Mary Foster
@maryfoster.bsky.social
Living the slow life in Door County, Wisconsin. Sometimes teaches Legal Ethics to law students. Reader, walker, dog owner.
Reposted by Mary Foster
The world's richest 0.001% now control 3x as much wealth as the entire bottom half of humanity combined.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
Just 0.001% hold three times the wealth of poorest half of humanity, report finds
Data from World Inequality Report also showed top 10% of income-earners earn more than the other 90%
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The world's richest 0.001% now control 3x as much wealth as the entire bottom half of humanity combined.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
Reposted by Mary Foster
UPDATE: Boasberg denies both the stay request and an underlying motion for reconsideration that DOJ had filed to stop the contempt proceedings. Here's the reconsideration denial, which Boasberg cites as providing the reasons for denying the stay: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
BREAKING: DOJ has filed a mandamus petition at the DC Circuit, seeking to stop next week’s contempt proceedings before Judge Boasberg. They have also filed a motion to stay the proceedings directly with Boasberg.
![JORAL ARGUMENT NOT SCHEDULED]
No. 25--
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT
In re DONALD J. TRUMP, in his official capacity, et al.,
Petitioners.
On Petition for a Writ of Mandamus to the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia
Case No: 1:25-cv-00766-JEB
PETITION FOR A WRIT OF MANDAMUS
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
YAAKOV M. ROTH
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
TIBERIUS DAVIS
Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General
Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreifgrkondpcwk3xzgalmpz5i4jgbmvrcfwxqwry5qyy5fbkwr45a3u@jpeg)
December 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
UPDATE: Boasberg denies both the stay request and an underlying motion for reconsideration that DOJ had filed to stop the contempt proceedings. Here's the reconsideration denial, which Boasberg cites as providing the reasons for denying the stay: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Mary Foster
Remember the Torture Memos? The Boat Strike Memos May Be Worse.
The Trump administration needs to release the legal analysis underpinning its controversial military campaign.
The Trump administration needs to release the legal analysis underpinning its controversial military campaign.
Remember the Torture Memos? The Boat Strike Memos May Be Worse.
The Trump administration needs to release the legal analysis underpinning its controversial military campaign.
www.politico.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Remember the Torture Memos? The Boat Strike Memos May Be Worse.
The Trump administration needs to release the legal analysis underpinning its controversial military campaign.
The Trump administration needs to release the legal analysis underpinning its controversial military campaign.
Reposted by Mary Foster
"Over and over this year, DHS has assaulted opponents of ICE and then charged them for it. And these Signal texts sure seem to support that they knowingly did the same thing with Congresswoman McIver.
And then buried it in a discovery violation."
And then buried it in a discovery violation."
DOJ Withheld Proof They Knew Their Assault of LaMonica McIver Was "Bad" before They Charged Her
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/09/d...
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/09/d...
DOJ Withheld Proof They Knew Their Assault of LaMonica McIver Was "Bad" before They Charged Her - emptywheel
DOJ withheld Signal texts showing that before DHS started claiming that LaMonica McIver had assaulted two DHS guys, they had circulated video observing that their own actions look "bad."
www.emptywheel.net
December 10, 2025 at 10:29 AM
"Over and over this year, DHS has assaulted opponents of ICE and then charged them for it. And these Signal texts sure seem to support that they knowingly did the same thing with Congresswoman McIver.
And then buried it in a discovery violation."
And then buried it in a discovery violation."
Reposted by Mary Foster
Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly Demands Someone at DOJ Put Ethical Skin in the Game
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/10/e...
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/10/e...
Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly Demands Someone at DOJ Put Ethical Skin in the Game - emptywheel
Colleen Kollar-Kotelly is insisting that Todd Blanche or whoever promised her that DOJ does not continue to snuffle around Dan Richman's stuff say so on the docket, with their appearance noticed.
www.emptywheel.net
December 10, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly Demands Someone at DOJ Put Ethical Skin in the Game
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/10/e...
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/10/e...
Reposted by Mary Foster
I don't think the administration's murder of folks that happen to be on "drug-boat"-ish vessels will lead to much in the way of legal consequences but everyone who objects should still expend every effort to make that happen. Giving up would be as big a betrayal of the rule of law.
December 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I don't think the administration's murder of folks that happen to be on "drug-boat"-ish vessels will lead to much in the way of legal consequences but everyone who objects should still expend every effort to make that happen. Giving up would be as big a betrayal of the rule of law.
Reposted by Mary Foster
The death of browsing is part of the reason art is the way it is now. Our opinions are largely fed to us by algorithms. Spending a spare 15 minutes wandering around a bookstore or comic shop or video rental place was how you found stuff you wouldn't ordinarily pick up and thereby expanded your taste
Bookselling is like the most "people go to the store and buy what looks cool to them without a particular agenda" type business left, and your purchases have a huge influence on what is ordered, what is displayed, and what is recommended.
November 29, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The death of browsing is part of the reason art is the way it is now. Our opinions are largely fed to us by algorithms. Spending a spare 15 minutes wandering around a bookstore or comic shop or video rental place was how you found stuff you wouldn't ordinarily pick up and thereby expanded your taste
Reposted by Mary Foster
🧵1/ The Former JAGs Working Group—established in February 2025 in response to the SECDEF’s firing of the Army and Air Force Judge Advocates General and his systematic dismantling of the military’s legal guardrails—
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
www.justsecurity.org
November 30, 2025 at 3:08 PM
🧵1/ The Former JAGs Working Group—established in February 2025 in response to the SECDEF’s firing of the Army and Air Force Judge Advocates General and his systematic dismantling of the military’s legal guardrails—
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Mary Foster
If telling the troops not to follow illegal orders is “sedition,” what do we call colluding with the Kremlin to manipulate the U.S. President into advancing Russian interests over America’s?
November 26, 2025 at 2:54 PM
If telling the troops not to follow illegal orders is “sedition,” what do we call colluding with the Kremlin to manipulate the U.S. President into advancing Russian interests over America’s?
Reposted by Mary Foster
An American Hero‼️
November 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM
An American Hero‼️
Reposted by Mary Foster
The military has a duty to refuse unlawful orders, but Congress has a duty to remove from office a president and secretary who would issue such orders. There is something off about members of Congress talking about the former while refusing to say the latter, the part that's actually their job here.
November 25, 2025 at 6:38 AM
The military has a duty to refuse unlawful orders, but Congress has a duty to remove from office a president and secretary who would issue such orders. There is something off about members of Congress talking about the former while refusing to say the latter, the part that's actually their job here.
Prosecutors have a professional obligation under the Rules of Professional Conduct to seek justice, not merely a conviction. And all lawyers are prohibited from assisting their client in engaging in a crime or fraud. This is probably why a notable number of DOJ lawyers quit.
Breaking: Judge just dismissed prosecutions of James Comey and Letitia James on grounds that Trump stooge prosecutor was unlawfully appointed.
This has relevance for the whole debate over Trump giving "illegal orders." Very possible that Trump's commands for prosecutions are unlawful ones.
This has relevance for the whole debate over Trump giving "illegal orders." Very possible that Trump's commands for prosecutions are unlawful ones.
What about Trump's corrupt orders to DOJ to prosecute his enemies? Here it's complex, but there are scenarios in which these orders could be illegal. His lackeys might be breaking the law in carrying them out.
Legal expert @kristyparker.bsky.social explains here:
newrepublic.com/article/2035...
Legal expert @kristyparker.bsky.social explains here:
newrepublic.com/article/2035...
November 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Prosecutors have a professional obligation under the Rules of Professional Conduct to seek justice, not merely a conviction. And all lawyers are prohibited from assisting their client in engaging in a crime or fraud. This is probably why a notable number of DOJ lawyers quit.
Reposted by Mary Foster
UPDATE: Boasberg orders the parties to submit plans for the "inquiry regarding a potential contempt referral," by tomorrow, "including names of possible witnesses and dates for hearings." (ACLU's Lee Gelernt smartly suggested waiting on the mandate from the DC Circuit before issuing any orders.)
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 AM
UPDATE: Boasberg orders the parties to submit plans for the "inquiry regarding a potential contempt referral," by tomorrow, "including names of possible witnesses and dates for hearings." (ACLU's Lee Gelernt smartly suggested waiting on the mandate from the DC Circuit before issuing any orders.)
Reposted by Mary Foster
🚨BREAKING: Judge Cameron McGowan Currie has dismissed the criminal indictments against James Comey and Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor behind both cases was illegally appointed and lacked any lawful authority. A rare moment of the law actually holding the line.🙌🏽🙌🏽
November 24, 2025 at 9:03 PM
🚨BREAKING: Judge Cameron McGowan Currie has dismissed the criminal indictments against James Comey and Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor behind both cases was illegally appointed and lacked any lawful authority. A rare moment of the law actually holding the line.🙌🏽🙌🏽
Reposted by Mary Foster
Step 1: Sign up for a FREE library card at your local library today.
Step 2: Enter a world of possibilities.
Step 3: Share some of the library joy that is sure to come.
Step 2: Enter a world of possibilities.
Step 3: Share some of the library joy that is sure to come.
fry from futurama says " and it 's all thanks to the books at my local library .. "
ALT: fry from futurama says " and it 's all thanks to the books at my local library .. "
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Step 1: Sign up for a FREE library card at your local library today.
Step 2: Enter a world of possibilities.
Step 3: Share some of the library joy that is sure to come.
Step 2: Enter a world of possibilities.
Step 3: Share some of the library joy that is sure to come.
Reposted by Mary Foster
Remember, Kushner EXPRESSLY PROMISED he would not play a role in Trump's second administration as a way of waiving away criticism that he took billions in Saudi investments
November 23, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Remember, Kushner EXPRESSLY PROMISED he would not play a role in Trump's second administration as a way of waiving away criticism that he took billions in Saudi investments
Reposted by Mary Foster
NEW: Mr. Abrego's lawyers believe that the lies DOJ told in the civil case warrant immediate dismissal in his criminal case. My latest: www.muellershewrote.com/p/more-evide...
More Evidence Submitted to Dismiss the Charges Against Kilmar Abrego
Friday night, we learned that the DOJ lied about the door being closed to Costa Rica. Mr. Abrego's lawyers feel that's enough to immediately dismiss on vindictive and selective prosecution grounds.
www.muellershewrote.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:32 AM
NEW: Mr. Abrego's lawyers believe that the lies DOJ told in the civil case warrant immediate dismissal in his criminal case. My latest: www.muellershewrote.com/p/more-evide...
Reposted by Mary Foster
“I never imagined that the institution I dedicated my entire career building could be destroyed in such a short period of time.”
Peter Carr, aka Mr. No Comment, speaks out:
open.substack.com/pub/justicec...
Peter Carr, aka Mr. No Comment, speaks out:
open.substack.com/pub/justicec...
An Insider Continuing to Fight for Justice - On the Outside
Peter Carr's mission hasn't changed. Like others who left DOJ noted in their farewell letters, he has found the best way to fight for DOJ is on the outside.
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:13 PM
“I never imagined that the institution I dedicated my entire career building could be destroyed in such a short period of time.”
Peter Carr, aka Mr. No Comment, speaks out:
open.substack.com/pub/justicec...
Peter Carr, aka Mr. No Comment, speaks out:
open.substack.com/pub/justicec...
Government lawyers had better think before they sign on to represent ICE in this litigation.
ICE’s Detention Center outside Chicago was sued on October 30 for allegedly abusing detainees. One day later, a "system crash" lost all video footage that could have shown how detainees were being treated. trib.al/QwT3aqI
November 21, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Government lawyers had better think before they sign on to represent ICE in this litigation.
Reposted by Mary Foster
Before the midterms of 1866, President Andrew Johnson called his congressional opponents traitors and said they should be hanged.
Voters were so profoundly moved by his words... that they gave his opponents a supermajority in Congress, and the nation got the Fourteenth Amendment.
Voters were so profoundly moved by his words... that they gave his opponents a supermajority in Congress, and the nation got the Fourteenth Amendment.
November 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Before the midterms of 1866, President Andrew Johnson called his congressional opponents traitors and said they should be hanged.
Voters were so profoundly moved by his words... that they gave his opponents a supermajority in Congress, and the nation got the Fourteenth Amendment.
Voters were so profoundly moved by his words... that they gave his opponents a supermajority in Congress, and the nation got the Fourteenth Amendment.
Reposted by Mary Foster
Absolutely no way to read this and not conclude that the Department of Justice has been deeply corrupted. And this is from a time when career lawyers were in place, pushing back against illegality. With firings and resignations, the politicization will just get worse.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
60 Attorneys on the Year of Chaos Inside Trump’s Justice Department (Gift Article)
Sixty former staffers describe an environment of suspicion and intimidation within the nation’s most powerful law enforcement agency.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Absolutely no way to read this and not conclude that the Department of Justice has been deeply corrupted. And this is from a time when career lawyers were in place, pushing back against illegality. With firings and resignations, the politicization will just get worse.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Mary Foster
Reminder: Every time you shop at an independent bookstore, Jeff Bezos loses a little bit of power.
November 12, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Reminder: Every time you shop at an independent bookstore, Jeff Bezos loses a little bit of power.
Reposted by Mary Foster
It is an absolute moral failing that the American public elected this man. How is this man still in the White House?
November 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
It is an absolute moral failing that the American public elected this man. How is this man still in the White House?