Melody Brannon
@melodyjbrannon.bsky.social
Federal Public Defender. Bicycles, dogs, pottery, West Texas —just a few of my favorite things.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
Tonight at family dinner my 3-year-old asked, “Dad how can we help judges in the penumbra? What can we do to get courts to incorporate morality but still respect the sources thesis? We need to protect America against inclusive legal positivism.”
January 14, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Tonight at family dinner my 3-year-old asked, “Dad how can we help judges in the penumbra? What can we do to get courts to incorporate morality but still respect the sources thesis? We need to protect America against inclusive legal positivism.”
Reposted by Melody Brannon
Honor the people of Minneapolis, and Portland and LA before them, and Renee Nicole Good and everyone shot by ICE, by letting their courage be contagious. They are showing us the way
January 12, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Honor the people of Minneapolis, and Portland and LA before them, and Renee Nicole Good and everyone shot by ICE, by letting their courage be contagious. They are showing us the way
Reposted by Melody Brannon
How many women have died with “fucking bitch” ringing in their ears? Don’t let the misogyny get erased here
January 10, 2026 at 5:21 AM
How many women have died with “fucking bitch” ringing in their ears? Don’t let the misogyny get erased here
Reposted by Melody Brannon
Senators Durbin, Hassan, Kaine, King, Klobuchar, Shaheen, and Welch voted to confirm a man to a lifetime judicial appointment days after the president who nominated him invaded a foreign country without even giving notice to Congress and the day after federal agents killed a person in the U.S.
BREAKING: The Senate confirmed the first lifetime judge of 2026. Seven Democrats inexplicably voted to confirm Alexander Van Hook to the Western District of Louisiana.
If all Dems/Independents voted no, given absent Republicans, the vote would've failed. nominationnotes.substack.com/p/with-democ...
If all Dems/Independents voted no, given absent Republicans, the vote would've failed. nominationnotes.substack.com/p/with-democ...
With Democratic Support, Senate Confirms Trump’s Tenth Louisiana District Court Judge
Amidst all that is happening, why are Senate Democrats still supporting Trump’s judges?
nominationnotes.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Senators Durbin, Hassan, Kaine, King, Klobuchar, Shaheen, and Welch voted to confirm a man to a lifetime judicial appointment days after the president who nominated him invaded a foreign country without even giving notice to Congress and the day after federal agents killed a person in the U.S.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
Reposted by Melody Brannon
I REMEMBER.
In 1981, nearly 100% of people with AIDS died, often rapidly.
I remember weeping.
I remember Ronald Reagan's refusal to say "AIDS".
I remember the brave patients, loving caregivers, and the defiant power of ACT-UP.
And finally the miracle of modern therapy.
Rise up for World AIDS day.
In 1981, nearly 100% of people with AIDS died, often rapidly.
I remember weeping.
I remember Ronald Reagan's refusal to say "AIDS".
I remember the brave patients, loving caregivers, and the defiant power of ACT-UP.
And finally the miracle of modern therapy.
Rise up for World AIDS day.
Commemorating #WorldAIDSday is an act of defiance against ideology driven policies that will end our progress to end the epidemic.
December 1, 2025 at 11:46 PM
I REMEMBER.
In 1981, nearly 100% of people with AIDS died, often rapidly.
I remember weeping.
I remember Ronald Reagan's refusal to say "AIDS".
I remember the brave patients, loving caregivers, and the defiant power of ACT-UP.
And finally the miracle of modern therapy.
Rise up for World AIDS day.
In 1981, nearly 100% of people with AIDS died, often rapidly.
I remember weeping.
I remember Ronald Reagan's refusal to say "AIDS".
I remember the brave patients, loving caregivers, and the defiant power of ACT-UP.
And finally the miracle of modern therapy.
Rise up for World AIDS day.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
Massive shoutout out to whoever handles the Royal Canadian Air Force’s social media account. They responded to every single comment on their already very solid Trans Day of Remembrance post and they responded like this…
November 22, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Massive shoutout out to whoever handles the Royal Canadian Air Force’s social media account. They responded to every single comment on their already very solid Trans Day of Remembrance post and they responded like this…
Reposted by Melody Brannon
I know I speak for every public defender out there when I say: fuck I wish I could argue this case
Also: I still don’t understand what’s going on here!
Huh??? 🧐
Huh??? 🧐
November 20, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I know I speak for every public defender out there when I say: fuck I wish I could argue this case
Reposted by Melody Brannon
Reposted by Melody Brannon
Powerful.
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Powerful.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
DeLauro: The president went to the supreme court to deprive kids of food. Unbelievable. And now wants to deny their parents healthcare.
November 12, 2025 at 12:09 AM
DeLauro: The president went to the supreme court to deprive kids of food. Unbelievable. And now wants to deny their parents healthcare.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
It’s the same old same old. Republicans do a tantrum and break the dishes. The Democrats clean it up. It’s an abusive relationship.
November 10, 2025 at 11:35 PM
It’s the same old same old. Republicans do a tantrum and break the dishes. The Democrats clean it up. It’s an abusive relationship.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
Reposted by Melody Brannon
Trump’s sham Pardon Attorney, Ed Martin, announced a mass pardon of at least 77 people involved in efforts to overthrow the 2020 election results. This is another unprecedented and extremely dangerous use of the pardon power. Please watch and share. youtube.com/shorts/cHkqw...
Trump’s mass pardon of election deniers
YouTube video by Lawyer Oyer
youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Trump’s sham Pardon Attorney, Ed Martin, announced a mass pardon of at least 77 people involved in efforts to overthrow the 2020 election results. This is another unprecedented and extremely dangerous use of the pardon power. Please watch and share. youtube.com/shorts/cHkqw...
Reposted by Melody Brannon
A leader would not have lost eight colleagues tonight. This happened because you let it happen or because you’ve totally lost control of the caucus in one of the most important moments since you’ve been Democratic leader. Either way, it’s on you. You need to step down. We need someone who can lead.
Democrats have been fighting for months to address America's healthcare crisis
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
November 10, 2025 at 4:23 AM
A leader would not have lost eight colleagues tonight. This happened because you let it happen or because you’ve totally lost control of the caucus in one of the most important moments since you’ve been Democratic leader. Either way, it’s on you. You need to step down. We need someone who can lead.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
FYI: Gutting SNAP benefits is outlined in Chapter 10 of Project 2025.
Remember, this is all by design.
ALL OF IT.
Remember, this is all by design.
ALL OF IT.
November 9, 2025 at 10:44 AM
FYI: Gutting SNAP benefits is outlined in Chapter 10 of Project 2025.
Remember, this is all by design.
ALL OF IT.
Remember, this is all by design.
ALL OF IT.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
A major breach of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department reveals, for the first time, a list of alleged officer misconduct including dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false arrest.
Hack Exposes Kansas City’s Secret Police Misconduct List
A major breach of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department reveals, for the first time, a list of alleged officer misconduct including dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false…
wrd.cm
November 8, 2025 at 11:45 PM
A major breach of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department reveals, for the first time, a list of alleged officer misconduct including dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false arrest.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
A major breach of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department reveals, for the first time, a list of alleged officer misconduct including dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false arrest. www.wired.com/story/hack-e...
Hack Exposes Kansas City’s Secret Police Misconduct List
A major breach of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department reveals, for the first time, a list of alleged officer misconduct including dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false arrest.
www.wired.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:03 AM
A major breach of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department reveals, for the first time, a list of alleged officer misconduct including dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false arrest. www.wired.com/story/hack-e...
Reposted by Melody Brannon
I’m just going to say it…
It’s pretty damn validating to hear Barack Obama say the same things we’ve been shouting for months, and longer.
It’s pretty damn validating to hear Barack Obama say the same things we’ve been shouting for months, and longer.
November 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I’m just going to say it…
It’s pretty damn validating to hear Barack Obama say the same things we’ve been shouting for months, and longer.
It’s pretty damn validating to hear Barack Obama say the same things we’ve been shouting for months, and longer.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
Has there been an update on this?
More than 1800 detainees are missing after the closure of Alligator Alcatraz. Their families and lawyers can’t find them and they’ve vanished from the ICE database. Feels like this should be a much bigger story www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees drop off the grid after leaving site
As of the end of August, the whereabouts of two-thirds of more than 1,800 men detained at Alligator Alcatraz during the month of July could not be determined by the Miami Herald.
www.miamiherald.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Has there been an update on this?
Reposted by Melody Brannon
We got news that one of the two men detained has been released, after an arduous ordeal, but the other is still trying to get his papers to show his (yes actual) legal authorization to be here.
This morning federal agents arrested two hard working immigrants on my street because they didn’t have their papers on them, and tried to arrest my neighbor because his green card was in his house rather than on his person.
We are now a “show me your papers” state, and it is outrageous. Get angry.
We are now a “show me your papers” state, and it is outrageous. Get angry.
October 28, 2025 at 9:35 PM
We got news that one of the two men detained has been released, after an arduous ordeal, but the other is still trying to get his papers to show his (yes actual) legal authorization to be here.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
WHC has been my synagogue for nearly my entire life. The incremental updates we got, most notably the news coverage, made it seem as if Silverman was assuredly guilty.
Radley shows he clearly wasn't. And frankly, I feel betrayed.
Radley shows he clearly wasn't. And frankly, I feel betrayed.
New from me:
Elite law firms, multiple media outlets, the D.C. attorney general, and a group of parents accused a teacher of molesting 15 kids. They were wrong.
This piece is two-and-a-half years in the making. And as you'll see, it took some incredible turns, even as I was reporting it.
Elite law firms, multiple media outlets, the D.C. attorney general, and a group of parents accused a teacher of molesting 15 kids. They were wrong.
This piece is two-and-a-half years in the making. And as you'll see, it took some incredible turns, even as I was reporting it.
Accusing Jordan Silverman
A D.C. teaching assistant was accused of molesting up to 15 kids. Multiple law enforcement agencies cleared him. But his nightmare was just beginning.
radleybalko.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:24 PM
WHC has been my synagogue for nearly my entire life. The incremental updates we got, most notably the news coverage, made it seem as if Silverman was assuredly guilty.
Radley shows he clearly wasn't. And frankly, I feel betrayed.
Radley shows he clearly wasn't. And frankly, I feel betrayed.
Reposted by Melody Brannon
1,000,000% agree @mollyjongfast.bsky.social
Autocrats want you to feel like pushing back is hopeless. It’s not! Trump is a paper tiger. Most Americans don’t want this authoritarian takeover.
October 24, 2025 at 4:21 PM
1,000,000% agree @mollyjongfast.bsky.social
Reposted by Melody Brannon
New Mexico federal courts begin putting cases on hold because of the federal shutdown 🚨
This order shows CJA contract defense attys & experts are not getting paid - preventing them from providing Constitutionally required legal representation
👀
@nacdl.org
@abqjournal.bsky.social
@sourcenm.com
This order shows CJA contract defense attys & experts are not getting paid - preventing them from providing Constitutionally required legal representation
👀
@nacdl.org
@abqjournal.bsky.social
@sourcenm.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
New Mexico federal courts begin putting cases on hold because of the federal shutdown 🚨
This order shows CJA contract defense attys & experts are not getting paid - preventing them from providing Constitutionally required legal representation
👀
@nacdl.org
@abqjournal.bsky.social
@sourcenm.com
This order shows CJA contract defense attys & experts are not getting paid - preventing them from providing Constitutionally required legal representation
👀
@nacdl.org
@abqjournal.bsky.social
@sourcenm.com
Reposted by Melody Brannon
I love research. (I’m a librarian). This is what they want to destroy.
livingnewdeal.org/sites/wilbur...
livingnewdeal.org/sites/wilbur...
October 14, 2025 at 11:50 AM
I love research. (I’m a librarian). This is what they want to destroy.
livingnewdeal.org/sites/wilbur...
livingnewdeal.org/sites/wilbur...