Brian Beutler
@brianbeutler.bsky.social
Off Message, Politix.fm;
Formerly: Crooked Media, TNR, TPM; www.offmessage.net/subscribe
Formerly: Crooked Media, TNR, TPM; www.offmessage.net/subscribe
Reposted by Brian Beutler
(This is from more than a month ago, not “just.”)
January 4, 2026 at 2:12 AM
(This is from more than a month ago, not “just.”)
Reposted by Brian Beutler
This is why it's also important for domestic elected officials to condemn it as "illegal" and not just gripe about consultation. This is the stuff upon which international law is built. The prohibition against piracy wasn't some entity declaring it illegal worldwide, it was a custom built over time.
For nonlawyers, it’s worth noting that statements like this have—as a formal matter—important legal effects as a matter of international law. If such statements are *not* made, and in volume, future arguments that Trump’s invasion sets a legal precedent will stand on much firmer legal ground.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: "International law is universal and binding for all states. The American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law."
January 3, 2026 at 10:54 PM
This is why it's also important for domestic elected officials to condemn it as "illegal" and not just gripe about consultation. This is the stuff upon which international law is built. The prohibition against piracy wasn't some entity declaring it illegal worldwide, it was a custom built over time.
Reposted by Brian Beutler
For nonlawyers, it’s worth noting that statements like this have—as a formal matter—important legal effects as a matter of international law. If such statements are *not* made, and in volume, future arguments that Trump’s invasion sets a legal precedent will stand on much firmer legal ground.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: "International law is universal and binding for all states. The American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law."
January 3, 2026 at 9:57 PM
For nonlawyers, it’s worth noting that statements like this have—as a formal matter—important legal effects as a matter of international law. If such statements are *not* made, and in volume, future arguments that Trump’s invasion sets a legal precedent will stand on much firmer legal ground.
Reposted by Brian Beutler
Either it was a limited operation merely to arrest Maduro and move on, or, it is an ongoing major regime change committment that will open up a transition including international and private sector partners. It really can't be both
January 3, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Either it was a limited operation merely to arrest Maduro and move on, or, it is an ongoing major regime change committment that will open up a transition including international and private sector partners. It really can't be both
Reposted by Brian Beutler
a lot of interesting revelations between the lines of this story www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 3, 2026 at 9:27 PM
a lot of interesting revelations between the lines of this story www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Brian Beutler
The most disturbing presidential press conference I have ever seen.
fallows.substack.com/p/blind-into...
(First 3/4ths before paywall.)
fallows.substack.com/p/blind-into...
(First 3/4ths before paywall.)
‘Blind Into Caracas’
Less than 24 hours in, members of the Trump team are celebrating victory. None of them seem to have wondered what happens a day, a month, a decade from now.
fallows.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:21 PM
The most disturbing presidential press conference I have ever seen.
fallows.substack.com/p/blind-into...
(First 3/4ths before paywall.)
fallows.substack.com/p/blind-into...
(First 3/4ths before paywall.)
Reposted by Brian Beutler
The case of the Twitter purchase shows the bad media strategy from Biden-era top Democrats.
They were “indifferent” to a far-right billionaire oligarch buying a key element of our information infrastructure.
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
They were “indifferent” to a far-right billionaire oligarch buying a key element of our information infrastructure.
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Why The White House isn’t stressed about Elon Musk’s Twitter
Biden’s team has never cared much about the platform and isn’t about to start now.
www.semafor.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:54 PM
The case of the Twitter purchase shows the bad media strategy from Biden-era top Democrats.
They were “indifferent” to a far-right billionaire oligarch buying a key element of our information infrastructure.
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
They were “indifferent” to a far-right billionaire oligarch buying a key element of our information infrastructure.
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Reposted by Brian Beutler
Why would we expect anyone to rally around Trump in the first place? Nobody wanted this war. Nobody believes that Venezuela poses any threat to the US. Everyone knows we could walk away immediately and face no consequences.
The big variable is *not* success or failure of the military action; it's the out-party's reaction. Which in this case has started out pretty negative.
That's short-run. Medium run, which typically comes quickly, is that rally effects don't last.
That's short-run. Medium run, which typically comes quickly, is that rally effects don't last.
January 3, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Why would we expect anyone to rally around Trump in the first place? Nobody wanted this war. Nobody believes that Venezuela poses any threat to the US. Everyone knows we could walk away immediately and face no consequences.
Reposted by Brian Beutler
This might be the only Democratic response I’ve seen that is appropriate
Rep. Seth Moulton: "This is insane. What the hell are we doing? ... this is illegal."
January 3, 2026 at 6:03 PM
This might be the only Democratic response I’ve seen that is appropriate
Reposted by Brian Beutler
if marco rubio and pete hegseth die of natural causes it should be in the hague
January 3, 2026 at 6:45 AM
if marco rubio and pete hegseth die of natural causes it should be in the hague
Reposted by Brian Beutler
News editor of @mississippifreepress.org with a much better sense of journalism than this guy placed by Bari Weiss in the anchor chair.
This isn't about democratizing the news. It's about elevating "vibes" and "feelings" to be on par with lived experience and subject-matter expertise.
January 3, 2026 at 12:19 AM
News editor of @mississippifreepress.org with a much better sense of journalism than this guy placed by Bari Weiss in the anchor chair.
Reposted by Brian Beutler
I mean given that he is constitutionally barred from re-election what exactly can you call this other than legalized bribery?
NEW w/ @kenvogel.bsky.social: Trump’s team raised more than $100 million for MAGA Inc. in the second half of 2025, with much of the money coming from wealthy people and corporations with issues before the administration. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/u...
Trump Super PAC Raised More Than $100 Million in Recent Months
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:48 AM
I mean given that he is constitutionally barred from re-election what exactly can you call this other than legalized bribery?
Reposted by Brian Beutler
The split-screen here is unbelievable - first from yesterday, the others from 2017. Musk’s Twitter has truly driven us mad. People absorb far more of their beliefs from their social environment than they realize, and we’ve created an environment where being a gutter bigot is the baseline expectation
January 2, 2026 at 7:21 PM
The split-screen here is unbelievable - first from yesterday, the others from 2017. Musk’s Twitter has truly driven us mad. People absorb far more of their beliefs from their social environment than they realize, and we’ve created an environment where being a gutter bigot is the baseline expectation
Would like to say this was my most prescient piece of 2025, but turns out I wrote it in 2024 😇 www.offmessage.net/p/the-new-gi...
January 2, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Would like to say this was my most prescient piece of 2025, but turns out I wrote it in 2024 😇 www.offmessage.net/p/the-new-gi...
Reposted by Brian Beutler
Here is the editor of Tablet agreeably reposting someone calling nonwhite NYC immigrants "worthless biotrash." It's astonishing how quickly this stuff has escaped containment
January 2, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Here is the editor of Tablet agreeably reposting someone calling nonwhite NYC immigrants "worthless biotrash." It's astonishing how quickly this stuff has escaped containment
Reposted by Brian Beutler
People of significant influence, including official gov accounts, keep talking in ways that are deeply influenced by the neo-Nazi wing of white supremacy, and it's not major national story that this is happening. I read that as an indictment of the editors of national media orgs.
January 2, 2026 at 1:50 PM
People of significant influence, including official gov accounts, keep talking in ways that are deeply influenced by the neo-Nazi wing of white supremacy, and it's not major national story that this is happening. I read that as an indictment of the editors of national media orgs.
Reposted by Brian Beutler
what’s happening with grok and nudity spam requests should be a global wake up call about AI image gen and instead very few media outlets have even covered it yet
January 2, 2026 at 12:48 AM
what’s happening with grok and nudity spam requests should be a global wake up call about AI image gen and instead very few media outlets have even covered it yet
Reposted by Brian Beutler
AI companies are playing a game wherein these computer programs are presented to the public as autonomous individuals capable of issuing a meaningful apology. The machine is just a machine. Human beings owe the apology for building the machine irresponsibly and unleashing it on the world.
so x dot com’s ai generated CSAM and they admitted it may violate US law and … i haven’t seen in anyone in power say much at all or call to stop using the platform
January 2, 2026 at 1:23 AM
AI companies are playing a game wherein these computer programs are presented to the public as autonomous individuals capable of issuing a meaningful apology. The machine is just a machine. Human beings owe the apology for building the machine irresponsibly and unleashing it on the world.
Reposted by Brian Beutler
so x dot com’s ai generated CSAM and they admitted it may violate US law and … i haven’t seen in anyone in power say much at all or call to stop using the platform
January 2, 2026 at 12:43 AM
so x dot com’s ai generated CSAM and they admitted it may violate US law and … i haven’t seen in anyone in power say much at all or call to stop using the platform
Reposted by Brian Beutler
Mamdani’s message is as American as apple pie, and that’s why he drives reactionaries of many different political stripes crazy.
Mamdani: Where else can you hear the sound of the steel pan, savor the smell of sancocho, and pay $9 for coffee on the same block? Where else could a Muslim kid like me grow up eating bagels and lox every Sunday?
January 1, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Mamdani’s message is as American as apple pie, and that’s why he drives reactionaries of many different political stripes crazy.
Reposted by Brian Beutler
Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches
An illustrated guide of the first year of profiteering.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
An illustrated guide of the first year of profiteering.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches (Gift Article)
The president, his family and some of their closest associates have engaged in a sprawling campaign of deals that stretches across industries and the globe.
www.nytimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches
An illustrated guide of the first year of profiteering.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
An illustrated guide of the first year of profiteering.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Brian Beutler
In July, Brian Beutler @brianbeutler.bsky.social wrote this excellent piece on why the Epstein scandal proves that Trump is unfit for the presidency and must be impeached:
www.offmessage.net/p/trump-epst...
www.offmessage.net/p/trump-epst...
Let's Stop Beating Around The Bush, Part II
We shouldn't fear the truth, or the word impeachment. Even on a generous read, the Epstein scandal proves Trump is unfit.
www.offmessage.net
January 1, 2026 at 3:47 PM
In July, Brian Beutler @brianbeutler.bsky.social wrote this excellent piece on why the Epstein scandal proves that Trump is unfit for the presidency and must be impeached:
www.offmessage.net/p/trump-epst...
www.offmessage.net/p/trump-epst...
Reposted by Brian Beutler
I'm entirely serious about this: until you internalize the view that urban America is Real America, you won't see the urgency of structural reform of an American government whose fundamental structures so disadvantage its population centers—the great engines of its prosperity, progress, & culture.
Another good practice for the New Year would be for all the non-fascists in America who want to opine about politics to really begin believing that urban America is Real America & that its denizens are The Authentic People. Get some self-respect & drop the volkish nationalist view that they're not
And I think liberals should stop taking the bait and ceding ground on immigration.
Immigration is good. Multiculturalism is good. Free trade is good. Stop being embarrassed to say so.
Immigration is good. Multiculturalism is good. Free trade is good. Stop being embarrassed to say so.
January 1, 2026 at 3:03 PM
I'm entirely serious about this: until you internalize the view that urban America is Real America, you won't see the urgency of structural reform of an American government whose fundamental structures so disadvantage its population centers—the great engines of its prosperity, progress, & culture.
Reposted by Brian Beutler
take them home, physicists
They're going to *throw out* one-of-a-kind NASA archives?!
Not even a year since the Inauguration & we're already at the 2nd-time-as-farce version of the burning of the Library of Alexandria.
Not even a year since the Inauguration & we're already at the 2nd-time-as-farce version of the burning of the Library of Alexandria.
January 1, 2026 at 12:23 AM
take them home, physicists
Reposted by Brian Beutler
They're going to *throw out* one-of-a-kind NASA archives?!
Not even a year since the Inauguration & we're already at the 2nd-time-as-farce version of the burning of the Library of Alexandria.
Not even a year since the Inauguration & we're already at the 2nd-time-as-farce version of the burning of the Library of Alexandria.
December 31, 2025 at 7:55 PM
They're going to *throw out* one-of-a-kind NASA archives?!
Not even a year since the Inauguration & we're already at the 2nd-time-as-farce version of the burning of the Library of Alexandria.
Not even a year since the Inauguration & we're already at the 2nd-time-as-farce version of the burning of the Library of Alexandria.