Roger Parloff
@rparloff.bsky.social
Senior Editor, Lawfare. Ex-Fortune staff. Published in ProPublica, NYT, New York, New Yorker, Yahoo Finance, Air Mail, etc. Practiced law a long time ago.
From my notes—not a transcript, which doesn't exist yet—this was the exchange between Judge Nachmanoff & AUSA Lemons about the deputy AG telling him not to reveal if there was a declination memo in the Comey case. (A memo on why prosecutors weren't bringing charges.)
November 19, 2025 at 8:13 PM
From my notes—not a transcript, which doesn't exist yet—this was the exchange between Judge Nachmanoff & AUSA Lemons about the deputy AG telling him not to reveal if there was a declination memo in the Comey case. (A memo on why prosecutors weren't bringing charges.)
Judge Boasberg says he will proceed to fact-finding on whether to hold govt in contempt for sending people to El Salvador against his order on 3/15/25. Preliminarily wants to hear from whistleblower Erez Reuveni & DOJ's Drew Ensign. Will let parties advise how to proceed in writing by Monday.
November 19, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Judge Boasberg says he will proceed to fact-finding on whether to hold govt in contempt for sending people to El Salvador against his order on 3/15/25. Preliminarily wants to hear from whistleblower Erez Reuveni & DOJ's Drew Ensign. Will let parties advise how to proceed in writing by Monday.
At today's Comey hearing, Michael Dreeben argued: "This has to stop. ... A message needs to be sent to the Executive Branch. You cannot allow the president to take advantage of the authority of the EB to use as a cudgel to damage [and intimidate] political opponents."
November 19, 2025 at 6:54 PM
At today's Comey hearing, Michael Dreeben argued: "This has to stop. ... A message needs to be sent to the Executive Branch. You cannot allow the president to take advantage of the authority of the EB to use as a cudgel to damage [and intimidate] political opponents."
At 4pm, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org will moderate a discussion of today's Comey hearing with @annabower.bsky.social @mollyroberts.bsky.social & me. Please join us.
youtube.com/live/dEUt_Kz... and open.substack.com/live-stream/...
youtube.com/live/dEUt_Kz... and open.substack.com/live-stream/...
Lawfare Live: Discussing Today's Hearing in the James Comey Prosecution
YouTube video by Lawfare
youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:46 PM
At 4pm, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org will moderate a discussion of today's Comey hearing with @annabower.bsky.social @mollyroberts.bsky.social & me. Please join us.
youtube.com/live/dEUt_Kz... and open.substack.com/live-stream/...
youtube.com/live/dEUt_Kz... and open.substack.com/live-stream/...
At end of hearing, Judge Nachmanoff ordered parties to brief how (noncontrolling) DC Circuit case Gaither v. US impacts Comey's. Facts in Gaither not exactly the same. But it creates "flat rule" of "dismissal of indictments not found by 12 grand jurors." law.justia.com/cases/federa...
November 19, 2025 at 6:05 PM
At end of hearing, Judge Nachmanoff ordered parties to brief how (noncontrolling) DC Circuit case Gaither v. US impacts Comey's. Facts in Gaither not exactly the same. But it creates "flat rule" of "dismissal of indictments not found by 12 grand jurors." law.justia.com/cases/federa...
Comey hearing just ended. Govt admits 2d indictment never shown to full grand jury. Judge concerned. AUSA also admits DAG Blanche’s office told him not to disclose if previous prosecutors prepared a declination memo (saying why there was no case).
November 19, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Comey hearing just ended. Govt admits 2d indictment never shown to full grand jury. Judge concerned. AUSA also admits DAG Blanche’s office told him not to disclose if previous prosecutors prepared a declination memo (saying why there was no case).
If you want a GRANULAR understanding of Thursday's consolidated hearing in the Comey & Letitia James cases on whether Lindsey Halligan was improperly appointed, may I humbly offer the following in @lawfaremedia.org :
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/disp...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/disp...
Dispatch from the Nov. 13 Hearing on Lindsey Halligan’s Appointment
In a joint hearing in the Comey and James cases, Judge Currie appeared skeptical that Halligan had been properly appointed U.S. Attorney or that any error was harmless.
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
If you want a GRANULAR understanding of Thursday's consolidated hearing in the Comey & Letitia James cases on whether Lindsey Halligan was improperly appointed, may I humbly offer the following in @lawfaremedia.org :
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/disp...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/disp...
Belatedly noticing that in Letitia James's motion to see certain grand jury minutes—narrower than Comey's—she also asks Judge Jamar Walker to review all GJ minutes & recordings in camera, in light of apparent misstatements of law Mag Judge Fitzpatrick found in Comey's.
November 18, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Belatedly noticing that in Letitia James's motion to see certain grand jury minutes—narrower than Comey's—she also asks Judge Jamar Walker to review all GJ minutes & recordings in camera, in light of apparent misstatements of law Mag Judge Fitzpatrick found in Comey's.
Judge Nachmanoff has stayed Mag Judge Fitzpatrick's order to turn over grand jury minutes to Comey. He'll give govt till Wed 5pm to state its objections; Comey to respond by Friday 5pm.
November 18, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Judge Nachmanoff has stayed Mag Judge Fitzpatrick's order to turn over grand jury minutes to Comey. He'll give govt till Wed 5pm to state its objections; Comey to respond by Friday 5pm.
Reposted by Roger Parloff
In less than 10 minutes join @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org and @rparloff.bsky.social for a discussion of the order that grand jury minutes and recordings be turned over to James Comey's defense team by close of business today due to his finding of potential irregularities in the proceedings.
Lawfare Live, The Now: Judge Finds Potential Irregularities in Comey Grand Jury Proceedings
YouTube video by Lawfare
youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:21 PM
In less than 10 minutes join @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org and @rparloff.bsky.social for a discussion of the order that grand jury minutes and recordings be turned over to James Comey's defense team by close of business today due to his finding of potential irregularities in the proceedings.
In Abrego's civil case, govt suddenly claimed on 11/7 that Costa Rica, where Abrego was willing to go, will no longer take him. Only Liberia. It cited a sealed affidavit by an ICE official. Just now, Judge Xinis strikes that affidavit unless the official will testify Thursday.
November 17, 2025 at 11:26 PM
In Abrego's civil case, govt suddenly claimed on 11/7 that Costa Rica, where Abrego was willing to go, will no longer take him. Only Liberia. It cited a sealed affidavit by an ICE official. Just now, Judge Xinis strikes that affidavit unless the official will testify Thursday.
Govt asks Judge Nachmanoff for emergency order to stay compliance with Magistrate Judge Fitzpatrick's order to turn over grand jury minutes in Comey case.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
#195 in United States v. Comey (E.D. Va., 1:25-cr-00272) – CourtListener.com
Emergency MOTION to Stay re 193 Order,,, 192 Unredacted Document, 191 Memorandum Opinion TO ALLOW TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO FILE ITS OBJECTIONS TO THE ORDER TO THE DISTRICT COURT PURUSANT TO RULE 59....
storage.courtlistener.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Govt asks Judge Nachmanoff for emergency order to stay compliance with Magistrate Judge Fitzpatrick's order to turn over grand jury minutes in Comey case.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
A grim comedic aspect of Mag Judge Fitzpatrick's ruling in Comey's case, finding that Halligan "potentially undermine[d] the integrity of the grand jury" with "fundamental misstatements of the law," is that AG Bondi purported to review those minutes & to ratify everything Halligan did—twice.
November 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
A grim comedic aspect of Mag Judge Fitzpatrick's ruling in Comey's case, finding that Halligan "potentially undermine[d] the integrity of the grand jury" with "fundamental misstatements of the law," is that AG Bondi purported to review those minutes & to ratify everything Halligan did—twice.
Fitzpatrick also says that either Halligan is wrong about the grand jury minutes being complete or we are in "uncharted territory" because the indictment returned in open court is not the same as the one presented to & deliberated upon by the grand jury. (h/t @emptywheel.bsky.social )
November 17, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Fitzpatrick also says that either Halligan is wrong about the grand jury minutes being complete or we are in "uncharted territory" because the indictment returned in open court is not the same as the one presented to & deliberated upon by the grand jury. (h/t @emptywheel.bsky.social )
Mag Judge Fitzpatrick says two statements by Halligan to grand jury "appear to be fundamental misstatements of the law that could compromise the integrity of the grand jury process."
November 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Mag Judge Fitzpatrick says two statements by Halligan to grand jury "appear to be fundamental misstatements of the law that could compromise the integrity of the grand jury process."
Magistrate Judge Fitzpatrick orders all grand jury minutes and recordings turned over to Comey's defense team by close of business today. ...
1/2
1/2
November 17, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Magistrate Judge Fitzpatrick orders all grand jury minutes and recordings turned over to Comey's defense team by close of business today. ...
1/2
1/2
Abbe Lowell getting real about Halligan last Thurs:
“Because [Siebert] would not go ahead with these cases, he was forced out ... & the person who came in, who’s sitting to my right, was somebody who said she would do what the president asked. ... Not a check & balance the statute had in mind.”
“Because [Siebert] would not go ahead with these cases, he was forced out ... & the person who came in, who’s sitting to my right, was somebody who said she would do what the president asked. ... Not a check & balance the statute had in mind.”
November 15, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Abbe Lowell getting real about Halligan last Thurs:
“Because [Siebert] would not go ahead with these cases, he was forced out ... & the person who came in, who’s sitting to my right, was somebody who said she would do what the president asked. ... Not a check & balance the statute had in mind.”
“Because [Siebert] would not go ahead with these cases, he was forced out ... & the person who came in, who’s sitting to my right, was somebody who said she would do what the president asked. ... Not a check & balance the statute had in mind.”
Looks like Pam Bondi is purporting to re-ratify Halligan's actions before the Comey's grand jury.
November 14, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Looks like Pam Bondi is purporting to re-ratify Halligan's actions before the Comey's grand jury.
Reposted by Roger Parloff
In 1 hour, join @nkorpett.bsky.social, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, and Loren Voss for this week's Trials of the Trump Administration!
Lawfare Live: Trials of the Trump Administration, Nov. 14
YouTube video by Lawfare
youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
In 1 hour, join @nkorpett.bsky.social, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, and Loren Voss for this week's Trials of the Trump Administration!
The govt has still not responded to Judge Nichols's 10/30 order to explain why its original sentencing memo in Taylor Taranto's case—referring to the J6 "mob of rioters" & the role a Trump post played in Taranto's crime—should not be made public again. Judge orders response by Nov. 19.
November 14, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The govt has still not responded to Judge Nichols's 10/30 order to explain why its original sentencing memo in Taylor Taranto's case—referring to the J6 "mob of rioters" & the role a Trump post played in Taranto's crime—should not be made public again. Judge orders response by Nov. 19.
Reposted by Roger Parloff
Skandalakis’s appointment doesn’t mean that the Trump prosecution will move forward anytime soon—if ever.
He could decline to move forward with some or all of the charges filed against Trump and others.
He previously declined to prosecute “alternate” elector Burt Jones.
He could decline to move forward with some or all of the charges filed against Trump and others.
He previously declined to prosecute “alternate” elector Burt Jones.
November 14, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Skandalakis’s appointment doesn’t mean that the Trump prosecution will move forward anytime soon—if ever.
He could decline to move forward with some or all of the charges filed against Trump and others.
He previously declined to prosecute “alternate” elector Burt Jones.
He could decline to move forward with some or all of the charges filed against Trump and others.
He previously declined to prosecute “alternate” elector Burt Jones.
Reposted by Roger Parloff
BREAKING: Pete Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, has appointed himself to prosecute the case against Trump and others in Fulton County.
The move follows a court ruling that disqualified Fani Willis from pursuing the case.
The move follows a court ruling that disqualified Fani Willis from pursuing the case.
November 14, 2025 at 2:35 PM
BREAKING: Pete Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, has appointed himself to prosecute the case against Trump and others in Fulton County.
The move follows a court ruling that disqualified Fani Willis from pursuing the case.
The move follows a court ruling that disqualified Fani Willis from pursuing the case.
Reposted by Roger Parloff
NEW: DOJ has been in settlement talks with Michael Flynn -- Trump's first national security adviser seeking $50M for his prosecution by ex-special counsel Robert Mueller -- and Stefan Passantino, a Trump I White House lawyer who accused the House Jan. 6 committee of privacy violations
bit.ly/4hWdolc
bit.ly/4hWdolc
November 14, 2025 at 2:22 PM
NEW: DOJ has been in settlement talks with Michael Flynn -- Trump's first national security adviser seeking $50M for his prosecution by ex-special counsel Robert Mueller -- and Stefan Passantino, a Trump I White House lawyer who accused the House Jan. 6 committee of privacy violations
bit.ly/4hWdolc
bit.ly/4hWdolc
AG Bondi's whole attempted post-hoc ratification maneuver may've back-fired. Judge Currie asked govt words to the effect: ~Let's cut to the chase. What about ratification? Why do you need that?~ The implication was: Why do you need that if you're so confident about the legality of original appt.
Just left Comey/James hearing on Halligan’s appointment. Judge Currie skeptical. Said AG Bondi could not have ratified what H did after reviewing grand jury minutes because Bondi didn’t even possess complete record at time. Ruling by Thanksgiving.
November 13, 2025 at 7:13 PM
AG Bondi's whole attempted post-hoc ratification maneuver may've back-fired. Judge Currie asked govt words to the effect: ~Let's cut to the chase. What about ratification? Why do you need that?~ The implication was: Why do you need that if you're so confident about the legality of original appt.
Just left Comey/James hearing on Halligan’s appointment. Judge Currie skeptical. Said AG Bondi could not have ratified what H did after reviewing grand jury minutes because Bondi didn’t even possess complete record at time. Ruling by Thanksgiving.
November 13, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Just left Comey/James hearing on Halligan’s appointment. Judge Currie skeptical. Said AG Bondi could not have ratified what H did after reviewing grand jury minutes because Bondi didn’t even possess complete record at time. Ruling by Thanksgiving.