Chris Thoms-Bauer
@christhomsbauer.bsky.social
2 + 2 = 4
Graduate student at UBC who researches about law and power relations among very very very dead people
NJ/WA 🇺🇸
Vancouver, BC 🇨🇦
Graduate student at UBC who researches about law and power relations among very very very dead people
NJ/WA 🇺🇸
Vancouver, BC 🇨🇦
Pinned
Manufacturing a Crisis: How A National Security Directive Turns Law Enforcement into Thought Police - Society and Law
NSPM-7, claims to fight "organized political violence". It reveals a systematic playbook for turning law enforcement against political opponents.
societyandlaw.com
New post: A few weeks ago, the White House published NSPM-7. On the surface, it’s about "countering domestic terrorism."
However, NSPM-7 is a systematic playbook for manufacturing a crisis and turning state power against political opponents.
Here's the breakdown:
societyandlaw.com/manufacturin...
However, NSPM-7 is a systematic playbook for manufacturing a crisis and turning state power against political opponents.
Here's the breakdown:
societyandlaw.com/manufacturin...
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Remember that insurance is actually a thing you hope never to use, and then read this critique.
November 10, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Remember that insurance is actually a thing you hope never to use, and then read this critique.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Completely normal
November 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Completely normal
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Trump’s pardon attorney Ed Martin claims Trump is pardoning his Georgia co-defendants and other “alternate electors.”
Note: Trump’s Georgia co-defendants are charged under state law. The president can’t pardon people for state crimes.
Note: Trump’s Georgia co-defendants are charged under state law. The president can’t pardon people for state crimes.
November 10, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Trump’s pardon attorney Ed Martin claims Trump is pardoning his Georgia co-defendants and other “alternate electors.”
Note: Trump’s Georgia co-defendants are charged under state law. The president can’t pardon people for state crimes.
Note: Trump’s Georgia co-defendants are charged under state law. The president can’t pardon people for state crimes.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Exclusive: FBI chief visited China to talk fentanyl, law enforcement, sources say reut.rs/4nP9A6R
Exclusive: FBI chief visited China to talk fentanyl, law enforcement, sources say
FBI Director Kash Patel visited China last week to discuss fentanyl and law enforcement issues, two people familiar with his trip told Reuters, following a summit between the U.S. and Chinese presidents where both hailed "consensus" on the matter.
reut.rs
November 10, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Exclusive: FBI chief visited China to talk fentanyl, law enforcement, sources say reut.rs/4nP9A6R
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Sen Gary Peters is in his own way the biggest embarrassment of the lot. He’s been a leader of Team Cave and he’s retiring. So there’s no politics or risk aversion. He wants to cave as a matter of genuine principle.
November 10, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Sen Gary Peters is in his own way the biggest embarrassment of the lot. He’s been a leader of Team Cave and he’s retiring. So there’s no politics or risk aversion. He wants to cave as a matter of genuine principle.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
yeah this is with leadership’s blessing and you’ll never convince me otherwise. the whip is a yes, the rest of the yes’s are retiring or 4-6 years out from a primary, this is trash.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:50 AM
yeah this is with leadership’s blessing and you’ll never convince me otherwise. the whip is a yes, the rest of the yes’s are retiring or 4-6 years out from a primary, this is trash.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
They caved in March so they could get a better deal now. They’re caving now so they can get a better deal in some indeterminate future. The better deal is always just beyond their reach, but continuing to cave will get them there. And if you don’t agree with that, you don’t understand Politics,
November 10, 2025 at 2:44 AM
They caved in March so they could get a better deal now. They’re caving now so they can get a better deal in some indeterminate future. The better deal is always just beyond their reach, but continuing to cave will get them there. And if you don’t agree with that, you don’t understand Politics,
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Reporter: What do you say to your colleagues who say this isn't a fight, this is a capitulation?
Shaheen: We have a guaranteed vote by a guaranteed date…
Reporter: There is no guarantee that this will become law.
Shaheen: There was never a guarantee that it would be become law.
Shaheen: We have a guaranteed vote by a guaranteed date…
Reporter: There is no guarantee that this will become law.
Shaheen: There was never a guarantee that it would be become law.
November 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Reporter: What do you say to your colleagues who say this isn't a fight, this is a capitulation?
Shaheen: We have a guaranteed vote by a guaranteed date…
Reporter: There is no guarantee that this will become law.
Shaheen: There was never a guarantee that it would be become law.
Shaheen: We have a guaranteed vote by a guaranteed date…
Reporter: There is no guarantee that this will become law.
Shaheen: There was never a guarantee that it would be become law.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Warner is up for reelection. He was widely seen driving towards surrender behind the scenes, but he's voting no in public because it's unpopular. The real question is whether he supports a senate leadership change. If not, someone who supports senate leadership change should primary him.
But I cannot support a deal that still leaves millions of Americans wondering how they are going to pay for their health care or whether they will be able to afford to get sick.
November 10, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Warner is up for reelection. He was widely seen driving towards surrender behind the scenes, but he's voting no in public because it's unpopular. The real question is whether he supports a senate leadership change. If not, someone who supports senate leadership change should primary him.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
My statement on the proposed Senate deal
November 10, 2025 at 1:14 AM
My statement on the proposed Senate deal
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Prescient
Chris Murphy: "There will be pretty substantial damage to a Dem brand that has been rehabilitated if on the heels of an election in which the people told us to keep fighting, we immediately stop... if we surrender without having gotten anything, I worry it'll be hard to get them back up off the mat"
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Prescient
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?
November 10, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
Assume all the yes and no votes from Dem senators are strategic and not sincere votes. The party caucus made a decision. No way to know how many were in favor. Then the caucus decided who would vote yes and no based on what would protect each of them politically the most. That’s how this works.
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Assume all the yes and no votes from Dem senators are strategic and not sincere votes. The party caucus made a decision. No way to know how many were in favor. Then the caucus decided who would vote yes and no based on what would protect each of them politically the most. That’s how this works.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
One of the talking points I keep seeing from Democrats is that part of the deal is that it will "ensure federal workers receive back pay" but that's the existing law!
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 AM
One of the talking points I keep seeing from Democrats is that part of the deal is that it will "ensure federal workers receive back pay" but that's the existing law!
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 1:52 AM
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
“.. During the call, which took place with a Block Club reporter present, the anonymous representative told a group of faith leaders and activists that ‘There is no more prayer in front of building or inside the building ..’”
@blockclubchi.bsky.social #chicago
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/f...
@blockclubchi.bsky.social #chicago
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/f...
November 10, 2025 at 1:05 AM
“.. During the call, which took place with a Block Club reporter present, the anonymous representative told a group of faith leaders and activists that ‘There is no more prayer in front of building or inside the building ..’”
@blockclubchi.bsky.social #chicago
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/f...
@blockclubchi.bsky.social #chicago
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/f...
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
After their resounding victory in Tuesday’s elections, the Democrats had no choice but to surrender.
November 10, 2025 at 12:59 AM
After their resounding victory in Tuesday’s elections, the Democrats had no choice but to surrender.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
The Democrats who caved just taught Republicans that using mass starvation as a weapon works.
November 10, 2025 at 12:31 AM
The Democrats who caved just taught Republicans that using mass starvation as a weapon works.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
As Democrats get their votes lined up and talking points ready, it’s important to remember they’re working together to lessen the fallout from their angry base.
In March (see below), Schumer voted to advance the bill but didn’t *technically* vote for final passage.
It’s dishonest bullshit.
In March (see below), Schumer voted to advance the bill but didn’t *technically* vote for final passage.
It’s dishonest bullshit.
"But Schumer and seven other Democrats who voted to advance the bill earlier Friday voted against passing it."
"Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) was the only Democrat who voted for the bill. King also voted for it. Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky) was the only Republican who voted against it."
"Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) was the only Democrat who voted for the bill. King also voted for it. Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky) was the only Republican who voted against it."
Live updates: Trump-backed bill passes Senate, averting a government shutdown
The latest news on President Donald Trump’s administration and the expected Senate vote on a continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:39 AM
As Democrats get their votes lined up and talking points ready, it’s important to remember they’re working together to lessen the fallout from their angry base.
In March (see below), Schumer voted to advance the bill but didn’t *technically* vote for final passage.
It’s dishonest bullshit.
In March (see below), Schumer voted to advance the bill but didn’t *technically* vote for final passage.
It’s dishonest bullshit.
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
Reposted by Chris Thoms-Bauer
This is not a deal — it's an empty promise.
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Senate reaches deal on ending the shutdown
Democrats are coalescing around a bipartisan agreement to fund the government.
www.politico.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
This is not a deal — it's an empty promise.
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...