Ian Bassin
@ianbassin.bsky.social
Founder and Executive Director @protectdemocracy.org. Former Associate White House Counsel. Tweets my own.
Pinned
Ian Bassin
@ianbassin.bsky.social
· Feb 28
Our system of checks and balances has stood as a bulwark against tyranny for 250 years.
The way it works is no one man can dictate how our government works.
Congress makes laws, the president executes the laws, and courts make sure laws and rights are protected.
We give that up at our peril.
The way it works is no one man can dictate how our government works.
Congress makes laws, the president executes the laws, and courts make sure laws and rights are protected.
We give that up at our peril.
The Trump Administration’s smear of immigrants and asylum seekers because of one sick man’s horrific acts - a man who was trained by the CIA, it is worth noting, to fight an American war - is disgusting.
We are so much better than this racist regime.
We are so much better than this racist regime.
November 27, 2025 at 11:11 PM
The Trump Administration’s smear of immigrants and asylum seekers because of one sick man’s horrific acts - a man who was trained by the CIA, it is worth noting, to fight an American war - is disgusting.
We are so much better than this racist regime.
We are so much better than this racist regime.
Reposted by Ian Bassin
As you’re preparing for your Thanksgiving meal, remember the skilled work it took to get that food to your grocery store.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
As you’re preparing for your Thanksgiving meal, remember the skilled work it took to get that food to your grocery store.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
Ok so you want to brush up on what to say to your uncle tomorrow who doesn’t get why he should care that Trump is on a retaliation tour. “Don’t they all do this? They did it to him!”
Here’s some history knowledge you can drop in response: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-oldest...
Here’s some history knowledge you can drop in response: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-oldest...
The oldest abuse in human government
Donald Trump and the ‘king’s justice’
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
November 27, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Ok so you want to brush up on what to say to your uncle tomorrow who doesn’t get why he should care that Trump is on a retaliation tour. “Don’t they all do this? They did it to him!”
Here’s some history knowledge you can drop in response: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-oldest...
Here’s some history knowledge you can drop in response: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-oldest...
We have spent more than 1,000 years trying to separate the awesome prosecutorial powers of the state from the personal whims and vendettas of the head of state.
Trump’s actions and ideology seek to reverse those gains.
Here’s the history he’d like to reverse www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-oldest...
Trump’s actions and ideology seek to reverse those gains.
Here’s the history he’d like to reverse www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-oldest...
The oldest abuse in human government
Donald Trump and the ‘king’s justice’
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
November 26, 2025 at 1:33 AM
We have spent more than 1,000 years trying to separate the awesome prosecutorial powers of the state from the personal whims and vendettas of the head of state.
Trump’s actions and ideology seek to reverse those gains.
Here’s the history he’d like to reverse www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-oldest...
Trump’s actions and ideology seek to reverse those gains.
Here’s the history he’d like to reverse www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-oldest...
Was editing a piece to not *overclaim* that Trump was behaving like a medieval king in trying to prosecute opponents and then he posts this. Well, here’s the piece: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-oldest...
November 25, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Was editing a piece to not *overclaim* that Trump was behaving like a medieval king in trying to prosecute opponents and then he posts this. Well, here’s the piece: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-oldest...
Reposted by Ian Bassin
“After Aceituno again told the agents he was a U.S. citizen, they finally threw him out of the van…[And] the agents had taken his car keys.
(Aceituno voted for Trump in 2024 because of the border and the economy. He now calls it ‘the worst decision of my life.’)”
www.thebulwark.com/p/baker-past...
(Aceituno voted for Trump in 2024 because of the border and the economy. He now calls it ‘the worst decision of my life.’)”
www.thebulwark.com/p/baker-past...
A Baker, a Pastor, and Charlotte’s Stand Against ICE
How everyday people are reminding the nation what it means to be American.
www.thebulwark.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
“After Aceituno again told the agents he was a U.S. citizen, they finally threw him out of the van…[And] the agents had taken his car keys.
(Aceituno voted for Trump in 2024 because of the border and the economy. He now calls it ‘the worst decision of my life.’)”
www.thebulwark.com/p/baker-past...
(Aceituno voted for Trump in 2024 because of the border and the economy. He now calls it ‘the worst decision of my life.’)”
www.thebulwark.com/p/baker-past...
Reposted by Ian Bassin
detailed WashPost account of how Trump and Stephen Miller sidelined serious lawyers so they could fabricate a justification for committing murder
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats
The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:23 PM
detailed WashPost account of how Trump and Stephen Miller sidelined serious lawyers so they could fabricate a justification for committing murder
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Ian Bassin
Credit to both Mamdani & Trump for sitting together and talking. I'm sure both are approaching the relationship to come with plenty of skepticism and pragmatism. But talking is not a bad thing and making relationships human rather than filtering them through social media's freakout machine is good.
November 21, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Credit to both Mamdani & Trump for sitting together and talking. I'm sure both are approaching the relationship to come with plenty of skepticism and pragmatism. But talking is not a bad thing and making relationships human rather than filtering them through social media's freakout machine is good.
Reposted by Ian Bassin
Trump has found a terrifyingly effective way to eliminate bad news: delete the data.
From hunger and poverty stats to foreign investment numbers, federal agencies are being gutted—making it harder to measure the impact of his policies.
@crampell.bsky.social reports:
From hunger and poverty stats to foreign investment numbers, federal agencies are being gutted—making it harder to measure the impact of his policies.
@crampell.bsky.social reports:
November 21, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Trump has found a terrifyingly effective way to eliminate bad news: delete the data.
From hunger and poverty stats to foreign investment numbers, federal agencies are being gutted—making it harder to measure the impact of his policies.
@crampell.bsky.social reports:
From hunger and poverty stats to foreign investment numbers, federal agencies are being gutted—making it harder to measure the impact of his policies.
@crampell.bsky.social reports:
Reposted by Ian Bassin
Today, after the Coast Guard lifted a ban on swastikas and nooses as symbols of hate, and after President Trump called for the execution of members of Congress, it is time for every American to decide. Who will you be?
Here is Burt Lancaster as Nazi era judge Ernst Janning in Judgment at Nuremberg.
Here is Burt Lancaster as Nazi era judge Ernst Janning in Judgment at Nuremberg.
November 21, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Today, after the Coast Guard lifted a ban on swastikas and nooses as symbols of hate, and after President Trump called for the execution of members of Congress, it is time for every American to decide. Who will you be?
Here is Burt Lancaster as Nazi era judge Ernst Janning in Judgment at Nuremberg.
Here is Burt Lancaster as Nazi era judge Ernst Janning in Judgment at Nuremberg.
Every member of Congress and frankly every American should denounce what Trump did today in suggesting members of Congress be executed.
It shouldn't even need to be said, but apparently does: it is beyond the pale for anyone to suggest such things, let alone the president of the united states.
It shouldn't even need to be said, but apparently does: it is beyond the pale for anyone to suggest such things, let alone the president of the united states.
November 21, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Every member of Congress and frankly every American should denounce what Trump did today in suggesting members of Congress be executed.
It shouldn't even need to be said, but apparently does: it is beyond the pale for anyone to suggest such things, let alone the president of the united states.
It shouldn't even need to be said, but apparently does: it is beyond the pale for anyone to suggest such things, let alone the president of the united states.
Reposted by Ian Bassin
EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN CONGRESS should be pressed about Trump calling for their colleagues to be killed
November 20, 2025 at 5:20 PM
EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN CONGRESS should be pressed about Trump calling for their colleagues to be killed
Reposted by Ian Bassin
I don’t know if a president vowing to send the military after has political opponents meets the legal threshold for treason, but it comes a hell of a lot closer than saying that if so ordered, the military should refuse.
November 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I don’t know if a president vowing to send the military after has political opponents meets the legal threshold for treason, but it comes a hell of a lot closer than saying that if so ordered, the military should refuse.
Trump is in a spiral now where he’s gone from looking strong to weak. And it’s making him more unpopular.
To reverse that he’ll do ever more outrageous things.
But outrage from weakness will look worse than outrage from strength, causing his numbers to sink further, driving the cycle to deepen.
To reverse that he’ll do ever more outrageous things.
But outrage from weakness will look worse than outrage from strength, causing his numbers to sink further, driving the cycle to deepen.
November 20, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Trump is in a spiral now where he’s gone from looking strong to weak. And it’s making him more unpopular.
To reverse that he’ll do ever more outrageous things.
But outrage from weakness will look worse than outrage from strength, causing his numbers to sink further, driving the cycle to deepen.
To reverse that he’ll do ever more outrageous things.
But outrage from weakness will look worse than outrage from strength, causing his numbers to sink further, driving the cycle to deepen.
Reposted by Ian Bassin
One is reminded of the crowds growing thinner during that legendary, if ill-fated North American tour of Spinal Tap:
"Their appeal has become more selective."
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
"Their appeal has become more selective."
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:11 PM
One is reminded of the crowds growing thinner during that legendary, if ill-fated North American tour of Spinal Tap:
"Their appeal has become more selective."
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
"Their appeal has become more selective."
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Reposted by Ian Bassin
Here’s what voters are seeing while waiting in the grocery checkout.
@peoplemag.bsky.social
people.com/donald-trump...
@peoplemag.bsky.social
people.com/donald-trump...
November 18, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Here’s what voters are seeing while waiting in the grocery checkout.
@peoplemag.bsky.social
people.com/donald-trump...
@peoplemag.bsky.social
people.com/donald-trump...
Reposted by Ian Bassin
This practice was endorsed by a Supreme Court Justice.
#KavanaughStop
#KavanaughStop
US citizen Maria Greeley, a Latina who was adopted, was walking home from work downtown when masked agents zip tied her. They said she “doesn’t look like a Greeley.” This is how the government treats people under current deportation policies.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
November 17, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This practice was endorsed by a Supreme Court Justice.
#KavanaughStop
#KavanaughStop
Reposted by Ian Bassin
Trump says 'we'll be selling' F-35s to Saudi Arabia.
Just coincidentally, Trump Org is in talks that could bring a Trump-branded property to one of Saudi Arabia’s largest government-owned real estate developments
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Just coincidentally, Trump Org is in talks that could bring a Trump-branded property to one of Saudi Arabia’s largest government-owned real estate developments
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
www.reuters.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Trump says 'we'll be selling' F-35s to Saudi Arabia.
Just coincidentally, Trump Org is in talks that could bring a Trump-branded property to one of Saudi Arabia’s largest government-owned real estate developments
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Just coincidentally, Trump Org is in talks that could bring a Trump-branded property to one of Saudi Arabia’s largest government-owned real estate developments
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
“Time and again, these agents — and the broader DHS and White House policies behind it — are being exposed not for their strength, but their weakness. Ordinary Americas are stronger — braver and better.”
Must read (and subscribe) from @vermontgmg.bsky.social:
www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/trump-bord...
Must read (and subscribe) from @vermontgmg.bsky.social:
www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/trump-bord...
Trump, Border Patrol Retreat in Failure from Chicago
Five important lessons of the first six months of Trump’s immigration raids — and why CBP’s Greg Bovino is the Nathan Bedford Forrest of the Trump era.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
November 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
“Time and again, these agents — and the broader DHS and White House policies behind it — are being exposed not for their strength, but their weakness. Ordinary Americas are stronger — braver and better.”
Must read (and subscribe) from @vermontgmg.bsky.social:
www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/trump-bord...
Must read (and subscribe) from @vermontgmg.bsky.social:
www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/trump-bord...
Trump Has the Power to Release the Epstein Files, With or Without Congress www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/u...
Trump Has the Power to Release the Epstein Files, With or Without Congress
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Trump Has the Power to Release the Epstein Files, With or Without Congress www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/u...
Reposted by Ian Bassin
Imagine escaping the literal Nazis, making it to America, living three quarters of a century there making your life, and then this:
79-year-old Paul Bojerski was born to Polish parents in a WWII German refugee camp. His family legally emigrated to the U.S. when he was 5.
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
Sanford grandfather, born in refugee camp, nabbed by ICE after 70 years in U.S.
Paul Bojerski never gained official residency, but he checked in regularly with ICE for years. Then in July, at age 79, he was detained and sent to Alligator Alcatraz.
www.orlandosentinel.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Imagine escaping the literal Nazis, making it to America, living three quarters of a century there making your life, and then this:
Reposted by Ian Bassin
Today, we released a new paper on the urgent risks of politicizing the U.S. military. Our armed forces have remained apolitical, professional, and subordinate to civilian authority for over two centuries. That norm is under strain—and requires renewed attention. counteveryhero.org/letter_docum...
November 17, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Today, we released a new paper on the urgent risks of politicizing the U.S. military. Our armed forces have remained apolitical, professional, and subordinate to civilian authority for over two centuries. That norm is under strain—and requires renewed attention. counteveryhero.org/letter_docum...
Reposted by Ian Bassin
Trump knew he was going to lose this vote badly so he's trying to save face.
He should direct the DOJ to release all the Epstein files NOW without waiting for a vote in Congress.
Survivors have waited long enough.
He should direct the DOJ to release all the Epstein files NOW without waiting for a vote in Congress.
Survivors have waited long enough.
BREAKING: President Trump says House Republicans should vote to release Epstein files, a startling reversal after previously fighting the proposal.
In reversal, Trump says House Republicans should vote to release Epstein files
President Donald Trump says House Republicans should vote to release files involving the Jeffrey Epstein case, a startling reversal after previously fighting the proposal.
bit.ly
November 17, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Trump knew he was going to lose this vote badly so he's trying to save face.
He should direct the DOJ to release all the Epstein files NOW without waiting for a vote in Congress.
Survivors have waited long enough.
He should direct the DOJ to release all the Epstein files NOW without waiting for a vote in Congress.
Survivors have waited long enough.
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills. There’s no vote required if he wants to release them!
The only reason the house was voting was because he refused.
This is an obviously cynical ploy and major news outlets are running whole pieces without pointing this out. He could release them tonight.
The only reason the house was voting was because he refused.
This is an obviously cynical ploy and major news outlets are running whole pieces without pointing this out. He could release them tonight.
If he has nothing to hide he doesn’t need a House vote. He can just release everything.
Trump now says House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files “because we have nothing to hide”
November 17, 2025 at 4:38 AM
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills. There’s no vote required if he wants to release them!
The only reason the house was voting was because he refused.
This is an obviously cynical ploy and major news outlets are running whole pieces without pointing this out. He could release them tonight.
The only reason the house was voting was because he refused.
This is an obviously cynical ploy and major news outlets are running whole pieces without pointing this out. He could release them tonight.
If he has nothing to hide he doesn’t need a House vote. He can just release everything.
Trump now says House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files “because we have nothing to hide”
November 17, 2025 at 2:40 AM
If he has nothing to hide he doesn’t need a House vote. He can just release everything.