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Question: Did Mr. Bovino Deliver All The Body Cam Evidence — And Written Reports, By 9 PM Last Night, To Chicago Headline Club?!

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The very capable USDC Judge Sara Ellis in the City of Big Shoulders entered this order, overnight.

Right now, Greg Bovino ought to be defending, under oath, the decisions he made, in those body-cam videos and drone footage clips, turned over last night — as he is being deposed by the Chicago Headline Club’s able counsel somewhere inside the Dirksen Building.

Here’s the latest order, from Judge Ellis:

…MINUTE entry before the Honorable Sara L. Ellis:

In court hearing held on 10/29/2025.

The Court grants Plaintiffs’ motion to compel [152] as stated on the record.

The Court orders Defendants to produce to Plaintiffs all video (both BWC and drone footage) of the use of force incidents on 10/23/2025 in the Little Village neighborhood by 9:00 PM on 10/29/2025….

Defendants filed a petition for a writ of mandamus and the 7th Circuit granted an administrative stay pending a decision on the petition for a writ of mandamus of the portion of this Court’s order [146] requiring Gregory Bovino appear in person before this Court each weekday until the preliminary injunction hearing set for 11/5/2025.

Pursuant to the 7th Circuit’s administrative stay [154], this Court strikes the hearing set for 10/30/2025 at 5:45 PM….

In sum, old Mr. Bovino is having… a very vexed… week. He will be one limp noodle after five hours of direct, and cross, in a depo. And I am definitely here — for it all!

नमस्ते

In Addition To Charging / Trial Counsel Acting AUSA Robert E. McGuire, Who Else Might Testify — In Nashville Next Week? Abrego Vindictiveness Hearings — Before USDC Judge Crenshaw…

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Welp. This will be a. . . whole plateful of prosecutorial… nonsense.

The Noemites will argue that *no one* above Mr. McGuire made the decision [nor influenced him — it was an “immaculate” indictment!], in late Spring 2025 to indict Mr. Abrego Garcia. McGuire will claim that he was blissfully unaware that all his political appointee superiors in DC were making incendiary (and uniformly false) public statements about Mr. Abrego Garcia, even as they held him wrongfully in a torture prison in El Salvador for over two months.

McGuire will tell the court that since he personally holds no pre-existing animus toward the accused, no court may look into the motives of his bosses in DC. [Nor may the court inquire (i.e., look behind this improbable veil) as to whether/if his bosses tried to “guide” him to seek an indictment.]

That — on its face — is preposterous, and in direct contradiciton of well-settled black letter federal law on the rules of criminal procedure — and federal rules of evidence.

So it will all be… a tragic comedy/farce, on the stand, likely played out over about 10 total hours in court. But then, somewhere in the middle, Sean Hecker will have his chance to cross examine all of the below, and admit against them, the false statements made in public by their bosses (some of them made IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE, at a press availability — by Kristi Noem herself — clearly, to taint any future jury!) — as well as by at least six high level Trump-appointees, elsewhere in DC.

Here you go:

…Supervisory Special Agent John VanWie, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI): the United States anticipates that Agent VanWie, who worked for HSI — Baltimore, will testify regarding his decision to reopen the investigation into the defendant’s… activities on April 17, 2025 [from a 2022 TN traffic stop];

Special Agent In Charge Rana Saoud, Homeland Security Investigations: the United States anticipates that Agent Saoud, who supervised the HSI — Nashville office, on the commencement of the investigation into the defendant’s… activities by HSI – Nashville; [and Condor notes that Mr. Hecker will likely call the man and former Chief Crim. Div. AUSA at right, who resigned rather than bring this case — also, a long-standing Vanderbilt U. law professor…]

[Tennessee State] Trooper Joshua Brawner, Tennessee Highway Patrol: the United States anticipates that Trooper Brawner will testify about why he initially pulled over the defendant’s vehicle on interstate I-40 on November 30, 2022 [Condor observes: no tickets were issued; no one was detained; Mr. Abrego Garcia was sent on his way within 45 minutes that evening on I-40 — and that is a full three years ago, now — as the sole justification to “reopen” this matter!]….

Noem herself continued, well into the summer, to lie, in public — even about what the accused had been charged with — making it out to be a far more serious — and false — set of charges. But Mr. Hecker seeks subpoenas for the testimony of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Acting Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General McHenry, and Associate Deputy Attorney General Singh (and Kristi Noem), in any event.

So we will see you there — and you will see in-court live blogging both days, right here: on the 4th and 5th. Onward — but it is possible (albeit unlikely) that Judge Crenshaw simply dismisses the indictment at the counsel-only pre-hearing tomorrow, on Halloween — Friday, October 31, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., given that the government has failed to turn over essentially any evidence — to Mr. Hecker — to rebut the now clear vindictiveness evidence, in the record. We shall see.

नमस्ते

[Re-Posting; Results In Line…] With Q3 Call Transcript Shortly — Here Is How Q3 2025 Turned Out, For Merck…

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[Update and Re-Posst: MRK now rising fractionally, on the NYSE — Keytruda in line, but overall sales slightly below/above Wall Street guesses (depending on whose guesses you track!) — more to the point, non-GAAP EPS guidance tightened — and increased, for FY 2025. All in, very nice financial performance!]

Most unbiased Wall Street analysts have a 12 month price target on Merck at something over $104 a share — that’s about a 20% upside, from today’s NYSE price. This is so, because no matter what Tangerine 2.0 actually does (or, more precisely, is UNABLE to do, on pharma and health care delivery in the US)… Rahway is exceedingly well-positioned, with a ~$28 billion a year juggernaut in immuno oncology — into the mid 2030s.

As ever, do your own diligence, but here are the consenus Wall Street prognostications:

…The healthcare giant is gearing up to unveil its third-quarter results before the market opens on Thursday, Oct. 30. Ahead of the event, analysts expect MRK to deliver a profit of $2.37 per share, up 51% from $1.57 per share reported in the year-ago quarter. Further, the company has a solid earnings surprise history and has surpassed the Street’s bottom-line estimates in each of the past four quarters. . . .

For the full fiscal 2025, analysts expect MRK to deliver an EPS of $8.94, up 16.9% from $7.65 reported in 2024. While in fiscal 2026, its earnings are expected to grow 5.8% year-over-year to $9.46 per share….

[Updated portion:] Strong demand for Winrevair from patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension drove sales to $360 million in the third quarter of 2025, up 141.6% year-on-year.

Of MRK’s vaccine franchise, its “gem” remains Capvaxive, which generated sales of $244 million for the quarter, a sharp 419.1% rise from the same period a year ago…. [end, updated portion.]

Analysts take an optimistic view of the stock’s prospects. MRK maintains a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating overall. Of the 25 analysts covering the stock, opinions include 11 “Strong Buys,” one “Moderate Buy,” and 13 “Holds.” Its mean price target of $102.43 suggests a 19.5% upside potential from current price levels….

Smiling now, as I head into the gleaming steel and glass canyons for a sunny Fall day — will find my favorite taco truck down there, too! Onward!

नमस्ते

A Georgetown Law School Professor’s Supremes Amicus Brief Likely Dooms Trump’s Natl. Guard Push, In Illinois. Justice Barrett Just So Hinted.

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The brief is very well-argued. And he is right: the statutory authority Trump purports to rely upon (to deploy the National Guard in Illinois) clearly refers to “regular forces“. That in turn — according to a line of uninterrupted cases, and rules — and the statute itself — has always been understood to mean the US Army, exclusively. Not the Guard. [Do go read all of Prof. Lederman’s fine amicus brief.]

In other words, Trump has zero authority to deploy the National Guard, under the statute he used. Zero. He loses — but for now, the TRO and preliminary injunction remain in place — through late November minimum. There will be no deployment in Illinois. Full stop. Here is Barrett’s order of this evening:

…25A443 | TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF U.S., ET AL. V. ILLINOIS, ET AL.

The application for stay presented to Justice Barrett is referred by her to the Court. The parties are directed to file supplemental letter briefs addressing the following question:

Whether the term “regular forces” refers to the regular forces of the United States military, and, if so, how that interpretation affects the operation of 10 U. S. C. §12406(3).

The briefs, not to exceed 15 pages, are to be filed by Monday, November 10, 2025. Letter reply briefs, not to exceed 10 pages, are to be filed by Monday, November 17, 2025. Any brief for an amicus curiae under Rule 37.4, on that or other aspects of the application, must be filed by Monday, November 10, 2025….

Once again — the Trumpie / Noemite dolts can’t read basic legal requirements — for comprehension. Hilarious. Well-done, Gov. Pritzker!

नमस्ते

HILARIOUS! Bovino Appeals To Seventh Circuit — BUT HE AGREED (To Daily Check-Ins) In Open Court Yesterday — Just Read Judge Ellis’s Transcript Folks.

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It is a bedrock principle of federal law that a sophisticated party — here, the US government, in the person of a senior commanding officer of ICE/BP — cannot appeal, as error, or “abuse of judicial discretion” any deal it makes willingly, in open court, on the stand — under oath.

So, Condor’s take is that this appeal is a dead letter, but the Noemites filed it anyway, late today. Here’s a bit of the 21 pages of Bovino nonsense:

…That obligation starts today, i.e., within a few hours of this filing. That extraordinary and extraordinarily burdensome order — entered without any formal finding that the government failed to comply with prior court orders — constitutes a clear abuse of discretion and violates the separation of powers. Mandamus is the government’s only available relief….

[T]he daily appearance of Chief Bovino in open court an [sic; missing words here, in their haste — probably should be “is an inappropriate“] appropriate response to what plaintiffs assert are alleged violations of the court’s TRO. District courts have a variety of mechanisms available to ensure compliance with their orders. That includes, ultimately, the threat of contempt proceedings…. [Condor’s Observation: Cool. Hilarious — yes, let’s go ahead with contempt. That results in his… jailing. Bring it on, sez me!]

This is a complete farce by Bovino / Noem. Cra-cra… crazy. But onward, just the same.

Update — a seven day administrative stay, for a review (of only the daily reporting provision), was ordered at 4:05 pm today. [There will likely be a seven day waiting period, while the Seventh Cir. looks the papers over — and hears from USDC Judge Ellis, now. But his depo is up tomorrow morning, no matter what. Buckle up, buttercup.]

नमस्ते

So Bovino Has Plenty Of Free Time — To Edit And Publish, On X-itter — A Video / “Greatest Hits” — Of The Gassing Incidents, In Little Village… But Hasn’t Complied With Judge Ellis’s Federal Court Order, To Deliver Same — On a “Rolling” Basis?!?

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Gregory Bovino’s deposition — of five hours… is up, tomorrow. It will take place inside the Dirksen Building. But there is (as ever!) a Bovino created… wrinkle: he is, and has been… thwarting discovery orders.

Now, to cross examine him effectively — about whether these ops in the gassing and pepper bullet-firing “incidents” were lawful, the footage from officers’ body cams is critical. The guy is… a lil’ monster — and mobster, effectively.

The depo may need to be delayed, and his team sanctioned, by Judge Ellis for trying their case in the press, rather than in the courts.

These are government actions, and his counsel should be telling him that he is violating the law here (in any sane world). But this is not a sane world, at the moment. Here’s the just filed motion to compel from Headline Club Chicago (a lead plaintiff):

…Defendant DHS also posted on their official X account, @DHSgov, at 10:00 am yesterday, a five-minute video montage of the October 23, 2025 incident.

Defendants’ social media post includes what appears to be body worn camera video footage, as well as drone footage from the October 23rd incident in Little Village….

It is clear that Defendants have been able to collect, review, and edit video footage responsive to Plaintiffs’ expedited discovery requests and yet have not produced any video to Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs emailed Defendants’ counsel regarding their deficiency in producing the responsive video footage, but they have not received a substantive response. Exhibit A (10/27/25 Email Correspondence) at 3. While the Court has given Defendants until the end of the day on Friday to provide certain evidence, and while Plaintiffs have agreed to give Defendants until the end of the day on Friday to complete their expedited productions, Defendants should be producing documents to Plaintiffs on a rolling basis, including video footage of the incidents….

Plaintiffs seek the Court to order production of any and all video footage responsive to Plaintiffs’ requests for production, but at a minimum, the video footage for the October 23 incident in Little Village by 7pm CST today….

This is an old fashioned… monster show. And, Bovino… is leading the monsters. He should deliver by 7 pm today, after his 6 pm daily “under oath” examination, with Judge Ellis — also in the Dirksen Building. She should now order it. Damn.

नमस्ते

[Tangent] Ancient Teotihuacan Glyphs, In What Is Now Mexico: A New Crack, At A “Time Out Of Mind” Puzzle…

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Having seen these glyphs, with my own two eyes (and heard the tale) — yet possessing none of these potentially piercing insights — just over two decades ago. . . this mystery has long-fascinated me: Who were they? — and what were they saying to each other long before the Aztecs arose? And why did they essentially… vanish, under the hot Sun?

Here’s a new approach, to unraveling all that, and a bit of it — from the NYT:

…It was a metropolis of the ancient Americas, a city where as many as 125,000 people lived at its peak and where the Aztecs, centuries later, stood in wonder at the titanic pyramids they found in ruins.

But for all they have learned about the city of Teotihuacan, archaeologists have also stood in wonder, especially when it comes to the glyphs on its murals and pottery. The symbols have long confounded archaeologists, even as they have deciphered the writings of other cultures, leaving generations of scientists to debate puzzle pieces — signs and languages separated by hundreds of years — that never quite seemed to line up.

“There was always this kind of sense that, ‘well, this looks like the best match,’ but the readings that were suggested always had some problems,” said Christophe Helmke, an archaeologist at the University of Copenhagen….

“Each article on Teotihuacan writing is a good step forward, because each attracts a generation of new linguists who bring their insights,” Joyce Marcus, an archaeologist at the University of Michigan, said in an email. “The major problem has always been the tiny corpus of hieroglyphs from Teotihuacan; there are still so few examples of each hieroglyph….”

And, so — under the words (whatever these may be)… a river runs through it. A river, from the basement of time… [as it rains there] and some of those words are mine, to you. Smile.

नमस्ते

Tangerine 2.0 Tariffs Story: Intentionally SMASH A Ming Dynasty Vase — Then Use Rubber Cement To Glue It Together (Sloppily) — DECLARE IT A “YUGE VICTORY!” For MAGA

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Yes. Yes. “A Deal” with Japan, too (again!) — but this is really just making sense of what little Trump un-did… or didn’t… undid. [To use his own world salad idioms, here.] Yikes.

Most of all, it is crystal clear that all Trump has done — is return to the status quo ante — in/with China. He’s simply agreeing to mitigate the damage (cutting off US access to China-sourced rare-earth minerals, no less!) HE HIMSELF chose to inflict on American tech industries. Damnation. The NYT said it best, on Sunday, last — do go read it all:

…The Trump administration is hailing a potential deal that may return the U.S.-China relationship to where it was before the president began a trade war against Beijing….

Trump administration officials have hailed the makings of a potential trade deal that could have China buy American soybeans and pause the introduction of its new licensing system on rare earth minerals, while the United States pauses or removes some of its tariffs.

It remains to be seen what might be agreed when President Trump meets the Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week. But those and the other measures that U.S. officials have mentioned appear to largely restore the relationship to a status quo from earlier this year, before Mr. Trump began his latest trade war with Beijing.

The United States and China have shown their willingness to repeatedly escalate trade tensions and hurt companies that do business across the Pacific, before walking back measures and striking a truce. But the truces have quickly crumbled, calling into question how durable a new agreement would be….

What a putz this jamoke is. Damn. Just… damn. On this score, St. Ronnie was and is… right: Trump is a malignant dunce on the world trade stage.

नमस्ते

Okay — “Say A Lil’ Prayer”… Again — And, Be Ready To Send Aid: Jamaica, Cuba And Haiti Editions (Melissa Strikes ’25)

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The gif at right tells the whole story.

Except… for all the people we can’t see from space (most of whom had very little to begin with) — now without shelter of any kind — wiped off the map. Do get ready to send aid — dollars, mostly, through the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders. Please.

There will now pretty rapidly be the need for emergent medical interventions — and food-drops, and temporary shelter (large scale tents, most likely) — then, longer term, cholera and other tropical disease vectors will become a real concern — with all the standing water, in the low-lying areas. Here is latest, then:

…Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba this morning as an “extremely dangerous” Category 3 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

It made landfall near the city of Chivirico in the Cuban province of Santiago de Cuba with sustained winds of 120 mph.

Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane around 1 p.m. ET yesterday as the strongest hurricane in the island’s history.

  Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the country a disaster area, with St. Elizabeth Parish reported to be “underwater.”

The storm was the most powerful of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season and one of the strongest hurricanes to make landfall in the Atlantic basin….

Now you know. Please send dollars — if you are able — to Doctors Without Borders. They will be on the ground shortly — on all three islands. Onward.

नमस्ते

Mirengoff Fears Saying The Obvious: Trump Violates The Law.

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To be clear: Paul simply lies when he says that any prior President threatened Big Law — telling high end lawyers it would come down on them — if they represented even “hard right” causes.

That never happened. What did happen was that Big Law correctly assessed the marketplace in America — and realized that representing racist causes would hurt their brand. That reputable businesses (their other clients) would not want to be associated with a law firm that represented… racism. That stood for, and defended, the violence of the Proud Boys, or Stuart Rhodes.

So Paul lies. Then, he lacks the spine to say the obvious: Trump almost daily violates our Constitution.

Here is his, in context:

…I think lawyers should be able to represent the clients of their choice without the weight of the federal government coming down on them. I think clients challenging administration policy should have access to top lawyers who would like to represent them.

So no, the Trump administration should not try through intimidation to prevent these things from happening…

What a spineless panty-waist. Out.