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
The Justice Department launched a criminal investigation this month into Powell, a move Fed watchers say is part of the government’s pressure campaign.
“It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question,” wrote Sen. Thom Tillis (R- NC) earlier this month.
“It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question,” wrote Sen. Thom Tillis (R- NC) earlier this month.
Fed Meeting Today: FOMC Holds Interest Rates Steady in January; Miran, Waller Dissent; Powell's Press Conference; What Else to Know
The policymaking arm of the Federal Reserve, the Federal Open Market Committee, held interest rates steady on Wednesday after wrapping up its January policy meeting.
www.barrons.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:48 PM
The Justice Department launched a criminal investigation this month into Powell, a move Fed watchers say is part of the government’s pressure campaign.
“It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question,” wrote Sen. Thom Tillis (R- NC) earlier this month.
“It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question,” wrote Sen. Thom Tillis (R- NC) earlier this month.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Stephen Miller--who called ICU nurse Alex Pretti a “domestic terrorist” and an “assassin” who “tried to murder federal agents"--now says his execution squad may not have followed "protocol." There's no backtracking, no lying coverup, that will free this sick man from his eventual fate. Nuremberg.
January 28, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Stephen Miller--who called ICU nurse Alex Pretti a “domestic terrorist” and an “assassin” who “tried to murder federal agents"--now says his execution squad may not have followed "protocol." There's no backtracking, no lying coverup, that will free this sick man from his eventual fate. Nuremberg.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
This was a common frustration point for ICE public affairs, per the internal chat messages we obtained, given they were also trying to sloganeer the idea they were targeting the "Worst of the Worst." They scrambled to find ways to insinuate the detainees were bad people anyway wapo.st/49JTkjQ
January 27, 2026 at 2:22 PM
This was a common frustration point for ICE public affairs, per the internal chat messages we obtained, given they were also trying to sloganeer the idea they were targeting the "Worst of the Worst." They scrambled to find ways to insinuate the detainees were bad people anyway wapo.st/49JTkjQ
“But Trump’s response was shameful – & Republicans should say so. His baseless & racist attacks against her have no doubt endangered her. His inability to condemn the attack is appalling,” posted Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, who said he's “relieved” Omar was not injured, The Guardian reported.
Lawmakers condemn ‘disgusting’ attack on Ilhan Omar at Minneapolis town hall
Hakeem Jeffries rebukes Donald Trump for suggesting the Minnesota congresswoman staged what happened
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:54 PM
“But Trump’s response was shameful – & Republicans should say so. His baseless & racist attacks against her have no doubt endangered her. His inability to condemn the attack is appalling,” posted Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, who said he's “relieved” Omar was not injured, The Guardian reported.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Art by Lar DeSouza…
January 28, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Art by Lar DeSouza…
“Economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has shown some signs of stabilization. Inflation remains somewhat elevated,” the Fed board said in a statement.
#Tariffs
#InflationNation
#Tariffs
#InflationNation
Federal Reserve holds interest rates as Trump piles on pressure
Fed voted to pause cuts to interest rate, which currently sits between 3.5% and 3.75%, after slashing it three times in fall
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:59 PM
“Economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has shown some signs of stabilization. Inflation remains somewhat elevated,” the Fed board said in a statement.
#Tariffs
#InflationNation
#Tariffs
#InflationNation
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Renee Good and Alex Pretti's families have no way to hold their murderers accountable. We need to abolish qualified immunity now. @ayannapressley.bsky.social and I are fighting to do just that.
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Renee Good and Alex Pretti's families have no way to hold their murderers accountable. We need to abolish qualified immunity now. @ayannapressley.bsky.social and I are fighting to do just that.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
"I was only following orders" wasn't an acceptable excuse at the Nuremberg trials & won't work now.
#AccountabilityIsComing
#AccountabilityIsComing
Kristi Noem: "Everything I've done, I've done at the direction of the president and Stephen"
January 28, 2026 at 7:31 PM
"I was only following orders" wasn't an acceptable excuse at the Nuremberg trials & won't work now.
#AccountabilityIsComing
#AccountabilityIsComing
Things are bad in Minneapolis with ICE.
Prices are still rising everywhere.
Trump's AI Broligarchs have begun to decimate the work force.
DOJ is still covering up the Epstein files.
Everything is in place for Trump to attack Iran, aided by his accomplices way up the media food chain. Again.
Prices are still rising everywhere.
Trump's AI Broligarchs have begun to decimate the work force.
DOJ is still covering up the Epstein files.
Everything is in place for Trump to attack Iran, aided by his accomplices way up the media food chain. Again.
Iran: Trump warns 'time is running out' for nuclear deal as US military builds up in Gulf
Tehran says its armed forces are ready "with their fingers on the trigger" to respond to any aggression.
www.bbc.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Things are bad in Minneapolis with ICE.
Prices are still rising everywhere.
Trump's AI Broligarchs have begun to decimate the work force.
DOJ is still covering up the Epstein files.
Everything is in place for Trump to attack Iran, aided by his accomplices way up the media food chain. Again.
Prices are still rising everywhere.
Trump's AI Broligarchs have begun to decimate the work force.
DOJ is still covering up the Epstein files.
Everything is in place for Trump to attack Iran, aided by his accomplices way up the media food chain. Again.
What are the names?
How can the regime's claim about putting on leave immigration agents be trusted without knowing their names?
Trump upgraded the lifestyle of Epstein pedophile sex ring operator Ghislaine Maxwell, but didn't release the Epstein files.
Who trusts Trump or his DHS goons, really?
How can the regime's claim about putting on leave immigration agents be trusted without knowing their names?
Trump upgraded the lifestyle of Epstein pedophile sex ring operator Ghislaine Maxwell, but didn't release the Epstein files.
Who trusts Trump or his DHS goons, really?
Minneapolis live updates: Two Border Patrol agents who fired their guns in Alex Pretti’s fatal shooting have been put on leave
Follow live updates on a preliminary Department of Homeland Security report sent to Congress on Alex Pretti’s fatal shooting in Minnesota that said two officers fired their guns during the struggle.
www.nbcnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:47 PM
What are the names?
How can the regime's claim about putting on leave immigration agents be trusted without knowing their names?
Trump upgraded the lifestyle of Epstein pedophile sex ring operator Ghislaine Maxwell, but didn't release the Epstein files.
Who trusts Trump or his DHS goons, really?
How can the regime's claim about putting on leave immigration agents be trusted without knowing their names?
Trump upgraded the lifestyle of Epstein pedophile sex ring operator Ghislaine Maxwell, but didn't release the Epstein files.
Who trusts Trump or his DHS goons, really?
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
SHAHEEN: It's been reported that the oil sold for $500 million and $300 million went to Venezuelan government. What happened to the other $200 million?
RUBIO: It's still sitting in the account is my understanding
SHAHEEN: The account in Qatar?
RUBIO: Yes
RUBIO: It's still sitting in the account is my understanding
SHAHEEN: The account in Qatar?
RUBIO: Yes
January 28, 2026 at 3:39 PM
SHAHEEN: It's been reported that the oil sold for $500 million and $300 million went to Venezuelan government. What happened to the other $200 million?
RUBIO: It's still sitting in the account is my understanding
SHAHEEN: The account in Qatar?
RUBIO: Yes
RUBIO: It's still sitting in the account is my understanding
SHAHEEN: The account in Qatar?
RUBIO: Yes
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
"She has taken this administration into the ground on an issue we should own. We should own the issue of border security and immigration, but they have destroyed that for Republicans," said Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, WCVB reported.
#Zamboni
#Zamboni
Is Kristi Noem's job in jeopardy? President Trump says no, lawmakers say yes
Lawmakers are urging changes in immigration enforcement and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security following two fatal shootings by federal officers in Minneapolis.
www.wcvb.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:36 PM
"She has taken this administration into the ground on an issue we should own. We should own the issue of border security and immigration, but they have destroyed that for Republicans," said Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, WCVB reported.
#Zamboni
#Zamboni
Fed expected keep interest rates steady as Powell's clash with Trump takes center stage.
Inflation, meanwhile, remains well above the Fed’s 2% target, undermining the White House's argument that the central bank needs to lower interest rates in order to turbo-charge US economy, NBC News reported.
Inflation, meanwhile, remains well above the Fed’s 2% target, undermining the White House's argument that the central bank needs to lower interest rates in order to turbo-charge US economy, NBC News reported.
Powell's hard line on White House interest rate pressure is center stage at Fed meeting
The Fed and chairman Jerome Powell face a criminal investigation launched by the president's close ally, Jeanine Pirro.
www.nbcnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Fed expected keep interest rates steady as Powell's clash with Trump takes center stage.
Inflation, meanwhile, remains well above the Fed’s 2% target, undermining the White House's argument that the central bank needs to lower interest rates in order to turbo-charge US economy, NBC News reported.
Inflation, meanwhile, remains well above the Fed’s 2% target, undermining the White House's argument that the central bank needs to lower interest rates in order to turbo-charge US economy, NBC News reported.
"A reckoning. Senate Republicans returned to Washington remarkably clear-eyed about the dismal state of President Donald Trump’s harsh immigration crackdown. Now comes the hard part — navigating a procedural morass to rein in DHS and avert a government shutdown on Friday night," Punchbowl reported.
1/28/26☀️ AM:
PRESENTED BY IN THIS EDITION Senate Republicans go deal hunting with skeptical Dems Defense: Rubio’s Hill gauntlet Vault: Wartime Jay Powell AIPAC makes
punchbowl.news
January 28, 2026 at 2:58 PM
"A reckoning. Senate Republicans returned to Washington remarkably clear-eyed about the dismal state of President Donald Trump’s harsh immigration crackdown. Now comes the hard part — navigating a procedural morass to rein in DHS and avert a government shutdown on Friday night," Punchbowl reported.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
We’re taking to the streets once more to protect our rights, freedoms, and humanity against tyranny.
The next national NO KINGS protest is on March 28.
Join us
The next national NO KINGS protest is on March 28.
Join us
NO KINGS Coalition Responds to Escalating Brutality and Authoritarianism
The Next National Mass Mobilization will be on March 28...Mark your calendars and watch this space!
contrarian.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:20 PM
We’re taking to the streets once more to protect our rights, freedoms, and humanity against tyranny.
The next national NO KINGS protest is on March 28.
Join us
The next national NO KINGS protest is on March 28.
Join us
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Rand Paul: "There has to be an investigation. I don't know who trusts an investigation done by DHS when they're the ones calling this person an 'assassin,' a 'domestic terrorist,' saying he was assaulting police. How can they be in charge of an independent investigation? Something's got to happen."
January 28, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Rand Paul: "There has to be an investigation. I don't know who trusts an investigation done by DHS when they're the ones calling this person an 'assassin,' a 'domestic terrorist,' saying he was assaulting police. How can they be in charge of an independent investigation? Something's got to happen."
“Right now, I’m very happy to see my daughter again,” Vaca Latacunga said in a phone call in Spanish after her release, The Globe reported.
Mainers have pushed back against ICE's characterization of those arrested, saying many are like Latacunga — employed and appear to have no criminal record.
Mainers have pushed back against ICE's characterization of those arrested, saying many are like Latacunga — employed and appear to have no criminal record.
‘I want my mom’: Kindergartner left without her mother for several days as ICE detains parents in Maine - The Boston Globe
A growing number of children across Maine have been left without a parent as immigration enforcement surges in the state.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:27 PM
“Right now, I’m very happy to see my daughter again,” Vaca Latacunga said in a phone call in Spanish after her release, The Globe reported.
Mainers have pushed back against ICE's characterization of those arrested, saying many are like Latacunga — employed and appear to have no criminal record.
Mainers have pushed back against ICE's characterization of those arrested, saying many are like Latacunga — employed and appear to have no criminal record.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Crowd-sourced database of suspected ICE activity logged over 300 sightings across the metro area Tuesday, including reports of people being detained, Axios reported.
In one incident, ICE attempted to forcibly enter Ecuador's consulate in Minneapolis, according to Ecuador's Foreign Affairs Ministry.
In one incident, ICE attempted to forcibly enter Ecuador's consulate in Minneapolis, according to Ecuador's Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Homan arrives in Minnesota, but immigration crackdown continues
A major pullback of the ICE surge does not appear imminent.
www.axios.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Crowd-sourced database of suspected ICE activity logged over 300 sightings across the metro area Tuesday, including reports of people being detained, Axios reported.
In one incident, ICE attempted to forcibly enter Ecuador's consulate in Minneapolis, according to Ecuador's Foreign Affairs Ministry.
In one incident, ICE attempted to forcibly enter Ecuador's consulate in Minneapolis, according to Ecuador's Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Kristi Noem: "Everything I've done, I've done at the direction of the president and Stephen"
January 28, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Kristi Noem: "Everything I've done, I've done at the direction of the president and Stephen"
I want to fire Noem, but I'm going to vote to keep funding the invasion of US cities are worthless politics. It's more toothless grandstanding.
John Fetterman said he won’t vote against DHS funding. Every House Democrat from Pa. is urging him to change his mind
Fetterman has said he disagrees with 'many strategies and practices ICE deployed in Minneapolis' but rejects calls to defund ICE.
www.inquirer.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:43 PM
I want to fire Noem, but I'm going to vote to keep funding the invasion of US cities are worthless politics. It's more toothless grandstanding.
What good is asking Noem to back off a bit, if you're going to vote for the bill and support funding ICE? There are no teeth in that bite.
Susan Collins asks DHS to pause immigration enforcement surge in Maine and Minnesota
The Republican is standing by her calls to pass new funding for DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying a new spending bill will include new accountability measures. But she says the opera...
www.mainepublic.org
January 28, 2026 at 1:30 PM
What good is asking Noem to back off a bit, if you're going to vote for the bill and support funding ICE? There are no teeth in that bite.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Toughest congressperson in America rears back for a punch, and refuses to cut short townhall, after asshole sprays her with something.
January 28, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Toughest congressperson in America rears back for a punch, and refuses to cut short townhall, after asshole sprays her with something.
"They live in a toxic environment of their own creation that has nothing to do with policing," Leon Taylor, a retired Baltimore and former military peace keeper in the Balkans, told NPR.
Taylor blames it on the message that they have "immunity " from high-level officials, like JD Vance.
Taylor blames it on the message that they have "immunity " from high-level officials, like JD Vance.
CBP has a history of excessive force. Critics say they were unprepared for Minnesota
Experts say federal immigration agents' skills are a dangerous mismatch for urban settings such as the Twin Cities
www.npr.org
January 28, 2026 at 1:04 PM
"They live in a toxic environment of their own creation that has nothing to do with policing," Leon Taylor, a retired Baltimore and former military peace keeper in the Balkans, told NPR.
Taylor blames it on the message that they have "immunity " from high-level officials, like JD Vance.
Taylor blames it on the message that they have "immunity " from high-level officials, like JD Vance.