Ken Bazinet
@kenbazinet.bsky.social
Longtime DC scribe, covering three presidencies (DC is fine, but I prefer the United States). Reflections on democracy, First Amendment, Boston sports, and jam bands. Simple approach: trusted source intel + research & data + analysis = smart solutions.
Pinned
Ken Bazinet
@kenbazinet.bsky.social
· Jan 20
Having to fight for the pursuit of happiness is one of the great but necessary ironies of our lifetimes, but having people who will fight for our pursuit of happiness is one of its great blessings. #Resist #Organize #StayStrong
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
“I watched him die… then I watched them maneuver his body like a rag doll— only to discover it was because they wanted to count the bullet wounds and see how many they ‘got’, like he was a deer.”
January 28, 2026 at 5:46 AM
“I watched him die… then I watched them maneuver his body like a rag doll— only to discover it was because they wanted to count the bullet wounds and see how many they ‘got’, like he was a deer.”
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
here's a video from this afternoon in Eden Prairie MN of ICE agents camping out as a bus stop.
Again, this is terrorism.
Again, this is terrorism.
January 27, 2026 at 9:40 PM
here's a video from this afternoon in Eden Prairie MN of ICE agents camping out as a bus stop.
Again, this is terrorism.
Again, this is terrorism.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
In the middle of this crisis, it’s important to keep in mind the agenda.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
Tyrant Tramples On Our First Amendment
Trump is just the man the Founders feared
open.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:04 AM
In the middle of this crisis, it’s important to keep in mind the agenda.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
This mid-afternoon Alex Pretti vigil at the Portland VA was not heavily promoted. But the crowd probably stretches a quarter mile or more. Americans are galvanized and grieving.
January 27, 2026 at 11:47 PM
This mid-afternoon Alex Pretti vigil at the Portland VA was not heavily promoted. But the crowd probably stretches a quarter mile or more. Americans are galvanized and grieving.
The American people are not buying the happy talk economic horse hooey that Trump, Bessent, Lutnick and Hassett have been pimping.
Americans have the receipts and are wisely preparing for the Trump administration policies and whims to trigger an economic train wreck in the U.S.
#InflationNation
Americans have the receipts and are wisely preparing for the Trump administration policies and whims to trigger an economic train wreck in the U.S.
#InflationNation
Bad News For Trump's Economy: Consumer Confidence 'Collapsed' To Lowest Level Since January 2014
YouTube video by Forbes Breaking News
www.youtube.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The American people are not buying the happy talk economic horse hooey that Trump, Bessent, Lutnick and Hassett have been pimping.
Americans have the receipts and are wisely preparing for the Trump administration policies and whims to trigger an economic train wreck in the U.S.
#InflationNation
Americans have the receipts and are wisely preparing for the Trump administration policies and whims to trigger an economic train wreck in the U.S.
#InflationNation
“Confidence collapsed in January, as consumer concerns about both the present situation and expectations for the future deepened,” said Dana Peterson, the Conference Board’s chief economist.
Americans' confidence in the U.S. economy falls sharply in January to lowest level since 2014
U.S. consumer confidence declined sharply in January, hitting the lowest level since 2014 as Americans grow increasingly concerned about their financial prospects.
apnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:35 PM
“Confidence collapsed in January, as consumer concerns about both the present situation and expectations for the future deepened,” said Dana Peterson, the Conference Board’s chief economist.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
I will give Suozzi more credit than he gives himself. He knew what the vote was. He just figured the way to "win" was to support the funding because that's more "centrist" and buck the Democratic majority. But morally, he knew what this was about. He ended up wrong morally AND politically.
January 26, 2026 at 6:19 PM
I will give Suozzi more credit than he gives himself. He knew what the vote was. He just figured the way to "win" was to support the funding because that's more "centrist" and buck the Democratic majority. But morally, he knew what this was about. He ended up wrong morally AND politically.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
CNN reporting that a week before Alex Pretti was killed, 5 agents tackled him and he suffered a broken rib. CNN says he stopped his car after he saw ICE agents interacting with a family on foot and began to blow his whistle. Source tells CNN Pretti believed “That day he thought he was going to die”
January 27, 2026 at 5:19 PM
CNN reporting that a week before Alex Pretti was killed, 5 agents tackled him and he suffered a broken rib. CNN says he stopped his car after he saw ICE agents interacting with a family on foot and began to blow his whistle. Source tells CNN Pretti believed “That day he thought he was going to die”
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Ian Austin, an Army veteran, was arrested for protesting ICE in Minneapolis. But he’s continued protesting. Senior reporter @julialurie.bsky.social spoke to him.
“When they say, ‘Why would you be out here?’ How the fuck could I not be out here?” he says. “My nation is under attack."
“When they say, ‘Why would you be out here?’ How the fuck could I not be out here?” he says. “My nation is under attack."
January 27, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Ian Austin, an Army veteran, was arrested for protesting ICE in Minneapolis. But he’s continued protesting. Senior reporter @julialurie.bsky.social spoke to him.
“When they say, ‘Why would you be out here?’ How the fuck could I not be out here?” he says. “My nation is under attack."
“When they say, ‘Why would you be out here?’ How the fuck could I not be out here?” he says. “My nation is under attack."
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Holocaust survivors, politicians and regular people commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Tuesday, gathering at events held across Europe to reflect on Nazi Germany’s killing of millions of people.
World pauses to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day
People across Europe and beyond are commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day. They are pausing to reflect on the killing of millions of lives and attempts to wipe out Jewish life in Europe more than eight decades ago.
bit.ly
January 27, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Holocaust survivors, politicians and regular people commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Tuesday, gathering at events held across Europe to reflect on Nazi Germany’s killing of millions of people.
"There is no issue in America that is more important than killing our nascent police state in its crib," writes Steve Schmidt.
"The question remains. It has always been the same since day one of this travesty: America or Trump?"
#GetOrganized and #Unite
"The question remains. It has always been the same since day one of this travesty: America or Trump?"
#GetOrganized and #Unite
Americans will destroy MAGA
We are living through a season of government terror, abuse, atrocities, corruption and lies unprecedented in American history.
steveschmidt.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:06 PM
"There is no issue in America that is more important than killing our nascent police state in its crib," writes Steve Schmidt.
"The question remains. It has always been the same since day one of this travesty: America or Trump?"
#GetOrganized and #Unite
"The question remains. It has always been the same since day one of this travesty: America or Trump?"
#GetOrganized and #Unite
Homeland security chairs, GOP Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY) and Sen. Rand Paul (KY), requested testimony from senior officials with ICE, Customs and Border Protection and Citizen and Immigration Services, though they didn't mention the Pretti shooting in their letters to the officials, Forbes reported.
These Republicans Are Breaking With Trump Over Pretti Shooting
Pence called for a “full and transparent investigation of this officer involved shooting.”
www.forbes.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Homeland security chairs, GOP Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY) and Sen. Rand Paul (KY), requested testimony from senior officials with ICE, Customs and Border Protection and Citizen and Immigration Services, though they didn't mention the Pretti shooting in their letters to the officials, Forbes reported.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
It's not quite the most pressing issue at the moment, but the American people absolutely have a right to know the names of the federal officials who shot and killed a man peacefully protesting, who was on his knees, prone in the street when they shot him in the back.
January 27, 2026 at 1:58 PM
It's not quite the most pressing issue at the moment, but the American people absolutely have a right to know the names of the federal officials who shot and killed a man peacefully protesting, who was on his knees, prone in the street when they shot him in the back.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
As we await Senate action on the remaining spending bills, remember that Susan Collins could make a difference by stripping out DHS from the rest of the government funding bills. But she won't because she is just as MAGA as the rest of them.
January 26, 2026 at 11:15 PM
As we await Senate action on the remaining spending bills, remember that Susan Collins could make a difference by stripping out DHS from the rest of the government funding bills. But she won't because she is just as MAGA as the rest of them.
“People are very much going to remember this moment and look back on it as kind of a real bellwether as to what kind of leadership they’re looking for,” Graham Platner told the Globe.
#Resist
#Organize
#StayStrong
#Resist
#Organize
#StayStrong
Senate race was already getting intense in Maine. Then ICE came. - The Boston Globe
While the arrival of ICE has increased scrutiny on Senator Susan Collins, it has also served to more sharply define the Democratic contest.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:06 PM
“People are very much going to remember this moment and look back on it as kind of a real bellwether as to what kind of leadership they’re looking for,” Graham Platner told the Globe.
#Resist
#Organize
#StayStrong
#Resist
#Organize
#StayStrong
“The Court acknowledges that ordering the head of a federal agency to personally appear is an extraordinary step, but the extent of ICE’s violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed,” Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz wrote.
Judge orders acting ICE director to appear in federal court in Minneapolis
Minnesota’s chief federal judge is ordering the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to appear personally in a Minneapolis courtroom on Friday, with the judge saying that ICE has failed to...
www.mprnews.org
January 27, 2026 at 1:52 PM
“The Court acknowledges that ordering the head of a federal agency to personally appear is an extraordinary step, but the extent of ICE’s violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed,” Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz wrote.
National Rifle Association, longtime Trump ally, posted that remarks by acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli were “dangerous and wrong,” and called for a full investigation rather than “making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”
#Constitution
#Constitution
Gun rights groups blast Trump over Minnesota response
Gun ownership advocates are pushing back against the Trump administration over its response to the killing of Alex Pretti on Saturday.
www.politico.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:26 PM
National Rifle Association, longtime Trump ally, posted that remarks by acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli were “dangerous and wrong,” and called for a full investigation rather than “making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”
#Constitution
#Constitution
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents border patrol officers at the National Border Patrol Council, calls on Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller to resign or be fired
January 27, 2026 at 2:07 AM
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents border patrol officers at the National Border Patrol Council, calls on Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller to resign or be fired
"Officials who rush to judgment before all the facts are known undermine public trust and the law-enforcement mission," GOP Sen. John Curtis of Utah said in a statement.
"I disagree with Secretary Noem's premature DHS response, which came before all the facts were known and weakened confidence."
"I disagree with Secretary Noem's premature DHS response, which came before all the facts were known and weakened confidence."
Sen. Curtis criticizes Trump administration, calls for investigation into Minneapolis shooting
Utah Sen. John Curtis called Monday for a
www.ksl.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:43 AM
"Officials who rush to judgment before all the facts are known undermine public trust and the law-enforcement mission," GOP Sen. John Curtis of Utah said in a statement.
"I disagree with Secretary Noem's premature DHS response, which came before all the facts were known and weakened confidence."
"I disagree with Secretary Noem's premature DHS response, which came before all the facts were known and weakened confidence."
Over the weekend, senior administration officials including Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff, called the victim “a domestic terrorist who tried to assassinate law enforcement”, while Kristi Noem, homeland security secretary, accused him of perpetrating “the definition of domestic terrorism”.
White House backtracks initial claims about Alex Pretti after intense backlash
Widely circulated video of Pretti’s killing by federal agents undercut earlier assertions of him being a gunman
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:51 AM
Over the weekend, senior administration officials including Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff, called the victim “a domestic terrorist who tried to assassinate law enforcement”, while Kristi Noem, homeland security secretary, accused him of perpetrating “the definition of domestic terrorism”.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
if Tom "Cava Bag" Homan is your emergency crisis comms guy, you're fucked
January 26, 2026 at 6:47 PM
if Tom "Cava Bag" Homan is your emergency crisis comms guy, you're fucked
Bovino has been removed from his role and will return to his former job in El Centro, CA, where he is expected to retire soon, reports Nick Miroff.
Kristi Noem and her close adviser Corey Lewandowski, who were Bovino’s biggest backers at DHS, are also at risk of losing their jobs, sources said.
Kristi Noem and her close adviser Corey Lewandowski, who were Bovino’s biggest backers at DHS, are also at risk of losing their jobs, sources said.
Greg Bovino Loses His Job
The Border Patrol chief has been ousted from his role as “commander at large,” and will return to El Centro.
www.theatlantic.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:07 AM
Bovino has been removed from his role and will return to his former job in El Centro, CA, where he is expected to retire soon, reports Nick Miroff.
Kristi Noem and her close adviser Corey Lewandowski, who were Bovino’s biggest backers at DHS, are also at risk of losing their jobs, sources said.
Kristi Noem and her close adviser Corey Lewandowski, who were Bovino’s biggest backers at DHS, are also at risk of losing their jobs, sources said.
”What’s going on in this country right now is absolutely horrific," Natalie Portman told Deadline. "What the federal government, Trump’s government, Kristi Noem, ICE — what they’re doing is really the worst of the worst of humanity."
#GetOrganized
#GetOrganized
Sundance Takes To The Streets Against ICE & Latest Killing; Elijah Wood Among Demonstrators
About hundred protesters and Elijah Wood attended an anti-ICE protest at the Sundance Film Festival.
deadline.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:25 PM
”What’s going on in this country right now is absolutely horrific," Natalie Portman told Deadline. "What the federal government, Trump’s government, Kristi Noem, ICE — what they’re doing is really the worst of the worst of humanity."
#GetOrganized
#GetOrganized
“The administration may not threaten ICE deployment to pressure states to cooperate with its improper efforts to interfere in elections,” Wendy Weiser, vice-president for democracy at the Brennan Center said online, The Guardian reported.
#Blackmail
#Blackmail
Critics slam Pam Bondi’s demand for Minnesota voter rolls amid ICE surge
Outrage mounts after US attorney general’s request as state reels from the weekend killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:10 PM
“The administration may not threaten ICE deployment to pressure states to cooperate with its improper efforts to interfere in elections,” Wendy Weiser, vice-president for democracy at the Brennan Center said online, The Guardian reported.
#Blackmail
#Blackmail