Sam Levine
@samrlevine.bsky.social
Reporter covering voting rights at the Guardian
New: Former FHFA and FHFAOIG officials raise questions about Bill Pulte’s criminal referral of Lisa Cook. One called it “bizarre.” www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The ‘bizarre’ referral of the US housing finance agency chief to oust Lisa Cook
Former officials and experts say Bill Pulte’s request for inquiry into Fed governor’s alleged fraud is ‘unusual’
www.theguardian.com
September 7, 2025 at 12:37 PM
New: Former FHFA and FHFAOIG officials raise questions about Bill Pulte’s criminal referral of Lisa Cook. One called it “bizarre.” www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
New: An immigration judge ordered a New York waiter released on bond. ICE is refusing to release him.
How the Trump admin is taking advantage of a rarely used rule to keep people detained when judges grant them bond www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
How the Trump admin is taking advantage of a rarely used rule to keep people detained when judges grant them bond www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘I’m not coming home’: Trump policy holds people in Ice custody without bail
Restaurant worker’s case shows how Trump administration is ‘inflicting the maximum punishment’, experts say
www.theguardian.com
August 31, 2025 at 11:51 AM
New: An immigration judge ordered a New York waiter released on bond. ICE is refusing to release him.
How the Trump admin is taking advantage of a rarely used rule to keep people detained when judges grant them bond www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
How the Trump admin is taking advantage of a rarely used rule to keep people detained when judges grant them bond www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
When Mike Gordon showed up for work on June 27, he was having one of the best weeks of his career. By the end of the day, he was fired.
I profiled Gordon, a career prosecutor who was fired for taking on high profile Jan 6 cases. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
I profiled Gordon, a career prosecutor who was fired for taking on high profile Jan 6 cases. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Pam Bondi fired him for prosecuting January 6 rioters. He’d do it again: ‘it’s about justice’
After volunteering to take on cases, Mike Gordon became known as a skilled litigator who took on high profile defendants
www.theguardian.com
August 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
When Mike Gordon showed up for work on June 27, he was having one of the best weeks of his career. By the end of the day, he was fired.
I profiled Gordon, a career prosecutor who was fired for taking on high profile Jan 6 cases. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
I profiled Gordon, a career prosecutor who was fired for taking on high profile Jan 6 cases. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Sam Levine
Our analysis of detailed arrest and deportation data hows just how drastically the ICE immigration enforcement apparatus has transformed under Trump. With @wcraft.bsky.social
& Andrew Witherspoon.
& Andrew Witherspoon.
How Trump has supercharged the immigration crackdown - in data
Revealed: Guardian analysis provides a detailed picture of surging arrests and a detention system that’s stretched beyond capacity
www.theguardian.com
July 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Our analysis of detailed arrest and deportation data hows just how drastically the ICE immigration enforcement apparatus has transformed under Trump. With @wcraft.bsky.social
& Andrew Witherspoon.
& Andrew Witherspoon.
New: As Trump wages an attack on the legal system, lawyers are setting up their own firms to defend those targeted by the administration www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US lawyers set up own firms to lead legal fightback in face of Trump onslaught
Several law firms have capitulated to Trump pressure leaving but some lawyers have left to fight government cuts
www.theguardian.com
May 18, 2025 at 11:45 AM
New: As Trump wages an attack on the legal system, lawyers are setting up their own firms to defend those targeted by the administration www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Scoop: DOJ officials asked some attorneys in the civil rights division to reconsider their decision to leave amid a mass exodus of lawyers www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US justice department asks civil rights division attorneys to stay after mass exits
Officials also asked attorneys who were removed in April if they would consider returning to handle civil rights work
www.theguardian.com
May 14, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Scoop: DOJ officials asked some attorneys in the civil rights division to reconsider their decision to leave amid a mass exodus of lawyers www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Scoop: All of the managers in DOJ's voting section have been remove and political appointees have told attorneys to dismiss all active cases without explanation www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump’s justice department appointees remove managers of voting unit
Section is responsible for enforcing laws designed to prevent voter discrimination, raised alarm about voting rights enforcement
www.theguardian.com
April 28, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Scoop: All of the managers in DOJ's voting section have been remove and political appointees have told attorneys to dismiss all active cases without explanation www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
I interviewed @allisonjriggs.bsky.social about efforts to overturn her election to the NC supreme court. “This is not just a North Carolina problem. This is an existential threat to democracy," she said. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘An existential threat to democracy’: the US judge facing a challenge to her election victory
Allison Riggs won in November – but a court ruling has put ballots in North Carolina under threat. The stakes are high
www.theguardian.com
April 15, 2025 at 3:56 PM
I interviewed @allisonjriggs.bsky.social about efforts to overturn her election to the NC supreme court. “This is not just a North Carolina problem. This is an existential threat to democracy," she said. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Sam Levine
NEW on @npr.org:
A DOGE staffer working in the Social Security Administration has been pushing questionable claims about noncitizens voting — apparently using data that court records suggest DOGE shouldn't have.
More on the claims and the latest in DOGE access concerns:
A DOGE staffer working in the Social Security Administration has been pushing questionable claims about noncitizens voting — apparently using data that court records suggest DOGE shouldn't have.
More on the claims and the latest in DOGE access concerns:
How DOGE may have improperly used Social Security data to push voter fraud narratives
A DOGE staffer working in the Social Security Administration has been pushing questionable claims about noncitizens voting — apparently using data that court records suggest DOGE shouldn't have.
www.npr.org
April 11, 2025 at 10:38 AM
NEW on @npr.org:
A DOGE staffer working in the Social Security Administration has been pushing questionable claims about noncitizens voting — apparently using data that court records suggest DOGE shouldn't have.
More on the claims and the latest in DOGE access concerns:
A DOGE staffer working in the Social Security Administration has been pushing questionable claims about noncitizens voting — apparently using data that court records suggest DOGE shouldn't have.
More on the claims and the latest in DOGE access concerns:
New: Nearly two dozen law firms have quietly scrubbed deferences to diversity on their webpages, and some have revised their descriptions of pro-bono work to remove areas that don't align with Trump administration goals www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US law firms quietly scrub DEI references from websites to appease Trump
Changes at two dozen prestigious firms underscore Trump’s successful intimidation campaign against legal profession
www.theguardian.com
April 11, 2025 at 2:27 PM
New: Nearly two dozen law firms have quietly scrubbed deferences to diversity on their webpages, and some have revised their descriptions of pro-bono work to remove areas that don't align with Trump administration goals www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Sam Levine
Both houses of the Mississippi legislature voted overwhelmingly to create an in-person early voting option, but a procedural block prevented it from being sent to Gov. Tate Reeves, killing the bill for this session.
apnews.com/us-news/tate...
apnews.com/us-news/tate...
Early voting proposal killed on last day of Mississippi legislative session
Mississippi will remain one of only three states without no-excuse early voting or absentee voting. Senate leaders decided on the last day of their 2025 session not to send a bill to Gov.
apnews.com
April 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Both houses of the Mississippi legislature voted overwhelmingly to create an in-person early voting option, but a procedural block prevented it from being sent to Gov. Tate Reeves, killing the bill for this session.
apnews.com/us-news/tate...
apnews.com/us-news/tate...
North Carolina judges back Republican colleague in bid to toss votes and overturn election www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
North Carolina judges back Republican colleague in bid to toss votes and overturn election
Appeals court sides with Jefferson Griffin, who lost supreme court election and wants thousands of ballots thrown out
www.theguardian.com
April 4, 2025 at 7:24 PM
North Carolina judges back Republican colleague in bid to toss votes and overturn election www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
More than 80 ex-staffers of top law firm express ‘deep outrage’ over Trump deal www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
More than 80 ex-staffers of top law firm express ‘deep outrage’ over Trump deal
Former Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom employees say firm has ‘caved’ to the administration’s ‘bullying’ in letter
www.theguardian.com
April 4, 2025 at 7:24 PM
More than 80 ex-staffers of top law firm express ‘deep outrage’ over Trump deal www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
SCOTUS hears a dispute this morning over Louisiana’s congressional map with huge stakes for how race is used in redistricting www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Voting rights saga over race-based redistricting comes to US supreme court
Case regarding Louisiana’s majority-Black districts could be vehicle for court to further weaken the Voting Rights Act
www.theguardian.com
March 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
SCOTUS hears a dispute this morning over Louisiana’s congressional map with huge stakes for how race is used in redistricting www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
“I will tell you that judges are human, just like everybody else. We have emotions, we have fears, we have concerns for our family members and for our own safety,” said Judge Esther Salas. “It does impact a judicial officer.” www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump’s defiance of court orders is ‘testing the fences’ of the rule of law
Administration’s ‘unprecedented degree of resistance’ to judiciary undercuts its authority and weakens democracy
www.theguardian.com
March 23, 2025 at 1:07 PM
“I will tell you that judges are human, just like everybody else. We have emotions, we have fears, we have concerns for our family members and for our own safety,” said Judge Esther Salas. “It does impact a judicial officer.” www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Sam Levine
Sec. Noem sent a letter to the National Association of Secretaries of State *on Friday* that states would be able to "continue to receive products and services offered by CISA security advisors and through the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center."
March 11, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Sec. Noem sent a letter to the National Association of Secretaries of State *on Friday* that states would be able to "continue to receive products and services offered by CISA security advisors and through the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center."
North Carolina denies Republican request to disqualify 60,000 votes in state supreme court race www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
North Carolina denies Republican request to disqualify 60,000 votes in state supreme court race
Board turns away challenges to voters whose registrations Republicans targeted because they lacked social security or driver’s license number
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2024 at 8:43 PM
North Carolina denies Republican request to disqualify 60,000 votes in state supreme court race www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
NC state board of election is beginning hearing on request to throw out 60,000 votes in state supreme court contest that was decided by around 700 votes www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
North Carolina to hear Republican plea to disqualify 60,000 votes in state supreme court race
Allison Riggs, Democratic candidate, edged out Jefferson Griffin by 734 votes, with partial hand recount favoring her
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2024 at 5:45 PM
NC state board of election is beginning hearing on request to throw out 60,000 votes in state supreme court contest that was decided by around 700 votes www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
Most recent Murdoch succession drama was reportedly set off by an episode of the HBO show "Succession" www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/b...
December 9, 2024 at 8:09 PM
Most recent Murdoch succession drama was reportedly set off by an episode of the HBO show "Succession" www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/b...
Understanding local election officials face a lot of pressure, it's a bit bizarre to see that officials in a key PA county say there's absolutely nothing they could have done differently to have prevented 6 hour wait & attributing delay to...the weather?
December 9, 2024 at 4:31 PM
Understanding local election officials face a lot of pressure, it's a bit bizarre to see that officials in a key PA county say there's absolutely nothing they could have done differently to have prevented 6 hour wait & attributing delay to...the weather?
U.S. district judge Beryl Howell rejected a pro se request sent by Rudy Giuilani asking for an extension to respond to civil contempt request. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
December 4, 2024 at 8:36 PM
U.S. district judge Beryl Howell rejected a pro se request sent by Rudy Giuilani asking for an extension to respond to civil contempt request. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Lawyers for Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss say that Rudy Giuliani should be held in civil contempt by default because he never responded to their motion. Background: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
December 3, 2024 at 8:33 PM
Lawyers for Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss say that Rudy Giuliani should be held in civil contempt by default because he never responded to their motion. Background: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
What is a presidential pardon and how has it been used in the US? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
What is a presidential pardon and how has it been used in the US?
The US is somewhat unique in letting its chief executive pardon without having to get signoff – here’s what to know
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2024 at 10:04 PM
What is a presidential pardon and how has it been used in the US? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
Reposted by Sam Levine
The last recount for an Iowa legislative race wrapped up yesterday and confirmed Democratic State Rep Monica Kurth defeated Nathan Ramker by 45 votes in HD-98 (part of Davenport).
Republicans will have a 67-33 Iowa House majority, up from 64-36 for the past two years. #ialegis
Republicans will have a 67-33 Iowa House majority, up from 64-36 for the past two years. #ialegis
November 27, 2024 at 2:34 PM
The last recount for an Iowa legislative race wrapped up yesterday and confirmed Democratic State Rep Monica Kurth defeated Nathan Ramker by 45 votes in HD-98 (part of Davenport).
Republicans will have a 67-33 Iowa House majority, up from 64-36 for the past two years. #ialegis
Republicans will have a 67-33 Iowa House majority, up from 64-36 for the past two years. #ialegis
Reposted by Sam Levine
JUST IN: A Minnesota recount confirms that Democrat Dan Wolgamott won reelection. This was last district to be recounted.
This means the state House will be tied, 67-67.
(A GOP win here would have given them the edge.)
Unclear what a power-sharing agreement will look like.
This means the state House will be tied, 67-67.
(A GOP win here would have given them the edge.)
Unclear what a power-sharing agreement will look like.
November 25, 2024 at 10:27 PM
JUST IN: A Minnesota recount confirms that Democrat Dan Wolgamott won reelection. This was last district to be recounted.
This means the state House will be tied, 67-67.
(A GOP win here would have given them the edge.)
Unclear what a power-sharing agreement will look like.
This means the state House will be tied, 67-67.
(A GOP win here would have given them the edge.)
Unclear what a power-sharing agreement will look like.