Joshua Kolb
@joshuakolb.bsky.social
Counsel and Manager of Rapid Legal Response, Democracy Defenders Fund @sddfund.bsky.social and Democracy Defenders Action @sddaction.bsky.social; The Contrarian
As Judge Breyer found, Trump said he wants to create & lead a nat'l police force
That's unlawful & un-American
But that nightmare can become a reality if his use of Nat'l Guard remains unchecked, as our brief explains:
fb1cd5ab-5a51-475c-87d1-10904a61146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/fb1cd5_e...
That's unlawful & un-American
But that nightmare can become a reality if his use of Nat'l Guard remains unchecked, as our brief explains:
fb1cd5ab-5a51-475c-87d1-10904a61146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/fb1cd5_e...
fb1cd5ab-5a51-475c-87d1-10904a61146d.usrfiles.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:14 PM
As Judge Breyer found, Trump said he wants to create & lead a nat'l police force
That's unlawful & un-American
But that nightmare can become a reality if his use of Nat'l Guard remains unchecked, as our brief explains:
fb1cd5ab-5a51-475c-87d1-10904a61146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/fb1cd5_e...
That's unlawful & un-American
But that nightmare can become a reality if his use of Nat'l Guard remains unchecked, as our brief explains:
fb1cd5ab-5a51-475c-87d1-10904a61146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/fb1cd5_e...
We @democracydefendersfund.org filed an amicus brief on behalf of cities targeted by the Trump Admin incl LA, NYC, Chicago, Baltimore
What's happening in LA is just the beginning of an unprecedented & systematic assault on US values
fb1cd5ab-5a51-475c-87d1-10904a61146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/fb1cd5_e...
What's happening in LA is just the beginning of an unprecedented & systematic assault on US values
fb1cd5ab-5a51-475c-87d1-10904a61146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/fb1cd5_e...
fb1cd5ab-5a51-475c-87d1-10904a61146d.usrfiles.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:13 PM
We @democracydefendersfund.org filed an amicus brief on behalf of cities targeted by the Trump Admin incl LA, NYC, Chicago, Baltimore
What's happening in LA is just the beginning of an unprecedented & systematic assault on US values
fb1cd5ab-5a51-475c-87d1-10904a61146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/fb1cd5_e...
What's happening in LA is just the beginning of an unprecedented & systematic assault on US values
fb1cd5ab-5a51-475c-87d1-10904a61146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/fb1cd5_e...
As ppl look for transparency & accountability we’ve put together a comprehensive timeline of the failure of federal law enforcement to address Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes @justsecurity.org
It’s a “tale of national disgrace” spanning 3 decades
www.justsecurity.org/119137/timel...
It’s a “tale of national disgrace” spanning 3 decades
www.justsecurity.org/119137/timel...
Timeline of Jeffrey Epstein-Ghislaine Maxwell Law Enforcement Failure (1996-2025)
A comprehensive timeline of the failure of federal law enforcement to address Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes.
www.justsecurity.org
August 18, 2025 at 2:57 PM
As ppl look for transparency & accountability we’ve put together a comprehensive timeline of the failure of federal law enforcement to address Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes @justsecurity.org
It’s a “tale of national disgrace” spanning 3 decades
www.justsecurity.org/119137/timel...
It’s a “tale of national disgrace” spanning 3 decades
www.justsecurity.org/119137/timel...
Reposted by Joshua Kolb
A new public resource:
Comprehensive Timeline of Jeffrey Epstein-Ghislaine Maxwell Law Enforcement Failures (1996-2025)
By @rgoodlaw.bsky.social, Siven Watt, @joshuakolb.bsky.social
#Epstein #GhislaineMaxwell #EpsteinFiles
Comprehensive Timeline of Jeffrey Epstein-Ghislaine Maxwell Law Enforcement Failures (1996-2025)
By @rgoodlaw.bsky.social, Siven Watt, @joshuakolb.bsky.social
#Epstein #GhislaineMaxwell #EpsteinFiles
Timeline of Jeffrey Epstein-Ghislaine Maxwell Law Enforcement Failure (1996-2025)
A comprehensive timeline of the failure of federal law enforcement to address Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes.
www.justsecurity.org
August 18, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A new public resource:
Comprehensive Timeline of Jeffrey Epstein-Ghislaine Maxwell Law Enforcement Failures (1996-2025)
By @rgoodlaw.bsky.social, Siven Watt, @joshuakolb.bsky.social
#Epstein #GhislaineMaxwell #EpsteinFiles
Comprehensive Timeline of Jeffrey Epstein-Ghislaine Maxwell Law Enforcement Failures (1996-2025)
By @rgoodlaw.bsky.social, Siven Watt, @joshuakolb.bsky.social
#Epstein #GhislaineMaxwell #EpsteinFiles
Reposted by Joshua Kolb
Good news in VOA case!
Judge just granted our & wonderful cocounsel & clients motion for order to show cause & strongly called out the government's games
He ordered gov to produce a plan for restoring VOA's programming as required under the statute
Judge just granted our & wonderful cocounsel & clients motion for order to show cause & strongly called out the government's games
He ordered gov to produce a plan for restoring VOA's programming as required under the statute
July 30, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Good news in VOA case!
Judge just granted our & wonderful cocounsel & clients motion for order to show cause & strongly called out the government's games
He ordered gov to produce a plan for restoring VOA's programming as required under the statute
Judge just granted our & wonderful cocounsel & clients motion for order to show cause & strongly called out the government's games
He ordered gov to produce a plan for restoring VOA's programming as required under the statute
The Trump Admin wrongfully detained & removed Adrián Rengel from the US, sending him to the brutal CECOT prison in El Salvador
@democracydefendersfund.org we brought a claim under fed law on Rengel's behalf to clear his name
I discussed w/ @katiephang.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/joshuako...
@democracydefendersfund.org we brought a claim under fed law on Rengel's behalf to clear his name
I discussed w/ @katiephang.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/joshuako...
Suing the Trump Administration for its Bad Acts
My conversation with Katie Phang
open.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The Trump Admin wrongfully detained & removed Adrián Rengel from the US, sending him to the brutal CECOT prison in El Salvador
@democracydefendersfund.org we brought a claim under fed law on Rengel's behalf to clear his name
I discussed w/ @katiephang.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/joshuako...
@democracydefendersfund.org we brought a claim under fed law on Rengel's behalf to clear his name
I discussed w/ @katiephang.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/joshuako...
Suing the Trump Administration for its Bad Acts -- Here's my conversation w/ @katiephang.bsky.social about the claim we @democracydefendersfund.org filed on behalf of Adrián Rengel
He was wrongfully detained & removed from the US, & left to languish in CECOT
open.substack.com/pub/joshuako...
He was wrongfully detained & removed from the US, & left to languish in CECOT
open.substack.com/pub/joshuako...
Suing the Trump Administration for its Bad Acts
My conversation with Katie Phang
open.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Suing the Trump Administration for its Bad Acts -- Here's my conversation w/ @katiephang.bsky.social about the claim we @democracydefendersfund.org filed on behalf of Adrián Rengel
He was wrongfully detained & removed from the US, & left to languish in CECOT
open.substack.com/pub/joshuako...
He was wrongfully detained & removed from the US, & left to languish in CECOT
open.substack.com/pub/joshuako...
Honored to join @katiephang.bsky.social on her Substack today to discuss our claim on behalf of our client, who was wrongfully detained and removed from the U.S. to the brutal CECOT prison in El Salvador
It's the first of its kind & we @democracydefendersfund.org were proud to bring it
It's the first of its kind & we @democracydefendersfund.org were proud to bring it
July 29, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Honored to join @katiephang.bsky.social on her Substack today to discuss our claim on behalf of our client, who was wrongfully detained and removed from the U.S. to the brutal CECOT prison in El Salvador
It's the first of its kind & we @democracydefendersfund.org were proud to bring it
It's the first of its kind & we @democracydefendersfund.org were proud to bring it
Reposted by Joshua Kolb
I just covered the claim brought by Neiyerver Rengel against the Trump Administration and I wanted to talk with one of the lawyers who’s representing Mr. Rengel.
Join me at 3:00 pm ET for a Substack Live with @joshuakolb.bsky.social from @democracydefendersfund.org !
Join me at 3:00 pm ET for a Substack Live with @joshuakolb.bsky.social from @democracydefendersfund.org !
July 29, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I just covered the claim brought by Neiyerver Rengel against the Trump Administration and I wanted to talk with one of the lawyers who’s representing Mr. Rengel.
Join me at 3:00 pm ET for a Substack Live with @joshuakolb.bsky.social from @democracydefendersfund.org !
Join me at 3:00 pm ET for a Substack Live with @joshuakolb.bsky.social from @democracydefendersfund.org !
Reposted by Joshua Kolb
This week we have a special Independence Week edition of the Democracy Index w/ @joycewhitevance.bsky.social -- stepping back to take the temperature of the rule of law in the wake of momentous SCOTUS decisions and DOJ developments @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
The Democracy Index
July 1, 2025
contrarian.substack.com
July 1, 2025 at 9:04 PM
This week we have a special Independence Week edition of the Democracy Index w/ @joycewhitevance.bsky.social -- stepping back to take the temperature of the rule of law in the wake of momentous SCOTUS decisions and DOJ developments @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
This week we have a special Independence Week edition of the Democracy Index w/ @joycewhitevance.bsky.social -- stepping back to take the temperature of the rule of law in the wake of momentous SCOTUS decisions and DOJ developments @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
The Democracy Index
July 1, 2025
contrarian.substack.com
July 1, 2025 at 9:04 PM
This week we have a special Independence Week edition of the Democracy Index w/ @joycewhitevance.bsky.social -- stepping back to take the temperature of the rule of law in the wake of momentous SCOTUS decisions and DOJ developments @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
President Trump's deployment of the National Guard is unlawful and unprecedented. Our @democracydefendersfund.org report unpacks the law. W/ @normeisen.bsky.social & Diamond Brown
www.democracydefendersfund.org/_files/ugd/c...
www.democracydefendersfund.org/_files/ugd/c...
www.democracydefendersfund.org
June 10, 2025 at 3:06 PM
President Trump's deployment of the National Guard is unlawful and unprecedented. Our @democracydefendersfund.org report unpacks the law. W/ @normeisen.bsky.social & Diamond Brown
www.democracydefendersfund.org/_files/ugd/c...
www.democracydefendersfund.org/_files/ugd/c...
We @democracydefendersfund.org just filed an amicus brief w/ former conservative officials opposing Trump's use of the AEA
It's not just unlawful, it's unnecessary. The gov has many legal tools to protect the public, but the AEA isn't one of them
www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/06.03.25...
It's not just unlawful, it's unnecessary. The gov has many legal tools to protect the public, but the AEA isn't one of them
www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/06.03.25...
Press Release | State Democracy Defenders Fund
www.democracydefendersfund.org
June 3, 2025 at 9:11 PM
We @democracydefendersfund.org just filed an amicus brief w/ former conservative officials opposing Trump's use of the AEA
It's not just unlawful, it's unnecessary. The gov has many legal tools to protect the public, but the AEA isn't one of them
www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/06.03.25...
It's not just unlawful, it's unnecessary. The gov has many legal tools to protect the public, but the AEA isn't one of them
www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/06.03.25...
Elon Musk has been forced to learn a Bismarckian lesson about the art of politics. We explain the implications of that at The Democracy Index this week @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
The Democracy Index
May 30, 2025
contrarian.substack.com
May 30, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Elon Musk has been forced to learn a Bismarckian lesson about the art of politics. We explain the implications of that at The Democracy Index this week @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
The high-profile fights over Abrego Garcia & the other removals to El Salvador reflect the Trump Adm's desperation, & also help obscure the reality that Trump and his top immigration adviser Stephen Miller are falling short of their own promises
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | The calamitous influence of Stephen Miller has become impossible to ignore
The removal of Kilmar Abrego Garcia is the natural result of Miller’s attempt to impose his draconian deportation goals.
www.msnbc.com
May 1, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The high-profile fights over Abrego Garcia & the other removals to El Salvador reflect the Trump Adm's desperation, & also help obscure the reality that Trump and his top immigration adviser Stephen Miller are falling short of their own promises
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
With the pause in discovery in the Garcia case ending today it’s a good time to step back & look at how we got here
As Trump & WH scrambles one figure seems to have more responsibility than anyone else for this mess: Trump adviser Stephen Miller
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
As Trump & WH scrambles one figure seems to have more responsibility than anyone else for this mess: Trump adviser Stephen Miller
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | The calamitous influence of Stephen Miller has become impossible to ignore
The removal of Kilmar Abrego Garcia is the natural result of Miller’s attempt to impose his draconian deportation goals.
www.msnbc.com
April 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
With the pause in discovery in the Garcia case ending today it’s a good time to step back & look at how we got here
As Trump & WH scrambles one figure seems to have more responsibility than anyone else for this mess: Trump adviser Stephen Miller
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
As Trump & WH scrambles one figure seems to have more responsibility than anyone else for this mess: Trump adviser Stephen Miller
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
It's part of Miller's inescapable influence & desire to steamroll on immigration & the courts
We broke down @msnbc.com how DOJ’s filings became increasingly recalcitrant & misleading after his public comments. And as seen here Trump has adopted Miller's mistaken spin
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
We broke down @msnbc.com how DOJ’s filings became increasingly recalcitrant & misleading after his public comments. And as seen here Trump has adopted Miller's mistaken spin
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
April 29, 2025 at 5:31 PM
It's part of Miller's inescapable influence & desire to steamroll on immigration & the courts
We broke down @msnbc.com how DOJ’s filings became increasingly recalcitrant & misleading after his public comments. And as seen here Trump has adopted Miller's mistaken spin
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
We broke down @msnbc.com how DOJ’s filings became increasingly recalcitrant & misleading after his public comments. And as seen here Trump has adopted Miller's mistaken spin
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
This convo bw @gregsargent.bsky.social & @speechboy71.bsky.social gets at the imp dynamic we explained in our @msnbc.com piece, and the prominent role Stephen Miller is playing in this mess
DOJ’s filings after Miller’s comments become more recalcitrant and misleading
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
DOJ’s filings after Miller’s comments become more recalcitrant and misleading
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
April 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
This convo bw @gregsargent.bsky.social & @speechboy71.bsky.social gets at the imp dynamic we explained in our @msnbc.com piece, and the prominent role Stephen Miller is playing in this mess
DOJ’s filings after Miller’s comments become more recalcitrant and misleading
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
DOJ’s filings after Miller’s comments become more recalcitrant and misleading
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
The high-profile fights over Abrego Garcia & the other removals to El Salvador reflect the Trump WH's desperation, & also help obscure the reality that Trump and his top immigration adviser Stephen Miller are falling short of their own promises.
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | The calamitous influence of Stephen Miller has become impossible to ignore
The removal of Kilmar Abrego Garcia is the natural result of Miller’s attempt to impose his draconian deportation goals.
www.msnbc.com
April 29, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The high-profile fights over Abrego Garcia & the other removals to El Salvador reflect the Trump WH's desperation, & also help obscure the reality that Trump and his top immigration adviser Stephen Miller are falling short of their own promises.
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
We explain @msnbc.com
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
The calamitous influence of Stephen Miller has become impossible to ignore
We explain @msnbc.com how the removal of Abrego Garcia is the natural result of his attempt to impose his draconian and seemingly unrealistic deportation goals as rapidly as possible
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
We explain @msnbc.com how the removal of Abrego Garcia is the natural result of his attempt to impose his draconian and seemingly unrealistic deportation goals as rapidly as possible
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | The calamitous influence of Stephen Miller has become impossible to ignore
The removal of Kilmar Abrego Garcia is the natural result of Miller’s attempt to impose his draconian deportation goals
www.msnbc.com
April 28, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The calamitous influence of Stephen Miller has become impossible to ignore
We explain @msnbc.com how the removal of Abrego Garcia is the natural result of his attempt to impose his draconian and seemingly unrealistic deportation goals as rapidly as possible
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
We explain @msnbc.com how the removal of Abrego Garcia is the natural result of his attempt to impose his draconian and seemingly unrealistic deportation goals as rapidly as possible
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Reposted by Joshua Kolb
At @contrariannews.org The Democracy Index, we began the week wondering whether Trump can dissolve our democratic government faster than the courts can stop him.
We ended the week with some bipartisan signs of the judiciary holding. @joycewhitevance.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
We ended the week with some bipartisan signs of the judiciary holding. @joycewhitevance.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
The Democracy Index
April 25, 2025
open.substack.com
April 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
At @contrariannews.org The Democracy Index, we began the week wondering whether Trump can dissolve our democratic government faster than the courts can stop him.
We ended the week with some bipartisan signs of the judiciary holding. @joycewhitevance.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
We ended the week with some bipartisan signs of the judiciary holding. @joycewhitevance.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Each week at The Democracy Index, we take a snapshot of the state of our democracy
The cavalier incompetence and dangerousness of Signalgate encapsulates much of the peril we have been tracking
This week's edition explains why @contrariannews.org
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
The cavalier incompetence and dangerousness of Signalgate encapsulates much of the peril we have been tracking
This week's edition explains why @contrariannews.org
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
The Democracy Index
This week’s Democracy Index comes to you securely over Substack — if you were inadvertently added by the team, please remove yourself from the chat.
contrarian.substack.com
March 29, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Each week at The Democracy Index, we take a snapshot of the state of our democracy
The cavalier incompetence and dangerousness of Signalgate encapsulates much of the peril we have been tracking
This week's edition explains why @contrariannews.org
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
The cavalier incompetence and dangerousness of Signalgate encapsulates much of the peril we have been tracking
This week's edition explains why @contrariannews.org
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
The Signalgate scandal reflects broader systemic problems with the Trump Administration’s governance and the state of our democracy
This week's Democracy Index @contrariannews.org explains precisely why this episode was so damaging -- and so revealing
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
This week's Democracy Index @contrariannews.org explains precisely why this episode was so damaging -- and so revealing
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
The Democracy Index
This week’s Democracy Index comes to you securely over Substack — if you were inadvertently added by the team, please remove yourself from the chat.
contrarian.substack.com
March 28, 2025 at 11:37 PM
The Signalgate scandal reflects broader systemic problems with the Trump Administration’s governance and the state of our democracy
This week's Democracy Index @contrariannews.org explains precisely why this episode was so damaging -- and so revealing
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
This week's Democracy Index @contrariannews.org explains precisely why this episode was so damaging -- and so revealing
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
Are we witnessing the dismantling of America? This week's edition of The Democracy Index for The Contrarian grapples with that question, w/ @joycewhitevance.bsky.social & our excellent team @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
The Democracy Index
March 21, 2025
contrarian.substack.com
March 21, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Are we witnessing the dismantling of America? This week's edition of The Democracy Index for The Contrarian grapples with that question, w/ @joycewhitevance.bsky.social & our excellent team @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
Tracking The Democracy Index is sometimes heartbreaking, but this week, amidst everything going on, there are strong if slim rays of light peeking through
We highlight four important wins for democracy where federal courts held the line @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
We highlight four important wins for democracy where federal courts held the line @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
The Democracy Index
March 14, 2025
contrarian.substack.com
March 15, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Tracking The Democracy Index is sometimes heartbreaking, but this week, amidst everything going on, there are strong if slim rays of light peeking through
We highlight four important wins for democracy where federal courts held the line @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...
We highlight four important wins for democracy where federal courts held the line @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-democr...