Ken Budd
@kenbudd.bsky.social
Writer on travel, health, and other cool stuff. Bylines: Washington Post, The Atlantic, Nat Geo, NYT, Best American Travel Writing. Author of the memoir, The Voluntourist. Co-host, @upstartcrowpod.bsky.social.
Pinned
Ken Budd
@kenbudd.bsky.social
· Feb 5
Cruelty is not strength.
Reposted by Ken Budd
In Kenya, American funds had helped feed hundreds of thousands of refugees. When it was cut, children starved.
In South Sudan, U.S. aid had been helping to stave off a cholera epidemic. Then the disease came roaring back.
Tomorrow at 4 pm ET, join us for a discussion about the gutting of USAID:
In South Sudan, U.S. aid had been helping to stave off a cholera epidemic. Then the disease came roaring back.
Tomorrow at 4 pm ET, join us for a discussion about the gutting of USAID:
ProPublica Event: Inside the Destruction of the U.S. Agency for International Development
Join ProPublica journalists for a conversation about the dismantling of U.S. foreign aid worldwide.
events.propublica.org
February 10, 2026 at 4:47 PM
In Kenya, American funds had helped feed hundreds of thousands of refugees. When it was cut, children starved.
In South Sudan, U.S. aid had been helping to stave off a cholera epidemic. Then the disease came roaring back.
Tomorrow at 4 pm ET, join us for a discussion about the gutting of USAID:
In South Sudan, U.S. aid had been helping to stave off a cholera epidemic. Then the disease came roaring back.
Tomorrow at 4 pm ET, join us for a discussion about the gutting of USAID:
Reposted by Ken Budd
“There was zero plan, except causing pain,” said one U.N. official about the Trump administration’s decision to stop funding the group with no notice or communication. “And that is not forgivable.”
(Published Dec. 2025)
(Published Dec. 2025)
After Trump Officials Cut Food Aid to Kenya, Children Starved to Death
“Brutal and traumatizing”: Interviews and a trove of internal documents show government officials and aid workers desperately tried to warn Trump advisers about impending disaster and death.
www.propublica.org
February 9, 2026 at 9:25 PM
“There was zero plan, except causing pain,” said one U.N. official about the Trump administration’s decision to stop funding the group with no notice or communication. “And that is not forgivable.”
(Published Dec. 2025)
(Published Dec. 2025)
Reposted by Ken Budd
Bezos wasn't like this during Trump's first term. Trump, at least not to this extent, wasn't either. The Post needs someone who can stand up to Trump in his second term.
Jeff Bezos Must Sell the Washington Post
Mass layoffs undermine his promises to protect a great American institution.
lnk.thebulwark.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Bezos wasn't like this during Trump's first term. Trump, at least not to this extent, wasn't either. The Post needs someone who can stand up to Trump in his second term.
Reposted by Ken Budd
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
January 30, 2026 at 4:44 PM
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
Reposted by Ken Budd
Ossoff: "This is a seismic event. This should have people across the country absolutely shook. This is a huge deal. This is an FBI raid on the Fulton County Elections office ... This is a shot across the bow at the midterm elections. He tried to steal power when he lost it in 2020."
January 29, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Ossoff: "This is a seismic event. This should have people across the country absolutely shook. This is a huge deal. This is an FBI raid on the Fulton County Elections office ... This is a shot across the bow at the midterm elections. He tried to steal power when he lost it in 2020."
Reposted by Ken Budd
In Minneapolis and many other communities across the country, we're seeing people come together to peacefully protest and support their neighbors. If you're looking to get involved, here are some ways to help:
How to help the resistance to ICE in Minnesota — and beyond
What Minnesota’s immigrant communities need from you now.
www.vox.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:30 PM
In Minneapolis and many other communities across the country, we're seeing people come together to peacefully protest and support their neighbors. If you're looking to get involved, here are some ways to help:
Reposted by Ken Budd
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
January 25, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
Reposted by Ken Budd
Alex Pretti was an American hero. He saved lives. He protected people. He cared deeply about his community, unlike the murderous thugs who killed him.
The very last thing he did was try to help a woman who had been pepper-sprayed and violently shoved to the ground by ICE. 1/
The very last thing he did was try to help a woman who had been pepper-sprayed and violently shoved to the ground by ICE. 1/
January 25, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Alex Pretti was an American hero. He saved lives. He protected people. He cared deeply about his community, unlike the murderous thugs who killed him.
The very last thing he did was try to help a woman who had been pepper-sprayed and violently shoved to the ground by ICE. 1/
The very last thing he did was try to help a woman who had been pepper-sprayed and violently shoved to the ground by ICE. 1/
Reposted by Ken Budd
New, from me: Defenders of police abuses will sometimes talk about “bad apples” spoiling the barrel.
This is the wrong metaphor for ICE and CBP. The barrel itself is rotten. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/past-the-b...
This is the wrong metaphor for ICE and CBP. The barrel itself is rotten. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/past-the-b...
Past the breaking point
The violent occupation of an American city is more than a warning
donmoynihan.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:55 PM
New, from me: Defenders of police abuses will sometimes talk about “bad apples” spoiling the barrel.
This is the wrong metaphor for ICE and CBP. The barrel itself is rotten. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/past-the-b...
This is the wrong metaphor for ICE and CBP. The barrel itself is rotten. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/past-the-b...
Reposted by Ken Budd
no matter how hard Greg Bovino tries to exude rugged masculinity he always comes off like Don Knotts in a Portlandia sketch
January 23, 2026 at 2:41 AM
no matter how hard Greg Bovino tries to exude rugged masculinity he always comes off like Don Knotts in a Portlandia sketch
Reposted by Ken Budd
"The lies this administration is telling about Ms. Good aren’t those you deploy as part of a cover-up. They’re those you use when you want to show you can get away with anything."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/o...
Opinion | I’ve Covered Police Abuse for 20 Years. What ICE Is Doing Is Different.
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:31 PM
"The lies this administration is telling about Ms. Good aren’t those you deploy as part of a cover-up. They’re those you use when you want to show you can get away with anything."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/o...
Reposted by Ken Budd
In the aftermath of 9/11, Denmark lost more soldiers per capita than the United States did in Afghanistan. @isaacstanleybecker.bsky.social introduces us to the mother of the first Danish woman ever to die in combat, and explains why Danes feel such a sense of betrayal. @theatlantic.com
The Sacrifice of the Danes
After September 11, Denmark fought alongside its ally. The families of fallen soldiers have a message for Trump.
www.theatlantic.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:01 AM
In the aftermath of 9/11, Denmark lost more soldiers per capita than the United States did in Afghanistan. @isaacstanleybecker.bsky.social introduces us to the mother of the first Danish woman ever to die in combat, and explains why Danes feel such a sense of betrayal. @theatlantic.com
Reposted by Ken Budd
Founded by corrections-officer-turned- restaurateur Teresa Goines, the Old Skool supper club steers youths away from a cycle of gangs and jail by teaching them job skills (and life skills), nurturing their talents, and building their self-esteem.
Serving Skills for Trouble Youth | The Saturday Evening Post
Teresa Goines’s jazz-fueled supper club provides teens with jobs, love, and an escape from gangs.
www.saturdayeveningpost.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Founded by corrections-officer-turned- restaurateur Teresa Goines, the Old Skool supper club steers youths away from a cycle of gangs and jail by teaching them job skills (and life skills), nurturing their talents, and building their self-esteem.
Reposted by Ken Budd
There are so many obvious constitutional violations in this story. It is enraging.
There is no war, there is no foreign invasion, there is nothing that justify it. This is a choice to create a military presence that will brutalize residents of cities that do not support the President.
There is no war, there is no foreign invasion, there is nothing that justify it. This is a choice to create a military presence that will brutalize residents of cities that do not support the President.
"The boy, who is Hispanic and African American, was held in a garage for five hours “without informing his family, stating any charges, or allowing him to call an attorney,” the statement said. He is a U.S. citizen, as is his entire immediate family, the release said."
Feds ram SUV after chase down residential street in Chicago, then tear-gas crowd
The crash happened late Tuesday morning near 105th Street and Avenue N in the East Side neighborhood. Two men being pursued were arrested as were two bystanders. The crash drew dozens of neighbors who...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:06 AM
There are so many obvious constitutional violations in this story. It is enraging.
There is no war, there is no foreign invasion, there is nothing that justify it. This is a choice to create a military presence that will brutalize residents of cities that do not support the President.
There is no war, there is no foreign invasion, there is nothing that justify it. This is a choice to create a military presence that will brutalize residents of cities that do not support the President.
Reposted by Ken Budd
EXCLUSIVE: Thousands of leaked messages show leaders of Young Republican groups joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape in a private Telegram chat.
Inside rising GOP leaders’ racist chats — obtained by POLITICO and spanning more than 7 months👇
Inside rising GOP leaders’ racist chats — obtained by POLITICO and spanning more than 7 months👇
‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat
Thousands of private messages reveal young GOP leaders joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape.
www.politico.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:22 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Thousands of leaked messages show leaders of Young Republican groups joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape in a private Telegram chat.
Inside rising GOP leaders’ racist chats — obtained by POLITICO and spanning more than 7 months👇
Inside rising GOP leaders’ racist chats — obtained by POLITICO and spanning more than 7 months👇
Reposted by Ken Budd
Congratulations to @shubhasunder.bsky.social for winning the 8th Annual Institute for Immigration Research New American Voices Award for Optional Practical Training: A Novel, from @graywolfpress.bsky.social! Read more:
fallforthebook.org/shubhasunder...
fallforthebook.org/shubhasunder...
Shubha Sunder Wins New American Voices Award - Fall for the Book Festival
Shubha Sunder's Optional Practical Training wins 8th New American Voices Award, a post publication book prize celebrating immigrant writers.
fallforthebook.org
October 10, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Congratulations to @shubhasunder.bsky.social for winning the 8th Annual Institute for Immigration Research New American Voices Award for Optional Practical Training: A Novel, from @graywolfpress.bsky.social! Read more:
fallforthebook.org/shubhasunder...
fallforthebook.org/shubhasunder...
Reposted by Ken Budd
The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.
October 9, 2025 at 8:23 PM
The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.
Reposted by Ken Budd
If you like yelling about misuse of the passive voice, THIS IS IT.
Adults and children alike were pulled from their Chicago apartments, crying and screaming, during a large overnight raid that has left tenants and neighbors shaken. https://cnn.it/4pPCXIt
37 people arrested and American kids separated from parents after ICE raid at Chicago apartments | CNN
Adults and children alike were pulled from their Chicago apartments, crying and screaming, during a large overnight raid that has left tenants and neighbors shaken.
www.cnn.com
October 4, 2025 at 6:58 PM
If you like yelling about misuse of the passive voice, THIS IS IT.
Reposted by Ken Budd
Exciting news: Ariel Lawhon will be headlining Fall for the Book on Wednesday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m.! Free tickets go live soon. Thank you to the Friends of the Reston Regional Library & Friends of the City of Fairfax Library for your support!
www.eventbrite.com/e/frozen-riv...
www.eventbrite.com/e/frozen-riv...
September 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Exciting news: Ariel Lawhon will be headlining Fall for the Book on Wednesday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m.! Free tickets go live soon. Thank you to the Friends of the Reston Regional Library & Friends of the City of Fairfax Library for your support!
www.eventbrite.com/e/frozen-riv...
www.eventbrite.com/e/frozen-riv...
Reposted by Ken Budd
The president and his sons made $5 billion on paper as their cryptocurrency started trading — highlighting the extraordinary degree to which they are personally profiting from Trump's return to the Oval Office.
How Trump's latest crypto launch enriches his family
The president and his sons made $5 billion on paper as their cryptocurrency started trading — highlighting the extraordinary degree to which they are personally profiting from Trump's return to the Oval Office.
n.pr
September 3, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The president and his sons made $5 billion on paper as their cryptocurrency started trading — highlighting the extraordinary degree to which they are personally profiting from Trump's return to the Oval Office.
Reposted by Ken Budd
yup. I wrote something similar last week
christinapagel.substack.com/p/grand-desi...
"the very word “America” conjures up the celebrated ideal of “America the free”. But “America the free” are just words and they are rapidly losing all meaning."
christinapagel.substack.com/p/grand-desi...
"the very word “America” conjures up the celebrated ideal of “America the free”. But “America the free” are just words and they are rapidly losing all meaning."
Grand Designs: the loss of American freedom
Exactly seven months into Trump's second term, we have reached 1000 authoritarian actions. Here I lay out the enormity of what has happened.
christinapagel.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
yup. I wrote something similar last week
christinapagel.substack.com/p/grand-desi...
"the very word “America” conjures up the celebrated ideal of “America the free”. But “America the free” are just words and they are rapidly losing all meaning."
christinapagel.substack.com/p/grand-desi...
"the very word “America” conjures up the celebrated ideal of “America the free”. But “America the free” are just words and they are rapidly losing all meaning."
Reposted by Ken Budd
New, from me:
America is no longer a functioning democracy. It is a competitive authoritarian system, hurtling rapidly toward authoritarianism.
This was a hard piece to write but we can't move forward if we don’t acknowledge where we are.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
America is no longer a functioning democracy. It is a competitive authoritarian system, hurtling rapidly toward authoritarianism.
This was a hard piece to write but we can't move forward if we don’t acknowledge where we are.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
The authoritarian checklist
It is time to admit that America is no longer a functioning democracy
donmoynihan.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:19 PM
New, from me:
America is no longer a functioning democracy. It is a competitive authoritarian system, hurtling rapidly toward authoritarianism.
This was a hard piece to write but we can't move forward if we don’t acknowledge where we are.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
America is no longer a functioning democracy. It is a competitive authoritarian system, hurtling rapidly toward authoritarianism.
This was a hard piece to write but we can't move forward if we don’t acknowledge where we are.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
Reposted by Ken Budd
Authoritarians who unwind democracy are similar in one respect.
They seek to take control of centers of power and dissent in society. Call it the authoritarian checklist. Trump’s second term is best understood by his systemic checking off of this checklist.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
They seek to take control of centers of power and dissent in society. Call it the authoritarian checklist. Trump’s second term is best understood by his systemic checking off of this checklist.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
August 28, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Authoritarians who unwind democracy are similar in one respect.
They seek to take control of centers of power and dissent in society. Call it the authoritarian checklist. Trump’s second term is best understood by his systemic checking off of this checklist.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
They seek to take control of centers of power and dissent in society. Call it the authoritarian checklist. Trump’s second term is best understood by his systemic checking off of this checklist.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
Reposted by Ken Budd
@adriancarrasquillo.bsky.social: "Trump’s deployment of 2,300 National Guard troops and 500 federal law enforcement agents has hurt foot traffic, chilled business, and made people cancel trips and nights out. It is slowly choking the life out of Washington, D.C."
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-s...
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-s...
Trump Is Strangling the Life Out of D.C.’s Restaurants
“We’re back to a very pandemic-feeling city.”
www.thebulwark.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:45 PM
@adriancarrasquillo.bsky.social: "Trump’s deployment of 2,300 National Guard troops and 500 federal law enforcement agents has hurt foot traffic, chilled business, and made people cancel trips and nights out. It is slowly choking the life out of Washington, D.C."
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-s...
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-s...
Reposted by Ken Budd
It’s always so easy to laugh at this, but it’s not funny. For 3hrs today, grown men & women all took turns getting down on their knees, fellating their dear leader. In front of the cameras. It’s sad. It’s gross. It’s North Korea. It shouldn’t happen here.
August 27, 2025 at 12:13 AM
It’s always so easy to laugh at this, but it’s not funny. For 3hrs today, grown men & women all took turns getting down on their knees, fellating their dear leader. In front of the cameras. It’s sad. It’s gross. It’s North Korea. It shouldn’t happen here.