Jaki Chantler
@jakichantler.bsky.social
Virology Professor (emeritus). Granny to 5. Interests include politics, photography and gardening.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
"In 2010, he quit Congress and helped launch an offshoot of the Heritage Foundation think tank called Heritage Action for America, which was tasked with strong-arming congressional Republicans to act more conservatively."
Vought holds one of the most powerful jobs in D.C., and he’s used his position to wage a quiet war to change the shape of the entire U.S. government.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
What You Should Know About Russ Vought, Trump’s Shadow President
Vought is the architect of President Trump’s broader plan to fire civil servants, freeze government programs and dismantle entire agencies. Here are some key things to know about the D.C. insider who ...
www.propublica.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:39 AM
"In 2010, he quit Congress and helped launch an offshoot of the Heritage Foundation think tank called Heritage Action for America, which was tasked with strong-arming congressional Republicans to act more conservatively."
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
But court records, interviews and other accounts from people close to Vought show that DOGE’s efforts were guided, more than previously known, by the OMB director.
“I can’t imagine that the DOGE team knew to target all these little parts of the government without Russ pointing them there.”
“I can’t imagine that the DOGE team knew to target all these little parts of the government without Russ pointing them there.”
Vought holds one of the most powerful jobs in D.C., and he’s used his position to wage a quiet war to change the shape of the entire U.S. government.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
What You Should Know About Russ Vought, Trump’s Shadow President
Vought is the architect of President Trump’s broader plan to fire civil servants, freeze government programs and dismantle entire agencies. Here are some key things to know about the D.C. insider who ...
www.propublica.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:42 AM
But court records, interviews and other accounts from people close to Vought show that DOGE’s efforts were guided, more than previously known, by the OMB director.
“I can’t imagine that the DOGE team knew to target all these little parts of the government without Russ pointing them there.”
“I can’t imagine that the DOGE team knew to target all these little parts of the government without Russ pointing them there.”
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
Vought holds one of the most powerful jobs in D.C., and he’s used his position to wage a quiet war to change the shape of the entire U.S. government.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
What You Should Know About Russ Vought, Trump’s Shadow President
Vought is the architect of President Trump’s broader plan to fire civil servants, freeze government programs and dismantle entire agencies. Here are some key things to know about the D.C. insider who ...
www.propublica.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Vought holds one of the most powerful jobs in D.C., and he’s used his position to wage a quiet war to change the shape of the entire U.S. government.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
❓ ISW analyses situation around Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad
ISW analyses situation around Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted that the situation near the cities of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in Donetsk Oblast remains difficult, as Ukrainian forces are fighting to ho...
www.pravda.com.ua
November 11, 2025 at 6:02 AM
❓ ISW analyses situation around Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
Two months ago we were paying all federal workers, SNAP benefits were fully funded, and people could afford their health insurance premiums but a small group of Democratic senators have Stockholm Syndrome and are telling us we have to Sophie’s choice one or two of these things.
November 10, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Two months ago we were paying all federal workers, SNAP benefits were fully funded, and people could afford their health insurance premiums but a small group of Democratic senators have Stockholm Syndrome and are telling us we have to Sophie’s choice one or two of these things.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
Monstrous
Her district was purplish back then, and Stefanik was a moderate. Her rating from the conservative Heritage Foundation for 2017-19, the first half of Trump’s first term, was a fractional 24 percent.
How a few years can change a person. www.thebulwark.com/p/elise-stef...
How a few years can change a person. www.thebulwark.com/p/elise-stef...
Elise Stefanik’s Bad Bet on MAGA Politics
For a promise of power, she has let herself be yanked around. Now she’s launched a Trumpian campaign for governor of New York.
www.thebulwark.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Monstrous
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
That old metaphor about the frog and the boiling water isn’t true: If you put a frog in a pot of water and slowly raise the heat, the frog will jump out before it gets boiled to death.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
How news coverage eases us into tyranny
When the media act like things are normal, they don’t reassure us – they gaslight us
www.stopthepresses.news
November 10, 2025 at 6:53 PM
That old metaphor about the frog and the boiling water isn’t true: If you put a frog in a pot of water and slowly raise the heat, the frog will jump out before it gets boiled to death.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
Yes. Frogs are smarter. But capture of mainstream media, like capture of SCOTUS, has been a longterm goal of the right. This most explicitly dates back to the Reagan era when Reagan and Roy Cohn brought in Rupert Murdoch and killed the Fairness Doctrine and media antitrust. See also Buckley v Valeo
“When the crisis constantly [gets] worse, why do media cover it with the same monotonous…drumbeat?
The media’s desire to sedate its audience is evidenced by NBC News’ new slogan: “Facts. Clarity. Calm.” This is not the time to be calm.
If we start thinking what’s happening is routine, we’re doomed”
The media’s desire to sedate its audience is evidenced by NBC News’ new slogan: “Facts. Clarity. Calm.” This is not the time to be calm.
If we start thinking what’s happening is routine, we’re doomed”
That old metaphor about the frog and the boiling water isn’t true: If you put a frog in a pot of water and slowly raise the heat, the frog will jump out before it gets boiled to death.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
November 10, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Yes. Frogs are smarter. But capture of mainstream media, like capture of SCOTUS, has been a longterm goal of the right. This most explicitly dates back to the Reagan era when Reagan and Roy Cohn brought in Rupert Murdoch and killed the Fairness Doctrine and media antitrust. See also Buckley v Valeo
Zev Shalev reports on Kash Patel…
November 11, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Zev Shalev reports on Kash Patel…
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
I really hope so. There’s a really tough fight ahead. I hope Americans can stay the course through the midterms and reduce MAGA power. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump’s assault on voting intensifies as midterms loom: ‘A wholesale attack on free and fair elections’
The White House is manipulating voting system, from redistricting to rule changes, to affect the midterms
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I really hope so. There’s a really tough fight ahead. I hope Americans can stay the course through the midterms and reduce MAGA power. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
I’m hoping that we’re seeing glimmers of a real pro-democracy movement, something that works against the complacency and cynicism that has infected too many of us. This is the kind of thing that can give rebirth to moribund political institutions or birth to new ones.
An important point – If this is a “rehabilitated Democratic Party” it wasn’t rehabilitated by the leadership; it wasn’t a top-down rehabilitation. It was a collective, bottom-up, grass-roots effort, both organized, giving us #NoKings, and spontaneous voter behavior that said “NO” to this regime. +
Chris Murphy: "There will be pretty substantial damage to a Dem brand that has been rehabilitated if on the heels of an election in which the people told us to keep fighting, we immediately stop... if we surrender without having gotten anything, I worry it'll be hard to get them back up off the mat"
November 10, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I’m hoping that we’re seeing glimmers of a real pro-democracy movement, something that works against the complacency and cynicism that has infected too many of us. This is the kind of thing that can give rebirth to moribund political institutions or birth to new ones.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
Quote of the day:
“Suppose a military force is sent into America…They will not find a rebellion; they may indeed make one.”
– Benjamin Franklin
“Suppose a military force is sent into America…They will not find a rebellion; they may indeed make one.”
– Benjamin Franklin
November 9, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Quote of the day:
“Suppose a military force is sent into America…They will not find a rebellion; they may indeed make one.”
– Benjamin Franklin
“Suppose a military force is sent into America…They will not find a rebellion; they may indeed make one.”
– Benjamin Franklin
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
Trump and Hegseth booed mercilessly for 2 minutes straight tonight by Washington Commanders fans.
November 9, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Trump and Hegseth booed mercilessly for 2 minutes straight tonight by Washington Commanders fans.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
NEW: EXCLUSIVE: I spoke to sources at FBI and DOJ that reviewed the Epstein files. It’s worse than the photos. I’ll let you know what they said today at 3:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM ET on @meidastouch.com. Link to show: www.youtube.com/live/hEi77Ib...
November 9, 2025 at 5:24 PM
NEW: EXCLUSIVE: I spoke to sources at FBI and DOJ that reviewed the Epstein files. It’s worse than the photos. I’ll let you know what they said today at 3:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM ET on @meidastouch.com. Link to show: www.youtube.com/live/hEi77Ib...
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
Franklin “a Republic if you can keep it” understood human nature and the fragility of the founders’ creation. That fragility is explored in my latest read, Erik Larson’s The Demon of Unrest, covering run up to the Civil War. The South’s insistence on their “facts”, that slavery is benign, resonates.
Quote of the day:
“Suppose a military force is sent into America…They will not find a rebellion; they may indeed make one.”
– Benjamin Franklin
“Suppose a military force is sent into America…They will not find a rebellion; they may indeed make one.”
– Benjamin Franklin
November 9, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Franklin “a Republic if you can keep it” understood human nature and the fragility of the founders’ creation. That fragility is explored in my latest read, Erik Larson’s The Demon of Unrest, covering run up to the Civil War. The South’s insistence on their “facts”, that slavery is benign, resonates.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
This piece is as good as people say it is. Read it to appreciate that writing isn't just about content, but style. AI can't do this.
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:10 AM
This piece is as good as people say it is. Read it to appreciate that writing isn't just about content, but style. AI can't do this.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
Paramount is blacklisting actors opposing genocide in Gaza. What a world we’re living in.
New Hollywood blacklist just dropped www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/11...
Paramount Has Blacklist for Stars Deemed “Overtly Antisemitic” — World of Reel
It sure looks like the likes of Javier Bardem, Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Mark Ruffalo won’t be making movies for Paramount in the foreseeable future.
www.worldofreel.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Paramount is blacklisting actors opposing genocide in Gaza. What a world we’re living in.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
Word on the street is trump admin spent snap money on ICE and Natl. Guard deployments.
Relax; ball room construction is still on.
The Trump admin “asked an appeals court to suspend any court orders requiring it to spend more money than is available in a contingency fund, and instead allow it to continue with planned partial SNAP payments for the month.”
apnews.com/article/snap...
The Trump admin “asked an appeals court to suspend any court orders requiring it to spend more money than is available in a contingency fund, and instead allow it to continue with planned partial SNAP payments for the month.”
apnews.com/article/snap...
Supreme Court issues emergency order to block full SNAP food aid payments
The Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown.
apnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Word on the street is trump admin spent snap money on ICE and Natl. Guard deployments.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
This: “If we on the left view them as this big amorphous, scary, extrajudicial totalitarian force of evil, we miss what's happening on the ground, fractures that are emerging, weak points that can be taken advantage of, irresolvable contradictions that imperil the implementation of their vision”
November 8, 2025 at 7:20 PM
This: “If we on the left view them as this big amorphous, scary, extrajudicial totalitarian force of evil, we miss what's happening on the ground, fractures that are emerging, weak points that can be taken advantage of, irresolvable contradictions that imperil the implementation of their vision”
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
⭐️ A remarkable (bit long) thought thread on the future & shape of young Conservative Republicans.
It’s a lot to take in, but it all rings true.
It’s a lot to take in, but it all rings true.
I've noticed that there isn't much talk here about the current internecine war that is unfolding on the right, spearheaded in large part by Nick Fuentes, Tucker Carlson, and Candace Owens after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I know this shit is insane and feels bad. But this is a mistake (1/)
November 8, 2025 at 11:41 AM
⭐️ A remarkable (bit long) thought thread on the future & shape of young Conservative Republicans.
It’s a lot to take in, but it all rings true.
It’s a lot to take in, but it all rings true.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
Huh?
Hegseth: The Department of War is, of course, big time supportive of profits. We are capitalists, after all
November 8, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Huh?
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
Reading the room, are they…?
Large Majority of Grassroots Democrats Back Primary Challenges for Schumer and Jeffries
“The grassroots are demanding change.”
A survey of more than 3,500 voters shows overwhelming support for running primary challenges against both Jeffries and Schumer.
www.commondreams.org/news/schumer...
“The grassroots are demanding change.”
A survey of more than 3,500 voters shows overwhelming support for running primary challenges against both Jeffries and Schumer.
www.commondreams.org/news/schumer...
Survey Shows Large Majority of Grassroots Democrats Back Primary Challenges for Schumer and Jeffries | Common Dreams
Democrats face backlash from progressive voters as survey shows overwhelming support for primary challenges against party leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer.
www.commondreams.org
November 8, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Reading the room, are they…?
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
3/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Colonel Yuriy Cherevashenko as the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Air Defense Systems service on November 7.
Russian forces advanced near Pokrovsk.
November 9, 2025 at 2:15 AM
3/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Colonel Yuriy Cherevashenko as the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Air Defense Systems service on November 7.
Russian forces advanced near Pokrovsk.
Reposted by Jaki Chantler
2/ RU launched 500+ drones & missiles at UA overnight on Nov. 7-8 as it continues its long-range strike campaign against critical UA energy infrastructure ahead of winter 2025-2026.
Putin appointed SMD Commander Colonel General Sanchik as Deputy Minister of Defense for Logistics on Nov. 8.
Putin appointed SMD Commander Colonel General Sanchik as Deputy Minister of Defense for Logistics on Nov. 8.
November 9, 2025 at 2:15 AM
2/ RU launched 500+ drones & missiles at UA overnight on Nov. 7-8 as it continues its long-range strike campaign against critical UA energy infrastructure ahead of winter 2025-2026.
Putin appointed SMD Commander Colonel General Sanchik as Deputy Minister of Defense for Logistics on Nov. 8.
Putin appointed SMD Commander Colonel General Sanchik as Deputy Minister of Defense for Logistics on Nov. 8.
Very concerning…
NEW: The rate of RU advances in the Pokrovsk direction has temporarily slowed but will likely increase again in the coming days as RU forces extend logistics and bring reinforcements in the area. (1/3)
Read the Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 8, 2025: isw.pub/UkrWar110825
Read the Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 8, 2025: isw.pub/UkrWar110825
November 9, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Very concerning…