Bryan Fichter
@bryanfichter.bsky.social
Retired intelligence analyst. Russian speaker. Arabic speaker. Democracy enthusiast. Publisher of the Intelligencer newsletter on Substack.
Pinned
Opinion | This Is What Autocrats Dread
www.nytimes.com
We can do this, people
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
ICE sprays large canister of pepper spray directly into family car—hitting 1 year old baby.
"They were simply shopping at Sam's Club," said man who took video.
"ICE agents drove by and sprayed pepper spray directly inside—where their baby and 16 year old sister sat."
Cicero, Illinois
"They were simply shopping at Sam's Club," said man who took video.
"ICE agents drove by and sprayed pepper spray directly inside—where their baby and 16 year old sister sat."
Cicero, Illinois
November 11, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
"Pro-democracy Americans should use 2026 to primary any Democrat from the Don’t Fight caucus and demand new Congressional leadership ahead of the bigger fight in 2028, when there’s a risk the Trump regime has consolidated enough authoritarian power that elections are not free and fair."
Democrats Have to Get Out of a Normal Democracy Mindset
By folding in the government shutdown in exchange for virtually nothing, eight Democratic senators aid Trump's authoritarian takeover rather than oppose it
www.arcdigital.media
November 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
"Pro-democracy Americans should use 2026 to primary any Democrat from the Don’t Fight caucus and demand new Congressional leadership ahead of the bigger fight in 2028, when there’s a risk the Trump regime has consolidated enough authoritarian power that elections are not free and fair."
Why *do* Americans take so many drugs ?
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
The World's Biggest Junkie
Americans and their addictions
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Why *do* Americans take so many drugs ?
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
I can't stress this enough as a super volunteer for the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates. This should prompt you to get MORE involved, not less. Show up and use the existing infrastructure to make it work for all of us. In my neck of the woods, we've seen a ton of local victories this way.
Right, the answer isn't to abandon the party to these weasels.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
Hey, a lot of people are talking about changing affiliation from Democratic to Independent.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I can't stress this enough as a super volunteer for the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates. This should prompt you to get MORE involved, not less. Show up and use the existing infrastructure to make it work for all of us. In my neck of the woods, we've seen a ton of local victories this way.
Really interesting that Meta, Google, and OpenAI all declined to comment for an article about AI tools causing brain rot
@nicholasgrossman.bsky.social @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/t...
@nicholasgrossman.bsky.social @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/t...
How A.I. and Social Media Contribute to ‘Brain Rot’
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Really interesting that Meta, Google, and OpenAI all declined to comment for an article about AI tools causing brain rot
@nicholasgrossman.bsky.social @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/t...
@nicholasgrossman.bsky.social @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/t...
Re-upping this post in light of the latest capitulation by Senate Democrats
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
The Abject Cowardice of America's Elites
The people appear to be made of sterner stuff
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Re-upping this post in light of the latest capitulation by Senate Democrats
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
open.substack.com/pub/bryanfic...
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
America’s chickenshit elites problem continues to be the biggest obstacle to fighting Trump www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
November 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM
America’s chickenshit elites problem continues to be the biggest obstacle to fighting Trump www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
In another era, ICE raids would be described as persecution of Catholics.
November 9, 2025 at 2:04 AM
In another era, ICE raids would be described as persecution of Catholics.
Simply monstrous.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Hundreds of Thousands of Anonymous Deportees
Amid the president’s fast-moving deportation campaign, the stories of most people being swept up are missed.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Simply monstrous.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
“If ICE agents were arresting or deporting the worst of the worst, they probably wouldn’t have to wear masks.”
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Why They Mask
Veteran ICE officers know face coverings are a bad look. But they’re not coming off anytime soon.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM
“If ICE agents were arresting or deporting the worst of the worst, they probably wouldn’t have to wear masks.”
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
The State Farm commercials during NFL games seem designed to plumb the depths of human idiocy.
@kevinmkruse.bsky.social @gtconway.bsky.social
@kevinmkruse.bsky.social @gtconway.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 8:37 PM
The State Farm commercials during NFL games seem designed to plumb the depths of human idiocy.
@kevinmkruse.bsky.social @gtconway.bsky.social
@kevinmkruse.bsky.social @gtconway.bsky.social
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
UPDATE: Reached out to the Rev. Hannah Kardon, a United Methodist minister who was there that day and has been active in religious demonstrations at Broadview.
“They are making it clear that they are scared of prayer … it speaks the truth that what they are doing in that building is evil.”
“They are making it clear that they are scared of prayer … it speaks the truth that what they are doing in that building is evil.”
November 8, 2025 at 2:08 PM
UPDATE: Reached out to the Rev. Hannah Kardon, a United Methodist minister who was there that day and has been active in religious demonstrations at Broadview.
“They are making it clear that they are scared of prayer … it speaks the truth that what they are doing in that building is evil.”
“They are making it clear that they are scared of prayer … it speaks the truth that what they are doing in that building is evil.”
I don't understand Mike Johnson's endgame here. Does he plan to keep the House adjourned for the rest of Trump's life in order to avoid voting on releasing more of the Epstein files ? 🤷♂️
@jamellebouie.net @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
@jamellebouie.net @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I don't understand Mike Johnson's endgame here. Does he plan to keep the House adjourned for the rest of Trump's life in order to avoid voting on releasing more of the Epstein files ? 🤷♂️
@jamellebouie.net @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
@jamellebouie.net @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
Elect a gangster president, get a gangster government
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Mafia Presidency
Trump is saying, essentially, If you don’t want to get hurt, you’ll do what I say.
www.theatlantic.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Elect a gangster president, get a gangster government
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Monsters.
"When I picked up my granddaughter from the federal agents, she had a dirty diaper, a bruise on her face, and was developing a rash. She was exhausted and cried… My heart aches knowing this could happen to others, to my kids, or even me, despite being U.S. citizens.”
November 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Monsters.
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
The regime’s authoritarian ambitions have no limit, but its capacity very much does.
In pursuing their priorities of lawbreaking, corruption, soothing the president’s ego, and ending democracy, they’re reducing their own resources.
Fewer lawyers = fewer politicized prosecutions and convictions.
In pursuing their priorities of lawbreaking, corruption, soothing the president’s ego, and ending democracy, they’re reducing their own resources.
Fewer lawyers = fewer politicized prosecutions and convictions.
Not only is the fascist revolution running out of lawyers, as @proptermalone.bsky.social likes to say, but they're actively switching sides, taking their expertise & intimate familiarity with gov't's inner workings to oppose its corrupt abuse in the new Trump era.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Former DOJ lawyers switch sides
www.politico.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The regime’s authoritarian ambitions have no limit, but its capacity very much does.
In pursuing their priorities of lawbreaking, corruption, soothing the president’s ego, and ending democracy, they’re reducing their own resources.
Fewer lawyers = fewer politicized prosecutions and convictions.
In pursuing their priorities of lawbreaking, corruption, soothing the president’s ego, and ending democracy, they’re reducing their own resources.
Fewer lawyers = fewer politicized prosecutions and convictions.
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
Keep track of the victories when they come
BREAKING: A federal jury in Brooklyn awarded our clients — 674 immigrants unlawfully jailed by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office — $112 million. Could not be more proud to work at @latinojustice.bsky.social and to partner with the talent of Winston & Strawn.
Jury Awards $112 Million to 674 Immigrants Unlawfully Held by Suffolk County for ICE Handover | LatinoJusticePRLDEF
FOR IMMEDIATE
www.latinojustice.org
November 8, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Keep track of the victories when they come
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
"It’s comical that this big, brutal warrior would get on the stand to say that he literally felt assaulted by a sandwich exploding on his uniform. It’s more comical, though, that Dunn’s attorney then showed Larimore a photo of the sandwich on the ground. Wrapped. Not exploded."
The softest Nazis you ever did see
They're tough guys in the streets and delicate little babies in court.
www.publicnotice.co
November 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
"It’s comical that this big, brutal warrior would get on the stand to say that he literally felt assaulted by a sandwich exploding on his uniform. It’s more comical, though, that Dunn’s attorney then showed Larimore a photo of the sandwich on the ground. Wrapped. Not exploded."
In Argentina's dirty war they called people like this man's wife "the disappeared"
November 7, 2025 at 3:11 PM
In Argentina's dirty war they called people like this man's wife "the disappeared"
Everyone needs to read this thread about ICE brutality to detainees
@sarahlongwell25.bsky.social @timmiller.bsky.social @davidfrum.bsky.social
@sarahlongwell25.bsky.social @timmiller.bsky.social @davidfrum.bsky.social
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Everyone needs to read this thread about ICE brutality to detainees
@sarahlongwell25.bsky.social @timmiller.bsky.social @davidfrum.bsky.social
@sarahlongwell25.bsky.social @timmiller.bsky.social @davidfrum.bsky.social
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
this has been one of my central arguments the past ten years. the theory underpinning the anti-democratic elements of the american constitutional order is wrong!
The more democratic elements of the American constitutional and economic order are actually throwing up road blocks to Trumpism. Protests and boycotts and low level courts and juries and cetera. Elite actors on the other hand are all too frequently caving. Fascinating study in who actually cares!
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
November 6, 2025 at 10:38 PM
this has been one of my central arguments the past ten years. the theory underpinning the anti-democratic elements of the american constitutional order is wrong!
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
👏👏👏
Fascists don’t lose elections in fascist countries. It’s that simple. If you want declare fascism has won and go pretend you’re For Whom the Bell Tolls, fine, just get out of the way and let the rest of your serious fellow citizens save the democracy that you’ve already written off.
November 7, 2025 at 2:06 AM
👏👏👏
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
I don't know. I am amazed at how invested people are in proclaiming American democracy dead (or, never alive, or merely a facade). I think it's privilege, and decadence, among people who crave drama, and feel they missed out on the great struggles. ("Selma envy", as one of my friends calls it.) /1
I apologize if I missed it, but have you offered a theory of why doomerism seems so attractive? My half-baked theory is that believing the game is over means one does not have to try any more and one can sound cool and sophisticated while making fun of all the naive people who still have hope.
November 7, 2025 at 4:17 AM
I don't know. I am amazed at how invested people are in proclaiming American democracy dead (or, never alive, or merely a facade). I think it's privilege, and decadence, among people who crave drama, and feel they missed out on the great struggles. ("Selma envy", as one of my friends calls it.) /1
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
Hundreds of thousands of people, dead because of a decision made by the world's richest man
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Hundreds of thousands of people, dead because of a decision made by the world's richest man
Reposted by Bryan Fichter
Calling these goons pathetic losers to their face is an act of patriotism.
I had a run in with ICE snatching a man out of his car while walking my children to school this morning in NW DC
I asked a neighbor to continue walking my kids to school and I turned back to document and confront the ICE agents.
I am in contact with @dcmigrantmutualaid.org with the full video.
I asked a neighbor to continue walking my kids to school and I turned back to document and confront the ICE agents.
I am in contact with @dcmigrantmutualaid.org with the full video.
November 6, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Calling these goons pathetic losers to their face is an act of patriotism.