Dan Vock
@danvock.bsky.social
Helping you understand how government works—or doesn’t. Freelancing again. Illinoisan in D.C. Reach me at dcvock@gmail.com
Pinned
Dan Vock
@danvock.bsky.social
· 23d
‘Devil’s ideology’: President Donald Trump’s darkening rhetoric escalates attacks and often targets Illinois
President Donald Trump’s language to discredit opponents has included Illinois and the Chicago area where protesters have been compared to domestic terrorists and the president has called for…
www.chicagotribune.com
My story on the front page of @chicagotribune.com today looks at the darkening rhetoric from Trump and the administration, as well as why experts on democracy say that’s a troubling sign (gift link) www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/t...
Lots of pent up energy for the upcoming elections
5000 people have signed up to run for office with @runforsomething.net in the last week. Between the election wins & the shutdown fury, we’re taking that momentum in to 2026.
November 11, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Lots of pent up energy for the upcoming elections
Reposted by Dan Vock
"Sometimes, the masks are used as tools of intimidation. On Halloween, federal agents in Southern Calif were photographed heading out to make arrests wearing ghoul masks. When the news site L.A. Taco asked DHS about the costumes, [spox Tricia] McLaughlin sent a two-word response: 'Happy Halloween.'”
“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 11, 2025 at 1:46 PM
"Sometimes, the masks are used as tools of intimidation. On Halloween, federal agents in Southern Calif were photographed heading out to make arrests wearing ghoul masks. When the news site L.A. Taco asked DHS about the costumes, [spox Tricia] McLaughlin sent a two-word response: 'Happy Halloween.'”
👀
After yesterday’s surrender, we’re launching the largest Democratic primary program that we’ve ever run.
We will not back any Senate primary candidate unless they call for Schumer to step down as Minority Leader.
If you’re as pissed as we are, join this campaign to rebuild the Democratic Party. 👇
We will not back any Senate primary candidate unless they call for Schumer to step down as Minority Leader.
If you’re as pissed as we are, join this campaign to rebuild the Democratic Party. 👇
Democratic leaders have failed us again. It's time to get new leaders.
After yet another capitulation by Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats, it's clear we need new leadership capable of mounting a serious opposition to Trump's authoritarian regime. We're launching our la...
www.indivisible2026.org
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM
👀
Worth noting that in LA and DC the immigration enforcement surge might have subsided but there’s plenty of ICE etc. activity still going on.
Operation Midway Blitz winding down in Chicago, sources say www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/10/f...
Federal Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino and agents said to be leaving Chicago, sources say
Cmdr. Gregory Bovino was expected to depart Chicago within days, while most Border Patrol agents under this command would soon be redeployed elsewhere, three sources told the Tribune Monday.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Worth noting that in LA and DC the immigration enforcement surge might have subsided but there’s plenty of ICE etc. activity still going on.
Reposted by Dan Vock
Specifically, it was the National Weather Service Modernization and Associated Restructuring, begun in the 70s, which completely overhauled how we predict and respond to rapid weather events.
vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heri...
vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heri...
The NWS Modernization and Associated Restructuring - A Retrospective (Part 1) - National Weather Service Heritage - Virtual Lab
Planned in the 1980s and implemented in the 1990s, the NWS Modernization and Associated Restructuring modernized the agency’s organization and technology to ensure more rapid detection of storms and d...
vlab.noaa.gov
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Specifically, it was the National Weather Service Modernization and Associated Restructuring, begun in the 70s, which completely overhauled how we predict and respond to rapid weather events.
vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heri...
vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heri...
Reposted by Dan Vock
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
Reposted by Dan Vock
Remember 25 years ago when a photo was taken of a fed pointing a gun at a crying refugee child and the image was so shameful it dominated the news cycle for a year
November 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Remember 25 years ago when a photo was taken of a fed pointing a gun at a crying refugee child and the image was so shameful it dominated the news cycle for a year
Reposted by Dan Vock
"truly it was out of curiosity"
November 11, 2025 at 3:49 AM
"truly it was out of curiosity"
Reposted by Dan Vock
You included four commentators in a panel on journalism. ok.
November 11, 2025 at 3:57 AM
You included four commentators in a panel on journalism. ok.
Reposted by Dan Vock
More than 15 Senate Democrats join GOP to advance nationwide ban on hemp products, including CBD gummies,
oh the paul amendment is going down 78-22
November 11, 2025 at 1:16 AM
More than 15 Senate Democrats join GOP to advance nationwide ban on hemp products, including CBD gummies,
Reposted by Dan Vock
"Some of the Border Patrol teams dispatched to Chicago could be diverted to Charlotte, North Carolina for an operation that is expected to start there this month, the U.S. officials said." www.cbsnews.com/news/gregory...
Gregory Bovino and Border Patrol agents plan to leave Chicago area, sources say
Some Border Patrol agents could soon leave the Chicago area, after taking a leading role in the Trump administration's controversial immigration operations in the nation's third-largest city, official...
www.cbsnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:50 AM
"Some of the Border Patrol teams dispatched to Chicago could be diverted to Charlotte, North Carolina for an operation that is expected to start there this month, the U.S. officials said." www.cbsnews.com/news/gregory...
Federal Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino and agents said to be leaving Chicago, sources say www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/10/f...
Federal Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino and agents said to be leaving Chicago, sources say
Cmdr. Gregory Bovino was expected to depart Chicago within days, while most Border Patrol agents under this command would soon be redeployed elsewhere, three sources told the Tribune Monday.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Federal Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino and agents said to be leaving Chicago, sources say www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/10/f...
Reposted by Dan Vock
Breaking MSNBC:
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida called a division-wide meeting this afternoon, following the resignations of two prosecutors who were asked to take part in a vast "conspiracy" investigation into former intel and law enforcement officials.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida called a division-wide meeting this afternoon, following the resignations of two prosecutors who were asked to take part in a vast "conspiracy" investigation into former intel and law enforcement officials.
U.S. Attorney investigating alleged grand ‘conspiracy’ calls unit-wide meeting after two prosecutors resign
Career prosecutors on “pins and needles” after flurry of subpoenas approved.
www.msnbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Breaking MSNBC:
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida called a division-wide meeting this afternoon, following the resignations of two prosecutors who were asked to take part in a vast "conspiracy" investigation into former intel and law enforcement officials.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida called a division-wide meeting this afternoon, following the resignations of two prosecutors who were asked to take part in a vast "conspiracy" investigation into former intel and law enforcement officials.
Reposted by Dan Vock
This allows Trump (via DOJ) to use taxpayer money to bribe eight GOP Senators. It's that simple, there's no other way to describe it.
And where's the compensation for people injured by the Trump admin's unlawful conduct through DHS & DOGE?
Take a bow, @schumer.senate.gov, you did this.
And where's the compensation for people injured by the Trump admin's unlawful conduct through DHS & DOGE?
Take a bow, @schumer.senate.gov, you did this.
November 10, 2025 at 9:23 PM
This allows Trump (via DOJ) to use taxpayer money to bribe eight GOP Senators. It's that simple, there's no other way to describe it.
And where's the compensation for people injured by the Trump admin's unlawful conduct through DHS & DOGE?
Take a bow, @schumer.senate.gov, you did this.
And where's the compensation for people injured by the Trump admin's unlawful conduct through DHS & DOGE?
Take a bow, @schumer.senate.gov, you did this.
Schumer is pressured to step aside as Senate Democratic leader after shutdown vote
www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
Schumer is pressured to step aside as Senate Democratic leader after shutdown vote
National progressive organizations urged Chuck Schumer to step down, and have encouraged New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for his Senate seat in 2029.
www.latimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Schumer is pressured to step aside as Senate Democratic leader after shutdown vote
www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
I still have just about every CD I bought in the 1990s
i have dragged around almost every CD i own to every place i have lived since high school. the only ones i got rid of were ones i sold in college when i was broke
Interesting convo with a friend who owns a hip NYC record shop about a sudden renewed interest in CDs, which were a negligible part of his business till recently.
November 10, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I still have just about every CD I bought in the 1990s
Reposted by Dan Vock
I'm told Sen. Ted Cruz led this effort. Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats weren't consulted on the addition of this language, per a source familiar. Committee's top Dem, Dick Durbin, was among the 8 Ds who voted to advance the spending measure last night.
November 10, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I'm told Sen. Ted Cruz led this effort. Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats weren't consulted on the addition of this language, per a source familiar. Committee's top Dem, Dick Durbin, was among the 8 Ds who voted to advance the spending measure last night.
Reposted by Dan Vock
Buried inside the deal to reopen government is a provision that would give Senators private right of action to sue for millions in damages over their phone records being analyzed by Jack Smith's team.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Shutdown Deal Would Let Senators Sue Over Jack Smith Searches
Senators whose phone records were sought by Special Counsel Jack Smith would gain authority to sue for millions in damages under a provision buried in the Senate-advanced deal to reopen the government...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Buried inside the deal to reopen government is a provision that would give Senators private right of action to sue for millions in damages over their phone records being analyzed by Jack Smith's team.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Reposted by Dan Vock
The thing about the "I voted against this" position Schumer is taking is that either he is trying to mislead Dem voters by implying he didn't support reopening right now, or he has no control over his caucus.
November 10, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The thing about the "I voted against this" position Schumer is taking is that either he is trying to mislead Dem voters by implying he didn't support reopening right now, or he has no control over his caucus.
Reposted by Dan Vock
DOJ really upset the federal judge in Massachusetts (hearing the multistate SNAP case) with its Sunday filing at the First Circuit in the other SNAP case —>
Talwani: "In an abundance of caution, is there any reason this court should not issue an order parallel to the R.I. one" to ensure the states have the same protection?
"I'm concerned," she reiterates, about the First Circuit filing. "This is a sentence in the filing to the First Circuit."
"I'm concerned," she reiterates, about the First Circuit filing. "This is a sentence in the filing to the First Circuit."
November 10, 2025 at 9:23 PM
DOJ really upset the federal judge in Massachusetts (hearing the multistate SNAP case) with its Sunday filing at the First Circuit in the other SNAP case —>
Reposted by Dan Vock
The whole 'don't eat things with lots of ingredients or ingredients you can't pronounce' is the stupidest advice & makes me immediately skeptical of whoever is offering it. Probably more people in the U.S. can pronounce "butter" and "arsenic" than can pronounce "quinoa," so then what?
“This thing is definitely bad for us but no one can say what it is”
The evidence that ultra-processed foods are bad for us is piling up. But efforts to reduce their role in our diets face a big hurdle: experts can't agree on what they are and which to target. n.pr/4qMrN7P
November 10, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The whole 'don't eat things with lots of ingredients or ingredients you can't pronounce' is the stupidest advice & makes me immediately skeptical of whoever is offering it. Probably more people in the U.S. can pronounce "butter" and "arsenic" than can pronounce "quinoa," so then what?
Once I learned the term “Fachidiot” I see examples everywhere.
the pandemic really fucked him up. he had no expertise in public health, but felt like being a quant guy should make him an expert by default, and people not agreeing with him on that point just sent him into a bizarre radicalizing ego spiral.
November 10, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Once I learned the term “Fachidiot” I see examples everywhere.
Reposted by Dan Vock
As someone who spent ten years in grad school (and did defend + graduate) I’m always so weirded out by people who think being smart about one thing makes them smart about everything when what being highly educated did to me was saddle me with the crushing certainty that I’m not smart about anything
the pandemic really fucked him up. he had no expertise in public health, but felt like being a quant guy should make him an expert by default, and people not agreeing with him on that point just sent him into a bizarre radicalizing ego spiral.
November 10, 2025 at 6:52 PM
As someone who spent ten years in grad school (and did defend + graduate) I’m always so weirded out by people who think being smart about one thing makes them smart about everything when what being highly educated did to me was saddle me with the crushing certainty that I’m not smart about anything
Reposted by Dan Vock
Here’s video of federal agents doing a drive by pepper spraying that hit a father and his one-year old on Saturday when the Feds were hitting Little Village and Cicero
November 9, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Here’s video of federal agents doing a drive by pepper spraying that hit a father and his one-year old on Saturday when the Feds were hitting Little Village and Cicero
Reposted by Dan Vock
Justices Gorsuch and Thomas, who never agree on anything concerning federal Indian law, agree that the federal government doesn't have plenary power over Native nations. This is a remarkable joint statement that should lead Justice Thomas to revisit a hell of a lot of things he has previously said
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Justices Gorsuch and Thomas, who never agree on anything concerning federal Indian law, agree that the federal government doesn't have plenary power over Native nations. This is a remarkable joint statement that should lead Justice Thomas to revisit a hell of a lot of things he has previously said