Chris Kaiser
@chriskaiserva.bsky.social
Policy Director ACLU of Virginia | Fmr: ACLU of Louisiana | Unrepentant Kentuckian | Cincinnati Reds stan | Opinions are mine alone.
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
Remember the incident where DHS claimed officers shot a guy because he attacked them with a snow shovel?
Yeah. It didn't happen. They shot him through the door of his own home. And then arrested him. And then lied about it. Again.
And they almost shot some kids in the process.
Yeah. It didn't happen. They shot him through the door of his own home. And then arrested him. And then lied about it. Again.
And they almost shot some kids in the process.
They just blindly shot through the fucking door.
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
"Photographic evidence from the shooting scene of a Venezuelan man by federal agents last month in Minneapolis supports the account of witnesses there – and appears to undercut the narrative provided by federal officials." www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
February 3, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Remember the incident where DHS claimed officers shot a guy because he attacked them with a snow shovel?
Yeah. It didn't happen. They shot him through the door of his own home. And then arrested him. And then lied about it. Again.
And they almost shot some kids in the process.
Yeah. It didn't happen. They shot him through the door of his own home. And then arrested him. And then lied about it. Again.
And they almost shot some kids in the process.
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
if you're not willing to engage in serious political and institutional reform, you're not willing to engage in reform.
and furthermore, it’s very clear that the two most important political tests for the senate in 2029 once we take it will be:
1. expanding the Supreme Court
2. Admitting PR/DC as states
1. expanding the Supreme Court
2. Admitting PR/DC as states
imo just mechanically vote for whichever Senate candidate promises most clearly to destroy the filibuster
February 2, 2026 at 2:47 AM
if you're not willing to engage in serious political and institutional reform, you're not willing to engage in reform.
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
This is really good! This is what journalism is! I wish many media institutions would apply this same logic to their coverage of Gaza and the loss of hundreds of their colleagues there who were trying to do real journalism too! More of this!!
February 2, 2026 at 2:48 AM
This is really good! This is what journalism is! I wish many media institutions would apply this same logic to their coverage of Gaza and the loss of hundreds of their colleagues there who were trying to do real journalism too! More of this!!
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
ICE now confirming that there is a measles outbreak at the Texas concentration camp where young Liam was held.
February 2, 2026 at 12:08 AM
ICE now confirming that there is a measles outbreak at the Texas concentration camp where young Liam was held.
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
Here's my full 50-page indictment of CBP and ICE and decades of corruption, abuse of force, racism, and misogyny. I promise you — however bad you've ever thought it was, the full reality is even worse, deadlier, and more corrupt. This isn't a "Trump only" phenomenon:
Thanks to @govpritzker.illinois.gov for setting up the Illinois Accountability Commission to document the abuses of Trump and Stephen Miller's invasions of cities. And thanks to @vermontgmg.bsky.social for this detailed testimony about CBP's history and culture: drive.google.com/file/d/1o4z6...
IAC-Statement.Graff.Jan312026.pdf
drive.google.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Here's my full 50-page indictment of CBP and ICE and decades of corruption, abuse of force, racism, and misogyny. I promise you — however bad you've ever thought it was, the full reality is even worse, deadlier, and more corrupt. This isn't a "Trump only" phenomenon:
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
Feds make ‘unauthorized' use of license plate reader in Mountain View
www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/f...
www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/f...
Feds make 'unauthorized' use of license plate reader in Mountain View
Mountain View police criticized the company supplying its automated license plate reader system after an audit turned up "unauthorized" use by federal law enforcement agencies.
www.nbcbayarea.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Feds make ‘unauthorized' use of license plate reader in Mountain View
www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/f...
www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/f...
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
This is just insane. It’s only a matter of time before DHS kills another innocent person here.
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
January 31, 2026 at 6:13 PM
This is just insane. It’s only a matter of time before DHS kills another innocent person here.
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
The reason why they're still pressing ahead is not because they have some secret plan, but the pretty classic Umberto Eco fascist-folly - because of their ideology they are "constitutionally incapable of objectively evaluating the force of the enemy."
January 25, 2026 at 10:51 PM
The reason why they're still pressing ahead is not because they have some secret plan, but the pretty classic Umberto Eco fascist-folly - because of their ideology they are "constitutionally incapable of objectively evaluating the force of the enemy."
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
“If your state doesn’t help us we will be forced to murder its citizens” is an argument that only works on people who are already subnormal bootlickers.
Blanche: "Remember, what we all saw in that 10 or second video is not the full story. Every American should know that. The story goes way beyond that. It starts with the fact that literally for months we have received 0 assistance from the state of Minnesota."
January 26, 2026 at 4:15 PM
“If your state doesn’t help us we will be forced to murder its citizens” is an argument that only works on people who are already subnormal bootlickers.
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
"To continue calling the shooters in Minneapolis “law enforcement officers” is not a professional courtesy; it is an act of collaboration that validates the lie that power still flows from the consent of the governed." -- Kyle Varner
This analysis deploying the Fraenkel framework might be single best thing written on the Pretti execution thus far. At @theunpopulist.net. Must must read:
open.substack.com/pub/theunpop...
open.substack.com/pub/theunpop...
In Trump's 'Dual State,' Dissenters Face Extrajudicial Executions, Loyalists Enjoy Protections
America's system of justice has fundamentally broken because the regime believes it can justify attacks on citizens via lies rather than in a court of law
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:05 AM
"To continue calling the shooters in Minneapolis “law enforcement officers” is not a professional courtesy; it is an act of collaboration that validates the lie that power still flows from the consent of the governed." -- Kyle Varner
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
January 25, 2026 at 10:39 PM
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
This administration is cooked. Literally no one is scared of them.
January 25, 2026 at 5:20 PM
This administration is cooked. Literally no one is scared of them.
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
AAUP President Todd Wolfson on the killing of Alex Pretti:
"This moment demands a unified, bold, and powerful response from the labor movement. We are uniting across sectors to organize, mobilize, and wield our full collective power to confront ICE."
Full statement:
"This moment demands a unified, bold, and powerful response from the labor movement. We are uniting across sectors to organize, mobilize, and wield our full collective power to confront ICE."
Full statement:
AAUP President on the Killing of Alex Pretti: “This Moment Demands A Powerful Response from the Labor Movement”
AAUP President Todd Wolfson issued the following statement in response to the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 24.
www.aaup.org
January 25, 2026 at 9:42 PM
AAUP President Todd Wolfson on the killing of Alex Pretti:
"This moment demands a unified, bold, and powerful response from the labor movement. We are uniting across sectors to organize, mobilize, and wield our full collective power to confront ICE."
Full statement:
"This moment demands a unified, bold, and powerful response from the labor movement. We are uniting across sectors to organize, mobilize, and wield our full collective power to confront ICE."
Full statement:
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
I view American history as a tug of war between these forces, and recently we've seen an upsurge in support for Southern style authoritarianism, but it is not new. In fact, the South has been an authoritarian enclave far longer than it has been a democracy. Authoritarianism ain't foreign. 7/x
January 25, 2026 at 6:22 PM
I view American history as a tug of war between these forces, and recently we've seen an upsurge in support for Southern style authoritarianism, but it is not new. In fact, the South has been an authoritarian enclave far longer than it has been a democracy. Authoritarianism ain't foreign. 7/x
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
Not only is authoritarianism not new, it is still in our living memory. Southern racial apartheid is more recent than the Nazis, and more relevant to understanding our current politics. As American politics have nationalized, the South anchors one of the two parties and exported its politics 5/x
January 25, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Not only is authoritarianism not new, it is still in our living memory. Southern racial apartheid is more recent than the Nazis, and more relevant to understanding our current politics. As American politics have nationalized, the South anchors one of the two parties and exported its politics 5/x
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
hey everybody lifelong tech expert here
> "system crash” deleted nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from inside the facility
that's not how anything works they're lying and destroying evidence hope that helps
> "system crash” deleted nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from inside the facility
that's not how anything works they're lying and destroying evidence hope that helps
And what is happening inside ICE detention centers? 404 Media also learned that the federal government claimed that the day after it was sued for allegedly abusing detainees at an ICE detention center, a “system crash” deleted nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from inside the facility.
ICE Says Critical Evidence In Abuse Case Was Lost In 'System Crash' a Day After It Was Sued
The government also said "we don't have resources" to retain all footage and that plaintiffs could supply "endless hard drives that we could save things to."
www.404media.co
January 25, 2026 at 5:26 PM
hey everybody lifelong tech expert here
> "system crash” deleted nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from inside the facility
that's not how anything works they're lying and destroying evidence hope that helps
> "system crash” deleted nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from inside the facility
that's not how anything works they're lying and destroying evidence hope that helps
Minnesota DOC desperately combatting lies by DHS.
As of today, the Virginia Dept. of Corrections & State Police still have active 287(g) agreements with DHS.
Virginia can’t afford to intertwine our state agencies or law enforcement with the Trump Administration any longer.
As of today, the Virginia Dept. of Corrections & State Police still have active 287(g) agreements with DHS.
Virginia can’t afford to intertwine our state agencies or law enforcement with the Trump Administration any longer.
Things are so bad that the Minnesota prison system has had to launch a website specifically to combat DHS lies. The first major release from DOC officials suggests Gregory Bovino outright lied about the target of the Border Patrol operation during which agents shot and killed Alex Pretti.
January 25, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Minnesota DOC desperately combatting lies by DHS.
As of today, the Virginia Dept. of Corrections & State Police still have active 287(g) agreements with DHS.
Virginia can’t afford to intertwine our state agencies or law enforcement with the Trump Administration any longer.
As of today, the Virginia Dept. of Corrections & State Police still have active 287(g) agreements with DHS.
Virginia can’t afford to intertwine our state agencies or law enforcement with the Trump Administration any longer.
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
Why Minneapolis? How are they choosing their targets?
404 Media also recently learned Palantir is working on a tool for ICE that populates a map with potential deportation targets based on addresses, and ICE is using it to find locations where lots of people it might detain could be based.
404 Media also recently learned Palantir is working on a tool for ICE that populates a map with potential deportation targets based on addresses, and ICE is using it to find locations where lots of people it might detain could be based.
‘ELITE’: The Palantir App ICE Uses to Find Neighborhoods to Raid
Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activit...
www.404media.co
January 25, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Why Minneapolis? How are they choosing their targets?
404 Media also recently learned Palantir is working on a tool for ICE that populates a map with potential deportation targets based on addresses, and ICE is using it to find locations where lots of people it might detain could be based.
404 Media also recently learned Palantir is working on a tool for ICE that populates a map with potential deportation targets based on addresses, and ICE is using it to find locations where lots of people it might detain could be based.
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
Federal judges will be watching this.
Head of the FBI commenting publicly on the Alex Pretti shooting and with prejudicial statements that show flagrant bias.
Head of the FBI commenting publicly on the Alex Pretti shooting and with prejudicial statements that show flagrant bias.
BARTIROMO: There is outrage across the country that there is another killing. Someone is dead at the hands of Border Patrol. What can you tell us?
KASH PATEL: You do not get to attack law enforcement officials in this country without any repercussions. We not messing around.
KASH PATEL: You do not get to attack law enforcement officials in this country without any repercussions. We not messing around.
January 25, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Federal judges will be watching this.
Head of the FBI commenting publicly on the Alex Pretti shooting and with prejudicial statements that show flagrant bias.
Head of the FBI commenting publicly on the Alex Pretti shooting and with prejudicial statements that show flagrant bias.
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
Journalists need to ask, “What made Pettri a ‘suspect’?” He was ‘seized’ under the meaning of the Fourth Amendment, which requires *probable cause that he was committing a crime*
MAKE THEM ARTICULATE THE BASIS FOR THE SEIZURE
MAKE THEM ARTICULATE THE BASIS FOR THE SEIZURE
BASH: Where did he assault an officer? It looked to us that he was approached by them when he was helping another individual who was pushed down
BOVINO: We don't need a suspect's help in a law enforcement scene
BASH: So when somebody is pushed down, you stand back?
BOVINO: Follow directions
BOVINO: We don't need a suspect's help in a law enforcement scene
BASH: So when somebody is pushed down, you stand back?
BOVINO: Follow directions
January 25, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Journalists need to ask, “What made Pettri a ‘suspect’?” He was ‘seized’ under the meaning of the Fourth Amendment, which requires *probable cause that he was committing a crime*
MAKE THEM ARTICULATE THE BASIS FOR THE SEIZURE
MAKE THEM ARTICULATE THE BASIS FOR THE SEIZURE
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
It’s also what racist southern governors and mayors said about MLK, SNCC and the NAACP.
The Minnesota Patriots are in good company.
The Minnesota Patriots are in good company.
Putin pioneered this. No opposition is legitimate. Regular, decent, “ordinary” people cannot possibly be against us because only we represent “the real people.”
Tell-tale sign of authoritarianism.
Tell-tale sign of authoritarianism.
January 25, 2026 at 3:01 PM
It’s also what racist southern governors and mayors said about MLK, SNCC and the NAACP.
The Minnesota Patriots are in good company.
The Minnesota Patriots are in good company.
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
This story - about a Democratic congresswoman charged with assault after an encounter at an immigrant detention facility - really makes clear how far Trump has weaponised the justice system. And how the US government can no longer be treated as a reliable source. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
January 25, 2026 at 2:22 PM
This story - about a Democratic congresswoman charged with assault after an encounter at an immigrant detention facility - really makes clear how far Trump has weaponised the justice system. And how the US government can no longer be treated as a reliable source. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
Putin pioneered this. No opposition is legitimate. Regular, decent, “ordinary” people cannot possibly be against us because only we represent “the real people.”
Tell-tale sign of authoritarianism.
Tell-tale sign of authoritarianism.
January 25, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Putin pioneered this. No opposition is legitimate. Regular, decent, “ordinary” people cannot possibly be against us because only we represent “the real people.”
Tell-tale sign of authoritarianism.
Tell-tale sign of authoritarianism.
Reposted by Chris Kaiser
as things get worse you can count on more distress, more repression. but not just that: repression predictably generates friction, which is used to justify the repression going backwards and demand more going forward. a self fulfilling cycle where elites administer while debating optics, speed, etc
January 25, 2026 at 2:28 PM
as things get worse you can count on more distress, more repression. but not just that: repression predictably generates friction, which is used to justify the repression going backwards and demand more going forward. a self fulfilling cycle where elites administer while debating optics, speed, etc