Merici
@merici.bsky.social
there’s no rule that says you can’t rewrite all the rules
Currently: Fellow. Ex: US Digital Service, CFPB, Ideo. co-founder Ada’s List
DC via London, Boulder, and the Sandhills of Nebraska
Direct File fan account
Currently: Fellow. Ex: US Digital Service, CFPB, Ideo. co-founder Ada’s List
DC via London, Boulder, and the Sandhills of Nebraska
Direct File fan account
My first MozzFest! What a crowd, what an agenda. Nice to be around optimistic leaders speaking truth to power. And, of course, to see @melissaryan.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 11:04 AM
My first MozzFest! What a crowd, what an agenda. Nice to be around optimistic leaders speaking truth to power. And, of course, to see @melissaryan.bsky.social
Reposted by Merici
SCOOP: Direct File is officially dead.
The IRS emailed states yesterday telling them that the free, online tax filing service won't happen next year and has no future launch date.
Republicans and tax prep companies both opposed the service.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
The IRS emailed states yesterday telling them that the free, online tax filing service won't happen next year and has no future launch date.
Republicans and tax prep companies both opposed the service.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Direct File won’t happen in 2026, IRS tells states
The free service that allowed taxpayers to file online directly with the IRS was used by hundreds of thousands of taxpayers in 2024 and 2025, who gave it high marks — although tax prep companies and R...
www.nextgov.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
SCOOP: Direct File is officially dead.
The IRS emailed states yesterday telling them that the free, online tax filing service won't happen next year and has no future launch date.
Republicans and tax prep companies both opposed the service.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
The IRS emailed states yesterday telling them that the free, online tax filing service won't happen next year and has no future launch date.
Republicans and tax prep companies both opposed the service.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Reposted by Merici
Direct File is survived by its code, lovingly preserved on GitHub for potential revival whenever the leaders of the executive branch are no longer bent on looting the country.
November 4, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Direct File is survived by its code, lovingly preserved on GitHub for potential revival whenever the leaders of the executive branch are no longer bent on looting the country.
Reposted by Merici
The West Wing is now just the Wing.
October 22, 2025 at 2:10 AM
The West Wing is now just the Wing.
Today is the last day the IRS accepts tax returns.
It’s also the last day to use Direct File, the IRS’ beloved, free tax filing service, before it’s shut down.
💔 ✊❤️
It’s also the last day to use Direct File, the IRS’ beloved, free tax filing service, before it’s shut down.
💔 ✊❤️
October 15, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Today is the last day the IRS accepts tax returns.
It’s also the last day to use Direct File, the IRS’ beloved, free tax filing service, before it’s shut down.
💔 ✊❤️
It’s also the last day to use Direct File, the IRS’ beloved, free tax filing service, before it’s shut down.
💔 ✊❤️
Reposted by Merici
Yep, boy howdy, and absolutely.
I’m not a civic tech person, but I know some good ones — @erie.bsky.social, @merici.bsky.social, @waldo.net. A Democratic Party serious about rebuilding state capacity would give folks like them the latitude to supplant contractors with internal tech.
I’m not a civic tech person, but I know some good ones — @erie.bsky.social, @merici.bsky.social, @waldo.net. A Democratic Party serious about rebuilding state capacity would give folks like them the latitude to supplant contractors with internal tech.
These guys have gotten incredibly rich by fleecing the government with subpar tech that was designed for rentseeking rather than performance. A smart Dem agenda item would be to build internal tech capacity. The fact that it would punish these guys is just a silver lining.
Being a billionaire must really fuck with your mind. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
October 11, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Yep, boy howdy, and absolutely.
I’m not a civic tech person, but I know some good ones — @erie.bsky.social, @merici.bsky.social, @waldo.net. A Democratic Party serious about rebuilding state capacity would give folks like them the latitude to supplant contractors with internal tech.
I’m not a civic tech person, but I know some good ones — @erie.bsky.social, @merici.bsky.social, @waldo.net. A Democratic Party serious about rebuilding state capacity would give folks like them the latitude to supplant contractors with internal tech.
Reposted by Merici
SCARBOROUGH: The Nebraska Rural Health Association says at least 6 rural hospitals would have to close bc of the big beautiful bill
FLOOD: Here's the deal: Some hospitals that are rural hospitals are going to eventually have to transition from being acute bed hospitals into being an ER model
FLOOD: Here's the deal: Some hospitals that are rural hospitals are going to eventually have to transition from being acute bed hospitals into being an ER model
October 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
SCARBOROUGH: The Nebraska Rural Health Association says at least 6 rural hospitals would have to close bc of the big beautiful bill
FLOOD: Here's the deal: Some hospitals that are rural hospitals are going to eventually have to transition from being acute bed hospitals into being an ER model
FLOOD: Here's the deal: Some hospitals that are rural hospitals are going to eventually have to transition from being acute bed hospitals into being an ER model
Reposted by Merici
We are worse off, by far, without Direct File. Just look at the metrics!
I'm proud to know @merici.bsky.social and @cmgiven.bsky.social; thanks @mattbracken.bsky.social for covering.
fedscoop.com/direct-file-...
I'm proud to know @merici.bsky.social and @cmgiven.bsky.social; thanks @mattbracken.bsky.social for covering.
fedscoop.com/direct-file-...
September 6, 2025 at 1:28 PM
We are worse off, by far, without Direct File. Just look at the metrics!
I'm proud to know @merici.bsky.social and @cmgiven.bsky.social; thanks @mattbracken.bsky.social for covering.
fedscoop.com/direct-file-...
I'm proud to know @merici.bsky.social and @cmgiven.bsky.social; thanks @mattbracken.bsky.social for covering.
fedscoop.com/direct-file-...
I gave a talk at the @codeforamerica.org summit about what we learned building Direct File and why it should be the bare minimum standard for gov services, not some miraculous exception.
And the product model approach shouldn’t just be for product teams, but all teams.
fas.org/publication/...
And the product model approach shouldn’t just be for product teams, but all teams.
fas.org/publication/...
Direct File Is the Floor, Not the Ceiling
"The first rule of government transformation is: there are a lot of rules. And there should be-ish. But we don't need to wait for permission to rewrite them. Let's go fix and build some things and sho...
fas.org
August 6, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I gave a talk at the @codeforamerica.org summit about what we learned building Direct File and why it should be the bare minimum standard for gov services, not some miraculous exception.
And the product model approach shouldn’t just be for product teams, but all teams.
fas.org/publication/...
And the product model approach shouldn’t just be for product teams, but all teams.
fas.org/publication/...
The pro-cancer lobby rn 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥳🍾🎉😘💋💋💋
He is a monster.
This is so beyond cruel.
This is so beyond cruel.
Kennedy to halt $500 million in vaccine projects
The move ends investments in projects involving mRNA technology.
www.politico.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The pro-cancer lobby rn 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥳🍾🎉😘💋💋💋
Reposted by Merici
This administration just dropped the CFPB case against the Navy Federal Credit Union which defrauded our servicemembers to the tune of $95 million in illegal overdraft fees.
Exclusive: The White House is preparing to step up pressure against big banks over perceived discrimination against conservatives and crypto companies with an executive order.
Exclusive | White House Preps Order to Punish Banks That Discriminate Against Conservatives
The president is expected to sign an executive order as soon as this week that targets so-called debanking of businesses including crypto companies.
on.wsj.com
August 5, 2025 at 2:06 AM
This administration just dropped the CFPB case against the Navy Federal Credit Union which defrauded our servicemembers to the tune of $95 million in illegal overdraft fees.
Reposted by Merici
The State Department is proposing requiring applicants for business and tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, a move that may make the process unaffordable for many.
U.S. may require visa applicants to post bond up to $15,000 to enter country
The State Department is proposing requiring applicants for business and tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000 to apply to enter the United States.
buff.ly
August 4, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The State Department is proposing requiring applicants for business and tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, a move that may make the process unaffordable for many.
The IRS Commissioner confirms what we’ve known for months: Direct File is dead. After initial signals of interest from DOGE, turns out they aren’t actually interested in modern, efficient services that ppl love & the Trump admin finally admits it
news.bloombergtax.com/financial-ac...
news.bloombergtax.com/financial-ac...
IRS Chief Says Direct File Is ‘Gone,’ Other Audit Tech Is Coming
The Biden-era IRS free filing tool, Direct File, is “gone,” IRS Commissioner Billy Long said.
news.bloombergtax.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The IRS Commissioner confirms what we’ve known for months: Direct File is dead. After initial signals of interest from DOGE, turns out they aren’t actually interested in modern, efficient services that ppl love & the Trump admin finally admits it
news.bloombergtax.com/financial-ac...
news.bloombergtax.com/financial-ac...
I cannot believe that the dems, dnc, and most electeds on every side are sitting on the sidelines as this happens.
I don’t know how you can ask for voters’ trust if you can’t work towards humanity here-
I don’t know how you can ask for voters’ trust if you can’t work towards humanity here-
July 24, 2025 at 9:14 PM
I cannot believe that the dems, dnc, and most electeds on every side are sitting on the sidelines as this happens.
I don’t know how you can ask for voters’ trust if you can’t work towards humanity here-
I don’t know how you can ask for voters’ trust if you can’t work towards humanity here-
New from me for @meidastouch.com - How Musk Monetized Government While Killing What Actually Works
www.meidasplus.com/p/how-musk-m...
www.meidasplus.com/p/how-musk-m...
How Musk Monetized Government While Killing What Actually Works
Guest article by Merici Vinton, former DOGE worker
www.meidasplus.com
July 15, 2025 at 9:08 PM
New from me for @meidastouch.com - How Musk Monetized Government While Killing What Actually Works
www.meidasplus.com/p/how-musk-m...
www.meidasplus.com/p/how-musk-m...
The Guadeloupe River rose from seven feet at midnight in Hunt, Texas, to over 29 feet at 4 a.m, stranding campers and devastating RV Parks . www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07... via @NYTimes
Here is the latest.
www.nytimes.com
July 4, 2025 at 9:21 PM
The Guadeloupe River rose from seven feet at midnight in Hunt, Texas, to over 29 feet at 4 a.m, stranding campers and devastating RV Parks . www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07... via @NYTimes
“Three Things in Trump’s Budget That Aren’t Getting Enough Attention”, with a Direct File shoutout.
@petebuttigieg.bsky.social you forgot to mention that Direct File is a huge hit with users-user satisfaction is higher than Netflix or Apple💥
Great read 👇
petebuttigieg.substack.com/p/three-thin...
@petebuttigieg.bsky.social you forgot to mention that Direct File is a huge hit with users-user satisfaction is higher than Netflix or Apple💥
Great read 👇
petebuttigieg.substack.com/p/three-thin...
June 26, 2025 at 6:13 PM
“Three Things in Trump’s Budget That Aren’t Getting Enough Attention”, with a Direct File shoutout.
@petebuttigieg.bsky.social you forgot to mention that Direct File is a huge hit with users-user satisfaction is higher than Netflix or Apple💥
Great read 👇
petebuttigieg.substack.com/p/three-thin...
@petebuttigieg.bsky.social you forgot to mention that Direct File is a huge hit with users-user satisfaction is higher than Netflix or Apple💥
Great read 👇
petebuttigieg.substack.com/p/three-thin...
Reposted by Merici
➕! “We’d better listen to what voters are screaming in our faces,” says @alyssacass.bsky.social, “which is that they want real, authentic voices… leaders who bear no resemblance to the status quo & they want people who are fighting on the issues that are close to them”
on.ft.com/44qUwFX
on.ft.com/44qUwFX
June 24, 2025 at 10:42 AM
➕! “We’d better listen to what voters are screaming in our faces,” says @alyssacass.bsky.social, “which is that they want real, authentic voices… leaders who bear no resemblance to the status quo & they want people who are fighting on the issues that are close to them”
on.ft.com/44qUwFX
on.ft.com/44qUwFX
Reposted by Merici
the political lesson everyone should take from Iraq is that you will regret being in favor of this sooner or later and the earlier you were against it the better off you’ll be
ignore the media frenzy and stake your position now, it’s the right thing to do and it’s the ambitious thing to do too
ignore the media frenzy and stake your position now, it’s the right thing to do and it’s the ambitious thing to do too
June 22, 2025 at 1:07 AM
the political lesson everyone should take from Iraq is that you will regret being in favor of this sooner or later and the earlier you were against it the better off you’ll be
ignore the media frenzy and stake your position now, it’s the right thing to do and it’s the ambitious thing to do too
ignore the media frenzy and stake your position now, it’s the right thing to do and it’s the ambitious thing to do too
Reposted by Merici
Will the Dem leaders and frontline members be “popularist” (join the large majority in opposition to war) or will they fold in the face of Republican bluster (which would tell us a lot about the role popularism actually plays in Dem politics)? www.offmessage.net/p/18-thought...
June 22, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Will the Dem leaders and frontline members be “popularist” (join the large majority in opposition to war) or will they fold in the face of Republican bluster (which would tell us a lot about the role popularism actually plays in Dem politics)? www.offmessage.net/p/18-thought...
Reposted by Merici
And as Trump’s poll numbers are in the toilet - never forget.
June 22, 2025 at 12:38 AM
And as Trump’s poll numbers are in the toilet - never forget.
A reminder - only the President has the sole authority to order a nuclear strike, even if every adviser in the room is against it.
By @mknight.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/int...
By @mknight.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/int...
Opinion | Only one American can start a nuclear war: The president
The American president has the sole authority to order a nuclear strike, even if every adviser in the room is against it.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 22, 2025 at 12:23 AM
A reminder - only the President has the sole authority to order a nuclear strike, even if every adviser in the room is against it.
By @mknight.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/int...
By @mknight.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/int...
Reposted by Merici
New from me: I had a lot of thoughts on WelcomeFest, the Trump-Musk breakup, civil protest movements, and (again!) why the left-right binary of politics is dead and gone. www.altrightdelete.news/p/there-is-n...
There Is No Center in a Fascist Regime
Some more thoughts on political realignment in the US
www.altrightdelete.news
June 8, 2025 at 10:05 PM
New from me: I had a lot of thoughts on WelcomeFest, the Trump-Musk breakup, civil protest movements, and (again!) why the left-right binary of politics is dead and gone. www.altrightdelete.news/p/there-is-n...
DOGE is loyal to Musk.
Granting access to Musk loyalists is an incredible risk and poses a fiscal security threat to millions of Americans.
Granting access to Musk loyalists is an incredible risk and poses a fiscal security threat to millions of Americans.
Today's shadow docket decision allowing DOGE immediate access to individual Social Security data is a flaming turd substantively and procedurally. Justice Jackson, dissenting, joined by Justice Sotomayor; Justice Kagan also would've denied the stay. www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
June 6, 2025 at 9:35 PM
DOGE is loyal to Musk.
Granting access to Musk loyalists is an incredible risk and poses a fiscal security threat to millions of Americans.
Granting access to Musk loyalists is an incredible risk and poses a fiscal security threat to millions of Americans.