Amanda Carpenter
@amandacarpenter.bsky.social
Writer/Editor
@protectdemocracy.org. Views are my own. NeverTrump from the jump, Bulwark fam & stan. Former reporter, Hill staffer, CNN contributor. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter! http://IfYouCanKeepIt.org 🇺🇸
@protectdemocracy.org. Views are my own. NeverTrump from the jump, Bulwark fam & stan. Former reporter, Hill staffer, CNN contributor. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter! http://IfYouCanKeepIt.org 🇺🇸
Reposted by Amanda Carpenter
Jamal Khashoggi's widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi: "Try as much as you can to save democracy and freedom of the press and speech in America. Do not be a copy of a Middle East dictatorship. We look to you as a role model of Western civilization—please maintain it."
November 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Jamal Khashoggi's widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi: "Try as much as you can to save democracy and freedom of the press and speech in America. Do not be a copy of a Middle East dictatorship. We look to you as a role model of Western civilization—please maintain it."
Unfit for leadership. www.politico.com/live-updates...
Mike Johnson defends Trump's 'sedition' attacks on Democrats
Johnson said it was the Democrats who were acting “wildly inappropriate” by suggesting military members should disobey unlawful orders.
www.politico.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Unfit for leadership. www.politico.com/live-updates...
It seems like if you are mad about Trump covering up the Esptein files you should be equally, if not more, animated and called to take action over Trump's amplification of the idea members of Congress be hanged.
Esp if you are a member of Congress. Can we get a vote on that?
Esp if you are a member of Congress. Can we get a vote on that?
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
It seems like if you are mad about Trump covering up the Esptein files you should be equally, if not more, animated and called to take action over Trump's amplification of the idea members of Congress be hanged.
Esp if you are a member of Congress. Can we get a vote on that?
Esp if you are a member of Congress. Can we get a vote on that?
Reposted by Amanda Carpenter
An ICE employee was among 16 men arrested after trying to solicit a minor for sex in Bloomington, Minnesota, police say
"When he was arrested, he said, 'I'm ICE, boys,'" Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said during a press conference. "Well, unfortunately for him, we locked him up."
"When he was arrested, he said, 'I'm ICE, boys,'" Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said during a press conference. "Well, unfortunately for him, we locked him up."
November 19, 2025 at 2:34 AM
An ICE employee was among 16 men arrested after trying to solicit a minor for sex in Bloomington, Minnesota, police say
"When he was arrested, he said, 'I'm ICE, boys,'" Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said during a press conference. "Well, unfortunately for him, we locked him up."
"When he was arrested, he said, 'I'm ICE, boys,'" Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said during a press conference. "Well, unfortunately for him, we locked him up."
GOOD QUESTION and piece here. (But we know the answer. There was no emergency.)
The 'Emergency' That Demanded Huge Tariffs on Swiss Imports Is Now Over. So What Was the Emergency? reason.com/2025/11/17/t...
The 'Emergency' That Demanded Huge Tariffs on Swiss Imports Is Now Over. So What Was the Emergency? reason.com/2025/11/17/t...
The 'emergency' that demanded huge tariffs on Swiss imports is now over. So what was the emergency?
Trump ordered a whopping 39 percent tariff on all imports from Switzerland earlier this year by claiming there was a national emergency.
reason.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:30 PM
GOOD QUESTION and piece here. (But we know the answer. There was no emergency.)
The 'Emergency' That Demanded Huge Tariffs on Swiss Imports Is Now Over. So What Was the Emergency? reason.com/2025/11/17/t...
The 'Emergency' That Demanded Huge Tariffs on Swiss Imports Is Now Over. So What Was the Emergency? reason.com/2025/11/17/t...
Reposted by Amanda Carpenter
The Department of Homeland Security, in response to pressure from President Trump, is diverting resources intended for fighting terrorism and child abuse to focus on arresting undocumented immigrants, a New York Times investigation found. nyti.ms/4nXoB6o
November 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM
The Department of Homeland Security, in response to pressure from President Trump, is diverting resources intended for fighting terrorism and child abuse to focus on arresting undocumented immigrants, a New York Times investigation found. nyti.ms/4nXoB6o
Reposted by Amanda Carpenter
NEW: DHS invoked the “national emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
Kristi Noem-Tied Firm Secretly Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Campaign
The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for the taxpayer-funded campaign.
www.propublica.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM
NEW: DHS invoked the “national emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
Reposted by Amanda Carpenter
A big win for press freedom: Thanks to FPF's advocacy, the government changed its practices and its policies to make clear that journalists don't need permission to report on immigration court proceedings.
No, journalists don’t need permission to cover immigration courts
DOJ office rescinds unconstitutional check-in requirement following FPF letter
freedom.press
November 13, 2025 at 6:36 PM
A big win for press freedom: Thanks to FPF's advocacy, the government changed its practices and its policies to make clear that journalists don't need permission to report on immigration court proceedings.
Reposted by Amanda Carpenter
The president’s pardons of election deniers like Rudy Giuliani send a clear message: If you try to steal an election for his team, Donald Trump will have your back.
A Year to Defend Elections
Trump’s pardons of Rudy Giuliani and other election deniers are a reminder that the midterms will face an extraordinary new source of pressure: the federal government itself.
www.brennancenter.org
November 13, 2025 at 12:00 AM
The president’s pardons of election deniers like Rudy Giuliani send a clear message: If you try to steal an election for his team, Donald Trump will have your back.
Brendan Carr is weaponizing the FCC's news distortion policy to punish speech MAGA doesn't like.
A bipartisan coalition of seven former chairs and commissioners, including five Republicans, and senior staff is calling on the FCC to end it. 👀
protectdemocracy.org/work/fcc-new...
A bipartisan coalition of seven former chairs and commissioners, including five Republicans, and senior staff is calling on the FCC to end it. 👀
protectdemocracy.org/work/fcc-new...
The FCC's News Distortion Policy should be rescinded
A bipartisan group of former FCC commissioners call for repeal of the News Distortion Policy, which chills broadcaster speech
protectdemocracy.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Brendan Carr is weaponizing the FCC's news distortion policy to punish speech MAGA doesn't like.
A bipartisan coalition of seven former chairs and commissioners, including five Republicans, and senior staff is calling on the FCC to end it. 👀
protectdemocracy.org/work/fcc-new...
A bipartisan coalition of seven former chairs and commissioners, including five Republicans, and senior staff is calling on the FCC to end it. 👀
protectdemocracy.org/work/fcc-new...
My @protectdemocracy.org colleague Hayden Johnson did an incredible job explaining the importance of the legal win against ICE in Chicago yesterday. Give it a watch and repost and/or give a reply I can send to him and the rest of the legal crew!
www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/is-the-aut...
www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/is-the-aut...
Is the authoritarian project faltering?
Trump is running out of options
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
My @protectdemocracy.org colleague Hayden Johnson did an incredible job explaining the importance of the legal win against ICE in Chicago yesterday. Give it a watch and repost and/or give a reply I can send to him and the rest of the legal crew!
www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/is-the-aut...
www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/is-the-aut...
Reposted by Amanda Carpenter
FULL STORY: Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino, who led a series of increasingly aggressive raids across Chicago and its suburbs, lied about firing tear gas at protesters in Little Village and tackling a man outside the Broadview ICE facility, a federal judge said Thursday. @wttw.bsky.social
Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino Admitted He Lied About Firing Tear Gas, Tackling Protester: Federal Judge
U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis is the second federal judge in the Northern District of Illinois to find that federal agents have presented unreliable testimony about their actions and the action...
news.wttw.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:36 PM
FULL STORY: Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino, who led a series of increasingly aggressive raids across Chicago and its suburbs, lied about firing tear gas at protesters in Little Village and tackling a man outside the Broadview ICE facility, a federal judge said Thursday. @wttw.bsky.social
Reposted by Amanda Carpenter
VICTORY: Judge Ellis granted the most powerful rebuke of the Trump admin’s immigration enforcement tactics yet — a preliminary injunction to more permanently stop the violent and lawless tactics federal agents have deployed against protestors, press, and clergy in the Chicago area.
November 6, 2025 at 6:47 PM
VICTORY: Judge Ellis granted the most powerful rebuke of the Trump admin’s immigration enforcement tactics yet — a preliminary injunction to more permanently stop the violent and lawless tactics federal agents have deployed against protestors, press, and clergy in the Chicago area.
Breaking news out of Chicago!
CHICAGO (WGN) — A federal judge is further restricting the use of force by federal immigration enforcement agents in the Chicago area as part of the Trump administration’s deportation campaign known as “Operation Midway Blitz.”
wgntv.com/news/operati...
CHICAGO (WGN) — A federal judge is further restricting the use of force by federal immigration enforcement agents in the Chicago area as part of the Trump administration’s deportation campaign known as “Operation Midway Blitz.”
wgntv.com/news/operati...
November 6, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Breaking news out of Chicago!
CHICAGO (WGN) — A federal judge is further restricting the use of force by federal immigration enforcement agents in the Chicago area as part of the Trump administration’s deportation campaign known as “Operation Midway Blitz.”
wgntv.com/news/operati...
CHICAGO (WGN) — A federal judge is further restricting the use of force by federal immigration enforcement agents in the Chicago area as part of the Trump administration’s deportation campaign known as “Operation Midway Blitz.”
wgntv.com/news/operati...
Maybe the prospect of a President Mamdani using Trump's emergency powers would also help nudge key judges in the right direction...
November 5, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Maybe the prospect of a President Mamdani using Trump's emergency powers would also help nudge key judges in the right direction...
The military uses classified information to protect national security.
The idea that Trump would impose NDAs on the military to shield Trump from political scrutiny should be DOA.
An important read from @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-milita...
The idea that Trump would impose NDAs on the military to shield Trump from political scrutiny should be DOA.
An important read from @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-milita...
Why Commanders Don’t Sign NDAs
Existing rules and laws applying to military secrecy are sufficient—and asking officers to sign NDAs is deeply inappropriate.
www.thebulwark.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The military uses classified information to protect national security.
The idea that Trump would impose NDAs on the military to shield Trump from political scrutiny should be DOA.
An important read from @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-milita...
The idea that Trump would impose NDAs on the military to shield Trump from political scrutiny should be DOA.
An important read from @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-milita...
Unlocked NYT article, pls share.
"The judge then ordered Bovino, who took the stand in his usual green fatigues and Border Patrol insignia, to appear at the federal courthouse at the end of every weekday to personally provide her with a report on the day’s arrests and incidents."
shorturl.at/Cx7Al
"The judge then ordered Bovino, who took the stand in his usual green fatigues and Border Patrol insignia, to appear at the federal courthouse at the end of every weekday to personally provide her with a report on the day’s arrests and incidents."
shorturl.at/Cx7Al
Judge Admonishes Border Patrol Leader for Tactics in Chicago
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Unlocked NYT article, pls share.
"The judge then ordered Bovino, who took the stand in his usual green fatigues and Border Patrol insignia, to appear at the federal courthouse at the end of every weekday to personally provide her with a report on the day’s arrests and incidents."
shorturl.at/Cx7Al
"The judge then ordered Bovino, who took the stand in his usual green fatigues and Border Patrol insignia, to appear at the federal courthouse at the end of every weekday to personally provide her with a report on the day’s arrests and incidents."
shorturl.at/Cx7Al
Politico: "Bit of a jaw-dropper in the Senate last night, w/ the chamber actually defying the WH (yes, really) and approving a resolution to zero-out Trump’s tariffs on Brazil. The chamber voted 52-48 to end the national emergencies Trump used to justify the levies." www.politico.com/live-updates...
Senate votes against Trump’s 50 percent tariff on Brazil
The vote comes while the president is in Asia touting his trade agenda.
www.politico.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Politico: "Bit of a jaw-dropper in the Senate last night, w/ the chamber actually defying the WH (yes, really) and approving a resolution to zero-out Trump’s tariffs on Brazil. The chamber voted 52-48 to end the national emergencies Trump used to justify the levies." www.politico.com/live-updates...
Reposted by Amanda Carpenter
We are proud to stand with our partners in this lawsuit: @loevy.com, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law's Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinic, UChicago Law's Mandel Legal Aid Clinic, First Defense Legal Aid, and the ACLU of Illinois.
Protecting protesters and the press from unconstitutional federal force in Illinois
Protect Democracy is suing the Trump administration for violating the First Amendment in Northern Illinois.
protdem.org
October 29, 2025 at 1:52 AM
We are proud to stand with our partners in this lawsuit: @loevy.com, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law's Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinic, UChicago Law's Mandel Legal Aid Clinic, First Defense Legal Aid, and the ACLU of Illinois.
Accountability matters!
NEW: Gregory Bovino is facing the consequences for violating our court order protecting Illinois protesters & press. Now, he must personally report to her at the courthouse every day — a crucial step in defending the First Amendment. Read Federal judge Sara L. Ellis' rebuke of CBP's top official ⬇️
Judge Admonishes Border Patrol Leader for Tactics in Chicago
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Accountability matters!
When Trump goes after big targets, the smaller ones often make consequential, silent choices. This is the chilling effect in action.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
October 26, 2025 at 4:53 PM
When Trump goes after big targets, the smaller ones often make consequential, silent choices. This is the chilling effect in action.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...