Lee Barnhart
@lebt.bsky.social
80+ Florida exile in Texas. Staunchly a UF GATOR. And never miss a chance to to vote for freedom and liberty Democrat.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
Trump’s Caracas grab wasn’t strategy; it was appetite, precedent, and permission, signaling a world where power takes what it wants and calls escalation leadership.
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therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/p/trump-neve...
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therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/p/trump-neve...
"Trump Never Stops At One"
Trump’s Caracas grab wasn’t strategy; it was appetite, precedent, and permission, signaling a world where power takes what it wants and calls escalation leadership.
therealmichaelcohen.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Trump’s Caracas grab wasn’t strategy; it was appetite, precedent, and permission, signaling a world where power takes what it wants and calls escalation leadership.
Subscribe. Read. Share!
therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/p/trump-neve...
Subscribe. Read. Share!
therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/p/trump-neve...
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
Trump’s Venezuela incursion has injected a volatile foreign conflict into a political environment defined by voter anxiety over high prices and a softening job market.
Trump Is Turning to Venezuela but Voters Are Focused on the Economy
The president’s move against Venezuela comes as high prices and economic unease continue to shape the midterm landscape.
on.wsj.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:20 AM
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
The death toll from the attack on Venezuela is now at 80, per Venezuelan officials. That includes civilians. Every article about the attack, or how the US somehow claims it will run the country, should mention the fact that, you know, people died, including civilians. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Live Updates: As Venezuela Projects Defiance, Rubio Says U.S. Will Use ‘Leverage’ to Advance Its Interests
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:51 PM
The death toll from the attack on Venezuela is now at 80, per Venezuelan officials. That includes civilians. Every article about the attack, or how the US somehow claims it will run the country, should mention the fact that, you know, people died, including civilians. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
Dems, release another batch of the Epstein Files on Monday.
Don't let Trump and Republicans distract.
Keep him cornered.
Don't let Trump and Republicans distract.
Keep him cornered.
January 5, 2026 at 2:21 AM
Dems, release another batch of the Epstein Files on Monday.
Don't let Trump and Republicans distract.
Keep him cornered.
Don't let Trump and Republicans distract.
Keep him cornered.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
The Constitution is clear:
Congress has the power and responsibility to authorize the use of military force and declare war. Congress has a duty of oversight. Congress must serve as a check, not a rubber stamp to the President.
On these counts, Congress has failed.
Congress has the power and responsibility to authorize the use of military force and declare war. Congress has a duty of oversight. Congress must serve as a check, not a rubber stamp to the President.
On these counts, Congress has failed.
January 4, 2026 at 6:32 PM
The Constitution is clear:
Congress has the power and responsibility to authorize the use of military force and declare war. Congress has a duty of oversight. Congress must serve as a check, not a rubber stamp to the President.
On these counts, Congress has failed.
Congress has the power and responsibility to authorize the use of military force and declare war. Congress has a duty of oversight. Congress must serve as a check, not a rubber stamp to the President.
On these counts, Congress has failed.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
I discussed this with @katiephang.bsky.social who posited that Pam Bondi might be "interpreting" the law to mean she has 15 days after all the files are released to provide her explanation for what she withheld and redacted pursuant to the law.
NEWS: A source confirms DOJ has NOT provided Congress the legally required explanation for redactions in the Epstein file releases, despite a Jan. 3 statutory deadline under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Department of Justice Violates Epstein Files Law By Failing to Inform Congress of Reasons Behind Redactions
The Justice Department has now blown through another deadline.
meidasnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:50 AM
I discussed this with @katiephang.bsky.social who posited that Pam Bondi might be "interpreting" the law to mean she has 15 days after all the files are released to provide her explanation for what she withheld and redacted pursuant to the law.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
America is a rogue and malevolent state and global bad actor
January 4, 2026 at 5:51 PM
America is a rogue and malevolent state and global bad actor
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
Every day that the pushback by Congress is muted, the more we can be sure Trump will take it asa green light to invade another country.
January 4, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Every day that the pushback by Congress is muted, the more we can be sure Trump will take it asa green light to invade another country.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
If we're going to stop "funding corruption," let's start with the destruction of the East Wing & building a gold clad ballroom. I'm okay with feeding & educating kids. (Also, a lot of that debt comes from the GOP's "big beautiful bill.")
January 5, 2026 at 2:37 AM
If we're going to stop "funding corruption," let's start with the destruction of the East Wing & building a gold clad ballroom. I'm okay with feeding & educating kids. (Also, a lot of that debt comes from the GOP's "big beautiful bill.")
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
PLATNER: “The illegal attack on Venezuela is not foreign policy — it’s gangsterism on an international scale.”
January 5, 2026 at 2:31 AM
PLATNER: “The illegal attack on Venezuela is not foreign policy — it’s gangsterism on an international scale.”
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
Jimmy Kimmel lampooned President Trump after "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" won the best talk show at the Critics Choice Awards.
Jimmy Kimmel thanks 'Donald Jennifer Trump' for his Critics Choice win
Jimmy Kimmel lampooned President Trump after "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" won the best talk show at the Critics Choice Awards.
bit.ly
January 5, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Jimmy Kimmel lampooned President Trump after "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" won the best talk show at the Critics Choice Awards.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
I'm not sure why, but Democracy Docket had one of its best days for new memberships. Thank you to everyone who signed up. Your support allows the 22-person team to keep you informed about the fight for democracy and free and fair elections. More premium content coming in the morning!
January 5, 2026 at 3:10 AM
I'm not sure why, but Democracy Docket had one of its best days for new memberships. Thank you to everyone who signed up. Your support allows the 22-person team to keep you informed about the fight for democracy and free and fair elections. More premium content coming in the morning!
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
“I…strongly urge the United States to cease its threats against a historically close ally, and against another country and another people who have stated very clearly that they are not for sale.”
Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, on Trump’s Greenland threats.
Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, on Trump’s Greenland threats.
January 4, 2026 at 9:34 PM
“I…strongly urge the United States to cease its threats against a historically close ally, and against another country and another people who have stated very clearly that they are not for sale.”
Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, on Trump’s Greenland threats.
Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, on Trump’s Greenland threats.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
MTG takes another swipe at Trump Venezuela before she leaves Congress
MTG takes another swipe at Trump Venezuela before she leaves Congress
MTG takes another swipe at Trump Venezuela before she leaves Congress
www.independent.co.uk
January 4, 2026 at 11:10 PM
MTG takes another swipe at Trump Venezuela before she leaves Congress
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
We’re suing. This administration says it's concerned about student achievement and attendance, so why terminate a program that boosts both?
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
‘Terminated on a Whim’: The AFT Sues Trump’s Ed. Dept. Over Funding Cuts
The AFT and a Chicago-area nonprofit argue the cuts happened without following required procedures.
www.edweek.org
January 4, 2026 at 9:46 PM
We’re suing. This administration says it's concerned about student achievement and attendance, so why terminate a program that boosts both?
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
New Venezuela statement from all 26 EU member states:
January 4, 2026 at 9:32 PM
New Venezuela statement from all 26 EU member states:
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
It seems Hungary is blocking even the mildest EU criticism of the US military intervention in Venezuela.
January 4, 2026 at 9:49 PM
It seems Hungary is blocking even the mildest EU criticism of the US military intervention in Venezuela.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
“It’s like modern-day slavery.”
Former models for Donald Trump’s agency say they violated immigration rules and worked illegally.
Former models for Donald Trump’s agency say they violated immigration rules and worked illegally.
Former models for Donald Trump's agency say they violated immigration rules and worked illegally
"It's like modern-day slavery."
www.motherjones.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:33 PM
“It’s like modern-day slavery.”
Former models for Donald Trump’s agency say they violated immigration rules and worked illegally.
Former models for Donald Trump’s agency say they violated immigration rules and worked illegally.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
Who are the local or Latin American reporters to follow on Venezuela? Spanish is fine.
January 4, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Who are the local or Latin American reporters to follow on Venezuela? Spanish is fine.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
So we now appear to be up to at least 80 Venezuelans killed.
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
January 4, 2026 at 7:08 PM
So we now appear to be up to at least 80 Venezuelans killed.
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
My position on impeachment is the same as it was six months ago: Impeachment is first about driving public attention to Trump’s crimes and corruption.
Democrats should introduce impeachment articles and force votes to boost their parallel media effort.
Performative public investigations matter.
Democrats should introduce impeachment articles and force votes to boost their parallel media effort.
Performative public investigations matter.
Why push for impeachment?
Because politics is an exercise in moving public opinion as much as counting votes in the senate.
The Jan 6 Hearings were not a criminal proceeding against Trump that would end in jail, but they focused public attention.
Performative public investigations matter
Because politics is an exercise in moving public opinion as much as counting votes in the senate.
The Jan 6 Hearings were not a criminal proceeding against Trump that would end in jail, but they focused public attention.
Performative public investigations matter
January 4, 2026 at 9:14 PM
My position on impeachment is the same as it was six months ago: Impeachment is first about driving public attention to Trump’s crimes and corruption.
Democrats should introduce impeachment articles and force votes to boost their parallel media effort.
Performative public investigations matter.
Democrats should introduce impeachment articles and force votes to boost their parallel media effort.
Performative public investigations matter.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
Anyway, if we were actually a serious country, all of our institutions, both in and out of government, would stop treating This One Special Boy as if he alone is not subject to the norms, laws, & Constitution of the Republic.
One reason Trump says & does whatever he wants is because every societal institution, including the media, has completely normalized & internalized the idea that the laws, the Constitution, & the international treaties we have signed & ratified simply don’t apply to this one guy. It’s maddening.
January 4, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Anyway, if we were actually a serious country, all of our institutions, both in and out of government, would stop treating This One Special Boy as if he alone is not subject to the norms, laws, & Constitution of the Republic.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
Anyway, here is my look at and thoughts on Saturday. It's not all uplifting, but there is a forward-looking point.
A new, old type of lawlessness as Trump attacks Venezuela — and an opening for a better America
The legal discussion is dark in the wake of the U.S. military taking Nicolás Maduro to the U.S. The path America is on today, however, is not where we need to go.
www.lawdork.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Anyway, here is my look at and thoughts on Saturday. It's not all uplifting, but there is a forward-looking point.
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
Rubio, on Trump cleanup duty, essentially says: “We have no clue what the fuck we’re doing, but we know that we want to make money from their oil and that we don’t give a shit about the people whose nation we invaded.”
BREAKING: The U.S. won’t govern Venezuela, but will press changes through an oil blockade, Rubio says, after Trump claims of running the country.
Venezuela live updates: Uncertainty and legal questions remain after US captures Maduro
The Trump administration’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and claims that it will “run” the country are raising stark new questions about the legality of the U.S. actions and its future operations in the South American nation.
bit.ly
January 4, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Rubio, on Trump cleanup duty, essentially says: “We have no clue what the fuck we’re doing, but we know that we want to make money from their oil and that we don’t give a shit about the people whose nation we invaded.”
Reposted by Lee Barnhart
There are a hundred more important things to say, and I tried to say some of them in my essay for "Thinking About...", but: invading a country for oil is also just atavistic at this point. Even if it worked, which it won’t, it still wouldn’t work.
Wall Street’s biggest banks made more money financing green projects than they did from working with fossil fuel companies for a fourth straight year, even as they faced ongoing pressure to pull back from the business
Banks Notch Higher Fees From Green Bonds Than Fossil Fuel Debt
Wall Street’s biggest banks made more money financing green projects than they did from working with fossil fuel companies for a fourth straight year, even as they faced ongoing pressure to pull back from the business.
bloom.bg
January 4, 2026 at 9:57 PM
There are a hundred more important things to say, and I tried to say some of them in my essay for "Thinking About...", but: invading a country for oil is also just atavistic at this point. Even if it worked, which it won’t, it still wouldn’t work.