Secrets and Laws
@secretsandlaws.bsky.social
Former CIA attorney, addressing all things relating to national security, secrecy, classification, FOIA, climate change, and bird law.
The President is relying on the same legal theory for attacking Venezuela as he is for deploying US troops in American cities.
Let that sink in.
Let that sink in.
January 4, 2026 at 3:05 PM
The President is relying on the same legal theory for attacking Venezuela as he is for deploying US troops in American cities.
Let that sink in.
Let that sink in.
I still contend that this is the greatest DOJ redaction of all time.
December 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I still contend that this is the greatest DOJ redaction of all time.
Huh, what happened?
December 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Huh, what happened?
Reposted by Secrets and Laws
This is stunning. Blanche is claiming, with a straight face, that the only federal prison where a convicted sex offender can adequately be protected from other inmates just so happens to be a minimum security prison that gives her puppy playdates.
Truly preposterous.
Truly preposterous.
WELKER: Why was Ghislaine Maxwell moved just days after you interviewed her?
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
December 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This is stunning. Blanche is claiming, with a straight face, that the only federal prison where a convicted sex offender can adequately be protected from other inmates just so happens to be a minimum security prison that gives her puppy playdates.
Truly preposterous.
Truly preposterous.
This is stunning. Blanche is claiming, with a straight face, that the only federal prison where a convicted sex offender can adequately be protected from other inmates just so happens to be a minimum security prison that gives her puppy playdates.
Truly preposterous.
Truly preposterous.
WELKER: Why was Ghislaine Maxwell moved just days after you interviewed her?
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
December 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This is stunning. Blanche is claiming, with a straight face, that the only federal prison where a convicted sex offender can adequately be protected from other inmates just so happens to be a minimum security prison that gives her puppy playdates.
Truly preposterous.
Truly preposterous.
I'm starting to wonder if Trump's campaign promise to release the Epstein files was not made in good faith.
It's not like they've had 11 months to prepare or anything.
It's not like they've had 11 months to prepare or anything.
December 19, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I'm starting to wonder if Trump's campaign promise to release the Epstein files was not made in good faith.
It's not like they've had 11 months to prepare or anything.
It's not like they've had 11 months to prepare or anything.
Release the Trump List.
Remember, the FBI reportedly created a spreadsheet of the all the references to Trump in the Epstein files. It's imperative for Democrats to demand that the Trump List be released along with the files. Otherwise you can rest assured that they will redact every reference to him.
December 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Release the Trump List.
No war for oil.
December 10, 2025 at 11:33 PM
No war for oil.
So the DOD IG concluded that Hegseth:
✅ endangered our service members;
✅ knowingly shared info that had been classified on Signal;
✅ obstructed the investigation;
✅ violated multiple DOD regulations; and
✅ basically did what Hillary did but A LOT worse.
Total exoneration!
✅ endangered our service members;
✅ knowingly shared info that had been classified on Signal;
✅ obstructed the investigation;
✅ violated multiple DOD regulations; and
✅ basically did what Hillary did but A LOT worse.
Total exoneration!
December 4, 2025 at 11:42 PM
So the DOD IG concluded that Hegseth:
✅ endangered our service members;
✅ knowingly shared info that had been classified on Signal;
✅ obstructed the investigation;
✅ violated multiple DOD regulations; and
✅ basically did what Hillary did but A LOT worse.
Total exoneration!
✅ endangered our service members;
✅ knowingly shared info that had been classified on Signal;
✅ obstructed the investigation;
✅ violated multiple DOD regulations; and
✅ basically did what Hillary did but A LOT worse.
Total exoneration!
Before applauding the DOD IG too much, it's fairly absurd that he did not:
(a) launch a broader investigation into Hegseth's use of Signal - what else did he compromise?;
(b) take him to task for his non-cooperation; &
(c) try to get the full Signal chats from other agency IGs.
(a) launch a broader investigation into Hegseth's use of Signal - what else did he compromise?;
(b) take him to task for his non-cooperation; &
(c) try to get the full Signal chats from other agency IGs.
December 4, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Before applauding the DOD IG too much, it's fairly absurd that he did not:
(a) launch a broader investigation into Hegseth's use of Signal - what else did he compromise?;
(b) take him to task for his non-cooperation; &
(c) try to get the full Signal chats from other agency IGs.
(a) launch a broader investigation into Hegseth's use of Signal - what else did he compromise?;
(b) take him to task for his non-cooperation; &
(c) try to get the full Signal chats from other agency IGs.
That Hegseth had declassification authority is largely irrelevant in Signalgate for two reasons:
First, it doesn't change the fact that he put US service members in danger.
Second, he never claimed that he exercised that authority, nor followed any processes for doing so.
First, it doesn't change the fact that he put US service members in danger.
Second, he never claimed that he exercised that authority, nor followed any processes for doing so.
December 3, 2025 at 10:04 PM
That Hegseth had declassification authority is largely irrelevant in Signalgate for two reasons:
First, it doesn't change the fact that he put US service members in danger.
Second, he never claimed that he exercised that authority, nor followed any processes for doing so.
First, it doesn't change the fact that he put US service members in danger.
Second, he never claimed that he exercised that authority, nor followed any processes for doing so.
Reposted by Secrets and Laws
We’ve had corrupt presidents before (for example: the Nixon-ITT scandal, Clinton’s pardon of Marc Rich, etc.),
but Trump is our first affirmatively pro-corruption, pro-bribery president.
Promoting corruption is Trump’s central policy achievement.
but Trump is our first affirmatively pro-corruption, pro-bribery president.
Promoting corruption is Trump’s central policy achievement.
Trump announces a pardon of Henry Cuellar: "I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda. Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — Your nightmare is finally over!"
December 3, 2025 at 4:37 PM
We’ve had corrupt presidents before (for example: the Nixon-ITT scandal, Clinton’s pardon of Marc Rich, etc.),
but Trump is our first affirmatively pro-corruption, pro-bribery president.
Promoting corruption is Trump’s central policy achievement.
but Trump is our first affirmatively pro-corruption, pro-bribery president.
Promoting corruption is Trump’s central policy achievement.
Any federal employee who did this would be fired.
MORE Breaking on MS NOW: Pete Hegseth refused an interview request for the Pentagon Inspector General's investigation into Signalgate, according to two sources who read and were briefed on report.
Hegseth would not turn over his phone, a source who read the report told MS NOW.
Hegseth would not turn over his phone, a source who read the report told MS NOW.
Breaking on MS NOW: The Signalgate report contradicts Pete Hegseth's claims he did nothing wrong. It shows he "violated policy by using a non-approved device," a source who read the report says.
Hegseth failed to preserve records. The report says he put the operations and service people at risk.
Hegseth failed to preserve records. The report says he put the operations and service people at risk.
December 3, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Any federal employee who did this would be fired.
Reposted by Secrets and Laws
Seems like a good time for a reminder that Ratcliffe likely committed perjury when he testified he that he did not reveal classified information in the Signal chat. Perhaps someone should issue a criminal referral on that?
While less sensitive than the Hegseth and Walz messages, I'd note that the CIA would normally consider this statement from DCIA Ratcliffe to be classified. It reveals:
1. CIA support to a military operation.
2. Gaps in CIA coverage on the Houthi leadership.
Ratcliffe's testimony is not credible.
1. CIA support to a military operation.
2. Gaps in CIA coverage on the Houthi leadership.
Ratcliffe's testimony is not credible.
July 9, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Seems like a good time for a reminder that Ratcliffe likely committed perjury when he testified he that he did not reveal classified information in the Signal chat. Perhaps someone should issue a criminal referral on that?
We've known Hegseth shared classified information over Signal, likely at the SECRET level, from the very beginning. See below for a refresher. But it'll be nice to see the DOD IG report confirm that.
On the left: Hegseth's message.
On the right: the applicable CENTCOM classification guide provisions.
This is all very plainly classified at the SECRET level.
They all lied. They should all lose their jobs.
On the right: the applicable CENTCOM classification guide provisions.
This is all very plainly classified at the SECRET level.
They all lied. They should all lose their jobs.
December 3, 2025 at 6:44 PM
We've known Hegseth shared classified information over Signal, likely at the SECRET level, from the very beginning. See below for a refresher. But it'll be nice to see the DOD IG report confirm that.
Reposted by Secrets and Laws
On the left: Hegseth's message.
On the right: the applicable CENTCOM classification guide provisions.
This is all very plainly classified at the SECRET level.
They all lied. They should all lose their jobs.
On the right: the applicable CENTCOM classification guide provisions.
This is all very plainly classified at the SECRET level.
They all lied. They should all lose their jobs.
March 26, 2025 at 1:19 PM
On the left: Hegseth's message.
On the right: the applicable CENTCOM classification guide provisions.
This is all very plainly classified at the SECRET level.
They all lied. They should all lose their jobs.
On the right: the applicable CENTCOM classification guide provisions.
This is all very plainly classified at the SECRET level.
They all lied. They should all lose their jobs.
Reposted by Secrets and Laws
This is likely unlawful command influence
November 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
This is likely unlawful command influence
I'm shocked -- shocked -- to learn that the guy in charge of the Ukraine peace plan debacle was also in charge of COVID testing and PPE early in the pandemic.
November 24, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I'm shocked -- shocked -- to learn that the guy in charge of the Ukraine peace plan debacle was also in charge of COVID testing and PPE early in the pandemic.
Reposted by Secrets and Laws
Remember, the FBI reportedly created a spreadsheet of the all the references to Trump in the Epstein files. It's imperative for Democrats to demand that the Trump List be released along with the files. Otherwise you can rest assured that they will redact every reference to him.
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Remember, the FBI reportedly created a spreadsheet of the all the references to Trump in the Epstein files. It's imperative for Democrats to demand that the Trump List be released along with the files. Otherwise you can rest assured that they will redact every reference to him.
Remember, the FBI reportedly created a spreadsheet of the all the references to Trump in the Epstein files. It's imperative for Democrats to demand that the Trump List be released along with the files. Otherwise you can rest assured that they will redact every reference to him.
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Remember, the FBI reportedly created a spreadsheet of the all the references to Trump in the Epstein files. It's imperative for Democrats to demand that the Trump List be released along with the files. Otherwise you can rest assured that they will redact every reference to him.
Reposted by Secrets and Laws
NEW: The White House intervened in a DHS investigation.
The target? Sex offender Andrew Tate.
The WH person? Paul “Nazi Streak” Ingrassia.
Who was previously also Tate’s lawyer.
A banger from @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Shapiro
www.propublica.org/article/andr...
The target? Sex offender Andrew Tate.
The WH person? Paul “Nazi Streak” Ingrassia.
Who was previously also Tate’s lawyer.
A banger from @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Shapiro
www.propublica.org/article/andr...
November 18, 2025 at 11:41 AM
NEW: The White House intervened in a DHS investigation.
The target? Sex offender Andrew Tate.
The WH person? Paul “Nazi Streak” Ingrassia.
Who was previously also Tate’s lawyer.
A banger from @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Shapiro
www.propublica.org/article/andr...
The target? Sex offender Andrew Tate.
The WH person? Paul “Nazi Streak” Ingrassia.
Who was previously also Tate’s lawyer.
A banger from @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Shapiro
www.propublica.org/article/andr...
Defense wins championships, even in baseball.
November 2, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Defense wins championships, even in baseball.
If you work for the Trump/Bondi Justice Department and tell the truth, you will be fired.
Federal judges should take note.
Federal judges should take note.
October 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
If you work for the Trump/Bondi Justice Department and tell the truth, you will be fired.
Federal judges should take note.
Federal judges should take note.
Stop calling them "anonymous" donations (for the ballroom and military pay). The donors are fully known to the government. The Trump Administration is just letting the donors hide their identity from the American people.
I can't think of any non-corrupt reasons to allow this.
I can't think of any non-corrupt reasons to allow this.
October 28, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Stop calling them "anonymous" donations (for the ballroom and military pay). The donors are fully known to the government. The Trump Administration is just letting the donors hide their identity from the American people.
I can't think of any non-corrupt reasons to allow this.
I can't think of any non-corrupt reasons to allow this.