Norm Ornstein
@normornstein.bsky.social
Political scientist, co-host of Words Matter podcast, contributor to The Contrarian
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
Jack Smith’s Testimony: A Reminder that Donald J. Trump Owns All of It... superb account and analysis open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Jack Smith’s Testimony: A Reminder that Donald J. Trump Owns All of It
This article was originally published in CAFE on January 5, 2026.
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Jack Smith’s Testimony: A Reminder that Donald J. Trump Owns All of It... superb account and analysis open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
The current flu out there is seriously brutal. Everybody needs to be vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 too—no matter what propaganda is being spread by RFK Jr. When the health secretary gives medical advice, get a second opinion.
Flu is rising rapidly, driven by a new variant. Here's what to know
Flu is rising rapidly across the U.S., driven by a new variant of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday that after a slow start to flu season in early December, mu...
apnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:44 PM
The current flu out there is seriously brutal. Everybody needs to be vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 too—no matter what propaganda is being spread by RFK Jr. When the health secretary gives medical advice, get a second opinion.
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
This is sad.
Inbox: the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s board has voted to dissolve the organization following Congress pulling its federal funding
January 5, 2026 at 9:53 PM
This is sad.
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
@marcelias.bsky.social is right. Expect Venezuelan VP Delcy Rodriguez or someone similarly senior there to claim that Venezuela rigged the 2020 election. They'll manufacture "evidence."
This will be their "payment" to Trump to let them stay in charge. That and handing over their oil. Wait for it.
This will be their "payment" to Trump to let them stay in charge. That and handing over their oil. Wait for it.
If you think the attack on Venezuela is only about oil then you haven't ready my latest for Democracy Docket. Trump wants the oil, but he really wants to spread election denialism.
Become a premium member now to access this in full and stay informed about elections and democracy. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Become a premium member now to access this in full and stay informed about elections and democracy. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
January 5, 2026 at 10:15 PM
@marcelias.bsky.social is right. Expect Venezuelan VP Delcy Rodriguez or someone similarly senior there to claim that Venezuela rigged the 2020 election. They'll manufacture "evidence."
This will be their "payment" to Trump to let them stay in charge. That and handing over their oil. Wait for it.
This will be their "payment" to Trump to let them stay in charge. That and handing over their oil. Wait for it.
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
But plenty of money for ballrooms and foreign attacks and golf and tax breaks for billionaires. An utter disgrace.
BREAKING: The Trump administration is suspending $10 billion intended for child care and poor families in five blue states.
www.axios.com/2026/01/05/t...
www.axios.com/2026/01/05/t...
Trump administration to freeze billions in childcare funding in five states
The White House is pointing to reports of social services fraud in Minnesota to threaten funding for child care around the country.
www.axios.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:18 PM
But plenty of money for ballrooms and foreign attacks and golf and tax breaks for billionaires. An utter disgrace.
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
Anyone else
Had enough of Fetterman?
Oy Vey
Had enough of Fetterman?
Oy Vey
January 5, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Anyone else
Had enough of Fetterman?
Oy Vey
Had enough of Fetterman?
Oy Vey
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
The part where Wile E. Coyote blows up his own dick.
January 5, 2026 at 10:51 PM
The part where Wile E. Coyote blows up his own dick.
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
This reckless move by the Trump Administration has nothing to do with science or informed choice – it’s about appeasing a debunked anti-vaccine agenda being pushed by RFK Jr. and his allies.
I strongly condemn this decision that puts infants and children at real risk.
I strongly condemn this decision that puts infants and children at real risk.
BREAKING: CDC announces an unprecedented overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule, a significant shift that recommends fewer shots for all kids.
CDC overhauls childhood vaccine schedule to resemble Denmark in unprecedented move
The new U.S. guidelines recommend all children get vaccines for 11 diseases, compared with the 18 previously on the schedule.
nbcnews.to
January 5, 2026 at 10:51 PM
This reckless move by the Trump Administration has nothing to do with science or informed choice – it’s about appeasing a debunked anti-vaccine agenda being pushed by RFK Jr. and his allies.
I strongly condemn this decision that puts infants and children at real risk.
I strongly condemn this decision that puts infants and children at real risk.
Opinion | Don’t Call It Regime Change. This Is Something Else Entirely.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
In a lawless administration, reminders to obey the law are rather unwelcome. So Mark Kelly must be punished for not fitting in by obeying the rules.
January 5, 2026 at 7:40 PM
In a lawless administration, reminders to obey the law are rather unwelcome. So Mark Kelly must be punished for not fitting in by obeying the rules.
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
The Wild Robot, The King of Kings, The Life Of Chuck, The Long Walk, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants. Five completely diverse films, unified solely by the word “the” (and me). 2025 was quite THE year. #HappyNewYear
January 5, 2026 at 7:49 PM
The Wild Robot, The King of Kings, The Life Of Chuck, The Long Walk, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants. Five completely diverse films, unified solely by the word “the” (and me). 2025 was quite THE year. #HappyNewYear
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
The instability this loss of international rules could drive worldwide is terrifying.
January 5, 2026 at 7:53 PM
The instability this loss of international rules could drive worldwide is terrifying.
First time for that
January 5, 2026 at 8:31 PM
First time for that
Axios
So if I have this straight, Axios went out and found a couple of centrist congressional Democrats angry that their party is being critical of the takeover of Venezuela, and these members are so tuned in to the pulse of the voters that they would only speak anonymously
www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
"It looks weak": Some Democrats want their party to shut up and clap for Maduro's capture
"Everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," fumed one House Democrat.
www.axios.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Axios
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
So if I have this straight, Axios went out and found a couple of centrist congressional Democrats angry that their party is being critical of the takeover of Venezuela, and these members are so tuned in to the pulse of the voters that they would only speak anonymously
www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
"It looks weak": Some Democrats want their party to shut up and clap for Maduro's capture
"Everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," fumed one House Democrat.
www.axios.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:48 PM
So if I have this straight, Axios went out and found a couple of centrist congressional Democrats angry that their party is being critical of the takeover of Venezuela, and these members are so tuned in to the pulse of the voters that they would only speak anonymously
www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
And St. Clair is the mother of one of his children.
Elon Musk chatbot repeatedly making CSAM on demand should be one of the single biggest stories right now and it's effectively a collective shrug instead
January 5, 2026 at 3:06 PM
And St. Clair is the mother of one of his children.
@captmarkkelly.bsky.social is a national hero. Pete Hegseth is a national disgrace, a petty tyrant, an awful human being.
January 5, 2026 at 3:38 PM
@captmarkkelly.bsky.social is a national hero. Pete Hegseth is a national disgrace, a petty tyrant, an awful human being.
Struck out on first two
Wordle 1,661 3/6
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January 5, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Struck out on first two
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Opinion | Gunboat Diplomacy Is Back. What Could Go Wrong?
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:36 PM
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January 4, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Wordle 1,660 3/6
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The indictment against Maduro is about cocaine. If we had an honest White House Press Corps, every press interview Trump did would start with why he pardoned a narco terrorist president who imported 400 tons of cocaine into the United States.
January 3, 2026 at 7:41 PM
The indictment against Maduro is about cocaine. If we had an honest White House Press Corps, every press interview Trump did would start with why he pardoned a narco terrorist president who imported 400 tons of cocaine into the United States.
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
Machado must not have agreed to the American looting of Venezuelan oil
Trump on María Corina Machado: "I think it'd be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn't have the support or the respect within the country. She's a very nice woman but she doesn't have the respect."
January 3, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Machado must not have agreed to the American looting of Venezuelan oil
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
Time to play “watch congressional republicans roll over.”
January 3, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Time to play “watch congressional republicans roll over.”
Reposted by Norm Ornstein
Next take over: the 2026 Elections. Just wait! @normornstein.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Next take over: the 2026 Elections. Just wait! @normornstein.bsky.social