Zach Montague
@zjmontague.bsky.social
Reporter @ NYT covering federal courts and the legal fights of 2025.
Three-season outdoor enthusiast.
Three-season outdoor enthusiast.
Reposted by Zach Montague
JUST IN: As deadline nears, Trump administration appeals judge's ruling blocking attempt to cut off Harvard's federal funding. Doc: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
HarvardGrantsDOJAppeal121825.PDF
www.documentcloud.org
December 19, 2025 at 5:01 AM
JUST IN: As deadline nears, Trump administration appeals judge's ruling blocking attempt to cut off Harvard's federal funding. Doc: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Reposted by Zach Montague
A Chicago story — a 23-year-old U.S. citizen on his way home from the gym who ended up handcuffed by immigration agents — was in my report yesterday on 100 days of Kavanaugh stops: www.lawdork.com/p/100-days-o...
There will come a time when people of good faith are empowered to uphold the law.
When that time comes, Illinois will have the testimony and records needed to pursue justice to its fullest extent.
The truth of what Trump and his masked agents are doing in Chicago will be told.
When that time comes, Illinois will have the testimony and records needed to pursue justice to its fullest extent.
The truth of what Trump and his masked agents are doing in Chicago will be told.
"They had done nothing wrong. They were not protesting. They were not chasing ICE vehicles. They were simply shopping."
Matt DeMateo recounts how three U.S. citizens, including a toddler, were tear gassed in Cicero by federal agents.
Matt DeMateo recounts how three U.S. citizens, including a toddler, were tear gassed in Cicero by federal agents.
December 19, 2025 at 12:21 AM
A Chicago story — a 23-year-old U.S. citizen on his way home from the gym who ended up handcuffed by immigration agents — was in my report yesterday on 100 days of Kavanaugh stops: www.lawdork.com/p/100-days-o...
Also tonight: Judge Jia Cobb rules that ICE’s policy since June requiring Democratic lawmakers to give a week’s notice in order to enter and inspect ICE facilities likely violates a 5 year old provision in the annual DHS appropriation prohibiting that very thing. Blocks entry requirements.
ICE Must Allow Lawmakers to Inspect Detention Centers, Judge Rules
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Also tonight: Judge Jia Cobb rules that ICE’s policy since June requiring Democratic lawmakers to give a week’s notice in order to enter and inspect ICE facilities likely violates a 5 year old provision in the annual DHS appropriation prohibiting that very thing. Blocks entry requirements.
Reposted by Zach Montague
BREAKING MS NOW:
FBI deputy director Dan Bongino has quietly told confidants he plans to formally leave his job early in the new year and will not be returning to headquarters to work this month, according to eight people briefed on his account. www.ms.now/news/bongino...
FBI deputy director Dan Bongino has quietly told confidants he plans to formally leave his job early in the new year and will not be returning to headquarters to work this month, according to eight people briefed on his account. www.ms.now/news/bongino...
FBI’s No. 2 quietly tells colleagues he’s moving on
Controversial deputy director has cleared out his office, sources tell MS NOW.
www.ms.now
December 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM
BREAKING MS NOW:
FBI deputy director Dan Bongino has quietly told confidants he plans to formally leave his job early in the new year and will not be returning to headquarters to work this month, according to eight people briefed on his account. www.ms.now/news/bongino...
FBI deputy director Dan Bongino has quietly told confidants he plans to formally leave his job early in the new year and will not be returning to headquarters to work this month, according to eight people briefed on his account. www.ms.now/news/bongino...
Reposted by Zach Montague
Hi from the Boston Federal Courthouse for summary judgment in Guerrero Orelanna v. Hyde before Judge Saris.
I'm not sure this was my most recent thread on this case: bsky.app/profile/john...
this is about mandatory detention, but limited to the Boston ICE field office area.
I'm not sure this was my most recent thread on this case: bsky.app/profile/john...
this is about mandatory detention, but limited to the Boston ICE field office area.
Hi from the Boston Federal Courthouse for the class certification hearing in Guerrero Orellana v. Hyde, the ACLU's class action case about applicability of the mandatory detention statute for aliens.
For background, see: bsky.app/profile/john...
For background, see: bsky.app/profile/john...
The @aclum.bsky.social has raised a new challenge to immigration bond procedures by converting an existing case (Jose Arnulfo GUERRERO ORELLANA) to a class action.
Their press release below, Courtlistener docket (restricted) is www.courtlistener.com/docket/71384....
Their press release below, Courtlistener docket (restricted) is www.courtlistener.com/docket/71384....
December 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Hi from the Boston Federal Courthouse for summary judgment in Guerrero Orelanna v. Hyde before Judge Saris.
I'm not sure this was my most recent thread on this case: bsky.app/profile/john...
this is about mandatory detention, but limited to the Boston ICE field office area.
I'm not sure this was my most recent thread on this case: bsky.app/profile/john...
this is about mandatory detention, but limited to the Boston ICE field office area.
Just in: A DC circuit panel allows the combined National Guard force in DC to remain pending appeal.
Millett, an Obama appointee, wrote the opinion joined by Katsas and Rao.
Finds that D.C.’s status provides fewer layers of protections, without the usual state law, and gov likely to succeed.
Millett, an Obama appointee, wrote the opinion joined by Katsas and Rao.
Finds that D.C.’s status provides fewer layers of protections, without the usual state law, and gov likely to succeed.
December 17, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Just in: A DC circuit panel allows the combined National Guard force in DC to remain pending appeal.
Millett, an Obama appointee, wrote the opinion joined by Katsas and Rao.
Finds that D.C.’s status provides fewer layers of protections, without the usual state law, and gov likely to succeed.
Millett, an Obama appointee, wrote the opinion joined by Katsas and Rao.
Finds that D.C.’s status provides fewer layers of protections, without the usual state law, and gov likely to succeed.
Incredible to see this and think about how the footage not only survived but also surfaced.
The Secret Trial of the General Who Refused to Attack Tiananmen Square
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Incredible to see this and think about how the footage not only survived but also surfaced.
JUST IN: Judge Leon said he’s unlikely to order construction on Trump’s ballroom halted on an emergency basis. But warns the government he will hold them to submitting the plans to the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts by the end of the month.
December 16, 2025 at 9:46 PM
JUST IN: Judge Leon said he’s unlikely to order construction on Trump’s ballroom halted on an emergency basis. But warns the government he will hold them to submitting the plans to the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts by the end of the month.
The 1st Circuit rules that the OBBB provision defunding Planned Parenthood is not unlawful punishment/Congress has broad discretion to direct Medicaid funding to and away from certain organizations based on their services. PP released a report in Nov. saying the law has wreaked havoc on its budget.
Government Can Withhold Funds From Planned Parenthood, Appeals Court Rules
www.nytimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 5:43 AM
The 1st Circuit rules that the OBBB provision defunding Planned Parenthood is not unlawful punishment/Congress has broad discretion to direct Medicaid funding to and away from certain organizations based on their services. PP released a report in Nov. saying the law has wreaked havoc on its budget.
Reposted by Zach Montague
Amazing reporting from @katiemangan.bsky.social and @peterelkind.bsky.social
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
previously unreported documents and interviews... reveals the extent to which the government violated legal and procedural norms to gin up its case against the institution
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
previously unreported documents and interviews... reveals the extent to which the government violated legal and procedural norms to gin up its case against the institution
Trump’s DOJ Pressured Lawyers to “Find” Evidence UCLA Had Illegally Tolerated Antisemitism
How the government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California
www.chronicle.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Amazing reporting from @katiemangan.bsky.social and @peterelkind.bsky.social
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
previously unreported documents and interviews... reveals the extent to which the government violated legal and procedural norms to gin up its case against the institution
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
previously unreported documents and interviews... reveals the extent to which the government violated legal and procedural norms to gin up its case against the institution
In addition, the scores of people victimized by any of the dozens of convicted white collar criminals pardoned so far this year, who cut across all demographics
December 12, 2025 at 9:36 PM
In addition, the scores of people victimized by any of the dozens of convicted white collar criminals pardoned so far this year, who cut across all demographics
Reposted by Zach Montague
It's hard to know exactly what will happen now, given how unprecedented this is. But Trump and Miller envisioned this as a test of their ability to spread fear of lawless state terror. For now, the lower courts are admirably defending the rule of law. 5/5
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
December 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
It's hard to know exactly what will happen now, given how unprecedented this is. But Trump and Miller envisioned this as a test of their ability to spread fear of lawless state terror. For now, the lower courts are admirably defending the rule of law. 5/5
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
newrepublic.com/article/2043...
Reposted by Zach Montague
While previous administrations have included the ultrarich, the wealth held by this group is larger than even the first Trump administration, previously the wealthiest in U.S. history.
Here’s who they are.
Here’s who they are.
Meet the Trump administration’s 12 billionaires
At a net worth of $390 billion, it’s the wealthiest White House in modern history.
wapo.st
December 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
While previous administrations have included the ultrarich, the wealth held by this group is larger than even the first Trump administration, previously the wealthiest in U.S. history.
Here’s who they are.
Here’s who they are.
Reposted by Zach Montague
SCOOP
I spoke to the leader of a doxing-for-hire group who showed me how it took just minutes for them to get sensitive personal data from Big Tech companies—with virtually no pushback
www.wired.com/story/doxers...
I spoke to the leader of a doxing-for-hire group who showed me how it took just minutes for them to get sensitive personal data from Big Tech companies—with virtually no pushback
www.wired.com/story/doxers...
Doxers Posing as Cops Are Tricking Big Tech Firms Into Sharing People's Private Data
A spoofed email address and an easily faked document is all it takes for major tech companies to hand over your most personal information.
www.wired.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:06 PM
SCOOP
I spoke to the leader of a doxing-for-hire group who showed me how it took just minutes for them to get sensitive personal data from Big Tech companies—with virtually no pushback
www.wired.com/story/doxers...
I spoke to the leader of a doxing-for-hire group who showed me how it took just minutes for them to get sensitive personal data from Big Tech companies—with virtually no pushback
www.wired.com/story/doxers...
Reposted by Zach Montague
Instacart got caught running real-time price experiments on shoppers — same groceries, different prices.
Workers know this game well: Instacart’s algorithm does the same thing to their pay.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
Workers know this game well: Instacart’s algorithm does the same thing to their pay.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
Same Product, Same Store, but on Instacart, Prices Might Differ
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Instacart got caught running real-time price experiments on shoppers — same groceries, different prices.
Workers know this game well: Instacart’s algorithm does the same thing to their pay.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
Workers know this game well: Instacart’s algorithm does the same thing to their pay.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
Reposted by Zach Montague
I don't love making broad predictions but I feel this one in my bones
December 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I don't love making broad predictions but I feel this one in my bones
Reposted by Zach Montague
Only a quarter of Americans trust statistical agencies to keep their information confidential.
That still feels like too many Americans.
That still feels like too many Americans.
‘Bedrock’ federal data sets are disappearing, as statistical agencies face upheaval
Most statistical agencies lost 20% to 30% of their staff this year, and the Trump administration is pursuing further workforce cuts at these agencies.
federalnewsnetwork.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Only a quarter of Americans trust statistical agencies to keep their information confidential.
That still feels like too many Americans.
That still feels like too many Americans.
Just in: Oregon Judge blocks the government from arresting demonstrators protesting outside a DHS/ICE building in Eugene, Ore. Says the arrest and citation of activists Chloe Longworth and Anna Lardner for “unusual noise” likely violated First Amendment rights and chilled speech generally.
Opinion and Order – #14 in Longworth v. Trump (D. Or., 6:25-cv-02268) – CourtListener.com
OPINION AND ORDER:
storage.courtlistener.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Just in: Oregon Judge blocks the government from arresting demonstrators protesting outside a DHS/ICE building in Eugene, Ore. Says the arrest and citation of activists Chloe Longworth and Anna Lardner for “unusual noise” likely violated First Amendment rights and chilled speech generally.
Reposted by Zach Montague
Reposted by Zach Montague
U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff (SDNY) on cryptocurrency, a “seeming racket.” This is a super primer and a sobering alert from an in-the-legal-trenches expert.
@nybooks.com
@uscourts.bsky.social
@nybooks.com
@uscourts.bsky.social
“It is hard to escape the conclusion that…cryptocurrency bills pending in Congress are little more than window dressing whose main effect is to transfer regulation…from the hitherto most aggressive agency, the SEC.” —Jed Rakoff
It’s a Racket! | Jed S. Rakoff
Cryptocurrency has largely managed to remain free of government regulation, and as a result has often become a vehicle for fraud and criminality.
www.nybooks.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:55 AM
U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff (SDNY) on cryptocurrency, a “seeming racket.” This is a super primer and a sobering alert from an in-the-legal-trenches expert.
@nybooks.com
@uscourts.bsky.social
@nybooks.com
@uscourts.bsky.social
“Behind that policy was a quieter goal: to ensure survivors did not end up in the U.S. judicial system, where court cases could force the administration to show evidence justifying President Trump’s military campaign in the region.”
Wild evasion.
Wild evasion.
Inside the Pentagon’s Scramble to Deal With Boat Strike Survivors
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:56 PM
“Behind that policy was a quieter goal: to ensure survivors did not end up in the U.S. judicial system, where court cases could force the administration to show evidence justifying President Trump’s military campaign in the region.”
Wild evasion.
Wild evasion.
Reposted by Zach Montague
The first paragraph of Judge Breyer‘s opinion granting an injunction in the California National Guard case is a banger.
December 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The first paragraph of Judge Breyer‘s opinion granting an injunction in the California National Guard case is a banger.
Reposted by Zach Montague
“The Founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances. Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one.”
NEW: Following last week’s arguments, Judge Charles Breyer orders an end to Trump’s federalization and deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles.
The order is stayed until noon PT Monday (Dec. 15).
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The order is stayed until noon PT Monday (Dec. 15).
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
December 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
“The Founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances. Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one.”
Reposted by Zach Montague
Sec. Hegseth rolled out the U.S. military’s new AI platform, GenAi.Mil, with a link to an empty website. trib.al/tbCJAkT
Predictably, the platform can’t actually be accessed from external networks, but the wonky rollout triggered eyerolls across the internet.
Predictably, the platform can’t actually be accessed from external networks, but the wonky rollout triggered eyerolls across the internet.
December 9, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Sec. Hegseth rolled out the U.S. military’s new AI platform, GenAi.Mil, with a link to an empty website. trib.al/tbCJAkT
Predictably, the platform can’t actually be accessed from external networks, but the wonky rollout triggered eyerolls across the internet.
Predictably, the platform can’t actually be accessed from external networks, but the wonky rollout triggered eyerolls across the internet.
Reposted by Zach Montague
DC Cir., 2-1, holds that district court gave too little deference to Sec. Hegseth's determination that banning trans people from the military advances combat rediness, unit cohesion, and cost control. Stays the PI.
Trump judges Katsas, Rao in the majority.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Trump judges Katsas, Rao in the majority.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
December 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
DC Cir., 2-1, holds that district court gave too little deference to Sec. Hegseth's determination that banning trans people from the military advances combat rediness, unit cohesion, and cost control. Stays the PI.
Trump judges Katsas, Rao in the majority.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Trump judges Katsas, Rao in the majority.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...