Sign in

Seamus Hughes

@seamushughes.bsky.social
30K followers 142 following 749 posts

I read a lot of court records because I like a good story. Won a Pulitzer a couple times. “A well-known PACER watcher” - Justice Department

PostsRepliesMedia
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
👇
071
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
To aspiring journalists, your reminder to just send that cold email today.
2426
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Court Watch @courtwatch.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Scoop: Feds have charged two men, Omar and Abdel Adhami, for raising money for Hamas. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
#1 in United States v. Adhami (E.D. La., 2:26-mj-00111) – CourtListener.com
COMPLAINT signed by Magistrate Judge Janis van Meerveld as to Omar Adhami (1). (Attachments: # 1 Criminal Magistrate Case Sheet) (nml)(2 cc USM, cc USM) (Main Document 1 replaced on 9/16/2026) (mmv). ...
042
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
William Bendix @williambendix.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"Ask the abliterated model how to make a bomb; a detailed response is forthcoming. Ask the tool how to develop a new pathogen to distribute in the food supply chain? No problem. Ask how to convince someone to join an extremist organization? Of course, it can do that."
lawfaremedia.org
The AI Threat We’re Not Talking About
AI employees are raising concerns about an extinction-level event. But there’s a more immediate threat.
145
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Alex Brizee @alexbrizee.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
It's a quiet but necessary part of my job: making sure every case we write about is followed through the system: “ If I’m naming someone in a story, their life is now being changed." Spoke with @courtwatch.bsky.social about how McClatchy's mass layoffs will impact legal coverage.
courtwatch.news
The Rabbit Hole: Covering What McClatchy Will Miss
With the private equity-owned newspaper chain laying off 90 reporters, we look at the court stories they’ll miss.
0115
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 28/09/2026
"It may not be the rogue AI agent that causes our end but, rather, the computer on the shoulder of the extremist who was validated, encouraged, and guided by his AI companion without any guardrails," writes Sam Hunter and @seamushughes.bsky.social.
lawfaremedia.org
The AI Threat We’re Not Talking About
AI employees are raising concerns about an extinction-level event. But there’s a more immediate threat.
26428
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Everyone seems to be freaking out about an extinction level A.I. event but there’s a more immediate concern that most are overlooking. My latest with my colleague Sam Hunter. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
lawfaremedia.org
The AI Threat We’re Not Talking About
AI employees are raising concerns about an extinction-level event. But there’s a more immediate threat.
0144
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Things will be missed www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
1226
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
We pulled dozens of court dockets and talked to a lot of laid off reporters to tell the story of stories that won't get covered after McClatchy’s cuts. www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
courtwatch.news
The Rabbit Hole: Covering What McClatchy Will Miss
With the private equity-owned newspaper chain laying off 90 reporters, we look at the court stories they’ll miss.
075
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"It appears federal investigators are quietly dusting off a well-worn playbook for investigating Hamas funding & Muslim-brotherhood linked groups in the U.S. But no one is noticing we’re all understandably focused on a lesbian bar in Massachusetts" www.courtwatch.news/p/192-holy-l...
courtwatch.news
#192: Holy Land Foundation, Redux.
What’s old is new for terror financing. Plus: Scathing judge’s order, fake coupon scams, and flamethrowers
1146
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A few months ago, a Bloomberg Law editor threatened me with a good time. "...according to a Bloomberg Law analysis of 11,000 pages of files that were accessible only by going to the court in person and obtaining them on paper." news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/i...
news.bloomberglaw.com
Immigrants Fighting for Release on Their Own Face Daunting Odds
With few legal options, immigration detainees funneled through facilities in Louisiana often try to win release by filing habeas corpus petitions without a lawyer. Many are deported before their argum...
1304
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Don't Wash Your Pits in the River of Sacred Tears @maestraoogway.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
“Two of the youngest pupils, Fletcher Merkel, an 8-year-old, and Harper Moyski, a 10-year-old, did not escape the violent fury of a person who saw nothing of value in this world or the next. “
074
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Nearly a year later, we still update this list in real time.
112244
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Walter Hickey @walthickey.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
court watch from @seamushughes.bsky.social is so great www.courtwatch.news/p/191-privat...
courtwatch.news
#191: Private Parts Become Public Record
No other way to describe that and still get through the email filters. Plus: District Attorney Disqualified, Fake Epstein Victim, and a College Football Stadium Scam.
002
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Predictably our headline lead to the fastest open rate in Court Watch history. Never change, internet. www.courtwatch.news/p/191-privat...
courtwatch.news
#191: Private Parts Become Public Record
No other way to describe that and still get through the email filters. Plus: District Attorney Disqualified, Fake Epstein Victim, and a College Football Stadium Scam.
0111
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Paul Graf @paulginva.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
“Something terrible is happening to our kids, and we seem unwilling to act beyond a passing surface-level self-reflection. One has to sit for a moment with that awful truth.” This is a long, hard piece to read, but read it we should.
062
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I’ve written a lot of things over 20 years for a lot of fancy places, won a lot of fancy reporting awards. This is the most important thing I’ve ever written and it got no traction because of where we published. I would sincerely appreciate if you fixed that. www.courtwatch.news/p/the-church...
courtwatch.news
The Church Bells Still Ring
A year after the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting, an examination of faith and fidelity to nothing.
12514
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Piebald Mare @piebaldmare3.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
“How can a society prevent more tiny coffins?”
031
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Jonathan Heaps @jonathanrheaps.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
This is a long, difficult read, but it is beautiful and—especially from a national security outlet—theologically astute.
2259
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
“asked what his biggest regret was, an American member of al-Qaeda who spent time in Afghanistan fighting for the terror group told us that his back hurt. What he meant, after some prodding…his advancing age made it impossible to fire a rocket-propelled grenade” www.lawfaremedia.org/article/terr...
lawfaremedia.org
Terrorism’s Second Act
A growing number of convicted terrorists are soon to be released from prison, there’s no plan to address potential recidivism.
111
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Court Watch @courtwatch.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Our entire brand is taking stuffy legal documents and making them accessible to the masses, but it’s still a bit jarring to see the First Circuit employ our writing style. www.courtwatch.news/p/190-stoppi...
courtwatch.news
#190: Stopping the 'Stop Nick Shirley Act'?
California might be too terminally online for even us. Plus: Cartels, Weaponized Drones, Anarchists, and NBA gambling pleas.
0124
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
what fresh hell is this (Immediately deleted. You can support human written independent journalism and read news stories involving the criminal justice system here: www.courtwatch.news/upgrade )
3248
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Court Watch @courtwatch.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Mike Lindell was facing an existential threat to My Pillow existence due to rising debts. So he offered a potential government settlement over the Arctic Frost investigation as collateral. www.courtwatch.news/p/189-settle...
courtwatch.news
#189: Settle for Sleep?
Mike Lindell dangles a possible government settlement to pay off debts. Plus: AUSA engages in the oldest profession in the world, force feeding a NatGuard shooter, and FIFA drama
036
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Honestly, I couldn’t think of a worse way to frame a post about a story that will should viral on bluesky.
060
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Sometimes as a reporter you have to write about Arctic Frost in order to introduce more people to Caamp www.courtwatch.news/p/189-settle...
courtwatch.news
#189: Settle for Sleep?
Mike Lindell dangles a possible government settlement to pay off debts. Plus: AUSA engages in the oldest profession in the world, force feeding a NatGuard shooter, and FIFA drama
172
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Court Watch @courtwatch.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
A Judge Believed He Was Being Threatened, His Colleague Disagreed www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
courtwatch.news
The Rabbit Hole: A Judge Believed He Was Being Threatened, His Colleague Disagreed
Divides over how to police online vitriol emerge on a Florida bench.
082
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Ray Glennon OFS @rayglennon.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
A difficult but needed *must read*. @catholickungfu.bsky.social posted ‘“Jesus wept.” It’s the shortest verse in the New Testament, but arguably its most powerful.’
0133
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
“…the massive stained-glass window in the back of the church shows a man with his hands over his face. It’s Adam in the Garden of Eden, ashamed for disappointing God. In the closing credits, Westman’s manifesto asked subscribers to like and share its content.” www.courtwatch.news/p/the-church...
courtwatch.news
The Church Bells Still Ring
A year after the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting, an examination of faith and fidelity to nothing.
030
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Haydon, frightfully @haydonmp.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Probably the most careful theology of any article I’ve read on lawfare.
1124
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Court Watch @courtwatch.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
There’s some curious developments in a terrorism case that everyone missed, the LA Lakers’ new owner gets subpoenaed, and the feds quietly restart a hacking case. www.courtwatch.news/p/188-charit...
courtwatch.news
#188: Charity for Hamas
Twenty years of humanitarian work while moonlighting for terrorism? Plus: Judge Roberts impersonated, Abbey Gate DOJ win, and Joshua Kushner subpoenaed.
0146
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Rick Ellis @toomuchtvcom.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Court Watch has an exceptionally well-written piece looking back at the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church www.courtwatch.news/p/the-church...
courtwatch.news
he Church Bells Still Ring
A year after the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting, an examination of faith and fidelity to nothing.
054
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
“Something terrible is happening to our kids, and we seem unwilling to act beyond a passing surface-level self-reflection. One has to sit for a moment with that awful truth.” www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
lawfaremedia.org
The Church Bells Still Ring
A year after the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting, an examination of faith and fidelity to nothing.
04811
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 27/08/2026
One year ago, a mass shooter killed two children and injured many others in the Annunciation Catholic Church mass shooting. @seamushughes.bsky.social and @pwbeck.bsky.social explore the increasingly prevalent online culture of death and nihilism.
lawfaremedia.org
The Church Bells Still Ring
A year after the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting, an examination of faith and fidelity to nothing.
02511
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Court Watch @courtwatch.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
“Westman wanted a reaction from everyone, about everything, anything, or perhaps nothing at all. Not only to be whispered about in polite society, but to live on loudly in infamy in the manifestos of the mass killers that come after.” www.courtwatch.news/p/the-church...
courtwatch.news
he Church Bells Still Ring
A year after the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting, an examination of faith and fidelity to nothing.
042
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
My coauthor and I put everything we had in this piece. I would appreciate if you read and shared it widely. www.courtwatch.news/p/the-church...
courtwatch.news
he Church Bells Still Ring
A year after the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting, an examination of faith and fidelity to nothing.
1139
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Court Watch @courtwatch.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Scooplet: A former Assistant U.S. attorney was indicted threatening to use AI to create child exploitation materials of a senior officials in the U.S. Attorney office and wanted to use ChatGPT to track down their kids. www.courtwatch.news/p/187-the-ju...
courtwatch.news
#187: The Justice Department Owns a Bar
And not the legal kind. Plus: AUSA indicted, Defamation lawsuit fails, Threatening Flock, AI parody fights, and unmasking an anonymous twitter account.
13219
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Kate Ross @kateross.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
I look forward to my @courtwatch.bsky.social newsletter for stuff like this and the stuff I hadn’t heard was happening yet. Thanks for your service!
0104
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
“We’re not sure how we feel about federal judges being more terminally online than us.” www.courtwatch.news/p/186-ok-goo...
0325
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Our operating budget is a rounding error for most news rooms. Our reporting impact is the envy of all news rooms. Court Watch can only continue with your support.
01510
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Again: If you care about either surveillance law or terrorwar 2.0, consider subscribing, bc @courtwatch.bsky.social created huge scoops in both in recent weeks.
210540
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
8 left. Be the change you wanna see in journalism.
02310
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
We’re ten new subscribers away from our goal. Help us get over the finish line. www.courtwatch.news/p/moment-of-...
courtwatch.news
Moment of Truth
Court Watch has led the news this last month. That may not happen again without your help.
23111
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Lizzie Dearden @lizziedearden.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
A record number of people have been referred to the Prevent counter-terrorism scheme, with children aged between 11 and 15 accounting for the largest group The Home Office said the increase may be linked to “increased awareness of Prevent” following the Southport attack inews.co.uk/news/politic...
32013
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Now's a great time to support journalism that is filling a critical function that many other journalists depend on. www.courtwatch.news/p/judge-rule...
courtwatch.news
Judge Rules Tower Dumps Search Inherently Unconstitutional
Docket and Opinion are only available because Court Watch successfully fought to unseal it.
018357
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The trick to breaking news is to never sleep and file motions a year ago that finally bear fruit.
05319
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Our operating budget is a rounding error for most news rooms. Our reporting impact is the envy of all news rooms. Court Watch can only continue with your support.
01510
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 02/08/2026
In July, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court had its first case in 30 years. @pwbeck.bsky.social and @seamushughes.bsky.social unpack the ATRC’s history, how the court operates, why the court may have lain inactive, and DOJ's decision to bring a case now.
lawfaremedia.org
The Rip Van Winkle Court
Last week, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court had its first case in 30 years. We dive into DOJ’s awakening of a controversial court.
13210
Reposted by Seamus Hughes
Court Watch @courtwatch.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
For our Sunday long read, reporter Peter Beck looks at the legal consequences of chasing shadows. www.courtwatch.news/p/the-rabbit...
courtwatch.news
The Rabbit Hole: Chasing Shadows
False flags, sanctioned oil, and the hunt around the world for shadow ships
0128
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
I don’t care what the open rate says. This was a good lede. www.courtwatch.news/p/185-a-quar...
courtwatch.news
#185: A Quarter-Life Crisis for a Court
Being the oldest court in judicial kindergarten is confusing. Plus: DoD defamation lawsuit, DOJ settling over water, Wilmer Hale breach, and shotgun complaints.
151
Seamus Hughes @seamushughes.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
“The whole thing reminded us a bit of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 short story, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. For our less pretentious readers, think Brad Pitt’s late 2000s movie.” www.courtwatch.news/p/185-a-quar...
courtwatch.news
#185: A Quarter-Life Crisis for a Court
Being the oldest court in judicial kindergarten is confusing. Plus: DoD defamation lawsuit, DOJ settling over water, Wilmer Hale breach, and shotgun complaints.
030