Tom von Alten
@fortboise.org
I like the e.g.: Artist, dog-lover, and avid reader. I mean, aren't we all? Retired engineer s/w dev, writer, bicyclist, former newspaper boy.
Reposted by Tom von Alten
This is corruption on a breathtaking level. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, an Abu Dhabi royal nicknamed the "spy sheikh", pumped $187mn into Trump family businesses. A WSJ team has the whole story, reported here for the first time. Remember: Jimmy Carter had to sell his peanut farm.
‘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 1, 2026 at 3:30 AM
This is corruption on a breathtaking level. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, an Abu Dhabi royal nicknamed the "spy sheikh", pumped $187mn into Trump family businesses. A WSJ team has the whole story, reported here for the first time. Remember: Jimmy Carter had to sell his peanut farm.
Reposted by Tom von Alten
ICE and CBP agents seem to enjoy gratuitously breaking glass—from car windows to store fronts to homes. It’s an expression of unchecked power and dominance: “We’re in charge. We break and shatter what we want.”
And nights of broken glass have been a harbinger of worse to come.
And nights of broken glass have been a harbinger of worse to come.
January 31, 2026 at 1:51 PM
ICE and CBP agents seem to enjoy gratuitously breaking glass—from car windows to store fronts to homes. It’s an expression of unchecked power and dominance: “We’re in charge. We break and shatter what we want.”
And nights of broken glass have been a harbinger of worse to come.
And nights of broken glass have been a harbinger of worse to come.
In case you're among the hundreds of millions who will miss it... a review.
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
'Melania' Is a Horror Movie
The first lady is trapped, and she doesn’t seem to know it.
www.theatlantic.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:39 PM
In case you're among the hundreds of millions who will miss it... a review.
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
Joyce Vance helps us be a well-informed public.
Apart from confounding distractions to prevent accountability for an endless sewer of scandal, Thug's north star is stealing the midterm elections to maintain his supine GOP shield.
Why Indict Don Lemon?
open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Apart from confounding distractions to prevent accountability for an endless sewer of scandal, Thug's north star is stealing the midterm elections to maintain his supine GOP shield.
Why Indict Don Lemon?
open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Why Indict Don Lemon?
Don Lemon was taken into custody Thursday night by federal agents in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards.
open.substack.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Joyce Vance helps us be a well-informed public.
Apart from confounding distractions to prevent accountability for an endless sewer of scandal, Thug's north star is stealing the midterm elections to maintain his supine GOP shield.
Why Indict Don Lemon?
open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Apart from confounding distractions to prevent accountability for an endless sewer of scandal, Thug's north star is stealing the midterm elections to maintain his supine GOP shield.
Why Indict Don Lemon?
open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
"We will really know that Trump is changing course if he allows a good-faith investigation into" [whatever].
While contemplating whether/how much Thug is "pivoting," we know how often he's shown "good faith."
Zero.
Donald Trump Is Frightened newrepublic.com/article/2057... via @newrepublic.com
While contemplating whether/how much Thug is "pivoting," we know how often he's shown "good faith."
Zero.
Donald Trump Is Frightened newrepublic.com/article/2057... via @newrepublic.com
Donald Trump Is Frightened
Trump wants to appear eager to minimize out-of-control clashes between government militias and protesters. But he doesn’t want to stop the things causing those clashes in the first place.
newrepublic.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:46 PM
"We will really know that Trump is changing course if he allows a good-faith investigation into" [whatever].
While contemplating whether/how much Thug is "pivoting," we know how often he's shown "good faith."
Zero.
Donald Trump Is Frightened newrepublic.com/article/2057... via @newrepublic.com
While contemplating whether/how much Thug is "pivoting," we know how often he's shown "good faith."
Zero.
Donald Trump Is Frightened newrepublic.com/article/2057... via @newrepublic.com
Reposted by Tom von Alten
Thank you @democrats.senate.gov for voting unanimously for Senator Sanders’ Amendment to strip ICE of BBB funding. Can you please demand the Sanders Amendment as a condition to fund DHS now that you’ve successfully separated it from the larger spending package?
January 31, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Thank you @democrats.senate.gov for voting unanimously for Senator Sanders’ Amendment to strip ICE of BBB funding. Can you please demand the Sanders Amendment as a condition to fund DHS now that you’ve successfully separated it from the larger spending package?
Reposted by Tom von Alten
Huh. This entire administration is an Epstein Island afterparty.
January 31, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Huh. This entire administration is an Epstein Island afterparty.
Reposted by Tom von Alten
Reposted by Tom von Alten
I get tired of saying it, but I’ll say it again: the nature of oppression in America is that they workshop it first on Black, Latino, Asian & Native people.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
January 30, 2026 at 4:46 PM
I get tired of saying it, but I’ll say it again: the nature of oppression in America is that they workshop it first on Black, Latino, Asian & Native people.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
David Brooks hasn't always been my cup of tea; his penchant for moralizing (from privilege) often seemed to lose the plot. But his farewell op-ed for the NYT is a worthy, thought-provoking read. Looking forward to a detailed response, when I can get to it
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/o...
Opinion | Time to Say Goodbye
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:54 PM
David Brooks hasn't always been my cup of tea; his penchant for moralizing (from privilege) often seemed to lose the plot. But his farewell op-ed for the NYT is a worthy, thought-provoking read. Looking forward to a detailed response, when I can get to it
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/o...
A powerful testament to the people of Minnesota, and their non-violent resistance to Thug and his brown-shirts.
"No matter how many more armed men Trump sends to impose his will on the people of Minnesota, all he can do is accentuate their valor."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
"No matter how many more armed men Trump sends to impose his will on the people of Minnesota, all he can do is accentuate their valor."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Minnesota Proved MAGA Wrong
The pushback against ICE exposed a series of mistaken assumptions.
www.theatlantic.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM
A powerful testament to the people of Minnesota, and their non-violent resistance to Thug and his brown-shirts.
"No matter how many more armed men Trump sends to impose his will on the people of Minnesota, all he can do is accentuate their valor."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
"No matter how many more armed men Trump sends to impose his will on the people of Minnesota, all he can do is accentuate their valor."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Tom von Alten
Even under SCOTUS's dubious reasoning in Trump v. U.S., there is no scenario in which maneuvering billions of dollars to an offshore account to keep it out of reach from Congress and courts is an "official act." This is all criminal and impeachable.
Marco Rubio: "The oil proceeds are being deposited into an account that ultimately will become a US Treasury blocked account here in the US. We will say 'this is what this money can be spent on.' They will submit to us a budget request -- 'we want to use the money on these things.'"
January 29, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Even under SCOTUS's dubious reasoning in Trump v. U.S., there is no scenario in which maneuvering billions of dollars to an offshore account to keep it out of reach from Congress and courts is an "official act." This is all criminal and impeachable.
Reposted by Tom von Alten
The president of the United States had his Justice Dept. raid an election office and seize ballots in order to cast doubt on an election he lost. Yet, this is treated by legacy media as just another normal day.
I founded Democracy Docket because you deserve better. Subscribe now. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
I founded Democracy Docket because you deserve better. Subscribe now. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
January 29, 2026 at 3:01 AM
The president of the United States had his Justice Dept. raid an election office and seize ballots in order to cast doubt on an election he lost. Yet, this is treated by legacy media as just another normal day.
I founded Democracy Docket because you deserve better. Subscribe now. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
I founded Democracy Docket because you deserve better. Subscribe now. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
Reposted by Tom von Alten
"It’s time to wake up. Trump seems keen on influencing the vote in states that will decide margins in 2026 and the outcome in 2028. And that he has the FBI participating in his effort is a terrifying demonstration of just how many guardrails he has steamrolled..."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Trump Is Still Obsessed with Stealing Elections
The FBI’s seizure of Georgia ballots is as much about future elections as past ones.
open.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:16 PM
"It’s time to wake up. Trump seems keen on influencing the vote in states that will decide margins in 2026 and the outcome in 2028. And that he has the FBI participating in his effort is a terrifying demonstration of just how many guardrails he has steamrolled..."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Reposted by Tom von Alten
contrarian.substack.com/p/why-dems-s... we cannot demand accountability for the underlings who killed Renée Good and Alex Pretti but not demand accountability for the person who sent unhinged, irresponsible shock troops in
Why Dems Should Force Kristi Noem Out
Keep the momentum going.
contrarian.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:51 PM
contrarian.substack.com/p/why-dems-s... we cannot demand accountability for the underlings who killed Renée Good and Alex Pretti but not demand accountability for the person who sent unhinged, irresponsible shock troops in
Reposted by Tom von Alten
Creating a new position to prosecute fraud and report directly to the White House destroys 40 years of post Watergate reforms to protect DOJ independence.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Trump Nominates US Prosecutor as Top National Fraud Investigator
President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the nomination of a veteran federal prosecutor to lead a new Justice Department unit focused on fraud, as the administration looks to refocus attention on...
news.bloomberglaw.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:19 AM
Creating a new position to prosecute fraud and report directly to the White House destroys 40 years of post Watergate reforms to protect DOJ independence.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Reposted by Tom von Alten
the reason DHS officers wear masks is because it allows them to commit crimes with impunity. there is literally no legitimate reason for it.
January 29, 2026 at 4:36 AM
the reason DHS officers wear masks is because it allows them to commit crimes with impunity. there is literally no legitimate reason for it.
Who would have guessed that deploying poorly trained, murderous paramilitary squads into a large city would be bad for business?
Minnesota’s Biggest Companies Call for ‘De-escalation’ of Tensions www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/b...
Minnesota’s Biggest Companies Call for ‘De-escalation’ of Tensions www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/b...
Minnesota’s Biggest Companies Call for ‘De-escalation’ of Tensions
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:17 AM
Who would have guessed that deploying poorly trained, murderous paramilitary squads into a large city would be bad for business?
Minnesota’s Biggest Companies Call for ‘De-escalation’ of Tensions www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/b...
Minnesota’s Biggest Companies Call for ‘De-escalation’ of Tensions www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/b...
Good conversation abt trumpian authoritarianism btw @marcelias.bsky.social and @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social
youtu.be/hAAj7kemCuc?...
youtu.be/hAAj7kemCuc?...
WARNING: Trump’s Fascist Takeover Has Accelerated | Ruth Ben-Ghiat
YouTube video by Democracy Docket
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Good conversation abt trumpian authoritarianism btw @marcelias.bsky.social and @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social
youtu.be/hAAj7kemCuc?...
youtu.be/hAAj7kemCuc?...
Reposted by Tom von Alten
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.
January 25, 2026 at 5:39 PM
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.
Stephen Miller is a domestic terrorist.
And Kristi Noem needs to be removed from her position.
January 24, 2026
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
And Kristi Noem needs to be removed from her position.
January 24, 2026
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
January 24, 2026
This morning, on a street in Minneapolis, at least seven federal agents tackled and then shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse for the local VA hospital.
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:34 AM
Stephen Miller is a domestic terrorist.
And Kristi Noem needs to be removed from her position.
January 24, 2026
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
And Kristi Noem needs to be removed from her position.
January 24, 2026
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
Reposted by Tom von Alten
Within minutes of the shooting, the Trump administration and right-wing influencers began disparaging the man shot by a federal immigration officer on Saturday in Minneapolis.
wrd.cm/3LTvzfN
wrd.cm/3LTvzfN
The Instant Smear Campaign Against Border Patrol Shooting Victim Alex Pretti
Within minutes of the shooting, the Trump administration and right-wing influencers began disparaged the man shot by a federal immigration officer on Saturday in Minneapolis.
wrd.cm
January 25, 2026 at 1:06 AM
Within minutes of the shooting, the Trump administration and right-wing influencers began disparaging the man shot by a federal immigration officer on Saturday in Minneapolis.
wrd.cm/3LTvzfN
wrd.cm/3LTvzfN
Reposted by Tom von Alten
Another U.S. citizen killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
Lethal force, lies, and blocked independent investigations aren’t public safety. They’re the signs of a government turning on its own people.
Lethal force, lies, and blocked independent investigations aren’t public safety. They’re the signs of a government turning on its own people.
January 24, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Another U.S. citizen killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
Lethal force, lies, and blocked independent investigations aren’t public safety. They’re the signs of a government turning on its own people.
Lethal force, lies, and blocked independent investigations aren’t public safety. They’re the signs of a government turning on its own people.
Reposted by Tom von Alten
If the sole purpose of ICE were to instigate a civil war, they would behave exactly like this.
January 24, 2026 at 10:11 PM
If the sole purpose of ICE were to instigate a civil war, they would behave exactly like this.