges, and THREE appellate courts found a gag order against Trump was necessary.
It also sidesteps that Smith AVOIDED a 1A battle by selecting charges that didn’t require proving incitement.
It also sidesteps that Smith AVOIDED a 1A battle by selecting charges that didn’t require proving incitement.
It continues to amaze me that the Washington Post appears more concerned about whether Trump’s gag order (prompted by his own unhinged attacks) was too broad than it is about his efforts to overturn the election, including unleashing a mob on the Capitol.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Jack Smith is in First Amendment denial
The former special counsel defends an indefensible bid to gag Donald Trump as he ran for president.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:48 PM
It continues to amaze me that the Washington Post appears more concerned about whether Trump’s gag order (prompted by his own unhinged attacks) was too broad than it is about his efforts to overturn the election, including unleashing a mob on the Capitol.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Randall Eliason
this photo. minneapolis. 💜
📷️ Alex Kormann/Star Tribune
📷️ Alex Kormann/Star Tribune
January 23, 2026 at 10:04 PM
this photo. minneapolis. 💜
📷️ Alex Kormann/Star Tribune
📷️ Alex Kormann/Star Tribune
To feed the narrative of "Trump as victim" Republicans had to make Smith appear to be a deranged, rogue prosecutor. Unfortunately for them, he was about as far from deranged as one can imagine.
The same can't be said of some of the Republicans questioning him.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/jack-smith...
The same can't be said of some of the Republicans questioning him.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/jack-smith...
Jack Smith’s Testimony and the Republican Efforts to Rewrite History
"I'm not going to be intimidated"
www.sidebarsblog.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:49 PM
To feed the narrative of "Trump as victim" Republicans had to make Smith appear to be a deranged, rogue prosecutor. Unfortunately for them, he was about as far from deranged as one can imagine.
The same can't be said of some of the Republicans questioning him.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/jack-smith...
The same can't be said of some of the Republicans questioning him.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/jack-smith...
My latest on Sidebars: the Republican approach to the hearing can best be summed up as: “OK, so maybe Trump committed multiple felonies. But can we just talk for a minute about how you had the nerve to subpoena our phone records?”
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/jack-smith...
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/jack-smith...
Jack Smith’s Testimony and the Republican Efforts to Rewrite History
"I'm not going to be intimidated"
www.sidebarsblog.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:32 PM
My latest on Sidebars: the Republican approach to the hearing can best be summed up as: “OK, so maybe Trump committed multiple felonies. But can we just talk for a minute about how you had the nerve to subpoena our phone records?”
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/jack-smith...
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/jack-smith...
A proud moment for the Washington Post: Jim Jordan quotes their editorial arguing that prosecuting Trump for Jan. 6 would have violated the First Amendment, and enters it into the record.
January 22, 2026 at 4:02 PM
A proud moment for the Washington Post: Jim Jordan quotes their editorial arguing that prosecuting Trump for Jan. 6 would have violated the First Amendment, and enters it into the record.
Reposted by Randall Eliason
"Lindsey Halligan, tapped by President Trump to prosecute his enemies, has left the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of Virginia, Attorney General Pam Bondi said late Tuesday after a judge called Ms. Halligan’s bid to remain in office a “charade.”"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/u...
Halligan Leaves as U.S. Attorney After Mounting Pressure From Judges
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:04 AM
"Lindsey Halligan, tapped by President Trump to prosecute his enemies, has left the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of Virginia, Attorney General Pam Bondi said late Tuesday after a judge called Ms. Halligan’s bid to remain in office a “charade.”"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/u...
You’ve heard of fighting fire with fire?
Well, this is Minnesota in January, so …
Well, this is Minnesota in January, so …
Tricia McLaughlin: "They are pouring cold water on the ground so that our ICE law enforcement vehicles will slide, crash, and potentially kill them"
January 18, 2026 at 1:37 AM
You’ve heard of fighting fire with fire?
Well, this is Minnesota in January, so …
Well, this is Minnesota in January, so …
What they're not telling you is the "internal bleeding" was caused by other agents chest-bumping him and slapping him on the back to celebrate the shooting.
January 15, 2026 at 9:06 PM
What they're not telling you is the "internal bleeding" was caused by other agents chest-bumping him and slapping him on the back to celebrate the shooting.
My latest on Sidebars: a Washington Post editorial parroted Trump's failed legal arguments and political talking points regarding his DC prosecution.
These days, "Democracy Dies in Darkness" sounds less like a warning and more like a plan of action.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/the-washin...
These days, "Democracy Dies in Darkness" sounds less like a warning and more like a plan of action.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/the-washin...
The Washington Post's Misguided First Amendment Defense of Trump's Attempted Coup
"Democracy Dies in Darkness"
www.sidebarsblog.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:11 PM
My latest on Sidebars: a Washington Post editorial parroted Trump's failed legal arguments and political talking points regarding his DC prosecution.
These days, "Democracy Dies in Darkness" sounds less like a warning and more like a plan of action.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/the-washin...
These days, "Democracy Dies in Darkness" sounds less like a warning and more like a plan of action.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/the-washin...
My latest on Sidebars: a Washington Post editorial argued Jack Smith’s D.C. prosecution violated Trump’s free speech rights.
It's wrong on the law, misrepresents the nature of the case, and parrots Trump talking points.
Democracy dies in darkness, indeed.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/the-washin...
It's wrong on the law, misrepresents the nature of the case, and parrots Trump talking points.
Democracy dies in darkness, indeed.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/the-washin...
The Washington Post's Misguided First Amendment Defense of Trump's Attempted Coup
"Democracy Dies in Darkness"
www.sidebarsblog.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:56 PM
My latest on Sidebars: a Washington Post editorial argued Jack Smith’s D.C. prosecution violated Trump’s free speech rights.
It's wrong on the law, misrepresents the nature of the case, and parrots Trump talking points.
Democracy dies in darkness, indeed.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/the-washin...
It's wrong on the law, misrepresents the nature of the case, and parrots Trump talking points.
Democracy dies in darkness, indeed.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/the-washin...
The Washington Post has published my letter to the editor in response to their bonkers editorial claiming that Jack Smith violated Trump's First Amendment rights.
I'll have a blog post tomorrow that goes into the arguments in much greater detail.
wapo.st/49E0F3a
I'll have a blog post tomorrow that goes into the arguments in much greater detail.
wapo.st/49E0F3a
Opinion | Jack Smith is no anti-speech villain. And Trump is no victim.
Free speech, Jonathan Ross and cowboy hats, through readers’ eyes.
wapo.st
January 14, 2026 at 6:53 PM
The Washington Post has published my letter to the editor in response to their bonkers editorial claiming that Jack Smith violated Trump's First Amendment rights.
I'll have a blog post tomorrow that goes into the arguments in much greater detail.
wapo.st/49E0F3a
I'll have a blog post tomorrow that goes into the arguments in much greater detail.
wapo.st/49E0F3a
That ought to separate the locals from the invaders.
We've lead charmed weather lives so far in January.
Temperatures are +5F to +10F across MN so far this month. 🌡️
We're about to be reminded what persistent cold and occasional snow feels like. ❄️
MSP could bottom out -10 to -20 next Tue.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Temperatures are +5F to +10F across MN so far this month. 🌡️
We're about to be reminded what persistent cold and occasional snow feels like. ❄️
MSP could bottom out -10 to -20 next Tue.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Arctic cold and snow return to Minnesota
A pattern change brings much colder temperatures with occasional snow Thursday into the upcoming weekend.
www.mprnews.org
January 14, 2026 at 1:21 AM
That ought to separate the locals from the invaders.
More career prosecutors doing the honorable thing and resigning rather than submit to this Justice Department's corrupt commands.
DOJ is being systematically purged of good people who respect the rule of law and believe in keeping politics out of criminal prosecutions.
DOJ is being systematically purged of good people who respect the rule of law and believe in keeping politics out of criminal prosecutions.
These are absolutely monstrous people
"Mr. Thompson’s resignation came after senior DOJ officials pressed for a criminal investigation into the actions of the widow of Renee Nicole Good, the Minneapolis woman killed by an ICE agent"
"Mr. Thompson’s resignation came after senior DOJ officials pressed for a criminal investigation into the actions of the widow of Renee Nicole Good, the Minneapolis woman killed by an ICE agent"
3 Prosecutors Quit After Push to Investigate ICE Shooting Victim’s Widow
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
More career prosecutors doing the honorable thing and resigning rather than submit to this Justice Department's corrupt commands.
DOJ is being systematically purged of good people who respect the rule of law and believe in keeping politics out of criminal prosecutions.
DOJ is being systematically purged of good people who respect the rule of law and believe in keeping politics out of criminal prosecutions.
This is good - but is Tillis really just figuring out now that the "independence and credibility of the Department of Justice ... are in question?"
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Republican senator vows to block all Fed nominations after DoJ investigates Powell
Thom Tillis says he would oppose any nominee, including upcoming chair vacancy, ‘until legal matter is fully resolved’
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:01 PM
This is good - but is Tillis really just figuring out now that the "independence and credibility of the Department of Justice ... are in question?"
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Randall Eliason
Prosecutor: *Accurately summarizes the law*
Washington Post Editorial Board: That’s a bold claim by the prosecutor!
Washington Post Editorial Board: That’s a bold claim by the prosecutor!
Who is doing the legal analysis for the Washington Post editorial board and why are they so bad at it?
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
January 11, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Prosecutor: *Accurately summarizes the law*
Washington Post Editorial Board: That’s a bold claim by the prosecutor!
Washington Post Editorial Board: That’s a bold claim by the prosecutor!
Wait, now it's because of sex trafficking and child trafficking? Not crime, or immigration, or fraud?
The rationale keeps shifting - they're just making stuff up.
And "protecting kids" by storming their schools and arresting - or killing - their parents does not seem like a great strategy.
The rationale keeps shifting - they're just making stuff up.
And "protecting kids" by storming their schools and arresting - or killing - their parents does not seem like a great strategy.
Noem: "Every single thing I've said has been factual about what's been going on in Mpls, in Minnesota...we've surged HSI there to focus on sex trafficking & child trafficking. It's so prevalent in MN. It's horrific...we're gonna keep hundreds of HSI officers there to continue to protect those kids."
January 11, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Wait, now it's because of sex trafficking and child trafficking? Not crime, or immigration, or fraud?
The rationale keeps shifting - they're just making stuff up.
And "protecting kids" by storming their schools and arresting - or killing - their parents does not seem like a great strategy.
The rationale keeps shifting - they're just making stuff up.
And "protecting kids" by storming their schools and arresting - or killing - their parents does not seem like a great strategy.
Yes they do. And they should proceed with their own investigation, regardless of whether the FBI cooperates with them.
January 11, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Yes they do. And they should proceed with their own investigation, regardless of whether the FBI cooperates with them.
Yeah, no kidding. When Trump, Vance, and Noem have already declared the officer did nothing wrong, and given how Trump retaliates, what FBI agent is going to conclude the shooting was unjustified and contradict the boss?
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/u...
F.B.I.’s Inquiry Into ICE Shooting Faces Doubts After White House’s Remarks
www.nytimes.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Yeah, no kidding. When Trump, Vance, and Noem have already declared the officer did nothing wrong, and given how Trump retaliates, what FBI agent is going to conclude the shooting was unjustified and contradict the boss?
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/u...
The regime that looks at the videos of the January 6 Capitol riot and tells you they show a peaceful protest by patriots will look at the videos of the Minnesota shooting and tell you they show an officer righteously acting in self-defense.
January 10, 2026 at 3:45 PM
The regime that looks at the videos of the January 6 Capitol riot and tells you they show a peaceful protest by patriots will look at the videos of the Minnesota shooting and tell you they show an officer righteously acting in self-defense.