Jessica Pishko
@jesspish.bsky.social
she/her
Book on sheriffs & democracy
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/707263/the-highest-law-in-the-land-by-jessica-pishko/
Repped by @rhaliterary
DM for Signal or email [email protected]
“Women aren’t typically this crazy about politics.”
Book on sheriffs & democracy
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/707263/the-highest-law-in-the-land-by-jessica-pishko/
Repped by @rhaliterary
DM for Signal or email [email protected]
“Women aren’t typically this crazy about politics.”
Reposted by Jessica Pishko
Thrilled to share that Chris Duncan, whose conviction was vacated in April, was just granted bail today, after spending over 25 years on Louisiana's death row.
It's so rare to get good news when you're covering capital punishment, but this is one very real light in the darkness
It's so rare to get good news when you're covering capital punishment, but this is one very real light in the darkness
In January 2024 I got a one-line email from a woman I didn't know: "Jimmie Duncan an innocent man on death row is looking to get into contact with you."
I've been working on the story ever since. Here it is, finally - a @motherjones.com / @bolts.bsky.social feature: boltsmag.org/the-human-co...
I've been working on the story ever since. Here it is, finally - a @motherjones.com / @bolts.bsky.social feature: boltsmag.org/the-human-co...
The Human Cost of Jeff Landry’s Drive to Resume Executions - Bolts
Chris Duncan’s death sentence—built on the testimony of two discredited doctors—illustrates just how faulty the system can be.
boltsmag.org
November 22, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Thrilled to share that Chris Duncan, whose conviction was vacated in April, was just granted bail today, after spending over 25 years on Louisiana's death row.
It's so rare to get good news when you're covering capital punishment, but this is one very real light in the darkness
It's so rare to get good news when you're covering capital punishment, but this is one very real light in the darkness
Reposted by Jessica Pishko
Operation Stonegarden, which allows DHS to pay local police to patrol with the Border Patrol, got $450 billion in additional funding in the big beautiful bill
Kristi Noem says 223 people were arrested in a multi-state roadway operation with Indiana police. Advocates say these sweeps often target workers and long-time residents.
Read: indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/10/30/n...
Read: indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/10/30/n...
Noem announces 223 immigration arrests in roadway blitz with Indiana State Police • Indiana Capital Chronicle
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said "Operation Midway Blitz" has yielded 3,000-plus arrests through deals with locals.
indianacapitalchronicle.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Operation Stonegarden, which allows DHS to pay local police to patrol with the Border Patrol, got $450 billion in additional funding in the big beautiful bill
MATTTTTT THE DEFUND POLICE PEOPLE ARE TALKING AGAIN. Quick, rally all the dudes with no expertise to explain why this is wrong.
November 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
MATTTTTT THE DEFUND POLICE PEOPLE ARE TALKING AGAIN. Quick, rally all the dudes with no expertise to explain why this is wrong.
I always recommend anything by @laurengill.bsky.social, who really cares about the people she writes about.
boltsmag.org/death-row-cl...
boltsmag.org/death-row-cl...
Death Row Prisoners Granted Clemency by Biden Brace for "Living Hell" Under Trump - Bolts
Trump officials are retaliating by imposing the harshest conditions in the entire federal prison system, including near total isolation.
boltsmag.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I always recommend anything by @laurengill.bsky.social, who really cares about the people she writes about.
boltsmag.org/death-row-cl...
boltsmag.org/death-row-cl...
Here is an excellent rundown of what laws these people voted for.
mailchi.mp/wrencollecti...
mailchi.mp/wrencollecti...
November 24, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Here is an excellent rundown of what laws these people voted for.
mailchi.mp/wrencollecti...
mailchi.mp/wrencollecti...
Someone much more centrist than me said, "It's like the Democrats hate the left more than the GOP."
These 20 House Democrats just joined Republicans in voting to fully repeal DC's police reform laws.
Wiping off the books critical laws on use of force, transparency, and preventing violent cops from getting rehired.
They think that they should have more say over DC police than the people of DC.
Wiping off the books critical laws on use of force, transparency, and preventing violent cops from getting rehired.
They think that they should have more say over DC police than the people of DC.
November 24, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Someone much more centrist than me said, "It's like the Democrats hate the left more than the GOP."
(This comment is not about the article, which is fine.)
I am perpetually confused why any legal scholar thinks that "state's rights" was anything more than a political stance. The people claiming "federal overreach" always had a very specific political agenda.
www.propublica.org/article/greg...
I am perpetually confused why any legal scholar thinks that "state's rights" was anything more than a political stance. The people claiming "federal overreach" always had a very specific political agenda.
www.propublica.org/article/greg...
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Long a Defender of States’ Rights, Embraces Trump’s Push to Expand Presidential Power
Defending Texas sovereignty has been central to Abbott’s political identity. Yet he has helped Trump erode states’ authority over elections, policing and deploying the National Guard.
www.propublica.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
(This comment is not about the article, which is fine.)
I am perpetually confused why any legal scholar thinks that "state's rights" was anything more than a political stance. The people claiming "federal overreach" always had a very specific political agenda.
www.propublica.org/article/greg...
I am perpetually confused why any legal scholar thinks that "state's rights" was anything more than a political stance. The people claiming "federal overreach" always had a very specific political agenda.
www.propublica.org/article/greg...
An alarming development. The way was paved with the criminalization of various Islamic materials post 9-11.
theintercept.com/2025/11/23/p...
theintercept.com/2025/11/23/p...
The Feds Want to Make It Illegal to Even Possess an Anarchist Zine
Daniel Sanchez is facing federal charges for what free speech advocates say is a clear attack on the First Amendment.
theintercept.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
An alarming development. The way was paved with the criminalization of various Islamic materials post 9-11.
theintercept.com/2025/11/23/p...
theintercept.com/2025/11/23/p...
Reposted by Jessica Pishko
looking for a few more people!!!
For a story I'm working on for next week, I'd love to chat with queer Texans who can't go home for the holidays. Where do you go? What do you do? Where do you find community? DM me here, or on signal at Kissphoria.57
November 24, 2025 at 7:24 PM
looking for a few more people!!!
Interesting summary of the case against private security in Idaho where the issue appears to be whether or not the sheriff had the authority to order them to arrest people.
No seats left at the criminal hearing for the town hall this morning. The KCRCC showed up for this one.
Today we’ll be hearing a motion to dismiss from the defendants (LEAR security guards). The judge has also handed out jury instructions in the event that the case moves forward. #idpol
Today we’ll be hearing a motion to dismiss from the defendants (LEAR security guards). The judge has also handed out jury instructions in the event that the case moves forward. #idpol
November 24, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Interesting summary of the case against private security in Idaho where the issue appears to be whether or not the sheriff had the authority to order them to arrest people.
Reposted by Jessica Pishko
ICE stops just over the border leaving Algiers into Plaquemines Parrish. They’re coordinating with cops down there to do ostensible break tag enforcement coming off the bridge, then asking everyone about where they were born.
November 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
ICE stops just over the border leaving Algiers into Plaquemines Parrish. They’re coordinating with cops down there to do ostensible break tag enforcement coming off the bridge, then asking everyone about where they were born.
Reposted by Jessica Pishko
Whenever I see local police collaborating with ICE, or taking anti-immigrant stances themselves, I think about this line of argument from Police and the Empire City about how police in the early 1900s celebrated the rise of deportation as a possible solution for solving xenophobic crime panics.
November 24, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Whenever I see local police collaborating with ICE, or taking anti-immigrant stances themselves, I think about this line of argument from Police and the Empire City about how police in the early 1900s celebrated the rise of deportation as a possible solution for solving xenophobic crime panics.
Reposted by Jessica Pishko
THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US made NPR's Books We Love list!
It's described as a "paradigm-shifting, immersive book" and "a trenchant exploration of how America's disinvestment in public housing and relentless pursuit of free-market growth have fueled housing insecurity for poor working families."
It's described as a "paradigm-shifting, immersive book" and "a trenchant exploration of how America's disinvestment in public housing and relentless pursuit of free-market growth have fueled housing insecurity for poor working families."
November 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US made NPR's Books We Love list!
It's described as a "paradigm-shifting, immersive book" and "a trenchant exploration of how America's disinvestment in public housing and relentless pursuit of free-market growth have fueled housing insecurity for poor working families."
It's described as a "paradigm-shifting, immersive book" and "a trenchant exploration of how America's disinvestment in public housing and relentless pursuit of free-market growth have fueled housing insecurity for poor working families."
LOL
Ah yes. Harvard Law School in the early 1990s, well known for its Communist professors.
November 22, 2025 at 8:27 PM
LOL
Just think how five years ago Democrats donned Kente cloth and now they are voting against “socialism”. Empty gestures even now.
BREAKING: The House of Representatives voted 285–98 in favor of a resolution condemning socialism.
Eighty-six Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Eighty-six Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
November 21, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Just think how five years ago Democrats donned Kente cloth and now they are voting against “socialism”. Empty gestures even now.
Reposted by Jessica Pishko
ICE Out of Memphis
Stop the Kidnappings.
Not in our schools. Not in our churches
Not in our communities
JOIN THE PROTEST
Sunday, Nov. 23rd
3 PM CST
Place to be announced
#IndivisibleMemphis
#FreeThe901
Stop the Kidnappings.
Not in our schools. Not in our churches
Not in our communities
JOIN THE PROTEST
Sunday, Nov. 23rd
3 PM CST
Place to be announced
#IndivisibleMemphis
#FreeThe901
November 20, 2025 at 11:01 PM
ICE Out of Memphis
Stop the Kidnappings.
Not in our schools. Not in our churches
Not in our communities
JOIN THE PROTEST
Sunday, Nov. 23rd
3 PM CST
Place to be announced
#IndivisibleMemphis
#FreeThe901
Stop the Kidnappings.
Not in our schools. Not in our churches
Not in our communities
JOIN THE PROTEST
Sunday, Nov. 23rd
3 PM CST
Place to be announced
#IndivisibleMemphis
#FreeThe901
An unheard of number of executions -- imho this is an important sign of a callous disdain for life, ever-more violent agents of the state, an abandonment of well-being.
It's just past 6pm ET and Florida is set to kill 63-year-old Malik Abdul-Sajjad, also known as Richard Barry Randolph. It will be the 17th execution carried out in FL this year. Two more are scheduled for December.
I wrote about the man Florida plans to kill tonight and how the death penalty impacts people in ways we might never imagine.
November 20, 2025 at 11:11 PM
An unheard of number of executions -- imho this is an important sign of a callous disdain for life, ever-more violent agents of the state, an abandonment of well-being.
ruh roh!
Dang - how bad was the Border Patrol invasion in North Carolina?
None other than Thom Tillis himself is blasting DHS for gross overreach, and demanding lists of those detained, property damage caused by CBP agents, and their plan for restitution.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
None other than Thom Tillis himself is blasting DHS for gross overreach, and demanding lists of those detained, property damage caused by CBP agents, and their plan for restitution.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
November 20, 2025 at 10:52 PM
ruh roh!
Reposted by Jessica Pishko
I've been thinking about the incredible work that @siembranc.bsky.social has been doing over the past few years ago and how so much of that work helped lay the groundwork for the community resistance that's taken place over the past few days across NC. I made a donation: www.siembranc.org
Siembra NC | Home
Join Siembra in the fight against ICE, abusive employers and landlords, discrimination and criminalization of the Latinx community in North Carolina.
www.siembranc.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I've been thinking about the incredible work that @siembranc.bsky.social has been doing over the past few years ago and how so much of that work helped lay the groundwork for the community resistance that's taken place over the past few days across NC. I made a donation: www.siembranc.org
Reposted by Jessica Pishko
Excellent 🧵.
My comment on the "who is more racist" discourse is that Northern proponents of mass policing and incarceration pointed to openly racist caricatures of Southern sheriffs to avoid re-examining policing and jail in general.
November 19, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Excellent 🧵.
It helps a lot that James Comey isn't sitting in pretrial lockup and can help plan his defense with his lawyers. Too many people never get the point where the jury feels like an option.
I will say Ye Olde common law jury trial system is proving its merit here. forcing prosecutors to get random dopes to agree on what they're doing is an important check
November 19, 2025 at 6:47 PM
It helps a lot that James Comey isn't sitting in pretrial lockup and can help plan his defense with his lawyers. Too many people never get the point where the jury feels like an option.
Oh
NEW: The significant increase in the number of times Chicago police officers have used force against Chicagoans since 2022 threatens the effort to reform the Chicago Police Department, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office told a federal judge on Tuesday. @wttw.bsky.social
CPD’s Increasing Use of Force Threatens Consent Decree Push: Illinois Attorney General
The Office of the Attorney General told U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer that immediate steps must be taken to ensure the push to reform the Chicago Police Department results in meaningful ...
news.wttw.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Oh
It is both true that sexual violence is very dreadfully common AND that only a select group of people get to be victims with voices worth listening to.
November 19, 2025 at 3:22 PM
It is both true that sexual violence is very dreadfully common AND that only a select group of people get to be victims with voices worth listening to.
This was supposed to be tethered to my previous post on Budford Pusser and Trump as "imperfect" men.
It is simply irrational and unfair to ask that men behave in some kind of moral manner. Women, on the other hand, just don't seem to exist at all.
November 19, 2025 at 2:55 PM
This was supposed to be tethered to my previous post on Budford Pusser and Trump as "imperfect" men.
It is simply irrational and unfair to ask that men behave in some kind of moral manner. Women, on the other hand, just don't seem to exist at all.
November 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM
It is simply irrational and unfair to ask that men behave in some kind of moral manner. Women, on the other hand, just don't seem to exist at all.