@christine-459.bsky.social
Reposted
This is sinister. If you're wondering why so many people don't report sexual assault, this is why.
jesus the Palm Beach Police really sought arrest warrants against underage Epstein victims for coming forward and cooperating, and (purported) admitting to crimes, and it caused the victims to become uncooperative with the federal investigation
![. . . very cooperative, but the police at that point had to let [redacted] know that what she had done that she could be facing charges.
Q And that was after they had told her earlier that she didn't need an attorney present, correct?
A Exactly.
Q Okay. So this happens to her with the Palm Beach Police Department and did the Palm Beach Police actually present or propose charging [redacted]?
A They did get a probable cause affidavit against [redacted].
Q And is that why Ms. [redacted] and her attorney were concerned about her testimony here?
A Yes.
Q Now was a subpoena issued for Ms. [redacted] on behalf of this grand jury?
A Yes, it was.
Q And before Ms. [redacted] would comply with that, did she -- did her attorney request some sort of order?
A Yes.
Q And what did he ask for?
A He asked for immunity for [redacted].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:eoss3vmzem55cm5kuddhdmwn/bafkreiariijffjjrgfh26o22jjr76pwprinvnbpkcho5lyi2sucfbqlooy@jpeg)
December 24, 2025 at 1:55 AM
This is sinister. If you're wondering why so many people don't report sexual assault, this is why.
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NEW: In 1957, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division was created to "zealously safeguard” the right to vote. In 2025, it’s responsible for bringing over half of the anti-voting lawsuits this election cycle — a flip that makes it hard to deny its newfound commitment to Trump.
Trump’s DOJ Filed Half the Anti-Voting Lawsuits This Election Cycle
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
NEW: In 1957, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division was created to "zealously safeguard” the right to vote. In 2025, it’s responsible for bringing over half of the anti-voting lawsuits this election cycle — a flip that makes it hard to deny its newfound commitment to Trump.
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For all the very real pain caused by DOGE, it looks like federal spending this year is higher than it was last year. Check out this real-time tracker from @BrookingsInst: www.brookings.edu/articles/tra...
December 23, 2025 at 1:58 PM
For all the very real pain caused by DOGE, it looks like federal spending this year is higher than it was last year. Check out this real-time tracker from @BrookingsInst: www.brookings.edu/articles/tra...
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After Epstein's 2019 death "prosecutors produced a seven-page memo on co-conspirators they might consider charging and followed that with an 86-page update in December ... a 13-page memo of corporate prosecutions they might pursue and a 26-page memo regarding another target prosecutors considered."
New trove of apparent Epstein files posted on DOJ site disappear
The Justice Department didn’t respond to requests for comment on the new documents or the decision to remove them.
www.politico.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:05 AM
After Epstein's 2019 death "prosecutors produced a seven-page memo on co-conspirators they might consider charging and followed that with an 86-page update in December ... a 13-page memo of corporate prosecutions they might pursue and a 26-page memo regarding another target prosecutors considered."
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SCOOP-2: Isabela Herrera donated $2.5m to MAGA Inc. on 12/31/2024.
At the time, her father, a Venezuelan-Italian banker, was being prosecuted for bribing Puerto Rico's governor.
In July, Trump's DOJ authorized a misdemeanor plea deal, overruling career prosecutors who had pushed a harsher sentence
At the time, her father, a Venezuelan-Italian banker, was being prosecuted for bribing Puerto Rico's governor.
In July, Trump's DOJ authorized a misdemeanor plea deal, overruling career prosecutors who had pushed a harsher sentence
December 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM
SCOOP-2: Isabela Herrera donated $2.5m to MAGA Inc. on 12/31/2024.
At the time, her father, a Venezuelan-Italian banker, was being prosecuted for bribing Puerto Rico's governor.
In July, Trump's DOJ authorized a misdemeanor plea deal, overruling career prosecutors who had pushed a harsher sentence
At the time, her father, a Venezuelan-Italian banker, was being prosecuted for bribing Puerto Rico's governor.
In July, Trump's DOJ authorized a misdemeanor plea deal, overruling career prosecutors who had pushed a harsher sentence
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New from MS NOW:
Kash Patel is being driven around in specially armored BMWs that the FBI bought at his request.
Patel earlier this year pressed the FBI to purchase a new, more modern FBI jet for his use, but the proposal was abandoned over cost estimates. www.ms.now/news/kash-pa...
Kash Patel is being driven around in specially armored BMWs that the FBI bought at his request.
Patel earlier this year pressed the FBI to purchase a new, more modern FBI jet for his use, but the proposal was abandoned over cost estimates. www.ms.now/news/kash-pa...
Kash Patel’s new ride of choice: an armored luxury BMW
FBI director under fire for use of government resources also asked for an upgraded jet
www.ms.now
December 22, 2025 at 1:45 PM
New from MS NOW:
Kash Patel is being driven around in specially armored BMWs that the FBI bought at his request.
Patel earlier this year pressed the FBI to purchase a new, more modern FBI jet for his use, but the proposal was abandoned over cost estimates. www.ms.now/news/kash-pa...
Kash Patel is being driven around in specially armored BMWs that the FBI bought at his request.
Patel earlier this year pressed the FBI to purchase a new, more modern FBI jet for his use, but the proposal was abandoned over cost estimates. www.ms.now/news/kash-pa...
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“.. Behind the scenes, Turning Point is setting up infrastructure to boost his potential 2028 presidential bid .. planning to put representatives in all of Iowa’s 99 counties ahead of the presidential primary.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
December 22, 2025 at 12:56 PM
“.. Behind the scenes, Turning Point is setting up infrastructure to boost his potential 2028 presidential bid .. planning to put representatives in all of Iowa’s 99 counties ahead of the presidential primary.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
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Now seems like a swell time to point out that Frontline just released this excellent 11-minute mini-documentary about what happened inside CECOT.
Surviving CECOT (full documentary) | Deported to a Maximum-Security Prison | FRONTLINE + ProPublica
YouTube video by FRONTLINE PBS | Official
m.youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Now seems like a swell time to point out that Frontline just released this excellent 11-minute mini-documentary about what happened inside CECOT.
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This is just gutter white nationalist agitprop from Stephen Miller. A good time to read our deep dive into Miller's ideological fanaticism (see below)
December 21, 2025 at 12:30 PM
This is just gutter white nationalist agitprop from Stephen Miller. A good time to read our deep dive into Miller's ideological fanaticism (see below)
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Forbes: Eric Trump Is 10× Richer on Crypto Since Trump's WH Return
As President Trump’s administration rolled out crypto policy in 2025, Forbes estimates that Eric Trump’s crypto-driven fortune climbed about tenfold to roughly $400 million.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/forbes-eri...
As President Trump’s administration rolled out crypto policy in 2025, Forbes estimates that Eric Trump’s crypto-driven fortune climbed about tenfold to roughly $400 million.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/forbes-eri...
December 21, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Forbes: Eric Trump Is 10× Richer on Crypto Since Trump's WH Return
As President Trump’s administration rolled out crypto policy in 2025, Forbes estimates that Eric Trump’s crypto-driven fortune climbed about tenfold to roughly $400 million.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/forbes-eri...
As President Trump’s administration rolled out crypto policy in 2025, Forbes estimates that Eric Trump’s crypto-driven fortune climbed about tenfold to roughly $400 million.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/forbes-eri...
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The problem with this piece, like all the other pieces, is that the missing hed, dek, & lede is that all of this was wildly illegal, unconstitutional, & criminal. This is how you normalize lawless authoritarianism - treat like just another story in our politics. “Transformation” is lazy euphemism.
This WaPo piece weaves together an incredibly powerful story about the way Trump has devastated government and the dedicated people who wake up every day to serve the public. wapo.st/4b14KAy
The year Trump broke the federal government
How DOGE and the White House carried out a once-unthinkable transformation of the nation’s sprawling bureaucracy.
wapo.st
December 21, 2025 at 12:43 PM
The problem with this piece, like all the other pieces, is that the missing hed, dek, & lede is that all of this was wildly illegal, unconstitutional, & criminal. This is how you normalize lawless authoritarianism - treat like just another story in our politics. “Transformation” is lazy euphemism.
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If you're not trans, I don't think I can fully explain how important this is.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
First-of-a-kind study shows encouraging data for trans kids who socially transition
Ninety-four percent of participants in a new study stood firm in their trans identity after five years, and "detransitioning" is rare.
www.popsci.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:58 PM
If you're not trans, I don't think I can fully explain how important this is.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
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This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Opinion | Obama Supported It. The Left in Canada and Norway Does. Why Don’t Democrats?
www.nytimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
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Can’t stop thinking about this. The Trump administration is essentially extorting hospitals into dropping gender-affirming care—without Medicare or Medicaid they’d go bankrupt. It’s akin to a backdoor ban even for people with private insurance, a proposal that wouldn’t pass Congress.
Under the proposed rule issued by the Trump Administration today, any Medicare- or Medicaid-participating hospital would be barred from providing gender-affirming care to *any child*, even if the care is not paid for by Medicare or Medicaid.
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-23465.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-23465.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov
December 20, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Can’t stop thinking about this. The Trump administration is essentially extorting hospitals into dropping gender-affirming care—without Medicare or Medicaid they’d go bankrupt. It’s akin to a backdoor ban even for people with private insurance, a proposal that wouldn’t pass Congress.
Reposted
December 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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A few points here:
- Over 300,000 jobs on average were created each month of Biden Presidency
- In the last 3 months of his Presidency the average was 203,000
- Only 64,000 jobs were created last month, and the unemployment rate has risen from 4 to 4.6 under Trump
This Trump thing ain't working.
- Over 300,000 jobs on average were created each month of Biden Presidency
- In the last 3 months of his Presidency the average was 203,000
- Only 64,000 jobs were created last month, and the unemployment rate has risen from 4 to 4.6 under Trump
This Trump thing ain't working.
Are we in a recession?
Perhaps. Maybe. Hard to tell.
The Sahm Rule focuses on the 3-month average unemployment rate, and asking if it's risen half a point above its year-long low.
The low was 4.0% in January.
The latest (average of Sept & Nov, with Oct missing): 4.5%.
That's +0.5%.
Perhaps. Maybe. Hard to tell.
The Sahm Rule focuses on the 3-month average unemployment rate, and asking if it's risen half a point above its year-long low.
The low was 4.0% in January.
The latest (average of Sept & Nov, with Oct missing): 4.5%.
That's +0.5%.
December 16, 2025 at 2:39 PM
A few points here:
- Over 300,000 jobs on average were created each month of Biden Presidency
- In the last 3 months of his Presidency the average was 203,000
- Only 64,000 jobs were created last month, and the unemployment rate has risen from 4 to 4.6 under Trump
This Trump thing ain't working.
- Over 300,000 jobs on average were created each month of Biden Presidency
- In the last 3 months of his Presidency the average was 203,000
- Only 64,000 jobs were created last month, and the unemployment rate has risen from 4 to 4.6 under Trump
This Trump thing ain't working.
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The VF profile notes Wiles was incorrect about violent Jan. 6 defendants receiving greater-than-recommended sentences, but it doesn’t capture how wildly off base she was. I don’t think there was a single above-guidelines sentence given in a J6 felony case. www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
December 16, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The VF profile notes Wiles was incorrect about violent Jan. 6 defendants receiving greater-than-recommended sentences, but it doesn’t capture how wildly off base she was. I don’t think there was a single above-guidelines sentence given in a J6 felony case. www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
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This post from @stevevladeck.bsky.social about the shadow docket is excellent. It's from a few months ago, but I continue to think about it. Highlighted a money quote below.
www.stevevladeck.com/p/183-the-mi...
www.stevevladeck.com/p/183-the-mi...
![[M]aybe one can defend the Court granting emergency relief more often than ever before and in cases with far greater real-world (and structural) impacts. And maybe one can defend the Court altering (if not completely scrapping) the traditional balance of the equities in these cases. But does that defense extend to the Court doing so especially in cases in which President Trump is a party—and no others? And does it extend to the Court doing all of this without usually providing written explanations of what it is doing—or why? And even if the answer is somehow “yes,” does it also extend to the Court doing all of this, not usually explaining what it’s doing or why, and nevertheless accusing lower courts who fail to read the justices’ minds of “defying” the Court?](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2xv4qggjzw3atshgl3enszuu/bafkreigsxu5fi66rns5h63zxnhwitugbwvweuhrgrva6ld65fjvsqfwzt4@jpeg)
December 16, 2025 at 3:18 PM
This post from @stevevladeck.bsky.social about the shadow docket is excellent. It's from a few months ago, but I continue to think about it. Highlighted a money quote below.
www.stevevladeck.com/p/183-the-mi...
www.stevevladeck.com/p/183-the-mi...
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🚨BREAKING: The Trump administration escalated its effort to punish a sitting U.S. senator for protected political speech Monday, formally converting the Pentagon’s review of Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) into an official Command Investigation under military law. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Trump Admin Intensifies Military Probe Against Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, Launches Command Investigation
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:12 AM
🚨BREAKING: The Trump administration escalated its effort to punish a sitting U.S. senator for protected political speech Monday, formally converting the Pentagon’s review of Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) into an official Command Investigation under military law. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
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Former FBI official Chris O'Leary explains that part of why it will be difficult for the FBI to recover from the damage of the Trump era is that the experienced agents are leaving and "what's going to be left is loyalists to this administration." Replacing the seasoned professionals will be tough.
December 16, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Former FBI official Chris O'Leary explains that part of why it will be difficult for the FBI to recover from the damage of the Trump era is that the experienced agents are leaving and "what's going to be left is loyalists to this administration." Replacing the seasoned professionals will be tough.
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Warnock: "If you live in Claxton, Georgia, if you live in rural America, even if you have wealth and resources and you're having a stroke and there's no ICU within a reasonable distance because of these draconian cuts, your life is in peril. We can do better than this."
December 14, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Warnock: "If you live in Claxton, Georgia, if you live in rural America, even if you have wealth and resources and you're having a stroke and there's no ICU within a reasonable distance because of these draconian cuts, your life is in peril. We can do better than this."
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Fact-check: true
December 14, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Fact-check: true
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“We almost had a midair collision up here,” the JetBlue pilot said, according to a recording of his conversation with air traffic control. “They passed directly in our flight path. … They don’t have their transponder turned on, it’s outrageous.” www.cnn.com/2025/12/14/p...
JetBlue plane near Venezuela avoids ‘midair collision’ with US Air Force aircraft | CNN Politics
A JetBlue flight from the small Caribbean nation of Curaçao halted its ascent to avoid colliding with a US Air Force refueling tanker on Friday, and the pilot blamed the military plane for crossing hi...
www.cnn.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:10 AM
“We almost had a midair collision up here,” the JetBlue pilot said, according to a recording of his conversation with air traffic control. “They passed directly in our flight path. … They don’t have their transponder turned on, it’s outrageous.” www.cnn.com/2025/12/14/p...
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Buried under 12 paragraphs and 4 ads is this: that an investigation into the politicization of data was conducted not by … actually reviewing any data … but just by interviewing senior officials who disliked their chief.
So more politics.
So more politics.
December 14, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Buried under 12 paragraphs and 4 ads is this: that an investigation into the politicization of data was conducted not by … actually reviewing any data … but just by interviewing senior officials who disliked their chief.
So more politics.
So more politics.
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So happens now is this rise measles will also create a rise in all vaccine-preventable illnesses (and other illnesses) b/c everyone who recovers will essentially be reduced to immune system infancy.
It will create a cascade of illnesses, especially in people who will refuse new vaccinations.
It will create a cascade of illnesses, especially in people who will refuse new vaccinations.
December 14, 2025 at 12:55 AM
So happens now is this rise measles will also create a rise in all vaccine-preventable illnesses (and other illnesses) b/c everyone who recovers will essentially be reduced to immune system infancy.
It will create a cascade of illnesses, especially in people who will refuse new vaccinations.
It will create a cascade of illnesses, especially in people who will refuse new vaccinations.