Chris Lombardi
@chrisblue.bsky.social
Bronx-born Philadelphian. #Journalist. #Author of 'brilliant but disturbing' books from The New Press and Mumblers Press. No longer on Substack; find me on Medium, WagingNonviolence.org, On Watch, and an oped near you. #Disabled from 40 yrs of MS.
Of course, arbitrary rule by police force already existed for many or most communities of color and poor white communities. Neoliberalism attempted to expand that to ideological lines. Trumpist fascism saw that open door and made arbitrary not the exception to rule of law but the new rule, period.
January 4, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
6/ Russia has previously signaled an interest in treating Venezuela and Ukraine as negotiable “backyard” spheres, as reflected in Fiona Hill’s testimony during Trump’s first impeachment.
January 4, 2026 at 4:38 PM
6/ Russia has previously signaled an interest in treating Venezuela and Ukraine as negotiable “backyard” spheres, as reflected in Fiona Hill’s testimony during Trump’s first impeachment.
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
We had to deal with years of commentary around MAGA being “isolationist” because it despised NATO, the UN, and the EU.
It was always a bright, shining lie on the movement’s behalf.
MAGA takes up Jefferson Davis’ stunted foreign policy and advances it across the Americas.
Piracy and banditry.
It was always a bright, shining lie on the movement’s behalf.
MAGA takes up Jefferson Davis’ stunted foreign policy and advances it across the Americas.
Piracy and banditry.
MAGA's supposed "anti-interventionism" is actually pro-pillage and pro-plunder.
Trump says Venezuela's oil wealth "goes also to the United States of America in the form of reimbursement for the damages caused us by that country"
January 4, 2026 at 3:01 PM
We had to deal with years of commentary around MAGA being “isolationist” because it despised NATO, the UN, and the EU.
It was always a bright, shining lie on the movement’s behalf.
MAGA takes up Jefferson Davis’ stunted foreign policy and advances it across the Americas.
Piracy and banditry.
It was always a bright, shining lie on the movement’s behalf.
MAGA takes up Jefferson Davis’ stunted foreign policy and advances it across the Americas.
Piracy and banditry.
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
BRENNAN: To be clear, there is no plan for US occupation of this country of nearly 30 million people?
MARCO RUBIO: The president always retains optionality on anything and on all of these matters
MARCO RUBIO: The president always retains optionality on anything and on all of these matters
January 4, 2026 at 3:38 PM
BRENNAN: To be clear, there is no plan for US occupation of this country of nearly 30 million people?
MARCO RUBIO: The president always retains optionality on anything and on all of these matters
MARCO RUBIO: The president always retains optionality on anything and on all of these matters
Other day I noted thread between 2011's Occupy movements & Mamdani. But as I look on my reporting notes from Sept-Dec of that year, I think there's also a line between (Democratic-led) crackdown & collapse of rule of law of Trumpism. Mix of state anti-media violence + too many media looking away.
January 4, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Put a pin in this, I'm still trying to confirm 100% but it sounds like the assault force consisted of C Sqd and 3/75. OPE was indeed conducted under the AUMF. Total control of VZ comms. Recent defections helped the CIA greatly. Maduro recorded constantly to refute any future torture allegations.
January 4, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Trump's Secret Move to Subvert Elections
open.substack.com/pub/saltypol...
open.substack.com/pub/saltypol...
Trump's Secret Move to Subvert Elections
The plot to make voting harder, under cover of darkness
open.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Trump's Secret Move to Subvert Elections
open.substack.com/pub/saltypol...
open.substack.com/pub/saltypol...
The U.S. plan emerges, and it looks familiar open.substack.com/pub/steveins...
The U.S. plan emerges
And it resembles an old colonial playbook.
open.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:13 PM
The U.S. plan emerges, and it looks familiar open.substack.com/pub/steveins...
"Elections are not a casino where the house rewrites the rules mid-hand. ... The federal government doesn’t administer elections the way it administers passports. "
saltypolitics.substack.com/p/trumps-sec...
saltypolitics.substack.com/p/trumps-sec...
Trump's Secret Move to Subvert Elections
The plot to make voting harder, under cover of darkness
saltypolitics.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:06 PM
"Elections are not a casino where the house rewrites the rules mid-hand. ... The federal government doesn’t administer elections the way it administers passports. "
saltypolitics.substack.com/p/trumps-sec...
saltypolitics.substack.com/p/trumps-sec...
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
AOC Slams Operation To Capture Maduro: 'It's About Oil And Regime Change' | "It's not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn't have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month."
www.latintimes.com/aoc-slams-op...
www.latintimes.com/aoc-slams-op...
AOC Slams Operation To Capture Maduro: 'It's About Oil And Regime Change'
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) slammed the U.S. operation that captured Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, saying it is not aimed at counter...
www.latintimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:14 AM
AOC Slams Operation To Capture Maduro: 'It's About Oil And Regime Change' | "It's not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn't have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month."
www.latintimes.com/aoc-slams-op...
www.latintimes.com/aoc-slams-op...
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
The thing about this is when enough people resign, eventually the people in charge find someone who's willing to follow those orders.
Notably, the SOUTHCOM commander resigned last month.
Notably, the SOUTHCOM commander resigned last month.
January 4, 2026 at 4:27 AM
The thing about this is when enough people resign, eventually the people in charge find someone who's willing to follow those orders.
Notably, the SOUTHCOM commander resigned last month.
Notably, the SOUTHCOM commander resigned last month.
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
For those inclined to make the same arguments as the dipshit I just blocked:
1: The US involvement in the overthrow of Hawaii was obviously illegal at the time, not just in retrospect.
2: If you need something to be "among the most" bad things we've done to get outraged, that's a you problem.
1: The US involvement in the overthrow of Hawaii was obviously illegal at the time, not just in retrospect.
2: If you need something to be "among the most" bad things we've done to get outraged, that's a you problem.
I'm not a fan of yesterday's "military misadventure," but I'm also writing from a state that was a nation before American business interests conspired with the American ambassador to secure the help of American Marines to overthow the government.
"Among the most"? Pressing 'f' to doubt.
"Among the most"? Pressing 'f' to doubt.
January 4, 2026 at 1:07 AM
For those inclined to make the same arguments as the dipshit I just blocked:
1: The US involvement in the overthrow of Hawaii was obviously illegal at the time, not just in retrospect.
2: If you need something to be "among the most" bad things we've done to get outraged, that's a you problem.
1: The US involvement in the overthrow of Hawaii was obviously illegal at the time, not just in retrospect.
2: If you need something to be "among the most" bad things we've done to get outraged, that's a you problem.
Trump says US not afraid of ‘boots on the ground’ as it ‘runs’ Venezuela during transition www.stripes.com/theaters/ame...
Trump says US not afraid of ‘boots on the ground’ as it ‘runs’ Venezuela during transition
President Donald Trump said the U.S. will control Venezuela for an unspecified period and is “ready to stage a second and much larger attack” if needed.
www.stripes.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:33 AM
Trump says US not afraid of ‘boots on the ground’ as it ‘runs’ Venezuela during transition www.stripes.com/theaters/ame...
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a highly-decorated combat Veteran, lays into President Bone Spurs.
"His actions continue putting American troops, personnel and citizens at risk both in the region and around the globe.
"None of that serves our nation’s interests."
"His actions continue putting American troops, personnel and citizens at risk both in the region and around the globe.
"None of that serves our nation’s interests."
January 4, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a highly-decorated combat Veteran, lays into President Bone Spurs.
"His actions continue putting American troops, personnel and citizens at risk both in the region and around the globe.
"None of that serves our nation’s interests."
"His actions continue putting American troops, personnel and citizens at risk both in the region and around the globe.
"None of that serves our nation’s interests."
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
Average Americans would find this repulsive, but there is literally no way to inform most of them that it even happened.
Unless you're on Truth Social (3% of U.S. adults) or Bluesky (4%), you're just not going to see it. Major papers and news networks won't report it. X/Facebook will suppress it.
Unless you're on Truth Social (3% of U.S. adults) or Bluesky (4%), you're just not going to see it. Major papers and news networks won't report it. X/Facebook will suppress it.
Donald Trump is now reposting videos on Truth Social suggesting that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had Melissa Hortman assassinated.
This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political.
This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political.
January 4, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Average Americans would find this repulsive, but there is literally no way to inform most of them that it even happened.
Unless you're on Truth Social (3% of U.S. adults) or Bluesky (4%), you're just not going to see it. Major papers and news networks won't report it. X/Facebook will suppress it.
Unless you're on Truth Social (3% of U.S. adults) or Bluesky (4%), you're just not going to see it. Major papers and news networks won't report it. X/Facebook will suppress it.
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
Let's assume the Epstein stuff she was involved in, Melania was in on the capture of young girls! She knew EXACTLY what their game was. She wasn't a child. She was a tall 30 year old woman. She was helping kidnap and rape them. She was NEVER his VICTIM! She was his associate. Like Ghislaine. Choice!
December 29, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Let's assume the Epstein stuff she was involved in, Melania was in on the capture of young girls! She knew EXACTLY what their game was. She wasn't a child. She was a tall 30 year old woman. She was helping kidnap and rape them. She was NEVER his VICTIM! She was his associate. Like Ghislaine. Choice!
joshsternberg.com@bsky.brid.gy - A functioning Congress will have articles of impeachment drafted by the end of the day.
Our Congress will just go to social media to basically say “We don’t like this, but what are you gonna do?”
Our Congress will just go to social media to basically say “We don’t like this, but what are you gonna do?”
Bridgy Fed
Bridgy Fed is a bridge between decentralized social networks like the fediverse, Bluesky, and web sites and blogs.
bsky.brid.gy
January 3, 2026 at 10:55 PM
joshsternberg.com@bsky.brid.gy - A functioning Congress will have articles of impeachment drafted by the end of the day.
Our Congress will just go to social media to basically say “We don’t like this, but what are you gonna do?”
Our Congress will just go to social media to basically say “We don’t like this, but what are you gonna do?”
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
This has been gearing up for Trump’s entire first year, at least back to when a FOIA release to @freedom.press showed the administration was unabashedly lying when it invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans to El Salvador.
And the administration has yet to face a single consequence.
And the administration has yet to face a single consequence.
Spy Agencies Do Not Think Venezuela Directs Gang, Declassified Memo Shows
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:27 PM
This has been gearing up for Trump’s entire first year, at least back to when a FOIA release to @freedom.press showed the administration was unabashedly lying when it invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans to El Salvador.
And the administration has yet to face a single consequence.
And the administration has yet to face a single consequence.
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
It appears the VZN VP has taken control and told trump to release Maduro and they'll fight fire w/ fire (paraphrasing) if need be.
January 3, 2026 at 8:57 PM
It appears the VZN VP has taken control and told trump to release Maduro and they'll fight fire w/ fire (paraphrasing) if need be.
ianbremmer@threads.net - british, french and german leaders’ statements on maduro capture reflect the weak and vulnerable position they occupy on matters of global security.
January 3, 2026 at 10:36 PM
ianbremmer@threads.net - british, french and german leaders’ statements on maduro capture reflect the weak and vulnerable position they occupy on matters of global security.
br00t4c@mastodon.social - JD Vance Raises Eyebrows With Claim Venezuela's 'Stolen Oil Must Be Returned' to the US
#StolenOil #PoliticalSpectrum #Mediaite #JDVance #ControversialClaim
www.mediaite.com/media/news/j...
#StolenOil #PoliticalSpectrum #Mediaite #JDVance #ControversialClaim
www.mediaite.com/media/news/j...
JD Vance Raises Eyebrows With Claim Venezuela’s ‘Stolen Oil Must Be Returned’ to the US
Vance’s statement raised some eyebrows across the political spectrum, particularly the line about oil.
www.mediaite.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:35 PM
br00t4c@mastodon.social - JD Vance Raises Eyebrows With Claim Venezuela's 'Stolen Oil Must Be Returned' to the US
#StolenOil #PoliticalSpectrum #Mediaite #JDVance #ControversialClaim
www.mediaite.com/media/news/j...
#StolenOil #PoliticalSpectrum #Mediaite #JDVance #ControversialClaim
www.mediaite.com/media/news/j...
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
The only fact we need to know is that Trump had our armed forces illegally attack another nation and kidnap their head of state. No excuse suffices.
January 3, 2026 at 8:57 PM
The only fact we need to know is that Trump had our armed forces illegally attack another nation and kidnap their head of state. No excuse suffices.
Reposted by Chris Lombardi
"his [Trump's] plan appears to be for Venezuela to remain under the day-to-day rule of a senior chavista, with its democratically elected leaders excluded and its wealth controlled by American corporations." www.economist.com/the-americas...
Donald Trump wants to run Venezuela, and dominate the western hemisphere
Snatching Nicolás Maduro and attempting to take control of Venezuela and its oil is an extraordinary display of the new “Donroe doctrine”
www.economist.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:48 PM
"his [Trump's] plan appears to be for Venezuela to remain under the day-to-day rule of a senior chavista, with its democratically elected leaders excluded and its wealth controlled by American corporations." www.economist.com/the-americas...
StefanThinks@beige.party - when your country’s dictator is so tyrannical he’s got you defending other country’s tyrannical dictators
January 3, 2026 at 8:57 PM
StefanThinks@beige.party - when your country’s dictator is so tyrannical he’s got you defending other country’s tyrannical dictators