Mark Bardell
@markbardell.bsky.social
Chicago burbs. Independent thought, politics & life. Twin, PMP, introvert, AWMM marathons, scuba, hiking, travel, moderation, scotch. Searching for an elusive peace of mind.
Reposted by Mark Bardell
In just one year, Pete Hegseth has gone from leaked war plans to a possible war-crimes scandal. Now he’s pushing out real reporters and replacing them with political loyalists. This is how democracies erode: one institution at a time. A free press is essential—
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
Hegseth’s War on the Press: Inside the Pentagon’s Descent Into Propaganda
As real reporters walk out, Hegseth fills the Pentagon with political loyalists posing as journalists.
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
In just one year, Pete Hegseth has gone from leaked war plans to a possible war-crimes scandal. Now he’s pushing out real reporters and replacing them with political loyalists. This is how democracies erode: one institution at a time. A free press is essential—
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
Reposted by Mark Bardell
America hired a serial bakrupt man and allowed him to put Stephen Miller in charge of policy.
His economic advisors are rewarded for sycophancy, and as a result, he started a trade war with China that backfired YUGELY.
Let's talk about the viability of their "security strategy," shall we?
His economic advisors are rewarded for sycophancy, and as a result, he started a trade war with China that backfired YUGELY.
Let's talk about the viability of their "security strategy," shall we?
December 5, 2025 at 3:10 PM
America hired a serial bakrupt man and allowed him to put Stephen Miller in charge of policy.
His economic advisors are rewarded for sycophancy, and as a result, he started a trade war with China that backfired YUGELY.
Let's talk about the viability of their "security strategy," shall we?
His economic advisors are rewarded for sycophancy, and as a result, he started a trade war with China that backfired YUGELY.
Let's talk about the viability of their "security strategy," shall we?
Reposted by Mark Bardell
Dear American Media. This is not that hard to do.
December 5, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Dear American Media. This is not that hard to do.
Reposted by Mark Bardell
We have become a profoundly ridiculous country. This makes the Nero-era look sane and normal.
December 5, 2025 at 8:53 PM
We have become a profoundly ridiculous country. This makes the Nero-era look sane and normal.
Reposted by Mark Bardell
A Honduran president/drug kingpin. A murderous Saudi prince. Putin. Ruthless billionaires. "These are the kinds of people Trump loves. The rich. The powerful. The corrupt. The murderous. Everyone else he barely tolerates if not openly despises."
www.americaamerica.news/p/president-...
www.americaamerica.news/p/president-...
President for the Rich and Powerful
Trump proves that stopping the drug trade means nothing when there's a chance to pardon a dirty politician who made millions by helping to bring 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S.
www.americaamerica.news
December 5, 2025 at 7:15 PM
A Honduran president/drug kingpin. A murderous Saudi prince. Putin. Ruthless billionaires. "These are the kinds of people Trump loves. The rich. The powerful. The corrupt. The murderous. Everyone else he barely tolerates if not openly despises."
www.americaamerica.news/p/president-...
www.americaamerica.news/p/president-...
Reposted by Mark Bardell
NEW: Carol Loennig tells Nicoll Wallace on MSNOW that the DOJ intends to try and indict Letitia James a THIRD time.
The trouble with that is these multiple tries help James prove her vindictive and selective prosecution bid, and bolster a case to get the grand jury materials.
The trouble with that is these multiple tries help James prove her vindictive and selective prosecution bid, and bolster a case to get the grand jury materials.
December 5, 2025 at 9:45 PM
NEW: Carol Loennig tells Nicoll Wallace on MSNOW that the DOJ intends to try and indict Letitia James a THIRD time.
The trouble with that is these multiple tries help James prove her vindictive and selective prosecution bid, and bolster a case to get the grand jury materials.
The trouble with that is these multiple tries help James prove her vindictive and selective prosecution bid, and bolster a case to get the grand jury materials.
Reposted by Mark Bardell
This scene perfectly encapsulates the relationship between Trump and corporate CEOs in Trump 2.0. He engages in vehement racist rants, and they chuckle and nod in agreement.
December 5, 2025 at 2:09 PM
This scene perfectly encapsulates the relationship between Trump and corporate CEOs in Trump 2.0. He engages in vehement racist rants, and they chuckle and nod in agreement.
Reposted by Mark Bardell
Breaking:
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Federal judge orders unsealing of grand jury transcripts from abandoned Jeffrey Epstein investigation in Florida.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Federal judge orders unsealing of grand jury transcripts from abandoned Jeffrey Epstein investigation in Florida.
December 5, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Breaking:
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Federal judge orders unsealing of grand jury transcripts from abandoned Jeffrey Epstein investigation in Florida.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Federal judge orders unsealing of grand jury transcripts from abandoned Jeffrey Epstein investigation in Florida.
Reposted by Mark Bardell
JUST NOW: "This is like Alice in Wonderland", Judge Breyer says when trying to get the DOJ to explain to him why what happened in CA is a "rebellion" justifying the deployment of the National Guard. "Words just mean what you want them to mean?"
December 5, 2025 at 6:58 PM
JUST NOW: "This is like Alice in Wonderland", Judge Breyer says when trying to get the DOJ to explain to him why what happened in CA is a "rebellion" justifying the deployment of the National Guard. "Words just mean what you want them to mean?"
Reposted by Mark Bardell
NEW info on shipwreck attack. It gets worse.
The 2 survivors climbed atop wreckage and waved to overhead.
"Some of the people viewing the video thought ... could have been an attempt to surrender"
Others "said the most logical explanation was ... signaling for a rescue."
1/
The 2 survivors climbed atop wreckage and waved to overhead.
"Some of the people viewing the video thought ... could have been an attempt to surrender"
Others "said the most logical explanation was ... signaling for a rescue."
1/
December 5, 2025 at 7:50 PM
NEW info on shipwreck attack. It gets worse.
The 2 survivors climbed atop wreckage and waved to overhead.
"Some of the people viewing the video thought ... could have been an attempt to surrender"
Others "said the most logical explanation was ... signaling for a rescue."
1/
The 2 survivors climbed atop wreckage and waved to overhead.
"Some of the people viewing the video thought ... could have been an attempt to surrender"
Others "said the most logical explanation was ... signaling for a rescue."
1/
Reposted by Mark Bardell
Rep. Grijalva says she was pepper-sprayed by ICE
December 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Rep. Grijalva says she was pepper-sprayed by ICE
Reposted by Mark Bardell
Your call, Mr. President – A cartoon by @deadder.bsky.social
Your call, Mr. President
A cartoon by Michael de Adder
contrarian.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Your call, Mr. President – A cartoon by @deadder.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Bardell
That piece of s*** Putin needs to be captured and punished severely for everything he has done to the Ukrainian people who have done nothing to him. 🤬
December 5, 2025 at 2:21 AM
That piece of s*** Putin needs to be captured and punished severely for everything he has done to the Ukrainian people who have done nothing to him. 🤬
Reposted by Mark Bardell
Literally a participation trophy.
December 5, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Literally a participation trophy.
Reposted by Mark Bardell
This is what every district should be doing, starting with NJ, not least bc by stripping the makebelieve US Attorney, you increase Todd Blanche's legal exposure for the bullshit still going on, most notably in the LaMonica McIver case.
December 5, 2025 at 12:17 PM
This is what every district should be doing, starting with NJ, not least bc by stripping the makebelieve US Attorney, you increase Todd Blanche's legal exposure for the bullshit still going on, most notably in the LaMonica McIver case.
Reposted by Mark Bardell
CNN is now reporting the two men killed in the second strike didn't actually have a radio or communication device, contradicting another defense that's been floated.
That supports what I found: Rep Adam Smith told me the briefing revealed that no recording of any radio transmission exists:
That supports what I found: Rep Adam Smith told me the briefing revealed that no recording of any radio transmission exists:
More: Lawmakers pressed officials on releasing the video, and the officials said it isn't their call. And they have no recording of radio traffic from the men, Rep Smith says.
Video and legal memo on broader strikes should be released. This should increase pressure:
newrepublic.com/article/2039...
Video and legal memo on broader strikes should be released. This should increase pressure:
newrepublic.com/article/2039...
December 5, 2025 at 12:28 PM
CNN is now reporting the two men killed in the second strike didn't actually have a radio or communication device, contradicting another defense that's been floated.
That supports what I found: Rep Adam Smith told me the briefing revealed that no recording of any radio transmission exists:
That supports what I found: Rep Adam Smith told me the briefing revealed that no recording of any radio transmission exists:
Reposted by Mark Bardell
I am taking the next few days off from writing to prepare for a Supreme Court argument. If you want to support Democracy Docket during my pause, here is there link. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
December 5, 2025 at 2:30 AM
I am taking the next few days off from writing to prepare for a Supreme Court argument. If you want to support Democracy Docket during my pause, here is there link. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
Reposted by Mark Bardell
Good headline
apnews.com/article/trum...
President Trump's contempt shocks the country's largest Somali community
apnews.com/article/trum...
President Trump's contempt shocks the country's largest Somali community
President Trump's contempt shocks the country's largest Somali community
Even for a president who has long made clear he’s no fan of Somalia, the latest round of contempt from Donald Trump was a shock in the country’s largest Somali community in Minnesota.
apnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Good headline
apnews.com/article/trum...
President Trump's contempt shocks the country's largest Somali community
apnews.com/article/trum...
President Trump's contempt shocks the country's largest Somali community
Reposted by Mark Bardell
Kash Patel: "When you attack our nation's capitol, you attack the very being of our way of life — We will always refute it & combat it"
Unless you’re J6 insurrectionist who attacks the capitol — then you receive a pardon & get called a patriot…
Unless you’re J6 insurrectionist who attacks the capitol — then you receive a pardon & get called a patriot…
December 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Kash Patel: "When you attack our nation's capitol, you attack the very being of our way of life — We will always refute it & combat it"
Unless you’re J6 insurrectionist who attacks the capitol — then you receive a pardon & get called a patriot…
Unless you’re J6 insurrectionist who attacks the capitol — then you receive a pardon & get called a patriot…
Reposted by Mark Bardell
The fact that four hostile drones tried to hit Zelenskyy’s plane & it’s barely a blip in the news cycle should terrify everyone. We’ve been dragged so deep into the chaos era that an attempted strike on a world leader doesn’t even break through. When this becomes normal, the world is in real danger.
Christ on a cracker — these seemingly hostile drones only missed Zelensky’s plane because he was unexpectedly early www.thejournal.ie/drones-dubli...
Four unidentified military-style drones breached no-fly zone to target Zelenskyy's arrival in Dublin
Gardaí are investigating whether the drones took off from land in Dublin or from an undetected ship.
www.thejournal.ie
December 5, 2025 at 2:04 AM
The fact that four hostile drones tried to hit Zelenskyy’s plane & it’s barely a blip in the news cycle should terrify everyone. We’ve been dragged so deep into the chaos era that an attempted strike on a world leader doesn’t even break through. When this becomes normal, the world is in real danger.
Reposted by Mark Bardell
“We have been persecuted, harassed, silenced, [but] the truth cannot be killed." How women play a crucial role in the Venezuela’s struggle against dictatorship.
The Fight to Free Venezuela’s Political Prisoners
How women play a crucial role in the country’s struggle against dictatorship.
conversationalist.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:53 PM
“We have been persecuted, harassed, silenced, [but] the truth cannot be killed." How women play a crucial role in the Venezuela’s struggle against dictatorship.
Reposted by Mark Bardell
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy again makes a concern-shaped face and types out futile demands to undo the horrific decisions that are being made because he voted to confirm RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary and encouraged others to do so.
He makes sad noises but doesn’t DO anything to stop this travesty.
He makes sad noises but doesn’t DO anything to stop this travesty.
December 5, 2025 at 4:57 PM
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy again makes a concern-shaped face and types out futile demands to undo the horrific decisions that are being made because he voted to confirm RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary and encouraged others to do so.
He makes sad noises but doesn’t DO anything to stop this travesty.
He makes sad noises but doesn’t DO anything to stop this travesty.
Reposted by Mark Bardell
“What have I done!” 🤡
December 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
“What have I done!” 🤡
Reposted by Mark Bardell
The plot thickens. www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
December 5, 2025 at 2:27 PM
The plot thickens. www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Reposted by Mark Bardell
#Trump pardoned Tim Leiweke — who his own DOJ indicted in July for rigging a public university’s arena bid—
It’s all a grift — Saudis to crypto to pardon seekers — everything gets turned into a revenue stream. With 1,500+ pardons already, clemency is a monetized market
It’s all a grift — Saudis to crypto to pardon seekers — everything gets turned into a revenue stream. With 1,500+ pardons already, clemency is a monetized market
December 4, 2025 at 8:26 PM
#Trump pardoned Tim Leiweke — who his own DOJ indicted in July for rigging a public university’s arena bid—
It’s all a grift — Saudis to crypto to pardon seekers — everything gets turned into a revenue stream. With 1,500+ pardons already, clemency is a monetized market
It’s all a grift — Saudis to crypto to pardon seekers — everything gets turned into a revenue stream. With 1,500+ pardons already, clemency is a monetized market