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/
Reposted by Jim Brunner
“We are living in James Madison’s nightmare,” he said. “All of the founders would have been horrified to see the national government resorting to this level of force — not as a last resort, but as basically a first resort.” www.startribune.com/we-are-livin...
‘James Madison’s nightmare’: How Trump is leaning on arcane laws to advance immigration agenda
Before threatening the Insurrection Act, Trump officials privately strategized about using the Alien Enemies Act to detain people in Chicago, according to Signal messages reviewed by the Star Tribune.
www.startribune.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:05 PM
“We are living in James Madison’s nightmare,” he said. “All of the founders would have been horrified to see the national government resorting to this level of force — not as a last resort, but as basically a first resort.” www.startribune.com/we-are-livin...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Following the raid on the home of @washingtonpost.com reporter @hannahnatanson.bsky.social on Wednesday, here are concrete steps to take to safeguard yourself and your sources.
Safeguarding sources and sensitive information in the event of a raid
Following the search of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s home, here are concrete steps to take to safeguard yourself and your sources
freedom.press
January 16, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Following the raid on the home of @washingtonpost.com reporter @hannahnatanson.bsky.social on Wednesday, here are concrete steps to take to safeguard yourself and your sources.
Reposted by Jim Brunner
NEW from me:
Towards the end of Trump's interview with 60 Minutes in November, Bari Weiss rushed into the room to introduce herself and the pair exchanged kisses on the cheek, leaving 60 Minutes staff stunned at the "overly chummy" embrace.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Towards the end of Trump's interview with 60 Minutes in November, Bari Weiss rushed into the room to introduce herself and the pair exchanged kisses on the cheek, leaving 60 Minutes staff stunned at the "overly chummy" embrace.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Bari Weiss and Trump exchanged kisses on the cheek following ‘60 Minutes’ interview
EXCLUSIVE: In a moment that sources said led to stunned reactions and dropped jaws, Bari Weiss excitedly introduced herself to the president and leaned in for a kiss on the cheek following his ‘60 Min...
www.independent.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 2:53 PM
NEW from me:
Towards the end of Trump's interview with 60 Minutes in November, Bari Weiss rushed into the room to introduce herself and the pair exchanged kisses on the cheek, leaving 60 Minutes staff stunned at the "overly chummy" embrace.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Towards the end of Trump's interview with 60 Minutes in November, Bari Weiss rushed into the room to introduce herself and the pair exchanged kisses on the cheek, leaving 60 Minutes staff stunned at the "overly chummy" embrace.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Oregon not required to give feds voter data, judge rules. DOJ has made a similar demand in WA... washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/15/r...
Oregon not required to give feds voter data, judge rules • Washington State Standard
A federal judge tentatively ruled Wednesday that Oregon does not have to hand over personally identifiable data of more than 3 million Oregon voters to the federal government.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Oregon not required to give feds voter data, judge rules. DOJ has made a similar demand in WA... washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/15/r...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Not every Simpsons prediction was dead-on, but some are still pretty close.
January 15, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Not every Simpsons prediction was dead-on, but some are still pretty close.
January 16, 2026 at 1:29 AM
WA lawmakers are pushing to conceal their residential addresses in a swath of public records, citing rising political violence. But open govt advocates and records custodians say the proposal would create costly records headaches & may not be effective.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
WA lawmakers look to conceal addresses in public records
A proposal gaining steam in the Legislature would remove home addresses of elected officials from an array of public records due to increasing threats.
www.seattletimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:27 PM
WA lawmakers are pushing to conceal their residential addresses in a swath of public records, citing rising political violence. But open govt advocates and records custodians say the proposal would create costly records headaches & may not be effective.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Greenland biathlete Ukaleq Slettemark has been dealing with the stress of trying to qualify for @milanocortina2026, but she's experiencing added anxiety over the "terrifying" threats US President @realDonaldTrump is making to take over her country apnews.com/article/gree...
Greenland biathlete pursues Olympic dream while anxious about 'terrrifying' threats to her homeland
Greenland biathlete Ukaleq Slettemark is used to the stress of competing on the world stage as she tries to qualify for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
apnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Greenland biathlete Ukaleq Slettemark has been dealing with the stress of trying to qualify for @milanocortina2026, but she's experiencing added anxiety over the "terrifying" threats US President @realDonaldTrump is making to take over her country apnews.com/article/gree...
This story: holy cow!
The Mercury has obtained a series of images of group messages that show racist, sexist, and homophobic tropes used by a local developer and other local conservative political activists during a council president election. Readers may find this content offensive.
"Racist, Dehumanizing": Chat Images Show Portland Power Players Disparaging Councilors of Color
Messages obtained by the Mercury contain a slew of offensive tropes sent during a council president election
www.portlandmercury.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:31 PM
This story: holy cow!
Reposted by Jim Brunner
One classy (and quick) thing Biden did: When a guy said "let's go Brandon" on a WH Christmas special, he said "Let's go Brandon, I agree" and kept talking to him.
We don't have a king. You're allowed to talk shit to him!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETml...
We don't have a king. You're allowed to talk shit to him!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETml...
January 14, 2026 at 5:39 PM
One classy (and quick) thing Biden did: When a guy said "let's go Brandon" on a WH Christmas special, he said "Let's go Brandon, I agree" and kept talking to him.
We don't have a king. You're allowed to talk shit to him!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETml...
We don't have a king. You're allowed to talk shit to him!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETml...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Viewers are rejecting Tony Dokoupil's "CBS Evening News," with the show down 23% in viewers year over year.
"CBS isn’t losing the evening news race, they already lost it," one veteran TV exec told me. Another called the debut a "big whiff."
More in @status.news: www.status.news/p/tony-dokou...
"CBS isn’t losing the evening news race, they already lost it," one veteran TV exec told me. Another called the debut a "big whiff."
More in @status.news: www.status.news/p/tony-dokou...
The Dokoupil Dud
Despite wall-to-wall promotion, Tony Dokoupil’s "CBS Evening News" debut has delivered a ratings dud—and perhaps exposed the limits of Bari Weiss' MAGA-ification of the network.
www.status.news
January 14, 2026 at 4:26 AM
Viewers are rejecting Tony Dokoupil's "CBS Evening News," with the show down 23% in viewers year over year.
"CBS isn’t losing the evening news race, they already lost it," one veteran TV exec told me. Another called the debut a "big whiff."
More in @status.news: www.status.news/p/tony-dokou...
"CBS isn’t losing the evening news race, they already lost it," one veteran TV exec told me. Another called the debut a "big whiff."
More in @status.news: www.status.news/p/tony-dokou...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
The majority of the leadership team inside Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office resigned Tuesday in protest of directives from federal officials in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, according to sources familiar with the decision.
Joe Thompson, U.S. Attorney who uncovered massive fraud in Minnesota, resigns from office
Thompson has been at the center of the national debate around fraud in Minnesota and has claimed that billions have been stolen from tax payers.
bit.ly
January 13, 2026 at 8:20 PM
The majority of the leadership team inside Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office resigned Tuesday in protest of directives from federal officials in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, according to sources familiar with the decision.
Reposted by Jim Brunner
DOJ civil rights lawyers resign in part over sidelining from Minnesota shooting probe, sources say
DOJ civil rights lawyers resign in part over sidelining from Minnesota shooting probe, sources say
Four senior civil rights lawyers at the U.S. Justice Department resigned in recent days, departures that were prompted in part by a decision to sideline their unit from investigating the fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman by a U.S. immigration officer, according to two sources familiar with the departures.
reut.rs
January 13, 2026 at 4:01 PM
DOJ civil rights lawyers resign in part over sidelining from Minnesota shooting probe, sources say
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Trump succeeds at united the world—against us.
This week, South Korea's president had 1st official visit to Beijing by leader of Korea since 2019.
In fall, Chinese President Xi had his first visit to South Korea in 11 years. The leaders of Canada & China met for first time in 8 years. Etc.
This week, South Korea's president had 1st official visit to Beijing by leader of Korea since 2019.
In fall, Chinese President Xi had his first visit to South Korea in 11 years. The leaders of Canada & China met for first time in 8 years. Etc.
E.U. and South America to Form Free-Trade Zone With 700 Million People www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/b...
E.U. and South America to Form Free-Trade Zone With 700 Million People
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Trump succeeds at united the world—against us.
This week, South Korea's president had 1st official visit to Beijing by leader of Korea since 2019.
In fall, Chinese President Xi had his first visit to South Korea in 11 years. The leaders of Canada & China met for first time in 8 years. Etc.
This week, South Korea's president had 1st official visit to Beijing by leader of Korea since 2019.
In fall, Chinese President Xi had his first visit to South Korea in 11 years. The leaders of Canada & China met for first time in 8 years. Etc.
State ethics board finds "reasonable cause" to believe Gov. Bob Ferguson violated ethics law by inviting former top aide Mike Webb on a cross-state trip on a state patrol plane last June www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Board finds 'reasonable cause' Ferguson violated ethics law
An ethics investigation found "reasonable cause" to believe Gov. Bob Ferguson violated ethics rules in bringing former aide Mike Webb on a state plane.
www.seattletimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:55 AM
State ethics board finds "reasonable cause" to believe Gov. Bob Ferguson violated ethics law by inviting former top aide Mike Webb on a cross-state trip on a state patrol plane last June www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Editorial in the National Catholic Reporter: "The vice president's comments justifying the death of Renee Good are a moral stain on the collective witness of our Catholic faith. His repeated attempts to blame Good for her own death are fundamentally incompatible with the Gospel."
Catholic Vice President Vance takes to social media to justify killing of Renee Good
After the tragic shooting of Renee Good at the hands of ICE, the Catholic vice president of the United States took to social media to justify the killing.
www.ncronline.org
January 8, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Editorial in the National Catholic Reporter: "The vice president's comments justifying the death of Renee Good are a moral stain on the collective witness of our Catholic faith. His repeated attempts to blame Good for her own death are fundamentally incompatible with the Gospel."
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Look, we really needed this one today:
🐈 💵 Thanks to some incarcerated women in Texas, a GoFundMe benefitting a senior cat named Orange Julius has raised more than $6,000 so he can be treated for a kidney infection.
thebarbedwire.com/2026/01/08/t...
🐈 💵 Thanks to some incarcerated women in Texas, a GoFundMe benefitting a senior cat named Orange Julius has raised more than $6,000 so he can be treated for a kidney infection.
thebarbedwire.com/2026/01/08/t...
Incarcerated Texas Women Are Crowdfunding a Vet Visit for a Beloved Cat Named Orange Julius
OJ has helped his owner “not lose her hope or her spark” during incarceration.
thebarbedwire.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Look, we really needed this one today:
🐈 💵 Thanks to some incarcerated women in Texas, a GoFundMe benefitting a senior cat named Orange Julius has raised more than $6,000 so he can be treated for a kidney infection.
thebarbedwire.com/2026/01/08/t...
🐈 💵 Thanks to some incarcerated women in Texas, a GoFundMe benefitting a senior cat named Orange Julius has raised more than $6,000 so he can be treated for a kidney infection.
thebarbedwire.com/2026/01/08/t...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Performative public lying is a hallmark of far right authoritarian parties
JD Vance: "Ramming an ICE officer with your car -- that's what justifies being shot ... the reason this woman is dead is because she tried to ram somebody with her car and that guy acted in self defense"
January 8, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Performative public lying is a hallmark of far right authoritarian parties
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Seattle police said masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested three men on Aurora Avenue North Wednesday.
Masked ICE agents reportedly arrest 3 on Seattle’s Aurora Avenue North
www.seattletimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Seattle police said masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested three men on Aurora Avenue North Wednesday.
Reposted by Jim Brunner
“'The guy, I’m telling him like, "Please step off the school grounds," and this dude comes up and bumps into me and then tells me that I pushed him, and he knocked me down,' an official at Roosevelt High School said. 'They don’t care. They’re just animals. I’ve never seen people behave like this.'"
Minneapolis schools cancel classes after Border Patrol clash disrupts dismissal at Roosevelt
Minneapolis schools closed for the week citing safety concerns after an encounter involving armed Border Patrol agents near Roosevelt High School.
www.mprnews.org
January 8, 2026 at 2:09 PM
“'The guy, I’m telling him like, "Please step off the school grounds," and this dude comes up and bumps into me and then tells me that I pushed him, and he knocked me down,' an official at Roosevelt High School said. 'They don’t care. They’re just animals. I’ve never seen people behave like this.'"
Reposted by Jim Brunner
checking in on elon musk, the guy who absolutely did not give a nazi salute last year
January 8, 2026 at 2:35 PM
checking in on elon musk, the guy who absolutely did not give a nazi salute last year
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Conducting immigration enforcement doesn't mean you execute American citizens in the street.
Yet DHS is already lying about what we can all see with our own eyes.
Since Kristi Noem won't, state governments everywhere will need to hold out-of-control federal agents accountable.
Yet DHS is already lying about what we can all see with our own eyes.
Since Kristi Noem won't, state governments everywhere will need to hold out-of-control federal agents accountable.
Minnesota leaders call for ICE to leave the state after agent shoots, kills woman
The Minnesota officials denied claims by the Department of Homeland Security that the shots were “defensive.”
www.politico.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Conducting immigration enforcement doesn't mean you execute American citizens in the street.
Yet DHS is already lying about what we can all see with our own eyes.
Since Kristi Noem won't, state governments everywhere will need to hold out-of-control federal agents accountable.
Yet DHS is already lying about what we can all see with our own eyes.
Since Kristi Noem won't, state governments everywhere will need to hold out-of-control federal agents accountable.
WA Democratic legislators have filed a constitutional amendment for a mid-cycle redrawing of congressional districts in response to Republican states doing it. But this would take a 2/3 majority vote in each house, which Ds do not have. app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/...
HJR 4209 Washington State Legislature
app.leg.wa.gov
January 7, 2026 at 6:26 PM
WA Democratic legislators have filed a constitutional amendment for a mid-cycle redrawing of congressional districts in response to Republican states doing it. But this would take a 2/3 majority vote in each house, which Ds do not have. app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
thrilled to say i dunno who this particular man is but ive found in general that people who talk like this in public tend to be people who are like incapable of doing their laundry on their own
January 7, 2026 at 12:57 AM
thrilled to say i dunno who this particular man is but ive found in general that people who talk like this in public tend to be people who are like incapable of doing their laundry on their own
Reposted by Jim Brunner
“Grok Is Undressing Women and Children. Only Elon Musk Is to Blame”
The abuse is widespread, writes Taylor Lorenz for Zeteo. But instead of apologizing, Musk has gleefully encouraged the behavior, praising Grok’s ability and promoting the tool.
The abuse is widespread, writes Taylor Lorenz for Zeteo. But instead of apologizing, Musk has gleefully encouraged the behavior, praising Grok’s ability and promoting the tool.
Grok Is Undressing Women and Children. Only Elon Musk Is to Blame
The abuse is widespread. But instead of apologizing, Musk has gleefully encouraged the behavior, praising Grok’s ability and promoting the tool.
zeteo.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:04 PM
“Grok Is Undressing Women and Children. Only Elon Musk Is to Blame”
The abuse is widespread, writes Taylor Lorenz for Zeteo. But instead of apologizing, Musk has gleefully encouraged the behavior, praising Grok’s ability and promoting the tool.
The abuse is widespread, writes Taylor Lorenz for Zeteo. But instead of apologizing, Musk has gleefully encouraged the behavior, praising Grok’s ability and promoting the tool.