Seamus Hughes
@seamushughes.bsky.social
I read a lot of court records because I like a good story. Won a Pulitzer a couple times. “A well-known PACER watcher” - Justice Department
I look forward to my @courtwatch.bsky.social newsletter for stuff like this and the stuff I hadn’t heard was happening yet. Thanks for your service!
Seamus Hughes@seamushughes.bsky.social · 7d ago“We’re not sure how we feel about federal judges being more terminally online than us.” www.courtwatch.news/p/186-ok-goo...
“We’re not sure how we feel about federal judges being more terminally online than us.” www.courtwatch.news/p/186-ok-goo...
Our operating budget is a rounding error for most news rooms. Our reporting impact is the envy of all news rooms. Court Watch can only continue with your support.
Court Watch@courtwatch.bsky.social · last wk.It’s a moment of truth for us and you. www.courtwatch.news/p/moment-of-...
Again: If you care about either surveillance law or terrorwar 2.0, consider subscribing, bc @courtwatch.bsky.social created huge scoops in both in recent weeks.
Seamus Hughes@seamushughes.bsky.social · last wk.We’re ten new subscribers away from our goal. Help us get over the finish line. www.courtwatch.news/p/moment-of-...
We’re ten new subscribers away from our goal. Help us get over the finish line. www.courtwatch.news/p/moment-of-...
Moment of Truth
Court Watch has led the news this last month. That may not happen again without your help.
courtwatch.news
Seamus Hughes@seamushughes.bsky.social · last wk.Our operating budget is a rounding error for most news rooms. Our reporting impact is the envy of all news rooms. Court Watch can only continue with your support.
A record number of people have been referred to the Prevent counter-terrorism scheme, with children aged between 11 and 15 accounting for the largest group The Home Office said the increase may be linked to “increased awareness of Prevent” following the Southport attack inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Now's a great time to support journalism that is filling a critical function that many other journalists depend on. www.courtwatch.news/p/judge-rule...
Judge Rules Tower Dumps Search Inherently Unconstitutional
Docket and Opinion are only available because Court Watch successfully fought to unseal it.
courtwatch.news
The trick to breaking news is to never sleep and file motions a year ago that finally bear fruit.
Court Watch@courtwatch.bsky.social · last wk.BREAKING - A federal judge has just ruled that 'Tower Dumps' are inherently unconstitutional. Story below, details on a case that was only unsealed because of our court motion. www.courtwatch.news/p/judge-rule...
Our operating budget is a rounding error for most news rooms. Our reporting impact is the envy of all news rooms. Court Watch can only continue with your support.
Court Watch@courtwatch.bsky.social · last wk.It’s a moment of truth for us and you. www.courtwatch.news/p/moment-of-...
In July, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court had its first case in 30 years. @pwbeck.bsky.social and @seamushughes.bsky.social unpack the ATRC’s history, how the court operates, why the court may have lain inactive, and DOJ's decision to bring a case now.
The Rip Van Winkle Court
Last week, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court had its first case in 30 years. We dive into DOJ’s awakening of a controversial court.
lawfaremedia.org
For our Sunday long read, reporter Peter Beck looks at the legal consequences of chasing shadows. www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
The Rabbit Hole: Chasing Shadows
False flags, sanctioned oil, and the hunt around the world for shadow ships
courtwatch.news
I don’t care what the open rate says. This was a good lede. www.courtwatch.news/p/185-a-quar...
#185: A Quarter-Life Crisis for a Court
Being the oldest court in judicial kindergarten is confusing. Plus: DoD defamation lawsuit, DOJ settling over water, Wilmer Hale breach, and shotgun complaints.
courtwatch.news
“The whole thing reminded us a bit of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 short story, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. For our less pretentious readers, think Brad Pitt’s late 2000s movie.” www.courtwatch.news/p/185-a-quar...
#185: A Quarter-Life Crisis for a Court
Being the oldest court in judicial kindergarten is confusing. Plus: DoD defamation lawsuit, DOJ settling over water, Wilmer Hale breach, and shotgun complaints.
courtwatch.news
A former legal assistant at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas was indicted on state charges of tampering with evidence and terroristic threats related to allegedly doxxing an immigration law enforcement officer. www.courtwatch.news/p/185-a-quar...
#185: A Quarter-Life Crisis for a Court
Being the oldest court in judicial kindergarten is confusing. Plus: DoD defamation lawsuit, DOJ settling over water, Wilmer Hale breach, and shotgun complaints.
courtwatch.news
Breaking — First Alien Terrorist Removal Court Case Revealed The Justice Department seeks to remove a Texas woman linked to ISIS plot. www.courtwatch.news/p/first-alie...
First Alien Terrorist Removal Court Case Revealed
The Justice Department seeks to remove a Texas woman linked to ISIS plot.
courtwatch.news
If you threaten to kill someone and dare the Department of Justice to do something about it, you're going to have a bad time. cc @courtwatch.bsky.social
![Screenshot of a federal indictment stating in part:
On or about December 19, 2024, within the District of Alaska, the defendant,
PAUL MCKAY EASTER, knowingly did transmit in interstate and foreign commerce a
communication, and the communication contained a threat to kidnap and injure
VICTIM 1, specifically by stating “It is time to take action. [VICTIM 1] will die. This is a
direct threat. Come do something about it DoJ.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ejz5uypde6zjpcq6xpmm7mkv/bafkreifgm5zvpqrofpsabme3weqff5i4z4ac643pof4lwirckuc5ivvpmq)
"Now surfacing for the first time, the ATRC will have to determine for itself if it will become a major new instrument for national security cases or return to its long slumber." www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
The Rabbit Hole: The Rip Van Winkle Court
Last week, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court had its first case in 30 years. We dive into DOJ’s awakening of a controversial court.
courtwatch.news
“For this piece, we spoke with half a dozen legal experts and attorneys, reviewed far too many academic journals and law briefs, and almost convinced a judge on the court to talk to us about process.” Our Sunday deep dive on the Alien Terrorist Removal Court www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
The Rabbit Hole: The Rip Van Winkle Court
Last week, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court had its first case in 30 years. We dive into DOJ’s awakening of a controversial court.
courtwatch.news
Coming Sunday: 4,000 word definitive piece on the newest (and somehow old) court that recently awoke from its slumber. Includes new details not previously reported. We'll lift the paywall for free and paid subscribers who get the story in their inbox. courtwatch.news/subscribe
Court Watch@courtwatch.bsky.social · 4w agoA 30 year old court just got its first case. A Friday night scoop on the Alien Terrorist Removal Court’s only docket. www.courtwatch.news/p/alien-terr...
A thread on new details about the alien terrorist removal court. Cc @stevevladeck.bsky.social
Court Watch@courtwatch.bsky.social · 3w agoWe’re continuing to work this story. Some additional details we’ve received about the nature of the court. A thread. 🧵
Writing draft ledes is my jam. See how we clean it up by subscribing this Friday's weekly roundup of the most fascinating court records. www.CourtWatch.news/subscribe
The Alien Terrorist Removal Court launched their website last week. In bigger news, we launched ours.
Court Watch@courtwatch.bsky.social · 3w agoJust launched - We completely redid our news site to make it more user-friendly to find our stories www.CourtWatch.news
Our new Sunday piece is a deep dive on the new federal law aimed at stopping AI-generated nonconsensual intimate images and how it’s beginning to yield new criminal charges. www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
courtwatch.news
Newsmax had over 200 million in revenue last year. It’s tough out there for independent news rooms. Support us.
Seamus Hughes@seamushughes.bsky.social · 4w agoWe’re an independent news organization that for the last 4 years has routinely broken national news like we did again last night. This reporting has been picked up by six major news orgs. But the whole thing only works if folks support our journalism. You can do so here www.CourtWatch.news/upgrade
We’re an independent news organization that for the last 4 years has routinely broken national news like we did again last night. This reporting has been picked up by six major news orgs. But the whole thing only works if folks support our journalism. You can do so here www.CourtWatch.news/upgrade
courtwatch.ne
Seamus Hughes@seamushughes.bsky.social · 4w agoBroke some news tonight that the 30 year old federal court, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, got its first case ever and created a hastily made website. www.courtwatch.news/p/alien-terr...
Broke some news tonight that the 30 year old federal court, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, got its first case ever and created a hastily made website. www.courtwatch.news/p/alien-terr...
Alien Terrorist Removal Court Has Its First Case
Created in 1996, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court has never reviewed an application. Until now
courtwatch.news
It appears the Alien Terrorist Removal Court created and launched its website very recently