Pam Fessler
@pamfessler.bsky.social
Former NPR correspondent. Voting/poverty beat. Communications advisor, The Elections Group. Author of “Carville’s Cure: Leprosy, Stigma and the Fight for Justice.”
https://www.pamfessler.com
https://www.pamfessler.com
Reposted by Pam Fessler
NEW: A federal tool meant to find noncitizens on voter rolls is consistently marking citizens as noncitizens, especially if they were born outside the U.S., causing chaos as election clerks try not to disenfranchise voters, @zachdespart.bsky.social and I found. 🧵 www.propublica.org/article/save...
“Not Ready for Prime Time.” A Federal Tool to Check Voter Citizenship Keeps Making Mistakes.
The Department of Homeland Security pushed out the revamped tool while it was still adding data. That led to widespread misidentification, particularly for citizens born outside the U.S.
www.propublica.org
February 13, 2026 at 1:21 PM
NEW: A federal tool meant to find noncitizens on voter rolls is consistently marking citizens as noncitizens, especially if they were born outside the U.S., causing chaos as election clerks try not to disenfranchise voters, @zachdespart.bsky.social and I found. 🧵 www.propublica.org/article/save...
Reposted by Pam Fessler
As the de facto leader of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, Kari Lake has done profound damage to America’s foreign broadcasters and squandered millions of taxpayer dollars, Anne Applebaum and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez report.
What Is Kari Lake Trying to Achieve?
The Arizona politician has wasted millions of dollars while blocking U.S. efforts to bring reliable news to repressive countries.
bit.ly
February 12, 2026 at 2:45 AM
As the de facto leader of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, Kari Lake has done profound damage to America’s foreign broadcasters and squandered millions of taxpayer dollars, Anne Applebaum and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez report.
Affidavit includes NO new info to warrant the involvement of DNI Tulsi Gabbard in seizure of Fulton County ballots.
Mostly a rehash of old allegations that certain things "looked" suspicious. No evidence that what likely were disorganization/human errors were intentional efforts to manipulate vote.
Mostly a rehash of old allegations that certain things "looked" suspicious. No evidence that what likely were disorganization/human errors were intentional efforts to manipulate vote.
Breaking News: A White House election denier set off the FBI investigation of the 2020 election in Georgia and relied heavily on claims about ballots that have been widely debunked, unsealed records show.
Georgia Ballot Inquiry Originated From Election Denier in Trump White House
A newly unsealed affidavit showed that a criminal investigation into the 2020 election in Fulton County, Ga., relied heavily on claims about ballots that have been widely debunked.
nyti.ms
February 10, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Affidavit includes NO new info to warrant the involvement of DNI Tulsi Gabbard in seizure of Fulton County ballots.
Mostly a rehash of old allegations that certain things "looked" suspicious. No evidence that what likely were disorganization/human errors were intentional efforts to manipulate vote.
Mostly a rehash of old allegations that certain things "looked" suspicious. No evidence that what likely were disorganization/human errors were intentional efforts to manipulate vote.
Reposted by Pam Fessler
“.. Its amazing how small they are,” he wrote, adding that they could record for 64 hours. “I’m installing them into Kleenex boxes now. I’ll bring them by later today.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
February 10, 2026 at 7:06 PM
“.. Its amazing how small they are,” he wrote, adding that they could record for 64 hours. “I’m installing them into Kleenex boxes now. I’ll bring them by later today.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
"Some Republican campaign consultants have warned that [Trump's election interfering] effort could backfire on their own midterm efforts by decreasing turnout among the president’s base and increasing turnout among Democrats."
Yup.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Yup.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
‘The Trust Has Been Absolutely Destroyed’
Some state election officials say they no longer trust their federal partners.
www.theatlantic.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:05 PM
"Some Republican campaign consultants have warned that [Trump's election interfering] effort could backfire on their own midterm efforts by decreasing turnout among the president’s base and increasing turnout among Democrats."
Yup.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Yup.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Pam Fessler
Leprosy is one of the least contagious diseases around — and perhaps one of the most misunderstood. The colonies are relics of a not-too-distant past when those diagnosed with leprosy were exiled. n.pr/4r3LmYM
They're cured of leprosy. Why do they still live in leprosy colonies?
Leprosy is one of the least contagious diseases around — and perhaps one of the most misunderstood. The colonies are relics of a not-too-distant past when those diagnosed with leprosy were exiled.
n.pr
February 7, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Leprosy is one of the least contagious diseases around — and perhaps one of the most misunderstood. The colonies are relics of a not-too-distant past when those diagnosed with leprosy were exiled. n.pr/4r3LmYM
He was disinvited at the same time Trump posted racist meme depicting the Obamas as apes.
Wes Moore suggests race may be why he was not invited to gov dinner with Trump
Wes Moore suggests race may be why he was not invited to gov dinner with Trump
The nation’s only sitting Black governor was not invited to a traditionally bipartisan event involving the National Governors Association and the White House.
dlvr.it
February 8, 2026 at 4:49 PM
He was disinvited at the same time Trump posted racist meme depicting the Obamas as apes.
Believe it or not, there are still about 750 leprosy colonies in India, although hardly any colony residents have leprosy any more. The disease can be easily cured, but the centuries-old stigma persists.
Leprosy is one of the least contagious diseases around — and perhaps one of the most misunderstood. The colonies are relics of a not-too-distant past when those diagnosed with leprosy were exiled. n.pr/4r3LmYM
They're cured of leprosy. Why do they still live in leprosy colonies?
Leprosy is one of the least contagious diseases around — and perhaps one of the most misunderstood. The colonies are relics of a not-too-distant past when those diagnosed with leprosy were exiled.
n.pr
February 8, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Believe it or not, there are still about 750 leprosy colonies in India, although hardly any colony residents have leprosy any more. The disease can be easily cured, but the centuries-old stigma persists.
Reposted by Pam Fessler
"Roughly 20 percent of Buchanan County residents have no teeth at all."
Having to go to public gyms to get free dental work by volunteer doctors should not be happening in the richest country on earth. It's not a partisan issue, it's a matter of human dignity.
Having to go to public gyms to get free dental work by volunteer doctors should not be happening in the richest country on earth. It's not a partisan issue, it's a matter of human dignity.
I spent some time in Southwest Virginia, talking to people in a county that gave Trump his biggest primary victory in 2016 but which is now getting crushed by his 2nd administration. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Trump has betrayed the people of coal country. They love him anyway.
“He thinks our people are idiots.”
www.motherjones.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:04 AM
"Roughly 20 percent of Buchanan County residents have no teeth at all."
Having to go to public gyms to get free dental work by volunteer doctors should not be happening in the richest country on earth. It's not a partisan issue, it's a matter of human dignity.
Having to go to public gyms to get free dental work by volunteer doctors should not be happening in the richest country on earth. It's not a partisan issue, it's a matter of human dignity.
Did you know there are still 750 leprosy colonies in India today? The disease is easily cured, but the stigma persists. The “leprosy affected” are pushing back. My story here.
Leprosy is one of the least contagious diseases around — and perhaps one of the most misunderstood. The colonies are relics of a not-too-distant past when those diagnosed with leprosy were exiled. n.pr/4r3LmYM
They're cured of leprosy. Why do they still live in leprosy colonies?
Leprosy is one of the least contagious diseases around — and perhaps one of the most misunderstood. The colonies are relics of a not-too-distant past when those diagnosed with leprosy were exiled.
n.pr
February 8, 2026 at 12:45 AM
Did you know there are still 750 leprosy colonies in India today? The disease is easily cured, but the stigma persists. The “leprosy affected” are pushing back. My story here.
Reposted by Pam Fessler
‘One officer told me that I "had no chance of returning to Minnesota" and that "the best thing for (me] is self-deportation." …
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
![…
25. This Cibola jail was horrible. It was cramped. I was chained up again.
The officers mocked
me and called me their enemy. They laughed at me. I was kept at the jail for what felt like around three hours. I wasn't given an explanation for why I was there.
26. Security
guards then put me on a bus. I think it was around January 27.
No one said
anything about where I was going. I was handcuffed. It felt like the middle of the night. It was freezing cold in the bus because the driver had the AC on. We had no jackets. The bus eventually took me back to El Paso in the carly morning of Tuesday, January 27th.
27. I was put in a cold cell where I had to sleep on the bare cement floor. Around 10 in the morning my cellmate asked to speak to an ICE officer. Three officers came into the cell so I had a chance to speak to them too. One officer told me that I "had no chance of returning to Minnesota" and that "the best thing for (me] is self-deportation." She told me that if I fought my case, I would spend two to three more months here in El Paso. She offered me $2600 to self-deport. I refused. I wanted to talk to my attorney. They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota. If I hadn't managed to talk to my attorney who told me a while back that I was ordered released. I might have given up at this point and signed the self-deportation forms because the conditions were so unbearable.
…
30. When I was taken back to the detention center from the airport, after missing the flight, I overheard an ICE officer saying in English, "the judge in Minnesota wants this one back." I was put in a cold jail cell again until early next morning (January 28). But again no one had told me directly that a judge had ordered my release
…
32. When I arrived in Minneapolis, I was handed off to ICE
… I had to sign lots of papers saying that I wasn't going to be a part of any "groups." I didn't know what they meant by "groups." They never told me why I was detained](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5cn3kbi4g5blrtahon34xbu4/bafkreiccqxmfncofjqinoveiqscwale2ox5xpiqt46veqjdh3jmimkrxhq@jpeg)
February 5, 2026 at 6:04 AM
‘One officer told me that I "had no chance of returning to Minnesota" and that "the best thing for (me] is self-deportation." …
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
Reposted by Pam Fessler
I can’t express how incredibly rare it for cabinet members to be impeached. We’ve only had two in our history. It’s also rare for doctors and scientists to call for HHS secretary to be impeached. But well deserved. 🩺⚕️💊 #rfkjr
BREAKING: Over 680 members of the National Academy of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering have endorsed articles of impeachment against RFK Jr.
(1/2 🧵)
(1/2 🧵)
February 5, 2026 at 10:47 PM
I can’t express how incredibly rare it for cabinet members to be impeached. We’ve only had two in our history. It’s also rare for doctors and scientists to call for HHS secretary to be impeached. But well deserved. 🩺⚕️💊 #rfkjr
Reposted by Pam Fessler
Horrifying. ICE confirms measles outbreak at Dilley family detention center. www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-dil...
ICE halts "all movement" at Texas detention facility due to measles infections
The measles cases at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center were detected Friday, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to CBS News.
www.cbsnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:42 AM
Horrifying. ICE confirms measles outbreak at Dilley family detention center. www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-dil...
Reposted by Pam Fessler
Heads up.
404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for the Palantir-made tool called ELITE, which lets ICE bring up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
www.404media.co/here-is-the-...
www.404media.co/here-is-the-...
Here is the User Guide for ELITE, the Tool Palantir Made for ICE
404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, which lets ICE bring up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
www.404media.co
February 2, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Heads up.
Wrecks everything he touches.
Breaking news: President Trump said that the Kennedy Center could temporarily close for roughly two years to undergo construction.
https://wapo.st/49VsdCk
https://wapo.st/49VsdCk
February 2, 2026 at 12:42 AM
Wrecks everything he touches.
Reposted by Pam Fessler
Federal immigration officers across the country are newly equipped with an array of state-of-the-art surveillance technologies, thanks to a bill that transformed ICE into the country’s most highly funded law enforcement agency.
Here’s a look at their arsenal:
Here’s a look at their arsenal:
The powerful tools in ICE’s arsenal to track suspects — and protesters
Biometric trackers, cellphone location databases and drones are among the surveillance technologies agents are using in their immigration enforcement campaign.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Federal immigration officers across the country are newly equipped with an array of state-of-the-art surveillance technologies, thanks to a bill that transformed ICE into the country’s most highly funded law enforcement agency.
Here’s a look at their arsenal:
Here’s a look at their arsenal:
Reposted by Pam Fessler
"In theater"
Q: Can you be specific about how many ICE and CBP agents are currently operating in the state?
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
January 29, 2026 at 3:09 PM
"In theater"
Reposted by Pam Fessler
The journalist explicitly identifies himself and attempts to stay on public land, but is threatened with arrest to prevent them from using their first amendment rights. They are breaking absolutely no law. This isn't even a close case.
We’re just not a free country.
Any American watching this play out between regime forces and journalists overseas would recognize it for what it is.
Any American watching this play out between regime forces and journalists overseas would recognize it for what it is.
January 29, 2026 at 1:27 PM
The journalist explicitly identifies himself and attempts to stay on public land, but is threatened with arrest to prevent them from using their first amendment rights. They are breaking absolutely no law. This isn't even a close case.
Reposted by Pam Fessler
I cannot stress how completely bizarre & unheard of it is for the DNI to be personally present for a search warrant execution, never mind this one.
“.. U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard speaks on the phone while standing inside a vehicle loaded with boxes outside the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center after the FBI executed a search warrant there.”
@reuters.com
@reuters.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:10 AM
I cannot stress how completely bizarre & unheard of it is for the DNI to be personally present for a search warrant execution, never mind this one.
Reminder: the "alleged voter fraud" is "alleged" by the FBI's boss.
The FBI is searching the Fulton County, Georgia, elections office in connection with an investigation into alleged voter fraud in the 2020 election https://cnn.it/3NI1uAE
January 28, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Reminder: the "alleged voter fraud" is "alleged" by the FBI's boss.
Reposted by Pam Fessler
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Pam Fessler
National Park Service workers across the U.S. are removing materials about slavery, climate change and labor history to comply with an order from President Trump. In some of the first legal pushback, the city of Philadelphia sued the Trump administration on Thursday. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/c...
January 26, 2026 at 1:26 AM
National Park Service workers across the U.S. are removing materials about slavery, climate change and labor history to comply with an order from President Trump. In some of the first legal pushback, the city of Philadelphia sued the Trump administration on Thursday. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/c...
Reposted by Pam Fessler
Bill Melugin of Fox News may be the best-sourced journalist within ICE and CBP. If he's hearing this, the administration has a real problem.
January 26, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Bill Melugin of Fox News may be the best-sourced journalist within ICE and CBP. If he's hearing this, the administration has a real problem.
Attorney General Bondi Reprehensibly Ties End of ICE Actions in Minnesota to the State Releasing Its Voter Rolls to DOJ electionlawblog.org?p=153962
Attorney General Bondi Reprehensibly Ties End of ICE Actions in Minnesota to the State Releasing Its Voter Rolls to DOJ #ELB
AG Bondi sent this letter to Minnesota officials. Among the things that Bondi says “will help bring back law and order to Minnesota and improve the lives of Americans” is for Minnesota to release its ...
electionlawblog.org
January 25, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Attorney General Bondi Reprehensibly Ties End of ICE Actions in Minnesota to the State Releasing Its Voter Rolls to DOJ electionlawblog.org?p=153962
Reposted by Pam Fessler
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
January 24, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.