Ben
@azben.bsky.social
AZ Gov Analyst (opinions my own).
Former bartender of 15 years with a Masters in Public Policy from ASU.
Advancing policy wins and championing AZ manufacturing, tech innovation, and working-class equity.
Former bartender of 15 years with a Masters in Public Policy from ASU.
Advancing policy wins and championing AZ manufacturing, tech innovation, and working-class equity.
Reposted by Ben
President Donald Trump has praised Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele as a crime fighter.
U.S. agents, however, suspected Bukele and some in his inner circle of diverting USAID funds to MS-13 leaders.
(Published June 2025)
U.S. agents, however, suspected Bukele and some in his inner circle of diverting USAID funds to MS-13 leaders.
(Published June 2025)
How El Salvador’s Government Impeded a U.S. Probe of MS-13
President Donald Trump has praised Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele as a crime fighter, but new reporting based on interviews and documents reveals how senior Salvadoran officials have impeded a…
www.propublica.org
July 28, 2025 at 1:00 AM
President Donald Trump has praised Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele as a crime fighter.
U.S. agents, however, suspected Bukele and some in his inner circle of diverting USAID funds to MS-13 leaders.
(Published June 2025)
U.S. agents, however, suspected Bukele and some in his inner circle of diverting USAID funds to MS-13 leaders.
(Published June 2025)
People will die.
The Trump administration has shut down the CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, which crafted national standards for hand-washing, mask-wearing and isolating sick patients that most U.S. hospitals follow. via @nbcnews
Trump administration has shut down CDC's infection control committee
Four members said they were informed of the termination Friday, but it had already taken effect in late March, according to a CDC letter.
www.nbcnews.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:06 AM
People will die.
Reposted by Ben
There’s no such thing as being TOO close to a hummingbird…
Ever 📷🪶
Ever 📷🪶
May 7, 2025 at 2:31 AM
There’s no such thing as being TOO close to a hummingbird…
Ever 📷🪶
Ever 📷🪶
😂
Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education, sent Harvard a letter.
They graded it.
Bwahahaha.
They graded it.
Bwahahaha.
May 7, 2025 at 3:03 AM
😂
Logged off for a bit. What’d I miss?
May 7, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Logged off for a bit. What’d I miss?
Reposted by Ben
The People's Union USA, a grassroots group, is calling on Americans to join a national boycott by not shopping for 24 hours on Friday.
A movement is calling for an 'economic blackout' on Friday. Here's what to know
The People's Union USA, a grassroots group, is calling on Americans to join a national boycott by not shopping for 24 hours on Friday.
www.npr.org
February 28, 2025 at 3:36 AM
The People's Union USA, a grassroots group, is calling on Americans to join a national boycott by not shopping for 24 hours on Friday.
Reposted by Ben
The flying public needs answers. How many FAA personnel were just fired? What positions? And why?
February 17, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The flying public needs answers. How many FAA personnel were just fired? What positions? And why?
Reposted by Ben
Democrats keep joining Bluesky - we need to stay connected and keep the pressure on.
I built Voices of Congress - a feed of every Senator and representative here.
Click below, pin it (top right), and it’ll stay on your homepage.
Share this and let’s keep growing!
bsky.app/profile/did:...
I built Voices of Congress - a feed of every Senator and representative here.
Click below, pin it (top right), and it’ll stay on your homepage.
Share this and let’s keep growing!
bsky.app/profile/did:...
January 30, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Democrats keep joining Bluesky - we need to stay connected and keep the pressure on.
I built Voices of Congress - a feed of every Senator and representative here.
Click below, pin it (top right), and it’ll stay on your homepage.
Share this and let’s keep growing!
bsky.app/profile/did:...
I built Voices of Congress - a feed of every Senator and representative here.
Click below, pin it (top right), and it’ll stay on your homepage.
Share this and let’s keep growing!
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Ben
New—The Food & Drug Administration (FDA), an agency that falls under RFK Jr.’s purview, just mass fired probationary employees via an email reviewed by me.
They’re citing performance issues as the reason, even for employees who had great performance reviews. Don’t know how many people affected yet.
They’re citing performance issues as the reason, even for employees who had great performance reviews. Don’t know how many people affected yet.
February 16, 2025 at 1:14 AM
New—The Food & Drug Administration (FDA), an agency that falls under RFK Jr.’s purview, just mass fired probationary employees via an email reviewed by me.
They’re citing performance issues as the reason, even for employees who had great performance reviews. Don’t know how many people affected yet.
They’re citing performance issues as the reason, even for employees who had great performance reviews. Don’t know how many people affected yet.
Reposted by Ben
BREAKING: French President Emmanuel Macron has invited European leaders to an emergency summit in Paris tomorrow (Sunday) to respond to Trump and the situation in Ukraine.
Presumably will include the UK too.
Presumably will include the UK too.
February 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM
BREAKING: French President Emmanuel Macron has invited European leaders to an emergency summit in Paris tomorrow (Sunday) to respond to Trump and the situation in Ukraine.
Presumably will include the UK too.
Presumably will include the UK too.
Reposted by Ben
BREAKING: Trump has signed an executive order to defund schools of federal dollars if they mandate COVID vaccines for students.
February 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
BREAKING: Trump has signed an executive order to defund schools of federal dollars if they mandate COVID vaccines for students.
Reposted by Ben
🚨 BREAKING NEWS
It’s official. Donald Trump has just announced he has BANNED the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One for refusing to recognize the Gulf of America.”
This a direct assault on the Constitution and the First Amendment.
It’s official. Donald Trump has just announced he has BANNED the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One for refusing to recognize the Gulf of America.”
This a direct assault on the Constitution and the First Amendment.
February 14, 2025 at 6:58 PM
🚨 BREAKING NEWS
It’s official. Donald Trump has just announced he has BANNED the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One for refusing to recognize the Gulf of America.”
This a direct assault on the Constitution and the First Amendment.
It’s official. Donald Trump has just announced he has BANNED the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One for refusing to recognize the Gulf of America.”
This a direct assault on the Constitution and the First Amendment.
Reposted by Ben
👀
"If no lawyer within earshot of the President is willing to give him that advice, then I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion. But it was never going to be me." -- AUSA Hagan Scotten, SDNY.
"If no lawyer within earshot of the President is willing to give him that advice, then I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion. But it was never going to be me." -- AUSA Hagan Scotten, SDNY.
February 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM
👀
"If no lawyer within earshot of the President is willing to give him that advice, then I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion. But it was never going to be me." -- AUSA Hagan Scotten, SDNY.
"If no lawyer within earshot of the President is willing to give him that advice, then I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion. But it was never going to be me." -- AUSA Hagan Scotten, SDNY.
$240 a year per taxpayer.
That less than a buck - $0.66 - a day.
That funds 10,000 American jobs. Buying from our farmers. Feeding kids. Fighting disease. Stopping wars before they reach us.
That’s USAID - America leading the world.
Trump & Musk want to kill it.
Weak. Reckless. Un-American.
That less than a buck - $0.66 - a day.
That funds 10,000 American jobs. Buying from our farmers. Feeding kids. Fighting disease. Stopping wars before they reach us.
That’s USAID - America leading the world.
Trump & Musk want to kill it.
Weak. Reckless. Un-American.
February 14, 2025 at 2:27 PM
$240 a year per taxpayer.
That less than a buck - $0.66 - a day.
That funds 10,000 American jobs. Buying from our farmers. Feeding kids. Fighting disease. Stopping wars before they reach us.
That’s USAID - America leading the world.
Trump & Musk want to kill it.
Weak. Reckless. Un-American.
That less than a buck - $0.66 - a day.
That funds 10,000 American jobs. Buying from our farmers. Feeding kids. Fighting disease. Stopping wars before they reach us.
That’s USAID - America leading the world.
Trump & Musk want to kill it.
Weak. Reckless. Un-American.
Reposted by Ben
Mesa Public Schools will be cutting nearly 150 staff positions across its schools, the Governing Board decided. www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Mesa Public Schools cuts almost 150 jobs to cope with declining enrollment
Assistant Superintendent Justin Wing thanked employees who announced retirements or resignations early this year because it helped mitigate the cuts.
www.azcentral.com
February 13, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Mesa Public Schools will be cutting nearly 150 staff positions across its schools, the Governing Board decided. www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Ben
This week, I met with Nathan Smith, CEO of Central Arizona Shelter Services. I’ve worked with the team at CASS for many years and recently secured federal funding to renovate their Vista Colina Family Shelter. Vista Colina is a safe, supportive shelter for families experiencing homelessness.
February 13, 2025 at 10:15 PM
This week, I met with Nathan Smith, CEO of Central Arizona Shelter Services. I’ve worked with the team at CASS for many years and recently secured federal funding to renovate their Vista Colina Family Shelter. Vista Colina is a safe, supportive shelter for families experiencing homelessness.
Reposted by Ben
According to the states, Musk has used this unauthorized power to access sensitive government systems, cancel contracts, remove employees, and even try to shut down entire federal agencies
via @ashleymurray.bsky.social
via @ashleymurray.bsky.social
AZ is a lead plaintiff in 1 of 2 new lawsuits challenging Elon Musk and DOGE on constitutional grounds • Arizona Mirror
Arizona is one of the lead plaintiffs in the state-led lawsuit, which argues that Elon Musk is effectively acting as a high-ranking federal officer without being nominated by President Donald Trump an...
azmirror.com
February 14, 2025 at 12:39 AM
According to the states, Musk has used this unauthorized power to access sensitive government systems, cancel contracts, remove employees, and even try to shut down entire federal agencies
via @ashleymurray.bsky.social
via @ashleymurray.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben
Adams must be removed. The city cannot sustain being governed for nearly a year by a Mayor who is being coerced by Trump admin in order to escape charges.
This corruption poses a real threat to the people of the city. He should have resigned a while ago, but will not. So it’s time for him to go.
This corruption poses a real threat to the people of the city. He should have resigned a while ago, but will not. So it’s time for him to go.
February 13, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Adams must be removed. The city cannot sustain being governed for nearly a year by a Mayor who is being coerced by Trump admin in order to escape charges.
This corruption poses a real threat to the people of the city. He should have resigned a while ago, but will not. So it’s time for him to go.
This corruption poses a real threat to the people of the city. He should have resigned a while ago, but will not. So it’s time for him to go.
Reposted by Ben
NEW: A group of 14 states filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on Thursday, arguing that the authority granted by the White House to the tech billionaire and DOGE is unconstitutional.
14 states file a lawsuit arguing Elon Musk's authority at DOGE is unconstitutional
The lawsuit is one of several accusing President Donald Trump of skirting the Constitution and Musk of operating with unchecked power.
www.nbcnews.com
February 13, 2025 at 11:26 PM
NEW: A group of 14 states filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on Thursday, arguing that the authority granted by the White House to the tech billionaire and DOGE is unconstitutional.
Reposted by Ben
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is urging parliament to declare a state of emergency citing “the events of the last 24 hours and statements from the U.S. government” on Ukraine.
Translated video 👇
Translated video 👇
February 13, 2025 at 8:06 PM
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is urging parliament to declare a state of emergency citing “the events of the last 24 hours and statements from the U.S. government” on Ukraine.
Translated video 👇
Translated video 👇
Reposted by Ben
Lots of folks will be keeping up with today’s @housebudgetdems.bsky.social markup (@ 10 AM) where Republicans are considering major cuts to Medicaid and more. All to fund tax giveaways to the 1%.
Follow along ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Follow along ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Two starter packs from me!
First, for the very few of you who care about it, a budget and tax starter pack!
Please let me know if you should be on this and I missed you!
go.bsky.app/N6Nukd7
First, for the very few of you who care about it, a budget and tax starter pack!
Please let me know if you should be on this and I missed you!
go.bsky.app/N6Nukd7
February 13, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Lots of folks will be keeping up with today’s @housebudgetdems.bsky.social markup (@ 10 AM) where Republicans are considering major cuts to Medicaid and more. All to fund tax giveaways to the 1%.
Follow along ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Follow along ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Reposted by Ben
🚨 Trump & Elon Musk illegally revoked $80 MILLION in congressionally appropriated FEMA funds from NYC’s bank account yesterday—money previously disbursed for shelter & services—says NYC Comptroller Brad Lander.
Lander is demanding that the state pursue legal action.
Statement:
Lander is demanding that the state pursue legal action.
Statement:
February 13, 2025 at 12:33 AM
🚨 Trump & Elon Musk illegally revoked $80 MILLION in congressionally appropriated FEMA funds from NYC’s bank account yesterday—money previously disbursed for shelter & services—says NYC Comptroller Brad Lander.
Lander is demanding that the state pursue legal action.
Statement:
Lander is demanding that the state pursue legal action.
Statement:
Reposted by Ben
go.bsky.app/2bBCgNu
Hi SKIES OF BLUE
OUR BEAUTIFUL GRAND CANYON STATE OF ARIZONA 🏜
Arizonans are fighting hard to stop the brutal cruelty of the MUSK/tRump regime
So many great activists, creators, and GOOD FRIENDS of ARIZONA are in this pack big and small accounts
All vetted All GREAT 🏜🌵
Hi SKIES OF BLUE
OUR BEAUTIFUL GRAND CANYON STATE OF ARIZONA 🏜
Arizonans are fighting hard to stop the brutal cruelty of the MUSK/tRump regime
So many great activists, creators, and GOOD FRIENDS of ARIZONA are in this pack big and small accounts
All vetted All GREAT 🏜🌵
February 12, 2025 at 11:16 PM
go.bsky.app/2bBCgNu
Hi SKIES OF BLUE
OUR BEAUTIFUL GRAND CANYON STATE OF ARIZONA 🏜
Arizonans are fighting hard to stop the brutal cruelty of the MUSK/tRump regime
So many great activists, creators, and GOOD FRIENDS of ARIZONA are in this pack big and small accounts
All vetted All GREAT 🏜🌵
Hi SKIES OF BLUE
OUR BEAUTIFUL GRAND CANYON STATE OF ARIZONA 🏜
Arizonans are fighting hard to stop the brutal cruelty of the MUSK/tRump regime
So many great activists, creators, and GOOD FRIENDS of ARIZONA are in this pack big and small accounts
All vetted All GREAT 🏜🌵
Reposted by Ben
Thousands of investors in Trump’s crypto scheme lost $2 billion in just weeks while the Trump Organization racked up $100 million in trading fees.
Just so happens that the CFPB, which Trump is trying to kill, recently announced new regulations for the crypto industry.
Hello?
Just so happens that the CFPB, which Trump is trying to kill, recently announced new regulations for the crypto industry.
Hello?
Trump and His Family Earned Millions From Trump Coin While 810,000 Others Lost Money: Report
Donald Trump and early investors have earned millions from $TRUMP coin while 813,294 wallets have registered $2 billion in collective losses.
www.rollingstone.com
February 12, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Thousands of investors in Trump’s crypto scheme lost $2 billion in just weeks while the Trump Organization racked up $100 million in trading fees.
Just so happens that the CFPB, which Trump is trying to kill, recently announced new regulations for the crypto industry.
Hello?
Just so happens that the CFPB, which Trump is trying to kill, recently announced new regulations for the crypto industry.
Hello?