Power Grab/Point the law at critics
The D.C. U.S. Attorney’s office subpoenas X and Reddit to unmask anonymous ICE critics
— Pirro's office subpoenas X and Reddit to unmask anonymous ICE critics.
Bloomberg reported on May 28, 2026 that Jeanine Pirro’s office sought the names, addresses and banking information of at least two anonymous users.
What happened
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, led by Jeanine Pirro, issued grand jury subpoenas to Reddit and X seeking the names, addresses and banking information of at least two anonymous users who had criticized ICE. Bloomberg reported it on May 28, 2026.
In both cases Homeland Security Investigations first served administrative summonses in March, then withdrew them after the users’ lawyers filed challenges. The summonses could be fought, and the users’ lawyers fought them. The summonses could be fought, and the users’ lawyers fought them, so Homeland Security Investigations withdrew them rather than defend them in court.
Prosecutor Brendan Horan then issued grand jury subpoenas directing the records to an ICE office; the Reddit subpoena is dated March 31. Motions to quash and unseal are pending before Chief Judge James Boasberg. The grand jury subpoenas direct the records to an ICE office. Motions to quash and unseal the subpoenas are pending before Chief Judge James Boasberg.
Who benefited
ICE would receive the names, addresses and banking records of its anonymous critics, delivered to an ICE office. The records go to the agency the users criticized, not to the court. The records go to the agency the users criticized, not to the court. The subpoenas seek names, addresses and banking information for at least two users.
Who wanted something
Pirro’s office and Homeland Security Investigations wanted to identify at least two users who criticized ICE. When the users’ lawyers challenged the summonses, the government switched to grand jury subpoenas for the same records. When the users’ lawyers challenged the summonses, the government withdrew them and switched to grand jury subpoenas, directing the records to an ICE office.
Who lost out
At least two anonymous users who criticized ICE face exposure of their names, addresses and bank records. Their lawyers’ challenges to the first summonses were answered with withdrawn summonses and new subpoenas, and the motions to quash are still pending.
Why it matters
When the users’ lawyers challenged the administrative summonses, HSI withdrew them and prosecutors issued grand jury subpoenas for the same records. The motions to quash and unseal are before Chief Judge Boasberg. The subpoenas direct the records to an ICE office.
Sources BloombergBloomberg LawCivil Liberties Defense Center (primary)The Verge
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