Sign in

Lauren C Anderson

@lcandersonintl.bsky.social
278 followers 124 following 74 posts

Former #NatSec #FBI exec who spent nearly three decades running toward the crises most people run from. Member @CFR.org co-host #TheSteadyState Sentinel co-host #Fearless

PostsRepliesMedia
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Further erosion of due process. Last minute appeals are part of our constitutional process. Even families and lawyers of death row prisoners know where their loved one is. @nslforamerica.bsky.social @justiceconnection.bsky.social www.fedagent.com/news/ice-sto...
fedagent.com
ICE Stops Revealing Locations of Thousands of Detainees Facing Deportation — FEDagent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly changed its policy and is no longer revealing where it is holding most detainees subject to final deportation orders. Current and former ICE ...
022
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
The Steady State @thesteadystate.org · 23/09/2026
Donna Hughes Brown had lived in the U.S. since age 11. Returning from Ireland, she was detained at Chicago O’Hare while her husband Jim was told she’d be on the next flight. She never was. Hear their story on our podcast, hosted by Lauren Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social here: zurl.co/vZeeZ
02423
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A federal judge has said the loyalty test for govt applicants must be tossed out. No American should be required to answer a loyalty question to any president. The question: which of President Trump's executive orders are most significant to you? www.fedmanager.com/news/federal...
fedmanager.com
Federal Judge Halts Essay Question on President Trump’s Executive Orders — FEDmanager
Federal job applicants will no longer be asked which of President Trump’s executive orders are most “significant” to them– at least for now. U.S. District Judge George O’Toole of the District of Mas...
073
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
A thoughtful piece by conservative @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social. His words are important in this growing authoritarian and exclusionary environment. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Vance Has a Twisted Idea of What It Means to Be American
I am a “heritage American,” too. How should that guide my life?
032
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
#FBI Director Patel temporarily cut liaison relations with #Canada over a statement by a member of their government regarding 9/11. Regardless of your view of the statement it is no reason to cut liaison relationships that are critical to our national security. www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8T8sQKK/
tiktok.com
TikTok - Make Your Day
011
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The president's own words ".. the ban on Free Press" . A move I've seen from authoritarian leaders in other countries. @thesteadystate.org @breefram.bsky.social MS NOW, CNN and Politico say their journalists were denied access to White House after Trump ban www.nydailynews.com/2026/09/19/m...
nydailynews.com
MS NOW, CNN and Politico say their journalists were denied access to White House after Trump ban
The actions escalated Trump’s long-running efforts to restrict news coverage by journalists he finds objectionable, and is the latest test of First Amendment protections in the United States. Trump sa...
1199
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Reflections on the use of force - it's a last resort. In 29 years in the #FBI sometimes the most powerful decision we could make was not to use force. @thesteadystate.org @spytalker.bsky.social @justiceconnection.bsky.social @thebulwark.com @smerconish.bsky.social
1216
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Is it okay that the Dept of Defense fired the top people at #StarsandStripes? They started by firing the ombudsman, a congressionally designated role to safeguard the paper's independence. A move I've seen in authoritarian countries. @thesteadystate.org www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes leaders who criticized DOD’s interference
The Defense Department earlier this year railed against the publication, which has long enjoyed editorial independence, as “woke.”
14427
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
A hallmark of authoritarian leaders is to silence your critics. A new report concludes that the deployment of National Guard troops in US cities has had little effect on reducing crime. @thesteadystate.org @johnsipher.bsky.social @breefram.bsky.social #FirstAmendment www.nytimes.com/2026/08/21/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Threatens Defamation Suit Over National Guard Report, Aiming to Intimidate a Critic
It was the latest example of President Trump’s bid to use the legal system against those who voice unflattering facts and opinions generally protected by the First Amendment.
33311
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Delighted to have had this conversation with @spytalker.bsky.social and #KarenGreenberg. @thesteadystate.org @johnsipher.bsky.social @breefram.bsky.social @womensmediacenter.bsky.social
02911
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Extraordinary. Doesn't matter where you stand politically. Iran has a demonstrated history of probing/penetrating/attacking US financial & infrastructure systems going back more than 13 years. Know your history and know your enemies. @thesteadystate.org @breefram.bsky.social @johnsipher.bsky.social
0105
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
The FBI director does not own the FBI. He doesn't own the people. He doesn't own the resources. Bipartisan and bicameral questions from Congress make this clear. substack.com/@laurencande...
075
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Security vs vanity. The country and #POTUS would have been better served by speeding up the completion and delivery of the new US Air Force 1 vs taking the Qatari jet and trying to retrofit it too quickly. It's clear it wasn't the plane POTUS should have been on. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/25/u...
nytimes.com
Inside the Rushed Effort to Get Trump His New Air Force One
A New York Times investigation found that President Trump’s push to speed delivery of the aircraft led to ballooning costs and trade-offs in safety features.
023
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
My new favorite piece of artwork, courtesy of the #AmyKaslowGallery and artist #MikeLuckovich @ajc.com #RespectRuleOfLaw #Constitution #Accountability @thesteadystate.org
074
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Law enforcement accountability and public trust matter-always. A witness to the ICE shooting in Maine said he didn't trust sharing what he observed with the FBI. Whether you agree or not with that, the lack of trust should be troubling to all of us. #RuleOfLaw #Constitution #NationalSecurity
095
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Are we ok with #DOJ doing this? Ex 1: no prosecution for writing bad checks and getting a federally guaranteed loan when unqualified. Ex 2 $200 million in sales in pharmaceuticals chemicals, + equipment potentially to make illicit drugs. @thesteadystate.org www.wsj.com/finance/regu...
wsj.com
The Justice Department Is Pulling Back on Prosecuting Corporate Crime
Prosecutors have declined to charge businesses in a number of recent cases—despite believing that senior employees were involved in wrongdoing.
025
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
The Steady State @thesteadystate.org · 16/07/2026
If taxpayer dollars are involved, accountability should be too. Bipartisan demand for answers involving D/FBI Patel's use of taxpayer money should matter to everyone. Former FBI Exec/NatSec expert, and member of The Steady State, @lcandersonintl.bsky.social, explains. #FBI #holdfast #accountability
25635
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Why should you care about how the #FBI Director spends FBI money? Because it's not his money. It's your money - the taxpayer.j www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8GwmGLU/
tiktok.com
If taxpayer dollars are involved, accountability should be too. Bipartisan demand for answers involving FBI Director Kash Patel's use of taxpayer money should matter to everyone. Former FBI National S...
TikTok video by The Steady State
033
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
Gail Helt @gailhelt.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
This is shameful. Absolutely no one deserves to be so in fear for their life that they have to don bullet-proof vests to travel to and from their work serving this country. And no 12 year old should have to fear for his mother’s life. Dear God what are we becoming.
263
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Booker: Okay, but this is the thing that really bothers me. He’s telling me, “I am concerned about Ghislaine Maxwell’s safety” But I am not even going to meet with the victims to get them the justice they deserve. It is so disqualifying for this man to have sat there today and said that to me.
339115773703
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Government ethics rules exist for good reasons. Will FCC officials be held to the same standards as every other government employee? FCC Officials Took Pricey Gifts From Paramount as the Company Needed Approval for Billion-Dollar Deals. @thesteadystate.org www.propublica.org/article/para...
propublica.org
FCC Officials Took Pricey Gifts From Paramount as the Company Needed Approval for Billion-Dollar Deals
Accepting tickets to the Kennedy Center honors gala compromised the commissioners’ impartiality, ethics experts told ProPublica. FCC Chair Brendan Carr has been gifted at least $63,000 worth of ticket...
054
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Todd Blanche testified today in the Senate. We should all should oppose his confirmation. He refused to say that #ICE will not be deployed at voting locations. In fact he said they hadn't been deployed when in fact they confronted a poll worker in Syracuse, NY www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
democracydocket.com
ICE agents confront New York poll worker during voting, as state prosecutors review incident
“They knew I was a poll site worker and still came in."
143
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Targeting journalists, lawyers, adversaries,non profits, academia. We all need to speak out against injustice. This piece is about Nicaragua but some of this is happening here. #MoralCourage #HoldFast #Democracy @thesteadystate.org apnews.com/article/nica...
apnews.com
Nicaragua strips lawyers from practicing in ongoing crackdown on dissent
Nicaragua's government has stripped many lawyers of their licenses to practice, according to a United Nations expert.
012
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
The State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) is one of the Intelligence Community's least-known assets. I worked closely w/them for nearly 2 decades at the FBI. Their independence makes our intelligence stronger+is a sign of a healthy democracy. open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
open.substack.com
How the Secretary of State Degraded his Own Intelligence Agency
One year after the State Department’s purge, a former INR analyst explains why he resigned and how the loss of expertise is making America less prepared for the crises ahead.
012
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
The headline is about fed gov employees - it details stories incl the murder of a young boy whose mother was deported, despite pleading that she be allowed to take him w/her. Six-hour polygraphs, forced reassignments: inside homeland security’s campaign of fear www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
theguardian.com
Six-hour polygraphs, forced reassignments: inside homeland security’s campaign of fear
The ruthless gutting and reforming of the Department of Homeland Security has traumatized both workers and the most vulnerable immigrants
011
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
Peter Baker @peterbakernyt.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
"The appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects." www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/b...
nytimes.com
Times Journalists Subpoenaed as Trump Escalates Pressure on Media
The Justice Department is seeking to compel testimony from reporters who wrote about the new Air Force One. The Times called the move a “brazen act.”
154835266
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
POTUS ordered FBI Dir to the WH for a leak investigation re press reptg on change of Air Force 1 aircraft The Director ran this from the WH for 8 hrs. A bypass of institutional firewalls which have held for 50+ years. Unprecedented in modern history. It should trouble all of us @thesteadystate.org
042
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
This week's murder of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was horrifying. Pursuit in unmarked vehicles w/o use of lights/sirens would frighten anyone, including me, in any setting—urban, suburban, or rural. And I'm a former #FBI agent. @thesteadystate.org www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
washingtonpost.com
Migrants who saw man killed by ICE in Houston say he did not ram officers
Three men who were in the vehicle alongside Lorenzo Salgado Araujo are contesting the Department of Homeland Security’s account of the fatal shooting.
03612
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
The world is watching and taking note. We must hold #ICE accountable. Pursuing anyone in unmarked vehicles w/o lights and sirens is a gross error by law enforcement officers in this instance. Not only did they kill #LorenzoSelgadoAraujo - they endangered the lives of every person in the vicinity.
000
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Important news and the key point? #DOJ is now 0 for 12 in its efforts to obtain unredacted voter registration lists. @thesteadystate.org @johnsipher.bsky.social
15115
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
This should concern every one of us. Because of First Amendment protections, the standards within the #FBI and the #DOJ necessarily, and appropriately, require a much higher level of legal scrutiny when it concerns journalists. The question is -are they adhering to this? @thesteadystate.org
010
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
@thesteadystate.org
022
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
David Corn @davidcorn.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The Great Red Scare of Mesopotamia was really something.
84984261544
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
I am proud to be a signatory to this letter in opposition to the nomination of Todd Blanche to be the Attorney General of the United States. @thesteadystate.org @johnsipher.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/justicec...
open.substack.com
1,200+ Former DOJ Employees Oppose Todd Blanche’s Nomination
The Senate must not give its seal of approval for Blanche’s degradation and politicization of the Justice Department’s career workforce.
212931
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
John Sipher @johnsipher.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
“We have met the enemy, and he is us.” abcnews.com/US/administr...
abcnews.com
Administration sharing info about asylum seekers with Iranian government, lawsuit claims
The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund has filed suit alleging the administration has been sharing information about Iranian asylum seekers with the Iranian government.
616055
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
This isn't how the FBI is supposed to work. A judge questioned the legal basis for the investigation. Departing FBI leaders questioned something bigger. The kind of institutional integrity question @smerconish.bsky.social has explored. @johnsipher.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/laurenca...
open.substack.com
This Isn't How The FBI Is Supposed To Work
A federal judge questioned the investigation. Departing FBI leaders questioned something bigger.
020
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
substack.com/@laurencande...
substack.com
Lauren C Anderson (@laurencandersonintl)
A great read. I spent time living and working in Israel during my FBI career but their (Israeli) belief that the Iranians, who are not a monolithic single population, would rise up against the current...
001
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
A colleague/friend wrote this "Same House, Different Country." It's reflective of what's happening in homes across our country. She served our nation with distinction - until 2025 - at #DHS @homelandgov.bsky.social @uscg-official.bsky.social @thesteadystate.org substack.com/@jaimeelliso...
substack.com
Jaime Ellison (@jaimeellison)
I realize this song is obnoxiously long, but please take a listen to at least part of it. Lyrics by me, music by AI. If you’ve experienced division in your home or witnesses the growing divide acros...
010
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
"It was precisely the freedom and openness that made the United States strong. People fleeing poverty and oppression were welcomed and were able to freely shape their own future and contribute to a dynamic society." Our diversity and our acceptance of others is what set us apart.
011
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
No, Laura. It’s not “Antifa.” It was Patriot Front, a white nationalist organization. They covered their faces because they’re cowards who don’t want to be identified. We’ve been saying for over a year that ICE officers shouldn’t be allowed to wear masks either. They are cowards also.
1795218855747
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
The #FBI Special Agent in Detroit praised her departing colleague. Someone brought that to the attention of the FBI Directors office. She subsequently walked back her praise. This is not the FBI I know nor is it the FBI any American should want. www.rawstory.com/fbi-backtrac...
rawstory.com
FBI supervisor scrambles after 'career ending' praise for anti-Trump agent: report
An FBI supervisor scrambled to retract her praise for a departing Chicago agent after the bureau branded him disloyal to President Donald Trump, a move a former agent warned could cost her career.FBI ...
001
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Is this a consequence of Director Patel's instruction to send 260 #FBI analysts from around the country to Georgia for an arguably questionable continuing probe into the 2020 election? I don't have the answer to that but it gives one pause. #MoralCourage #ServiceIsNotPartisan
011
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
The #FBI Special Agent in Charge in Chicago is leaving, saying "I've never backed down from a fight, as long as it meant our personnel could continue to serve the FBI's mission. Unfortunately.. my departure is a consequence of that." This is deeply troubling, and there is more to the story. 👇
apnews.com
211
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
As we celebrate our 250th, a thoughtful and meaningful post by #MarthaDuncan, a former Department of Defense senior executive and a 23-year US Army officer in the reserves. "The flag asks something of us...to defend the rule of law even when it's inconvenient." @thesteadystate.org #MoralCourage
021
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
The #FBI Special Agent in Charge in Chicago is leaving, saying "I've never backed down from a fight, as long as it meant our personnel could continue to serve the FBI's mission. Unfortunately.. my departure is a consequence of that." This is deeply troubling, and there is more to the story. 👇
apnews.com
211
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
Christine Cooper 🇨🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @coopspeak.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
“When he does want to get involved, he’s demanding updates inconsistent w/being able to cont with the investigation. He rptly said in these calls, ‘We have to get something out on SM, let’s craft what my tweet should look like,’ rather than focusing on the substantive dev in the investigation.”
074
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Is this what we want the #FBI doing? It's not making our country safer. Nor are premature disclosures of investigations making us safer. It all undermines #trust. #NatSec @thesteadystate.org @johnsipher.bsky.social @kensyring.com @muellershewrote.com www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Kash Patel draws flak for posting FBI case details on social media ‘to make himself look good’
FBI veterans believe director may have flouted legal rules by prematurely divulging details of UFC attack plot inquiry
107736
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
I was at the #FBI for nearly 3 decades. I agree w/Jack Smith. The erosion of the rule of law+ basic due process, along with overtly political investigations, is deeply troubling-260 FBI analysts bring sent to #Georgia to work on long-debunked election allegations? @thesteadystate.org @kensyring.com
010
Lauren C Anderson @lcandersonintl.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
One step in the dismantling of #authoritarianism - moving toward an independent public media. @thesteadystate.org @muellershewrote.com euobserver.com/224791/for-h... #Hungary. #EU
euobserver.com
For Hungary, it is an earthquake: public-service media will not be one-sided, Orbán’s Fidesz empire is falling apart
With hundreds of pro-Fidesz journalists laid off and state propaganda cash drying up, Hungarians could soon see a radically different media landscape—if independent outlets survive the coming financia...
030
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
John Sipher @johnsipher.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Insane we live in a country where journalists can report this and legislators and investigators do nothing about it. (Gift Article). History will not be kind! www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
How Trump Is Trying to Change the Electoral Process to Help Republicans (Gift Article)
Here’s how President Trump is using the powers of his office to try to reshape the rules governing the midterms and future elections.
915285