Yesterday, I joined more than 900 former federal prosecutors in signing an open letter meant to express support, as best we can, to the remaining career staff who continue to be under ferocious assault from the new administration (you can read it below).
Susan who? I'll add her to my growing list of "Lighthouses in the Storm" heroes per below. Thanks. any more suggestions from anybody always welcome.
(Updated Tuesday 2-18-25, as more senior officials--a.k.a. "Lighthouses" [see below]--abruptly resign by the hour] Nixon's "Saturday Night Massacre"--where two lawyers resigned in protest--became famous as part of Tricky Dick's own forced departure. Trump now has his own enhanced, explosive "Thursday Afternoon Massacre" where not two but seven DOJ lawyers resigned in their protest against dropping the quid pro quo criminal action against NY Mayor Adams. Last week's heroes ("Lighthouses in the Storm" h/t Armand Beede@Blue Note) are: Danielle Sasson, John Keller, Kevin Driscoll, Rob Heberie, Jenn Clarke, Marco Palmieri, and Hagen Scotten. They resigned after Acting deputy Attorney Emil Bove issued a directive to drop the Adam's case.. These heroes in pursuit of justice and the rule of law are now included in the lionhearted below fighting against Musk authoritarianism, Trump cruelty, and for pre Trump/Musk. democracy.
Numerous undaunted truth-to-power fighters have been added per viewer's inputs and recent Trump and Musk actions. Besides upstanding lawyers and law-abiding honorable (present and former) judges, here's a growing list of Profiles in Courage men, women, and advocacy groups who refuse to be cowed or kneel to the force of the Trump/Musk intimidation.]
These heroes in pursuit of justice and the rule of law are now included in the lionhearted below fighting against Musk authoritarianism, Trump cruelty, and for pre-Musk/Trump democracy.
I'll begin, again, with Missouri's own undaunted Jess[ica] (à la John Lewis's "get in good trouble") Piper. Then, in no particular order, Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance, Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Michelle King, Karen Pence, Pope Francis (re cruel migration treatment), Denise Cheung, Ruth Ben-Ghait, Dan Rather, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O'Donnell, Chris Hayes, Robert Reich, Jim Acosta, Jen Rubin and the Contrarians, Steve Brodner, Brian Tyler Cohen, Jonathan Bernstein, Simon Rosenberg, Rachel Coyle, Jessica Craven, Sharon McMahon, Scott Dworkin, Ron Filipkowski!, Anne Applebaum, David Frum, Susan H. Glassser, Jane Mayer, Lucian Truscott IV, AOC, Katherine Clark, Jasmine Crockett, Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Warren, Tim Snyder, Harry Litman, Jay Kuo, Robert B. Hubbell, Ben Meisellas, Steve Schmidt, David Pepper, Judd Legum, Kristin Du Mez, Jeff Tiedrich, Josh Marshall, Paul Krugman, Andy Borowitz, Rich Wilson, Jeff Danziger, Ann Telnaes,͏ ͏Juan Cole, Will Bunch, Cher, Kevin Costner, Jon Hamm, Bennie Thompson, Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Tristan Snell, Rebecca Gordon/TomDispatch, The Dean's List/Dean Obeidallah; American Bar Association, Blue Missouri, Indivisible, Sunrise Movement, Third Act, Democracy Forward, Public Citizen, Democracy Index, Democracy Docket, Democracy Now, ACLU, America, America/Steven Beschloss, David Pepper/ Saving DemocracyThe Action Network, The Freedom Academy et al. (Suggestions welcome.)
And, as Joyce Vance says, "We're in this together"--or via Jess Piper, from rural Missouri: "Solidarity." FIGHT BACK! WE ARE NOT ALONE WE GROW BY THE MINUTE--Every time Trump/Musk tries to destroy our Democracy.
( Google any name above for more info if you are unfamiliar.)
I think a nod should also be given to the "Candles in the Storm," the thousands or maybe millions of unknown foot soldiers who make their voices heard every day by calling their Representatives and Senators. The people who spread the word amongst their friends and acquaintances. The people who support Substacks, You Tube channels, etc. with their hard earned dollars to help spread the word.
Great list, you mention Democracy Docket but you need to expand it to Marc Elias who is the founder of Democracy Docket. Marc and his law firm are behind many of the present lawsuits that have already been filed against the atrocities of the 'administration'. Public interest groups like the ACLU, NAACP, Democracy Forward, Democracy Now, groups led by Norm Eisen and Marc Elias, the record already shows who is winning this war to protect our democracy.
It is comforting to know, that there are so many great minds, working to preserve the norms, the rule of law and defend Democracy. I subscribe to more than a few of them and they help to keep my sanity. 🇨🇦
Thank you, Susan, for joining this group of dedicated patriots. I myself recognize several from this list as AUSAs, and some private attorneys, as among those I knew from my time in federal court, and hope to see many more before too long. I understand that many I would like to see here cannot make this kind of a stand right now.
OT, but can we lobby the ABA (or whom?) to disbar lawyers who actively defend the admin’s unconstitutional whims? They fail their oath and waste our money.
Where was this letter posted? I have also wondered why the three former presidents have not made a statement about all the destruction of the government that is happening now.
I’m hoping they have a plan that will be unveiled soon. But I’m afraid they are thinking that they’ve done enough for the country and it’s our turn now.
I was heartened to see Karen Pence on the list. Her snub of Trump at the funeral for Jimmy Carter was so public and laudable. She spoke for so many of us in that moment.
I feel for all Federal employees. Some cannot imagine how most all federal employees keep an honest dedication to the job, and not to a party in power. I know. I did that through 5 different administration changes.
Some Republicsns in Congress may have been AUSAs and will identify.
We have a common denominator, even with most Republicans in Congress: Treason. I think the sell out re Ukraine, Vance meeting with the Nazis, etc has to shake up even Senate Republcans. This may be a window of oppotunity....
So did I, Melanie, and never once thought about who the president was at any particular time or considered it for one second in the way I did my job in the court. I retired in 2015 so didn’t have to deal with the anti patriot and his lawlessness, for which I am eternally grateful, but I still have many former colleagues who are still there and have to look at his photo Every. Single. Day. What torture.
I do not understand how these firings are legal. How do they work? Do you suddenly have no access to email, to your office and your paycheck is cut off? That seems totally illegal, as in theft. As in criminal. As in invalid. It seems to me that these people are actually not fired, but that the system has been hacked by tech criminals. Thieves should be arrested.
They aren't legal. Don't expect Orange Hitler to obey any law, even when directed by the courts. We have no rule of law, only rule by dictator and lawsuit.
It's the spoils system. Most are protected by the Civil Service Reform Act and many are represented by unions. Some may be protected wshistleblowers.
As # 45, he tried to eliminate all "independent" employee protections.
January 20, Executive Order (EO), Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce, and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance on the order on January 27. The broad order reinstated and amended a 2020 EO that reclassified certain federal employees into an excepted service category known as Schedule Policy/Career (formally Schedule F). This action would significantly alter civil service protections for thousands of career employees.
Under the order, federal agencies must review and identify positions that involve policy-making, policy-advocacy, or confidential advisory duties and recommend them for transfer to the new Policy/Career schedule. This includes anyone with “substantive participation and discretionary authority in agency grantmaking, such as the substantive exercise of discretion in the drafting of funding opportunity announcements, evaluation of grant applications, or recommending or selecting grant recipients.” Employees in these positions would be exempt from traditional civil service protections under Title 5, making it easier to reassign or remove them. Agencies have 90 days to submit their preliminary recommendations, with final reviews due within 120 days.
OPM is tasked with guiding agencies through the reclassification process and rescinding Biden-era regulations that sought to limit similar workplace changes. While the order prohibits political patronage hiring, stating that “competitive service positions rescheduled into Schedule Policy/Career will generally continue to be filled using competitive hiring procedures,” critics argue that it could enable a shift toward a more politically aligned federal workforce by stripping certain career positions of their job protections.
Yes, that is how it seems to be working. You get a notice of termination and by that time all access has been terminated and your ID card deactivated. Most federal employees get paid by direct deposit, so you’d probably get your last check along with a payout for any outstanding leave balances.
Harry, I cry every day. When I hear the words “without fear or favor”, “Your honor, the people are ready”, or “I represent the United States”, it gives me chills. From the time I was a young woman serving jury duty for the first time on a civil case in NYC, going downtown to the courts, taking our job seriously as jurors, and when the trial was over, the judge came down from her bench and personally shook each our hands and thanked us for our service, I had tears in my eyes. It was such a moving moment, I will never forget it. I don’t know most of the heroes on this list, but to see Glenn Kirschner, Barb McQuade, Harry Litman, Andrew Weissman and then JACK SMITH 😭😭😭😭😭 I thank all 900 of you, and the thousands of others out there. Even if you have resigned, don’t forget about us. Pls still try and fight for us. I will thank each of you every day for the rest of my life for all you have done and hopefully, in whatever way, continue to do. ⚖️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
And for the worst of you former prosecutor traitors like Emil Bove? Fuck you! May you get everything you deserve.
Mr Litman, I heard abt the letter on a MeidasTouch hot take. I think it’s Brett & he reads the letter out loud & he says that you had signed it. I was all, “Harry Litman! I KNOW HIM!” Kinda like Buddy the Elf in the movie Elf when he finds out Santa is coming to the department store. Ofc I don’t know you personally, but I feel like I know of you & I’m proud to tell people about you & your work. Thank you Mr Litman for being the you you are!
As a career federal prosecutor (1989-2022) I’d like to add my name to the list of signatories.
Thank you Susan & many more for your many years of service you have contributed to SOCIETY
Susan who? I'll add her to my growing list of "Lighthouses in the Storm" heroes per below. Thanks. any more suggestions from anybody always welcome.
(Updated Tuesday 2-18-25, as more senior officials--a.k.a. "Lighthouses" [see below]--abruptly resign by the hour] Nixon's "Saturday Night Massacre"--where two lawyers resigned in protest--became famous as part of Tricky Dick's own forced departure. Trump now has his own enhanced, explosive "Thursday Afternoon Massacre" where not two but seven DOJ lawyers resigned in their protest against dropping the quid pro quo criminal action against NY Mayor Adams. Last week's heroes ("Lighthouses in the Storm" h/t Armand Beede@Blue Note) are: Danielle Sasson, John Keller, Kevin Driscoll, Rob Heberie, Jenn Clarke, Marco Palmieri, and Hagen Scotten. They resigned after Acting deputy Attorney Emil Bove issued a directive to drop the Adam's case.. These heroes in pursuit of justice and the rule of law are now included in the lionhearted below fighting against Musk authoritarianism, Trump cruelty, and for pre Trump/Musk. democracy.
Numerous undaunted truth-to-power fighters have been added per viewer's inputs and recent Trump and Musk actions. Besides upstanding lawyers and law-abiding honorable (present and former) judges, here's a growing list of Profiles in Courage men, women, and advocacy groups who refuse to be cowed or kneel to the force of the Trump/Musk intimidation.]
These heroes in pursuit of justice and the rule of law are now included in the lionhearted below fighting against Musk authoritarianism, Trump cruelty, and for pre-Musk/Trump democracy.
I'll begin, again, with Missouri's own undaunted Jess[ica] (à la John Lewis's "get in good trouble") Piper. Then, in no particular order, Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance, Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Michelle King, Karen Pence, Pope Francis (re cruel migration treatment), Denise Cheung, Ruth Ben-Ghait, Dan Rather, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O'Donnell, Chris Hayes, Robert Reich, Jim Acosta, Jen Rubin and the Contrarians, Steve Brodner, Brian Tyler Cohen, Jonathan Bernstein, Simon Rosenberg, Rachel Coyle, Jessica Craven, Sharon McMahon, Scott Dworkin, Ron Filipkowski!, Anne Applebaum, David Frum, Susan H. Glassser, Jane Mayer, Lucian Truscott IV, AOC, Katherine Clark, Jasmine Crockett, Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Warren, Tim Snyder, Harry Litman, Jay Kuo, Robert B. Hubbell, Ben Meisellas, Steve Schmidt, David Pepper, Judd Legum, Kristin Du Mez, Jeff Tiedrich, Josh Marshall, Paul Krugman, Andy Borowitz, Rich Wilson, Jeff Danziger, Ann Telnaes,͏ ͏Juan Cole, Will Bunch, Cher, Kevin Costner, Jon Hamm, Bennie Thompson, Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Tristan Snell, Rebecca Gordon/TomDispatch, The Dean's List/Dean Obeidallah; American Bar Association, Blue Missouri, Indivisible, Sunrise Movement, Third Act, Democracy Forward, Public Citizen, Democracy Index, Democracy Docket, Democracy Now, ACLU, America, America/Steven Beschloss, David Pepper/ Saving DemocracyThe Action Network, The Freedom Academy et al. (Suggestions welcome.)
And, as Joyce Vance says, "We're in this together"--or via Jess Piper, from rural Missouri: "Solidarity." FIGHT BACK! WE ARE NOT ALONE WE GROW BY THE MINUTE--Every time Trump/Musk tries to destroy our Democracy.
( Google any name above for more info if you are unfamiliar.)
I think a nod should also be given to the "Candles in the Storm," the thousands or maybe millions of unknown foot soldiers who make their voices heard every day by calling their Representatives and Senators. The people who spread the word amongst their friends and acquaintances. The people who support Substacks, You Tube channels, etc. with their hard earned dollars to help spread the word.
Great list, you mention Democracy Docket but you need to expand it to Marc Elias who is the founder of Democracy Docket. Marc and his law firm are behind many of the present lawsuits that have already been filed against the atrocities of the 'administration'. Public interest groups like the ACLU, NAACP, Democracy Forward, Democracy Now, groups led by Norm Eisen and Marc Elias, the record already shows who is winning this war to protect our democracy.
It is comforting to know, that there are so many great minds, working to preserve the norms, the rule of law and defend Democracy. I subscribe to more than a few of them and they help to keep my sanity. 🇨🇦
Thank you so much for putting this list together!
Larry Mc her name is Susan Poswistilo. She has been public servant from 1989-2022!
Thank you, Susan, for joining this group of dedicated patriots. I myself recognize several from this list as AUSAs, and some private attorneys, as among those I knew from my time in federal court, and hope to see many more before too long. I understand that many I would like to see here cannot make this kind of a stand right now.
Thank you so very much. I needed to have a reason to hope. To know there is a flickering light at the end of this tunnel.
OT, but can we lobby the ABA (or whom?) to disbar lawyers who actively defend the admin’s unconstitutional whims? They fail their oath and waste our money.
And their argument that their only oath is to Musk/Trump?
State by state license.
License to cull.
Where was this letter posted? I have also wondered why the three former presidents have not made a statement about all the destruction of the government that is happening now.
I’m hoping they have a plan that will be unveiled soon. But I’m afraid they are thinking that they’ve done enough for the country and it’s our turn now.
I was heartened to see Karen Pence on the list. Her snub of Trump at the funeral for Jimmy Carter was so public and laudable. She spoke for so many of us in that moment.
Bravery in a sea of treachery.
And a whole lot of the American people stand behind these prosecutors and fear for the rule of law.
I feel for all Federal employees. Some cannot imagine how most all federal employees keep an honest dedication to the job, and not to a party in power. I know. I did that through 5 different administration changes.
Some Republicsns in Congress may have been AUSAs and will identify.
We have a common denominator, even with most Republicans in Congress: Treason. I think the sell out re Ukraine, Vance meeting with the Nazis, etc has to shake up even Senate Republcans. This may be a window of oppotunity....
I keep sayin' we need Republicans to object -- pressure the Senate Republicans who voted for the Ukraine package https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4464791-here-are-the-senate-republicans-who-voted-for-the-ukraine-package/
They won't. Chumpard Chumplestiltshin has them by the shorthairs and risk his killing them. They have NO POWER without him.
Justice versus evil inhumane Trump.
So did I, Melanie, and never once thought about who the president was at any particular time or considered it for one second in the way I did my job in the court. I retired in 2015 so didn’t have to deal with the anti patriot and his lawlessness, for which I am eternally grateful, but I still have many former colleagues who are still there and have to look at his photo Every. Single. Day. What torture.
I retired early that same year for the same reason.
Call a press conference.
Esp get prosecutors from Trump’s first regime.
Thank you for sharing this deeply moving letter, Harry. Some Patriots truly are unsung.
I do not understand how these firings are legal. How do they work? Do you suddenly have no access to email, to your office and your paycheck is cut off? That seems totally illegal, as in theft. As in criminal. As in invalid. It seems to me that these people are actually not fired, but that the system has been hacked by tech criminals. Thieves should be arrested.
They aren't legal. Don't expect Orange Hitler to obey any law, even when directed by the courts. We have no rule of law, only rule by dictator and lawsuit.
It's the spoils system. Most are protected by the Civil Service Reform Act and many are represented by unions. Some may be protected wshistleblowers.
As # 45, he tried to eliminate all "independent" employee protections.
January 20, Executive Order (EO), Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce, and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance on the order on January 27. The broad order reinstated and amended a 2020 EO that reclassified certain federal employees into an excepted service category known as Schedule Policy/Career (formally Schedule F). This action would significantly alter civil service protections for thousands of career employees.
Under the order, federal agencies must review and identify positions that involve policy-making, policy-advocacy, or confidential advisory duties and recommend them for transfer to the new Policy/Career schedule. This includes anyone with “substantive participation and discretionary authority in agency grantmaking, such as the substantive exercise of discretion in the drafting of funding opportunity announcements, evaluation of grant applications, or recommending or selecting grant recipients.” Employees in these positions would be exempt from traditional civil service protections under Title 5, making it easier to reassign or remove them. Agencies have 90 days to submit their preliminary recommendations, with final reviews due within 120 days.
OPM is tasked with guiding agencies through the reclassification process and rescinding Biden-era regulations that sought to limit similar workplace changes. While the order prohibits political patronage hiring, stating that “competitive service positions rescheduled into Schedule Policy/Career will generally continue to be filled using competitive hiring procedures,” critics argue that it could enable a shift toward a more politically aligned federal workforce by stripping certain career positions of their job protections.
Read the full OPM memorandum at: https://tinyurl.com/49hu4vkt
Yes, that is how it seems to be working. You get a notice of termination and by that time all access has been terminated and your ID card deactivated. Most federal employees get paid by direct deposit, so you’d probably get your last check along with a payout for any outstanding leave balances.
This is a dictatorship now.
And instead, Trump and Co., Musk and his minions, have all adopted the tenet of fear and favoritism without justice.
“Everyone understands the privilege of representing the United States. Everyone adopts, as second nature, the tenet of justice without fear or favor.”
I'm glad the good prosecutors will know they are not alone.
This CANNOT BE SHARED ENOUGH!!! Thanks to all the honest people who lost their livelihood😡
Excellent open letter … sadly addressed to those who neither read nor care. The Forever Reich 2.0 listens only to its own voice.
Harry, I cry every day. When I hear the words “without fear or favor”, “Your honor, the people are ready”, or “I represent the United States”, it gives me chills. From the time I was a young woman serving jury duty for the first time on a civil case in NYC, going downtown to the courts, taking our job seriously as jurors, and when the trial was over, the judge came down from her bench and personally shook each our hands and thanked us for our service, I had tears in my eyes. It was such a moving moment, I will never forget it. I don’t know most of the heroes on this list, but to see Glenn Kirschner, Barb McQuade, Harry Litman, Andrew Weissman and then JACK SMITH 😭😭😭😭😭 I thank all 900 of you, and the thousands of others out there. Even if you have resigned, don’t forget about us. Pls still try and fight for us. I will thank each of you every day for the rest of my life for all you have done and hopefully, in whatever way, continue to do. ⚖️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
And for the worst of you former prosecutor traitors like Emil Bove? Fuck you! May you get everything you deserve.
Mr Litman, I heard abt the letter on a MeidasTouch hot take. I think it’s Brett & he reads the letter out loud & he says that you had signed it. I was all, “Harry Litman! I KNOW HIM!” Kinda like Buddy the Elf in the movie Elf when he finds out Santa is coming to the department store. Ofc I don’t know you personally, but I feel like I know of you & I’m proud to tell people about you & your work. Thank you Mr Litman for being the you you are!
Indeed.