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Nora Benavidez

@attorneynora.bsky.social
27K followers 1.5K following 1.3K posts

Civil Rights & Free Speech Attorney. Disinformation & AI Expert. Nonfiction Author. Now: Senior Counsel @freepress | 2026 Bellagio Residency Fellow @rockefeller (writing a book) | Board of Directors @benandjerrys www.norabenavidez.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
We @freepress.bsky.social joined dozens of press freedom groups and media outlets filing a supporting brief in the case. Read about my previous litigation on these topics & where history offers uncomfortable lessons for us:
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Julio Ricardo Varela @juliorvarela.com · 29/09/2026
So cool of @ajc.com to republish @attorneynora.bsky.social's Pressing Issues piece.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The White House press pool is not a loyalty test. Check out my piece in @ajc.com! www.ajc.com/opinion/2026...
ajc.com
Trump’s ban on CNN, Politico and MS NOW is an unconstitutional fiat
The First Amendment protects the press precisely because U.S. presidents cannot make that decision to cherry-pick media access as a loyalty test.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Without warning, Trump unilaterally banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. Press access revoked. Free Press' @attorneynora.bsky.social with @ajc.com on First Amendment protections: www.ajc.com/opinion/2026/09/trump-f…
ajc.com
Trump’s ban on CNN, Politico and MS NOW is an unconstitutional fiat
The First Amendment protects the press precisely because U.S. presidents cannot make that decision to cherry-pick media access as a loyalty test.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The White House press pool is not a loyalty test. Check out my piece in @ajc.com! www.ajc.com/opinion/2026...
ajc.com
Trump’s ban on CNN, Politico and MS NOW is an unconstitutional fiat
The First Amendment protects the press precisely because U.S. presidents cannot make that decision to cherry-pick media access as a loyalty test.
0188
Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I love this!! More engagement with democracy & our communities! So proud to be on the board of directors as Ben & Jerry's commits to protecting expression & civic engagement: www.prnewswire.com/news-release...
prnewswire.com
Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops Defend Democracy By Doing a Waffle Lotta Good
/PRNewswire/ -- Ben & Jerry's announces the return of Waffle Lotta Good, a limited-time fundraising program running from September 28 through October 12, 2026...
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Last wk, as he's wont to do on blissful Fridays, Trump set off a five-alarm fire again. Déjà vu? He's targeted the media since day 1. I even litigated the issue in PEN America v. Trump. Below, I break down today's case -- the constitutionality & nat'l security issues, and where it's all heading:
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Honestly, I loved writing this. First Amendment nerds, enjoy!
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Last wk, as he's wont to do on blissful Fridays, Trump set off a five-alarm fire again. Déjà vu? He's targeted the media since day 1. I even litigated the issue in PEN America v. Trump. Below, I break down today's case -- the constitutionality & nat'l security issues, and where it's all heading:
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Jessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
#BlocktheMerger groups @freepress.bsky.social @1acommittee.bsky.social @freedom.press @filmcoalition.bsky.social @documentary.org filed an amicus brief last night urging the court to reject Paramount’s consent decree with state AGs. More here: www.freepress.net/news/free-pr...
freepress.net
Free Press and Block the Merger Partners File Amicus Brief Blasting Pitiful Paramount Settlement
“The court should reject this deal outright," says Jessica J. González. "It doesn’t address the anti-competitive concerns that state attorneys general themselves identified in their initial lawsuit."
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Happening within the same 72 hours that Trump banned media from the White House — alarm bells as we hurl towards the midterms with near-daily reminders that the group of men controlling our govt & media & tech grows smaller as they glom onto power & wield increasingly authoritarian tactics.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Trump’s attacks on the press have reached “a constitutional breaking point,” according to Benavidez, senior counsel @freepress.bsky.social. The president can’t block access to the WH bc "he does not like their questions, their coverage or their attitude." www.the-independent.com/news/world/a...
the-independent.com
Trump is off American TV — can the world learn to live without him as the star?
The president turned to the media to build his celebrity and political persona. What happens when that toxic relationship ends? Alex Woodward writes
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Trump’s attacks on the press have reached “a constitutional breaking point,” according to Benavidez, senior counsel @freepress.bsky.social. The president can’t block access to the WH bc "he does not like their questions, their coverage or their attitude." www.the-independent.com/news/world/a...
the-independent.com
Trump is off American TV — can the world learn to live without him as the star?
The president turned to the media to build his celebrity and political persona. What happens when that toxic relationship ends? Alex Woodward writes
2217
Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
.... called it ... ? www.freepress.net/attack-on-fr...
freepress.net
Chokehold: Donald Trump’s War on Free Speech & the Need for Systemic Resistance
This Free Press report examines the Trump administration’s hostile relationship with dissent and free expression in 2025. It analyzes how Trump and his political enablers have sought to undermine and ...
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
So, I like the idea of mainstream media finally refusing to treat Trump as if it’s business as usual. But I also think the public will invariably lose something as we distance critical (sic any) formal reporting from the White House. Dictators thrive on opacity & lack of accountability.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Trump's war on free speech isn't going anywhere. The WH is committed to no coverage from mainstream media. Committed to prosecuting public engagement in democracy. Last year alone, Trump initiated hundreds of censorial attacks on dissent. I wrote about my findings: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | I Counted Trump’s Censorship Attempts. Here’s What I Found.
The next three years will require a vigilant defense of free speech and open debate.
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 21/09/2026
CJR covers the ordeal of exiled journalist Luis Galeano, detained by ICE in Florida last week. Galeano—who was stripped of his Nicaraguan citizenship by the Ortega regime in 2023 over his reporting—has an asylum case pending in the U.S. 'We are in danger if they deport us,' his wife said.
freepress.net
Press-Freedom Coalition Calls for the Immediate Release of ICE-Detained Journalist Luis Galeano
Luis Galeano is the latest in a long line of journalists who came to the United States to report on issues of the day and instead face deportation.
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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
NEW: @apnews.com confirms that ICE has begun electronically "disappearing" people in the agency's custody who have final orders of removal. As of last week, anyone jailed by ICE with a final order of removal will NOT appear in the ICE Online Detainee Locator System, making them effectively vanish.
apnews.com
AP Exclusive: ICE hides locations of thousands of detainees with final removal orders
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has stopped publicly revealing where it is holding most detainees who are subject to final deportation orders, in a move that has made it harder for lawyers an...
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Thank god for the rule of law. And the impartiality of judges.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Happening within the same 72 hours that Trump banned media from the White House — alarm bells as we hurl towards the midterms with near-daily reminders that the group of men controlling our govt & media & tech grows smaller as they glom onto power & wield increasingly authoritarian tactics.
522892
Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Trump's war on free speech isn't going anywhere. The WH is committed to no coverage from mainstream media. Committed to prosecuting public engagement in democracy. Last year alone, Trump initiated hundreds of censorial attacks on dissent. I wrote about my findings: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | I Counted Trump’s Censorship Attempts. Here’s What I Found.
The next three years will require a vigilant defense of free speech and open debate.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
New to thinking about Trump's censorship agenda? Here -- I wrote the book on it @freepress.bsky.social : www.freepress.net/attack-on-fr...
freepress.net
Chokehold: Donald Trump’s War on Free Speech & the Need for Systemic Resistance
This Free Press report examines the Trump administration’s hostile relationship with dissent and free expression in 2025. It analyzes how Trump and his political enablers have sought to undermine and ...
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
New to thinking about Trump's censorship agenda? Here -- I wrote the book on it @freepress.bsky.social : www.freepress.net/attack-on-fr...
freepress.net
Chokehold: Donald Trump’s War on Free Speech & the Need for Systemic Resistance
This Free Press report examines the Trump administration’s hostile relationship with dissent and free expression in 2025. It analyzes how Trump and his political enablers have sought to undermine and ...
13310
Reposted by Nora Benavidez
Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Trump is attempting to ban almost all major media outlets from the White House. Yes, an escalation of his already censorial treatment of the media. Also, invariably will be met with a set of legal challenges, as blatantly unconstitutional. www.cnbc.com/2026/09/18/t...
cnbc.com
Trump says he's banning MS NOW, CNN and Politico from White House
President Donald Trump said he is banning MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House over their coverage of him.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The bravado doesn’t even mask the fragility.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
"Nicaraguan journalist Luis Galeanothe is latest in a long line of journalists who came to the United States to report on issues of the day and instead face deportation." - Free Press' @attorneynora.bsky.social via @commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/news/luis-gale…
commondreams.org
Free Press Defenders Demand End of 'Horrifying' ICE Detention of Journalist Luis Galeano | Common Dreams
Press freedom advocates demand release of Nicaraguan journalist Luis Galeano detained by ICE. Concerns raised about potential deportation to face persecution in Nicaragua.
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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
PEN America calls for the release of Miami-based journalist Luis Galeano, detained by ICE while working as a rideshare driver. Galeano, director of Café con Voz, has a pending asylum case after fleeing Nicaragua. Journalists seeking asylum must be able to work without retaliation.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Very good write-up of the stakes and circumstances of Galeano's detention. Thanks @commondreams.org for covering our coalition fight for his freedom: www.commondreams.org/news/luis-ga...
commondreams.org
Free Press Defenders Demand End of 'Horrifying' ICE Detention of Journalist Luis Galeano | Common Dreams
Press freedom advocates demand release of Nicaraguan journalist Luis Galeano detained by ICE. Concerns raised about potential deportation to face persecution in Nicaragua.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Very good write-up of the stakes and circumstances of Galeano's detention. Thanks @commondreams.org for covering our coalition fight for his freedom: www.commondreams.org/news/luis-ga...
commondreams.org
Free Press Defenders Demand End of 'Horrifying' ICE Detention of Journalist Luis Galeano | Common Dreams
Press freedom advocates demand release of Nicaraguan journalist Luis Galeano detained by ICE. Concerns raised about potential deportation to face persecution in Nicaragua.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Trump is attempting to ban almost all major media outlets from the White House. Yes, an escalation of his already censorial treatment of the media. Also, invariably will be met with a set of legal challenges, as blatantly unconstitutional. www.cnbc.com/2026/09/18/t...
cnbc.com
Trump says he's banning MS NOW, CNN and Politico from White House
President Donald Trump said he is banning MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House over their coverage of him.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A coalition of more than a dozen leading global press freedom groups have released a joint statement urging Luis Galeano's freedom. www.freepress.net/news/press-f...
freepress.net
Press-Freedom Coalition Calls for the Immediate Release of ICE-Detained Journalist Luis Galeano
Luis Galeano is the latest in a long line of journalists who came to the United States to report on issues of the day and instead face deportation.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A coalition of more than a dozen leading global press freedom groups have released a joint statement urging Luis Galeano's freedom. www.freepress.net/news/press-f...
freepress.net
Press-Freedom Coalition Calls for the Immediate Release of ICE-Detained Journalist Luis Galeano
Luis Galeano is the latest in a long line of journalists who came to the United States to report on issues of the day and instead face deportation.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
These cases aren’t just abt cracking down on immigration. They are abt cutting off community access to vital coverage & scaring reporters from holding those in power accountable. If our govt can close off the free flow of ideas, it is no more than a dictatorship. www.freepress.net/news/press-f...
freepress.net
Press-Freedom Coalition Calls for the Immediate Release of ICE-Detained Journalist Luis Galeano
Luis Galeano is the latest in a long line of journalists who came to the United States to report on issues of the day and instead face deportation.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Imagine if but a near 7 weeks before the midterms we saw mainstream media reporting on concerns voters instead of the doomerist hype AI CEO billionaires spun up as a distraction?
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
As midterms near, I'll spotlight election threats, voting rights, manipulation & disinfo campaigns, more. Fighting the manipulation machine is very close to my heart -- and I believe it's closely linked to how a small group of quasi-authoritarians grab & grow power. www.reuters.com/investigatio...
reuters.com
Election officials prepare for chaos as Trump seeks to tilt the midterms to Republicans
U.S. state and local officials are taking extraordinary steps to protect voting systems, staff and public confidence amid growing signs that the president is trying to use federal power and fraud clai...
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The right decision from the court to uphold our banal and basic rights: www.npr.org/2026/09/15/n...
npr.org
Judge blocks DHS from acting against a man over a harsh email to an ICE official
ICE agents turned up at David Streever's home over a harsh email he sent to an ICE official. Now a court order prevents the federal government from making additional threats against him.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I just learned that reporter Luis Galeano has been detained in Miami by ICE. This is part of wider trend by the US govt to target immigrant reporters, violating core US press freedom principles. Galeano is from Nicaragua & is believed to have a pending asylum case in the US. I will report more ASAP.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Proud that we fought for Rodriguez release. But the reporters with the most to lose often end up doing the most labor for us to provide stories for Spanish speaking communities & other groups w/ less mainstream media. The dangers for Galeano are extreme here -- and I believe that's the point.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I just learned that reporter Luis Galeano has been detained in Miami by ICE. This is part of wider trend by the US govt to target immigrant reporters, violating core US press freedom principles. Galeano is from Nicaragua & is believed to have a pending asylum case in the US. I will report more ASAP.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
It is becoming WAY too common that I am working on these cases of immigrant reporters detained for doing their job. I really hate this. It's unconstitutional, it flies in the face of press freedom principles and free flow of info. FFS indeed.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Similarities beyond weather to 1936.
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Mike Masnick @masnick.com · 11/09/2026
Just did a quick look around and I don't see very many headlines about the President of the US making people pledge allegiance to him personally while telling everyone to commit election fraud and "cheat like hell" to support his party. Seems like it should be a story?
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
​Join @attorneynora.bsky.social for Safer Socials Connector with partners from @lush.com, @nytimes.com, & Amazon Employees for Climate Justice. They'll discuss the concentrated political & societal power wielded by a small interconnected group of tech bro billionaires. More info: luma.com/kwvbjh25
luma.com
Safer Socials Connector · Luma
Join us for our first Safer Socials Connector in the Bay Area. We’ll discuss the abuse of power by Big Tech monopolies and debate future-facing solutions to…
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Awareness & outrage about extractive technology is at an all-time high since I began working in the digital civil rights space. It’s exciting. We’ve got work to do: www.freepress.net/blog/surveil...
freepress.net
As Surveillance Ramps Up, a New Campaign Amplifies Ways to Fight Back
The Solidarity Over Surveillance campaign is designed to counter the rise of authoritarianism by uniting communities to put an end to the extraction, storage and use of our data.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Awareness & outrage about extractive technology is at an all-time high since I began working in the digital civil rights space. It’s exciting. We’ve got work to do: www.freepress.net/blog/surveil...
freepress.net
As Surveillance Ramps Up, a New Campaign Amplifies Ways to Fight Back
The Solidarity Over Surveillance campaign is designed to counter the rise of authoritarianism by uniting communities to put an end to the extraction, storage and use of our data.
05419
Reposted by Nora Benavidez
Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Oakland folks, roll through tomorrow! I'll be joining some great partners from @lush.com, @nytimes.com, @freepress.bsky.social, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice & more to discuss the path to safer and more responsible technology: luma.com/kwvbjh25
luma.com
Safer Socials Connector · Luma
Join us for our first Safer Socials Connector in the Bay Area. We’ll discuss the abuse of power by Big Tech monopolies and debate future-facing solutions to…
0115
Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Oakland folks, roll through tomorrow! I'll be joining some great partners from @lush.com, @nytimes.com, @freepress.bsky.social, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice & more to discuss the path to safer and more responsible technology: luma.com/kwvbjh25
luma.com
Safer Socials Connector · Luma
Join us for our first Safer Socials Connector in the Bay Area. We’ll discuss the abuse of power by Big Tech monopolies and debate future-facing solutions to…
0115
Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
The over-criminalization of #StopCopCity is consequence of yrs of anti-democracy & gov't lies. A piece I wrote @rollingstone.com I find relevant as we face criminalization of anti-tech/anti-Flock/anti-data center movements. www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
rollingstone.com
Why Georgia's Latest Assault on Free Speech Is So Chilling
Authorities in Georgia cracking down on protest opposing the "Cop City" police training facility is part of a nationwide assault on free speech.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
“AfD leaders have used Nazi slogans and minimized the Holocaust. The AfD is designated as a “suspected” extremist group by German intelligence, partly because the group portrays Germans of immigrant backgrounds as second-class citizens.”
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Far-right candidates with extremist, bigoted views are gaining ground all across Europe. The explicit acknowledgements of gratitude to Musk and nod to a Trumpian ethos echo loudly: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/w...
nytimes.com
AfD Victory in Saxony-Anhalt Sends a Signal to Europe
A vote in eastern Germany has given fresh momentum to hard-right parties hoping to win elections elsewhere on the continent next year, analysts said.
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