David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
@deciderdc.bsky.social
Helping whistleblowers since 2019. 30+ years federal/state litigator/trial lawyer.
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
🗞️ In @axios.com's recent article, our senior counsel David Seide shares how our FEMA whistleblower clients received notice of their reinstatement last week and worked until afternoon on Monday, when they were abruptly placed back on leave.
Read more: whistleblower.org/in-the-news/...
Read more: whistleblower.org/in-the-news/...
FEMA now says workers were "wrongly" reinstated
The 14 FEMA employees who signed the so-called Katrina declaration went back to work for a little while Monday — but the Department of Homeland Security now says that should never have happened.
whistleblower.org
December 2, 2025 at 7:14 PM
🗞️ In @axios.com's recent article, our senior counsel David Seide shares how our FEMA whistleblower clients received notice of their reinstatement last week and worked until afternoon on Monday, when they were abruptly placed back on leave.
Read more: whistleblower.org/in-the-news/...
Read more: whistleblower.org/in-the-news/...
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
Today, the employees returned to work after FEMA ceased retaliation. 🎉
In tumultuous times, it's heartening to see these courageous whistleblowers justly reinstated to their positions.
In tumultuous times, it's heartening to see these courageous whistleblowers justly reinstated to their positions.
December 1, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Today, the employees returned to work after FEMA ceased retaliation. 🎉
In tumultuous times, it's heartening to see these courageous whistleblowers justly reinstated to their positions.
In tumultuous times, it's heartening to see these courageous whistleblowers justly reinstated to their positions.
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
📣 Now on @nytimes.com: "Under Trump, Voice of America Is Down but Not Out"
Founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, Voice of American (VOA) has earned dozens of journalistic awards for its reporting across the globe. But the news organization has been targeted by Trump.
📸: Jason Andrew
Founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, Voice of American (VOA) has earned dozens of journalistic awards for its reporting across the globe. But the news organization has been targeted by Trump.
📸: Jason Andrew
October 27, 2025 at 3:53 PM
📣 Now on @nytimes.com: "Under Trump, Voice of America Is Down but Not Out"
Founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, Voice of American (VOA) has earned dozens of journalistic awards for its reporting across the globe. But the news organization has been targeted by Trump.
📸: Jason Andrew
Founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, Voice of American (VOA) has earned dozens of journalistic awards for its reporting across the globe. But the news organization has been targeted by Trump.
📸: Jason Andrew
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
NYT - Buttressed by courts and support from some Republican lawmakers, the Voice of America and other federally funded newsrooms that President Trump has tried to eliminate have yet to be rendered obsolete. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/26/u... #SaveVOA
Under Trump, Voice of America Is Down but Not Out
www.nytimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM
NYT - Buttressed by courts and support from some Republican lawmakers, the Voice of America and other federally funded newsrooms that President Trump has tried to eliminate have yet to be rendered obsolete. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/26/u... #SaveVOA
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
DOJ whistleblower Erez Reuveni says Emil Bove told him, 'those planes need to take off no matter what, and if some court should issue an order preventing that, we may have to consider telling that court 'fuck you.'
Reuveni: It is the highest, most egregious violation of the lawyer's code of ethics.
Reuveni: It is the highest, most egregious violation of the lawyer's code of ethics.
October 20, 2025 at 12:14 AM
DOJ whistleblower Erez Reuveni says Emil Bove told him, 'those planes need to take off no matter what, and if some court should issue an order preventing that, we may have to consider telling that court 'fuck you.'
Reuveni: It is the highest, most egregious violation of the lawyer's code of ethics.
Reuveni: It is the highest, most egregious violation of the lawyer's code of ethics.
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
I’m glad this is being covered. Federal judges have been warning us as best they know how. When I looked into this back in June, I found dozens of cases where judges suggested that the Trump administration’s conduct was untrustworthy or acting in bad faith.
October 20, 2025 at 1:30 AM
I’m glad this is being covered. Federal judges have been warning us as best they know how. When I looked into this back in June, I found dozens of cases where judges suggested that the Trump administration’s conduct was untrustworthy or acting in bad faith.
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
I applaud this decision to reinstate the employees from Voice of America who were unjustly terminated by this Administration. The free press is a foundation of American Democracy, and I will continue to support access to independent journalism in CA-19 and across the globe.
Judge Reinstates Over 500 Voice of America Journalists and Staff
The reversal of firings is the latest defeat that the Trump administration has incurred in its effort to close down the federal news organization.
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I applaud this decision to reinstate the employees from Voice of America who were unjustly terminated by this Administration. The free press is a foundation of American Democracy, and I will continue to support access to independent journalism in CA-19 and across the globe.
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
for viewers just tuning in, judge lamberth's most famous use of the contempt power resulted in a law review article titled this: scholarship.law.gwu.edu/faculty_publ...
September 30, 2025 at 12:41 AM
for viewers just tuning in, judge lamberth's most famous use of the contempt power resulted in a law review article titled this: scholarship.law.gwu.edu/faculty_publ...
Big news in Voice of America lawsuit. apnews.com/article/voic...
Judge suspends Trump administration's plan to eliminate hundreds of Voice of America jobs
A federal judge has agreed to temporarily suspend the Trump administration’s plan to eliminate hundreds of jobs at the agency that oversees Voice of America. U.S.
apnews.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Big news in Voice of America lawsuit. apnews.com/article/voic...
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
ICE Nazis in Chicago tried to kidnap a food delivery worker but my man was too fast for those slow bastards
September 29, 2025 at 1:07 AM
ICE Nazis in Chicago tried to kidnap a food delivery worker but my man was too fast for those slow bastards
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
With a terrific team, I just published a large study looking at all court cases involving the Trump administration.
Shows basis for courts no longer giving a so-called "presumption of regularity" (a legal doctrine involving a strong benefit of the doubt) to the administration.
🧵
Shows basis for courts no longer giving a so-called "presumption of regularity" (a legal doctrine involving a strong benefit of the doubt) to the administration.
🧵
The “Presumption of Regularity” in Trump Administration Litigation
Comprehensive study of court cases involving Trump administration and the basis for courts no longer giving a "presumption of regularity."
www.justsecurity.org
September 15, 2025 at 12:40 PM
With a terrific team, I just published a large study looking at all court cases involving the Trump administration.
Shows basis for courts no longer giving a so-called "presumption of regularity" (a legal doctrine involving a strong benefit of the doubt) to the administration.
🧵
Shows basis for courts no longer giving a so-called "presumption of regularity" (a legal doctrine involving a strong benefit of the doubt) to the administration.
🧵
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
Earlier this week, Judge Royce Lamberth ordered Kari Lake to answer Qs under oath about her plans for Voice of America and said she was "verging on contempt of court."
Now, he has ruled her effort to fire the VOA's director was unlawful.
My story:
www.npr.org/2025/08/28/n...
Now, he has ruled her effort to fire the VOA's director was unlawful.
My story:
www.npr.org/2025/08/28/n...
Federal judge says Kari Lake can't fire Voice of America director
A federal judge has ruled that Trump administration official Kari Lake can't unilaterally fire the director of Voice of America.
www.npr.org
August 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Earlier this week, Judge Royce Lamberth ordered Kari Lake to answer Qs under oath about her plans for Voice of America and said she was "verging on contempt of court."
Now, he has ruled her effort to fire the VOA's director was unlawful.
My story:
www.npr.org/2025/08/28/n...
Now, he has ruled her effort to fire the VOA's director was unlawful.
My story:
www.npr.org/2025/08/28/n...
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
Today, courageous FEMA staff members sent the Katrina Declaration to the FEMA "leadership" and others.
Sign on it support of these folks committed to the FEMA mission for all of us.
www.standupforscience.net/fema-katrina...
@standupforscience.bsky.social
Sign on it support of these folks committed to the FEMA mission for all of us.
www.standupforscience.net/fema-katrina...
@standupforscience.bsky.social
Support the FEMA Katrina Declaration Now! — STAND UP FOR SCIENCE
www.standupforscience.net
August 25, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Today, courageous FEMA staff members sent the Katrina Declaration to the FEMA "leadership" and others.
Sign on it support of these folks committed to the FEMA mission for all of us.
www.standupforscience.net/fema-katrina...
@standupforscience.bsky.social
Sign on it support of these folks committed to the FEMA mission for all of us.
www.standupforscience.net/fema-katrina...
@standupforscience.bsky.social
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
I have literally never heard of three no bills. Even two on a case is incredibly unusual. Any former AUSAs ever hear of such a thing?
DOJ tried and failed three times to indict a woman for allegedly assaulting an ICE officer during an arrest of two purported gang members. So they were forced to reduce her charge to a misdemeanor.
www.courtlistener.com/recap/og-loo...
www.courtlistener.com/recap/og-loo...
August 26, 2025 at 1:30 AM
I have literally never heard of three no bills. Even two on a case is incredibly unusual. Any former AUSAs ever hear of such a thing?
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
U.S Judge Lamberth orders Kari Lake to submit to questioning under oath in litigation over her plans for Voice of America.
Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, says she's "verging on contempt" and failed to comply with his orders for months.
Lake tells NPR the judge is overreaching... (con't) 1/2
Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, says she's "verging on contempt" and failed to comply with his orders for months.
Lake tells NPR the judge is overreaching... (con't) 1/2
August 26, 2025 at 1:19 AM
U.S Judge Lamberth orders Kari Lake to submit to questioning under oath in litigation over her plans for Voice of America.
Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, says she's "verging on contempt" and failed to comply with his orders for months.
Lake tells NPR the judge is overreaching... (con't) 1/2
Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, says she's "verging on contempt" and failed to comply with his orders for months.
Lake tells NPR the judge is overreaching... (con't) 1/2
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
Federal District Court Judge Royce Lamberth just agreed allowing #SaveVOA plaintiffs to depose Kari Lake and others at USAGM about the plan to destroy the Voice of America , telling DoJ attorneys their client, Lake, is on the verge of contempt of court.
August 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Federal District Court Judge Royce Lamberth just agreed allowing #SaveVOA plaintiffs to depose Kari Lake and others at USAGM about the plan to destroy the Voice of America , telling DoJ attorneys their client, Lake, is on the verge of contempt of court.
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
“VOA is often the only voice in countries silenced by autocrats. Dismantling it would betray journalists, democracy, and citizens who depend on truth.” – Elisa Lees Muñoz, President of the International Women’s Media Foundation
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom #IndependentJournalism
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom #IndependentJournalism
August 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
“VOA is often the only voice in countries silenced by autocrats. Dismantling it would betray journalists, democracy, and citizens who depend on truth.” – Elisa Lees Muñoz, President of the International Women’s Media Foundation
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom #IndependentJournalism
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom #IndependentJournalism
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
In a new court filing, Voice of America plaintiffs ask Judge Lamberth to hold the government in contempt for failing to comply with preliminary injunction. They want sanctions from the court and the ability to depose up to three defendants.
August 22, 2025 at 4:27 PM
In a new court filing, Voice of America plaintiffs ask Judge Lamberth to hold the government in contempt for failing to comply with preliminary injunction. They want sanctions from the court and the ability to depose up to three defendants.
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
Is Kari Lake a CEO?
The US Agency for Global Media - which oversees Voice of America - has said so.
The law suggests not
My story for NPR
www.npr.org/2025/08/13/n...
The US Agency for Global Media - which oversees Voice of America - has said so.
The law suggests not
My story for NPR
www.npr.org/2025/08/13/n...
Is Kari Lake a CEO? Her agency said so. The law suggests not
Kari Lake has sought to dismantle Voice of America and its federal parent, the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The agency has recently called her its acting CEO. But the law suggests she's not eligible ...
www.npr.org
August 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Is Kari Lake a CEO?
The US Agency for Global Media - which oversees Voice of America - has said so.
The law suggests not
My story for NPR
www.npr.org/2025/08/13/n...
The US Agency for Global Media - which oversees Voice of America - has said so.
The law suggests not
My story for NPR
www.npr.org/2025/08/13/n...
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
Trump Has No Cards
Why would Putin need to make a deal with him?
www.theatlantic.com
August 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
🎸🎶 Join us on Sep. 5 for a cultural-charity event that promises music, fun, and a chance to support our most vulnerable colleagues.
🎶✨ Featuring talented bands from the VOA family.
Learn more and grab your tickets here (best viewed on a laptop for full details):
👉🏼bit.ly/savevoa-benefit-concert
🎶✨ Featuring talented bands from the VOA family.
Learn more and grab your tickets here (best viewed on a laptop for full details):
👉🏼bit.ly/savevoa-benefit-concert
August 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
🎸🎶 Join us on Sep. 5 for a cultural-charity event that promises music, fun, and a chance to support our most vulnerable colleagues.
🎶✨ Featuring talented bands from the VOA family.
Learn more and grab your tickets here (best viewed on a laptop for full details):
👉🏼bit.ly/savevoa-benefit-concert
🎶✨ Featuring talented bands from the VOA family.
Learn more and grab your tickets here (best viewed on a laptop for full details):
👉🏼bit.ly/savevoa-benefit-concert
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
Plaintiffs in Widakuswara v Lake react to Kari Lake’s August 13 court filing as demanded by Judge Royce Lamberth.
August 13, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Plaintiffs in Widakuswara v Lake react to Kari Lake’s August 13 court filing as demanded by Judge Royce Lamberth.
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
It will be interesting to see which protestor case the grand jury no-billed. Grand juries WILL indict the proverbial ham sandwich but they have limits and sometimes absolutely bullshit assault-on-cop cases reach those limits. In fact…
/1
www.latimes.com/california/s...
/1
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Trump's top federal prosecutor in L.A. struggles to secure indictments in protest cases
U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli has aggressively pushed for indictments in the high-profile prosecutions of people arrested during demonstrations against federal immigration actions in Southern California, le...
www.latimes.com
July 23, 2025 at 11:08 PM
It will be interesting to see which protestor case the grand jury no-billed. Grand juries WILL indict the proverbial ham sandwich but they have limits and sometimes absolutely bullshit assault-on-cop cases reach those limits. In fact…
/1
www.latimes.com/california/s...
/1
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
🙏 It's a good day for VOA: House Appropriations Republicans propose $681 million for Voice of America parent USAGM in Fiscal Year 2026.
#SaveVOA
#SaveVOA
July 14, 2025 at 7:02 PM
🙏 It's a good day for VOA: House Appropriations Republicans propose $681 million for Voice of America parent USAGM in Fiscal Year 2026.
#SaveVOA
#SaveVOA
Reposted by David Z. Seide @Government Accountability Project
A federal judge says despite his previous order to Kari Lake/USAGM he's "still unable to get a clear picture of how VOA is operating or how the agency plans to operate VOA moving forward." He gives them 10 days to provide more information.
July 8, 2025 at 10:59 PM
A federal judge says despite his previous order to Kari Lake/USAGM he's "still unable to get a clear picture of how VOA is operating or how the agency plans to operate VOA moving forward." He gives them 10 days to provide more information.