Michael Feinberg

That said, Patel is not even fit to be mentioned in the same breath as anyone who actually earned his or her FBI badge, or who was as prescient and dedicated to his country as O’Neill.

This could very easily get into a niche debate, but counting a few of his subordinates and people who worked with him as friends, I’m pretty sure that his leave-taking had to with larger issues than whether his suits were double-breasted…

Good morning. Wake up and fight.

FBI investigating Minnesota Signal groups tracking ICE, Patel says The statement from FBI Director Kash Patel comes after right-wing media figures said they joined the chats and claimed participants were obstructing law enforcement.

I would like to know how my prior colleagues, who have chosen to pursue leadership positions under this charlatan, justify ordering agents to break their oaths of office and open investigations on people simply for exercising their legal rights.

Good luck gazing in the mirror when this is all over.

How Bad Are A.I. Delusions? We Asked People Treating Them.

Let’s add “inducing psychosis” to the list made up of “encouraging teen suicide,” “enabling revenge porn,” and “stealing from writers.” Maybe, just maybe, we should not rush headlong into embracing this technology…

I think it would be more a question of internal policy than law, just based on past practices. But don’t take it to mean that there’s not robust psychological resources available if needed; there are. And whether or not admin leave is offered should not affect the course of a post-incident inquiry.

All that said, no supervisor would deny a request for leave — at least no decent one would — but it’s not always mandatory.

Also, there aren’t *that* many of us, and just because there is a shooting on Investigation A doesn’t mean you can afford a few days away from Investigations B and C.

For one, we’re exposed to violence somewhat regularly — depending on what violations we’re assigned — and train do the possibility of being shot or shooting from pretty much day one. That gives a certain amount of inoculation to the psychic cost. It doesn’t eliminate it, but it does mitigate it.

Of course. First, I’m not sure it is standard in local departments. I’m not aware of anywhere that would have that data, and it may just be a fictional trope. But there’s two main reasons we never had that policy.

I’m not defending this policy, or criticizing it; there are legitimate arguments both ways. I’m simply noting it so that those of us vehemently opposed to ICE’s tactics don’t sound like idiots when we argue with their supporters.

I’ve seen myriad posts arguing how abnormal it is for the DHS shooters not be on administrative leave post-incident; it’s actually not out of the ordinary at many federal agencies. We should absolutely be confounded and angered at how these shootings are being handled, but not because of this fact.

A thread of MAGA protesting with guns and not getting murdered for it...

Arizona, November 2020

Justice Connection - A Lifeline for DOJ Employees Justice Connection is a network of Justice Department alumni mobilizing to protect DOJ employees, the institution, and the rule of law. Join us today.

There is, actually; www.thejusticeconnection.org has been doing yeoman’s work on these issues.

Regardless of where you sit in terms of views on law enforcement and national security, the massive loss of state capacity in *every* field of government responsibilities is going to take decades to rebuild. This self-immolation of a country’s power and abilities really is unprecedented.

Kash Patel’s FBI Is Making America Less Safe, Current and Former Employees Say Forty-five current and former employees on the changes they say are undermining the agency and making America less safe.

It’s worth noting that the overwhelming majority of former FBI agents and analysts, regardless of their political leanings, are unanimous in believing that Patel and Bongino have functionally destroyed the FBI’s ability to protect everyday citizens from those who would prey upon them.

I know I make this point enough that it may be getting tiresome, but the point of an oath of office should not be forgotten, regardless of how many supposed leaders act otherwise.

Before and After the Trigger Press That Killed Renee Good Regardless of whether deadly force was legally justified, Renee Nicole Good’s death was preventable.

"[E]ven if Ross’s deadly force was justified in the moment he fired his weapon, what much of the nation has now seen was not professionalized or situationally appropriate law enforcement. It was a series of incredibly bad choices leading to an unnecessary death," writes @michael-feinberg.bsky.social

Hard Feelings From a psychotherapist and the New York Times bestselling author of Monkey Mind, a thoughtful, deeply personal exploration of our most difficult em...

I read multiple drafts of this as it was being written, and cannot recommend it enough; given recent events, it could not be a more salient guide to many of the emotions we are feeling every day now.

We posted a lot of incisive analysis this week about our present crises.

There has literally never been a moment where speaking Mandarin has made me feel like anything other than an idiot.

I’m glad to have lended my name and story to this filing in support of an apolitical civil service, but I really do wish it hadn’t been necessary.

Lawfare Live: Trials of the Trump Administration, Jan. 16 On Jan. 16 at 4 pm ET, Lawfare Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes will sit down with Lawfare Senior Editors Anna Bower, Roger Parloff, Molly Roberts, and Michae...

In 1 hour, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, @mollyroberts.bsky.social, and @michael-feinberg.bsky.social will discuss the investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, the ongoing politicization of the Justice Department, and more.

The Complete Plugged Nickel Live 1965 - 10 LP Box Set The most requested Miles Davis reissue arrives for his centennial in spectacular style. What began as a holiday residency at Chicago’s Plugged Nickel Café became the crucible where the Second Great Qu...

One of the greatest live jazz recordings, ever — out of print for at least the past decade or so — is being released on vinyl for the first time ever at the end of this month.

I have a morbid sense of humor, so I’ve been reading him a lot of Edward Gorey and Hillaire Belloc. I’m also counting down the days until he’s old enough that we can start “The Once and Future King,” which is one of the most humane, wise books for youngsters ever penned.

I don’t disagree with much of @jvl.bsky.social's analysis in this piece, but I’d point out that American soldiers, on the whole, conducted themselves with more professionalism and respect for the populace of Iraq and Afghanistan than ICE has shown in Minneapolis.

I wrote this piece with some hesitation; I did not want readers to assume I hold certain negative views about law enforcement in general. I wore my own badge with pride. But ICE’s behavior is so far beyond the pale that those of us with experience have a moral duty to decry its actions.

Anyone who has seen the video for “Human Behavior” knows that Björk’s powers over the natural world are not something at which to scoff.

And the only stores that will carry it are the sort of places at which one can buy ascots and homburg hats.

I wrote this piece with some hesitation; I did not want readers to assume I hold certain negative views about law enforcement in general. I wore my own badge with pride. But ICE’s behavior is so far beyond the pale that those of us with experience have a moral duty to decry its actions.