Matt Sircely
@mattsircely.bsky.social
Songwriter, mandolin, guitar & other stringed instruments, music teacher, 30 yrs freelance writer/photographer. Originally from Pennsylvania, now based in Seattle area, Western Washington
Reposted by Matt Sircely
It was another wild week for democracy, as President Donald Trump’s authoritarian power grab — from his bid to rig the 2026 midterms to his corrupt, revenge-driven prosecutions — suffered some major setbacks. Here's a quick recap:
www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
This Week at Democracy Docket: Trump’s Texas Gerrymander Blocked, and the GOP Calls ICE on Signature Gatherers
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:28 PM
It was another wild week for democracy, as President Donald Trump’s authoritarian power grab — from his bid to rig the 2026 midterms to his corrupt, revenge-driven prosecutions — suffered some major setbacks. Here's a quick recap:
www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Rep. Adelita Grijalva called Mike Johnson blocking her swearing in "an abuse of power."
"One individual should not be able to unitaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected member of Congress."
"One individual should not be able to unitaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected member of Congress."
November 12, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Rep. Adelita Grijalva called Mike Johnson blocking her swearing in "an abuse of power."
"One individual should not be able to unitaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected member of Congress."
"One individual should not be able to unitaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected member of Congress."
Reposted by Matt Sircely
The 9th circuit ruled the opposite. That the president’s power is not plenary, and that it’s subject to judicial review. I wonder why they gave him a do-over. Didn’t Trump sue over an edited Harris video?
October 8, 2025 at 5:08 AM
The 9th circuit ruled the opposite. That the president’s power is not plenary, and that it’s subject to judicial review. I wonder why they gave him a do-over. Didn’t Trump sue over an edited Harris video?
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Zelensky said he had a “good conversation” with Trump and believes the US president’s position has shifted.
www.kyivpost.com/post/60744
www.kyivpost.com/post/60744
‘We Can’t Just Swap Territories’: Zelensky Says Trump Finally Understands Ukraine’s Position
Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Zelensky said he had a “good conversation” with Trump and believes the US president’s position has shifted.
www.kyivpost.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Zelensky said he had a “good conversation” with Trump and believes the US president’s position has shifted.
www.kyivpost.com/post/60744
www.kyivpost.com/post/60744
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Whatever else you think of him, I don't think he is insincere about this stuff, and it should be recognized as extraordinary that he, Pritzker, and other governors are talking about the federal government in these terms. It's not normal political rhetoric, it's the language of existential emergency.
Newsom: "I fear that we will not have an election in 2028 -- I really mean that in the core of my soul -- unless we wake up to the code red, what's happening in this country, and we wake up soberly to how serious this moment is."
September 24, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Whatever else you think of him, I don't think he is insincere about this stuff, and it should be recognized as extraordinary that he, Pritzker, and other governors are talking about the federal government in these terms. It's not normal political rhetoric, it's the language of existential emergency.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
September 17, 2025
"A republic, if you can keep it."
"A republic, if you can keep it."
September 17, 2025 (Wednesday)
This evening, John Koblin, Michael M.
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 6:26 AM
September 17, 2025
"A republic, if you can keep it."
"A republic, if you can keep it."
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Earlier today, FCC Chair Brendan Carr said “we can do this the easy way or the hard way” about Disney/ABC “taking action on Kimmel.”
Hours later, ABC pulled Kimmel off the air.
It’s a blatant crackdown on free speech by an authoritarian administration. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Hours later, ABC pulled Kimmel off the air.
It’s a blatant crackdown on free speech by an authoritarian administration. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Disney's ABC pulls 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' after FCC chair criticizes the host's Charlie Kirk comments
The network confirmed it is "indefinitely" pulling the show.
www.nbcnews.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Earlier today, FCC Chair Brendan Carr said “we can do this the easy way or the hard way” about Disney/ABC “taking action on Kimmel.”
Hours later, ABC pulled Kimmel off the air.
It’s a blatant crackdown on free speech by an authoritarian administration. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Hours later, ABC pulled Kimmel off the air.
It’s a blatant crackdown on free speech by an authoritarian administration. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Reposted by Matt Sircely
I’ve never applauded jury nullification.
Until now.
Free DC.
Until now.
Free DC.
August 29, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I’ve never applauded jury nullification.
Until now.
Free DC.
Until now.
Free DC.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
I’ve spent the last 24 hours in the Capitol as Republicans caved and advanced their Big Ugly Bill in the dead of night.
A final vote is set for this morning.
This will be the biggest transfer of wealth from our everyday working people to the rich—and it will devastate our country.
A final vote is set for this morning.
This will be the biggest transfer of wealth from our everyday working people to the rich—and it will devastate our country.
July 3, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I’ve spent the last 24 hours in the Capitol as Republicans caved and advanced their Big Ugly Bill in the dead of night.
A final vote is set for this morning.
This will be the biggest transfer of wealth from our everyday working people to the rich—and it will devastate our country.
A final vote is set for this morning.
This will be the biggest transfer of wealth from our everyday working people to the rich—and it will devastate our country.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
If you’re wondering if US climate researchers are freaking out, yeah they’re freaking out.
June 2, 2025 at 1:04 PM
If you’re wondering if US climate researchers are freaking out, yeah they’re freaking out.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Frost: Tonight the people stealing are not folks with tattoos and hoodies but people wearing suits and ties and congressional pins sitting in the capitol now, not in some alley wrapped in darkness but the United States congress wrapped in the flag. It is disgusting and we will never forget this.
May 22, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Frost: Tonight the people stealing are not folks with tattoos and hoodies but people wearing suits and ties and congressional pins sitting in the capitol now, not in some alley wrapped in darkness but the United States congress wrapped in the flag. It is disgusting and we will never forget this.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
News: Four union leaders call for Abrego Garcia's release in new letter to El Salvadoran ambassador. Labor is ramping up its advocacy for this sheet metal worker.
"The erosion of rights and due process for immigrants in the US is a direct threat to the rights of all working people."
"The erosion of rights and due process for immigrants in the US is a direct threat to the rights of all working people."
May 2, 2025 at 11:34 AM
News: Four union leaders call for Abrego Garcia's release in new letter to El Salvadoran ambassador. Labor is ramping up its advocacy for this sheet metal worker.
"The erosion of rights and due process for immigrants in the US is a direct threat to the rights of all working people."
"The erosion of rights and due process for immigrants in the US is a direct threat to the rights of all working people."
Reposted by Matt Sircely
April 26, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Reposted by Matt Sircely
The Democrats who fought for their constituents, and stood up for the rights of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and Andry Hernandez Romero, have weakened Trump on his strongest issue. You can’t lose when you fight for the Constitution.
Remarkable from WaPo poll: Trump sinking fast on immigration among independents.
56% disapprove of handling of issue
62% oppose removing foreign students
52% oppose renditions to El Salvador
Only 21% want Abrego Garcia left there
Engage, Dems.
New piece from me:
newrepublic.com/article/1944...
56% disapprove of handling of issue
62% oppose removing foreign students
52% oppose renditions to El Salvador
Only 21% want Abrego Garcia left there
Engage, Dems.
New piece from me:
newrepublic.com/article/1944...
Trump Is Suddenly Bleeding Independents. A Brutal New Poll Shows Why.
Immigration was his best issue in the polls. But now he's sinking on it. Maybe Americans care about the rule of law after all.
newrepublic.com
April 25, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The Democrats who fought for their constituents, and stood up for the rights of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and Andry Hernandez Romero, have weakened Trump on his strongest issue. You can’t lose when you fight for the Constitution.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
3/ It appears to essentially abolish what we now know as the foreign service. Immediately ends the foreign service exam. Institutes new system based on things like "demonstrated charisma", "verbal authenticity", "alignment with President's foreign policy vision", et al.
April 20, 2025 at 1:42 AM
3/ It appears to essentially abolish what we now know as the foreign service. Immediately ends the foreign service exam. Institutes new system based on things like "demonstrated charisma", "verbal authenticity", "alignment with President's foreign policy vision", et al.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
They hate America, the constitution, and our democracy, and want a dictatorship instead. They’re not hiding it.
April 21, 2025 at 4:50 AM
They hate America, the constitution, and our democracy, and want a dictatorship instead. They’re not hiding it.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
One note to DOJ: I'm sorry you're overwhelmed with all of the defending of lawlessness that you're doing, but this is *not* the way to do this.
Is DOJ just no longer filing actual stay requests at district courts? They just file a paragraph and attach an appeals court filing? What?
Is DOJ just no longer filing actual stay requests at district courts? They just file a paragraph and attach an appeals court filing? What?
BREAKING: DOJ asks the D.C. Circuit to block Judge Boasberg's Wednesday opinion and order finding probable cause for criminal contempt, and asks Boasberg to do the same.
![UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
J.G.G., et al.,
Plaintiffs,
V.
No. 1:25-cv-00766-JEB
DONALD J. TRUMP, et al.,
Defendants.
EMERGENCY MOTION FOR A STAY PENDING APPEAL
For the reasons stated in the attached "Emergency Motion for a Stay Pending Appeal, or in the Alternative, a Writ of Mandamus," filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on April 17, 2025, Defendants hereby request a stay of the Court's Order dated April 16, 2025, [Docket Entry 80] and the Memorandum Opinion entered on April 16, 2025 [Docket Entry 81] pending further review by the Court of Appeals. On April 17, 2025,
undersigned counsel contacted Lee Gelernt, counsel for Plaintiffs, who expressed opposition to
the motion on behalf of the Plaintiffs.
YAAKOV M. ROTH
Acting Assistant Attorney General
Civil Division
DREW C. ENSIGN
Deputy Assistant Attorney General
Respectfully submitted,
By: s/ Ernesto H. Molina, Jr.
ERNESTO H. MOLINA, JR.
Deputy Director
United States Department of Justice
Civil Division
Office Of Immigration Litigation -
General Litigation and Appeals Section](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreifjvkswzxdrn4rfzcahtzdelkfsvjpc5nlfzo5q52j4fqe4xztsmq@jpeg)
April 18, 2025 at 5:04 AM
One note to DOJ: I'm sorry you're overwhelmed with all of the defending of lawlessness that you're doing, but this is *not* the way to do this.
Is DOJ just no longer filing actual stay requests at district courts? They just file a paragraph and attach an appeals court filing? What?
Is DOJ just no longer filing actual stay requests at district courts? They just file a paragraph and attach an appeals court filing? What?
Reposted by Matt Sircely
one thing that Democratic politicians should take note of is that the overlap between “great political optics” and “actual morally good stuff” is really big right now
April 18, 2025 at 5:20 AM
one thing that Democratic politicians should take note of is that the overlap between “great political optics” and “actual morally good stuff” is really big right now
Reposted by Matt Sircely
The three liberal Justices wrote separately _precisely_ because they well understand (much better even than I do) that this was not a full denial of the petition—it was an extremely dangerous half-measure.
Just so, DOJ is openly celebrating tonight because Team Trump knows this was a long-term win.
Just so, DOJ is openly celebrating tonight because Team Trump knows this was a long-term win.
April 11, 2025 at 2:18 AM
The three liberal Justices wrote separately _precisely_ because they well understand (much better even than I do) that this was not a full denial of the petition—it was an extremely dangerous half-measure.
Just so, DOJ is openly celebrating tonight because Team Trump knows this was a long-term win.
Just so, DOJ is openly celebrating tonight because Team Trump knows this was a long-term win.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
The Supreme Court's confusing order explained: "If the government were acting in good faith here, this order would probably be fine. But the government has made clear that it is not." open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
The Supreme Court Finally Rules
Late this afternoon, the Supreme Court issued a 9-0 response to the government’s application to vacate federal District Judge Paula Xinis’ order that the Trump administration return Kilmar Abrego Garc...
open.substack.com
April 11, 2025 at 2:05 AM
The Supreme Court's confusing order explained: "If the government were acting in good faith here, this order would probably be fine. But the government has made clear that it is not." open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Reposted by Matt Sircely
A super useful thread on what to do now that the GOP has a framework for reconciliation.
The House just passed its budget resolution, so reconciliation is now officially underway. This is their bill to destroy Medicaid and SNAP while cutting taxes disproportionately for the rich.
THIS IS VERY REAL and can be enacted even if all Ds vote no.
Thread on what's to come and WHERE TO FIGHT.
THIS IS VERY REAL and can be enacted even if all Ds vote no.
Thread on what's to come and WHERE TO FIGHT.
April 10, 2025 at 3:27 PM
A super useful thread on what to do now that the GOP has a framework for reconciliation.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Needless to say, Justice Sotomayor is not mincing words. "The Government’s conduct in this litigation poses an extraordinary threat to the rule of law. ... We, as a Nation and a court of law, should be better than this."
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
April 7, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Needless to say, Justice Sotomayor is not mincing words. "The Government’s conduct in this litigation poses an extraordinary threat to the rule of law. ... We, as a Nation and a court of law, should be better than this."
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
Reposted by Matt Sircely
BUT the majority says Venezuelan migrants MUST be given notice that they're being deported under the Alien Enemies Act and an opportunity "to actually seek habeas relief" before they're removed. The majority affirms their right to due process—this is a big deal. www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
April 7, 2025 at 11:05 PM
BUT the majority says Venezuelan migrants MUST be given notice that they're being deported under the Alien Enemies Act and an opportunity "to actually seek habeas relief" before they're removed. The majority affirms their right to due process—this is a big deal. www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
Reposted by Matt Sircely
This got lost in the last week—but in my preview of the April 1 elections, I had asked people to follow school board races in three places: Kenosha, Green Bay, and Anchorage.
Result: The Dem-backed or liberal candidates won 6 of the 7 seats at play.
via: boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
Result: The Dem-backed or liberal candidates won 6 of the 7 seats at play.
via: boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
April 6, 2025 at 10:25 PM
This got lost in the last week—but in my preview of the April 1 elections, I had asked people to follow school board races in three places: Kenosha, Green Bay, and Anchorage.
Result: The Dem-backed or liberal candidates won 6 of the 7 seats at play.
via: boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
Result: The Dem-backed or liberal candidates won 6 of the 7 seats at play.
via: boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...