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
In the overstuffed closet containing things about which I shall never give a listless fuck, the status of alternatives to nationally-backed currencies or recognized commodities will forever reside. These are Dutch tulips. This is a long-con pyramid game. Every rube should lose his last nickel.
Despite? Or because there is no surer indicator that something is a scam?
February 6, 2026 at 6:05 AM
In the overstuffed closet containing things about which I shall never give a listless fuck, the status of alternatives to nationally-backed currencies or recognized commodities will forever reside. These are Dutch tulips. This is a long-con pyramid game. Every rube should lose his last nickel.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
They’re trying to run the Kilmar Abrego Garcia playbook with a five year old boy in a bunny hat because nobody can find peace if they embarrass the Trump administration publicly. Normal people didn’t like it with Garcia and they really aren’t going to like it for Liam.
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 2:51 AM
They’re trying to run the Kilmar Abrego Garcia playbook with a five year old boy in a bunny hat because nobody can find peace if they embarrass the Trump administration publicly. Normal people didn’t like it with Garcia and they really aren’t going to like it for Liam.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
The problem with Capitalism is you eventually run out of other people's money.
February 6, 2026 at 5:13 AM
The problem with Capitalism is you eventually run out of other people's money.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
The #SellAmerica trade: 🇺🇸
“.. The year-to-date underperformance of US equities relative to the rest of the world is the worst since at least 1995.”
- Auger
“.. The year-to-date underperformance of US equities relative to the rest of the world is the worst since at least 1995.”
- Auger
February 6, 2026 at 12:20 PM
The #SellAmerica trade: 🇺🇸
“.. The year-to-date underperformance of US equities relative to the rest of the world is the worst since at least 1995.”
- Auger
“.. The year-to-date underperformance of US equities relative to the rest of the world is the worst since at least 1995.”
- Auger
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Politico: Trump wanted Dulles Airport and Penn Station named after him as condition of releasing federal rail tunnel funds
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Trump wanted Dulles Airport and Penn Station named after him as condition of releasing rail tunnel funds
Funding for the Gateway Project has been held up since October.
www.politico.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Politico: Trump wanted Dulles Airport and Penn Station named after him as condition of releasing federal rail tunnel funds
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
our government used a Blackhawk helicopter in a major American city, detained children and zip-tied U.S. citizens all to target... squatters
and the alleged Tren de Aragua presence? "It was a brutal lie against the American public."
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
and the alleged Tren de Aragua presence? "It was a brutal lie against the American public."
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
The Real Story Behind the Midnight Immigration Raid on a Chicago Apartment Building
The Trump administration has claimed the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had taken over the building. But new documents make no mention of the gang and reveal federal agents had information about “ille...
www.propublica.org
February 4, 2026 at 11:46 PM
our government used a Blackhawk helicopter in a major American city, detained children and zip-tied U.S. citizens all to target... squatters
and the alleged Tren de Aragua presence? "It was a brutal lie against the American public."
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
and the alleged Tren de Aragua presence? "It was a brutal lie against the American public."
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
They have made clear that it was never just about illegal immigration: they hate all immigrants.
The Small Business Administration said in a policy note that green card holders won't be allowed to apply for SBA loans, effective March 1.
SBA to bar green card holders from applying for small business loans
The Small Business Administration said in a policy note that green card holders won't be allowed to apply for SBA loans, effective March 1.
www.10news.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:12 PM
They have made clear that it was never just about illegal immigration: they hate all immigrants.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
I spoke with Aliya Rahman, the autistic woman with a TBI whom ICE dragged out of her car. But that video was just the beginning of her nightmare. To this day, she can’t lift her arms normally.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
I’m autistic and have a brain injury. ICE dragged me from my car anyway.
Exclusive Details: Aliya Rahman speaks to Eric Garcia about her ordeals — on the streets of Minneapolis, in a grim ICE detention center where she was mocked over her condition and through the public t...
www.independent.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 6:34 PM
I spoke with Aliya Rahman, the autistic woman with a TBI whom ICE dragged out of her car. But that video was just the beginning of her nightmare. To this day, she can’t lift her arms normally.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
A jokey 2014 Brandeis University mathematics paper I just love found this: "trying hard to be different often ends up in hipsters consistently taking the same decision". Feel like it applies perfectly to "contrarian" writing
February 5, 2026 at 4:46 PM
A jokey 2014 Brandeis University mathematics paper I just love found this: "trying hard to be different often ends up in hipsters consistently taking the same decision". Feel like it applies perfectly to "contrarian" writing
My piece this week tying together the prosecution of Don Lemon and the ruination of the federal justice system:
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
Federal prosecutors in Minnesota are cracking down on dissent
But the pursuit of serious criminals has slackened off
www.economist.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:58 PM
My piece this week tying together the prosecution of Don Lemon and the ruination of the federal justice system:
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
🚨HOLY CRAP. The Trump admin just took a SLEDGEHAMMER to due process, largely eliminating the Board of Immigration Appeals process and MANDATING DISMISSAL of ALL appeals (which cost $1,000 thanks to OBBBA) filed after tomorrow unless a majority of the BIA votes to hear the case.
February 5, 2026 at 2:37 PM
🚨HOLY CRAP. The Trump admin just took a SLEDGEHAMMER to due process, largely eliminating the Board of Immigration Appeals process and MANDATING DISMISSAL of ALL appeals (which cost $1,000 thanks to OBBBA) filed after tomorrow unless a majority of the BIA votes to hear the case.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
I’m on the scene at Franklin and 1st. A convoy of about a couple dozen ICE/HSI agents broke the entryway into an apartment building at 6am. No warrant presented. Less than 24 hours ago, Tom Homan announced the end of large convoys in Minnesota… Bullshit.
February 5, 2026 at 12:49 PM
I’m on the scene at Franklin and 1st. A convoy of about a couple dozen ICE/HSI agents broke the entryway into an apartment building at 6am. No warrant presented. Less than 24 hours ago, Tom Homan announced the end of large convoys in Minnesota… Bullshit.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
After 6am this morning in Whittier, Minneapolis—FOUR BLOCKS from where Pretti was murdered.
18 agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) markings smashed an apartment window, ran in, and came out with one man.
18 agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) markings smashed an apartment window, ran in, and came out with one man.
February 5, 2026 at 1:41 PM
After 6am this morning in Whittier, Minneapolis—FOUR BLOCKS from where Pretti was murdered.
18 agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) markings smashed an apartment window, ran in, and came out with one man.
18 agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) markings smashed an apartment window, ran in, and came out with one man.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Must-read from @emptywheel.bsky.social
"The problem here is not just that ICE is blowing off judicial orders ... there are so many orders because the detentions are illegal ... The crime is the unlawful detention of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people. They’re kidnapping people legally..."
"The problem here is not just that ICE is blowing off judicial orders ... there are so many orders because the detentions are illegal ... The crime is the unlawful detention of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people. They’re kidnapping people legally..."
The Minnesota Lawyer Backlog Arises from ICE Kidnappings - emptywheel
The reason -- at least one reason -- ICE is having such a difficult time following judicial instructions in Minnesota is because ICE is snatching so many people illegally.
emptywheel.net
February 5, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Must-read from @emptywheel.bsky.social
"The problem here is not just that ICE is blowing off judicial orders ... there are so many orders because the detentions are illegal ... The crime is the unlawful detention of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people. They’re kidnapping people legally..."
"The problem here is not just that ICE is blowing off judicial orders ... there are so many orders because the detentions are illegal ... The crime is the unlawful detention of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people. They’re kidnapping people legally..."
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
February 5, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
This NYT piece never mentions the most important detail of the hearing.
THESE PEOPLE ARE UNLAWFULLY being held--and many are unlawfully being snatched in the first place.
The reason there's such a caseload is bc ICE is kidnapping people illegally.
THESE PEOPLE ARE UNLAWFULLY being held--and many are unlawfully being snatched in the first place.
The reason there's such a caseload is bc ICE is kidnapping people illegally.
Flooding the zone with shit, but for the legal system. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...
Surge in Immigration Cases in Minnesota Pushes Prosecutors and Judges to Brink
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:49 PM
This NYT piece never mentions the most important detail of the hearing.
THESE PEOPLE ARE UNLAWFULLY being held--and many are unlawfully being snatched in the first place.
The reason there's such a caseload is bc ICE is kidnapping people illegally.
THESE PEOPLE ARE UNLAWFULLY being held--and many are unlawfully being snatched in the first place.
The reason there's such a caseload is bc ICE is kidnapping people illegally.
Honestly going on r/Bitcoin to watch the cope is the only source of hope and joy I have from the internet
February 5, 2026 at 6:35 AM
Honestly going on r/Bitcoin to watch the cope is the only source of hope and joy I have from the internet
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
I just read the declaration that Kira Kelley asked J. Blackwell to consider.
This immigrant describes being
-unlawfully arrested
-taken from one overcrowded & filthy prison to another over 19 days
-held incommunicado
& ICE never telling him a court ordered his release
He describes an American gulag
This immigrant describes being
-unlawfully arrested
-taken from one overcrowded & filthy prison to another over 19 days
-held incommunicado
& ICE never telling him a court ordered his release
He describes an American gulag
February 5, 2026 at 5:52 AM
I just read the declaration that Kira Kelley asked J. Blackwell to consider.
This immigrant describes being
-unlawfully arrested
-taken from one overcrowded & filthy prison to another over 19 days
-held incommunicado
& ICE never telling him a court ordered his release
He describes an American gulag
This immigrant describes being
-unlawfully arrested
-taken from one overcrowded & filthy prison to another over 19 days
-held incommunicado
& ICE never telling him a court ordered his release
He describes an American gulag
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.