John Burnham
@virginiafrog.bsky.social
Retired Navy, former OSD
Opinions mine
Defend the vulnerable
Speak the truth
Shorten the darkness
Fiat justitia ruat caelum
Opinions mine
Defend the vulnerable
Speak the truth
Shorten the darkness
Fiat justitia ruat caelum
Reposted by John Burnham
Reposted by John Burnham
CNN reporting that a week before Alex Pretti was killed, 5 agents tackled him and he suffered a broken rib. CNN says he stopped his car after he saw ICE agents interacting with a family on foot and began to blow his whistle. Source tells CNN Pretti believed “That day he thought he was going to die”
January 27, 2026 at 5:19 PM
CNN reporting that a week before Alex Pretti was killed, 5 agents tackled him and he suffered a broken rib. CNN says he stopped his car after he saw ICE agents interacting with a family on foot and began to blow his whistle. Source tells CNN Pretti believed “That day he thought he was going to die”
Reposted by John Burnham
ICYMI: I looked through a published archive of Boston newspapers from the 1760s, when British troops were stationed in the city.
The accounts read remarkably similar to what's happening in Minneapolis.
radleybalko.substack.com/p/two-cities...
The accounts read remarkably similar to what's happening in Minneapolis.
radleybalko.substack.com/p/two-cities...
Two cities under siege
Remarkably similar scenes from Boston and Minneapolis, 260 years apart, show a federal government betraying its founding principles.
radleybalko.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:25 PM
ICYMI: I looked through a published archive of Boston newspapers from the 1760s, when British troops were stationed in the city.
The accounts read remarkably similar to what's happening in Minneapolis.
radleybalko.substack.com/p/two-cities...
The accounts read remarkably similar to what's happening in Minneapolis.
radleybalko.substack.com/p/two-cities...
Reposted by John Burnham
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
January 27, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Reposted by John Burnham
We are at a tipping point on ICE and immigration enforcement. The shootings are so unpopular that Trump appears to have lost his edge on both deportations and immigration more broadly. Abolishing ICE is net popular with independents. & Bovino is out! 2026≠2024 www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trumps-imm...
The ICE shootings are a tipping point
Donald Trump's approval on immigration has collapsed 17 points since taking office, and support for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement has swung 50 points since Sept. 2024.
www.gelliottmorris.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM
We are at a tipping point on ICE and immigration enforcement. The shootings are so unpopular that Trump appears to have lost his edge on both deportations and immigration more broadly. Abolishing ICE is net popular with independents. & Bovino is out! 2026≠2024 www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trumps-imm...
Reposted by John Burnham
To avoid the possibility Holocaust remembrance might lead to empathy for migrants, Trump's antisemitism envoy claims Anne Frank "was in Amsterdam legally."
In reality, Margot Frank received a summons to go to a labor camp on July 5, 1942. After ignoring this call, they were in Amsterdam illegally.
In reality, Margot Frank received a summons to go to a labor camp on July 5, 1942. After ignoring this call, they were in Amsterdam illegally.
January 27, 2026 at 3:28 PM
To avoid the possibility Holocaust remembrance might lead to empathy for migrants, Trump's antisemitism envoy claims Anne Frank "was in Amsterdam legally."
In reality, Margot Frank received a summons to go to a labor camp on July 5, 1942. After ignoring this call, they were in Amsterdam illegally.
In reality, Margot Frank received a summons to go to a labor camp on July 5, 1942. After ignoring this call, they were in Amsterdam illegally.
Reposted by John Burnham
At least two KGB's agents here
January 27, 2026 at 2:50 PM
At least two KGB's agents here
Reposted by John Burnham
Downfall Bovino Edition. You're welcome.
January 27, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Downfall Bovino Edition. You're welcome.
Reposted by John Burnham
Okay I think I've mapped out ICE politics as of Monday night
January 27, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Okay I think I've mapped out ICE politics as of Monday night
Reposted by John Burnham
If this doesn’t tug at your heart, make you well up with sadness, you are not human.
January 27, 2026 at 12:56 AM
If this doesn’t tug at your heart, make you well up with sadness, you are not human.
Reposted by John Burnham
FBI historian here. Basically all of the FBI’s greatest scandals across history come from attempts to criminalize First Amendment rights. It never works out well for the bureau and ends a lot of careers.
I would like to know how my prior colleagues, who have chosen to pursue leadership positions under this charlatan, justify ordering agents to break their oaths of office and open investigations on people simply for exercising their legal rights.
Good luck gazing in the mirror when this is all over.
Good luck gazing in the mirror when this is all over.
FBI investigating Minnesota Signal groups tracking ICE, Patel says
The statement from FBI Director Kash Patel comes after right-wing media figures said they joined the chats and claimed participants were obstructing law enforcement.
www.nbcnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:08 AM
FBI historian here. Basically all of the FBI’s greatest scandals across history come from attempts to criminalize First Amendment rights. It never works out well for the bureau and ends a lot of careers.
Reposted by John Burnham
Video: Arlington County Board Chair Matt DeFerranti and Arlington County Board member Takis Karantonis say Arlington residents should call 911 when they see ICE in their communities
bluevirginia.us/2026/01/vide...
bluevirginia.us/2026/01/vide...
January 27, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Video: Arlington County Board Chair Matt DeFerranti and Arlington County Board member Takis Karantonis say Arlington residents should call 911 when they see ICE in their communities
bluevirginia.us/2026/01/vide...
bluevirginia.us/2026/01/vide...
Reposted by John Burnham
Abolish DHS. If you can imagine a world before Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you can imagine a world without the Department of Homeland Security. My latest at @startribune.com. (gift link)
Perry: Abolish ICE? How about DHS altogether.
"We have models for how to structure federal immigration oversight that doesn't rely on an unaccountable masked secret police force running rampant in our streets," David M. Perry writes.
www.startribune.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Abolish DHS. If you can imagine a world before Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you can imagine a world without the Department of Homeland Security. My latest at @startribune.com. (gift link)
@adamserwer.bsky.social on point with these observations on what sustained, resolved, nonviolent direct action (as MLK Jr termed it) has shown in Minneapolis, what it’s exposed about the rot and deception deep in the soul of MAGA.
“The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they’re the ones who are alone. In Minnesota, all of the ideological cornerstones of MAGA have been proved false at once.” — @adamserwer.bsky.social
Minnesota Proved MAGA Wrong
The pushback against ICE exposed a series of mistaken assumptions.
www.theatlantic.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:26 PM
@adamserwer.bsky.social on point with these observations on what sustained, resolved, nonviolent direct action (as MLK Jr termed it) has shown in Minneapolis, what it’s exposed about the rot and deception deep in the soul of MAGA.
Reposted by John Burnham
Sending thoughts and prayers to everyone employed or represented or by Brad Finstad this morning.
January 27, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Sending thoughts and prayers to everyone employed or represented or by Brad Finstad this morning.
Reposted by John Burnham
No more occupation. No more assaults on Americans peacefully exercising their rights. No more masked agents. No more warrantless entries. No more mass arrests to fill deportation quotas. 3/
January 26, 2026 at 9:41 PM
No more occupation. No more assaults on Americans peacefully exercising their rights. No more masked agents. No more warrantless entries. No more mass arrests to fill deportation quotas. 3/
Reposted by John Burnham
Walz: "To Americans who are watching this, I've got a question for you: What side do you want to be on? The side of an all powerful federal govt that can kill, injury, menace, & kidnap its citizens off the streets? Or on the side of a nurse at the VA hospital who died bearing witness to such govt?"
January 25, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Walz: "To Americans who are watching this, I've got a question for you: What side do you want to be on? The side of an all powerful federal govt that can kill, injury, menace, & kidnap its citizens off the streets? Or on the side of a nurse at the VA hospital who died bearing witness to such govt?"
Reposted by John Burnham
January 26, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Reposted by John Burnham
NOT funded after 1/31: DHS, HHS, Labor, Education, Treasury, State, foreign aid, DoD (partial), Transportation, DC, Executive Office of the President, Judiciary Branch
Funded after 1/31: VA, DoD (partial), Commerce, Justice, Energy, Interior, EPA, NSF, NASA, Legislative Branch
List not exhaustive
Funded after 1/31: VA, DoD (partial), Commerce, Justice, Energy, Interior, EPA, NSF, NASA, Legislative Branch
List not exhaustive
Fed friends and constituents, you’re following the news I’m sure but in case this isn’t coming through in the sheer volume of everything, a partial government shutdown beginning next Monday is highly likely
January 26, 2026 at 7:21 PM
NOT funded after 1/31: DHS, HHS, Labor, Education, Treasury, State, foreign aid, DoD (partial), Transportation, DC, Executive Office of the President, Judiciary Branch
Funded after 1/31: VA, DoD (partial), Commerce, Justice, Energy, Interior, EPA, NSF, NASA, Legislative Branch
List not exhaustive
Funded after 1/31: VA, DoD (partial), Commerce, Justice, Energy, Interior, EPA, NSF, NASA, Legislative Branch
List not exhaustive
Reposted by John Burnham
One thing that doesn't get articulated enough about reactionaries like Trump is that they are fundamentally parasitic. Yes, you can get ahead, temporarily, by acting without shame in a rule-bound system, because other people expect rule-bound behavior. You can "stun" the system into passivity.
January 26, 2026 at 6:42 PM
One thing that doesn't get articulated enough about reactionaries like Trump is that they are fundamentally parasitic. Yes, you can get ahead, temporarily, by acting without shame in a rule-bound system, because other people expect rule-bound behavior. You can "stun" the system into passivity.
Reposted by John Burnham
"behind the violence in Minneapolis—captured in so many chilling photographs in recent weeks—is a different reality: a meticulous urban choreography of civic protest."
from Robert worth, @theatlantic.com
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
from Robert worth, @theatlantic.com
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Welcome to the American Winter
In the frozen streets of Minneapolis, something profound is happening.
www.theatlantic.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:48 AM
"behind the violence in Minneapolis—captured in so many chilling photographs in recent weeks—is a different reality: a meticulous urban choreography of civic protest."
from Robert worth, @theatlantic.com
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
from Robert worth, @theatlantic.com
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Reposted by John Burnham
Reposted by John Burnham
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
January 25, 2026 at 10:39 PM
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
Reposted by John Burnham
The march is now passing the Chicago city hall / Cook County hall building. The chant goes up,
"Minnesota don't you fear, we, the people, are right here"
"Minnesota don't you fear, we, the people, are right here"
January 25, 2026 at 8:46 PM
The march is now passing the Chicago city hall / Cook County hall building. The chant goes up,
"Minnesota don't you fear, we, the people, are right here"
"Minnesota don't you fear, we, the people, are right here"
Reposted by John Burnham
Renee Nicole Good’s last words “I’m not even mad at you dude”
Alex Pretti’s last words: “Are you ok?”
They want you to believe these helpers were terrorists.
What did ICE say? “F*cking b*tch” and “cool it’s like call of duty”
Refuse to reject the evidence of your eyes & ears
Alex Pretti’s last words: “Are you ok?”
They want you to believe these helpers were terrorists.
What did ICE say? “F*cking b*tch” and “cool it’s like call of duty”
Refuse to reject the evidence of your eyes & ears
January 25, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Renee Nicole Good’s last words “I’m not even mad at you dude”
Alex Pretti’s last words: “Are you ok?”
They want you to believe these helpers were terrorists.
What did ICE say? “F*cking b*tch” and “cool it’s like call of duty”
Refuse to reject the evidence of your eyes & ears
Alex Pretti’s last words: “Are you ok?”
They want you to believe these helpers were terrorists.
What did ICE say? “F*cking b*tch” and “cool it’s like call of duty”
Refuse to reject the evidence of your eyes & ears