David Dark
@daviddark.bsky.social
believes radiohead / tenured talker /author of Everyday Apocalypse: Art, Empire, & the End of the World, We Become What We Normalize, & Explain All These Controls: U2 & the Inner America (forthcoming)
Pinned
Monitoring the Situation daviddark.substack.com/p/the-david-...
Reposted by David Dark
Absolutely shameful to throw your employee under the bus when they’re murdered, but that’s what happens when you’re in the dumbest cult of personality in the history of the world
January 26, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Absolutely shameful to throw your employee under the bus when they’re murdered, but that’s what happens when you’re in the dumbest cult of personality in the history of the world
Reposted by David Dark
can you please share the link to the story? Journalists gotta eat and these big screenshots that go viral don't help. Here's a gift link.
www.startribune.com/chris-madel-...
www.startribune.com/chris-madel-...
Chris Madel ends GOP bid for governor, says he can’t support federal ‘retribution’ against Minnesota
His exit comes as some other Republicans have started to distance themselves from the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in the state.
www.startribune.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM
can you please share the link to the story? Journalists gotta eat and these big screenshots that go viral don't help. Here's a gift link.
www.startribune.com/chris-madel-...
www.startribune.com/chris-madel-...
Reposted by David Dark
Comfortable safe guy doing nothing of value belittles uncomfortable unsafe people doing something of value.
KFAN's Paul Allen at the top of his show this morning: "I made a comment on Friday about protesters and the weather that was insensitive and poorly timed, and I'm sorry. It was a misguided attempt at humor ... I'm taking a few days off."
January 26, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Comfortable safe guy doing nothing of value belittles uncomfortable unsafe people doing something of value.
"Stephen Miller has believed that if he just created enough fascist spectacle, people would learn to love his thuggery...Now that effort has gotten multiple people killed, Republicans want to distance themselves from it." @emptywheel.bsky.social www.emptywheel.net/2026/01/26/s...
Stephen Miller, Not (Just) Kristi Noem and Greg Bovino, Must Be Held Accountable - emptywheel
The right wing wants to blame Kristi Noem's propaganda failures for the cratering legitimacy of Stephen Miller's deportation regime. If they want to scapegoat, let's make sure they include Miller as w...
www.emptywheel.net
January 26, 2026 at 3:50 PM
"Stephen Miller has believed that if he just created enough fascist spectacle, people would learn to love his thuggery...Now that effort has gotten multiple people killed, Republicans want to distance themselves from it." @emptywheel.bsky.social www.emptywheel.net/2026/01/26/s...
Reposted by David Dark
There’s nothing like the smell of self-respect in the morning.
This administration is cooked. Literally no one is scared of them.
January 25, 2026 at 11:25 PM
There’s nothing like the smell of self-respect in the morning.
There’s nothing like the smell of self-respect in the morning.
This administration is cooked. Literally no one is scared of them.
January 25, 2026 at 11:25 PM
There’s nothing like the smell of self-respect in the morning.
Reposted by David Dark
The feels when you can’t even convince Maria Bartiromo to buy your lie.
I’ve seen folks ask why Alex Pretti’s death might be more likely to move Congressional Republicans to turn against Trump when Renee Good’s failed to. The answer is obvious, and it’s not as simple as misogyny.
I’ve seen folks ask why Alex Pretti’s death might be more likely to move Congressional Republicans to turn against Trump when Renee Good’s failed to. The answer is obvious, and it’s not as simple as misogyny.
January 25, 2026 at 6:39 PM
The feels when you can’t even convince Maria Bartiromo to buy your lie.
I’ve seen folks ask why Alex Pretti’s death might be more likely to move Congressional Republicans to turn against Trump when Renee Good’s failed to. The answer is obvious, and it’s not as simple as misogyny.
I’ve seen folks ask why Alex Pretti’s death might be more likely to move Congressional Republicans to turn against Trump when Renee Good’s failed to. The answer is obvious, and it’s not as simple as misogyny.
Reposted by David Dark
UPDATE: The judges in MN are working Sunday. Judge Menendez — who issued last week's injunction against ICE's retaliatory use of pepper spray – just ordered the release of a Kenyan woman arrested while picking up seizure medication at CVS. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 25, 2026 at 8:32 PM
UPDATE: The judges in MN are working Sunday. Judge Menendez — who issued last week's injunction against ICE's retaliatory use of pepper spray – just ordered the release of a Kenyan woman arrested while picking up seizure medication at CVS. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by David Dark
CBP chief Bovino has confirmed that the officers who executed Alex Pretti in the street yesterday are not only *not on administrative leave,* they have all been reassigned to other jurisdictions and are all on the street today.
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
January 25, 2026 at 8:01 PM
CBP chief Bovino has confirmed that the officers who executed Alex Pretti in the street yesterday are not only *not on administrative leave,* they have all been reassigned to other jurisdictions and are all on the street today.
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
Reposted by David Dark
"Kristi Noem’s goons are responsible for two of three murders committed in the state of Minnesota this year, effectively tripling the murder rate with their reckless & cowardly actions. & Noem...is a participant in the murders." @emptywheel.bsky.social www.emptywheel.net/2026/01/25/b...
By Lying about Alex Pretti's Murder, Kristi Noem Makes Herself a Co-Conspirator In It - emptywheel
By lying about how her goons came to murder Alex Pretti, Kristi Noem makes it clear she's part of a conspiracy in his killing.
www.emptywheel.net
January 25, 2026 at 2:54 PM
"Kristi Noem’s goons are responsible for two of three murders committed in the state of Minnesota this year, effectively tripling the murder rate with their reckless & cowardly actions. & Noem...is a participant in the murders." @emptywheel.bsky.social www.emptywheel.net/2026/01/25/b...
Reposted by David Dark
My friend Sara posted this about the superb care her father received from with Alex Pretti
Absolutely heartbreaking
Absolutely heartbreaking
January 25, 2026 at 4:19 PM
My friend Sara posted this about the superb care her father received from with Alex Pretti
Absolutely heartbreaking
Absolutely heartbreaking
Reposted by David Dark
Remember the other day when I was saluting my friend Greg Ketter, owner of Minneapolis’ DreamHaven Books? This is him the following day. Greg will never say this, so I will — now is a great time to buy books from DreamHaven. Support Americans who stand up vs. 🧊. dreamhavenbooks.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Remember the other day when I was saluting my friend Greg Ketter, owner of Minneapolis’ DreamHaven Books? This is him the following day. Greg will never say this, so I will — now is a great time to buy books from DreamHaven. Support Americans who stand up vs. 🧊. dreamhavenbooks.com
Reposted by David Dark
The majority of organizing happening in Minnesota isn’t just peaceful, it’s INVISIBLE. Moms showing up who won’t be interviewed on TV, people whose ICE patrols don’t turn into viral video. The grocery runs, the donations, the people filming bc they happen to be there. Please remember this.
January 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The majority of organizing happening in Minnesota isn’t just peaceful, it’s INVISIBLE. Moms showing up who won’t be interviewed on TV, people whose ICE patrols don’t turn into viral video. The grocery runs, the donations, the people filming bc they happen to be there. Please remember this.
"Kristi Noem’s goons are responsible for two of three murders committed in the state of Minnesota this year, effectively tripling the murder rate with their reckless & cowardly actions. & Noem...is a participant in the murders." @emptywheel.bsky.social www.emptywheel.net/2026/01/25/b...
By Lying about Alex Pretti's Murder, Kristi Noem Makes Herself a Co-Conspirator In It - emptywheel
By lying about how her goons came to murder Alex Pretti, Kristi Noem makes it clear she's part of a conspiracy in his killing.
www.emptywheel.net
January 25, 2026 at 2:54 PM
"Kristi Noem’s goons are responsible for two of three murders committed in the state of Minnesota this year, effectively tripling the murder rate with their reckless & cowardly actions. & Noem...is a participant in the murders." @emptywheel.bsky.social www.emptywheel.net/2026/01/25/b...
Reposted by David Dark
New: Alex Pretti, the man killed by the Trump-Vance mob of agents was an outdoorsmen, a mountain biker, an ICU nurse who "would go out of his way to help," say Veterans Affairs colleagues.
Cheerful. Funny. Gentle.
And still, per sources, Trump officials are urging staff to call him a "terrorist."
Cheerful. Funny. Gentle.
And still, per sources, Trump officials are urging staff to call him a "terrorist."
DHS Shooting Victim in Minneapolis Was a ‘Sweet’ and ‘Principled Person’
Zeteo spoke with two doctors who worked with Alex Pretti, a nurse who is the latest victim of Trump’s violent invasion of Minnesota.
zeteo.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:07 PM
New: Alex Pretti, the man killed by the Trump-Vance mob of agents was an outdoorsmen, a mountain biker, an ICU nurse who "would go out of his way to help," say Veterans Affairs colleagues.
Cheerful. Funny. Gentle.
And still, per sources, Trump officials are urging staff to call him a "terrorist."
Cheerful. Funny. Gentle.
And still, per sources, Trump officials are urging staff to call him a "terrorist."
Reposted by David Dark
Pathetic.
Abolish ICE. This is a lawless agency that can't be reformed.
Abolish ICE. This is a lawless agency that can't be reformed.
It's simple: the DHS bill isn't going to pass if its lawlessness isn't reined in.
Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans’ refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no.
January 25, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Pathetic.
Abolish ICE. This is a lawless agency that can't be reformed.
Abolish ICE. This is a lawless agency that can't be reformed.
Reposted by David Dark
👀⚖️👇🏾 #minn
A doctor who witnessed the shooting submits a sworn declaration in federal litigation to halt ICE surge in MN:
"I did not see him attack the agents or brandish a weapon of any kind."
and
"The victim had at least three bullet wounds in his back."
Read storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"I did not see him attack the agents or brandish a weapon of any kind."
and
"The victim had at least three bullet wounds in his back."
Read storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 25, 2026 at 2:00 AM
👀⚖️👇🏾 #minn
Reposted by David Dark
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
Reposted by David Dark
AOC: "In directing this around Mayor Wray and Gov. Walz, claiming they are 'inciting,' Noem is equating disagreement with incitement ... she is laying the groundwork for the Insurrection Act ... they are taking issue with the people of Minnesota who have duly elected their own elected officials"
January 24, 2026 at 11:05 PM
AOC: "In directing this around Mayor Wray and Gov. Walz, claiming they are 'inciting,' Noem is equating disagreement with incitement ... she is laying the groundwork for the Insurrection Act ... they are taking issue with the people of Minnesota who have duly elected their own elected officials"
Reposted by David Dark
American Reformer & CBL (which is supported by American Reformer) have been trying to gin up outrage over the MN protest at Cities Church, a church planted by one of Doug Wilson’s guys (Joe Rigney). American Reformer’s board includes one of Peter Thiel’s guys (Chris Buskirk). 1/
January 24, 2026 at 11:12 PM
American Reformer & CBL (which is supported by American Reformer) have been trying to gin up outrage over the MN protest at Cities Church, a church planted by one of Doug Wilson’s guys (Joe Rigney). American Reformer’s board includes one of Peter Thiel’s guys (Chris Buskirk). 1/
Reposted by David Dark
On one side is a nurse and a poet dying while saying “Are you okay?” and “I'm not even mad at you dude"
And on the other side are armed officers of the state saying “Boo hoo” and “Fucking bitch.”
And they want you to believe the first side are the domestic terrorists.
And on the other side are armed officers of the state saying “Boo hoo” and “Fucking bitch.”
And they want you to believe the first side are the domestic terrorists.
Alex Pretti’s last words were “are you ok?” said the woman next to him who ICE also pepper sprayed in the face.
January 24, 2026 at 8:31 PM
On one side is a nurse and a poet dying while saying “Are you okay?” and “I'm not even mad at you dude"
And on the other side are armed officers of the state saying “Boo hoo” and “Fucking bitch.”
And they want you to believe the first side are the domestic terrorists.
And on the other side are armed officers of the state saying “Boo hoo” and “Fucking bitch.”
And they want you to believe the first side are the domestic terrorists.
Reposted by David Dark
I keep reupping this. Greg Bovino has been in the vicinity of virtually all the worst DHS violence, and was out lying about today's murder.
He gets his orders from the White House.
www.emptywheel.net/2026/01/07/t...
He gets his orders from the White House.
www.emptywheel.net/2026/01/07/t...
Time to Ask if Stephen Miller Has Authorized Assault and Murder of Peaceful ICE Observers - emptywheel
Given how consistently Greg Bovino is at the scene of unjustified violence against ICE observers, including today's shooting, and given Bovino's refusal to answer whether Stephen Miller has given him ...
www.emptywheel.net
January 24, 2026 at 8:35 PM
I keep reupping this. Greg Bovino has been in the vicinity of virtually all the worst DHS violence, and was out lying about today's murder.
He gets his orders from the White House.
www.emptywheel.net/2026/01/07/t...
He gets his orders from the White House.
www.emptywheel.net/2026/01/07/t...
Reposted by David Dark
What we’ve seen in other countries is the violence of the state is directly proportional to the weakness and, often, illegitimacy of the regime in power.
Extrajudicial killings are not the sign of a strong regime but they may be the portent of a bloody one.
January 24, 2026 at 4:54 PM
What we’ve seen in other countries is the violence of the state is directly proportional to the weakness and, often, illegitimacy of the regime in power.
Reposted by David Dark
Two women trained as first responders were abducted by three ICE agents. One of the agents starts seizing. The other two don’t know what to do. The women jump into action and save the agent’s life, only to be re-handcuffed and processed.
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
Detained by ICE, two women became first responders during agent’s seizure
The women say they guided agents through the emergency, later raising concerns about medical protocols, weapons safety and accountability.
www.startribune.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Two women trained as first responders were abducted by three ICE agents. One of the agents starts seizing. The other two don’t know what to do. The women jump into action and save the agent’s life, only to be re-handcuffed and processed.
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...