Daniel Knowles
@dlknowles.bsky.social
Midwest correspondent at The Economist, in Chicago. Before that, in London, Mumbai, Nairobi and DC.
Buy my book: http://shorturl.at/BJOUV
Buy my book: http://shorturl.at/BJOUV
Pinned
Just reposting this - my story this week is part of this week's cover package on Minneapolis and the rise of what we call "America's paramilitary peril."
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Former speechwriter for Bush the Younger and Senior Editor at The Atlantic:
February 4, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Former speechwriter for Bush the Younger and Senior Editor at The Atlantic:
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Weird and almost universal revisionism today. Even at the time, it was pretty clear that Mandelson wasn't appointed *despite* his dodgy links but *because* of them. Trump's Washington is a dirty swamp. Mandelson was deemed a man able to swim in it. This wasn't a secret. Everybody said it out loud.
February 4, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Weird and almost universal revisionism today. Even at the time, it was pretty clear that Mandelson wasn't appointed *despite* his dodgy links but *because* of them. Trump's Washington is a dirty swamp. Mandelson was deemed a man able to swim in it. This wasn't a secret. Everybody said it out loud.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
I’ve been working on the Lawyers’ Committee Election Protection project for more than 20 years. This kind of threat happens in almost every cycle and almost never materializes. The threat - creating fear - IS the voter suppression tool. It costs nothing so any suppression it produces is a plus.
February 4, 2026 at 7:32 PM
I’ve been working on the Lawyers’ Committee Election Protection project for more than 20 years. This kind of threat happens in almost every cycle and almost never materializes. The threat - creating fear - IS the voter suppression tool. It costs nothing so any suppression it produces is a plus.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
I cowrote a cover story!
Trump wants to control the country’s future by rewriting its past.
For the latest issue of our magazine, @dfriedman.bsky.social and @noturtlesoup17.bsky.social explain how the president is weaponizing history to wage his never-ending cultural and legal battles.
Read it here: tinyurl.com/32n7948b
For the latest issue of our magazine, @dfriedman.bsky.social and @noturtlesoup17.bsky.social explain how the president is weaponizing history to wage his never-ending cultural and legal battles.
Read it here: tinyurl.com/32n7948b
February 4, 2026 at 8:00 PM
I cowrote a cover story!
Novel of the moment
February 4, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Novel of the moment
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
The tactics used by SRT and BORTAC vastly differ from those of local police or sheriffs. They use explosives to breach the doors of homes, and team members are equipped with full tactical gear, assault rifles, and heavy-duty crowd-control weapons.
The Paramilitary ICE and CBP Units at the Center of Minnesota's Killings
Two agents involved in the shooting deaths of US citizens in Minneapolis are reportedly part of highly militarized DHS units whose extreme tactics are generally reserved for war zones.
www.wired.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:25 PM
The tactics used by SRT and BORTAC vastly differ from those of local police or sheriffs. They use explosives to breach the doors of homes, and team members are equipped with full tactical gear, assault rifles, and heavy-duty crowd-control weapons.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
According to FOX 9, a Minneapolis federal judge demanded to know why DOJ is missing deadlines & AUSA Julie Le said, "The system sucks, this job sucks" & asked to be held in contempt so she could sleep.
PACER shows she got assigned to defend the govt in 88+ cases since Operation Metro Surge started.
PACER shows she got assigned to defend the govt in 88+ cases since Operation Metro Surge started.
February 3, 2026 at 9:27 PM
According to FOX 9, a Minneapolis federal judge demanded to know why DOJ is missing deadlines & AUSA Julie Le said, "The system sucks, this job sucks" & asked to be held in contempt so she could sleep.
PACER shows she got assigned to defend the govt in 88+ cases since Operation Metro Surge started.
PACER shows she got assigned to defend the govt in 88+ cases since Operation Metro Surge started.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Chicago's Broadview conspiracy defendants give Judge April Perry an update on negotiations over an order governing evidence in their case:
They say the feds want "to summarily prohibit all Defendants and Defendants' counsel from using, discussing, or disseminating any and all" info from the case.
They say the feds want "to summarily prohibit all Defendants and Defendants' counsel from using, discussing, or disseminating any and all" info from the case.
February 3, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Chicago's Broadview conspiracy defendants give Judge April Perry an update on negotiations over an order governing evidence in their case:
They say the feds want "to summarily prohibit all Defendants and Defendants' counsel from using, discussing, or disseminating any and all" info from the case.
They say the feds want "to summarily prohibit all Defendants and Defendants' counsel from using, discussing, or disseminating any and all" info from the case.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
They just blindly shot through the fucking door.
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
"Photographic evidence from the shooting scene of a Venezuelan man by federal agents last month in Minneapolis supports the account of witnesses there – and appears to undercut the narrative provided by federal officials." www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Live: Judge orders release of suspects in alleged shovel attack on agent
Department of Homeland Security says agent fired in self-defense after being attacked with a snow shovel and broom.
www.startribune.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:25 PM
They just blindly shot through the fucking door.
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Beyond confirming that DOJ attorney Julie Le said, "I wish you would just hold me in contempt of court so I can get 24 hours of sleep," the reporter adds now that she is an ICE attorney who volunteered to help with the habeas cases, but "We have no guidance or direction on what we need to do."
February 3, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Beyond confirming that DOJ attorney Julie Le said, "I wish you would just hold me in contempt of court so I can get 24 hours of sleep," the reporter adds now that she is an ICE attorney who volunteered to help with the habeas cases, but "We have no guidance or direction on what we need to do."
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
The Post describes how DHS is now using 'administrative subpoenas' as a form of domestic surveillance, apparently to intimidate those engaged in lawful activity & speech. www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
February 3, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The Post describes how DHS is now using 'administrative subpoenas' as a form of domestic surveillance, apparently to intimidate those engaged in lawful activity & speech. www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Depends, but generally I'd say yes
February 3, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Depends, but generally I'd say yes
This story is terrifying: www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Homeland Security is targeting Americans with this secretive legal weapon
Under Trump, the Department of Homeland Security has weaponized administrative subpoenas to attack free speech, according to privacy and civil rights groups.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:23 PM
This story is terrifying: www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
“One cop we talked to—he appeared to be a lieutenant or commander—about babies being gassed said in response ‘that's too bad.’”
New — I spoke to eight people who were present at the ICE protest on Saturday in Portland, Oregon when federal agents deployed tear gas and rubber bullets into a crowd of families, children, elderly and disabled people, and their pets.
These are their stories:
These are their stories:
What it's like to see ICE tear gas kids
Attendees at a Portland, OR protest describe a vicious, unprovoked and sudden attack
www.thehandbasket.co
February 3, 2026 at 3:15 PM
“One cop we talked to—he appeared to be a lieutenant or commander—about babies being gassed said in response ‘that's too bad.’”
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Judge Reyes starts with a comparison: George Washington versus Kristi Noem.
![[start quotation] MEMORANDUM OPINION
On December 2, 1783, then-Commander-in-Chief George Washington penned: “America is open to receive not only the Opulent & respected Stranger, but the oppressed & persecuted of
all Nations & Religions.”1
More than two centuries later, Congress reaffirmed President
Washington’s vision by establishing the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. See 8
U.S.C. § 1254a (TPS statute). It provides humanitarian relief to foreign nationals in the United
States who come from disaster-stricken countries. It also brings in substantial revenue, with TPS
holders generating $5.2 billion in taxes annually. See Part VI.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has a different take."[end quotation]
Underneath is a screenshot of a tweet, which reads: " Secretary Kristi Noem
@Sec_Noem
I just met with the President.
I am recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that's been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.
Our forefathers built this nation on blood, sweat, and the unyielding love of freedom-not for foreign invaders to slaughter our heroes, suck dry our hard-earned tax dollars, or snatch the benefits owed to AMERICANS.
WE DON'T WANT THEM. NOT ONE.
6:52 PM
Dec 1, 2025
13.2M Views](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vtbmhmrwzbqcfv4we4uxzzt/bafkreibseafaz2alyw7z2wcopu7uht4x26giiuqqov5cznw34rhdgqub7u@jpeg)
February 3, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Judge Reyes starts with a comparison: George Washington versus Kristi Noem.
I could! If I wanted to mess with my own record. (I would never do that. I will however admit to deleting some of the occasional embarrassing song I've listened to way too often in a short space of time)
February 3, 2026 at 1:41 AM
I could! If I wanted to mess with my own record. (I would never do that. I will however admit to deleting some of the occasional embarrassing song I've listened to way too often in a short space of time)
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
A fun case study since there have been 72 million articles on the cold in the east and 4 on the warmth in the west
January 2026 temperature rankings compared to all Januarys since 1895.
February 1, 2026 at 5:16 PM
A fun case study since there have been 72 million articles on the cold in the east and 4 on the warmth in the west
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
BREAKING Star Tribune:
Eight additional federal prosecutors are in the process of leaving the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.
The departures follow the mass exit of six veteran prosecutors who left the office last month.
Eight additional federal prosecutors are in the process of leaving the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.
The departures follow the mass exit of six veteran prosecutors who left the office last month.
The latest: Eight more federal prosecutors set to leave the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office
The recent wave of departures follows the mass exodus of six veteran prosecutors last month who quit in protest of recent directives from the U.S. Department of Justice.
www.startribune.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:01 PM
BREAKING Star Tribune:
Eight additional federal prosecutors are in the process of leaving the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.
The departures follow the mass exit of six veteran prosecutors who left the office last month.
Eight additional federal prosecutors are in the process of leaving the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.
The departures follow the mass exit of six veteran prosecutors who left the office last month.
Ok just added a feature that if I put in an artist name it can look up albums and then scrobble all the tracks to Last.FM specifying a time played, so that I can also include stuff I play on Vinyl. It is absolutely insane how easy this was to make. Yes I do want to track every song I ever listen to
February 3, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Ok just added a feature that if I put in an artist name it can look up albums and then scrobble all the tracks to Last.FM specifying a time played, so that I can also include stuff I play on Vinyl. It is absolutely insane how easy this was to make. Yes I do want to track every song I ever listen to
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
More than a dozen federal prosecutors have left, or are preparing to leave, the US Attorneys Office in Minnesota since Renée Good was slain by an ICE officer. Good people fleeing a sinking ship.
“We are down to a skeleton crew,” one source told @samanthamichaels.bsky.social
“We are down to a skeleton crew,” one source told @samanthamichaels.bsky.social
Federal prosecutors in Minnesota are "demoralized and pissed"
The administration is pressuring them to charge ICE protesters on scant evidence.
www.motherjones.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:50 PM
More than a dozen federal prosecutors have left, or are preparing to leave, the US Attorneys Office in Minnesota since Renée Good was slain by an ICE officer. Good people fleeing a sinking ship.
“We are down to a skeleton crew,” one source told @samanthamichaels.bsky.social
“We are down to a skeleton crew,” one source told @samanthamichaels.bsky.social
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Seeing all the “professional” activists go after Stancil is negatively polarizing me into a stance that Minnesota is winning because it’s normal people rising to the occasion and pushing a lot of activist nonsense out of the way by doing it
February 2, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Seeing all the “professional” activists go after Stancil is negatively polarizing me into a stance that Minnesota is winning because it’s normal people rising to the occasion and pushing a lot of activist nonsense out of the way by doing it
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
I was a little late to catch up with this WSJ kleptocracy story. We already knew Sheikh Tahnoon dropped $2b on World Liberty Financial to get Trump to let UAE import advanced chips. Now we learn Tahnoon also purchased 49 percent of World Liberty Financial.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
‘Spy Sheikh’ Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company
$500 million investment for 49% of World Liberty came months before U.A.E. won access to tightly guarded American AI chips.
www.wsj.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:19 PM
I was a little late to catch up with this WSJ kleptocracy story. We already knew Sheikh Tahnoon dropped $2b on World Liberty Financial to get Trump to let UAE import advanced chips. Now we learn Tahnoon also purchased 49 percent of World Liberty Financial.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
A newborn in Minneapolis hadn’t eaten for a day and a half.
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
When one mother was taken by ICE, another stepped in to donate breastmilk
Moms in Minneapolis are donating diapers, food and time to help families who have been ripped apart by ICE.
19thnews.org
February 2, 2026 at 7:46 PM
A newborn in Minneapolis hadn’t eaten for a day and a half.
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
I haven't written any code at all since I was 15 years old and messing around with Visual Basic to make silly (and rubbish) programmes
February 2, 2026 at 7:48 PM
I haven't written any code at all since I was 15 years old and messing around with Visual Basic to make silly (and rubbish) programmes
That's the sort of thing it just seems ideal for yeah
February 2, 2026 at 7:47 PM
That's the sort of thing it just seems ideal for yeah