John Palfrey
LightNews LightNews
banner
palfrey.org
John Palfrey
@palfrey.org
1.6K followers 280 following 200 posts

President, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Videos

John Gorham Palfrey VII is an American educator, scholar, and law professor. His areas of focus include emerging media, Internet freedom, online transparency and accountability, and child safety. In March 2019, he was named the president of the MacArthur Foundation effective September 1, 2019. Palfrey was the 15th Head of School at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, from 2012 to 2019. He was executive director of Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet & Society from 2002 to 2008. .. more

Political science 28%
Business 16%
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Nov 18
It is a rare thing to be able to award a $100 million grant but today we do so @macfound.org. I’m thrilled to share the Broad Institute’s Sentinel project is @macfound 100&Change Award Recipient!

www.macfound.org/press/press-...
Sentinel Awarded $100 Million to Prevent Pandemics
www.macfound.org

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 10h
If ever there were a time to support a free and independent press, now is that time.

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 10h
They're doing the hard work. We are honored to write some checks to support them doing it.

Reposted by John Palfrey

freedom.press
Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 12h
We are OUTRAGED and deeply alarmed by the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort by federal agents, and by the government’s escalating effort to criminalize and threaten press freedom under the guise of law enforcement.

The First Amendment is not optional and journalism is not a crime.
NABJ OUTRAGED AT ARRESTS OF DON LEMON, GEORGIA FORT ‘THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS NOT OPTIONAL’
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is outraged and deeply alarmed by the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort by federal agents, and […]
nabjonline.org

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 1d
Thank you, @drwolfe.bsky.social, for this meaningful reporting.

Reposted by John Palfrey

insidephilanthropy.com
Inside Philanthropy @insidephilanthropy.com · 1d
Everyday Americans, foundations, corporations and more are all moving money to help Minneapolis nonprofits cope with the federal occupation of their city. Here are some key funders so far.

Dawn Wolfe(@drwolfe.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/yck8h2uw

#ImmigrantJustice #HumanRights #Minneapolis
Seven Funders Supporting Minneapolis — And How to Find Nonprofits to Back
Everyday Americans, foundations, corporations and more are all moving money to help Minneapolis nonprofits cope with the federal occupation of their city. Here are some key funders so far.
tinyurl.com

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 5d
UPDATE:

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
Appeals Court Rejects Justice Dept. Push for Arrest Warrant for Don Lemon
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Joanna Bryson, Richard E. Lenski, John Horgan , and 5 more

anneapplebaum.bsky.social
Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.bsky.social · 5d
This witness to Alex Pretti's murder not only refutes the governmen't story, but says she is afraid to go home because federal agents might arrest her. This is what it feels like to live under state terror.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
TincherSealedWitnessDec012426.PDF
www.documentcloud.org

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 6d
Written by a Scalia clerk and Bush-appointed judge. Worth reading in full if you have the time.
annabower.bsky.social Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 6d
A magistrate judge found no probable cause to support arrest warrants for 5 people involved in the St. Paul church protest.

DOJ appealed to the 8th Cir.

That appeal led to this remarkable letter from the Chief Judge of the Minnesota district court…

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Re: In Re: United States of America No. 26-1135 Dear Chief Judge Colloton, I apologize for addressing this letter to you, but, for reasons I will describe, I do not have any other option. I am working from home today, as the program that my mentally disabled adult son attends each day is closed because of the extreme cold At 11:34 am, I received an email regarding Case No. 26-1135, entitled "In re: United States of America." The order in its entirety read: The motion of the United States to seal is granted. The Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota is invited to file a response, at his discretion, to the petition for writ of mandamus. Any response is due by 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 23. This is the first that I have heard of any petition for a writ of mandamus. The United States did not have the courtesy to tell me that they would be filing such a petition, nor did the United States serve the petition on me. I am unable to access any documents in Case No. 26-1135 because, at the request of the United States, the case is sealed-apparently even from me. So I have been given about two-and-one-half hours to respond to a mandamus petition that I have not read and cannot read. Apparently I am supposed to guess what the petition is about and guess what the mandamus petition says and then respond. I will do so. The Honorable Steven M. Colloton January 23, 2026 Page 2 On the evening of Tuesday, January 20, the United States presented an application for eight arrest warrants to Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko in connection with the disruption of a religious service at Cities Church on Sunday, January 18. Judge Micko was the magistrate judge who was on duty at the time. Judge Micko found there was probable cause to issue warrants with respect to three of the suspects but not with respect to the other five. Minutes after Judge Micko signed three arrest warrants, the U.S. Attorney notified me that his office wanted a district judge to review Judge Micko's decision -either by hearing an appeal of that decision or by considering the application de novo. The first thing I did is ask our Clerk's Office to randomly assign a district judge to consider the government's request. I was the judge who was randomly assigned. It is important to emphasize that what the U.S. Attorney requested is unheard of in our district or, as best as I can tell, any other district in the Eighth Circuit. I have surveyed all of our judges — some of whom have been judges in our District for over 40 years —and no one can remember the government asking a district judge to review a magistrate judge's denial of an arrest warrant. I have also surveyed the chief judges of all of the districts in the Eighth Circuit. I have heard back from almost all of them, and all of those responding have said that, to their knowledge, no district judge has ever reviewed the decision of a magistrate judge to deny an arrest warrant. The reason why this never happens is likely that, if the government does not like the magistrate judge's decision, it can either improve the affidavit and present it again to the same magistrate judge or it can present its case to a grand jury and seek an indictment. On Wednesday, January 21, I informed the U.S. Attorney that because he was asking me to do something that was unprecedented, and because m…

Reposted by Elizabeth Saunders, Scott L. Greer, Rosemary A. Joyce , and 11 more

annabower.bsky.social
Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 6d
A magistrate judge found no probable cause to support arrest warrants for 5 people involved in the St. Paul church protest.

DOJ appealed to the 8th Cir.

That appeal led to this remarkable letter from the Chief Judge of the Minnesota district court…

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Re: In Re: United States of America No. 26-1135 Dear Chief Judge Colloton, I apologize for addressing this letter to you, but, for reasons I will describe, I do not have any other option. I am working from home today, as the program that my mentally disabled adult son attends each day is closed because of the extreme cold At 11:34 am, I received an email regarding Case No. 26-1135, entitled "In re: United States of America." The order in its entirety read: The motion of the United States to seal is granted. The Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota is invited to file a response, at his discretion, to the petition for writ of mandamus. Any response is due by 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 23. This is the first that I have heard of any petition for a writ of mandamus. The United States did not have the courtesy to tell me that they would be filing such a petition, nor did the United States serve the petition on me. I am unable to access any documents in Case No. 26-1135 because, at the request of the United States, the case is sealed-apparently even from me. So I have been given about two-and-one-half hours to respond to a mandamus petition that I have not read and cannot read. Apparently I am supposed to guess what the petition is about and guess what the mandamus petition says and then respond. I will do so. The Honorable Steven M. Colloton January 23, 2026 Page 2 On the evening of Tuesday, January 20, the United States presented an application for eight arrest warrants to Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko in connection with the disruption of a religious service at Cities Church on Sunday, January 18. Judge Micko was the magistrate judge who was on duty at the time. Judge Micko found there was probable cause to issue warrants with respect to three of the suspects but not with respect to the other five. Minutes after Judge Micko signed three arrest warrants, the U.S. Attorney notified me that his office wanted a district judge to review Judge Micko's decision -either by hearing an appeal of that decision or by considering the application de novo. The first thing I did is ask our Clerk's Office to randomly assign a district judge to consider the government's request. I was the judge who was randomly assigned. It is important to emphasize that what the U.S. Attorney requested is unheard of in our district or, as best as I can tell, any other district in the Eighth Circuit. I have surveyed all of our judges — some of whom have been judges in our District for over 40 years —and no one can remember the government asking a district judge to review a magistrate judge's denial of an arrest warrant. I have also surveyed the chief judges of all of the districts in the Eighth Circuit. I have heard back from almost all of them, and all of those responding have said that, to their knowledge, no district judge has ever reviewed the decision of a magistrate judge to deny an arrest warrant. The reason why this never happens is likely that, if the government does not like the magistrate judge's decision, it can either improve the affidavit and present it again to the same magistrate judge or it can present its case to a grand jury and seek an indictment. On Wednesday, January 21, I informed the U.S. Attorney that because he was asking me to do something that was unprecedented, and because m…

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 7d
"I’m wondering how all of this sits with the folks who viewed vaccine mandates as government overreach. Who accused educators and epidemiologists and public health experts of stripping away our freedom and personal liberties. Who couldn’t abide mask mandates."

www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/23/h...
Heidi Stevens: As federal agents target citizens, where are the folks who cried ‘tyranny’ over pandemic restrictions?
I’m wondering how federal immigration agents’ actions sit with those who saw vaccine mandates as government overreach, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 7d
Enough Is Enough, say Minnesota leaders in business, philanthropy, faith, and every sector of civic life.

www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/li...
Thousands march through downtown Minnapolis protesting against ICE as state workers hold general strike
Hundreds of businesses in the Twin Cities are closed Friday to protest the presence of federal immigration agents in Minnesota, as thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of downtown Minn...
www.cbsnews.com

Reposted by Elizabeth Sharrow, Juan Cole, Robert C. Richards , and 8 more

ziibiing.com
ashley fairbanks @ziibiing.com · 7d
this photo. minneapolis. 💜

📷️ Alex Kormann/Star Tribune
photo of march, signs for renee good and against ICe, crowded street.

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 7d
Not good.

Reposted by John Palfrey

stevevladeck.bsky.social
Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 7d
They'll put anyone on TV.

Reposted by John Palfrey, Nathan P. Kalmoe

chenoweth.bsky.social
Erica Chenoweth @chenoweth.bsky.social · 7d
So great to see @mariajstephan.bsky.social on @colbertlateshow.bsky.social. First half below, second half here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=96Wv...

Reposted by John Palfrey

maddow.bsky.social
Rachel Maddow @maddow.bsky.social · 7d
last year: belarus

this year: u.s.a.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
‘Endangered lawyer’ day highlights US justice system’s plummeting standing
International coalition of legal groups focuses on political intimidation of lawyers and judges in US – once a role model
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by John Palfrey, Stephen I. Vladeck

pbsnews.org
PBS News @pbsnews.org · 8d
America’s judicial system is undergoing one of its most consequential stress tests as President Trump pushes the limits of executive power and strains the system of checks and balances. https://to.pbs.org/49BRiSP
How Trump is challenging America’s judicial system during his second term
America’s judicial system is undergoing one of its most consequential stress tests as President Trump pushes the limits of executive power and strains the system of checks and balances. A year into hi...
to.pbs.org

Reposted by John Palfrey

lawfaremedia.org
Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 8d
An internal Department of Homeland Security memo raises a big question: Can ICE enter a home to make an arrest without a judicial warrant?

@orinkerr.bsky.social offers a tentative take, on both the rights and the remedies.
Can ICE Enter a Home to Make an Arrest With Only an Administrative Warrant?
A tentative take, on both the rights and the remedies.
lawfaremedia.org

Reposted by John Palfrey

govpritzker.illinois.gov
Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 9d
Illinois is renowned worldwide as a hub of scientific research, education, and innovation.

It’s in no small part thanks to the work being done here at the UIUC’s National Center for Supercomputing Applications.
Governor Pritzker tours the NCSA.

Reposted by John Palfrey

officialmlk3.bsky.social
Martin Luther King III @officialmlk3.bsky.social · 11d
This is a heavy moment for our country, and it can feel like we are coming apart at the seams. But the way forward is collective. @arndreaking.bsky.social and I discussed this on @cnn.com on how moments of reflection, like visiting the King Memorial, remind us that democracy demands endurance.

Reposted by Robert C. Richards, John Palfrey

billkristolbulwark.bsky.social
Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 11d
“Our current president has issued no statement this year in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This administration’s only notice of the day was when it announced that it had eliminated this holiday from the list of days with free entry to national parks.”

www.thebulwark.com/p/celebrate-...
Celebrate a King, Not a Trump
We will never have a DJT day.
www.thebulwark.com

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 11d
It's King Day! Thanks, @sifill.bsky.social!

"Some people will shop today. Or just sleep in, I know. ... I hope that Americans will, at the very least, take advantage of the opportunity today to reflect on the significance of this day. Because it matters."

open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
It's King Day!
Don't Allow Them to Memory Hole What It Means
open.substack.com

Reposted by John Palfrey

stevenbeschloss.bsky.social
Steven Beschloss @stevenbeschloss.bsky.social · 12d
Great season, Bears. Chicago’s my hometown, this has always been my team and Caleb Williams has been a gift.

Reposted by Robert C. Richards, John Palfrey, Mary Jane Curry

govwesmoore.bsky.social
Governor Wes Moore @govwesmoore.bsky.social · 12d
Three years ago, I was sworn in to be your governor using my grandfather’s bible and the bible of Fredrick Douglass.

Since then, we have moved Maryland forward by creating safer communities, protecting our neighbors and their rights, lowering costs, and much more.

We are leaving no one behind.

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 19d
Some yes, some no. See e.g. Wilmer Hale.

Reposted by Robert C. Richards

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 19d
On the one hand: Pretexts are the playbook. Threats, intimidation, investigations of anyone potentially in the way.

On the other: Standing firm, on principle, for democracy, in the face of threats, with integrity.

I know with whom I will stand.

Reposted by John Horgan, John Palfrey

anneapplebaum.bsky.social
Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.bsky.social · 20d
The transformation of ICE into a type of national police force, backed, in some cases, by soldiers from the National Guard, has been covered as immigration story—but these forces are reshaping democracy for all of us.

Listen to 'Autocracy in America' here:

www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
Federal Agents Are Violating the Rights of Americans
ICE and the National Guard are acting with impunity.
www.theatlantic.com

Reposted by John Palfrey

jfallows.bsky.social
James Fallows @jfallows.bsky.social · 21d
In case you haven't seen it, print front page of this morning's NYT.
Banner headline in NYT: "Trump Asserts His Global Power Has One Limit: Himself."

Reposted by John Palfrey

durbin.senate.gov
Senator Dick Durbin @durbin.senate.gov · 22d
Quantum computing is the future, but to remain at the forefront we must invest in our quantum research centers and give scientists the resources they need. I cosponsored the bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to ensure the U.S. continues to lead the quantum revolution.

Reposted by John Palfrey

carlquintanilla.bsky.social
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 23d
Data center backlash makes Page One:

@washingtonpost.com