Michael Ledbetter

a tree branch is hanging over a sandy beach with the ocean in the background ALT: a tree branch is hanging over a sandy beach with the ocean in the background

Editorial: #Florida sells itself as a paradise of crystal blue springs, shimmering lakes and beaches that draw millions of visitors each year. But behind the palm tree postcards, there is a harsher truth: 900,000A of FL lakes are too polluted for safe swimming. themiamihurricane.com/2025/10/28/w...

Pinellas sheriff fires 5 jail deputies in 2 separate inmate abuse cases One case involved four deputies who ridiculed a woman as she struggled to urinate while handcuffed. Another deputy sprayed an inmate with Lysol.

#Florida sheriff fires 5 jail deputies in 2 separate inmate abuse cases www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2... via @tampabaytimes.bsky.social

"The Indictment Signer:" Lindsey Halligan's Time in the Grand Jury - emptywheel The Judge who'll preside over Jim Comey and Tish James' challenges to Lindsey Halligan's appointment, Judge Cameron McGowen Currie, just ordered that the government provide her with all the grand jury...

Reup: Yesterday, the judge presiding over Jim Comey and Tish James' motions to DQ Lindsey Halligan asked for the grand jury transcripts in both cases.

Ut oh, Lindsey!

www.emptywheel.net/2025/10/28/t...

Hey, Josh. Stand up or take a seat. Take several seats.

Petition for Writ of Mandamus – #1, Att. #1 in Kristi Noem v. Sara L. Ellis (7th Cir., 25-2936) – CourtListener.com Petition for Writ of Mandamus filed. U.S. Appeal. [1] [7483876] [25-2936] (HTP) [Entered: 10/29/2025 01:37 PM]

Govt has filed a mandamus petition with the 7th Circuit, along with an emergency petition for a stay & administrative stay, seeking to halt Judge Ellis's order yesterday that CBP chief Bovino come to court daily at 5:45pm to report on his use of force.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

indictment – #1 in United States v. Rabbitt (N.D. Ill., 1:25-cr-00693) – CourtListener.com INDICTMENT as to Michael Rabbitt (1) count(s) 1, 2, Katherine Marie Abughazaleh (2) count(s) 1, 3, Andre Martin (3) count(s) 1, 4, Catherine Sharp (4) count(s) 1, 5, Brian Straw (5) count(s) 1, 6, Jos...

This indictment of @katmabu.bsky.social and five other protesters is the most ridiculous thing I’ve read (this week), and I imagine it will be laughed out of (lower) court. They’re being charged with the conspiracy of slowing down an ICE vehicle. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

DOJ Puts Prosecutors On Leave For Accurately Describing Jan. 6 Attack Read more here.

🚨BREAKING: The Department of Justice (DOJ) this week placed two federal prosecutors on leave after they wrote in a court filing that on Jan. 6, 2021, “thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol,” a source familiar with the personnel moves told Democracy Docket.

Amazon just announced 14,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $40M last year.

UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.

Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.

This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.

'You betrayed us': Manatee County residents beg for repeal of Florida planning restriction law • Florida Phoenix BRADENTON — State lawmakers representing Manatee County heard harsh criticism on Monday regarding a law that critics maintain blocks local governments from regulating development now and for years to ...

#Florida lawmakers representing Manatee County heard harsh criticism on Monday regarding a law that blocks local governments from regulating development now and for years to come: "You betrayed us!" floridaphoenix.com/2025/10/27/y... via @mitchperry.bsky.social

3 reasons Judge Crenshaw required govt to let him review “privileged” documents relevant to Abrego Garcia’s vindictive prosecution claim.
(1) It’s not just the prosecutor’s state of mind that matters: “Cases do not magically appear on the desks of prosecutors.”
1/3

Lawyers allege cover-up after fed shoots at man during D.C. traffic stop Neither D.C. police nor the Department of Homeland Security have explained why the Homeland Security agent fired his weapon.

BREAKING: A Department of Homeland Security officer shot at an unarmed black man during a traffic stop in DC, and the DC police officer said he was told by superiors not to mention the shooting in his incident report. 1/ www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Sara L. Ellis: There will not be remote access for the hearing scheduled for October 28, 2025, pursuant to Judicial Conference policy, because the Court anticipates live testimony. The courtroom will be open to the public, and an overflow courtroom will be available for additional seating. Emailed notice (rj, ) (Entered: 10/27/2025)

NEW:

A federal judge "anticipates live testimony" at Tuesday's hearing about the enforcement of her order barring excessive force by federal agents in Chicago.

She previously ordered Border Patrol sector chief Greg Bovino in court. www.allrisenews.com/p/greg-bovin...

Trump ‘would love’ unconstitutional third term but rules out running for VP Presidents are constitutionally limited to two elected terms but some had suggested unorthodox gambit to stay in office

I cannot express how angry I will be if anyone anywhere in the world acts surprised when Trump declares himself eligible for a third and illegal presidential term by either invoking the Insurrection Act, declaring martial law, or simply declaring himself eligible to run and daring SCOTUS to stop him

C. Defense Discovers Z.C.’s Criminal History On October 23, 2025, while preparing for trial in this matter, defense counsel learned that Z.C. has criminal history that includes at least: • Harassment - subjecting a person to physical contact, in violation of Pennsylvania Statute § 18.2709(a)(1), convicted on June 17, 2021; • Disorderly conduct, in violation of Florida Statute § 509.143, arrested on August 31, 2014; and • Driving under the influence, in violation of Florida Statute § 316193(1), convicted on November 4, 2013. Exhibits H, I, filed under seal. These records were obtained through independent defense investigation. Of note, the defense does not have access to law enforcement databases and thus cannot confirm whether this is Z.C.’s complete criminal history or whether there is additional relevant information about these or any other arrests or convictions. D. Defense Contacts the USAO With Its Findings. The USAO States It Was Not Aware of Z.C.’s Assault History. On October 26, 2025, after further research and internal discussion, defense counsel contacted government counsel regarding its findings. Government counsel requested a few hours to investigate and respond. Later that evening, the parties conferred by telephone. Government counsel indicated that it was not previously aware of Z.C.’s 2021 conviction for assault. The government had asked Z.C. about his prior convictions in interviews. The government was only aware of Z.C.’s 2014 arrest for disorderly conduct and his 2013 conviction for driving under the influence. In addition, government counsel stated that it had not conducted an independent Henthorn review of Z.C., but had relied on the word and responsiveness of another agency (FPS) to conduct a Henthorn review of Z.C.’s personnel file.

Ashleigh Brown, charged w/assault in one case in LA and doxing in another, just discovered the FPS officer she allegedly assaulted has a criminal history, including a 2021 assault. DOJ did not disclose it to her.

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Mike Johnson is still refusing to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva. She was elected more than a month ago.

Trump Administration Buries Legal Memo Suggesting It Could Pay November Food Benefits The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the food program, says its hands are tied by the shutdown.

www.huffpost.com/entry/govern...

They aren’t elected to govern. They are elected to do the bidding of their donors.

Govt's newest designation notice, averring that it intends to send Abrego to Liberia as soon as 10/31, is here:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
/3

Abrego's attys protest that the new designation comes 2 weeks after a 10/10 hearing on whether to release Abrego due to govt's sluggish/chimerical efforts to remove him to Uganda, Eswatini & Ghana. Abrego's motion is here:
/2
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

At 2pm Judge Xinis is holding a 'virtual' hearing on govt's new stated plan of sending Abrego Garcia to Liberia by 10/31. Abrego says it's too late to switch again & govt must 1st try Costa Rica (already offered, but only if he'd plead guilty). I'll try to live blog here for @lawfaremedia.org .
/1

Not in Florida.
December, 2024, club price for 43.1 oz Maxwell House was $10.89. October, 2025, price is $18.99.

Approval of Congress:

All: 15%

18-34 Year Olds: 14%
35-54 Year Olds: 16%
55+ Year Olds: 15%

Gallup / Oct 16, 2025

“Go get a real job” is quickly becoming the popular refrain for dealing with these losers