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sarahposner.bsky.social
Sarah Posner
@sarahposner.bsky.social
79K followers 660 following 9.7K posts
Investigative journalist, columnist, expert on the Christian right.

Author, Unholy. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/605774/unholy-by-sarah-posner/

More info, links: https://www.sarahposner.com/portfolio
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sarahposner.bsky.social
Sarah Posner @sarahposner.bsky.social · Sep 5
I'm here for all manner of publishing trends and literary takes. Bring it on! (Or maybe I'll start something...?)
Reposted by Sarah Posner
emptywheel.bsky.social
Garry Kasparov on the Ukraine "piece" plan.

www.thenextmove.org/p/diplomacy-...
All of this becomes a lot easier to understand if we stop thinking of Trump, Witkoff, Putin, and Dmitriev as political leaders of opposing powers and instead think of them as leaders of competing but friendly mafia families dividing up territory and clout. Looking at the deal they concluded and the rhetoric emanating from both camps, it’s not too hard to get into that mindset. Nothing about this deal would ensure peace over the long (or even medium) term. Instead, this is merely a breather, offering Russia the chance to consolidate its gains and bide its time until it can attack again while the US, and more importantly, those in Trump’s immediate circles, have a chance to profit from doing business with Russia.
November 26, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
vreij.bsky.social
'The Rise and Fall of the Dim-Wit Plan. The latest iteration of a "secret US-Russia peace plan for Ukraine" would have been funny, if it wasn't so cruel to Ukraine.' minnalander.substack.com/p/the-rise-a...
The Rise and Fall of the Dim-Wit Plan
The latest iteration of a "secret US-Russia peace plan for Ukraine" would have been funny, if it wasn't so cruel to Ukraine.
minnalander.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
swin24.bsky.social
The juice is gone
November 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
local6741.bsky.social
HUGE win for @uam-umd.bsky.social this week!
dmgreene.bsky.social Dan Greene @dmgreene.bsky.social · 1d
We @uam-umd.bsky.social won. Faculty packed town halls, talked to their colleagues and collected hundreds of petition signatures. Now UMD is coughing up $8.75m, during a deficit, to fund faculty whose research is under attack. Not enough, but a helluva thing for a union the state calls illegal.
$8.75M Investment Supports ‘Research Resilience’… | Maryland Today
UMD, MPower Funds Combine to Help Preserve Institutional Capabilities, Lab Operations and More
today.umd.edu
November 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
andycraig.bsky.social
This is all so ludicrously improper and meritless on so many levels, I'd bet the likelier result is nothing more comes of it beyond this purely performative bluster, because Hegseth has no idea what he's doing and they'd struggle to find literally anybody in uniform willing to move forward with it.
brandonfriedman.bsky.social Brandon Friedman @brandonfriedman.bsky.social · 2d
This is likely unlawful command influence
@PeteHegseth on X: The video made by the “Seditious Six” was despicable, reckless, and false. Encouraging our warriors to ignore the orders of their Commanders undermines every aspect of “good order and discipline.” Their foolish screed sows doubt and confusion — which only puts our warriors in danger. Five of the six individuals in that video do not fall under @DeptofWar jurisdiction (one is CIA and four are former military but not “retired”, so they are no longer subject to UCMJ). However, Mark Kelly (retired Navy Commander) is still subject to UCMJ—and he knows that. As was announced, the Department is reviewing his statements and actions, which were addressed directly to all troops while explicitly using his rank and service affiliation—lending the appearance of authority to his words. Kelly’s conduct brings discredit upon the armed forces and will be addressed appropriately. 24 Nov 25
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
murray.senate.gov
America needs more patriots like Senator Mark Kelly and fewer miserable cowards like Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth.
Sen. Mark Kelly facing military investigation after clashing with Trump
A statement from the Pentagon said all service members have a "legal obligation" to "obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful."
www.axios.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
sarahposner.bsky.social
"the idea that Republicans could lose their majority this Congress is no longer far-fetched. If Johnson were to lose another House Republican in the middle of this term to retirement, death or illness, there’s a decent chance that the GOP can end up in the minority at some point in 2026."
punchbowlnews.bsky.social Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 2d
☀️TOP in @punchbowlnews.bsky.social AM: MTG announced the end of her House career Friday night in a manifesto, of sorts, that was stinging for House Republicans. Why? Because the message rang true to so many in the House GOP.

Full story:
punchbowl.news/article/hous...
What MTG got right
MTG’s four-page note was stinging for House Republicans. Why? Because the message rang true to so many in the House GOP.
punchbowl.news
November 24, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
reuterszengerle.bsky.social
Doing some reading up on this - and you know who the Pentagon didn't go after? Jan. 6 offenders who were retired military. www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontli...
November 24, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
emptywheel.bsky.social
Note that Judge Currie cited this case for her decision that you unwind Lindsey's actions.

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
“When an appointment violates the Appointments Clause from the jump, the actor has ‘exercise[d] power that [she] did not lawfully possess.’” United States v. Giraud, No. 1:24-CR00768, 2025 WL 2196794, at *8 (D.N.J. Aug. 1, 2025) (Giraud I) (alterations in original) (quoting Collins, 594 U.S. at 258); see also Collins, 594 U.S. at 276 (Gorsuch, J., concurring in part) (explaining that when an officer is “unconstitutionally appointed,” “governmental action is taken by someone erroneously claiming the mantle of executive power — and thus taken with no authority at all”); id. at 266 (Thomas, J., concurring) (“[A]n officer must be properly appointed before he can legally act as an officer.”). In such a case, “the proper remedy is invalidation of the ultra vires action[s]” taken by the actor. United States v. Trump, 740 F. Supp. 3d 1245, 1302 (S.D. Fla. 2024). “Invalidation ‘follows directly from the government actor’s lack of authority to take the challenged action in the first place. That is, winning the merits of the constitutional challenge is enough.’” Id. (quoting Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau v. All Am. Check Cashing, Inc., 33 F.4th 218, 241 (5th Cir. 2022) (Jones, J., concurring)).
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
paleofuture.bsky.social
Sen. Mark Kelly has released a statement.

"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly released the following statement: "When / was 22 years old, I commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and swore an oath to the Constitution. / upheld that oath through flight school, multiple deployments on the USS Midway, 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, test pilot school, four space shuttle flights at NASA, and every day since / retired - which I did after my wife Gabby was shot in the head while serving her constituents. "In combat, I had a missile blow up next to my jet and flew through anti-aircraft fire to drop bombs on enemy targets. At NASA, I launched on a rocket, commanded the space shuttle, and was part of the recovery mission that brought home the bodies of my astronaut classmates who died on Columbia. I did all of this in service to this country that I love and has given me so much. "Secretary Hegseth's tweet is the first I heard of this. I also saw the President's posts saying I should be arrested, hanged, and put to death. "If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution."
November 24, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
rebeccasolnit.bsky.social
Thanks for asking. And no one who denies and attacks science can lead science. So no, and I hope the story isn't the whitewash this pitch makes it sound like.
November 24, 2025 at 4:14 PM
sarahposner.bsky.social
🧵
melissadeckman.bsky.social Melissa Deckman @melissadeckman.bsky.social · 2d
We took a deeper dive at @prri.org on Americans' attitudes and Epstein controversy. Our 2025 #AmericanValuesSurvey shows most Americans do not prioritize it as a critical issue, not do they approve of Trump's handling of it; yet some insights on QAnon are notable.
prri.org/spotlight/am...
Americans’ Views on the Epstein Files
The controversy over the Epstein files has drawn renewed public attention, particularly as questions arise about President Donald Trump’s response to their release. Using data from PRRI’s 2025…
prri.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM
sarahposner.bsky.social
If you read that Mike Pence op-ed last week citing some Founding Fathers about antisemitism and Jews' return to Israel... well, you're going to want to read this from @wthrockmorton.bsky.social (spoiler alert: Pence got some key arguments very wrong).

warrenthrockmorton.substack.com/p/did-the-fo...
Did the Founders Champion the Return of the Jewish People to Israel?
Mike Pence and Christian nationalist history
warrenthrockmorton.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
sarahposner.bsky.social
Impeach him. Call it Cassidy's Atonement.
nytimes.com The New York Times @nytimes.com · 5d
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
wthrockmorton.bsky.social
once restored to an independent government & no longer persecuted they would soon wear away some of the asperities & peculiarities of their character, possibly in time become liberal Unitarian Christians for your Jehovah is our Jehovah & your God of Abraham Isaac & Jacob is our God."
November 21, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
wthrockmorton.bsky.social
To Mordecai Noah, March 1819 - "For I really wish the Jews again in Judea an independent nation. For as I believe the most enlighten’d men of it have participated in the ameliorations of the philosophy of the age,
November 21, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
wthrockmorton.bsky.social
Pence quotes John Adams and Elias Boudinot as "the Founders." First mistake. One or two founders don't stand in for all of them or state US policy.

The full Adams quote predicts convertion of Jews to unitarian Christianity. founders.archives.gov/documents/Ad...
Founders Online: From John Adams to Mordecai M. Noah, 15 March 1819
From John Adams to Mordecai M. Noah, 15 March 1819
founders.archives.gov
November 21, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
thebulwark.com
Jamal Khashoggi's widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi: "Try as much as you can to save democracy and freedom of the press and speech in America. Do not be a copy of a Middle East dictatorship. We look to you as a role model of Western civilization—please maintain it."
November 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
sarahposner.bsky.social
you all know the punchline
November 21, 2025 at 6:07 PM
sarahposner.bsky.social
paging @wthrockmorton.bsky.social
parkermolloy.com Parker Molloy @parkermolloy.com · 5d
Mike Pence wrote an opinion piece for Fox News. Reading the headline, I was like, "Okay, seems like a normal take."

Then I read the subheadline and... bro, what?
November 21, 2025 at 6:04 PM
sarahposner.bsky.social
This is quite something

“Embarrassed” Trump Attorney Wants to Investigate DOJ for Incompetence newrepublic.com/post/203502/... via @newrepublic.com
“Embarrassed” Trump Attorney Wants to Investigate DOJ for Incompetence
Todd Blanche is worried that unforced errors could affect two massive cases.
newrepublic.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
gabrielmalor.bsky.social
This was the third time that Judge Xinis had ordered DOJ to produce someone who could actually testify to support its claims, and it was the third time DOJ failed to produce someone who could actually testify to support its claims.
chrisgeidner.bsky.social Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 6d
ABC News: "After not being able to answer several questions from Abrego Garcia's attorneys, [ICE's John] Cantu said he received 'verbiage' for his declaration from a State Department attorney."
ICE official struggles to answer questions about Abrego Garcia's potential deportation
A top ICE official struggled to answer questions about Kilmar Abrego Garcia during an evidentiary hearing about the Salvadoran native's potential deportation.
abcnews.go.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
ryanjreilly.com
Reminds me of a quote I heard about Lindsey Halligan: “There is a reason why we put baby AUSAs in misdemeanors…”

www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Justice Department reverses course, now says full grand jury reviewed James Comey's indictment
The turn of events comes a day after federal prosecutors admitted in court that not all grand jury members saw the final version of the indictment against the former FBI director.
www.nbcnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
stevanzetti.bsky.social
Elon Musk and his cronies turning up Grok's flatter-Elon-dial to 11 and then mass deleting a bunch of posts from Grok that say things like "Elon drinks piss/bottoms better than anyone on Earth" is the sort of poetic comedy that makes X the place to be
November 20, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Reposted by Sarah Posner
gabrielmalor.bsky.social
If a federal judge wrote in a decision that I was a lying liar who lied in testimony, I would be pretty fucking nervous.
November 20, 2025 at 10:33 PM