Ben
@benintn.bsky.social
https://calendly.com/talktobenvos
Signal: benvostn.29
Signal: benvostn.29
Every day, it's like he takes out a new full page ad against the Central Park Five. He's a lying liar, and we all fall for it and start shouting.
Exhibit #4,293 for Watch What He Does, Not What He Says: Trump floated a 10% cap on credit card interest rates, to take effect... yesterday.
Just checked my statement. Rates are still higher than 10%.
Turns out this was all hot air, which took a whole news cycle but achieved nothing.
Just checked my statement. Rates are still higher than 10%.
Turns out this was all hot air, which took a whole news cycle but achieved nothing.
January 21, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Every day, it's like he takes out a new full page ad against the Central Park Five. He's a lying liar, and we all fall for it and start shouting.
Reposted by Ben
House Dems used to not pick fights over ICE funding. Not anymore.
Jeffries just told his caucus he’s a NO on the DHS/ICE funding bill after Republicans rejected basic accountability and guardrails.
Jeffries just told his caucus he’s a NO on the DHS/ICE funding bill after Republicans rejected basic accountability and guardrails.
January 21, 2026 at 5:22 PM
House Dems used to not pick fights over ICE funding. Not anymore.
Jeffries just told his caucus he’s a NO on the DHS/ICE funding bill after Republicans rejected basic accountability and guardrails.
Jeffries just told his caucus he’s a NO on the DHS/ICE funding bill after Republicans rejected basic accountability and guardrails.
Boy, the oral arguments at the Supreme Court today in Trump v. Cook remind me that Trump should have no business as chief executive of the United States and should be in prison for multiple felonies including insurrection against the United States.
January 21, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Boy, the oral arguments at the Supreme Court today in Trump v. Cook remind me that Trump should have no business as chief executive of the United States and should be in prison for multiple felonies including insurrection against the United States.
Talk about coming with the receipts. Wow, @madisonmcvan.bsky.social you've been on the beat for months.
And y'all, don't tell me you didn't see this coming because this is exactly what Marsha Blackburn put into the RNC platform.
And y'all, don't tell me you didn't see this coming because this is exactly what Marsha Blackburn put into the RNC platform.
hey, y'all. my name is madi and i'm a reporter for the minnesota reformer. i cover the trump administration's impact on minnesotans, which means i've been out on the streets covering ICE in the twin cities. let me walk you through how we got here:
January 21, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Talk about coming with the receipts. Wow, @madisonmcvan.bsky.social you've been on the beat for months.
And y'all, don't tell me you didn't see this coming because this is exactly what Marsha Blackburn put into the RNC platform.
And y'all, don't tell me you didn't see this coming because this is exactly what Marsha Blackburn put into the RNC platform.
This is your reminder that Sean Hannity used Michael Cohen as his attorney.
Sean Hannity Is Also A Client Of Trump's Lawyer Michael Cohen www.npr.org/2018/04/16/6...
Sean Hannity Is Also A Client Of Trump's Lawyer Michael Cohen www.npr.org/2018/04/16/6...
January 21, 2026 at 3:12 AM
This is your reminder that Sean Hannity used Michael Cohen as his attorney.
Sean Hannity Is Also A Client Of Trump's Lawyer Michael Cohen www.npr.org/2018/04/16/6...
Sean Hannity Is Also A Client Of Trump's Lawyer Michael Cohen www.npr.org/2018/04/16/6...
Reposted by Ben
"Almost violently" means nonviolently.
Bovino: "Individuals came in and disrupted almost violently a church service"
January 20, 2026 at 10:40 PM
"Almost violently" means nonviolently.
Trump is giving political cover to dictators and despots.
Lavrov: “If Greenland is ‘U.S. security,’ then Crimea is ‘Russian security.’”
Russia predictably using this as cover. Putin is pleased.
Russia predictably using this as cover. Putin is pleased.
January 20, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Trump is giving political cover to dictators and despots.
Reposted by Ben
And here's the agenda. Not surprised that Rep Pearson's first two bills deal with suicide as he lost his brother to suicide last year. Let's hope they give his bills a fair hearing, something that didn't happen last year.
January 20, 2026 at 6:07 PM
And here's the agenda. Not surprised that Rep Pearson's first two bills deal with suicide as he lost his brother to suicide last year. Let's hope they give his bills a fair hearing, something that didn't happen last year.
Reposted by Ben
Mamdani: "I am in support of abolishing ICE. What we see is an entity that has no interest in fulfilling its stated reason to exist. We're seeing a government agency that is supposed to be enforcing some kind of immigration law, but instead what it's doing is terrorizing people."
January 20, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Mamdani: "I am in support of abolishing ICE. What we see is an entity that has no interest in fulfilling its stated reason to exist. We're seeing a government agency that is supposed to be enforcing some kind of immigration law, but instead what it's doing is terrorizing people."
Wait I thought DHS Sec. Kristi Noem said no chemical agents were being used against protestors.
Is she lying?
Is she lying?
January 19, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Wait I thought DHS Sec. Kristi Noem said no chemical agents were being used against protestors.
Is she lying?
Is she lying?
Had a great chat with my local pharmacist today about the Virginia state government's change in leadership and how it will impact pharmacies in rural communities. PBMs (esp CVS Caremark, OptumRx/UHC, and Cigna Express Scripts) have an outsized effect on what's available to Americans, and drug costs.
January 19, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Had a great chat with my local pharmacist today about the Virginia state government's change in leadership and how it will impact pharmacies in rural communities. PBMs (esp CVS Caremark, OptumRx/UHC, and Cigna Express Scripts) have an outsized effect on what's available to Americans, and drug costs.
Reposted especially because the author has shared a gift with us. There is a civil war being fought without a declaration of war. Trumpism is about "fight like hell or you're not going to have a country anymore," which means fighting against one's fellow Americans. We can't ignore reality.
I went to Minneapolis last week. What I saw was horrifying and inspiring in equal measure. Gift link to my latest column: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/o...
Opinion | In Minneapolis, I Glimpsed a Civil War
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Reposted especially because the author has shared a gift with us. There is a civil war being fought without a declaration of war. Trumpism is about "fight like hell or you're not going to have a country anymore," which means fighting against one's fellow Americans. We can't ignore reality.
Reposted by Ben
🔥Greenland politician: “Trump doesn’t know about Greenlandic people. We don’t value💰/Kardashian lips/fake boobs… we won’t give up free health care & education… 🇺🇸are so greedy they’re trying to shoot their friends… Trump surrounds himself with white power— our rights would probably be taken away.”
January 19, 2026 at 5:16 PM
🔥Greenland politician: “Trump doesn’t know about Greenlandic people. We don’t value💰/Kardashian lips/fake boobs… we won’t give up free health care & education… 🇺🇸are so greedy they’re trying to shoot their friends… Trump surrounds himself with white power— our rights would probably be taken away.”
Violation of 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments!
Have you noticed ICE is consistently using suppressors (silencers) on their rifles?
Why are ICE agents using suppressors and battering rams to arrest old men and nonviolent people in broad daylight? This is for maximum effect imo.
Why are ICE agents using suppressors and battering rams to arrest old men and nonviolent people in broad daylight? This is for maximum effect imo.
January 19, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Violation of 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments!
Reposted by Ben
🚨 Normally I'd wait until #MINNESOTA's filing deadline before promoting this page, but given the ONGOING POGROM of Minneapolis, I'm moving it up.
For now you can help:
@mnhousedfl.bsky.social
@senatedfl.bsky.social
@dfl.org
@mplsdfl.org
Donate today! #Blue26
secure.actblue.com/donate/mnblu...
For now you can help:
@mnhousedfl.bsky.social
@senatedfl.bsky.social
@dfl.org
@mplsdfl.org
Donate today! #Blue26
secure.actblue.com/donate/mnblu...
Chip in!
Show your support with a contribution.
secure.actblue.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM
🚨 Normally I'd wait until #MINNESOTA's filing deadline before promoting this page, but given the ONGOING POGROM of Minneapolis, I'm moving it up.
For now you can help:
@mnhousedfl.bsky.social
@senatedfl.bsky.social
@dfl.org
@mplsdfl.org
Donate today! #Blue26
secure.actblue.com/donate/mnblu...
For now you can help:
@mnhousedfl.bsky.social
@senatedfl.bsky.social
@dfl.org
@mplsdfl.org
Donate today! #Blue26
secure.actblue.com/donate/mnblu...
A colleague writes:
I have been in communication with my uncle’s pastor in Havana and he says that food can be found on the island to buy, but medical supplies are not. Hospitals are empty of supplies, conditions are rough, and people are dying due to overall circumstances.
I have been in communication with my uncle’s pastor in Havana and he says that food can be found on the island to buy, but medical supplies are not. Hospitals are empty of supplies, conditions are rough, and people are dying due to overall circumstances.
January 19, 2026 at 12:20 AM
A colleague writes:
I have been in communication with my uncle’s pastor in Havana and he says that food can be found on the island to buy, but medical supplies are not. Hospitals are empty of supplies, conditions are rough, and people are dying due to overall circumstances.
I have been in communication with my uncle’s pastor in Havana and he says that food can be found on the island to buy, but medical supplies are not. Hospitals are empty of supplies, conditions are rough, and people are dying due to overall circumstances.
Reposted by Ben
Noem is making a specific claim about “organized, funded protesters” committing “acts of violence” here.
Notwithstanding she provides no specific evidence of funding (and that Minnesota is especially intense) protesters against ICE have, in fact, been a consistent presence all over the country.
Notwithstanding she provides no specific evidence of funding (and that Minnesota is especially intense) protesters against ICE have, in fact, been a consistent presence all over the country.
Kristi Noem: "When we did these operations in other cities across the country, we didn't see this kind of violence. We didn't see organized, funded protesters come in to conduct acts of violence against our law enforcement officers like we're seeing in Minneapolis."
January 18, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Noem is making a specific claim about “organized, funded protesters” committing “acts of violence” here.
Notwithstanding she provides no specific evidence of funding (and that Minnesota is especially intense) protesters against ICE have, in fact, been a consistent presence all over the country.
Notwithstanding she provides no specific evidence of funding (and that Minnesota is especially intense) protesters against ICE have, in fact, been a consistent presence all over the country.
Reposted by Ben
This is another senseless tragedy. ICE has an obligation to keep detainees safe.
We need a complete and impartial investigation of what is happening in these detention centers.
We need a complete and impartial investigation of what is happening in these detention centers.
January 18, 2026 at 11:57 PM
This is another senseless tragedy. ICE has an obligation to keep detainees safe.
We need a complete and impartial investigation of what is happening in these detention centers.
We need a complete and impartial investigation of what is happening in these detention centers.
The subtext here is notable. "We're not investigating" means we're giving the guy a free pass and they think what we did was ok. Millions of Americans don't know the law or the Constitution. It's the job of DOJ to address it and they won't - and won't cooperate with the local authorities either.
BREAM: Is the FBI investigating the ICE agent who shot Renee Good?
BLANCHE: What happened has been reviewed by millions of Americans bc it was recorded. We investigate when it's appropriate. That is not the case here. We are not going to bow to pressure. So no, we are not investigating.
BLANCHE: What happened has been reviewed by millions of Americans bc it was recorded. We investigate when it's appropriate. That is not the case here. We are not going to bow to pressure. So no, we are not investigating.
January 18, 2026 at 11:21 PM
The subtext here is notable. "We're not investigating" means we're giving the guy a free pass and they think what we did was ok. Millions of Americans don't know the law or the Constitution. It's the job of DOJ to address it and they won't - and won't cooperate with the local authorities either.
Team "Do the Right Thing" often includes choosing battles you can win with popular support.
once again the real divide in the Dem party is fight/don’t fight and it is extremely encouraging to see one of the more centrist standard bearers firmly on Team Fight
Wow
The night before Spanberger’s inauguration
She’s cleared house at UVA
Top Youngkin appointees resign
Spanberger should be able to easily replace them given Dem trifecta
The former CIA officer asserting her control
The night before Spanberger’s inauguration
She’s cleared house at UVA
Top Youngkin appointees resign
Spanberger should be able to easily replace them given Dem trifecta
The former CIA officer asserting her control
January 17, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Team "Do the Right Thing" often includes choosing battles you can win with popular support.
Reposted by Ben
How ICE’s employee pool changed in 2035.
www.howtoreadthisch.art/americas-myr...
www.howtoreadthisch.art/americas-myr...
January 17, 2026 at 5:28 PM
How ICE’s employee pool changed in 2035.
www.howtoreadthisch.art/americas-myr...
www.howtoreadthisch.art/americas-myr...
Trump is engaging in an undeclared civil war against his political enemies. He has turned a civil enforcement agency into a militarized brute squad. ICE should have no money, weapons, or authority unless and until they follow the law and uphold the Constitution.
There is no recalibrated or sanitized way to conduct the war that Trump and Stephen Miller are waging on American cities right now. That’s because it’s a campaign of deliberate terror.
The policy *is* the terror, and the terror *is* the policy.
newrepublic.com/article/2053...
The policy *is* the terror, and the terror *is* the policy.
newrepublic.com/article/2053...
January 17, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Trump is engaging in an undeclared civil war against his political enemies. He has turned a civil enforcement agency into a militarized brute squad. ICE should have no money, weapons, or authority unless and until they follow the law and uphold the Constitution.
Reposted by Ben
Given the timing, we consider this to be targeted harassment as punishment for exercising our First Amendment rights.
We're still handing out free whistles. And we just got in hundreds of new yard signs.
Keep resisting, Minnesota. We love you.
We're still handing out free whistles. And we just got in hundreds of new yard signs.
Keep resisting, Minnesota. We love you.
January 17, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Given the timing, we consider this to be targeted harassment as punishment for exercising our First Amendment rights.
We're still handing out free whistles. And we just got in hundreds of new yard signs.
Keep resisting, Minnesota. We love you.
We're still handing out free whistles. And we just got in hundreds of new yard signs.
Keep resisting, Minnesota. We love you.
Real quick sanity check here...
If no one is above the law then why is there a convicted felon in the Oval Office?
If no one is above the law then why is there a convicted felon in the Oval Office?
January 17, 2026 at 5:03 AM
Real quick sanity check here...
If no one is above the law then why is there a convicted felon in the Oval Office?
If no one is above the law then why is there a convicted felon in the Oval Office?