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
Heads up from the US Capitol Police this morning:
In DC:
"EXERCISE: This morning, Monday, February 9, 2026, we are working with our federal partners on a routine training exercise on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Please do not be alarmed if you see emergency vehicles and low flying helicopters."
In DC:
"EXERCISE: This morning, Monday, February 9, 2026, we are working with our federal partners on a routine training exercise on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Please do not be alarmed if you see emergency vehicles and low flying helicopters."
February 9, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Heads up from the US Capitol Police this morning:
In DC:
"EXERCISE: This morning, Monday, February 9, 2026, we are working with our federal partners on a routine training exercise on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Please do not be alarmed if you see emergency vehicles and low flying helicopters."
In DC:
"EXERCISE: This morning, Monday, February 9, 2026, we are working with our federal partners on a routine training exercise on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Please do not be alarmed if you see emergency vehicles and low flying helicopters."
From 'Access Bad Bunny':
"NBC revealed that Bad Bunny’s halftime show at the #SuperBowlLX had over 135.4M viewers surpassing the previous record held by Kendrick Lamar in 2025 of 133.5M"
Very clear now:
*Everything* he speaks out against, droves of people show up for
Keep it up!!
"NBC revealed that Bad Bunny’s halftime show at the #SuperBowlLX had over 135.4M viewers surpassing the previous record held by Kendrick Lamar in 2025 of 133.5M"
Very clear now:
*Everything* he speaks out against, droves of people show up for
Keep it up!!
February 9, 2026 at 11:22 AM
From 'Access Bad Bunny':
"NBC revealed that Bad Bunny’s halftime show at the #SuperBowlLX had over 135.4M viewers surpassing the previous record held by Kendrick Lamar in 2025 of 133.5M"
Very clear now:
*Everything* he speaks out against, droves of people show up for
Keep it up!!
"NBC revealed that Bad Bunny’s halftime show at the #SuperBowlLX had over 135.4M viewers surpassing the previous record held by Kendrick Lamar in 2025 of 133.5M"
Very clear now:
*Everything* he speaks out against, droves of people show up for
Keep it up!!
NYT (gift link):
On Howard Lutnick's ongoing involvement with Jeffrey Epstein
And the *massive* lies he told the American people to cover it up
Absolute pig
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/n...
On Howard Lutnick's ongoing involvement with Jeffrey Epstein
And the *massive* lies he told the American people to cover it up
Absolute pig
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/n...
Files Detail Epstein’s Dealings With Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:08 PM
NYT (gift link):
On Howard Lutnick's ongoing involvement with Jeffrey Epstein
And the *massive* lies he told the American people to cover it up
Absolute pig
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/n...
On Howard Lutnick's ongoing involvement with Jeffrey Epstein
And the *massive* lies he told the American people to cover it up
Absolute pig
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/n...
This coming Friday is the funding deadline for DHS
-they will shut down if Congress can't find a compromise
Dem Senator Brian Schatz on Inside Politics today:
“I don’t think we're going to do a CR.”
Brace yourselves
Another super fun week ahead, kids ..
-they will shut down if Congress can't find a compromise
Dem Senator Brian Schatz on Inside Politics today:
“I don’t think we're going to do a CR.”
Brace yourselves
Another super fun week ahead, kids ..
February 8, 2026 at 4:02 PM
This coming Friday is the funding deadline for DHS
-they will shut down if Congress can't find a compromise
Dem Senator Brian Schatz on Inside Politics today:
“I don’t think we're going to do a CR.”
Brace yourselves
Another super fun week ahead, kids ..
-they will shut down if Congress can't find a compromise
Dem Senator Brian Schatz on Inside Politics today:
“I don’t think we're going to do a CR.”
Brace yourselves
Another super fun week ahead, kids ..
NYT (gift link)
Rob Flaherty on AI and the upcoming elections, especially 2028:
Something I think we should all be paying much closer attention to
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/o...
Rob Flaherty on AI and the upcoming elections, especially 2028:
Something I think we should all be paying much closer attention to
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/o...
Opinion | The Democrats Again Risk Losing Voters They Take for Granted
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:58 PM
NYT (gift link)
Rob Flaherty on AI and the upcoming elections, especially 2028:
Something I think we should all be paying much closer attention to
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/o...
Rob Flaherty on AI and the upcoming elections, especially 2028:
Something I think we should all be paying much closer attention to
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/o...
Reposted by Mona Burns
It’s very telling that Ghislaine Maxwell was happy to sit down with Trump’s former criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche for 2 days & answer his pathetic questions in exchange for special treatment, but she will refuse to answer all questions from anyone else including Congress.
February 8, 2026 at 3:51 PM
It’s very telling that Ghislaine Maxwell was happy to sit down with Trump’s former criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche for 2 days & answer his pathetic questions in exchange for special treatment, but she will refuse to answer all questions from anyone else including Congress.
Reposted by Mona Burns
Warner: "There is a very real threat without reforms at ICE that you could have ICE patrols around polling stations. And people say, 'Why would that matter if they're all American citizens?' We've seen ICE discriminate against Latinos ... you don't need to do a lot to discourage people from voting"
February 8, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Warner: "There is a very real threat without reforms at ICE that you could have ICE patrols around polling stations. And people say, 'Why would that matter if they're all American citizens?' We've seen ICE discriminate against Latinos ... you don't need to do a lot to discourage people from voting"
Reposted by Mona Burns
Warner on Fox News Sunday: "What's amazing to me is historically the GOP has been about 'let's not have federal overreach.' We've got federal overreach with ICE. We've got federal overreach w/POTUS saying 'let's nationalize elections.' Do you really want ICE agents showing up at polling stations?"
February 8, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Warner on Fox News Sunday: "What's amazing to me is historically the GOP has been about 'let's not have federal overreach.' We've got federal overreach with ICE. We've got federal overreach w/POTUS saying 'let's nationalize elections.' Do you really want ICE agents showing up at polling stations?"
This will be a closed-door deposition
Ghislaine Maxwell will appear remotely
This hearing is not about accountability
Or finding any truth
It's about protecting the rich & powerful predators she trafficked Epstein's survivors for
Pure self-preservation
Make no mistake:
House GOP are helping her
Ghislaine Maxwell will appear remotely
This hearing is not about accountability
Or finding any truth
It's about protecting the rich & powerful predators she trafficked Epstein's survivors for
Pure self-preservation
Make no mistake:
House GOP are helping her
NEW: Ghislaine Maxwell is set to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights and refuse to answer all questions related to Epstein, Trump, and more during tomorrow’s deposition. Rep. Ro Khanna has sent the following letter to Oversight Committee Chair James Comer in response:
February 8, 2026 at 3:35 PM
This will be a closed-door deposition
Ghislaine Maxwell will appear remotely
This hearing is not about accountability
Or finding any truth
It's about protecting the rich & powerful predators she trafficked Epstein's survivors for
Pure self-preservation
Make no mistake:
House GOP are helping her
Ghislaine Maxwell will appear remotely
This hearing is not about accountability
Or finding any truth
It's about protecting the rich & powerful predators she trafficked Epstein's survivors for
Pure self-preservation
Make no mistake:
House GOP are helping her
Senate control is most definitely now on the line
And GOP leadership (and their rank & file) are damned if they do, damned if they don't
If Trump endorses for them -or against them- it will backfire
They're very much on their own in this cycle
With this admin's hideous legacy hanging over them
And GOP leadership (and their rank & file) are damned if they do, damned if they don't
If Trump endorses for them -or against them- it will backfire
They're very much on their own in this cycle
With this admin's hideous legacy hanging over them
New on “Inside Politics Sunday” on @cnn. 8aET/11aET
A dive into the critical Maine Senate race, a battle that could determine control of the Senate.
Headed to Portland and spoke with Gov. Mills - and also spoke with Graham Platner and Sen Collins.
A look at their vulnerabilities
Here’s a preview:
A dive into the critical Maine Senate race, a battle that could determine control of the Senate.
Headed to Portland and spoke with Gov. Mills - and also spoke with Graham Platner and Sen Collins.
A look at their vulnerabilities
Here’s a preview:
February 8, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Senate control is most definitely now on the line
And GOP leadership (and their rank & file) are damned if they do, damned if they don't
If Trump endorses for them -or against them- it will backfire
They're very much on their own in this cycle
With this admin's hideous legacy hanging over them
And GOP leadership (and their rank & file) are damned if they do, damned if they don't
If Trump endorses for them -or against them- it will backfire
They're very much on their own in this cycle
With this admin's hideous legacy hanging over them
From June:
"[Now fmr WaPo publisher Will] Lewis is named in a complex and unfolding civil lawsuit in Britain that claims he played a role in destroying evidence in the phone-hacking scandal that engulfed British newspapers more than a decade ago"
Bezos didn't care ..
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
"[Now fmr WaPo publisher Will] Lewis is named in a complex and unfolding civil lawsuit in Britain that claims he played a role in destroying evidence in the phone-hacking scandal that engulfed British newspapers more than a decade ago"
Bezos didn't care ..
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The Growing Debacle for Will Lewis and the Washington Post
The crisis at the newspaper suggests the publisher has no idea about how the media operates.
www.politico.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:21 PM
From June:
"[Now fmr WaPo publisher Will] Lewis is named in a complex and unfolding civil lawsuit in Britain that claims he played a role in destroying evidence in the phone-hacking scandal that engulfed British newspapers more than a decade ago"
Bezos didn't care ..
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
"[Now fmr WaPo publisher Will] Lewis is named in a complex and unfolding civil lawsuit in Britain that claims he played a role in destroying evidence in the phone-hacking scandal that engulfed British newspapers more than a decade ago"
Bezos didn't care ..
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
More accountability for Epstein's cabal 👇
Everywhere but here:
NEW this morning:
LONDON (AP) - UK leader Starmer's chief of staff resigns over appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador despite Epstein ties
Everywhere but here:
NEW this morning:
LONDON (AP) - UK leader Starmer's chief of staff resigns over appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador despite Epstein ties
February 8, 2026 at 3:17 PM
More accountability for Epstein's cabal 👇
Everywhere but here:
NEW this morning:
LONDON (AP) - UK leader Starmer's chief of staff resigns over appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador despite Epstein ties
Everywhere but here:
NEW this morning:
LONDON (AP) - UK leader Starmer's chief of staff resigns over appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador despite Epstein ties
Reposted by Mona Burns
Schiff on Gabbard's involvement in Georgia: "All of this is intended to send a message and the message is, 'We will not tolerate or accept an election that we lose.' That's why in these budget discussions we need to make sure, among other things, that we don't have ICE agents at polling places."
February 8, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Schiff on Gabbard's involvement in Georgia: "All of this is intended to send a message and the message is, 'We will not tolerate or accept an election that we lose.' That's why in these budget discussions we need to make sure, among other things, that we don't have ICE agents at polling places."
Adam Schiff nails it here
The SAVE Act is a voter suppression law
Exactly
The SAVE Act is a voter suppression law
Exactly
Schiff on the SAVE Act: "Jonathan, what you've just asked is essentially, Republicans have created distrust in the elections by making claims of nonexistent fraud, and shouldn't we use the distrust they've created in order to enact a voter suppression law?"
February 8, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Adam Schiff nails it here
The SAVE Act is a voter suppression law
Exactly
The SAVE Act is a voter suppression law
Exactly
Jeff Bezos statement following Publisher Will Lewis' sudden resignation last night 👇
His first since the WaPo layoffs
" ..The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus."
Explains so much ..
His first since the WaPo layoffs
" ..The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus."
Explains so much ..
February 8, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Jeff Bezos statement following Publisher Will Lewis' sudden resignation last night 👇
His first since the WaPo layoffs
" ..The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus."
Explains so much ..
His first since the WaPo layoffs
" ..The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus."
Explains so much ..
The Guardian:
“Under any other president, a UAE royal secretly paying $500M to the Trump family’s crypto business would cause a political earthquake in Washington. There would be an investigation by Congress, televised hearings, and months of damage control”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“Under any other president, a UAE royal secretly paying $500M to the Trump family’s crypto business would cause a political earthquake in Washington. There would be an investigation by Congress, televised hearings, and months of damage control”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump’s family is embroiled in a $500m UAE scandal. We’ve hardly noticed | Mohamad Bazzi
A crypto startup founded by Trump’s family signed a huge deal with the UAE president’s brother. Where’s the political fallout?
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:04 PM
The Guardian:
“Under any other president, a UAE royal secretly paying $500M to the Trump family’s crypto business would cause a political earthquake in Washington. There would be an investigation by Congress, televised hearings, and months of damage control”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“Under any other president, a UAE royal secretly paying $500M to the Trump family’s crypto business would cause a political earthquake in Washington. There would be an investigation by Congress, televised hearings, and months of damage control”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Mona Burns
It’s insane that the Trump admin wants to double the already massive US military budget in just 2 years when we are not at war. Trump’s DOD budgets are a cesspool of corruption and grift for the military industrial complex, scammers and grifters, including Donald Trump, Jr.
February 8, 2026 at 2:52 PM
It’s insane that the Trump admin wants to double the already massive US military budget in just 2 years when we are not at war. Trump’s DOD budgets are a cesspool of corruption and grift for the military industrial complex, scammers and grifters, including Donald Trump, Jr.
Ripping cold here in CT
With the wind chill temps reached -31 last night
The coldest I can remember it being here
Ever
It's brutal, unforgiving & makes your bones shiver
And all I can think about are the protesters in Minnesota
Out there every day in this
Amazing heroes
We owe them so much America
With the wind chill temps reached -31 last night
The coldest I can remember it being here
Ever
It's brutal, unforgiving & makes your bones shiver
And all I can think about are the protesters in Minnesota
Out there every day in this
Amazing heroes
We owe them so much America
February 8, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Ripping cold here in CT
With the wind chill temps reached -31 last night
The coldest I can remember it being here
Ever
It's brutal, unforgiving & makes your bones shiver
And all I can think about are the protesters in Minnesota
Out there every day in this
Amazing heroes
We owe them so much America
With the wind chill temps reached -31 last night
The coldest I can remember it being here
Ever
It's brutal, unforgiving & makes your bones shiver
And all I can think about are the protesters in Minnesota
Out there every day in this
Amazing heroes
We owe them so much America
Reposted by Mona Burns
👆I know it prolly won't happen, but Republican Governors oughta boycott the NGA. @democraticmayors.bsky.social @governorwalz.mn.gov @govwesmoore.bsky.social @tinakotek.bsky.social @governorferguson.bsky.social @governor.ca.gov @governor.ny.gov @govevers.wisconsin.gov @govmlg.bsky.social @pogo.org
February 8, 2026 at 2:45 PM
👆I know it prolly won't happen, but Republican Governors oughta boycott the NGA. @democraticmayors.bsky.social @governorwalz.mn.gov @govwesmoore.bsky.social @tinakotek.bsky.social @governorferguson.bsky.social @governor.ca.gov @governor.ny.gov @govevers.wisconsin.gov @govmlg.bsky.social @pogo.org
"presidential graffiti"
Jeffries definitely has issues
But there's no denying he's has a gift with words
Jeffries definitely has issues
But there's no denying he's has a gift with words
Jeffries on Trump asking Schumer to rename Dulles & Penn Station after him in exchange for unfreezing funds: "It's another example of Trump trying to force presidential graffiti down the throats of the people... this guy's priorities are completely & totally unhinged. But this is the GOP right now."
February 8, 2026 at 2:44 PM
"presidential graffiti"
Jeffries definitely has issues
But there's no denying he's has a gift with words
Jeffries definitely has issues
But there's no denying he's has a gift with words
MD Governor Wes Moore on Dems being "uninvited" from the WH NGA dinner next week:
"What makes it especially confounding is that just weeks ago I was at the WH with a bipartisan group of governors, .. we proved in that moment whats possible when we stay focused on outcomes over politics. .."
"What makes it especially confounding is that just weeks ago I was at the WH with a bipartisan group of governors, .. we proved in that moment whats possible when we stay focused on outcomes over politics. .."
February 8, 2026 at 2:39 PM
MD Governor Wes Moore on Dems being "uninvited" from the WH NGA dinner next week:
"What makes it especially confounding is that just weeks ago I was at the WH with a bipartisan group of governors, .. we proved in that moment whats possible when we stay focused on outcomes over politics. .."
"What makes it especially confounding is that just weeks ago I was at the WH with a bipartisan group of governors, .. we proved in that moment whats possible when we stay focused on outcomes over politics. .."
Last night, after two years at the helm
And three days after suddenly gutting the WaPo staff
WaPo publisher and CEO Will Lewis unceremoniously quit his job:
And three days after suddenly gutting the WaPo staff
WaPo publisher and CEO Will Lewis unceremoniously quit his job:
February 8, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Last night, after two years at the helm
And three days after suddenly gutting the WaPo staff
WaPo publisher and CEO Will Lewis unceremoniously quit his job:
And three days after suddenly gutting the WaPo staff
WaPo publisher and CEO Will Lewis unceremoniously quit his job:
Vote Hub last night:
"Louisiana State House 60 Jungle Primary
50/50 Precincts Reporting:
🔵Chasity Verret Martinez (D) – 5,159 (62%)
🔴Brad Daigle (R) – 3,169 (38%)
This district was Trump +13 in 2024. This is a 37 point shift left."
"Louisiana State House 60 Jungle Primary
50/50 Precincts Reporting:
🔵Chasity Verret Martinez (D) – 5,159 (62%)
🔴Brad Daigle (R) – 3,169 (38%)
This district was Trump +13 in 2024. This is a 37 point shift left."
February 8, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Vote Hub last night:
"Louisiana State House 60 Jungle Primary
50/50 Precincts Reporting:
🔵Chasity Verret Martinez (D) – 5,159 (62%)
🔴Brad Daigle (R) – 3,169 (38%)
This district was Trump +13 in 2024. This is a 37 point shift left."
"Louisiana State House 60 Jungle Primary
50/50 Precincts Reporting:
🔵Chasity Verret Martinez (D) – 5,159 (62%)
🔴Brad Daigle (R) – 3,169 (38%)
This district was Trump +13 in 2024. This is a 37 point shift left."
Reposted by Mona Burns
Trump's Golden Age👇
Fact:
The affordability crisis is NOT a "hoax"
Fact:
The affordability crisis is NOT a "hoax"
February 7, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Trump's Golden Age👇
Fact:
The affordability crisis is NOT a "hoax"
Fact:
The affordability crisis is NOT a "hoax"