banner
LightNews
rswirling.bsky.social
Robyn Swirling
@rswirling.bsky.social
5.2K followers 970 following 3.2K posts
Abortion, abolition, those sorts of things. Free DC.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
rswirling.bsky.social
Robyn Swirling @rswirling.bsky.social · Aug 19
There is a LOT of filming going on and reporting out where feds and ICE are in DC. I know everyone means to be helpful when sharing that information, so I encourage everyone to get up to speed on the SALUTE method, which allows us to share info that is precise and doesn’t sow more fear.
S.A.L.U.T.E DOCUMENTATION S size: How many agents/ officers/vehicles? A Activity: What are the agents doing? Knocking on doors? Detaining someone? Attempting to enter private property? L Location: Give an exact address, intersection and/or landmark. U- Units: What letters, details, or patches are visible on the uniforms/jackets/vests/vehicles? Plainclothes? Masked? Pretending to be police? Refused to identify themselves? T -Time: What is the date and time? This info should be shared quickly. E-Equipment: What did agents have with them? Any weapons, flexicuffs, dogs, door breakers, LAD sound cannon, vans, SUVs, etc. Document vehicle details especially plates! For a template go to salute.kyr.digital/en OR scan the QR code. The generated message is what you can use when communicating with the hotlines!
6 150 190
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 30m
BREAKING: Federal judge finds the Trump admin likely violated the First (viewpoint discrimination) and Fifth (vagueness) Amendments in a case over changed domestic violence grant conditions.

Preliminary injunction issued.

(A TRO previously was issued.)

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Case 1:25-cv-00342-MRD-PAS Document 72 1683 Filed 10/10/25 Page 1 of 39 PagelD #: UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF RHODE ISLAND RHODE ISLAND COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, et al., Plaintiffs, v. ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR. in his official capacity as Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, et al., Defendants. C.A. No. 25-cv-342-MRD-PAS MEMORANDUM AND ORDER Melissa R. DuBose, United States District Judge. Over twenty non-profit coalitions that receive federal grant money to help support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault as well as members of society who are unhoused or without stable housing filed suit against the United States Departments of Health and Human Services ("HHS") and Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") as well as various administrators and subagencies who fall under and within these agencies (hereinafter the "Coalitions" or the "Plaintiffs"). Compl. at 1-4. The Plaintiffs allege that the Defendants are springing new conditions on them as grantees and are requiring compliance with new spending restrictions on grant funds (the "Grants"), all in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act (the "APA"), 5 U.S.C. § 706, the U.S. Constitution's clearly articulated separation of Case 1:25-cv-00342-MRD-PAS Document 72 1684 Filed 10/10/25 Page 2 of 39 PagelD #: powers principles such as the Article I Spending Clause, the First Amendment, and the Due Process Clause under the Fifth Amendment. Id. 11 4, 66-89. The new conditions and certifications foisted upon the grantees are focused on compelling compliance with sweeping changes imposed by the executive branch by way of Executive Orders ("E.O.s") aimed at eliminating programs that are perceived as promoting gender ideology; diversity, equity, and inclusion; elective abortions; and antidiscrimination. Id. 11 21-31, MPI at 73-74. IV. CONCLUSION As stated, the Court determines that the Plaintiffs have met their burden as to the preliminary injunction factors and finds them entitled to relief. Pursuant to Section 705 of the APA, the Court finds that it is necessary and appropriate to grant the Plaintiffs' request for a preliminary stay of the Challenged Conditions. See 5 U.S.C. § 705 (permitting a reviewing court to "issue all necessary and appropriate process to postpone the effective date of an agency action or to preserve status or rights pending conclusion of the review proceedings on such conditions as may be required and to the extent necessary to prevent irreparable injury"). 38 Case 1:25-cv-00342-MRD-PAS Document 72 Filed 10/10/25 Page 39 of 39 PagelD #: 1721 IT IS SO ORDERED. Melissa R. DuBose United States District Judge October 10, 2025
3 97 330
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
parkermolloy.com
Parker Molloy @parkermolloy.com · 1h
Caitlin Flanagan @CaitlinPacific I’ve missed hearing Woody Allen’s voice - I’d been so rattled this week and there he was, his full self. ⁦ @bariweiss ⁩ is the perfect interviewer. She seemed almost like a daughter to him - in a way she is. We all are. Order Life with Baum! like a daughter to him Disgusted barbie
92 580 3.8K
rswirling.bsky.social
Robyn Swirling @rswirling.bsky.social · 1h
They’re playing The Middle by Jimmy Eat World on the classic rock station now.
2
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
prisonculture.bsky.social
Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 3h
They are not planning "a violent crackdown" on 10.18. What they are doing is sending a signal to their shock troops to try to cause havoc. But those shock troops will be vastly outnumbered. Go out and protest freely. Do not be cowed.
16 820 2.4K
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
maustermuhle.bsky.social
Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 5h
It was almost four years ago that Nina Larson was killed by a driver as she crossed Columbia Road NW in Adams Morgan. (Story: dcist.com/story/21/11/...) It took until this week for the driver to be found guilty of two misdemeanor offenses.
24-Year-Old Aspiring Opera Singer, Restaurant Worker Killed By Driver In Adams Morgan
Nina Larson was an aspiring opera singer, American University graduate, and employee at Mintwood Place in Adams Morgan.
dcist.com
2 11 38
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
mikesager.net
Sexy Sager Costume @mikesager.net · 5h
Folks: this Nobel thing is the perfect encapsulation of how republicans just say bullshit over and over until it becomes part of the discourse. There was objectively never any possibility that DONALD TRUMP was going to win a Nobel. Why did anyone treat that as a real thing that could happen?
2 1 24
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
jamellebouie.net
jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 6h
this really is all just about resentment over obama being given the prize
atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 6h
BARTIROMO: On your point about the Nobel Peace Prize, do you think maybe the reason Trump won't get it is because you had to get the application in before Jan. 31, and that was only 11 days into his term?

SCALISE: Look, they can play technicalities. They gave it to Obama for just getting elected.
160 430 3.3K
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb @dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social · 5h
Every year, our Right Direction Awards celebrate exceptional young people in DC. 🏅

Do you know a young person in DC (ages 14-24) who has overcome a major challenge or is making a positive impact in our community?

Please nominate them for an award at oag.dc.gov/rda by Wednesday, October 22!
6 7
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
karlbode.com
Karl Bode @karlbode.com · 1d
you'd think a prominent news outlet like the New York Times might mention that "antifa" isn't an actual organization in a long story about antifa, but nope!

and the subhead helps props up a false claim this professor was up to something seedy as something up for debate
NYT headline: "Rutgers Expert on Antifa Tries to Flee to Spain After Death Threats" subheadline: "Mark Bray was teaching courses on antifascism. Turning Point USA accused him of belonging to antifa, which he denies. His flight to Spain was canceled abruptly on Wednesday night."
480 2.7K 11K
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
costasamaras.com
Costa Samaras @costasamaras.com · 14h
Picture how big the Hoover Dam is. An absolute unit. The Hoover Dam has a power capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW).

The solar farm that the Admin just cancelled could have produces 6.2 GW of power. That's more than 3 Hoover Dams.
jael.bsky.social
jael holzman @jael.bsky.social · 15h
SCOOP: The Bureau of Land Management says the largest solar project in Nevada — the Esmeralda 7 mega-farm — has been canceled

The news was quietly dropped via a sudden website update with no public word from any of the companies involved or a statement from the agency

@heatmap.news
Esmeralda 7 Solar Project Has Been Canceled, BLM Says
It would have delivered a gargantuan 6.2 gigawatts of power.
heatmap.news
110 2.1K 4.1K
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
swin24.bsky.social
Asawin Suebsaeng @swin24.bsky.social · 6h
Sure but also he and his government engaged in a taxpayer funded lengthy, multi-pronged, deeply corrupt and imo scandalous attempt to threaten and shake down a friendly nation, including by threat of senseless economic warfare, into making our leader feel good about himself by giving him a trinket…
nicholasgrossman.bsky.social
Nicholas Grossman @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social · 7h
The widespread media decision to frame international affairs as "will Donnie get the prize he wants?" is pathetic.

He's not the protagonist of human events. And to the extent he's a significant character in world affairs, whether or not he gets a prize is one of the least important things about it.
7 80 470
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
kjhealy.co
Kieran Healy @kjhealy.co · 9h
White House staff should just make and show him an AI-generated video where he wins, fly him to Duluth and tell him it’s Oslo, and dare the New York Times to say anything more than “Experts disagree about whether Mr Trump was awarded the Nobel Prize”.
51 590 2.8K
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
tadethompson.bsky.social
Tade Thompson @tadethompson.bsky.social · 8h
It's important to focus on who won, not who did not.
Nobel peace prize 2025 live: María Corina Machado wins for work promoting democratic rights in Venezuela
US president had been conducting campaign to influence prize committee
www.theguardian.com
3 210 910
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
emptywheel.bsky.social
emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 22h
Stephen Miller is murdering Venezuelans and Colombians in cold blood bc he believes it helps his propaganda campaign to paint Latinos as dangerous.

www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
Stephen Miller views the air strikes as an opportunity to paint immigrants as a dangerous menace, according to one of the White House officials.
490 4.1K 11K
rswirling.bsky.social
Robyn Swirling @rswirling.bsky.social · 18h
I’ve been thinking about this all day and chuckling
luxalptraum.com
Lux "Nightmare" Alptraum @luxalptraum.com · 1d
TFW you paid $1400 to see Beckett’s most famous work without knowing anything about it
One Star Review of Waiting for Godot on Broadway I recently attended Waiting for Godot on Broadway and spent over $1,400 for two Row C seats (103 and 104). I'm a longtime admirer of Broadway productions and even hold a season pass for Shea's Performing Arts Theatre, so I came in with genuine enthusiasm and high expectations. Unfortunately, this show was unlike anything ! have ever experienced —and not in a good way. What I encountered was not the artistry, music, or emotional storytelling I usually associate with Broadway, but instead what felt like an endless cycle of nonsensical conversation between characters who seemed trapped in their own madness. I tried-truly tried-to find meaning, symbolism, or even a thread of emotional resonance. I stayed through the first half hoping the second would offer clarity. But by intermission, it was clear: this was a waste of both time and money. Keanu Reeves is an actor I respect greatly, but I cannot fathom why he would agree to participate in such a disjointed, inaccessible production. His talent was lost in a performance that defied reason rather than provoked insight. To anyone considering attending: unless you are drawn to highly abstract, nearly incomprehensible theater, I strongly caution you against this show. For the average, educated, thoughtful theatergoer, it is far more frustrating than fulfilling. In my opinion, this was the single most disappointing Broadway experience I've ever had - an unfortunate waste of money and, more importantly, of time.
2
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
susanrinkunas.com
Susan Rinkunas @susanrinkunas.com · 18h
There was a huge asterisk immediately following “send it back to the states”
susanrinkunas.com
Susan Rinkunas @susanrinkunas.com · 20h
Eight of these Senators represent states that directly voted post Dobbs to codify abortion access in their constitutions, or blocked anti-abortion measures. But now they’re demanding federal restrictions

(KS: Marshall, Moran; MO: Hawley, Schmitt; MT: Daines, Sheehy; OH: Moreno, Husted)
susanrinkunas.com
Susan Rinkunas @susanrinkunas.com · 23h
NEW: 51 Senators urge RFK Jr. and Marty Makary to end telemedicine prescriptions of the abortion drug mifepristone— and to suspend its distribution as an "imminent hazard" under Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Collins and Murkowski only GOP members not to sign
justthenews.com/sites/defaul...
2 11 32
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
jonathancohn.bsky.social
Jonathan Cohn @jonathancohn.bsky.social · 1d
All conspiracy theories eventually lead to antisemitism.
justinbaragona.bsky.social
Justin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · 1d
Besides linking Tylenol in pregnant women to autism, RFK Jr. now says circumcision is part of the reason why kids are autistic.

"Children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism, and it's highly likely because they're given Tylenol. None of this is positive..."
42 220 980
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
stephenwolf.bsky.social
Stephen Wolf @stephenwolf.bsky.social · 1d
Wow. This is a big deal in North Carolina’s legislature. Cecil Brockman holds a safe seat but is often absent or votes with Republicans, helping them override Gov. Stein’s vetoes (they need 1 Dem vote or 2 Dem absences).

If he resigns or gets removed, Dems could replace him with a more reliable Dem
Rep. Cecil Brockman charged with indecent liberties with a child, statutory rape
Brockman, a Democrat, represents a Guilford County district that includes High Point.
www.wunc.org
6 39 120
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
volts.wtf
David Roberts @volts.wtf · 1d
It really can't be said enough: the goal of the "anti-woke" movement was always to destroy social norms against bigotry. And it worked. And there's a whole lot of purportedly "left" thinkers & commentators who helped it -- indeed, it couldn't have been done without them.

They should feel bad.
60 1.3K 5.1K
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
luxalptraum.com
Lux "Nightmare" Alptraum @luxalptraum.com · 1d
TFW you paid $1400 to see Beckett’s most famous work without knowing anything about it
One Star Review of Waiting for Godot on Broadway I recently attended Waiting for Godot on Broadway and spent over $1,400 for two Row C seats (103 and 104). I'm a longtime admirer of Broadway productions and even hold a season pass for Shea's Performing Arts Theatre, so I came in with genuine enthusiasm and high expectations. Unfortunately, this show was unlike anything ! have ever experienced —and not in a good way. What I encountered was not the artistry, music, or emotional storytelling I usually associate with Broadway, but instead what felt like an endless cycle of nonsensical conversation between characters who seemed trapped in their own madness. I tried-truly tried-to find meaning, symbolism, or even a thread of emotional resonance. I stayed through the first half hoping the second would offer clarity. But by intermission, it was clear: this was a waste of both time and money. Keanu Reeves is an actor I respect greatly, but I cannot fathom why he would agree to participate in such a disjointed, inaccessible production. His talent was lost in a performance that defied reason rather than provoked insight. To anyone considering attending: unless you are drawn to highly abstract, nearly incomprehensible theater, I strongly caution you against this show. For the average, educated, thoughtful theatergoer, it is far more frustrating than fulfilling. In my opinion, this was the single most disappointing Broadway experience I've ever had - an unfortunate waste of money and, more importantly, of time.
34 860 4.9K
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
maris.bsky.social
Maris Kreizman @maris.bsky.social · 1d
This is so damn scary. The book claimed that Jeffrey Epstein was the one who introduced Donald and Melania. Now the CEO of Harper UK is out.
jayrayner1.bsky.social
Jay Rayner @jayrayner1.bsky.social · 1d
In other news Charlie Redmayne, the long serving CEO of HC in the UK, resigned yesterday.
55 840 2.2K
rswirling.bsky.social
Robyn Swirling @rswirling.bsky.social · 1d
Some people complain that DC prosecutors aren’t tough enough on crime, yet time after time after time after time prosecutions can’t go forward because MPD has blown it by being unethical.
wcp.bsky.social
Washington City Paper @wcp.bsky.social · 1d
The D.C. Court of Appeals tossed out an armed carjacking conviction due to an MPD detective's "highly suggestive" tactics prompting a witness to identify the suspect.
Armed Carjacking Conviction Tossed After MPD Detective Botches Witness Identification
Federal prosecutors have until Dec. 1 to ask for a rehearing. It’s unclear whether they will refile charges.
buff.ly
2 10
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
matthewcebul.bsky.social
Matthew Cebul @matthewcebul.bsky.social · 1d
Greene is doing something that Dems should want to emulate: intentionally pitting Trump against his most vile subordinates.

Example: Trump wants a budget deal? We'd love to, but we can't trust that you'll keep your word with Vought and Miller driving the bus. Fire them.
atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d
Marjorie Taylor Greene on polls showing Republicans are getting blamed for the shutdown: "I'm not putting the blame on the president. I'm actually putting the the blame on the Speaker and Leader Thune in the Senate. This should not be happening ... we control the House & Senate & have the WH."
15 140 590
Reposted by Robyn Swirling
jackmirkinson.bsky.social
Jack Mirkinson @jackmirkinson.bsky.social · 1d
there was a ceasefire when trump came in. he let israel blow that up, let famine spread, let his goons murder starving people, before using the power he'd had since he took office. grotesque to call this peacemaking. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/us/politics/trump-mideast-visit-israel-gaza.html
(from the nyt obvi) With Mideast Deal, Trump Is on the Brink of a Major Diplomatic Accomplishment For President Trump, success in brokering a cease-fire is the ultimate test of his self-described goal as a deal maker and a peacemaker.
10 120 310