Lionel Dripps
@lioneldripps.bsky.social
Posting Through It. Views my own.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
FT has a piece on how particularly poisonous the Juan Orlando Hernández pardon was (but is a good overview and unlikely many pieces did note that Roger Stone himself needed a pardon).
www.ft.com/content/1dc4...
www.ft.com/content/1dc4...
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https://www.ft.com/content/1dc4124e-6bd3-4b2b-9628-1ff43583f28c?utm_social_handle_id=18949452&utm_social_post_id=615514481
The Hernández pardon created “a tremendous disincentive for [overseas] prosecutors, police, judges and governments to take on the risk of investigating and assisting the extradition of officials who may be released arbitrarily by the US president”, said Ricardo Zúñiga, a former senior US state department official who focuses on Latin America.
“The US was seen as a place where justice would be done . . . it really undermines faith in the US justice system.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bbp2b224lro3bfnzcqwwnkfo/bafkreicyrhntrhmeqvtgwwccd7mnqezzudjvz7grtujunjymvitzvolddm@jpeg)
December 6, 2025 at 12:30 PM
FT has a piece on how particularly poisonous the Juan Orlando Hernández pardon was (but is a good overview and unlikely many pieces did note that Roger Stone himself needed a pardon).
www.ft.com/content/1dc4...
www.ft.com/content/1dc4...
This is such a great idea!
Hello, world! We are DC's cargo bike lending library, a
@waba.org project inspired by @mplscargobikelibrary.com
and @communitypedalpower.org
Borrow a cargo bike - free! #bikedc
More information coming soon....
@waba.org project inspired by @mplscargobikelibrary.com
and @communitypedalpower.org
Borrow a cargo bike - free! #bikedc
More information coming soon....
December 6, 2025 at 2:38 AM
This is such a great idea!
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
We can run on restoring and strengthening the rule of law, or we can carry crooked bumpkins like albatrosses just as long as they have a (D) after their names — but Democrats can’t do both.
Pardoned Democrat Henry Cuellar wants GOP to probe his prosecutors
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Pardoned Democrat Henry Cuellar wants GOP to probe his prosecutors
The Texas lawmaker said in an interview he'd be willing to cooperate with a House Judiciary "weaponization" probe.
www.politico.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:50 AM
We can run on restoring and strengthening the rule of law, or we can carry crooked bumpkins like albatrosses just as long as they have a (D) after their names — but Democrats can’t do both.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
Brezhnev-ass president
looking great, mister president, sir, no president in history has looked better at 175 years old while putting a fake medal on themselves
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Brezhnev-ass president
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
My theory, fwiw, is that Supreme Court Justices are not immune to Twitter brain poisoning. I suspect all six have horrific information environments and have therefore lost the ability to understand the people who don't agree with them.
The part that I can't figure out is what John Roberts thinks he is doing. He used to seem to be a judge who was very attentive to appearances, I think on a theory that you can't draw too much attention to yourself without undermining your ability to continue to shape the law.
Every legal story now is either
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
December 5, 2025 at 8:09 PM
My theory, fwiw, is that Supreme Court Justices are not immune to Twitter brain poisoning. I suspect all six have horrific information environments and have therefore lost the ability to understand the people who don't agree with them.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
Rep. Grijalva says she was pepper-sprayed by ICE
December 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Rep. Grijalva says she was pepper-sprayed by ICE
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
It's the moment when he takes the medal out of the box and puts it on himself for me. That's one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen lol. He's so desperate to get it.
December 5, 2025 at 7:54 PM
It's the moment when he takes the medal out of the box and puts it on himself for me. That's one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen lol. He's so desperate to get it.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
Our latest polling averages over at 50+1 show Trump hitting a new low in his job approval rating (39.4% among adults) and Dems meeting their previous high in the generic ballot (+4.4) fiftyplusone.news/latest-polls
December 5, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Our latest polling averages over at 50+1 show Trump hitting a new low in his job approval rating (39.4% among adults) and Dems meeting their previous high in the generic ballot (+4.4) fiftyplusone.news/latest-polls
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
What fresh hell is this?
“FBI Director Kash Patel has — on more than one occasion — ordered that the security detail protecting his girlfriend escort one of her allegedly inebriated friends home after a night of partying in Nashville”
www.ms.now/news/kash-pa...
“FBI Director Kash Patel has — on more than one occasion — ordered that the security detail protecting his girlfriend escort one of her allegedly inebriated friends home after a night of partying in Nashville”
www.ms.now/news/kash-pa...
Kash Patel ordered FBI detail to give girlfriend’s pal a lift home: sources
FBI agents have grown increasingly concerned by Patel’s use of the bureau’s strapped resource.
www.ms.now
December 5, 2025 at 1:34 PM
What fresh hell is this?
“FBI Director Kash Patel has — on more than one occasion — ordered that the security detail protecting his girlfriend escort one of her allegedly inebriated friends home after a night of partying in Nashville”
www.ms.now/news/kash-pa...
“FBI Director Kash Patel has — on more than one occasion — ordered that the security detail protecting his girlfriend escort one of her allegedly inebriated friends home after a night of partying in Nashville”
www.ms.now/news/kash-pa...
Dems are highly, highly likely to win the house in 26.
Decisions like today’s Supreme Court case will matter much more for who has a majority in 28.
Decisions like today’s Supreme Court case will matter much more for who has a majority in 28.
December 4, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Dems are highly, highly likely to win the house in 26.
Decisions like today’s Supreme Court case will matter much more for who has a majority in 28.
Decisions like today’s Supreme Court case will matter much more for who has a majority in 28.
Very cool experiment! At the same time, I’m begging Dems to take a hard line against corruption in their own party—which would likely also meaningfully move perceptions (and reality) about which party is more corrupt.
The graph below shows the effect. Treatment with the question about the CZ pardon (full text in previous post) reduced perception that Democrats are more corrupt by 6.6 pp.
The point is, these are malleable perceptions, and as the breakout by party id shows, even malleable among partisans
The point is, these are malleable perceptions, and as the breakout by party id shows, even malleable among partisans
December 4, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Very cool experiment! At the same time, I’m begging Dems to take a hard line against corruption in their own party—which would likely also meaningfully move perceptions (and reality) about which party is more corrupt.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
Every GOP senator other than Mitch McConnell voted for this
A picture is worth a 1000 words. The birth dose of hepatitis B vaccines in the USA eliminated perinatally acquired hepatitis B infection from over 20,000 cases a year before the vaccine was introduced to <20 cases a year. The gaslighting by the current members ACIP is obscene, unethical and cruel.
December 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Every GOP senator other than Mitch McConnell voted for this
Begging Democrats to take corruption seriously. Trump is what happens when you don’t take corruption seriously within your own party.
The Democratic Party needs a lot more Andy Kims and a lot fewer James Beaches.
The Democratic Party needs a lot more Andy Kims and a lot fewer James Beaches.
Absolutely bonkers details here about how Democrats trying to defang a corruption watchdog in New Jersey treated
Sen. Andy Kim when he tried to speak against it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/n...
Sen. Andy Kim when he tried to speak against it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/n...
December 3, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Begging Democrats to take corruption seriously. Trump is what happens when you don’t take corruption seriously within your own party.
The Democratic Party needs a lot more Andy Kims and a lot fewer James Beaches.
The Democratic Party needs a lot more Andy Kims and a lot fewer James Beaches.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
"She can be heard screaming as agents attempt to handcuff her. 'I’m a U.S. citizen, please help me,' she shouted after agents forced her to the ground. 'This is unfair. Why are you doing this to me?'”
Gift link:
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
Gift link:
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
December 3, 2025 at 5:26 PM
"She can be heard screaming as agents attempt to handcuff her. 'I’m a U.S. citizen, please help me,' she shouted after agents forced her to the ground. 'This is unfair. Why are you doing this to me?'”
Gift link:
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
Gift link:
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
I may be a bit old fashioned but I believe corrupt politicians regardless of their party are bad and should face prosecution for their crimes. It’s remarkable how strongly Trump believes taking bribes is good.
December 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
I may be a bit old fashioned but I believe corrupt politicians regardless of their party are bad and should face prosecution for their crimes. It’s remarkable how strongly Trump believes taking bribes is good.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
Congressman Henry Cuellar was indicted for money laundering, bribery, and conspiracy, allegedly taking about $600,000, mostly from Azerbaijan, to influence U.S. policy.
President Donald Trump pardoned Cuellar, because Trump supports money laundering, bribery, and conspiracy.
President Donald Trump pardoned Cuellar, because Trump supports money laundering, bribery, and conspiracy.
Trump announces a pardon of Henry Cuellar: "I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda. Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — Your nightmare is finally over!"
December 3, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Congressman Henry Cuellar was indicted for money laundering, bribery, and conspiracy, allegedly taking about $600,000, mostly from Azerbaijan, to influence U.S. policy.
President Donald Trump pardoned Cuellar, because Trump supports money laundering, bribery, and conspiracy.
President Donald Trump pardoned Cuellar, because Trump supports money laundering, bribery, and conspiracy.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
Avg swing in specials to Congress is 17 pts left since 2024. But bc they've been so low-turnout, the data b4 last night suggested a 100% turnout (relative to the past midterm) special would have swung closer to 6-7 points. So TN-7 (13 pts) is updating priors about the share of swing that's turnout
December 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Avg swing in specials to Congress is 17 pts left since 2024. But bc they've been so low-turnout, the data b4 last night suggested a 100% turnout (relative to the past midterm) special would have swung closer to 6-7 points. So TN-7 (13 pts) is updating priors about the share of swing that's turnout
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
The latest from @ymriofficial.bsky.social - more than 1 in 5 young men who voted for Trump now regret it, including almost half his Independent supporters. This less-ideological, less-online population is appalled by Trump's policies.
youngmenresearchinitiative.substack.com/p/who-are-th...
youngmenresearchinitiative.substack.com/p/who-are-th...
Who Are the Young Men Who Regret Their Trump Vote?
According to most available data, Trump’s approval ratings are dropping across the electorate. Young men tell a similar story.
youngmenresearchinitiative.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The latest from @ymriofficial.bsky.social - more than 1 in 5 young men who voted for Trump now regret it, including almost half his Independent supporters. This less-ideological, less-online population is appalled by Trump's policies.
youngmenresearchinitiative.substack.com/p/who-are-th...
youngmenresearchinitiative.substack.com/p/who-are-th...
The thing is, healthcare premium spikes aren’t fully real for voters yet, not are the hospital closures. Nothing about foreign policy and committing war crimes will improve Trump approval. And apparently affordability is a Democratic scam. All this will get so much worse for the GOP by next fall.
December 3, 2025 at 3:49 AM
The thing is, healthcare premium spikes aren’t fully real for voters yet, not are the hospital closures. Nothing about foreign policy and committing war crimes will improve Trump approval. And apparently affordability is a Democratic scam. All this will get so much worse for the GOP by next fall.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
Both can be true:
1. Thermostatic effects are real and much larger on the margin than ideological effects
2. Candidate ideological positioning effects are smaller but probably not zero; national party brands matter; and the Senate in particular is still a huge issue for Ds as currently constituted
1. Thermostatic effects are real and much larger on the margin than ideological effects
2. Candidate ideological positioning effects are smaller but probably not zero; national party brands matter; and the Senate in particular is still a huge issue for Ds as currently constituted
Looking forward to the total absence of wall-to-wall “Republicans In Disarray!” & “Republicans In Denial” headlines & op-eds tomorrow, followed by another round of Ezra Douthglesias discussing How Democrats Must Do An Abundance Of Popularism & stop alienating Real Folkz with Funny Words.
December 3, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Both can be true:
1. Thermostatic effects are real and much larger on the margin than ideological effects
2. Candidate ideological positioning effects are smaller but probably not zero; national party brands matter; and the Senate in particular is still a huge issue for Ds as currently constituted
1. Thermostatic effects are real and much larger on the margin than ideological effects
2. Candidate ideological positioning effects are smaller but probably not zero; national party brands matter; and the Senate in particular is still a huge issue for Ds as currently constituted
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
Even accounting for the new congressional maps, a swing like Aftyn Behn's (Trump+22 to D-8.6) would net Dems 259 seats in the midterms.
Even if the swing is *half* of tonight's, Dems win the House with 229 seats
Data: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Even if the swing is *half* of tonight's, Dems win the House with 229 seats
Data: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
December 3, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Even accounting for the new congressional maps, a swing like Aftyn Behn's (Trump+22 to D-8.6) would net Dems 259 seats in the midterms.
Even if the swing is *half* of tonight's, Dems win the House with 229 seats
Data: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Even if the swing is *half* of tonight's, Dems win the House with 229 seats
Data: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
It is going to happen again.
December 3, 2025 at 2:02 AM
It is going to happen again.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
DC Statehood on demand and without apology. Every dem trifecta that has failed to secure this has led us to this point.
NEW: Republican-led states, in a new filing at the D.C. Circuit, say D.C. residents are irrelevant, D.C. belongs to everyone else. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The filing is led by the South Carolina and West Virginia attorneys general. Both states sent troops to DC.
The filing is led by the South Carolina and West Virginia attorneys general. Both states sent troops to DC.
December 2, 2025 at 11:46 PM
DC Statehood on demand and without apology. Every dem trifecta that has failed to secure this has led us to this point.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
DDOT continues to publish before/after analyses of safety projects. The numbers for the 9th street NW bike lanes suggest that we should be doing these projects everywhere we can. Crashes plummeted, pedestrian and bike traffic skyrocketed, and vehicle travel times dropped.
December 2, 2025 at 2:39 PM
DDOT continues to publish before/after analyses of safety projects. The numbers for the 9th street NW bike lanes suggest that we should be doing these projects everywhere we can. Crashes plummeted, pedestrian and bike traffic skyrocketed, and vehicle travel times dropped.
Reposted by Lionel Dripps
According to this analysis not even one-third of Republicans are fully onboard with Trump's most blatant attacks on our Republic (ignoring the courts, the desire for a third term, the unconstitutional capture of the budget). We overestimate the strength and cohesiveness of MAGA at our peril.
Republican voters in the United States are far from monolithic.
Fascinating new research by @snfagora.bsky.social & @publicagenda.bsky.social identifies and characterizes three broad constituencies: "Trump first", "Constitution first", and "Party first". All three are concerned for US democracy.
Fascinating new research by @snfagora.bsky.social & @publicagenda.bsky.social identifies and characterizes three broad constituencies: "Trump first", "Constitution first", and "Party first". All three are concerned for US democracy.
Understanding Evolving Republican Attitudes Towards Democracy
Survey from SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins and Public Agenda Pinpoint Distinct Divides Within Republican Party
snf-agora.shorthandstories.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:02 PM
According to this analysis not even one-third of Republicans are fully onboard with Trump's most blatant attacks on our Republic (ignoring the courts, the desire for a third term, the unconstitutional capture of the budget). We overestimate the strength and cohesiveness of MAGA at our peril.