Michael P. Breen
@mpbreen21.bsky.social
Historian of early modern French law & society at Reed College. Prattles on about history, dogs, politics, soccer, & hoops. H-France Editor-in-Chief (www.h-france.net)
Pinned
The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.
YouTube video by John Schwartz
youtu.be
Every news story between now and Jan. 20, 2029 (assuming we make it that long)
youtu.be/N5jscR7Vz30?...
youtu.be/N5jscR7Vz30?...
Presuming that the agents are literate is quite the gamble
January 18, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Presuming that the agents are literate is quite the gamble
MAGA meets Derrida
WELKER: What is the national emergency that justifies this new slate of tariffs?
BESSENT: The national emergency is avoiding a national emergency
BESSENT: The national emergency is avoiding a national emergency
January 18, 2026 at 8:43 PM
MAGA meets Derrida
Reposted by Michael P. Breen
I have some bad news for the Truth Social community.
January 18, 2026 at 8:25 PM
I have some bad news for the Truth Social community.
Future generations, to the extent there are any, simply won’t be able to comprehend just how stupid the causes of the Third World War were
The retaliation measures are being drawn up to give European leaders leverage in pivotal meetings with the US president at the World Economic Forum in Davos. ft.trib.al/aKexyt2
January 18, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Future generations, to the extent there are any, simply won’t be able to comprehend just how stupid the causes of the Third World War were
Nice to see Bari Weiss’s @cbsnews.com really leaning into its role as State Media
January 18, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Nice to see Bari Weiss’s @cbsnews.com really leaning into its role as State Media
She made literally the same accusation about Portland, Chicago, & LA.
They’re not just liars, they’re incredibly lazy liars.
They’re not just liars, they’re incredibly lazy liars.
Every time the Trump regime uses the words "funded protesters" and "outside agitators" news outlets need to cut to this photo from last week.
ICE has invaded these communities. Outside agitators don't show up in their fucking bathrobes.
ICE has invaded these communities. Outside agitators don't show up in their fucking bathrobes.
January 18, 2026 at 6:24 PM
She made literally the same accusation about Portland, Chicago, & LA.
They’re not just liars, they’re incredibly lazy liars.
They’re not just liars, they’re incredibly lazy liars.
Preferably all at once
EU governments should be divesting their holdings of 1.62T in U.S. Treasuries.
January 18, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Preferably all at once
Every accusation is a confession
Every single one
Every single one
January 18, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Every accusation is a confession
Every single one
Every single one
Ted Cruz never met a boot he wouldn’t lick
Cruz: "When it comes to Greenland, I want to commend President Trump for being single-mindedly focused on America first... I believe it is overwhelmingly in America's national interest to acquire Greenland... the whole history of America has been a history of acquiring new lands and new territories"
January 18, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Ted Cruz never met a boot he wouldn’t lick
Reposted by Michael P. Breen
This is perfect, and the essential pushback: Figure out who convinced DJT of each particular obsession, and who stands to profit.
These aren't spontaneous irrational fantasies. Someone plants and encourages each one -- someone with a vested $$$ interest.
These aren't spontaneous irrational fantasies. Someone plants and encourages each one -- someone with a vested $$$ interest.
Trump’s foreign policy is all about enriching his family & rich friends. It was his billionaire donor Ron Lauder, who has investments in Greenland, who told him to buy it.
Now Trump risks the NATO alliance & war with Europe to pad his friend’s pockets.
We can’t let that happen.
Now Trump risks the NATO alliance & war with Europe to pad his friend’s pockets.
We can’t let that happen.
January 18, 2026 at 6:16 PM
This is perfect, and the essential pushback: Figure out who convinced DJT of each particular obsession, and who stands to profit.
These aren't spontaneous irrational fantasies. Someone plants and encourages each one -- someone with a vested $$$ interest.
These aren't spontaneous irrational fantasies. Someone plants and encourages each one -- someone with a vested $$$ interest.
Reposted by Michael P. Breen
the Stancil thing really does drive home how much greater import some people place on having a completely correct billfold of opinions than actually doing something worthwhile in real life
January 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM
the Stancil thing really does drive home how much greater import some people place on having a completely correct billfold of opinions than actually doing something worthwhile in real life
And anyone with a lick of sense knows that he’s practically unelectable nationally
it remains nuts to me that the argument for Newsom is that he's inevitable while he's not even the polling favorite
January 18, 2026 at 6:38 AM
And anyone with a lick of sense knows that he’s practically unelectable nationally
There would be a lot more money for bike infrastructure
January 18, 2026 at 4:59 AM
There would be a lot more money for bike infrastructure
This is not a post about video games
Evergreen: “The men who were less-skilled at the game and performing worse relative peers—made frequent, nasty comments to female gamers. In other words, sexist dudes are literally losers.” www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-int...
January 18, 2026 at 4:57 AM
This is not a post about video games
Today in Conservative Judicial Calvinball…
Judge Kacsmaryk rejects challenge by West Texas A&M University's LGBQT club to drag show ban, saying the First Amendment doesn't protect "self-expression in all forms, and certainly not the libertine 'expressive conduct' absolutism envisioned" by the group. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law – #168 in Spectrum WT v. Wendler (N.D. Tex., 2:23-cv-00048) – CourtListener.com
FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW (Ordered by Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk on 1/17/2026) (vls)
storage.courtlistener.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Today in Conservative Judicial Calvinball…
Reposted by Michael P. Breen
Talked to a Somali man today who said his mosque last night was surrounded by neighbors ready to protect them against ICE if needed. Made me feel proud to live in this city.
January 17, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Talked to a Somali man today who said his mosque last night was surrounded by neighbors ready to protect them against ICE if needed. Made me feel proud to live in this city.
Today in “Both Parties Are Not Even Remotely the Same”
January 18, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Today in “Both Parties Are Not Even Remotely the Same”
He’s Argentinian, so this checks out…
January 17, 2026 at 10:52 PM
He’s Argentinian, so this checks out…
All subtlety has gone out the window this season
January 17, 2026 at 8:40 PM
All subtlety has gone out the window this season
All we had to do to prevent this was vote for the highly qualified, capable, experienced, & most definitely not senile Black woman who wasn’t best buddies w/a child predator for decades but unfortunately that was a bridge too far some people
I.C.E. is a government-run domestic terror organization.
Here they are, kidnapping a father while his children plead for his life.
Here they are, kidnapping a father while his children plead for his life.
January 17, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Yeah, really can’t understand why anyone would suspect her motives in giving Trump & Miller veto power over stories that make them look bad
NEW from me:
Towards the end of Trump's interview with 60 Minutes in November, Bari Weiss rushed into the room to introduce herself and the pair exchanged kisses on the cheek, leaving 60 Minutes staff stunned at the "overly chummy" embrace.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Towards the end of Trump's interview with 60 Minutes in November, Bari Weiss rushed into the room to introduce herself and the pair exchanged kisses on the cheek, leaving 60 Minutes staff stunned at the "overly chummy" embrace.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Bari Weiss and Trump exchanged kisses on the cheek following ‘60 Minutes’ interview
EXCLUSIVE: In a moment that sources said led to stunned reactions and dropped jaws, Bari Weiss excitedly introduced herself to the president and leaned in for a kiss on the cheek following his ‘60 Min...
www.independent.co.uk
January 17, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Yeah, really can’t understand why anyone would suspect her motives in giving Trump & Miller veto power over stories that make them look bad