Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog

18h

JFC, people. We're understaffed. Can you give us a breather?

Kyle Cheney@kyledcheney.bsky.social

BREAKING: Judge Reyes has issued a preliminary injunction over the golf course and begins with this: "Rarely, if ever, has the United States Department of Justice urged a federal court not to believe the sitting President." ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...

Nice to make your acquaintance, Julie

Chris Geidner@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

DOJ filed a notice of appeal of its TRO request in the US v. CA "likely noncitizens" voting case today. Below is what DOJ's Julie Hamill wrote, including asserting that "the Court's silence is a constructive denial" of the request — while ignoring Carter's 10/21 order setting a hearing for 10/27:

govexec.comHHS telework rollback challenge upheld by FLRAFederal Labor Relations Authority members wrote that HHS seemingly used generative AI tools to draft its legal brief, since many of its citations were “fictitious, erroneous, or irrelevant.”

If you happen to know the identity of the HHS attorney who submitted the AI-generated error-ridden agency's brief in support of exceptions, let us know in the DMs, or at info at glowlaw dot org

National Security Counselors 🕵@nationalsecuritylaw.org

omfg "FLRA members also wrote the HHS officials appeared to use generative AI tools to draft its legal brief. They wrote that 22 of the department’s 29 footnotes, and 35 of its 42 ... citations are 'fictitious, erroneous, or irrelevant.'"

nytimes.comA Billionaire Wanted a Trump Pardon. His Family Gave Alina Habba a $50 Million Deal.Julio Herrera Velutini, a prominent Venezuelan, was seeking clemency. He got it not long after his daughter gave Ms. Habba, a lawyer close to President Trump, an extraordinarily lucrative job.

Seems somewhat unethical

Kyle Griffin@kylegriffin1.bsky.social

BREAKING NYT: A billionaire wanted a Trump pardon. His family gave Alina Habba a $50 million deal. Julio Herrera Velutini, a prominent Venezuelan, was seeking clemency. He got it not long after his daughter gave Habba, a lawyer close to Trump, an extraordinarily lucrative job.

db.glowlaw.orgStanley Edmund Woodward | The Government Lawyers DatabaseStanley E. Woodward, Jr. is the Associate Attorney General of the United States – the third-highest-ranking official at the Department of Justice. He was nominated by President Trump in April 2025,...

Read more about Stanley Woodward here: Seems we might need to update his profile after this.

Roger Parloff@rparloff.bsky.social

Judge Reyes is ordering Woodward to refile submission from last night with as many DOJ attys willing to sign it. J: DOJ attys: raise your hand if you youj're willing to sign it. Woodward: not an appropriate request. J: right now, for rule 11 purposes, which other attys willing to sign this brief /6

sfchronicle.comNew W.H. press secretary held many legal roles but is not licensed to practice law in the U.S.The California State Bar said that it “has no record of” press secretary Katie Zacharia “having been licensed to practice law in California.”

We soft-applaud Katie Zacharia's not-so-sophisticated attempt to get herself included in our database. Unfortunately, Katie, we only document government lawyers, not government pretend-lawyers.

Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog reposted

Liz Dye

@lizdye.bsky.social

Thanks to @akivamcohen.bsky.social for coming on the show to talk about @glowlaw.org, and how we can start holding government lawyers accountable. The only way out of this nightmare is to rebuild the rule of law. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

podcasts.apple.comEp 270 — Attorney Accountability (feat. Akiva Cohen)Podcast Episode · Law and Chaos · October 13 · 51m

podcasts.apple.comEp 270 — Attorney Accountability (feat. Akiva Cohen)Podcast Episode · Law and Chaos · October 13 · 51m

Our board member @akivamcohen.bsky.social was on @lawandchaospod.bsky.social with the incomparable @lizdye.bsky.social to talk about what we do and why we do it.

Liz Dye@lizdye.bsky.social

Thanks for such a great discussion! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...

Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog reposted

Adam Cohen (My Personal Views Only)

@axidentaliberal.bsky.social

It's been two years now and we've seen the Trump administration-and, frequently, DOJ lawyer after DOJ lawyer lie in official proceedings. When are we finally going to see some consequences for their obvious malfeasance

Kyle Cheney@kyledcheney.bsky.social

HAPPENING NOW: Judge Reyes is furious. She has repeatedly told the government to inform her before any major demolition work was done on the golf course. The abrupt removal of 500 trees, without notice, "has cost the government all of its credibility" in this case.

We think it's bad when lawyers representing the government hide their identity from the public.

Jon Seidel@jonseidel.bsky.social

Good morning. Federal prosecutors in Chicago filed partially redacted documents overnight in the "Broadview Six" case. The redactions appear to include the signature block (including the name) of one of the attorneys representing the United States government:

motherjones.comTrump administration plans to have its own lawyers represent migrant kidsPutting government counsel on both sides "makes me feel like it's all a farce," says one immigration attorney.

We have questions.

Samantha Michaels@samanthamichaels.bsky.social

Another blow for unaccompanied immigrant minors. Now the Trump administration is taking over their legal representation. Yes, the same administration that is trying to deport them will also be the ones in charge of their defense. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

We don't have a "just embarrassing" category in our database, but maybe we should.

Josh Gerstein@joshgerstein.bsky.social

JUST IN: DOJ files brief w/11th Circuit to overturn ruling quashing subpoena for list of Fulton County election workers. Special prosecutor twice misspells "North" in own title. Doc: www.documentcloud.org/documents/28... Earlier: www.politico.com/news/2026/07...

glowlaw.orgTrial by Press Conference: Extrajudicial Statements by Senior Department of Justice Officials – Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog

New GLOW special report: “Trial by Press Conference.” We document dozens of public statements by six senior DOJ officials — Bondi, Blanche, Dhillon, Martin, Patel, and Pirro — that appear to violate the rules against trying cases in the press. 🧵

View full thread

Courts have noticed. Judges in the Abrego Garcia and Mangione cases found DOJ officials may have violated local rules on pretrial publicity, and one warned of sanctions. Less than two weeks later, Todd Blanche — now AG — said the administration was at “war” with “rogue activist judges.”

glowlaw.orgTrial by Press Conference: Extrajudicial Statements by Senior Department of Justice Officials – Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog

These statements came from the top, not line prosecutors — and defendants now cite them in vindictiveness and dismissal motions. When leadership treats the rules as optional, accountability must come from courts, bar authorities, and Congress. Full report:

glowlaw.orgTrial by Press Conference: Extrajudicial Statements by Senior Department of Justice Officials – Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog

These rules aren’t technicalities. DOJ’s own regulation (28 C.F.R. § 50.2), the Justice Manual, and bar rules tell officials not to publicly opine on a defendant’s guilt, attack their character, or tout confessions. The goal: verdicts based on evidence, not on what officials say on TV.

What we found: 👉 Then-AG Bondi calling an arraigned defendant a “monster” 👉 A decision to pursue death-penalty announced before indictment 👉 A U.S. Attorney vowing to prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” then dropping the case 👉 An official saying uncharged targets would be named and shamed

nytimes.comRead the document (Gift Article)Sheri H. Mecklenburg resignation letter

Anna Bower@annabower.bsky.social

Wild stuff. Sheri Mecklenberg, career prosecutor accused of misconduct in Broadview 6 case, resigns from DOJ. The NYT obtained her scathing resignation letter, in which she says the U.S. attorney directed her to bring felony charges over her objection. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

14 Sept

An anonymous donor has just matched all your contributions to date, bringing us to our campaign goal! Thank you all so much for you enthusiastic support! It is this support that keeps us going!

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gofund.meDonate to Support Glow's Mission for Justice, organized by Akiva CohenThe American legal system is in crisis, and nowhere is that more clear - and more impor… Akiva Cohen needs your support for Support Glow's Mission for Justice

11 Sept

We have crossed the 50% threshold of our campaign goal! We are truly overwhelmed by your enthusiastic support! $9K more and our next year's operations will be fully funded! Every donation supports our mission of holding executive branch lawyers accountable to the rules that keep power in check!

AkivaMCohen@akivamcohen.bsky.social

Folks, @glowlaw.org - a new non-profit dedicated to legal accountability for government lawyers, documenting both ethics violations and dedication to the rule of law by government attorneys - badly needs your help. We need to raise $18,000 to keep the lights on for this coming year

Achievement unlocked.

Guy Gavriel Kay@guygavrielkay.bsky.social

Worthy cause, I urge people who can to support.

Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog reposted

Guy Grossman

@guygrossman.bsky.social

I just donated to this important initiative. Please consider doing so, too. Thanks!

Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog@glowlaw.org

We have raised ~ $7,000 within 24 hours of launching our annual campaign. You people are amazing! Every single dollar helps. We are 100% volunteer based. All contributions, no matter how modest, fund more transparency. Help us get to $18K to secure funding for another full year of operations!

Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog reposted

We raised close to 7k yesterday, unbelievable (almost 6300 on the GFM & I'm told we got another 700 direct through our website). You people are amazing, thank you. Still 11k away from our full year need - can you help us get closer today?

AkivaMCohen@akivamcohen.bsky.social

Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog reposted

We've managed to raise over $1000 from 1- and 2-figure donations - 33 people who donated $5, $18, $20, $25, $30, $35, $36, $40, $50, or $75 - and every single one of those donations is precious and deeply appreciated.

AkivaMCohen@akivamcohen.bsky.social

We are humbled by your enthusiastic response, everyone. We have raised over $5,000, or just under 1/3 of our goal, since this morning. Our gratitude is beyond words.

Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog@glowlaw.org

The Government Lawyers Database exists because people decided it should. That's the whole funding model. We're opening our annual fundraiser today: $18,000 covers a full year of the operations. 🧵

The Government Lawyers Database exists because people decided it should. That's the whole funding model. We're opening our annual fundraiser today: $18,000 covers a full year of the operations. 🧵

No one is being paid for our work. We are 100% volunteer based. The money goes to web hosting, insurance, state registrations, and the press releases that put misconduct findings in front of reporters. Every dollar buys transparency, not overhead.

gofundme.comDonate to Support Glow's Mission for Justice, organized by Akiva CohenThe American legal system is in crisis, and nowhere is that more clear - and more impor… Akiva Cohen needs your support for Support Glow's Mission for Justice

$50 is about a week of hosting. $500 is about a month of insurance. And a repost puts this in front of someone who's been meaning to give to something like this. Tax deductible, and it goes straight to the work. Donate here:

Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog reposted

Replying to @akivamcohen.bsky.social

The driving force behind @glowlaw.org has been @omrimarian.bsky.social, who' worked tirelessly leading us while also continuing his excellent scholarship as a law professor. I was honored to be asked to be on the board with @smbrnsn.bsky.social, @ncallaway.bsky.social & @surcomplicated.bsky.social

Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog reposted

news.bloomberglaw.comFlorida Bar Rejects Bid to Review DHS Lawyer Over Judge PostsThe Florida Bar has declined to investigate a complaint by dozens of retired judges against the Department of Homeland Security’s top lawyer over a social media thread highlighting the “worst of the w...

4 Sept

There is no law or regulation preventing the Florida Bar from investigating appointed U.S. officers. They just don't want to. The FL Bar said the same about a complaint against Bondi. She is no longer a federal officer. Do you think they started an investigation into her complaint? They did not.

2 Sept

If you know the identity of this prosecutor, let us know in a DM, or at info@glowlaw.org.

Brad Heath@bradheath.bsky.social

The DOJ Inspector General found that a federal prosecutor "engaged in prostitution."

democracydocket.comExclusive: Trump DOJ appears to have hired lawyer convicted of hacking election sites to check ‘integrity’Levin’s involvement in election monitoring could offer a hint of the kind of personnel who will staff the operation this fall, when the DOJ has said it will send 1,000 monitors to the polls.

21 Aug

Is this bad? Seems bad.

ms.nowWhistleblower says probes into antisemitism at colleges were ploys to harass and strip millionsA former Justice Department lawyer says the Trump investigations squeezed Ivy League universities for millions before they were even concluded. A top Democrat is demanding answers.

19 Aug

GLOW applauds former DOJ attorney Haley Van Erem for filing a whistleblower disclosure exposing DOJ's misbehavior in its investigations of Columbia, Brown, and Harvard Universities. Van Erem will be documented on our database as a "Defender of the Rule of Law."

democracydocket.com🚨 United States v. SimonLearn more here.

17 Aug

Multiple courts, on multiple occasions in the past, have sanctioned lawyers for making the same arguments that multiple other courts have already rejected. We're just saying.

Marc Elias@marcelias.bsky.social

🚨BREAKING: Federal Court REJECTS Department of Justice lawsuit seeking to compel Minnesota to provide access to its statewide voter registration data. Another victory for my firm and our clients. DOJ is now 0-23. ELG is undefeated. www.democracydocket.com/cases/minnes...

lawandchaospod.comThe Temptation And Corruption Of Andrew BoutrosShoulda stayed in biglaw, dude.

17 Aug

Excellent from @lizdye.bsky.social Also...

Liz Dye@lizdye.bsky.social

How did Andrew Boutros, a lawyer with a sterling reputation, turn himself into Temu Todd Blanche? www.lawandchaospod.com/p/the-tempta...

db.glowlaw.orgAndrew Samir Boutros | The Government Lawyers DatabaseAndrew S. Boutros is the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. He has served in this position since April 7, 2025, when he was appointed on an interim basis by Attorney Gene...

17 Aug

... you can read more on Boutros recent "achievements" here:

10 Aug

Nothing to see here, just a Judge (and Trump's former personal attorney) swearing in an AG (and Trump's former personal attorney).

patrick mcneil (he/him)@patrickryne.bsky.social

I'm sorry, what do you mean TODD BLANCHE WAS SWORN IN BY EMIL BOVE?

glowlaw.orgTake Action! – Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog

10 Aug

Learn more about our efforts to hold government lawyers accountable! Join our mailing list at the link below to get important updates and learn about volunteering opportunities.

glowlaw.orgGLOW Condemns the Confirmation of Todd Blanche; The Senate Hands the Department of Justice to the Lawyer a Federal Court Found Abandoned Its Defense – Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog

8 Aug

It is only fitting the the vote to confirm Todd Blanche happened in the dead of night. Read our full statement on this shameful confirmation here:

db.glowlaw.orgDonate | The Government Lawyers DatabaseA publicly accessible record of the legal professionals who are or were involved in representing or supporting the legal positions of the US Executive Branch

8 Aug

Please consider supporting us, if you are able. We are a 100% volunteer-based organization. Donations make it possible to research and publish attorney profiles, and ensuring this important information remains free and accessible to the public. db.glowlaw.org/donate

glowlaw.orgGovernment Lawyers Oversight Watchdog

1/ We just relaunched our website glowlaw.org 🎉 New site, improved database. Here's what changed: 🧵

View full thread

glowlaw.orgWhy is Our Work Necessary? – Government Lawyers Oversight Watchdog

4/ Read about why we do what we do here:

glowlaw.orgGovernment Lawyers Oversight Watchdog

5/5 This redesign is about getting that information to the people who need it most: lawyers, journalists, researchers, and the public. Take a look: glowlaw.org Know someone who'd want to see it? Repost 🔁

glowlaw.orgGovernment Lawyers Oversight Watchdog

1/ We just relaunched our website glowlaw.org 🎉 New site, improved database. Here's what changed: 🧵

db.glowlaw.orgThe Government Lawyers DatabaseA publicly accessible record of the legal professionals who are or were involved in representing or supporting the legal positions of the US Executive Branch

2/ Improved database search functions: you can now filter attorney search by: → Conduct category → Licensing jurisdiction You can also sort all database attorneys by when were their profiles last updated. db.glowlaw.org