Derek Johnson
@derekjesq.bsky.social
Chaos Muppet, Order Rising. Managing Director, ResearchCollaborative.org. Young(ish) Leader, Munich Security Conference + Friends of Europe. Former CEO of GlobalZero.org. Radicalized by basic decency. Made in #Iowa with parts from #Iran. he/him 🇦🇲
Pinned
Derek Johnson
@derekjesq.bsky.social
· Sep 20
“Fascism” isn’t a slur for politics we don’t like. It’s a precise word with precise meaning. And in the face of what’s happening right now in America, it’s the most honest one we have.
I’ll lay it out as plainly as I can. 🧵
I’ll lay it out as plainly as I can. 🧵
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Notice what they’re doing: Blur law into vibes, collapse jurisdiction into moral authority, and dare you to argue facts while they assert power.
Vance isn’t confused. He’s modeling a world where force replaces process and authoritarian narrative reshapes reality.
Vance isn’t confused. He’s modeling a world where force replaces process and authoritarian narrative reshapes reality.
Vance pushes back and says this was not illegal, arguing "Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas."
January 3, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Notice what they’re doing: Blur law into vibes, collapse jurisdiction into moral authority, and dare you to argue facts while they assert power.
Vance isn’t confused. He’s modeling a world where force replaces process and authoritarian narrative reshapes reality.
Vance isn’t confused. He’s modeling a world where force replaces process and authoritarian narrative reshapes reality.
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Obsessing over Congressional approval in this moment is a category error.
Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, and bombed families to seize control of the country for his billionaire buddies.
The MAGA regime isn’t breaking the rules. It’s teaching people that rules no longer apply.
Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, and bombed families to seize control of the country for his billionaire buddies.
The MAGA regime isn’t breaking the rules. It’s teaching people that rules no longer apply.
January 3, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Obsessing over Congressional approval in this moment is a category error.
Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, and bombed families to seize control of the country for his billionaire buddies.
The MAGA regime isn’t breaking the rules. It’s teaching people that rules no longer apply.
Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, and bombed families to seize control of the country for his billionaire buddies.
The MAGA regime isn’t breaking the rules. It’s teaching people that rules no longer apply.
Reposted by Derek Johnson
The same editorial board described Seattle’s mayor raising taxes to pay for childcare as a totalitarian power grab
The Washington Post editorial board comes out in favor of the Venezuela attack/operation to capture Maduro
January 3, 2026 at 5:51 PM
The same editorial board described Seattle’s mayor raising taxes to pay for childcare as a totalitarian power grab
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Kidnapping Maduro and taking over Venezuela would be illegal even if Congress had authorized it.
January 3, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Kidnapping Maduro and taking over Venezuela would be illegal even if Congress had authorized it.
Obsessing over Congressional approval in this moment is a category error.
Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, and bombed families to seize control of the country for his billionaire buddies.
The MAGA regime isn’t breaking the rules. It’s teaching people that rules no longer apply.
Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, and bombed families to seize control of the country for his billionaire buddies.
The MAGA regime isn’t breaking the rules. It’s teaching people that rules no longer apply.
January 3, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Obsessing over Congressional approval in this moment is a category error.
Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, and bombed families to seize control of the country for his billionaire buddies.
The MAGA regime isn’t breaking the rules. It’s teaching people that rules no longer apply.
Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, and bombed families to seize control of the country for his billionaire buddies.
The MAGA regime isn’t breaking the rules. It’s teaching people that rules no longer apply.
📢 LOUDER
When this political cancer has been excised from this administration I don’t want to hear any of that, “we need to look to the future”, bullshit.
We need trials and real consequences.
Looking forward without accountability is what got us here.
We need trials and real consequences.
Looking forward without accountability is what got us here.
a close up of a man 's face with the words `` that 's all i have to say about that '' above him .
ALT: a close up of a man 's face with the words `` that 's all i have to say about that '' above him .
media.tenor.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:06 PM
📢 LOUDER
Reposted by Derek Johnson
I don’t love you and I’m not holding your hand: call your Senator and tell them that the must shut down the government on January 30th until this ends, a thing that Democrats have the hard power to do at this very moment.
I love you all and am holding your hand as I say this:
Dems wield zero hard power levers
Dems wield zero hard power levers
it's kind of crazy that there's even any question that democrats are going to do anything about this
January 3, 2026 at 5:39 PM
I don’t love you and I’m not holding your hand: call your Senator and tell them that the must shut down the government on January 30th until this ends, a thing that Democrats have the hard power to do at this very moment.
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Pay attention to which Democrats say stuff like this, and which ones complain that Trump didn’t give Congress enough notice
The bombing of Venezuela and the kidnapping of Maduro are gross violations of international law and our own Constitution.
Trump & his admin have lied, consolidated power, & committed war crimes to seize Venezuelan oil & pursue regime change for their imperialistic agenda in the Western Hemisphere.
Trump & his admin have lied, consolidated power, & committed war crimes to seize Venezuelan oil & pursue regime change for their imperialistic agenda in the Western Hemisphere.
January 3, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Pay attention to which Democrats say stuff like this, and which ones complain that Trump didn’t give Congress enough notice
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Members of Congress: stop posting online and APPEAR, PHYSICALLY on the steps of the Capitol to decry this unconstitutional violation of domestic & international law. SHOW THE PEOPLE the level of danger we are facing as a country.
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Members of Congress: stop posting online and APPEAR, PHYSICALLY on the steps of the Capitol to decry this unconstitutional violation of domestic & international law. SHOW THE PEOPLE the level of danger we are facing as a country.
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
A shame Dick Cheney didn’t live to see this. Nobody would’ve savored the nostalgia quite like him.
January 3, 2026 at 5:46 PM
A shame Dick Cheney didn’t live to see this. Nobody would’ve savored the nostalgia quite like him.
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Genuinely funny watching all the "this is about democracy" cable news commentators scramble to pivot after the Trump presser where his answer to every question was "oil."
January 3, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Genuinely funny watching all the "this is about democracy" cable news commentators scramble to pivot after the Trump presser where his answer to every question was "oil."
Reposted by Derek Johnson
it's kind of crazy that there's even any question that democrats are going to do anything about this
January 3, 2026 at 5:31 PM
it's kind of crazy that there's even any question that democrats are going to do anything about this
If you’re a Democrat in Congress and this isn’t it your message — if you’re not taking steps right the fuck now to act on this imperative — then the best thing you can do for your country is resign and make way for people who understand what it takes to rise in opposition to authoritarianism.
Tonight, the President of the United States has launched an unconstitutional war of aggression, dooming another generation to spill their blood for oil, and lay waste to a sovereign nation.
I demand that Congress exercise its power, halt this conflict, and impeach this war criminal president.
I demand that Congress exercise its power, halt this conflict, and impeach this war criminal president.
January 3, 2026 at 5:32 PM
If you’re a Democrat in Congress and this isn’t it your message — if you’re not taking steps right the fuck now to act on this imperative — then the best thing you can do for your country is resign and make way for people who understand what it takes to rise in opposition to authoritarianism.
Reposted by Derek Johnson
The fatal flaw of framing our fight in "rule of law" terms is that the ruler has always decided what is and isn't law. Our demand must be for freedom and equal justice under law.
THIS ISN’T GETTING ENOUGH ATTENTION.
More than 100 immigration judges have been fired nationwide since Trump took office. 21 in San Francisco alone, many without explanation.
Why? Because these judges provided due process under US law.
The Trump admin doesn’t want hearings or fairness.
1/2
More than 100 immigration judges have been fired nationwide since Trump took office. 21 in San Francisco alone, many without explanation.
Why? Because these judges provided due process under US law.
The Trump admin doesn’t want hearings or fairness.
1/2
January 3, 2026 at 12:23 AM
The fatal flaw of framing our fight in "rule of law" terms is that the ruler has always decided what is and isn't law. Our demand must be for freedom and equal justice under law.
Reposted by Derek Johnson
The regime’s saber rattling puts the lives of American troops and Latin American civilians at risk all so MAGA billionaires can hoard resources, expand their control, and line their own pockets.
This is an old playbook at work 1/5
This is an old playbook at work 1/5
BREAKING: The United States appears to have begun bombing Venezuela. Massive airstrikes are underway. War is here.
January 3, 2026 at 7:48 AM
The regime’s saber rattling puts the lives of American troops and Latin American civilians at risk all so MAGA billionaires can hoard resources, expand their control, and line their own pockets.
This is an old playbook at work 1/5
This is an old playbook at work 1/5
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Bombing another country and kidnapping its leader would also be wrong with Congressional approval. The outrage, and call for impeachment, should be over the evil and illegal outcome not merely the failure to follow the prescribed process.
January 3, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Bombing another country and kidnapping its leader would also be wrong with Congressional approval. The outrage, and call for impeachment, should be over the evil and illegal outcome not merely the failure to follow the prescribed process.
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Saving this screenshot from Threads as a new reaction image
January 3, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Saving this screenshot from Threads as a new reaction image
Reposted by Derek Johnson
If your position is that regime change should be forced on countries where the president does not respect democratic norms and regularly kidnaps opponents using an officially sanctioned paramiliatary, have I got news for you about your position on the United States
January 3, 2026 at 1:45 PM
If your position is that regime change should be forced on countries where the president does not respect democratic norms and regularly kidnaps opponents using an officially sanctioned paramiliatary, have I got news for you about your position on the United States
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it, and those who can remember the past are like, what the hell, man?
January 22, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it, and those who can remember the past are like, what the hell, man?
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Tonight, the President of the United States has launched an unconstitutional war of aggression, dooming another generation to spill their blood for oil, and lay waste to a sovereign nation.
I demand that Congress exercise its power, halt this conflict, and impeach this war criminal president.
I demand that Congress exercise its power, halt this conflict, and impeach this war criminal president.
January 3, 2026 at 7:41 AM
Tonight, the President of the United States has launched an unconstitutional war of aggression, dooming another generation to spill their blood for oil, and lay waste to a sovereign nation.
I demand that Congress exercise its power, halt this conflict, and impeach this war criminal president.
I demand that Congress exercise its power, halt this conflict, and impeach this war criminal president.
Notice what they’re doing: Blur law into vibes, collapse jurisdiction into moral authority, and dare you to argue facts while they assert power.
Vance isn’t confused. He’s modeling a world where force replaces process and authoritarian narrative reshapes reality.
Vance isn’t confused. He’s modeling a world where force replaces process and authoritarian narrative reshapes reality.
Vance pushes back and says this was not illegal, arguing "Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas."
January 3, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Notice what they’re doing: Blur law into vibes, collapse jurisdiction into moral authority, and dare you to argue facts while they assert power.
Vance isn’t confused. He’s modeling a world where force replaces process and authoritarian narrative reshapes reality.
Vance isn’t confused. He’s modeling a world where force replaces process and authoritarian narrative reshapes reality.
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Donald Trump has multiple indictments in the United States for crimes against the US government. And also pardoned top drug dealers.
Vance pushes back and says this was not illegal, arguing "Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas."
January 3, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Donald Trump has multiple indictments in the United States for crimes against the US government. And also pardoned top drug dealers.
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Pro-Trump billionaires like Musk and Ellison didn’t buy media outlets to maximize the company’s profits.
They bought media companies to maximize their power—and minimize the opposition’s ability to disseminate the truth.
They bought media companies to maximize their power—and minimize the opposition’s ability to disseminate the truth.
I still don’t really understand who this is supposed to be for. If you want the unabashedly pro-America news you know where to get it and are already receiving it, CBS is for people who still want regular reporting in a non-24/7 format. Do you think they won’t notice and turn it off?
We love frosting and make no apologies
January 2, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Pro-Trump billionaires like Musk and Ellison didn’t buy media outlets to maximize the company’s profits.
They bought media companies to maximize their power—and minimize the opposition’s ability to disseminate the truth.
They bought media companies to maximize their power—and minimize the opposition’s ability to disseminate the truth.
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Any media outlet whose diagnosis of what's wrong with corporate media is *this* is about to deliver dogshit coverage the likes of which we've never seen
Corporate media lost its way due to cowardice, profit motive, anti-intellectualism, and confusing neutrality with objectivity
Corporate media lost its way due to cowardice, profit motive, anti-intellectualism, and confusing neutrality with objectivity
January 2, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Any media outlet whose diagnosis of what's wrong with corporate media is *this* is about to deliver dogshit coverage the likes of which we've never seen
Corporate media lost its way due to cowardice, profit motive, anti-intellectualism, and confusing neutrality with objectivity
Corporate media lost its way due to cowardice, profit motive, anti-intellectualism, and confusing neutrality with objectivity
Reposted by Derek Johnson
Mamdani has only been Mayor for a day & criminals are already fleeing New York
January 2, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Mamdani has only been Mayor for a day & criminals are already fleeing New York