Sam Fellman
@samfellman.bsky.social
Journalist, 🇺🇸 veteran at Business Insider | Giving voice to veterans | Been there, done that: Military Times, Iraq, USS Nimitz, bear pits, shellback🤢 | "Too easy"
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(Email) sfellman [at] proton.me
Contact me securely:
(Signal) Samfellman.16
(Email) sfellman [at] proton.me
Pinned
Reposted by Sam Fellman
ICYMI -- We looked at the Trump admin's Supreme Court filing arguing for the legality of deploying the National Guard to Chicago.
Turns out it has a bunch of factual errors...
w/ Devon Lum, Christoph Koettl, Ainara Tiefenthäler
🎁 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Turns out it has a bunch of factual errors...
w/ Devon Lum, Christoph Koettl, Ainara Tiefenthäler
🎁 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Times Analysis Finds Errors in Trump’s Supreme Court Filing That Calls for National Guard in Chicago
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:26 PM
ICYMI -- We looked at the Trump admin's Supreme Court filing arguing for the legality of deploying the National Guard to Chicago.
Turns out it has a bunch of factual errors...
w/ Devon Lum, Christoph Koettl, Ainara Tiefenthäler
🎁 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Turns out it has a bunch of factual errors...
w/ Devon Lum, Christoph Koettl, Ainara Tiefenthäler
🎁 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Reposted by Sam Fellman
In a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv last week, U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll delivered a grim assessment: their troops face a dire situation on the battlefield and will suffer an imminent defeat against Russian forces, who can "fight on indefinitely." www.nbcnews.com/politics/whi...
U.S. Army secretary warned Ukraine of imminent defeat while pushing initial peace plan
The meeting last week was just the latest example of a long-running rift inside the Trump administration over how to end the war in Ukraine.
www.nbcnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:34 AM
In a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv last week, U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll delivered a grim assessment: their troops face a dire situation on the battlefield and will suffer an imminent defeat against Russian forces, who can "fight on indefinitely." www.nbcnews.com/politics/whi...
Reposted by Sam Fellman
A reminder, as Trump boasts about having "never worked so hard in my life" that he is playing golf more often now than he did in his first term and in less than five years has already played golf more often than Obama did in eight. www.pbump.net/o/an-officia...
November 26, 2025 at 2:06 PM
A reminder, as Trump boasts about having "never worked so hard in my life" that he is playing golf more often now than he did in his first term and in less than five years has already played golf more often than Obama did in eight. www.pbump.net/o/an-officia...
Looks like Witkoff wants to buttonhole Zelenskyy by having Trump talk to Putin first, per this astonishing Bloomberg scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Discusses Ukraine Plans With Key Putin Aide: Transcript
The following is a transcript of an Oct. 14 phone call lasting just over 5 minutes between Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy for peace missions, and Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s most senio...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Looks like Witkoff wants to buttonhole Zelenskyy by having Trump talk to Putin first, per this astonishing Bloomberg scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Sam Fellman
"Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere."
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Discusses Ukraine Plans With Key Putin Aide: Transcript
The following is a transcript of an Oct. 14 phone call lasting just over 5 minutes between Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy for peace missions, and Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s most senio...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
"Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere."
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
DDG-1000. LCS. The Navy just added to its list of failed ship classes: www.businessinsider.com/navy-cancels...
The US Navy is canceling its future frigates in a blow to its ambitions to grow the fleet
The Constellation-class frigate program has been weighed down by several delays and missteps over the years.
www.businessinsider.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:04 PM
DDG-1000. LCS. The Navy just added to its list of failed ship classes: www.businessinsider.com/navy-cancels...
Reposted by Sam Fellman
Visited Coast Guard TACLET and HITRON in Florida last week to learn more about their lawful drug interdiction processes at a time when the service is seizing record numbers of drugs in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean. More stories to come www.businessinsider.com/coast-guard-...
The Coast Guard says it's seizing more drugs than ever and needs more ships, aircraft, and people to keep up
The service continues seizing record numbers of drugs at sea. In the last fiscal year, it brought in over 500,000 pounds of cocaine.
www.businessinsider.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Visited Coast Guard TACLET and HITRON in Florida last week to learn more about their lawful drug interdiction processes at a time when the service is seizing record numbers of drugs in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean. More stories to come www.businessinsider.com/coast-guard-...
Reposted by Sam Fellman
Washpost readers are amazing:
"Many participants express disbelief and frustration, questioning the editorial board's priorities given the more pressing issues facing the world.
"Some comments suggest that the piece is trivial or liken it to content suitable for a high-school newspaper."
"Many participants express disbelief and frustration, questioning the editorial board's priorities given the more pressing issues facing the world.
"Some comments suggest that the piece is trivial or liken it to content suitable for a high-school newspaper."
November 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Washpost readers are amazing:
"Many participants express disbelief and frustration, questioning the editorial board's priorities given the more pressing issues facing the world.
"Some comments suggest that the piece is trivial or liken it to content suitable for a high-school newspaper."
"Many participants express disbelief and frustration, questioning the editorial board's priorities given the more pressing issues facing the world.
"Some comments suggest that the piece is trivial or liken it to content suitable for a high-school newspaper."
Reposted by Sam Fellman
Hazing, bullying reports up as Hegseth pushes for rougher training www.militarytimes.com/news/your-mi...
Hazing, bullying reports up as Hegseth pushes for rougher training
While hazing reports saw an upswing in 2024 after three years of steady decline, bullying complaints have been steadily increasing since 2020.
www.militarytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Hazing, bullying reports up as Hegseth pushes for rougher training www.militarytimes.com/news/your-mi...
Reposted by Sam Fellman
SECARMY is negotiating a peace deal on behalf of POTUS while the SECDEF is threatening a SASC member w/a uniform inspection and prosecution.
November 25, 2025 at 1:49 PM
SECARMY is negotiating a peace deal on behalf of POTUS while the SECDEF is threatening a SASC member w/a uniform inspection and prosecution.
Reposted by Sam Fellman
A federal judge throws out the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, concluding President Trump’s handpicked prosecutor was illegally appointed to the role when she singlehandedly secured the indictments. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Comey, James cases dismissed as judge disqualifies interim US attorney Lindsey Halligan
A judge concluded Halligan’s appointment violated laws that limit the ability of DOJ to install top prosecutors without Senate confirmation.
www.politico.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:20 PM
A federal judge throws out the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, concluding President Trump’s handpicked prosecutor was illegally appointed to the role when she singlehandedly secured the indictments. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Sam Fellman
Now consider what DNI Tulsi Gabbard got away with, under Biden, in terms of "actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order" of the armed forces. taskandpurpose.com/news/tulsi-g...
November 24, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Now consider what DNI Tulsi Gabbard got away with, under Biden, in terms of "actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order" of the armed forces. taskandpurpose.com/news/tulsi-g...
Reposted by Sam Fellman
Extraordinary step. Pentagon, under pretext of "good order and discipline", threatens to recall to duty and court-martial Senator Mark Kelly, a retired naval officer, after he recorded a video telling troops they could refuse illegal orders. Dangerous & authoritarian.
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
Sen. Mark Kelly faces Pentagon investigation for making video on refusing 'unlawful orders'
The Defense Department suggested that the investigation of the Arizona Democrat Kelly stems from urging military members to refuse to follow unlawful orders.
www.cnbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Extraordinary step. Pentagon, under pretext of "good order and discipline", threatens to recall to duty and court-martial Senator Mark Kelly, a retired naval officer, after he recorded a video telling troops they could refuse illegal orders. Dangerous & authoritarian.
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
Reposted by Sam Fellman
A federal judge also dismissed the criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James.
November 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
A federal judge also dismissed the criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Reposted by Sam Fellman
BREAKING: Comey case dismissed without prejudice. Halligan invalidly appointed, judge rules. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
BREAKING: Comey case dismissed without prejudice. Halligan invalidly appointed, judge rules. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Sam Fellman
BREAKING: Lindsey Halligan's purported appointment as interim U.S. attorney was invalid and she "had no lawful authority to present the indictment" against James Comey.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 24, 2025 at 5:42 PM
BREAKING: Lindsey Halligan's purported appointment as interim U.S. attorney was invalid and she "had no lawful authority to present the indictment" against James Comey.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
These interceptors look like model rockets (that carry an expensive camera for target acquisition). Via BI's Matthew Loh: www.businessinsider.com/nordic-air-d...
Swedish startup wants to fly cheap carbon fiber mini-missiles into Russian drones
For a few thousand bucks, Nordic Air Defence says it can build a drone-killer that flies up to 220 mph and finds aerial targets on its own.
www.businessinsider.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:32 PM
These interceptors look like model rockets (that carry an expensive camera for target acquisition). Via BI's Matthew Loh: www.businessinsider.com/nordic-air-d...
JAGs' advice is key because they are experts in the law of armed conflict.
Major NBC scoop: www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Major NBC scoop: www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Top military lawyer raised legal concerns about boat strikes
The lawyer at U.S. Southern Command, which oversees the operations against alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela, disagreed that the strikes are legal and was overruled, according to six sources...
www.nbcnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:49 PM
JAGs' advice is key because they are experts in the law of armed conflict.
Major NBC scoop: www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Major NBC scoop: www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Any *good* bagel shop has a line
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Any *good* bagel shop has a line
"At least a dozen Kirk critics who took pains to condemn the shooting also found themselves out of jobs or suspended." www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:37 PM
"At least a dozen Kirk critics who took pains to condemn the shooting also found themselves out of jobs or suspended." www.reuters.com/investigatio...
I can get behind, remotely piloted missile 👍
I don’t agree on that… kamikazes were literally piloted missiles!
Remotely piloted, sure 🤷♂️
Remotely piloted, sure 🤷♂️
November 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I can get behind, remotely piloted missile 👍
Russia's made clear its maximal gains throughout nearly 4 years of conflict. They've been nonstarters for Ukraine and Europe — and there's no sign that's changed
We finally have an administration that will listen to those vulnerable, lonely Russian diplomats
www.axios.com/2025/11/20/t...
www.axios.com/2025/11/20/t...
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Russia's made clear its maximal gains throughout nearly 4 years of conflict. They've been nonstarters for Ukraine and Europe — and there's no sign that's changed
My vote: Piloted missile
2 advantages. It allows for distinguishing human from machine-guided. And missiles go 💥
2 advantages. It allows for distinguishing human from machine-guided. And missiles go 💥
How about just calling them small/loitering missiles or munitions? You don’t, I assume, call a cruise missile a ‘kamikaze missile’?
November 21, 2025 at 5:33 PM
My vote: Piloted missile
2 advantages. It allows for distinguishing human from machine-guided. And missiles go 💥
2 advantages. It allows for distinguishing human from machine-guided. And missiles go 💥
Reposted by Sam Fellman
NEW: All available reporting continues to indicate that the stipulations of the reported 28-point Russia-US peace plan amount to Ukraine’s full capitulation to Russia’s original war demands. 🧵(1/6)
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, Nov. 20, 2025: isw.pub/UkrWar112025
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, Nov. 20, 2025: isw.pub/UkrWar112025
November 21, 2025 at 3:08 AM
NEW: All available reporting continues to indicate that the stipulations of the reported 28-point Russia-US peace plan amount to Ukraine’s full capitulation to Russia’s original war demands. 🧵(1/6)
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, Nov. 20, 2025: isw.pub/UkrWar112025
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, Nov. 20, 2025: isw.pub/UkrWar112025
Reposted by Sam Fellman
Great reporting drove this policy reversal. Well done @taracopp.bsky.social & colleagues.
November 21, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Great reporting drove this policy reversal. Well done @taracopp.bsky.social & colleagues.