Stephen Downing
@stevedowning.bsky.social
Stephen Downing is a retired LAPD deputy chief, a screenwriter, television producer and investigative journalist.
In The Ministry of Misinformation I expose how federal spin and local silence have fused into a single, dangerous pattern: propaganda at the top, paralysis on the ground. From Chicago’s Blackhawk “Tuesday night terror” to Long Beach’s car-wash raids
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
The Ministry of Misinformation (Local Edition)
How DHS spins, ICE sins, and city halls across America shrug — seen up close from Long Beach.
open.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:49 PM
In The Ministry of Misinformation I expose how federal spin and local silence have fused into a single, dangerous pattern: propaganda at the top, paralysis on the ground. From Chicago’s Blackhawk “Tuesday night terror” to Long Beach’s car-wash raids
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
Trump’s grotesque fantasy video—dropping feces bombs on protesters—and exposes it for what it is: a deranged confession masquerading as propaganda. It’s a blistering look at the mind of a man who mistakes humiliation for power and contempt for leadership.
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
When the King Lost His Throne — and His Control
Trump’s AI tantrum reveals everything you need to know about his view of the First Amendment, the American people, and his bowels.
open.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Trump’s grotesque fantasy video—dropping feces bombs on protesters—and exposes it for what it is: a deranged confession masquerading as propaganda. It’s a blistering look at the mind of a man who mistakes humiliation for power and contempt for leadership.
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
ICE has dropped age limits and is now recruiting father-son teams. My son and I have 55 years of law enforcement service between us — but something tells me our loyalty to the Constitution over personalities might not make the cut. Satire, hip pain and more:
ICE has dropped age limits and is now recruiting father-son teams. My son and I have 55 years of law enforcement service between us — but something tells me our loyalty to the Constitution over personalities might not make the cut. Satire, hip pain and more:
Father, Son & ICE: A Recruitment Story We Didn’t See Coming
Where the hip meets the nerve and the satire meets the Department of Homeland Security
open.substack.com
August 8, 2025 at 4:15 AM
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
ICE has dropped age limits and is now recruiting father-son teams. My son and I have 55 years of law enforcement service between us — but something tells me our loyalty to the Constitution over personalities might not make the cut. Satire, hip pain and more:
ICE has dropped age limits and is now recruiting father-son teams. My son and I have 55 years of law enforcement service between us — but something tells me our loyalty to the Constitution over personalities might not make the cut. Satire, hip pain and more:
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
The Ninth Circuit just gave city councils a spine—unlawful ICE detentions based on race or language are now clearly unconstitutional. No more excuses. If your leaders won’t act, they’re not confused—they’re complicit.
The Ninth Circuit just gave city councils a spine—unlawful ICE detentions based on race or language are now clearly unconstitutional. No more excuses. If your leaders won’t act, they’re not confused—they’re complicit.
A Federal Ruling, A Local Responsibility: The Ninth Circuit Just Gave City Councils, Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Their Backbone Back
The court has spoken: detaining people based on race, language, job, or location is unconstitutional—and cities and counties have no excuse for enabling it.
open.substack.com
August 2, 2025 at 11:17 PM
open.substack.com/pub/stephend...
The Ninth Circuit just gave city councils a spine—unlawful ICE detentions based on race or language are now clearly unconstitutional. No more excuses. If your leaders won’t act, they’re not confused—they’re complicit.
The Ninth Circuit just gave city councils a spine—unlawful ICE detentions based on race or language are now clearly unconstitutional. No more excuses. If your leaders won’t act, they’re not confused—they’re complicit.
open.substack.com/pub/stephend... Federal agents lied under oath—and not one has been charged, fired, or investigated. Meanwhile, peaceful protesters faced felony indictments. This isn’t law enforcement. It’s authoritarianism. Read it, share it, and speak up.
The Screamer and the Jury, Part II: When the Law Lies, and Power Looks Away
First came the tantrum. Now come the facts. Perjury, impunity, and a DOJ that protects the abusers.
open.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM
open.substack.com/pub/stephend... Federal agents lied under oath—and not one has been charged, fired, or investigated. Meanwhile, peaceful protesters faced felony indictments. This isn’t law enforcement. It’s authoritarianism. Read it, share it, and speak up.
Reposted by Stephen Downing
@lawfaremedia.org has been producing incredibly important scholarship and commentary on national security and rule of law issues for fifteen years now, and I’m beyond excited to join their team this fall.
Public Service Fellowship
Alumni of the federal workforce and civil service with expertise in national security, law, and policy
givebutter.com
June 12, 2025 at 11:16 AM
@lawfaremedia.org has been producing incredibly important scholarship and commentary on national security and rule of law issues for fifteen years now, and I’m beyond excited to join their team this fall.
