Alexander Howard
@digiphile.bsky.social
Dad, writer, cyclist, citizen, cereal dilettante. Advocate for freedom of information, open governance, & democracy. Lover of the Oxford Comma, hater of hubris. Recovering journalist. Trying to move carefully, & fix things. https://civic-texts.ghost.io
Pinned
Alexander Howard
@digiphile.bsky.social
· Jun 23
Good morning from DC 🥵
If we need to connect:
🤳 Signal: digiphile.97
💡📲 civic-texts.ghost.io
📧 alex@governing.digital
🐦 X.com/digiphile
🧵 threads.net/@digiphile
🐘 mastodon.social/@digiphile
📇 linkedin.com/in/alexanderbhoward
👍 facebook.com/alexhoward
📸 instagr.am/digiphile
🖥️ youtube.com/digiphile
If we need to connect:
🤳 Signal: digiphile.97
💡📲 civic-texts.ghost.io
📧 alex@governing.digital
🐦 X.com/digiphile
🧵 threads.net/@digiphile
🐘 mastodon.social/@digiphile
📇 linkedin.com/in/alexanderbhoward
👍 facebook.com/alexhoward
📸 instagr.am/digiphile
🖥️ youtube.com/digiphile
Reposted by Alexander Howard
My colleague got into Trump's sprawling family detention camp, which is full of toddlers, kids, & teens.
- Kids have cut themselves or talked about suicide
-There's worms & mold in food
-300 kids have been held for 30+ days, far longer court settlement allows
www.propublica.org/article/life...
- Kids have cut themselves or talked about suicide
-There's worms & mold in food
-300 kids have been held for 30+ days, far longer court settlement allows
www.propublica.org/article/life...
February 9, 2026 at 3:35 PM
My colleague got into Trump's sprawling family detention camp, which is full of toddlers, kids, & teens.
- Kids have cut themselves or talked about suicide
-There's worms & mold in food
-300 kids have been held for 30+ days, far longer court settlement allows
www.propublica.org/article/life...
- Kids have cut themselves or talked about suicide
-There's worms & mold in food
-300 kids have been held for 30+ days, far longer court settlement allows
www.propublica.org/article/life...
On Saturday, @dchealth.bsky.social said they were notified of multiple people with confirmed cases of measles who visited locations across DC. The agency has not shared number of cases or where, yet, but disclosed known potential exposure locations to NBC:
www.nbcwashington.com/news/health/...
www.nbcwashington.com/news/health/...
February 8, 2026 at 3:26 PM
On Saturday, @dchealth.bsky.social said they were notified of multiple people with confirmed cases of measles who visited locations across DC. The agency has not shared number of cases or where, yet, but disclosed known potential exposure locations to NBC:
www.nbcwashington.com/news/health/...
www.nbcwashington.com/news/health/...
PUNDIT: When Ai-generated rules meet AI-generated comments from AI-generated commenters, we’ll know the Future™ has arrived!
NARRATOR: It was rulemaking by AI-generated regulators that tipped weak states into totalitarian technocracies, as citizens high on soma & low on hope muted official sources.
NARRATOR: It was rulemaking by AI-generated regulators that tipped weak states into totalitarian technocracies, as citizens high on soma & low on hope muted official sources.
A ProPublica report on plans to use AI to write regulations at the US Department of Transportation should be a warning signal for public interest advocates and litigators, writes Jordan Ascher, policy counsel at Governing for Impact. It’s time to prepare for a flood of machine-generated rules.
Trump Administration Official Says Quiet Part Out Loud on AI-in-Government Plans
A ProPublica report on plans to use AI to write regulations at the US Department of Transportation should be a warning signal, writes Jordan Ascher.
buff.ly
February 8, 2026 at 2:01 PM
PUNDIT: When Ai-generated rules meet AI-generated comments from AI-generated commenters, we’ll know the Future™ has arrived!
NARRATOR: It was rulemaking by AI-generated regulators that tipped weak states into totalitarian technocracies, as citizens high on soma & low on hope muted official sources.
NARRATOR: It was rulemaking by AI-generated regulators that tipped weak states into totalitarian technocracies, as citizens high on soma & low on hope muted official sources.
I made a jam crepe with my daughter for brunch this morning, using Mom’s recipe.
She sectioned an Ataulfo mango I’d acquired this week to accompany the dish. (Mangifera indica, the “champagne” mango, is our favorite.”)
What were you excited about cooking this week/end? I encourage you to brag.
She sectioned an Ataulfo mango I’d acquired this week to accompany the dish. (Mangifera indica, the “champagne” mango, is our favorite.”)
What were you excited about cooking this week/end? I encourage you to brag.
February 7, 2026 at 7:22 PM
I made a jam crepe with my daughter for brunch this morning, using Mom’s recipe.
She sectioned an Ataulfo mango I’d acquired this week to accompany the dish. (Mangifera indica, the “champagne” mango, is our favorite.”)
What were you excited about cooking this week/end? I encourage you to brag.
She sectioned an Ataulfo mango I’d acquired this week to accompany the dish. (Mangifera indica, the “champagne” mango, is our favorite.”)
What were you excited about cooking this week/end? I encourage you to brag.
It’s dangerous in DC: High risk of hypothermia & frostbite from windstorm + subzero Arctic air.
@nws.noaa.gov: “Being outdoors for a prolonged period of time will be life-threatening.”
If you must travel, be prepared: wear layers, hat, no exposed skin.
Get #WinterReady: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
@nws.noaa.gov: “Being outdoors for a prolonged period of time will be life-threatening.”
If you must travel, be prepared: wear layers, hat, no exposed skin.
Get #WinterReady: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
February 7, 2026 at 2:30 PM
It’s dangerous in DC: High risk of hypothermia & frostbite from windstorm + subzero Arctic air.
@nws.noaa.gov: “Being outdoors for a prolonged period of time will be life-threatening.”
If you must travel, be prepared: wear layers, hat, no exposed skin.
Get #WinterReady: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
@nws.noaa.gov: “Being outdoors for a prolonged period of time will be life-threatening.”
If you must travel, be prepared: wear layers, hat, no exposed skin.
Get #WinterReady: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
Reposted by Alexander Howard
Maria is one of hundreds of children, who — like Liam Ramos — have been held at a Texas detention facility where parents say children languish as they’re served contaminated food, receive little education and struggle to obtain basic medical care.
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
Children trapped in Texas immigration facility recount nightmares, inedible food, no school
A photo of Liam Conejo Ramos, a scared 5-year-old, drew attention to a detention center in Dilley, Texas. Advocates say his experience reflects what hundreds of children have endured out of public vie...
www.nbcnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Maria is one of hundreds of children, who — like Liam Ramos — have been held at a Texas detention facility where parents say children languish as they’re served contaminated food, receive little education and struggle to obtain basic medical care.
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
💯 @moulton.house.gov
Civilian police forces should never wear masks to conceal their faces, only respirators to protect vs fumes, fires, or airborne diseases.
Secret police & secret laws have no place in our government of the people.
#HoldTheLine @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social @schumer.senate.gov
Civilian police forces should never wear masks to conceal their faces, only respirators to protect vs fumes, fires, or airborne diseases.
Secret police & secret laws have no place in our government of the people.
#HoldTheLine @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social @schumer.senate.gov
February 5, 2026 at 4:41 PM
💯 @moulton.house.gov
Civilian police forces should never wear masks to conceal their faces, only respirators to protect vs fumes, fires, or airborne diseases.
Secret police & secret laws have no place in our government of the people.
#HoldTheLine @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social @schumer.senate.gov
Civilian police forces should never wear masks to conceal their faces, only respirators to protect vs fumes, fires, or airborne diseases.
Secret police & secret laws have no place in our government of the people.
#HoldTheLine @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social @schumer.senate.gov
Watch it all. This is moral clarity from clergy that has been missing from our moment. Calling on our leaders to be compassionate, merciful, & respectful of all Americans is spot on. (Trump’s inability to offer grace to grieving families or see patriotism in his opponents means he won’t: he’s unfit)
wow -- with Trump standing behind him, a man (not sure who he is) offers this prayer: "We pray that he would be mindful of the poor and that he would be invested in the alleviation of suffering happening in the families preparing to bury their loved ones in Minneapolis."
February 5, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Watch it all. This is moral clarity from clergy that has been missing from our moment. Calling on our leaders to be compassionate, merciful, & respectful of all Americans is spot on. (Trump’s inability to offer grace to grieving families or see patriotism in his opponents means he won’t: he’s unfit)
Reposted by Alexander Howard
He cannot be clearer. There is no difference to him between bombing random fishermen on boats and shooting Americans protesters in the face
I swear this clip is not edited. Trump pivots from downplaying the killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti ("two people out of tens of thousands and you get bad publicity") to in the very next breath claiming "we've been very tough on the waters," leaving Tom Llamas baffled ("the waters?")
February 5, 2026 at 4:30 AM
He cannot be clearer. There is no difference to him between bombing random fishermen on boats and shooting Americans protesters in the face
Reposted by Alexander Howard
My story on Elon Musk cutting safeguards at xAI is on the front page of today's @washingtonpost.com. I’m also among 100’s of reporters laid off. I absolutely loved my job my brilliant coworkers & the thrill of reporting @ the center of forces upending the world: AI & Silicon Valley’s political power
February 4, 2026 at 7:40 PM
My story on Elon Musk cutting safeguards at xAI is on the front page of today's @washingtonpost.com. I’m also among 100’s of reporters laid off. I absolutely loved my job my brilliant coworkers & the thrill of reporting @ the center of forces upending the world: AI & Silicon Valley’s political power
Reposted by Alexander Howard
Our founders, though deeply flawed, understood that democracy requires an informed citizenry and a government accountable to it people. That’s why the press is the only profession protected by the Constitution. It’s also why autocrats and oligarchs seek to control and destroy it.
February 4, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Our founders, though deeply flawed, understood that democracy requires an informed citizenry and a government accountable to it people. That’s why the press is the only profession protected by the Constitution. It’s also why autocrats and oligarchs seek to control and destroy it.
I broke up more snowcrete around our neighborhood, busting out cars, curb cuts, & iced-over sidewalks, & endured traffic to break a beloved friend out.
I found a constructive outlet for my. frustration at local governance failures, & Congress, courts, & CEOs failing to check unconstitutional acts.
I found a constructive outlet for my. frustration at local governance failures, & Congress, courts, & CEOs failing to check unconstitutional acts.
February 4, 2026 at 2:06 AM
I broke up more snowcrete around our neighborhood, busting out cars, curb cuts, & iced-over sidewalks, & endured traffic to break a beloved friend out.
I found a constructive outlet for my. frustration at local governance failures, & Congress, courts, & CEOs failing to check unconstitutional acts.
I found a constructive outlet for my. frustration at local governance failures, & Congress, courts, & CEOs failing to check unconstitutional acts.
Some people whistle past the graveyard.
Others make whistles to pass the word.
.deity grant me courage to blow the whistle,
Serenity to accept what I cannot change,
Knowledge to understand what I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
Others make whistles to pass the word.
.deity grant me courage to blow the whistle,
Serenity to accept what I cannot change,
Knowledge to understand what I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
LOL. Who needs whistles for their community groups, their PTAs, those Magic: The Gathering nights at the game store, their church organizations, outreach programs, whatever. The roving band of whistle goblins will get you whistles, for free, 100-1000. Drop a line: linktr.ee/3Dwhistles
Right-wing media figures are furious at activists for using whistles during ICE activity
Right-wing media figures are lashing out at community members in Minnesota for using whistles to alert others of federal immigration enforcement in the area, asserting that whistles should be “conside...
www.mediamatters.org
February 4, 2026 at 12:59 AM
Some people whistle past the graveyard.
Others make whistles to pass the word.
.deity grant me courage to blow the whistle,
Serenity to accept what I cannot change,
Knowledge to understand what I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
Others make whistles to pass the word.
.deity grant me courage to blow the whistle,
Serenity to accept what I cannot change,
Knowledge to understand what I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
I believe nondisclosure agreements are an unconstitutional restraint on the free speech rights of Americans in public service.
Therefore, they have no place in any branch of federal, state, or local government in the United States.
Our union is being weakened, but I still believe change will come.
Therefore, they have no place in any branch of federal, state, or local government in the United States.
Our union is being weakened, but I still believe change will come.
John Roberts is out here making Supreme Court clerks and employees sign nondisclosure agreements
Roberts surely knows this raises the question 'WTF is behind the NDA?'
To do so anyway suggests he decided even public speculation is preferable to public knowledge
ballsandstrikes.org/ethics-accou...
Roberts surely knows this raises the question 'WTF is behind the NDA?'
To do so anyway suggests he decided even public speculation is preferable to public knowledge
ballsandstrikes.org/ethics-accou...
John Roberts Does Not Want You Finding Out How the Supreme Court Actually Works
The six-justice conservative supermajority is taking aggressive steps to ensure that the public remains in the dark about how the Supreme Court functions.
ballsandstrikes.org
February 3, 2026 at 11:42 PM
I believe nondisclosure agreements are an unconstitutional restraint on the free speech rights of Americans in public service.
Therefore, they have no place in any branch of federal, state, or local government in the United States.
Our union is being weakened, but I still believe change will come.
Therefore, they have no place in any branch of federal, state, or local government in the United States.
Our union is being weakened, but I still believe change will come.
Reposted by Alexander Howard
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.
Our Constitution explicitly gives the states the power to determine the “Times, Places and Manner” of holding elections, not the federal government.
No POTUS has the authority nor powers to “nationalize” elections, as Trump suggested on Dan Bongino’s podcast.
No POTUS has the authority nor powers to “nationalize” elections, as Trump suggested on Dan Bongino’s podcast.
constitution.congress.gov
February 3, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Our Constitution explicitly gives the states the power to determine the “Times, Places and Manner” of holding elections, not the federal government.
No POTUS has the authority nor powers to “nationalize” elections, as Trump suggested on Dan Bongino’s podcast.
No POTUS has the authority nor powers to “nationalize” elections, as Trump suggested on Dan Bongino’s podcast.
Reposted by Alexander Howard
New article detailing the impacts we are seeing from loss and termination on federal data collection and access.
“NOTUS verified dozens of instances of lapsed federal data to capture the range of information that is no longer being collected, has been paused or is now not available to the public.”
www.notus.org/trump-white-...
www.notus.org/trump-white-...
Federal Data Is Disappearing
The Trump administration has disrupted data collection on everything from homeland security, maternal mortality, hunger, drug use, education, disaster preparation and the economy.
www.notus.org
February 3, 2026 at 12:29 PM
New article detailing the impacts we are seeing from loss and termination on federal data collection and access.
Reposted by Alexander Howard
The last time he started talking like this, his allies minimized the risks and we ended up with January 6. This time we must take him literally and seriously. These comments are a five-alarm fire for democracy. In a functioning republic, he would be impeached and removed from office today.
February 2, 2026 at 9:04 PM
The last time he started talking like this, his allies minimized the risks and we ended up with January 6. This time we must take him literally and seriously. These comments are a five-alarm fire for democracy. In a functioning republic, he would be impeached and removed from office today.
“Which kind of American are you?”
February 2, 2026 at 10:13 PM
“Which kind of American are you?”
A zombie halftime show would be appropriately post-apocalyptic given the weird dystopia 2026 turned out to be in the USA.
February 2, 2026 at 10:11 PM
A zombie halftime show would be appropriately post-apocalyptic given the weird dystopia 2026 turned out to be in the USA.
I have acquired a new friend!
I have named ⛏️“Icebreaker,” in an homage to Thor’s “Stormbreaker.”
It’s an (ice) giant upgrade over my shovel.
While I cannot summon the Bifrost, I can bust apart wee ice 🧊 bergs, smash frozen ❄️berms, & smite the odd frost troll 🧌, as needed.
Onwards.
#IceBreakChallenge
I have named ⛏️“Icebreaker,” in an homage to Thor’s “Stormbreaker.”
It’s an (ice) giant upgrade over my shovel.
While I cannot summon the Bifrost, I can bust apart wee ice 🧊 bergs, smash frozen ❄️berms, & smite the odd frost troll 🧌, as needed.
Onwards.
#IceBreakChallenge
February 2, 2026 at 8:54 PM
I have acquired a new friend!
I have named ⛏️“Icebreaker,” in an homage to Thor’s “Stormbreaker.”
It’s an (ice) giant upgrade over my shovel.
While I cannot summon the Bifrost, I can bust apart wee ice 🧊 bergs, smash frozen ❄️berms, & smite the odd frost troll 🧌, as needed.
Onwards.
#IceBreakChallenge
I have named ⛏️“Icebreaker,” in an homage to Thor’s “Stormbreaker.”
It’s an (ice) giant upgrade over my shovel.
While I cannot summon the Bifrost, I can bust apart wee ice 🧊 bergs, smash frozen ❄️berms, & smite the odd frost troll 🧌, as needed.
Onwards.
#IceBreakChallenge
Days after the Justice Department disclosed more records responsive to a Congressional mandate for transparency that showed Steve Bannon was close friends in 2018 with convicted human trafficker & pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, Trump “truthed” Steve is a “very good guy.”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
February 2, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Days after the Justice Department disclosed more records responsive to a Congressional mandate for transparency that showed Steve Bannon was close friends in 2018 with convicted human trafficker & pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, Trump “truthed” Steve is a “very good guy.”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Alexander Howard
Trump posted screenshots that suggest he is using a disappearing messaging app to communicate with foreign leaders.
We asked for confirmation that these messages are being properly preserved and maintained, as required by federal law.
americanoversight.org/demanding-an...
We asked for confirmation that these messages are being properly preserved and maintained, as required by federal law.
americanoversight.org/demanding-an...
Demanding Answers on Trump’s Use of Auto-Deleting Messaging App
We sent a letter to White House counsel asking if the president’s texts to foreign leaders are being preserved, as required by law.
americanoversight.org
January 31, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Trump posted screenshots that suggest he is using a disappearing messaging app to communicate with foreign leaders.
We asked for confirmation that these messages are being properly preserved and maintained, as required by federal law.
americanoversight.org/demanding-an...
We asked for confirmation that these messages are being properly preserved and maintained, as required by federal law.
americanoversight.org/demanding-an...
Reposted by Alexander Howard
In this week’s newsletter: Fighting for Congress’s right to inspect immigration detention centers, seeking transparency about ICE’s tactics, and demanding answers about Trump’s records.
americanoversight.org/newsletter/k...
americanoversight.org/newsletter/k...
Keeping the Pressure on ICE
Fighting for Congress’s right to inspect immigration detention centers, seeking transparency about ICE’s tactics, and demanding answers about Trump’s records.
americanoversight.org
February 1, 2026 at 5:30 PM
In this week’s newsletter: Fighting for Congress’s right to inspect immigration detention centers, seeking transparency about ICE’s tactics, and demanding answers about Trump’s records.
americanoversight.org/newsletter/k...
americanoversight.org/newsletter/k...
“If you see something, chop up something.”
New mattock acquired, after I broke my the aged wood of my inherited tool’s handle.
Game on!
Steel beats snowcrete.
⛏️🧊❄️
#IceBreakUpChallenge
New mattock acquired, after I broke my the aged wood of my inherited tool’s handle.
Game on!
Steel beats snowcrete.
⛏️🧊❄️
#IceBreakUpChallenge
February 2, 2026 at 4:13 PM
“If you see something, chop up something.”
New mattock acquired, after I broke my the aged wood of my inherited tool’s handle.
Game on!
Steel beats snowcrete.
⛏️🧊❄️
#IceBreakUpChallenge
New mattock acquired, after I broke my the aged wood of my inherited tool’s handle.
Game on!
Steel beats snowcrete.
⛏️🧊❄️
#IceBreakUpChallenge