Brian Wilcox
@brianwilcox.bsky.social
Social scientist, retired professor, former Senate staffer, enthusiastic guitarist and bass player. Unrepentant audiophile. Policy (not politics) guy.
Californian who's lived in TX, OH, VA, DC, NE, and Porto Alegre (Brazil) but returned home.
Californian who's lived in TX, OH, VA, DC, NE, and Porto Alegre (Brazil) but returned home.
Pinned
Brian Wilcox
@brianwilcox.bsky.social
· Nov 12
No one let go of anyone's hand.
During the Bolsonaro regime in Brazil, resistors adopted this phrase to remind all that we need to stand together, and especially with those targeted by the regime.
That's the assignment now.
During the Bolsonaro regime in Brazil, resistors adopted this phrase to remind all that we need to stand together, and especially with those targeted by the regime.
That's the assignment now.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox
Amidst all the atrocities taking place in the U.S., please don't forget the imminent threat of being robbed of our public lands. Once this happens, to paraphrase Heather Cox Richardson, we will never get them back. (Sample letter to U.S. senators included in article.)
The Senate Vote That Could Change Public Lands Forever
This week Republicans are pushing a legal maneuver that would undo a century of public land protections — starting with America’s most beloved wilderness.
morethanjustparks.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Amidst all the atrocities taking place in the U.S., please don't forget the imminent threat of being robbed of our public lands. Once this happens, to paraphrase Heather Cox Richardson, we will never get them back. (Sample letter to U.S. senators included in article.)
Reposted by Brian Wilcox
“When Citizens United was decided in 2010, billionaires had spent $18 million on the 2000 election, $13M 2004 and $16M in 2008. Then came the deluge. In 2012 it was $231M, and nearly doubled again in next three election cycles —to $682M in 2016, $1.2 billion in 2020 and $2.6 billion in 2024.” Gift:
Opinion | Affordability and the ‘Epstein Class’ Will Define American Politics
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:57 AM
“When Citizens United was decided in 2010, billionaires had spent $18 million on the 2000 election, $13M 2004 and $16M in 2008. Then came the deluge. In 2012 it was $231M, and nearly doubled again in next three election cycles —to $682M in 2016, $1.2 billion in 2020 and $2.6 billion in 2024.” Gift:
Translation: we at Gallup have a lot of federal contracts that we don’t want to risk.
George Gallup and Don Clifton are rolling in their graves.
George Gallup and Don Clifton are rolling in their graves.
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 12, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Translation: we at Gallup have a lot of federal contracts that we don’t want to risk.
George Gallup and Don Clifton are rolling in their graves.
George Gallup and Don Clifton are rolling in their graves.
More of the usual incompetence from Sean Duffy and the Trump administration.
Close the airport for 10 ten days. No, reopen it a few hours later. Blame the Mexican cartels. No, admit that the US was playing with some new drones.
These fucking clowns!
Close the airport for 10 ten days. No, reopen it a few hours later. Blame the Mexican cartels. No, admit that the US was playing with some new drones.
These fucking clowns!
Live Updates: Officials Claim Drone Incursion Led to Shutdown of El Paso Airport
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:06 PM
More of the usual incompetence from Sean Duffy and the Trump administration.
Close the airport for 10 ten days. No, reopen it a few hours later. Blame the Mexican cartels. No, admit that the US was playing with some new drones.
These fucking clowns!
Close the airport for 10 ten days. No, reopen it a few hours later. Blame the Mexican cartels. No, admit that the US was playing with some new drones.
These fucking clowns!
Lutnick is a real piece of work.
He says he knew Epstein was scum back in 2006. And then years after Epstein was convicted of sex with an underaged girl he contacts Epstein, and asks if he and his family can stop by the island and have lunch with him!
And then lies about it.
Fire him.
He says he knew Epstein was scum back in 2006. And then years after Epstein was convicted of sex with an underaged girl he contacts Epstein, and asks if he and his family can stop by the island and have lunch with him!
And then lies about it.
Fire him.
Father of the Year goes to Howard Lutnick for taking his wife and kids to lunch on Epstein's sex island
February 11, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Lutnick is a real piece of work.
He says he knew Epstein was scum back in 2006. And then years after Epstein was convicted of sex with an underaged girl he contacts Epstein, and asks if he and his family can stop by the island and have lunch with him!
And then lies about it.
Fire him.
He says he knew Epstein was scum back in 2006. And then years after Epstein was convicted of sex with an underaged girl he contacts Epstein, and asks if he and his family can stop by the island and have lunch with him!
And then lies about it.
Fire him.
Out this MFer.
February 11, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Out this MFer.
US Attorney for DC Jeanine "Franzia" Pirro is once again given a swift kick in the ass by a DC grand jury.
Ham sandwiches across the US find this most amusing.
Ham sandwiches across the US find this most amusing.
Trump administration fails to secure indictment in connection with Democrats involved in 'illegal orders' video
President Donald Trump had accused six Democratic lawmakers of "seditious behavior" after they urged members of the military and intelligence communities to refuse unlawful orders.
www.nbcnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:29 AM
US Attorney for DC Jeanine "Franzia" Pirro is once again given a swift kick in the ass by a DC grand jury.
Ham sandwiches across the US find this most amusing.
Ham sandwiches across the US find this most amusing.
Lutnick says he did nothing wrong.
Then WHY DID HE LIE??????
“I know — and my wife knows — that I have done absolutely nothing wrong in any possible regard,” Lutnick said, adding, “I have nothing to hide, absolutely nothing.”
Then WHY DID HE FUCKING LIE??????
Lying is like breathing for him.
Then WHY DID HE LIE??????
“I know — and my wife knows — that I have done absolutely nothing wrong in any possible regard,” Lutnick said, adding, “I have nothing to hide, absolutely nothing.”
Then WHY DID HE FUCKING LIE??????
Lying is like breathing for him.
Lutnick Acknowledges Traveling to Epstein’s Island
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Lutnick says he did nothing wrong.
Then WHY DID HE LIE??????
“I know — and my wife knows — that I have done absolutely nothing wrong in any possible regard,” Lutnick said, adding, “I have nothing to hide, absolutely nothing.”
Then WHY DID HE FUCKING LIE??????
Lying is like breathing for him.
Then WHY DID HE LIE??????
“I know — and my wife knows — that I have done absolutely nothing wrong in any possible regard,” Lutnick said, adding, “I have nothing to hide, absolutely nothing.”
Then WHY DID HE FUCKING LIE??????
Lying is like breathing for him.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox
Maine Senator Susan Collins has announced that she's running for another 6-year term in the US Senate because her work being concerned and doing jack shit about those concerns is far from over.
February 10, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Maine Senator Susan Collins has announced that she's running for another 6-year term in the US Senate because her work being concerned and doing jack shit about those concerns is far from over.
Ask the question: WHY did you lie about not having any contact with Epstein? WHY did you lie and say you'd never been to his island?
WHY?????????????
WHY?????????????
VAN HOLLEN: Did you in fact make the visit to Epstein's private island?
LUTNICK: I did have lunch w/ him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation. My wife was with me as were my 4 children and nannies. We had lunch on the island. That's true. For an hour. We left with all of my children
LUTNICK: I did have lunch w/ him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation. My wife was with me as were my 4 children and nannies. We had lunch on the island. That's true. For an hour. We left with all of my children
February 10, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Ask the question: WHY did you lie about not having any contact with Epstein? WHY did you lie and say you'd never been to his island?
WHY?????????????
WHY?????????????
Reposted by Brian Wilcox
NEW: Federal judges are increasingly furious at what they see as a pattern / playbook of defiance by the Trump administration to court orders in immigration cases — in Minnesota and around the country.
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
How the Trump administration skirts — and defies — court rulings on ICE detentions
A POLITICO review of hundreds of cases brought by ICE detainees shows a pattern of noncompliance that has frustrated judges across the country.
www.politico.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:15 AM
NEW: Federal judges are increasingly furious at what they see as a pattern / playbook of defiance by the Trump administration to court orders in immigration cases — in Minnesota and around the country.
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
As we await the jobs report there's this news: slowed wage growth.
Trump was a bit confused. When he said he'd get prices down, he meant he would get wage growth down www.bls.gov/news.release... Compensation growth slowed from 3.8% to 3.4%
Employment Cost Index Summary
- 2025 Q04 Results
www.bls.gov
February 10, 2026 at 4:31 PM
As we await the jobs report there's this news: slowed wage growth.
Blanche and DOJ have forfeited any right to ask for our trust in their honesty.
Jamie Raskin said he reviewed an email sent from Epstein to co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell that was a forwarded conversation between Epstein’s lawyers and lawyers for Donald Trump.
The DOJ (illegally) redacted Trump's name in the public files.
What else are they hiding?
The DOJ (illegally) redacted Trump's name in the public files.
What else are they hiding?
Rep. Raskin Confirms ‘Troubling’ And ‘Unnecessary’ Epstein File Redactions
www.huffpost.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Blanche and DOJ have forfeited any right to ask for our trust in their honesty.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox
Here is my conclusion after sitting through Maxwell's deposition with her refusing to answer a single question about the men who raped underage girls, saying she would only do so for clemency.
She must immediately be sent back to the maximum security prison where she belongs.
She must immediately be sent back to the maximum security prison where she belongs.
February 10, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Here is my conclusion after sitting through Maxwell's deposition with her refusing to answer a single question about the men who raped underage girls, saying she would only do so for clemency.
She must immediately be sent back to the maximum security prison where she belongs.
She must immediately be sent back to the maximum security prison where she belongs.
Has this asshole talked with his asshole boss, RFK Jr.?
The incoherence of the Trump administration's public health policies can't be overstated.
The incoherence of the Trump administration's public health policies can't be overstated.
Dr. Mehmet Oz is calling on Americans to get the measles vaccine as cases spread across the U.S.
Dr. Oz urges 'take the vaccine, please' amid measles outbreaks
Dr. Mehmet Oz is calling on Americans to get the measles vaccine as cases spread across the U.S.
bit.ly
February 10, 2026 at 6:38 AM
Has this asshole talked with his asshole boss, RFK Jr.?
The incoherence of the Trump administration's public health policies can't be overstated.
The incoherence of the Trump administration's public health policies can't be overstated.
Our planet will die, and us with it, and it's astonishing how indifferent most Americans, even many Dems, seem to be about this growing catastrophe.
Trump Allies Near ‘Total Victory’ in Wiping Out U.S. Climate Regulation
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:34 AM
Our planet will die, and us with it, and it's astonishing how indifferent most Americans, even many Dems, seem to be about this growing catastrophe.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox
AOC on DHS Warehouses: I think every American should be alarmed. They are building—and have built—a black box system that disappears people, both immigrants and U.S. citizens alike.
February 10, 2026 at 1:30 AM
AOC on DHS Warehouses: I think every American should be alarmed. They are building—and have built—a black box system that disappears people, both immigrants and U.S. citizens alike.
Just 129 million shy of the numbers hit by Bad Bunny.
Oh, And Bad Bunny's show has been watched on YouTube more than 35 million times...and counting.
Oh, And Bad Bunny's show has been watched on YouTube more than 35 million times...and counting.
February 10, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Just 129 million shy of the numbers hit by Bad Bunny.
Oh, And Bad Bunny's show has been watched on YouTube more than 35 million times...and counting.
Oh, And Bad Bunny's show has been watched on YouTube more than 35 million times...and counting.
Trump will commute her sentence the day after the 2028 presidential election. We all know he's going to do it, the question is when. And if he did so before the 2028 elections the GOP would be torched.
Breaking: Trump told Palm Beach police chief 'everyone' knew about Epstein and 'evil' Maxwell www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...
Trump told Palm Beach police chief ‘everyone’ knew about Epstein, Maxwell was ‘evil’
The new information comes as Ghislaine Maxwell was summoned to appear Monday before a Congressional committee.
www.miamiherald.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Trump will commute her sentence the day after the 2028 presidential election. We all know he's going to do it, the question is when. And if he did so before the 2028 elections the GOP would be torched.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox
I've been to some countries where people live under military rule or autocracy. And without fail, one of the questions I get when they ask about life in the U.S. is whether it's true that Americans just let homeless people die on the street.
During freezing temperatures in Port Arthur, Texas, a 61-year-old homeless man was found dead in his wheelchair outside a convenience store.
He was wearing a hospital gown and no shoes. Authorities say he had been released from a hospital the previous day.
This is a diseased society.
He was wearing a hospital gown and no shoes. Authorities say he had been released from a hospital the previous day.
This is a diseased society.
'What's wrong with the world?' Man in wheelchair found dead outside in freezing temps
The 61-year-old man had been released from a hospital the day before.
news4sanantonio.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:05 PM
I've been to some countries where people live under military rule or autocracy. And without fail, one of the questions I get when they ask about life in the U.S. is whether it's true that Americans just let homeless people die on the street.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox
Rep. Stansbury: “The United States government is engaged in an active cover-up of the largest sex trafficking scandal and influence peddling scandal in the history of the United States, and Donald Trump is right at the center of it.”
February 9, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Rep. Stansbury: “The United States government is engaged in an active cover-up of the largest sex trafficking scandal and influence peddling scandal in the history of the United States, and Donald Trump is right at the center of it.”
Reposted by Brian Wilcox
burn this white house down
February 9, 2026 at 8:59 PM
burn this white house down
The Trump cover-up continues. Taking the Fifth was what Maxwell agreed to do in exchange for favored treatment from Trump and Blanche.
I expect that a pardon will be her reward for this performance of loyalty.
WHO IS TRUMP PROTECTING???
I expect that a pardon will be her reward for this performance of loyalty.
WHO IS TRUMP PROTECTING???
As reported yesterday by MeidasTouch, Ghislaine Maxwell invoked the Fifth Amendment and did not answer any questions today, including any of the questions put forth in Rep. Ro Khanna’s letter below:
NEW: Ghislaine Maxwell is set to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights and refuse to answer all questions related to Epstein, Trump, and more during tomorrow’s deposition. Rep. Ro Khanna has sent the following letter to Oversight Committee Chair James Comer in response:
February 9, 2026 at 3:58 PM
The Trump cover-up continues. Taking the Fifth was what Maxwell agreed to do in exchange for favored treatment from Trump and Blanche.
I expect that a pardon will be her reward for this performance of loyalty.
WHO IS TRUMP PROTECTING???
I expect that a pardon will be her reward for this performance of loyalty.
WHO IS TRUMP PROTECTING???
Someone needs to make sure the White House has an adequate supply of diapers.
February 9, 2026 at 6:06 AM
Someone needs to make sure the White House has an adequate supply of diapers.