Peter Beck
@pwbeck.bsky.social
associate editor @lawfaremedia.org law nerd @courtwatch.bsky.social dc by way of sc
Reposted by Peter Beck
NEW: In a blistering opinion, Judge Novak says Lindsey Halligan's response "contains a level of vitriol more appropriate for a cable news talk show and falls far beneath the level of advocacy expected from litigants...particularly [DOJ]" and bars her from using the title of U.S. Attorney
January 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM
NEW: In a blistering opinion, Judge Novak says Lindsey Halligan's response "contains a level of vitriol more appropriate for a cable news talk show and falls far beneath the level of advocacy expected from litigants...particularly [DOJ]" and bars her from using the title of U.S. Attorney
Reposted by Peter Beck
A nihilistic online group is targeting minors. In this week's Rabbit Hole, we examined the prosecutions aimed at stopping what the Justice Department calls "one of the most heinous online child exploitation enterprises we have ever encountered"
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
The Rabbit Hole: ‘Metastasizing Evil’
A nihilistic online group is targeting minors. We examined the prosecutions aimed at stopping what the Justice Department calls "one of the most heinous online child exploitation enterprises we have e...
www.courtwatch.news
January 18, 2026 at 6:12 PM
A nihilistic online group is targeting minors. In this week's Rabbit Hole, we examined the prosecutions aimed at stopping what the Justice Department calls "one of the most heinous online child exploitation enterprises we have ever encountered"
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
Reposted by Peter Beck
Today, Sen. Mark Kelly filed a suit against the Department of Defense and Secretary Pete Hegseth over the military disciplinary proceedings initiated against him which argues that the government retaliated against Kelly for First Amendment-protected speech. Read the suit, from @pwbeck.bsky.social.
Sen. Kelly Sues Department of Defense Over Disciplinary Actions
The suit alleges the Defense Department retaliated against Kelly for protected speech and interfered with his Article I duties.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 12, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Today, Sen. Mark Kelly filed a suit against the Department of Defense and Secretary Pete Hegseth over the military disciplinary proceedings initiated against him which argues that the government retaliated against Kelly for First Amendment-protected speech. Read the suit, from @pwbeck.bsky.social.
Reposted by Peter Beck
Here’s a gift link
“This reporting is based on hundreds of pages of U.S. legal filings, interviews with national security officials who worked on the investigation, foreign court proceedings, and sentencing hearings attended by Court Watch reporters.”
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
“This reporting is based on hundreds of pages of U.S. legal filings, interviews with national security officials who worked on the investigation, foreign court proceedings, and sentencing hearings attended by Court Watch reporters.”
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
The Rabbit Hole: A Terrorism Prosecution Finally Ends.
Convicted of terrorism in two countries for the same crime, the last member of five young Virginians who disappeared in 2009 to join a terrorist group had his day in court.
www.courtwatch.news
January 11, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Here’s a gift link
“This reporting is based on hundreds of pages of U.S. legal filings, interviews with national security officials who worked on the investigation, foreign court proceedings, and sentencing hearings attended by Court Watch reporters.”
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
“This reporting is based on hundreds of pages of U.S. legal filings, interviews with national security officials who worked on the investigation, foreign court proceedings, and sentencing hearings attended by Court Watch reporters.”
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
Reposted by Peter Beck
UPDATE (h/t @pwbeck.bsky.social): Bruce Fein filed a response asking the judge to "definitively ascertain" who Maduro wishes to represent him.
Fein also notes that Maduro "was apprehended under extraordinary, startling, and viperlike circumstances..."
Fein also notes that Maduro "was apprehended under extraordinary, startling, and viperlike circumstances..."
January 9, 2026 at 7:51 PM
UPDATE (h/t @pwbeck.bsky.social): Bruce Fein filed a response asking the judge to "definitively ascertain" who Maduro wishes to represent him.
Fein also notes that Maduro "was apprehended under extraordinary, startling, and viperlike circumstances..."
Fein also notes that Maduro "was apprehended under extraordinary, startling, and viperlike circumstances..."
Reposted by Peter Beck
A fascinating piece to come out shortly.
Publishing in two hours — 3000 word piece on a terrorism prosecution sixteen years in the making.
Our editors note:
(Subscribe here to get it in your inbox this morning www.CourtWatch.news/subscribe )
Our editors note:
(Subscribe here to get it in your inbox this morning www.CourtWatch.news/subscribe )
January 11, 2026 at 2:23 PM
A fascinating piece to come out shortly.
Reposted by Peter Beck
Spotted by eagle-eyed @lawfaremedia.org Associate Editor @pwbeck.bsky.social: Bruce Fein is......actually not Maduro's lawyer?
Maduro's lawyer says he "confirmed with Mr. Maduro that he does not know Mr. Fein and has not communicated with Mr. Fein, much less retained him..."
Maduro's lawyer says he "confirmed with Mr. Maduro that he does not know Mr. Fein and has not communicated with Mr. Fein, much less retained him..."
January 9, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Spotted by eagle-eyed @lawfaremedia.org Associate Editor @pwbeck.bsky.social: Bruce Fein is......actually not Maduro's lawyer?
Maduro's lawyer says he "confirmed with Mr. Maduro that he does not know Mr. Fein and has not communicated with Mr. Fein, much less retained him..."
Maduro's lawyer says he "confirmed with Mr. Maduro that he does not know Mr. Fein and has not communicated with Mr. Fein, much less retained him..."
Reposted by Peter Beck
My latest in @lawfaremedia.org: Nihilistic Violent Extremists (NVE) closely resemble two other forms of mass violence that have evaded simple characterization: incels and school shooters. Ambitious efforts to better classify such violence should be applauded. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/a-te...
A Terrorism of Vengeance
Understanding incels, school shooters, and the new category of terrorism, “nihilistic violent extremism.”
www.lawfaremedia.org
December 16, 2025 at 8:07 PM
My latest in @lawfaremedia.org: Nihilistic Violent Extremists (NVE) closely resemble two other forms of mass violence that have evaded simple characterization: incels and school shooters. Ambitious efforts to better classify such violence should be applauded. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/a-te...
Reposted by Peter Beck
On Dec. 15, the White House announced an executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. The order claims that fentanyl is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic and warns about its potential use by adversaries in a terror attack. Read the order, from @pwbeck.bsky.social.
Executive Order Designates Fentanyl as Weapon of Mass Destruction
The White House says fentanyl is “closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic,” warning about the opioid's possible use in a terror attack.
www.lawfaremedia.org
December 15, 2025 at 11:26 PM
On Dec. 15, the White House announced an executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. The order claims that fentanyl is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic and warns about its potential use by adversaries in a terror attack. Read the order, from @pwbeck.bsky.social.
Reposted by Peter Beck
"It seemed much closer to the alt-right site 4chan than a children’s game. The edgy and what’s real become blurred."
Tremendous reporting by @courtwatch.bsky.social's @pwbeck.bsky.social on new counterterrorism front lines and the validity of violent threats. @seamushughes.bsky.social
Tremendous reporting by @courtwatch.bsky.social's @pwbeck.bsky.social on new counterterrorism front lines and the validity of violent threats. @seamushughes.bsky.social
The Rabbit Hole: Terrorist or Terminally Online?
A Texas case raises important questions about online threats, offline arrests, and how to understand an increasingly radicalized internet environment.
www.courtwatch.news
November 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
"It seemed much closer to the alt-right site 4chan than a children’s game. The edgy and what’s real become blurred."
Tremendous reporting by @courtwatch.bsky.social's @pwbeck.bsky.social on new counterterrorism front lines and the validity of violent threats. @seamushughes.bsky.social
Tremendous reporting by @courtwatch.bsky.social's @pwbeck.bsky.social on new counterterrorism front lines and the validity of violent threats. @seamushughes.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Beck
a big runoff last night, in New Orleans:
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan wins Orleans clerk of court race - Verite News New Orleans
Duncan, a political newcomer and former prisoner, defeated incumbent Darren Lombard by a wide margin in Saturday's runoff.
veritenews.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
a big runoff last night, in New Orleans:
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Reposted by Peter Beck
For our second issue of ‘The Rabbit Hole’ where we dive deep into in one court docket, @pwbeck.bsky.social enters the Roblox world of edgy gamers to understand if a Texas arrest is terrorism or terminally online.
Or perhaps both.
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
Or perhaps both.
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
The Rabbit Hole: Terrorist or Terminally Online?
A Texas case raises important questions about online threats, offline arrests, and how to understand an increasingly radicalized internet environment.
www.courtwatch.news
November 16, 2025 at 2:57 PM
For our second issue of ‘The Rabbit Hole’ where we dive deep into in one court docket, @pwbeck.bsky.social enters the Roblox world of edgy gamers to understand if a Texas arrest is terrorism or terminally online.
Or perhaps both.
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
Or perhaps both.
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
Reposted by Peter Beck
This morning, we’re happy to launch a new regular Sunday morning feature we’re affectionately calling ‘The Rabbit Hole.’ This weekly series, led by our reporting fellow, Peter Beck, picks a single federal court docket from the week and dives deep into the details
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
The Rabbit Hole: Inside the arrest of a purported L.A. Mobster
It was a crazy game of poker. Assaf Waknine may lose it all.
www.courtwatch.news
November 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
This morning, we’re happy to launch a new regular Sunday morning feature we’re affectionately calling ‘The Rabbit Hole.’ This weekly series, led by our reporting fellow, Peter Beck, picks a single federal court docket from the week and dives deep into the details
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
Reposted by Peter Beck
After the officers forced open her door, 92-year-old Johnston fired a single shot that hit no one. The officers responded with a swarm of 39 bullets screaming through Johnston’s living room.
Episode One: Dirty Business
The Atlanta narcotics unit’s deadly raid on 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston.
interc.pt
October 10, 2025 at 12:24 AM
After the officers forced open her door, 92-year-old Johnston fired a single shot that hit no one. The officers responded with a swarm of 39 bullets screaming through Johnston’s living room.
Reposted by Peter Beck
setting *everything* else aside, "Vermin were not a problem prior to March 17, 2025" was a very funny line to read in a court doc
h/t to @courtwatch.bsky.social for digging up this gem in this week's newsletter (and go subscribe!)
h/t to @courtwatch.bsky.social for digging up this gem in this week's newsletter (and go subscribe!)
DOGE left United States Institute of Peace office with water damage, rats, and roaches
DOGE left United States Institute of Peace office with water damage, rats, and roaches | TechCrunch
The chief executive of the United States Institute of Peace says Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency left the nonprofit's Washington, D.C.
techcrunch.com
May 30, 2025 at 8:21 PM
setting *everything* else aside, "Vermin were not a problem prior to March 17, 2025" was a very funny line to read in a court doc
h/t to @courtwatch.bsky.social for digging up this gem in this week's newsletter (and go subscribe!)
h/t to @courtwatch.bsky.social for digging up this gem in this week's newsletter (and go subscribe!)
Reposted by Peter Beck
Anyway, @pwbeck.bsky.social either has an absolute banger coming out later today or something that has been well covered before. Who knows.
March 19, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Anyway, @pwbeck.bsky.social either has an absolute banger coming out later today or something that has been well covered before. Who knows.
Reposted by Peter Beck
Reposted by Peter Beck
Court records lay out a relatively fast investigation by the FBI once alerted to Alexander White's alleged support for ISIS. The three-and-a-half-month investigation began after White had posted ISIS content online
A exclusive by Peter Beck & me
www.courtwatch.news/p/north-caro...
A exclusive by Peter Beck & me
www.courtwatch.news/p/north-caro...
North Carolina man arrested for ISIS Support
FBI says a 29-year-old man, Alexander Justin White tried to join ISIS
www.courtwatch.news
January 15, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Court records lay out a relatively fast investigation by the FBI once alerted to Alexander White's alleged support for ISIS. The three-and-a-half-month investigation began after White had posted ISIS content online
A exclusive by Peter Beck & me
www.courtwatch.news/p/north-caro...
A exclusive by Peter Beck & me
www.courtwatch.news/p/north-caro...
Reposted by Peter Beck
Today, we make the case why you should support Court Watch.
Here’s our deeply transparent look at what it takes to make news
www.courtwatch.news/p/help-us-tu...
Here’s our deeply transparent look at what it takes to make news
www.courtwatch.news/p/help-us-tu...
Help Us Turn Three.
Now, more than ever, we need experienced reporters who understand the courts. To do this, we need your support.
www.courtwatch.news
November 5, 2024 at 2:46 PM
Today, we make the case why you should support Court Watch.
Here’s our deeply transparent look at what it takes to make news
www.courtwatch.news/p/help-us-tu...
Here’s our deeply transparent look at what it takes to make news
www.courtwatch.news/p/help-us-tu...
Reposted by Peter Beck
I remember, as an arrogant young writer, being offended the first time something I’d written was properly fact checked. Now I wish a could get a fact checker for everything I write, and I feel like I’m flying without a net when I don’t have one.
So many reasons why there can be mistakes and MOST aren’t because writers are being stupid or lazy. Information can change; a primary source can be wrong. A copy edit can change the nuance of a sentence. Fact checking is a valuable service for readers, and writers, and for sources.
December 1, 2023 at 9:53 PM
I remember, as an arrogant young writer, being offended the first time something I’d written was properly fact checked. Now I wish a could get a fact checker for everything I write, and I feel like I’m flying without a net when I don’t have one.
Reposted by Peter Beck
I have a long investigative piece at the New Republic this morning on medical examiners, George Floyd, and our broken system of investigating suspicious deaths
newrepublic.com/article/1769...
newrepublic.com/article/1769...
How Medical Examiners Shield Violent Cops From Scrutiny
They wield the important power of determining a victim’s manner of death—but they’re susceptible to both political pressure and racial bias.
newrepublic.com
November 28, 2023 at 2:55 PM
I have a long investigative piece at the New Republic this morning on medical examiners, George Floyd, and our broken system of investigating suspicious deaths
newrepublic.com/article/1769...
newrepublic.com/article/1769...