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Cate Brown

@catebrown.bsky.social

political investigations at @TheGuardian. formerly @WashingtonPost. power over/power to tips: cate.brown@theguardian.com

2,049 Followers  |  99 Following  |  47 Posts  |  Joined: 06.07.2023
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Posts by Cate Brown (@catebrown.bsky.social)

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Former US special ops @wesjbryant.bsky.social says the US strike on an Iranian warship is illegal. The boat was hit while returning from a training in India.

โ€œBy targeting it, is Trump saying that all of Iranโ€™s government and military poses an imminent threat?โ€

www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

04.03.2026 17:36 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Trump administration waging illegal war on Iran, experts say Administration offers shifting explanations as it acts without congressional approval or legal premise

The US war against #Iran is illegal, experts say, and they've challenged the Trump administration's rationale for waging it.

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

04.03.2026 14:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Trump administration waging illegal war on Iran, experts say Administration offers shifting explanations as it acts without congressional approval or legal premise

Stories about the illegality of the Iran War under both international law and the US Constitution and War Powers Act have featured on the front pages of Sรผddeutsche Zeitung, El Paรญs, Le Monde and papers all around the world. Not, however, in major US papers. Something is seriously wrong.

04.03.2026 14:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 289    ๐Ÿ” 145    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 10    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Trump administration waging illegal war on Iran, experts say Administration offers shifting explanations as it acts without congressional approval or legal premise

The UK-based Guardian with the article that should be on Page 1 of every U.S. newspaper www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

04.03.2026 14:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 218    ๐Ÿ” 105    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
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Trump administration waging illegal war on Iran, experts say Administration offers shifting explanations as it acts without congressional approval or legal premise

Pleased to speak with @catebrown.bsky.social of the @theguardian.com about Trumpโ€™s illegal war.

โ€œFor something to be lawful self defense, it has to be necessary โ€“ in the sense that thereโ€™s no alternative. Thatโ€™s not the situation here.โ€

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

04.03.2026 13:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 29    ๐Ÿ” 14    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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โ€˜An extension of his administrationโ€™: how Trumpโ€™s resorts became a proxy for access and power Elected officials visited Trump properties 145 times since his inauguration, records show

โ€˜An extension of his administrationโ€™: how Trumpโ€™s resorts became a proxy for access and power

24.02.2026 12:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 78    ๐Ÿ” 50    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 9    ๐Ÿ“Œ 9
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โ€œWe know this is just the tip of the iceberg,โ€ said Michael Beckel @issueonereform.bsky.social. โ€œWe might never get a full accounting of all the money that Trumpโ€™s family and his companies have made from his time in the White House, and thatโ€™s deeply troubling.โ€

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

24.02.2026 13:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The RNC and MAGA INC have been largest spenders at Trump properties.

All in, campaign finance records show that political groups have spent least $1.3m on events and catering at Trumpโ€™s resorts in 2025.

24.02.2026 13:34 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Elected leaders have visited Trump resorts 145 times since his inauguration, @citizensforethics.org found.

Israeli diplomats topped the list.

And Argentinaโ€™s President Milei received $20bil from the president, weeks before headlining at a Mar A Lago gala.

24.02.2026 13:33 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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โ€˜An extension of his administrationโ€™: how Trumpโ€™s resorts became a proxy for access and power Elected officials visited Trump properties 145 times since his inauguration, records show

Trump has called Mar-a-Lago, โ€œas close to paradise as Iโ€™m going to getโ€. And by some measures, itโ€™s lovely he wants to share it.

A new @citizensforethics.org report shows how Trump resorts have become luxury destinations to raise money and curry favor.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

24.02.2026 13:32 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 28    ๐Ÿ” 14    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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New DHS memo outlines plan to detain refugees for further vetting Resettlement organizations said the updated guidance represents a dramatic shift in how refugees are treated after being legally permitted to enter the United States.

DHS stated that federal immigration agents should arrest refugees who have not yet obtained a green card and detain them indefinitely for rescreening โ€” a shift that upends decades of protections and puts tens of thousands of people at risk.

19.02.2026 14:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 32    ๐Ÿ” 39    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 8    ๐Ÿ“Œ 4
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Trump officials plan to build 5,000-person military base in Gaza, files show Exclusive: approximately 350-acre compound planned as base for multinational force, according to records reviewed by the Guardian

The Trump administration is planning to build a 5,000-person military base in south Gaza, contracting records show.

The site is envisioned as an operating base for a future multinational force. Indonesia has already pledged troops.

w/ @aramroston.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

19.02.2026 12:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 60    ๐Ÿ” 37    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 9
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NSA detected foreign intelligence phone call about a person close to Trump Whistleblower says that Tulsi Gabbard blocked agency from sharing report and delivered it to White House chief of staff

Whistleblower attorney @AndrewBakaj revised his previous statement to the Guardian, saying that "The NSA picked up a phone call between two members of foreign intelligence involving someone close to the Trump White House."

Updated with his new statement --> www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

10.02.2026 14:17 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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NSA detected phone call between foreign intelligence and a person close to Trump Whistleblower says that Tulsi Gabbard blocked agency from sharing report and delivered it to White House chief of staff

SCOOP: The NSA detected a phone call between foreign intelligence and a person close to Trump last spring.

Whistleblower says that Tulsi Gabbard blocked agency from sharing report and delivered it to White House chief of staff.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

07.02.2026 17:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 726    ๐Ÿ” 270    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 25    ๐Ÿ“Œ 59
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US contractor sent Gaza plan to White House that would secure 300% profits Gothams LLCโ€™s draft proposal, obtained by the Guardian, suggests seven-year trucking and logistics monopoly

SCOOP: A US disaster response firm submitted a plan to White House officials that would guarantee 300% profits and a seven-year monopoly over a new trucking and logistics plan for #Gaza

@AramRoston and I report on the draft and its cash potential -->

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...

02.02.2026 16:33 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

As this story notes, three executives charged by CEO Will Lewis with leading the Washpost's most-publicized revenue efforts have left the company in the past year.

28.01.2026 18:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 39    ๐Ÿ” 20    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 10    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
Pretty simple story. The Post was primed to get a massive influx of subscribers and interest in the Trump 2 era โ€” and they've produced major scoops consistently in this period โ€” and then something very obvious stopped it all from happening.

Pretty simple story. The Post was primed to get a massive influx of subscribers and interest in the Trump 2 era โ€” and they've produced major scoops consistently in this period โ€” and then something very obvious stopped it all from happening.

From @benjysarlin.bsky.social:

28.01.2026 17:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 315    ๐Ÿ” 69    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 15    ๐Ÿ“Œ 16
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Families in Maine scramble to halt ICEโ€™s transfer of detainees out of state Officials are quickly moving people theyโ€™ve apprehended out of state, making it difficult for loved ones to reach them

Family members have been scrambling to learn the whereabouts of more than 200 people arrested during an immigration crackdown that's swept across Maine.

โ€œ#ICE came with the machinery in place to get people out of here as soon as possible."

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

28.01.2026 16:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 58    ๐Ÿ” 48    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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@dropsitenews.com first reported on the robust surveillance architecture embedded in these plans, including biometric data collection and security checkpoints to enter or exit the compound.

The documents do not say who will oversee the โ€œvettingโ€ of prospective Palestinian residents.

Take a look/

23.01.2026 19:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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United Arab Emirates plans to bankroll first โ€˜planned communityโ€™ in south Gaza Exclusive: Blueprints describe a โ€˜case studyโ€™ community where residents submit biometric data to gain entry

SCOOP: UAE plans to bankroll the first โ€œplanned communityโ€ in Gaza.

Blueprints describe a โ€˜case studyโ€™ community where Palestinians submit biometric data to gain entry.

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

23.01.2026 19:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 15    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
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Previously secret memo gave legal basis for U.S. mission to nab Maduro The administration releases a redacted version of a previously secret memo that gave the legal basis for the U.S. mission to arrest Venezuelaโ€™s Nicolรกs Maduro.

Pleased to speak with @johnphudson.bsky.social about the OLC opinion blessing the invasion of Venezuela.

โ€œThis view that international law and the U.N. Charter doesnโ€™t bind the U.S. president is very significant and very dangerous.โ€

www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

14.01.2026 02:45 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 44    ๐Ÿ” 20    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Dozens of artists call for end to Israelโ€™s โ€˜systematic attacksโ€™ on Gaza hospitals Actors, doctors and human rights leaders sign letter calling for restoration of medical care to โ€˜collapsedโ€™ system

Exclusive: Dozens of artists, including @markruffalo.bsky.social @ilanaglazer.com have joined doctors and rights orgs to call for the restoration of medical care in #Gaza in a letter addressed to Israel and world leaders.

It goes to UK, EU parliament this week.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

12.01.2026 17:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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โ€˜Theyโ€™re trying to get rich off itโ€™: US contractors vie to rebuild Gaza, with โ€˜Alligator Alcatrazโ€™ team in the lead Exclusive: group behind notorious Florida immigration detention center created bid for reconstruction deal

everything evil in our world comes down to this bullshit... everything.๐Ÿ‘‡

'Theyโ€™re trying to get rich off itโ€™: US contractors vie to rebuild Gaza, with โ€˜Alligator Alcatrazโ€™ team in the lead

(important reporting from @catebrown.bsky.social and aram roston)

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

14.12.2025 18:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Israel's war on Hamas has expanded to the Gulf.
Here's a breakdown of their strikes across the region since Oct. 7, w/
@nihamasih.bsky.social

--> wapo.st/4m9I4Ac

10.09.2025 13:23 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Gaza postwar plan envisions โ€˜voluntaryโ€™ relocation of entire population President Donald Trump and international partners are discussing plans to build a โ€œRiviera of the Middle Eastโ€ on the rubble of Gaza. One would establish U.S. control and pay Palestinians to leave.

My latest with Karen DeYoung on a postwar plan for #Gaza circulating within the Trump administration.

The fantastical scheme plays to Trump's January assessment: "Itโ€™s like a massive demolition site... It's got to be rebuilt in a different way."

No paywall, docs linked: wapo.st/4g2eATo

31.08.2025 13:35 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Another person, Abu Mohamed, said he was staying in a partially destroyed house in Khan Younis, "but we could renovate... I refuse to go to another country, Muslim or not. This is my homeland."

@adhaque.bsky.social told me that a "voluntary" scheme would not relieve Israel of its legal obligations.

31.08.2025 13:33 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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I asked a few Palestinians if they would accept $5,000 cash to move abroad.

"Those places are not that different from Gaza. People will suffer, just in a different way," said Mohammed, a 42-year old father speaking over WhatsApp from Gaza City.

31.08.2025 13:28 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 8    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Israel, Netanyahu has said, is โ€œtalking to several countriesโ€ about taking relocated Gazans.

Libya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Indonesia and Somaliland have been mentioned as potential hosts. Last week, Israel pledged $$ to assist in South Sudan's cholera outbreak...

31.08.2025 13:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Certain things could cut costs for the investment scheme, dubbed the GREAT Trust, like debt-financing or increasing "the number of Gazans who volunteer to leave."

It proposes paying Palestinians $5,000 cash to leave, plus a 4-year housing and food stipend. Every departure could save investors $23k.

31.08.2025 13:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Planners suggested giving people digital tokens in exchange for the rights to develop their land.

Gazans would be able to "redeem" the blockchain asset to finance their lives elsewhere or to redeem a future apartment in one of 6-8 planned cities in Gaza, plans said.

31.08.2025 13:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0