Jim Brunner
@jimbrunner.bsky.social
Seattle Times politics reporter
Got a tip? Signal: 206-214-8789
https://www.seattletimes.com/author/jim-brunner/
Got a tip? Signal: 206-214-8789
https://www.seattletimes.com/author/jim-brunner/
"For the past 30 years, the party that has forced federal agencies to close their doors in a funding fight has never actually achieved the policy outcome it was demanding." www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Why the Democrats Finally Folded
This is how the government shutdown was always going to end.
www.theatlantic.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:58 AM
"For the past 30 years, the party that has forced federal agencies to close their doors in a funding fight has never actually achieved the policy outcome it was demanding." www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
In Seattle, the progressive late vote count surge has put challenger Katie Wilson ahead of Mayor Bruce Harrell - by just 91 votes. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news... via @kromandavid.bsky.social
Katie Wilson takes lead over Bruce Harrell in Seattle mayor race
Katie Wilson, a progressive challenger to the incumbent mayor, is benefiting from the leftward trend of voters who send or drop ballots close to or on election day.
www.seattletimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:19 AM
In Seattle, the progressive late vote count surge has put challenger Katie Wilson ahead of Mayor Bruce Harrell - by just 91 votes. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news... via @kromandavid.bsky.social
Reposted by Jim Brunner
"Maxwell has received custom meals personally delivered to her cell, after-hours time in a private exercise area, access to a service puppy, and private meetings with visitors arranged by the warden, complete with snacks. Visitors were allowed to bring computers..."
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
Democrats reveal whistleblower details of Ghislaine Maxwell prison ‘luxuries’
In a letter to the president, House Democrats say Maxwell’s treatment as she prepares a clemency request makes the convicted sex offender look like a “guest at a Trump hotel.”
www.msnbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
"Maxwell has received custom meals personally delivered to her cell, after-hours time in a private exercise area, access to a service puppy, and private meetings with visitors arranged by the warden, complete with snacks. Visitors were allowed to bring computers..."
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
RIP Lenny Wilkens www.seattletimes.com/sports/sonic...
Lenny Wilkens, godfather of Seattle basketball, dies at 88
Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens, who led the Sonics to their only NBA title and was an ambassador of Seattle basketball for more than 50 years, has died at 88.
www.seattletimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:41 AM
RIP Lenny Wilkens www.seattletimes.com/sports/sonic...
Happy 5th anniversary to this all-time great anonymous "senior Republican" quote about Trump in WaPo after the 2020 election.
"What is the downside in humoring him for this little bit of time? .. It's not like he's plotting how to prevent Joe Biden from taking power on Jan. 20."
"What is the downside in humoring him for this little bit of time? .. It's not like he's plotting how to prevent Joe Biden from taking power on Jan. 20."
November 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Happy 5th anniversary to this all-time great anonymous "senior Republican" quote about Trump in WaPo after the 2020 election.
"What is the downside in humoring him for this little bit of time? .. It's not like he's plotting how to prevent Joe Biden from taking power on Jan. 20."
"What is the downside in humoring him for this little bit of time? .. It's not like he's plotting how to prevent Joe Biden from taking power on Jan. 20."
Reposted by Jim Brunner
With a “WOW!,” President Trump posts a claim about DOGE and “royalties linked to Obamacare” that originated on a satirical website. That site’s own About section reads: “Everything on this website is fiction… If you believe that it is real, you should have your head examined.”
November 9, 2025 at 3:33 PM
With a “WOW!,” President Trump posts a claim about DOGE and “royalties linked to Obamacare” that originated on a satirical website. That site’s own About section reads: “Everything on this website is fiction… If you believe that it is real, you should have your head examined.”
Reposted by Jim Brunner
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump administration turns to Supreme Court to block order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments.
November 7, 2025 at 11:58 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump administration turns to Supreme Court to block order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments.
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Katie Wilson made big gains on Bruce Harrell in today's vote count. The count probably makes her the slight favorite at this point, but no one's declaring or conceding anything. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Katie Wilson gains on Bruce Harrell as mayor’s race goes down to the wire
Incumbent Bruce Harrell's lead is now down to less than two percentage points. He and Katie Wilson are separated by 4,300 votes.
www.seattletimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Katie Wilson made big gains on Bruce Harrell in today's vote count. The count probably makes her the slight favorite at this point, but no one's declaring or conceding anything. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Wilson won today's vote with just under 52% of the count. If that's the number going forward, she will lose. But King County Elections is going slowly and I don't know what kinds of ballots (drop box vs mail) are still waiting to be counted.
November 6, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Wilson won today's vote with just under 52% of the count. If that's the number going forward, she will lose. But King County Elections is going slowly and I don't know what kinds of ballots (drop box vs mail) are still waiting to be counted.
Reposted by Jim Brunner
you can indict a ham sandwich, but... www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Jury finds D.C. ‘sandwich guy’ not guilty of assaulting officer
Sean C. Dunn admitted he flung the hoagie at a federal agent. His attorneys called it a “harmless gesture” of protest as Trump commandeered D.C. police.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
you can indict a ham sandwich, but... www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
NEW: A California law firm has enlisted former Gov. Jay Inslee & former top Gov. Ferguson aide Mike Webb in its lobbying push for a multibillion dollar wildfire victims fund, to be paid for by utilities and ratepayers www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Leaders push for new fund for WA wildfire victims
Washington leaders are exploring a wildfire compensation fund as fire risks grow and legal pressures mount. A California law firm has recruited former Gov. Jay Inslee to advocate for the fund.
www.seattletimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
NEW: A California law firm has enlisted former Gov. Jay Inslee & former top Gov. Ferguson aide Mike Webb in its lobbying push for a multibillion dollar wildfire victims fund, to be paid for by utilities and ratepayers www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
NEW: WA election-night initial results displays have been repeatedly, glaringly glitched at Secretary of State website in recent elections, including Tuesday. Secretary of State's office blames aging software systems and promises a fix. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
WA’s early election results repeatedly marred by technical glitches
WA's early election results have displayed wildly incorrect percentages on the Secretary of State's website for a few recent elections. A fix is in the works.
www.seattletimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:45 PM
NEW: WA election-night initial results displays have been repeatedly, glaringly glitched at Secretary of State website in recent elections, including Tuesday. Secretary of State's office blames aging software systems and promises a fix. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Anyone else see the screwed up initial WA election results last night on Sec State website? Any other screenshots?
November 5, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Anyone else see the screwed up initial WA election results last night on Sec State website? Any other screenshots?
Reposted by Jim Brunner
TIRED: “I alone can fix it.”
WIRED: “Do something Democrats!!!”
WIRED: “Do something Democrats!!!”
Trump trashes Obamacare in a new post. Funding under this law is the main dispute between the two parties in the ongoing government shutdown standoff.
October 31, 2025 at 1:19 AM
TIRED: “I alone can fix it.”
WIRED: “Do something Democrats!!!”
WIRED: “Do something Democrats!!!”
Reposted by Jim Brunner
The lowest cap on refugees since the program was established in 1980 comes as the U.S. prioritizes resettling Afrikaners from South Africa.
Trump administration sets lowest-ever cap on refugee admissions to U.S.
The lowest cap on refugees since the program was established in 1980 comes as the U.S. prioritizes resettling Afrikaners from South Africa.
n.pr
October 30, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The lowest cap on refugees since the program was established in 1980 comes as the U.S. prioritizes resettling Afrikaners from South Africa.
Reposted by Jim Brunner
NCGOP spokesman appears to be threatening @propublica.org's @dougbockclark.bsky.social with retaliation by the Trump administration for reporting on a state Supreme Court justice www.propublica.org/article/paul...
October 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
NCGOP spokesman appears to be threatening @propublica.org's @dougbockclark.bsky.social with retaliation by the Trump administration for reporting on a state Supreme Court justice www.propublica.org/article/paul...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
“I’m Bill DeBlasio. I’ve always been Bill DeBlasio,” DeBlasio said in an interview conducted through his Ring doorbell on Long Island.
“I never once said I was the mayor. He never addressed me as the mayor. So I just gave him my opinion.”
“I never once said I was the mayor. He never addressed me as the mayor. So I just gave him my opinion.”
British newspaper spoke to the wrong DeBlasio, not an ‘imposter’
How a Long Island vintner, with the help of ChatGPT, prompted a transatlantic journalistic debacle.
www.semafor.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:32 AM
“I’m Bill DeBlasio. I’ve always been Bill DeBlasio,” DeBlasio said in an interview conducted through his Ring doorbell on Long Island.
“I never once said I was the mayor. He never addressed me as the mayor. So I just gave him my opinion.”
“I never once said I was the mayor. He never addressed me as the mayor. So I just gave him my opinion.”
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Donald Trump's approval rating in our tracker has fallen to -18, the lowest it has ever been (lower than any point in his first term) www.economist.com/interactive/...
October 28, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Donald Trump's approval rating in our tracker has fallen to -18, the lowest it has ever been (lower than any point in his first term) www.economist.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Breaking: The Department of Justice announced it will "monitor polling sites in six jurisdictions [in New Jersey and California] ahead of the upcoming November 4, 2025, general election to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law." www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justi...
Justice Department to Monitor Polling Sites in California, New Jersey
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice announced that it will monitor polling sites in six jurisdictions ahead of the upcoming November 4, 2025, general election to ensure transparency, ballot ...
www.justice.gov
October 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Breaking: The Department of Justice announced it will "monitor polling sites in six jurisdictions [in New Jersey and California] ahead of the upcoming November 4, 2025, general election to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law." www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justi...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
This absolutely is Jeff Bezos’s fault. I feel sorry for the excellent journalists and other staff caught up in his mismanagement, but this is his doing. And it will only lead to the Post doing even worse, which will then — almost inevitably — lead to more layoffs.
Some news: The Washington Post is preparing to cut newsroom staff even after several high profile exits. Bezos’ new opinion editor has privately told people The Post is in “severe financial distress.” Details in @status.news www.status.news/p/washington...
Pain at The Post
As morale sinks and top talent exits, staffers at The Washington Post are bracing for more pain ahead of the holidays—raising questions about Will Lewis’ leadership, nearly two years into his tenure a...
www.status.news
October 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM
This absolutely is Jeff Bezos’s fault. I feel sorry for the excellent journalists and other staff caught up in his mismanagement, but this is his doing. And it will only lead to the Post doing even worse, which will then — almost inevitably — lead to more layoffs.
Reposted by Jim Brunner
JUST IN: Once again, Lindsey Halligan has to turn to out-of-state prosecutors, this time for the Letitia James case. Roger Keller is a Missouri-based prosecutor.
Two NC-based prosecutors are handling the Comey case for her as well. No one from EDVA in either case.
Two NC-based prosecutors are handling the Comey case for her as well. No one from EDVA in either case.
October 22, 2025 at 9:12 PM
JUST IN: Once again, Lindsey Halligan has to turn to out-of-state prosecutors, this time for the Letitia James case. Roger Keller is a Missouri-based prosecutor.
Two NC-based prosecutors are handling the Comey case for her as well. No one from EDVA in either case.
Two NC-based prosecutors are handling the Comey case for her as well. No one from EDVA in either case.
Reposted by Jim Brunner
"Nothing will be torn down."
Karoline Leavitt, July 2025
Karoline Leavitt, July 2025
October 22, 2025 at 12:37 AM
"Nothing will be torn down."
Karoline Leavitt, July 2025
Karoline Leavitt, July 2025