Rich Swinton
@ricosuavejd.bsky.social
Here for the politics. Staying for the nicer vibes.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
gotta do investigations into DHS “waste, fraud and abuse” as pretext for killing the agency
The interior of Kristi Noem’s new billionaire-class luxury jet is complete with two bidets and a wet bar with a wine chiller. It will be purchased on our dime from the slush fund Congress approved in the One Big Beautiful Bill.
open.substack.com/pub/newsnotn...
open.substack.com/pub/newsnotn...
Let Them Fly First Class: Kristi Noem’s DHS Luxury Jet Scandal
Inside Noem's flying palace. Plus: Pentagon demands obedient, deadly AI. The race to deploy untested nuclear reactors. Lawmakers move to rein in presidential pardons. And remembering Robert Duvall.
open.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:53 AM
gotta do investigations into DHS “waste, fraud and abuse” as pretext for killing the agency
Reposted by Rich Swinton
The LAPD is citing truancy laws in an attempt to squash the ongoing school walkouts against ICE. The LAPD is also threatening to arrest any parents or adults who support the kids in their acts of civil disobedience.
February 17, 2026 at 4:35 AM
The LAPD is citing truancy laws in an attempt to squash the ongoing school walkouts against ICE. The LAPD is also threatening to arrest any parents or adults who support the kids in their acts of civil disobedience.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
Dr. Linda Davis was killed today in a fatal car crash
Her vehicle was hit by a man who was fleeing ICE agents, a man with no previous criminal history
Her vehicle was hit by a man who was fleeing ICE agents, a man with no previous criminal history
February 17, 2026 at 4:35 AM
Dr. Linda Davis was killed today in a fatal car crash
Her vehicle was hit by a man who was fleeing ICE agents, a man with no previous criminal history
Her vehicle was hit by a man who was fleeing ICE agents, a man with no previous criminal history
Reposted by Rich Swinton
So far it looks like Trump, Noem, and operation metro surge drained Minneapolis alone—not yet counting St. Paul, Bloomington, etc.— $203 million. This was a MAGA Trump assault on an American blue city. Nothing more. Start seeing it.
www.fox9.com/news/operati...
www.fox9.com/news/operati...
Operation Metro Surge cost Minneapolis at least $203 million, city officials say
Minneapolis officials have released an estimated tab on what Operation Metro Surge has cost city residents so far.
www.fox9.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:21 AM
So far it looks like Trump, Noem, and operation metro surge drained Minneapolis alone—not yet counting St. Paul, Bloomington, etc.— $203 million. This was a MAGA Trump assault on an American blue city. Nothing more. Start seeing it.
www.fox9.com/news/operati...
www.fox9.com/news/operati...
Reposted by Rich Swinton
The interior of Kristi Noem’s new billionaire-class luxury jet is complete with two bidets and a wet bar with a wine chiller. It will be purchased on our dime from the slush fund Congress approved in the One Big Beautiful Bill.
open.substack.com/pub/newsnotn...
open.substack.com/pub/newsnotn...
Let Them Fly First Class: Kristi Noem’s DHS Luxury Jet Scandal
Inside Noem's flying palace. Plus: Pentagon demands obedient, deadly AI. The race to deploy untested nuclear reactors. Lawmakers move to rein in presidential pardons. And remembering Robert Duvall.
open.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:41 AM
The interior of Kristi Noem’s new billionaire-class luxury jet is complete with two bidets and a wet bar with a wine chiller. It will be purchased on our dime from the slush fund Congress approved in the One Big Beautiful Bill.
open.substack.com/pub/newsnotn...
open.substack.com/pub/newsnotn...
Reposted by Rich Swinton
pretty stunning chart
February 15, 2026 at 7:58 PM
pretty stunning chart
Reposted by Rich Swinton
We live in an autocratic oligarchic hellhole.
The Pentagon is basically saying that if Anthropic doesn't drop its demands over restricting the use of AI in autonomous drone targeting and surveillance of Americans, it will essentially destroy the company.
The Pentagon is basically saying that if Anthropic doesn't drop its demands over restricting the use of AI in autonomous drone targeting and surveillance of Americans, it will essentially destroy the company.
Exclusive: Pentagon warns Anthropic will "pay a price" as feud escalates
The Pentagon may label Anthropic a "supply chain risk," forcing all its vendors to sever ties.
www.axios.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:42 PM
We live in an autocratic oligarchic hellhole.
The Pentagon is basically saying that if Anthropic doesn't drop its demands over restricting the use of AI in autonomous drone targeting and surveillance of Americans, it will essentially destroy the company.
The Pentagon is basically saying that if Anthropic doesn't drop its demands over restricting the use of AI in autonomous drone targeting and surveillance of Americans, it will essentially destroy the company.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
Complaining that following the Constitution will stop you from doing the thing you want to do is... an admission that what you want to do is unconstitutional.
You swore an oath to defend the Constitution. You are violating that oath, Rep. Alford. Time to go home and let someone else do the job.
You swore an oath to defend the Constitution. You are violating that oath, Rep. Alford. Time to go home and let someone else do the job.
Rep. Mark Alford: "If you tie a judicial warrant to what ICE is doing, it will never happen"
February 17, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Complaining that following the Constitution will stop you from doing the thing you want to do is... an admission that what you want to do is unconstitutional.
You swore an oath to defend the Constitution. You are violating that oath, Rep. Alford. Time to go home and let someone else do the job.
You swore an oath to defend the Constitution. You are violating that oath, Rep. Alford. Time to go home and let someone else do the job.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
Russia's war effort is unsustainable. That's an overarching, sometimes underrated, fact of the war.
Economy strained beyond capacity, and signs of growing problems.
Doesn't mean it's about to collapse. Doesn't mean we know when it'll break. But enough time failing to conquer Ukraine, and it will.
Economy strained beyond capacity, and signs of growing problems.
Doesn't mean it's about to collapse. Doesn't mean we know when it'll break. But enough time failing to conquer Ukraine, and it will.
“Russia’s economy hasn’t collapsed. It has entered the “death zone”—surviving by consuming its own future. Growth at 1%. Budget deficit rising. Military sector expands while civilian industry shrinks. Interest payments > education + healthcare. No climber survives this altitude forever.”
Russia’s economy has entered the death zone
Alexandra Prokopenko wonders how much longer it can go on metabolising its own muscle tissue
www.economist.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Russia's war effort is unsustainable. That's an overarching, sometimes underrated, fact of the war.
Economy strained beyond capacity, and signs of growing problems.
Doesn't mean it's about to collapse. Doesn't mean we know when it'll break. But enough time failing to conquer Ukraine, and it will.
Economy strained beyond capacity, and signs of growing problems.
Doesn't mean it's about to collapse. Doesn't mean we know when it'll break. But enough time failing to conquer Ukraine, and it will.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
Notable message from President Zelensky. The USA is clearly putting pressure on Ukraine to hand over more of its land to dictatorial Russia.
Good to see the Ukrainian pushback--but the USA should hang its head in shame.
Good to see the Ukrainian pushback--but the USA should hang its head in shame.
February 16, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Notable message from President Zelensky. The USA is clearly putting pressure on Ukraine to hand over more of its land to dictatorial Russia.
Good to see the Ukrainian pushback--but the USA should hang its head in shame.
Good to see the Ukrainian pushback--but the USA should hang its head in shame.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
They want to scare people out of posting ICE-critical content, because they know these posts are turning even their supporters against them. But the better option is to take a page out of their playbook and flood the zone.
Posting about ICE on Instagram is now enough to get you an “administrative subpoena.” 👀
@nytimes.com #$META
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
@nytimes.com #$META
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
February 16, 2026 at 1:49 PM
They want to scare people out of posting ICE-critical content, because they know these posts are turning even their supporters against them. But the better option is to take a page out of their playbook and flood the zone.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
"Because these trademarks have been filed, if an airport authority were to adopt the name ‘President Donald J. Trump International Airport,’ DTTM Operations would now need to license the mark to that authority, ." the Grifter will force some entity to use his name and then charge for it.
February 16, 2026 at 3:04 PM
"Because these trademarks have been filed, if an airport authority were to adopt the name ‘President Donald J. Trump International Airport,’ DTTM Operations would now need to license the mark to that authority, ." the Grifter will force some entity to use his name and then charge for it.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
We can’t trust anything coming out of this administration. It’s getting tiresome.
February 16, 2026 at 11:50 AM
We can’t trust anything coming out of this administration. It’s getting tiresome.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
"What are you going to do, gerrymander back?"
-quote from man who got gerrymandered back
-quote from man who got gerrymandered back
February 16, 2026 at 2:20 AM
"What are you going to do, gerrymander back?"
-quote from man who got gerrymandered back
-quote from man who got gerrymandered back
Reposted by Rich Swinton
“The U.S. no longer has emission standards of any meaning,” said Margo T. Oge, who served as the E.P.A.’s top vehicle emissions regulator under three presidents and has since advised both automakers and environmental groups…
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
With Latest Rollback, the U.S. Essentially Has No Clean-Car Rules
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:28 PM
“The U.S. no longer has emission standards of any meaning,” said Margo T. Oge, who served as the E.P.A.’s top vehicle emissions regulator under three presidents and has since advised both automakers and environmental groups…
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
Reposted by Rich Swinton
Tons of reporting on Musk’s science fictional business plans, not near enough about his white supremacist and fascist worldview. Good to see this from the Guardian!
Even if you are not surprised, this is important reporting documenting the bigoted ideology (and often, falsehoods) that Musk is promoting to his zillion online followers. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Elon Musk posted about race almost every day in January
Many social media posts by Tesla CEO on his platform are indiscernible from those of white supremacists, say experts
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Tons of reporting on Musk’s science fictional business plans, not near enough about his white supremacist and fascist worldview. Good to see this from the Guardian!
Reposted by Rich Swinton
Sure sure let’s order the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) to end all pandemic preparedness and biodefense work.
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Sure sure let’s order the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) to end all pandemic preparedness and biodefense work.
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
Reposted by Rich Swinton
I’ve seen this person get retweeted by MAGA influencers like Benny Johnson. He’s not kidding. This is a real political goal he is pursuing. He has 425,000 followers on Facebook.
February 16, 2026 at 4:21 AM
I’ve seen this person get retweeted by MAGA influencers like Benny Johnson. He’s not kidding. This is a real political goal he is pursuing. He has 425,000 followers on Facebook.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
The President of the United States most likely raped girls along with his best friend Epstein.
www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
New videos resurface showing Trump partying with underage girls
We’ve all seen Pam Bondi’s petulant performance before the House this week, screaming at members of Congress as they ask why various Epstein files remain redacted for Co-conspirators and perpetrators ...
www.dailykos.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:28 AM
The President of the United States most likely raped girls along with his best friend Epstein.
www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
It'll be cool when we get thousands more leaked in a few weeks, and this looks just like when she said it was on her desk, and Kash said there wasn't anything to it.
they just lie, over and over.
they just lie, over and over.
I'm confused. I thought they still had another 3 million that Blanche said that they were not releasing anymore. Did I miss a release of 3 million files? And 300 high-profile names? Why are they not being investigated for possible charges?
#USDemocracy
www.foxnews.com/us/ag-pam-bo...
#USDemocracy
www.foxnews.com/us/ag-pam-bo...
AG Pam Bondi announces 'all' Epstein files have been released, listing over 300 high-profile names
Attorney General Pam Bondi announces complete release of all Epstein files with no redactions for embarrassment or political sensitivity concerns.
www.foxnews.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:31 AM
It'll be cool when we get thousands more leaked in a few weeks, and this looks just like when she said it was on her desk, and Kash said there wasn't anything to it.
they just lie, over and over.
they just lie, over and over.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
A female ICE thug posing as a distressed motorist in neighborhoods of Brooklyn Park (63% non-white), MN, to entrap good samaritans. This is the same MO Ted Bundy used to lure his victims to their demise.
February 15, 2026 at 10:35 PM
A female ICE thug posing as a distressed motorist in neighborhoods of Brooklyn Park (63% non-white), MN, to entrap good samaritans. This is the same MO Ted Bundy used to lure his victims to their demise.
Reposted by Rich Swinton
SpongeBob SquarePants said Sunday that members of his newly created Board of Peas have pledged $5 trillion Krabby Patties toward are you fucking kidding me at this point
President Trump said Sunday that members of his newly created Board of Peace have pledged $5 billion toward rebuilding war-ravaged Gaza and will commit thousands of personnel to international stabilization and police forces for the territory. https://to.pbs.org/4bXt2fj
Trump says Board of Peace members promise $5 billion for Gaza rebuild
Israeli forces have carried out repeated airstrikes in Gaza and frequently fire on Palestinians despite a ceasefire deal. Trump did not detail which member nations were making the pledges for reconstr...
to.pbs.org
February 16, 2026 at 3:06 AM
SpongeBob SquarePants said Sunday that members of his newly created Board of Peas have pledged $5 trillion Krabby Patties toward are you fucking kidding me at this point
Reposted by Rich Swinton
Sign me the fuck up for every bit of this
My plan for dramatic democratic reform includes:
- SCOTUS expansion
- DC statehood
- PR settlement of status
- Codify DOJ independence
- Constitutional amendment(s) to reverse SCOTUS decisions, abolish Electoral College, restrict presidential pardon power
- SCOTUS expansion
- DC statehood
- PR settlement of status
- Codify DOJ independence
- Constitutional amendment(s) to reverse SCOTUS decisions, abolish Electoral College, restrict presidential pardon power
“By law we can create an independent US Prosecution Service to replace the POTUS controlled DOJ and abolish and replace ICE and USBP. Reform the pardon power by law and term-limit and expand the size of SCOTUS. Make DC and Puerto Rico states, enfranchising millions of Americans."
February 16, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Sign me the fuck up for every bit of this
Reposted by Rich Swinton
it’s breathtaking to see how this country is in decline by every possible metric
Devastated to learn that Univ of Texas at Austin is closing the American Studies dept. The years I spent there earning my PhD were formative, making me the teacher, thinker, and writer I am today. I've passed on what I learned at UT to thousands of students over the past 20 years. Just awful.
February 16, 2026 at 2:55 AM
it’s breathtaking to see how this country is in decline by every possible metric
Reposted by Rich Swinton
O'KEEFE: What's so wrong with obtaining a judicial warrant to enter private property?
HOMAN: That's not what federal law requires
O'KEEFE: As I recall, you previously said you thought judicial warrants were required
HOMAN: I didn't have a change of heart. That's the DOJ guidance
HOMAN: That's not what federal law requires
O'KEEFE: As I recall, you previously said you thought judicial warrants were required
HOMAN: I didn't have a change of heart. That's the DOJ guidance
February 15, 2026 at 3:40 PM
O'KEEFE: What's so wrong with obtaining a judicial warrant to enter private property?
HOMAN: That's not what federal law requires
O'KEEFE: As I recall, you previously said you thought judicial warrants were required
HOMAN: I didn't have a change of heart. That's the DOJ guidance
HOMAN: That's not what federal law requires
O'KEEFE: As I recall, you previously said you thought judicial warrants were required
HOMAN: I didn't have a change of heart. That's the DOJ guidance