Lauren Harper
@laurenleharper.bsky.social
Daniel Ellsberg Chair on Government Secrecy at @freedom.press. Interested in reducing overclassification, FOIA reform, enforcement of the Presidential Records Act, and preservation of federal records. Opinions mine. Signal leharper.89
DOJ OLC hard at work pretending urgent information isn’t urgent and should stay hidden.
Should we see the OLC memo stating that personnel taking part in drug boat strikes won’t be exposed to future prosecution?
Or communications about the War Powers Resolution?
OLC says no, not any time soon.
Should we see the OLC memo stating that personnel taking part in drug boat strikes won’t be exposed to future prosecution?
Or communications about the War Powers Resolution?
OLC says no, not any time soon.
November 26, 2025 at 12:13 AM
DOJ OLC hard at work pretending urgent information isn’t urgent and should stay hidden.
Should we see the OLC memo stating that personnel taking part in drug boat strikes won’t be exposed to future prosecution?
Or communications about the War Powers Resolution?
OLC says no, not any time soon.
Should we see the OLC memo stating that personnel taking part in drug boat strikes won’t be exposed to future prosecution?
Or communications about the War Powers Resolution?
OLC says no, not any time soon.
Kash Patel taking his J Edgar Hoover impression out for a spin
FBI seeks interviews with Democrats whom Trump called ‘traitors’
The Trump administration has aggressively sought to punish lawmakers who encouraged service members to disobey unlawful orders.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Kash Patel taking his J Edgar Hoover impression out for a spin
Reposted by Lauren Harper
Daniel Sanchez is facing federal charges for what free speech advocates say is a clear attack on the First Amendment.
The Feds Want to Make It Illegal to Even Possess an Anarchist Zine
Daniel Sanchez is facing federal charges for what free speech advocates say is a clear attack on the First Amendment.
interc.pt
November 23, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Daniel Sanchez is facing federal charges for what free speech advocates say is a clear attack on the First Amendment.
FBI, Capitol Police, and Pentagon join forces to waste a bunch of taxpayer dollars.
FBI seeks interviews with Democrats whom Trump called ‘traitors’
The Trump administration has aggressively sought to punish lawmakers who encouraged service members to disobey unlawful orders.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:36 PM
FBI, Capitol Police, and Pentagon join forces to waste a bunch of taxpayer dollars.
We are paying ICE/DHS to spy on all of us.
And while it violates all of our civil liberties, its FOIA program is a joke - making accountability even more difficult.
From here on out, every member of Congress with jurisdiction over DHS should be demanding answers about the state of its FOIA office.
And while it violates all of our civil liberties, its FOIA program is a joke - making accountability even more difficult.
From here on out, every member of Congress with jurisdiction over DHS should be demanding answers about the state of its FOIA office.
NEW: ICE has torn up its $180M cap on a proposed immigrant-tracking program and is now guaranteeing private surveillance firms at least $7.5M each, with potential payouts reaching $281M per vendor. The change signals a shift from “pilot” to full-scale outsourcing of street-level investigative work.
ICE Offers Up to $280 Million to Immigrant-Tracking ‘Bounty Hunter’ Firms
Immigration and Customs Enforcement lifted a $180 million cap on a proposed immigrant-tracking program while guaranteeing multimillion-dollar payouts for private surveillance firms.
www.wired.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
We are paying ICE/DHS to spy on all of us.
And while it violates all of our civil liberties, its FOIA program is a joke - making accountability even more difficult.
From here on out, every member of Congress with jurisdiction over DHS should be demanding answers about the state of its FOIA office.
And while it violates all of our civil liberties, its FOIA program is a joke - making accountability even more difficult.
From here on out, every member of Congress with jurisdiction over DHS should be demanding answers about the state of its FOIA office.
DHS placed my FOIA request for all of Kristi Noem's Truth Social DM's in its simple processing queue.
Not that I'm going to hold DHS's feet to the fire (I am), but in FY 2024 their average processing time for simple requests when information was released is...11 days.
Let's see if that sticks.
Not that I'm going to hold DHS's feet to the fire (I am), but in FY 2024 their average processing time for simple requests when information was released is...11 days.
Let's see if that sticks.
November 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
DHS placed my FOIA request for all of Kristi Noem's Truth Social DM's in its simple processing queue.
Not that I'm going to hold DHS's feet to the fire (I am), but in FY 2024 their average processing time for simple requests when information was released is...11 days.
Let's see if that sticks.
Not that I'm going to hold DHS's feet to the fire (I am), but in FY 2024 their average processing time for simple requests when information was released is...11 days.
Let's see if that sticks.
Reposted by Lauren Harper
“Press freedom means that journalists can do their work without fear of surveillance, censorship, or retaliation.” — @freedom.press board member @katie-drummond.bsky.social
This holiday season, help us protect press freedom: freedom.press/donate
This holiday season, help us protect press freedom: freedom.press/donate
November 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
“Press freedom means that journalists can do their work without fear of surveillance, censorship, or retaliation.” — @freedom.press board member @katie-drummond.bsky.social
This holiday season, help us protect press freedom: freedom.press/donate
This holiday season, help us protect press freedom: freedom.press/donate
Trump has cited "national security concerns" to both levy tariffs and invest in private companies.
Part of the problem is that there's no clear definition of what damage to national security actually means, so it's proving to be an easy way for the administration to manipulate the market.
Part of the problem is that there's no clear definition of what damage to national security actually means, so it's proving to be an easy way for the administration to manipulate the market.
$10 Billion and Counting: Trump Administration Snaps Up Stakes in Private Firms
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Trump has cited "national security concerns" to both levy tariffs and invest in private companies.
Part of the problem is that there's no clear definition of what damage to national security actually means, so it's proving to be an easy way for the administration to manipulate the market.
Part of the problem is that there's no clear definition of what damage to national security actually means, so it's proving to be an easy way for the administration to manipulate the market.
In other words, Trump cites national security concerns to play the stock market.
$10 Billion and Counting: Trump Administration Snaps Up Stakes in Private Firms
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:37 PM
In other words, Trump cites national security concerns to play the stock market.
Reposted by Lauren Harper
Court Watch has been a critical resource and collaborator with us. Helps show the deeply serious but also offbeat things happening in the federal court system. It costs a lot to run because of how PACER works. Consider supporting/ subscribing here: www.courtwatch.news/p/help-us-tu...
Help Us Turn Four
Our scrappy punch above-its-weight news site only survives with support from folks like you.
www.courtwatch.news
November 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Court Watch has been a critical resource and collaborator with us. Helps show the deeply serious but also offbeat things happening in the federal court system. It costs a lot to run because of how PACER works. Consider supporting/ subscribing here: www.courtwatch.news/p/help-us-tu...
If I worked for the Boy Scouts I would absolutely file a FOIA request for the memo (noting that b5, which can be used to hide drafts, is discretionary), and I'd ask for the John Phelan memo too (as well as any other memos sent in response to the proposed policy).
Hegseth is very very terrified, deep deep down of something to do with maleness www.npr.org/2025/11/25/n...
U.S. ready to cut support to Scouts, accusing them of attacking 'boy-friendly spaces'
Documents show the U.S. military is planning to sever all ties with the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts.
www.npr.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
If I worked for the Boy Scouts I would absolutely file a FOIA request for the memo (noting that b5, which can be used to hide drafts, is discretionary), and I'd ask for the John Phelan memo too (as well as any other memos sent in response to the proposed policy).
Reposted by Lauren Harper
NEW @crisesnotes.bsky.social PIECE: I finally have written up the extraordinary fact that the @federalreserve.gov has created an entire page specifically devoted to my FOIA requests entitled "Historical Board Documents". Also, my birthday sale is still underway!
www.crisesnotes.com/the-federal-...
www.crisesnotes.com/the-federal-...
The Federal Reserve Has Created an Entire Page Dedicated to My Successful FOIA Requests
Tomorrow is my 34th Birthday and as such this month's "Birthday" sale is still ongoing. Take advantage today!
Birthday Sale!
Longtime Notes on the Crises readers will remember that I hav...
www.crisesnotes.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:48 AM
NEW @crisesnotes.bsky.social PIECE: I finally have written up the extraordinary fact that the @federalreserve.gov has created an entire page specifically devoted to my FOIA requests entitled "Historical Board Documents". Also, my birthday sale is still underway!
www.crisesnotes.com/the-federal-...
www.crisesnotes.com/the-federal-...
Reposted by Lauren Harper
From endless delays in response time to ridiculously overbroad ██████ redactions, FOIA is plagued with problems.
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Strengthen the Freedom of Information Act
Defending press freedom for the next generation
freedom.press
November 24, 2025 at 7:40 PM
From endless delays in response time to ridiculously overbroad ██████ redactions, FOIA is plagued with problems.
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Sketchy secrecy - literally.
To grease some palms, just make a sizable contribution to a congressional portrait. Nobody will ever know.
Fascinating story highlighting a transparency blindspot from @notus.com @davelevinthal.com.
(The puns write themselves: Portrayal betrayal. A study in secrecy)
To grease some palms, just make a sizable contribution to a congressional portrait. Nobody will ever know.
Fascinating story highlighting a transparency blindspot from @notus.com @davelevinthal.com.
(The puns write themselves: Portrayal betrayal. A study in secrecy)
Few Rules Govern Contributions to Congressional Portrait Funds
Congressional committee chair portrait funds are a magnet for lobbyists and special interest money.
www.notus.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Sketchy secrecy - literally.
To grease some palms, just make a sizable contribution to a congressional portrait. Nobody will ever know.
Fascinating story highlighting a transparency blindspot from @notus.com @davelevinthal.com.
(The puns write themselves: Portrayal betrayal. A study in secrecy)
To grease some palms, just make a sizable contribution to a congressional portrait. Nobody will ever know.
Fascinating story highlighting a transparency blindspot from @notus.com @davelevinthal.com.
(The puns write themselves: Portrayal betrayal. A study in secrecy)
"Unlike federal campaign donations or lobbying expenditures, which are subject to robust ethics and transparency laws and regulations, few rules govern contributions to congressional portrait funds."
A NOTUS analysis has found that this decade, special interest groups and lobbyists have poured more than $600,000 into portrait funds for several current and former federal lawmakers.
https://www.notus.org/money/congressional-portait-funds
https://www.notus.org/money/congressional-portait-funds
Few Rules Govern Contributions to Congressional Portrait Funds
Congressional committee chair portrait funds are a magnet for lobbyists and special interest money.
www.notus.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
"Unlike federal campaign donations or lobbying expenditures, which are subject to robust ethics and transparency laws and regulations, few rules govern contributions to congressional portrait funds."
Reposted by Lauren Harper
DHS is abusing its authority to shut down ICE-watching accounts.
Reporting on public ICE activity is protected by the First Amendment. It’s also something journalists do routinely.
Senator Wyden is right to call out this attack on the First Amendment.
Reporting on public ICE activity is protected by the First Amendment. It’s also something journalists do routinely.
Senator Wyden is right to call out this attack on the First Amendment.
Wyden Blasts Kristi Noem for Abusing Subpoena Power to Unmask ICE Watcher
“DHS apparently is trying to expose an individual’s identity in order to chill criticism of the Trump Administration’s immigration policies.”
theintercept.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
DHS is abusing its authority to shut down ICE-watching accounts.
Reporting on public ICE activity is protected by the First Amendment. It’s also something journalists do routinely.
Senator Wyden is right to call out this attack on the First Amendment.
Reporting on public ICE activity is protected by the First Amendment. It’s also something journalists do routinely.
Senator Wyden is right to call out this attack on the First Amendment.
There is no administrator of DOGE?
There is no administrator of DOGE?
There is no administrator of DOGE?
There is no administrator of DOGE?
There is no administrator of DOGE?
There is no administrator of DOGE?
There is no administrator of DOGE?
THERE IS NO ADMINISTRATOR OF DOGE??????
#WITAOD
There is no administrator of DOGE?
There is no administrator of DOGE?
There is no administrator of DOGE?
There is no administrator of DOGE?
There is no administrator of DOGE?
There is no administrator of DOGE?
THERE IS NO ADMINISTRATOR OF DOGE??????
#WITAOD
November 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Even more excited to see what happens with all those DOGE FOIA lawsuits now.
If DOGE has been dissolved, we’re left with a bigger mystery:
What happened to its records, and what became of the agency databases it stole/copied, including Social Security's?
Does OPM have them? Were they destroyed?
Only DOGE’s own files can tell us. And right now, we don’t have them.
What happened to its records, and what became of the agency databases it stole/copied, including Social Security's?
Does OPM have them? Were they destroyed?
Only DOGE’s own files can tell us. And right now, we don’t have them.
‘That doesn’t exist’: Doge reportedly quietly disbanded ahead of schedule
Statement by Trump administration confirms longstanding suspicions that Musk-led agency is on its way out
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Even more excited to see what happens with all those DOGE FOIA lawsuits now.
If DOGE has been dissolved, we’re left with a bigger mystery:
What happened to its records, and what became of the agency databases it stole/copied, including Social Security's?
Does OPM have them? Were they destroyed?
Only DOGE’s own files can tell us. And right now, we don’t have them.
What happened to its records, and what became of the agency databases it stole/copied, including Social Security's?
Does OPM have them? Were they destroyed?
Only DOGE’s own files can tell us. And right now, we don’t have them.
‘That doesn’t exist’: Doge reportedly quietly disbanded ahead of schedule
Statement by Trump administration confirms longstanding suspicions that Musk-led agency is on its way out
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
If DOGE has been dissolved, we’re left with a bigger mystery:
What happened to its records, and what became of the agency databases it stole/copied, including Social Security's?
Does OPM have them? Were they destroyed?
Only DOGE’s own files can tell us. And right now, we don’t have them.
What happened to its records, and what became of the agency databases it stole/copied, including Social Security's?
Does OPM have them? Were they destroyed?
Only DOGE’s own files can tell us. And right now, we don’t have them.
DOGE may be disappearing but its records shouldn’t.
We’ll need them to understand what it did with the datasets it copied from agencies, how it mishandled our data, and how to prevent another DOGE.
So - who’s ensuring the records aren’t being destroyed?
We’ll need them to understand what it did with the datasets it copied from agencies, how it mishandled our data, and how to prevent another DOGE.
So - who’s ensuring the records aren’t being destroyed?
‘That doesn’t exist’: Doge reportedly quietly disbanded ahead of schedule
Statement by Trump administration confirms longstanding suspicions that Musk-led agency is on its way out
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:59 AM
DOGE may be disappearing but its records shouldn’t.
We’ll need them to understand what it did with the datasets it copied from agencies, how it mishandled our data, and how to prevent another DOGE.
So - who’s ensuring the records aren’t being destroyed?
We’ll need them to understand what it did with the datasets it copied from agencies, how it mishandled our data, and how to prevent another DOGE.
So - who’s ensuring the records aren’t being destroyed?
Reposted by Lauren Harper
A video from inside a Border Patrol vehicle shows agents chasing a US citizen for filming them. The citizen refused to get out when they illegally ordered him to stop. The agents say: "This is great." "This is fun." "He's going to get shot."
November 22, 2025 at 9:58 PM
A video from inside a Border Patrol vehicle shows agents chasing a US citizen for filming them. The citizen refused to get out when they illegally ordered him to stop. The agents say: "This is great." "This is fun." "He's going to get shot."
Reposted by Lauren Harper
Marjorie Taylor Greene says she is resigning from Congress in January
November 22, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Marjorie Taylor Greene says she is resigning from Congress in January
The FBI hates making FOIA easy.
Instead of sending somebody an email that contains actual information about their request, it sends them a link with a time-sensitive token that expires after 48 hours and that can't be renewed more than twice.
As often as not, the tokens take you to a broken link.
Instead of sending somebody an email that contains actual information about their request, it sends them a link with a time-sensitive token that expires after 48 hours and that can't be renewed more than twice.
As often as not, the tokens take you to a broken link.
November 21, 2025 at 8:52 PM
The FBI hates making FOIA easy.
Instead of sending somebody an email that contains actual information about their request, it sends them a link with a time-sensitive token that expires after 48 hours and that can't be renewed more than twice.
As often as not, the tokens take you to a broken link.
Instead of sending somebody an email that contains actual information about their request, it sends them a link with a time-sensitive token that expires after 48 hours and that can't be renewed more than twice.
As often as not, the tokens take you to a broken link.
Release it AND make the NSC subject to FOIA
Trump and Prince Had ‘Disturbing’ Call After Khashoggi’s Murder, Lawmaker Says
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Release it AND make the NSC subject to FOIA
Reposted by Lauren Harper
if you've never seen the doc "1971," now's a good time
November 21, 2025 at 6:33 PM
if you've never seen the doc "1971," now's a good time