Heidi Jon Schmidt
@heidijon.bsky.social
Author, Democrat, mom
New York Times, The Atlantic, Boston Globe Mag, etc.
hjs24pearl.substack.com
heidijonschmidt.com
New York Times, The Atlantic, Boston Globe Mag, etc.
hjs24pearl.substack.com
heidijonschmidt.com
Pinned
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
Trump has legalized crime if you’re a prominent Republican or married to one.
November 11, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Trump has legalized crime if you’re a prominent Republican or married to one.
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
My thoughts exactly:
The President wouldn't last five minutes as an air traffic controller, and after everything they've been through - and the way this administration has treated them from Day One - he has no business shitting on them now.
November 11, 2025 at 12:18 PM
My thoughts exactly:
I never thought I could feel passionate love for a court system. I was wrong.
🚨BREAKING: In a sweeping victory for voters, a Utah court struck down the GOP-controlled legislature’s congressional gerrymander and a companion law designed to entrench partisan power — restoring a fair map for the 2026 elections. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Utah Judge Strikes Down GOP Gerrymander, Restores Voter-Approved Fair Map
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I never thought I could feel passionate love for a court system. I was wrong.
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
Major new @knightcolumbia.org initiative will address the role of the legal profession in the defense of democratic values and institutions. Excited to have the chance to work with Prof Madhav Khosla on this. knightcolumbia.org/content/new-...
New Knight Institute Initiative Will Explore the Role of the Legal Profession in an Age of Authoritarianism
knightcolumbia.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Major new @knightcolumbia.org initiative will address the role of the legal profession in the defense of democratic values and institutions. Excited to have the chance to work with Prof Madhav Khosla on this. knightcolumbia.org/content/new-...
And again…
Re-upping:
Excellent assessment of John "Roger Taney" Roberts.
In @harvardmagazine.bsky.social , by Lincoln Caplan.
As careful, legally informed, judicious-minded writer as you're going to find. With an unsparing judgment.
www.harvardmagazine.com/legal/suprem...
Excellent assessment of John "Roger Taney" Roberts.
In @harvardmagazine.bsky.social , by Lincoln Caplan.
As careful, legally informed, judicious-minded writer as you're going to find. With an unsparing judgment.
www.harvardmagazine.com/legal/suprem...
What Trump Means for John Roberts's Legacy | Harvard Magazine
Executive power is on the docket at the Supreme Court.
www.harvardmagazine.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:08 PM
And again…
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
Let the record show that President Donald Trump issued mass preemptive pardons to those involved in his effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election five years to the day since the Four Seasons Landscaping debacle in Philadelphia.
Trump Completes Jan. 6 Autocoup With Mass Preemptive Pardons
For My Friends, Everything … Let the record show that President Donald...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Let the record show that President Donald Trump issued mass preemptive pardons to those involved in his effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election five years to the day since the Four Seasons Landscaping debacle in Philadelphia.
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
we should not forget @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social leadership during this... working hard to give him the majority in 2026 is a worthy cause.
November 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
we should not forget @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social leadership during this... working hard to give him the majority in 2026 is a worthy cause.
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
Chicago, November 2025: "I am flooded with stories. There are so many I cannot remember them all; cannot keep straight who was gassed, beaten, abducted, or shot. I write to leave a record, to stare at the track of the tornado. I write to leave a warning. I write to call for help."
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Chicago, November 2025: "I am flooded with stories. There are so many I cannot remember them all; cannot keep straight who was gassed, beaten, abducted, or shot. I write to leave a record, to stare at the track of the tornado. I write to leave a warning. I write to call for help."
I don’t get near any of these, ever.
We must Move Our Money, away from the forces of destruction aiding this regime & into our communities. From Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, folks are collectively committing to avoid Target, Amazon and Home Depot. If this leaves you $ to spare, local food banks, shelters, & community groups need it.
November 10, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I don’t get near any of these, ever.
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
We must Move Our Money, away from the forces of destruction aiding this regime & into our communities. From Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, folks are collectively committing to avoid Target, Amazon and Home Depot. If this leaves you $ to spare, local food banks, shelters, & community groups need it.
November 10, 2025 at 4:17 PM
We must Move Our Money, away from the forces of destruction aiding this regime & into our communities. From Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, folks are collectively committing to avoid Target, Amazon and Home Depot. If this leaves you $ to spare, local food banks, shelters, & community groups need it.
Right after the election, Cornell defied the clear wishes of the American people instead of standing up with us.
A good summary of why Cornell's capitulation to authoritarian extortion is an affront to democracy and academic freedom. aaup-cornell.org/2025/11/07/s...
November 8, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Right after the election, Cornell defied the clear wishes of the American people instead of standing up with us.
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
A good summary of why Cornell's capitulation to authoritarian extortion is an affront to democracy and academic freedom. aaup-cornell.org/2025/11/07/s...
November 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
A good summary of why Cornell's capitulation to authoritarian extortion is an affront to democracy and academic freedom. aaup-cornell.org/2025/11/07/s...
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
What’s happening with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is a really important lesson.
It is so dangerous when all we do is read a headline or, if you’re an influencer, all you do is post a headline.
There is no way a headline can capture the nuance of how to outwit her fellow justices.
1/2
It is so dangerous when all we do is read a headline or, if you’re an influencer, all you do is post a headline.
There is no way a headline can capture the nuance of how to outwit her fellow justices.
1/2
November 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
What’s happening with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is a really important lesson.
It is so dangerous when all we do is read a headline or, if you’re an influencer, all you do is post a headline.
There is no way a headline can capture the nuance of how to outwit her fellow justices.
1/2
It is so dangerous when all we do is read a headline or, if you’re an influencer, all you do is post a headline.
There is no way a headline can capture the nuance of how to outwit her fellow justices.
1/2
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
The feds have declared "no more prayer" and are banning religious gatherings outside the ICE detention center near Chicago. The fake Christians keep getting more fake.
Feds Tell Faith Leaders 'No More Prayer' Outside Broadview Facility
In a possible violation of the First Amendment, federal officials instructed demonstrators to stop holding religious gatherings outside the immigration processing facility in suburban Broadview after ...
blockclubchicago.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The feds have declared "no more prayer" and are banning religious gatherings outside the ICE detention center near Chicago. The fake Christians keep getting more fake.
We showed our might, now let’s keep fighting. (And not let the lame ducks pull any chicanery while they’re still in office.)
There are cracks in Trump’s power. We have to lean in.
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
Takeaways From Election 2025
Keep Fighting
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:11 PM
We showed our might, now let’s keep fighting. (And not let the lame ducks pull any chicanery while they’re still in office.)
I forgot—the Maine decision to continue mail-in ballots preserves our great hope to flip Susan Collins into obscurity. Major win!
In the shadow of the Democratic Party’s big wins on Tuesday were a series of state and local elections that carried high stakes for election law and voting rights.
We walk you through what happened:
We walk you through what happened:
Five Ways Tuesday’s Results Will Affect Voting Rules and Democracy
From felony disenfranchisement and mail voting to mid-decade gerrymanders, Tuesday delivered verdicts on election law across these five states.
boltsmag.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:07 PM
I forgot—the Maine decision to continue mail-in ballots preserves our great hope to flip Susan Collins into obscurity. Major win!
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
UPDATE: OK, apparently it really was some genius kabuki theater on Schumer's part.
As @fascismheckler.bsky.social said, this was the easiest win the GOP could've gotten and they STILL said no.
This is Arafat-rejecting-2-state-solution-in-2000 level stupid.
bsky.app/profile/fasc...
As @fascismheckler.bsky.social said, this was the easiest win the GOP could've gotten and they STILL said no.
This is Arafat-rejecting-2-state-solution-in-2000 level stupid.
bsky.app/profile/fasc...
I think we have to admit that Schumer is currently the person that understands the Senate the most. He made a deal that would be insane to reject but knew that the GOP would
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Republicans Reject Shutdown Offer as Travel, Food Aid Delays Hit
Senate Republicans on Friday rejected Democrats’ offer to scale back their shutdown demands to a one-year extension of expiring health care subsidies, prolonging a stalemate that has disrupted air tra...
www.bloomberg.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:10 PM
UPDATE: OK, apparently it really was some genius kabuki theater on Schumer's part.
As @fascismheckler.bsky.social said, this was the easiest win the GOP could've gotten and they STILL said no.
This is Arafat-rejecting-2-state-solution-in-2000 level stupid.
bsky.app/profile/fasc...
As @fascismheckler.bsky.social said, this was the easiest win the GOP could've gotten and they STILL said no.
This is Arafat-rejecting-2-state-solution-in-2000 level stupid.
bsky.app/profile/fasc...
Yes I love her.
November 7, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Yes I love her.
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
Anthony Boyd was sent to death row for murder with no physical evidence, during a trial in which Boyd’s court-appointed lawyer admitted he was unprepared. He was executed two weeks ago.
He Was Convicted Entirely On Clashing Eyewitness Testimony. Alabama Plans to Execute Him Next Week.
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a 1993 murder. He was sent to death row on the word of a co-defendant who testified under the threat of capital punishment.
boltsmag.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Anthony Boyd was sent to death row for murder with no physical evidence, during a trial in which Boyd’s court-appointed lawyer admitted he was unprepared. He was executed two weeks ago.
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
In the MAGA version of the Bible, Jesus miraculously multiplies the loaves and the fishes, then refuses to share the food with a famished crowd and instead ships it all to Argentina.
November 7, 2025 at 5:41 PM
In the MAGA version of the Bible, Jesus miraculously multiplies the loaves and the fishes, then refuses to share the food with a famished crowd and instead ships it all to Argentina.
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
Also remember that NYT's market cap grew by $6BN during Trump's first term and $0.4BN during Biden's first term.
Which experience do you think Arthur Sulzberger III preferred?
Which experience do you think Arthur Sulzberger III preferred?
November 6, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Also remember that NYT's market cap grew by $6BN during Trump's first term and $0.4BN during Biden's first term.
Which experience do you think Arthur Sulzberger III preferred?
Which experience do you think Arthur Sulzberger III preferred?
Please read this and point your fingers at the corrupt Supreme Court majority. The truth is so much more important than whatever conclusion your friends jumped to.
Me, on why the fuck are we still fighting about Merrick Garland (including why you're being duped if you were worried about a pre-election halt in 2022).
youtu.be/r9a7_FzpaPY
youtu.be/r9a7_FzpaPY
It was not Merrick Garland's job
YouTube video by emptywheel
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Please read this and point your fingers at the corrupt Supreme Court majority. The truth is so much more important than whatever conclusion your friends jumped to.
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
The idea that it's OK to give this White House official anonymity because the pardon "had not yet been publicly released" is absurd. Is AP actually trying to make us think that this White House is a stickler for the rules?
Trump pardons former Tennessee House speaker convicted of federal public corruption charges
President Donald Trump has pardoned former Tennessee House speaker Glen Casada and his aide Cade Cothren.
apnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:04 PM
The idea that it's OK to give this White House official anonymity because the pardon "had not yet been publicly released" is absurd. Is AP actually trying to make us think that this White House is a stickler for the rules?
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
That header is something else.
November 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
That header is something else.
Reposted by Heidi Jon Schmidt
Newsom has gotten well-deserved credit for skewering Trump on social media and defying his efforts to abscond with California’s national guard. But in fighting fire with fire and preserving Democrats’ hopes for a midterm victory, he showed Democrats around the country how to fight—and win.
Gavin Newsom beat Trump at his own game and changed the 2026 landscape.
Despite skeptics and many Democrats tut-tutting about adhering to norms (even when Republicans have burned the rule book), Newsom was determined to counteract Trump’s Texas gambit.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Despite skeptics and many Democrats tut-tutting about adhering to norms (even when Republicans have burned the rule book), Newsom was determined to counteract Trump’s Texas gambit.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Undaunted Leaders
Many outstanding candidates, one daring governor
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Newsom has gotten well-deserved credit for skewering Trump on social media and defying his efforts to abscond with California’s national guard. But in fighting fire with fire and preserving Democrats’ hopes for a midterm victory, he showed Democrats around the country how to fight—and win.