David Solimini
@commsdirector.bsky.social
Fear and bravery are contagious. Be brave. Leading @democracycomms.bsky.social. Previously Stimson Center, Truman Project, ICAN, others. Proudly SAIS Hopkins, William & Mary. Opinions are mine, not my employer's. (Was same name at the bad bird place.)
Reposted by David Solimini
Alex Pretti’s most immediate legacy is galvanizing the country against tyranny. We should do what we can to see to it that his other legacy is reclaiming the public meaning of masculinity from the whiny, sadistic freaks responsible for his murder. www.offmessage.net/p/alex-prett...
Alex Pretti, MAGA, And The Public Meaning Of Masculinity
If you'd rather be like them than like him, it's time to take a look in the mirror...
www.offmessage.net
January 27, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Alex Pretti’s most immediate legacy is galvanizing the country against tyranny. We should do what we can to see to it that his other legacy is reclaiming the public meaning of masculinity from the whiny, sadistic freaks responsible for his murder. www.offmessage.net/p/alex-prett...
I thought that people who came to the protest with guns were some of the "good people on both sides?" Cause... www.google.com/search?udm=2...
January 27, 2026 at 5:52 PM
I thought that people who came to the protest with guns were some of the "good people on both sides?" Cause... www.google.com/search?udm=2...
Reposted by David Solimini
Reminder that “defunding ICE”—breaking up and/or overhauling DHS—will require Democrats holding both chambers of Congress and the presidency. Good goal, but a possibility that is years away.
How can it be curbed now?
How can it be curbed now?
Dems coalescing around 5 restrictions on ICE, I'm told:
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
A Dem Senator’s Harsh Takedown of Trump Hits Home: “Breaking Point”
As Trump scrambles to contain the damage from the latest ICE horrors, Senator Chris Murphy offers a sharp indictment of Trump-ICE lawlessness—and explains how Dems can meet the urgency of the moment.
newrepublic.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Reminder that “defunding ICE”—breaking up and/or overhauling DHS—will require Democrats holding both chambers of Congress and the presidency. Good goal, but a possibility that is years away.
How can it be curbed now?
How can it be curbed now?
Reposted by David Solimini
In the immediate, unmasking would have the biggest impact on ICE/CBP behavior and (at least future) accountability. Also slow their hiring probably by a lot.
January 27, 2026 at 2:45 PM
In the immediate, unmasking would have the biggest impact on ICE/CBP behavior and (at least future) accountability. Also slow their hiring probably by a lot.
💯
Welcome the statements from R's who seem to be turning against ICE actions. They don't need to have fully change their minds for this to matter. Politics can't count on politicians doing the right thing--the political incentives have to point that way. And this shift shows the incentives are moving.
January 27, 2026 at 2:43 PM
💯
Feels like @chrismurphyct.bsky.social has gotten fully Senate Brained.
Here's Senator Chris Murphy's extended discussion of this group of restrictions on ICE:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
January 27, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Feels like @chrismurphyct.bsky.social has gotten fully Senate Brained.
Reposted by David Solimini
Obviously we need crocodiles, to make sure everyone bought a ticket. Nobody disputes that. What would we do about stowaways if we didn't have 500-600 starving crocodiles aboard? Think of the cost. What we need is common-sense crocodile restrictions with no enforcement provisions.
January 27, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Obviously we need crocodiles, to make sure everyone bought a ticket. Nobody disputes that. What would we do about stowaways if we didn't have 500-600 starving crocodiles aboard? Think of the cost. What we need is common-sense crocodile restrictions with no enforcement provisions.
Reposted by David Solimini
The starving crocodiles that have been released onto this ship full of children need better training, proper monitoring, and also must cease any unnecessary eating NOW. No children on the lido deck or 1st class should EVER be consumed. That's why I'm voting an additional $44B for crocodiles.
January 27, 2026 at 11:28 AM
The starving crocodiles that have been released onto this ship full of children need better training, proper monitoring, and also must cease any unnecessary eating NOW. No children on the lido deck or 1st class should EVER be consumed. That's why I'm voting an additional $44B for crocodiles.
Reposted by David Solimini
I've been sent video from the end of the ICE raid at the Zipps on 32nd and Shea.
It shows protesters -- on the sidewalk, impeding no one -- getting drive-by maced by an ICE agent from a truck as it rolls away down the road.
Hard to see how such tactics are justifiable.
It shows protesters -- on the sidewalk, impeding no one -- getting drive-by maced by an ICE agent from a truck as it rolls away down the road.
Hard to see how such tactics are justifiable.
January 27, 2026 at 6:07 AM
I've been sent video from the end of the ICE raid at the Zipps on 32nd and Shea.
It shows protesters -- on the sidewalk, impeding no one -- getting drive-by maced by an ICE agent from a truck as it rolls away down the road.
Hard to see how such tactics are justifiable.
It shows protesters -- on the sidewalk, impeding no one -- getting drive-by maced by an ICE agent from a truck as it rolls away down the road.
Hard to see how such tactics are justifiable.
Reposted by David Solimini
One simple thing Senate Democrats could demand is: ICE agents cannot under any circumstances be masked.
(No, that is not the only thing. No, that is not enough. Yes, I want ICE abolished. Yes, I know "they won't" is a distinct possibility. I hope that saves some of you some time.)
(No, that is not the only thing. No, that is not enough. Yes, I want ICE abolished. Yes, I know "they won't" is a distinct possibility. I hope that saves some of you some time.)
January 27, 2026 at 4:18 AM
One simple thing Senate Democrats could demand is: ICE agents cannot under any circumstances be masked.
(No, that is not the only thing. No, that is not enough. Yes, I want ICE abolished. Yes, I know "they won't" is a distinct possibility. I hope that saves some of you some time.)
(No, that is not the only thing. No, that is not enough. Yes, I want ICE abolished. Yes, I know "they won't" is a distinct possibility. I hope that saves some of you some time.)
Nicely written story from Ken, who in addition to being a good writer is also co-host of an excellent podcast.
So Greg Bovino is back to his post at USBP in El Centro. There are many lovely hardworking Americans in El Centro but at a place to be it is not to everyone’s taste. I had a hearing in El Centro and drove there the night before because you can’t get there in the morning…../1
January 27, 2026 at 3:46 AM
Nicely written story from Ken, who in addition to being a good writer is also co-host of an excellent podcast.
There are days when everything happens.
Okay I think I've mapped out ICE politics as of Monday night
January 27, 2026 at 3:17 AM
There are days when everything happens.
Reposted by David Solimini
Okay I think I've mapped out ICE politics as of Monday night
January 27, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Okay I think I've mapped out ICE politics as of Monday night
The people of Minnesota (and soon, Maine) are responding to three related but distinct things that are separately significant but together reflect the important American values at stake:
1. collective revulsion at excessive state violence,
1. collective revulsion at excessive state violence,
January 27, 2026 at 3:16 AM
The people of Minnesota (and soon, Maine) are responding to three related but distinct things that are separately significant but together reflect the important American values at stake:
1. collective revulsion at excessive state violence,
1. collective revulsion at excessive state violence,
Reposted by David Solimini
This can’t be repeated enough. Not only won’t they investigate, they may never even tell us who did this.
Think about the message that sends to the next ones. Nobody is safe.
Think about the message that sends to the next ones. Nobody is safe.
January 26, 2026 at 5:22 AM
This can’t be repeated enough. Not only won’t they investigate, they may never even tell us who did this.
Think about the message that sends to the next ones. Nobody is safe.
Think about the message that sends to the next ones. Nobody is safe.
Having recently finished a furniture project, I'm starting design for the next, a new coffee table. And as I look through design inspiration, I suddenly realize I'm designing round corners into this thing entirely because I cut my head open on a coffee table 38 years ago. Stuff sticks with you.
January 27, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Having recently finished a furniture project, I'm starting design for the next, a new coffee table. And as I look through design inspiration, I suddenly realize I'm designing round corners into this thing entirely because I cut my head open on a coffee table 38 years ago. Stuff sticks with you.
Reposted by David Solimini
Reaching even broader: "I don't believe federal law enforcement should be breaking down people's doors without warrants, taking children out of schools, or using force against unarmed Americans. If dismantling ICE is what it takes to protect the rights enshrined in our constitution, then so be it."
January 22, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Reaching even broader: "I don't believe federal law enforcement should be breaking down people's doors without warrants, taking children out of schools, or using force against unarmed Americans. If dismantling ICE is what it takes to protect the rights enshrined in our constitution, then so be it."
Reposted by David Solimini
There are easy ways to say this that speak to a wide range of Americans: "ICE has been abusive and violent against too many unarmed Americans and violated the rights of citizens and noncitizens alike. We need to dismantle ICE and build something that actually respects our laws and traditions."
Senator Gallego weighs in as well. Note that at the start of 2025 he was considered a *moderate* on immigration and co-sponsored the Laken Riley Act. Him and many other Dems have been increasingly horrified at what ICE is doing and shifted away from a "more enforcement" focus.
January 22, 2026 at 5:07 PM
There are easy ways to say this that speak to a wide range of Americans: "ICE has been abusive and violent against too many unarmed Americans and violated the rights of citizens and noncitizens alike. We need to dismantle ICE and build something that actually respects our laws and traditions."
Reposted by David Solimini
btw, that data they're buying now is how they're finding and abducting a large number of these people.
January 27, 2026 at 1:57 AM
btw, that data they're buying now is how they're finding and abducting a large number of these people.
ding ding ding
anyway just to reiterate, Bovino is a GS-15, which means there are probably a dozen SESs and politicals above him who need to answer for their failure to supervise him
January 27, 2026 at 1:26 AM
ding ding ding
The questions to ask are not limited to immigration because the core purpose of these actions was not limited to immigration; it was about stopping Americans from exercising their rights out of fear of government violence, using inhuman immigration policy as the cover.
A few questions for political leaders and those with followings to start asking:
- who at DHS headquarters authorized searching Americans' homes without a warrant? Why is the memo on that decision secret?
- who at DHS HQ authorized ICE etc to hide their faces from the American people?
- who at DHS headquarters authorized searching Americans' homes without a warrant? Why is the memo on that decision secret?
- who at DHS HQ authorized ICE etc to hide their faces from the American people?
January 27, 2026 at 1:24 AM
The questions to ask are not limited to immigration because the core purpose of these actions was not limited to immigration; it was about stopping Americans from exercising their rights out of fear of government violence, using inhuman immigration policy as the cover.
Reposted by David Solimini
if bovino is out and conservatives are turning on noem then there is a real opportunity to demand that miller resign too.
January 27, 2026 at 1:07 AM
if bovino is out and conservatives are turning on noem then there is a real opportunity to demand that miller resign too.
Reposted by David Solimini
Political Scientists would call it a "tactical concession" (RRS' Spiral Model). Human rights and democracy campaigners need to make sure it leads to more gains (positive spiral) instead of stalling progress (negative spiral).
The biggest risk in this moment is something sociologists call “symbolic compliance.”
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
January 27, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Political Scientists would call it a "tactical concession" (RRS' Spiral Model). Human rights and democracy campaigners need to make sure it leads to more gains (positive spiral) instead of stalling progress (negative spiral).
First all CBP were out of MN, then not. Bovino was fired and then not. They're scrambling without a coherent decision-making process and people are leaking, probably in an attempt to make their not-final but preferred outcome real.
January 27, 2026 at 12:42 AM
First all CBP were out of MN, then not. Bovino was fired and then not. They're scrambling without a coherent decision-making process and people are leaking, probably in an attempt to make their not-final but preferred outcome real.
A few questions for political leaders and those with followings to start asking:
- who at DHS headquarters authorized searching Americans' homes without a warrant? Why is the memo on that decision secret?
- who at DHS HQ authorized ICE etc to hide their faces from the American people?
- who at DHS headquarters authorized searching Americans' homes without a warrant? Why is the memo on that decision secret?
- who at DHS HQ authorized ICE etc to hide their faces from the American people?
January 27, 2026 at 12:35 AM
A few questions for political leaders and those with followings to start asking:
- who at DHS headquarters authorized searching Americans' homes without a warrant? Why is the memo on that decision secret?
- who at DHS HQ authorized ICE etc to hide their faces from the American people?
- who at DHS headquarters authorized searching Americans' homes without a warrant? Why is the memo on that decision secret?
- who at DHS HQ authorized ICE etc to hide their faces from the American people?