Justin V.
@thejval.bsky.social
Nikkei nerd in the city of wind and resident Angry Asian American.
Policy Wonk 🤓 Community Builder ✊ Hip Hop Head 🎧 Bookseller 📚
He/Him
Policy Wonk 🤓 Community Builder ✊ Hip Hop Head 🎧 Bookseller 📚
He/Him
Watching him respond to the big, ugly bill polling at below 40% popularity with: “Well, if you poll the red states it’s really popular. If you ask certain populations or blue states, it’s not.” Hmmm.
This is the worst timeline.
This is the worst timeline.
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) dismisses the concerns of Elon Musk, who Mullin once called “the best entrepreneur we’ve ever had in of our lifetime,” over the possible economic impact of President Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill.”
Sen. Mullin responds to Elon Musk’s criticism of Trump agenda bill: ‘He just doesn’t know’
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) dismisses the concerns of Elon Musk, who Mullin once called “the best entrepreneur we’ve ever had in of our lifetime,” over the possible economic impact of President Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill.”
nbcnews.to
June 29, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Watching him respond to the big, ugly bill polling at below 40% popularity with: “Well, if you poll the red states it’s really popular. If you ask certain populations or blue states, it’s not.” Hmmm.
This is the worst timeline.
This is the worst timeline.
Thank you, @duckworth.senate.gov, for your vote against cloture today- listening to and working for your constituents💛👏✊
@durbin.senate.gov, we expected better. This isn’t the senate of 20 years ago.
@durbin.senate.gov, we expected better. This isn’t the senate of 20 years ago.
March 14, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Thank you, @duckworth.senate.gov, for your vote against cloture today- listening to and working for your constituents💛👏✊
@durbin.senate.gov, we expected better. This isn’t the senate of 20 years ago.
@durbin.senate.gov, we expected better. This isn’t the senate of 20 years ago.
Reposted by Justin V.
Senator Durbin @durbin.senate.gov, you let us down.
Deeply dismayed to see that Senator Dick Durbin voted YES.
Deeply dismayed to see that Senator Dick Durbin voted YES.
How senators are voting on a bill to avert a government shutdown
The Senate is voting on a measure to extend federal funding through September. See how your lawmaker voted.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Senator Durbin @durbin.senate.gov, you let us down.
Deeply dismayed to see that Senator Dick Durbin voted YES.
Deeply dismayed to see that Senator Dick Durbin voted YES.
Reposted by Justin V.
These are the senators who collaborated with the GOP.
Schumer
Fetterman
Cortez Masto
Durbin
King
Shaheen
Gillibrand
Schatz
Hassan
Peters
Don’t let them forget it. No peace for them.
Schumer
Fetterman
Cortez Masto
Durbin
King
Shaheen
Gillibrand
Schatz
Hassan
Peters
Don’t let them forget it. No peace for them.
March 14, 2025 at 8:57 PM
These are the senators who collaborated with the GOP.
Schumer
Fetterman
Cortez Masto
Durbin
King
Shaheen
Gillibrand
Schatz
Hassan
Peters
Don’t let them forget it. No peace for them.
Schumer
Fetterman
Cortez Masto
Durbin
King
Shaheen
Gillibrand
Schatz
Hassan
Peters
Don’t let them forget it. No peace for them.
Reposted by Justin V.
New Yorkers and DC residents trying to talk with @schumer.senate.gov are having to push notes through a locked door with police posted outside.
March 14, 2025 at 4:32 PM
New Yorkers and DC residents trying to talk with @schumer.senate.gov are having to push notes through a locked door with police posted outside.
No on cloture > No on the CR.
@durbin.senate.gov & @duckworth.senate.gov, you don’t even have to worry about voting on the dangerous CR if you deny them cloture 🤓
@durbin.senate.gov & @duckworth.senate.gov, you don’t even have to worry about voting on the dangerous CR if you deny them cloture 🤓
I refuse to vote for Republicans’ slush fund bill that grants Trump and Elon Musk permission to continue rigging our government and our economy against the middle class.
It would greenlight even more chaos and more cuts to critical programs.
Hell no, I cannot support that.
It would greenlight even more chaos and more cuts to critical programs.
Hell no, I cannot support that.
March 14, 2025 at 3:53 PM
No on cloture > No on the CR.
@durbin.senate.gov & @duckworth.senate.gov, you don’t even have to worry about voting on the dangerous CR if you deny them cloture 🤓
@durbin.senate.gov & @duckworth.senate.gov, you don’t even have to worry about voting on the dangerous CR if you deny them cloture 🤓
Reposted by Justin V.
Columbia University has revoked degrees from some pro-Palestine student protesters, in addition to issuing multi-year suspensions and expulsions. The full number of affected students and graduates remains unclear, sparking concerns over academic freedom and free speech.
Columbia University Revokes Degrees From Some Pro-Palestine Campus Protesters
Along with multi-year suspensions and expulsions, it’s unclear how many students and graduates are impacted.
truthout.org
March 14, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Columbia University has revoked degrees from some pro-Palestine student protesters, in addition to issuing multi-year suspensions and expulsions. The full number of affected students and graduates remains unclear, sparking concerns over academic freedom and free speech.
Reposted by Justin V.
Just a friendly reminder that while voters won't have another chance to remove Schumer until 2028, the Dem senators can remove him at any time if they just get together. He may be able to stay in the senate, but he doesn't have to remain leader. It's time for something new.
March 14, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Just a friendly reminder that while voters won't have another chance to remove Schumer until 2028, the Dem senators can remove him at any time if they just get together. He may be able to stay in the senate, but he doesn't have to remain leader. It's time for something new.
Sometimes it feels like some #SenateDems still think they’re operating in an early 2000’s moment where people like Sen Graham will join Sen Durbin to introduce the DREAM Act. That version of the Senate hasn’t been around for almost the past decade, from what I’ve seen.
March 14, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Sometimes it feels like some #SenateDems still think they’re operating in an early 2000’s moment where people like Sen Graham will join Sen Durbin to introduce the DREAM Act. That version of the Senate hasn’t been around for almost the past decade, from what I’ve seen.
Hi, Nikkei/Japanese American policy wonk here.
Fuck this (the Alien Enemies Act, the President, Stephen Miller, deportations, etc).
This is going to open a reckless, racist can of worms.
#immigration #politics #AsianAmerican
abc7chicago.com/post/trump-i...
Fuck this (the Alien Enemies Act, the President, Stephen Miller, deportations, etc).
This is going to open a reckless, racist can of worms.
#immigration #politics #AsianAmerican
abc7chicago.com/post/trump-i...
Trump to invoke wartime Alien Enemies Act to carry out mass deportations: Sources
Trump is expected to invoke the Alien Enemies Act as part of the efforts to carry out mass deportations, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
abc7chicago.com
March 13, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Hi, Nikkei/Japanese American policy wonk here.
Fuck this (the Alien Enemies Act, the President, Stephen Miller, deportations, etc).
This is going to open a reckless, racist can of worms.
#immigration #politics #AsianAmerican
abc7chicago.com/post/trump-i...
Fuck this (the Alien Enemies Act, the President, Stephen Miller, deportations, etc).
This is going to open a reckless, racist can of worms.
#immigration #politics #AsianAmerican
abc7chicago.com/post/trump-i...
Reposted by Justin V.
🚨 Everyone needs to call their Dem Senator right now. They are starting to cave.
Tell them:
1. Vote NO on Cloture
AND
2. Vote NO on the Republican spending bill.
Don’t let them pivot to reconciliation. GOP doesn’t need Dem votes on that and they know it.
TODAY is the showdown.
🤳🏽: (202) 224-3121
Tell them:
1. Vote NO on Cloture
AND
2. Vote NO on the Republican spending bill.
Don’t let them pivot to reconciliation. GOP doesn’t need Dem votes on that and they know it.
TODAY is the showdown.
🤳🏽: (202) 224-3121
March 12, 2025 at 2:19 PM
🚨 Everyone needs to call their Dem Senator right now. They are starting to cave.
Tell them:
1. Vote NO on Cloture
AND
2. Vote NO on the Republican spending bill.
Don’t let them pivot to reconciliation. GOP doesn’t need Dem votes on that and they know it.
TODAY is the showdown.
🤳🏽: (202) 224-3121
Tell them:
1. Vote NO on Cloture
AND
2. Vote NO on the Republican spending bill.
Don’t let them pivot to reconciliation. GOP doesn’t need Dem votes on that and they know it.
TODAY is the showdown.
🤳🏽: (202) 224-3121
Reposted by Justin V.
Mahmoud's wife recounts ICE following them into their building as they returned from an Iftar dinner.
She refused to leave Mahmoud. Officers threatened to arrest her too.
The officers barricaded Mahmoud from her. They didn't show a warrant. They hung up the phone on their lawyer.
She refused to leave Mahmoud. Officers threatened to arrest her too.
The officers barricaded Mahmoud from her. They didn't show a warrant. They hung up the phone on their lawyer.
NEW—Mahmoud Khalil's wife:
"I was born & raised in the Midwest. My parents came here from Syria…They believed living in the US would bring a sense of safety & stability. But here I am…weeks before I’m due to give birth to our first child…I feel more unsafe & unstable than I have in my entire life."
"I was born & raised in the Midwest. My parents came here from Syria…They believed living in the US would bring a sense of safety & stability. But here I am…weeks before I’m due to give birth to our first child…I feel more unsafe & unstable than I have in my entire life."
March 12, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Mahmoud's wife recounts ICE following them into their building as they returned from an Iftar dinner.
She refused to leave Mahmoud. Officers threatened to arrest her too.
The officers barricaded Mahmoud from her. They didn't show a warrant. They hung up the phone on their lawyer.
She refused to leave Mahmoud. Officers threatened to arrest her too.
The officers barricaded Mahmoud from her. They didn't show a warrant. They hung up the phone on their lawyer.
Sending the email after COB. “Work from home tomorrow because, uhh, security? But definitely back in office Thursday…”
Feels like some Office Space shit.
These workers and our kids deserve better than this.
abc7chicago.com/post/departm...
Feels like some Office Space shit.
These workers and our kids deserve better than this.
abc7chicago.com/post/departm...
Department of Education lays off nearly 50% of its workforce
The Department of Education initiated mass layoffs on Tuesday night, reducing its workforce by nearly 50%, sources told ABC News.
abc7chicago.com
March 12, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Sending the email after COB. “Work from home tomorrow because, uhh, security? But definitely back in office Thursday…”
Feels like some Office Space shit.
These workers and our kids deserve better than this.
abc7chicago.com/post/departm...
Feels like some Office Space shit.
These workers and our kids deserve better than this.
abc7chicago.com/post/departm...
It’s wild watching the Speaker of the House go on @meetthepress.com & straight-faced say things like “we’ve got to prevent the largest tax hikes in American history at the end of the year” without acknowledging it’s the Trump tax cuts —passed by the GOP— last round that planted this seed. #politics
March 2, 2025 at 3:20 PM
It’s wild watching the Speaker of the House go on @meetthepress.com & straight-faced say things like “we’ve got to prevent the largest tax hikes in American history at the end of the year” without acknowledging it’s the Trump tax cuts —passed by the GOP— last round that planted this seed. #politics
Vice President out there with his dog whistle great replacement trash and trying to reframe things to fit an imaginary victimhood narrative.
JD Vance: "We cannot rebuild western civilization, we cannot rebuild the United States or Europe, by letting millions and millions of unvetted migrants come into our country. It has to stop ... you have to allow European peoples, and of course the American people too, to raise issues about it."
February 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Vice President out there with his dog whistle great replacement trash and trying to reframe things to fit an imaginary victimhood narrative.
This feels like something we forget a lot and then wonder when we feel like our influence wanes.
Also! If your rep (or an institution) does something good? Call to thank them and strengthen their backbone. That matters too. And this can be a less scary, more fun call to make. Find their numbers at reps.fyi.
![Hi, my name is [NAME], I'm a constituent in [ZIP CODE]. I'm calling because I saw that [GOOD THING A REP DID] and I want to say thank you for doing that. [PERSONAL STORY, if you have one.] Please know you have my support and I will remember your actions when I cast my next vote. Thank you.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hwmmdl5nok26w3zhmg2d3fvt/bafkreif557vpl7xvae7lewh472tvcg2gnjzku77avje32jf7pe7toyocni@jpeg)
February 9, 2025 at 6:14 PM
This feels like something we forget a lot and then wonder when we feel like our influence wanes.
Reposted by Justin V.
Here is a script you can use for any issue. Find your reps' # at reps.fyi or 5calls.org. Every time you see a news story that horrifies you: call, or something else about it. It matters to say what you believe. You are setting a norm.
![Hi, my name is [NAME], I'm a constituent in [ZIP CODE]. I'm calling because I saw that [TERRIBLE THING] is happening. I think this is appalling. [PERSONAL STORY, if you have one.] I want you to do everything you can to stop this. I will remember your actions when I cast my next vote. Thank you.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hwmmdl5nok26w3zhmg2d3fvt/bafkreigihtf5o2suhsnecpwijziyhsmxflvzzogbjre2okvstqagg6bw6y@jpeg)
February 8, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Here is a script you can use for any issue. Find your reps' # at reps.fyi or 5calls.org. Every time you see a news story that horrifies you: call, or something else about it. It matters to say what you believe. You are setting a norm.
Thinking that this is the guy to go in and “fix” the economy for non-billionaires is both laughable and terrifying:
www.theverge.com/2025/1/24/24...
www.theverge.com/2025/1/24/24...
Elon Musk email to X staff: ‘we’re barely breaking even’
User growth is ‘stagnant’ on the platform formerly known as Twitter.
www.theverge.com
February 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Thinking that this is the guy to go in and “fix” the economy for non-billionaires is both laughable and terrifying:
www.theverge.com/2025/1/24/24...
www.theverge.com/2025/1/24/24...
While billionaires are attempting to take over the government, political appointees attack an important agency working to protect Americans from exploitation.
This is some bullshit.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
This is some bullshit.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Vought cuts off CFPB funding, saying it’s not necessary
“This spigot, long contributing to CFPB's unaccountability, is now being turned off,” he wrote on X Saturday evening.
www.politico.com
February 9, 2025 at 4:17 PM
While billionaires are attempting to take over the government, political appointees attack an important agency working to protect Americans from exploitation.
This is some bullshit.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
This is some bullshit.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
It’s interesting to compare refugee countries of origin over time with the growing anti-refugee rhetoric from the right over time. But people still get squeamish and say it’s not a race thing….
February 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
It’s interesting to compare refugee countries of origin over time with the growing anti-refugee rhetoric from the right over time. But people still get squeamish and say it’s not a race thing….
Reposted by Justin V.
Yeah so the Constitution isn’t really in effect right now
Opinion | There Is No Going Back
The president’s opponents, whoever they are, cannot expect a return to the Constitution as it was.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Yeah so the Constitution isn’t really in effect right now
So the tax cuts proposals would raise taxes for the majority; the tariffs push will eat a significantly larger portion of non-billionaire’s money; cutting social safety net programs hits the poor. But sure, trickle down and what if one day I’m a millionaire. #EatTheRich
February 5, 2025 at 3:49 PM
So the tax cuts proposals would raise taxes for the majority; the tariffs push will eat a significantly larger portion of non-billionaire’s money; cutting social safety net programs hits the poor. But sure, trickle down and what if one day I’m a millionaire. #EatTheRich
This clown’s lust for territorial acquisition is running rampant. Prime time pitching co-colonizers and another Nakba so he can displace people to build a Mediterranean Riviera (which kinda already has one… you know, the French one) is abhorrent. #politics
February 5, 2025 at 12:41 AM
This clown’s lust for territorial acquisition is running rampant. Prime time pitching co-colonizers and another Nakba so he can displace people to build a Mediterranean Riviera (which kinda already has one… you know, the French one) is abhorrent. #politics
What the fuck was that press conference I just watched? The. Actual. Fuck.
February 5, 2025 at 12:31 AM
What the fuck was that press conference I just watched? The. Actual. Fuck.