Don Dechert
@dondechert.bsky.social
Lawyer, veteran. Ex-baby historian, current litigator, lapsed social scientist, still playing TTRPGs. Unabashedly pro-cat because cats are awesome. Various thoughts, some well articulated in 🇺🇲/🇩🇪.
📍Chicago, IL, Vereinigte Staaten, Terra
📍Chicago, IL, Vereinigte Staaten, Terra
Pinned
Don Dechert
@dondechert.bsky.social
· Dec 27
I'm a lawyer with a lot of interests. I went to law school after getting my MA in social science from U Chicago, which I got after transitioning from active duty Army to the Reserves. I still play TTRPGs (and have soft spot for Battletech). And cats are awesome. Manchmal auch auf Deutsch.
Reposted by Don Dechert
I've spent a substantial portion of my adult life looking at the intersection of war and civil society and these Minnesota Volunteers surprised me with their discipline, fortitude, and vision.
Leaderless, but propelled by a collective spirit.
They're the brightest beacon in America right now.
Leaderless, but propelled by a collective spirit.
They're the brightest beacon in America right now.
The people of Minnesota have executed one of the most impressive civil resistance campaigns I can remember:
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
January 26, 2026 at 5:24 PM
I've spent a substantial portion of my adult life looking at the intersection of war and civil society and these Minnesota Volunteers surprised me with their discipline, fortitude, and vision.
Leaderless, but propelled by a collective spirit.
They're the brightest beacon in America right now.
Leaderless, but propelled by a collective spirit.
They're the brightest beacon in America right now.
Probably because they think winning one election somehow cements unquestioning, ordering legitimacy. We saw that nigh Führerprinzip of the election appear in one too many DoJ filings related to removal proceesings as grounds for finding in the govt's favor. Shameful by DoJ, but reflects a lot.
an administration that understood it needed at least *some* public opinion on its side would dump bovino immediately
DHS is using explosives on people’s homes???
“Bovino has often used the phrase “turn and burn” to describe Border Patrol operations, a reference to actions like smashing windshields, using explosives to blow down the doors of homes and engaging in car chases.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
“Bovino has often used the phrase “turn and burn” to describe Border Patrol operations, a reference to actions like smashing windshields, using explosives to blow down the doors of homes and engaging in car chases.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
January 26, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Probably because they think winning one election somehow cements unquestioning, ordering legitimacy. We saw that nigh Führerprinzip of the election appear in one too many DoJ filings related to removal proceesings as grounds for finding in the govt's favor. Shameful by DoJ, but reflects a lot.
Reposted by Don Dechert
“Faith based” always means Christianity just like “working class” always means white 🥸
Just read a Rolling Stone article about American Idol focusing more on "faith-based" music
This is crazy to me. "Faith-based" would involve multiple "faiths." There is no Islamic, Jewish, Hindi, Atheist, etc. Music. It is just Christian
This is crazy to me. "Faith-based" would involve multiple "faiths." There is no Islamic, Jewish, Hindi, Atheist, etc. Music. It is just Christian
January 26, 2026 at 3:57 PM
“Faith based” always means Christianity just like “working class” always means white 🥸
Reposted by Don Dechert
The insane fantasy world these evil people live in
January 26, 2026 at 3:42 PM
The insane fantasy world these evil people live in
Reposted by Don Dechert
Interested in causal inference with very fine-grained spatial and temporal data?
Check out our new website, which houses our NSF-funded papers and software for conducting your won geospatial causal analysis
geocausal.org
Check out our new website, which houses our NSF-funded papers and software for conducting your won geospatial causal analysis
geocausal.org
ProjectGEOCAUSAL
geocausal.org
January 26, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Interested in causal inference with very fine-grained spatial and temporal data?
Check out our new website, which houses our NSF-funded papers and software for conducting your won geospatial causal analysis
geocausal.org
Check out our new website, which houses our NSF-funded papers and software for conducting your won geospatial causal analysis
geocausal.org
Reposted by Don Dechert
Ich kann alle Freunde des bohnigen Wachmachers beruhigen: Die Überschrift soll durch unnötige Panikmache Klicks generieren, ihr dürft weiter während der Arbeit trinken. Der Fall betraf eine Mitarbeiterin, die während ihrer Arbeitszeit in die Stadt gegangen ist um im Café zu chillen.
January 26, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Ich kann alle Freunde des bohnigen Wachmachers beruhigen: Die Überschrift soll durch unnötige Panikmache Klicks generieren, ihr dürft weiter während der Arbeit trinken. Der Fall betraf eine Mitarbeiterin, die während ihrer Arbeitszeit in die Stadt gegangen ist um im Café zu chillen.
Reposted by Don Dechert
I love that Bluesky has such a robust legal-journalistic culture now that we have at least three people live-posting this court hearing on the Minneapolis ICE deployment!
Follow @klasfeldreports.com @chrisgeidner.bsky.social @rparloff.bsky.social and no doubt others for the latest
Follow @klasfeldreports.com @chrisgeidner.bsky.social @rparloff.bsky.social and no doubt others for the latest
Judge:
"I appreciate that answer, Mr. Carter. I think it goes without saying that we’re in shockingly unusual times."
"I appreciate that answer, Mr. Carter. I think it goes without saying that we’re in shockingly unusual times."
January 26, 2026 at 3:39 PM
I love that Bluesky has such a robust legal-journalistic culture now that we have at least three people live-posting this court hearing on the Minneapolis ICE deployment!
Follow @klasfeldreports.com @chrisgeidner.bsky.social @rparloff.bsky.social and no doubt others for the latest
Follow @klasfeldreports.com @chrisgeidner.bsky.social @rparloff.bsky.social and no doubt others for the latest
Reposted by Don Dechert
Rant time: Starting with the return from hiatus in 1997, everything "Rugrats" put out was increasingly awful, accelerating with that first repugnant movie, and by the time they got to that crossover with Wild Thornberrys, the franchise was a puddle of leaky dumpster garbage water
January 26, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Rant time: Starting with the return from hiatus in 1997, everything "Rugrats" put out was increasingly awful, accelerating with that first repugnant movie, and by the time they got to that crossover with Wild Thornberrys, the franchise was a puddle of leaky dumpster garbage water
Reposted by Don Dechert
It is totally fine for people who have been harmed to hear an apology and refuse to accept it. To acknowledge it and never trust the person saying it. To expect more than words. Get comfortable with the uncomfortable because the real world does not function like a sitcom.
January 26, 2026 at 2:19 PM
It is totally fine for people who have been harmed to hear an apology and refuse to accept it. To acknowledge it and never trust the person saying it. To expect more than words. Get comfortable with the uncomfortable because the real world does not function like a sitcom.
Reposted by Don Dechert
I do agree that there's a categorical distinction when compared against countries, like the UK or Australia, which have *no* constitutionally entrenched freedom of expression.
But generally, I find that proponents of the 1A tend to overstate how internationally exceptional it is.
But generally, I find that proponents of the 1A tend to overstate how internationally exceptional it is.
January 26, 2026 at 2:08 PM
I do agree that there's a categorical distinction when compared against countries, like the UK or Australia, which have *no* constitutionally entrenched freedom of expression.
But generally, I find that proponents of the 1A tend to overstate how internationally exceptional it is.
But generally, I find that proponents of the 1A tend to overstate how internationally exceptional it is.
Reposted by Don Dechert
this person refuses to even contemplate or acknowledge how government control of bodies or systemic racism could be contributing to the moment we’re in right now
January 26, 2026 at 1:55 PM
this person refuses to even contemplate or acknowledge how government control of bodies or systemic racism could be contributing to the moment we’re in right now
Reposted by Don Dechert
you'd think a journalist could point out the very obvious fact that Brendan Carr has a TERRIBLE track record of allowing anti-competitive consolidation in telecom and that this is entirely a performance for the benefit of Larry Ellison
FCC Chairman Says There Are ‘Legitimate Competition Concerns’ With Netflix’s Warner Bros. Deal — but His Agency Has No Authority to Review It
Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed FCC chairman, said Netflix's proposed Warner Bros. deal raises 'competition concerns.' However, the FCC does not have any authority to review the pact.
variety.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:05 PM
you'd think a journalist could point out the very obvious fact that Brendan Carr has a TERRIBLE track record of allowing anti-competitive consolidation in telecom and that this is entirely a performance for the benefit of Larry Ellison
Reposted by Don Dechert
the thing about her is she has exactly one skill which is telling people with more money than her that they are right and everyone else is stupid and it's a skill that gets you the gig but doesn't help you keep it at all
again, Weiss' problem isn't that she's bad at journalism (which is true), it's that she's bad at ratings-grabbing agitprop, the entire reason she was hired.
her successor will be worse.
her successor will be worse.
Embattled Bari Weiss puts her 'Honestly' podcast on 'pause' as CBS News ratings spiral
Early Thursday morning CBS News head Bari Weiss announced that she will be putting her “Honestly” podcast on “pause” for the foreseeable future.Weiss, who has been off to a rough start since being hir...
www.rawstory.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:03 PM
the thing about her is she has exactly one skill which is telling people with more money than her that they are right and everyone else is stupid and it's a skill that gets you the gig but doesn't help you keep it at all
Reposted by Don Dechert
Gold performs only one of the three functions of money (it is a store of value, neither a medium of exchange nor unit of account), & no one is moving into euros, yen, or RMB. This is definitely a hedge against uncertainty & exchange rate risk, but not the replacement of the $ by other currencies.
Gold has overtaken the U.S. Dollar as the largest Global Reserve Asset 🚨🚨🚨
January 26, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Gold performs only one of the three functions of money (it is a store of value, neither a medium of exchange nor unit of account), & no one is moving into euros, yen, or RMB. This is definitely a hedge against uncertainty & exchange rate risk, but not the replacement of the $ by other currencies.
Reposted by Don Dechert
Link in case anyone wants some of the receipts
US TikTok ban linked to pro-Palestine content rather than China threat, insiders reveal
US officials and lobbyists say the push to ban the Chinese-owned application gain momentum during the war on Gaza
www.middleeasteye.net
January 26, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Link in case anyone wants some of the receipts
Reposted by Don Dechert
As a matter of practical reality, the idea that the minute Trump invokes the Insurrection Act all resistance is futile, Trump has won, Game Over is nonsense. That’s just regime propaganda. Let us not perpetuate it. Make them earn every inch of creeping authoritarianism.
January 25, 2026 at 10:52 PM
As a matter of practical reality, the idea that the minute Trump invokes the Insurrection Act all resistance is futile, Trump has won, Game Over is nonsense. That’s just regime propaganda. Let us not perpetuate it. Make them earn every inch of creeping authoritarianism.
Reposted by Don Dechert
The People Struggle Against Tyranny
Another execution of an American citizen. A regime that has no strategy but to lash out. The struggle against Trumpist authoritarianism is only going to get bloodier.
My new piece. And for this one, I allowed myself to write angry:
Another execution of an American citizen. A regime that has no strategy but to lash out. The struggle against Trumpist authoritarianism is only going to get bloodier.
My new piece. And for this one, I allowed myself to write angry:
The People Struggle Against Tyranny
Another execution of an American citizen. A regime that has no strategy but to lash out. The struggle against Trumpist authoritarianism is only going to get bloodier.
steady.page
January 25, 2026 at 10:19 PM
The People Struggle Against Tyranny
Another execution of an American citizen. A regime that has no strategy but to lash out. The struggle against Trumpist authoritarianism is only going to get bloodier.
My new piece. And for this one, I allowed myself to write angry:
Another execution of an American citizen. A regime that has no strategy but to lash out. The struggle against Trumpist authoritarianism is only going to get bloodier.
My new piece. And for this one, I allowed myself to write angry:
Reposted by Don Dechert
However, unjustified use of force is unjustified use of force. The issues of state of mind don’t absolve the officers. They go more to whether the appropriate charge is pre meditated murder or some flavor of manslaughter.
January 26, 2026 at 12:40 PM
However, unjustified use of force is unjustified use of force. The issues of state of mind don’t absolve the officers. They go more to whether the appropriate charge is pre meditated murder or some flavor of manslaughter.
Reposted by Don Dechert
Big bipartisan majority in Congress bans TikTok, Biden signs it into law, the US doesn't enforce it, Trump becomes president, and now TikTok's US operations have been transferred to Trump-allied oligarchs, including those who have changed CBS from news into pseudo state media, do I have that right?
January 26, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Big bipartisan majority in Congress bans TikTok, Biden signs it into law, the US doesn't enforce it, Trump becomes president, and now TikTok's US operations have been transferred to Trump-allied oligarchs, including those who have changed CBS from news into pseudo state media, do I have that right?
Reposted by Don Dechert
Law360 updated its story with a quote from one of Marshall Amplification's attorney, who is a leading #ScheduleA plaintiffs' attorney.
It looks like they're really leaning into their theory that the "duty to police" requires them to judge-shop.
It looks like they're really leaning into their theory that the "duty to police" requires them to judge-shop.
.@law360.bsky.social on Marshall Amplification: "An Illinois federal judge has permanently thrown out a 'Schedule A' trademark case, chastising the plaintiff for once again trying to lump together defendants that multiple judges have already held cannot be lumped together in one suit...'" #ScheduleA
'Egregious' Judge Shopping Sanctioned In Ill. TM Case - Law360
An Illinois federal judge has permanently thrown out a "Schedule A" trademark case, chastising the plaintiff for once again trying to lump together defendants that multiple judges have already held ca...
www.law360.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Law360 updated its story with a quote from one of Marshall Amplification's attorney, who is a leading #ScheduleA plaintiffs' attorney.
It looks like they're really leaning into their theory that the "duty to police" requires them to judge-shop.
It looks like they're really leaning into their theory that the "duty to police" requires them to judge-shop.
Reposted by Don Dechert
Look maybe I'm just broken but I don't think the NRA is seriously trying to defend Pretti. They've supported an investigation and called out one US Attorney.
At the same time they've tried to protect Trump. They also havent post anything on Facebook.
At the same time they've tried to protect Trump. They also havent post anything on Facebook.
January 26, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Look maybe I'm just broken but I don't think the NRA is seriously trying to defend Pretti. They've supported an investigation and called out one US Attorney.
At the same time they've tried to protect Trump. They also havent post anything on Facebook.
At the same time they've tried to protect Trump. They also havent post anything on Facebook.
Reposted by Don Dechert
First,
> how
Money. Loads of money. Six figure payments for a single article scope of cash. Boatloads of dosh. Multiple multibillionaires founding and funding sneer clubs. Whole careers built on “You’re Overreacting It Can’t Happen Here” & “These Minorities Deserve This Oppression”
> how
Money. Loads of money. Six figure payments for a single article scope of cash. Boatloads of dosh. Multiple multibillionaires founding and funding sneer clubs. Whole careers built on “You’re Overreacting It Can’t Happen Here” & “These Minorities Deserve This Oppression”
“Call them the Cassandras: the people—mostly not white and male—who smelled the fascism all over Trump from jump street. Why were they “alarmists,” and how did “anti-alarmism” become cool?”
those who predicted authoritarianism were both dismissed, & deeply misunderstood, by the media
my latest for @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
my latest for @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
January 26, 2026 at 12:30 PM
First,
> how
Money. Loads of money. Six figure payments for a single article scope of cash. Boatloads of dosh. Multiple multibillionaires founding and funding sneer clubs. Whole careers built on “You’re Overreacting It Can’t Happen Here” & “These Minorities Deserve This Oppression”
> how
Money. Loads of money. Six figure payments for a single article scope of cash. Boatloads of dosh. Multiple multibillionaires founding and funding sneer clubs. Whole careers built on “You’re Overreacting It Can’t Happen Here” & “These Minorities Deserve This Oppression”
Reposted by Don Dechert
I didn't say it. The Germans did.
January 23, 2026 at 8:42 PM
I didn't say it. The Germans did.
Reposted by Don Dechert
Because they are invested in the armed management of inequality, which policing was designed to do, and which continues to benefit them materially.
Question for the crowd:
Why do you think moderates, liberals, and other folks are scared or have an aversion to the word “abolish”?
Why do you think moderates, liberals, and other folks are scared or have an aversion to the word “abolish”?
January 26, 2026 at 4:02 AM
Because they are invested in the armed management of inequality, which policing was designed to do, and which continues to benefit them materially.
Reposted by Don Dechert
The only words in this report that matter:
"We are losing this war[.]"
The Trump Regime has declared war on a US state such that senior officials are comfortable using that terminology to the press.
Let that sink in.
"We are losing this war[.]"
The Trump Regime has declared war on a US state such that senior officials are comfortable using that terminology to the press.
Let that sink in.
Bill Melugin of Fox News may be the best-sourced journalist within ICE and CBP. If he's hearing this, the administration has a real problem.
January 26, 2026 at 3:49 AM
The only words in this report that matter:
"We are losing this war[.]"
The Trump Regime has declared war on a US state such that senior officials are comfortable using that terminology to the press.
Let that sink in.
"We are losing this war[.]"
The Trump Regime has declared war on a US state such that senior officials are comfortable using that terminology to the press.
Let that sink in.