Radley Balko
@radleybalko.bsky.social
Journalist. Quattrone Center journalism fellow.
Author: Rise of the Warrior Cop.
Co-author: The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist.
New podcast: Collateral Damage
Substack: radleybalko.substack.com
Signal: radleybalko.52
Author: Rise of the Warrior Cop.
Co-author: The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist.
New podcast: Collateral Damage
Substack: radleybalko.substack.com
Signal: radleybalko.52
Reposted by Radley Balko
Gun Owners of America is lobbying Congress to pass the SAVE Act, which would require a majority of Americans to show a passport to register to vote.
But GOA opposes any law that requires showing a drivers license to buy a gun.
These are not serious people.
But GOA opposes any law that requires showing a drivers license to buy a gun.
These are not serious people.
February 9, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Gun Owners of America is lobbying Congress to pass the SAVE Act, which would require a majority of Americans to show a passport to register to vote.
But GOA opposes any law that requires showing a drivers license to buy a gun.
These are not serious people.
But GOA opposes any law that requires showing a drivers license to buy a gun.
These are not serious people.
Reposted by Radley Balko
Democrats should promise, today, that Melania Trump, Elon Musk and Peter Thiel will be stripped of citizenship and deported if the administration advances this effort
cool, cool. so we are sort of like citizens, but not really?
February 12, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Democrats should promise, today, that Melania Trump, Elon Musk and Peter Thiel will be stripped of citizenship and deported if the administration advances this effort
Reposted by Radley Balko
NEW @ms.now: The lawyer representing the woman who was shot 5x by a Border Patrol agent in Chicago in Oct says the agent is the subject of a criminal investigation by the US Attorneys Office. This would be a remarkable shift in a case that started w/ the gov’t trying to prosecute the woman he shot ⬇️
Agent investigated in Chicago woman’s shooting, her lawyer says
The attorney for Marimar Martinez says prosecutors told him the agent who shot her five times is facing a criminal probe.
www.ms.now
February 12, 2026 at 11:25 PM
NEW @ms.now: The lawyer representing the woman who was shot 5x by a Border Patrol agent in Chicago in Oct says the agent is the subject of a criminal investigation by the US Attorneys Office. This would be a remarkable shift in a case that started w/ the gov’t trying to prosecute the woman he shot ⬇️
Reposted by Radley Balko
February 12, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Reposted by Radley Balko
NEW: We’re publishing a full list of the 373 federal judges who have ruled against ICE’s mass detention policy and the 28 who have endorsed it — as well as links to key rulings by each.
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 12, 2026 at 10:01 PM
NEW: We’re publishing a full list of the 373 federal judges who have ruled against ICE’s mass detention policy and the 28 who have endorsed it — as well as links to key rulings by each.
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Radley Balko
As we dig into this scandal, can we revisit the question about why the president's son-in-law, who has no formal role in this administration, keeps showing up at high-level negotiations with actual world leaders?
Breaking WSJ:
The highly classified whistleblower complaint against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is related to a conversation intercepted last spring in which two foreign nationals discussed Jared Kushner, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
The highly classified whistleblower complaint against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is related to a conversation intercepted last spring in which two foreign nationals discussed Jared Kushner, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
Gabbard Whistleblower Complaint Based on Intercepted Conversation About Jared Kushner
The substance of the conversation, which covered in part issues related to Iran, isn’t known.
www.wsj.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:23 PM
As we dig into this scandal, can we revisit the question about why the president's son-in-law, who has no formal role in this administration, keeps showing up at high-level negotiations with actual world leaders?
Reposted by Radley Balko
The anti-Black racism was fine, but the anti-Israel rhetoric is where he drew the line. This is the Republican "principled" opposition to Trump
February 12, 2026 at 11:15 PM
The anti-Black racism was fine, but the anti-Israel rhetoric is where he drew the line. This is the Republican "principled" opposition to Trump
Reposted by Radley Balko
Was this supposed to make MN AG Ellison look like a badass patriot? Because that’s what I’m taking from it 🤷🏻♂️😂
RON JOHNSON: Did you ever encourage people to go out there and exercise their First Amendment rights?
KEITH ELLISON: I freely admit being in favor of the First Amendment
KEITH ELLISON: I freely admit being in favor of the First Amendment
February 12, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Was this supposed to make MN AG Ellison look like a badass patriot? Because that’s what I’m taking from it 🤷🏻♂️😂
To be fair, the guy is a walking specimen of undiluted white supremacy.
February 12, 2026 at 11:15 PM
To be fair, the guy is a walking specimen of undiluted white supremacy.
Reposted by Radley Balko
If ICE still stands for "Immigration and Customs Enforcement" then why do Republicans want them anywhere near a polling location?
Because lawless ICE goons are harassing, arresting, and murdering people who are citizens, you idiot.
February 12, 2026 at 8:00 PM
If ICE still stands for "Immigration and Customs Enforcement" then why do Republicans want them anywhere near a polling location?
Reposted by Radley Balko
SCOOP: An FBI counterterrorism agent spent weeks pursuing a nonviolent climate activist, and showed up at his door. The visit suggests a possible probe into the climate group as the Trump admin increases surveillance of activists, calls them domestic "terrorists."
theintercept.com/2026/02/12/f...
theintercept.com/2026/02/12/f...
FBI Counterterrorism Agents Spent Weeks Seeking a Climate Activist — Then Showed Up at His Door
The visit suggests a possible FBI probe into Extinction Rebellion NYC as the Trump administration increases surveillance of activist groups.
theintercept.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:47 PM
SCOOP: An FBI counterterrorism agent spent weeks pursuing a nonviolent climate activist, and showed up at his door. The visit suggests a possible probe into the climate group as the Trump admin increases surveillance of activists, calls them domestic "terrorists."
theintercept.com/2026/02/12/f...
theintercept.com/2026/02/12/f...
Reposted by Radley Balko
Someone was abducted at 10 AM by ICE on Central Ave. Their coworker says they’ve lived here for over 20 years, are documented, and have 3 kids who were born here.
Don’t be fooled by headlines when they’ve been lying to us the whole time. We still need you out patrolling until every agent is gone.
Don’t be fooled by headlines when they’ve been lying to us the whole time. We still need you out patrolling until every agent is gone.
February 12, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Someone was abducted at 10 AM by ICE on Central Ave. Their coworker says they’ve lived here for over 20 years, are documented, and have 3 kids who were born here.
Don’t be fooled by headlines when they’ve been lying to us the whole time. We still need you out patrolling until every agent is gone.
Don’t be fooled by headlines when they’ve been lying to us the whole time. We still need you out patrolling until every agent is gone.
Reposted by Radley Balko
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Idaho families sue over immigration raid that swept up hundreds, including U.S. citizens — NBC News
About 400 people, including children and U.S. citizens, were detained for four hours while they were denied food and water in the raid, according to the lawsuit.
apple.news
February 12, 2026 at 1:35 AM
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Christ. Aside from the very fucking basic 1A principles here, imagine a world in which the FCC actually had the authority to do this. How would a service like Apple News perfectly balance every viewpoint? They wouldn't. They'd just change the formula to appease whichever party is in power.
February 12, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Christ. Aside from the very fucking basic 1A principles here, imagine a world in which the FCC actually had the authority to do this. How would a service like Apple News perfectly balance every viewpoint? They wouldn't. They'd just change the formula to appease whichever party is in power.
I'd also just add that "if we don't go after immigrants, the fascists will" is the precise language Palantir's CEO has used for years to justify letting the government use his company's authoritarian tech.
He is now an open, unapologetic supporter of this administration.
He is now an open, unapologetic supporter of this administration.
Trump lied about immigrants in 2016 too. He then defeated an official from the administration that holds the deportation record.
If migration caused Trump's reelection (I don't think it did), it wasn't b/c of migrants. It was b/c mainstream, centrist outlets amplified fearmongering about migrants.
If migration caused Trump's reelection (I don't think it did), it wasn't b/c of migrants. It was b/c mainstream, centrist outlets amplified fearmongering about migrants.
Not going to read them all because jesus fucking christ but this is nasty work from Friedersdorf
February 12, 2026 at 5:13 PM
I'd also just add that "if we don't go after immigrants, the fascists will" is the precise language Palantir's CEO has used for years to justify letting the government use his company's authoritarian tech.
He is now an open, unapologetic supporter of this administration.
He is now an open, unapologetic supporter of this administration.
Trump lied about immigrants in 2016 too. He then defeated an official from the administration that holds the deportation record.
If migration caused Trump's reelection (I don't think it did), it wasn't b/c of migrants. It was b/c mainstream, centrist outlets amplified fearmongering about migrants.
If migration caused Trump's reelection (I don't think it did), it wasn't b/c of migrants. It was b/c mainstream, centrist outlets amplified fearmongering about migrants.
Not going to read them all because jesus fucking christ but this is nasty work from Friedersdorf
February 12, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Trump lied about immigrants in 2016 too. He then defeated an official from the administration that holds the deportation record.
If migration caused Trump's reelection (I don't think it did), it wasn't b/c of migrants. It was b/c mainstream, centrist outlets amplified fearmongering about migrants.
If migration caused Trump's reelection (I don't think it did), it wasn't b/c of migrants. It was b/c mainstream, centrist outlets amplified fearmongering about migrants.
Reposted by Radley Balko
This is exactly what you'd do if you wanted to make sure that wrestling fans chanted "Fuck ICE" throughout the hours of live wrestling you air in prime time every week.
February 12, 2026 at 4:38 PM
This is exactly what you'd do if you wanted to make sure that wrestling fans chanted "Fuck ICE" throughout the hours of live wrestling you air in prime time every week.
About "agitators" --
1. Homan can't even capitulate without threatening more illegal, military-ish force against people exercising their 1A rights.
2. I doubt it's unintentional that they continue to use a loaded term inextricably linked with segregationists and bigots.
1. Homan can't even capitulate without threatening more illegal, military-ish force against people exercising their 1A rights.
2. I doubt it's unintentional that they continue to use a loaded term inextricably linked with segregationists and bigots.
He literally says in this clip that ICE will keep in Minnesota “quick reaction forces” — a military term — to go after “agitators.” Remember that those on the ground in MPLS have spent more than a week trying to tell everyone that Trump’s prior “deescalation” was a ruse and ICE is still operational
Homan: "Operation Metro Surge is ending. In the next week, we're going to deploy the officers here on detail back to their home stations or to other areas of the country where they're needed."
February 12, 2026 at 4:36 PM
About "agitators" --
1. Homan can't even capitulate without threatening more illegal, military-ish force against people exercising their 1A rights.
2. I doubt it's unintentional that they continue to use a loaded term inextricably linked with segregationists and bigots.
1. Homan can't even capitulate without threatening more illegal, military-ish force against people exercising their 1A rights.
2. I doubt it's unintentional that they continue to use a loaded term inextricably linked with segregationists and bigots.
Reposted by Radley Balko
Photo Credit: "Observers record federal agents at the scene after a multi-vehicle crash following an apparent pursuit by a federal agent near the intersection of Selby and Western avenues in St. Paul. (Leila Navidi/The Minnesota Star Tribune)"
Every photo from Minneapolis looks like this. Cops decked out with guns and full tac gear facing off against people in bathrobes, parkas, and sweatpants armed only with whistles and cell phones.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
February 12, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Photo Credit: "Observers record federal agents at the scene after a multi-vehicle crash following an apparent pursuit by a federal agent near the intersection of Selby and Western avenues in St. Paul. (Leila Navidi/The Minnesota Star Tribune)"
Mullin is lying.
Here's the explicit demand from Democrats: "DHS officers cannot enter private property without a judicial warrant."
It's about entering private homes and businesses. The Democrats are *not* demanding a judicial warrant before any arrest of an undocumented person.
Here's the explicit demand from Democrats: "DHS officers cannot enter private property without a judicial warrant."
It's about entering private homes and businesses. The Democrats are *not* demanding a judicial warrant before any arrest of an undocumented person.
SEN MULLIN: 'They have them in handcuffs.' | The Brian Kilmeade Show
YouTube video by Markwayne Mullin
youtu.be
February 12, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Mullin is lying.
Here's the explicit demand from Democrats: "DHS officers cannot enter private property without a judicial warrant."
It's about entering private homes and businesses. The Democrats are *not* demanding a judicial warrant before any arrest of an undocumented person.
Here's the explicit demand from Democrats: "DHS officers cannot enter private property without a judicial warrant."
It's about entering private homes and businesses. The Democrats are *not* demanding a judicial warrant before any arrest of an undocumented person.
Reposted by Radley Balko
I watched two 16-year olds get abducted, I have not been able to get any organization to try to help them, I think about them every day, I read stuff like this and I want to puke
Some children in Dilley were so distraught they cut themselves or talked about suicide, parents told ProPublica.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
The Kids Trump Sent to ICE’s Dilley Detention Center
ProPublica went inside the immigrant detention center for families in Dilley, Texas. Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of...
www.propublica.org
February 12, 2026 at 12:49 PM
I watched two 16-year olds get abducted, I have not been able to get any organization to try to help them, I think about them every day, I read stuff like this and I want to puke
Reposted by Radley Balko
It's one thing to get a "no true bill."
It's quite another to get *shut out* in the grand jury.
It's quite another to get *shut out* in the grand jury.
No grand jurors found the Trump DOJ met low probable cause threshold in failed indictment of Democratic lawmakers
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
No grand jurors found the Trump DOJ met low probable cause threshold in failed indictment of Democratic lawmakers
None of the D.C. grand jurors who heard the Trump administration’s pitch on why they should indict Democratic lawmakers over a video urging members of the
www.nbcnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:50 PM
It's one thing to get a "no true bill."
It's quite another to get *shut out* in the grand jury.
It's quite another to get *shut out* in the grand jury.
Reposted by Radley Balko
