Sean Hecker
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sean-hecker.bsky.social
Sean Hecker
@sean-hecker.bsky.social
2.3K followers 2.5K following 390 posts
Trial lawyer, criminal defense lawyer, criminal justice reformer, San Diego Padres fan, founding partner at Hecker Fink LLP. #NoKings
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sean-hecker.bsky.social
“The episode has contributed to concerns among intelligence allies that Kash Patel, brash and partisan, is also unpredictable and even unreliable.”

“Even unreliable?” That’s way too kind.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/w...
F.B.I. Director Is Said to Have Made a Pledge to Head of MI5, Then Broken It
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
jameeljaffer.bsky.social
Major new @knightcolumbia.org initiative will address the role of the legal profession in the defense of democratic values and institutions. Excited to have the chance to work with Prof Madhav Khosla on this. knightcolumbia.org/content/new-...
New Knight Institute Initiative Will Explore the Role of the Legal Profession in an Age of Authoritarianism
knightcolumbia.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
sean-hecker.bsky.social
Message is very clear. At least under federal law, he's giving folks a free pass to crime. State law enforcement will need to remain vigilant.
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
sean-hecker.bsky.social
This is a lot cheaper for the famously cheap Trump than paying his legal fees - completely left him hanging on that.
ohnoshetwitnt.bsky.social The Volatile Mermaid @ohnoshetwitnt.bsky.social · 23h
UP NEXT: Trump claims to have no idea who Rudy Giuliani is or anything about why he pardoned him.
nbcnews.com NBC News @nbcnews.com · 23h
NEW: President Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani and others involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Trump's pardon attorney says.
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
gtconway.bsky.social
Absolutely, positively. And for the Caribbean boat strikes, too.
November 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
annabower.bsky.social
ICYMI: I reviewed hundreds of internal FBI emails and documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

The records appear to undermine a core premise underlying the charges against James Comey.

My latest for @lawfaremedia.org:

www.lawfaremedia.org/article/more...
More Trouble for the Comey Indictment?
Public documents may undermine a core premise underlying the charges against James Comey.
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
chrismurphyct.bsky.social
So here's where we are, Sunday morning:

Trump is trying to starve hungry kids in order to bully Democrats into abandoning our fight against health care premium increases.

So Trump is starving kids in order to deny families health care.

Dystopian.
November 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
chrismurphyct.bsky.social
This is, unsurprisingly, nonsensical. Is he suggesting eliminating health insurance and giving people a few thousand dollars instead? And then when they get a cancer diagnosis they just go bankrupt?

He is so unserious. That's why we are shut down and Americans know it.
November 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
sean-hecker.bsky.social
Judge Wolf’s decision to step down so he can be freed to speak candidly about this Administration’s attempts to undermine democracy and our court system is incredibly important. It would be amazing to see more, respected senior judges join forces. Now feels like the right time.
chrisgeidner.bsky.social Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 1d
In what amounts to Mark Wolf’s resignation letter from the federal bench in Massachusetts forget more than 40 years—he was already a senior judge, so it creates no vacancy—he says he “intend[s] to advocate for the judges who cannot speak publicly for themselves.” www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Others who have held positions of authority, including former federal judges and ambassadors, have been opposing this government's efforts to undermine the principled, impartial administration of justice and distort the free and fair functioning of American democracy. They have urged me to work with them. As much as I have treasured being a judge, I can now think of nothing more important than joining them, and doing everything in my power to combat today's existential threat to democracy and the rule of law. When I became a senior judge in 2013, my successor was appointed, so my resignation will not create a vacancy to be filled by the president. My colleagues on the United States District Court in Massachusetts and judges on the lower federal courts throughout the country are admirably deciding a variety of cases generated by Trump's many executive orders and other unprecedented actions. However, the Supreme Court has repeatedly removed the temporary restraints imposed on those actions by lower courts in deciding emergency motions on its "shadow docket" with little, if any, explanation. I doubt that if I remained a judge I would fare any better than my colleagues. I resigned in order to speak out, support litigation, and work with other individuals and organizations dedicated to protecting the rule of law and American democracy. I also intend to advocate for the judges who cannot speak publicly for themselves. I cannot be confident that I will make a difference. I am reminded, however, of what Senator Robert F. Kennedy said in 1966 about ending apartheid in South Africa: "Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope." Enough of these ripples can become a tidal wave.
November 9, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
In what amounts to Mark Wolf’s resignation letter from the federal bench in Massachusetts forget more than 40 years—he was already a senior judge, so it creates no vacancy—he says he “intend[s] to advocate for the judges who cannot speak publicly for themselves.” www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Others who have held positions of authority, including former federal judges and ambassadors, have been opposing this government's efforts to undermine the principled, impartial administration of justice and distort the free and fair functioning of American democracy. They have urged me to work with them. As much as I have treasured being a judge, I can now think of nothing more important than joining them, and doing everything in my power to combat today's existential threat to democracy and the rule of law. When I became a senior judge in 2013, my successor was appointed, so my resignation will not create a vacancy to be filled by the president. My colleagues on the United States District Court in Massachusetts and judges on the lower federal courts throughout the country are admirably deciding a variety of cases generated by Trump's many executive orders and other unprecedented actions. However, the Supreme Court has repeatedly removed the temporary restraints imposed on those actions by lower courts in deciding emergency motions on its "shadow docket" with little, if any, explanation. I doubt that if I remained a judge I would fare any better than my colleagues. I resigned in order to speak out, support litigation, and work with other individuals and organizations dedicated to protecting the rule of law and American democracy. I also intend to advocate for the judges who cannot speak publicly for themselves. I cannot be confident that I will make a difference. I am reminded, however, of what Senator Robert F. Kennedy said in 1966 about ending apartheid in South Africa: "Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope." Enough of these ripples can become a tidal wave.
November 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
sean-hecker.bsky.social
Both.
November 9, 2025 at 1:04 PM
sean-hecker.bsky.social
I really wish I’d paid more attention during Lewandowki’s confirmation hearing…. Oh wait…
chrisgeidner.bsky.social Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 2d
The WSJ on how unbelievably stupid Noem and Lewandowski are.

I don’t care that I’m late to this; it’s to good to pass up.

www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
More broadly, officials across ICE say Noem and Lewandowski have directed them to use a $170 billion infusion of cash from Congress to launch splashy ideas that have proven ineffective or impractical. Among the examples some ICE officials have cited: A few weeks ago, the pair ordered ICE officials to buy 10 737 jets from Spirit Airlines that they said would be used to boost deportation flights— and for their own travel, according to people familiar with the matter. Some officials warned the pair that the effort would be prohibitively expensive compared with hiring more flight contractors, the people said. Once the officials looked into the proposal, they learned that Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy for a second time in August, didn't own the planes. The planes also don't have engines, which would need to be purchased separately. The project has since been put on pause, though DHS recently purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200 million, according to Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee, who were notified by the department. A spokesperson for Spirit didn't respond to a request for comment.
November 9, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
mehdirhasan.bsky.social
Just a pathetic, needy, egomaniacal cult leader
Sources: Trump wants D.C. stadium named for him
A senior White House source said there have been back-channel communications with a member of the Commanders ownership group, led by Josh Harris, to express Trump's desire to have the $3.7 billion dom...
www.espn.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
mjsdc.bsky.social
This is the correct explanation of what happened tonight👇
mikesacks.bsky.social Mike Sacks @mikesacks.bsky.social · 3d
KBJ threaded the needle thanks to CA1’s unfinished business.

-if she denied the admin stay, the full SCOTUS woulda stepped in to override her.
-if she immediately referred the case to the full Court, they coulda dragged feet.
-instead she boxed them in to act quickly once she does refer the case.
November 8, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
choo.bsky.social
I’m an ER doc who has responded to hundreds of events like this in the hospital & on planes and other public spaces. The right side of this photo is like exhibit A of normal human behavior in these circumstances. People rush to help so instinctively that part of the skill of a code is crowd control.
An elderly man has had a syncope event and everyone else in the room rushed over to help. The president stands facing the camera without apparent curiosity or empathy about the event.
November 8, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
stevevladeck.bsky.social
#BREAKING: The Trump administration is asking #SCOTUS for an immediate “administrative” stay of a Rhode Island district judge’s order that is otherwise requiring it to resume the distribution of SNAP benefits from other funding sources no later than the end of today.
November 7, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
LET ME BE PERFECTLY CLEAR: DOJ DID ALL OF THIS TO TRY AND STOP PAYMENTS TO PEOPLE UNDER AN ANTI-HUNGER PROGRAM.
chrisgeidner.bsky.social Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 3d
Oh, this is wild.

DOJ went to SCOTUS *before* we got the First Circuit's administrative stay denial. (We know this because DOJ just filed a letter at SCOTUS about the admin stay denial.)

So, DOJ went to SCOTUS b/c the First Circuit did not meet its less-than-seven-hour "deadline" for a ruling.
November 8, 2025 at 12:06 AM
sean-hecker.bsky.social
DAG Blanche knows better than to use the language of “war” to describe these legal battles involving judges who disagree with the Administration’s lawlessness. Too many judges require security as it is. To say nothing of the preposterous premise of his remarks.
November 7, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
meidastouch.com
Wow: Trump is pardoning a convicted agent of the Chinese Communist Party
November 7, 2025 at 8:10 PM
sean-hecker.bsky.social
“There’s just no mistaking it’s a referendum on Trump. He has over-stepped. Costs are hurting folks. They think his immigration raids are inhumane. They are definitely worried about the level of corruption. Democracy was on the ballot."
punchbowlnews.bsky.social Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 3d
Sen. Chris Murphy joined us on Fly Out Day Thursday.

Once a bipartisan dealmaker, Murphy now says his “core” job is different: mobilizing Americans to protect democracy — and his view on the shutdown is shaping Senate Dems’ strategy.

Full recap:
punchbowl.news/article/sena...
Chris Murphy wants to fight
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) spent much of President Joe Biden’s tenure trying to cut deals with Republicans. But that was a different Chris Murphy.
punchbowl.news
November 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
muellershewrote.com
BREAKING: SANDWICH GUY ACQUITTED. NOT GUILTY!
mollyroberts.bsky.social Molly Roberts @mollyroberts.bsky.social · 4d
We have reached a verdict: Not guilty.
November 6, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
rbreich.bsky.social
The lesson of history is that tyrants cannot be appeased.

Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.

Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.

But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.

Remember this.
November 5, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
urocklive1.bsky.social
I think Trump is getting nervous.
November 5, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Reposted by Sean Hecker
amysiskind.com
AP: California’s Proposition 50 has passed 👏👏👏

Fight fire with fire!
November 5, 2025 at 4:04 AM