randy r. potts
@thephatic.bsky.social
journo + editor; Hromadske, TVPWorld, New Yorker, Baffler, et al 🏳️🌈🌹
Tulsa / Baltimore / Warszawa
https://url-shortener.me/809V
Signal: thephatic.39
Tulsa / Baltimore / Warszawa
https://url-shortener.me/809V
Signal: thephatic.39
Reposted by randy r. potts
I am a FUCKING HISTORIAN.f you would read the rest of my thread youd get it. GTFO of my timeline. IGNANT ASS.
Read some American history, okay? Read about the Red Scare, and the House Un-American Activities Committee. Read about strikers fighting for a living wage, lockouts, and the Pinkerton Detective Agency thugs being hired by the gov't to beat, shoot, and otherwise "discourage" the people marching.
January 25, 2026 at 3:54 PM
I am a FUCKING HISTORIAN.f you would read the rest of my thread youd get it. GTFO of my timeline. IGNANT ASS.
Reposted by randy r. potts
But this is how Border Patrol in particular has behaved, continuously. They threaten and brutalize people at the slightest provocation. They troop around like an invading army, not a force that is supposed to protect us. When you see it, it’s so clear: they’re the conquerors, we’re the enemy.
January 25, 2026 at 2:44 PM
But this is how Border Patrol in particular has behaved, continuously. They threaten and brutalize people at the slightest provocation. They troop around like an invading army, not a force that is supposed to protect us. When you see it, it’s so clear: they’re the conquerors, we’re the enemy.
Reposted by randy r. potts
"As many as 30,000 people could have been killed in the streets of Iran on Jan. 8 and 9 alone, two senior officials of the country’s Ministry of Health told TIME—indicating a dramatic surge in the death toll."
time.com/7357635/more...
time.com/7357635/more...
Iran Protest Death Toll Could Top 30,000: Local Officials
According to two senior officials of the country’s Ministry of Health who spoke with TIME.
time.com
January 25, 2026 at 3:22 PM
"As many as 30,000 people could have been killed in the streets of Iran on Jan. 8 and 9 alone, two senior officials of the country’s Ministry of Health told TIME—indicating a dramatic surge in the death toll."
time.com/7357635/more...
time.com/7357635/more...
nice to see that UK Guardian and Financial Times are saying it like it is
January 25, 2026 at 4:30 PM
nice to see that UK Guardian and Financial Times are saying it like it is
letting them win bc you don't want them to throw the pieces to the floor
January 25, 2026 at 4:09 PM
letting them win bc you don't want them to throw the pieces to the floor
Reposted by randy r. potts
A federal judge effectively ordered the U.S. government not to cover up evidence that it illegally executed a civilian, at the request of local prosecutors seeking to investigate federal agents for murder.
Don’t want to overstate things but it feels reminiscent of the run-up to the Civil War.
Don’t want to overstate things but it feels reminiscent of the run-up to the Civil War.
Understand that 370 days ago even bringing a motion like this would probably have been treated as sanctionably frivolous
Today it was granted ex parte
Today it was granted ex parte
A federal judge issues a restraining order against the feds, barring them from "destroying or altering evidence"
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 25, 2026 at 3:17 PM
A federal judge effectively ordered the U.S. government not to cover up evidence that it illegally executed a civilian, at the request of local prosecutors seeking to investigate federal agents for murder.
Don’t want to overstate things but it feels reminiscent of the run-up to the Civil War.
Don’t want to overstate things but it feels reminiscent of the run-up to the Civil War.
there's an argument that we shouldn't look to German fascism to explain what's happening in the US bc US history is right there; also, 1, the Nazis studied Jim Crow law and copy pasted some of it and, 2, the Trump admin is now doing the same with Nazi tactics - the thing is, it's the SAME STORY
In the early 1930s the SA was roughing people up, creating chaos in neighborhoods, seeking to terrorize with the occasional killing. By the late 1930s it had been supplanted by the SS, which was much better trained.
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
January 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM
there's an argument that we shouldn't look to German fascism to explain what's happening in the US bc US history is right there; also, 1, the Nazis studied Jim Crow law and copy pasted some of it and, 2, the Trump admin is now doing the same with Nazi tactics - the thing is, it's the SAME STORY
Reposted by randy r. potts
In the early 1930s the SA was roughing people up, creating chaos in neighborhoods, seeking to terrorize with the occasional killing. By the late 1930s it had been supplanted by the SS, which was much better trained.
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
January 25, 2026 at 3:50 PM
In the early 1930s the SA was roughing people up, creating chaos in neighborhoods, seeking to terrorize with the occasional killing. By the late 1930s it had been supplanted by the SS, which was much better trained.
Reposted by randy r. potts
yeah I’ve been pretty horrified reading der Spiegel and Tagesschau coverage of this one
this is happening across Europe; the editors in charge of most big pubs have spent their life defaulting to US govt narratives and seem unable/unwilling to change that
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
January 25, 2026 at 3:16 PM
yeah I’ve been pretty horrified reading der Spiegel and Tagesschau coverage of this one
anyway, here's an interesting tidbit: ICE's budget of 85 billion is the 6th highest military budget on earth; it is almost as big as the budget for the 2 largest militaries in Europe, Poland and Ukraine, combined
January 25, 2026 at 3:08 PM
anyway, here's an interesting tidbit: ICE's budget of 85 billion is the 6th highest military budget on earth; it is almost as big as the budget for the 2 largest militaries in Europe, Poland and Ukraine, combined
apparently not relevant to Europe that the world's superpower is falling to authoritarianism
January 25, 2026 at 2:58 PM
apparently not relevant to Europe that the world's superpower is falling to authoritarianism
related: just spent hours of work on a story today about the ICE shooting for a European pub and ... they just decided to kill the story ...
this is happening across Europe; the editors in charge of most big pubs have spent their life defaulting to US govt narratives and seem unable/unwilling to change that
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
January 25, 2026 at 2:53 PM
related: just spent hours of work on a story today about the ICE shooting for a European pub and ... they just decided to kill the story ...
Reposted by randy r. potts
One of the best organizers I know in the Twin Cities has a great line, "We can't always take away the hurt, but we can take away the alone."
January 25, 2026 at 4:49 AM
One of the best organizers I know in the Twin Cities has a great line, "We can't always take away the hurt, but we can take away the alone."
Reposted by randy r. potts
"I am a children's entertainer who specializes in face painting," writes a woman now in hiding from the federal government for witnessing a state-sanctioned street execution
You have to read this. Firsthand affidavit from one of the women who was there and recording the video. She talks about how Alex Pretti was directing traffic when she arrived. She watched him be killed in front of her. She's afraid to go home, worried she'll be arrested.
January 25, 2026 at 2:03 AM
"I am a children's entertainer who specializes in face painting," writes a woman now in hiding from the federal government for witnessing a state-sanctioned street execution
Reposted by randy r. potts
Alex Pretti's parents to US news outlets:
"We are heartbroken but also very angry... The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting."
"We are heartbroken but also very angry... The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting."
January 25, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Alex Pretti's parents to US news outlets:
"We are heartbroken but also very angry... The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting."
"We are heartbroken but also very angry... The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting."
also, if you want to support those who survive ICE encounters but can't afford legal defense, here are 3 orgs you can look up and send money to:
ACLU Minnesota
National Lawyers Guild Minnesota
Monarca Minnesota
ACLU Minnesota
National Lawyers Guild Minnesota
Monarca Minnesota
If you’re able, please support this verified GoFundMe for Alex Pretti’s family. And if you’re not in a position to donate, sharing it far and wide matters just as much. It’s at $300K and counting.
Donate to Alex Pretti is an American Hero, organized by Keith Edwards
On January 24, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Minneapolis resident and American citizen wa… Keith Edwards needs your support for Alex Pretti is an American Hero
www.gofundme.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:23 AM
also, if you want to support those who survive ICE encounters but can't afford legal defense, here are 3 orgs you can look up and send money to:
ACLU Minnesota
National Lawyers Guild Minnesota
Monarca Minnesota
ACLU Minnesota
National Lawyers Guild Minnesota
Monarca Minnesota
Reposted by randy r. potts
Call the piece of legislation that ultimately abolishes ICE the Pretti-Good Act
January 25, 2026 at 7:06 AM
Call the piece of legislation that ultimately abolishes ICE the Pretti-Good Act
every day, new horrors to contemplate
Reminder: If the Supreme Court upholds Trump’s attack on birthright citizenship, some of the ICE officers currently brutalizing Minnesotans may be reassigned to apprehend newborns from the hospital for immediate deportation. Just read the Trump administration’s own memo. slate.com/news-and-pol...
January 25, 2026 at 9:05 AM
every day, new horrors to contemplate
this is happening across Europe; the editors in charge of most big pubs have spent their life defaulting to US govt narratives and seem unable/unwilling to change that
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
January 25, 2026 at 9:02 AM
this is happening across Europe; the editors in charge of most big pubs have spent their life defaulting to US govt narratives and seem unable/unwilling to change that
Reposted by randy r. potts
The beauty of this is that Guttenfelder is covering these men the way they have always wanted: dripping in tacticool gear, in action, looking down their sites at an enemy which surrounds them. In doing so, he reveals who they are. They imagine themselves heroes; he shows they are villains.
Dave Guttenfelder is an amazing photojournalist who‘s most recently primarily focused on conflict photojournalism in Syria and Ukraine.
Hes recently turned his talents to Minneapolis.
Hes recently turned his talents to Minneapolis.
January 25, 2026 at 7:07 AM
The beauty of this is that Guttenfelder is covering these men the way they have always wanted: dripping in tacticool gear, in action, looking down their sites at an enemy which surrounds them. In doing so, he reveals who they are. They imagine themselves heroes; he shows they are villains.
Reposted by randy r. potts
After hearing today’s news & knowing Alex Pretti - dry January is over.
In my ICU rotations at Minneapolis VA, nights in residency, & days as a fellow in infectious diseases, I worked alongside Alex.
Surely our nurses unions can help make some good trouble for a fallen hero?
#Neat
#NoICE
#MedSky
In my ICU rotations at Minneapolis VA, nights in residency, & days as a fellow in infectious diseases, I worked alongside Alex.
Surely our nurses unions can help make some good trouble for a fallen hero?
#Neat
#NoICE
#MedSky
January 25, 2026 at 1:47 AM
Reposted by randy r. potts
You know me I don't share fundraisers unless I can tell you I trust them with my whole heart and my own wallet. This one gets protective gear to legal observers in Minneapolis / Saint Paul
www.gofundme.com/f/help-equip...
www.gofundme.com/f/help-equip...
Donate to Help Equip Twin Cities Legal Observers with PPE, organized by Jac Kovarik
I have been involved in rapid response in the Twin Cities area since the b… Jac Kovarik needs your support for Help Equip Twin Cities Legal Observers with PPE
www.gofundme.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:26 PM
You know me I don't share fundraisers unless I can tell you I trust them with my whole heart and my own wallet. This one gets protective gear to legal observers in Minneapolis / Saint Paul
www.gofundme.com/f/help-equip...
www.gofundme.com/f/help-equip...
Reposted by randy r. potts
You have to read this. Firsthand affidavit from one of the women who was there and recording the video. She talks about how Alex Pretti was directing traffic when she arrived. She watched him be killed in front of her. She's afraid to go home, worried she'll be arrested.
January 25, 2026 at 1:15 AM
You have to read this. Firsthand affidavit from one of the women who was there and recording the video. She talks about how Alex Pretti was directing traffic when she arrived. She watched him be killed in front of her. She's afraid to go home, worried she'll be arrested.
Reposted by randy r. potts
January 25, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Reposted by randy r. potts
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.