Zach Montague
@zjmontague.bsky.social
Reporter @ NYT covering federal courts and the legal fights of 2025.
Three-season outdoor enthusiast.
Three-season outdoor enthusiast.
Trump slips and nearly says SNAP is “bad for the company” instead of “the country” which does feel like the approach throughout this
Trump claims that food stamps "puts the country in jeopardy. People that are able-bodied can do a job, they leave their job because they figure they can pick this up, it's easier."
November 11, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Trump slips and nearly says SNAP is “bad for the company” instead of “the country” which does feel like the approach throughout this
New case filed today argues Russ Vought’s shutdown tactics on blue states violate the fifth amendment’s equal protection clause, specifically clean energy projects cancelled in sixteen Democratic-led states
Groups Sue to Reverse Trump’s Cuts to Energy Projects in Democratic States
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:15 PM
New case filed today argues Russ Vought’s shutdown tactics on blue states violate the fifth amendment’s equal protection clause, specifically clean energy projects cancelled in sixteen Democratic-led states
The short arc of Sean Dunn’s sandwich throwing case ends with a not guilty verdict today. Our fresh recap:
Jurors Find Sandwich Hurler Not Guilty of Assault
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:23 PM
The short arc of Sean Dunn’s sandwich throwing case ends with a not guilty verdict today. Our fresh recap:
Reposted by Zach Montague
"Sandwich Guy" found not guilty of assault
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Gift Article by @zjmontague.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
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Gift Article by @zjmontague.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Jurors Find Sandwich Hurler Not Guilty of Assault
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
"Sandwich Guy" found not guilty of assault
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Gift Article by @zjmontague.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
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Gift Article by @zjmontague.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Jurors in the sandwich thrower trial (Sean Dunn) have sent a note asking for a definition of "bodily harm" and how they should understand "injury" in the context of this case. Judge Nichols plans to prep a response by 11:15. Deliberation has now been going on for about three hours since yesterday.
November 6, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Jurors in the sandwich thrower trial (Sean Dunn) have sent a note asking for a definition of "bodily harm" and how they should understand "injury" in the context of this case. Judge Nichols plans to prep a response by 11:15. Deliberation has now been going on for about three hours since yesterday.
Reposted by Zach Montague
NEVER MIND THAT TRUTH: Despite Trump's about-face on SNAP, Justice Department attorneys say USDA is complying with and not defying court order to make partial SNAP payments to states. Doc: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26... Earlier: www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
SNAPFlgRI110425
www.documentcloud.org
November 4, 2025 at 10:00 PM
NEVER MIND THAT TRUTH: Despite Trump's about-face on SNAP, Justice Department attorneys say USDA is complying with and not defying court order to make partial SNAP payments to states. Doc: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26... Earlier: www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Zach Montague
not to bring the vibe down, but my guess is that after tonight Trump will probably double down on gerrymandering, voter suppression, and intimidation as tactics to disincentivize Dem turnout ahead of next year‘s midterms. (with margins like these, it won’t matter, but it’s a time to be vigilant)
November 5, 2025 at 3:34 AM
not to bring the vibe down, but my guess is that after tonight Trump will probably double down on gerrymandering, voter suppression, and intimidation as tactics to disincentivize Dem turnout ahead of next year‘s midterms. (with margins like these, it won’t matter, but it’s a time to be vigilant)
The trial of Sean Dunn has so far included testimony by the CBP agent who got hit with the Subway sandwich about what that experience was like, and a defense by Dunn's attorneys that throwing the sandwich was an "exclamation point" on protected, political speech in protest against the DC takeover.
It Smelled of Mustard: Sandwich-Thrower Trial in D.C. Focuses on Moment of Impact
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The trial of Sean Dunn has so far included testimony by the CBP agent who got hit with the Subway sandwich about what that experience was like, and a defense by Dunn's attorneys that throwing the sandwich was an "exclamation point" on protected, political speech in protest against the DC takeover.
Reposted by Zach Montague
Not just Kavanaugh stops. Kavanaugh ransacking of apartments. open.substack.com/pub/migranti...
SCOOP: Latino Tenants Told to Vacate After Georgetown ICE Raid
Witnesses describe multi-agency sweep at Wisconsin & O St. NW; 10–12 taken; Latino units “tossed;” ammunition left in the hallway, and tenants told to vacate.
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Not just Kavanaugh stops. Kavanaugh ransacking of apartments. open.substack.com/pub/migranti...
A few belated notes from jury selection today:
- all of voir dire was done with the husher on, so no way to know who was disqualified or on what grounds
- that drew a motion to do it over from Dunn’s atty citing 1st and 6th amendment concerns
- Nichols said a do-over seemed “drastic” and denied
- all of voir dire was done with the husher on, so no way to know who was disqualified or on what grounds
- that drew a motion to do it over from Dunn’s atty citing 1st and 6th amendment concerns
- Nichols said a do-over seemed “drastic” and denied
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Lobbing a Sandwich at a Federal Agent
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:59 AM
A few belated notes from jury selection today:
- all of voir dire was done with the husher on, so no way to know who was disqualified or on what grounds
- that drew a motion to do it over from Dunn’s atty citing 1st and 6th amendment concerns
- Nichols said a do-over seemed “drastic” and denied
- all of voir dire was done with the husher on, so no way to know who was disqualified or on what grounds
- that drew a motion to do it over from Dunn’s atty citing 1st and 6th amendment concerns
- Nichols said a do-over seemed “drastic” and denied
This is true
It's not in this article but the government asserts that the sandwich was thrown at "point blank range", which implies subway sandwiches have defined effective weapon ranges of varying lethality, and I would like to see the government's chart of these ranges.
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Lobbing a Sandwich at a Federal Agent www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
November 4, 2025 at 12:53 AM
This is true
Reposted by Zach Montague
The liberal justices are not only outnumbered – they’re divided on strategy/tone. Here’s my reporting on their thorny dilemma, the tensions that have arisen, and the Kagan/Jackson divide. Thank you so much for reading, and as always, curious to hear reactions. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/u...
The Debate Dividing the Supreme Court’s Liberal Justices
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The liberal justices are not only outnumbered – they’re divided on strategy/tone. Here’s my reporting on their thorny dilemma, the tensions that have arisen, and the Kagan/Jackson divide. Thank you so much for reading, and as always, curious to hear reactions. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/u...
Reposted by Zach Montague
NEW: More than 100 federal judges have now rejected the Trump administration’s new policy to lock up nearly everyone facing deportation — including 12 judges appointed by Trump, according to a POLITICO analysis.
Only 2 judges have sided with ICE.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Only 2 judges have sided with ICE.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
More than 100 judges have ruled against the Trump admin’s mandatory detention policy
A POLITICO review of the rulings shows judges appointed by every president since Ronald Reagan have rebuked the administration’s new interpretation of immigration law.
www.politico.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:32 PM
NEW: More than 100 federal judges have now rejected the Trump administration’s new policy to lock up nearly everyone facing deportation — including 12 judges appointed by Trump, according to a POLITICO analysis.
Only 2 judges have sided with ICE.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Only 2 judges have sided with ICE.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Zach Montague
Alex Berenson argued in federal court that the unvaccinated are a “protected class,” akin to racial and ethnic minorities and other groups who have historically faced discrimination.
The judge disagreed.
www.importantcontext.news/p/federal-co...
The judge disagreed.
www.importantcontext.news/p/federal-co...
Federal Court Dismisses Censorship Lawsuit By “Leading COVID-19 Vaccine Skeptic”
Alex Berenson was suspended by Twitter for comments he made about the mRNA vaccines. He blamed the government and Pfizer.
www.importantcontext.news
October 30, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Alex Berenson argued in federal court that the unvaccinated are a “protected class,” akin to racial and ethnic minorities and other groups who have historically faced discrimination.
The judge disagreed.
www.importantcontext.news/p/federal-co...
The judge disagreed.
www.importantcontext.news/p/federal-co...
Reposted by Zach Montague
Ciattarelli is promising to work closely with the Trump Administration on immigration enforcement.
Asked if the ICE raids in New Jersey this year give him any pause, Ciattarelli responds: “I have not seen ICE raids in New Jersey."
time.com/7329831/jack...
Asked if the ICE raids in New Jersey this year give him any pause, Ciattarelli responds: “I have not seen ICE raids in New Jersey."
time.com/7329831/jack...
Jack Ciattarelli Walks the Trump Tightrope
The Republican sat for an interview with TIME about his "solid relationship" with Trump and why he's gaining in polls in the governor's race
time.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Ciattarelli is promising to work closely with the Trump Administration on immigration enforcement.
Asked if the ICE raids in New Jersey this year give him any pause, Ciattarelli responds: “I have not seen ICE raids in New Jersey."
time.com/7329831/jack...
Asked if the ICE raids in New Jersey this year give him any pause, Ciattarelli responds: “I have not seen ICE raids in New Jersey."
time.com/7329831/jack...
Another indictment of the Biden admin’s concerns about the image of the DOJ eclipsing mission-driven work
Opinion | All It Took for Trump to Dismantle the Justice Dept.
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Another indictment of the Biden admin’s concerns about the image of the DOJ eclipsing mission-driven work
Reposted by Zach Montague
SCOOP:
After being cleared by three grand juries and acquitted by a trial jury, Sidney Reid breaks her silence on @allrisenews.com. She tells Trump that Jeanine Pirro's prosecutions are the epitome of waste: "Cut her."
Exclusive www.allrisenews.com/p/exclusive-...
After being cleared by three grand juries and acquitted by a trial jury, Sidney Reid breaks her silence on @allrisenews.com. She tells Trump that Jeanine Pirro's prosecutions are the epitome of waste: "Cut her."
Exclusive www.allrisenews.com/p/exclusive-...
October 29, 2025 at 11:03 PM
SCOOP:
After being cleared by three grand juries and acquitted by a trial jury, Sidney Reid breaks her silence on @allrisenews.com. She tells Trump that Jeanine Pirro's prosecutions are the epitome of waste: "Cut her."
Exclusive www.allrisenews.com/p/exclusive-...
After being cleared by three grand juries and acquitted by a trial jury, Sidney Reid breaks her silence on @allrisenews.com. She tells Trump that Jeanine Pirro's prosecutions are the epitome of waste: "Cut her."
Exclusive www.allrisenews.com/p/exclusive-...
Reposted by Zach Montague
The Habba-ing continues: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
BREAKING: A federal judge says L.A.-based US attorney Bill ESSAYLI has been acting in the role unlawfully since July, declaring him disqualified from the position. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 29, 2025 at 2:06 AM
The Habba-ing continues: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Zach Montague
NEW: We just filed a lawsuit alongside 25 states to restore SNAP food assistance during the federal shutdown.
141,000 DC residents rely on SNAP to afford their meals — including 47,000 children and 24,000 seniors.
We will do everything in our power to prevent DC families from going hungry.
141,000 DC residents rely on SNAP to afford their meals — including 47,000 children and 24,000 seniors.
We will do everything in our power to prevent DC families from going hungry.
October 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: We just filed a lawsuit alongside 25 states to restore SNAP food assistance during the federal shutdown.
141,000 DC residents rely on SNAP to afford their meals — including 47,000 children and 24,000 seniors.
We will do everything in our power to prevent DC families from going hungry.
141,000 DC residents rely on SNAP to afford their meals — including 47,000 children and 24,000 seniors.
We will do everything in our power to prevent DC families from going hungry.
Reposted by Zach Montague
The GOP has been extremely effective at shaping perceptions of the Democrats, claiming they support policy positions they don't actually support
If your strategy, as a Dem, for winning in 2028 *STARTS* by buying their spin and lies, then you've already lost
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/the-strate...
If your strategy, as a Dem, for winning in 2028 *STARTS* by buying their spin and lies, then you've already lost
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/the-strate...
The Strategist’s Fallacy in American politics
The average American voter does not think about politics the way elite strategists and pundits do
www.gelliottmorris.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:21 PM
The GOP has been extremely effective at shaping perceptions of the Democrats, claiming they support policy positions they don't actually support
If your strategy, as a Dem, for winning in 2028 *STARTS* by buying their spin and lies, then you've already lost
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/the-strate...
If your strategy, as a Dem, for winning in 2028 *STARTS* by buying their spin and lies, then you've already lost
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/the-strate...
Reposted by Zach Montague
"ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Grok are serving users propaganda from Russian-backed media when asked about the invasion of Ukraine, new research finds." www.wired.com/story/chatbo...
Chatbots Are Pushing Sanctioned Russian Propaganda
ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Grok are serving users propaganda from Russian-backed media when asked about the invasion of Ukraine, new research finds.
www.wired.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM
"ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Grok are serving users propaganda from Russian-backed media when asked about the invasion of Ukraine, new research finds." www.wired.com/story/chatbo...
Reposted by Zach Montague
Gift link
The Peril of a White House That Flaunts Its Indifference to the Law
The White House has made no legal argument explaining its bald claim that the president has wartime power to summarily kill people suspected of smuggling drugs.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
The Peril of a White House That Flaunts Its Indifference to the Law
The White House has made no legal argument explaining its bald claim that the president has wartime power to summarily kill people suspected of smuggling drugs.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
The Peril of a White House That Flaunts Its Indifference to the Law
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Gift link
The Peril of a White House That Flaunts Its Indifference to the Law
The White House has made no legal argument explaining its bald claim that the president has wartime power to summarily kill people suspected of smuggling drugs.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
The Peril of a White House That Flaunts Its Indifference to the Law
The White House has made no legal argument explaining its bald claim that the president has wartime power to summarily kill people suspected of smuggling drugs.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
Reposted by Zach Montague
Picture of the East Wing demolition of the White House taken on my flight out of DCA.
October 23, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Picture of the East Wing demolition of the White House taken on my flight out of DCA.
Reposted by Zach Montague
I’m back at the Boston Globe, writing for the Ideas section. My first piece is about how we can still lose our freedom even if legal protections like the First Amendment remain intact: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/19/o...
October 19, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I’m back at the Boston Globe, writing for the Ideas section. My first piece is about how we can still lose our freedom even if legal protections like the First Amendment remain intact: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/19/o...
Reposted by Zach Montague
NBC News finds that:
-- ICE has shortened its training from 13 weeks to six.
-- Nearly half of recruits couldn’t pass an open-book written exam.
-- Recruits "are supposed to attest" they can pass the physical-fitness test, which requires them to run ... 6 mph.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
-- ICE has shortened its training from 13 weeks to six.
-- Nearly half of recruits couldn’t pass an open-book written exam.
-- Recruits "are supposed to attest" they can pass the physical-fitness test, which requires them to run ... 6 mph.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Some new ICE recruits have shown up to training without full vetting
The recruits have had criminal backgrounds or failed drug tests or were unable to meet physical or academic standards, raising concerns about the agency’s rush to hire immigration officers, sources to...
www.nbcnews.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:54 PM
NBC News finds that:
-- ICE has shortened its training from 13 weeks to six.
-- Nearly half of recruits couldn’t pass an open-book written exam.
-- Recruits "are supposed to attest" they can pass the physical-fitness test, which requires them to run ... 6 mph.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
-- ICE has shortened its training from 13 weeks to six.
-- Nearly half of recruits couldn’t pass an open-book written exam.
-- Recruits "are supposed to attest" they can pass the physical-fitness test, which requires them to run ... 6 mph.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...