Jon Fasman
@jonfasman.bsky.social
Senior culture correspondent, The Economist. Podcaster: "The Intelligence", "Checks and Balance". Ex-DC, Singapore, Atlanta, London, Moscow, Providence. Author: "The Geographer's Library," "The Unpossessed City," "We See It All".
Reposted by Jon Fasman
Utterly inhumane behaviour. "In sworn court filings, a doctor who offered to render aid to Mr. Pretti described how agents initially hesitated and asked him for proof of a medical license."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Minneapolis Live Updates: State Seeks Access to Evidence as Federal Officials Blame Shooting Victim
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Utterly inhumane behaviour. "In sworn court filings, a doctor who offered to render aid to Mr. Pretti described how agents initially hesitated and asked him for proof of a medical license."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Reposted by Jon Fasman
James O'Keefe says he's never seen anything so organized as the anti-ICE movement, observers--he seems to think this term is code--everywhere he goes. Who is paying for it??? he demands to know. It's like he can't even imagine people caring for one another.
January 25, 2026 at 4:41 AM
James O'Keefe says he's never seen anything so organized as the anti-ICE movement, observers--he seems to think this term is code--everywhere he goes. Who is paying for it??? he demands to know. It's like he can't even imagine people caring for one another.
Reposted by Jon Fasman
The people who spent years defending and even lionizing Kyle Rittenhouse and Ashli Babbitt now want us to believe that an unarmed mother in her car and a disarmed nurse were domestic terrorists who deserved to be murdered by law enforcement.
January 25, 2026 at 4:26 AM
The people who spent years defending and even lionizing Kyle Rittenhouse and Ashli Babbitt now want us to believe that an unarmed mother in her car and a disarmed nurse were domestic terrorists who deserved to be murdered by law enforcement.
Reposted by Jon Fasman
“.. It was the first time Evans could recall state investigators with jurisdiction over a crime scene being denied access by federal officers. ‘We’re in uncharted territory here,’ he said.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/us-news/poli...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/us-news/poli...
January 25, 2026 at 1:17 PM
“.. It was the first time Evans could recall state investigators with jurisdiction over a crime scene being denied access by federal officers. ‘We’re in uncharted territory here,’ he said.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/us-news/poli...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/us-news/poli...
Reposted by Jon Fasman
One thing that irks me: people keep calling the folks on the streets in Minneapolis protestors. They are not generally there to protest, they are there to observe and document. This is the product of organizing and mutual aid. It is telling that these acts of citizenship are seen as protest!
January 24, 2026 at 9:29 PM
One thing that irks me: people keep calling the folks on the streets in Minneapolis protestors. They are not generally there to protest, they are there to observe and document. This is the product of organizing and mutual aid. It is telling that these acts of citizenship are seen as protest!
Reposted by Jon Fasman
Her half-done picture was everywhere, with its slit eyes, greenish flat face and a shaggy hood of hair. People were calling it “Monkey Jesus” and “Ecce Mono” (Behold the Monkey). Yet not so long afterwards, a wonder occurred
Cecilia Giménez only meant to be helpful
The creator of the “Monkey Jesus” died on December 29th, aged 94
econ.st
January 25, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Her half-done picture was everywhere, with its slit eyes, greenish flat face and a shaggy hood of hair. People were calling it “Monkey Jesus” and “Ecce Mono” (Behold the Monkey). Yet not so long afterwards, a wonder occurred
Reposted by Jon Fasman
Tonight, on behalf of Minnesota law enforcement, I filed a lawsuit against DHS to prevent the destruction of evidence related to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.
DHS is not above the law, and Alex sure as hell is not beneath it.
DHS is not above the law, and Alex sure as hell is not beneath it.
January 25, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Tonight, on behalf of Minnesota law enforcement, I filed a lawsuit against DHS to prevent the destruction of evidence related to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.
DHS is not above the law, and Alex sure as hell is not beneath it.
DHS is not above the law, and Alex sure as hell is not beneath it.
Reposted by Jon Fasman
Imagine this in a trial.
Devastating first-hand witness to Alex Pretti's killing
Declaration filed in federal court:
"I don't know why they shot him. He was only helping. I was five feet from him and they just shot him."
Devastating first-hand witness to Alex Pretti's killing
Declaration filed in federal court:
"I don't know why they shot him. He was only helping. I was five feet from him and they just shot him."
January 25, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Imagine this in a trial.
Devastating first-hand witness to Alex Pretti's killing
Declaration filed in federal court:
"I don't know why they shot him. He was only helping. I was five feet from him and they just shot him."
Devastating first-hand witness to Alex Pretti's killing
Declaration filed in federal court:
"I don't know why they shot him. He was only helping. I was five feet from him and they just shot him."
Reposted by Jon Fasman
Even when there’s no accountability, the record matters. Credit to the Wikipedia editors maintaining this page.
Deaths, detentions and deportations of American citizens in the second Trump administration - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
January 25, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Even when there’s no accountability, the record matters. Credit to the Wikipedia editors maintaining this page.
Our country was founded on resistance to tyranny.
Attorney General Pam Bondi: "Our country was founded on law enforcement"
Bondi: "It's extremely organized. The signs they have are all matching, they're well written. And look at what's happening today. How did these people go out & get gas masks? These protesters. Would you know how to walk out on the street and buy a gas mask? Think about that. We're not gonna have it"
January 25, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Our country was founded on resistance to tyranny.
Reposted by Jon Fasman
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
Reposted by Jon Fasman
I spent the last year writing a book about the ridiculous demands of what it means to be masculine. But a guy who takes care of people who served our country, asks a woman “are you ok?” When she is in distress and looks out for his vulnerable neighbors seems like a pretty good role model for a man.
January 25, 2026 at 4:23 AM
I spent the last year writing a book about the ridiculous demands of what it means to be masculine. But a guy who takes care of people who served our country, asks a woman “are you ok?” When she is in distress and looks out for his vulnerable neighbors seems like a pretty good role model for a man.
Reposted by Jon Fasman
JUST IN: ICE agents in Minnesota arrested an employee at the St. Louis Park Homewood Suites — where they were staying to help carry out Operation Metro Surge.
A federal judge just ordered the man's release.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
A federal judge just ordered the man's release.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 25, 2026 at 1:27 AM
JUST IN: ICE agents in Minnesota arrested an employee at the St. Louis Park Homewood Suites — where they were staying to help carry out Operation Metro Surge.
A federal judge just ordered the man's release.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
A federal judge just ordered the man's release.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Jon Fasman
A doctor who witnessed the shooting submits a sworn declaration in federal litigation to halt ICE surge in MN:
"I did not see him attack the agents or brandish a weapon of any kind."
and
"The victim had at least three bullet wounds in his back."
Read storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"I did not see him attack the agents or brandish a weapon of any kind."
and
"The victim had at least three bullet wounds in his back."
Read storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 25, 2026 at 1:49 AM
A doctor who witnessed the shooting submits a sworn declaration in federal litigation to halt ICE surge in MN:
"I did not see him attack the agents or brandish a weapon of any kind."
and
"The victim had at least three bullet wounds in his back."
Read storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"I did not see him attack the agents or brandish a weapon of any kind."
and
"The victim had at least three bullet wounds in his back."
Read storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Jon Fasman
The Economist coverage is grim but this is exactly how it should be reported.
economist.com/united-state...
economist.com/united-state...
January 25, 2026 at 10:11 AM
The Economist coverage is grim but this is exactly how it should be reported.
economist.com/united-state...
economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Jon Fasman
15 years ago I borrowed a bulletproof vest from a reporter so I could report from a war zone. I held onto it after I returned.
Last week the reporter finally asked for it back because he is headed to Minneapolis.
Last week the reporter finally asked for it back because he is headed to Minneapolis.
January 25, 2026 at 10:36 AM
15 years ago I borrowed a bulletproof vest from a reporter so I could report from a war zone. I held onto it after I returned.
Last week the reporter finally asked for it back because he is headed to Minneapolis.
Last week the reporter finally asked for it back because he is headed to Minneapolis.
Reposted by Jon Fasman
Pam Bondi just sent a letter to Minnesota officials saying ICE will leave if the state turns over its voter database to Trump.
Guess what? This has never been about safety or immigration. It’s a pretext for Trump to take over elections in swing states.
Guess what? This has never been about safety or immigration. It’s a pretext for Trump to take over elections in swing states.
January 25, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Pam Bondi just sent a letter to Minnesota officials saying ICE will leave if the state turns over its voter database to Trump.
Guess what? This has never been about safety or immigration. It’s a pretext for Trump to take over elections in swing states.
Guess what? This has never been about safety or immigration. It’s a pretext for Trump to take over elections in swing states.
Reposted by Jon Fasman
UPDATE: @dropsitenews.com has obtained the very graphic video from the lady in the pink coat, which shows ICE executing yet another person in broad daylight:
January 24, 2026 at 6:49 PM
UPDATE: @dropsitenews.com has obtained the very graphic video from the lady in the pink coat, which shows ICE executing yet another person in broad daylight:
Reposted by Jon Fasman
Law-enforcement agencies that are legitimately interested in public safety do not issue statements like this immediately after a fatal shooting.
Even police departments in podunk towns will usually issue a pro forma “under investigation until further notice” press release.
Even police departments in podunk towns will usually issue a pro forma “under investigation until further notice” press release.
DHS (once again) announces conclusion (within 3 hours) without any investigation.
- Conclusion about federal agent's intent
- Conclusion about individual's intent
- Implicit conclusion about timing of disarming the individual and shooting him
- Conclusion about federal agent's intent
- Conclusion about individual's intent
- Implicit conclusion about timing of disarming the individual and shooting him
January 24, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Law-enforcement agencies that are legitimately interested in public safety do not issue statements like this immediately after a fatal shooting.
Even police departments in podunk towns will usually issue a pro forma “under investigation until further notice” press release.
Even police departments in podunk towns will usually issue a pro forma “under investigation until further notice” press release.
Reposted by Jon Fasman
Minneapolis Police Chief O'Hara: "The video speaks for itself. We have identified this person - 37-year-old, white male, resident of the city. The only interaction that we are aware of with law enforcement has been for traffic tickets and we believe he is a lawfully gun owner with a permit to carry"
January 24, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Minneapolis Police Chief O'Hara: "The video speaks for itself. We have identified this person - 37-year-old, white male, resident of the city. The only interaction that we are aware of with law enforcement has been for traffic tickets and we believe he is a lawfully gun owner with a permit to carry"
Reposted by Jon Fasman
“The government has also argued that I must accept this as true because they said it, and they are the government…I respectfully suggest that the petition is frivolous.”
January 24, 2026 at 6:02 PM
“The government has also argued that I must accept this as true because they said it, and they are the government…I respectfully suggest that the petition is frivolous.”
Reposted by Jon Fasman
"The gentleman I was standing next to was focused on helping people who were coming into Nicollet Avenue understand that they needed to take it slow and helping them get through. ...
"Next thing I knew, they shot him." www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
"Next thing I knew, they shot him." www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
January 24, 2026 at 5:56 PM
"The gentleman I was standing next to was focused on helping people who were coming into Nicollet Avenue understand that they needed to take it slow and helping them get through. ...
"Next thing I knew, they shot him." www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
"Next thing I knew, they shot him." www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Jon Fasman
Sayre: "My background is in international humanitarian response in conflict zones in Yemen, Haiti, Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine. What I've seen here is what I've seen there. A powerful entity violently and intentionally terrorizing people."
January 24, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Sayre: "My background is in international humanitarian response in conflict zones in Yemen, Haiti, Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine. What I've seen here is what I've seen there. A powerful entity violently and intentionally terrorizing people."
Reposted by Jon Fasman
Making a list of folks on the ground and trusted news orgs
January 24, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Making a list of folks on the ground and trusted news orgs
Reposted by Jon Fasman
Minneapolis protester as he's being brutalized by feds: "You're gonna have to kill me! You're gonna have to kill me! I've done nothing wrong! My name is Matthew James! I'm a US citizen! You're gonna kill me! Is that what you want?" (You can hear his wife screaming)
January 24, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Minneapolis protester as he's being brutalized by feds: "You're gonna have to kill me! You're gonna have to kill me! I've done nothing wrong! My name is Matthew James! I'm a US citizen! You're gonna kill me! Is that what you want?" (You can hear his wife screaming)