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Randall Eliason

@rdeliason.bsky.social
48K followers 342 following 433 posts

White collar crime prof, former federal prosecutor, columnist and blogger, a cappella singer, husband, dad and grandpa.

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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 17h
You have to wonder about the political instincts of Senate Republicans who called Jack Smith to testify publicly about Trump’s crimes and remind the public about those events five weeks before the midterms.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The alleged "grand conspiracy" case is imploding, with first diGenova quitting and now others involved in the investigation leaving as well. Maybe there are actually some prosecutions so ridiculous that even this Justice Department won't pursue them. Maybe. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/28/u...
nytimes.com
Second Prosecutor Quits Trump’s ‘Grand Conspiracy’ Case (Gift Article)
The resignation adds to the setbacks to the most sweeping effort by the Justice Department to fulfill the president’s desire to take revenge against the federal officials who have investigated him.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Minnesota Vikings are 3-0. Proof that anything can happen.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
20 years ago, Bush fired several U.S. Attorneys for failing to pursue election fraud cases against Democrats. It was a major scandal that led to a special counsel and multiple resignations. When Trump's DOJ threatened to do the same thing, it barely registered. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/doj-report...
sidebarsblog.com
DOJ Reportedly Threatens to Fire Prosecutors Who Decline Voter Fraud Cases
An update to an old Republican playbook
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
My latest on Sidebars: DOJ reportedly threatened to fire prosecutors who decline voter fraud cases. 20 years ago, the Bush DOJ fired U.S. Attorneys for failing to pursue voter fraud cases against Democrats. Republicans are running plays from an old playbook. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/doj-report...
sidebarsblog.com
DOJ Reportedly Threatens to Fire Prosecutors Who Decline Voter Fraud Cases
An update to an old Republican playbook
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Imagine spending all that time and energy to oust Powell and put in your own hand-picked guy, and then the guy raises rates anyway. What a tragedy. Lots of ketchup will be flying tonight.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Big fan of @hcrichardson.bsky.social but her description of the FL ballot case here is misleading. These were not “rejected mailed ballots” but merely a proposed envelope design submitted for approval in advance. The post makes it sound like actual mailed ballots were rejected, which is not correct.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
To travel internationally today is to be constantly having these conversations: “Yes, we know he’s crazy. We don’t understand how it happened either.” It was nice when we could travel and not be embarrassed for our country or to say where we are from.
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Reposted by Randall Eliason
Leah Litman @leahlitman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
What Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social does is a huge public service: www.stevevladeck.com/p/246-making...
stevevladeck.com
246. Making Sense of the Mail-in Ballots Ruling
The Supreme Court’s grant of a stay in one of the mail-in ballot cases is deeply wrong, but it’s also not the main event over whether Trump’s patently unlawful executive order can take effect.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
My latest on Sidebars: Sometimes something that looks, walks, and quacks like a duck . . . is still not a duck. Trump’s Truth Social scheme and the law of insider trading. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/why-trumps...
sidebarsblog.com
Why Trump's Truth Social Early Access Scheme Is Not Insider Trading
Corrupt but not criminal
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
My latest on Sidebars: Trump is selling early access to his market-moving Truth Social posts to allow subscribers to make millions by trading based on the posts before the public sees them. It’s sleazy, unethical, and corrupt. But it’s not insider trading. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/why-trumps...
sidebarsblog.com
Why Trump's Truth Social Early Access Scheme Is Not Insider Trading
Corrupt but not criminal
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
The reflecting pool case was just another example of Trump's Justice Department trying to please him and back up his fantasies through abuse of the criminal justice process. www.politico.com/news/2026/08...
politico.com
Jeanine Pirro struggles to give Trump the wins he craves the most
She’s delivering on some core priorities — but the Reflecting Pool is just the latest politically charged prosecution to fall flat.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The vote on Blanche's nomination is set for tomorrow, but there are signs it may be in trouble. Here's hoping some in the Senate are developing a spine. Blanche has no business being Attorney General. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/todd-blanc...
sidebarsblog.com
Todd Blanche Should Not Be Attorney General
His record is disqualifying
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
This disgraceful prosecution -- spearheaded by Todd Blanche -- is one of many reasons the Senate should reject his nomination to be Attorney General.
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memeorandum @memeorandum.com · 27/07/2026
Comey asks judge to dismiss Trump 'seashells' case citing lack of 'true threat' (Dan Mangan/CNBC) Main Link | memeorandum Permalink
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Tom Cruise?
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Break doors and windows at the Capitol, assault police officers, and you’re a patriot who deserves a pardon. But pick up some peeling paint from the reflecting pool and you’ll be prosecuted. That’s the DOJ under Trump and Todd Blanche. He’s unfit for the job. open.substack.com/pub/sidebars...
open.substack.com
Todd Blanche Should Not Be Attorney General
His record is disqualifying
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
My latest on Sidebars: Todd Blanche’s record at DOJ over the past 18 months shows he is unfit to serve as Attorney General. open.substack.com/pub/sidebars...
open.substack.com
Todd Blanche Should Not Be Attorney General
His record is disqualifying
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Reposted by Randall Eliason
Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
this is knicks game 3 all over again isn’t it the trump curse lives!
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Well, this tracks. FIFA may be one of the few institutions in the world that is as corrupt as the Trump administration. They understand each other. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/05/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Asked FIFA to Review U.S. Player’s Suspension. Now He’s Eligible to Play.
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Eric Columbus @ericcolumbus.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Honored that the great @rdeliason.bsky.social mentioned my @lawfaremedia.org piece on the Broadview Six in his excellent roundup of Trump administration malfeasance before the district courts. Here's a link to my piece: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/r.i....
lawfaremedia.org
R.I.P. Chicago Protester Prosecution (2025-2026)
How a felony case against the “Broadview Six” dwindled to a misdemeanor charge against the “Broadview Four”—and then suddenly died.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
My latest on Sidebars: in a little more than a year, the Trump administration has destroyed the judicial trust that took decades to build. Judges are now rejecting the traditional presumption of regularity they used to apply to acts of government officials. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/the-presum...
sidebarsblog.com
The Presumption of Irregularity
Under Trump, an old legal doctrine is flipped on its head
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
My latest on Sidebars: under Trump, the presumption of regularity that courts apply to government actions has been flipped. Now, if the government is accused of misconduct, it's reasonable for a court to assume there is probably something to the accusation. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/the-presum...
sidebarsblog.com
The Presumption of Irregularity
Under Trump, an old legal doctrine is flipped on its head
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
The damage to DOJ's credibility is a huge problem. Assuming we someday once again have a Justice Department interested in pursuing true corruption cases, who could blame judges or juries from believing a legitimate defendant was politically targeted? www.politico.com/news/2026/06...
politico.com
Trump’s DOJ has a credibility problem. Newsom is testing how far it goes.
The California governor says a possible probe is political payback.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Some criticized Jack Smith for bringing the Trump classified docs case in FL rather than DC. But today's SCOTUS decision in Abouammo shows he was right. The investigation was in DC but the obstructive acts and retention of docs were in FL. Venue is a constitutional requirement, not an option.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
The NBA games are clearly rigged. The Knicks were leading at halftime last night but then as the evening went on there were wide changes in the results. This is undermining fan integrity and confidence in the result.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
That's a key characteristic of a good conspiracy theory: if there is no evidence of the conspiracy, that merely proves how good the conspirators have been at covering it up.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Your periodic reminder that even if a witness is not under oath, lying during a Congressional interview is still a felony - 18 U.S.C. 1001. Taking an oath may make the proceeding seem more serious and formal, but it's not necessary for criminal liability. www.politico.com/news/2026/05...
politico.com
Pam Bondi is set for another Hill grilling — but not the one some lawmakers hoped for
The ousted former attorney general is scheduled to answer questions Friday from the House Oversight Committee on how she handled the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
The obligation of a prosecutor to act ethically is especially important in the grand jury, where there is no judge or defense counsel to intervene. Prosecutors in Trump's DOJ are ignoring those obligations and eroding the judicial trust built up over decades. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/u...
nytimes.com
As Trump Politicizes Justice Dept., Prosecutors Struggle With Grand Juries
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Blanche said yesterday other expressions of "86 47" won't be prosecuted but the Comey case is based on additional evidence of intent - although he couldn't say what that was. If they really had such evidence it would be in the indictment. #selectiveprosecution www.sidebarsblog.com/p/todd-blanc...
sidebarsblog.com
Todd Blanche Escalates the Abuses at the Justice Department
The acting AG auditions for the permanent job
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
My latest on Sidebars: when Todd Blanche was first appointed to DOJ, some were hopeful that the former AUSA from the Southern District of NY would be a moderating influence, someone who respected DOJ's norms and the rule of law. Those hopes have been dashed. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/todd-blanc...
sidebarsblog.com
Todd Blanche Escalates the Abuses at the Justice Department
The acting AG auditions for the permanent job
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
My latest on Sidebars: with Todd Blanche in charge at DOJ, things have gone from bad to worse. The new Comey indictment doesn't pass the laugh test or the smell test. And anyone who signed off on it would not pass a first-year criminal law test. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/todd-blanc...
sidebarsblog.com
Todd Blanche Escalates the Abuses at the Justice Department
The acting AG auditions for the permanent job
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
The defense should move for access to the grand jury transcripts in the new Comey case. It’s hard to believe the grand jurors weren’t misled about the legal requirements of these charges.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
I mean, it was obviously a threat. Who can forget the famous scene from "The Godfather" when they find the seashell art on the doorstep and everyone knows it means Luca Brasi sleeps with the scallops?
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Among the many ridiculous things about this indictment is that it includes a forfeiture request - so that if convicted Comey must forfeit to the US any property that constitutes proceeds of his seashell threat. Huh? 🤔
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
I remember when people had some hope that Todd Blanche, a former AUSA in the Southern District of NY, might be a moderating influence at DOJ. But he's become a true believer. What a disappointment. It's almost like they are letting Trump write the briefs now. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/28/u...
nytimes.com
Adopting Trump’s Voice, Justice Dept. Asks Judge to Let Ballroom Proceed
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
As predicted, DC US Attorney Pirro has now dropped the investigation of Jerome Powell that she never should have started in the first place, clearing the way for Warsh’s confirmation. Her string of failed, political prosecutions continues. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/jeanine-pi...
sidebarsblog.com
Jeanine Pirro's Remarkable Losing Streak Continues
Judge rejects her subpoenas to the Federal Reserve
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Reposted by Randall Eliason
Ricky Davila @therickydavila.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Texas republicans illegally gerrymandered their maps and never once asked voters how they feel about it. California and Virginia let voters decide. That’s the difference. They started this fight and Democrats are going to fucking finish it.
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Max Kennerly @maxkennerly.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Indeed. Complaints about redistricting are invalid. Republicans did it everywhere and invalidated a Constitutional Amendment so they could do it on explicitly racial lines. There are two choices: use the same levers of power as Republicans do, or let them win. There is no "principled" opposition.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
There is a public interest in supporting jury verdicts after a full and fair trial. Justice shouldn’t be whipsawed just because the administration changes. The court should appoint counsel to argue the other side, since this motion is of course unopposed.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Such obvious theatrics and attempted intimidation. Prosecutors are unlikely to learn anything relevant to a fraud case by visiting the site, and if they really wanted to see it they would have arranged a visit with someone knowledgeable about the work.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
I’m not sure what the legal standard is but I assume the court will not automatically grant this motion. Trying to drop the case after a jury verdict is very different from dismissing it prior to trial.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Always a pleasure to speak with @thebradblog.bsky.social . I wish we had some happier topics to discuss.
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Reposted by Randall Eliason
Eric Columbus @ericcolumbus.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
This is a remarkable story of a longtime DOJ prosecutor, portrayed here as not especially competent, who has become a big star in this administration because he will eagerly do preposterous things for them. GIFT LINK: www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
wsj.com
This Prosecutor Was Floundering. Now He’s a Go-To Guy at Trump’s DOJ.
After Pam Bondi’s ouster, the administration will likely lean even more heavily on lawyers such as Robert Keenan.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
My latest on Sidebars: Pam Bondi did incalculable damage to the Department of Justice and the rule of law. It's good news that she's gone. The bad news is things could get even worse if her successor is someone more competent but with the same corrupt motives. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/pam-bondis...
sidebarsblog.com
Pam Bondi's Legacy of Destruction
She leaves DOJ's reputation and integrity in tatters
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
My latest on Sidebars: Pam Bondi leaves with the reputation and integrity of the Justice Department in tatters. Unfortunately, there is little reason to expect that things will improve under her successor. www.sidebarsblog.com/p/pam-bondis...
sidebarsblog.com
Pam Bondi's Legacy of Destruction
She leaves DOJ's reputation and integrity in tatters
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Now let's do Hegseth.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
This was inevitable, and this DOJ will undoubtedly agree to pay the "victims" millions as part of the administration's efforts to rewrite the history of January 6.
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Any pardoned Jan. 6 Capitol rioters who have not yet sued for wrongful prosecution will no doubt take note. In addition to a pardon, Trump’s DOJ will pay you off as part of the efforts to rewrite the history of his first term crimes. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/u...
nytimes.com
Justice Dept. Settles Flynn’s Wrongful Prosecution Suit for $1.25 Million
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Randall Eliason @rdeliason.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
RIP Bob Mueller. He was a decent, principled, skilled prosecutor who served his country with integrity. His biggest mistake was assuming that others around him, particularly Attorney General William Barr and Republicans in Congress, would be similarly decent and principled.
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