Sign in

Andrew J. Tessman

@andrewtessman.bsky.social
25 followers 17 following 14 posts

Former federal prosecutor. Trial lawyer in West Virginia. Commentator on the rule of law, courts, DOJ independence, public corruption, and constitutional limits. Views my own

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Andrew J. Tessman
ACS Mountaineer Lawyer Chapter @acsmountaineer.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
On Constitution Day, we shared a short note about ACS’s Oath Project—a simple invitation to reaffirm our commitment to support and defend the Constitution. That commitment should transcend party and politics. Read the note and learn more about the project: substack.com/@acsmountain...
substack.com
ACS Mountaineer Chapter (@acsmountaineerchapter)
Today is Constitution Day, and ACS has launched a nationwide initiative inviting people to reaffirm their commitment to support and defend the Constitution. https://www.acslaw.org/the-oath-project/ ...
011
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Proud to join 11 other former January 6 prosecutors in urging the Senate to demand candor from judicial nominees about January 6 and the 2020 election. Judges receive lifetime appointments precisely so they can act independently of political pressure. They must be able to acknowledge basic facts.
000
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Every federal prosecutor learns the same lesson: collect the evidence first, then decide whether to charge. When political pressure causes indictment before an investigation is complete, everyone loses—including public confidence in the justice system. andrewtessman.substack.com/p/what-doj-s...
andrewtessman.substack.com
What DOJ Should See in the Reflecting Pool
The collapse of a rushed vandalism prosecution offers DOJ a clear reflection of what happens when political urgency overtakes prosecutorial judgment.
010
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Thank you to ACS for publishing my Expert Forum essay. From my past experience as an AUSA, I believe that charging someone with a crime is among the most consequential decisions a lawyer can make. That decision should be guided by the facts, the law, and sound judgment—not by a numerical quota.
010
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
One of the privileges of serving as a January 6 prosecutor was working alongside officers whose courage put themselves in harm's way to protect our constitutional system. Officer Michael Fanone and my prosecutor colleague, Mike Gordon, explain why the U.S. Senate should reject Todd Blanche as AG.
000
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The rule of law depends on more than good people. It depends on institutions that protect career public servants when they follow the facts and the law—even when that means telling powerful people "no." Thank you to @JusticeConnection for publishing my latest essay.
000
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
My latest piece for @JusticeConnection: A Justice Department Afraid to Say No The Department doesn't just need good lawyers. It needs institutions strong enough to protect them when they tell leadership "no." open.substack.com/pub/justicec...
open.substack.com
A Justice Department Afraid to Say No
Weakening civil-service protections will not make DOJ more accountable. It will make career lawyers more fearful, more political, and less independent.
031
Reposted by Andrew J. Tessman
Justice Connection @justiceconnection.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Justice Connection has brought together more than 1,200 former DOJ employees to oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination for AG. Our letter warns Senators that a vote to confirm Blanche is a vote to undermine the independence of our Justice Department. Read it: www.thejusticeconnection.org/wp-content/u...
02013
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
open.substack.com/pub/andrewte...
open.substack.com
Why I Signed
Blanche has irreparably damaged DOJ
000
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Proud to help launch the ACS Mountaineer Lawyer Chapter. West Virginia needs a serious statewide legal community focused on the rule of law, judicial independence, constitutional governance, access to justice, and public service. Please join us.
000
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
New piece: a lesson for federal prosecutors about oath, restraint, and responsibility. Justice depends on the character of the people entrusted to enforce it. open.substack.com/pub/andrewte...
open.substack.com
A Lesson to Federal Prosecutors from the Grand Jury: Restraint Is Justice
Justice begins before the indictment.
000
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Grateful to Justice Connection for publishing my reflections on career DOJ attorneys who recently resigned. Being a criminal prosecutor is more than a position—it’s a commitment to integrity, independence, and the rule of law, even when that commitment requires real personal sacrifice.
000
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Trump prosecutors failed to bogus charges against Don Lemon. As I pointed out to the Guardian, it is extremely rare for a magistrate judge to reject charges in these circumstances. The grand jury in Minnesota should be equally skeptical. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Judge declines to sign off on charges against former CNN anchor Don Lemon
Refusal to approve charges against Lemon in connection with Minnesota protest reportedly ‘enraged’ Pam Bondi
010
Reposted by Andrew J. Tessman
Aquilino A. Gonell @sergeantaqgo.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Admire someone willing to speak truth to power even when the republicans on the panel are trying their hardest to set up perjury traps
1023547
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
It was honor of a lifetime to have fought for justice for these guys and hundreds of officers just like them. This video narrative is similar to the trial testimony we presented over and over in Jnuary 6 criminal trials. #ruleofllaw #january6 #j6 www.npr.org/sections/the...
npr.org
2 police officers relive Jan. 6 through their own bodycam footage
D.C. police officers experienced some of the most intense violence during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. We sat down with two of them to rewatch their body camera footage from that da...
000
Reposted by Andrew J. Tessman
Aquilino A. Gonell @sergeantaqgo.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
gofund.me/6709a70bd Thank you for your generosity and support. Please share this link and if possible donate. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated.
gofund.me
Donate to Honor Hero Sgt. Gonell - 5 Years After January 6, organized by Cheryl Kagan
Five years ago, Sergeant Aquilino Gonell stood at the front lines to pro… Cheryl Kagan needs your support for Honor Hero Sgt. Gonell - 5 Years After January 6
15735
Reposted by Andrew J. Tessman
Harry Dunn @libradunn1.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
donald you did pardon people found guilty of sedition 🙄🙄
54840233
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Here is the text of my LinkedIn post announcing my resignation from the department of justice #doj #ruleoflaw #deomcracy #departmentofjustice #january6
010
Andrew J. Tessman @andrewtessman.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Sharing my LinkedIn post concerning my resignation today from doj and describing my concerns over the direction of the country www.linkedin.com/posts/andrew...
linkedin.com
#departmentofjustice #doj #ruleoflaw #democracy #justice #leadership #january6 | Andrew J. Tessman
Today was my last day as a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Department of Justice. It has been a privilege to serve as a prosecutor for the past several years, working alongside an extraordinary team o...
030
Reposted by Andrew J. Tessman
Harry Dunn @libradunn1.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Here we go again... www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
House Republicans approve new panel to ‘uncover all the facts’ of January 6 attack
Democrats decry creation of subcommittee as attempt to rewrite narrative and shift blame away from Donald Trump
5440686
Reposted by Andrew J. Tessman
Senator Bernie Sanders @sanders.senate.gov · 07/02/2025
Our current health care system is not designed to provide quality care to all people. It is designed to make huge profits for insurance & drug companies. In that sense, the system is working very well. But it is not working for the average American. We need Medicare for All.
616126382290
Reposted by Andrew J. Tessman
Aquilino A. Gonell @sergeantaqgo.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
www.thedailybeast.com/fallen-jan-6...
thedailybeast.com
Fallen Jan. 6 Cop’s Story Gets Shameful Coda Thanks to Trump
Brian Sicknick died just hours after being bear sprayed and beaten during the Capitol insurrection.
14301101
Reposted by Andrew J. Tessman
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @ocasio-cortez.house.gov · 22/01/2025
SHARE WIDELY. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. With mass deportations starting today across the country, it is vitally important - for both citizens and non-citizens - to know your rights. You have the right to remain silent. Assert it. You have the right to a lawyer. Ask for one. (1/3)
9275172428523
Reposted by Andrew J. Tessman
Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 06/01/2025
I'm with them.
This is a photo of Allison Gill sitting with Capitol Police Officers in the front row at a January 6th Committee hearing. Officer Harry Dunn is in the foreground, then Officer Daniel Hodges, Officer Brian Sicknick's partner, Mike Fanone, and Allison Gill.
660448107116