David Laufman

CBS Canceling ‘Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ After Next Season

History repeats itself: I’m old enough to remember when CBS terminated the highly rated Smothers Brothers show over its comedic criticism of the Nixon Administration. But good luck trying to suppress political speech: it has a knack for finding an outlet.

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/b...

Proud to join my former Justice Department colleagues in signing this letter expressing concern over the nomination of Emil Bove to serve on the Third Circuit.

More Than 900 Former Justice Department Attorneys Express Alarm Over Emil Bove’s Third Circuit Nomination

Justice Connection sent a letter signed by 900+ former DOJ attorneys urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to rigorously examine Emil Bove’s assault on the department and rule of law before voting on a lifetime judicial appointment.

Our full letter: bit.ly/3Ul58Ac

I’m unaware of any other time when large numbers of judges (retired) publicly opposed a nominee for the federal bench. But this is what it is going to take.

Our government shouldn't be able to consign people to conditions in a foreign country that would be constitutional violations, and criminal too, here.

Trump’s pick to lead whistleblower office shared 9/11 truther video | CNN Politics He’s 30, loyal to Trump and pushed election lies. It’s a role designed to be politically independent.

Whistleblowing is critical to exposing gov’t abuses, and OSC has been a safe, nonpartisan venue for gov’t employees to file complaints. But if Trump’s nomination of an unqualified political extremist to head OSC succeeds, whistleblowers will be afraid to come forward.

amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/07/...

Trump suggests he could demand journalists reveal source of Iran intel leak After preliminary intelligence reports countered Trump’s claim that U.S. strikes “obliterated” Iran nuclear sites, he said the leakers should be found and prosecuted.

Leak investigations might soon become more aggressive, as Trump indicates the government may demand source information directly from journalists.

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Dalai Lama lays out succession plan, denying Chinese efforts at control The Tibetan Buddhist leader, who turns 90 on Sunday, appears concerned that Beijing will sweep in after his death to install the next Dalai Lama.

“China’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday repeated its position that the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation must be approved by the central government in Beijing.”

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Classified briefing on impact of Iran strikes leaves senators split On Thursday, four Trump administration officials briefed senators on the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Lawmakers emerged divided.

“This administration wants to ensure that classified intelligence is not ending up in irresponsible hands and that people who have the privilege of viewing this top-secret classified information are being responsible with it.”

Couldn’t agree more….

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Justice Dept. Leader Suggested Violating Court Orders, Whistle-Blower Says

If the Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility was permitted to perform its duties, these allegations regarding DOJ official Emil Bove almost certainly would have prompted an investigation.

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/u...

Erez Reuveni’s whistleblower disclosure alleges Emil Bove’s involvement in a campaign to defy federal court orders and lie to the court. The Senate must oppose Bove's nomination to a lifetime appointment to the Third Circuit.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia back in US to face charges of helping traffic 'thousands' of migrants Mistakenly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia is back in the United States to face charges of transporting undocumented migrants within the U.S.

When a federal prosecutor resigns like this, it sure sounds like a public official faithful to his oath and the historical norms and policies of the Department of Justice.

abcnews.go.com/US/mistakenl...

The AUSA who resigned in Nashville, Ben Schrader, is a 15 year veteran of the office. Something really really really stinks here.

81 years ago, US Army Air Corps Lt. Herbert Laufman, lead bombardier & navigator on a B-26 Martin Marauder, flew an early morning bombing mission against German coastal defenses at Utah Beach. Later, he returned to bomb a panzer division advancing to repel the Allied landing. Forever proud, Dad.

Trump administration to prioritize ‘patriotic Americans’ for federal jobs Applicants for government jobs will be required to write essays explaining how they will advance President Donald Trump’s policy priorities.

The new "loyalty" test for career hires abandons merit-based hiring that protects our justice system's integrity.

Replacing apolitical civil servants with loyalists means prosecutorial decisions may be driven by partisan loyalty, not facts and law.

We just launched the Justice Connection Legal Network, which provides pro bono representation to current and recent DOJ employees facing adverse employment actions and investigations related to their work with the department.

Learn more: bit.ly/4jwyohK

Trump directs DOJ, White House counsel to investigate Biden’s mental state in office The move by the White House represents a significant escalation, as it is a directive to the Justice Department to formally investigate.

Just so we’re clear: DOJ is not the president’s law firm.

Critically important pro bono legal services for Justice Department employees will now be available through @justiceconnection.bsky.social. Now is the time, my fellow lawyers, to come to aid of these dedicated public servants.

A Death in the Family We must instill within our society a deeper, sustainable recognition of the true costs of war and the price of service -- and to promote a genuine feeling and broader community of shared sacrifice.

On this Memorial Day, we commemorate all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who gave their lives in the service of our country. Today, I particularly remember the 7 Marines tragically killed in a live-fire training incident in Nevada in 2013. 🇺🇸

www.huffpost.com/entry/post_b...

For anyone who has served in government or other public service — and anyone thinking about it — this commencement speech by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell could not be more eloquent, or timely.

www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...

GOP won’t install Jan. 6 plaque honoring law enforcement, Democrats say More than three years after it was approved by Congress, a plaque honoring members of law enforcement for defending the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is instead sitting in a Capitol basement utility room.

House Speaker Johnson too cowardly to install a congressionally mandated plaque honoring law enforcement officers who defended the US Capitol on Jan. 6. “Back the blue?” What a disgrace.

www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...

Today my legal team filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction to nullify Trump Administration's revocation of my security clearance & reinstate my eligibility. The effort is supported by expert declaration & demonstrates unconstitutional action.

Govt has 7 days to respond. Hearing within 21 days.

The Rule of Law Strikes Back

preakness winner The winner of the 2025 Preakness Stakes is Journalism!This story will be updated.

A horse for our times: “Journalism” wins the Preakness! 🐎

foxbaltimore.com/sports/sport...

Trump Is to Accept a Luxury 747 From Qatar for Use as Air Force One

Aside from the obvious law violation here, it will take the US gov’t months to dismantle this plane and try to find all the embedded bugs and trackers: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/11/u...

Opinion | How Will We Know When We Have Lost Our Democracy?

“Appeasement, as Churchill warned, is like feeding a crocodile and hoping to be the last one eaten.”

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/o...

Trump admin being sued by whistleblower attorney for revoking security clearance The Trump administration is facing a new lawsuit this morning. Longtime national security lawyer Mark Zaid is suing the administration for revoking his security clearance. Zaid and his personal attorn...

My interview this morning on @msnbc.com

www.msnbc.com/ana-cabrera-...

Howell drips with disdain for the firms who capitulated to the White House and says of those who resisted "will be the models lauded when this period of American history is written." ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...