1/THREAD - Defend Democracy Against MAGA Lawsuits

We (@JohnPhillips/@BradMossEsq) are now rep'ing Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) who has been sued for defamation by President Trump's 1st National Security Advisor #MichaelFlynn.

Please rt this widely to help.

gofundme.com/f/defend-democ… 2/Enforcement of the rule of law is an important and valuable principle in our Democracy. Unfortunately, the law can be abused as a weapon to try and intimidate those who stand up against government corruption and misconduct.

1/Thread abt #Grenell lawsuit against @OliviaTroye.

Today we (#TomCraig, @TMCv63, @fhhfirm) were scheduled to depose fmr Acting @ODNIgov & US Amb to Germany #RickGrenell as part of his defamation lawsuit against our GOP client #Troye.

We were there. He did not show. 2/Background info abt #Grenell’s litigation, which was filed almost year ago, can be found in this previous thread:

https://twitter.com/MarkSZaidEsq/status/1564617997221863435

1/THREAD ON CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION INTO FBI WHISTLEBLOWER ALLEGATIONS

Both DEMS & media need to stop describing individuals as "alleged", "self-styled" or other challenging term re: #whistleblower status.

They meet definition of being #WBer.

cnn.com/2023/05/18/pol… 2/If individuals made protected disclosure to supervisor in employee’s direct chain of command, an OIG or appropriate congressional committee or its members, they are protected #whistleblowers.

Doesn't mean they are credible or accurate, but attacking status undermines system.

1/TICKET FOR FLASHING HEADLIGHTS, SERIOUSLY?

I will be appearing in Montgomery County Maryland District Court Monday afternoon to represent driver ticketed by @MDSP for flashing headlights at car that dangerously cut them off.

Interesting news story! @wamu885 @WTOP @semelm 2/I've been down this route before. In 2009, I was ticketed for flashing my headlights at Montgomery County speed trap. I challenged ticket as being unconstitutional & lawful.

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content…

NEWS ALERT: @MarkSZaidPC reps more than 2 doz federal #AHI victims & family members. Below is our statement in response to IC Assessment findings issued today.

We already have #FOIA litigation to compel release of report & @ODNIgov must update Court by March 20th. 2/Full statement reads:

"My firm represents more than two dozen federal AHI victims from within the Intelligence, Military, Law Enforcement and Diplomatic communities who experienced incidents domestically and overseas....

NEWS ALERT:

We just filed new fed lawsuit against #Trump & two criminal defs for wrongful death of @CapitolPolice Ofc #BrianSicknick arising from #January6th insurrection/coup attempt. #Accountability

Our legal team is: @PhilAndonianEsq @mattkaiser @noahbrozinsky @BradMossEsq Official media release:

1/Where is rest of #January6thReport?

Trump & his fellow insurrectionist leaders deserved condemnation & criminal referral for their actions/inactions that led to #January6th riots.

But we expected this Committee to evaluate everything that contributed to that undemocratic day.

https://twitter.com/January6thCmte/status/1606128090106642432

2/@January6thCmte had daunting task. Attacked relentlessly bc of politics. @HouseGOP declined involvement to its discredit. Two @GOP Members @RepLizCheney @RepKinzinger served to their credit & political downfall (short-term at least).

Entire effort should have been nonpartisan.

1/It is always positive when greater transparency occurs so citizenry can learn more abt our govt & history. I have worked to secure release of #JFKAssassination docs for 30+ yrs.

Reading these records is truly fascinating window into past. But no one should expect "smoking gun"

https://twitter.com/USNatArchives/status/1603483588619558919

2/What was released today provides researchers & historians fodder to conduct countless months of analysis. While nothing will move needle on what transpired on Nov 22, 1963, small nuggets will emerge to help put pieces of puzzle together so that time period is better understood.

Dec 21st will be 34 years. I remember day vividly & I've rep'd victims' families for nearly 30 years. I applaud US dedication to accountability but true justice will ultimately require US/UK to reveal all that it knows. Too many past opportunities missed. nyti.ms/3Br8Vmz Here is op-ed I penned for @thedailybeast for #PanAm103 30th anniversary.

thedailybeast.com/30-years-after…

1/I am saddened to learn of the death of my friend #DavidLifton (1939-2022) whose #JFKassassination book "Best Evidence" caused quite the stir when it was published in 1981. 2/David was the 1st JFK author I got to know almost 40 years ago when I called him out of the blue while still in HS. While I do not subscribe to David's theories, I always found him to be friendly and easy to get along with and we stayed in contact throughout all these years.

1/Newest book on what happened in #Benghazi, Libya in 2012 is now available. I rep'd its two @CIA authors through prepublication classification review process to ensure public can read this first-hand account.

amazon.com/Benghazi-Know-… 2/Also available on other platforms:

linktr.ee/benghazikte

#Benghazi #Libya #CIA

1/I applaud work of @January6thCmte & everything it has uncovered. Incredibly important effort & one that should - if powers permit - continue into next Congress.

But I have serious questions regarding whether it has pursued all possible leads/inquiries.

And media should ask. 2/According to March 4 report from @DHSOIG, @DHSgov Office of Intelligence & Analysis “identified specific threat information related to the events on Jan. 6, 2021, but did not issue any intelligence products about these threats until Jan. 8, 2021."

Well, what abt #JosephMaher?

1/NEWS DEVELOPMENT:

New #FirstAmendment lawsuit filed in federal court in DC today against @TheJusticeDept/@FBI challenging prepublication review classification delays & decisions re: “Because There Are Monsters” by former FBI Special Agent #HarrySamit, who served 1999-2020. 2/#Samit served as lead case agent on #ZacariasMoussaoui 9/11 terrorism investigation prior to & following attacks in NY, DC & PA.

His 852 page Manuscript has been undergoing review since April 2021. Less than half has been approved for publication.

famous-trials.com/moussaoui/1816….

1/Very worthwhile & interesting discussion of "Curious Fate of Citizen Snowden’s Archive" by long-time friend & oft media client @jeffersonmorley. Addresses issues many of us discuss all the time: where are Snowden's files & what should be done w/them?

spytalk.co/p/the-curious-… 2/In decade since Snowden's criminal acts (whether you agree w/his actions or not, no escaping they were criminal) to disclose NSA/Govt secrets, especially abt domestic surveillance program, it has been said only abt 10% of contents have been publicly revealed.

1/#RuleOfLaw is blind & sometimes not outcome we prefer. #WestfallAct immunity is tricky & harsh when applied. Lawsuit ends before it really begins.

Alas, I've been there before. Defamation case I handled against late Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa) is cited in decision.

https://twitter.com/ZoeTillman/status/1574764595289407488

2/We sued Cong. Murtha for defamatory statements against Marines accused of war crimes in Haditha, Iraq. His statements were proven false but Obama Administration invoked Westfall Act to cover Murtha's press comments.

At first we were allowed a deposition
rollcall.com/2007/10/26/law…

1/Why is @DeptofDefense about to destroy much needed substantive #securityclearance reform?

In four days reform ordered 18 months ago by @EzraACohen as Acting DoD Undersecretary for Intelligence & Security (in furtherance of 2011 orders by SECDEF Gates) is to be implemented.

https://twitter.com/MarkSZaidEsq/status/1353779610673152002

2/But apparently it won't be.

Instead, @DeptofDefense is poised to incorporate ordered changes into Trusted Workforce 2.0, which doesn't deal w/substantive due process & will effectively & intentionally kill the reform.

Why?

dcsa.mil/mc/pv/cv/

1/US Govt acknowledging #UFOs exist & Earth needs to be defended or reflection of sense of humor?

National Intelligence Manager for Aviation, part of @ODNIgov, integrates intel to safeguard global air community.

Seal on website caught my attention.

airdomainintelligence.mil 2/ Notice the unknown flying craft in lower left corner. Hmmmm.

1/THREAD - When #StarWars collectors go to the "Dark Side" & get sued

Few of us do not love Star Wars. I remember watching first movie in 1977. Many of us bought, played with & collected various toys. I still remember my X-wing model rocket that had only one successful mission! 2/In addition to regularly handling national security cases, I also rep auction houses, esp ones that focus on historic memorabilia, political americana, comic books & vintage toys. This includes @HakesAuctions & @RRAuction, among others.

1/Statement from our client @YVindman.

@globalmjreform 2/Statement reads:

"Yesterday I retired from the United States Army. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve our country in uniform. America accepted me as a refugee 43 years ago, meeting its promise to take in a poor, tired family yearning to breathe free. ...

1/Now this is interesting.

First, I regularly represent #whistleblowers regardless of political ideology, incl at @FBI. Not one #FBI #WBer has approached us or @wbaidlaw, a non-profit I co-founded to provide pro bono legal assistance. And that's fine, we don't own "market".

https://twitter.com/danielchaitin7/status/1565163562376511493

2/I've never heard of #KurtSiuzdak & that means nothing. He practices in CT. He may be best attny in CT in fact. His firm's practice areas are interestingly ... diverse.

* Family Matters & Divorce Law
* Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
* FBI Whistleblower litigation

1/Thread abt Grenell v. Troye defamation lawsuit:

We are publicly announcing that @MarkSZaidPC & #TomCraig (@TMCv63, @fhhfirm) are representing @OliviaTroye to defend against former Ambassador (& acting DNI for 3 months) #RichardGrenell’s defamation lawsuit. 2/We will not repeat lawsuit allegations, which arose from Twitter activity, but assuredly they are baseless.