LightNews
jwgerst.bsky.social
Jeff Gerst
@jwgerst.bsky.social
230 followers 61 following 6 posts
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
rns.org
RNS @rns.org · 1d
A federal judge in Illinois has issued a temporary restraining order barring government agents from using a number of forceful tactics against faith-based demonstrators who have been protesting outside a Chicago-area ICE facility.
Judge bars ICE from taking some violent actions against religious activists, journalists
(RNS) — The suit was primarily brought by journalists who allege they have been targeted by federal agents, but the list of plaintiffs also included the Rev. David Black, a Chicago-area Presbyterian…
religionnews.com
2 10 22
jwgerst.bsky.social
Jeff Gerst @jwgerst.bsky.social · 1d
$75 billion from Congress...more than the annual military spending of all but eight countries.
motherjones.com
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 1d
With $75 billion from Congress and thousands of masked agents, ICE is just getting started.
The vast, terrifying scale of Trump’s detention state
With $75 billion and thousands of masked agents, ICE is just getting started.
bit.ly
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
smith.senate.gov
Tina Smith @smith.senate.gov · 1d
“You’re going to be priced out of health insurance but EVERYONE GO BUY MY WATCH”
atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d
Trump Watches commercials are now running regularly on Newsmax
120 530 2.1K
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
barackobama.bsky.social
Barack Obama @barackobama.bsky.social · 1d
My statement on Middle East peace
A white graphic with a blue border includes the following text: My Statement on Middle East Peace October 9, 2025 After two years of unimaginable loss and suffering for Israeli families and the people of Gaza, we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight; that those hostages still being held will be reunited with their families; and that vital aid can start reaching those inside Gaza whose lives have been shattered. More than that, though, it now falls on Israelis and Palestinians, with the support of the U.S. and the entire world community, to begin the hard task of rebuilding Gaza – and to commit to a process that, by recognizing the common humanity and basic rights of both peoples, can achieve a lasting peace.
800 2.5K 12K
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
klobuchar.senate.gov
Senator Amy Klobuchar @klobuchar.senate.gov · 1d
Threatening to arrest the governor of a state is outrageous, even for this president.

We must stand up against this President’s attacks on the rule of law and our Constitution.
govpritzker.illinois.gov
Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 3d
I will not back down.

Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power.

What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?
Donald Trump Truth Social Post: Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor Pritzker also.
12 15 110
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
samanthamichaels.bsky.social
Samantha Michaels @samanthamichaels.bsky.social · 1d
Did you hear about the tiny company based out of a random house in Virginia that won $1.3 billion to build an ICE detention center?

How did it get that deal? Turns out a lot of the money is going to a bigger firm—whose owner is friendly with the Trump fam. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
How a tiny, inexperienced firm landed a $1.3 billion detention deal
To hold 5,000 human beings.
www.motherjones.com
12 110 180
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
georgetakei.bsky.social
George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 1d
Indiana voters: Let your legislators know you don’t like having elections rigged in your state.
Screenshot of a tweet from Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) on X. The tweet reads: ‘Turns out… RIGGING ELECTIONS IS NOT POPULAR. Keep up the pressure. It’s working.’ Below it is an embedded tweet from journalist Adam Wren reporting that Donald Trump’s mid-cycle redistricting push in Indiana is stalling, with Republican officials warning the White House.
33 410 1.9K
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
rbreich.bsky.social
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 1d
CEOs were paid 281x as much as a typical worker in 2024.

The Trump-Republican big ugly bill not only cut taxes for CEOs, it also included a tax break that allows corporations to write off the cost of private jets faster.

Is it any wonder why so many think the system is rigged?
moreperfectunion.bsky.social
More Perfect Union @moreperfectunion.bsky.social · 2d
A majority of the 500 biggest U.S. companies now pay for their CEOs to fly on private jets.
25 290 850
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
nycjayjay.bsky.social
Jay Kuo @nycjayjay.bsky.social · 1d
There’s a lot of talk about “insurrection” coming from the White House, which has led many to predict that they are considering invoking the Insurrection Act. What plans are afoot, and what would that look like if it happened? My write-up in the replies.
39 45 370
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
scifri.bsky.social
Science Friday @scifri.bsky.social · 1d
It used to be a major salmon run. Then, starting about 100 years ago, the installation of hydroelectric dams changed everything for the Klamath River. An author and member of the Yurok Nation shares what’s happening now.
The Story Behind The Largest Dam Removal In U.S. History
A new book goes behind the scenes of the removal of four dams along the Klamath River, and the massive restoration effort that’s followed.
buff.ly
1 17 77
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
klobuchar.senate.gov
Senator Amy Klobuchar @klobuchar.senate.gov · 1d
All by myself…

Knocked at the door of the House chamber and no Republicans to be found.

They need to get back to work and stop health insurance premiums from doubling.
10 58 290
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
maddow.msnbc.com
Rachel Maddow @maddow.msnbc.com · 1d
www.stepupspeakout.org
15 170 810
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
maddow.msnbc.com
Rachel Maddow @maddow.msnbc.com · 1d
"A Chicago Heights Catholic priest began a 50-day pilgrimage in support of immigrant children, from Pope Leo’s boyhood home in Dolton, IL to New York ...

'This is not only a physical act of endurance, but a spiritual act of solidarity, a prayer in motion'..."

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/06/c...
Chicago Heights priest begins walk for immigrant children from Pope Leo’s childhood home in Dolton
Gary Graf, a Chicago Heights Catholic priest, began a 50-day justice walk from Pope Leo’s boyhood home in Dolton to New York.
www.chicagotribune.com
120 1.6K 6.2K
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
rbreich.bsky.social
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 1d
An artificial heart for children with congenital heart defects was almost finished. Families had waited for years it.

Then, Trump canceled billions in grants for universities — including the grant for this device.

The cruelty is endless. www.npr.org/2025/10/09/n...
This 4-year-old's heart is failing. A federal grant that might help him was canceled
A Cornell University researcher has been developing an artificial heart for children for more than 20 years. Now, his research is on hold and his lab is shut down.
www.npr.org
120 1.6K 3.1K
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
lisalsong.bsky.social
Lisa Song @lisalsong.bsky.social · 2d
"PFNA is so hazardous that the EPA struck an agreement with eight companies to phase it out nearly two decades ago."

And yet, the report is stuck in limbo, still not released to the public.
fastlerner.bsky.social
Sharon Lerner @fastlerner.bsky.social · 2d
NEW An EPA report found that PFNA, a chemical in the drinking water of some 26M people, interferes with development and likely causes liver problems & male reproductive harms. The report was done in April, scientists told me. But the agency hasn't released it

www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
Scientists Completed a Toxicity Report on This Forever Chemical. The EPA Hasn’t Released It.
Agency scientists found that PFNA could cause developmental, liver and reproductive harms. Their final report was ready in mid-April, according to an internal document reviewed by ProPublica, but the ...
www.propublica.org
5 120 270
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
jamesmartinsj.bsky.social
James Martin, SJ @jamesmartinsj.bsky.social · 1d
Dear friends: "Dilexi te" is Pope Leo's rich meditation on the call from both Jesus and the church over the ages to love and care for the poor. It's an invitation to prayer and action. Take time and read it for yourself and bring it to prayer. www.vatican.va/content/leo-...
13 79 400
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
thomasreesesj.bsky.social
Thomas Reese @thomasreesesj.bsky.social · 1d
Faith communities have a critical role in defending our nation’s libraries religionnews.com/2025/10/08/f...
Faith communities have a critical role in defending our nation’s libraries
(RNS) — The protection of libraries and the stories they hold should be understood as a wider commitment of our communities to religious freedom.
religionnews.com
1 5
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
contrariannews.org
The Contrarian @contrariannews.org · 1d
“America has become a hostile environment”
2 22 84
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
gtconway.bsky.social
George Conway 👊🇺🇸🔥 @gtconway.bsky.social · 2d
57 450 1.4K
jwgerst.bsky.social
Jeff Gerst @jwgerst.bsky.social · 1d
The soybean harvest has just been completed in our area.
governorwalz.mn.gov
Governor Tim Walz @governorwalz.mn.gov · 2d
Our farmers want trade, not aid.

This is a band-aid solution to a problem Trump caused single handedly.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/u...
Trump to Unveil Farmer Aid as China Shuns U.S. Crops
www.nytimes.com
1
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
contrariannews.org
The Contrarian @contrariannews.org · 2d
Survivors of sexual crimes deserve more.
Cold Comfort: The DOJ Says it Stands With Survivors But Words Aren’t Enough
By prioritizing political interests over justice, the Justice Department is jeopardizing the work of law enforcement to
contrarian.substack.com
58 200 690
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
hillaryclinton.bsky.social
Hillary Rodham Clinton @hillaryclinton.bsky.social · 2d
Yesterday: Trump bragged, "We took the freedom of speech away."

Today: New reporting on Trump's plans to go after opposition groups.

In 9 days: We mount the largest peaceful protest in modern history to say, loud and clear, that America has no king.

nokings.org
USA Today: 'We took the freedom of speech away:' Trump on flag burning protection, First Amendment Reuters: Trump's war on the left: inside the plan to investigate liberal groups
100 1.2K 3.5K
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
npr.org
NPR @npr.org · 2d
Louisiana's Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said he’s heard from many Canadians who are avoiding the state, including upcoming festivals in Acadiana. He wants President Trump to apologize to Canadians.
Trump’s comments are hurting Canadian tourism in Louisiana. Lt. Gov. Nungesser wants an apology
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said he’s heard from many Canadians who are avoiding the state, including upcoming festivals in Acadiana, because of Trump’s comments.
n.pr
110 110 570
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
rns.org
RNS @rns.org · 1d
Pope Leo said that the decision to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War is representative of a government that “uses force to exert pressure.”
religionnews.com/2025/10/01/p...
Pope Leo XIV enters US political fray, challenging 'inhuman treatment of immigrants'
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The first American pope weighed in on a controversy roiling the Chicago diocese, telling journalists the Catholic Church’s political positions include more than opposing abortion.
religionnews.com
3 12 22
Reposted by Jeff Gerst
tcfdotorg.bsky.social
The Century Foundation @tcfdotorg.bsky.social · 2d
Without action by January 1, premiums for 20 million people will more than double. This is the largest projected increase in insurance premiums in U.S. history.

@motherjones.com exclusive interview with TCF’s Jeanne Lambrew, an architect of the ACA.
Brace for the largest-ever spike in health insurance premiums
The GOP's backdoor plan to gut Obamacare: Kill the tax credits.
www.motherjones.com
3 32 63