Amy b Robinson
@robgo84.bsky.social
Just trying to make order out of chaos. Trust in Science. #intolerableactsof2025
Pinned
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
“Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches” electionlawblog.org?p=153674
"Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches" #ELB
NYT deep dive: Since his return to office, President Trump and his family have engaged in a moneymaking campaign like none in modern American history. It is enriching the family, as well as important ...
electionlawblog.org
January 1, 2026 at 5:26 PM
“Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches” electionlawblog.org?p=153674
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
Ignoring urgently needed reforms in favor of fruitlessly trying to find evidence of fraud, DOGE descended on the Social Security Administration “thinking it should work like a McDonald’s,” the agency’s former acting chief told ProPublica.
This is our #4 most-read story of 2025:
This is our #4 most-read story of 2025:
The Untold Saga of What Happened When DOGE Stormed Social Security
DOGE has ignored urgently needed reforms and upgrades at the Social Security Administration, according to dozens of insiders and 15 hours of candid interviews with the former acting chief of the agenc...
www.propublica.org
January 1, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Ignoring urgently needed reforms in favor of fruitlessly trying to find evidence of fraud, DOGE descended on the Social Security Administration “thinking it should work like a McDonald’s,” the agency’s former acting chief told ProPublica.
This is our #4 most-read story of 2025:
This is our #4 most-read story of 2025:
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
This LONG Politico piece on how Dems anticipated and responded to Trump's bid to avoid democratic accountability is worth your time.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
January 1, 2026 at 10:59 PM
This LONG Politico piece on how Dems anticipated and responded to Trump's bid to avoid democratic accountability is worth your time.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches
An illustrated guide of the first year of profiteering.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
An illustrated guide of the first year of profiteering.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches (Gift Article)
The president, his family and some of their closest associates have engaged in a sprawling campaign of deals that stretches across industries and the globe.
www.nytimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches
An illustrated guide of the first year of profiteering.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
An illustrated guide of the first year of profiteering.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
Last month, I wrote on all legislative races of 2025. There were still a few elections left in the year, however. But now, they're all done.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
In 2025, Democrats Flipped 21 Percent of GOP-Held Legislative Seats - Bolts
Editor’s note: The article was updated on Dec. 31 to reflect the results of three special elections held in late December, none of which resulted in a partisan flip. At... Read More
boltsmag.org
January 1, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Last month, I wrote on all legislative races of 2025. There were still a few elections left in the year, however. But now, they're all done.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
This is the kind of great work that @boltsmag.org does. Follow them. Support them.
You can’t fight for power if you don’t understand where it sits. Include Bolts in your citizenship toolkit.
You can’t fight for power if you don’t understand where it sits. Include Bolts in your citizenship toolkit.
State supreme courts are a battlefield for pressing issues, from abortion rights to ballot access. But do you know how your court works?
Our guide breaks down the structure and procedures of every single state’s highest court.
Our guide breaks down the structure and procedures of every single state’s highest court.
Your State-by-State Guide to Every State Supreme Court - Bolts
Bolts breaks down the structure, selection procedures, and functions of each state’s highest court.
boltsmag.org
January 1, 2026 at 5:55 PM
This is the kind of great work that @boltsmag.org does. Follow them. Support them.
You can’t fight for power if you don’t understand where it sits. Include Bolts in your citizenship toolkit.
You can’t fight for power if you don’t understand where it sits. Include Bolts in your citizenship toolkit.
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
Republicans are terrible at governing but exceptional at turning minor scandals into major conspiracies and major conspiracies into minor scandals.
December 31, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Republicans are terrible at governing but exceptional at turning minor scandals into major conspiracies and major conspiracies into minor scandals.
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
A voting rights advocate says Ohio's new ban on grace periods for mail ballots could cause major problems for voters. “Where is the sense that our lawmakers are protecting our right to vote?”
Ohio Bans Grace Periods for Mail Ballots, Fulfilling Trump’s Wishes
Ohio is the fourth GOP-run state this year to ban ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but arrive after. A Supreme Court case could force that policy nationwide next year.
boltsmag.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:29 PM
A voting rights advocate says Ohio's new ban on grace periods for mail ballots could cause major problems for voters. “Where is the sense that our lawmakers are protecting our right to vote?”
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
Other outlets will offer criticism of the most reckless, destructive Supreme Court in American history, but the bootlickers at the Bari Weiss News Network say it’s the critics who are dangerous
Jan Crawford’s Face the Nation comments attacking a “narrative” of Supreme Court corruption as “dangerous” was both a harsh accusation and completely lacking in specifics.
As such, confronting her comments is like nailing Jell-O to a wall.
Nonetheless, at Law Dork, I tried.
As such, confronting her comments is like nailing Jell-O to a wall.
Nonetheless, at Law Dork, I tried.
Jan Crawford's attack on SCOTUS "corruption" narrative was its own substance-free narrative
On Face the Nation, CBS News's chief legal correspondent went after Supreme Court critics as "dangerous." And yet, her court defense was completely lacking in specifics.
www.lawdork.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Other outlets will offer criticism of the most reckless, destructive Supreme Court in American history, but the bootlickers at the Bari Weiss News Network say it’s the critics who are dangerous
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
As recently as 2020, providing grace periods for mail ballots was not controversial. But in Ohio and beyond, Republicans mostly now oppose them. That starts with Trump, who has falsely claimed that they lead to widespread voter fraud.
Ohio Bans Grace Periods for Mail Ballots, Fulfilling Trump’s Wishes
Ohio is the fourth GOP-run state this year to ban ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but arrive after. A Supreme Court case could force that policy nationwide next year.
boltsmag.org
December 28, 2025 at 9:28 PM
As recently as 2020, providing grace periods for mail ballots was not controversial. But in Ohio and beyond, Republicans mostly now oppose them. That starts with Trump, who has falsely claimed that they lead to widespread voter fraud.
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
“The law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another person’s name on the building’s exterior.” apnews.com/article/kenn...
Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jazz concert canceled after Trump name added to building
A planned Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center has been canceled. Musician Chuck Redd, the show's host, says he called off the performance after the White House announced President Donald ...
apnews.com
December 25, 2025 at 12:50 PM
“The law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another person’s name on the building’s exterior.” apnews.com/article/kenn...
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
Release the Jack Smith transcript.
Jack Smith is calling for the House Judiciary Committee to release the recording of his full closed-door deposition before the panel.
"Doing so will ensure that the American people can hear the facts directly from Mr. Smith, rather than through second-hand accounts."
"Doing so will ensure that the American people can hear the facts directly from Mr. Smith, rather than through second-hand accounts."
December 25, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Release the Jack Smith transcript.
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
Andrea Pitzer, who wrote a global history of concentration camps, on why we must call a concentration camp "a concentration camp."
One of the most important things I've ever worked on.
One of the most important things I've ever worked on.
December 25, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Andrea Pitzer, who wrote a global history of concentration camps, on why we must call a concentration camp "a concentration camp."
One of the most important things I've ever worked on.
One of the most important things I've ever worked on.
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
This is pretext. Trump’s been obsessed w/wind turbines for decades, which began after Scotland put some in near his golf course. He sued the govt & lost, which is why he claims they cause cancer, mental illness in whales, bird extinctions, etc. Welcome to the 19th century. bsky.app/profile/atru...
Burgum: "Today we're sending notifications to the 5 large offshore wind projects that are under construction that their leases will be suspended due to national security concerns ... the Dept of War has come back conclusively that these large offshore wind programs create radar interference"
December 22, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This is pretext. Trump’s been obsessed w/wind turbines for decades, which began after Scotland put some in near his golf course. He sued the govt & lost, which is why he claims they cause cancer, mental illness in whales, bird extinctions, etc. Welcome to the 19th century. bsky.app/profile/atru...
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
There's a lot of focus on how the dripping antisemitism on the right has created a useful rupture in various parts of Trump's support, and that's true.
But I really worry that EVEN those on the less hateful side of that split are ignoring how dangerous some of these terrorists are.
But I really worry that EVEN those on the less hateful side of that split are ignoring how dangerous some of these terrorists are.
A violent Neo Nazi organization with close ties to and funding from the Kremlin appears suddenly to get a green light from Kash Patel's FBI.
Neo-Nazi terror group steps up US operations as FBI pulls back
Online activity shows the Base, headed by alleged Russian asset Rinaldo Nazzaro, sees US and Ukraine as key centers
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:07 PM
There's a lot of focus on how the dripping antisemitism on the right has created a useful rupture in various parts of Trump's support, and that's true.
But I really worry that EVEN those on the less hateful side of that split are ignoring how dangerous some of these terrorists are.
But I really worry that EVEN those on the less hateful side of that split are ignoring how dangerous some of these terrorists are.
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
If you haven't already, definitely read this WSJ story on how Putin hand-picked Witkoff for his malleability and cupidity.
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
How Putin Got His Preferred U.S. Envoy: Come Alone, No CIA
The Kremlin fueled the rise of Trump’s friend Steve Witkoff with a prisoner release, sidelining career diplomats.
www.wsj.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
If you haven't already, definitely read this WSJ story on how Putin hand-picked Witkoff for his malleability and cupidity.
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
1/ Just weeks after a Democrat was elected governor of NC in 2024 by an overwhelming margin, the state’s GOP-controlled legislature set out to strip him of powers.
What happened next illuminates the breakdown in the separation of powers throughout the nation.
THREAD 👇
tinyurl.com/y3v6np59
What happened next illuminates the breakdown in the separation of powers throughout the nation.
THREAD 👇
tinyurl.com/y3v6np59
Inside the North Carolina GOP’s Decade-Long Push to Seize Power From the State’s Democratic Governors
For almost a decade, North Carolina’s majority-Republican legislature tried six times to strip Democratic governors of control over the board overseeing the swing state’s elections. This year, it fina...
tinyurl.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:26 PM
1/ Just weeks after a Democrat was elected governor of NC in 2024 by an overwhelming margin, the state’s GOP-controlled legislature set out to strip him of powers.
What happened next illuminates the breakdown in the separation of powers throughout the nation.
THREAD 👇
tinyurl.com/y3v6np59
What happened next illuminates the breakdown in the separation of powers throughout the nation.
THREAD 👇
tinyurl.com/y3v6np59
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
The New York Times investigated 346 people who donated at least $250,000 to Trump and found that more than half of them (197) have received pardons, jobs, government contracts, special treatment, or favors.
Hundreds of Big Post-Election Donors Have Benefited From Trump’s Return to Office
Well into his second term, the president and his allies have continued aggressively raising money. Many donors have interests before his administration, The Times found.
www.nytimes.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The New York Times investigated 346 people who donated at least $250,000 to Trump and found that more than half of them (197) have received pardons, jobs, government contracts, special treatment, or favors.
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
Civil Discourse is a newsletter for people who want to understand what’s happening in our country, not just survive it. Here’s what you need to know to be ready for the week ahead. open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
December 22, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Civil Discourse is a newsletter for people who want to understand what’s happening in our country, not just survive it. Here’s what you need to know to be ready for the week ahead. open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
"Babies in the randomized, controlled trial will or will not receive the vaccine at birth...
"It is a breach of scientific ethics to withhold an intervention that has been proven safe and effective."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"It is a breach of scientific ethics to withhold an intervention that has been proven safe and effective."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
US plan for $1.6m hepatitis B vaccine study in Africa called ‘highly unethical’
Experts decry ‘neocolonialist’ Guinea-Bissau study after Trump administration changed advice for US babies
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:27 PM
"Babies in the randomized, controlled trial will or will not receive the vaccine at birth...
"It is a breach of scientific ethics to withhold an intervention that has been proven safe and effective."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"It is a breach of scientific ethics to withhold an intervention that has been proven safe and effective."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
Congress demanded Jack Smith testify about his investigations, but kept him behind closed doors during his sworn deposition. If we care about transparency, then Congress should release the transcript. My thoughts in Bloomberg.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Release the Jack Smith Deposition Transcript
This week, former special counsel Jack Smith finally had the chance to speak about the findings of his investigation into President Donald Trump. It’s a shame the public couldn't hear him.
www.bloomberg.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Congress demanded Jack Smith testify about his investigations, but kept him behind closed doors during his sworn deposition. If we care about transparency, then Congress should release the transcript. My thoughts in Bloomberg.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
makes me want to chew glass wapo.st/4aXfzn5
U.S. plans to stop recommending most childhood vaccines, defer to doctors
The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.
wapo.st
December 19, 2025 at 10:49 PM
makes me want to chew glass wapo.st/4aXfzn5
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
Academics and technologists are sounding the alarm about a growing crisis in scholarship as we know it: AI-generated citations of nonexistent papers that have infested real journals. Despite being fake, the sources are widely assumed to be authentic the more they appear in published literature.
AI Is Inventing Academic Papers That Don't Exist -- And They're Being Cited in Real Journals
Academic articles from authors using large language model are creating an ecosystem of fake research that threatens human knowledge itself.
www.rollingstone.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Academics and technologists are sounding the alarm about a growing crisis in scholarship as we know it: AI-generated citations of nonexistent papers that have infested real journals. Despite being fake, the sources are widely assumed to be authentic the more they appear in published literature.
Reposted by Amy b Robinson
"The notion that all elected officials have are their thoughts and prayers, regardless of by whom it is uttered, is a direct attack on the purpose of government itself."
snyder.substack.com/p/what-a-ter...
snyder.substack.com/p/what-a-ter...
What a terrible thing it is
Mass shootings as regime change
snyder.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
"The notion that all elected officials have are their thoughts and prayers, regardless of by whom it is uttered, is a direct attack on the purpose of government itself."
snyder.substack.com/p/what-a-ter...
snyder.substack.com/p/what-a-ter...