Nicholas Slayton
@nslayton.bsky.social
Journalist. Contributing editor @TaskandPurpose.com . Bylines at New Republic, The Prospect, Motherboard, Wired, elsewhere. Was once insulted by Martin Shkreli. Signal: nslayton.12
Newsletter: letsdothepanicagain.beehiiv.com
Newsletter: letsdothepanicagain.beehiiv.com
Pinned
Today the Trump administration changed the name of HUD's Office of Systemic Investigations to the Office of Special Investigations, so maybe don't hold your breath
In my newsletter today I wrote about the housing policy the administration is pursuing, which largely relies in stealing apartments and homes from people kidnapped by the state and deported.
letsdothepanicagain.beehiiv.com/p/the-great-...
letsdothepanicagain.beehiiv.com/p/the-great-...
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
WPR report is notable for what it omits.
In contrast to the report for the 1989 invasion of Panama (the "precedent" for this op), it does not detail attacks upon or actual threats to Americans.
Further (unlike in 1989) it does not provide int'l law justifications for the US invasion of VZ. 2/n
In contrast to the report for the 1989 invasion of Panama (the "precedent" for this op), it does not detail attacks upon or actual threats to Americans.
Further (unlike in 1989) it does not provide int'l law justifications for the US invasion of VZ. 2/n
January 6, 2026 at 1:21 AM
WPR report is notable for what it omits.
In contrast to the report for the 1989 invasion of Panama (the "precedent" for this op), it does not detail attacks upon or actual threats to Americans.
Further (unlike in 1989) it does not provide int'l law justifications for the US invasion of VZ. 2/n
In contrast to the report for the 1989 invasion of Panama (the "precedent" for this op), it does not detail attacks upon or actual threats to Americans.
Further (unlike in 1989) it does not provide int'l law justifications for the US invasion of VZ. 2/n
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
briefly popping in to say the reason we aren’t seeing mass movement in response to the united states kidnapping the (dictatorial) leader of a sovereign nation is the same reason why the united states feels emboldened to kidnap the leader of a sovereign nation
January 6, 2026 at 6:31 AM
briefly popping in to say the reason we aren’t seeing mass movement in response to the united states kidnapping the (dictatorial) leader of a sovereign nation is the same reason why the united states feels emboldened to kidnap the leader of a sovereign nation
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
You are who the face of your enterprise is. ESPN is Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith.
The Athletic says that Katie Strang’s Mary Kate Cornett story—written during McAfee/ESPN’s months-long silence—was the most-read story on the site in 2025.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...
ESPN’s Pat McAfee and others amplified a false rumor. A teenager’s life was ‘destroyed’
An Ole Miss freshman has engaged legal representation and says she intends to take action against McAfee, ESPN, and potentially others
www.nytimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 3:12 PM
You are who the face of your enterprise is. ESPN is Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith.
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
really curious about the extent to which it’s arguable taxpayers are footing the bill for this
January 6, 2026 at 5:49 AM
really curious about the extent to which it’s arguable taxpayers are footing the bill for this
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
A Hilton branded hotel that originally declined to host guests because they were with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has backpedalled, saying in a statement Monday it does “not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted.”
Hilton Hotel That Refused DHS Reservations Backpedals
The hotel told 404 Media in a statement “We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated.”
www.404media.co
January 6, 2026 at 3:24 AM
A Hilton branded hotel that originally declined to host guests because they were with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has backpedalled, saying in a statement Monday it does “not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted.”
Their big argument was "the Cartel is real" and now they don't even have that. Incredible.
How long until they panic over losing at trial and send him to Guantanamo
Justice Dept. Drops Claim That Venezuela’s ‘Cartel de los Soles’ Is an Actual Group
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Their big argument was "the Cartel is real" and now they don't even have that. Incredible.
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
New — I wrote about how corporate media is immediately siding with power in the wake of Trump attacking Venezuela and capturing Maduro, and how journalists need to treat the administration as a hostile entity that’s openly lying to them.
Call Trump's power grab in Venezuela what it is
Corporate media must recognize they're being openly lied to—and report accordingly.
www.thehandbasket.co
January 6, 2026 at 12:49 AM
New — I wrote about how corporate media is immediately siding with power in the wake of Trump attacking Venezuela and capturing Maduro, and how journalists need to treat the administration as a hostile entity that’s openly lying to them.
Elysium was a documentary.
The wealthy oligarchs will have all the immunisations but poor people will die and there’s an entire strata of people who think that’s a good thing
It’s official: RFK Jr has officially reduced recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11, removing universal vaccine recommendations for RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue and two types of bacterial meningitis.
This reckless contravention of science is going to kill people.
This reckless contravention of science is going to kill people.
January 6, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Elysium was a documentary.
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
day 5 of the new year, casually watching video of police arrest a protester as she is being interviewed by media at the protest
January 5, 2026 at 8:28 PM
day 5 of the new year, casually watching video of police arrest a protester as she is being interviewed by media at the protest
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
Update (boooo!):
That didn't last long.
"A few hours later, Hilton followed up with an updated statement, saying 'We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and they have apologized for the actions of their team, which was not in keeping with their policies...'"
"A few hours later, Hilton followed up with an updated statement, saying 'We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and they have apologized for the actions of their team, which was not in keeping with their policies...'"
Hilton Hotel That Refused DHS Reservations Backpedals
The hotel told 404 Media in a statement “We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated.”
www.404media.co
January 6, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Update (boooo!):
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
"The issues" are not immutable. Americans do not come out of the womb arguing about trans girls in Division III volleyball.
The issues are what you make them. The issues are what you're loudest about.
Create the conversation around these murderers' war crimes, don't equivocate, and don't let up.
The issues are what you make them. The issues are what you're loudest about.
Create the conversation around these murderers' war crimes, don't equivocate, and don't let up.
And, you can also change the narrative yourself, by leading the public. Public pressure absolutely moves politicians. Sitting around waiting for others to take this seriously is failing. Making something the story and making the public care about it is the job of a politician.
IMO the argument is that you can make things into big enough deals that it matters. Khanna found Massey and found survivors and made the Epstein Files the gigantic story it should be. Only then did establishment Dems come along. You can, in fact, make things into big hairy deals if you do it right.
January 6, 2026 at 1:55 AM
"The issues" are not immutable. Americans do not come out of the womb arguing about trans girls in Division III volleyball.
The issues are what you make them. The issues are what you're loudest about.
Create the conversation around these murderers' war crimes, don't equivocate, and don't let up.
The issues are what you make them. The issues are what you're loudest about.
Create the conversation around these murderers' war crimes, don't equivocate, and don't let up.
It is striking how much the US foreign policy stance in terms of projecting power is a "fight me, bro" bluff. Counting on people not fighting back.
TAPPER: Can you rule out the US is going to take Greenland by force?
MILLER: Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The US is the power of NATO
T: So force is on the table?
M: Nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over future of Greenland
MILLER: Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The US is the power of NATO
T: So force is on the table?
M: Nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over future of Greenland
January 6, 2026 at 2:42 AM
It is striking how much the US foreign policy stance in terms of projecting power is a "fight me, bro" bluff. Counting on people not fighting back.
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
Mamdani's administration plans to use existing authority to go after companies illegally hiding fees. Right now, Ticketmaster is breaking NY state law by hiding fee breakdowns behind additional toggles and clicks. (same with Seatgeek, Stubhub etc.) Fees are supposed to be clear & conspicuous!
January 6, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Mamdani's administration plans to use existing authority to go after companies illegally hiding fees. Right now, Ticketmaster is breaking NY state law by hiding fee breakdowns behind additional toggles and clicks. (same with Seatgeek, Stubhub etc.) Fees are supposed to be clear & conspicuous!
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
The GOP didn't have the votes for many years but that didn't stop them from pulling out every procedural trick possible while screaming at Dems on TV. And now they're in charge.
Lot of people yelling recently "but we don't have the votes!" True! That doesn't mean "immediately quit." (Also not what propter is saying here, to be clear.) It means create a spectacle, make things cause celebres, make the Republican position untenable.
Create bargaining position and force votes.
Create bargaining position and force votes.
January 6, 2026 at 1:31 AM
The GOP didn't have the votes for many years but that didn't stop them from pulling out every procedural trick possible while screaming at Dems on TV. And now they're in charge.
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
Here we go:
Venezuela’s El Nacional reports it was a swarm of friendly drones that caused confusion among security forces.
Venezuela’s El Nacional reports it was a swarm of friendly drones that caused confusion among security forces.
El Nacional reporting that "sources with knowledge of the event" say that the shooting was caused by "confusion among security forces" who mistook their own drones, which were flying over Miraflores, for hostile aircraft.
www.elnacional.com/2026/01/repo...
www.elnacional.com/2026/01/repo...
Reportan situación irregular en las adyacencias a Miraflores
En distintos audiovisuales que circularon en plataformas digitales se escuchaban detonaciones y se observaba a grupos armados rodeando el perímetro del palacio presidencial, lo que dio lugar a especul...
www.elnacional.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:29 AM
Here we go:
Venezuela’s El Nacional reports it was a swarm of friendly drones that caused confusion among security forces.
Venezuela’s El Nacional reports it was a swarm of friendly drones that caused confusion among security forces.
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
Appears to be a misidentification of Venezuelan drone, incident is over according to government officials and local reports
January 6, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Appears to be a misidentification of Venezuelan drone, incident is over according to government officials and local reports
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
White House has filed its War Powers report for the attack on Venezuela.
I used to help draft these reports and this is an unusual specimen.
It promotes a number of political narratives, including about the attack being a "law enforcement operation" and framing Maduro as a "narco-terrorist." 1/n
I used to help draft these reports and this is an unusual specimen.
It promotes a number of political narratives, including about the attack being a "law enforcement operation" and framing Maduro as a "narco-terrorist." 1/n
January 6, 2026 at 1:21 AM
White House has filed its War Powers report for the attack on Venezuela.
I used to help draft these reports and this is an unusual specimen.
It promotes a number of political narratives, including about the attack being a "law enforcement operation" and framing Maduro as a "narco-terrorist." 1/n
I used to help draft these reports and this is an unusual specimen.
It promotes a number of political narratives, including about the attack being a "law enforcement operation" and framing Maduro as a "narco-terrorist." 1/n
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
As someone who wasn’t around for Vietnam and not old enough to cover Iraq/Afghanistan, it’s easy to look at media coverage leading up to those wars and say I would’ve done better. I hoped that journalists of my generation would never have to prove that in practice, but it seems this is our moment.
Call Trump's power grab in Venezuela what it is
Corporate media must recognize they're being openly lied to—and report accordingly.
www.thehandbasket.co
January 6, 2026 at 1:14 AM
As someone who wasn’t around for Vietnam and not old enough to cover Iraq/Afghanistan, it’s easy to look at media coverage leading up to those wars and say I would’ve done better. I hoped that journalists of my generation would never have to prove that in practice, but it seems this is our moment.
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
lol the fucking Navy SEALs or whoever forgot to mirandize him
Judge: Anything you say may be used against you. I see you have counsel, Mr. Pollack, here. If you cannot afford one the government will provide a lawyer free of charge. Did you know of these rights?
Maduro: I did not know of these rights, until now
Maduro: I did not know of these rights, until now
January 6, 2026 at 12:36 AM
lol the fucking Navy SEALs or whoever forgot to mirandize him
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
Bitch
Stephen Miller: "What the president said is true. The United States of America is running Venezuela ... by definition we are in charge because we have the US military stationed outside the country. We set the terms and conditions ... for them to do commerce, they need our permission."
January 6, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Bitch
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
Genuinely mind boggling that the stroke of genius here was saying kidnapping Maduro was a criminal rather than military endeavor when they couldn't get a conviction against the Sandwich Guy
lol the fucking Navy SEALs or whoever forgot to mirandize him
Judge: Anything you say may be used against you. I see you have counsel, Mr. Pollack, here. If you cannot afford one the government will provide a lawyer free of charge. Did you know of these rights?
Maduro: I did not know of these rights, until now
Maduro: I did not know of these rights, until now
January 6, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Genuinely mind boggling that the stroke of genius here was saying kidnapping Maduro was a criminal rather than military endeavor when they couldn't get a conviction against the Sandwich Guy
Reposted by Nicholas Slayton
For some veterans, the specter of Iraq and Afghanistan looms over the Maduro raid trib.al/UqcQfUF
For some veterans, the specter of Iraq and Afghanistan looms over the Maduro raid
The raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was a tactical success, but it also raises the possibility of strategic missteps.
trib.al
January 5, 2026 at 10:31 PM
For some veterans, the specter of Iraq and Afghanistan looms over the Maduro raid trib.al/UqcQfUF
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January 5, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Seriously, listen to @bloodwork.show