Joel Ellingson
@blackshoe96.bsky.social
Pragmatic Pessimist, Husband, SAHD, Retired Naval Officer, Em-Dash Enthusiast, Oxford Comma Stan, Packer Fan, Aspiring Old-Man-Shaking-Fist_at-Clouds
I think folks need to understand that in many cases, they did. The number of people positively thirsty for violence against people they think are illegitimate (a group that includes Americans they disagree with politically,) is not small.
Even the GOP racists who held up "Mass Deportation Now" signs at the Republican National Convention didn't vote for ICE to gun down US citizens in cold blood
January 8, 2026 at 5:20 PM
I think folks need to understand that in many cases, they did. The number of people positively thirsty for violence against people they think are illegitimate (a group that includes Americans they disagree with politically,) is not small.
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
It’s easy to think that schools in Minneapolis are closed because the Feds murdered someone in the street but no, the actual reason is that while that was happening, the Feds were busy doing other heinous shit across the city like tear-gassing a school
“The move came after officials at Roosevelt High School said armed U.S. Border Patrol officers came on school property during dismissal Wednesday and began tackling people, handcuffed two staff members and released chemical weapons on bystanders.” — www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Minneapolis schools cancel classes after Border Patrol clash disrupts dismissal at Roosevelt
Minneapolis schools closed for the week citing safety concerns after an encounter involving armed Border Patrol agents near Roosevelt High School.
www.mprnews.org
January 8, 2026 at 1:31 PM
It’s easy to think that schools in Minneapolis are closed because the Feds murdered someone in the street but no, the actual reason is that while that was happening, the Feds were busy doing other heinous shit across the city like tear-gassing a school
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
This is literally what they do whenever a Black person is killed by police. No matter how solid the evidence is, they will keep pushing that lie, not just to poison the conversation and make sure the killer walks free, but to reassert the political idea that these people deserve to be killed.
The shooting is shocking enough but the government's response is off the charts when you consider that this incident is forensically documented on video.
January 8, 2026 at 1:41 PM
This is literally what they do whenever a Black person is killed by police. No matter how solid the evidence is, they will keep pushing that lie, not just to poison the conversation and make sure the killer walks free, but to reassert the political idea that these people deserve to be killed.
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
Trump definitely encouraged them.
* He made them believe the election was stolen.
* He scheduled a rally by the Capitol on certification day.
* He said to march to the Capitol and "fight like hell."
* He refused to step in when they attacked.
* He even encouraged them more by attacking Pence.
* He made them believe the election was stolen.
* He scheduled a rally by the Capitol on certification day.
* He said to march to the Capitol and "fight like hell."
* He refused to step in when they attacked.
* He even encouraged them more by attacking Pence.
January 7, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Trump definitely encouraged them.
* He made them believe the election was stolen.
* He scheduled a rally by the Capitol on certification day.
* He said to march to the Capitol and "fight like hell."
* He refused to step in when they attacked.
* He even encouraged them more by attacking Pence.
* He made them believe the election was stolen.
* He scheduled a rally by the Capitol on certification day.
* He said to march to the Capitol and "fight like hell."
* He refused to step in when they attacked.
* He even encouraged them more by attacking Pence.
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
I want to find the consultant who convinced Dems to stick with this framing, tie them to a stake, light a match, and tell everyone they have to decide between caring about saving them or caring about milk being 2% cheaper
The White House is laser focused on threatening a military takeover of Greenland.
Where’s the same focus on lowering costs?
Where’s the same focus on lowering costs?
January 7, 2026 at 4:38 PM
I want to find the consultant who convinced Dems to stick with this framing, tie them to a stake, light a match, and tell everyone they have to decide between caring about saving them or caring about milk being 2% cheaper
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
NEW: "Mark Kelly did not urge service members to defy lawful authority.…He articulated a general legal truth—one that every commissioned officer has been taught, and one that even Sec. Hegseth has publicly acknowledged in the past."
Read @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-mark-k...
Read @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-mark-k...
Why Mark Kelly’s Case Matters
The action against him is unwarranted and could chill legitimate—and invaluable—public speech by veterans.
www.thebulwark.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:24 AM
NEW: "Mark Kelly did not urge service members to defy lawful authority.…He articulated a general legal truth—one that every commissioned officer has been taught, and one that even Sec. Hegseth has publicly acknowledged in the past."
Read @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-mark-k...
Read @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-mark-k...
Kelly may have additional protections under “Speech and Debate Clause” as a MOC, but frankly, this would be improper to do to any retired service member — and we shouldn’t lose sight of that.
There are serious First Amendment and separation of powers questions here. It cannot be the case that the executive branch can punish a legislator for protected speech.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Sen. Mark Kelly will face administrative action
January 5, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Kelly may have additional protections under “Speech and Debate Clause” as a MOC, but frankly, this would be improper to do to any retired service member — and we shouldn’t lose sight of that.
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
The broken clock speaks.
January 4, 2026 at 12:56 PM
The broken clock speaks.
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
washed right up on the beach nearby
January 5, 2026 at 2:06 PM
washed right up on the beach nearby
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
I think one way to do this is to insist that Tom Cotton, who DID get advance notice (I'm not even sure Thune did) is personally responsible for Americans who've been wounded and anything that goes haywire.
Whatever happens now, we absolutely cannot allow Trump's refusal to seek Congressional authorization for what appears to be a large scale military attack on another country vanish from the media discussion, which already appears to be happening.
January 4, 2026 at 6:25 PM
I think one way to do this is to insist that Tom Cotton, who DID get advance notice (I'm not even sure Thune did) is personally responsible for Americans who've been wounded and anything that goes haywire.
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
I don’t understand how the first reaction from leadership isn’t “This is an impeachable offense. My colleagues must defund Hegseth and begin drafting articles immediately.”
Like, even if it doesn’t get done, how are you not planting this flag in the ground immediately?
Like, even if it doesn’t get done, how are you not planting this flag in the ground immediately?
January 4, 2026 at 2:45 AM
I don’t understand how the first reaction from leadership isn’t “This is an impeachable offense. My colleagues must defund Hegseth and begin drafting articles immediately.”
Like, even if it doesn’t get done, how are you not planting this flag in the ground immediately?
Like, even if it doesn’t get done, how are you not planting this flag in the ground immediately?
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
"Look, the U.S. has not got a perfect record. There’s no doubt about that, and it has betrayed its values many times, but this is of a different order. This is just a blatant throwing-the-whole-thing-out and making a claim to be able to use force whenever it wants." - @oonahathaway.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 2:28 AM
"Look, the U.S. has not got a perfect record. There’s no doubt about that, and it has betrayed its values many times, but this is of a different order. This is just a blatant throwing-the-whole-thing-out and making a claim to be able to use force whenever it wants." - @oonahathaway.bsky.social
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
What if none of these things is a distraction from the other things and instead they're all just horrible things
January 3, 2026 at 8:03 PM
What if none of these things is a distraction from the other things and instead they're all just horrible things
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
We are a rogue state, run by a dictator, and the international community should treat us as such including all appropriate economic and diplomatic sanctions
January 3, 2026 at 3:36 PM
We are a rogue state, run by a dictator, and the international community should treat us as such including all appropriate economic and diplomatic sanctions
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
"If we hadn’t already, we’ve unquestionably joined the league of ordinary nations—a league in which we’re acting as little more than a bully, and in circumstances in which no obvious principle of self-defense, human rights, or even humantarianism writ large justifies our bellicosity."
Me on Maduro:
Me on Maduro:
200. Five Questions About the Maduro Arrest Operation
Friday night's U.S. military operation in Venezuela was a textbook violation of international law. It's also entirely unauthorized by U.S. law, which ought to (but probably won't) matter.
www.stevevladeck.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:32 PM
"If we hadn’t already, we’ve unquestionably joined the league of ordinary nations—a league in which we’re acting as little more than a bully, and in circumstances in which no obvious principle of self-defense, human rights, or even humantarianism writ large justifies our bellicosity."
Me on Maduro:
Me on Maduro:
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
Trump has just announced he is going to RUN another country (with or without boots on the ground) to ensure oil flows for US companies.
Yes, there’s still people - including in Latin America - pretending this is about Maduro winning elections or not.
How is a Trump occupation any more legitimate?
Yes, there’s still people - including in Latin America - pretending this is about Maduro winning elections or not.
How is a Trump occupation any more legitimate?
January 3, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Trump has just announced he is going to RUN another country (with or without boots on the ground) to ensure oil flows for US companies.
Yes, there’s still people - including in Latin America - pretending this is about Maduro winning elections or not.
How is a Trump occupation any more legitimate?
Yes, there’s still people - including in Latin America - pretending this is about Maduro winning elections or not.
How is a Trump occupation any more legitimate?
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
Terrible take. Literally every FIFA Peace Prize winner has done this.
No FIFA Peace Prize winner has ever done this before
This all seems pretty unbecoming of a FIFA Peace Prize winner
January 3, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Terrible take. Literally every FIFA Peace Prize winner has done this.
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
"How Europe and “the west” responds to Trump now and the actions that governments take downstream from that is going to set the path for 2026. Because Trump isn’t just a rogue, out-of-control president, America is a rogue state." @carolecadwalla.bsky.social
The Threat from America
America is not our enemy, but it's a danger to itself and the world
broligarchy.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:28 PM
"How Europe and “the west” responds to Trump now and the actions that governments take downstream from that is going to set the path for 2026. Because Trump isn’t just a rogue, out-of-control president, America is a rogue state." @carolecadwalla.bsky.social
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
Unquestionably impeachable.
Primary every Democrat who declines to say so and do so.
Primary every Democrat who declines to say so and do so.
January 3, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Unquestionably impeachable.
Primary every Democrat who declines to say so and do so.
Primary every Democrat who declines to say so and do so.
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
It’s time for the world to Boycott, Divest and Sanction the U.S
Avoid the Olympics, World Cup and other sporting events. There’s no reason to celebrate the 250 birthday of this fallen nation
Avoid the Olympics, World Cup and other sporting events. There’s no reason to celebrate the 250 birthday of this fallen nation
January 3, 2026 at 12:36 PM
It’s time for the world to Boycott, Divest and Sanction the U.S
Avoid the Olympics, World Cup and other sporting events. There’s no reason to celebrate the 250 birthday of this fallen nation
Avoid the Olympics, World Cup and other sporting events. There’s no reason to celebrate the 250 birthday of this fallen nation
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
Members of Congress: stop posting online and APPEAR, PHYSICALLY on the steps of the Capitol to decry this unconstitutional violation of domestic & international law. SHOW THE PEOPLE the level of danger we are facing as a country.
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Members of Congress: stop posting online and APPEAR, PHYSICALLY on the steps of the Capitol to decry this unconstitutional violation of domestic & international law. SHOW THE PEOPLE the level of danger we are facing as a country.
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
This lede makes no sense: "Congress learned some hard lessons about the limits of its power during the first year of the second Trump administration..." They did not in fact learn any lessons about how powers they entirely declined to exercise might have worked.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/u...
A Diminished Congress Weighs Whether to Reassert Its Power
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:13 PM
This lede makes no sense: "Congress learned some hard lessons about the limits of its power during the first year of the second Trump administration..." They did not in fact learn any lessons about how powers they entirely declined to exercise might have worked.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/u...
Reposted by Joel Ellingson
Would the Department of Justice under Merrick Garland having acted sooner stopped Trump?
Arguably I think it wouldn't have.
He knows how to drag trials out. To expect a trial conclusion before the election of 2024 was unrealistic I think.
Impeachment was a way to stop him and the Senate failed.
Arguably I think it wouldn't have.
He knows how to drag trials out. To expect a trial conclusion before the election of 2024 was unrealistic I think.
Impeachment was a way to stop him and the Senate failed.
January 1, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Would the Department of Justice under Merrick Garland having acted sooner stopped Trump?
Arguably I think it wouldn't have.
He knows how to drag trials out. To expect a trial conclusion before the election of 2024 was unrealistic I think.
Impeachment was a way to stop him and the Senate failed.
Arguably I think it wouldn't have.
He knows how to drag trials out. To expect a trial conclusion before the election of 2024 was unrealistic I think.
Impeachment was a way to stop him and the Senate failed.
I’m not sure this is the message that should be 75% of the dem campaign right now, but it feels like a crisis that as someone who is more online than most, that I can’t think of even a single theme that Dems are hitting hard.
like 75% of dem messaging right now should be “the party led by epsteins best friend is breaking into pre-k childcare centers so they can record your toddlers and put the videos on internet”
uhhh yeah I can see why these childcare properties weren't eager to let in some rando dudes asking "where are the kids?"
January 1, 2026 at 10:13 PM
I’m not sure this is the message that should be 75% of the dem campaign right now, but it feels like a crisis that as someone who is more online than most, that I can’t think of even a single theme that Dems are hitting hard.