I’ll be joining @anacabrera.bsky.social in just a few minutes to discuss TF51 in LA.
June 10, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I’ll be joining @anacabrera.bsky.social in just a few minutes to discuss TF51 in LA.
Riley displays photos, which I can't see on the Zoom.
She says the individuals shown are wearing camo. Sherman can't tell from photo whether it's TF51 troops.
More photos in which Sherman can ID TF51 vehicles. Says he doesn't know what the troops are doing in the photos.
She says the individuals shown are wearing camo. Sherman can't tell from photo whether it's TF51 troops.
More photos in which Sherman can ID TF51 vehicles. Says he doesn't know what the troops are doing in the photos.
August 11, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Riley displays photos, which I can't see on the Zoom.
She says the individuals shown are wearing camo. Sherman can't tell from photo whether it's TF51 troops.
More photos in which Sherman can ID TF51 vehicles. Says he doesn't know what the troops are doing in the photos.
She says the individuals shown are wearing camo. Sherman can't tell from photo whether it's TF51 troops.
More photos in which Sherman can ID TF51 vehicles. Says he doesn't know what the troops are doing in the photos.
Looking to an exhibit that described TF51 establishing a blocking position, DOJ asks if TF51 was permitted to establish such blocking positions.
Sherman says they could establish a blocking position if they thought law enforcement was prevented from doing their job or there was an imminent threat
Sherman says they could establish a blocking position if they thought law enforcement was prevented from doing their job or there was an imminent threat
August 11, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Looking to an exhibit that described TF51 establishing a blocking position, DOJ asks if TF51 was permitted to establish such blocking positions.
Sherman says they could establish a blocking position if they thought law enforcement was prevented from doing their job or there was an imminent threat
Sherman says they could establish a blocking position if they thought law enforcement was prevented from doing their job or there was an imminent threat
We move on to the operation in Camarillo, CA. This took place after Sherman left his role as commanding general with TF51. So he doesn't have personal knowledge as to what happened.
But Riley shows a photo. It apparently show TF51 members wearing face shields. He doesn't know what they're doing.
But Riley shows a photo. It apparently show TF51 members wearing face shields. He doesn't know what they're doing.
August 11, 2025 at 7:07 PM
We move on to the operation in Camarillo, CA. This took place after Sherman left his role as commanding general with TF51. So he doesn't have personal knowledge as to what happened.
But Riley shows a photo. It apparently show TF51 members wearing face shields. He doesn't know what they're doing.
But Riley shows a photo. It apparently show TF51 members wearing face shields. He doesn't know what they're doing.
Sherman talks about all the awards he has won -- DOJ trying to bolster his credibility.
Then he talks about his responsibilities when he was first deployed as the TF51 commander on June 9.
He left CA on July 10, he says. A different general is now the commanding general for TF51.
Then he talks about his responsibilities when he was first deployed as the TF51 commander on June 9.
He left CA on July 10, he says. A different general is now the commanding general for TF51.
August 12, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Sherman talks about all the awards he has won -- DOJ trying to bolster his credibility.
Then he talks about his responsibilities when he was first deployed as the TF51 commander on June 9.
He left CA on July 10, he says. A different general is now the commanding general for TF51.
Then he talks about his responsibilities when he was first deployed as the TF51 commander on June 9.
He left CA on July 10, he says. A different general is now the commanding general for TF51.
Now we're talking about troops accompanying ICE on warrant service operations. Sherman confirms that TF51 troops accompanied ICE when they made arrests.
August 11, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Now we're talking about troops accompanying ICE on warrant service operations. Sherman confirms that TF51 troops accompanied ICE when they made arrests.
Now we're talking about the Mecca operation at the marijuana farm.
Sherman says there were approximately 300 TF51 soldiers involved, 50 military vehicles.
Sherman says there were approximately 300 TF51 soldiers involved, 50 military vehicles.
August 11, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Now we're talking about the Mecca operation at the marijuana farm.
Sherman says there were approximately 300 TF51 soldiers involved, 50 military vehicles.
Sherman says there were approximately 300 TF51 soldiers involved, 50 military vehicles.
Santacruz was not on the ground for operations, but he received reports with information like number of arrests, number of personnel, etc.
Hartlieb: Based on reports, any information that TF51 members performed arrests?
S: No
H: Any information TF51 did searches or seizures?
S: No
Hartlieb: Based on reports, any information that TF51 members performed arrests?
S: No
H: Any information TF51 did searches or seizures?
S: No
August 11, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Santacruz was not on the ground for operations, but he received reports with information like number of arrests, number of personnel, etc.
Hartlieb: Based on reports, any information that TF51 members performed arrests?
S: No
H: Any information TF51 did searches or seizures?
S: No
Hartlieb: Based on reports, any information that TF51 members performed arrests?
S: No
H: Any information TF51 did searches or seizures?
S: No
Riley to Sherman: Did you ever receive any legal
advice from anyone that if TF51 engaged in the activities highlighted in red that it would constitute a PCA violation?
advice from anyone that if TF51 engaged in the activities highlighted in red that it would constitute a PCA violation?
August 12, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Riley to Sherman: Did you ever receive any legal
advice from anyone that if TF51 engaged in the activities highlighted in red that it would constitute a PCA violation?
advice from anyone that if TF51 engaged in the activities highlighted in red that it would constitute a PCA violation?
Hartlieb: When you submitted request for assistance, any intent that TF51 deter people from lawful activity?
Santacruz: My intent was protection of officers for folks conducting that work
Santacruz: My intent was protection of officers for folks conducting that work
August 11, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Hartlieb: When you submitted request for assistance, any intent that TF51 deter people from lawful activity?
Santacruz: My intent was protection of officers for folks conducting that work
Santacruz: My intent was protection of officers for folks conducting that work
DOJ: Does it have to be an actual threat, or can you take preventative measures?
Sherman says you could have TF51 troops standing behind law enforcement so they could react quickly as necessary.
Sherman says you could have TF51 troops standing behind law enforcement so they could react quickly as necessary.
August 11, 2025 at 8:22 PM
DOJ: Does it have to be an actual threat, or can you take preventative measures?
Sherman says you could have TF51 troops standing behind law enforcement so they could react quickly as necessary.
Sherman says you could have TF51 troops standing behind law enforcement so they could react quickly as necessary.
And to be clear, TF51 posted so much of this info to DVIDS itself
June 24, 2025 at 4:48 PM
And to be clear, TF51 posted so much of this info to DVIDS itself
Sherman, having seen the video a second time, agrees that TF51 soldiers are in the video. He can't explain what's happening bc he wasn't there but says it appears they are holding people back at a traffic blockade.
August 11, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Sherman, having seen the video a second time, agrees that TF51 soldiers are in the video. He can't explain what's happening bc he wasn't there but says it appears they are holding people back at a traffic blockade.
Riley turns to subject of detaining civilians. On June 12, TF51 marines did detain a civilian?
Sherman: Correct
Riley: Civilian was a veteran going to VA? And marines told him to stop but he didn't bc wearing headphones?
Sherman: Correct
Sherman: Correct
Riley: Civilian was a veteran going to VA? And marines told him to stop but he didn't bc wearing headphones?
Sherman: Correct
August 11, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Riley turns to subject of detaining civilians. On June 12, TF51 marines did detain a civilian?
Sherman: Correct
Riley: Civilian was a veteran going to VA? And marines told him to stop but he didn't bc wearing headphones?
Sherman: Correct
Sherman: Correct
Riley: Civilian was a veteran going to VA? And marines told him to stop but he didn't bc wearing headphones?
Sherman: Correct
Ok, we're back!
(Sorry, I'm back a few minutes late from lunch 😅.)
Don't worry, you haven't missed any fireworks. Sherman is back, and DOJ is walking him through some more exhibits regarding TF51 operations in CA.
(Sorry, I'm back a few minutes late from lunch 😅.)
Don't worry, you haven't missed any fireworks. Sherman is back, and DOJ is walking him through some more exhibits regarding TF51 operations in CA.
August 12, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Ok, we're back!
(Sorry, I'm back a few minutes late from lunch 😅.)
Don't worry, you haven't missed any fireworks. Sherman is back, and DOJ is walking him through some more exhibits regarding TF51 operations in CA.
(Sorry, I'm back a few minutes late from lunch 😅.)
Don't worry, you haven't missed any fireworks. Sherman is back, and DOJ is walking him through some more exhibits regarding TF51 operations in CA.
Hartlieb: Fair to say DOD employee communicated that?
Santacruz: Yes
Hartlieb: Any visibility into how DOD evaluated your request for TF51 assistance?
Santacruz: No
Hartlieb: How many requests did you make?
Santacruz: 2
Santacruz: Yes
Hartlieb: Any visibility into how DOD evaluated your request for TF51 assistance?
Santacruz: No
Hartlieb: How many requests did you make?
Santacruz: 2
August 11, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Hartlieb: Fair to say DOD employee communicated that?
Santacruz: Yes
Hartlieb: Any visibility into how DOD evaluated your request for TF51 assistance?
Santacruz: No
Hartlieb: How many requests did you make?
Santacruz: 2
Santacruz: Yes
Hartlieb: Any visibility into how DOD evaluated your request for TF51 assistance?
Santacruz: No
Hartlieb: How many requests did you make?
Santacruz: 2
DOJ: Did any TF51 members use their personal weapons?
Sherman: They did not, they did have loaded magazines, but nobody ever chambered a round. Never were in a position that they thought that their life was in jeopardy
Sherman: They did not, they did have loaded magazines, but nobody ever chambered a round. Never were in a position that they thought that their life was in jeopardy
August 11, 2025 at 8:12 PM
DOJ: Did any TF51 members use their personal weapons?
Sherman: They did not, they did have loaded magazines, but nobody ever chambered a round. Never were in a position that they thought that their life was in jeopardy
Sherman: They did not, they did have loaded magazines, but nobody ever chambered a round. Never were in a position that they thought that their life was in jeopardy
Riley plays a video that was taken during the Carpentria operation.
It apparently features a woman standing before TF51 troops, holding a megaphone.
Riley: You have no info the woman threatened any law enforcement here?
Sherman: I don't have the context
It apparently features a woman standing before TF51 troops, holding a megaphone.
Riley: You have no info the woman threatened any law enforcement here?
Sherman: I don't have the context
August 11, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Riley plays a video that was taken during the Carpentria operation.
It apparently features a woman standing before TF51 troops, holding a megaphone.
Riley: You have no info the woman threatened any law enforcement here?
Sherman: I don't have the context
It apparently features a woman standing before TF51 troops, holding a megaphone.
Riley: You have no info the woman threatened any law enforcement here?
Sherman: I don't have the context
"All rise" as Judge Breyer enters the room and (presumably) takes his seat behind the bench -- once again, we only have audio today.
DOJ calls their first witness: Major General Scott Sherman, the commander of Task Force 51 (TF51).
Sherman testified yesterday, too.
DOJ calls their first witness: Major General Scott Sherman, the commander of Task Force 51 (TF51).
Sherman testified yesterday, too.
August 12, 2025 at 4:34 PM
"All rise" as Judge Breyer enters the room and (presumably) takes his seat behind the bench -- once again, we only have audio today.
DOJ calls their first witness: Major General Scott Sherman, the commander of Task Force 51 (TF51).
Sherman testified yesterday, too.
DOJ calls their first witness: Major General Scott Sherman, the commander of Task Force 51 (TF51).
Sherman testified yesterday, too.
DOJ: To your knowledge, any TF51 members used batons?
Sherman: Not to my knowledge, that didn't happen.
After you left July 10, did any soldiers use batons?
Sherman: I was on distribution, but I didn't see reports that batons were used.
Sherman: Not to my knowledge, that didn't happen.
After you left July 10, did any soldiers use batons?
Sherman: I was on distribution, but I didn't see reports that batons were used.
August 11, 2025 at 8:11 PM
DOJ: To your knowledge, any TF51 members used batons?
Sherman: Not to my knowledge, that didn't happen.
After you left July 10, did any soldiers use batons?
Sherman: I was on distribution, but I didn't see reports that batons were used.
Sherman: Not to my knowledge, that didn't happen.
After you left July 10, did any soldiers use batons?
Sherman: I was on distribution, but I didn't see reports that batons were used.
The state of California next calls Major General Scott Sherman.
Sherman says he reviewed a memorandum that assessed what TF51 could legally do under the PCA around mid-June.
Roley turns to a page of the exhibit (which we can't see on the Zoom).
Sherman says he reviewed a memorandum that assessed what TF51 could legally do under the PCA around mid-June.
Roley turns to a page of the exhibit (which we can't see on the Zoom).
August 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The state of California next calls Major General Scott Sherman.
Sherman says he reviewed a memorandum that assessed what TF51 could legally do under the PCA around mid-June.
Roley turns to a page of the exhibit (which we can't see on the Zoom).
Sherman says he reviewed a memorandum that assessed what TF51 could legally do under the PCA around mid-June.
Roley turns to a page of the exhibit (which we can't see on the Zoom).
Now there's a June 13, 2025 document from the Third Platoon, Company Bravo, First Battalion, 160th Infantry, which was under TF51 at time.
It reports that on June 13, soldiers attended an FBI briefing in the vicinity of Carson, CA, to "execute the arrest of [REDACTED]."
It reports that on June 13, soldiers attended an FBI briefing in the vicinity of Carson, CA, to "execute the arrest of [REDACTED]."
August 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Now there's a June 13, 2025 document from the Third Platoon, Company Bravo, First Battalion, 160th Infantry, which was under TF51 at time.
It reports that on June 13, soldiers attended an FBI briefing in the vicinity of Carson, CA, to "execute the arrest of [REDACTED]."
It reports that on June 13, soldiers attended an FBI briefing in the vicinity of Carson, CA, to "execute the arrest of [REDACTED]."
DOJ: Who has command and control over the national guard troops still in CA as a part of the TF51 mission?
Sherman: Army North
DOJ: Did Sec Def provide parameters of mission?
Sherman: Yes through memo he issued to northern command.
DOJ points him to exhibit.
Sherman: Army North
DOJ: Did Sec Def provide parameters of mission?
Sherman: Yes through memo he issued to northern command.
DOJ points him to exhibit.
August 12, 2025 at 4:42 PM
DOJ: Who has command and control over the national guard troops still in CA as a part of the TF51 mission?
Sherman: Army North
DOJ: Did Sec Def provide parameters of mission?
Sherman: Yes through memo he issued to northern command.
DOJ points him to exhibit.
Sherman: Army North
DOJ: Did Sec Def provide parameters of mission?
Sherman: Yes through memo he issued to northern command.
DOJ points him to exhibit.
Sherman: No one talked to me directly. It was a request from federal law enforcement that came to TF51....they were requesting, they didn't tell me. Even if our assessment was low, it was a safety measure for them to ensure they had protection.
August 11, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Sherman: No one talked to me directly. It was a request from federal law enforcement that came to TF51....they were requesting, they didn't tell me. Even if our assessment was low, it was a safety measure for them to ensure they had protection.
Riley: But no one you spoke to at DOD ever used the term rebellion?
Sherman: Correct
Riley: And even though the PCA applies to TF51, you think there is an exception to the act that applies?
Sherman: I'm not a lawyer but through training I understand there are certain exceptions to the PCA
Sherman: Correct
Riley: And even though the PCA applies to TF51, you think there is an exception to the act that applies?
Sherman: I'm not a lawyer but through training I understand there are certain exceptions to the PCA
August 11, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Riley: But no one you spoke to at DOD ever used the term rebellion?
Sherman: Correct
Riley: And even though the PCA applies to TF51, you think there is an exception to the act that applies?
Sherman: I'm not a lawyer but through training I understand there are certain exceptions to the PCA
Sherman: Correct
Riley: And even though the PCA applies to TF51, you think there is an exception to the act that applies?
Sherman: I'm not a lawyer but through training I understand there are certain exceptions to the PCA