Dear John, Last week, CMD broke the story that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is claiming that taking and posting videos of ICE agents is "violence" and "doxxing." In an email to CMD, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin wrote that those who do so risk criminal prosecution – a direct contradiction of free speech protections under the First Amendment. And over the weekend, CMD reported that a federal district court judge in Los Angeles has ordered DHS officers to stop launching violent and retaliatory attacks on journalists, legal observers, and peaceful protesters at anti-ICE protests in the region. CMD earlier reported on the lawsuit filed by the L.A. Press Club and others alleging repeated and officially sanctioned excessive violence against nearly 50 journalists and others, resulting in numerous severe injuries. Our other recent investigations include the growing revenue behind the State Policy Network and its affiliates, as well as Christian Right billionaire Richard Uihlein's radio attack ads influencing this year's Virginia attorney general election. | |
Here's the Latest from CMD | |
DHS Says Making and Posting Videos of ICE Agents is "Violence" President Trump's Department of Homeland Security claims that making a posting videos of ICE agents as they disappear tens of thousands of immigrants from America's streets, workplaces, and courtrooms without due process is an act of "violence" to be dealt with accordingly. Read the full story here. | |
Federal Judge Orders DHS Officers in Los Angeles to Stop Violent Assaults on Journalists and Peaceful Protesters On Wednesday, a federal district court judge in Los Angeles issued a sweeping preliminary injunction barring Department of Homeland Security officers from “dispersing, threatening, or assaulting” journalists or legal observers, or using crowd control weapons on or shooting projectiles at anyone who doesn’t “pose a threat of imminent harm.” Read the full story here. | |
Press Lawsuit Against DHS Reveals Pattern of Excessive Force Against Journalists Journalists and legal observers report severe injuries when attempting to cover immigration raids and protests in LA. Read the full story here. | |
Revenue for the State Policy Network and Its Affiliates Increased 77% in Three Years The right-wing State Policy Network and its affiliates have an overall combined revenue of $270 million, according to an analysis by the Center for Media and Democracy of the latest publicly available IRS filings. This marks a 77% increase since CMD last reported on SPN's core finances in 2022. Read the full story here. | |
Uihlein Attack Ads Get Ugly in Virginia Attorney General Race An outside group funded by GOP billionaire and Christian Right activist Richard Uihlein is running radio attack ads to influence this year's race for attorney general in Virginia. Read the full story here. | |
CMD in the News Our research has recently been cited by or featured in the following publications: - Truthout: “DHS Says Filming, Posting Videos of ICE Agents Is ‘Doxxing,’ Vows Prosecutions"
- ACLU Illinois: “ACLU of Illinois Responds to DHS Claims that It Will Prosecute People for Recording ICE Officers on Our Streets”
- The Guardian: “Podcast of Hegseth church network airs far-right and Christian nationalist views”
- United States Senate, Letter to Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright concerning the agency’s greenhouse gas impact report, from Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Patty Murray
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Thank you for following our investigations and for your continued support! Team CMD | |
