Michael S. Smith II
@michaelssmithii.bsky.social
Terrorism Analyst ● OSINT Specialist ● P/CVE Consultant ● “Mogul” in Foreign Policy’s Leading Global Thinkers ’16 ● 14 in Fast Company mag’s 100 Most Creative ’16
Indeed.
September 13, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Indeed.
And expand …
As long as nobody retaliates, it will continue.
Even before Moscow sent drones into Polish airspace this week, Russian sabotage operations in Europe more than tripled from 2023 to 2024, as the West supported Ukraine in fighting the Russian invasion. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/w...
September 13, 2025 at 11:19 PM
And expand …
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
Maybe the most surprising French recipe I’ve studied and recreated for my Substack…a sweet frangipane and spinach tourte or tart, inspired by centuries of sweet spinach desserts and André Viard’s 1844 edition of Le Cuisinier Royal.
jamieschler.substack.com/p/tourte-aux...
jamieschler.substack.com/p/tourte-aux...
August 25, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Maybe the most surprising French recipe I’ve studied and recreated for my Substack…a sweet frangipane and spinach tourte or tart, inspired by centuries of sweet spinach desserts and André Viard’s 1844 edition of Le Cuisinier Royal.
jamieschler.substack.com/p/tourte-aux...
jamieschler.substack.com/p/tourte-aux...
Presently …
February 18, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Presently …
Up in the Highlands for a few weeks enjoying views like this. Keep me posted on what’s happening in the world, please.
February 16, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Up in the Highlands for a few weeks enjoying views like this. Keep me posted on what’s happening in the world, please.
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
And Jesus said:
“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God".
Matthew 19:24
“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God".
Matthew 19:24
February 8, 2025 at 6:54 PM
And Jesus said:
“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God".
Matthew 19:24
“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God".
Matthew 19:24
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
At @lawfare.bsky.social, our searchable table of legal challenges to Trump's executive orders is filling up quickly.
Please DM me if we're missing litigation on EOs within our bailiwick. A little crowdsourcing can go a long way.
Link here: www.lawfaremedia.org/projects-ser...
Please DM me if we're missing litigation on EOs within our bailiwick. A little crowdsourcing can go a long way.
Link here: www.lawfaremedia.org/projects-ser...
January 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
At @lawfare.bsky.social, our searchable table of legal challenges to Trump's executive orders is filling up quickly.
Please DM me if we're missing litigation on EOs within our bailiwick. A little crowdsourcing can go a long way.
Link here: www.lawfaremedia.org/projects-ser...
Please DM me if we're missing litigation on EOs within our bailiwick. A little crowdsourcing can go a long way.
Link here: www.lawfaremedia.org/projects-ser...
VERY
This seems important
SCOOP: FBI director nominee Kash Patel disclosed he received up to $5M in shares of a mysterious entity in the Cayman Islands called Elite Depot. Elite Depot is a parent organization of fast-fashion giant Shein, according to corporate records I reviewed www.wired.com/story/kash-p...
February 8, 2025 at 11:28 AM
VERY
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
Updated with two new lawsuits filed in the last 20 minutes. One more expected momentarily.
We put all the federal lawsuits challenging President Trump's various Executive Orders here. We'll update as they come in.
www.courtwatch.news/p/lawsuits-r...
www.courtwatch.news/p/lawsuits-r...
All The Federal Lawsuits Related to Trump Admin Executive Orders
We put them all in one place.
www.courtwatch.news
February 8, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Updated with two new lawsuits filed in the last 20 minutes. One more expected momentarily.
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
As the Trump administration and Elon Musk work to dismantle USAID, the government’s lead agency for delivering humanitarian aid for generations, right-wing influencers have flooded the internet with falsehoods about its work, promoting unfounded claims and conspiratorial thinking. nyti.ms/4htWHN0
February 8, 2025 at 12:40 AM
As the Trump administration and Elon Musk work to dismantle USAID, the government’s lead agency for delivering humanitarian aid for generations, right-wing influencers have flooded the internet with falsehoods about its work, promoting unfounded claims and conspiratorial thinking. nyti.ms/4htWHN0
Guts
Gov. Gavin Newsom of California signed legislation on Friday that authorized $50 million in state funds intended to counter President Trump's agenda.
Newsom Signs Bills to Fight Trump, Including Legal Aid for Immigrants
Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has been balancing a desire to push back on Republican policies with a need to cooperate in seeking federal disaster aid.
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Guts
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
put it in the chyron hall of fame
February 7, 2025 at 5:09 PM
put it in the chyron hall of fame
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
REPORTER: Is there anything you've told Elon Musk he cannot touch?
TRUMP: Well, we haven't discussed that much
TRUMP: Well, we haven't discussed that much
February 7, 2025 at 7:57 PM
REPORTER: Is there anything you've told Elon Musk he cannot touch?
TRUMP: Well, we haven't discussed that much
TRUMP: Well, we haven't discussed that much
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
BREAKING NEWS: Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved less than 300 essential personnel as USAID staff in the U.S. and overseas rush to rapidly close missions and leave jobs by midnight Friday.
USAID officials direct staff on 'stunning and irresponsible' cuts to jobs and offices
Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved less than 300 essential personnel as USAID staff in the U.S. and overseas rush to rapidly close missions and leave jobs by midnight Friday.
www.npr.org
February 6, 2025 at 10:39 PM
BREAKING NEWS: Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved less than 300 essential personnel as USAID staff in the U.S. and overseas rush to rapidly close missions and leave jobs by midnight Friday.
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
BREAKING: we have secured an order that BLOCKS the government from releasing the names of the 6000 FBI agents being illegally targeted by Trump & Bondi for their lawful work on the January 6 cases!
A big win by @sddaction.bsky.social & our incredible partners for rule of law & the FBI
A big win by @sddaction.bsky.social & our incredible partners for rule of law & the FBI
February 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM
BREAKING: we have secured an order that BLOCKS the government from releasing the names of the 6000 FBI agents being illegally targeted by Trump & Bondi for their lawful work on the January 6 cases!
A big win by @sddaction.bsky.social & our incredible partners for rule of law & the FBI
A big win by @sddaction.bsky.social & our incredible partners for rule of law & the FBI
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
Officials involved in Jan. 6 prosecutions say the Trump administration isn't protecting them from threats. "We don't think they'll care — unless and until one of us gets killed," an official told NPR.
FBI agents, prosecutors fear retribution from Jan. 6 rioters pardoned by Trump
Officials involved in Jan. 6 prosecutions say the Trump administration isn't protecting them from threats. "We don't think they'll care — unless and until one of us gets killed," an official told NPR.
www.npr.org
February 6, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Officials involved in Jan. 6 prosecutions say the Trump administration isn't protecting them from threats. "We don't think they'll care — unless and until one of us gets killed," an official told NPR.
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
Following a White House anti-DEI order, the National Cryptologic Museum covered up exhibits of women and people of color in its Hall of Honor. The NSA reversed course after former employees mobilized.
NSA museum covered plaques honoring women and people of color, provoking an uproar
Following a White House anti-DEI order, the National Cryptologic Museum covered up exhibits of women and people of color in its Hall of Honor. The NSA reversed course after former employees mobilized.
www.npr.org
February 6, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Following a White House anti-DEI order, the National Cryptologic Museum covered up exhibits of women and people of color in its Hall of Honor. The NSA reversed course after former employees mobilized.
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
I'm in the @nytimes.com @nytopinion.nytimes.com this morning asking: Who exactly is running the federal government?
If we can’t answer that simple question, government officials and civil society must recognize warning signs of state capture and take back what's ours. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
If we can’t answer that simple question, government officials and civil society must recognize warning signs of state capture and take back what's ours. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
February 5, 2025 at 2:38 PM
I'm in the @nytimes.com @nytopinion.nytimes.com this morning asking: Who exactly is running the federal government?
If we can’t answer that simple question, government officials and civil society must recognize warning signs of state capture and take back what's ours. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
If we can’t answer that simple question, government officials and civil society must recognize warning signs of state capture and take back what's ours. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
If you are reading this and you received any of the HR@opm.gov emails and you are not a current employee of the Executive Branch please email or Signal me a copy of the emails.
February 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM
If you are reading this and you received any of the HR@opm.gov emails and you are not a current employee of the Executive Branch please email or Signal me a copy of the emails.
Excellent explainer on Musk’s violation of the Privacy Act while serving as a “Special Government Employee”
Going on CNN at 9:40 to talk Musk, DOGE, OPM, etc.
February 5, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Excellent explainer on Musk’s violation of the Privacy Act while serving as a “Special Government Employee”
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
Court summons has been issued to the US Department of Justice in the lawsuit filed against the agency by a group of FBI agents
The agents, who remain anonymous, are seeking court intervention to prevent the disclosure of list of approx. 5,000 agents who worked on Jan. 6 cases
The agents, who remain anonymous, are seeking court intervention to prevent the disclosure of list of approx. 5,000 agents who worked on Jan. 6 cases
February 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Court summons has been issued to the US Department of Justice in the lawsuit filed against the agency by a group of FBI agents
The agents, who remain anonymous, are seeking court intervention to prevent the disclosure of list of approx. 5,000 agents who worked on Jan. 6 cases
The agents, who remain anonymous, are seeking court intervention to prevent the disclosure of list of approx. 5,000 agents who worked on Jan. 6 cases
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
If the Justice Dept purges FBI agents who handled Jan 6 case searches….. they’d be gutting some Joint Terror Task Forces too. ====>
February 4, 2025 at 11:44 AM
If the Justice Dept purges FBI agents who handled Jan 6 case searches….. they’d be gutting some Joint Terror Task Forces too. ====>
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
I wrote about our rising need for comfort food to calm our grief and restore our energy for the long battle ahead. On @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-increa...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-increa...
February 1, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I wrote about our rising need for comfort food to calm our grief and restore our energy for the long battle ahead. On @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-increa...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-increa...
Reposted by Michael S. Smith II
I just love getting invitations to come attend CLEs taught by BigLaw lawyers about <checks notes> my cases.
January 28, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I just love getting invitations to come attend CLEs taught by BigLaw lawyers about <checks notes> my cases.