Andy Craig
@andycraig.bsky.social
@theunpopulist.net
Election law and policy, liberalism and democracy, and occasional pugs.
Election law and policy, liberalism and democracy, and occasional pugs.
There are no laws Vance doesn’t think are fake.
JD Vance: "The War Powers Act is fundamentally a fake and unconstitutional law"
January 8, 2026 at 7:26 PM
There are no laws Vance doesn’t think are fake.
Didn’t want to share until it was confirmed, but I saw last night some people had made the connection to the incident Noem mentioned and found the court records from that case identifying at least his surname.
IOW, Noem botched covering up his identity and gave it away because she’s an idiot.
IOW, Noem botched covering up his identity and gave it away because she’s an idiot.
January 8, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Didn’t want to share until it was confirmed, but I saw last night some people had made the connection to the incident Noem mentioned and found the court records from that case identifying at least his surname.
IOW, Noem botched covering up his identity and gave it away because she’s an idiot.
IOW, Noem botched covering up his identity and gave it away because she’s an idiot.
Reposted by Andy Craig
Worth remembering, when you see passages like the one below, that this was not inevitable--the WPR mechanism does not allow for a presidential veto. It is only because of the Supreme Court's Chadha opinion that the president could veto the Venezuela resolution. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
January 8, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Worth remembering, when you see passages like the one below, that this was not inevitable--the WPR mechanism does not allow for a presidential veto. It is only because of the Supreme Court's Chadha opinion that the president could veto the Venezuela resolution. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Reposted by Andy Craig
i firmly believe — like you would have to give me hard evidence to convince me otherwise — that they feed trump a steady diet of AI slop
man, did the viziers in the WH not actually show him the actual video?
January 8, 2026 at 3:42 PM
i firmly believe — like you would have to give me hard evidence to convince me otherwise — that they feed trump a steady diet of AI slop
This needs to happen, and the only way it happens is if we're prepared to treat as null and void the inevitable blanket pardons. A coherent account of how and why they're invalid, and the political will to do what it takes to make that stick.
"Should the opposition ever regain power, it should commit to prosecuting members of this regime at every level to the fullest extent of the law."
The Distance Between Renee Good and Ashli Babbitt Is Fascism
It’s not a hypocrisy. It’s a coherent worldview.
lnk.thebulwark.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:53 PM
This needs to happen, and the only way it happens is if we're prepared to treat as null and void the inevitable blanket pardons. A coherent account of how and why they're invalid, and the political will to do what it takes to make that stick.
"For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States"
The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says they've been informed by the FBI that US DOJ has said FBI will solely lead the investigation into Renee Nicole Good's killing by a federal officer. State investigators no longer have access to "case materials, scene evidence/investigative interviews"
January 8, 2026 at 5:27 PM
"For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States"
ICE needs to be abolished, to be sure, but we also have to deal with how the FBI and DOJ are thoroughly corrupted now, and that won't change without a massive counter-purge and reconstruction of federal law enforcement writ large. New political appointees at the top will not be sufficient.
January 8, 2026 at 5:22 PM
ICE needs to be abolished, to be sure, but we also have to deal with how the FBI and DOJ are thoroughly corrupted now, and that won't change without a massive counter-purge and reconstruction of federal law enforcement writ large. New political appointees at the top will not be sufficient.
Good. But the Supreme Court's Chadha decision has gutted this WPR mechanism, like it did many of the post-Watergate reforms, because now it can only take effect if you get past the inevitable veto. It's worth doing as a statement of opposition, but Congress has allowed it to become toothless.
NEWS: Senate votes 52-47 to advance a measure restricting Trump's power to use military force in Venezuela.
A rare warning shot from Congress to Trump as he dials up foreign rhetoric.
Voting YES: Democrats + Rand Paul, Collins, Murkowski, Young, Hawley.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
A rare warning shot from Congress to Trump as he dials up foreign rhetoric.
Voting YES: Democrats + Rand Paul, Collins, Murkowski, Young, Hawley.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Senate advances measure to restrict Trump's power to use military force in Venezuela
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who led the bipartisan resolution, said that Trump's actions in Venezuela are "clearly illegal" because he did not seek congressional approval.
www.nbcnews.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Good. But the Supreme Court's Chadha decision has gutted this WPR mechanism, like it did many of the post-Watergate reforms, because now it can only take effect if you get past the inevitable veto. It's worth doing as a statement of opposition, but Congress has allowed it to become toothless.
A lot of these "what's the big deal?" types never experienced how bad far-right twitter already was pre-Musk. I got spammed with slurs, threats, Holocaust memes, and that was before it became the site's official ideology. You could roll it back to the day before Musk and I still wouldn't go back.
John Carmack wants the creative "Twitter diaspora" to return, because he no longer sees many creative works shared on the platform
January 8, 2026 at 4:53 PM
A lot of these "what's the big deal?" types never experienced how bad far-right twitter already was pre-Musk. I got spammed with slurs, threats, Holocaust memes, and that was before it became the site's official ideology. You could roll it back to the day before Musk and I still wouldn't go back.
Reposted by Andy Craig
According to my sources, the FBI was initially open to a concurrent investigation with the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (the state agency that would do this investigation).
Trumpy U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen heard about this and intervened, barring the FBI from cooperating with local police.
Trumpy U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen heard about this and intervened, barring the FBI from cooperating with local police.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota investigators say they can't access evidence after fatal ICE shooting and FBI won't work jointly on probe.
@reuters.com
@reuters.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:35 PM
According to my sources, the FBI was initially open to a concurrent investigation with the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (the state agency that would do this investigation).
Trumpy U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen heard about this and intervened, barring the FBI from cooperating with local police.
Trumpy U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen heard about this and intervened, barring the FBI from cooperating with local police.
Reposted by Andy Craig
"Trump announced that the U.S. will 'run the country,' except there’s no apparent plan to do that. American military operations in and around Venezuela have been airstrikes and now a special operations raid. There’s no U.S. or allied ground force to even try to assume control."
Trump Is Ensuring That His Venezuela Attack Has No Upside for Anyone
Venezuelan democracy, America, and the world are all going to lose
www.theunpopulist.net
January 8, 2026 at 4:22 PM
"Trump announced that the U.S. will 'run the country,' except there’s no apparent plan to do that. American military operations in and around Venezuela have been airstrikes and now a special operations raid. There’s no U.S. or allied ground force to even try to assume control."
Reposted by Andy Craig
Pete Hegseth's animating idea is that, for America to survive, true patriots will need to wage a "holy war" to ensure "the categorical defeat of the Left." This is the guy they put in charge at the Pentagon.
Hegseth’s Hatred of Americans Makes Him Unfit for Office but a Perfect Fit for Trump
The secretary is a Christian nationalist who wants to eliminate those who don’t agree with his totalitarian vision
www.theunpopulist.net
January 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Pete Hegseth's animating idea is that, for America to survive, true patriots will need to wage a "holy war" to ensure "the categorical defeat of the Left." This is the guy they put in charge at the Pentagon.
At least Schumer has the kind-of honesty of refusing to say anything, whereas Jeffries pivots to canned talking points mush in a way that only highlights how much he's refusing to answer the question.
January 8, 2026 at 3:51 PM
At least Schumer has the kind-of honesty of refusing to say anything, whereas Jeffries pivots to canned talking points mush in a way that only highlights how much he's refusing to answer the question.
These are not serious people.
Jeffries dodged when multiple reporter, myself included, ask about using appropriations to rein in ICE
January 8, 2026 at 3:49 PM
These are not serious people.
I know pedocon’s real and all, but it’s insane the Jan 6 pardon covered ~ 1500 people and there are now at least a half dozen since arrested for child sex crimes. That’s one in every 250! Over the course of a year!
I think Pitcairn Island is the only population beating that per capita rate.
I think Pitcairn Island is the only population beating that per capita rate.
January 8, 2026 at 6:22 AM
I know pedocon’s real and all, but it’s insane the Jan 6 pardon covered ~ 1500 people and there are now at least a half dozen since arrested for child sex crimes. That’s one in every 250! Over the course of a year!
I think Pitcairn Island is the only population beating that per capita rate.
I think Pitcairn Island is the only population beating that per capita rate.
Reposted by Andy Craig
There's honestly been some pretty good news coverage tonight on TV regarding today's events. It's not a coincidence.
Like half a dozen prominent Democrats finally came out this afternoon and said ICE is terrorist trash led by a secretary who should be impeached and it flipped the whole narrative.
Like half a dozen prominent Democrats finally came out this afternoon and said ICE is terrorist trash led by a secretary who should be impeached and it flipped the whole narrative.
January 8, 2026 at 3:42 AM
There's honestly been some pretty good news coverage tonight on TV regarding today's events. It's not a coincidence.
Like half a dozen prominent Democrats finally came out this afternoon and said ICE is terrorist trash led by a secretary who should be impeached and it flipped the whole narrative.
Like half a dozen prominent Democrats finally came out this afternoon and said ICE is terrorist trash led by a secretary who should be impeached and it flipped the whole narrative.
Reposted by Andy Craig
Dems: get up out of your fucking defensive crouch and fight back, it still makes a difference in the coverage
as I was saying earlier today, if all you can really do is yell, the quality of the yelling has to be better
it was today, and it’s helped
keep calling these people what they are
as I was saying earlier today, if all you can really do is yell, the quality of the yelling has to be better
it was today, and it’s helped
keep calling these people what they are
There's honestly been some pretty good news coverage tonight on TV regarding today's events. It's not a coincidence.
Like half a dozen prominent Democrats finally came out this afternoon and said ICE is terrorist trash led by a secretary who should be impeached and it flipped the whole narrative.
Like half a dozen prominent Democrats finally came out this afternoon and said ICE is terrorist trash led by a secretary who should be impeached and it flipped the whole narrative.
January 8, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Dems: get up out of your fucking defensive crouch and fight back, it still makes a difference in the coverage
as I was saying earlier today, if all you can really do is yell, the quality of the yelling has to be better
it was today, and it’s helped
keep calling these people what they are
as I was saying earlier today, if all you can really do is yell, the quality of the yelling has to be better
it was today, and it’s helped
keep calling these people what they are
Context: Kelly and Krishnamoorthi are both running for Durbin's Senate seat (he's the frontrunner, she's running behind in what's effectively a three-way race with the lt. gov.)
In other words, Dems in a competitive(-ish) primary are maneuvering over how eager they are to start impeaching.
In other words, Dems in a competitive(-ish) primary are maneuvering over how eager they are to start impeaching.
January 8, 2026 at 5:05 AM
Context: Kelly and Krishnamoorthi are both running for Durbin's Senate seat (he's the frontrunner, she's running behind in what's effectively a three-way race with the lt. gov.)
In other words, Dems in a competitive(-ish) primary are maneuvering over how eager they are to start impeaching.
In other words, Dems in a competitive(-ish) primary are maneuvering over how eager they are to start impeaching.
In Illinois, the governor has the standing authority to do this on his own say-so. 20 ILCS 1815/1-10.
January 8, 2026 at 4:40 AM
In Illinois, the governor has the standing authority to do this on his own say-so. 20 ILCS 1815/1-10.
Reposted by Andy Craig
Man you’d never guess this guy follows half of the most prominent open Nazi accounts on Twitter
January 8, 2026 at 4:20 AM
Man you’d never guess this guy follows half of the most prominent open Nazi accounts on Twitter
Reposted by Andy Craig
The Department of Homeland Security released a Maryland woman who was held for 25 days despite evidence that her lawyers say proves she was born in the United States and is a citizen.
After 25 days, ICE releases Maryland woman who says she is a U.S. citizen
Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales was detained in December despite her legal team’s claims that she was born in the United States.
wapo.st
January 8, 2026 at 2:15 AM
The Department of Homeland Security released a Maryland woman who was held for 25 days despite evidence that her lawyers say proves she was born in the United States and is a citizen.
Reposted by Andy Craig
My reaction to the ICE shooting in Minneapolis for @ms.now
It was murder. Something like this was inevitable under this administration. It’s going to keep happening.
www.ms.now/opinion/ice-...
It was murder. Something like this was inevitable under this administration. It’s going to keep happening.
www.ms.now/opinion/ice-...
Opinion | ICE's violence is no accident
Alan Elrod: The killing of a woman by an immigration enforcement officer in Minneapolis was the raw application of Trumpist authoritarianism.
www.ms.now
January 8, 2026 at 12:57 AM
My reaction to the ICE shooting in Minneapolis for @ms.now
It was murder. Something like this was inevitable under this administration. It’s going to keep happening.
www.ms.now/opinion/ice-...
It was murder. Something like this was inevitable under this administration. It’s going to keep happening.
www.ms.now/opinion/ice-...
Reposted by Andy Craig
About an hour ago, @axios.com was first to report that some Dems will be pushing their caucus to shut down DHS at minimum over the ICE shooting today
January 8, 2026 at 1:38 AM
About an hour ago, @axios.com was first to report that some Dems will be pushing their caucus to shut down DHS at minimum over the ICE shooting today
Reposted by Andy Craig
The image of the blood-soaked airbag next to the glove compartment overflowing with stuffed animals is going to stick with me for a very long time.
January 8, 2026 at 1:19 AM
The image of the blood-soaked airbag next to the glove compartment overflowing with stuffed animals is going to stick with me for a very long time.
Reposted by Andy Craig
another aside about DHS, not only was it badly designed by morons but its just fundamentally not a normal ~interior ministry~ its a Department for Fighting The Terrorists, basically institutional PTSD manifested into the organizational culture of two of the largest paramilitary agencies in the USG
DHS in general was a bad re-org.
Give TSA and the air marshals to DOT, customs and civil immigration to state, criminal immigration enforcement to justice, the natsec shit to Justice/DoD, etc.
Only border patrol is the one that doesn’t neatly fit into any already existing cabinet portfolio.
Give TSA and the air marshals to DOT, customs and civil immigration to state, criminal immigration enforcement to justice, the natsec shit to Justice/DoD, etc.
Only border patrol is the one that doesn’t neatly fit into any already existing cabinet portfolio.
January 8, 2026 at 1:14 AM
another aside about DHS, not only was it badly designed by morons but its just fundamentally not a normal ~interior ministry~ its a Department for Fighting The Terrorists, basically institutional PTSD manifested into the organizational culture of two of the largest paramilitary agencies in the USG