James L. Bruno
@jameslbruno.bsky.social
Bestselling author, journalist, diplomat. Appeared on CNN, NPR, Fox, SiriusXM, BBC. Contribute to Washington Monthly; POLITICO. Fugitive hunter & raconteur. https://jameslbruno.substack.com/
More proof that Trump is an intelligence community's nightmare: the CIA had to pull a highly sensitive, well-placed source inside the Kremlin due to Trump's careless and cavalier treatment of highly classified national security information.
www.cnn.com/2019/09/09/p...
www.cnn.com/2019/09/09/p...
Exclusive: US extracted top spy from inside Russia in 2017 | CNN Politics
In a previously undisclosed secret mission in 2017, the United States successfully extracted from Russia one of its highest-level covert sources inside the Russian government, multiple Trump administr...
www.cnn.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:54 AM
More proof that Trump is an intelligence community's nightmare: the CIA had to pull a highly sensitive, well-placed source inside the Kremlin due to Trump's careless and cavalier treatment of highly classified national security information.
www.cnn.com/2019/09/09/p...
www.cnn.com/2019/09/09/p...
What we are witnessing is the building of the “Dual State”–which allows a normal life for most citizens (“normative state”) while at the same time has emplaced a system of terror that targets political opponents and minority groups (“prerogative state”).
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
Weekly Mind Dump: Yes, It Can Happen Here
We are witnessing the fast emergence of a Dual State in which normal laws govern the lives of those who aren't enemies of the state. For the rest: Anything goes.
jameslbruno.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:02 AM
What we are witnessing is the building of the “Dual State”–which allows a normal life for most citizens (“normative state”) while at the same time has emplaced a system of terror that targets political opponents and minority groups (“prerogative state”).
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
We’re exactly halfway on the road to full-on fascism.
December 8, 2025 at 11:02 PM
We’re exactly halfway on the road to full-on fascism.
Anyone who has had lingering doubts about Trump's treasonously aligning the U.S. with Moscow, read this:
“The adjustments that we see correspond in many ways to our vision,” the Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
“The adjustments that we see correspond in many ways to our vision,” the Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Kremlin hails Trump’s national security strategy as aligned with Russia’s vision
Moscow welcomes White House document critical of the EU as talks to end the Ukraine war enter a key phase
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Anyone who has had lingering doubts about Trump's treasonously aligning the U.S. with Moscow, read this:
“The adjustments that we see correspond in many ways to our vision,” the Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
“The adjustments that we see correspond in many ways to our vision,” the Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Trumpism is exceeding McCarthyism in duration and malice. The NATO alliance risks becoming undone. The big winner will be China, whose domination could dominate the globe for decades, further degrading democracy, human rights and economic transparency.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/trumps-blo...
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/trumps-blo...
Trump's Blood & Soil, Dial for Dollars National Security Strategy
Trumpism’s damage to U.S. national security will be immeasurable and long-lasting, perhaps even irreversible. His National Security Strategy is more a mood than a plan.
jameslbruno.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Trumpism is exceeding McCarthyism in duration and malice. The NATO alliance risks becoming undone. The big winner will be China, whose domination could dominate the globe for decades, further degrading democracy, human rights and economic transparency.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/trumps-blo...
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/trumps-blo...
"In 2026, Americans will get free admission to national parks on Donald Trump's birthday but no longer on Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day."
He has a coin minted with his face, names public buildings after himself. Kim Jong Un is jealous.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
He has a coin minted with his face, names public buildings after himself. Kim Jong Un is jealous.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
National parks cut free entry for MLK Day, add Trump's birthday
NPS changed its free admission days in 2026, removing MLK Day and Juneteenth while adding Trump's birthday.
www.yahoo.com
December 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM
"In 2026, Americans will get free admission to national parks on Donald Trump's birthday but no longer on Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day."
He has a coin minted with his face, names public buildings after himself. Kim Jong Un is jealous.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
He has a coin minted with his face, names public buildings after himself. Kim Jong Un is jealous.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
"Still, we continue to hope that the Supreme Court will yet restrain Mr. Trump’s unlawful actions."
Why?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/06/o...
Why?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/06/o...
Opinion | The Supreme Court Is Failing at Its Most Important Job
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:41 PM
"Still, we continue to hope that the Supreme Court will yet restrain Mr. Trump’s unlawful actions."
Why?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/06/o...
Why?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/06/o...
Need help in persuading a loved one to leave a cult? This is the website for you!
"Empower others to leave MAGA and tell their stories.
Foster reconciliation with their friends and family.
Develop movement leaders to help others leave."
leavingmaga.org
"Empower others to leave MAGA and tell their stories.
Foster reconciliation with their friends and family.
Develop movement leaders to help others leave."
leavingmaga.org
Leaving MAGA - Leaving MAGA
MISSION STATEMENT Empower others to leave MAGA and tell their stories. Foster reconciliation with their friends and family. Develop movement leaders to help others leave. Dear MAGA Americans, I was a ...
leavingmaga.org
December 5, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Need help in persuading a loved one to leave a cult? This is the website for you!
"Empower others to leave MAGA and tell their stories.
Foster reconciliation with their friends and family.
Develop movement leaders to help others leave."
leavingmaga.org
"Empower others to leave MAGA and tell their stories.
Foster reconciliation with their friends and family.
Develop movement leaders to help others leave."
leavingmaga.org
Hate and cruelty constitute MAGA’s beating heart. What was once the lunatic fringe is now a radicalized GOP which has institutionalized the fringe. Democracy corrodes as cruelty becomes policy, blind loyalty supplants law and retribution poses as justice.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
Weekly Mind Dump: Why do MAGA Supporters Delight in Inflicting Pain on Others?
Trump-inspired MAGA cruelty has taken a new twist: killing shipwreck survivors for sport. Americans had better get a grip on the present, before it’s too late.
jameslbruno.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Hate and cruelty constitute MAGA’s beating heart. What was once the lunatic fringe is now a radicalized GOP which has institutionalized the fringe. Democracy corrodes as cruelty becomes policy, blind loyalty supplants law and retribution poses as justice.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
I don't envy the Ukrainian team. How do you negotiate with a U.S. side that has foisted a Russian-formulated "plan" that sells you down the river?
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Trump Administration Live Updates: U.S. Negotiators Meet Ukrainian Officials to Discuss Peace Plan
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I don't envy the Ukrainian team. How do you negotiate with a U.S. side that has foisted a Russian-formulated "plan" that sells you down the river?
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
U-boat captain, Heinz-Wilhelm Eck, was convicted of war crimes for ordering his crew to machine-gun the survivors of a Greek merchant ship in 1944. Eck was found guilty in 1945. He was executed by a British firing squad in Hamburg.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:07 AM
U-boat captain, Heinz-Wilhelm Eck, was convicted of war crimes for ordering his crew to machine-gun the survivors of a Greek merchant ship in 1944. Eck was found guilty in 1945. He was executed by a British firing squad in Hamburg.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Take a man who has made $2 billion in NY real estate and task him with negotiating peace in Ukraine. He would fall flat on his clueless face, make a mess of his mission, and the United States the sad laughing stock of the world.
Meet Steve Witkoff.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/ukraine-wi...
Meet Steve Witkoff.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/ukraine-wi...
Ukraine: With Friends Like the U.S. Who Needs Enemies?
Should Trump and Witkoff pull off their Kremlin-sourced "peace plan," they will make Neville Chamberlain look like a visionary superhero and Benedict Arnold a true patriot.
jameslbruno.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Take a man who has made $2 billion in NY real estate and task him with negotiating peace in Ukraine. He would fall flat on his clueless face, make a mess of his mission, and the United States the sad laughing stock of the world.
Meet Steve Witkoff.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/ukraine-wi...
Meet Steve Witkoff.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/ukraine-wi...
Trump calls for "hanging" Democratic congresspeople.
Tweets: “The seriously retarded Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz."
Makes racial slurs about Somalis in the US, etc., etc.
In what country that calls itself civilized would such a leader not be forced out?
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Tweets: “The seriously retarded Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz."
Makes racial slurs about Somalis in the US, etc., etc.
In what country that calls itself civilized would such a leader not be forced out?
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Trump Hits Another Low, Calls Governor ‘Seriously Retarded’
President Donald Trump reached another low on Thanksgiving night in a rant against immigrants and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
www.yahoo.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Trump calls for "hanging" Democratic congresspeople.
Tweets: “The seriously retarded Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz."
Makes racial slurs about Somalis in the US, etc., etc.
In what country that calls itself civilized would such a leader not be forced out?
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Tweets: “The seriously retarded Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz."
Makes racial slurs about Somalis in the US, etc., etc.
In what country that calls itself civilized would such a leader not be forced out?
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Anti-vaxxer, ex-veterinarian, non-certified in family medicine, MAGA Republican is named no. 2 at CDC. Believes ivermectin cures COVID. Wants to abolish the ACA. Grab your eye of newt and chicken bones. American public health has reverted to the Dark Ages.
fortune.com/2025/11/25/r...
fortune.com/2025/11/25/r...
Meet Ralph Lee Abraham, the CDC's new second-in-command who believes the Affordable Care Act should be repealed and called vaccines 'dangerous' | Fortune
Abraham, 70, started his career in veterinary medicine.
fortune.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Anti-vaxxer, ex-veterinarian, non-certified in family medicine, MAGA Republican is named no. 2 at CDC. Believes ivermectin cures COVID. Wants to abolish the ACA. Grab your eye of newt and chicken bones. American public health has reverted to the Dark Ages.
fortune.com/2025/11/25/r...
fortune.com/2025/11/25/r...
Terrible news: 1) most NG members resent being so deployed by Trump; 2) it’s yet another escalation in political violence that can escalate; 3) Trump may use this as his Ernst vom Rath moment - an excuse to launch a crackdown and suppress rights.
federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-news...
federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-news...
Two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., and their condition isn’t known, AP sources say
Two National Guard soldiers have been shot near the White House and their conditions aren’t immediately known.
federalnewsnetwork.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Terrible news: 1) most NG members resent being so deployed by Trump; 2) it’s yet another escalation in political violence that can escalate; 3) Trump may use this as his Ernst vom Rath moment - an excuse to launch a crackdown and suppress rights.
federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-news...
federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-news...
This is called getting a taste of your own medicine.
"ICE Detains Woman With Family Ties to White House Press Secretary"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
"ICE Detains Woman With Family Ties to White House Press Secretary"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
ICE Detains Woman With Family Ties to White House Press Secretary
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:32 PM
This is called getting a taste of your own medicine.
"ICE Detains Woman With Family Ties to White House Press Secretary"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
"ICE Detains Woman With Family Ties to White House Press Secretary"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Perfect formula for killing foreign tourism: 1) hassle & arrest foreign visitors; 2) impose draconian new visa requirements; 3) charge more for foreigners at national parks.
Advice to foreign friends: Canada and Mexico are great any time of the year. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Advice to foreign friends: Canada and Mexico are great any time of the year. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Trump Administration Will Raise Prices for Foreign Visitors at National Parks
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Perfect formula for killing foreign tourism: 1) hassle & arrest foreign visitors; 2) impose draconian new visa requirements; 3) charge more for foreigners at national parks.
Advice to foreign friends: Canada and Mexico are great any time of the year. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Advice to foreign friends: Canada and Mexico are great any time of the year. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
It's official: there is no longer rule of law in America. We have now achieved the formal designation of "Banana Republic." Congratulations America! www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Judge Dismisses Georgia Election Interference Case Against Trump
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
It's official: there is no longer rule of law in America. We have now achieved the formal designation of "Banana Republic." Congratulations America! www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
“Trump weighing the ouster of Kash Patel, according to sources”
Gosh! Who knew? Kash Patel is a royal screw-up. Nobody saw this coming.
www.ms.now/news/trump-k...
Gosh! Who knew? Kash Patel is a royal screw-up. Nobody saw this coming.
www.ms.now/news/trump-k...
President Trump may have had enough of Kash Patel, according to sources
The president is weighing whether to oust the FBI director after scrutiny of Patel's stewardship of bureau resources, including his girlfriend’s security detail and use of a government jet.
www.ms.now
November 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
“Trump weighing the ouster of Kash Patel, according to sources”
Gosh! Who knew? Kash Patel is a royal screw-up. Nobody saw this coming.
www.ms.now/news/trump-k...
Gosh! Who knew? Kash Patel is a royal screw-up. Nobody saw this coming.
www.ms.now/news/trump-k...
The clubby deal-making and moral racketeering of the Epstein class is now the United States’ governing philosophy.
The irony is that the vaunted “retribution” Donald Trump promised his followers may end up being turned on him and fellow plutocrats.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
The irony is that the vaunted “retribution” Donald Trump promised his followers may end up being turned on him and fellow plutocrats.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The clubby deal-making and moral racketeering of the Epstein class is now the United States’ governing philosophy.
The irony is that the vaunted “retribution” Donald Trump promised his followers may end up being turned on him and fellow plutocrats.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
The irony is that the vaunted “retribution” Donald Trump promised his followers may end up being turned on him and fellow plutocrats.
jameslbruno.substack.com/p/weekly-min...
It appears Hegseth is back hitting the bottle again.
November 24, 2025 at 5:15 PM
It appears Hegseth is back hitting the bottle again.
Yes, he's caught red-handed engaging in corruption. But he's also guilty of first degree stupidity. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
November 23, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Yes, he's caught red-handed engaging in corruption. But he's also guilty of first degree stupidity. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...