Kathleen McClellan
@kmcclellan.bsky.social
Attorney, DC Native, UW Badger Fan
Personal account
Repost is not endorsment
Personal account
Repost is not endorsment
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
So paranoid & demoralizing for Whiskey Pete to polygraph his own ppl. Sheesh.
#AmateurHour
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
#AmateurHour
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Hegseth team told to stop polygraph tests after complaint to White House
The polygraph tests of Pentagon officials occurred as the defense secretary sought to stamp out unflattering leaks to the media.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
So paranoid & demoralizing for Whiskey Pete to polygraph his own ppl. Sheesh.
#AmateurHour
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
#AmateurHour
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
It's a careful, well-reasoned opinion that rightly describes the exclusion of AP as retaliatory, viewpoint-based, and unconstitutional. And it reaffirms that viewpoint discrimination is off-limits even in nonpublic forums. An important opinion, especially right now.
April 8, 2025 at 9:42 PM
It's a careful, well-reasoned opinion that rightly describes the exclusion of AP as retaliatory, viewpoint-based, and unconstitutional. And it reaffirms that viewpoint discrimination is off-limits even in nonpublic forums. An important opinion, especially right now.
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
There's a big difference between 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 and 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚-𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒔. It's called the First Amendment.
www.salon.com/2025/03/23/t...
www.salon.com/2025/03/23/t...
Tulsi Gabbard’s new anti-leak hysteria is what she used to warn against
The Trump administration crosses the Rubicon into politically-motivated prosecutions
www.salon.com
March 23, 2025 at 2:45 PM
There's a big difference between 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 and 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚-𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒔. It's called the First Amendment.
www.salon.com/2025/03/23/t...
www.salon.com/2025/03/23/t...
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
‼️Hegseth violated the #EspionageAct by putting US operational war plans in a commercial grp chat that included a journalist. #WHISTLEBLOWERS I REP HAVE GONE TO PRISON FOR MUCH LESS SERIOUS DISCLOSURES.
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03...
Trump Live Updates: Tariffs, Federal Layoffs and Greenland Backlash
www.nytimes.com
March 24, 2025 at 8:56 PM
‼️Hegseth violated the #EspionageAct by putting US operational war plans in a commercial grp chat that included a journalist. #WHISTLEBLOWERS I REP HAVE GONE TO PRISON FOR MUCH LESS SERIOUS DISCLOSURES.
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03...
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
@PeteHegseth should’ve been on SIPRNet, not Signal. At a minimum, he should resign over this rookie sloppiness. My clients were prosecuted for far less serious natsec disclosures — and ones that were in the public interest.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/u...
Hegseth Disclosed Secret War Plans in Group Chat With Atlantic Journalist
The conversation among the defense secretary and other national security officials on a commercial messaging app mistakenly included the editor in chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg.
www.nytimes.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:18 PM
@PeteHegseth should’ve been on SIPRNet, not Signal. At a minimum, he should resign over this rookie sloppiness. My clients were prosecuted for far less serious natsec disclosures — and ones that were in the public interest.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/u...
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
In partnership with @freedom.press, @wired.com stopped paywalling articles that are primarily based on public records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act
We commend Wired for tipping the balance between public interest and business toward the former and hope others will follow its lead.
We commend Wired for tipping the balance between public interest and business toward the former and hope others will follow its lead.
Public records are for the public
Plus: Catch us on NPR while you still can
freedom.press
March 21, 2025 at 5:41 PM
In partnership with @freedom.press, @wired.com stopped paywalling articles that are primarily based on public records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act
We commend Wired for tipping the balance between public interest and business toward the former and hope others will follow its lead.
We commend Wired for tipping the balance between public interest and business toward the former and hope others will follow its lead.
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
Excited to join this conversation today and speak about @mediajustice.bsky.social work responding to over-policing and tech’s role within it.
Excited to hear @jesselynradack.bsky.social @stevenrenderos.bsky.social & @chipgibbons.bsky.social
online today at #RightsCon2025
online today at #RightsCon2025
February 25, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Excited to join this conversation today and speak about @mediajustice.bsky.social work responding to over-policing and tech’s role within it.
This move to hand pick WH reporters is about controlling the narrative. The worrisome next question is: what else will the Trump administration do to sources and journalists who work to reveal true but unfavorable information about our government?
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/b...
White House Moves to Pick the Pool Reporters Who Cover Trump
In announcing plans to hand-select the reporters who can ask the president questions at many events, the White House is breaking decades of precedent.
www.nytimes.com
February 25, 2025 at 10:44 PM
This move to hand pick WH reporters is about controlling the narrative. The worrisome next question is: what else will the Trump administration do to sources and journalists who work to reveal true but unfavorable information about our government?
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/b...
Trump scrapping internal whistleblowing and discrimination training will create an opaque environment where discrimination, fraud, waste, abuse and illegality can flourish unchecked amid a culture of fear of retaliation.
www.newsweek.com/no-fear-act-...
www.newsweek.com/no-fear-act-...
Exclusive: Government departments stop whistleblower training
Newsweek obtained documents revealing at least two government departments have stopped antidiscrimination and whistleblower training.
www.newsweek.com
February 25, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Trump scrapping internal whistleblowing and discrimination training will create an opaque environment where discrimination, fraud, waste, abuse and illegality can flourish unchecked amid a culture of fear of retaliation.
www.newsweek.com/no-fear-act-...
www.newsweek.com/no-fear-act-...
Excited to hear @jesselynradack.bsky.social @stevenrenderos.bsky.social & @chipgibbons.bsky.social
online today at #RightsCon2025
online today at #RightsCon2025
February 25, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Excited to hear @jesselynradack.bsky.social @stevenrenderos.bsky.social & @chipgibbons.bsky.social
online today at #RightsCon2025
online today at #RightsCon2025
Tips for federal employees who need to become #whistleblowers.
whisper.exposefacts.org/5-tips-for-s...
whisper.exposefacts.org/5-tips-for-s...
5 Tips for Speaking Safely to the Press as a Federal Employee
The Trump administration is currently giving all federal workers the same retaliatory treatment traditionally reserved for whistleblowers and media sources. Amidst the carnage and chaos, investigat…
whisper.exposefacts.org
February 19, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Tips for federal employees who need to become #whistleblowers.
whisper.exposefacts.org/5-tips-for-s...
whisper.exposefacts.org/5-tips-for-s...
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
My act of resistance today:
“The over-the-top tactics Trump & Musk are using — placing ppl on ad leave w/o due process, leaning on career civil servants to resign, accusing them of ‘complete & utter incompetence’ — are very familiar to most #whistleblowers.”
www.salon.com/2025/02/13/e...
“The over-the-top tactics Trump & Musk are using — placing ppl on ad leave w/o due process, leaning on career civil servants to resign, accusing them of ‘complete & utter incompetence’ — are very familiar to most #whistleblowers.”
www.salon.com/2025/02/13/e...
Elon Musk is using the whistleblower playbook
DOGE is giving all civil servants the whistleblower treatment
www.salon.com
February 13, 2025 at 2:27 PM
My act of resistance today:
“The over-the-top tactics Trump & Musk are using — placing ppl on ad leave w/o due process, leaning on career civil servants to resign, accusing them of ‘complete & utter incompetence’ — are very familiar to most #whistleblowers.”
www.salon.com/2025/02/13/e...
“The over-the-top tactics Trump & Musk are using — placing ppl on ad leave w/o due process, leaning on career civil servants to resign, accusing them of ‘complete & utter incompetence’ — are very familiar to most #whistleblowers.”
www.salon.com/2025/02/13/e...
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
This is not my most animated speech, but in 2021 I tried to warn people about Elon Musk's consolidation of power over the globe and the global imperial underpinnings of the "Kill Cloud" (timestamp 20:30), which I cowrote about in the book "Whistleblowing For Change" www.youtube.com/results?sear...
YouTube
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2025 at 9:38 PM
This is not my most animated speech, but in 2021 I tried to warn people about Elon Musk's consolidation of power over the globe and the global imperial underpinnings of the "Kill Cloud" (timestamp 20:30), which I cowrote about in the book "Whistleblowing For Change" www.youtube.com/results?sear...
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
I’ve had clients prosecuted under the #EspionageAct & imprisoned for disclosing #classified info, even if in the public’s interest to know about (eg, torture)!! But Team Trump gets a pass when they do it for fame, gain, profit or revenge.
🤩💲👺🤺
www.cnn.com/2025/01/28/p...
🤩💲👺🤺
www.cnn.com/2025/01/28/p...
How Patel’s personal battles with intelligence officials have shaped his view of the FBI | CNN Politics
Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, has for years battled US intelligence agencies over the handling of some of the government’s most sensitive national security secrets.
www.cnn.com
January 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM
I’ve had clients prosecuted under the #EspionageAct & imprisoned for disclosing #classified info, even if in the public’s interest to know about (eg, torture)!! But Team Trump gets a pass when they do it for fame, gain, profit or revenge.
🤩💲👺🤺
www.cnn.com/2025/01/28/p...
🤩💲👺🤺
www.cnn.com/2025/01/28/p...
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
While Trump & his minions skate on criminal charges for mishandling classified info, here’s a refresher on what happens to #whistleblowers:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=lHwe...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=lHwe...
Could Edward Snowden get a fair trial in the U.S.?
YouTube video by Face the Nation
m.youtube.com
January 29, 2025 at 9:56 PM
While Trump & his minions skate on criminal charges for mishandling classified info, here’s a refresher on what happens to #whistleblowers:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=lHwe...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=lHwe...
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
"The Espionage Act is an ideal weapon for Trump’s retribution toolkit...If the past is prologue, the danger that press freedom may fall victim to personal vendettas is real."
Trump was prosecuted under the Espionage Act — now he'll turn it against his "enemies"
We've seen how ruthless presidents use this deeply flawed law — and Trump already knows it's an effective weapon
www.salon.com
December 19, 2024 at 4:11 PM
"The Espionage Act is an ideal weapon for Trump’s retribution toolkit...If the past is prologue, the danger that press freedom may fall victim to personal vendettas is real."
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
In their introduction to the Investigating the #KillCloud conference, Jesselyn Radack and Thomas Drake discuss the key role of whistleblowers in the narrative of #AI and #warfare.
Watch the video here: https://buff.ly/3ZP1D8X.
#DNL34
@thomasdrake.bsky.social @jesselynradack.bsky.social
Watch the video here: https://buff.ly/3ZP1D8X.
#DNL34
@thomasdrake.bsky.social @jesselynradack.bsky.social
Whistleblowing in Data-Centric Warfare · Jesselyn Radack, Thomas Drake · #KillCloud #DNL34
Whistleblowing in Data-Centric WarfareWith Jesselyn Radack (Head of the Whistleblower and Source Protection Program WHISPeR at ExposeFacts, US), Thomas Drake...
buff.ly
December 13, 2024 at 2:37 PM
In their introduction to the Investigating the #KillCloud conference, Jesselyn Radack and Thomas Drake discuss the key role of whistleblowers in the narrative of #AI and #warfare.
Watch the video here: https://buff.ly/3ZP1D8X.
#DNL34
@thomasdrake.bsky.social @jesselynradack.bsky.social
Watch the video here: https://buff.ly/3ZP1D8X.
#DNL34
@thomasdrake.bsky.social @jesselynradack.bsky.social
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
The Espionage Act continues to be sharpened as an unconstitutional and draconian weapon against #whistleblower & media leak cases. Already notoriously difficult for defense, pretrial detention makes things even harder.
The public has a right to know.
The public has a right to know.
My second report for @kgosztola.bsky.social The Dissenter on the Asif Rahman case.
Rahman is accused of releasing classified documents about Israeli military capabilities, potential to strike Iran.
He denies the charges, but is being held in pretrial detention.
thedissenter.org/in-unprecede...
Rahman is accused of releasing classified documents about Israeli military capabilities, potential to strike Iran.
He denies the charges, but is being held in pretrial detention.
thedissenter.org/in-unprecede...
Judge Keeps Accused CIA Leaker In Jail
Chip Gibbons reports on the US government's appeal, which led a judge to overturn a prior decision and keep CIA employee Asif Rahman in jail
thedissenter.org
December 16, 2024 at 8:09 PM
The Espionage Act continues to be sharpened as an unconstitutional and draconian weapon against #whistleblower & media leak cases. Already notoriously difficult for defense, pretrial detention makes things even harder.
The public has a right to know.
The public has a right to know.
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
My dire warning for whistleblowers, journalists & Trump critics. ⚠️
www.salon.com/2024/12/15/w...
www.salon.com/2024/12/15/w...
Trump was prosecuted under the Espionage Act — now he'll turn it against his "enemies"
We've seen how ruthless presidents use this deeply flawed law — and Trump already knows it's an effective weapon
www.salon.com
December 15, 2024 at 1:27 PM
My dire warning for whistleblowers, journalists & Trump critics. ⚠️
www.salon.com/2024/12/15/w...
www.salon.com/2024/12/15/w...
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
If ppl need a refresher on #RealityWinner — @reazlepuff.bsky.social —
& why she’s a classic #whistleblower deserving of a pardon, I wrote abt it here. exposefacts.org/reality-winn...
& why she’s a classic #whistleblower deserving of a pardon, I wrote abt it here. exposefacts.org/reality-winn...
Reality Winner is a Whistleblower
Reality Winner, the 25-year-old Air Force veteran and NSA contractor charged with mailing classified material to a news outlet, is a classic whistleblower. She hasn’t claimed that mantle, which is …
exposefacts.org
December 5, 2024 at 6:15 PM
If ppl need a refresher on #RealityWinner — @reazlepuff.bsky.social —
& why she’s a classic #whistleblower deserving of a pardon, I wrote abt it here. exposefacts.org/reality-winn...
& why she’s a classic #whistleblower deserving of a pardon, I wrote abt it here. exposefacts.org/reality-winn...
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
Scapegoated by Trump’s Justice Department, Reality Winner deserves a pardon now for the public service she performed. My new column https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/05/joe-biden-pardon-reality-winner-whistleblower
Joe Biden should pardon Reality Winner for her actions as a whistleblower | Margaret Sullivan
The leaker went to jail for a patriotic, if illegal, act. She has a lot to offer the world if she’s allowed to move on
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2024 at 12:42 PM
Scapegoated by Trump’s Justice Department, Reality Winner deserves a pardon now for the public service she performed. My new column https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/05/joe-biden-pardon-reality-winner-whistleblower
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
‼️Pls sign #Assange pardon petition. The Espionage Act should not be used as a tool to bludgeon publishers, journalists, whistleblowers, or sources for disclosing information in the public interest.
www.action.assangecampaign.org
www.action.assangecampaign.org
The Assange Campaign | Send the open letter | Pardon Assange
Can you add your name to the open letter to President Biden, urging him to protect press freedom and First Amendment rights by pardoning Julian Assange?
www.action.assangecampaign.org
November 27, 2024 at 8:34 AM
‼️Pls sign #Assange pardon petition. The Espionage Act should not be used as a tool to bludgeon publishers, journalists, whistleblowers, or sources for disclosing information in the public interest.
www.action.assangecampaign.org
www.action.assangecampaign.org
Reposted by Kathleen McClellan
"#Whistleblowing is critical in the context of drone war because we would have no idea of what's occurring in the most secret and most lethal governement program without the perspective of insiders." @jesselynradack.bsky.social
#DNL34 #KillCloud
dnlb.org/live
#DNL34 #KillCloud
dnlb.org/live
November 29, 2024 at 3:48 PM
"#Whistleblowing is critical in the context of drone war because we would have no idea of what's occurring in the most secret and most lethal governement program without the perspective of insiders." @jesselynradack.bsky.social
#DNL34 #KillCloud
dnlb.org/live
#DNL34 #KillCloud
dnlb.org/live
Trump will go after journalists and their sources -- protect them this #givingtuesday by donating to the Whistleblower and Source Protection Program (WHISPeR) at ExposeFacts
whisper.networkforgood.com
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/u...
whisper.networkforgood.com
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/u...
Kash Patel Has Plan to Remake the F.B.I. Into a Tool of Trump
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the F.B.I. has called for firing the agency’s top officials, shutting down its Washington headquarters and prosecuting journalists.
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2024 at 2:02 PM
Trump will go after journalists and their sources -- protect them this #givingtuesday by donating to the Whistleblower and Source Protection Program (WHISPeR) at ExposeFacts
whisper.networkforgood.com
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/u...
whisper.networkforgood.com
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/u...