Jon Berthrong
@jbert65.bsky.social
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Poverty is a policy choice. Concentrated wealth is a policy choice. Inequality is a policy choice. None of it is natural or inevitable. Remember: We have the power to build a system that serves the many, not the powerful few.
December 28, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Poverty is a policy choice. Concentrated wealth is a policy choice. Inequality is a policy choice. None of it is natural or inevitable. Remember: We have the power to build a system that serves the many, not the powerful few.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Julie K. Brown is a reporter for the Miami Herald who did groundbreaking work on Epstein beginning in 2018, including groundbreaking work on the disgusting coverup by Alex Acosta.
Her travel itinerary was released with some of the Epstein files. It appears the DOJ was monitoring her in 2019.
Her travel itinerary was released with some of the Epstein files. It appears the DOJ was monitoring her in 2019.
December 28, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Julie K. Brown is a reporter for the Miami Herald who did groundbreaking work on Epstein beginning in 2018, including groundbreaking work on the disgusting coverup by Alex Acosta.
Her travel itinerary was released with some of the Epstein files. It appears the DOJ was monitoring her in 2019.
Her travel itinerary was released with some of the Epstein files. It appears the DOJ was monitoring her in 2019.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Have you ever heard someone go off, and their words are so perfectly chosen, so well said in that moment, that you’re in awe? You think, “There’s nothing to add here,” and you applaud in your head.
That’s exactly this. Pure perfection. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
That’s exactly this. Pure perfection. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
December 21, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Have you ever heard someone go off, and their words are so perfectly chosen, so well said in that moment, that you’re in awe? You think, “There’s nothing to add here,” and you applaud in your head.
That’s exactly this. Pure perfection. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
That’s exactly this. Pure perfection. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Maybe one of the new MAGA patriotic cheerleader Pentagon reporters can check their sources for us and do a story.
December 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Maybe one of the new MAGA patriotic cheerleader Pentagon reporters can check their sources for us and do a story.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Pamela Jo Bondi, doing her part to help an administration that calls itself, with a seemingly straight face, "The Most Transparent in American History."
December 21, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Pamela Jo Bondi, doing her part to help an administration that calls itself, with a seemingly straight face, "The Most Transparent in American History."
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
These are quite clearly not the same photo. Clinton's face is partially obscured by Jackson's in the one from the Epstein archive.
20K reposts for this, but the premise is false, and I suspect the conclusion is as well.
20K reposts for this, but the premise is false, and I suspect the conclusion is as well.
The White House has been caught.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
December 21, 2025 at 1:45 PM
These are quite clearly not the same photo. Clinton's face is partially obscured by Jackson's in the one from the Epstein archive.
20K reposts for this, but the premise is false, and I suspect the conclusion is as well.
20K reposts for this, but the premise is false, and I suspect the conclusion is as well.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
LANKFORD: In 2010, before Obamacare kicked in, the normal healthcare premium was $215.
HUNT: Right. But insurance companies could refuse to cover you for a preexisting condition
LANKFORD: That's true.
HUNT: Right. But insurance companies could refuse to cover you for a preexisting condition
LANKFORD: That's true.
December 21, 2025 at 3:57 PM
LANKFORD: In 2010, before Obamacare kicked in, the normal healthcare premium was $215.
HUNT: Right. But insurance companies could refuse to cover you for a preexisting condition
LANKFORD: That's true.
HUNT: Right. But insurance companies could refuse to cover you for a preexisting condition
LANKFORD: That's true.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
When the Department of Justice blatantly violates the law to protect wealthy and politically connected pedophiles, then we have no Justice Department and we have no justice.
December 21, 2025 at 11:16 AM
When the Department of Justice blatantly violates the law to protect wealthy and politically connected pedophiles, then we have no Justice Department and we have no justice.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Important piece
Inside the federal government as Trump and DOGE pushed it past its breaking point in 2025, as told by some of the more than 1,200 federal workers @hannahnatanson.bsky.social and @merylkornfield.bsky.social have spoken to this year
The year Trump broke the federal government
How DOGE and the White House carried out a once-unthinkable transformation of the nation’s sprawling bureaucracy.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Important piece
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Todd Blanche ADMITS he had a hand in moving Ghislaine Maxwell, which required a waiver of her sex offender status.
WELKER: Why was Ghislaine Maxwell moved just days after you interviewed her?
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
December 21, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Todd Blanche ADMITS he had a hand in moving Ghislaine Maxwell, which required a waiver of her sex offender status.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Welker: Why did you take down the picture of Trump with young women?
Blanche: We take down any pictures with victims in them.
Welker: So those women with Trump were victims?
Blanche:
Blanche: We take down any pictures with victims in them.
Welker: So those women with Trump were victims?
Blanche:
December 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Welker: Why did you take down the picture of Trump with young women?
Blanche: We take down any pictures with victims in them.
Welker: So those women with Trump were victims?
Blanche:
Blanche: We take down any pictures with victims in them.
Welker: So those women with Trump were victims?
Blanche:
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
BRENNAN: What are you going to do to force DOJ to comply?
MASSIE: The quickest way and most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi. That doesn't require going through the courts. We're drafting that right now.
MASSIE: The quickest way and most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi. That doesn't require going through the courts. We're drafting that right now.
December 21, 2025 at 3:43 PM
BRENNAN: What are you going to do to force DOJ to comply?
MASSIE: The quickest way and most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi. That doesn't require going through the courts. We're drafting that right now.
MASSIE: The quickest way and most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi. That doesn't require going through the courts. We're drafting that right now.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
This is part of what I mean by “slow civil war.” It’s not coming, it’s here, and there are mounting casualties.
Even in Illinois — a "safe haven" where many have fled as persecution against trans people ramps up in other states — 29 trans teens have died by suicide this year as of Nov. 21, according to a count by Trans Up Front Illinois.
That’s compared to 4 last year, and 6 the year before that.
That’s compared to 4 last year, and 6 the year before that.
On Trans Day of Remembrance, community reflects on those lost: 'We're gonna be here forever'
But even in Illinois — where many trans people have fled as persecution against them ramps up in other states — 29 trans teens have died by suicide this year, according to a count by Trans Up Front Il...
chicago.suntimes.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
This is part of what I mean by “slow civil war.” It’s not coming, it’s here, and there are mounting casualties.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
He MOVED A CONVICTED CHILD SEX TRAFFICKER TO “PROTECT HER”!!!!!!!!
She RAPED CHILDREN.
Fuck this and fuck him.
She RAPED CHILDREN.
Fuck this and fuck him.
WELKER: Why was Ghislaine Maxwell moved just days after you interviewed her?
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
December 21, 2025 at 3:44 PM
He MOVED A CONVICTED CHILD SEX TRAFFICKER TO “PROTECT HER”!!!!!!!!
She RAPED CHILDREN.
Fuck this and fuck him.
She RAPED CHILDREN.
Fuck this and fuck him.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Khanna: "The problem here is there are rich and powerful people who either engaged in this abuse, covered it up, or we're on this island. What the American people want to know is who are these people? Instead of holding them accountable, Pam Bondi is breaking the law."
December 21, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Khanna: "The problem here is there are rich and powerful people who either engaged in this abuse, covered it up, or we're on this island. What the American people want to know is who are these people? Instead of holding them accountable, Pam Bondi is breaking the law."
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Is Bari Weiss holding a gun to her dog's head off camera?
BRENNAN: This isn't everything you asked for just yet, but would you acknowledge that they are complying with the spirit if not the intent of your law?
MASSIE: No. They're flouting the spirit and the letter of the law. It's very troubling the posture that they've taken.
MASSIE: No. They're flouting the spirit and the letter of the law. It's very troubling the posture that they've taken.
December 21, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Is Bari Weiss holding a gun to her dog's head off camera?
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Luigi Mangione’s lawyers contend that Attorney General Pam Bondi’s decision to seek the death penalty against him in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was tainted by her prior work as a lobbyist at a firm that represented the insurer’s parent company.
Luigi Mangione‘s lawyers say Bondi’s death penalty decision was tainted by conflict of interest
Luigi Mangione’s lawyers contend that Attorney General Pam Bondi’s decision to seek the death penalty against him in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was tainted by her prior work as a lobbyist at a firm that represented the insurer’s parent company.
bit.ly
December 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Luigi Mangione’s lawyers contend that Attorney General Pam Bondi’s decision to seek the death penalty against him in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was tainted by her prior work as a lobbyist at a firm that represented the insurer’s parent company.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
The DOJ is continuing to redact more mentions of Donald Trump found in the Epstein files.
On the left the original version, on the right today’s version.
Source: justice.gov/multimedia/C...
#OpDeathEaters
On the left the original version, on the right today’s version.
Source: justice.gov/multimedia/C...
#OpDeathEaters
December 21, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The DOJ is continuing to redact more mentions of Donald Trump found in the Epstein files.
On the left the original version, on the right today’s version.
Source: justice.gov/multimedia/C...
#OpDeathEaters
On the left the original version, on the right today’s version.
Source: justice.gov/multimedia/C...
#OpDeathEaters
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
The innocent simply do not behave this way.
December 21, 2025 at 9:59 AM
The innocent simply do not behave this way.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
So, you ask, if they can’t just do a simple thing like release the files as the law requires, how can we trust them to do hard things like run the economy and keep us safe?
The answer, of course, is that we can’t. We can never trust they can and will do the right thing.
The answer, of course, is that we can’t. We can never trust they can and will do the right thing.
Lawless shambolic shitshow.
WASHINGTON (AP) — At least 16 files from Epstein release disappeared from DOJ webpage, including photo of Trump, with no explanation.
December 21, 2025 at 1:27 PM
So, you ask, if they can’t just do a simple thing like release the files as the law requires, how can we trust them to do hard things like run the economy and keep us safe?
The answer, of course, is that we can’t. We can never trust they can and will do the right thing.
The answer, of course, is that we can’t. We can never trust they can and will do the right thing.
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
“.. Treasury secretaries for decades have been careful to avoid partisan public remarks, fearing that overt political wrangling could undermine their credibility ..
“.. Then there is Scott Bessent.”
@davidjlynch.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
“.. Then there is Scott Bessent.”
@davidjlynch.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
December 21, 2025 at 1:55 PM
“.. Treasury secretaries for decades have been careful to avoid partisan public remarks, fearing that overt political wrangling could undermine their credibility ..
“.. Then there is Scott Bessent.”
@davidjlynch.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
“.. Then there is Scott Bessent.”
@davidjlynch.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
“Coverups are difficult in free societies. They are routine for authoritarian governments. The Epstein coverup will be an indicator of how far we are down the road to authoritarianism. The success of such a coverup would take us much further down that road.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ep...
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ep...
Why the Epstein Coverup Matters
In free societies, government coverups are difficult. In authoritarian ones, they’re routine.
www.thebulwark.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:58 PM
“Coverups are difficult in free societies. They are routine for authoritarian governments. The Epstein coverup will be an indicator of how far we are down the road to authoritarianism. The success of such a coverup would take us much further down that road.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ep...
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ep...
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
Authoritarianism isn’t subtle. It’s a president joking about paying himself $1 billion from the public treasury and expecting subordinates to make it happen.
www.mediaite.com/media/tv/tru...
www.mediaite.com/media/tv/tru...
Trump Brags About Suing the Government and Declares, ‘I Hereby Give Myself $1 Billion’
Speaking at a rally on Friday night, President Donald Trump bragged about his demand that the U.S. government give him a huge payout, and said he would be the ultimate arbiter of whether he will recei...
www.mediaite.com
December 21, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Authoritarianism isn’t subtle. It’s a president joking about paying himself $1 billion from the public treasury and expecting subordinates to make it happen.
www.mediaite.com/media/tv/tru...
www.mediaite.com/media/tv/tru...
Reposted by Jon Berthrong
The problem with this piece, like all the other pieces, is that the missing hed, dek, & lede is that all of this was wildly illegal, unconstitutional, & criminal. This is how you normalize lawless authoritarianism - treat like just another story in our politics. “Transformation” is lazy euphemism.
This WaPo piece weaves together an incredibly powerful story about the way Trump has devastated government and the dedicated people who wake up every day to serve the public. wapo.st/4b14KAy
The year Trump broke the federal government
How DOGE and the White House carried out a once-unthinkable transformation of the nation’s sprawling bureaucracy.
wapo.st
December 21, 2025 at 12:43 PM
The problem with this piece, like all the other pieces, is that the missing hed, dek, & lede is that all of this was wildly illegal, unconstitutional, & criminal. This is how you normalize lawless authoritarianism - treat like just another story in our politics. “Transformation” is lazy euphemism.