Ben Weinberg
@bweiny.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
This is why ICE is attacking Charlotte.
“When the 8 African American sheriffs took over the largest counties in North Carolina, it became a threat to the good ol’ boy system,” says the sheriff of Charlotte. These new sheriffs broke ties with ICE.
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
North Carolina GOP Is Cracking Down on the Black Sheriffs Who Stood Up to ICE
Boosted by new supermajorities, Republicans are closing in on legislation to mandate more collaboration with ICE and preempt local policies hard-won by immigrants’ rights advocates.
boltsmag.org
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
This is why ICE is attacking Charlotte.
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
Fed. judge holds that the Trump administration engaged in coercive and retaliatory conduct in violation of the First and Tenth Amendments in its pretextual attacks on the University of California system.
PI granted.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
PI granted.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 15, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Fed. judge holds that the Trump administration engaged in coercive and retaliatory conduct in violation of the First and Tenth Amendments in its pretextual attacks on the University of California system.
PI granted.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
PI granted.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
"In a year full of judicial rebukes" for Trump, Reagan appointed judges’ "fierce and direct assessments of the president have stood out."
When the storyline is obvious even for POLITICOs of the world www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
When the storyline is obvious even for POLITICOs of the world www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
November 15, 2025 at 12:31 AM
"In a year full of judicial rebukes" for Trump, Reagan appointed judges’ "fierce and direct assessments of the president have stood out."
When the storyline is obvious even for POLITICOs of the world www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
When the storyline is obvious even for POLITICOs of the world www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
If you need me, tap me on the shoulder. I’ll be happily working all day listening to this on a loop.
November 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
If you need me, tap me on the shoulder. I’ll be happily working all day listening to this on a loop.
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
Merrick Garland left a standing impression that no one powerful will ever be held accountable. Democrats should rectify that by saying, loudly and every hour, that people who act on illegal orders will face punishment by the next DOJ.
Dems can say: Are you really sure you want to trust Trump, of all people, when he tells you that what he’s directing you to do is lawful, and that you’ll be protected later as a result? That’s a tenuous position for anyone to put themselves into—and Dems should not hesitate to say so.
Awful: Trump's boat bombings are now being justified by a new legal memo that relies on WH's own determinations as evidence. Memo also says people can't be prosecuted for the killings. But that reveals WH knows there's legal vulnerability here, Ds tell me.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
November 14, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Merrick Garland left a standing impression that no one powerful will ever be held accountable. Democrats should rectify that by saying, loudly and every hour, that people who act on illegal orders will face punishment by the next DOJ.
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
Teen Vogue did some terrific work. Great story here on Teen Vogue and how the Vogue/Conde Nast bosses seem like the "liberal" types who have been eager to use Trump's rise as a pretext to silence progressives/leftists they disagree with. www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
What the closure of Teen Vogue means for journalism.
Condé Nast folded a beloved magazine that treated youth and feminism as political topics, not trends.
www.cjr.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Teen Vogue did some terrific work. Great story here on Teen Vogue and how the Vogue/Conde Nast bosses seem like the "liberal" types who have been eager to use Trump's rise as a pretext to silence progressives/leftists they disagree with. www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
The move mirrors Trump’s attempt to get $240M from the DOJ to settle his own claims of politically motivated prosecution. trib.al/AV96klJ
Flynn notoriously lasted only 22 days in Trump’s first administration. Since then, Flynn has been one of the leading evangelists of the QAnon conspiracy theory.
Flynn notoriously lasted only 22 days in Trump’s first administration. Since then, Flynn has been one of the leading evangelists of the QAnon conspiracy theory.
Justice Department Prepares to Pay Trump Ally Michael Flynn Millions
The DOJ wants to give Michael Flynn a hefty settlement, even though he once pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
trib.al
November 14, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The move mirrors Trump’s attempt to get $240M from the DOJ to settle his own claims of politically motivated prosecution. trib.al/AV96klJ
Flynn notoriously lasted only 22 days in Trump’s first administration. Since then, Flynn has been one of the leading evangelists of the QAnon conspiracy theory.
Flynn notoriously lasted only 22 days in Trump’s first administration. Since then, Flynn has been one of the leading evangelists of the QAnon conspiracy theory.
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
NEW: Before the recent Epstein disclosures, Larry Summers was poised to lead the economic policy plank for the Democrats' "Project 2029" effort at the Center for American Progress. He signed off on a housing policy paper CAP was prepping for next week.
prospect.org/2025/11/14/e...
prospect.org/2025/11/14/e...
Epstein Confidant Larry Summers Guiding Democrats’ ‘Project 2029’ - The American Prospect
Summers was overseeing the economic policy plank of the Center for American Progress’s effort. Emails released this week show him in regular contact with Jeffrey Epstein.
prospect.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:04 PM
NEW: Before the recent Epstein disclosures, Larry Summers was poised to lead the economic policy plank for the Democrats' "Project 2029" effort at the Center for American Progress. He signed off on a housing policy paper CAP was prepping for next week.
prospect.org/2025/11/14/e...
prospect.org/2025/11/14/e...
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
Pete must be hanging out with his donors in the winecaves again.
Speaking at a Texas Tribune Festival on Friday, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg criticized the Democratic Party for failing to reach everyday Americans, arguing that it “got sucked in” to a conversation about identity. #TribFest25
Pete Buttigieg critiques Democrats for focus on identity
The former U.S. transportation secretary said the Democratic Party should focus more on issues gripping the country, such as health care and housing affordability.
www.texastribune.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Pete must be hanging out with his donors in the winecaves again.
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
ICYMI - My contribution to the NYU Law Democracy Project's 100 Ideas is up now, drawing from the conclusions of Backlash Presidents: democracyproject.org/posts/to-sav...
To Save Democracy, We Can’t Shy Away From the Toughest Issues
A broad range of views on democracy to help break the stalemate caused by partisan conflict.
democracyproject.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:20 PM
ICYMI - My contribution to the NYU Law Democracy Project's 100 Ideas is up now, drawing from the conclusions of Backlash Presidents: democracyproject.org/posts/to-sav...
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
another manifestation of this is when you criticize the right and somebody tsk tsks "they say the same thing about the left," like, yeah, somebody is lying, are you interested in who? because the answer is easily discoverable
Perfect example of political media operating under the post-truth standard that (1) distorts the facts until the parties look approximately equal, and (2) holds “do MAGA voters care?” as a higher standard than “is it true?” or “is it important for the public to know about this?”
Wild to watch playbook run cover for this particular Trump scandal
November 13, 2025 at 2:38 PM
another manifestation of this is when you criticize the right and somebody tsk tsks "they say the same thing about the left," like, yeah, somebody is lying, are you interested in who? because the answer is easily discoverable
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
The Republican president is a pedophile who has doubled my healthcare costs and let scores of violent criminals out of jail. But a Democratic mayor-elect wants to make busses free in a city I don't live in. I have never felt more politically homeless.
November 13, 2025 at 12:47 PM
The Republican president is a pedophile who has doubled my healthcare costs and let scores of violent criminals out of jail. But a Democratic mayor-elect wants to make busses free in a city I don't live in. I have never felt more politically homeless.
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
Democrats say Donald Trump molests children. As president, he's been far more likely to starve or deport them. Two Pinocchios.
November 13, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Democrats say Donald Trump molests children. As president, he's been far more likely to starve or deport them. Two Pinocchios.
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
NEW: @propublica.org investigated the Chicago apartment raid where kids were zip-tied and citizens detained for hours. They find:
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
November 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM
NEW: @propublica.org investigated the Chicago apartment raid where kids were zip-tied and citizens detained for hours. They find:
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
Perfect example of political media operating under the post-truth standard that (1) distorts the facts until the parties look approximately equal, and (2) holds “do MAGA voters care?” as a higher standard than “is it true?” or “is it important for the public to know about this?”
Wild to watch playbook run cover for this particular Trump scandal
November 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Perfect example of political media operating under the post-truth standard that (1) distorts the facts until the parties look approximately equal, and (2) holds “do MAGA voters care?” as a higher standard than “is it true?” or “is it important for the public to know about this?”
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
This is what Trump means by affordability.
Eric Trump: "You can send $500 million worth of bitcoin on a Sunday night at 11pm while having a glass of wine with your wife for virtually zero fees."
November 13, 2025 at 1:44 PM
This is what Trump means by affordability.
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
"There is no financial reason holding Starbucks back from finishing the contract. After all, the company paid its new chief executive, Brian Niccol, $95 million in compensation last year, about 6,666 times the compensation of average workers." prospect.org/2025/11/13/s...
Starbucks Workers Tell Bosses: No Contract, No Coffee - The American Prospect
Starbucks baristas didn’t want to go on strike. But after four years of waiting for a contract at any of their hundreds of unionized stores, 12,000 workers at one of the world’s biggest fast-food comp...
prospect.org
November 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
"There is no financial reason holding Starbucks back from finishing the contract. After all, the company paid its new chief executive, Brian Niccol, $95 million in compensation last year, about 6,666 times the compensation of average workers." prospect.org/2025/11/13/s...
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
the Rosetta Stone of dem politics is the 2006 senate primary which incumbent Joe Lieberman lost in part for making out with George Bush
He ran anyway, won with GOP support, dems let him keep his seniority, chairmanships and perks & he rewarded them by obstructing the ACA & killing the public option
He ran anyway, won with GOP support, dems let him keep his seniority, chairmanships and perks & he rewarded them by obstructing the ACA & killing the public option
An important question you cannot skip over in pursuit of the Primary Them All solution is: how likely is it that defeating entitled narcissists in a primary will actually stop them from running?
November 10, 2025 at 5:18 PM
the Rosetta Stone of dem politics is the 2006 senate primary which incumbent Joe Lieberman lost in part for making out with George Bush
He ran anyway, won with GOP support, dems let him keep his seniority, chairmanships and perks & he rewarded them by obstructing the ACA & killing the public option
He ran anyway, won with GOP support, dems let him keep his seniority, chairmanships and perks & he rewarded them by obstructing the ACA & killing the public option
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
Billions for Argentina’s Wall Street investors.
Higher costs for American families.
“America First”? Give me a break.
Higher costs for American families.
“America First”? Give me a break.
November 12, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Billions for Argentina’s Wall Street investors.
Higher costs for American families.
“America First”? Give me a break.
Higher costs for American families.
“America First”? Give me a break.
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
Picturing this scene but now it’s Trump goons in the Sit Room watching cable headlines about Epstein
November 12, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Picturing this scene but now it’s Trump goons in the Sit Room watching cable headlines about Epstein
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
To recap: Jeffrey Epstein offered a NY Times reporter photos taken in Epstein's kitchen of Donald Trump and girls in bikinis *and* implored the NYT reporter to put this information in the public discourse in 2015
What did the NY Times editors know about this offer?
What did the NY Times editors know about this offer?
“would you like photos of donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen?” -Jeffrey Epstein
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
To recap: Jeffrey Epstein offered a NY Times reporter photos taken in Epstein's kitchen of Donald Trump and girls in bikinis *and* implored the NYT reporter to put this information in the public discourse in 2015
What did the NY Times editors know about this offer?
What did the NY Times editors know about this offer?
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
QUESTION: WHY DID @bsky.app SUSPEND SARAH KENDZIOR?
If this can happen to her without swift corrections or transparency, then it can happen to me, or you, or anyone else who stands up to power.
REINSTATE SARAH KENDZIOR AND MAKE THINGS RIGHT!
If this can happen to her without swift corrections or transparency, then it can happen to me, or you, or anyone else who stands up to power.
REINSTATE SARAH KENDZIOR AND MAKE THINGS RIGHT!
November 12, 2025 at 7:52 PM
QUESTION: WHY DID @bsky.app SUSPEND SARAH KENDZIOR?
If this can happen to her without swift corrections or transparency, then it can happen to me, or you, or anyone else who stands up to power.
REINSTATE SARAH KENDZIOR AND MAKE THINGS RIGHT!
If this can happen to her without swift corrections or transparency, then it can happen to me, or you, or anyone else who stands up to power.
REINSTATE SARAH KENDZIOR AND MAKE THINGS RIGHT!
Reposted by Ben Weinberg
Mike Kafka recognizes a kindred spirit
November 12, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Mike Kafka recognizes a kindred spirit