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Tal Kopan

@talkopan.bsky.social

Deputy D.C. Bureau Chief, @BostonGlobe tal.kopan@globe.com Tal rhymes with fall, not pal. Signal: https://tinyurl.com/3ex3wshr / TalKopan.01

6,044 Followers  |  322 Following  |  298 Posts  |  Joined: 12.05.2023  |  1.6484

Latest posts by talkopan.bsky.social on Bluesky

As explained further below, however, your status as an inferior officer under Article II of the Constitution renders you an “at-will” employee, and your removal is beyond the purview of Title VII. Regarding your client’s claim that her employment as an Immigration Judge was terminated, this decision was a lawful exercise of the Attorney General’s authority under Article II of the Constitution. Article II of the Constitution allows the President and heads of departments exercising his power to remove inferior officers without cause, subject to only narrow exceptions that do not apply to your former position. No statute provides otherwise, and even if it did, the statute would run afoul of Article II.

As explained further below, however, your status as an inferior officer under Article II of the Constitution renders you an “at-will” employee, and your removal is beyond the purview of Title VII. Regarding your client’s claim that her employment as an Immigration Judge was terminated, this decision was a lawful exercise of the Attorney General’s authority under Article II of the Constitution. Article II of the Constitution allows the President and heads of departments exercising his power to remove inferior officers without cause, subject to only narrow exceptions that do not apply to your former position. No statute provides otherwise, and even if it did, the statute would run afoul of Article II.

DOJ says immigration judges, as "inferior officers," may be fired on the basis of sex, religion, race, or national origin. Leaving aside the law, it's *politically* remarkable they're taking this position.
washingtonlitigationgroup.org/news/former-...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

01.12.2025 18:40 — 👍 993    🔁 386    💬 35    📌 30
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Republicans passed $50b for hospitals to offset their painful Medicaid cuts. MAHA has seized it as an opportunity. - The Boston Globe Although they welcomed the relief, even supporters acknowledged the money would not be enough to completely compensate for the breadth of cuts coming to Medicaid.

When Republicans were struggling to pass the OBBB, they included $50B to help (minimally) offset the likely damage to rural hospitals.
But the funds have rolled out with an unexpected MAHA flavor.
My story:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/24/n...

24.11.2025 14:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Republicans passed $50B for hospitals to offset their painful Medicaid cuts. MAHA has seized it as an opportunity. - The Boston Globe Although they welcomed the relief, even supporters acknowledged the money would not be enough to completely compensate for the breadth of cuts coming to Medicaid.

New story from me this morning:
Republicans passed $50B for hospitals to offset their painful Medicaid cuts. MAHA has seized it as an opportunity.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/24/n...

24.11.2025 13:22 — 👍 4    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 0
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The Trump immigration crackdown has been coming with force — and a catchy name - The Boston Globe The names, which play on city and state nicknames or cultural histories, belie the aggressive nature of the enforcement.

The Trump immigration crackdown has been coming with force — and a catchy name
My story:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/22/n...

22.11.2025 18:58 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 3    📌 0
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Lexington man exposes school district for intentionally overestimating costs of public records - The Boston Globe “Hopefully, when I let them know the cost, they will not want to do it," an official wrote in an email.

A Massachusetts parent caught his public school district intentionally estimating exorbitant fees for public records requests to dissuade people from making them:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/20/m...

20.11.2025 13:28 — 👍 4    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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‘Could be the first domino’: Greene surviving her blowup with Trump may be a hint of MAGA’s possible future - The Boston Globe Chatter is swirling around the future of the lightning-rod Georgia congresswoman, but some believe she has her eye on shaping the GOP's post-Trump era.

‘Could be the first domino’: Greene surviving her blowup with Trump may be a hint of MAGA’s possible future
by @sambrodey.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/20/n...

20.11.2025 13:19 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
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With enhanced health care subsidies set to expire, Trump again wants to replace Obamacare. He still doesn’t have a plan. - The Boston Globe The inability of Republicans to produce a comprehensive proposal further complicates the effort to address the subsidies before they expire on Dec. 31.

The year is 2010. Republicans oppose Obamacare, but have not offered up a comprehensive alternative.
The year is 2017. Republicans oppose Obamacare, but can't articulate a clear alternative.
The year is 2025 ...

Story from @jimpuzzanghera.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/17/n...

17.11.2025 14:45 — 👍 45    🔁 15    💬 4    📌 0
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Trump can’t make Epstein go away. A statue of the two in Washington, D.C., won’t scram either. - The Boston Globe A sculpture of the two men, much like the political controversy surrounding their relationship, refuses to die.

Trump can’t make Epstein go away. A statue of the two in Washington, D.C., won’t scram either.
by Julian Sorapuru
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/14/n...

14.11.2025 14:21 — 👍 10    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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BU student says he called ICE ‘for months’ prior to Allston Car Wash raid - The Boston Globe “This week they finally responded to my request,” Zac Segal wrote on Nov. 8. “As someone who lives in the neighborhood, I’ve seen how American jobs are being given away to those with no right to be he...

The president of the Boston University College Republicans says he called ICE ‘for months’ prior to Allston Car Wash raid
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/13/m...

13.11.2025 17:15 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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House members return to Washington and end the shutdown — but the partisan animosity rages on - The Boston Globe Democrats and Republicans still must try to address expiring healthcare subsidies and a new Jan. 30 funding deadline.

House members return to Washington and end the shutdown — but the partisan animosity rages on
from @jimpuzzanghera.bsky.social & Julian Sorapuru
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/12/n...

13.11.2025 14:29 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
Inside the Sandwich Guy’s Jury Deliberations Can a flung sandwich cause bodily harm?

"On the first question, several jury members struggled to stifle laughter as Lairmore expanded on the hoagie’s alleged explosive properties. 'It was like, Oh, you poor baby,' the juror told me." www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...

13.11.2025 14:22 — 👍 951    🔁 221    💬 16    📌 15
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Nancy Pelosi will retire after historic 20-term career in Congress Her departure, along with the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein in late 2023, marks the end of a historic chapter for female political leadership in California.

Her departure, along with the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein in late 2023, marks the end of a historic chapter for female political leadership in California.

06.11.2025 15:30 — 👍 32    🔁 5    💬 4    📌 3

Details here on how exit polling/poll of election voters! For the in-the-weeds details on methodology, see: ssrs.com/wp-content/u...

03.11.2025 18:14 — 👍 61    🔁 20    💬 8    📌 4
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Despite damaging revelations, Susan Collins challenger Graham Platner is resilient - The Boston Globe “Look, I know it’s a dirty game. I also know that I am trying to do politics in an extremely different way," Platner told the Globe.

After a series of damaging revelations about Graham Platner, @sambrodey.bsky.social went to Maine and found his campaign seemingly undiminished:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/03/n...

03.11.2025 14:17 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Post image

this is insane.

www.kivitv.com/canyon-count...

31.10.2025 18:50 — 👍 14635    🔁 5048    💬 784    📌 325
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‘I don’t know what I’m going to do’: How one Boston mom is bracing for SNAP cuts - The Boston Globe Soup kitchens and food pantries across the city report a drastic rise in demand as 1 million Mass. residents brace for SNAP cuts amid government shutdown.

‘I don’t know what I’m going to do’: How one Boston mom is bracing for SNAP cuts
@bostonglobe.com
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/31/m...

31.10.2025 16:17 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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As shutdown effects grow, so does pressure for a deal - The Boston Globe Some rank-and-file senators have been talking across the aisle about how to reach an agreement to reopen the government.

As shutdown effects grow, so does pressure for a deal
with @jimpuzzanghera.bsky.social / Julian Sorapuru
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/31/n...

31.10.2025 13:59 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Sausalito just sent every voter a mailer criticizing this Chronicle column. Here’s what the city got wrong OPINION: Instead of confronting the unpopularity of their housing decisions, Sausalito officials decided to blame the Chronicle, columnist Emily Hoeven writes.

The city of Sausalito sent out an official mailer to voters using city funds to counter a column in the @sfchronicle.com
www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/emil...

30.10.2025 14:07 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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What happens when an election skeptic runs elections? In this California county, they’re finding out Limiting voting options, promoting secessionists and hiring elections deniers — Clint Curtis is causing a stir as Shasta County’s new registrar.

What happens when an election skeptic runs elections? In this California county, they’re finding out
from @sfchronicle.com
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

30.10.2025 13:59 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Florida’s Public Universities Should No Longer Hire Foreign Employees, DeSantis Says The Republican governor’s directive on H-1B visas comes as President Trump has initiated his policy of charging employers a new $100,000 fee to hire people from outside the United States.

Florida's governor is telling public universities to stop hiring anyone on a H-1B visa. Expect other red states to follow suit.

29.10.2025 23:06 — 👍 108    🔁 68    💬 34    📌 63
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Californians will soon vote on a ballot initiative that could boost Democratic midterm hopes - The Boston Globe California Democrats believe Prop. 50 is their best chance yet to show the rest of the country that the resistance to Trump has, finally, gotten some teeth.

It's a redistricting fight, yes, but California Democrats also believe Prop. 50 has become their best chance yet to show the rest of the country that the resistance to Trump has, finally, gotten some teeth.
from @sambrodey.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/30/n...

30.10.2025 13:39 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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The DEA said it arrested 171 ‘high ranking’ Sinaloa Cartel members. A Spotlight investigation found that’s not true. - The Boston Globe A Globe investigation found that the federal agency misrepresented the stature of its targets, claiming cartel ties at a time when the Trump administration is taking lethal military action against suc...

“I can guarantee that he’s not part of the Sinaloa Cartel,” Scott Alati said of his son, Tyler ... “He isn’t a high-ranking member of anything. He’s high-ranking dumb.”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/29/m...

29.10.2025 15:15 — 👍 44    🔁 15    💬 2    📌 2
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The DEA said it arrested 171 ‘high ranking’ Sinaloa Cartel members. A Spotlight investigation found that’s not true. - The Boston Globe A Globe investigation found that the federal agency misrepresented the stature of its targets, claiming cartel ties at a time when the Trump administration is taking lethal military action against suc...

The DEA said it arrested 171 ‘high ranking’ Sinaloa Cartel members. A Spotlight investigation found that’s not true.
from @globespotlight.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/29/m...

29.10.2025 15:14 — 👍 11    🔁 5    💬 1    📌 0
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Healey’s Western Mass aide arrested, police say cocaine was sent to Springfield state office - The Boston Globe A Springfield-based aide to Governor Maura Healey was arrested after authorities said police seized eight kilograms of cocaine that were slated to be delivered over the weekend to the state building w...

Lede of the day: "A Springfield-based aide to Governor Maura Healey was arrested after ... police seized eight kilograms of cocaine that were slated to be delivered over the weekend to a state building downtown, where he worked."
by @samanthajgross.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/29/m...

29.10.2025 15:11 — 👍 5    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

If you know who is driving it, send me a message via the methods in my profile!

29.10.2025 15:01 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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From Reno to D.C., RFK Jr.’s 2024 campaign bus is on a cross-country tour. But who’s behind the wheel? - The Boston Globe The bus — actually a used converted RV — was purchased in Florida in 2023 for roughly $191,000.

In 2023, RFK Jr.'s presidential campaign purchased a used RV and converted it into a campaign bus.
In March 2025, they sold it to a Kennedy-supporting advocacy group.
That group says they no longer own it.
But someone is driving it around. My story:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/29/n...

29.10.2025 15:00 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Who’s driving RFK Jr.’s 2024 campaign bus all over the country? - The Boston Globe The bus — actually a used converted RV — was purchased in Florida in 2023 for roughly $191,000.

The RFK Jr. campaign is long gone ….but the bus lives and is roaming the country. @talkopan.bsky.social
delves into who is driving the bus?

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/29/n...

29.10.2025 13:21 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Who’s driving RFK Jr.’s 2024 campaign bus all over the country? - The Boston Globe The bus — actually a used converted RV — was purchased in Florida in 2023 for roughly $191,000.

RFK Jr’s 2024 campaign bus has been busy. It was in California. Then it went to Burning Man. It was in Reno. It popped up in DC, where it was last spotted.
So who is driving it?
Kennedy spokespeople say it’s not them.
I dug into the trail of clues:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/29/n...

29.10.2025 13:00 — 👍 11    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 1
Preview
Who’s driving RFK Jr.’s 2024 campaign bus all over the country? - The Boston Globe The bus — actually a used converted RV — was purchased in Florida in 2023 for roughly $191,000.

Who’s driving RFK Jr.’s 2024 campaign bus all over the country?
Kennedy’s orbit say they don’t know.
I did some digging on the bus that recently popped up in DC:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/29/n...

29.10.2025 10:25 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

@talkopan is following 20 prominent accounts