Jon Orris
@orrisjd.bsky.social
Reposted by Jon Orris
Obviously this is racist claptrap but I do want to point out:
If a member of Congress went to the floor and leaked an upcoming military operation, that would in fact be 100% consistent with the Constitutional text and the Framers' intent. They created a special immunity just for stuff like that.
If a member of Congress went to the floor and leaked an upcoming military operation, that would in fact be 100% consistent with the Constitutional text and the Framers' intent. They created a special immunity just for stuff like that.
GOP Rep. Pat Harrigan: "There are members of Congress that they just cannot trust. And I understand that. We have folks that are Somali first and not America first."
January 4, 2026 at 2:11 AM
Obviously this is racist claptrap but I do want to point out:
If a member of Congress went to the floor and leaked an upcoming military operation, that would in fact be 100% consistent with the Constitutional text and the Framers' intent. They created a special immunity just for stuff like that.
If a member of Congress went to the floor and leaked an upcoming military operation, that would in fact be 100% consistent with the Constitutional text and the Framers' intent. They created a special immunity just for stuff like that.
Reposted by Jon Orris
The best description I ever heard of News Corp was from a Murdoch biographer who called it a kind of free-floating state television which various regimes could contract with to provide propaganda. The new CBS is actually lower than that, even.
A CBS News staffer told me this after Tony Dokoupil kicked off his CBS Evening News tenure tonight with a lengthy Pete Hegseth interview:
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
January 4, 2026 at 2:08 AM
The best description I ever heard of News Corp was from a Murdoch biographer who called it a kind of free-floating state television which various regimes could contract with to provide propaganda. The new CBS is actually lower than that, even.
Reposted by Jon Orris
I feel like I’m going insane, there is, like, an actual Venezuelan government that still exists
With Nicolás Maduro out of power, the Trump administration is racing to assemble an interim governing structure for Venezuela.
After Maduro Ouster, Trump Takes On the Risks of Governing Venezuela
The administration is racing to get an interim government in place, even as pushback from Maduro’s allies raise fears of instability.
on.wsj.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:52 AM
I feel like I’m going insane, there is, like, an actual Venezuelan government that still exists
Reposted by Jon Orris
Colombian President Gustavo Petro just went after Trump:
“A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy. To keep Epstein's list from coming out, they send warships to kill fishermen & threaten our neighbor with invasion for their oil."
“A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy. To keep Epstein's list from coming out, they send warships to kill fishermen & threaten our neighbor with invasion for their oil."
January 4, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Colombian President Gustavo Petro just went after Trump:
“A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy. To keep Epstein's list from coming out, they send warships to kill fishermen & threaten our neighbor with invasion for their oil."
“A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy. To keep Epstein's list from coming out, they send warships to kill fishermen & threaten our neighbor with invasion for their oil."
Reposted by Jon Orris
And it turns out that the various goals here - the national humiliation of Venezuela, the looting of its entire resource base, the destruction of its ruling regime, its reduction to an American client state - are generally not shared by any of the entities on the ground on Venezuela, surprisingly
January 4, 2026 at 3:06 AM
And it turns out that the various goals here - the national humiliation of Venezuela, the looting of its entire resource base, the destruction of its ruling regime, its reduction to an American client state - are generally not shared by any of the entities on the ground on Venezuela, surprisingly
Reposted by Jon Orris
It's just frenetic chaos, no plan, because Trump's cronies pushed him into this because they thought it would be fun to do a little imperialism and/or they hate Latin American leftism, and meanwhile Trump did it because he thinks there's eleventy trillion dollars of oil sitting in Venezuela to take
January 4, 2026 at 3:05 AM
It's just frenetic chaos, no plan, because Trump's cronies pushed him into this because they thought it would be fun to do a little imperialism and/or they hate Latin American leftism, and meanwhile Trump did it because he thinks there's eleventy trillion dollars of oil sitting in Venezuela to take
Reposted by Jon Orris
So Trump has:
-illegally abducted Maduro, which the neocons love, because they want the opposition to take over
-but then left his VP, who fully supports him, in charge
-but said she would follow his orders
-but then she didn't
-and now the Venezuelan opposition is also condemning Trump
-illegally abducted Maduro, which the neocons love, because they want the opposition to take over
-but then left his VP, who fully supports him, in charge
-but said she would follow his orders
-but then she didn't
-and now the Venezuelan opposition is also condemning Trump
January 4, 2026 at 3:03 AM
So Trump has:
-illegally abducted Maduro, which the neocons love, because they want the opposition to take over
-but then left his VP, who fully supports him, in charge
-but said she would follow his orders
-but then she didn't
-and now the Venezuelan opposition is also condemning Trump
-illegally abducted Maduro, which the neocons love, because they want the opposition to take over
-but then left his VP, who fully supports him, in charge
-but said she would follow his orders
-but then she didn't
-and now the Venezuelan opposition is also condemning Trump
Reposted by Jon Orris
“There was zero plan, except causing pain,” said one U.N. official about the Trump administration’s decision to stop funding the group with no notice or communication. “And that is not forgivable.”
After Trump Officials Cut Food Aid to Kenya, Children Starved to Death
“Brutal and traumatizing”: Interviews and a trove of internal documents show government officials and aid workers desperately tried to warn Trump advisers about impending disaster and death.
www.propublica.org
January 4, 2026 at 2:00 AM
“There was zero plan, except causing pain,” said one U.N. official about the Trump administration’s decision to stop funding the group with no notice or communication. “And that is not forgivable.”
Reposted by Jon Orris
mexico is one of our two largest trading partners, a democracy with 130 million people, where the president won 61% of the vote in the last election. trump is literally threatening a decapitation strike against her. this is utter insanity, it's like saying we're going to airstrike Keir Starmer
January 4, 2026 at 3:19 AM
mexico is one of our two largest trading partners, a democracy with 130 million people, where the president won 61% of the vote in the last election. trump is literally threatening a decapitation strike against her. this is utter insanity, it's like saying we're going to airstrike Keir Starmer
Reposted by Jon Orris
"A makeshift war room." ...How many other countries intelligence services were also "in" that room because the people who set it up didn't have the expertise to shut them out? (hides eyes, moans a bit)
The WH released photos of Trump watching the operation live from a makeshift “war room” at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump went on Fox News this morning and said he watched it like “a television show,” praising the “speed” and “violence” as “an amazing thing.”
Trump went on Fox News this morning and said he watched it like “a television show,” praising the “speed” and “violence” as “an amazing thing.”
January 3, 2026 at 9:34 PM
"A makeshift war room." ...How many other countries intelligence services were also "in" that room because the people who set it up didn't have the expertise to shut them out? (hides eyes, moans a bit)
Reposted by Jon Orris
Quick update for US media: the story is not about Maduro or what’s going on in Venezuela. It’s about the massive rupture in US history where the country now stands for invading and occupying any country it likes.
Trump in his press conference made it very clear this is a new age. Did you miss that?
Trump in his press conference made it very clear this is a new age. Did you miss that?
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Quick update for US media: the story is not about Maduro or what’s going on in Venezuela. It’s about the massive rupture in US history where the country now stands for invading and occupying any country it likes.
Trump in his press conference made it very clear this is a new age. Did you miss that?
Trump in his press conference made it very clear this is a new age. Did you miss that?
Reposted by Jon Orris
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 12:18 AM
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."
Reposted by Jon Orris
This is insane…
‘It’s time they pay a price’: Lindsey Graham sets sight on next target after Venezuela
‘It’s time they pay a price’: Lindsey Graham sets sight on next target after Venezuela
After repeatedly cheering the Trump administration for its unprecedented attack on Venezuela and subsequent capturing of its president, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) appeared to set his sights on what he believed should be the Trump administration’s next target: China.The attack and raid on Venezuela r...
bit.ly
January 4, 2026 at 1:43 AM
This is insane…
Reposted by Jon Orris
The US “openly flaunting international law sends a signal to all of us that every president and every prime minister is potentially a target of US military action. There doesn’t seem to be any constraints on what the Trump administration would consider.” — former Canadian ambassador to Venezuela
January 4, 2026 at 1:34 AM
The US “openly flaunting international law sends a signal to all of us that every president and every prime minister is potentially a target of US military action. There doesn’t seem to be any constraints on what the Trump administration would consider.” — former Canadian ambassador to Venezuela
Reposted by Jon Orris
Several people have asked me “how did you know to write this article right before the attack?”
I’ll never tell (it was luck).
I’ll never tell (it was luck).
Anyone advocating regime change in Venezuela is implicitly advocating for a long, bloody, expensive commitment—whether they acknowledge it or not. ICYMI @markhertling.bsky.social:
What ‘Regime Change’ in Venezuela Would Really Mean
It’s not clear the administration has settled on a goal, much less considered the consequences.
lnk.thebulwark.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Several people have asked me “how did you know to write this article right before the attack?”
I’ll never tell (it was luck).
I’ll never tell (it was luck).
Reposted by Jon Orris
A CBS News staffer told me this after Tony Dokoupil kicked off his CBS Evening News tenure tonight with a lengthy Pete Hegseth interview:
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
January 4, 2026 at 1:52 AM
A CBS News staffer told me this after Tony Dokoupil kicked off his CBS Evening News tenure tonight with a lengthy Pete Hegseth interview:
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
Reposted by Jon Orris
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 9:57 PM
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.
Reposted by Jon Orris
This is why it's also important for domestic elected officials to condemn it as "illegal" and not just gripe about consultation. This is the stuff upon which international law is built. The prohibition against piracy wasn't some entity declaring it illegal worldwide, it was a custom built over time.
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 10:54 PM
This is why it's also important for domestic elected officials to condemn it as "illegal" and not just gripe about consultation. This is the stuff upon which international law is built. The prohibition against piracy wasn't some entity declaring it illegal worldwide, it was a custom built over time.
Reposted by Jon Orris
Well, if you can't get Le Penn on board with this, you might have problems.
January 3, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Well, if you can't get Le Penn on board with this, you might have problems.
Reposted by Jon Orris
Reposted by Jon Orris
at least part of everything this government does is to impress a handful of psychos on twitter
Several of the photos have Twitter up on a screen in the background but I can’t make out what search term appears
January 3, 2026 at 7:38 PM
at least part of everything this government does is to impress a handful of psychos on twitter
Reposted by Jon Orris
The United States has now given Russia, China, and anyone else who wants to give it a try an even clearer road map for invading countries that displease them.
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Maybe Russia and China Should Sit This One Out
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are just shocked—shocked!—by the American attack on Venezuela.
www.theatlantic.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:29 PM
The United States has now given Russia, China, and anyone else who wants to give it a try an even clearer road map for invading countries that displease them.
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Reposted by Jon Orris
hey remember when a bunch of middle-aged drunk korean lawmakers climbed the locked gates to the national assembly to hold an emergency session after the president gave illegal orders to the military, all of which ended with said president being sentenced to prison
January 3, 2026 at 7:02 AM
hey remember when a bunch of middle-aged drunk korean lawmakers climbed the locked gates to the national assembly to hold an emergency session after the president gave illegal orders to the military, all of which ended with said president being sentenced to prison
Reposted by Jon Orris
Best thing I’ve read this morning, from a human rights lawyer in Mexico. Translation is in the ALT-text.
January 3, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Best thing I’ve read this morning, from a human rights lawyer in Mexico. Translation is in the ALT-text.
Reposted by Jon Orris
A Black Democrat named Hakeem just said America First. All this because he thinks he could be Speaker, not realizing that the man he is trying to appease will readily chuck him into CECOT.
January 3, 2026 at 7:37 PM
A Black Democrat named Hakeem just said America First. All this because he thinks he could be Speaker, not realizing that the man he is trying to appease will readily chuck him into CECOT.