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Scott MacFarlane Profile picture
Scott MacFarlane
@MacFarlaneNews
CBS News Justice Correspondent -- Syracuse University and WJPZ radio alum — 90's R&B superfan
123 subscribers
Apr 22 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
NEW: In a blistering new order, federal judge Paula Xinis of Maryland says the Trump Administration is making "a willful and bad faith refusal to comply with discovery obligations" in the court case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia Judge Paula Xinis also finds the Trump Admin has "sought refuge behind vague and unsubstantiated assertions of privilege, using them as a shield to obstruct discovery and evade compliance with this court's orders" in Kilmar Abrego Garcia case
Apr 16 • 12 tweets • 2 min read
ALERT: Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) is addressing reporters now from El Salvador....

About the imprisonment of Kilmar Abrego Garcia Sen Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) says Pres. Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Vice President JD Vance "are lying" about the case of Abrego Garcia:

"This is a lie to cover up what they did"
Apr 16 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
FLASH: Judge James Boasberg issues opinion on March 15 deportations

"The government’s actions on that day demonstrate a willful disregard for its Order, sufficient for the court to conclude that probable cause exists to find the Government in criminal contempt" The opinion from chief DC federal judge James Boasberg over the defiance of his order to "turn the planes around" for further review on March 15

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
Apr 11 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
Judge isn't budging

Justice Dept asked Maryland judge to delay today's 1pm hearing in the case of mistaken deportee Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Judge Paula Xinis says "no". Parties must show at 1pm Justice Dept submits court filing, arguing it can't meet judge's deadline for update on Kilmar Abrego Garcia by the judge's morning deadline

Filing: "Foreign affairs cannot operate on judicial timelines, in part because it involves sensitive country-specific considerations wholly inappropriate for judicial review"
Apr 10 • 13 tweets • 3 min read
NEW: Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) is raising questions right now about Ed Martin, Trump's nominee to be US Attorney in Wash. DC

Durbin shows image of Martin tweet from Jan 6, 2021

Durbin: "Martin was at the Capitol on that dark day, when he posted 'Like Mardi Gras in DC today" Image Sen. Durbin (more) about Ed Martin's nomination: "When leaders of the Oath Keepers, a domestic violent extremist organization, were prosecuted for seditious conspiracy for their role in planning the January 6 attack, Mr. Martin responded, quote, 'Oath Keepers are all of us”
Apr 9 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
The Justice Department is seeking to drop its criminal case against a Virginia man, who was accused of being the “east coast leader” of the MS-13 gang, and whose arrest was announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi in a nationally televised press conference last month

(More) Image Bondi had referred to Henrry Villatoro Santos as “one of the top members and head of the east coast” of the violent MS-13 gang during a March 27 news conference in Manassas, Virginia.    Bondi had also described Villatoro Santos as being responsible for “very violent crimes, anything you can associate with MS13.  He was the leader over it, all of the violent crimes.”
Apr 7 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
At US Senate panel just now, fired US Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer alleges she was terminated after declining instruction to help Mel Gibson get his gun rights restored Former pardon attorney Liz Oyer says she was fired "just hours" after rejecting instruction from Justice Dept leadership to intervene in Mel Gibson's effort to get his gun rights back
Apr 3 • 33 tweets • 5 min read
STAND BY:

Attorneys are entering courtroom here at DC federal court

Judge James Boasberg has 3pm hearing to get to the bottom of why his orders to "turn the planes around" wasn't complied with last month.. When Trump Administration used 18th century law to deport Venezuelans Judge Boasberg doesn't waste time. He opens hearing noting the "public attention" being attracted by these deportations of Venezuelan nationals.. and the court order that was NOT complied with

He wants answers today
Mar 28 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
FLASH: Law firm Jenner and Block sues Trump Administration over executive order targeting the firm

They allege order is unlawful and a violation of first amendment Image Jenner and Block:

“Order threatens not only Jenner, but also its clients and the legal system itself. Our Constitution, top to bottom, forbids attempts by the government to punish citizens and lawyers based on the clients they represent, the positions they advocate, the opinions they voice, and the people with whom they associate.”
Mar 21 • 17 tweets • 2 min read
FLASH: Hearing begins in the courtroom of Chief Judge James Boasberg.. in ongoing legal case over last weekend's deportations of Venezuelan nationals Boasberg welcomes the parties

Drew Ensign... a deputy inside the DOJ is appearing along with a handful of others on behalf of United States
Mar 20 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
The standoff escalates

Chief Judge James Boasberg says the Justice Dept was late and evasive with its filing today, answering his questions about last weekend's deportation flight of alleged Venezuelan gang members

New deadlines set... *and* there's a hearing TOMORROW at 230pm According to Judge Boasberg's order moments ago: The Dept of Justice had an acting ICE field officer argue "I understand that Cabinet Secretaries are currently actively considering whether to invoke the state secrets privilege over the other facts requested by the Court’s order. Doing so is a serious matter that requires careful consideration of national security and foreign relations, and it cannot properly be undertaken in just 24 hours.”
Mar 14 • 35 tweets • 4 min read
Trump speaks at 3p Great Hall of US Justice Dept HQ

This is a space unaccustomed to being the site of political speeches

There are packets of drugs next to podium and signs about “fighting fentanyl”

And they’re cranking Guns N Roses.. like they did at Trump campaign rallies Feels like we’re listening to large chunks of the Trump campaign rally music playlist here at Justice Dept headquarters

“November Rain”
“Gloria”
“Nothing Compares 2U”

Waiting to see if “YMCA” surfaces
Jan 20 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
FLASH!!

President Biden issues pre-emptive pardons to "General Mark A. Milley, Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee"

(MORE) President Biden statement: "The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country"
Jan 14 • 9 tweets • 3 min read
Notable excerpts from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s letter to Justice Dept accompanying final report on Trump 2020 election conspiracy case:

“While we were not able to bring the cases we charged to trial, I believe the fact that our team stood up for the rule of law matters. I believe the example our team set for others to fight for justice without regard for the personal costs matters. The facts, as we uncovered them in our investigation and as set forth in my Report, matter. Experienced prosecutors know that you cannot control outcomes, you can only do your job the right way for the right reasons. I conclude our work confident that we have done so, and that we have met fully our obligations to the Department and to our country” Jack Smith letter (more):

“And to all who know me well, the claim from Mr. Trump that my decisions as a prosecutor were influenced or directed by the Biden administration or other political actors is, in a word, laughable”
Jan 3 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
In a 52-page sentencing memo submitted to a federal judge, former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has asked a judge for leniency at sentencing. Menendez’s filing specifically asks that “the Court should impose a sentence that relies heavily on alternatives to incarceration

(MORE) In perhaps the most striking passage in this submission, Menendez’s attorneys argue: “Senator Menendez is not the typical defendant. His public office and the accompanying attention it draws distinguish him. And of course the charges of conviction in this case arise from his position, and the actions he took as a United States Senator, a position he resigned in worldwide disgrace after his conviction.”
Oct 25, 2024 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
NEW: Jan 6 defendant Jay Johnston, former "Bob's Burgers" actor, asks for leniency at sentencing Monday

Defense says feds "persistently overstated Johnston’s participation at the Capitol..because he is an acclaimed Hollywood actor. government is using his status to make a point to the public"

(MORE) MORE: Some interesting phrasing in Jan 6 defendant Jay Johnston's defense memo to court

"..Amid the chaos, Mr. Johnston soon found himself by the Tunnel leading into the Capitol Building on the Lower West Terrace.."
Oct 21, 2024 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
ALERT: "Central Park 5" file defamation suit against Donald Trump

They allege Trump engaged in defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress w/ statements at Sept 10 Presidential debate in Philadelphia Image
Image Here's the 18-page civil complaint against Trump

====>

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
Oct 18, 2024 • 7 tweets • 3 min read
ALERT: Judge Tanya Chutkan has just allowed the unsealing of approx. 1900 pages of Jack Smith records in the Trump 2020 election conspiracy case.

Heavy, heavy redactions. Lots to go through.

But note that the records include Mike Pence's announcement on Jan 6, 2021 that he would not overturn resultsImage The first batch (720+) pages includes heavy redactions, but also has transcripts of depositions/interviews between Trump aides/allies and the House Jan 6 Select Committee.. including questions about the "substitute" batches of electoral votes

LINK: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
Oct 17, 2024 • 28 tweets • 4 min read
NOW: Justice Dept asks for 27 months prison in Jan 6 case of Dana Bell, arguing “history cannot repeat itself” after the 2024 elections. Prosecutor tells judge “deterrence” is critical

Bell is accused being “agitated, angry & violent” as she accosted police & media on Jan 6 Prosecutor argues Bell engaged in “prolonged, abusive and violent” behavior. Prosecutor says Bell grabbed police officer’s baton, as police tried to clear mob away after Ashli Babbitt was shot
Sep 30, 2024 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
Heavy police presence and wide perimeter here in Valdosta, Ga — where Trump is planning campaign stop in front of this damage

Power is out for days in this community. Businesses closed

One restaurant owner told me: They’re ambivalent about “dignitary visits right now” Image Traffic lights are out regionwide. Trees down. Billboard toppled. Roofs ripped apart.

Valdosta businesses that have generators are serving food on sidewalks to those who need it.
Sep 26, 2024 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
IN COURT JUST NOW: Justice Dept prosecutor tells judge that the Bureau of Prisons "confirmed there was an error" ... mistakenly releasing Jan 6 defendant Leo Kelly from its prison facility in Rochester, MN

(MORE) Leo Kelly was sentenced to 30 months prison in August 2023, accused of breaching the Parliamentarian's office while amid the mob.. and of facing off against "an outnumbered line of officers"

Prosecutors say prison bureau "misread" or miscalucuated filing about Kelly prison term