Rational Security: "Oopsec," Alien Enemies Act, and Big Law Sanctions

"Oopsec" and Signal Group Chat Mishaps

• 🚨 A major national security story involves senior Trump administration officials planning airstrikes in Yemen via a Signal group chat.
• 💡 The chat inadvertently included The Atlantic's Editor-in-Chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, who was given access to detailed war plans and internal policy discussions.
• ⚠️ The administration's defense that no classified information was shared is challenged, with the Atlantic releasing the full chat, revealing specific targeting and timing details.
• 🗣️ The handling of this incident, including subsequent congressional testimonies and public statements, is criticized as irresponsible and a potential cover-up.

Alien Enemies Act and Deportation Controversies

• ⚖️ The Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to El Salvador.
• 🚫 This action was taken shortly before or after a federal court order directed them not to, leading to a legal battle over the act's applicability and judicial review.
• 🏛️ The administration is now using the state secrets privilege to avoid disclosing further details, complicating court proceedings.
• ❓ Key legal questions revolve around whether a criminal gang can be considered a "foreign nation or government" under the act and the extent of judicial review for such wartime measures.

Big Law Sanctions and Legal Industry Response

• 🏢 Several major white-shoe law firms, including Paul, Weiss, have faced sanctions from the Trump administration for past ties to lawyers involved in Trump's criminal cases.
• 🚫 These sanctions include restrictions on entering federal buildings and dealing with government contractors, effectively a boycott.
• 🤝 Paul, Weiss capitulated, agreeing to a statement of principles and pro bono commitments, which is seen as a concession of wrongdoing and a blow to broader industry pushback.
• ⚖️ Critics argue these actions are petty, arbitrary, and unconstitutional, potentially chilling pro bono work and undermining the rule of law.
• 📉 The situation raises concerns about the impact on the legal industry's ability to challenge executive actions and the potential for self-interest to override professional values.

Object Lessons

• 📚 Roger Parloff is reading Walter Isaacson's "Elon Musk" in French, finding it an informative, though potentially hagiographic, account.
• 🎶 Scott R. Anderson revisited Bob Dylan's "The Royal Albert Hall Concert" (1966) after watching "A Complete Unknown," highlighting the energy of Dylan's electric performance.
• 🦯 Ben Wittes is annoyed by the algorithm recommending cane swords, despite being able-bodied and having no need for such items.