Cheryl Bolen Smelson
@cherylbolen.bsky.social
Recovering journalist, former White House correspondent for Bloomberg BNA, learning Spanish, regulatory maven
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
In the last week, Donald Trump has called for the murder of Congressional Democrats and threatened to unilaterally declare an invasion of Venezuela.
If Congressional Republicans followed the Constitution, both of these would be removable offenses. But, they’re loyal to Trump, not the constitution.
If Congressional Republicans followed the Constitution, both of these would be removable offenses. But, they’re loyal to Trump, not the constitution.
November 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
In the last week, Donald Trump has called for the murder of Congressional Democrats and threatened to unilaterally declare an invasion of Venezuela.
If Congressional Republicans followed the Constitution, both of these would be removable offenses. But, they’re loyal to Trump, not the constitution.
If Congressional Republicans followed the Constitution, both of these would be removable offenses. But, they’re loyal to Trump, not the constitution.
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
I didn’t vote for war against Venezuela. How about you? 😡
November 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I didn’t vote for war against Venezuela. How about you? 😡
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
Every single congressional Democrat needs to be out there, right now, insisting that Pete Hegseth resign right now and announcing that he will be held accountable for committing war crimes.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
Exclusive: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave an order to “kill everybody” in the first strike on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. After two men survived, the mission commander ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions, according to two sources.
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Every single congressional Democrat needs to be out there, right now, insisting that Pete Hegseth resign right now and announcing that he will be held accountable for committing war crimes.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
Oh my. When you've lost the Babylon Bee …
November 28, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Oh my. When you've lost the Babylon Bee …
Had a lovely Thanksgiving Day yesterday with my parents in Pennsylvania 🦃
Got home last night and passed this tree in Eastern Market neighborhood—now I’m feeling like Christmas! 🎄
Got home last night and passed this tree in Eastern Market neighborhood—now I’m feeling like Christmas! 🎄
November 28, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Had a lovely Thanksgiving Day yesterday with my parents in Pennsylvania 🦃
Got home last night and passed this tree in Eastern Market neighborhood—now I’m feeling like Christmas! 🎄
Got home last night and passed this tree in Eastern Market neighborhood—now I’m feeling like Christmas! 🎄
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
Q: Officials say the suspect in the DC shooting was vetted & it came up clean
TRUMP: He went cuckoo. He went nuts. There was no vetting
Q: Actually, your DOJ IG says there was thorough vetting of Afghans. So why blame Biden?
TRUMP: You're just asking questions because you're a stupid person
TRUMP: He went cuckoo. He went nuts. There was no vetting
Q: Actually, your DOJ IG says there was thorough vetting of Afghans. So why blame Biden?
TRUMP: You're just asking questions because you're a stupid person
November 28, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Q: Officials say the suspect in the DC shooting was vetted & it came up clean
TRUMP: He went cuckoo. He went nuts. There was no vetting
Q: Actually, your DOJ IG says there was thorough vetting of Afghans. So why blame Biden?
TRUMP: You're just asking questions because you're a stupid person
TRUMP: He went cuckoo. He went nuts. There was no vetting
Q: Actually, your DOJ IG says there was thorough vetting of Afghans. So why blame Biden?
TRUMP: You're just asking questions because you're a stupid person
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
🔥POWERFUL AD ABOUT ICE AGENTS: “What will you say when your kids ask you about your day? A mask can’t hide you from your neighbors, your family, God… you can walk away, but the shame will follow you home.”
November 27, 2025 at 9:43 PM
🔥POWERFUL AD ABOUT ICE AGENTS: “What will you say when your kids ask you about your day? A mask can’t hide you from your neighbors, your family, God… you can walk away, but the shame will follow you home.”
Not even close, this is the best bourbon-pecan pie I’ve ever tasted!
🥇
Bread Furst bakery on Connecticut Ave. in DC
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
🥇
Bread Furst bakery on Connecticut Ave. in DC
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
November 27, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Not even close, this is the best bourbon-pecan pie I’ve ever tasted!
🥇
Bread Furst bakery on Connecticut Ave. in DC
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
🥇
Bread Furst bakery on Connecticut Ave. in DC
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
"We followed everything we were supposed to do"
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:55 AM
"We followed everything we were supposed to do"
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Oh geeze, what now?
November 26, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Oh geeze, what now?
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
The people who do this, who conceived of it, who demand it, are real life monsters.
“I had to take the baby from my crying wife’s arms.“ It hasn’t even been a year, and this is not a scandal anymore? What is wrong with us?
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The people who do this, who conceived of it, who demand it, are real life monsters.
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
God this is so motivating.
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
God this is so motivating.
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
Sigh
Listen.
Vote for democrats.
Listen.
Vote for democrats.
November 26, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Sigh
Listen.
Vote for democrats.
Listen.
Vote for democrats.
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
The U.S. private sector shed more than 13,500 jobs per week on average in October and early November, according to data released Tuesday by the private payroll processing firm ADP, offering one of the few real-time reads on a weakening labor market.
Private Job Losses Sped Up This Month — Here's What To Know.
ADP’s weekly data shows private sector job cuts accelerated — as economists look toward alternative indicators as the federal government has not released labor reports.
www.forbes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The U.S. private sector shed more than 13,500 jobs per week on average in October and early November, according to data released Tuesday by the private payroll processing firm ADP, offering one of the few real-time reads on a weakening labor market.
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
Unbelievable.
Very few things piss me off more than anti-vax morons killing their children.
Very few things piss me off more than anti-vax morons killing their children.
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Unbelievable.
Very few things piss me off more than anti-vax morons killing their children.
Very few things piss me off more than anti-vax morons killing their children.
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
The type of things that happen when a foolish reality TV actor appoints a petty, drunk talk show chatterbox to run our military:
November 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The type of things that happen when a foolish reality TV actor appoints a petty, drunk talk show chatterbox to run our military:
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
America Is Finally Starting toSee Trump for the Bullsh*t Artist He Is newrepublic.com/article/2035... via @newrepublic.com
America Is Finally Starting to
See Trump for the Bullsh*t Artist He Is
He came to power through a relentless assault of lies. But the debt owed to the truth is coming due.
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
America Is Finally Starting toSee Trump for the Bullsh*t Artist He Is newrepublic.com/article/2035... via @newrepublic.com
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
When you have a lawless criminal as commander-in-chief, and a falling-down drunk Fox News host as SecDef, reminding service members to only follow legal orders should probably be done every day. Mark Kelly is a hero. 🇺🇸
November 25, 2025 at 11:05 AM
When you have a lawless criminal as commander-in-chief, and a falling-down drunk Fox News host as SecDef, reminding service members to only follow legal orders should probably be done every day. Mark Kelly is a hero. 🇺🇸
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
I swore an oath to the Constitution in 1986. I've upheld it through 25 years of service and every day since I retired.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
November 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I swore an oath to the Constitution in 1986. I've upheld it through 25 years of service and every day since I retired.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
WASHINGTON (AP) — Judge dismisses cases against James Comey and Letitia James after finding that prosecutor was illegally appointed.
November 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — Judge dismisses cases against James Comey and Letitia James after finding that prosecutor was illegally appointed.
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
My law firm is currently litigating 61 voting and election cases, including 12 redistricting cases. We have four cases in one stage or another before the Supreme Court.
These cases — and others like them —
will play a pivotal role in whether we have free and fair elections in 2026 and 2028.
These cases — and others like them —
will play a pivotal role in whether we have free and fair elections in 2026 and 2028.
November 23, 2025 at 7:53 PM
My law firm is currently litigating 61 voting and election cases, including 12 redistricting cases. We have four cases in one stage or another before the Supreme Court.
These cases — and others like them —
will play a pivotal role in whether we have free and fair elections in 2026 and 2028.
These cases — and others like them —
will play a pivotal role in whether we have free and fair elections in 2026 and 2028.
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's lawyers inform a federal judge about the Washington Post's bombshell: The government's claim that Costa Rica will no longer accept Abrego has been exposed as a lie.
More evidence—"if any were needed"—of vindictive prosecution.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
More evidence—"if any were needed"—of vindictive prosecution.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's lawyers inform a federal judge about the Washington Post's bombshell: The government's claim that Costa Rica will no longer accept Abrego has been exposed as a lie.
More evidence—"if any were needed"—of vindictive prosecution.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
More evidence—"if any were needed"—of vindictive prosecution.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Cheryl Bolen Smelson
WTF 🤬
ICE in DC is setting up racially driven checkpoints and roadblocks. This is one on Canal Road. A large number of vehicles can be seen waiting to be towed after these agents disappeared their owners.
ICE in DC is setting up racially driven checkpoints and roadblocks. This is one on Canal Road. A large number of vehicles can be seen waiting to be towed after these agents disappeared their owners.
November 24, 2025 at 12:16 AM
WTF 🤬
ICE in DC is setting up racially driven checkpoints and roadblocks. This is one on Canal Road. A large number of vehicles can be seen waiting to be towed after these agents disappeared their owners.
ICE in DC is setting up racially driven checkpoints and roadblocks. This is one on Canal Road. A large number of vehicles can be seen waiting to be towed after these agents disappeared their owners.
So much fun! Eastern Market Park on Capitol Hill, Washington DC 🎄
November 22, 2025 at 11:19 PM
So much fun! Eastern Market Park on Capitol Hill, Washington DC 🎄