dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
@dramaticowl.myatproto.social
joyful swimmer, avid reader, lover of coffee and cats. not a morning person.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
Here's my full 50-page indictment of CBP and ICE and decades of corruption, abuse of force, racism, and misogyny. I promise you — however bad you've ever thought it was, the full reality is even worse, deadlier, and more corrupt. This isn't a "Trump only" phenomenon:
Thanks to @govpritzker.illinois.gov for setting up the Illinois Accountability Commission to document the abuses of Trump and Stephen Miller's invasions of cities. And thanks to @vermontgmg.bsky.social for this detailed testimony about CBP's history and culture: drive.google.com/file/d/1o4z6...
IAC-Statement.Graff.Jan312026.pdf
drive.google.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Here's my full 50-page indictment of CBP and ICE and decades of corruption, abuse of force, racism, and misogyny. I promise you — however bad you've ever thought it was, the full reality is even worse, deadlier, and more corrupt. This isn't a "Trump only" phenomenon:
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
Seventh Circuit grills Trump administration on DEI regulations @rosencaitlyn.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/seventh-circ...
Seventh Circuit grills Trump administration on DEI regulations
A dubious Seventh Circuit panel pressed a Trump administration attorney on which DEI initiatives are considered illegal. The lawyer could not provide a concrete answer.
www.courthousenews.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Seventh Circuit grills Trump administration on DEI regulations @rosencaitlyn.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/seventh-circ...
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
like this is absurd, get over yourselves
February 2, 2026 at 1:57 PM
like this is absurd, get over yourselves
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
Absolutely. I've been 100% on this. And will continue to be. From the court. It's Law Dork: www.lawdork.com
i am very much of the view that undermining the court’s secrecy is a necessary part of remaking it into something like an actual court (and not some guardian council) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
How the Supreme Court Secretly Made Itself Even More Secretive
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Absolutely. I've been 100% on this. And will continue to be. From the court. It's Law Dork: www.lawdork.com
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
I think Cobb is 100% right here — but I also think this loophole has to be closed in any DHS appropriations bill. Someone needs to add in language that all OBBBA funds are also subject to the Section 527 requirement.
Noem tried to get around an earlier court order by saying that all funds to implement a 7-day requirement were to come from the OBBBA and not the appropriations bill (which has the Sec. 527 visitation requirement).
Cobb decided that the plaintiffs proved that was likely impossible.
Cobb decided that the plaintiffs proved that was likely impossible.
![Plaintiffs have made a strong showing that the January 8, 2026, notice requirement was also
promulgated, implemented, and is presently being enforced with the use of Section 527 funds.
Because "[t]he government... cannot actl] other than by appropriation," the "use of any
government resources whether salaries, employees, paper, or buildings—to accomplish a" purpose "entail[s] government expenditure" for that purpose. Env't Def. Ctr. v. Babbitt, 73 F.3d 867, 871-72 (9th Cir. 1995). Plaintiffs present evidence regarding the vast numbers and types of expenditures including portions of the salaries of a wide array of DHS and ICE personnel—
likely necessary to devise and enforce the notice policy. See ECF 49-2 11 20-23. The types of
expenditures implicated also likely extend to the more incidental but nevertheless necessary ones
that make creation and enforcement of the policy possible. See id. 1 20 (suggesting that relevant expenditures would include "salaries" as well as "information technology systems and contracts,
office supplies, utilities, and building infrastructure"); Babbitt, 73 F.3d at 871 (discussing use of
"paper" and "buildings" as the types of expenditures prohibited by a similar limitation rider);](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreifsan33o3q3potqutw3raolm7n3ydyibgy73jlinafevrrxtdcbyy@jpeg)
February 2, 2026 at 5:03 PM
I think Cobb is 100% right here — but I also think this loophole has to be closed in any DHS appropriations bill. Someone needs to add in language that all OBBBA funds are also subject to the Section 527 requirement.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
My full report on this news is now up at Law Dork: www.lawdork.com/p/breaking-j...
BREAKING: Judge Jia Cobb issues a TRO blocking DHS Sec Noem's Jan 8 memo purporting to require 7-day notices by members of Congress to perform oversight visits to immigration detention facilities.
The effect is that congressional oversight visits are allowed on request, as is required by Sec. 527.
The effect is that congressional oversight visits are allowed on request, as is required by Sec. 527.
February 2, 2026 at 7:21 PM
My full report on this news is now up at Law Dork: www.lawdork.com/p/breaking-j...
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
1. Google it. Figure it out. We've been here for a year now. There is PLENTY to read!
2. Just stop!
3. Thread!
2. Just stop!
3. Thread!
I'm sorry, folks, but we're now more than a year in. If you're new to the fact that I consider it dangerous & unacceptable to presume that the administration won't comply with a lawful court order, that's on you at this point. I've been discussing this here & writing about it at Law Dork nonstop.
February 2, 2026 at 7:42 PM
1. Google it. Figure it out. We've been here for a year now. There is PLENTY to read!
2. Just stop!
3. Thread!
2. Just stop!
3. Thread!
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
I mean it's kind of bizarre considering they just followed a very high profile loss and judge's order in the Liam case?
Like agency compliance even in fully compliant agencies with court orders is often kind of fraught.
Like agency compliance even in fully compliant agencies with court orders is often kind of fraught.
an astounding number of "what if they don't follow the judge's order" people in my mentions for a monday!
stop doing their work for them.
just stop.
stop doing their work for them.
just stop.
February 2, 2026 at 7:44 PM
I mean it's kind of bizarre considering they just followed a very high profile loss and judge's order in the Liam case?
Like agency compliance even in fully compliant agencies with court orders is often kind of fraught.
Like agency compliance even in fully compliant agencies with court orders is often kind of fraught.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
Was it Vance who compared things to the Titanic, b/c, sure, "demote" Ed Martin, but there are plenty of Eds Martin for those with eyes to see.
Breaking news: Top Justice Department officials have stripped Ed Martin of most of his expansive responsibilities, sidelining the staunch Trump ally from many of the controversial investigations he has championed.
Justice Dept. demotes Ed Martin, stripping Trump ally of most authority
Top Justice Department officials have stripped Ed Martin of the bulk of his expansive responsibilities.
wapo.st
February 2, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Was it Vance who compared things to the Titanic, b/c, sure, "demote" Ed Martin, but there are plenty of Eds Martin for those with eyes to see.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
this is some real newt gingrich stuff
Dr Oz: "If we could get the average American to start working a year earlier, right out of high school, or a year later -- not retire -- or work better during their lifetime because they're healthy, it would generate about $3 trillion to the US economy. That would more than remove the debt."
February 2, 2026 at 8:00 PM
this is some real newt gingrich stuff
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
Did they mean "a player, who is offensive" here because, if so, sure.
Regardless, this is like one of those Onion people-on-the-street interviews, and the Times should explain in any post that Bad Bunny is American.
Regardless, this is like one of those Onion people-on-the-street interviews, and the Times should explain in any post that Bad Bunny is American.
From @TheAthletic: Reactions from NFL players about Bad Bunny performing at the Super Bowl were largely split. The majority who didn’t like the selection cited a lack of familiarity with his music or said they just preferred a different performer.
nyti.ms/4c4hlmX
nyti.ms/4c4hlmX
February 2, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Did they mean "a player, who is offensive" here because, if so, sure.
Regardless, this is like one of those Onion people-on-the-street interviews, and the Times should explain in any post that Bad Bunny is American.
Regardless, this is like one of those Onion people-on-the-street interviews, and the Times should explain in any post that Bad Bunny is American.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner on Monday issued an initial, public report on the death of Alex Pretti — saying he died from multiple gunshot wounds and classifying his death as a homicide.
Medical examiner issues initial, public report on death of Alex Pretti
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner on Monday issued an initial, public report on the death of Alex Pretti — saying he died from multiple gunshot wounds, and classifying his death as a homicide.
www.mprnews.org
February 2, 2026 at 9:20 PM
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner on Monday issued an initial, public report on the death of Alex Pretti — saying he died from multiple gunshot wounds and classifying his death as a homicide.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
A white man in Dillard, Oregon was arrested for stopping people on the freeway to demand at gunpoint that they tell him if they were citizens. He shot and missed one + attempted to get another in his truck to bring to police. Before his spree, he called local PD to complain about "foreign" people.
Defendant contacted police before freeway shooting
Charles Glen Simmons, 53, of Dillard, is in the Douglas County Jail on $1 million bail after Thursday morning’s alleged crime spree. According to a press release from the Oregon
www.nrtoday.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:18 PM
A white man in Dillard, Oregon was arrested for stopping people on the freeway to demand at gunpoint that they tell him if they were citizens. He shot and missed one + attempted to get another in his truck to bring to police. Before his spree, he called local PD to complain about "foreign" people.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
A detail I don't want to get lost in this: So far, Bri and her network have helped more than 500 families with grocery deliveries and more than 300 with diapers and wipes. In just two months.
In Minneapolis, for every story detailing the fallout of the federal crackdown, there are as many stories of people like Bri, a mom donating breastmilk for babies whose mothers are detained by ICE.
Bri's story:
19thnews.org/2026/02/minn...
Bri's story:
19thnews.org/2026/02/minn...
When one mother was taken by ICE, another stepped in to donate breastmilk
Moms in Minneapolis are donating diapers, food and time to help families who have been ripped apart by ICE.
19thnews.org
February 2, 2026 at 9:07 PM
A detail I don't want to get lost in this: So far, Bri and her network have helped more than 500 families with grocery deliveries and more than 300 with diapers and wipes. In just two months.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
As most states look to speed up releases, Louisiana has now adopted the harshest "truth in sentencing" law in the US:
ALL people in prison must serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for release.
Even in the 1990s, TIS laws were restricted to violent crimes, not ALL crimes.
ALL people in prison must serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for release.
Even in the 1990s, TIS laws were restricted to violent crimes, not ALL crimes.
Although some states have also passed laws restricting parole, none have been as aggressive as Louisiana, which eliminated parole entirely for prisoners incarcerated after Aug. 1, 2024.
“Louisiana is an outlier,” one expert said. “It’s a disaster.”
With @veritenews.org
“Louisiana is an outlier,” one expert said. “It’s a disaster.”
With @veritenews.org
Louisiana Paroles Its Lowest Number of Prisoners in 20 Years Under Gov. Jeff Landry
The state parole board freed 185 prisoners during Landry’s tenure, compared with 858 in the two years before he took office. Hundreds who would have been released under previous governors remain incar...
www.propublica.org
February 2, 2026 at 9:57 PM
As most states look to speed up releases, Louisiana has now adopted the harshest "truth in sentencing" law in the US:
ALL people in prison must serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for release.
Even in the 1990s, TIS laws were restricted to violent crimes, not ALL crimes.
ALL people in prison must serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for release.
Even in the 1990s, TIS laws were restricted to violent crimes, not ALL crimes.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
Last week, ACLU’s Ming-Qi Chu joined Legal AF to discuss the Trump administration’s latest move to dismantle Head Start, which serves 800,000 children & families. After an ACLU lawsuit, a judge blocked Trump’s DEI ban & halted layoffs & closures. If you missed it, tune in to the conversation below.
Trump UNDERCUTS Americans as Presidency CRUMBLES
YouTube video by Legal AF
www.youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Last week, ACLU’s Ming-Qi Chu joined Legal AF to discuss the Trump administration’s latest move to dismantle Head Start, which serves 800,000 children & families. After an ACLU lawsuit, a judge blocked Trump’s DEI ban & halted layoffs & closures. If you missed it, tune in to the conversation below.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
The history of prison uprisings in the US feels like a very timely topic right now!
It Was the Most Violent Prison in America. Then the Guards Went on Strike
What happens when a group of incarcerated men are left to self govern? In Walpole State Prison in 1973, “peace reigned”—until the guards were sent back in.
www.gq.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:58 PM
The history of prison uprisings in the US feels like a very timely topic right now!
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
What a cowardly statement from the Minnesota Lynx that vaguely alludes to “recent tragic events” without naming a single harm directly. I’ve spoken to enough women’s sports people on the ground in Minnesota to know how tone deaf this statement is in light of the current crisis & ICE-occupation.
February 2, 2026 at 8:36 PM
What a cowardly statement from the Minnesota Lynx that vaguely alludes to “recent tragic events” without naming a single harm directly. I’ve spoken to enough women’s sports people on the ground in Minnesota to know how tone deaf this statement is in light of the current crisis & ICE-occupation.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
It is currently 'packs of coyotes walking across the Charles River' cold outside.
February 2, 2026 at 7:36 PM
It is currently 'packs of coyotes walking across the Charles River' cold outside.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
It’s your city, from the sidewalk to the skyline. The David Dinkins Municipal Building’s rooftop is open & free to everyone, starting this June.
February 2, 2026 at 8:25 PM
It’s your city, from the sidewalk to the skyline. The David Dinkins Municipal Building’s rooftop is open & free to everyone, starting this June.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
So, I am not quite sure what this is, but it’s hard to believe Pirro is talking with Main Justice here.
DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is suing over DC’s semiautomatic gun ban and the head of the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, backs a national reciprocity law.
DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is suing over DC’s semiautomatic gun ban and the head of the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, backs a national reciprocity law.
Pirro: "You bring a gun into the District, you mark my words, you're going to jail. I don't care if you have a license in another district and I don't care if you're a law abiding law owner somewhere else. You bring a gun into this District, count on going to jail. And that makes all the difference"
February 2, 2026 at 9:01 PM
So, I am not quite sure what this is, but it’s hard to believe Pirro is talking with Main Justice here.
DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is suing over DC’s semiautomatic gun ban and the head of the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, backs a national reciprocity law.
DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is suing over DC’s semiautomatic gun ban and the head of the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, backs a national reciprocity law.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
If you have the capacity to Reddit, get in there!
ICE Employees Vent on Reddit, Saying They're Not Getting Paid and Still No Insurance Despite Promises
Staff claim promised bonuses and insurance have failed to materialise, with some reporting they cannot afford medical care for sick children
www.ibtimes.co.uk/ice-employee...
Staff claim promised bonuses and insurance have failed to materialise, with some reporting they cannot afford medical care for sick children
www.ibtimes.co.uk/ice-employee...
ICE employees on Reddit complain about late salaries and missing insurance, despite promises made upon hiring
ICE employees have reported delayed pay and missing health insurance on Reddit, while critics question how staff tolerate dangerous duties for little or no compensation.
www.ibtimes.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 9:08 PM
If you have the capacity to Reddit, get in there!
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
The conservative lawyers filing amicus briefs in the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship case are making it very clear that there is only some “history” they care about.
The Originalists Are Getting the Birthright Citizenship Case Spectacularly Wrong
This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and news analysis....
talkingpointsmemo.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:17 PM
The conservative lawyers filing amicus briefs in the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship case are making it very clear that there is only some “history” they care about.
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
"We are intertwined. Our futures depend on each other."
Black futures are Jewish Futures are American Futures. 🧵
Black futures are Jewish Futures are American Futures. 🧵
February 2, 2026 at 9:10 PM
"We are intertwined. Our futures depend on each other."
Black futures are Jewish Futures are American Futures. 🧵
Black futures are Jewish Futures are American Futures. 🧵
Reposted by dramatic owl is a night owl (she/her/hers)
#Starbucks wants to revert to a community coffeehouse, bringing back that local, personal touch with every cup.
And instead of doing that with happy staff in the community, they want to add an AI-powered chatbot.
#nocontractnocoffee
And instead of doing that with happy staff in the community, they want to add an AI-powered chatbot.
#nocontractnocoffee
Starbucks bets on robots to brew a turnaround and win customers
Chief executive Brian Niccol explains why he thinks AI will help the coffee giant regain its buzz.
www.bbc.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:10 PM
#Starbucks wants to revert to a community coffeehouse, bringing back that local, personal touch with every cup.
And instead of doing that with happy staff in the community, they want to add an AI-powered chatbot.
#nocontractnocoffee
And instead of doing that with happy staff in the community, they want to add an AI-powered chatbot.
#nocontractnocoffee