Gregor Macdonald
@gregor.us
Journalist covering cities, climate, and energy.
Proprietor of Cold Eye Earth (formerly The Gregor Letter)
https://www.coldeye.earth | @coldeye.earth
Proprietor of Cold Eye Earth (formerly The Gregor Letter)
https://www.coldeye.earth | @coldeye.earth
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
every. single. time.
I just read a book about left wing radicals of the 60s and 70s. It mentioned that one of the most prolific bomb makers in the country is now retired in Park Slope. I looked him up and he’s quoted here opining against a local bar getting licensed to have a patio
February 15, 2026 at 5:16 AM
every. single. time.
Democratic leadership should consider raising its Ask (from the existing demands) in ICE negotiations with the admin, as the entire detention and housing process emerges as a tip of the iceberg problem.
Courts have ruled 4,400 times that ICE jailed people illegally. It hasn’t stopped.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Courts have ruled 4,400 times that ICE jailed people illegally. It hasn’t stopped.
The decisions amount to a huge legal rebuke, but the administration has continued jailing people indefinitely.
www.reuters.com
February 14, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Democratic leadership should consider raising its Ask (from the existing demands) in ICE negotiations with the admin, as the entire detention and housing process emerges as a tip of the iceberg problem.
While I sympathize with the Dem effort to negotiate with the admin over ICE practices, (no masks would help, for ex) there's risk in actually making a deal, as Dems would wind up taking part ownership of a far more vast horror show that's hasn't even come to light yet.
BREAKING: Judge Nancy Brasel, a Trump appointee, has issued a TRO in the Minnesota access-to-counsel case about treatment at Whipple.
"It appears that in planning for Operation Metro Surge, the government failed to plan for the constitutional rights of its civil detainees."
"It appears that in planning for Operation Metro Surge, the government failed to plan for the constitutional rights of its civil detainees."
February 13, 2026 at 12:21 AM
While I sympathize with the Dem effort to negotiate with the admin over ICE practices, (no masks would help, for ex) there's risk in actually making a deal, as Dems would wind up taking part ownership of a far more vast horror show that's hasn't even come to light yet.
15% economic growth is of course the potential of frontier economies, new territories, where you are buiding infra from scratch right alongside the newly forming economy. Gold rush stuff, not the characteristic of mature domains.
TRUMP: We can grow at 15 percent. I think more than that!
KUDLOW: Well, 15 is a big number sir
TRUMP: But Larry, you can do it. We used to grow at 15 percent because we had spirit. Today we have a lot of communism
KUDLOW: Well, 15 is a big number sir
TRUMP: But Larry, you can do it. We used to grow at 15 percent because we had spirit. Today we have a lot of communism
February 11, 2026 at 3:45 AM
15% economic growth is of course the potential of frontier economies, new territories, where you are buiding infra from scratch right alongside the newly forming economy. Gold rush stuff, not the characteristic of mature domains.
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
"The momentum of energy technology is holding up pretty well against the administration’s policy attacks. And that’s not a bad place to be if you now consider that the political pendulum is about to swing harder than many young people have ever seen." by @gregor.us www.coldeye.earth/p/wind-shift 🔌💡
February 9, 2026 at 10:53 PM
"The momentum of energy technology is holding up pretty well against the administration’s policy attacks. And that’s not a bad place to be if you now consider that the political pendulum is about to swing harder than many young people have ever seen." by @gregor.us www.coldeye.earth/p/wind-shift 🔌💡
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
PANTHEON: “.. Business services openings tumbling, probably due to AI.” 👀
February 5, 2026 at 4:21 PM
PANTHEON: “.. Business services openings tumbling, probably due to AI.” 👀
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
NEW: A federal judge said uses of force against peaceful protesters and journalists appeared to be escalating in Portland. He ordered sharp restrictions to DHS agents' use of force and chemical munitions.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social @natsfert.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social @natsfert.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 3, 2026 at 11:59 PM
NEW: A federal judge said uses of force against peaceful protesters and journalists appeared to be escalating in Portland. He ordered sharp restrictions to DHS agents' use of force and chemical munitions.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social @natsfert.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social @natsfert.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions. I expect to see enforcement of our city code prohibiting the use of tear gas.
February 1, 2026 at 1:23 AM
I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions. I expect to see enforcement of our city code prohibiting the use of tear gas.
The federal judiciary has threatened a finding of contempt across a number of Trump agencies--yet keeps pulling that particular punch, just when you think its finally about to land.
NEW: Judge Schiltz thrashed ICE for unprecedented defiance of court orders, often at the expense people's liberty from detention.
But for now, he has withdrawn threat to haul ICE leader Todd Lyons into court for potential sanctions
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
But for now, he has withdrawn threat to haul ICE leader Todd Lyons into court for potential sanctions
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 28, 2026 at 11:39 PM
The federal judiciary has threatened a finding of contempt across a number of Trump agencies--yet keeps pulling that particular punch, just when you think its finally about to land.
Sure. While at the same time the DOJ just filed an appeal to a judge's order that the admin and its agencies not destroy evidence. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Trump says he wants 'very honorable and honest investigation' of Alex Pretti killing
Trump says he wants 'very honorable and honest investigation' of Alex Pretti killing
Trump and the White House has sought to lower tensions over the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
cnb.cx
January 27, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Sure. While at the same time the DOJ just filed an appeal to a judge's order that the admin and its agencies not destroy evidence. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 PM
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
“We have all the cards,” he said, while also telling Europe to keep lending the US money. 🤡
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
January 22, 2026 at 2:25 PM
“We have all the cards,” he said, while also telling Europe to keep lending the US money. 🤡
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Road fuel demand has been flat in China for a couple years now, as the decade-long grand upsweep of EVs (now reaching 50% market share) finally gains traction.
January 17, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Road fuel demand has been flat in China for a couple years now, as the decade-long grand upsweep of EVs (now reaching 50% market share) finally gains traction.
EVs reached nearly 50% of the total China vehicle market last year. www.datawrapper.de/_/KUw52/?v=12
China Total Passenger and Commercial EV and ICE Sales in millions 2015-2025 | Created with Datawrapper
Chart from: coldeye.earth
www.datawrapper.de
January 17, 2026 at 5:10 PM
EVs reached nearly 50% of the total China vehicle market last year. www.datawrapper.de/_/KUw52/?v=12
Having grown up in New England,I am long familiar with the curious phenomenon of anti-progress progressives. This strain of anti-AI within the left is so familiar, and so tedious.
Congratulations to the people of Chandler, AZ, who — despite a fierce lobbying campaign — defeated a massive AI data center that would have raised utility bills and drained scarce water.
Oligarchs want working Americans to foot the bill while they profit. Not gonna happen!
Oligarchs want working Americans to foot the bill while they profit. Not gonna happen!
December 13, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Having grown up in New England,I am long familiar with the curious phenomenon of anti-progress progressives. This strain of anti-AI within the left is so familiar, and so tedious.
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
the left nimby crashout bc Zohran actually wants to build more housing is genuinely so funny
November 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM
the left nimby crashout bc Zohran actually wants to build more housing is genuinely so funny
Extraordinary performance today by @nealkatyal.bsky.social before SCOTUS in the tariff case. The argumentation was so crisp, the responses so perfect, it felt like I was listening to a film script. Words as sharp as a scalpel.
November 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Extraordinary performance today by @nealkatyal.bsky.social before SCOTUS in the tariff case. The argumentation was so crisp, the responses so perfect, it felt like I was listening to a film script. Words as sharp as a scalpel.
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
A classic case of irresponsible both-sidesism from the NYT. The story is that Trump and MAGA propagandists are lying about Portland to incite a conflict, not that there are different views of the matter.
October 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
A classic case of irresponsible both-sidesism from the NYT. The story is that Trump and MAGA propagandists are lying about Portland to incite a conflict, not that there are different views of the matter.
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
Newsom signed SB79! So, so huge. Enormous props to all the people who worked so hard, for so long, to make this happen, above all @scottwiener.bsky.social. It's going to change California, and the country.
Governor Newsom Signs Senator Wiener’s Landmark Law To Build More Homes Near Public Transit
Official website of Senator Scott Wiener, representing California Senate District 11.
sd11.senate.ca.gov
October 10, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Newsom signed SB79! So, so huge. Enormous props to all the people who worked so hard, for so long, to make this happen, above all @scottwiener.bsky.social. It's going to change California, and the country.
US coal consumption in the power sector is up +15% in the first half of 2025: www.eia.gov/outlooks/ste...
Short-Term Energy Outlook - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis
www.eia.gov
October 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
US coal consumption in the power sector is up +15% in the first half of 2025: www.eia.gov/outlooks/ste...
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
This is a breathtaking abuse of the law and power by the President of the United States.
America is on the brink of martial law.
Do not be silent.
America is on the brink of martial law.
Do not be silent.
This evening, President Trump is ordering 400 members of the Texas National Guard for deployments to Illinois, Oregon, and other locations within the United States. No officials from the federal government called me directly to discuss or coordinate.
October 6, 2025 at 2:03 AM
This is a breathtaking abuse of the law and power by the President of the United States.
America is on the brink of martial law.
Do not be silent.
America is on the brink of martial law.
Do not be silent.
Not a lawyer but it seems to me Trump's intention/declaration today that he will re-purpose already federalized National Guard from CA to OR would function as defying the spirit of Judge Imergut's ruling to block putting OR Nat'l Guard on Portland streets.
October 5, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Not a lawyer but it seems to me Trump's intention/declaration today that he will re-purpose already federalized National Guard from CA to OR would function as defying the spirit of Judge Imergut's ruling to block putting OR Nat'l Guard on Portland streets.
Reposted by Gregor Macdonald
Agreed. This ought to be examined immediately.
This is an absolutely extraordinary, revelatory quote. Why is the NBC affiliate in Portland the only place reporting it? www.kgw.com/article/news...
Trump seems to back off Portland military plan: 'Am I watching things on television that are different from what's happening?'
President Trump had said he will send troops to Portland to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he said were "under attack."
www.kgw.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Agreed. This ought to be examined immediately.
The more @mattyglesias.bsky.social flogs the idea that moderation of positions will help Democrats the more it seems like a squishy thesis. What's missing: 1. RW media effectively portrays all Dem positions as extreme. 2. Dems are bad at messaging. If Dems can't cure #2, moderation gains no ground.
September 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
The more @mattyglesias.bsky.social flogs the idea that moderation of positions will help Democrats the more it seems like a squishy thesis. What's missing: 1. RW media effectively portrays all Dem positions as extreme. 2. Dems are bad at messaging. If Dems can't cure #2, moderation gains no ground.