Gitmo Watch
@gitmowatch.bsky.social
Front row seats at the Guantanamo military commissions. Reposts ≠ confirm.
Connell will present an ex parte theory of defense to the new judge on Thursday. Tomorrow's scheduled session is cancelled. MilComs in recess. Thanks for tuning in
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Connell will present an ex parte theory of defense to the new judge on Thursday. Tomorrow's scheduled session is cancelled. MilComs in recess. Thanks for tuning in
Prosecutor Trivett informs the court a new NGO policy is being drafted which will resolve the issue. He expects it will be signed off on soon.
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Prosecutor Trivett informs the court a new NGO policy is being drafted which will resolve the issue. He expects it will be signed off on soon.
SCOTUS has repeatedly held that restrictions on public access require specific findings and judicial oversight.
Of note, the March filing regarding public access is still not posted to mc.mil
Of note, the March filing regarding public access is still not posted to mc.mil
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
SCOTUS has repeatedly held that restrictions on public access require specific findings and judicial oversight.
Of note, the March filing regarding public access is still not posted to mc.mil
Of note, the March filing regarding public access is still not posted to mc.mil
Historically, NGOs including @peacefultomorrows.bsky.social and Judicial Watch
are reliable observers at the pretrial hearings. They are currently not permitted to travel to Guantanamo.
are reliable observers at the pretrial hearings. They are currently not permitted to travel to Guantanamo.
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Historically, NGOs including @peacefultomorrows.bsky.social and Judicial Watch
are reliable observers at the pretrial hearings. They are currently not permitted to travel to Guantanamo.
are reliable observers at the pretrial hearings. They are currently not permitted to travel to Guantanamo.
MilComs now hearing arguments from J Connell on the attendance of NGOs at Guantanamo. Beginning in February, the Office of Military Commissions say they are unable to accommodate NGO visitors due to 'operational priorities and resource constraints.'
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
MilComs now hearing arguments from J Connell on the attendance of NGOs at Guantanamo. Beginning in February, the Office of Military Commissions say they are unable to accommodate NGO visitors due to 'operational priorities and resource constraints.'
The government and defense are currently working off-camera and mic to determine how this week can be most productive -- what motions are ripe for argument.
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
The government and defense are currently working off-camera and mic to determine how this week can be most productive -- what motions are ripe for argument.
This week the courtroom will be shared between the two groups of the case. Schrama is scheduled for today, Tuesday and Thursday, and Hynes, who is also new and needing to be voir dired, Wednesday and Friday.
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
This week the courtroom will be shared between the two groups of the case. Schrama is scheduled for today, Tuesday and Thursday, and Hynes, who is also new and needing to be voir dired, Wednesday and Friday.
The 9/11 defendants are now split between two judges -- Schrama for Mohammad, bin Attash, al Baluchi, and Hawsawi; and Col Thomas P. Hynes for bin al Shibh who was found mentally unfit and severed from the main case.
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
The 9/11 defendants are now split between two judges -- Schrama for Mohammad, bin Attash, al Baluchi, and Hawsawi; and Col Thomas P. Hynes for bin al Shibh who was found mentally unfit and severed from the main case.
Ammar al Baluchi won his motion to suppress in April -- that win is also in appeals, background: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/new-...
New Facts About the RDI Program and the Treatment of a 9/11 Defendant
An April military commission opinion suppressing torture-tainted evidence is now publicly available.
www.lawfaremedia.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Ammar al Baluchi won his motion to suppress in April -- that win is also in appeals, background: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/new-...
Judge Schrama has issued a trial conduct order to press forward on the Motions to Suppress statements made by the defendants who are currently in plea agreement appeals. www.mc.mil/Portals/0/pd...
www.mc.mil
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Judge Schrama has issued a trial conduct order to press forward on the Motions to Suppress statements made by the defendants who are currently in plea agreement appeals. www.mc.mil/Portals/0/pd...
Prosecutor Trivett offers no challenges on the judge's appointment. J Connell for al Baluchi also has no challenges.
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Prosecutor Trivett offers no challenges on the judge's appointment. J Connell for al Baluchi also has no challenges.
MilComs in afternoon recess.
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
MilComs in afternoon recess.
As LtCol Schrama has taken oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, he says he has a duty to obey all lawful orders. In his judicial role, his role is to be an impartial arbiter.
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
As LtCol Schrama has taken oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, he says he has a duty to obey all lawful orders. In his judicial role, his role is to be an impartial arbiter.
Judge Schrama read @carolrosenberg's article about him (gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/u...
New Judge Assigned to 9/11 Case Ahead of 24th Anniversary of Attacks
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Judge Schrama read @carolrosenberg's article about him (gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/u...
Written questions continue: During your prior experience as a military judge, what guided you in how you analyzed and dissected courts martial?
Schrama will not offer his professional philosophy as to not influence legal strategies.
Schrama will not offer his professional philosophy as to not influence legal strategies.
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Written questions continue: During your prior experience as a military judge, what guided you in how you analyzed and dissected courts martial?
Schrama will not offer his professional philosophy as to not influence legal strategies.
Schrama will not offer his professional philosophy as to not influence legal strategies.
Judge Schrama has one deployment to Kuwait. He says at one point the location was classified so there are mentions of "Southeast Asia" in his professional record.
Many people would consider Kuwait as being in Southwest Asia, not Southeast.
Many people would consider Kuwait as being in Southwest Asia, not Southeast.
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Judge Schrama has one deployment to Kuwait. He says at one point the location was classified so there are mentions of "Southeast Asia" in his professional record.
Many people would consider Kuwait as being in Southwest Asia, not Southeast.
Many people would consider Kuwait as being in Southwest Asia, not Southeast.
Schrama uses textbook Military Justice Cases and Materials in his teachings cap-press.com/books/isbn/9...
Military Justice: Cases and Materials, Fourth Edition
Military Justice: Cases and Materials, Fourth Edition (9781531026714). Authors: Eugene R. Fidell. Carolina Academic Press
cap-press.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Schrama uses textbook Military Justice Cases and Materials in his teachings cap-press.com/books/isbn/9...
Judge Schrama shares he wrote a paper that was published in War on the Rocks warontherocks.com/2023/07/crea...
Creating a Codified Legal Response to Domestic Extremism in the Ranks
While serving as a Coast Guard lieutenant, Christopher Hasson made plans to kill “journalists, Democratic politicians, professors, Supreme Court justices
warontherocks.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Judge Schrama shares he wrote a paper that was published in War on the Rocks warontherocks.com/2023/07/crea...
Judge Schrama remembers the day of 9/11 feeling surreal. He felt bad for the victims but was not personally affected by the events.
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Judge Schrama remembers the day of 9/11 feeling surreal. He felt bad for the victims but was not personally affected by the events.
Judge Schrama's next opportunity for promotion to 06, colonel is March 2026.
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Judge Schrama's next opportunity for promotion to 06, colonel is March 2026.
As a defense attorney, Judge Schrama says he never assumed the prosecution file was a full or complete picture of his client.
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
As a defense attorney, Judge Schrama says he never assumed the prosecution file was a full or complete picture of his client.
From 2018-2019 Judge Schrama was detailed to DOJ Environmental Defense section.
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
From 2018-2019 Judge Schrama was detailed to DOJ Environmental Defense section.
Convening Authority Susan Escallier has never been part of Judge Schrama's rating chain.
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Convening Authority Susan Escallier has never been part of Judge Schrama's rating chain.
Judge Schrama intends on asking counsel to direct him to relevant case history moving forward.
The record is voluminous, with filing series approaching 1,000 series and transcripts exceeding 50,000 pages.
The record is voluminous, with filing series approaching 1,000 series and transcripts exceeding 50,000 pages.
December 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Judge Schrama intends on asking counsel to direct him to relevant case history moving forward.
The record is voluminous, with filing series approaching 1,000 series and transcripts exceeding 50,000 pages.
The record is voluminous, with filing series approaching 1,000 series and transcripts exceeding 50,000 pages.