Kate Riga
@kateriga.bsky.social
Covering the Supreme Court etc at TPM & co-hosting the Josh Marshall Podcast; Philly-born Mystics diehard 🚴♀️🏃♀️Call me/beep me: kateriga.24/ kate@talkingpointsmemo.com 📸 Leah Miessler, Anna Moneymaker
Breaking: Judge grants Mark Kelly a preliminary injunction against Hegseth, who is reconsidering his rank: "This Court has all it needs to conclude that Defendants have trampled on Sen. Kelly's First Amendment freedoms & threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees."
February 12, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Breaking: Judge grants Mark Kelly a preliminary injunction against Hegseth, who is reconsidering his rank: "This Court has all it needs to conclude that Defendants have trampled on Sen. Kelly's First Amendment freedoms & threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees."
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) telling ICE/CBP heads that if the Pretti probe wraps and they find "nobody is to blame" and "no changes" are being made, "it destroys the trust in ICE." Says people don't trust it'll be a real investigation after administration comments — there have to be "repercussions"
February 12, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) telling ICE/CBP heads that if the Pretti probe wraps and they find "nobody is to blame" and "no changes" are being made, "it destroys the trust in ICE." Says people don't trust it'll be a real investigation after administration comments — there have to be "repercussions"
More McIver (D-NJ) to ICE chief at today's hearing:
-"How do you think Judgment Day will work for you, with so much blood on your hands?"
-"Do you think you're going to hell, Mr. Lyons?"
-"How many government agencies are you aware of that routinely kill American citizens and still get funding?"
-"How do you think Judgment Day will work for you, with so much blood on your hands?"
-"Do you think you're going to hell, Mr. Lyons?"
-"How many government agencies are you aware of that routinely kill American citizens and still get funding?"
February 10, 2026 at 6:39 PM
More McIver (D-NJ) to ICE chief at today's hearing:
-"How do you think Judgment Day will work for you, with so much blood on your hands?"
-"Do you think you're going to hell, Mr. Lyons?"
-"How many government agencies are you aware of that routinely kill American citizens and still get funding?"
-"How do you think Judgment Day will work for you, with so much blood on your hands?"
-"Do you think you're going to hell, Mr. Lyons?"
-"How many government agencies are you aware of that routinely kill American citizens and still get funding?"
Hello from the House Homeland Security hearing w/ the heads of ICE, CPB & USCIS. Interested to see to what extent House Republicans voice criticism — this hearing was called amid the outpouring of horror after the Pretti killing, w/ some Republicans breaking w/ Trump & calling for an investigation
February 10, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Hello from the House Homeland Security hearing w/ the heads of ICE, CPB & USCIS. Interested to see to what extent House Republicans voice criticism — this hearing was called amid the outpouring of horror after the Pretti killing, w/ some Republicans breaking w/ Trump & calling for an investigation
Trump's DOJ has been mining for trans children's info via broad, intimidating subpoenas to hospitals. "They’re fishing for someone to prosecute," lead counsel in a DC case told me.
But...they keep losing. From me and the great @joshkovensky.bsky.social ⤵️ talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-d...
But...they keep losing. From me and the great @joshkovensky.bsky.social ⤵️ talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-d...
Trump’s DOJ Keeps Losing in Court Over Bids to Eliminate Gender-Affirming Care
In several cases across the country, judges have rejected or trimmed subpoenas...
talkingpointsmemo.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Trump's DOJ has been mining for trans children's info via broad, intimidating subpoenas to hospitals. "They’re fishing for someone to prosecute," lead counsel in a DC case told me.
But...they keep losing. From me and the great @joshkovensky.bsky.social ⤵️ talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-d...
But...they keep losing. From me and the great @joshkovensky.bsky.social ⤵️ talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-d...
Always galling when reporters pretend pro women's sports don't count, as Ashley Parker does here, but even more so when the WaPo massacre may have claimed 1 of the like 2 total Mystics beat reporters. So hoping Kareem Copeland was somehow spared - women's sports journalism is already so neglected
February 4, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Always galling when reporters pretend pro women's sports don't count, as Ashley Parker does here, but even more so when the WaPo massacre may have claimed 1 of the like 2 total Mystics beat reporters. So hoping Kareem Copeland was somehow spared - women's sports journalism is already so neglected
Hello from DC district court where Mark Kelly is fighting Pete Hegseth’s attempt to go after his rank/retirement benefits. Hegseth targeted Kelly after he participated in a video advising members of the military that they can’t follow illegal orders. Kelly himself just arrived for the hearing
February 3, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Hello from DC district court where Mark Kelly is fighting Pete Hegseth’s attempt to go after his rank/retirement benefits. Hegseth targeted Kelly after he participated in a video advising members of the military that they can’t follow illegal orders. Kelly himself just arrived for the hearing
Sen. Ossoff tells me he hasn't learned anything more about the FBI's raid of the Fulton County election office yesterday. When I asked whether he expects to learn more soon, he quips that "it's not an administration known for its transparency"
January 29, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Sen. Ossoff tells me he hasn't learned anything more about the FBI's raid of the Fulton County election office yesterday. When I asked whether he expects to learn more soon, he quips that "it's not an administration known for its transparency"
“It's critical right now that we divide the spending bills so that we can focus on ICE funding & make certain that we get restrictions in place so that ICE stops terrorizing our cities,” Sen Warren tells me. “The details of what it will take to get that done are still in flux, but that is the goal.”
January 29, 2026 at 5:28 PM
“It's critical right now that we divide the spending bills so that we can focus on ICE funding & make certain that we get restrictions in place so that ICE stops terrorizing our cities,” Sen Warren tells me. “The details of what it will take to get that done are still in flux, but that is the goal.”
Sen. Andy Kim not won over by Trump's swapping of Bovino with Homan in Minneapolis: "Well, look, I mean this is a guy that allegedly took $50,000 in cash in a CAVA bag — he's not somebody that's high on my list of confidence," he told me.
January 29, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Sen. Andy Kim not won over by Trump's swapping of Bovino with Homan in Minneapolis: "Well, look, I mean this is a guy that allegedly took $50,000 in cash in a CAVA bag — he's not somebody that's high on my list of confidence," he told me.
Today's arguments over the Fed brought up this great quote Peter Shane gave me last year. Catch up on today's proceedings here: talkingpointsmemo.com/news/kavanau...
January 21, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Today's arguments over the Fed brought up this great quote Peter Shane gave me last year. Catch up on today's proceedings here: talkingpointsmemo.com/news/kavanau...
We're liveblogging these huge Fed Reserve SCOTUS arguments over at TPM — Kavanaugh just said the Trump position would "weaken if not shatter the Independence of the Federal Reserve." Big, consequential, cut and dry assertion from him
January 21, 2026 at 3:48 PM
We're liveblogging these huge Fed Reserve SCOTUS arguments over at TPM — Kavanaugh just said the Trump position would "weaken if not shatter the Independence of the Federal Reserve." Big, consequential, cut and dry assertion from him
Jackson bemoaned in a Wednesday dissent that the Court’s majority had crafted a “bespoke” doctrine allowing candidates to challenge voting laws with far more leeway than it had even been willing to give victims of law enforcement violence. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/jackson...
Jackson Takes a Swipe at ‘Kavanaugh Stops’ in Dissent Over Candidates’ Ability To Challenge Voting Laws
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson bemoaned in a dissent that the Court’s majority...
talkingpointsmemo.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Jackson bemoaned in a Wednesday dissent that the Court’s majority had crafted a “bespoke” doctrine allowing candidates to challenge voting laws with far more leeway than it had even been willing to give victims of law enforcement violence. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/jackson...
One SCOTUS ruling today in case I've covered - Court says election denier Rep. Bost has standing to challenge Illinois' grace period for accepting mail ballots. Opens door to more candidate challenges - case made odd bedfellows, w/ ACLU/League of Women Voters/Judicial Watch on same (winning) side
January 14, 2026 at 3:20 PM
One SCOTUS ruling today in case I've covered - Court says election denier Rep. Bost has standing to challenge Illinois' grace period for accepting mail ballots. Opens door to more candidate challenges - case made odd bedfellows, w/ ACLU/League of Women Voters/Judicial Watch on same (winning) side
Alito asks if female athletes who oppose trans women's participation are "bigots? Are they deluded in thinking that they are subjected to unfair competition?” Tuesday showcased the majority's growing radicalization on trans issues (in lockstep w/ the GOP's) talkingpointsmemo.com/news/alito-k...
Alito and Kavanaugh Give Fox News-esque Recitation of Anti-Trans Talking Points
The Supreme Court majority’s radicalization on trans issues has become apparent not...
talkingpointsmemo.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Alito asks if female athletes who oppose trans women's participation are "bigots? Are they deluded in thinking that they are subjected to unfair competition?” Tuesday showcased the majority's growing radicalization on trans issues (in lockstep w/ the GOP's) talkingpointsmemo.com/news/alito-k...
Reposted by Kate Riga
The Supreme Court's right wing on Tuesday sounded amenable to preventing trans people from constitutionally challenging sports bans and beyond.
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/right-w...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/right-w...
Right-Wing Justices Warm to Idea that Trans Minority Too Small to Challenge Sports Bans
On the heels of its landmark 2025 decision allowing red states to...
talkingpointsmemo.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:51 PM
The Supreme Court's right wing on Tuesday sounded amenable to preventing trans people from constitutionally challenging sports bans and beyond.
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/right-w...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/right-w...
A lot of nastiness in today's attempt by Idaho and West Virginia to enforce bans on trans women participating in any level of women's sports at the Supreme Court - but particularly acute in the Idaho case, where the plaintiff has tried to drop the case, promising not to play on any women's team
January 13, 2026 at 3:35 PM
A lot of nastiness in today's attempt by Idaho and West Virginia to enforce bans on trans women participating in any level of women's sports at the Supreme Court - but particularly acute in the Idaho case, where the plaintiff has tried to drop the case, promising not to play on any women's team
Sen Mark Kelly is suing Pete Hegseth in federal court after Hegseth directed the Navy to reconsider Kelly's rank/pay - "Defendants’ actions violate numerous constitutional guarantees and have no basis in statute. They should proceed no further," complaint says
January 12, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Sen Mark Kelly is suing Pete Hegseth in federal court after Hegseth directed the Navy to reconsider Kelly's rank/pay - "Defendants’ actions violate numerous constitutional guarantees and have no basis in statute. They should proceed no further," complaint says
In major decision, the Wyoming Supreme Court knocked down 2 abortion bans today -- citing an anti-Obamacare amendment! The amendment was initially passed to protect people from ACA "threats" like "death panels." It's now an inadvertent shield for abortion rights talkingpointsmemo.com/news/anti-ob...
An Anti-Obamacare Amendment Just Saved Abortion In Wyoming
The Wyoming Supreme Court knocked down two abortion restrictions Tuesday — one...
talkingpointsmemo.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:26 PM
In major decision, the Wyoming Supreme Court knocked down 2 abortion bans today -- citing an anti-Obamacare amendment! The amendment was initially passed to protect people from ACA "threats" like "death panels." It's now an inadvertent shield for abortion rights talkingpointsmemo.com/news/anti-ob...
Marty Lederman's amicus brief did end up giving SCOTUS a way out on National Guard occupations. Risk now - does Trump invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy active duty military to blue cities? And if he does, will the Court stop him? talkingpointsmemo.com/news/supreme...
Supreme Court Blocks Trump’s National Guard Occupation of Chicago
The Supreme Court upheld a block on the National Guard’s deployment to...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Marty Lederman's amicus brief did end up giving SCOTUS a way out on National Guard occupations. Risk now - does Trump invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy active duty military to blue cities? And if he does, will the Court stop him? talkingpointsmemo.com/news/supreme...
In a twist, it was Sen. Kennedy (R-LA) who forcefully grilled a Trump nominee today on his preachings about marriage not being "intended" for disabled people, "transgenderism & homosexuality" being "sexual perversions" & wives' obligation to serve their husbands talkingpointsmemo.com/news/kennedy...
GOP Senator Grills Trump Nominee on Statement that Marriage Is Not Intended for Disabled People
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), usually a fairly reliable Republican foot soldier, grilled...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:47 PM
In a twist, it was Sen. Kennedy (R-LA) who forcefully grilled a Trump nominee today on his preachings about marriage not being "intended" for disabled people, "transgenderism & homosexuality" being "sexual perversions" & wives' obligation to serve their husbands talkingpointsmemo.com/news/kennedy...
Reposted by Kate Riga
What’s worse, Fetterman working harder to get a pardon for Netanyahu than healthcare for his own constituents….or the fact that he did the Netanyahu letter in secret?
December 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
What’s worse, Fetterman working harder to get a pardon for Netanyahu than healthcare for his own constituents….or the fact that he did the Netanyahu letter in secret?
Fetterman expressed surprise when I confirmed we had a copy of the letter he wrote to Israel President Herzog, pushing for a pardon for Netanyahu. “I know you guys use things like leaks but I don’t know who did that.” Story from @joshkovensky.bsky.social + me: talkingpointsmemo.com/news/fetterm...
Fetterman Writes Letter Asking Israel’s President to Pardon Netanyahu
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) prepared a letter in recent days asking Israel’s...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Fetterman expressed surprise when I confirmed we had a copy of the letter he wrote to Israel President Herzog, pushing for a pardon for Netanyahu. “I know you guys use things like leaks but I don’t know who did that.” Story from @joshkovensky.bsky.social + me: talkingpointsmemo.com/news/fetterm...
Reposted by Kate Riga
Scoop, w the incomparable @kateriga.bsky.social: John Fetterman asked Israel's President to pardon Netanyahu in a previously unreported letter
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/fetterm...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/fetterm...
Fetterman Writes Letter Asking Israel’s President to Pardon Netanyahu
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) prepared a letter in recent days asking Israel’s...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Scoop, w the incomparable @kateriga.bsky.social: John Fetterman asked Israel's President to pardon Netanyahu in a previously unreported letter
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/fetterm...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/fetterm...
Scoop: TPM obtained a letter Sen. Fetterman wrote to Israel President Herzog lobbying for a pardon for Netanyahu. In an interview today, he told me the trial is a "pointless distraction.""I fully support it and I stand on the letter," he said. From me & @joshkovensky.bsky.social ⬇️
December 11, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Scoop: TPM obtained a letter Sen. Fetterman wrote to Israel President Herzog lobbying for a pardon for Netanyahu. In an interview today, he told me the trial is a "pointless distraction.""I fully support it and I stand on the letter," he said. From me & @joshkovensky.bsky.social ⬇️