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
It’s pretty fucking wild that the DOJ is releasing files that include accusations that the President of the United States raped underage girls, to distract from the fact that the DOJ is covering up murders of US citizens by their own government.
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM
It’s pretty fucking wild that the DOJ is releasing files that include accusations that the President of the United States raped underage girls, to distract from the fact that the DOJ is covering up murders of US citizens by their own government.
This is literal Nazi stuff. If you've ever listened to historians or Holocaust survivors, then you know that there is no response to this that could be considered too extreme or overreactive.
Breaking MS NOW:
The Trump admin is now eyeing Ohio for immigration enforcement operations that could begin as early as next week.
The operation is expected to target Haitian immigrants — with temporary protected status for Haiti expiring on Feb. 3.
The Trump admin is now eyeing Ohio for immigration enforcement operations that could begin as early as next week.
The operation is expected to target Haitian immigrants — with temporary protected status for Haiti expiring on Feb. 3.
ICE eyeing Ohio next, where it is expected to target Haitian immigrants
An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 Haitians live in Springfield, Ohio, a community that President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance targeted during the 2024 campaign, falsely accusing the community ...
www.ms.now
January 31, 2026 at 2:10 AM
This is literal Nazi stuff. If you've ever listened to historians or Holocaust survivors, then you know that there is no response to this that could be considered too extreme or overreactive.
I'm very on the fence about this after years of saying I'd never wear a mask at a protest. I think it's correct for now, but once the government starts arresting journalists and murdering observers, then you're in a genuine resistance movement. At some point, showing your face becomes irresponsible.
I think telling white people to mask at protests is particularly misguided. White people are at low risk for detention by ICE, and if one goal is to sway passive white voters into action, seeing people who look like them out there being brave and standing up for what's right is a powerful thing.
January 30, 2026 at 8:50 PM
I'm very on the fence about this after years of saying I'd never wear a mask at a protest. I think it's correct for now, but once the government starts arresting journalists and murdering observers, then you're in a genuine resistance movement. At some point, showing your face becomes irresponsible.
Billionaires lie badly
January 30, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Billionaires lie badly
National politics is no longer a safe job. If you're not willing to literally pledge your life, your fortune or your sacred honor, do us all a favor and don't run for federal office.
January 30, 2026 at 4:41 PM
National politics is no longer a safe job. If you're not willing to literally pledge your life, your fortune or your sacred honor, do us all a favor and don't run for federal office.
Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested by "federal agents."
Federal agents from where? What federal agency is arresting journalists? Not seeing this in the news stories or announcements.
Federal agents from where? What federal agency is arresting journalists? Not seeing this in the news stories or announcements.
January 30, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested by "federal agents."
Federal agents from where? What federal agency is arresting journalists? Not seeing this in the news stories or announcements.
Federal agents from where? What federal agency is arresting journalists? Not seeing this in the news stories or announcements.
In many authoritarian governments, information comes from state media. In the U.S., information comes primarily from oligarch media. Different funding structure, same idea.
Does the rest of the traditional news media get it now??!! Can the New York Times stop using mealymouthed language to describe Trump’s assault on the country?!
JUST IN: The former CNN anchor has said he was not demonstrating, but reporting as a journalist, during the interruption of a service inside a St. Paul church earlier this month.
January 30, 2026 at 3:44 PM
In many authoritarian governments, information comes from state media. In the U.S., information comes primarily from oligarch media. Different funding structure, same idea.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Kinda weird seeing the USA go past all the Hitler milestones.
January 30, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Kinda weird seeing the USA go past all the Hitler milestones.
Nothing has changed substantively since Alex Pretti was murdered, but thanks to Chuck Schumer and his media tour telling everyone he successfully struck a deal to "rein in" DHS, millions of normies think everything is okay now.
Dem leadership is still sleepwalking and negotiating against themselves while middle aged working people freezing their asses off on the streets of Minnesota figured this out long ago and aren’t planning on standing down or giving an inch.
Exactly. People keep talking about “TACO,” but the “CO” never lasts for longer than a few days before he doubles down again.
January 30, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Nothing has changed substantively since Alex Pretti was murdered, but thanks to Chuck Schumer and his media tour telling everyone he successfully struck a deal to "rein in" DHS, millions of normies think everything is okay now.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
interested to learn what “at my direction” means because it sounds like “without a warrant”
January 30, 2026 at 2:44 PM
interested to learn what “at my direction” means because it sounds like “without a warrant”
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Graham objected to unanimous consent.
And he blocked the business of the Senate.
Any Senate Democrat could do this.
And he blocked the business of the Senate.
Any Senate Democrat could do this.
NO SENATE VOTE TONIGHT
Couldn’t get all senators to allow a speedy vote. Schumer tells reporters Lindsey Graham is blocking it. “That’s the holdup,” Schumer tells reporters. Graham wants to keep a provision letting him sue to pocket $500,000 over J6 phone records seized.
Couldn’t get all senators to allow a speedy vote. Schumer tells reporters Lindsey Graham is blocking it. “That’s the holdup,” Schumer tells reporters. Graham wants to keep a provision letting him sue to pocket $500,000 over J6 phone records seized.
January 30, 2026 at 5:15 AM
Graham objected to unanimous consent.
And he blocked the business of the Senate.
Any Senate Democrat could do this.
And he blocked the business of the Senate.
Any Senate Democrat could do this.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
A Minnesota woman observing ICE agents in her car was cornered on one-way streets. An agent approached, called her by name—citing facial recognition. Days later, her Global Entry and TSA privileges were revoked, with no explanation.
How ICE Already Knows Who Minneapolis Protesters Are
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:55 AM
A Minnesota woman observing ICE agents in her car was cornered on one-way streets. An agent approached, called her by name—citing facial recognition. Days later, her Global Entry and TSA privileges were revoked, with no explanation.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
The sycophancy & trust in Chuck Schumer on this site is breathtaking.
Folks, you do realize politicians are not your best friends? They are public servants & increasingly disconnected from people. It is GOOD to pressure & criticize them.
If they do good, I'll praise them. This deal isn't great.
Folks, you do realize politicians are not your best friends? They are public servants & increasingly disconnected from people. It is GOOD to pressure & criticize them.
If they do good, I'll praise them. This deal isn't great.
January 30, 2026 at 7:17 AM
The sycophancy & trust in Chuck Schumer on this site is breathtaking.
Folks, you do realize politicians are not your best friends? They are public servants & increasingly disconnected from people. It is GOOD to pressure & criticize them.
If they do good, I'll praise them. This deal isn't great.
Folks, you do realize politicians are not your best friends? They are public servants & increasingly disconnected from people. It is GOOD to pressure & criticize them.
If they do good, I'll praise them. This deal isn't great.
It's learned helplessness. "Having nice things is never possible, therefore we must be reasonable and take what we can get."
And at the end of the game all we get is body cams and QR codes or some shit and ice will ignore those rules just like they've been ignoring the constitution and multiple court orders.
I do not understand the Dem cheerleaders on this app
I do not understand the Dem cheerleaders on this app
January 30, 2026 at 4:28 AM
It's learned helplessness. "Having nice things is never possible, therefore we must be reasonable and take what we can get."
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
And at the end of the game all we get is body cams and QR codes or some shit and ice will ignore those rules just like they've been ignoring the constitution and multiple court orders.
I do not understand the Dem cheerleaders on this app
I do not understand the Dem cheerleaders on this app
January 30, 2026 at 4:10 AM
And at the end of the game all we get is body cams and QR codes or some shit and ice will ignore those rules just like they've been ignoring the constitution and multiple court orders.
I do not understand the Dem cheerleaders on this app
I do not understand the Dem cheerleaders on this app
The difference between Nazis of the late 1930s and CBP agents today is that CPB agents are too cowardly to show their faces
“He’s a good guy! Why are you doing this?”
Trump’s goons grab people working at a church food bank in California
(H/T @iamdaymadison.bsky.social )
Trump’s goons grab people working at a church food bank in California
(H/T @iamdaymadison.bsky.social )
January 30, 2026 at 4:18 AM
The difference between Nazis of the late 1930s and CBP agents today is that CPB agents are too cowardly to show their faces
If I were the mayor or council of Los Angeles, I would simply fire the police chief and hire someone willing to enforce the law
LAPD Chief announces they will not be enforcing the mask ban on ICE goons (1/29/26)
January 30, 2026 at 2:03 AM
If I were the mayor or council of Los Angeles, I would simply fire the police chief and hire someone willing to enforce the law
Honestly just took for granted that everyone knew this, but I guess it needs to be said. Because, yeah, no shit.
ICE Pretends It’s a Military Force. Its Tactics Would Get Real Soldiers Killed
WIRED asked an active military officer to break down immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis and elsewhere.
www.wired.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Honestly just took for granted that everyone knew this, but I guess it needs to be said. Because, yeah, no shit.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
“ICE agents’ tactics often seem to be modeled off what they’ve seen in movies or imbibed via TV shows or video games...ICE agents aren’t moving with a tactical focus; they’re doing what they think will look cool and intimidating in photographs.”
ICE Pretends It’s a Military Force. Its Tactics Would Get Real Soldiers Killed
WIRED asked an active military officer to break down immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis and elsewhere.
www.wired.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:35 PM
“ICE agents’ tactics often seem to be modeled off what they’ve seen in movies or imbibed via TV shows or video games...ICE agents aren’t moving with a tactical focus; they’re doing what they think will look cool and intimidating in photographs.”
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
I sometimes wish the Democratic Party in Congress consisted of any 260 people in the Minneapolis telephone directory rather than the 260 dignitaries now representing us.
January 29, 2026 at 5:41 PM
I sometimes wish the Democratic Party in Congress consisted of any 260 people in the Minneapolis telephone directory rather than the 260 dignitaries now representing us.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
“What they’re talking about is a facility between 5,000 to 10,000 humans who will be warehoused in something that was built as an Amazon distribution facility … And the attractiveness of the site is because it’s next to railroads. I don’t like big encampments next to train tracks and all of that.”
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas continues push against ICE detention facility in city
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas continued his push Wednesday to turn back plans for an ICE detention facility in his city.
www.kshb.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:03 PM
“What they’re talking about is a facility between 5,000 to 10,000 humans who will be warehoused in something that was built as an Amazon distribution facility … And the attractiveness of the site is because it’s next to railroads. I don’t like big encampments next to train tracks and all of that.”
Just absolute clownery on the part of Senate Democrats. They are demanding that ICE "create a code of conduct and enforce it."
The catch? ICE ALREADY HAS A CODE OF CONDUCT. This means Democrats just got played. 🧵
The catch? ICE ALREADY HAS A CODE OF CONDUCT. This means Democrats just got played. 🧵
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the party agreed on three main goals:
° Require warrants in some cases and ICE coordination with state and local law enforcement
° Create a code of conduct and enforce it
° Require agents to wear body cams and not masks
° Require warrants in some cases and ICE coordination with state and local law enforcement
° Create a code of conduct and enforce it
° Require agents to wear body cams and not masks
Democrats demand new ICE restrictions as government shutdown looms
After federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Senate Democrats say they’ll block a massive government funding package without policy changes.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Just absolute clownery on the part of Senate Democrats. They are demanding that ICE "create a code of conduct and enforce it."
The catch? ICE ALREADY HAS A CODE OF CONDUCT. This means Democrats just got played. 🧵
The catch? ICE ALREADY HAS A CODE OF CONDUCT. This means Democrats just got played. 🧵
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
The complete focus on "reforms" without making a serious play to clawback the tens of billions Congress already appropriated for DHS/ICE is a party wide (left to right) Democratic failure in DC.
The New Democrats & the Progressive Caucus just put out a joint statement with a list of demands for immigration enforcement reforms... 2 things on this:
1-the New Dems are to the left of Schumer on this
2-nothing about clawing back the $175 billion in OBBBA funding for ICE
1-the New Dems are to the left of Schumer on this
2-nothing about clawing back the $175 billion in OBBBA funding for ICE
January 29, 2026 at 10:43 PM
The complete focus on "reforms" without making a serious play to clawback the tens of billions Congress already appropriated for DHS/ICE is a party wide (left to right) Democratic failure in DC.
This is not good for the overwhelming majority of homeowners. It's good for real estate investors and the 2% of homeowners looking to sell this year. For families locked into a 30-year mortgage in their forever home, it's just a property tax increase each year.
Trump: "I don't want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people who own homes."
January 29, 2026 at 8:59 PM
This is not good for the overwhelming majority of homeowners. It's good for real estate investors and the 2% of homeowners looking to sell this year. For families locked into a 30-year mortgage in their forever home, it's just a property tax increase each year.