@mikespies.bsky.social
Senior staff writer at The Trace, Contributing Writer at Rolling Stone. Get in touch at [email protected] or on Signal: @mikespies.15
Today, in partnership w/ @thetrace.org and @rollingstone.com, we published part 6 of "The Secret Files of the Gun Industry."
Amid slumping sales, documents and a recording reveal how the the industry is embracing digit tactics to turn gun buying into a habit: www.thetrace.org/2025/11/gun-...
Amid slumping sales, documents and a recording reveal how the the industry is embracing digit tactics to turn gun buying into a habit: www.thetrace.org/2025/11/gun-...
The Gun Industry Is Embracing Digital Tactics to Turn Gun Buying Into a Habit
Records reveal how the National Shooting Sports Foundation, or NSSF, is expanding efforts to sell more weapons online.
www.thetrace.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Today, in partnership w/ @thetrace.org and @rollingstone.com, we published part 6 of "The Secret Files of the Gun Industry."
Amid slumping sales, documents and a recording reveal how the the industry is embracing digit tactics to turn gun buying into a habit: www.thetrace.org/2025/11/gun-...
Amid slumping sales, documents and a recording reveal how the the industry is embracing digit tactics to turn gun buying into a habit: www.thetrace.org/2025/11/gun-...
Reposted
The DOJ's Civil Rights Division, what's left of it anyway, is taking enforcement cues from Trump's executive orders and backing gun rights interests as never before. My latest published in partnership with @motherjones.com
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/doj-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/doj-...
At the Justice Department, Civil Rights Now Means Gun Rights
The Civil Rights Division was created to protect the disempowered. Under Trump, it's working to dismantle gun restrictions.
www.thetrace.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The DOJ's Civil Rights Division, what's left of it anyway, is taking enforcement cues from Trump's executive orders and backing gun rights interests as never before. My latest published in partnership with @motherjones.com
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/doj-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/doj-...
Reposted
Pennsylvania’s preemption law gives the state sole authority to regulate firearms. But Philadelphia, York, Reading, and Harrisburg — the state capital — have passed their own gun restrictions, anyway. A looming state Supreme Court ruling will decide whether they stick.
This Small Pennsylvania City Is Challenging the State’s Control Over Local Gun Laws
A series of shootings prompted York officials to ban ghost guns and machine gun converters. But the laws may not stick.
www.thetrace.org
November 12, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Pennsylvania’s preemption law gives the state sole authority to regulate firearms. But Philadelphia, York, Reading, and Harrisburg — the state capital — have passed their own gun restrictions, anyway. A looming state Supreme Court ruling will decide whether they stick.
Reposted
Amid the Trump administration’s deportation campaign, some immigrants are foregoing health care out of fear that they will be swept up by ICE, even when they are victims of crime or need emergency treatment. A study on a bleeding control program in Seattle shows one path to reducing harm.
How a Somali Community Learned to ‘Stop the Bleed’ — and Why It Matters
A study on a program in Seattle shows how to make bleeding control skills more accessible to people who otherwise may not find them.
www.thetrace.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Amid the Trump administration’s deportation campaign, some immigrants are foregoing health care out of fear that they will be swept up by ICE, even when they are victims of crime or need emergency treatment. A study on a bleeding control program in Seattle shows one path to reducing harm.
Reposted
The number of applications for permits to carry concealed guns in New York City has increased nearly tenfold in the past three years.
New Yorkers Fill Gun Classes as Applications for Concealed Carry Permits Surge
With few rules on how the courses are taught, gun aficionados have stepped in to run them.
www.thetrace.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The number of applications for permits to carry concealed guns in New York City has increased nearly tenfold in the past three years.
Let’s recap simply and clearly: GOP does not want to extend ACA subsidies.
Dems had leverage via shutdown + pop opinion to force them to do it or continue holding out at great risk.
Dems squandered only leverage in exchange for a symbolic vote that will not lead to the extension of ACA subsidies.
Dems had leverage via shutdown + pop opinion to force them to do it or continue holding out at great risk.
Dems squandered only leverage in exchange for a symbolic vote that will not lead to the extension of ACA subsidies.
November 10, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Let’s recap simply and clearly: GOP does not want to extend ACA subsidies.
Dems had leverage via shutdown + pop opinion to force them to do it or continue holding out at great risk.
Dems squandered only leverage in exchange for a symbolic vote that will not lead to the extension of ACA subsidies.
Dems had leverage via shutdown + pop opinion to force them to do it or continue holding out at great risk.
Dems squandered only leverage in exchange for a symbolic vote that will not lead to the extension of ACA subsidies.
The group that represents the interests of the gun industry has won accolades for trying to raise awareness about suicide, the leading cause of gun death.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
My new story, published in partnership with @thetrace.org and @rollingstone.com: www.thetrace.org/2025/11/nssf...
The Gun Industry’s Suicide Prevention Effort Isn’t What They Say It Is
The National Shooting Sports Foundation has won accolades for trying to raise awareness about suicide, but it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
www.thetrace.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The group that represents the interests of the gun industry has won accolades for trying to raise awareness about suicide, the leading cause of gun death.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
My new story, published in partnership with @thetrace.org and @rollingstone.com: www.thetrace.org/2025/11/nssf...
The Gun Industry’s Suicide Prevention Effort Isn’t What They Say It Is
The National Shooting Sports Foundation has won accolades for trying to raise awareness about suicide, but it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
www.thetrace.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:33 PM
My new story, published in partnership with @thetrace.org and @rollingstone.com: www.thetrace.org/2025/11/nssf...
Reposted
November 5, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Striking resemblance between Bessent and Will Ferrell’s Harry Caray
Bessent: "I think 2026 is going to be a gangbuster year, and Americans will feel it in their pocketbooks. They will know that the economy is strong."
November 5, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Striking resemblance between Bessent and Will Ferrell’s Harry Caray
Yes, I’ve heard many testimonials from people who planned to vote for Cuomo today but then saw his name only once on the ballot and turned away in disgust
Elon Musk on Tuesday complained about the position of Andrew Cuomo’s name on the New York City ballot and the fact that it appeared only once, while Zohran Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa's names appeared twice. But the listings are in keeping with the normal rules of the city's elections. Here's why.
Why Zohran Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa Are on the Ballot Twice for NYC Mayor
The listings follow the normal rules for ballots in New York City.
nyti.ms
November 4, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Yes, I’ve heard many testimonials from people who planned to vote for Cuomo today but then saw his name only once on the ballot and turned away in disgust
“They smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”
Trump hosted a glittering ‘Great Gatsby’-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago — just hours before millions of people were set to lose SNAP benefits
Trump Hosts Glittering 'Great Gatsby' Bash As Millions Lose SNAP Benefits
The president hosted his glittering, Roaring '20s-themed event at Mar-a-Lago hours before federal food benefits were set to go on pause.
www.huffpost.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:11 PM
“They smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”
Reposted
Here’s a disturbing video from Evanston of a federal agent hitting a man on the ground as people yell that he can’t breathe.
October 31, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Here’s a disturbing video from Evanston of a federal agent hitting a man on the ground as people yell that he can’t breathe.
Cannot be overstated the degree to which gun rights groups spent decades raising funds by fueling dark fantasies abt dem admins imposing martial law, and meanwhile, here we see fed law enforcement invading communities + pointing firearms at Americans and not a word
November 1, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Cannot be overstated the degree to which gun rights groups spent decades raising funds by fueling dark fantasies abt dem admins imposing martial law, and meanwhile, here we see fed law enforcement invading communities + pointing firearms at Americans and not a word
The supposed argument for Cuomo is his Machiavellian political instincts, but all he’s demonstrated during his mayoral campaign is that he has no political instincts at all
October 26, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The supposed argument for Cuomo is his Machiavellian political instincts, but all he’s demonstrated during his mayoral campaign is that he has no political instincts at all
Reposted
Donor Who Gave $130 Million to Pay Troops Is Reclusive Heir to Mellon Fortune
www.nytimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 10:28 PM
The real story is about dynastic wealth and that someone has $130 million to waste
For context, annual military compensation is about $600 billion. So $130 million is about $100 per service member or 0.02% of total annual costs. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/u...
Once the precedent of not paying the troops according to the rules is created, bad things follow. $130 million is not a large portion of military salary, but sends the message to troops that Trump and his buddies are personally paying them.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-risks-...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-risks-...
October 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The real story is about dynastic wealth and that someone has $130 million to waste
Reposted
A new analysis from @thetrace.org shows one of the greatest drops in gun violence ever recorded. It's happening in cities across the country, regardless of politics.
A Trace Analysis of 150 U.S. Cities Shows One of the Greatest Drops in Gun Violence — Ever
A Gun Violence Data Hub analysis of 150 cities paints a mostly consistent picture.
www.thetrace.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:59 PM
A new analysis from @thetrace.org shows one of the greatest drops in gun violence ever recorded. It's happening in cities across the country, regardless of politics.
Trump: “I think we are going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country, OK? We are going to kill them, you know? They are going to be, like, dead.”
Duterte: "If you are involved in drugs, I will kill you. You son of a whore, I will really kill you."
Duterte: "If you are involved in drugs, I will kill you. You son of a whore, I will really kill you."
October 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Trump: “I think we are going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country, OK? We are going to kill them, you know? They are going to be, like, dead.”
Duterte: "If you are involved in drugs, I will kill you. You son of a whore, I will really kill you."
Duterte: "If you are involved in drugs, I will kill you. You son of a whore, I will really kill you."
Everyone read watergate wrong. People thought it was a story about checking and defeating presidential corruption, but really it was the beginning of a decades-long campaign to discredit media and enable corruption
October 23, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Everyone read watergate wrong. People thought it was a story about checking and defeating presidential corruption, but really it was the beginning of a decades-long campaign to discredit media and enable corruption
Preserving confederate statues for the sake of history and then unceremoniously demolishing the WH’s east wing to build a ballroom perhaps lacks intellectual coherence
October 23, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Preserving confederate statues for the sake of history and then unceremoniously demolishing the WH’s east wing to build a ballroom perhaps lacks intellectual coherence
Once again: everyone has forgotten that this movement was actually grasstops and underwritten by a network of conservative, self-interested billionaires, and when that was discovered, Republican lawmakers and activists began making conspiratorial claims about George Soros.
Here's a gift link to the New York Times' coverage of the initial Tea Party rallies in April 2009 which inspired the media to treat it like a massive movement.
Check out how tiny the crowds were:
Philly: 200
DC: "several hundred"
Boston: 500
Austin: 1,000
Houston: 2,000
Check out how tiny the crowds were:
Philly: 200
DC: "several hundred"
Boston: 500
Austin: 1,000
Houston: 2,000
Tax Day Is Met With Tea Parties (Published 2009)
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Once again: everyone has forgotten that this movement was actually grasstops and underwritten by a network of conservative, self-interested billionaires, and when that was discovered, Republican lawmakers and activists began making conspiratorial claims about George Soros.
People have completely forgotten that the Koch brothers and their network fueled the Tea Party and when that was uncovered the Republican response was to make outrageous claims about George Soros and now here we are
Trump on No Kings: "It's a joke. I looked at the people. They are not representative of this country. And I looked at all the brand new signs I guess paid for by Soros and other radical left lunatics. We're checking it out. The demonstrations were very small. And the people were whacked out."
October 20, 2025 at 1:39 AM
People have completely forgotten that the Koch brothers and their network fueled the Tea Party and when that was uncovered the Republican response was to make outrageous claims about George Soros and now here we are
Reposted
A few years ago, The Trace launched the Atlas of American Gun Violence, a map that allows users to see where people are being shot around the United States. In the past, the Atlas has had limitations to the search.
In this updated version we’ve tried to improve on those.
In this updated version we’ve tried to improve on those.
Where Are People Being Shot in America?
The Trace’s Atlas of American Gun Violence has been updated to allow you to search by address, county, congressional district, type of shooting — and to download maps.
www.thetrace.org
October 14, 2025 at 1:02 PM
A few years ago, The Trace launched the Atlas of American Gun Violence, a map that allows users to see where people are being shot around the United States. In the past, the Atlas has had limitations to the search.
In this updated version we’ve tried to improve on those.
In this updated version we’ve tried to improve on those.
Under Obama, a routine, planned military exercise spawned unhinged conservative conspiracy theories about martial law and led to official action from TX gov Greg Abbott, who fanned the flames.
Violent theatrical fantasy for me, and the real deal for thee.
Violent theatrical fantasy for me, and the real deal for thee.
“Oklahomans would lose their mind if Pritzker in Illinois sent troops down to Oklahoma during the Biden administration.”
The Republican chair of the National Governors Association breaks with Trump.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/u...
The Republican chair of the National Governors Association breaks with Trump.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/u...
Oklahoma’s Republican Governor Criticizes National Guard Deployment in Chicago
www.nytimes.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Under Obama, a routine, planned military exercise spawned unhinged conservative conspiracy theories about martial law and led to official action from TX gov Greg Abbott, who fanned the flames.
Violent theatrical fantasy for me, and the real deal for thee.
Violent theatrical fantasy for me, and the real deal for thee.