Mona Burns
@monaburns.bsky.social
Political writer. Covering Congress. Vincit Omnia Veritas.
Diversity is our strength. Unity is our power. 🩵
"Freedom is not just an absence of evil, but a presence of good."
-Timothy Snyder
Diversity is our strength. Unity is our power. 🩵
"Freedom is not just an absence of evil, but a presence of good."
-Timothy Snyder
Reposted by Mona Burns
Breaking:
Fulton County just announced it has filed a motion "seeking the return of all files from the 2020 Election that were confiscated by the FBI" last week.
Fulton County just announced it has filed a motion "seeking the return of all files from the 2020 Election that were confiscated by the FBI" last week.
February 4, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Breaking:
Fulton County just announced it has filed a motion "seeking the return of all files from the 2020 Election that were confiscated by the FBI" last week.
Fulton County just announced it has filed a motion "seeking the return of all files from the 2020 Election that were confiscated by the FBI" last week.
'Reliable Sources' this morning:
At the behest of Jeff Bezos, WaPo gutted 1/3 of it's staffers
More:
view.newsletters.cnn.com/messages/177...
At the behest of Jeff Bezos, WaPo gutted 1/3 of it's staffers
More:
view.newsletters.cnn.com/messages/177...
Despite his unfathomably deep pockets, Jeff Bezos values profitability more than he values the people at The Washington Post.
view.newsletters.cnn.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:57 PM
'Reliable Sources' this morning:
At the behest of Jeff Bezos, WaPo gutted 1/3 of it's staffers
More:
view.newsletters.cnn.com/messages/177...
At the behest of Jeff Bezos, WaPo gutted 1/3 of it's staffers
More:
view.newsletters.cnn.com/messages/177...
Wondering why the Trump admin finally sidelined Ed Martin?
Welp:
A DOJ review found that Ed Martin leaked grand jury material to the public during the DOJ targeting of Adam Schiff and Tish James
This is quite a story:
www.alternet.org/ed-martin-26...
Welp:
A DOJ review found that Ed Martin leaked grand jury material to the public during the DOJ targeting of Adam Schiff and Tish James
This is quite a story:
www.alternet.org/ed-martin-26...
Trump’s DOJ leak scandal explodes from within
It was reported earlier this week that Ed Martin, President Donald Trump's leader on his "anti-weaponization" effort, was sidelined and is expected to leave the Justice Department altogether. Accordin...
www.alternet.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Wondering why the Trump admin finally sidelined Ed Martin?
Welp:
A DOJ review found that Ed Martin leaked grand jury material to the public during the DOJ targeting of Adam Schiff and Tish James
This is quite a story:
www.alternet.org/ed-martin-26...
Welp:
A DOJ review found that Ed Martin leaked grand jury material to the public during the DOJ targeting of Adam Schiff and Tish James
This is quite a story:
www.alternet.org/ed-martin-26...
CREW:
"Over 55% of presidentially appointed inspectors general positions are vacant in the offices charged with preventing waste, fraud and abuse. Trump has gutted and undermined independent oversight at the very time it is needed most."
www.citizensforethics.org/news/analysi...
"Over 55% of presidentially appointed inspectors general positions are vacant in the offices charged with preventing waste, fraud and abuse. Trump has gutted and undermined independent oversight at the very time it is needed most."
www.citizensforethics.org/news/analysi...
By leaving over 55% of presidentially appointed IG posts vacant, Trump is opening the door for waste, fraud and abuse - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
At the end of 2025, over half of the 38 presidentially appointed federal inspector general positions remained vacant.
www.citizensforethics.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:44 PM
CREW:
"Over 55% of presidentially appointed inspectors general positions are vacant in the offices charged with preventing waste, fraud and abuse. Trump has gutted and undermined independent oversight at the very time it is needed most."
www.citizensforethics.org/news/analysi...
"Over 55% of presidentially appointed inspectors general positions are vacant in the offices charged with preventing waste, fraud and abuse. Trump has gutted and undermined independent oversight at the very time it is needed most."
www.citizensforethics.org/news/analysi...
Thune is telling press repeatedly that he's "in favor" of another DHS CR or full year funding
He knows full well he doesn't have 60 votes for either
Feels like Thune is just throwing random words at Hill press .. again
He knows full well he doesn't have 60 votes for either
Feels like Thune is just throwing random words at Hill press .. again
February 4, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Thune is telling press repeatedly that he's "in favor" of another DHS CR or full year funding
He knows full well he doesn't have 60 votes for either
Feels like Thune is just throwing random words at Hill press .. again
He knows full well he doesn't have 60 votes for either
Feels like Thune is just throwing random words at Hill press .. again
GOP Senator Thom Tillis hits Stephen Miller when Hill press asked Tillis about Trump's call to "nationalize" elections:
“He's probably focused too much on his Duke education, and should go back to third grade math. My granddaughter can figure out we don't have the votes to get that done.”
“He's probably focused too much on his Duke education, and should go back to third grade math. My granddaughter can figure out we don't have the votes to get that done.”
February 4, 2026 at 3:34 PM
GOP Senator Thom Tillis hits Stephen Miller when Hill press asked Tillis about Trump's call to "nationalize" elections:
“He's probably focused too much on his Duke education, and should go back to third grade math. My granddaughter can figure out we don't have the votes to get that done.”
“He's probably focused too much on his Duke education, and should go back to third grade math. My granddaughter can figure out we don't have the votes to get that done.”
House Dem Rep Maxwell Frost (Fla-10) on the Clintons:
“We want to be more aggressive and find the truth, and it’s less about allegiances to, you know, individuals, and more about what’s best for our party and what’s best for this country,” www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
“We want to be more aggressive and find the truth, and it’s less about allegiances to, you know, individuals, and more about what’s best for our party and what’s best for this country,” www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
‘Comeback Kid’ no more: Dems aren’t protecting the Clintons from Epstein scrutiny
The party-wide reluctance to defend two former standard-bearers signals a rejection of the Clinton brand.
www.politico.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:21 PM
House Dem Rep Maxwell Frost (Fla-10) on the Clintons:
“We want to be more aggressive and find the truth, and it’s less about allegiances to, you know, individuals, and more about what’s best for our party and what’s best for this country,” www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
“We want to be more aggressive and find the truth, and it’s less about allegiances to, you know, individuals, and more about what’s best for our party and what’s best for this country,” www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
CNN:
The push for a real ICE overhaul bill has all but collapsed on the Hill
GOP have ruled out most Dem requirements
Dems say they'll take nothing less than drastic changes
Both sides hardening stances with no dealmaking in sight
DHS loses funding in just 9 days ..
www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/p...
The push for a real ICE overhaul bill has all but collapsed on the Hill
GOP have ruled out most Dem requirements
Dems say they'll take nothing less than drastic changes
Both sides hardening stances with no dealmaking in sight
DHS loses funding in just 9 days ..
www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/p...
Prospects for ICE deal sour on Capitol Hill as shutdown deadline nears for critical agency | CNN Politics
For a fleeting moment in Washington, top Democrats believed last week they could reach a deal with the GOP to set new limits on President Donald Trump’s nationwide immigration enforcement after federa...
www.cnn.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:18 PM
CNN:
The push for a real ICE overhaul bill has all but collapsed on the Hill
GOP have ruled out most Dem requirements
Dems say they'll take nothing less than drastic changes
Both sides hardening stances with no dealmaking in sight
DHS loses funding in just 9 days ..
www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/p...
The push for a real ICE overhaul bill has all but collapsed on the Hill
GOP have ruled out most Dem requirements
Dems say they'll take nothing less than drastic changes
Both sides hardening stances with no dealmaking in sight
DHS loses funding in just 9 days ..
www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/p...
Jeffries on the Clintons:
“[F]rom the very beginning [they] have worked hard to reach an accommodation so that they can provide testimony on this matter. The problem to date has been that [House Oversight chair] James Comer and Republicans are trying to create a circus, not a serious engagement.”
“[F]rom the very beginning [they] have worked hard to reach an accommodation so that they can provide testimony on this matter. The problem to date has been that [House Oversight chair] James Comer and Republicans are trying to create a circus, not a serious engagement.”
February 4, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Jeffries on the Clintons:
“[F]rom the very beginning [they] have worked hard to reach an accommodation so that they can provide testimony on this matter. The problem to date has been that [House Oversight chair] James Comer and Republicans are trying to create a circus, not a serious engagement.”
“[F]rom the very beginning [they] have worked hard to reach an accommodation so that they can provide testimony on this matter. The problem to date has been that [House Oversight chair] James Comer and Republicans are trying to create a circus, not a serious engagement.”
"[The House was] barely able to clear a 10-day CR on the promise that Trump would negotiate. .. Johnson will have a very tough time passing a rule to bring a DHS funding bill to the floor.
Plus, we can’t foresee a scenario in which dozens of House Dems vote for a DHS bill in any form."
Plus, we can’t foresee a scenario in which dozens of House Dems vote for a DHS bill in any form."
Trump signed a bill funding most of the gov't til Sept 30
But DHS is only funded thru Feb 13 (9 days)
Johnson says he wants to "use this opportunity" to go after "sanctuary cities" that "won't cooperate" with ICE
But he needs Dem support
Brace for a rough 2 wks, kids
punchbowl.news/article/bord...
But DHS is only funded thru Feb 13 (9 days)
Johnson says he wants to "use this opportunity" to go after "sanctuary cities" that "won't cooperate" with ICE
But he needs Dem support
Brace for a rough 2 wks, kids
punchbowl.news/article/bord...
DHS is funded for 9 days. And then what?
Congress put out one fire just to start another. With most of the government funded through Sept. 30, DHS is now facing a funding cliff in just nine days.
punchbowl.news
February 4, 2026 at 3:07 PM
"[The House was] barely able to clear a 10-day CR on the promise that Trump would negotiate. .. Johnson will have a very tough time passing a rule to bring a DHS funding bill to the floor.
Plus, we can’t foresee a scenario in which dozens of House Dems vote for a DHS bill in any form."
Plus, we can’t foresee a scenario in which dozens of House Dems vote for a DHS bill in any form."
Trump signed a bill funding most of the gov't til Sept 30
But DHS is only funded thru Feb 13 (9 days)
Johnson says he wants to "use this opportunity" to go after "sanctuary cities" that "won't cooperate" with ICE
But he needs Dem support
Brace for a rough 2 wks, kids
punchbowl.news/article/bord...
But DHS is only funded thru Feb 13 (9 days)
Johnson says he wants to "use this opportunity" to go after "sanctuary cities" that "won't cooperate" with ICE
But he needs Dem support
Brace for a rough 2 wks, kids
punchbowl.news/article/bord...
DHS is funded for 9 days. And then what?
Congress put out one fire just to start another. With most of the government funded through Sept. 30, DHS is now facing a funding cliff in just nine days.
punchbowl.news
February 4, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Trump signed a bill funding most of the gov't til Sept 30
But DHS is only funded thru Feb 13 (9 days)
Johnson says he wants to "use this opportunity" to go after "sanctuary cities" that "won't cooperate" with ICE
But he needs Dem support
Brace for a rough 2 wks, kids
punchbowl.news/article/bord...
But DHS is only funded thru Feb 13 (9 days)
Johnson says he wants to "use this opportunity" to go after "sanctuary cities" that "won't cooperate" with ICE
But he needs Dem support
Brace for a rough 2 wks, kids
punchbowl.news/article/bord...
WaPo 'race & ethnicity' reporter Emmanuel Felton this morning:
"I'm among the hundreds of people laid off by The Post. This comes six months after hearing in a national meeting that race coverage drives subscriptions. This wasn't a financial decision, it was an ideological one."
"I'm among the hundreds of people laid off by The Post. This comes six months after hearing in a national meeting that race coverage drives subscriptions. This wasn't a financial decision, it was an ideological one."
February 4, 2026 at 2:54 PM
WaPo 'race & ethnicity' reporter Emmanuel Felton this morning:
"I'm among the hundreds of people laid off by The Post. This comes six months after hearing in a national meeting that race coverage drives subscriptions. This wasn't a financial decision, it was an ideological one."
"I'm among the hundreds of people laid off by The Post. This comes six months after hearing in a national meeting that race coverage drives subscriptions. This wasn't a financial decision, it was an ideological one."
WaPo cuts are so widespread that they're sending emails to staff who AREN'T being removed
Amazing
Devastating
And freaking *dangerous* to democracy
Example (courtesy Brian Stelter):
Amazing
Devastating
And freaking *dangerous* to democracy
Example (courtesy Brian Stelter):
February 4, 2026 at 2:48 PM
WaPo cuts are so widespread that they're sending emails to staff who AREN'T being removed
Amazing
Devastating
And freaking *dangerous* to democracy
Example (courtesy Brian Stelter):
Amazing
Devastating
And freaking *dangerous* to democracy
Example (courtesy Brian Stelter):
Full (staggering) statement from fmr WaPo Exec Editor Marty Baron on today's massive WaPo cuts:
Bezos often "spoke forcefully and eloquently of a free press and The Post’s mission, demonstrating his commitment in concrete terms .. I wish I detected the same spirit today. There is no sign of it."
Bezos often "spoke forcefully and eloquently of a free press and The Post’s mission, demonstrating his commitment in concrete terms .. I wish I detected the same spirit today. There is no sign of it."
February 4, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Full (staggering) statement from fmr WaPo Exec Editor Marty Baron on today's massive WaPo cuts:
Bezos often "spoke forcefully and eloquently of a free press and The Post’s mission, demonstrating his commitment in concrete terms .. I wish I detected the same spirit today. There is no sign of it."
Bezos often "spoke forcefully and eloquently of a free press and The Post’s mission, demonstrating his commitment in concrete terms .. I wish I detected the same spirit today. There is no sign of it."
Fmr WaPo Executive Editor Marty Baron this morning:
"This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world’s greatest news organizations...[T]he public will be denied the ground-level, fact-based reporting in our communities and around the world that is needed more than ever."
"This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world’s greatest news organizations...[T]he public will be denied the ground-level, fact-based reporting in our communities and around the world that is needed more than ever."
WaPo's Matt Murray told staff today:
The paper is shuttering its sports section
Moving remaining staff to features
Shrinking foreign coverage
Restructuring metro
Closing books coverage
Suspending Post Reports podcast
“Whole company now waiting for a live or die email”
www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/m...
The paper is shuttering its sports section
Moving remaining staff to features
Shrinking foreign coverage
Restructuring metro
Closing books coverage
Suspending Post Reports podcast
“Whole company now waiting for a live or die email”
www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/m...
Washington Post announces widespread layoffs, gutting numerous parts of its newsroom | CNN Business
The Washington Post is announcing mass layoffs Wednesday morning, dealing another big blow to a storied media company and a newsroom that has reached a breaking point.
www.cnn.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Fmr WaPo Executive Editor Marty Baron this morning:
"This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world’s greatest news organizations...[T]he public will be denied the ground-level, fact-based reporting in our communities and around the world that is needed more than ever."
"This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world’s greatest news organizations...[T]he public will be denied the ground-level, fact-based reporting in our communities and around the world that is needed more than ever."
WaPo's Matt Murray told staff today:
The paper is shuttering its sports section
Moving remaining staff to features
Shrinking foreign coverage
Restructuring metro
Closing books coverage
Suspending Post Reports podcast
“Whole company now waiting for a live or die email”
www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/m...
The paper is shuttering its sports section
Moving remaining staff to features
Shrinking foreign coverage
Restructuring metro
Closing books coverage
Suspending Post Reports podcast
“Whole company now waiting for a live or die email”
www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/m...
Washington Post announces widespread layoffs, gutting numerous parts of its newsroom | CNN Business
The Washington Post is announcing mass layoffs Wednesday morning, dealing another big blow to a storied media company and a newsroom that has reached a breaking point.
www.cnn.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:37 PM
WaPo's Matt Murray told staff today:
The paper is shuttering its sports section
Moving remaining staff to features
Shrinking foreign coverage
Restructuring metro
Closing books coverage
Suspending Post Reports podcast
“Whole company now waiting for a live or die email”
www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/m...
The paper is shuttering its sports section
Moving remaining staff to features
Shrinking foreign coverage
Restructuring metro
Closing books coverage
Suspending Post Reports podcast
“Whole company now waiting for a live or die email”
www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/m...
This 👇
This Homan presser is completely incoherent. He started by announcing a drawdown of 700 agents (good!) but then pivoted to whining about "rhetoric" (bad) and suggested there will be more bloodshed if it doesn't stop (grim). Not clear to me that anything is actually changing on the ground here in MN.
February 4, 2026 at 2:33 PM
This 👇
💔
I spent only a year @washingtonpost.com at the Outlook section (RIP). But it proved to be pivotal for me as a journalist and I sat right next to the I-team and regularly in awe of them. The Post has so many incredibly talented people and they deserve better.
February 4, 2026 at 2:31 PM
💔
Reposted by Mona Burns
McConnell's last year feels so different from that of Nancy Pelosi's. Pelosi is treated as the GOAT speaker by her caucus. McConnell on the other hand is treated as persona non-grata for Republicans even though he built the Supreme Court majority.
www.foxnews.com/politics/mit...
www.foxnews.com/politics/mit...
Mitch McConnell hospitalized after experiencing flu-like symptoms over the weekend
Sen. Mitch McConnell was hospitalized Monday night after experiencing flu-like symptoms, his office said, adding his prognosis is positive and he expects to return to Senate duties.
www.foxnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:56 AM
McConnell's last year feels so different from that of Nancy Pelosi's. Pelosi is treated as the GOAT speaker by her caucus. McConnell on the other hand is treated as persona non-grata for Republicans even though he built the Supreme Court majority.
www.foxnews.com/politics/mit...
www.foxnews.com/politics/mit...
Reposted by Mona Burns
Mitch McConnell was hospitalized after experiencing flu-like symptoms this weekend.
www.foxnews.com/politics/mit...
www.foxnews.com/politics/mit...
Mitch McConnell hospitalized after experiencing flu-like symptoms over the weekend
Sen. Mitch McConnell was hospitalized Monday night after experiencing flu-like symptoms, his office said, adding his prognosis is positive and he expects to return to Senate duties.
www.foxnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Mitch McConnell was hospitalized after experiencing flu-like symptoms this weekend.
www.foxnews.com/politics/mit...
www.foxnews.com/politics/mit...
Reposted by Mona Burns
Update: the spending bill passed. No anti-trans riders were included.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
February 3, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Update: the spending bill passed. No anti-trans riders were included.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Reposted by Mona Burns
If Schumer is “trying to cobble together 15 people to vote for what I consider to be a weak deal, and I’m telling people, ‘It’s a weak deal?’ That’s a bad position,” one Democratic senator told Semafor.
“He has a lot of power here. He can strike a tough bargain,”
“He has a lot of power here. He can strike a tough bargain,”
Schumer-Trump thaw
They negotiated their first deal in years, preventing another rough shut down. Now they have a tougher deal to cut immigration enforcement
Senators encouraging Schumer/Trump talks. An in-person meeting isn't out of the question. Lots of tension
www.semafor.com/article/02/0...
They negotiated their first deal in years, preventing another rough shut down. Now they have a tougher deal to cut immigration enforcement
Senators encouraging Schumer/Trump talks. An in-person meeting isn't out of the question. Lots of tension
www.semafor.com/article/02/0...
Trump and Schumer forced to work together, again
It’s a New York buddy act that doesn’t come naturally to either man. But collaborating is the only way an immigration deal can work.
www.semafor.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:58 PM
If Schumer is “trying to cobble together 15 people to vote for what I consider to be a weak deal, and I’m telling people, ‘It’s a weak deal?’ That’s a bad position,” one Democratic senator told Semafor.
“He has a lot of power here. He can strike a tough bargain,”
“He has a lot of power here. He can strike a tough bargain,”
House GOP Rep Anna Paulina Luna was blocking House GOP passage of the funding bills because she wants the SAVE Act passed
Yesterday Trump had her to the WH and told her they had a "deal" & Thune would use the 'standing' filibuster to get it done
There is NO deal
And Thune is now losing his mind 👇
Yesterday Trump had her to the WH and told her they had a "deal" & Thune would use the 'standing' filibuster to get it done
There is NO deal
And Thune is now losing his mind 👇
Thune:
Says now he hasn’t made any commitments to require a “standing” (talking) filibuster to try to pass SAVE Act
Some Senate GOP have expressed interest, “so we’re going to have a conversation about it”
BUT he says the conference must consider ramifications
And “the votes aren’t there”
Says now he hasn’t made any commitments to require a “standing” (talking) filibuster to try to pass SAVE Act
Some Senate GOP have expressed interest, “so we’re going to have a conversation about it”
BUT he says the conference must consider ramifications
And “the votes aren’t there”
February 3, 2026 at 4:14 PM
House GOP Rep Anna Paulina Luna was blocking House GOP passage of the funding bills because she wants the SAVE Act passed
Yesterday Trump had her to the WH and told her they had a "deal" & Thune would use the 'standing' filibuster to get it done
There is NO deal
And Thune is now losing his mind 👇
Yesterday Trump had her to the WH and told her they had a "deal" & Thune would use the 'standing' filibuster to get it done
There is NO deal
And Thune is now losing his mind 👇
Re Trump's announcement that he will close the Kennedy Center on July 4th:
Per a 2024 tax filing Kennedy Center employs nearly 2,500 people and over 925 volunteers
Every one of those people will lose their jobs for yet another Trump face save (no one wants to go there now)
He couldn't care less
Per a 2024 tax filing Kennedy Center employs nearly 2,500 people and over 925 volunteers
Every one of those people will lose their jobs for yet another Trump face save (no one wants to go there now)
He couldn't care less
February 3, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Re Trump's announcement that he will close the Kennedy Center on July 4th:
Per a 2024 tax filing Kennedy Center employs nearly 2,500 people and over 925 volunteers
Every one of those people will lose their jobs for yet another Trump face save (no one wants to go there now)
He couldn't care less
Per a 2024 tax filing Kennedy Center employs nearly 2,500 people and over 925 volunteers
Every one of those people will lose their jobs for yet another Trump face save (no one wants to go there now)
He couldn't care less
Aguilar this morning:
“Some appropriators feel like they need to support this deal.
Other members feel deeply concerned that even two weeks of ICE continued funding is, in a sense, blessing what they have done and what they will continue to do: terrorizing our communities.”
“Some appropriators feel like they need to support this deal.
Other members feel deeply concerned that even two weeks of ICE continued funding is, in a sense, blessing what they have done and what they will continue to do: terrorizing our communities.”
NEW
House Dem Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar won’t say how he will vote on funding bills
Says GOP must pass the rule first before he weighs in
On the funding vote, Aguilar says re: Dems:
“some members will vote yes, and some members will vote no.”
House Dem Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar won’t say how he will vote on funding bills
Says GOP must pass the rule first before he weighs in
On the funding vote, Aguilar says re: Dems:
“some members will vote yes, and some members will vote no.”
February 3, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Aguilar this morning:
“Some appropriators feel like they need to support this deal.
Other members feel deeply concerned that even two weeks of ICE continued funding is, in a sense, blessing what they have done and what they will continue to do: terrorizing our communities.”
“Some appropriators feel like they need to support this deal.
Other members feel deeply concerned that even two weeks of ICE continued funding is, in a sense, blessing what they have done and what they will continue to do: terrorizing our communities.”