Eric Blair
@protecttruth.bsky.social
Status Quo Politics is holding us back. Who will call for a big fight, and big change? The status quo cannot hold.
SCOTUS delenda est
SCOTUS delenda est
Pinned
Why push for impeachment?
Because politics is an exercise in moving public opinion as much as counting votes in the senate.
The Jan 6 Hearings were not a criminal proceeding against Trump that would end in jail, but they focused public attention.
Performative public investigations matter
Because politics is an exercise in moving public opinion as much as counting votes in the senate.
The Jan 6 Hearings were not a criminal proceeding against Trump that would end in jail, but they focused public attention.
Performative public investigations matter
My position on impeachment is the same as it was six months ago: Impeachment is first about driving public attention to Trump’s crimes and corruption.
Democrats should introduce impeachment articles and force votes to boost their parallel media effort.
Performative public investigations matter.
Democrats should introduce impeachment articles and force votes to boost their parallel media effort.
Performative public investigations matter.
This highlights the key problem with Congress right now: they’re not thinking big enough.
The fight is a public relations fight, and an inter-branch conflict. It’s not just about Congress doing its usual legislative job.
The fight is a public relations fight, and an inter-branch conflict. It’s not just about Congress doing its usual legislative job.
Yeah, I think this is missed. "We're going to pass a law requiring them to get judicial warrants to enter homes." What, you mean like the Constitution? If they're not willing to follow that, what's the point of passing another law?
There's something that is so Congress-brained that they're going to claim a win on a law that says ICE has to follow the law, a thing which I am sure they already had to do
January 27, 2026 at 1:49 PM
This highlights the key problem with Congress right now: they’re not thinking big enough.
The fight is a public relations fight, and an inter-branch conflict. It’s not just about Congress doing its usual legislative job.
The fight is a public relations fight, and an inter-branch conflict. It’s not just about Congress doing its usual legislative job.
Reposted by Eric Blair
Adding additional restrictions to DHS that it will promptly ignore is probably the single least effective thing Dems can do right now so obviously that is what they are trying to do.
January 27, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Adding additional restrictions to DHS that it will promptly ignore is probably the single least effective thing Dems can do right now so obviously that is what they are trying to do.
This is their OPENING ASK. Has Chuck Schumer ever negotiated with an opponent before? Ever?
Dems coalescing around 5 restrictions on ICE, I'm told:
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
A Dem Senator’s Harsh Takedown of Trump Hits Home: “Breaking Point”
As Trump scrambles to contain the damage from the latest ICE horrors, Senator Chris Murphy offers a sharp indictment of Trump-ICE lawlessness—and explains how Dems can meet the urgency of the moment.
newrepublic.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:19 PM
This is their OPENING ASK. Has Chuck Schumer ever negotiated with an opponent before? Ever?
Has anyone been a bigger beneficiary of affirmative action from rightwing billionaires than Niall Ferguson? He should be ashamed.
Turns out that Bari Weiss's all hands at CBS today is to announce she's bringing on some anti-vax guys and Niall Ferguson. www.axios.com/2026/01/27/b...
January 27, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Has anyone been a bigger beneficiary of affirmative action from rightwing billionaires than Niall Ferguson? He should be ashamed.
Reposted by Eric Blair
DHS was created to distract from Bush's utter incompetence in allowing 9/11 to happen. That's the long & short of it.
It's a GOP clusterfuck intended to compensate for another GOP clusterfuck.
It's time to start over from a place of competence & compassion.
It's a GOP clusterfuck intended to compensate for another GOP clusterfuck.
It's time to start over from a place of competence & compassion.
Abolish DHS. If you can imagine a world before Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you can imagine a world without the Department of Homeland Security. My latest at @startribune.com. (gift link)
Perry: Abolish ICE? How about DHS altogether.
"We have models for how to structure federal immigration oversight that doesn't rely on an unaccountable masked secret police force running rampant in our streets," David M. Perry writes.
www.startribune.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:37 PM
DHS was created to distract from Bush's utter incompetence in allowing 9/11 to happen. That's the long & short of it.
It's a GOP clusterfuck intended to compensate for another GOP clusterfuck.
It's time to start over from a place of competence & compassion.
It's a GOP clusterfuck intended to compensate for another GOP clusterfuck.
It's time to start over from a place of competence & compassion.
Republicans didn’t like the IRS and so they defunded it.
Republicans didn’t like the Dept of Education so when they had a chance they blew it up.
The whole country hates ICE and @schumer.senate.gov is giving us lame, weak, poll-tested pablum.
Seize the moment, my man!
Republicans didn’t like the Dept of Education so when they had a chance they blew it up.
The whole country hates ICE and @schumer.senate.gov is giving us lame, weak, poll-tested pablum.
Seize the moment, my man!
Majority of the country now wants to abolish and/or dismantle ICE and yet Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. told the caucus the message had to be to “restrain, reform and restrict ICE.”
Once again it looks like Schumer is about to choke after getting a massive opportunity.
So pathetic and weak.
Once again it looks like Schumer is about to choke after getting a massive opportunity.
So pathetic and weak.
Senate Democrats plot strategy as DHS standoff deepens heading into shutdown week
Two sources who were on a Democratic caucus strategy call Sunday said Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the group the message must be to “restrain, reform and restrict ICE.”
www.nbcnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Republicans didn’t like the IRS and so they defunded it.
Republicans didn’t like the Dept of Education so when they had a chance they blew it up.
The whole country hates ICE and @schumer.senate.gov is giving us lame, weak, poll-tested pablum.
Seize the moment, my man!
Republicans didn’t like the Dept of Education so when they had a chance they blew it up.
The whole country hates ICE and @schumer.senate.gov is giving us lame, weak, poll-tested pablum.
Seize the moment, my man!
Reposted by Eric Blair
The Democratic commentators, "strategists," and data bros who've been counseling appeasement of Trump's fascism need to take responsibility for how unbelievably fucking wrong they were.
For history tells us that appeasement signals weakness, encourages escalation, and accelerates freedom's end.
For history tells us that appeasement signals weakness, encourages escalation, and accelerates freedom's end.
January 26, 2026 at 4:48 PM
The Democratic commentators, "strategists," and data bros who've been counseling appeasement of Trump's fascism need to take responsibility for how unbelievably fucking wrong they were.
For history tells us that appeasement signals weakness, encourages escalation, and accelerates freedom's end.
For history tells us that appeasement signals weakness, encourages escalation, and accelerates freedom's end.
This is remarkable. We are at a moment of change. Press the advantage!
*TOM SUOZZI* of all people is calling ICE "immoral" and using the word "murder," while apologizing for his shitty vote and insisting he hears his constituents' anger. The centrist technocrat response to these horrors is officially cooked.
bsky.app/profile/mari...
bsky.app/profile/mari...
k
January 27, 2026 at 1:51 AM
This is remarkable. We are at a moment of change. Press the advantage!
All of this!
Learn from Jan 6th.
PUSH PUSH PUSH, now.
No time to take a breath and negotiate. No “this isn‘t the time to politicize the situation.” Fight now, twice as hard.
Learn from Jan 6th.
PUSH PUSH PUSH, now.
No time to take a breath and negotiate. No “this isn‘t the time to politicize the situation.” Fight now, twice as hard.
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced the Democrats have to push their hand immediately. The parallels with the delays and subsequent failures after January 6th are blaring warning signs about what will happen if they don’t go after the issues with ICE and CBP at the root RIGHT NOW.
January 27, 2026 at 1:45 AM
All of this!
Learn from Jan 6th.
PUSH PUSH PUSH, now.
No time to take a breath and negotiate. No “this isn‘t the time to politicize the situation.” Fight now, twice as hard.
Learn from Jan 6th.
PUSH PUSH PUSH, now.
No time to take a breath and negotiate. No “this isn‘t the time to politicize the situation.” Fight now, twice as hard.
Reposted by Eric Blair
They are wounded and flailing. Press the advantage.
January 27, 2026 at 12:08 AM
They are wounded and flailing. Press the advantage.
Rand Paul is upset because he knows that the second amendment isn’t real, and this corrupt Supreme Court invented a constitutional right to a gun.
What’s happening now is highlighting this 2A fiction which for some reason our elite media and political leadership have agreed to pretend is true.
What’s happening now is highlighting this 2A fiction which for some reason our elite media and political leadership have agreed to pretend is true.
I think the thing that killed the administration was that they were so gung-ho to find a reason that Pretti deserved to die that they accidentally declared that that the second amendment isn't real.
I have been waiting for this signal from Senator Rand Paul.
Senator Paul, Chairman of Senate Homeland Security Committee follows House committee. Sends letters to heads of ICE, CBP, USCIS to testify in public hearing.
Senator Paul, Chairman of Senate Homeland Security Committee follows House committee. Sends letters to heads of ICE, CBP, USCIS to testify in public hearing.
January 26, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Rand Paul is upset because he knows that the second amendment isn’t real, and this corrupt Supreme Court invented a constitutional right to a gun.
What’s happening now is highlighting this 2A fiction which for some reason our elite media and political leadership have agreed to pretend is true.
What’s happening now is highlighting this 2A fiction which for some reason our elite media and political leadership have agreed to pretend is true.
Reposted by Eric Blair
Just go work for the Trump admin already, Rachel Bade. Clearly you just want to kiss Trumps ass more than anything else.
January 26, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Just go work for the Trump admin already, Rachel Bade. Clearly you just want to kiss Trumps ass more than anything else.
”We lost all trust.”
What did this? Minnesota citizens filming did this. The peaceful and brave people out on the streets captured the truth on video, and that is what has defeated ICE—and if we are lucky will lead to Trump‘s defeat
What did this? Minnesota citizens filming did this. The peaceful and brave people out on the streets captured the truth on video, and that is what has defeated ICE—and if we are lucky will lead to Trump‘s defeat
ICE guys: so yeah you're pretty much going to abolish us now, huh
January 26, 2026 at 9:23 PM
”We lost all trust.”
What did this? Minnesota citizens filming did this. The peaceful and brave people out on the streets captured the truth on video, and that is what has defeated ICE—and if we are lucky will lead to Trump‘s defeat
What did this? Minnesota citizens filming did this. The peaceful and brave people out on the streets captured the truth on video, and that is what has defeated ICE—and if we are lucky will lead to Trump‘s defeat
Reposted by Eric Blair
"could it be my theory is incorrect? No, it is the libs who are wrong" 2001-now, at least
'everywhere we send troops to occupy we find these communities that warn each other we're coming and try to resist... There must be a global conspiracy against us.'
January 26, 2026 at 8:11 PM
"could it be my theory is incorrect? No, it is the libs who are wrong" 2001-now, at least
Reposted by Eric Blair
Not shocked that it wasn't until Coates that I first came across "poet and writer Renee Good." His underlying argument is always about respect.
Ta-Nehisi Coates: With the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, "Trump has clarified an inconvenient fact—the culture war is an actual war"
“The Homeland” Is War on America: The Blood-and-Soil Nationalism That Killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti
In the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Trump has clarified an inconvenient fact: the culture war is an actual war.
www.vanityfair.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Not shocked that it wasn't until Coates that I first came across "poet and writer Renee Good." His underlying argument is always about respect.
Starting to wonder if absolute dimwitted thinking like this in our military are is reason the US lost in Iraq and Afghanistan
The rest of it is even funnier
January 26, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Starting to wonder if absolute dimwitted thinking like this in our military are is reason the US lost in Iraq and Afghanistan
Reposted by Eric Blair
This is maga getting their first glimpse that if Civil War 2 ever actually broke out, they would be outclassed in every way.
January 26, 2026 at 7:44 PM
This is maga getting their first glimpse that if Civil War 2 ever actually broke out, they would be outclassed in every way.
Reposted by Eric Blair
it's amazing to watch the We Are The Storm guys paralyzed in terror of the density and sophistication of spontaneous neighborhood watches put together by pissed-off baristas and suburban moms
January 26, 2026 at 7:36 PM
it's amazing to watch the We Are The Storm guys paralyzed in terror of the density and sophistication of spontaneous neighborhood watches put together by pissed-off baristas and suburban moms
Reposted by Eric Blair
this is actually a very accurate report on what we're doing, except for the outside assistance and "lethal harassment" part. it's a massive, decentralized network. ICE cars enter the neighborhood, instantly pick up several tails, are logged, and are escorted out. it's hopeless. you should leave.
The rest of it is even funnier
January 26, 2026 at 7:34 PM
this is actually a very accurate report on what we're doing, except for the outside assistance and "lethal harassment" part. it's a massive, decentralized network. ICE cars enter the neighborhood, instantly pick up several tails, are logged, and are escorted out. it's hopeless. you should leave.
Reposted by Eric Blair
"Users say" -- I'm sorry, this is irresponsible. This seems more like infrastructure issuer than some coordinated topical block. Why is "some users think a thing" a story?
"Users express lost of trust in TikTok following ownership shift" is a different story.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
"Users express lost of trust in TikTok following ownership shift" is a different story.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Users say TikTok stifled political posts about ICE shooting as platform faltered
TikTok users said their videos about ICE were being suppressed days after a deal to spin off the U.S. business to new investors was finalized.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:57 PM
"Users say" -- I'm sorry, this is irresponsible. This seems more like infrastructure issuer than some coordinated topical block. Why is "some users think a thing" a story?
"Users express lost of trust in TikTok following ownership shift" is a different story.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
"Users express lost of trust in TikTok following ownership shift" is a different story.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Eric Blair
They expected to be greeted as liberators
Sulzberger has to be joking us here.
"Crisis of Confidence" no what
"Crisis of Confidence" no what
January 26, 2026 at 4:44 PM
They expected to be greeted as liberators
Sulzberger has to be joking us here.
"Crisis of Confidence" no what
"Crisis of Confidence" no what
January 26, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Sulzberger has to be joking us here.
"Crisis of Confidence" no what
"Crisis of Confidence" no what
Reposted by Eric Blair
It is very funny watching right wingers go straight into “anything that hurts my feelings is violence” without even doing any throat clearing about how this is different from all the stuff they just spent years making fun of. At least make up an excuse guys
January 26, 2026 at 2:15 PM
It is very funny watching right wingers go straight into “anything that hurts my feelings is violence” without even doing any throat clearing about how this is different from all the stuff they just spent years making fun of. At least make up an excuse guys
Reposted by Eric Blair
This March 1965 Herblock cartoon about police violence against civil rights activists has added relevance today.
January 26, 2026 at 1:08 PM
This March 1965 Herblock cartoon about police violence against civil rights activists has added relevance today.
Reposted by Eric Blair
Paul krugman was always too spicy for the nyt and they finally pushed him out. Paul krugman!
January 26, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Paul krugman was always too spicy for the nyt and they finally pushed him out. Paul krugman!