Peter Simmons
@democracymcgee.bsky.social
Nerd, public policy professional, and attorney. Proud to be at @protectdemocracy.org
Posts are my own.
Posts are my own.
Reposted by Peter Simmons
“Pritzker and Johnson’s proactive defense of Chicago and of democratic principles writ large is an example of how the broad pro-democracy coalition can use one of the few remaining levers of power to push back against the administration’s overreach — our federalist system.”
The long history behind Trump’s war against blue states and cities
States and cities have been resisting federal incursions for centuries
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
September 3, 2025 at 12:12 AM
“Pritzker and Johnson’s proactive defense of Chicago and of democratic principles writ large is an example of how the broad pro-democracy coalition can use one of the few remaining levers of power to push back against the administration’s overreach — our federalist system.”
Reposted by Peter Simmons
Walz: "It boggles my damn mind that in the midst of a military takeover of our cities, the flaunting of the rule of law, that the press finds the need to talk about, 'Oh, there's a division in the Dem Party.' There's a division in my damn house & we're still married and things are good. That's life"
August 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Walz: "It boggles my damn mind that in the midst of a military takeover of our cities, the flaunting of the rule of law, that the press finds the need to talk about, 'Oh, there's a division in the Dem Party.' There's a division in my damn house & we're still married and things are good. That's life"
At this rate the 3rd Amendment is gonna be implicated any day now.
August 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
At this rate the 3rd Amendment is gonna be implicated any day now.
Reposted by Peter Simmons
You do not have to like John Bolton to see this for what it is.
August 22, 2025 at 11:58 AM
You do not have to like John Bolton to see this for what it is.
Reposted by Peter Simmons
Not really an overstatement to say that the test of a free society is whether or not comedians can make fun of the country's leader on TV without repurcussions.
July 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Not really an overstatement to say that the test of a free society is whether or not comedians can make fun of the country's leader on TV without repurcussions.
Reposted by Peter Simmons
Low enrollment, high costs, a backlog of more than 5,000 applications: Georgia’s Medicaid work requirement program — the only one in the nation — offers a window into how the GOP’s nationwide proposal could impact your state 👇
Congress Is Pushing for a Medicaid Work Requirement. Here’s What Happened When Georgia Tried It.
GOP lawmakers want to nationalize Medicaid work requirements to offset Trump’s proposed tax cuts. Yet Georgia’s example shows that this could threaten health care for nearly 16 million Americans and…
www.propublica.org
June 28, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Low enrollment, high costs, a backlog of more than 5,000 applications: Georgia’s Medicaid work requirement program — the only one in the nation — offers a window into how the GOP’s nationwide proposal could impact your state 👇
Reposted by Peter Simmons
I rarely post personal things. But I need to talk about my 4-year-old niece, Hope.
She has a rare disease. A drug called elamipretide has helped her survive.
But the FDA recently denied its approval.
Now, her health hangs in the balance.
Please share her story & urge the FDA to reconsider. 🧵
She has a rare disease. A drug called elamipretide has helped her survive.
But the FDA recently denied its approval.
Now, her health hangs in the balance.
Please share her story & urge the FDA to reconsider. 🧵
June 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
I rarely post personal things. But I need to talk about my 4-year-old niece, Hope.
She has a rare disease. A drug called elamipretide has helped her survive.
But the FDA recently denied its approval.
Now, her health hangs in the balance.
Please share her story & urge the FDA to reconsider. 🧵
She has a rare disease. A drug called elamipretide has helped her survive.
But the FDA recently denied its approval.
Now, her health hangs in the balance.
Please share her story & urge the FDA to reconsider. 🧵
Reposted by Peter Simmons
"More than 200 business leaders signed an open letter calling on the Trump administration to reverse its moves against colleges and universities" www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
Business Leaders Call Trump Attacks on Universities a Competitive Threat
More than 200 business leaders signed an open letter calling on the Trump administration to reverse its moves against colleges and universities, arguing that funding cuts and restrictions on [student
www.wsj.com
June 18, 2025 at 10:14 PM
"More than 200 business leaders signed an open letter calling on the Trump administration to reverse its moves against colleges and universities" www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
Reposted by Peter Simmons
If we don't want to repeat history, we'd better be strong enough to learn from it.
The authoritarian playbook starts with pointing to a group of people who don’t look like you and blaming them for your problems.
When those issues are still there, what comes next?
The authoritarian playbook starts with pointing to a group of people who don’t look like you and blaming them for your problems.
When those issues are still there, what comes next?
“The end of the constitutional republic as we know it could be happening now.”
@govpritzker.illinois.gov studied Germany in the 30s — targeting immigrants and jews — and he’s concerned about what could lie ahead in the US.
He says we all need to “speak out” and “show up to protest.”
@govpritzker.illinois.gov studied Germany in the 30s — targeting immigrants and jews — and he’s concerned about what could lie ahead in the US.
He says we all need to “speak out” and “show up to protest.”
June 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
If we don't want to repeat history, we'd better be strong enough to learn from it.
The authoritarian playbook starts with pointing to a group of people who don’t look like you and blaming them for your problems.
When those issues are still there, what comes next?
The authoritarian playbook starts with pointing to a group of people who don’t look like you and blaming them for your problems.
When those issues are still there, what comes next?
Reposted by Peter Simmons
Heads up, trans and nonbinary folks, get your passports right the fuck meow 🏃🏃♀️🏃♂️💨
BREAKING: A federal judge ruled all transgender and intersex people can obtain passports that align with their gender identity while the case against President Trump's executive order proceeds.
While this is good news, we will continue fighting until this executive order is blocked permanently.
While this is good news, we will continue fighting until this executive order is blocked permanently.
June 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Heads up, trans and nonbinary folks, get your passports right the fuck meow 🏃🏃♀️🏃♂️💨
The Boiling Frog method of expanding authoritarianism doesn’t appear to work as well if you raise the temperature in units of 10 degrees.
June 18, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The Boiling Frog method of expanding authoritarianism doesn’t appear to work as well if you raise the temperature in units of 10 degrees.
Reposted by Peter Simmons
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼, 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀. ✊🏻
June 11, 2025 at 12:06 AM
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼, 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀. ✊🏻
Reposted by Peter Simmons
Imagine asking to be heard and getting hit.
Force won’t fix what people are protesting and you can’t ‘protect democracy’ by attacking it.
We’re standing shoulder to shoulder with L.A., the Latino/x community, and everyone fighting for real justice and liberation — for everyone.
Force won’t fix what people are protesting and you can’t ‘protect democracy’ by attacking it.
We’re standing shoulder to shoulder with L.A., the Latino/x community, and everyone fighting for real justice and liberation — for everyone.
June 10, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Imagine asking to be heard and getting hit.
Force won’t fix what people are protesting and you can’t ‘protect democracy’ by attacking it.
We’re standing shoulder to shoulder with L.A., the Latino/x community, and everyone fighting for real justice and liberation — for everyone.
Force won’t fix what people are protesting and you can’t ‘protect democracy’ by attacking it.
We’re standing shoulder to shoulder with L.A., the Latino/x community, and everyone fighting for real justice and liberation — for everyone.
Reposted by Peter Simmons
Today Lawfare is launching a new tracker, Alien Enemies Act Proclamation: The State of Play
The table, created by @rparloff.bsky.social, is following challenges to deportations occurring under the Alien Enemies Act invocation.
Find it here: www.lawfaremedia.org/alienenemiestable
The table, created by @rparloff.bsky.social, is following challenges to deportations occurring under the Alien Enemies Act invocation.
Find it here: www.lawfaremedia.org/alienenemiestable
Alien Enemies Act Tracker
www.lawfaremedia.org
June 10, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Today Lawfare is launching a new tracker, Alien Enemies Act Proclamation: The State of Play
The table, created by @rparloff.bsky.social, is following challenges to deportations occurring under the Alien Enemies Act invocation.
Find it here: www.lawfaremedia.org/alienenemiestable
The table, created by @rparloff.bsky.social, is following challenges to deportations occurring under the Alien Enemies Act invocation.
Find it here: www.lawfaremedia.org/alienenemiestable
Reposted by Peter Simmons
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
WHO IS ACTUALLY IN CHARGE OF DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
WHO IS ACTUALLY IN CHARGE OF DOGE
DOGE "is headed by Elon Musk," Donald Trump says.
Cc:
@annabower.bsky.social
Federal judges in DC, Maryland, and Virginia
Yaakov Roth
Cc:
@annabower.bsky.social
Federal judges in DC, Maryland, and Virginia
Yaakov Roth
March 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
WHO IS ACTUALLY IN CHARGE OF DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
who is actually in charge of DOGE
WHO IS ACTUALLY IN CHARGE OF DOGE
Reposted by Peter Simmons
Article I! Article I! Article I!
March 5, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Article I! Article I! Article I!
Reposted by Peter Simmons
Folks. We do not concede the lawfulness of something even when the president obviously does not care. The norms must be defended as institutions unto themselves.
Remind me the last time he cared about lawfulness?
March 4, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Folks. We do not concede the lawfulness of something even when the president obviously does not care. The norms must be defended as institutions unto themselves.
Reposted by Peter Simmons
The folks obsessively posting about egg prices for the past few years have gone strangely quiet just as egg prices hit an all-time high.
January 23, 2025 at 8:08 PM
The folks obsessively posting about egg prices for the past few years have gone strangely quiet just as egg prices hit an all-time high.
Reposted by Peter Simmons
For all of his dystopian rhetoric, by many traditional metrics, the America that Trump will inherit from Biden is actually in better shape than that bequeathed to any newly elected president since Bush came into office in 2001. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/u...
Trump Sees the U.S. as a ‘Disaster.’ The Numbers Tell a Different Story.
President Biden is bequeathing his successor a nation that by many measures is in good shape, even if voters remain unconvinced.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2025 at 3:08 PM
For all of his dystopian rhetoric, by many traditional metrics, the America that Trump will inherit from Biden is actually in better shape than that bequeathed to any newly elected president since Bush came into office in 2001. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/u...
Reposted by Peter Simmons
January 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Reposted by Peter Simmons
The U.S.’s winner-take-all electoral system depresses electoral competition which impacts voter turnout. Here are the three reasons proportional representation — an alternative to winner-take-all — increases voter turnout.
🔗 www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/what-if-we...
🔗 www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/what-if-we...
January 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The U.S.’s winner-take-all electoral system depresses electoral competition which impacts voter turnout. Here are the three reasons proportional representation — an alternative to winner-take-all — increases voter turnout.
🔗 www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/what-if-we...
🔗 www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/what-if-we...
Reposted by Peter Simmons
John Bolton makes the good point here that Trump doesn't only command "loyalty." He demands submission. That is a better way of putting it. Gift link. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/o...
Opinion | John Bolton: For Donald Trump, the Only Loyalty Is Fealty
Neither kings nor presidents, nor their countries, are well served if they are surrounded by sycophants and rent-seekers.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2025 at 12:24 AM
John Bolton makes the good point here that Trump doesn't only command "loyalty." He demands submission. That is a better way of putting it. Gift link. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/o...
If we’re going to weather the next four years the think tank class, political operatives, and grassroots activists to learn how to work together and listen to each other. Gatekeeping, being territorial, and condescension have all got to go out the window or Team Reasonable™️ might not make it.
December 19, 2024 at 12:15 PM
If we’re going to weather the next four years the think tank class, political operatives, and grassroots activists to learn how to work together and listen to each other. Gatekeeping, being territorial, and condescension have all got to go out the window or Team Reasonable™️ might not make it.
Reposted by Peter Simmons
We don’t need more proof of Trump’s intentions than how he received the new House MAGA 1/6 report: suggesting a baseless prosecution
That’s why the WH should consider amnesty for witnesses
I explained w Wolf Blitzer @cnn.com
That’s why the WH should consider amnesty for witnesses
I explained w Wolf Blitzer @cnn.com
December 19, 2024 at 1:01 AM
We don’t need more proof of Trump’s intentions than how he received the new House MAGA 1/6 report: suggesting a baseless prosecution
That’s why the WH should consider amnesty for witnesses
I explained w Wolf Blitzer @cnn.com
That’s why the WH should consider amnesty for witnesses
I explained w Wolf Blitzer @cnn.com
Reposted by Peter Simmons
Trump nominated conservative lawyer Harmeet Dhillon to be the Department of Justice’s assistant attorney general for civil rights. Dhillon has a long history of spreading right-wing conspiracy theories.
Harmeet Dhillon, Trump’s Assistant Attorney General Pick, Has a History of Attacking Voting Rights
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 19, 2024 at 2:00 AM
Trump nominated conservative lawyer Harmeet Dhillon to be the Department of Justice’s assistant attorney general for civil rights. Dhillon has a long history of spreading right-wing conspiracy theories.