Spencer Reynolds
@sreynolds.bsky.social
Senior Counsel, Liberty & National Security at the Brennan Center for Justice. Member, United Auto Workers.
Former intelligence & counterterrorism lawyer, US Department of Homeland Security. Views my own, rarely the government's.
>> Signal: sreynolds.16
Former intelligence & counterterrorism lawyer, US Department of Homeland Security. Views my own, rarely the government's.
>> Signal: sreynolds.16
Pinned
Trump’s Troubling Deployment of DHS Officers
An investigation from the Brennan Center highlights the impact of a little-known federal force which was deployed in LA.
time.com
Amid chaos this summer from the national guard and Marines, Homeland Security used a little-known police agency to lead its protest response in Los Angeles.
TIME has my analysis of images & video—and solutions to prevent future DHS abuse. 🧵
time.com/7307963/trum...
TIME has my analysis of images & video—and solutions to prevent future DHS abuse. 🧵
time.com/7307963/trum...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
“Why is the Trump administration refusing to be transparent about how much money it’s spending on this political stunt?” asked @warren.senate.gov. “People don’t need troops in their backyard — they need health care, housing, and cheaper groceries.”
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
Trump’s Military Occupations of U.S. Cities Cost $473 Million and Rising
Trump’s campaign to quell dissent by deploying the American military to U.S. cities comes at an immense price.
theintercept.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:12 PM
“Why is the Trump administration refusing to be transparent about how much money it’s spending on this political stunt?” asked @warren.senate.gov. “People don’t need troops in their backyard — they need health care, housing, and cheaper groceries.”
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
a new genre of photo in the last year is federal agents working for ICE pointing guns directly at photographers
November 11, 2025 at 12:41 AM
a new genre of photo in the last year is federal agents working for ICE pointing guns directly at photographers
Bail was set at $70,000 total for the four students.
UCPD has charged four UC Berkeley undergrads with *felony vandalism* because they attempted to hang a cardboard bug on Sather Gate.
4 UC Berkeley students arrested on felony vandalism charges for anti-TPUSA art installation
UCPD arrested four students early Monday morning for felony vandalism, according to information from campus administrators.
www.dailycal.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Bail was set at $70,000 total for the four students.
Another ridiculous and harmful effort to evade accountability by the Department of Homeland Security.
As always with DHS, this builds on prior bad deeds. Remember the Secret Service basically got off scot free when it deleted key text messages after January 6.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
As always with DHS, this builds on prior bad deeds. Remember the Secret Service basically got off scot free when it deleted key text messages after January 6.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
To Preserve Records, Homeland Security Now Relies on Officials to Take Screenshots
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Another ridiculous and harmful effort to evade accountability by the Department of Homeland Security.
As always with DHS, this builds on prior bad deeds. Remember the Secret Service basically got off scot free when it deleted key text messages after January 6.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
As always with DHS, this builds on prior bad deeds. Remember the Secret Service basically got off scot free when it deleted key text messages after January 6.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
Homeland Security fast-tracks expanded arrest powers off federal property
@oregonian.com
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
Homeland Security fast-tracks expanded arrest powers off federal property
Federal Protective Service agents are directed to arrest people who commit crime while wearing masks.
www.oregonlive.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Homeland Security fast-tracks expanded arrest powers off federal property
@oregonian.com
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
🚨 No sanctuary for dissent in Chicago: Matt Ruppert and I analyze how Illinois law enforcement run counterprotest operations that benefit ICE.
Current "sanctuary laws" don't prohibit this type of support. But they can and should.
www.justsecurity.org/124069/defen...
Current "sanctuary laws" don't prohibit this type of support. But they can and should.
www.justsecurity.org/124069/defen...
Defending 'Sanctuary' Principles During the Chicago Crackdown
Local governments must exercise their constitutional power to cut off cooperation with federal authorities that undermine residents' rights.
www.justsecurity.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🚨 No sanctuary for dissent in Chicago: Matt Ruppert and I analyze how Illinois law enforcement run counterprotest operations that benefit ICE.
Current "sanctuary laws" don't prohibit this type of support. But they can and should.
www.justsecurity.org/124069/defen...
Current "sanctuary laws" don't prohibit this type of support. But they can and should.
www.justsecurity.org/124069/defen...
The Dept. of Homeland Security has taken steps to further entrench its counterprotest operations. A new regulation formalizes a questionable DHS legal memo giving agency cops free rein over city streets.
Goes into effect today, abruptly pushed up from January. 🧵
www.dhs.gov/news/2025/11...
Goes into effect today, abruptly pushed up from January. 🧵
www.dhs.gov/news/2025/11...
DHS Announces Advanced Charging Authority to Address Rioter Violence at Federal Buildings, Protecting Law Enforcement and Taxpayer Property | Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Protective Services (FPS) announced the accelerated implementation of the Regulations Governing Conduct on Federal Property. The new regulations p...
www.dhs.gov
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The Dept. of Homeland Security has taken steps to further entrench its counterprotest operations. A new regulation formalizes a questionable DHS legal memo giving agency cops free rein over city streets.
Goes into effect today, abruptly pushed up from January. 🧵
www.dhs.gov/news/2025/11...
Goes into effect today, abruptly pushed up from January. 🧵
www.dhs.gov/news/2025/11...
Of the immigration raids and protest crackdowns in Chicago, the border patrol lead said, "If I had more CS gas, I would have deployed it."
Monstrous stuff to celebrate: news.wttw.com/2025/11/04/b...
Monstrous stuff to celebrate: news.wttw.com/2025/11/04/b...
Border Patrol Official Behind Chicago Immigration Crackdown Defends Tactics as Trump Cheers
From his use of chemical agents to a helicopter raid on an apartment building, Greg Bovino defended the approach of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as appropriate and necessary for what he says are...
news.wttw.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Of the immigration raids and protest crackdowns in Chicago, the border patrol lead said, "If I had more CS gas, I would have deployed it."
Monstrous stuff to celebrate: news.wttw.com/2025/11/04/b...
Monstrous stuff to celebrate: news.wttw.com/2025/11/04/b...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
The defense team presses Lairmore on whether the sandwich really 'exploded.' They return to the photo of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
November 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The defense team presses Lairmore on whether the sandwich really 'exploded.' They return to the photo of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
Fourteen years later, I *still* think one of the best ways for us to repudiate Cheney's legacy of torture would be to recognize and honor the courageous soldiers and public servants who exposed the torture policies and tried to end them. www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/o...
November 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Fourteen years later, I *still* think one of the best ways for us to repudiate Cheney's legacy of torture would be to recognize and honor the courageous soldiers and public servants who exposed the torture policies and tried to end them. www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/o...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
New from 404 Media: CBP has quietly launched a facial recognition app for local cops to do immigration enforcement. Scans their face, tells cops whether to contact ICE about this person or not. A truly rapid expansion of ICE's facial recognition app to local cops
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
CBP Quietly Launches Face Scanning App for Local Cops To Do Immigration Enforcement
The app, called Mobile Identify and available on the Google Play Store, is specifically for local and regional law enforcement agencies working with ICE on immigration enforcement.
www.404media.co
November 4, 2025 at 5:44 PM
New from 404 Media: CBP has quietly launched a facial recognition app for local cops to do immigration enforcement. Scans their face, tells cops whether to contact ICE about this person or not. A truly rapid expansion of ICE's facial recognition app to local cops
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
This Halloween, 30 days into a government shutdown, remember: For DHS, tear gassing children at neighborhood parades and locking up U.S. citizens in immigration detention are "essential" functions.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
Opinion: Full of faux bravado, Trump's Border Patrol turned a children's Halloween parade in Chicago into chaos, tossing tear gas canisters without warning.
Judge tells faux-tough-guy Border Patrol chief not to tear-gas trick-or-treaters | Opinion
Full of faux bravado, Trump's Border Patrol turned a children's Halloween parade in Chicago into chaos, tossing tear gas canisters without warning.
bit.ly
October 31, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This Halloween, 30 days into a government shutdown, remember: For DHS, tear gassing children at neighborhood parades and locking up U.S. citizens in immigration detention are "essential" functions.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
This Halloween, 30 days into a government shutdown, remember: For DHS, tear gassing children at neighborhood parades and locking up U.S. citizens in immigration detention are "essential" functions.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
Opinion: Full of faux bravado, Trump's Border Patrol turned a children's Halloween parade in Chicago into chaos, tossing tear gas canisters without warning.
Judge tells faux-tough-guy Border Patrol chief not to tear-gas trick-or-treaters | Opinion
Full of faux bravado, Trump's Border Patrol turned a children's Halloween parade in Chicago into chaos, tossing tear gas canisters without warning.
bit.ly
October 31, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This Halloween, 30 days into a government shutdown, remember: For DHS, tear gassing children at neighborhood parades and locking up U.S. citizens in immigration detention are "essential" functions.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
They continue without Congressional funding.
Public accounting for these abuses does not.
Great expose on the status of attack capabilities at Cellebrite, the defense company used by homeland security agents to crack your phones both at the U.S. border, airports, and interior.👇
New from 404 Media: someone managed to get into a Microsoft Teams call with phone hackers Cellebrite, who then detailed some of the company's hacking capabilities against Google Pixel phones. Also its capabilities against GrapheneOS, security-focused devices www.404media.co/someone-snuc...
Someone Snuck Into a Cellebrite Microsoft Teams Call and Leaked Phone Unlocking Details
The leaked slide focuses on Google Pixel phones and mentions those running the security-focused GrapheneOS operating system.
www.404media.co
October 30, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Great expose on the status of attack capabilities at Cellebrite, the defense company used by homeland security agents to crack your phones both at the U.S. border, airports, and interior.👇
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
Exciting things are happening in the JACK-O'-LANTERN FEED! bsky.app/profile/did:...
October 29, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Exciting things are happening in the JACK-O'-LANTERN FEED! bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
Another illegal US maritime strike—again in the Pacific.
Against a vessel allegedly operated by an unspecified "designated terrorist organization."
Four reported fatalities—dubbed w/o ID or evidence "narco-terrorists."
There's a word for premeditated killings outside of armed conflict.
Against a vessel allegedly operated by an unspecified "designated terrorist organization."
Four reported fatalities—dubbed w/o ID or evidence "narco-terrorists."
There's a word for premeditated killings outside of armed conflict.
October 30, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Another illegal US maritime strike—again in the Pacific.
Against a vessel allegedly operated by an unspecified "designated terrorist organization."
Four reported fatalities—dubbed w/o ID or evidence "narco-terrorists."
There's a word for premeditated killings outside of armed conflict.
Against a vessel allegedly operated by an unspecified "designated terrorist organization."
Four reported fatalities—dubbed w/o ID or evidence "narco-terrorists."
There's a word for premeditated killings outside of armed conflict.
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
Yellow stagshorn jelly fungus, Calocera viscosa 🌱🍄
#MushroomMonday #MacroMonday #FungiFriends #Nature #Autumn #Bloomscrolling
#MushroomMonday #MacroMonday #FungiFriends #Nature #Autumn #Bloomscrolling
October 27, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Yellow stagshorn jelly fungus, Calocera viscosa 🌱🍄
#MushroomMonday #MacroMonday #FungiFriends #Nature #Autumn #Bloomscrolling
#MushroomMonday #MacroMonday #FungiFriends #Nature #Autumn #Bloomscrolling
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
This week’s cover of New York Magazine is absolutely brutal.
October 27, 2025 at 1:55 PM
This week’s cover of New York Magazine is absolutely brutal.
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
An AP analysis finds drops in the number of Black freshmen at many elite colleges in the two years since the Supreme Court’s decision ending affirmative action.
apnews.com/article/affi...
apnews.com/article/affi...
October 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
An AP analysis finds drops in the number of Black freshmen at many elite colleges in the two years since the Supreme Court’s decision ending affirmative action.
apnews.com/article/affi...
apnews.com/article/affi...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
The Trump admin is considering designating Antifa as a foreign terrorist organization.
Thomas E. Brzozowski argues this move would create an unprecedented expansion of counterterrorism authorities into the domestic political space and threaten civil society.
www.justsecurity.org/122643/antif...
Thomas E. Brzozowski argues this move would create an unprecedented expansion of counterterrorism authorities into the domestic political space and threaten civil society.
www.justsecurity.org/122643/antif...
Designating Antifa as FTO Could Threaten Civil Liberties
Trump's plan to designate Antifa as an FTO has implications extending beyond anti-fascist activists to the architecture of US civil society.
www.justsecurity.org
October 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The Trump admin is considering designating Antifa as a foreign terrorist organization.
Thomas E. Brzozowski argues this move would create an unprecedented expansion of counterterrorism authorities into the domestic political space and threaten civil society.
www.justsecurity.org/122643/antif...
Thomas E. Brzozowski argues this move would create an unprecedented expansion of counterterrorism authorities into the domestic political space and threaten civil society.
www.justsecurity.org/122643/antif...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
This is an incredibly important read. www.justsecurity.org/122643/antif...
Designating Antifa as FTO Could Threaten Civil Liberties
Trump's plan to designate Antifa as an FTO has implications extending beyond anti-fascist activists to the architecture of US civil society.
www.justsecurity.org
October 27, 2025 at 3:03 PM
This is an incredibly important read. www.justsecurity.org/122643/antif...
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
it’s beyond comprehension that scenes like this have become routine in chicago.
masked soldiers are carelessly lobbing chemical weapons—that are banned from use during warfare—on random residential streets.
this is the third time feds have tear-gassed residents in chicago *this week!*
masked soldiers are carelessly lobbing chemical weapons—that are banned from use during warfare—on random residential streets.
this is the third time feds have tear-gassed residents in chicago *this week!*
Video from witness here from the moment CBP gassed neighbors who had gathered outside after the kidnapping.
Agent rolls a canister at the crowd out of the window of their car as they reverse away from people with whistles and bikes.
Agent rolls a canister at the crowd out of the window of their car as they reverse away from people with whistles and bikes.
October 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
it’s beyond comprehension that scenes like this have become routine in chicago.
masked soldiers are carelessly lobbing chemical weapons—that are banned from use during warfare—on random residential streets.
this is the third time feds have tear-gassed residents in chicago *this week!*
masked soldiers are carelessly lobbing chemical weapons—that are banned from use during warfare—on random residential streets.
this is the third time feds have tear-gassed residents in chicago *this week!*
Reposted by Spencer Reynolds
"One Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent’s knee was on his neck, another’s was grinding his back. Drenched with tear gas and pepper spray, George Retes might have wished that his 137 pounds were back in Kirkuk, Iraq, one of his Army deployments. Here's a glimpse of your tax dollars at work."
"How many appalling incidents are occurring during today’s tsunami of sometimes lawless 'law enforcement'?" George F. Will writes.
https://wapo.st/49jxVho
https://wapo.st/49jxVho
Opinion | When ICE came for a U.S. citizen and Army veteran
George Retes is suing the federal government for unconstitutional detention.
wapo.st
October 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
"One Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent’s knee was on his neck, another’s was grinding his back. Drenched with tear gas and pepper spray, George Retes might have wished that his 137 pounds were back in Kirkuk, Iraq, one of his Army deployments. Here's a glimpse of your tax dollars at work."