Erika Wittekind
@erikalyn.bsky.social
Freelance writer and editor. Believer in democracy, science, gun control, local journalism, and empathy. Mom to two cats and two teen boys. She/her.
Dane County, WI
Dane County, WI
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
@theonion.com is so worth the subscription for this
January 31, 2026 at 2:40 PM
@theonion.com is so worth the subscription for this
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
If folks in other parts of the country are preparing for ICe Surge, part of the fabric of response has to include anti-fascist tow truck drivers.
Recruit them now.
Recruit them now.
Tow truck driver offering free service returning abandoned vehicles to families of those abducted by ICE: "For the last three weeks, we have been getting nothing but death threats."
www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...
www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...
Twin Cities tow truck driver returns abandoned vehicles to families after ICE arrests
Juan Leon sends a "chase" car to check out where abandoned vehicles are located and arranges discreet drop-offs. Since late December, he estimated they have dropped off 250 cars.
www.cbsnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:39 PM
If folks in other parts of the country are preparing for ICe Surge, part of the fabric of response has to include anti-fascist tow truck drivers.
Recruit them now.
Recruit them now.
The story has been updated to say his immigration status is uncertain.
Of course that shouldn't matter. This is barbaric treatment of anyone, and someone should be charged with homicide if he dies in custody.
Of course that shouldn't matter. This is barbaric treatment of anyone, and someone should be charged with homicide if he dies in custody.
This guy, who Hicks says is a legal resident, will die without his medication.
A man taken into custody in Rochester Thursday by federal immigration agents and now held at the Whipple Federal Building in the Twin Cities is a recent organ transplant recipient who is without his needed anti-rejection medication, state Rep. Kim Hicks tells MPR News.
February 6, 2026 at 9:10 PM
The story has been updated to say his immigration status is uncertain.
Of course that shouldn't matter. This is barbaric treatment of anyone, and someone should be charged with homicide if he dies in custody.
Of course that shouldn't matter. This is barbaric treatment of anyone, and someone should be charged with homicide if he dies in custody.
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
A new report shows that Trump’s tariff taxes have cost the average Wisconsinite in my district $1,960.
See how much more you’re paying at: democrats-budget.house.gov/legislation/....
See how much more you’re paying at: democrats-budget.house.gov/legislation/....
The Trump-Republican Cost of Living Crisis
democrats-budget.house.gov
February 6, 2026 at 9:04 PM
A new report shows that Trump’s tariff taxes have cost the average Wisconsinite in my district $1,960.
See how much more you’re paying at: democrats-budget.house.gov/legislation/....
See how much more you’re paying at: democrats-budget.house.gov/legislation/....
Observer: "If you're only taking illegals, we're not losing any voters."
Agent: "That's wrong because they're trying to pass a bill to require you to be a United States citizen to vote."
That's already the law! Really wish the observer had corrected him on that.
Agent: "That's wrong because they're trying to pass a bill to require you to be a United States citizen to vote."
That's already the law! Really wish the observer had corrected him on that.
NEW VIDEO: Federal Agent in Coon Rapids: ‘The more people that you lose in Minnesota, you then lose a voting right to stay blue.’
Two observers talk with this agent who mentions “blue state media” and “voting rights.” Recorded at 4 p.m. on February 4.
Two observers talk with this agent who mentions “blue state media” and “voting rights.” Recorded at 4 p.m. on February 4.
February 6, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Observer: "If you're only taking illegals, we're not losing any voters."
Agent: "That's wrong because they're trying to pass a bill to require you to be a United States citizen to vote."
That's already the law! Really wish the observer had corrected him on that.
Agent: "That's wrong because they're trying to pass a bill to require you to be a United States citizen to vote."
That's already the law! Really wish the observer had corrected him on that.
How about DOJ forced to follow the law so that lawyers stop resigning en masse
Military lawyers have taken over prosecutorial duties in the U.S. attorney’s office in Minneapolis due to mass resignations by protesting lawyers who represented the bureau. trib.al/JbPoLP3
February 6, 2026 at 8:49 PM
How about DOJ forced to follow the law so that lawyers stop resigning en masse
This guy, who Hicks says is a legal resident, will die without his medication.
A man taken into custody in Rochester Thursday by federal immigration agents and now held at the Whipple Federal Building in the Twin Cities is a recent organ transplant recipient who is without his needed anti-rejection medication, state Rep. Kim Hicks tells MPR News.
Transplant recipient arrested by federal agents in Rochester needs medicine, state representative says
State Rep. Kim Hicks told MPR News she drove to the Whipple Federal Building near Ft. Snelling Thursday night to give the man his medication but authorities wouldn't take it without a doctor's note. S...
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 7:36 PM
This guy, who Hicks says is a legal resident, will die without his medication.
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
The fact that they’re running the full Kilmer Abrego Garcia playbook on a fucking five year old in a bunny hat…it was outrageous when they did it to Abrego Garcia. It’s monstrous here
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:50 AM
The fact that they’re running the full Kilmer Abrego Garcia playbook on a fucking five year old in a bunny hat…it was outrageous when they did it to Abrego Garcia. It’s monstrous here
Monsters.
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Monsters.
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
If they make a sequel to Muppets Take Manhattan I hope they do it while he’s mayor and put him in it.
Child at the podium: “A woo woo woo.”
Mamdani: That’s how I felt when we came up with this plan. Together, we will expand the idea of what is possible in our city—and what sounds and noises we can make at a press conference.
Mamdani: That’s how I felt when we came up with this plan. Together, we will expand the idea of what is possible in our city—and what sounds and noises we can make at a press conference.
February 6, 2026 at 11:26 AM
If they make a sequel to Muppets Take Manhattan I hope they do it while he’s mayor and put him in it.
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
February 5, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
JUST IN: A federal judge has barred ICE and DHS from using taxpayer information provided by the IRS.
Judge Talwani says that DHS' view that noncitizens lack 4th amendment rights — combined with ICE use of administrative warrants — is a recipe for abuse.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Talwani says that DHS' view that noncitizens lack 4th amendment rights — combined with ICE use of administrative warrants — is a recipe for abuse.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 5, 2026 at 9:55 PM
JUST IN: A federal judge has barred ICE and DHS from using taxpayer information provided by the IRS.
Judge Talwani says that DHS' view that noncitizens lack 4th amendment rights — combined with ICE use of administrative warrants — is a recipe for abuse.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Talwani says that DHS' view that noncitizens lack 4th amendment rights — combined with ICE use of administrative warrants — is a recipe for abuse.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
Marimar Martinez's attorneys also take on claims that it would "sully" Border Patrol agent Charles Exum to release his text messages.
Martinez's attorneys call it "a fully deserved self-imposed sullying."
Martinez's attorneys call it "a fully deserved self-imposed sullying."
February 5, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Marimar Martinez's attorneys also take on claims that it would "sully" Border Patrol agent Charles Exum to release his text messages.
Martinez's attorneys call it "a fully deserved self-imposed sullying."
Martinez's attorneys call it "a fully deserved self-imposed sullying."
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
“(This is how men behave.)”
It is not how men behave. It is how creeps behave. I swear to god, nobody is as eager to torch the reputation of men as men are.
It is not how men behave. It is how creeps behave. I swear to god, nobody is as eager to torch the reputation of men as men are.
Yale prof David Gelernter defends his letter urging Epstein to hire "v small goodlooking blonde" student by saying that he was "keep[ing] the potential boss's habits in mind."
This creep shouldn't be allowed anywhere near students.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
This creep shouldn't be allowed anywhere near students.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
February 5, 2026 at 3:59 PM
“(This is how men behave.)”
It is not how men behave. It is how creeps behave. I swear to god, nobody is as eager to torch the reputation of men as men are.
It is not how men behave. It is how creeps behave. I swear to god, nobody is as eager to torch the reputation of men as men are.
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
I have been writing letters of recommendation for just shy of thirty years— 17 students this year alone— in ratios that more or less track the majority-women population of liberal arts students.
Obviously I have never commented on a student's looks... and no recipient has ever called me to ask.
Obviously I have never commented on a student's looks... and no recipient has ever called me to ask.
February 5, 2026 at 7:16 PM
I have been writing letters of recommendation for just shy of thirty years— 17 students this year alone— in ratios that more or less track the majority-women population of liberal arts students.
Obviously I have never commented on a student's looks... and no recipient has ever called me to ask.
Obviously I have never commented on a student's looks... and no recipient has ever called me to ask.
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
@wyden.senate.gov's record of warning that there is deep and constitutionally-serious dirt being done by the intelligence agencies in secret is unblemished. The vaguer he is, the filthier the dirt is. This is the vaguest I've ever seen him
Ron Wyden Only Talks Like This When The Spies Do Something *Real* Bad
No, I don't know what they did. But I have a lot of experience with the senator
www.forever-wars.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:10 PM
@wyden.senate.gov's record of warning that there is deep and constitutionally-serious dirt being done by the intelligence agencies in secret is unblemished. The vaguer he is, the filthier the dirt is. This is the vaguest I've ever seen him
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
We need congressional hearings on DHS's seemingly deliberate and systematic failure to follow court orders.
February 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
We need congressional hearings on DHS's seemingly deliberate and systematic failure to follow court orders.
We need congressional hearings on DHS's seemingly deliberate and systematic failure to follow court orders.
February 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
We need congressional hearings on DHS's seemingly deliberate and systematic failure to follow court orders.
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
unraveled is *two* people, doing work that much bigger newsrooms aren't
NEW: since last year, a pair of "highly trained" feds have been involved in an array of incidents attacking crowds with chemical weapons.
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
Identified: the El Paso BORTAC crew rampaging through the Midwest
One violent duo in particular, U.S. Border Patrol agents Michael Sveum (EZ-2) and Edgar Vazquez (EZ-17), have been frequently seen alongside former commander-at-large Greg Bovino terrorizing crowds wi...
unraveledpress.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:10 PM
unraveled is *two* people, doing work that much bigger newsrooms aren't
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
This morning at the Minnesota State Capitol.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
February 5, 2026 at 3:26 PM
This morning at the Minnesota State Capitol.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
Most DHS arrests result from indiscriminate sweeps, despite its claim to engage in "targeted operations"
Kira Kelley, who represents folks arrested by ICE in MN:
"Most of my clients, they report that respondents, upon
detaining them, have no idea who they are.
They are pulled over for how they look or for where they are ..."
source:
drive.google.com/file/d/1FnY2...
"Most of my clients, they report that respondents, upon
detaining them, have no idea who they are.
They are pulled over for how they look or for where they are ..."
source:
drive.google.com/file/d/1FnY2...
February 4, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Most DHS arrests result from indiscriminate sweeps, despite its claim to engage in "targeted operations"
This right here is why Julie Le was fired.
Julie Le planned to resign,
"but they couldn't find a replacement," so she stayed.
She told herself:
"You need to go back and get more people out.
That's why I'm still here.
I am here just trying to make sure that the agency understand how important it is to comply with all the court orders ...."
"but they couldn't find a replacement," so she stayed.
She told herself:
"You need to go back and get more people out.
That's why I'm still here.
I am here just trying to make sure that the agency understand how important it is to comply with all the court orders ...."
February 5, 2026 at 2:28 PM
This right here is why Julie Le was fired.
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
‘One officer told me that I "had no chance of returning to Minnesota" and that "the best thing for (me] is self-deportation." …
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
![…
25. This Cibola jail was horrible. It was cramped. I was chained up again.
The officers mocked
me and called me their enemy. They laughed at me. I was kept at the jail for what felt like around three hours. I wasn't given an explanation for why I was there.
26. Security
guards then put me on a bus. I think it was around January 27.
No one said
anything about where I was going. I was handcuffed. It felt like the middle of the night. It was freezing cold in the bus because the driver had the AC on. We had no jackets. The bus eventually took me back to El Paso in the carly morning of Tuesday, January 27th.
27. I was put in a cold cell where I had to sleep on the bare cement floor. Around 10 in the morning my cellmate asked to speak to an ICE officer. Three officers came into the cell so I had a chance to speak to them too. One officer told me that I "had no chance of returning to Minnesota" and that "the best thing for (me] is self-deportation." She told me that if I fought my case, I would spend two to three more months here in El Paso. She offered me $2600 to self-deport. I refused. I wanted to talk to my attorney. They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota. If I hadn't managed to talk to my attorney who told me a while back that I was ordered released. I might have given up at this point and signed the self-deportation forms because the conditions were so unbearable.
…
30. When I was taken back to the detention center from the airport, after missing the flight, I overheard an ICE officer saying in English, "the judge in Minnesota wants this one back." I was put in a cold jail cell again until early next morning (January 28). But again no one had told me directly that a judge had ordered my release
…
32. When I arrived in Minneapolis, I was handed off to ICE
… I had to sign lots of papers saying that I wasn't going to be a part of any "groups." I didn't know what they meant by "groups." They never told me why I was detained](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5cn3kbi4g5blrtahon34xbu4/bafkreiccqxmfncofjqinoveiqscwale2ox5xpiqt46veqjdh3jmimkrxhq@jpeg)
February 5, 2026 at 6:04 AM
‘One officer told me that I "had no chance of returning to Minnesota" and that "the best thing for (me] is self-deportation." …
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
No masks, period. Police officers don't wear them. Judges don't. Election officials don't. It's absurd to treat one set of government employees any differently, when so many experience criticism and threats.
Schumer: "There should be no masks, except in the most unusual of circumstances -- you know, some guy was put up by a terrorist group or something"
February 5, 2026 at 1:23 PM
No masks, period. Police officers don't wear them. Judges don't. Election officials don't. It's absurd to treat one set of government employees any differently, when so many experience criticism and threats.
Reposted by Erika Wittekind
Tell me more about why voters should trust Republicans with the economy.
February 5, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Tell me more about why voters should trust Republicans with the economy.