Monica Potts
@monicapotts.bsky.social
Class Politics reporter at The New Republic. Tips on Signal at monicabpotts.57. Past: 538, The American Prospect. BUY: The Forgotten Girls monicapotts.com
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Monica Potts
@monicapotts.bsky.social
· Aug 21
The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America
A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America
bookshop.org
Hello new followers! I'm the Class Politics reporter @newrepublic.com and the author of The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America. I have 5 dogs and 4 cats. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Reposted by Monica Potts
(Semafor) - The New York Times and Washington Post learned of a secret US raid on Venezuela soon before it was scheduled to begin Friday night — but held off publishing what they knew to avoid endangering US troops ..
@semafor.com
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
@semafor.com
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
January 4, 2026 at 1:45 AM
(Semafor) - The New York Times and Washington Post learned of a secret US raid on Venezuela soon before it was scheduled to begin Friday night — but held off publishing what they knew to avoid endangering US troops ..
@semafor.com
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
@semafor.com
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
Reposted by Monica Potts
The same is true for constitutional law.
It’s critical—quite literally for purposes of future constitutional meaning—that politicians say and be *seen* to be saying that Trump’s actions are illegal + unconstitutional. And ideally that they take formal institutional action grounded in that view.
It’s critical—quite literally for purposes of future constitutional meaning—that politicians say and be *seen* to be saying that Trump’s actions are illegal + unconstitutional. And ideally that they take formal institutional action grounded in that view.
For nonlawyers, it’s worth noting that statements like this have—as a formal matter—important legal effects as a matter of international law. If such statements are *not* made, and in volume, future arguments that Trump’s invasion sets a legal precedent will stand on much firmer legal ground.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: "International law is universal and binding for all states. The American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law."
January 3, 2026 at 10:05 PM
The same is true for constitutional law.
It’s critical—quite literally for purposes of future constitutional meaning—that politicians say and be *seen* to be saying that Trump’s actions are illegal + unconstitutional. And ideally that they take formal institutional action grounded in that view.
It’s critical—quite literally for purposes of future constitutional meaning—that politicians say and be *seen* to be saying that Trump’s actions are illegal + unconstitutional. And ideally that they take formal institutional action grounded in that view.
Reposted by Monica Potts
At least a thousand New Yorkers turned out to protest this war with just a few hours notice.
People care and you are not alone. Wherever you are, find your organizing home and figure out how to put your own care into action.
People care and you are not alone. Wherever you are, find your organizing home and figure out how to put your own care into action.
January 4, 2026 at 1:07 AM
At least a thousand New Yorkers turned out to protest this war with just a few hours notice.
People care and you are not alone. Wherever you are, find your organizing home and figure out how to put your own care into action.
People care and you are not alone. Wherever you are, find your organizing home and figure out how to put your own care into action.
Reposted by Monica Potts
The vice president is a cynical shapeshifter, willing to say anything—and be anybody—to become the most powerful person in America. trib.al/WsmZmHF
There is nobody he won’t betray, and no principle he won’t cast aside, in his quest to accrue more fame and power.
There is nobody he won’t betray, and no principle he won’t cast aside, in his quest to accrue more fame and power.
January 4, 2026 at 1:17 AM
The vice president is a cynical shapeshifter, willing to say anything—and be anybody—to become the most powerful person in America. trib.al/WsmZmHF
There is nobody he won’t betray, and no principle he won’t cast aside, in his quest to accrue more fame and power.
There is nobody he won’t betray, and no principle he won’t cast aside, in his quest to accrue more fame and power.
Reposted by Monica Potts
Another govt funding deadline is coming up in which Dems on paper will have leverage in the Sen.
If we had a true opposition - Schumer/Jeffries would use that leverage 2 rein in Trump instead of just looking to score messaging points on healthcare, affordability.
Otherwise this is all useless.
If we had a true opposition - Schumer/Jeffries would use that leverage 2 rein in Trump instead of just looking to score messaging points on healthcare, affordability.
Otherwise this is all useless.
On whether Democrats would use the impending government shutdown in 30 days as leverage on Venezuela "Let's first get all the facts out. That's what we're endeavoring to do right now, and our first ability to do that will be the War Powers Act of this week."
January 3, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Another govt funding deadline is coming up in which Dems on paper will have leverage in the Sen.
If we had a true opposition - Schumer/Jeffries would use that leverage 2 rein in Trump instead of just looking to score messaging points on healthcare, affordability.
Otherwise this is all useless.
If we had a true opposition - Schumer/Jeffries would use that leverage 2 rein in Trump instead of just looking to score messaging points on healthcare, affordability.
Otherwise this is all useless.
Reposted by Monica Potts
Trump is posting a bunch of photos without captions, presumably of him watching the Maduro kidnapping.
Is this the inside of a SCIF at Mar-a-Lago or did they just toss up some pipe and drape?
Is this the inside of a SCIF at Mar-a-Lago or did they just toss up some pipe and drape?
January 3, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Trump is posting a bunch of photos without captions, presumably of him watching the Maduro kidnapping.
Is this the inside of a SCIF at Mar-a-Lago or did they just toss up some pipe and drape?
Is this the inside of a SCIF at Mar-a-Lago or did they just toss up some pipe and drape?
Reposted by Monica Potts
Press call with Chuck Schumer says he has been talking with his caucus "I've been talking to so many members of my caucus today. Everybody is very, very just totally, totally, totally troubled."
January 3, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Press call with Chuck Schumer says he has been talking with his caucus "I've been talking to so many members of my caucus today. Everybody is very, very just totally, totally, totally troubled."
Reposted by Monica Potts
I’m at Times Square, where an emergency “No War On Venezuela” protest just took to the street. Easily a thousand people here in real-feel 20°F weather.
“No more coups, no more wars, Venezuela’s not yours!”
“No boots on the ground no bombs in the air, U.S. out of everywhere!”
“No more coups, no more wars, Venezuela’s not yours!”
“No boots on the ground no bombs in the air, U.S. out of everywhere!”
January 3, 2026 at 8:02 PM
I’m at Times Square, where an emergency “No War On Venezuela” protest just took to the street. Easily a thousand people here in real-feel 20°F weather.
“No more coups, no more wars, Venezuela’s not yours!”
“No boots on the ground no bombs in the air, U.S. out of everywhere!”
“No more coups, no more wars, Venezuela’s not yours!”
“No boots on the ground no bombs in the air, U.S. out of everywhere!”
Reposted by Monica Potts
Trump must be impeached immediately. This is not how a democracy functions.
January 3, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Trump must be impeached immediately. This is not how a democracy functions.
Reposted by Monica Potts
thinking about how, in the Russian history elective I took in HS, every time a tsar was facing domestic weakness the teacher would turn to the assembled students and ask "so what is it time for?" and we would chant "stunning territorial annexation!" and she would respond "well, DUH, girls"
January 3, 2026 at 3:22 PM
thinking about how, in the Russian history elective I took in HS, every time a tsar was facing domestic weakness the teacher would turn to the assembled students and ask "so what is it time for?" and we would chant "stunning territorial annexation!" and she would respond "well, DUH, girls"
I am actually having a really hard time processing the news today. This actually broke my brain I think.
January 3, 2026 at 6:47 PM
I am actually having a really hard time processing the news today. This actually broke my brain I think.
Reposted by Monica Potts
Rep. Seth Moulton: "This is insane. What the hell are we doing? ... this is illegal."
January 3, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Rep. Seth Moulton: "This is insane. What the hell are we doing? ... this is illegal."
Reposted by Monica Potts
Trump said Venezuelan oil infrastructure was built by the U.S. “25 years ago.” Is he thinking about the nationalization of the oil industry in the 1970s? Does he think it’s the year 2000?
January 3, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Trump said Venezuelan oil infrastructure was built by the U.S. “25 years ago.” Is he thinking about the nationalization of the oil industry in the 1970s? Does he think it’s the year 2000?
Reposted by Monica Potts
Ironic panic about fraud in daycares when so much of the economy is explicit fraud in crypto, prediction markets, AI moonshots
January 3, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Ironic panic about fraud in daycares when so much of the economy is explicit fraud in crypto, prediction markets, AI moonshots
Reposted by Monica Potts
i actually had a suspicion that to marco this is basically just a massive launching pad for a general strategy to try and cut off cuba's most consistent sponsor and he just out and says it
January 3, 2026 at 5:39 PM
i actually had a suspicion that to marco this is basically just a massive launching pad for a general strategy to try and cut off cuba's most consistent sponsor and he just out and says it
Reposted by Monica Potts
What does Trump have to do to convince Republicans to turn against him, chuck a baby into an active volcano
January 3, 2026 at 3:21 PM
What does Trump have to do to convince Republicans to turn against him, chuck a baby into an active volcano
Reposted by Monica Potts
forget the long arc of history bending towards justice, I need the rube goldberg machine of inexorable consequence to endgame the kind of profoundly ironic yet blackly hilarious karmic downfall that would’ve had ancient greek theatergoers hollering at the chorus
January 3, 2026 at 12:28 PM
forget the long arc of history bending towards justice, I need the rube goldberg machine of inexorable consequence to endgame the kind of profoundly ironic yet blackly hilarious karmic downfall that would’ve had ancient greek theatergoers hollering at the chorus
Reposted by Monica Potts
You don't have to listen to these professional liars who are barely trying. 9 months ago they were saying they were powerless to return a man they illegally sent to an El Salvador gulag because it would violate that country's national sovereignty
Vance pushes back and says this was not illegal, arguing "Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas."
January 3, 2026 at 3:19 PM
You don't have to listen to these professional liars who are barely trying. 9 months ago they were saying they were powerless to return a man they illegally sent to an El Salvador gulag because it would violate that country's national sovereignty
Reposted by Monica Potts
feels weird given everything but apparently I’ve retained the ability to be shocked
January 3, 2026 at 10:33 AM
feels weird given everything but apparently I’ve retained the ability to be shocked
I feel like people don't know what the rule of law means.
Incredible. CBS Evening News announces five new “simple values” — instead of their “38-page handbook” — as they roll out Tony Dokoupil is lead anchor.
One of those values is simply: “We love America and make no apologies for saying so.”
One of those values is simply: “We love America and make no apologies for saying so.”
January 3, 2026 at 3:26 AM
I feel like people don't know what the rule of law means.
Reposted by Monica Potts
“According to network sources, some of the locations Weiss has requested include restaurants that appeal to tourists and upscale private schools.”
NEW from me:
Currently on tap for Tony Dokoupil on his first day as CBS Evening News anchor -- taking a private plane to Miami to so he can go jet skiing with DJ Khaled and play soccer with David Beckham.
Take that, elites!
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Currently on tap for Tony Dokoupil on his first day as CBS Evening News anchor -- taking a private plane to Miami to so he can go jet skiing with DJ Khaled and play soccer with David Beckham.
Take that, elites!
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Private jets and ‘Bari pitches’: Inside Weiss’ chaotic CBS Evening News reboot
EXCLUSIVE: The new CBS News editor-in-chief has chartered private flights for her armed security detail, made last-minute logistical changes and fired off ‘Bari Pitches.’ Weiss is once again accused o...
www.independent.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 2:07 AM
“According to network sources, some of the locations Weiss has requested include restaurants that appeal to tourists and upscale private schools.”
Reposted by Monica Potts
The quote genuinely sounds like AI slop
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says people should move beyond calling AI 'slop'
"We need to get beyond the arguments of slop vs sophistication and develop a new equilibrium ... that accounts for humans being equipped with these new cognitive amplifier tools as we relate to each other"
"We need to get beyond the arguments of slop vs sophistication and develop a new equilibrium ... that accounts for humans being equipped with these new cognitive amplifier tools as we relate to each other"
January 3, 2026 at 2:11 AM
The quote genuinely sounds like AI slop
How scary is sinners? Like can I watch it in the daytime and be ok by night?
January 2, 2026 at 9:37 PM
How scary is sinners? Like can I watch it in the daytime and be ok by night?
Reposted by Monica Potts
The role of a free press in a democratic society is not to effusively gush about the ‘love of country’ but to hold the government accountable and provide a check on all 3 branches. Murrow did not claim to love the state - he challenged power.
January 2, 2026 at 9:06 PM
The role of a free press in a democratic society is not to effusively gush about the ‘love of country’ but to hold the government accountable and provide a check on all 3 branches. Murrow did not claim to love the state - he challenged power.
Reposted by Monica Potts
If you’ve never read Kathleen Purvis’s excellent article on why “Northern” and “Southern” isn’t actually how cornbread types ought to be divided, I can’t recommend it enough. www.charlotteobserver.com/living/food-...
Why does sugar in cornbread divide races in the South?
So many Southern food traditions are shared by both races. Most Southerners, black and white, revere fried chicken, pursue pork barbecue and exult their grandmothers’ garden vegetables. Why is there s...
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:34 PM
If you’ve never read Kathleen Purvis’s excellent article on why “Northern” and “Southern” isn’t actually how cornbread types ought to be divided, I can’t recommend it enough. www.charlotteobserver.com/living/food-...