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Allegra Harpootlian

@allegraharpootlian.bsky.social
737 followers 256 following 70 posts

Comms at ACLU | Focused on national security, speech, tech, and privacy | 📍Brooklyn, NY | Views my own

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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
A day after Sens. Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin held a bipartisan hearing on the dangers of Flock surveillance, the @aclu.org is driving around D.C. urging Congress to ban ALL automatic license plate readers. If you see it in the wild, please send pics my way!
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
A day after Sens. Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin held a bipartisan hearing on the dangers of Flock surveillance, the @aclu.org is driving around D.C. urging Congress to ban ALL automatic license plate readers. If you see it in the wild, please send pics my way!
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Jess Craven ❌👑 @jesscraven101.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
There are over 120K Flock cameras surveying us in the US right now. If you want to fight back against the state of mass ALPR surveillance please sign up for the ACLU’s excellent “Get the Flock Out” toolkit! Because mass surveillance doesn’t make us safe—investing in our communities does!
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Mass deportations are getting increasingly personal for a lot of candidates and elected officials. Here, Paul LePage, former GOP governor of Maine and current congressional candidate, says his son's father-in-law is currently being targeted for deportation.
Paul LePage said Monday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is deporting a relative.

The Republican former governor who is running for Maine’s open 2nd Congressional District seat made the revelation in response to a question from a Portland Press Herald reporter during an event in Augusta, where LePage accepted an endorsement from Maine’s Fraternal Order of Police.

LePage told the reporter that his son’s father-in-law, who has a valid work permit, faces deportation because “certain people in Washington” don’t like the country he’s from, according to the Press Herald.

LePage didn’t identify the relative or say which country he is from.

He went on to say that ICE should focus its deportation efforts on gangsters and criminals.

“Would I go after everybody that’s here, that have work permits and have been here for decades? Probably not,” the Press Herald quoted LePage as saying.

At the same event, LePage also criticized the new state law limiting police cooperation with ICE agents.
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Today: @aclu.org's @chadmarlow.bsky.social testifies in front of the Senate on the harms of automatic license plate readers (like Flock!) and will urge members to ban them once and for all. Come watch at Dirksen 562 at 2:30. More details here: www.aclu.org/press-releas...
aclu.org
ACLU Privacy Expert to Testify at Bipartisan Senate Hearing on Flock and Other Automatic License Plate Readers | American Civil Liberties Union
WHAT: The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism will hold a hearing on Wednesday entitled, “Always Watching: Flock’s...
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
ACLU @aclu.org · 02/09/2026
BREAKING: We're suing the Concord Housing and Redevelopment Authority over its installation of invasive surveillance devices known as Minut Monitors in hundreds of residents’ apartments. Since late 2024, CHRA has amassed hundreds of millions of data points from inside people’s homes.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
ACLU @aclu.org · 02/07/2026
BREAKING: We’re suing to stop Florida’s baseless designation of the country’s leading Muslim civil rights group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and its Florida chapter as “domestic terrorist organizations.” If the court doesn’t intervene, they’ll be required to shut down in the state.
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Dayton sanitation workers could do the funniest thing right now
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
ACLU @aclu.org · 22/05/2026
The Trump administration continues to try to weaponize immigration law against Mahmoud Khalil, so we need them to know that the world is watching. Add your name to our petition to the Board of Immigration Appeals demanding they re-open and terminate the sham immigration case against Mahmoud.
action.aclu.org
Tell the BIA: Justice for Mahmoud Khalil
Mahmoud Khalil has been harassed, targeted, punished, and denied his right to a fair and full trial in immigration court. The Trump administration has had its thumb on the scale the whole time. Demand justice for Mahmoud Khalil.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
ACLU @aclu.org · 20/05/2026
The Trump administration may be going after the Southern Poverty Law Center now, but make no mistake, this attack affects everyone. The point of prosecuting SPLC or others that make the president angry is to send a message: Fall in line or pay the price.
aclu.org
Trump Administration Indictment of Southern Poverty Law Center Puts Democracy at Risk
Targeting Southern Poverty Law Center, a major racial justice group, is Trump’s latest effort to punish groups for their views.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
dell cameron @dell.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
NEW: In the morning, lawmakers plan to introduce an amendment to a $580 billion transportation bill that would make federal highway funds contingent on states and cities killing off their automated license plate reader programs, i.e., Flock, in most cases.
wired.com
A Bipartisan Amendment Would End Police License Plate Tracking Nationwide
One line tucked into a federal highway bill would strip funds from cities and states unless they kill their automated plate tracking programs—effectively banning the tech for all but toll collection.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Oona Hathaway @oonahathaway.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
As the death toll reaches 190, it's time for another reminder that the boat strikes are unlawful under both international and domestic law--and they are a stain on our national conscience. For much more, take a look at this @justsecurity.org collection: www.justsecurity.org/120753/colle...
justsecurity.org
Collection: U.S. Lethal Strikes on Suspected Drug Traffickers, Operation Southern Spear, Operation Absolute Resolve
Collection of expert analysis on the legality of the U.S. strike on Venezuelan vessels in the Caribbean, the consequences of the strike, and related issues.
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
According to a new poll, 61% of Americans say using military force against Iran was a mistake. I didn't even know 61% of Americans agreed that the sky was blue. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
washingtonpost.com
Poll: Trump’s Iran war reaches Iraq- and Vietnam-era disapproval levels
A Post-ABC-Ipsos poll shows most Americans call the military action a mistake, even as Republicans remain strongly supportive. Many fear the conflict will lead to a recession.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
UPDATE: The Trump-Vance-Rubio State Department is exploring "tools to impose consequences on those who provide support" to the Global Sumud Flotilla. Hundreds worldwide (including the US) joined the flotilla to breach Israel's illegal blockade of Gaza. Thousands have donated.
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
What's absolutely bonkers is that Dems are the reason this passed. Like we deserve representatives that understand Congress shouldn't be rubberstamping a law that the government abuses to spy on Americans without a warrant. But, i guess the bar is in Hell.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Fun @funkelly.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Your near daily reminder that calling and emailing and being fucking annoying to your reps, regardless of party, changes shit. It does and it will.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Lex McMenamin (they/them) @lexmcmenamin.com · 15/04/2026
they are. next question!
Opinion
Guest Essay

Why Aren’t the Kids Out Protesting Against Trump?
April 14, 2026
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
ACLU's @granick.bsky.social was once called "the NBA all-star of surveillance law" by @wyden.senate.gov. And now, after many years, she's hanging up her jersey. Read about her important fight over the past decade to protect our data from overbroad digital warrants. www.aclu.org/news/privacy...
aclu.org
How ACLU Cases Are Limiting Overbroad Digital Search Warrants
New legal standards are restricting law enforcement’s access to cell phone and social media data
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Molly Crane-Newman @mollycranenewman.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
The Board of Immigration Appeals has issued a final administrative removal order against Mahmoud Khalil. His lawyers, who anticipated this, said it didn’t impact the status quo, they’ll appeal to the 5th Circuit, & that he cannot be detained while his habeas case is pending.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
ACLU @aclu.org · 06/04/2026
Congress is considering reauthorizing a law that the government has repeatedly used to warrantlessly spy on U.S. citizens, including protestors and journalists. Our leaders must vote no on this dangerous privacy invasion.
prospect.org
Himes Fact-Checked on ‘Misleading’ Claims About Warrantless Spying - The American Prospect
Himes seemed to signal openness toward reforming the 702 program, but emphasized that its extension cannot be allowed to lapse. Privacy activists argue the window for reform is closing. 
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Josh Chafetz @joshchafetz.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Adam means that she is the daughter of immigrants, but it is worth emphasizing that *every* U.S. citizen who has not been naturalized is a birthright citizen, either by the 14th Amendment or by statute.
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
can't wait for Hillary Duff's new PSA
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Barrett now asks about the "messy" applications of birthright citizenship, asking how the government would deal with "foundlings" where the parents aren't known. SG starts by deferring to a statute on that and Barrett responds immediately with "yeah yeah yeah yeah but what about the Constitution"?
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
ACLU @aclu.org · 24/03/2026
The Pentagon is asking for $200 billion to help fund President Trump’s unconstitutional war on Iran. Our taxpayer dollars should go toward keeping our communities safe, not an illegal war.
buzzfeed.com
21 Other Things The US Could Do With The $200 Billion The Pentagon Requested For The Iran War
Could someone please send my wishlist to the White House?
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Not even 4 days later, the Pentagon has now said they're asking for at least $200 billion in additional funding from Congress.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
ACLU @aclu.org · 13/03/2026
We agree with the Senator — Congress must not give any additional taxpayer dollars to fund this unconstitutional war on Iran.
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m @lurrie.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
we expelled them, blacklisted them, called cops to beat the shit out of them, and deported them. why aren't they protesting again? i'm very smart
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
You're going to tell their employers, their neighbors and their schools that they were out on the streets bravely defending their community from the masked goons who are murdering and terrorizing people? Are you going to send them flowers and candy as well?
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
ACLU @aclu.org · 27/01/2026
The Trump administration murdered Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo — and their families deserve answers. Our clients are bravely holding the Trump administration accountable for their lawless boat strike. We won’t stop until Chad and Rishi’s families get justice.
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
As someone who grew up in Colorado and Tennessee, and then went to college at Indiana, I can definitively say I have never seen so many of my normie acquaintances this outraged on main. I dont think ICE realizes the sleeping giant of apolitical people they've just awakened.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 15/01/2026
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com “The death of Renee Good can be the impetus for finally closing a gaping hole in our constitutional protections,” the legal scholars Erwin Chemerinsky and Burt Neuborne write in a guest essay.
nyti.ms
Opinion | Renee Good’s Family Should Be Able to Sue the Officer Who Killed Her
An ICE killing in Minneapolis can be the impetus for finally closing a gaping hole in our constitutional protections.
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
🚨 A new ACLU/YouGov poll finds that US voters strongly support more transparency and accountability for Trump's illegal boat strikes. One tidbit: 83% say the Trump admin should publicly release its legal justification for these strikes. www.aclu.org/press-releas...
aclu.org
New Poll Shows Voters Overwhelmingly Support Public Accountability for U.S. Boat Strikes | American Civil Liberties Union
According to an ACLU/YouGov poll fielded in mid-December, 84 percent of voters agree that Americans have a right to know more about their government and...
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Sam Levin @samtlevin.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Hina Shamsi, ACLU: “The FBI report is infused w/ vague + overbroad language. Ppl entirely innocent of wrongdoing can be subjected to surveillance or investigations...No matter what NSPM-7 says, the Constitution constrains federal agencies if they seek to punish ppl for exercising free speech rights"
theguardian.com
Revealed: FBI opened domestic terrorism investigations into anti-ICE activity across US
Internal report shared with Guardian shows FBI has launched cases in 23 regions, some linked to Trump memo on thwarting ‘terroristic activities’
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
USCIS told a federal court it cut its FOIA backlog by 99.96% in three months. A whistleblower inside the agency says they changed the rules for rejecting requests from immigrants. Rejections for "Failure to Comply" rose from about 5,400 to 42,000 in one year. www.govexec.com/oversight/20...
govexec.com
USCIS’ arbitrarily strict FOIA policy is keeping some migrants from receiving their immigration records, whistleblower alleges
In a protected disclosure to Congress, an agency employee claims that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services since 2024 has been finding ways to reject Freedom of Information Act requests from migr...
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Jamal Greene @jamalgreene.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
NB: When I, a professor of law, profess that an act is unlawful, I am not doing it to inform the lawbreaker, but rather to inform you, the reader. So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
The president doesn’t have the power to create a private, secret legal universe where cold-blooded murder of civilians can be recast as lawful policy. Congress and the courts must demand transparency now, before more people are murdered by our government. www.aclu.org/news/nationa...
aclu.org
Trump's Boat Strikes Are Illegal. The Public Needs Answers. | ACLU
The Trump administration must release its legal justification and all other materials related to its illegal lethal strikes on civilian boats at sea.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
Joseph Cox @josephcox.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Here's interview with US citizen scanned by ICE's facial recognition tech. Walking home from gym, authorities come over. He says he's a citizen. Put him in car. Only release after scanning his face “Flagrant violation of rights and incompatible with a free society” www.404media.co/how-a-us-cit...
404media.co
How a US Citizen Was Scanned With ICE's Facial Recognition Tech
Jesus Gutiérrez told immigration agents he was a U.S. citizen. Only after they scanned his face, did the agents let him go.
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Did you know that privacy is actually the gateway for the rest of our rights? In our new series, ACLU expert @chadmarlow.bsky.social breaks down all the ways the government is spying on us and why it's so vital that we keep fighting for our right to privacy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5vJ...
youtube.com
Making Sense of Digital Privacy with Policy Expert Chad Marlow, Part 1 | Making Sense | ACLU
YouTube video by ACLU
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Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 21/11/2025
The part where they threatened to break a judge’s car windows should be a bigger story … they feel comfortable treating judges this way, which means they are being told that they can do literally anything to nearly everyone
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Jameel Jaffer @jameeljaffer.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
This is a very good essay from the @ACLU’s Brett Kaufman making the case that Trump’s boat strikes should be viewed as the logical end point of legal arguments normalized by OLC lawyers during the war on terror. Highly recommend. www.justsecurity.org/124776/secre...
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
ACLU @aclu.org · 04/11/2025
Congress is debating a provision in the Intelligence Authorization Act that would get rid of the confirmation process for senior positions at CIA and other spy agencies. Tell your Senators to reject this harmful proposal. The last thing we need is less public oversight of intelligence agencies. 
action.aclu.org
Transparency From Spy Agencies Now
We cannot afford to weaken transparency and public oversight of the intelligence community. Join the ACLU in demanding Senators reject the provision to remove confirmation hearings for spy agencies.
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ACLU @aclu.org · 05/11/2025
This is the 16th strike of its kind this year — and at least 66 people are dead because of the government’s rash actions. These extrajudicial strikes are illegal under both international and domestic law.
nbcnews.com
2 killed in U.S. strike on alleged drug boat in Eastern Pacific, Hegseth says
Two people on board an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific were killed by a U.S. military strike, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday
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ACLU @aclu.org · 16/10/2025
BREAKING: An appeals court denied the Trump administration's latest effort to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area. This ruling is more confirmation that President Trump's attempts to send troops into our communities are unjustified and cannot continue.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
ACLU @aclu.org · 06/10/2025
BREAKING: Late last night, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from deploying any out-of-state federalized National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. This is a win for the rule of law.
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
🚨"Mario's detention is a true five-alarm fire for press freedom in this country, particularly for noncitizen journalists, but also for any journalist who covers law enforcement activity." Everyone who spoke up for Kimmel, needs to be just as loud for Mario. www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/...
nbcnews.com
Son of journalist detained by ICE pleads for dad's release
Oscar Guevara, who has undergone surgery for a brain tumor, said his father, Mario Guevara, who has been in detention over 100 days, was one of his main caregivers.
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Gwynne Hogan @gwynnefitz.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Just now, 11 state and city lawmakers were arrested by DHS police on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza after a hour of demanding access to the ICE lock up on the same floor. @thecity.nyc
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Allegra Harpootlian @allegraharpootlian.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
"Bottom line: you know your chain of command would hold you accountable if anything went wrong. Make sure you have the wherewithal to hold it accountable as well." www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/0...
defenseone.com
What National Guardsmen in the nation’s capital need to hear
You have every right to expect a clear mission, an unambiguous chain of command, and appropriate training.
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Reposted by Allegra Harpootlian
ACLU @aclu.org · 13/08/2025
The Trump administration is reportedly planning to create a new task force of National Guard troops that it could quickly send to quell protests across the country. If President Trump carries out this gross abuse of power, we're ready to protect our rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
wapo.st
Pentagon plan would create military ‘reaction force’ for civil unrest
Documents reviewed by The Post detail a prospective National Guard mission that, if adopted, would require hundreds of troops to be ready around-the-clock.
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Boycott Citizens @boycottcitizens.org · 15/08/2025
$297,880 of your taxpayer dollars on the vehicles alone. Here are the purchase orders.
Screenshot of a USAspending.gov contract summary. Purchase Order 70CMSW25P00000042 awarded by the Department of Homeland Security to Northside Automotive LLC in Summersville, West Virginia. Award amount $101,660 for procurement of a GMC Yukon AT4S sport utility vehicle for recruitment purposes, on behalf of the Office of Asset and Facilities Management. NAICS code 441110: New Car Dealers; PSC 2310: Passenger Motor Vehicles. Start date August 5, 2025; end date August 6, 2025.Screenshot of a USAspending.gov contract summary. Purchase Order 70CMSW25P00000040 awarded by the Department of Homeland Security to Banister Ford of Marlow Heights LLC in Suitland, Maryland. Award amount $196,220 for procurement of Ford Raptor 4x4 light duty pickup trucks for recruitment purposes, on behalf of the Office of Asset and Facilities Management. NAICS code 441110: New Car Dealers; PSC 2310: Passenger Motor Vehicles. Start date July 31, 2025; end date August 1, 2025.
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Asawin Suebsaeng @swin24.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
“I have received some guidance to avoid terms, like ‘camps,’ that can be twisted and used against the president, yes. Apparently some people think it makes us look like Nazis.”
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