Max Kennerly
@maxkennerly.bsky.social
Nearly 20 years in court as a law-talking guy for plaintiffs, now a mix of stuff. Posts too much about politics.
email [email protected]
email [email protected]
Yeah. "This isn't who we are" is a useful rallying cry with moral weight to it. It's fine if it's meant as "this is not how we see ourselves" rather than "this is not what our history has been," the latter being erroneous but also not really the point anyway, the point is who we want to be.
I think a big part is just, some people mean “this isn’t what I want America to be”, not “this isn’t what America has been”. Those words can mean either, and perhaps we can distinguish between them by assuming others using the words differently are coming from a different linguistic tradition.
January 22, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Yeah. "This isn't who we are" is a useful rallying cry with moral weight to it. It's fine if it's meant as "this is not how we see ourselves" rather than "this is not what our history has been," the latter being erroneous but also not really the point anyway, the point is who we want to be.
Wall Street executives always portray themselves as masters of the universe, great forward-thinking stewards of the economy, but they are all rudderless chumps with a fraction of the principles or courage of everyday people protesting ICE.
Wall Street Chiefs Lay Low to Avoid Trump’s Trolling
Financiers are doing a careful dance to help clients navigate the president’s second term without provoking his ire
www.bloomberg.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:14 AM
Wall Street executives always portray themselves as masters of the universe, great forward-thinking stewards of the economy, but they are all rudderless chumps with a fraction of the principles or courage of everyday people protesting ICE.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
One court decision, two different headlines.
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
January 22, 2026 at 3:30 AM
One court decision, two different headlines.
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
This is a systematic effort to violate constitutional rights as policy while keeping it secret from the public, the courts, and Congress.
Yet more evidence that "reform" is not an option. The bare minimum is to abolish ICE and permanently bar all employees from future federal employment.
Yet more evidence that "reform" is not an option. The bare minimum is to abolish ICE and permanently bar all employees from future federal employment.
BREAKING: Immigration officers are asserting sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, a memo obtained by AP says.
Immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge's warrant, memo says
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by The Associated Press reveals that the agency allows immigration officers to forcibly enter homes to make arrests without a judicial warrant.
bit.ly
January 22, 2026 at 12:35 AM
This is a systematic effort to violate constitutional rights as policy while keeping it secret from the public, the courts, and Congress.
Yet more evidence that "reform" is not an option. The bare minimum is to abolish ICE and permanently bar all employees from future federal employment.
Yet more evidence that "reform" is not an option. The bare minimum is to abolish ICE and permanently bar all employees from future federal employment.
BORTAC is "Border Patrol Tactical Unit" which "provides an immediate-response capability to emergent and high-risk incidents requiring specialized skills and tactics."
Which apparently includes standing around a gas station in Minneapolis in battle gear hiding their faces, names, and badge numbers.
Which apparently includes standing around a gas station in Minneapolis in battle gear hiding their faces, names, and badge numbers.
Border Commander Greg Bovino stands outside a South Minneapolis gas station this morning with BORTAC officers in what seemed like an effort to draw more and more people to the scene as other agents shoot high resolution video of the crowd yelling and blowing whistles.
January 21, 2026 at 9:51 PM
BORTAC is "Border Patrol Tactical Unit" which "provides an immediate-response capability to emergent and high-risk incidents requiring specialized skills and tactics."
Which apparently includes standing around a gas station in Minneapolis in battle gear hiding their faces, names, and badge numbers.
Which apparently includes standing around a gas station in Minneapolis in battle gear hiding their faces, names, and badge numbers.
I have done this with many of the authors that I follow.
But not *you*, author reading this post. I adored your book, especially the part about the thing and stuff, it was just so very readable, which is what I look for when reading a book, like your book that I read.
But not *you*, author reading this post. I adored your book, especially the part about the thing and stuff, it was just so very readable, which is what I look for when reading a book, like your book that I read.
Look, I'm going to tell you a secret. If you buy an e-book while it's on sale, you never have to read it. If you have $2 to spare & want to help that particular author, you can just chuck the book into the oubliette of your TBR. Every sale helps. The author will never know, but you gave them a gift.
January 21, 2026 at 9:42 PM
I have done this with many of the authors that I follow.
But not *you*, author reading this post. I adored your book, especially the part about the thing and stuff, it was just so very readable, which is what I look for when reading a book, like your book that I read.
But not *you*, author reading this post. I adored your book, especially the part about the thing and stuff, it was just so very readable, which is what I look for when reading a book, like your book that I read.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
8th circuit gives ICE go ahead to use force against peaceful demonstrators, a decision which will immediately lead to injury.
US appeals court pauses lower court order restraining immigration agents' use of force against Minnesota protesters
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals paused a lower court's order on Wednesday that had restrained federal immigration agents' use of force against peaceful protesters.
www.reuters.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:47 PM
8th circuit gives ICE go ahead to use force against peaceful demonstrators, a decision which will immediately lead to injury.
Yup. The Presidency, Congress, and Supreme Court don't truly reflect the will of the American people, but to anyone abroad, the simple fact is that all of these entities are totally fine with shattering our European allegiances to steal Greenland just for the heck of it. They're right to be pissed.
This man is talking about stealing a country at gunpoint from nations the US is allied with. Of course Europeans hate us. You would feel the same way if you were in their place. American voters put this man in power, he didn’t seize it this time.
January 21, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Yup. The Presidency, Congress, and Supreme Court don't truly reflect the will of the American people, but to anyone abroad, the simple fact is that all of these entities are totally fine with shattering our European allegiances to steal Greenland just for the heck of it. They're right to be pissed.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
Al Gore loudly booing a US Commerce Secretary at a bankers’ forum should be a Futurama joke instead of real life.
January 21, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Al Gore loudly booing a US Commerce Secretary at a bankers’ forum should be a Futurama joke instead of real life.
Folks, this is an article in Foreign Affairs.
"Anarchy" here is in contrast to "order," as in the international "rules-based order" we've had post-WWII.
"Trumpism is fascism, not anarchy" is a different discussion. This is international relations. Waffles and pancakes.
"Anarchy" here is in contrast to "order," as in the international "rules-based order" we've had post-WWII.
"Trumpism is fascism, not anarchy" is a different discussion. This is international relations. Waffles and pancakes.
January 21, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Folks, this is an article in Foreign Affairs.
"Anarchy" here is in contrast to "order," as in the international "rules-based order" we've had post-WWII.
"Trumpism is fascism, not anarchy" is a different discussion. This is international relations. Waffles and pancakes.
"Anarchy" here is in contrast to "order," as in the international "rules-based order" we've had post-WWII.
"Trumpism is fascism, not anarchy" is a different discussion. This is international relations. Waffles and pancakes.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
completely unironically, this is how we'll know
Everyone in his inner circle would be insider trading trading on his death on Kalshi before turning the plane around
January 21, 2026 at 4:11 AM
completely unironically, this is how we'll know
Reposted by Max Kennerly
1. In a major victory, Democrats have managed to get all anti-trans riders stripped from the final appropriations bills.
This includes HHS and Ed, which had the worst provisions in congressional history.
If it passes, it will be a big win for 2026.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
This includes HHS and Ed, which had the worst provisions in congressional history.
If it passes, it will be a big win for 2026.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Democrats Successfully Strip All Anti-Trans Riders From Final Appropriations Bills
The HHS and Education bills once contained the most sweeping anti-trans provisions in congressional history. Now they contain none.
www.erininthemorning.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:20 PM
1. In a major victory, Democrats have managed to get all anti-trans riders stripped from the final appropriations bills.
This includes HHS and Ed, which had the worst provisions in congressional history.
If it passes, it will be a big win for 2026.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
This includes HHS and Ed, which had the worst provisions in congressional history.
If it passes, it will be a big win for 2026.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
Great feedback, team. Keep it up.
Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino said well-organized protesters in Minnseota make the ICE operation harder.
"They've got some excellent communications," Bovino said.
"They've got some excellent communications," Bovino said.
Live: Minnesota officials subpoenaed in federal probe of state’s response to ICE surge
The federal investigation marks an escalation in tensions between federal and state officials.
bit.ly
January 20, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Great feedback, team. Keep it up.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
Acting Field Director David Easterwood.
VAN SUSTEREN: The church -- that's a particularly troubling issue because you got a pastor, I purposely didn't name it, he's reportedly associated with ICE
NOEM: Thank you for not naming him. People don't realize that when you keep naming someone over and over, you increase the threats against them
NOEM: Thank you for not naming him. People don't realize that when you keep naming someone over and over, you increase the threats against them
January 20, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Acting Field Director David Easterwood.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
Twitter undefeated in the brain worms arena
January 20, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Twitter undefeated in the brain worms arena
Huge mistake by Mamdani to say clearly that a bad thing is bad. He should first triangulate the message and then remove every aspect that might offend Republicans. That's the savvy Dem consultant way.
Mamdani: "I am in support of abolishing ICE. What we see is an entity that has no interest in fulfilling its stated reason to exist. We're seeing a government agency that is supposed to be enforcing some kind of immigration law, but instead what it's doing is terrorizing people."
January 20, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Huge mistake by Mamdani to say clearly that a bad thing is bad. He should first triangulate the message and then remove every aspect that might offend Republicans. That's the savvy Dem consultant way.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
Reposted by Max Kennerly
this is good
more cops saying stuff like this please
more cops saying stuff like this please
Brooklyn Park police chief Mark Bruley: "We're hearing people being stopped with no cause & being demanded to show paperwork to determine if they're here legally. We started hearing from our police officers the same complaints. Every one of these individuals is a person of color... it has to stop"
January 20, 2026 at 6:28 PM
this is good
more cops saying stuff like this please
more cops saying stuff like this please
Reposted by Max Kennerly
Folks are about to learn a lot about the Eighth Circuit (the federal appeals court the jurisdiction of which includes Minnesota).
It has 11 active judges; 10 appointed by Republican presidents (including four by Trump). And the one senior judge still hearing cases is also a Republican appointee.
It has 11 active judges; 10 appointed by Republican presidents (including four by Trump). And the one senior judge still hearing cases is also a Republican appointee.
January 17, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Folks are about to learn a lot about the Eighth Circuit (the federal appeals court the jurisdiction of which includes Minnesota).
It has 11 active judges; 10 appointed by Republican presidents (including four by Trump). And the one senior judge still hearing cases is also a Republican appointee.
It has 11 active judges; 10 appointed by Republican presidents (including four by Trump). And the one senior judge still hearing cases is also a Republican appointee.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
As writer, I would love to not have to keep using the "Everything GOP smacks of rape culture/domestic violence" metaphor, vary it up a bit, but they just keep going to the same well! It is what it is.
US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent:
What I am urging everyone here to do is sit back, take a deep breath, and let things play out. The worst thing countries can do is escalate against the United States.
What I am urging everyone here to do is sit back, take a deep breath, and let things play out. The worst thing countries can do is escalate against the United States.
January 20, 2026 at 5:23 PM
As writer, I would love to not have to keep using the "Everything GOP smacks of rape culture/domestic violence" metaphor, vary it up a bit, but they just keep going to the same well! It is what it is.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
the idea that DHS can fix this through More Posting is very revealing
Trump is clearly frustrated by DHS’s propaganda campaign in Minnesota and thinks he can do better
January 20, 2026 at 4:39 PM
the idea that DHS can fix this through More Posting is very revealing
Reposted by Max Kennerly
I’ve been reading Trump’s "Board of Peace Charter," and despite the name, this isn’t a multilateral institution, it’s a centralised structure built entirely around the authority of one person (Trump).
www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-ch...
www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-ch...
Full text: Charter of Trump’s Board of Peace
No mention of Gaza, which bolsters ToI's reporting that US also envisions panel helping resolve other conflicts worldwide; member countries must pay $1 billion for permanent spot
www.timesofisrael.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:26 AM
I’ve been reading Trump’s "Board of Peace Charter," and despite the name, this isn’t a multilateral institution, it’s a centralised structure built entirely around the authority of one person (Trump).
www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-ch...
www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-ch...
Nice to see NYTimes provide a forthright description of Trump's own stated motivations for invading Greenland, rather than sane-washing it, but this shouldn't just be "analysis." Every story should bluntly state that Trump's reasons are personal and delusional.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/u...
January 20, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Nice to see NYTimes provide a forthright description of Trump's own stated motivations for invading Greenland, rather than sane-washing it, but this shouldn't just be "analysis." Every story should bluntly state that Trump's reasons are personal and delusional.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/u...
Reposted by Max Kennerly
John Birch Society having a totally normal moment.
January 20, 2026 at 3:27 AM
John Birch Society having a totally normal moment.