Bryan Fichter
@bryanfichter.bsky.social
Retired intelligence analyst. Russian speaker. Arabic speaker. Democracy enthusiast. Publisher of the Intelligencer newsletter on Substack.
Pinned
Opinion | This Is What Autocrats Dread
www.nytimes.com
We can do this, people
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
I wish it didn’t feel so unusual and inspiring to see a leader treating everyone like they matter and saying that we have a responsibility to help each other
Combatting poverty and hunger in this city will take every single one of us. Myself included.
November 27, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I wish it didn’t feel so unusual and inspiring to see a leader treating everyone like they matter and saying that we have a responsibility to help each other
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Trump says Haiti no longer meets requirements for TPS. Haitians have to leave
The Department of Homeland Security said TPS for Haiti ends Feb. 3, 2026, affecting over half a million people who may face return to gang-controlled Port-au-Prince.
amp.miamiherald.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
An 18yo US citizen, surrounded by eight masked, armed agents of the state, taken into custody, not read his rights, not offered a chance to contact a lawyer, proof of citizenship ignored, handcuffed so tightly he later required medical attention.
Profoundly, profoundly anti-American shit.
Profoundly, profoundly anti-American shit.
ICE Detained an 18-Year-Old U.S. Citizen. This Is His Story.
YouTube video by The Hometown Holler
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
An 18yo US citizen, surrounded by eight masked, armed agents of the state, taken into custody, not read his rights, not offered a chance to contact a lawyer, proof of citizenship ignored, handcuffed so tightly he later required medical attention.
Profoundly, profoundly anti-American shit.
Profoundly, profoundly anti-American shit.
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
Hugely useful
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A year on from Trump’s victory, resistance is everywhere | Rebecca Solnit
Americans have shown a tremendous amount and variety of opposition – more than some may realize
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Hugely useful
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
None of these CEOs who are horny for AI cutting their payroll in half seems to have thought about the societal impact of suddenly having millions of newly unemployed, enraged Americans
@crampell.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social @kevinmkruse.bsky.social
@crampell.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social @kevinmkruse.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 5:47 PM
None of these CEOs who are horny for AI cutting their payroll in half seems to have thought about the societal impact of suddenly having millions of newly unemployed, enraged Americans
@crampell.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social @kevinmkruse.bsky.social
@crampell.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social @kevinmkruse.bsky.social
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
This is the scandal. Trump isn’t targeting dangerous people. He’s targeting peaceful immigrants. Almost exclusively.
November 26, 2025 at 2:10 PM
This is the scandal. Trump isn’t targeting dangerous people. He’s targeting peaceful immigrants. Almost exclusively.
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
I hope folks realize that between Trump, Kushner, Hegseth, Witkoff, Noem, RFK, Jr., Kash Patel, and Tulsi Gabbard, this country is almost entirely undefended.
Q: Have you heard this audio that Bloomberg has of Witkoff coaching the Russians on how to appeal to you?
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
November 26, 2025 at 1:28 AM
I hope folks realize that between Trump, Kushner, Hegseth, Witkoff, Noem, RFK, Jr., Kash Patel, and Tulsi Gabbard, this country is almost entirely undefended.
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
same
Still have yet to see AI make my life better in any way
November 26, 2025 at 12:39 PM
same
"The Trump White House knows that Hegseth is nothing like Forrestal, or Aspin, or even Rumsfeld, for that matter, and that he is unqualified to do anything but push-ups." @radiofreetom.bsky.social on the astronaut versus the chud
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Senator Mark Kelly Is in the Wrong Job
He should be secretary of defense.
www.theatlantic.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:33 PM
"The Trump White House knows that Hegseth is nothing like Forrestal, or Aspin, or even Rumsfeld, for that matter, and that he is unqualified to do anything but push-ups." @radiofreetom.bsky.social on the astronaut versus the chud
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
At least one insurrectionist goes to jail
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/w...
Bolsonaro to Start Serving 27-Year Sentence Over Coup Plot
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:45 PM
At least one insurrectionist goes to jail
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/w...
"On Monday, the United States formally designated President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela and his allies in government as members of a foreign terrorist organization called Cartel de los Soles, a group that doesn’t exist."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
Opinion | The Incomprehensible March Toward Regime Change in Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM
"On Monday, the United States formally designated President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela and his allies in government as members of a foreign terrorist organization called Cartel de los Soles, a group that doesn’t exist."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
Stoked to see one of my senators on this list
Wow — Senators Van Hollen, Smith, Murphy, Sanders, Warren, Markey, Merkley, Heinrich have created an official internal "Fight Club."
They're challenging Schumer & Gillibrand's leadership, arguing the party is using an old, corporate-friendly playbook insufficient to take on Trump or win elections.
They're challenging Schumer & Gillibrand's leadership, arguing the party is using an old, corporate-friendly playbook insufficient to take on Trump or win elections.
Chuck Schumer Faces Pushback From a ‘Fight Club’ of Senate Democrats
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Stoked to see one of my senators on this list
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
ICE kidnapped a 17-year-old U.S. citizen named Christian Jimenez. Jimenez, a high school senior born in Newberg, Oregon, was driving on his school’s lunch break when ICE/CBP agents stopped his car, smashed his window, and abducted him on November 21, 2025.
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
November 24, 2025 at 11:36 AM
ICE kidnapped a 17-year-old U.S. citizen named Christian Jimenez. Jimenez, a high school senior born in Newberg, Oregon, was driving on his school’s lunch break when ICE/CBP agents stopped his car, smashed his window, and abducted him on November 21, 2025.
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
Seriously, what other president is even remotely in his league?
There was corruption in the Grant and Harding administrations, but the presidents were largely uninvolved. Nixon committed crimes in secret but didn't really line his own pockets.
Trump is like a Thomas Nast cartoon come to life.
There was corruption in the Grant and Harding administrations, but the presidents were largely uninvolved. Nixon committed crimes in secret but didn't really line his own pockets.
Trump is like a Thomas Nast cartoon come to life.
November 25, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Seriously, what other president is even remotely in his league?
There was corruption in the Grant and Harding administrations, but the presidents were largely uninvolved. Nixon committed crimes in secret but didn't really line his own pockets.
Trump is like a Thomas Nast cartoon come to life.
There was corruption in the Grant and Harding administrations, but the presidents were largely uninvolved. Nixon committed crimes in secret but didn't really line his own pockets.
Trump is like a Thomas Nast cartoon come to life.
"In his second term, he has placed the Defense Department under Hegseth, whose only qualification is a fanatical partisan loyalty."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump and Hegseth’s Hysterical Reaction to an Ad
For the president and his minions, loyalty is more important than legality.
www.theatlantic.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:25 PM
"In his second term, he has placed the Defense Department under Hegseth, whose only qualification is a fanatical partisan loyalty."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
"So the question is whether the U.S, can transition to a majority minority nation and retain its democratic system of government at the same time."
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
Are We Watching White America's Last Stand ?
Turning the page to a new America
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
"So the question is whether the U.S, can transition to a majority minority nation and retain its democratic system of government at the same time."
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
Most likely outcomes of a U.S. war of regime change in Venezuela: months/years of violent anarchy and emigration of Venezuelans to both neighboring countries and the U.S. and the collapse of U.S. relations with Latin America in general.
@jamellebouie.net @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
@jamellebouie.net @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Most likely outcomes of a U.S. war of regime change in Venezuela: months/years of violent anarchy and emigration of Venezuelans to both neighboring countries and the U.S. and the collapse of U.S. relations with Latin America in general.
@jamellebouie.net @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
@jamellebouie.net @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
Absolute madness.
Really looks like the United States is about to launch a regime change war against Venezuela with:
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
November 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Absolute madness.
It would actually be fitting if the U.S. attacked Venezuela because of something (Cartel de los Soles) that is basically a meme
@nicholasgrossman.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social
newrepublic.com/post/203585/...
@nicholasgrossman.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social
newrepublic.com/post/203585/...
Trump Declares Venezuela’s Maduro a Terrorist as Next Phase Begins
The Trump administration is escalating operations against Venezuela.
newrepublic.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
It would actually be fitting if the U.S. attacked Venezuela because of something (Cartel de los Soles) that is basically a meme
@nicholasgrossman.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social
newrepublic.com/post/203585/...
@nicholasgrossman.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social
newrepublic.com/post/203585/...
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
I don’t think there’s any moving forward for the United States without addressing the Musk problem.
badfaithtimes.com/holding-elon...
badfaithtimes.com/holding-elon...
Holding Elon Musk Accountable Is A Matter Of National Survival
Elected Democrats can't move on this time.
badfaithtimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I don’t think there’s any moving forward for the United States without addressing the Musk problem.
badfaithtimes.com/holding-elon...
badfaithtimes.com/holding-elon...
Womp womp
Any speculator who bought Trump’s memecoin at its peak after it was announced inauguration weekend would have lost almost the entire value of their investment by this month.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Crypto Crash Is Eroding Wealth for Trump’s Family and Followers
In President Donald Trump’s second term, crypto assets transformed his family’s wealth. Now the Trumps — and their followers — are getting a crash course in the wild volatility ingrained in digital cu...
www.bloomberg.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Womp womp
Heckuva job, Donnie
The entire West comes together to reject the Dmiriev 28-point plan to which Trump affixed his name. This would appear to mark the absolute modern low point of US diplomatic influence on he world stage.
November 23, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Heckuva job, Donnie
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
High school senior, a U.S. citizen, detained by ICE in Oregon
The 17-year-old was held more than five hours Friday in an ICE facility, his brother said.
www.oregonlive.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Ordinary people are *way* more inventive and courageous than our so-called elites
@jamellebouie.net @adamserwer.bsky.social
@jamellebouie.net @adamserwer.bsky.social
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
November 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Ordinary people are *way* more inventive and courageous than our so-called elites
@jamellebouie.net @adamserwer.bsky.social
@jamellebouie.net @adamserwer.bsky.social
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
Let’s see if one single pundit who said there was some great realignment of American sentiment with this last election, based on what they saw on the Nazi-owned platform overrun by foreign actors, offers any retractions or corrections for their gullibility.
It’s hilarious and revelatory that a bunch of giant MAGA/America First X accounts are actually based in Eastern Europe and Nigeria.
Top MAGA Influencers Accidentally Unmasked as Foreign Actors
A new feature on Elon Musk’s X has given deeper insight into the online “America First” movement.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Let’s see if one single pundit who said there was some great realignment of American sentiment with this last election, based on what they saw on the Nazi-owned platform overrun by foreign actors, offers any retractions or corrections for their gullibility.