Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ben Raderstorf

@raders.bsky.social

6.2K followers 890 following 1.5K posts

defend democracy and build homes / policy advocate @protectdemocracy.org / author ifyoucankeep.it / co-prez ‪@sacyimby.bsky.social / rash opinions my own No kings but Sac Kings 📍Sacramento

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Ben Raderstorf @raders.bsky.social · Jan 12

I can already tell social media is gonna be a heavy and stressful place this year.

Going to try to counteract it with an ongoing thread of moments, places, and scenes of thriving from my real world.

Here’s #1: Capitol Park rules. I love that the heart of California civic life is so peaceful

3 5 120

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Ansley Skipper @ansleyskipper.bsky.social · 21h

Come for @raders.bsky.social’s shirt, stay for Beau’s optimism.

www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/courage-ma...

'Courage matters'

Beau Tremitiere and Ben Raderstorf break down the ongoing domestic deployments, what they mean, and how we can push back

www.ifyoucankeepit.org

1 2

Ben Raderstorf @raders.bsky.social · 19h

I for one think it’s long past time for Congress to impeach President Miller and Vice President Vought

The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 21h

His slip of the tongue reveals who’s really in charge. trib.al/mIvP0yE

“Illinois governor says we’re provoking actions that are unlawful,” Miller said on CNN. “If I put federal law enforcement and National Guard into a nice sleepy Southern town, is anyone gonna riot?”

6 61 200

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Chris Hayes @chrislhayes.bsky.social · 19h

As a group, District Judges (from across the ideological spectrum!) performing as well as just about anyone right now in defending democratic liberty.

230 1.6K 11K

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 23h

It seems almost like the White House doesn’t care how bad this all looks. In this week’s IfYouCanKeep.It briefing, we present three theories for the un-subtlety of Trump’s authoritarianism. https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/whats-the-endgame-here

What’s the endgame here?
The White House does not care how bad this looks

4 12 27

Ben Raderstorf @raders.bsky.social · 22h

I have a new piece out today that tries to tackle the biggest question that has bugged me since the beginning (but especially in weeks like this).

Why are they so effing OBVIOUS about what they're doing? I have theories. I'd love to know your thoughts:

www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/whats-the-...

What’s the endgame here?

The White House does not care how bad this looks

www.ifyoucankeepit.org

3 1 10

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Jake Lahut @jakelahut.writes.news · 1d

That @swin24.bsky.social is on his game over at Zeteo.

The public release of NSPM-7 partially served "as a way to apply additional pressure on Attorney General Pam Bondi to ramp up arrests and prosecutions to a level that would satisfy people like Stephen Miller." zeteo.com/p/inside-tru...

Inside Trump’s Plot To Terrorize Chicago

Sources in the administration tell Zeteo that Trump is also seriously discussing invoking the Insurrection Act with his top advisers.

zeteo.com

1 23 47

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 1d

New York Attorney General Letitia James’s indictment is a clear example of political retaliation by the Trump administration.

Read our analysis: protectdemocracy.org/work/retalia...

2 18 70

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

M. Nolan Gray 🥑 @mnolangray.bsky.social · 1d

Sacramento YIMBYs: We will be gathering at Der Biergarten on K Street at 5:30pm. All are welcome to come and celebrate the passage of SB 79 and all of the other housing bills signed today!

3 16 140

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 1d

I just approved major pieces of legislation to keep building more affordable housing.

Whether it's turning empty office buildings into residential spaces or building more homes near public transportation, we're doing all we can to lower the price to realize the California Dream.

130 660 4K

Ben Raderstorf @raders.bsky.social · 1d

Feeling more hopeful than I have in a long time about the future of our state.

We *can* do the right thing, even against intractable opposition. Tomorrow *can* look better than yesterday. Democracy *can* solve hard problems.

Senator Scott Wiener @scottwiener.bsky.social · 1d

MAJOR NEWS: @GavinNewsom signed SB 79, my bill allowing more housing near public transit — rail, subway, rapid bus.

It’s a huge step for housing in California. It’ll create more homes, strengthen our transit systems & reduce traffic & carbon emissions.

Thank you, Governor!

7 64

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

M. Nolan Gray 🥑 @mnolangray.bsky.social · 1d

Ladies and gentlemen, we did it. SB 79 has been signed.

34 290 1.8K

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Ben Christopher @frombenc.bsky.social · 1d

Newsom signed SB79.

calmatters.org/housing/2025...

Newsom signs massive California housing overhaul

After weeks of waiting, California’s governor signed a bill that will allow mid-rise apartment buildings near major transit stops in California’s biggest metro areas.

calmatters.org

1 14 63

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Leah Greenberg ❌👑 @leahgreenberg.bsky.social · 1d

"After a few moments of laughter, the No Kings Coalition issued the following statement"

64 890 2.6K

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

California YIMBY @cayimby.bsky.social · 1d

[VICTORY ALERT] Governor Newsom has signed SB 79, which will make it legal to build multi-family housing near high quality transit!

Our statement:
cayimby.org/news-events/...

cayimby.org

9 140 730

Ben Raderstorf @raders.bsky.social · 1d

Mood

3 7 68

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Louis Mirante @louismirante.bsky.social · 1d

Governor Newsom signed SB 79!!!! Well done @scottwiener.bsky.social and thank you all for making calls!!!

3 30 170

Ben Raderstorf @raders.bsky.social · 1d

Even in hopelessly entrenched dictatorships like Zimbabwe, public opinion matters.

Trump's unpopularity is *extremely* important. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 1d

NEW lesson from abroad: How Zimbabwe’s democratic forces continue to take a stand — even as they face a daunting environment for dissent. Dig into this latest edition of Democracy Atlas: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/remember-autocrats-are-not-invincible

Rule 6: Remember — autocrats are not invincible. But be careful.
How Zimbabwe’s pro-democracy forces expose autocratic weaknesses →

Public backlash diminishes the autocrat, but proceed carefully.
Call out their cruelty and hypocrisy. The suffering they cause and their failure to deliver on promises provide an opening for pro-democracy voices to shift public opinion.
Stay activated. Autocrats want to shut out any opposing voices. Don’t fall into their trap of disillusionment — even entrenched rulers are vulnerable to public backlash.
Guard against division. Autocrats commonly infiltrate opposition groups to sow discord and dismantle them from within. Beware of efforts to split or shut down the opposition party or civil society.
Protect sensitive information. Use caution with sensitive information to help keep the pro-democracy movement secure and intact.

Lesson Learned:
Zimbabwe is a reminder that even the most entrenched authoritarians are susceptible to backlash when they don’t adequately respond to the needs of the people. When pro-democracy forces seize on windows of opportunity to shift public opinion, all while remaining exceedingly careful in their approach, they can weaken the autocrat’s grip on power.

1 6

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Jameel Jaffer @jameeljaffer.bsky.social · 1d

MIT's response to the Trump admin's proposed "compact" is excellent and should be a model for other universities. orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...

7 200 520

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

FiftyPlusOne.news @fiftyplusone.news · 2d

new polls website just dropped fiftyplusone.news

18 130 500

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Michael J. Stern @michaeljstern.bsky.social · 1d

What people do not understand is that there are federal prosecutorial guidelines. Even if Leticia James violated the law (and we don't know she did), federal prosecutors would not bring a case for $18,000. I indicted cases for DOJ. This is a vindictive prosecution.

www.cnn.com/2025/10/09/p...

Letitia James, the New York attorney general who defeated Trump in court, indicted by Justice Department | CNN Politics

New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted Thursday in Alexandria, Virginia, as President Donald Trump’s Justice Department continues to pursue charges against his political opponents, two s...

www.cnn.com

19 190 730

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

mtsw @mtsw.bsky.social · 1d

Thiessen having a good chuckle about his fired liberal colleagues - some of whom he worked with for 15 years - is a good reminder that token conservatives at mainstream news outlets are/were there to destroy them, not to contribute to them.

Philip Bump @pbump.com · 1d

63 1.3K 6.3K

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Sam @samd.bsky.social · 1d

Dems really need to fix permitting so that we can actually build stuff while we are in charge and prevent this bullshit from happening

jael holzman @jael.bsky.social · 1d

SCOOP: The Bureau of Land Management says the largest solar project in Nevada — the Esmeralda 7 mega-farm — has been canceled

The news was quietly dropped via a sudden website update with no public word from any of the companies involved or a statement from the agency

@heatmap.news

Esmeralda 7 Solar Project Has Been Canceled, BLM Says

It would have delivered a gargantuan 6.2 gigawatts of power.

heatmap.news

3 19 290

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 2d

VICTORY: Today, together with our partners, we won an emergency order stopping federal agents from using violent force against protestors in Illinois. Federal ICE/DHS agents are now blocked from using tactics like tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse lawful assembly. protdem.org/474KWsA

Court Halts Unlawful Suppression of Speech by ICE

DHS ordered to stop violating First Amendment rights of press, clergy, and protesters in Illinois

7 96 240

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Ian Bassin @ianbassin.bsky.social · 1d

Again, Trump has crossed a Red Line no president has ever crossed: personally ordering the criminal prosecution of an American he doesn't like despite DOJ not finding evidence of any crime.

If Trump can do this to the powerful, he can do it to you. That's not freedom, and its not America.

New York Attorney General Letitia James @newyorkstateag.bsky.social · 1d

This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.

I am not fearful — I am fearless.

We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights..

22 230 890

Reposted by Ben Raderstorf

Kurt Andersen @kurtandersen.bsky.social · 1d

Reminder: because the veteran prosecutor nominated by Trump as U.S. attorney and approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee after 8 months on the job found no basis for indicting James Comey or Letitia James, Trump replaced him 3 weeks ago with an insurance lawyer he met at one of his golf courses.

7 54 150