Mona Burns
@monaburns.bsky.social
Political writer. Covering Congress. Vincit Omnia Veritas.
Diversity is our strength. Unity is our power. 🩵
No DMs please
Diversity is our strength. Unity is our power. 🩵
No DMs please
MTP today:
Welker:
"Is the Cuban government the Trump administration's next target?"
Rubio:
"Well, the Cuban government is a huge problem. Yeah."
Welker:
"Is that a yes?"
Robio:
"I think they're in a lot of trouble, yes"
Welker:
"Is the Cuban government the Trump administration's next target?"
Rubio:
"Well, the Cuban government is a huge problem. Yeah."
Welker:
"Is that a yes?"
Robio:
"I think they're in a lot of trouble, yes"
January 4, 2026 at 3:31 PM
MTP today:
Welker:
"Is the Cuban government the Trump administration's next target?"
Rubio:
"Well, the Cuban government is a huge problem. Yeah."
Welker:
"Is that a yes?"
Robio:
"I think they're in a lot of trouble, yes"
Welker:
"Is the Cuban government the Trump administration's next target?"
Rubio:
"Well, the Cuban government is a huge problem. Yeah."
Welker:
"Is that a yes?"
Robio:
"I think they're in a lot of trouble, yes"
Rubio today:
"We want to see the oil proceeds of the country benefit the people of Venezuela"
Be very interesting to see if "the people" can start to buy food & medicine with those oil proceeds
And what the Trump admin's excuses will be once it's clear that the money *isn't* going to the people ..
"We want to see the oil proceeds of the country benefit the people of Venezuela"
Be very interesting to see if "the people" can start to buy food & medicine with those oil proceeds
And what the Trump admin's excuses will be once it's clear that the money *isn't* going to the people ..
January 4, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Rubio today:
"We want to see the oil proceeds of the country benefit the people of Venezuela"
Be very interesting to see if "the people" can start to buy food & medicine with those oil proceeds
And what the Trump admin's excuses will be once it's clear that the money *isn't* going to the people ..
"We want to see the oil proceeds of the country benefit the people of Venezuela"
Be very interesting to see if "the people" can start to buy food & medicine with those oil proceeds
And what the Trump admin's excuses will be once it's clear that the money *isn't* going to the people ..
This sounds a lot like the US is not going to hold elections to replace Maduro in Venezuela
WELKER: How soon will elections be held in Venezuela? Within 30 days?
MARCO RUBIO: Elections? Look -- this is a country that's been governed by this regime for 15 years. The elections should've happened a long time ago.
MARCO RUBIO: Elections? Look -- this is a country that's been governed by this regime for 15 years. The elections should've happened a long time ago.
January 4, 2026 at 3:19 PM
This sounds a lot like the US is not going to hold elections to replace Maduro in Venezuela
Good lord
JIM JORDAN: Joe Biden let a Chinese spy balloon fly clear across the country!
DASH BASH: Alright. Let's focus on the present.
DASH BASH: Alright. Let's focus on the present.
January 4, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Good lord
House Intel RM Jim Himes (CT-04):
"And Jim Jordan -- the chairman of the Judiciary Committee! -- seems to be unaware that our whole system is set up to provide checks and balances"
"And Jim Jordan -- the chairman of the Judiciary Committee! -- seems to be unaware that our whole system is set up to provide checks and balances"
Himes: "Jordan said over & over, 'I trust POTUS.' That's giving the game away, bc two thirds of my Republican colleagues wake up every day & say, 'What can I do to prove my loyalty to POTUS?' And Jim Jordan - chairman of the Judiciary - seems unaware that our system is set up to provide checks."
January 4, 2026 at 3:10 PM
House Intel RM Jim Himes (CT-04):
"And Jim Jordan -- the chairman of the Judiciary Committee! -- seems to be unaware that our whole system is set up to provide checks and balances"
"And Jim Jordan -- the chairman of the Judiciary Committee! -- seems to be unaware that our whole system is set up to provide checks and balances"
.@youranonnews.bsky.social:
"Trump & friends are going to loot Venezuela the same way they are looting the US. He doesnt care about people anywhere, just money & power. All your groceries & utilities & housing payments keep going up. Greed & pedophile coverup are the answers to every question."
"Trump & friends are going to loot Venezuela the same way they are looting the US. He doesnt care about people anywhere, just money & power. All your groceries & utilities & housing payments keep going up. Greed & pedophile coverup are the answers to every question."
January 4, 2026 at 3:07 PM
.@youranonnews.bsky.social:
"Trump & friends are going to loot Venezuela the same way they are looting the US. He doesnt care about people anywhere, just money & power. All your groceries & utilities & housing payments keep going up. Greed & pedophile coverup are the answers to every question."
"Trump & friends are going to loot Venezuela the same way they are looting the US. He doesnt care about people anywhere, just money & power. All your groceries & utilities & housing payments keep going up. Greed & pedophile coverup are the answers to every question."
ICYMI yesterday:
Trump said he has not spoken to Maria Corina Machado
And she "doesn’t have the respect” necessary to lead Venezuela
It's not just that they don't want her in power
They don't want anyone in the way of their oil grab
Or messing up whatever backroom deal they made with Putin
Trump said he has not spoken to Maria Corina Machado
And she "doesn’t have the respect” necessary to lead Venezuela
It's not just that they don't want her in power
They don't want anyone in the way of their oil grab
Or messing up whatever backroom deal they made with Putin
January 4, 2026 at 3:04 PM
ICYMI yesterday:
Trump said he has not spoken to Maria Corina Machado
And she "doesn’t have the respect” necessary to lead Venezuela
It's not just that they don't want her in power
They don't want anyone in the way of their oil grab
Or messing up whatever backroom deal they made with Putin
Trump said he has not spoken to Maria Corina Machado
And she "doesn’t have the respect” necessary to lead Venezuela
It's not just that they don't want her in power
They don't want anyone in the way of their oil grab
Or messing up whatever backroom deal they made with Putin
"[I]t’s a plan that would work, under current U.S. law. It’s a way out—a legitimate, Constitutional way out. And if nothing else, it might inspire someone to come up with a better plan."
This is great
Read it:
This is great
Read it:
January 4, 2026 at 2:47 PM
"[I]t’s a plan that would work, under current U.S. law. It’s a way out—a legitimate, Constitutional way out. And if nothing else, it might inspire someone to come up with a better plan."
This is great
Read it:
This is great
Read it:
Reposted by Mona Burns
Trump said he’d reduce the debt. Didn’t.
Said he’d cut grocery prices. Didn’t.
Said he'd bring health care. Didn't.
Said he’d avoid wars. Didn't.
Yet his diehard fans hang on.
He'd lose their support if he stopped being racist and sexist, but there's not much chance of that.
Said he’d cut grocery prices. Didn’t.
Said he'd bring health care. Didn't.
Said he’d avoid wars. Didn't.
Yet his diehard fans hang on.
He'd lose their support if he stopped being racist and sexist, but there's not much chance of that.
January 4, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Trump said he’d reduce the debt. Didn’t.
Said he’d cut grocery prices. Didn’t.
Said he'd bring health care. Didn't.
Said he’d avoid wars. Didn't.
Yet his diehard fans hang on.
He'd lose their support if he stopped being racist and sexist, but there's not much chance of that.
Said he’d cut grocery prices. Didn’t.
Said he'd bring health care. Didn't.
Said he’d avoid wars. Didn't.
Yet his diehard fans hang on.
He'd lose their support if he stopped being racist and sexist, but there's not much chance of that.
Reposted by Mona Burns
A bunch of guys with beards stopped them in Afghanistan and they ran out of combat brigades in Iraq, plus that earlier V-named place, so stopping them is more usual than unusual. And just ask Russia for recent experience.
January 4, 2026 at 2:36 PM
A bunch of guys with beards stopped them in Afghanistan and they ran out of combat brigades in Iraq, plus that earlier V-named place, so stopping them is more usual than unusual. And just ask Russia for recent experience.
Reposted by Mona Burns
The unfortunate reality…is that whether an order is legal…or not, when the dial is taken from 1….to TEN, isn’t as simple as it seems like it would be. That’s what this administration is exploiting…with a vengeance.
January 3, 2026 at 8:49 PM
The unfortunate reality…is that whether an order is legal…or not, when the dial is taken from 1….to TEN, isn’t as simple as it seems like it would be. That’s what this administration is exploiting…with a vengeance.
Reposted by Mona Burns
If you’ve ever wondered what our U.S. service members would do when given an illegal order…now…you know. They all followed it.
January 3, 2026 at 8:42 PM
If you’ve ever wondered what our U.S. service members would do when given an illegal order…now…you know. They all followed it.
Marco Rubio on MTP this morning:
"The Cuban government is a huge problem .. I think they're in a lot of trouble yes."
"The Cuban government is a huge problem .. I think they're in a lot of trouble yes."
MTP today:
Asked if he's "running" Venezuela Rubio said:
"People keep fixating on that" but the US expects changes in the country ..We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction,"
Note:
Trump said yesterday the US is "running Venezuela" 👇
Asked if he's "running" Venezuela Rubio said:
"People keep fixating on that" but the US expects changes in the country ..We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction,"
Note:
Trump said yesterday the US is "running Venezuela" 👇
January 4, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Marco Rubio on MTP this morning:
"The Cuban government is a huge problem .. I think they're in a lot of trouble yes."
"The Cuban government is a huge problem .. I think they're in a lot of trouble yes."
Reposted by Mona Burns
Dan Bongino has departed FBI, per statement
January 4, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Dan Bongino has departed FBI, per statement
MTP today:
Asked if he's "running" Venezuela Rubio said:
"People keep fixating on that" but the US expects changes in the country ..We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction,"
Note:
Trump said yesterday the US is "running Venezuela" 👇
Asked if he's "running" Venezuela Rubio said:
"People keep fixating on that" but the US expects changes in the country ..We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction,"
Note:
Trump said yesterday the US is "running Venezuela" 👇
January 4, 2026 at 2:22 PM
MTP today:
Asked if he's "running" Venezuela Rubio said:
"People keep fixating on that" but the US expects changes in the country ..We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction,"
Note:
Trump said yesterday the US is "running Venezuela" 👇
Asked if he's "running" Venezuela Rubio said:
"People keep fixating on that" but the US expects changes in the country ..We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction,"
Note:
Trump said yesterday the US is "running Venezuela" 👇
From a man on the street in Caracas yesterday:
“Those who say that the U.S. is only interested in our oil, I ask you: What do you think the Russians and the Chinese wanted here?
The recipe for arepas?"
“Those who say that the U.S. is only interested in our oil, I ask you: What do you think the Russians and the Chinese wanted here?
The recipe for arepas?"
January 4, 2026 at 2:17 PM
From a man on the street in Caracas yesterday:
“Those who say that the U.S. is only interested in our oil, I ask you: What do you think the Russians and the Chinese wanted here?
The recipe for arepas?"
“Those who say that the U.S. is only interested in our oil, I ask you: What do you think the Russians and the Chinese wanted here?
The recipe for arepas?"
From WaPo National Security reporter John Hudson:
January 4, 2026 at 2:16 PM
From WaPo National Security reporter John Hudson:
Something you may have missed from Trump's phone call to Fox yesterday ..
Trump:
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
Trump:
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
Watch this. Watch again.
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
January 4, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Something you may have missed from Trump's phone call to Fox yesterday ..
Trump:
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
Trump:
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
Reposted by Mona Burns
Remember the “perfect phone call” leading to the first impeachment? It’s all linked. #Ukraine
#Venezuela #MEpolitics
#Venezuela #MEpolitics
.@davetroy.com
"In 2019, Fiona Hill testified that the Russian government was “signaling very strongly that they wanted to somehow make some very strange swap agreement between Venezuela and Ukraine.” (Search: Venezuela) i.e. we get Venezuela, they get Ukraine"
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/65...
"In 2019, Fiona Hill testified that the Russian government was “signaling very strongly that they wanted to somehow make some very strange swap agreement between Venezuela and Ukraine.” (Search: Venezuela) i.e. we get Venezuela, they get Ukraine"
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/65...
January 4, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Remember the “perfect phone call” leading to the first impeachment? It’s all linked. #Ukraine
#Venezuela #MEpolitics
#Venezuela #MEpolitics
Ohh my god
Read this:
Read this:
.@davetroy.com
"In 2019, Fiona Hill testified that the Russian government was “signaling very strongly that they wanted to somehow make some very strange swap agreement between Venezuela and Ukraine.” (Search: Venezuela) i.e. we get Venezuela, they get Ukraine"
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/65...
"In 2019, Fiona Hill testified that the Russian government was “signaling very strongly that they wanted to somehow make some very strange swap agreement between Venezuela and Ukraine.” (Search: Venezuela) i.e. we get Venezuela, they get Ukraine"
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/65...
January 4, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Ohh my god
Read this:
Read this:
.@davetroy.com
"In 2019, Fiona Hill testified that the Russian government was “signaling very strongly that they wanted to somehow make some very strange swap agreement between Venezuela and Ukraine.” (Search: Venezuela) i.e. we get Venezuela, they get Ukraine"
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/65...
"In 2019, Fiona Hill testified that the Russian government was “signaling very strongly that they wanted to somehow make some very strange swap agreement between Venezuela and Ukraine.” (Search: Venezuela) i.e. we get Venezuela, they get Ukraine"
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/65...
January 4, 2026 at 2:09 PM
.@davetroy.com
"In 2019, Fiona Hill testified that the Russian government was “signaling very strongly that they wanted to somehow make some very strange swap agreement between Venezuela and Ukraine.” (Search: Venezuela) i.e. we get Venezuela, they get Ukraine"
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/65...
"In 2019, Fiona Hill testified that the Russian government was “signaling very strongly that they wanted to somehow make some very strange swap agreement between Venezuela and Ukraine.” (Search: Venezuela) i.e. we get Venezuela, they get Ukraine"
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/65...
Sam Stein on The Bulwark podcast yesterday:
"The braggadocio was insane to me. Hegseth saying, 'fuck around and find out' basically. And Rubio is saying, 'you wanted to play with the big boys, don't play games.' It's like these guys are setting themselves up for humiliation."
"The braggadocio was insane to me. Hegseth saying, 'fuck around and find out' basically. And Rubio is saying, 'you wanted to play with the big boys, don't play games.' It's like these guys are setting themselves up for humiliation."
January 4, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Sam Stein on The Bulwark podcast yesterday:
"The braggadocio was insane to me. Hegseth saying, 'fuck around and find out' basically. And Rubio is saying, 'you wanted to play with the big boys, don't play games.' It's like these guys are setting themselves up for humiliation."
"The braggadocio was insane to me. Hegseth saying, 'fuck around and find out' basically. And Rubio is saying, 'you wanted to play with the big boys, don't play games.' It's like these guys are setting themselves up for humiliation."
Isaac Chotiner:
A scholar of international law on the implications of the U.S. arrest of President Nicolás Maduro
In The New Yorker yesterday:
www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
A scholar of international law on the implications of the U.S. arrest of President Nicolás Maduro
In The New Yorker yesterday:
www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
January 4, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Isaac Chotiner:
A scholar of international law on the implications of the U.S. arrest of President Nicolás Maduro
In The New Yorker yesterday:
www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
A scholar of international law on the implications of the U.S. arrest of President Nicolás Maduro
In The New Yorker yesterday:
www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
ICYMI:
House Dems will hold an emergency caucus meeting via zoom at 2pm today
House Dems will hold an emergency caucus meeting via zoom at 2pm today
January 4, 2026 at 1:39 PM
ICYMI:
House Dems will hold an emergency caucus meeting via zoom at 2pm today
House Dems will hold an emergency caucus meeting via zoom at 2pm today
At least they'll be following Rubio's lies about Venezuela with some context from Jeffries ..
Meet the Press lineup:
-Marco Rubio
-Hakeem Jeffries
-Marjorie Taylor Greene
-Marco Rubio
-Hakeem Jeffries
-Marjorie Taylor Greene
January 4, 2026 at 1:38 PM
At least they'll be following Rubio's lies about Venezuela with some context from Jeffries ..