Gavin McCollum
@gavinmccollum.bsky.social
Arkansan through and through. Lover of the Razorbacks and the Duke Blue Devils. Very liberal-borderline leftist- and very gay. Also a Christian with an Mdiv ordained in a Baptist Church.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
If the U.S. military isn't going to release details on the justification for killing 11 civilians in a civilian boat who weren't posing a threat to anyone, then we have to conclude the "justification" is: the U.S. military is willing to kill civilians to give Trump social media content.
Trump confirms U.S. strike on alleged Venezuelan drug boat
President Trump says the U.S. military has struck a drug-laden vessel in the southern Caribbean after it left Venezuela. The strike comes a week after Washington deployed warships to the region.
www.npr.org
September 3, 2025 at 1:20 PM
If the U.S. military isn't going to release details on the justification for killing 11 civilians in a civilian boat who weren't posing a threat to anyone, then we have to conclude the "justification" is: the U.S. military is willing to kill civilians to give Trump social media content.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
Just to reiterate: What this administration is doing right now is orders of magnitude more dangerous for academic freedom and free speech than anything the right has spent the last 30 years complaining about.
Faculty who wrote to defend their president and object to a DOJ investigation of their university...are now being investigated by the DOJ.
The most banal defense of free speech and academic freedom will trigger the full wrath of the US government now.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/u...
The most banal defense of free speech and academic freedom will trigger the full wrath of the US government now.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/u...
Faculty Support of George Mason’s President Draws Federal Investigation
www.nytimes.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Just to reiterate: What this administration is doing right now is orders of magnitude more dangerous for academic freedom and free speech than anything the right has spent the last 30 years complaining about.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
Sending 2,000 troops to Los Angeles is the same thing as sending a few dozen random people to a gulag in El Salvador, they're doing this because it's a thing they've always wanted to do, not because of any broader goal or coherent plan. Subordination of strategy to tactical planning.
BREAKING: please, everyone, turn on local news.
there is NOTHING going on in LA. Its over, the protest broke up hours ago.
Local news helicopters are trolling for trouble and there's none. Just some LAPD/LASD road blocks.
If they 'send the Guard' now, its just because they really really want to.
there is NOTHING going on in LA. Its over, the protest broke up hours ago.
Local news helicopters are trolling for trouble and there's none. Just some LAPD/LASD road blocks.
If they 'send the Guard' now, its just because they really really want to.
Hey, the Donut Place!
June 8, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Sending 2,000 troops to Los Angeles is the same thing as sending a few dozen random people to a gulag in El Salvador, they're doing this because it's a thing they've always wanted to do, not because of any broader goal or coherent plan. Subordination of strategy to tactical planning.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
I’d put it even more strongly.
They are trying to create the conditions for invoking the Insurrection Act. They are doing this, with their own unlawful and vicious conduct. If they invoke the Insurrection Act, it will be illegitimate in every sense of the word.
They are trying to create the conditions for invoking the Insurrection Act. They are doing this, with their own unlawful and vicious conduct. If they invoke the Insurrection Act, it will be illegitimate in every sense of the word.
The LA protests will trigger a drumbeat of "law and order" messaging from the White House and their media allies as a prelude to invoking the Insurrection Act.
This is entirely predictable, and any Dem or media outlet that facilitates this narrative will be aiding Trump's authoritarian project.
This is entirely predictable, and any Dem or media outlet that facilitates this narrative will be aiding Trump's authoritarian project.
June 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM
I’d put it even more strongly.
They are trying to create the conditions for invoking the Insurrection Act. They are doing this, with their own unlawful and vicious conduct. If they invoke the Insurrection Act, it will be illegitimate in every sense of the word.
They are trying to create the conditions for invoking the Insurrection Act. They are doing this, with their own unlawful and vicious conduct. If they invoke the Insurrection Act, it will be illegitimate in every sense of the word.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
Miller is an incredibly dangerous person, a fascist’s fascist who actively seeks to create chaos and terror.
The Washington Examiner (the conservative news outlet) reports that Stephen Miller screamed at ICE officials: "What do you mean you're going after criminals? Why aren't you at Home Depot? Why aren't you at 7-Eleven?" Kinda blows up the narrative that they care about public safety.
June 2, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Miller is an incredibly dangerous person, a fascist’s fascist who actively seeks to create chaos and terror.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
One more data point confirming the trump regime is irredeemably authoritarian
@willsommer.bsky.social: "The Trump Administration is sending aggressive signals about launching a potential federal investigation into the company that owns Politico and Business Insider as retaliation for an article scrutinizing Donald Trump Jr." www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-whit...
Trump White House Sharpens Its Knives for Politico’s Owner
An article about Donald Trump Jr. has sent MAGA world into a tizzy.
www.thebulwark.com
May 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM
One more data point confirming the trump regime is irredeemably authoritarian
Jeffries and Schumer must go. They are the exact opposite of what is needed in this moment.
SCOOP: Two Democratic aides and a lawmaker told @adriancarrasquillo.bsky.social that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has discouraged further member excursions to El Salvador
April 30, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Jeffries and Schumer must go. They are the exact opposite of what is needed in this moment.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
In the wake of what Judge Dugan did (100% legal), now is a good time for everyone to know what she knows:
An immigration or administrative warrant is *not* a judicial warrant. You are not obliged to obey it. Indeed, you can let the person out the back door. docs.google.com/presentation...
An immigration or administrative warrant is *not* a judicial warrant. You are not obliged to obey it. Indeed, you can let the person out the back door. docs.google.com/presentation...
April 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
In the wake of what Judge Dugan did (100% legal), now is a good time for everyone to know what she knows:
An immigration or administrative warrant is *not* a judicial warrant. You are not obliged to obey it. Indeed, you can let the person out the back door. docs.google.com/presentation...
An immigration or administrative warrant is *not* a judicial warrant. You are not obliged to obey it. Indeed, you can let the person out the back door. docs.google.com/presentation...
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
I feel like we need to keep saying this because it’s so insane: This is a legal U.S. resident who has been detained for over a month now for his political opinions.
The Department of Homeland Security denied Mahmoud Khalil permission to attend the birth of his first child, who was delivered at a New York hospital on Monday, according to emails reviewed by The New York Times.
Mahmoud Khalil’s Son Arrives After ICE Refuses to Let Him Attend Birth
Mr. Khalil, a permanent resident detained in Louisiana, had requested a monitored furlough for the birth. His request was denied in less than an hour.
www.nytimes.com
April 22, 2025 at 1:28 AM
I feel like we need to keep saying this because it’s so insane: This is a legal U.S. resident who has been detained for over a month now for his political opinions.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
Once again, I was left to wonder: was Pete Hegseth signal chatting military attack plans to everyone but me??
Am I the one that’s insecure, or is it his communication practices that are insecure?
Am I the one that’s insecure, or is it his communication practices that are insecure?
April 20, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Once again, I was left to wonder: was Pete Hegseth signal chatting military attack plans to everyone but me??
Am I the one that’s insecure, or is it his communication practices that are insecure?
Am I the one that’s insecure, or is it his communication practices that are insecure?
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
UN General Assembly, US votes with Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, and Sudan, against a big majority of 105 countries (plus 33 abstentions) because the resolution on UN-Europe human rights cooperation says Russia attacked Ukraine.
That's who America's friends are now.
That's who America's friends are now.
April 17, 2025 at 2:57 PM
UN General Assembly, US votes with Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, and Sudan, against a big majority of 105 countries (plus 33 abstentions) because the resolution on UN-Europe human rights cooperation says Russia attacked Ukraine.
That's who America's friends are now.
That's who America's friends are now.
Whitmer and Newsom have tanked their larger aspirations all for the sake of giving the other side a chance.
Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. She's been seen as a reasonably progressive candidate, and a prospect for '28. Went with a bipartisan group to discuss Michigan-issues with White House, Trump ambushed her with press and praise, this game of peekaboo is how she reacted and now she looks like an idiot.
April 13, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Whitmer and Newsom have tanked their larger aspirations all for the sake of giving the other side a chance.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
The lesson: this is what bipartisanship with fascists gets you.
Fascist do not care about bipartisanship. If you pursue it with them, they will make a fool of you.
There is only defiance and opposition. That’s all any decent people want from their leaders anyway. Those who won’t can gtfo.
Fascist do not care about bipartisanship. If you pursue it with them, they will make a fool of you.
There is only defiance and opposition. That’s all any decent people want from their leaders anyway. Those who won’t can gtfo.
Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. She's been seen as a reasonably progressive candidate, and a prospect for '28. Went with a bipartisan group to discuss Michigan-issues with White House, Trump ambushed her with press and praise, this game of peekaboo is how she reacted and now she looks like an idiot.
April 13, 2025 at 3:08 AM
The lesson: this is what bipartisanship with fascists gets you.
Fascist do not care about bipartisanship. If you pursue it with them, they will make a fool of you.
There is only defiance and opposition. That’s all any decent people want from their leaders anyway. Those who won’t can gtfo.
Fascist do not care about bipartisanship. If you pursue it with them, they will make a fool of you.
There is only defiance and opposition. That’s all any decent people want from their leaders anyway. Those who won’t can gtfo.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
Reminder: this is the same plan Russian operatives offered to Paul Manafort in exchange for their help getting Trump elected in 2016. (See Manafort’s testimony in the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report.)
After meeting with Witkoff yesterday, who said “offering Russia the 4 territories would be the fastest way to achieve ceasefire”..
⬇️
Reuters: Putin agrees to ceasefire if Ukraine surrenders the rest of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk & Donetsk (about 1 mln people; for some regions as much as 40%)
⬇️
Reuters: Putin agrees to ceasefire if Ukraine surrenders the rest of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk & Donetsk (about 1 mln people; for some regions as much as 40%)
April 12, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reminder: this is the same plan Russian operatives offered to Paul Manafort in exchange for their help getting Trump elected in 2016. (See Manafort’s testimony in the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report.)
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
gee i wonder why voters might've been confused about the existential stakes of the last election
April 11, 2025 at 5:28 AM
gee i wonder why voters might've been confused about the existential stakes of the last election
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
This is driving me crazy too. Not long ago 10% universal tariffs were considered the worst-case scenario, something even Trump wasn’t crazy enough to impose. Now have those PLUS 125% tariffs on China. Together, these raise raise inflation by about as much as original “Liberation Day” tariffs did!
why is *every* newspaper/programme running with the headline "tariffs are paused" when they haven't been.
What's happened is that every country (except China) gets a flat rate of 10% for 90 days.
What's happened is that every country (except China) gets a flat rate of 10% for 90 days.
April 10, 2025 at 11:41 AM
This is driving me crazy too. Not long ago 10% universal tariffs were considered the worst-case scenario, something even Trump wasn’t crazy enough to impose. Now have those PLUS 125% tariffs on China. Together, these raise raise inflation by about as much as original “Liberation Day” tariffs did!
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
I don't think people realize that in important respects tariffs are now higher & more inflationary than what was announced on last Wednesday.
Since then we've gone from 54% to 125% on China, our 3rd largest trading partner. That outweighs delaying the increases on 70+ others.
Since then we've gone from 54% to 125% on China, our 3rd largest trading partner. That outweighs delaying the increases on 70+ others.
April 9, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I don't think people realize that in important respects tariffs are now higher & more inflationary than what was announced on last Wednesday.
Since then we've gone from 54% to 125% on China, our 3rd largest trading partner. That outweighs delaying the increases on 70+ others.
Since then we've gone from 54% to 125% on China, our 3rd largest trading partner. That outweighs delaying the increases on 70+ others.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
The 10% tariff alone is a $2500 per household annual tax hike!
April 10, 2025 at 12:25 PM
The 10% tariff alone is a $2500 per household annual tax hike!
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
BREAKING — DOGE will descend upon Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) buildings tomorrow, an agency source tells me.
FDIC is responsible for insuring all commercial/personal US bank accounts for up to $250k and regulating banks. Scary in light of Trump’s manipulation of markets this week.
FDIC is responsible for insuring all commercial/personal US bank accounts for up to $250k and regulating banks. Scary in light of Trump’s manipulation of markets this week.
April 10, 2025 at 4:00 AM
BREAKING — DOGE will descend upon Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) buildings tomorrow, an agency source tells me.
FDIC is responsible for insuring all commercial/personal US bank accounts for up to $250k and regulating banks. Scary in light of Trump’s manipulation of markets this week.
FDIC is responsible for insuring all commercial/personal US bank accounts for up to $250k and regulating banks. Scary in light of Trump’s manipulation of markets this week.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
There's definitely a national emergency that requires the imposition of tariffs, but also those tariffs can be turned on and off based on how panicked Maria Bartiromo seems to be on the tee-vee ...
April 9, 2025 at 5:38 PM
There's definitely a national emergency that requires the imposition of tariffs, but also those tariffs can be turned on and off based on how panicked Maria Bartiromo seems to be on the tee-vee ...
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
I'd add that the portrayal of Lee as a military genius is also completely dishonest. Lee was directly responsible for the strategic decision that lost the war for the Confederacy (1863 invasion of the north) and made that decision for dumb and foolish reasons.
Always good on Appomattox day to remember that Robert E. Lee was a vile human being whose historical portayal as a reluctant defender of slavery is based on complete fabrication. He was a committed white supremacist who believed slavery reflected a natural order and commanded his army as such.
Happy Appomattox Day to all who celebrate and I expect each and every one of you to celebrate.
April 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I'd add that the portrayal of Lee as a military genius is also completely dishonest. Lee was directly responsible for the strategic decision that lost the war for the Confederacy (1863 invasion of the north) and made that decision for dumb and foolish reasons.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
At this rate MAGA will only be able to afford to rent the libs.
April 7, 2025 at 2:29 PM
At this rate MAGA will only be able to afford to rent the libs.
Reposted by Gavin McCollum
I don’t think people are paying enough attention to the fact that the North Carolina court of appeals just ruled that 65,000 votes don’t count, and that the Republican Supreme Court candidate who lost actually won.
This will be appealed, but make no mistake: they’re trying to steal this election.
This will be appealed, but make no mistake: they’re trying to steal this election.
April 5, 2025 at 2:30 AM
I don’t think people are paying enough attention to the fact that the North Carolina court of appeals just ruled that 65,000 votes don’t count, and that the Republican Supreme Court candidate who lost actually won.
This will be appealed, but make no mistake: they’re trying to steal this election.
This will be appealed, but make no mistake: they’re trying to steal this election.