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Sean Hecker

@sean-hecker.bsky.social
4.1K followers 2.6K following 665 posts

Trial lawyer, criminal defense lawyer, criminal justice reformer, San Diego Padres fan, founding partner at Hecker Fink LLP.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Sean Hecker
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse @whitehouse.senate.gov · 6h
First the wedding, now the ballroom — “Trump/Russia” gets smellier and smellier.
esquire.com
A Wealthy Russian Businessman Is Helping Fund Trump’s Stupid Ballroom. Nothing Sketchy About That, Right?
Surely, our president will face consequences for this insanity.
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 15h
It’s almost like he’s figuring that if he’s going down, he might as well bank a few hundred million more before it happens. thehill.com/homenews/adm...
thehill.com
Trump meme coin firm invites top buyers to ‘exclusive’ gala with the president
The firm managing President Trump’s $TRUMP meme coin announced it is hosting an “exclusive” gala for the top 185 holders of the coin, featuring the president as a speaker. “An evening with 3 Legend…
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Adam Cohen (My Personal Views Only) @axidentaliberal.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Have you heard of 1789 Capital? The venture capital firm founded by Don Jr? They obtained a stake in a small company named Vulcan Elements-and quickly got a $620 million deal from the Pentagon Why? “The call came from the White House: We have to get this done” #PaytoPlayPresident
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
LFG Padres!
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
DOJ has been engaged in a continuing war on judges who dare call out DOJ's unlawful conduct. Extremely dangerous. They ought to be trying to remediate all of their failures to abide by lawful court orders; instead, they put more judges lives at risk.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Jesse Eisinger @jeisinger.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
And don’t sleep on the part where we bust Cleta Mitchell (yes, that one) for helping to hatch a campaign finance cover-up:
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Great piece. Alternative headline: “How Trump Exploited Kirk Killing to Justify Fascist Playbook”
nytimes.com
How Trump Has Cracked Down on Dissent Since the Killing of Charlie Kirk
The White House has labeled critics terrorists, attributed violence to a left-wing conspiracy and investigated unions, nonprofits and other groups in a battle over free speech.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Things Fall Apart (in the Middle East): The Donald Trump Story talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/thing...
talkingpointsmemo.com
Things Fall Apart (in the Middle East): The Donald Trump Story
One of the key arguments for a great power — other than...
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
@petebuttigieg.bsky.social is right. We have to think more about amending the constitution to address the problem of money in politics. Imagine how much money would be spent trying to kill the effort…
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A must read for understanding the Trump Administration's threat to the rule of law, and how these MN federal judges, both republican and democratic appointees, held the line. Many violations of court orders are attributed to understaffing and incompetence; the pattern reflects total indifference.
nytimes.com
Trump’s Minnesota Surge Threatened Democracy, Judge Warns (Gift Article)
In a rare interview, Patrick Schiltz, who served as the federal court’s chief judge last winter, called the administration’s actions “a grave threat to the rule of law.”
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Same
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This is how it’s done. More of this please. www.booker.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/cory-booker-torches-kash-patel-in-fiery-senate-showdown
booker.senate.gov
Cory Booker TORCHES Kash Patel in Fiery Senate Showdown | U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey
The Official U.S. Senate website of Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Fact check - true
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Jesse Eisinger @jeisinger.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
“This should be unthinkable for the son of the president. End of story.” A Russian oligarch close to Putin bankrolled Don Jr.’s wedding. www.propublica.org/article/dona...
propublica.org
Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding Bankrolled by Putin-Linked Russian Oligarch
The oligarch, Umar Kremlev, spent hundreds of thousands on expenses like renting out a private island. He appears to have met Trump Jr. only recently, but he attended the intimate wedding with a large...
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
NEW: DHS's Inspector General releases a scathing report about the Everglades detention camp known as "Alligator Alcatraz." The OIG finds that the now-closed camp, violated multiple ICE standards. The OIG also confirms detainees were punished with placement in a metal cage in the Florida heat.🧵
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Staff also reported that time spent in the small metal enclosures is closely monitored, and
detainees are not locked in, even though we observed locking mechanisms on the enclosures.
Figures 11 and 12. Small Metal Enclosures; Observed January 21, 2026

Underneath is a picture of a metal cage that is 4 feet 3 inches wide by 4 feet 3 inches long, and 7 feet 9 inches high. The cage itself is placed on a tiny spot of fake turf, and then surrounded by another chainlink fence with razor wire on top. The cage is covered by a roof, but it's entirely exposed to the outside otherwise, meaning mosquitos and no air conditioning.
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
When Eric Trump distances himself from his brother because his corruption . . . checks notes . . . has gone too far?
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
onekade @onekade.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
DHS is torturing transgender people in its gulags www.themarshallproject.org/2026/09/12/i...
themarshallproject.org
ICE Treatment of Transgender Women Reversing Years-Long Practices
Women said they face harassment and lack proper medical care.
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
No one should be locked up in a small cage, not people awaiting deportation nor people serving time in prison. No one.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Chris Hayes @chrislhayes.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
This is going to make me sound old and maybe a little nostalgic but it’s really striking how in the Trump era, no one even pretends to debate about policy anymore.
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
This is just a wee bit concerning. Why would Trump Jr. allow a close Putin confidant to pay part of his wedding?
propublica.org
Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding Bankrolled by Putin-Linked Russian Oligarch
The oligarch, Umar Kremlev, spent hundreds of thousands on expenses like renting out a private island. He appears to have met Trump Jr. only recently, but he attended the intimate wedding with a large...
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Angry @angrystaffer.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
If Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, and Elon Musk all agree that we have to slow down - and now - something serious clearly happened with a frontier AI model. Journalists should be digging in to this. We aren’t getting the whole story here.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called on AI companies to deliberately “slow the pace” of AI development
huffpost.com
Anthropic CEO Urges AI Companies To Slow Model Development
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei outlined a three-step framework intended to pace development and create more time to manage its risks.
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Yeah, Cassidy couldn’t have believed him.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Inside a Perfect Storm — How Dangerous Is AI? talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/insid...
talkingpointsmemo.com
Inside a Perfect Storm — How Dangerous Is AI?
You’ve probably seen these reports of an employee of the AI company...
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Massive. When you’ve lost diGenova….
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
“If you want indictments where there’s no evidence, you have an ethical problem.” nypost.com/2026/09/10/u...
nypost.com
Joe diGenova resigns abruptly from DOJ job investigating Trump foes, calling out ‘ethical’ problems on way out
Counselor to the Attorney General Joe diGenova abruptly resigned Thursday from a sprawling probe into former officials in the Obama administration who allegedly pushed claims of collusion between D…
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
BREAKING: SCOTUS blocks TRO that had thrown Missouri’s congressional elections into chaos. The ruling should mean that the map used by the current congressional delegation, not the HB1 map backed by Republicans and used in the primaries, will be used in the general election. Law Dork:
lawdork.com
Breaking: SCOTUS blocks TRO that had thrown Missouri’s congressional elections into chaos
The ruling should mean that the map used by the current congressional delegation, not the HB1 map backed by Republicans and used in the primaries, will be used in the general election.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Chris Hayes @chrislhayes.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Yes exactly. It just did this! It’s not speculation or future-tripping. It happened!
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
A consumption tax on A.I. tokens seems like a very smart idea. How the monies are used is a separate question, but finding a way to tax machine labor feels like a no brainer. Explore this gift article from The New York Times.
nytimes.com
Opinion | This Is One of the Most Important Policy Decisions of Our Lifetime (Gift Article)
The risks posed by A.I. are too great to forgo any regulation, even for those who stand to gain tremendously from the technology’s rise.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Making Sense of That Big Story Saying Netanyahu Was Warned About Oct 7 talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/makin...
talkingpointsmemo.com
Making Sense of That Big Story Saying Netanyahu Was Warned About Oct 7
The Israeli daily Haaretz published a big and consequential exposé today alleging...
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
This feels investigation worthy. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
wsj.com
Chasing Side Deals, Flexing Influence: Lewandowski’s Power Moves at DHS
Kristi Noem’s close adviser effectively controlled billions in spending at Homeland Security; Lewandowski denies seeking business or playing any role in agency’s contracts.
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
This is . . . not persuasive www.wsj.com/opinion/is-c...
wsj.com
Opinion | Is Court Packing Constitutional? Don’t Be So Sure
The precedents don’t support what the Democrats want to do, which would be an assault on the separation of powers.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I actually thought, okay no way this one’s real … Trump Floats Renaming New Mexico as ‘New America,’ Prompting Pushback www.nytimes.com/2026/09/07/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Posts Map Suggesting New Mexico Be Renamed as ‘New America’
The suggestion, posted on social media, appeared to be the latest in the president’s efforts to alter geographic names.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Katie Phang @katiephang.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Proud to be a part of the fight at @democracydefendersaction.org with @normeisen.bsky.social 🔥 www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Legal veterans lead fightback against Trump’s ‘full-out assault on democracy’
Advocacy groups expand legal challenges and condemn president’s ‘self-serving attempts to take over midterms’
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Rep. Joe Neguse @neguse.house.gov · 07/09/2026
A $1.6 billion mining deal in Kazakhstan that Trump’s family will reap massive profits from. Corruption in plain sight.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Will Bunch @willbunch.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
RIP The Hatch Act -- 1939-2026
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 06/09/2026
WELKER: Do you believe President Trump has committed impeachable offenses at this point? RASKIN: Undoubtedly. We don't have time to remotely scratch the surface.
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The one Republican less likable than JD Vance. I’m sure JD is praying he runs. www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
wsj.com
Ted Cruz Is Testing the Waters for a 2028 Run—and Taking Swipes at JD Vance
The Texas senator is making trips to Iowa, promoting his book and hitting the podcast circuit as he considers joining the race to succeed Trump.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Angry @angrystaffer.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
That is an incidence rate of… 0.00547% The voter fraud allegations you’ve been sold are blatantly and provably false.
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
these are not serious people
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This seems problematic...
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
@harrylitman.bsky.social is obviously right here.
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
This is VERY big news. Previously, even vacated or expunged convictions could still get someone deported, if an immigration judge determined that the conviction was vacated for reasons unrelated to a legal defect (such as for rehabilitation-related purposes). The 4th Circuit says not any more!
Courts and agencies have long struggled with how to analyze the immigration effects (if any) of a vacated conviction. Eventually, agency practice cobbled together a framework that sought to balance policy priorities. Under that framework, a conviction vacated because of a substantive or procedural defect in the underlying proceedings no longer qualifies as a conviction for immigration purposes, while a conviction vacated for rehabilitation, immigration hardship, or another reason still does. Many courts deferentially accepted that distinction. But the statute we apply here does not make the continuing effect of a vacated conviction turn on the state court’s reason for vacating it. It makes inadmissible “any alien convicted of” the relevant offense. 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2)(A)(i). In this case, the petitioner’s conviction was vacated and her charge dismissed. At that point, she was no longer “convicted of” that offense. So we grant in part the petition for review
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Reposted by Sean Hecker
Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
BREAKING: After the Washington Post fired me last year for speaking the truth in the wake of the Charlie Kirk killing, I fought back. And I'm happy to announce: I won my case against the Washington Post. They have been ordered to reinstate me immediately. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/b...
nytimes.com
Washington Post Ordered to Rehire Fired Columnist Karen Attiah
An arbitrator ordered the newspaper to reinstate Karen Attiah, who was fired after posting about “white men who espouse hatred and violence” following Charlie Kirk’s killing.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 19/08/2026
New in PN: Disney runs out of patience with Brendan Carr’s bullsh*t "For over a year, ABC tried to appease the Trump administration. That era is now over. On Tuesday, ABC, its parent company Disney, and eight ABC-owned stations sued Carr and the FCC for grossly violating the First Amendment."
publicnotice.co
Disney runs out of patience with Brendan Carr’s bullsh*t
Mickey Mouse hits back after a year of fascist harassment.
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Oswaldo Pirela Padres fled political persecution in Venezuela, applied for asylum, renewed his work authorization, and raised two U.S.-born daughters. ICE detained him while he was returning home from work. Immoral and wrong.
nytimes.com
Padres minor-league catching coordinator detained by ICE in Texas (Gift Article)
Oswaldo Pirela, the Padres' minor-league catching coordinator, was detained early Sunday at El Paso International Airport.
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Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 18/08/2026
NEW: A judge has ordered the Justice Department to produce grand jury materials for review in camera (behind closed doors) in the case against Don Lemon et al to see whether there are grounds to dismiss based on alleged prosecutor misconduct. DoJ has until 8/25 s3.documentcloud.org/documents/28...
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Amen, @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social.
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Double whammy: ICE acting inhumanely (what's new) but doing it while messing with my Padres.
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Sean Hecker @sean-hecker.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
“The evidence before this Court sadly reflects an abuse of prosecuting power. The Court does not reach its conclusion lightly. The objective evidence here shows that, absent Abrego’s successful lawsuit challenging his removal to El Salvador, the Government would not have brought this prosecution.”
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