Pema Levy
@pemalevy.bsky.social
Reporter at @MotherJones.bsky.social
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pemalevy.33 (Signal)
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pemalevy[at]proton.me
pemalevy.33 (Signal)
Reposted by Pema Levy
Hard to say how many showed up for Alex Pretti’s vigil, but easily hundreds if not thousands. After community activists and leaders spoke at the park where they gathered, everyone marched to the site of Pretti’s killing. Streets just filled with people demanding ICE out.
January 25, 2026 at 1:37 AM
Hard to say how many showed up for Alex Pretti’s vigil, but easily hundreds if not thousands. After community activists and leaders spoke at the park where they gathered, everyone marched to the site of Pretti’s killing. Streets just filled with people demanding ICE out.
Reposted by Pema Levy
@samveep.bsky.social has been doing amazing reporting from MN today under insane conditions
“If Minnesota falls, everything falls. We’re done as a nation.”
Fury. Grief. Anguish. Locals on the frontlines of Trump’s attack on Minneapolis are speaking out following the killing of another one of their neighbors. We’re on the ground with @samveep.bsky.social tracking the aftermath.
Fury. Grief. Anguish. Locals on the frontlines of Trump’s attack on Minneapolis are speaking out following the killing of another one of their neighbors. We’re on the ground with @samveep.bsky.social tracking the aftermath.
January 25, 2026 at 12:03 AM
@samveep.bsky.social has been doing amazing reporting from MN today under insane conditions
Reposted by Pema Levy
I'm on site where a federal agent shot a Minneapolis man this morning. It's bad.
Dozens of federal agents are facing off with hundreds of outraged residents. People being tear gassed, helicopters above, I keep hearing pops, and lots of loud BANGS.
This smoke is from tear gas:
Dozens of federal agents are facing off with hundreds of outraged residents. People being tear gassed, helicopters above, I keep hearing pops, and lots of loud BANGS.
This smoke is from tear gas:
January 24, 2026 at 5:14 PM
I'm on site where a federal agent shot a Minneapolis man this morning. It's bad.
Dozens of federal agents are facing off with hundreds of outraged residents. People being tear gassed, helicopters above, I keep hearing pops, and lots of loud BANGS.
This smoke is from tear gas:
Dozens of federal agents are facing off with hundreds of outraged residents. People being tear gassed, helicopters above, I keep hearing pops, and lots of loud BANGS.
This smoke is from tear gas:
Watching the video, I can’t but think that we have entered a new era of violent state repression today. Even compared to the horrors of the past weeks and year, this looks different.
January 24, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Watching the video, I can’t but think that we have entered a new era of violent state repression today. Even compared to the horrors of the past weeks and year, this looks different.
Reposted by Pema Levy
What we are watching is a paramilitary force learning that they can kill with impunity, that the regime will smear the victim and defend them. Unless politicians and the legal system exerts accountability, it will not stop. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/past-the-b...
January 24, 2026 at 4:32 PM
What we are watching is a paramilitary force learning that they can kill with impunity, that the regime will smear the victim and defend them. Unless politicians and the legal system exerts accountability, it will not stop. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/past-the-b...
This is the dual state. The state ignores adverse court rulings and rounds up its targets anyway.
A longtime snitch with an armed robbery conviction told the government that a construction worker with no sheet is a high-ranking Latin King trying to kill Greg Bovino. The “case” fell at trial but the government is trying to deport the man anyway.
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/24/m...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/24/m...
‘Like we’re starting all over again’; Chicago man acquitted on Bovino murder-for-hire charges now in ICE custody
A day after a Chicago construction worker was acquitted by a federal jury of charges he offered money to kill Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino he found himself back in custody.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:32 PM
This is the dual state. The state ignores adverse court rulings and rounds up its targets anyway.
Reposted by Pema Levy
Below is our story about the skyrocketing number of kids detained by ICE.
We cover the facility where Liam is now being held-- parents said food had worms and mold, and kids were so distressed they hit themselves in the face and wet themselves.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/17/c...
We cover the facility where Liam is now being held-- parents said food had worms and mold, and kids were so distressed they hit themselves in the face and wet themselves.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/17/c...
ICE Threw Thousands of Kids in Detention, Many For Longer Than Court-Prescribed Limit
Former immigration staffers argue ICE is choosing to detain families for prolonged periods to speed deportations and compel them to leave.
www.themarshallproject.org
January 22, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Below is our story about the skyrocketing number of kids detained by ICE.
We cover the facility where Liam is now being held-- parents said food had worms and mold, and kids were so distressed they hit themselves in the face and wet themselves.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/17/c...
We cover the facility where Liam is now being held-- parents said food had worms and mold, and kids were so distressed they hit themselves in the face and wet themselves.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/17/c...
Reposted by Pema Levy
ICE agents detained a 5-year-old on his way home from school and used him as “bait” to knock on his front door to see if anyone was home, according to school officials in Minnesota.
The preschooler is one of at least four children from the same school district who have been detained this month.
The preschooler is one of at least four children from the same school district who have been detained this month.
ICE detained a 5-year-old Minnesota boy and used him as "bait"
The preschooler is one of at least four children from the same school district who have been detained this month, according to school officials.
www.motherjones.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:37 PM
ICE agents detained a 5-year-old on his way home from school and used him as “bait” to knock on his front door to see if anyone was home, according to school officials in Minnesota.
The preschooler is one of at least four children from the same school district who have been detained this month.
The preschooler is one of at least four children from the same school district who have been detained this month.
The Supreme Court's GOP wing has had months to figure out how to exempt the Fed from its unitary executive mess, and they still don't have a coherent way to do it www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The justices already undermined the Federal Reserve’s independence. Now they want backsies.
It may be dawning on the court's conservatives that a unitary executive could be impossible to rein in.
www.motherjones.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:49 PM
The Supreme Court's GOP wing has had months to figure out how to exempt the Fed from its unitary executive mess, and they still don't have a coherent way to do it www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
SG Sauer says that he accepts for-cause removal protections for Fed Reserve governors, but also says the president might be able to get away with a firing without cause anyway.
You gotta appreciate the honesty here.
You gotta appreciate the honesty here.
January 21, 2026 at 3:45 PM
SG Sauer says that he accepts for-cause removal protections for Fed Reserve governors, but also says the president might be able to get away with a firing without cause anyway.
You gotta appreciate the honesty here.
You gotta appreciate the honesty here.
The Supreme Court is about to hear oral arguments on whether Trump can gin up prosecutions of Fed Reserve governors and then remove them.
The immunity decision is less than two years old and it's already threatening the global financial order www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The immunity decision is less than two years old and it's already threatening the global financial order www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Trump’s latest attack on the Federal Reserve is the Supreme Court's fault
The justices gave him a loaded weapon. Of course he's using it.
www.motherjones.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:02 PM
The Supreme Court is about to hear oral arguments on whether Trump can gin up prosecutions of Fed Reserve governors and then remove them.
The immunity decision is less than two years old and it's already threatening the global financial order www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The immunity decision is less than two years old and it's already threatening the global financial order www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Pema Levy
Federal immigration agents forced open a door and detained a U.S. citizen in his Minnesota home at gunpoint without a warrant, then led him out onto the streets in his underwear in subfreezing conditions, according to his family and videos reviewed by The Associated Press.
US citizen says ICE removed him from his Minnesota home in his underwear after warrantless search
Federal immigration agents have detained a U.S. citizen in Minnesota at gunpoint without a warrant. That's according to ChongLy “Scott” Thao, who says agents forced open his door, entered with guns drawn and led him outside in his underwear in freezing conditions.
bit.ly
January 20, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Federal immigration agents forced open a door and detained a U.S. citizen in his Minnesota home at gunpoint without a warrant, then led him out onto the streets in his underwear in subfreezing conditions, according to his family and videos reviewed by The Associated Press.
Reposted by Pema Levy
"In a region that had legislated its commitment to life, she would spend her final days struggling to find anyone to save hers."
www.propublica.org/article/nort...
www.propublica.org/article/nort...
A Pregnant Woman at Risk of Heart Failure Couldn’t Get Urgent Treatment. She Died Waiting for an Abortion.
In a state that had legislated its commitment to life, Graham spent her final days struggling to find anyone to save hers.
www.propublica.org
January 14, 2026 at 1:16 PM
"In a region that had legislated its commitment to life, she would spend her final days struggling to find anyone to save hers."
www.propublica.org/article/nort...
www.propublica.org/article/nort...
Reposted by Pema Levy
Are you someone who's Very Online, early in your reporting career, and eager to get clips? We're hiring a Breaking News Reporter at @motherjones.com. $65k-$75k salary. www.motherjones.com/careers/brea...
Breaking News Reporter
www.motherjones.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Are you someone who's Very Online, early in your reporting career, and eager to get clips? We're hiring a Breaking News Reporter at @motherjones.com. $65k-$75k salary. www.motherjones.com/careers/brea...
Thread
I had missed the SCOTUSblog post about the “interim docket blog”; wanted to scream but it’s late; texted @jaywillis.net instead; & he let me know that, oh, yes, this has been discussed.
I truly don’t understand how you just accede to Kavanaugh’s self-serving make-believe name for the shadow docket.
I truly don’t understand how you just accede to Kavanaugh’s self-serving make-believe name for the shadow docket.
Even for me, this is pretty in the weeds, but the shift in tone in SCOTUSblog's coverage since Sarah Isgur and The Dispatch took over—more deferential to the Court, more reverential of the justices as celebrities, more credulous and stenographic across the board—has been...notable
December 12, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Thread
“Posobiec’s email arrived the day after my inquiries… This was either an incredible coincidence or a deliberate message: Publish your article and get smeared.” ow.ly/EpQp50XHpYo
I asked the Pentagon about Pete Hegseth's mentor. Then the threats started.
Journalism in the second Trump administration gets personal.
ow.ly
December 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
“Posobiec’s email arrived the day after my inquiries… This was either an incredible coincidence or a deliberate message: Publish your article and get smeared.” ow.ly/EpQp50XHpYo
Reposted by Pema Levy
Among many other things, this is a story about how real journalism works to expose the propaganda crew Hegseth has installed at the Pentagon.
1/ MUST READ: @dfriedman.bsky.social asked the Pentagon about a Goodreads page linked to the email of a top official that featured pornographic books. Then, MAGA influencer—and newly minted member of DOD press corps—Jack Posobiec threatened to smear him.
Quite the coincidence!
ow.ly/EpQp50XHpYo
Quite the coincidence!
ow.ly/EpQp50XHpYo
I asked the Pentagon about Pete Hegseth's mentor. Then the threats started.
Journalism in the second Trump administration gets personal.
ow.ly
December 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Among many other things, this is a story about how real journalism works to expose the propaganda crew Hegseth has installed at the Pentagon.
Reposted by Pema Levy
"This is what it looks like when Supreme Court justices are completely unburdened by history," @pemalevy.bsky.social writes, "the logical conclusions of their own reasoning, and the real-world consequences of their own actions. And we are all along for the ride."
SCOTUS's GOP justices are about to hand Trump way more power
The court's right-wing bloc sounds ready to axe independent federal agencies—and the precedents that guard them.
www.motherjones.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:45 PM
"This is what it looks like when Supreme Court justices are completely unburdened by history," @pemalevy.bsky.social writes, "the logical conclusions of their own reasoning, and the real-world consequences of their own actions. And we are all along for the ride."
Sotomayor is on fire this morning, daring Noel Francisco to claim there's no quid pro quo for donations after Musk got to run wild through the federal government after becoming Trump's biggest financial backer.
Francisco laughs awkwardly and pretends he doesn't understand what she's talking about
Francisco laughs awkwardly and pretends he doesn't understand what she's talking about
December 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Sotomayor is on fire this morning, daring Noel Francisco to claim there's no quid pro quo for donations after Musk got to run wild through the federal government after becoming Trump's biggest financial backer.
Francisco laughs awkwardly and pretends he doesn't understand what she's talking about
Francisco laughs awkwardly and pretends he doesn't understand what she's talking about
Alito in oral arguments in NRSC v. FEC: "In our much maligned, I think unfairly maligned, decision in Citizens United"
So you're saying it's maligned...
So you're saying it's maligned...
December 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Alito in oral arguments in NRSC v. FEC: "In our much maligned, I think unfairly maligned, decision in Citizens United"
So you're saying it's maligned...
So you're saying it's maligned...
Reposted by Pema Levy
Trump spent $230 million to remodel the White House. It sucks.
You can support our journalism for just $5/month. It rocks.
If you're able, please consider donating today! tinyurl.com/y6wzer7w
You can support our journalism for just $5/month. It rocks.
If you're able, please consider donating today! tinyurl.com/y6wzer7w
December 9, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Trump spent $230 million to remodel the White House. It sucks.
You can support our journalism for just $5/month. It rocks.
If you're able, please consider donating today! tinyurl.com/y6wzer7w
You can support our journalism for just $5/month. It rocks.
If you're able, please consider donating today! tinyurl.com/y6wzer7w
Now that SCOTUS will decide the fate of the Constitution's birthright citizenship clause, here are two pieces I wrote on the Trump admin's historically nonsensical and morally broken arguments to deny some children their lawful citizenship
December 5, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Now that SCOTUS will decide the fate of the Constitution's birthright citizenship clause, here are two pieces I wrote on the Trump admin's historically nonsensical and morally broken arguments to deny some children their lawful citizenship
Reposted by Pema Levy
The (unconstitutional) unitary executive theory imagines a robust, presumably young president taking charge of every aspect of executive branch power. But we only have elderly, enfeebled presidents here.
Good piece from @pemalevy.bsky.social.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Good piece from @pemalevy.bsky.social.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The Supreme Court is making an all-powerful president—but the one we have isn’t all that interested in the job
The unitary executive theory is premised on vigorous and vigilant leadership that the country doesn’t always get.
www.motherjones.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The (unconstitutional) unitary executive theory imagines a robust, presumably young president taking charge of every aspect of executive branch power. But we only have elderly, enfeebled presidents here.
Good piece from @pemalevy.bsky.social.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Good piece from @pemalevy.bsky.social.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The Roberts court created a roadmap by which states could enact partisan and racial gerrymanders, as long as they didn't say the race part out loud. Then Texas went and said the race part out loud.
Will the GOP appointees let Texas get away with it anyway?
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Will the GOP appointees let Texas get away with it anyway?
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The Texas gerrymandering case is a test of the Supreme Court's integrity
Do the justices have any rules they won't let Republicans break?
www.motherjones.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Roberts court created a roadmap by which states could enact partisan and racial gerrymanders, as long as they didn't say the race part out loud. Then Texas went and said the race part out loud.
Will the GOP appointees let Texas get away with it anyway?
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Will the GOP appointees let Texas get away with it anyway?
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...