Brandon Friedman
@brandonfriedman.bsky.social
Founder, Rakkasan Tea Company • Dallas Police Oversight Board • Former Obama guy • Once a soldier
Dallas, Texas
rakkasantea.com
@rakkasantea.bsky.social
Dallas, Texas
rakkasantea.com
@rakkasantea.bsky.social
Pinned
Fascists are using laws and norms against us. Stop letting them. — The McPherson Square Group
There’s a reason cops don’t wait for red lights when pursuing a suspect.
www.themcphersonsquaregroup.com
My latest today on how strict adherence to the rules is killing Democrats while fascists take cities
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
"If we have to hunt you down, the way they hunted down Nazis for decades, we will find your identities. We will find you. We will achieve justice. And we will do so under the Constitution and laws of the United States."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ft1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ft1...
Philly DA vows to prosecute ‘wannabe Nazi' ICE agents who violate the law
YouTube video by NBC10 Philadelphia
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:50 AM
"If we have to hunt you down, the way they hunted down Nazis for decades, we will find your identities. We will find you. We will achieve justice. And we will do so under the Constitution and laws of the United States."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ft1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ft1...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
This is pretty much the knee-jerk response from the MAGA grifter class tonight.
The punishment for kicking in a taillight is execution 11 days later.
The punishment for kicking in a taillight is execution 11 days later.
January 29, 2026 at 3:03 AM
This is pretty much the knee-jerk response from the MAGA grifter class tonight.
The punishment for kicking in a taillight is execution 11 days later.
The punishment for kicking in a taillight is execution 11 days later.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
An entire community of thousands, here legally, having been demonized with deranged lies about eating pets, is about to be arbitrarily DECLARED illegal so they can be forcibly ethnically cleansed. I don’t want to hear one more fucking word about comparisons to Nazi Germany being overwrought.
JD Vance has ordered that Springfield, OH must be cleaned of its Haitian population, and the operation to do so is now just one week away.
January 29, 2026 at 3:20 AM
An entire community of thousands, here legally, having been demonized with deranged lies about eating pets, is about to be arbitrarily DECLARED illegal so they can be forcibly ethnically cleansed. I don’t want to hear one more fucking word about comparisons to Nazi Germany being overwrought.
This would be DHS's first major push into a red state. Ohio has a Republican governor and Springfield has a Republican mayor.
Doing this with the support of city and state officials (unlike in California, Illinois or Minnesota) could be brutal and horrific.
Doing this with the support of city and state officials (unlike in California, Illinois or Minnesota) could be brutal and horrific.
I know all eyes are on Minneapolis, but there's a fast-approaching nightmare in Springfield, Ohio.
Trump is revoking protected status for tens of thousands of Haitians living there on Feb. 3.
Reportedly, on Feb. 4, 1000 ICE agents are arriving to remove this population. Ethnic cleansing.
Trump is revoking protected status for tens of thousands of Haitians living there on Feb. 3.
Reportedly, on Feb. 4, 1000 ICE agents are arriving to remove this population. Ethnic cleansing.
January 29, 2026 at 3:22 AM
This would be DHS's first major push into a red state. Ohio has a Republican governor and Springfield has a Republican mayor.
Doing this with the support of city and state officials (unlike in California, Illinois or Minnesota) could be brutal and horrific.
Doing this with the support of city and state officials (unlike in California, Illinois or Minnesota) could be brutal and horrific.
Honestly tired of people telling me Trump "can't cancel the elections." It's not a literal point. Can he cancel each state election? No.
But can he intimidate or arrest election administrators? Yes. Can he pressure Republican secretaries of state to suppress votes? Yes. Havoc on election day? Yes.
But can he intimidate or arrest election administrators? Yes. Can he pressure Republican secretaries of state to suppress votes? Yes. Havoc on election day? Yes.
“.. U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard speaks on the phone while standing inside a vehicle loaded with boxes outside the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center after the FBI executed a search warrant there.”
@reuters.com
@reuters.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Honestly tired of people telling me Trump "can't cancel the elections." It's not a literal point. Can he cancel each state election? No.
But can he intimidate or arrest election administrators? Yes. Can he pressure Republican secretaries of state to suppress votes? Yes. Havoc on election day? Yes.
But can he intimidate or arrest election administrators? Yes. Can he pressure Republican secretaries of state to suppress votes? Yes. Havoc on election day? Yes.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Law enforcement officers have always been unmasked in this country until ICE started wearing them last year.
*That* is the departure from norms. *That* is the step too far.
*That* is the departure from norms. *That* is the step too far.
Tillis says he opposes ICE being barred from wearing masks: "I've seen people dox me. I've seen people take pictures and identify law enforcement officers and then put their families at risk. So, I think that's a step too far."
January 28, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Law enforcement officers have always been unmasked in this country until ICE started wearing them last year.
*That* is the departure from norms. *That* is the step too far.
*That* is the departure from norms. *That* is the step too far.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
“Liam is getting sick because the food they receive is not of good quality ... He has stomach pain, he’s vomiting, he has a fever and he no longer wants to eat.”
Body cameras on ICE/CBP agents are not going to fix this.
Body cameras on ICE/CBP agents are not going to fix this.
5-Year-Old in ICE Detention Is Sick, Says Top School Official
The 5-year-old who was taken by federal agents in Minneapolis is being held behind bars with his father in Texas.
www.huffpost.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:55 PM
“Liam is getting sick because the food they receive is not of good quality ... He has stomach pain, he’s vomiting, he has a fever and he no longer wants to eat.”
Body cameras on ICE/CBP agents are not going to fix this.
Body cameras on ICE/CBP agents are not going to fix this.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
This photo of Liam Conejo Ramos - the 5-year-old who ICE agents in Minneapolis nabbed last week and shipped off to a Texas - is beyond horrifiying.
This underscores why just slapping on some procedural restraints on Trump/Miller's ICE/CBP army is not going to make this cruelty/horror go away.
This underscores why just slapping on some procedural restraints on Trump/Miller's ICE/CBP army is not going to make this cruelty/horror go away.
Rep. @joaquincastrotx.bsky.social visited Liam and his dad today at the Texas ICE facility.
He shared this photo on social media that shows Liam either sleeping or lying weakly in his father’s arms.
He shared this photo on social media that shows Liam either sleeping or lying weakly in his father’s arms.
January 28, 2026 at 10:33 PM
This photo of Liam Conejo Ramos - the 5-year-old who ICE agents in Minneapolis nabbed last week and shipped off to a Texas - is beyond horrifiying.
This underscores why just slapping on some procedural restraints on Trump/Miller's ICE/CBP army is not going to make this cruelty/horror go away.
This underscores why just slapping on some procedural restraints on Trump/Miller's ICE/CBP army is not going to make this cruelty/horror go away.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
who is advising Schumer and @democrats.senate.gov on this?
Are they now just ignoring the polls, the outrage, the murderous behavior cause some billionaire funded centrist is giving them toothless advice? They really need to look outside of their Capitol Hill bubble
Are they now just ignoring the polls, the outrage, the murderous behavior cause some billionaire funded centrist is giving them toothless advice? They really need to look outside of their Capitol Hill bubble
Chuck Schumer just announced demands on DHS to avoid shutdown:
1. End roving patrols, tighten rules on warrants
2. Enforce accountability & unified code of conduct for agents
3. No more masks & require bodycams
There are *already* standards on much of this.
The issue is DHS isn't following them!
1. End roving patrols, tighten rules on warrants
2. Enforce accountability & unified code of conduct for agents
3. No more masks & require bodycams
There are *already* standards on much of this.
The issue is DHS isn't following them!
January 28, 2026 at 9:12 PM
who is advising Schumer and @democrats.senate.gov on this?
Are they now just ignoring the polls, the outrage, the murderous behavior cause some billionaire funded centrist is giving them toothless advice? They really need to look outside of their Capitol Hill bubble
Are they now just ignoring the polls, the outrage, the murderous behavior cause some billionaire funded centrist is giving them toothless advice? They really need to look outside of their Capitol Hill bubble
It's happening
![@brandonfriedman.bsky.social: Senate Democrat: I cannot abide this lawlessness and murder. I will oppose funding DHS and its secret police.
Senate Republican: What if we add a requirement for six more hours of online firearms training?
Senate Dem: SOLD.
[Bipartisan, back-slapping, smiling photos are taken]
Just watch.
Jan 24, 2026](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:eppsmw5nfmdzhfeymtzd3xbe/bafkreidj6ox4mtj6g2l3ss7p4eufjvxmzwvemwhuc44iyv3ea5rru4opzi@jpeg)
January 28, 2026 at 8:26 PM
It's happening
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Incredible. Millions are newly-mobilized, questioning how their taxes are being used to hurt their neighbors.
Republicans are in a terrible position.
Democrats have huge leverage.
And they may just go ahead and give DHS more money — as long as they slap on a few rules DHS is already not following.
Republicans are in a terrible position.
Democrats have huge leverage.
And they may just go ahead and give DHS more money — as long as they slap on a few rules DHS is already not following.
Chuck Schumer just announced demands on DHS to avoid shutdown:
1. End roving patrols, tighten rules on warrants
2. Enforce accountability & unified code of conduct for agents
3. No more masks & require bodycams
There are *already* standards on much of this.
The issue is DHS isn't following them!
1. End roving patrols, tighten rules on warrants
2. Enforce accountability & unified code of conduct for agents
3. No more masks & require bodycams
There are *already* standards on much of this.
The issue is DHS isn't following them!
January 28, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Incredible. Millions are newly-mobilized, questioning how their taxes are being used to hurt their neighbors.
Republicans are in a terrible position.
Democrats have huge leverage.
And they may just go ahead and give DHS more money — as long as they slap on a few rules DHS is already not following.
Republicans are in a terrible position.
Democrats have huge leverage.
And they may just go ahead and give DHS more money — as long as they slap on a few rules DHS is already not following.
Somebody oughta get George W. Bush, the creator of DHS, ICE and CBP — who is still alive, comfortably retired in Dallas — to go on the record about the monster he brought to life.
Maybe see if he has any regrets or if he's totally on board with America becoming a fascist police state.
Maybe see if he has any regrets or if he's totally on board with America becoming a fascist police state.
January 28, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Somebody oughta get George W. Bush, the creator of DHS, ICE and CBP — who is still alive, comfortably retired in Dallas — to go on the record about the monster he brought to life.
Maybe see if he has any regrets or if he's totally on board with America becoming a fascist police state.
Maybe see if he has any regrets or if he's totally on board with America becoming a fascist police state.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
But what are their names?
BREAKING: Agents involved in the Alex Pretti shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave. MS NOW's @marcsantianews.bsky.social has the latest
January 28, 2026 at 6:20 PM
But what are their names?
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
it's a truly staggering measure of this country's profound cowardice that so many people are afraid of this pathetic loser
The ADL found that Grok was the most anti-semitic chatbot in its testing -- and did its best to minimize that finding, because everyone is afraid of Elon. @miasato.bsky.social runs it down www.theverge.com/news/868925/...
January 28, 2026 at 3:19 PM
it's a truly staggering measure of this country's profound cowardice that so many people are afraid of this pathetic loser
I'm about to buy one
January 28, 2026 at 5:30 AM
I'm about to buy one
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
They gave a bunch of roided up thugs weapons and made them immune from legal consequences. You can't really tinker around the edges of something like that, you have to end it
January 27, 2026 at 7:45 PM
They gave a bunch of roided up thugs weapons and made them immune from legal consequences. You can't really tinker around the edges of something like that, you have to end it
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Two democratic members of congress being assaulted reminds me of the time Sarah Huckabee Sanders was politely asked to leave a restaurant
January 28, 2026 at 5:09 AM
Two democratic members of congress being assaulted reminds me of the time Sarah Huckabee Sanders was politely asked to leave a restaurant
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
a lot of Democratic officials have asked the protesters to be careful to not "give Trump what he wants" and I think it's fair to ask them to do likewise
January 28, 2026 at 5:12 AM
a lot of Democratic officials have asked the protesters to be careful to not "give Trump what he wants" and I think it's fair to ask them to do likewise
USA Today needs to retract this story.
1. The criticism is not widespread.
2. The only people attacking Walz in the article are Trump appointees or allies.
3. Holocaust survivors and historians have validated his perspective for decades.
1. The criticism is not widespread.
2. The only people attacking Walz in the article are Trump appointees or allies.
3. Holocaust survivors and historians have validated his perspective for decades.
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
Tim Walz condemned for comparing Minnesota children to Anne Frank
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 4:52 AM
USA Today needs to retract this story.
1. The criticism is not widespread.
2. The only people attacking Walz in the article are Trump appointees or allies.
3. Holocaust survivors and historians have validated his perspective for decades.
1. The criticism is not widespread.
2. The only people attacking Walz in the article are Trump appointees or allies.
3. Holocaust survivors and historians have validated his perspective for decades.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Also gave himself a lot of wiggle room on the numbers
Legitimately a feat of carefully calculated writing to issue a Holocaust Remembrance Day statement of this length without mentioning either (1) the people who perpetrated the Holocaust or (2) the people against whom they perpetrated it
January 28, 2026 at 3:16 AM
Also gave himself a lot of wiggle room on the numbers
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
It should be the expectation that all cities move to an eviction moratorium the moment ICE invades
Minneapolis has seen a stunning 1,646% spike in calls from families who can't pay rent because they're afraid to leave their homes to work.
This is state violence manufacturing housing precarity in real time.
People should not be facing eviction when their city is under occupation.
This is state violence manufacturing housing precarity in real time.
People should not be facing eviction when their city is under occupation.
Hotline operators report flood of calls for rental assistance as residents hide during ICE surge
211 calls from Spanish-speakers have increased more than 1,600 percent and requests for rental assistance have more than tripled, according to Greater Twin Cities United Way. Local officials are pushi...
www.mprnews.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:12 AM
It should be the expectation that all cities move to an eviction moratorium the moment ICE invades
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Legitimately a feat of carefully calculated writing to issue a Holocaust Remembrance Day statement of this length without mentioning either (1) the people who perpetrated the Holocaust or (2) the people against whom they perpetrated it
January 28, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Legitimately a feat of carefully calculated writing to issue a Holocaust Remembrance Day statement of this length without mentioning either (1) the people who perpetrated the Holocaust or (2) the people against whom they perpetrated it
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
The administration's allies are very mad Walz came out with this comment now, when children are merely being hunted by secret police, instead of waiting until some of them die in detention.
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
Tim Walz condemned for comparing Minnesota children to Anne Frank
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 3:26 AM
The administration's allies are very mad Walz came out with this comment now, when children are merely being hunted by secret police, instead of waiting until some of them die in detention.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
this story quotes:
- A trump ambassador
- A museum run by Trump appointees
- Stop Antisemitism, an organization funded by right-wing donors
... aaannnnddd that's it! Not a single scholar of the Holocaust. Not anyone unaffiliated with Walz' political opponents.
- A trump ambassador
- A museum run by Trump appointees
- Stop Antisemitism, an organization funded by right-wing donors
... aaannnnddd that's it! Not a single scholar of the Holocaust. Not anyone unaffiliated with Walz' political opponents.
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
Tim Walz condemned for comparing Minnesota children to Anne Frank
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 3:01 AM
this story quotes:
- A trump ambassador
- A museum run by Trump appointees
- Stop Antisemitism, an organization funded by right-wing donors
... aaannnnddd that's it! Not a single scholar of the Holocaust. Not anyone unaffiliated with Walz' political opponents.
- A trump ambassador
- A museum run by Trump appointees
- Stop Antisemitism, an organization funded by right-wing donors
... aaannnnddd that's it! Not a single scholar of the Holocaust. Not anyone unaffiliated with Walz' political opponents.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
my grandmother, an Auschwitz survivor, was Anne Frank’s neighbor in Amsterdam, and Oma thinks this comparison is perfectly apt
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
Tim Walz condemned for comparing Minnesota children to Anne Frank
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 2:37 AM
my grandmother, an Auschwitz survivor, was Anne Frank’s neighbor in Amsterdam, and Oma thinks this comparison is perfectly apt