talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/very-...

Much credit to @sollenbergerrc.bsky.social sollenbergerrc.substack.com/p/doj-remove...

FBI Interviewed Trump Accuser, Epstein Files Show Trump was credibly accused of sexual assault in the Epstein files. It's unclear what became of the DOJ's investigation.

NEWS: The FBI interviewed an Epstein victim who credibly accused Trump of sexual assault, Epstein files show.
substack.com/@sollenberge...

We are selecting diplomats to reduce US influence, which is sort of contrary to how it is usually done

ProPublica reports Dan Bongino got a polygraph waiver for his security clearance

These exams catch foreign ties & blackmail risks

Waivers at this level are unprecedented & part of a broader purge of career national-security experts

I explained on @theweekendmsnow.bsky.social 👇 - TN

Why I Changed My Mind About the Shutdown ‘Surrender.’ Seven days ago, I thought we were seeing another episode of ‘DACO’: Dems Always Chicken Out. Now I think a deal I opposed is giving anti-Trump forces a stronger hand.

Why I changed my mind about the shutdown.

fallows.substack.com/p/why-i-chan...

(Paywall near the end.)

This ballroom was made for Trump and his donor friends – not for you.

This is the moment Republicans have been dreaming about…🤢

This Is the Most Inspiring Thing I’ve Heard About Democracy at the Supreme Court in Ages It’s not every day that a political leader talking about the state of U.S. democracy is able to hit two tricky notes at the same time: realism and hope.

Hope, as we say in Rhode Island. ⚓️ slate.com/news-and-pol...

“Americans are being forced to accept masked paramilitary forces stopping you anytime, anywhere—demanding to know where people are from,” says @chrislhayes.bsky.social. “It is an assault on the idea of America itself.”

if i were a reporter i would be asking every republican politician if they agree that leonard leo is a sleazebag who hates america

Internal budget document reveals extent of Trump’s proposed health cuts HHS would be asked to absorb a $40 billion cut, about one-third of its discretionary budget.

Are they trying to kill us?

Trump proposes a $40 billion cut at HHS—one-third of its discretionary budget. Cuts would hit chronic disease program, rural health initiatives, and HIV work. It would eliminate funding for Head Start.

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Trump Escalates Use of Official Power to Intimidate and Punish His Perceived Foes

Trump Escalates Use of Official Power to Intimidate and Punish His Perceived Foes

A presidential decree instructing the Justice Department to scrutinize whether a former official broke the law crosses a new line.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...

“Should the precise timing of an imminent surprise attack be classified as secret?” kinda answers itself.

David: Are you concerned about retaliation from the Trump administration because of this story? Jeffrey: It’s not my role to care about the possibility of threats or retaliation. We just have to come to work and do our jobs to the best of our ability. Unfortunately, in our society today—we see this across corporate journalism and law firms and other industries—there’s too much preemptive obeying for my taste. All we can do is just go do our jobs.

A fantastically important postscript to this piece: David Graham asks Jeffrey Goldberg about possible retaliation, and Goldberg gives a perfect answer — with perfect swipes. www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...

The Imperative of Solidarity in Response to Assaults on Legal Services, Universities, and Independent Media Author argues that Trump administration's unconstitutional actions against universities, law firms, and independent media requires collective responses.

"Each time Trump succeeds in subordinating his target, his power ricochets far beyond the particular organization in question, affecting the risk-taking calculus of those who fear they might be added to his list." www.justsecurity.org/109439/colle...

The imagery is right on point. @justsecurity.org

The Hidden History of Trump’s First Trip to Moscow In 1987, a young real estate developer traveled to the Soviet Union. The KGB almost certainly made the trip happen.

Keep sharing this because it is vital to understanding this moment.

The timing of his entry into politics after this trip, the one position he’s held firm on (at odds with past presidents of both political parties) and the unraveling of the post-WW II world order.

www.politico.com/magazine/sto...

When civil society institutions — big law firms, Ivy League institutions — cave to Trump rather than fight what appear to be illegal demands, do they expect him to be satisfied and stop? Do they believe others should step in and fight where they have not?

The 5 Best-Dressed Men in Congress Politics is ugly. The fashion doesn’t have to be.

✨ lapels of sensible width ✨ www.politico.com/news/magazin...

Exclusive: Hegseth orders Cyber Command to stand down on Russia planning The secretary of Defense has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions, sources tell Recorded Future News.

The people who were warning you 8+ years ago were right therecord.media/hegseth-orde...

Russian Lawmaker Predicted the Trump-Vance Ambush of Zelensky On Thursday, State Duma member Oleg Morozov guessed that “Daddy” Trump would “flog” Zelensky at the White House.

Russian Lawmaker Predicted the Trump-Vance Ambush of Zelensky

State Duma member Oleg Morozov said the meeting would be a lesson in humiliation, designed to condition Zelensky to capitulate to the US—and later to Russia.

Me for @thedailybeast.bsky.social:

www.thedailybeast.com/russian-lawm...

Opinion | Putin Wins the Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Spectacle Vice President Vance starts a public fight that only helps Russia’s dictator.

"as with the war, Zelensky didn’t start this Oval Office exchange. Was he supposed to tolerate an extended public denigration of the Ukrainian people, who have been fighting a war for survival for three years?” — WSJ edit board

Gift link:
www.wsj.com/opinion/puti...

Musk says DOGE ‘restored’ Ebola prevention effort. Officials say that’s not true. USAID’s initiatives to fight Ebola and other diseases have been gutted, current and former agency officials said.

Every news outlet reporting Elon Musk's comment about accidentally canceling Ebola prevention efforts and quickly restoring them should also say they haven't been restored, they're still canceled, the outbreak-fighting teams are dismantled, the money is gone

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Trump's loyalty-first FBI The bureau can function effectively as Trump's private security force.

President Trump named bombastic MAGA podcast star Dan Bongino as deputy FBI director — a role that doesn't require Senate confirmation and typically goes to a senior agent.

With loyalist Kash Patel confirmed as FBI director, the bureau can function effectively as Trump's private security force.

Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

The Fear Factor in Republican Politics The MAGA movement has made political violence and intimidation a regular feature of our public life.

"We cannot have a viable political system that relies on extraordinarily brave people—because there aren’t enough of them." Don't underestimate the intimidation factor in Republican acquiescence. @monacharen.bsky.social from the archives:

The Hidden History of Trump’s First Trip to Moscow In 1987, a young real estate developer traveled to the Soviet Union. The KGB almost certainly made the trip happen.

👇How it started. Pls read it.

"The spy chief wanted KGB staff abroad to recruit more Americans."

www.politico.com/magazine/sto...

this @schatz.bsky.social quote in TIME >>>

A lot of individuals risk their lives for America in the intelligence community, and I honestly can’t imagine what they’re feeling seeing someone this blatantly compromised rubber stamped by the Senate.

Hell yeah. Hold the line. This is what we need people to do.

Slow things down, don’t comply in advance so the courts have time to stop them. It’s starting to work.