Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno
@mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social
CEO @represent.us. Working for a US govt accountable to the people. Advocate, author, lawyer. Past: @hrw.org @drugpolicy.org. English/Spanish.
It took evidence of war crimes by Sec. Hegseth—paired with President Trump’s pardon of a convicted major drug trafficker—but Congress is suddenly showing signs of a spine. open.substack.com/pub/mariamcf...
Kill Order, Drug Pardon Collide
Congress to take baby steps toward oversight amid contradictions
open.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
It took evidence of war crimes by Sec. Hegseth—paired with President Trump’s pardon of a convicted major drug trafficker—but Congress is suddenly showing signs of a spine. open.substack.com/pub/mariamcf...
Reposted by Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno
Harvard Law School’s Jack Goldsmith:
“In short, if the Post’s facts are correct, it appears that Special Operations Forces committed murder when the ‘two men were blown apart in the water, as the Post put it.’”
open.substack.com/pub/executiv...
“In short, if the Post’s facts are correct, it appears that Special Operations Forces committed murder when the ‘two men were blown apart in the water, as the Post put it.’”
open.substack.com/pub/executiv...
November 29, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Harvard Law School’s Jack Goldsmith:
“In short, if the Post’s facts are correct, it appears that Special Operations Forces committed murder when the ‘two men were blown apart in the water, as the Post put it.’”
open.substack.com/pub/executiv...
“In short, if the Post’s facts are correct, it appears that Special Operations Forces committed murder when the ‘two men were blown apart in the water, as the Post put it.’”
open.substack.com/pub/executiv...
So, if you're on a fishing boat in the Caribbean, you risk getting bombed for "carrying drugs". But if you have powerful friends and a US jury convicts you of drug trafficking, you get a pardon and celebratory TruthSocial post. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
Trump Announces Pardon for Honduran Ex-President Convicted in Drug Case
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:28 AM
So, if you're on a fishing boat in the Caribbean, you risk getting bombed for "carrying drugs". But if you have powerful friends and a US jury convicts you of drug trafficking, you get a pardon and celebratory TruthSocial post. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
Excited to talk with Miles Taylor on the Defiance.org Weekly Spotlight this evening. Get a pre-Thanksgiving boost of hope by joining us for this lively, defiant chat about giving Congress a spine! open.substack.com/pub/defiance...
Ready to stand up for Senator Mark Kelly? Join us LIVE tonight at 5 pm ET
PLUS -- DEFIANCE Radio airs again later this afternoon... and Miles Taylor punches back.
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Excited to talk with Miles Taylor on the Defiance.org Weekly Spotlight this evening. Get a pre-Thanksgiving boost of hope by joining us for this lively, defiant chat about giving Congress a spine! open.substack.com/pub/defiance...
Yes, we're seeing cracks in the armor, with more Rs beginning to show some willingness to stand up to the administration. That's why we need to seize the opportunity now to widen them! 1/2
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
Congressional Republicans Begin to Look Beyond Trump
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Yes, we're seeing cracks in the armor, with more Rs beginning to show some willingness to stand up to the administration. That's why we need to seize the opportunity now to widen them! 1/2
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
Big thanks to @MilesTaylorUSA for featuring @representus 's work to put targeted pro-democracy pressure on Congress in his new defiance.org site, and to @JimAcosta for his great interview with us! m.youtube.com/watch?v=xGYk...
Robert De Niro is pitching a new way to fight Donald Trump!
YouTube video by Jim Acosta
m.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Big thanks to @MilesTaylorUSA for featuring @representus 's work to put targeted pro-democracy pressure on Congress in his new defiance.org site, and to @JimAcosta for his great interview with us! m.youtube.com/watch?v=xGYk...
Delighted to speak with Nicole Wallace on MSNBC about @represent.us’s Congressional Courage Campaign, to put targeted, real pressure on Congress to assert its power and hold the administration to account.
October 30, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Delighted to speak with Nicole Wallace on MSNBC about @represent.us’s Congressional Courage Campaign, to put targeted, real pressure on Congress to assert its power and hold the administration to account.
Nobel Peace Prize winner, Venezuelan María Corina Machado has stood up to Maduro's regime, which arrests critics, rigs elections, and silences dissent. If Trump wants a Nobel, he might start by *not* copying Maduro's tactics: www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...
Nobel Peace Prize 2025
The Nobel Peace Prize 2025 was awarded to Maria Corina Machado "for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transi...
www.nobelprize.org
October 10, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Nobel Peace Prize winner, Venezuelan María Corina Machado has stood up to Maduro's regime, which arrests critics, rigs elections, and silences dissent. If Trump wants a Nobel, he might start by *not* copying Maduro's tactics: www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...
Congress has the duty and authority to exert oversight over DOJ. With Bondi's agency ramping up politicized prosecutions, we need to put pressure on Congress to do its job, ask the tough Qs, demand accountability: act.represent.us/letter/bondi...
Tell Your Representatives: Get Real Answers from Pam Bondi
We deserve answers about how government resources are being used at the Department of Justice.
act.represent.us
October 9, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Congress has the duty and authority to exert oversight over DOJ. With Bondi's agency ramping up politicized prosecutions, we need to put pressure on Congress to do its job, ask the tough Qs, demand accountability: act.represent.us/letter/bondi...
💯! That's why at @represent.us we've been working to fix corruption and build a govt accountable to the people.
I’m starting to notice a trend in the polling data…
—Top Public Worry: Corruption
—Biggest problem in Fed Gov: Corruption
—Top fear: Corruption
—What one word would you use to describe American government?: “Corrupt”
It’s almost like voters are trying to tell us something.
—Top Public Worry: Corruption
—Biggest problem in Fed Gov: Corruption
—Top fear: Corruption
—What one word would you use to describe American government?: “Corrupt”
It’s almost like voters are trying to tell us something.
September 27, 2025 at 11:21 AM
💯! That's why at @represent.us we've been working to fix corruption and build a govt accountable to the people.
It's not about getting back at Comey, Letitia James, or Soros. It's about silencing you. My latest post: open.substack.com/pub/mariamcf...
It’s Not about Comey, Letitia James, or Soros. It’s about You.
Political prosecutions silence dissent and enable corruption
open.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 6:58 PM
It's not about getting back at Comey, Letitia James, or Soros. It's about silencing you. My latest post: open.substack.com/pub/mariamcf...
Whatever you think about Comey, his indictment yesterday indictment under Trump pressure is cause for alarm. It builds on years of Trump efforts to take over the FBI/DOJ, starting with his firing of Comey in 2018. But this is not a hopeless situation. 1/8 www.bbc.com/news/article...
Former FBI director James Comey indicted on two charges
James Comey says he is innocent and the charges are politically motivated, as they follow Trump pressure on prosecutors to act.
www.bbc.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Whatever you think about Comey, his indictment yesterday indictment under Trump pressure is cause for alarm. It builds on years of Trump efforts to take over the FBI/DOJ, starting with his firing of Comey in 2018. But this is not a hopeless situation. 1/8 www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno
STEWART: “Comedy doesn’t change the world, but it’s a bellwether— we’re the banana peel in the coal mine… authoritarians are the threat to comedy, music, art, thought… progress.”
Nailed it.
Nailed it.
September 19, 2025 at 1:51 AM
STEWART: “Comedy doesn’t change the world, but it’s a bellwether— we’re the banana peel in the coal mine… authoritarians are the threat to comedy, music, art, thought… progress.”
Nailed it.
Nailed it.
In Colombia, a single assassination triggered more than 50 years of war. I documented the resulting horrors, which did nothing to solve the country's problems. My reflections on rising political violence in the US, and the way forward: open.substack.com/pub/mariamcf...
I’ve Lived Through Political Violence--We Don’t Want It Here
We Need to Double Down on Democracy, not Give Up on It
open.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 9:08 PM
In Colombia, a single assassination triggered more than 50 years of war. I documented the resulting horrors, which did nothing to solve the country's problems. My reflections on rising political violence in the US, and the way forward: open.substack.com/pub/mariamcf...
I grew up in a country devastated by political violence, and decades later, the scars are still there. Nobody should want or support that for the US. Part of the point of genuine democracy, rule of law, etc, is to resolve differences peacefully and fairly.
September 10, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I grew up in a country devastated by political violence, and decades later, the scars are still there. Nobody should want or support that for the US. Part of the point of genuine democracy, rule of law, etc, is to resolve differences peacefully and fairly.
The US political system has long been corrupt. But this administration is taking corruption to a new level. Thanks to #MichaelDouglas for explaining, and calling on YOU to join the nonpartisan movement for a US govt that works for the people, not just the powerful. m.youtube.com/watch?v=64Wn...
THIS IS NOT THE CHANGE WE NEED | RepresentUs
YouTube video by RepresentUs
m.youtube.com
August 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
The US political system has long been corrupt. But this administration is taking corruption to a new level. Thanks to #MichaelDouglas for explaining, and calling on YOU to join the nonpartisan movement for a US govt that works for the people, not just the powerful. m.youtube.com/watch?v=64Wn...
The conviction of Colombia’s once-untouchable ex-president is a sign of hope amid autocracy’s rise—my latest in @theguardian.com today.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The conviction of Colombia’s ex-president is a sign of hope amid autocracy’s rise | Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno
Álvaro Uribe was convicted of bribery in a development that would have seemed inconceivable a decade ago
www.theguardian.com
August 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The conviction of Colombia’s once-untouchable ex-president is a sign of hope amid autocracy’s rise—my latest in @theguardian.com today.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Corruption is at peak levels in the US. But calling that out without tackling the corruption already in the system sounds hypocritical to many. We need real action, on both today's corruption and the ways the system has long been rigged. My latest: open.substack.com/pub/mariamcf...
The Deep Roots of US Corruption
And what we can actually do about it
open.substack.com
August 3, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Corruption is at peak levels in the US. But calling that out without tackling the corruption already in the system sounds hypocritical to many. We need real action, on both today's corruption and the ways the system has long been rigged. My latest: open.substack.com/pub/mariamcf...
"Firing the top statistical official... puts us in dangerous territory far from an accountable and reality-based government.” says
@gretchentg.bsky.social of Union of Concerned Scientists. Agreed! www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/u...
@gretchentg.bsky.social of Union of Concerned Scientists. Agreed! www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/u...
Trump’s Efforts to Control Information Echo an Authoritarian Playbook
www.nytimes.com
August 3, 2025 at 11:07 AM
"Firing the top statistical official... puts us in dangerous territory far from an accountable and reality-based government.” says
@gretchentg.bsky.social of Union of Concerned Scientists. Agreed! www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/u...
@gretchentg.bsky.social of Union of Concerned Scientists. Agreed! www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/u...
Reposted by Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno
🚨 BREAKING: The Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee just advanced a bill to ban members of Congress, the President, and VP from trading stocks. The vote was 8–7. All Democrats voted yes, Josh Hawley (R-MO) was the only Republican to join them.
July 30, 2025 at 5:05 PM
🚨 BREAKING: The Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee just advanced a bill to ban members of Congress, the President, and VP from trading stocks. The vote was 8–7. All Democrats voted yes, Josh Hawley (R-MO) was the only Republican to join them.
The Senate's confirmation to the 3rd Circuit of Emil Bove, despite not only three whistleblower complaints, but also his role in the appalling Eric Adams dropping of charges, is an alarming step toward radical politicization of the judiciary. www.politico.com/news/2025/07...
Senate confirms Emil Bove to Third Circuit, as Dems fail to thwart Trump pick
Two Republicans voted against Bove, but it wasn't enough to tank his nomination.
www.politico.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:37 PM
The Senate's confirmation to the 3rd Circuit of Emil Bove, despite not only three whistleblower complaints, but also his role in the appalling Eric Adams dropping of charges, is an alarming step toward radical politicization of the judiciary. www.politico.com/news/2025/07...
“I’d rather die... than to keep living through this experience," said one of the men (most of whom had no criminal records) Trump sent to El Salvador's CECOT prison. Powerful @propublica.org reporting on the men's experiences of torture there: www.propublica.org/article/vene...
Now That They’re Free, Venezuelan Men Want the World to Know What They Endured in CECOT
Venezuelan men deported by the Trump administration say they endured months of physical and mental abuse inside a Salvadoran prison. Though happy to be home, they say the fact that they were released ...
www.propublica.org
July 30, 2025 at 12:28 PM
“I’d rather die... than to keep living through this experience," said one of the men (most of whom had no criminal records) Trump sent to El Salvador's CECOT prison. Powerful @propublica.org reporting on the men's experiences of torture there: www.propublica.org/article/vene...
Fmr Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has been convicted of bribing a witness who tied him to paramilitaries. My book, There Are No Dead Here, tells the story of the vicious paramilitaries' rise on Uribe's watch. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/w... 1/5
Ex-President Álvaro Uribe of Colombia Is Convicted of Bribery
www.nytimes.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Fmr Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has been convicted of bribing a witness who tied him to paramilitaries. My book, There Are No Dead Here, tells the story of the vicious paramilitaries' rise on Uribe's watch. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/w... 1/5
ICE risks overplaying its hand, turning ppl against it, as it becomes "a massive, un-uniformed, masked domestic army... that critics fear will have carte blanche to arrest, detain and deport persons without... due process, whether they enjoy legal status or not."
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
ICE Risks Overplaying Its Hand. We’ve Seen It Happen Before.
Militarized federal encroachments on public life provoke strong, even violent responses — even among those who agree with their aims.
www.politico.com
July 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
ICE risks overplaying its hand, turning ppl against it, as it becomes "a massive, un-uniformed, masked domestic army... that critics fear will have carte blanche to arrest, detain and deport persons without... due process, whether they enjoy legal status or not."
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
There are now TWO whistleblowers saying Emil Bove suggested DOJ ignore court orders. That's on top of the role he played in the sketchy Eric Adams deal. He makes me think of courts in Venezuela, mere tools for the president... is that what the Senate wants for the US? edition.cnn.com/2025/07/27/p...
Another whistleblower claims that top DOJ official suggested department could ignore court orders | CNN Politics
Another whistleblower has made claims to the Justice Department’s watchdog that Emil Bove — a top agency official who is now nominated for a judgeship — suggested others in the department could ignore...
edition.cnn.com
July 28, 2025 at 10:39 AM
There are now TWO whistleblowers saying Emil Bove suggested DOJ ignore court orders. That's on top of the role he played in the sketchy Eric Adams deal. He makes me think of courts in Venezuela, mere tools for the president... is that what the Senate wants for the US? edition.cnn.com/2025/07/27/p...