Zeb Larson
@zeblarson.bsky.social
Freelance writer with a PhD in history. Ex-academic; studied the anti-apartheid movement. Emeritus adjunct. Became a software engineer in 2020. Words in Teen Vogue, Smithsonian, Jacobin, BBC.
He/Him
zeb-larson.com
He/Him
zeb-larson.com
Pinned
The Big Business of War for Oil - Dame Magazine
On Saturday, January 3, 2026, President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela was seized by U.S. troops in a raid on his safe house in Caracas. The exact number of deaths is unknown, but estimated to be between...
www.damemagazine.com
My latest for Dame on Venezuela. We're reverting back to a kind of gangster capitalism and bullying in Latin America that would have been familiar to people like Smedley Butler. Our dipshit in chief thinks that this will be a light lift from us; history tells us otherwise.
Seth is on the money. Either she has a good political sense that the winds are apt to turn against Trump over this…or she doesn’t, and she’ll be eaten alive by her former following. We don’t have to applaud her for it, but it will either be a good thing or a funny thing.
Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Twitter. It’s 2026 and one of the few Republicans who seem capable of acknowledging that 2+2=4 is the person who was first politicized by Qanon.
January 25, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Seth is on the money. Either she has a good political sense that the winds are apt to turn against Trump over this…or she doesn’t, and she’ll be eaten alive by her former following. We don’t have to applaud her for it, but it will either be a good thing or a funny thing.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
hey everybody lifelong tech expert here
> "system crash” deleted nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from inside the facility
that's not how anything works they're lying and destroying evidence hope that helps
> "system crash” deleted nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from inside the facility
that's not how anything works they're lying and destroying evidence hope that helps
And what is happening inside ICE detention centers? 404 Media also learned that the federal government claimed that the day after it was sued for allegedly abusing detainees at an ICE detention center, a “system crash” deleted nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from inside the facility.
ICE Says Critical Evidence In Abuse Case Was Lost In 'System Crash' a Day After It Was Sued
The government also said "we don't have resources" to retain all footage and that plaintiffs could supply "endless hard drives that we could save things to."
www.404media.co
January 25, 2026 at 5:26 PM
hey everybody lifelong tech expert here
> "system crash” deleted nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from inside the facility
that's not how anything works they're lying and destroying evidence hope that helps
> "system crash” deleted nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from inside the facility
that's not how anything works they're lying and destroying evidence hope that helps
Tyranny makes for strange bedfellows but here we are, he’s got a good point
Senate Dems needn’t come to agreement on everything right now. That’s a path to the lowest common denominator. They simply have to agree to filibuster DHS approps. As to which of a host of anti-brutality and anti-authoritarian proposals to advance, let a thousand flowers bloom.
January 25, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Tyranny makes for strange bedfellows but here we are, he’s got a good point
AltNPS is a merch hawker that can’t be bothered to accurately cite journalists. There are no NPS employees there. Don’t follow them, repost their shit, or give them money.
AltNPS posted about Alex Pretti's murder 25 times since this morning. During that time, they spread misinformation about the shooting, lied about knowing the shooter's name, and generally flooded the zone with shit.
They're trying to milk this story for all it's worth.
They're trying to milk this story for all it's worth.
January 25, 2026 at 1:53 PM
AltNPS is a merch hawker that can’t be bothered to accurately cite journalists. There are no NPS employees there. Don’t follow them, repost their shit, or give them money.
Yes this is absolutely grotesque, but I look at this and think the administration is looking for an off-ramp. There’s no good reason to ask for it now as compared to weeks ago, when they could have dodged the hassle. The pressure is getting to them and they need a reason to declare victory.
In the wake of another fatal shooting in Minneapolis.
AG Pam Bondi sends Gov. Walz a letter today making several asks including:
"Allow DOJ Civil Rights division access to state voter rolls"
AG Pam Bondi sends Gov. Walz a letter today making several asks including:
"Allow DOJ Civil Rights division access to state voter rolls"
January 25, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Yes this is absolutely grotesque, but I look at this and think the administration is looking for an off-ramp. There’s no good reason to ask for it now as compared to weeks ago, when they could have dodged the hassle. The pressure is getting to them and they need a reason to declare victory.
I wound up listening to Sabu Visits The Twin Cities Alone this morning, mostly to hear something nice about Minneapolis and laugh at John Prine, and I wound up listening to him for an hour. Strongly recommend.
January 25, 2026 at 11:55 AM
I wound up listening to Sabu Visits The Twin Cities Alone this morning, mostly to hear something nice about Minneapolis and laugh at John Prine, and I wound up listening to him for an hour. Strongly recommend.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
How to help Minnesota (and yourself): a clear, straightforward guide of steps you can take
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
How To Help if You are Outside Minnesota
Last edited January 22, 2026 I’m going to assume that if you’re reading this, you more or less understand the situation in Minnesota and I don’t have to explain it to you! That sa…
naomikritzer.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:48 PM
How to help Minnesota (and yourself): a clear, straightforward guide of steps you can take
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
Guess what, high school Zeb? You won all of those arguments you had with people about the 2nd Amendment having nothing to do with preventing tyranny. Unfortunately, you won it in the shittiest way possible.
“Everyone should be allowed to carry a gun for their safety but the government can murder you in the street if you have a gun” is an incredible endpoint for the conservative moment
January 24, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Guess what, high school Zeb? You won all of those arguments you had with people about the 2nd Amendment having nothing to do with preventing tyranny. Unfortunately, you won it in the shittiest way possible.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
“Everyone should be allowed to carry a gun for their safety but the government can murder you in the street if you have a gun” is an incredible endpoint for the conservative moment
January 24, 2026 at 5:48 PM
“Everyone should be allowed to carry a gun for their safety but the government can murder you in the street if you have a gun” is an incredible endpoint for the conservative moment
Reposted by Zeb Larson
The 37-year-old man murdered by DHS today in Minneapolis was named Alex Jeffrey Pretti.
He was a nurse so had attended the University of Minnesota.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
He was a nurse so had attended the University of Minnesota.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
January 24, 2026 at 7:02 PM
The 37-year-old man murdered by DHS today in Minneapolis was named Alex Jeffrey Pretti.
He was a nurse so had attended the University of Minnesota.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
He was a nurse so had attended the University of Minnesota.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Reposted by Zeb Larson
I am trying not to post on these events in this state of mind but: I hope people understand what the observers are doing is brave and dangerous.
January 24, 2026 at 4:51 PM
I am trying not to post on these events in this state of mind but: I hope people understand what the observers are doing is brave and dangerous.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
Man shot by federal agents has died, police chief says
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Live: Man shot by federal agents in south Minneapolis this morning, witnesses say
A video appears to shows federal agents wrestling a man to the ground then shooting him.
www.startribune.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Man shot by federal agents has died, police chief says
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
“What if Donald Trump wasn’t famous, smelled like kippers*, toadied for the actual Donald Trump, and looked like Mr. Bean?”
*I actually like kippers but I have the decency to be embarrassed about it and to brush my teeth right after eating them.
*I actually like kippers but I have the decency to be embarrassed about it and to brush my teeth right after eating them.
Vile Trump sycophant. Pathetic, anyone who thinks about voting for this “patriot” needs help.
January 24, 2026 at 1:34 PM
“What if Donald Trump wasn’t famous, smelled like kippers*, toadied for the actual Donald Trump, and looked like Mr. Bean?”
*I actually like kippers but I have the decency to be embarrassed about it and to brush my teeth right after eating them.
*I actually like kippers but I have the decency to be embarrassed about it and to brush my teeth right after eating them.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
Back in 2007 Fox News did a segment on how Mr. Rogers, who died in 2003, was "evil" & was the source of many of America's problems. Fun fact: Fred Rogers was a lifelong REPUBLICAN, but he was the sort of old school liberal Republican that Fox News was designed to eliminate. youtu.be/29lmR_357rA?...
January 23, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Back in 2007 Fox News did a segment on how Mr. Rogers, who died in 2003, was "evil" & was the source of many of America's problems. Fun fact: Fred Rogers was a lifelong REPUBLICAN, but he was the sort of old school liberal Republican that Fox News was designed to eliminate. youtu.be/29lmR_357rA?...
Reposted by Zeb Larson
No, people were not quiet in the face of rising fascism. No, the fascist regimes were not efficient economically. No, fascist science was not cutting edge but politically incorrect. No, fascist leaders were not evil geniuses. No, fascist state agents were not reluctant to carry out their orders...
January 24, 2026 at 8:24 AM
No, people were not quiet in the face of rising fascism. No, the fascist regimes were not efficient economically. No, fascist science was not cutting edge but politically incorrect. No, fascist leaders were not evil geniuses. No, fascist state agents were not reluctant to carry out their orders...
Reposted by Zeb Larson
The People vs. ICE
Renee Good’s death galvanized a city eager to push back against Trump’s invasion.
nymag.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Reposted by Zeb Larson
ICE is sending these kids to the concentration camp in Dilley, Texas, where they're preparing to have so many children that they're opening a new school there. They're actively hiring teachers now. I reported on it last month. We have to get people out of there.
January 23, 2026 at 1:27 PM
ICE is sending these kids to the concentration camp in Dilley, Texas, where they're preparing to have so many children that they're opening a new school there. They're actively hiring teachers now. I reported on it last month. We have to get people out of there.
@theferocity.bsky.social It happened again! Mezcla in Italian Village on Summit.
January 23, 2026 at 8:45 PM
@theferocity.bsky.social It happened again! Mezcla in Italian Village on Summit.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
Now, if I could only get this on @jamellebouie.net's radar I could *really* make things crazy for myself. Been a whirlwind 24 hours.
The removal of the slavery exhibit from the President's House site might feel unprecedented, but nothing could be further from the truth. We've been fighting over slavery's place in George Washington's legacy for 250 years. I wrote about it for @time.com.
Book info here
time.com/7357382/geor...
Book info here
time.com/7357382/geor...
We’ve Never Agreed About George Washington and Slavery
Removing a slavery exhibit in Philadelphia revives a 250-year-old American debate.
time.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Now, if I could only get this on @jamellebouie.net's radar I could *really* make things crazy for myself. Been a whirlwind 24 hours.
It’s been amazing to watch the Tea Party vanguard be eaten alive and at least a moment of schadenfreude as we descend into fascism. This piece about Paul Ryan from @theonion.com has taken on this hilariously tragic dimension 14 years out; it was SUPPOSED to be his future.
Admit It, I Scare The Ever-Loving Shit Out Of You, Don't I?
When Mitt Romney selected me as his running mate, I knew the Democratic attack dogs would come out in full force. They would say I’m a right-wing ideologue. They would say my views on entitlement prog...
theonion.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:42 PM
It’s been amazing to watch the Tea Party vanguard be eaten alive and at least a moment of schadenfreude as we descend into fascism. This piece about Paul Ryan from @theonion.com has taken on this hilariously tragic dimension 14 years out; it was SUPPOSED to be his future.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
Another pedestrian was killed by a driver last night in Columbus, Ohio.
This section of Morse Rd. has a speed limit of 35mph but cars routinely go 50+ mph because it's designed like a highway.
www.10tv.com/article/news...
This section of Morse Rd. has a speed limit of 35mph but cars routinely go 50+ mph because it's designed like a highway.
www.10tv.com/article/news...
1 dead after being hit by vehicle in north Columbus
According to the Columbus Division of Police, the crash happened around 6:25 p.m. in the area of Morse Road and Sharon Avenue.
www.10tv.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Another pedestrian was killed by a driver last night in Columbus, Ohio.
This section of Morse Rd. has a speed limit of 35mph but cars routinely go 50+ mph because it's designed like a highway.
www.10tv.com/article/news...
This section of Morse Rd. has a speed limit of 35mph but cars routinely go 50+ mph because it's designed like a highway.
www.10tv.com/article/news...
I really don’t like how this administration makes me feel. I actually think it’s very bad to be consumed with thoughts of vengeance. It’s a bad way to go through life and it’s bad politics (notably, it’s also how the other side operates).
January 23, 2026 at 6:08 PM
I really don’t like how this administration makes me feel. I actually think it’s very bad to be consumed with thoughts of vengeance. It’s a bad way to go through life and it’s bad politics (notably, it’s also how the other side operates).
Reposted by Zeb Larson
My sense about Republicans pulling museum exhibits and censoring books and classrooms is, they're too late.
The last ten years has seen mass breakthrough of marginalized narratives in popular culture. They're closing the barn doors after the horses went out, and now everyone sees them doing it.
The last ten years has seen mass breakthrough of marginalized narratives in popular culture. They're closing the barn doors after the horses went out, and now everyone sees them doing it.
January 23, 2026 at 3:12 PM
My sense about Republicans pulling museum exhibits and censoring books and classrooms is, they're too late.
The last ten years has seen mass breakthrough of marginalized narratives in popular culture. They're closing the barn doors after the horses went out, and now everyone sees them doing it.
The last ten years has seen mass breakthrough of marginalized narratives in popular culture. They're closing the barn doors after the horses went out, and now everyone sees them doing it.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
Look at this: @inquirer.com has digitally preserved the interpretative signage removed by NPS, and used annotations to explain what specifically was flagged before removal. This keeps the content publicly accessible (for now) while doing newsworthy reporting
www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
Here are the signs the Trump administration removed from Independence Park
Following last year’s review, every sign has been removed from the President’s House site.
www.inquirer.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Look at this: @inquirer.com has digitally preserved the interpretative signage removed by NPS, and used annotations to explain what specifically was flagged before removal. This keeps the content publicly accessible (for now) while doing newsworthy reporting
www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
It's hard to overstate how much I fundamentally dislike video and social media. It may actually be destroying our ability to meaningfully communicate with each other and to form coherent thoughts.
January 23, 2026 at 11:56 AM
It's hard to overstate how much I fundamentally dislike video and social media. It may actually be destroying our ability to meaningfully communicate with each other and to form coherent thoughts.