Guillermo Mena
@gmena.bsky.social
I develop disparity-reducing legislation, messaging and electoral strategy in 42 states and Puerto Rico. Now @NHCSL
🇵🇷🇺🇸🏳️🌈🇺🇦
Staffed winning and losing campaigns. Been political appointee. Somehow still litigate a case over a decade old🙄
Single|Geek|Gay|DC🏢🐕
🇵🇷🇺🇸🏳️🌈🇺🇦
Staffed winning and losing campaigns. Been political appointee. Somehow still litigate a case over a decade old🙄
Single|Geek|Gay|DC🏢🐕
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
I’m old enough to remember when there was a whole debate over whether police used tear gas as they cleared Lafayette Square and the surrounding area of protesters in DC on June 1, 2020 (they did).
Now DHS agents apparently toss varieties of tear gas all the time.
Now DHS agents apparently toss varieties of tear gas all the time.
Just arrived on the scene at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland. Here less than 10 minutes when agents charged out of the facility and used a pale yellow gas that caused tears and coughing in crowd members. Also shot munitions at those retreating.
October 19, 2025 at 12:31 AM
I’m old enough to remember when there was a whole debate over whether police used tear gas as they cleared Lafayette Square and the surrounding area of protesters in DC on June 1, 2020 (they did).
Now DHS agents apparently toss varieties of tear gas all the time.
Now DHS agents apparently toss varieties of tear gas all the time.
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
Hi, I'm the ProPublica reporter who's been tracking an unusual stat: U.S. citizens grabbed by immigration agents.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
October 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Hi, I'm the ProPublica reporter who's been tracking an unusual stat: U.S. citizens grabbed by immigration agents.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
To focus this on healthcare sends the message that Democrats don't care about the fascism, and thus people either give up on the Ds or, worse, don't take the authoritarianism seriously because see, they don't!
The Ds are playing this exactly wrong & the Rs are delighted.
The Ds are playing this exactly wrong & the Rs are delighted.
A must-read OpEd by @zackbeauchamp.bsky.social on why Democrats need a new shutdown strategy along similar lines to what I’ve laid out about the need for a contrasting vision.
It’s short so you should definitely read the whole thing.
www.vox.com/politics/463...
It’s short so you should definitely read the whole thing.
www.vox.com/politics/463...
October 1, 2025 at 6:59 PM
To focus this on healthcare sends the message that Democrats don't care about the fascism, and thus people either give up on the Ds or, worse, don't take the authoritarianism seriously because see, they don't!
The Ds are playing this exactly wrong & the Rs are delighted.
The Ds are playing this exactly wrong & the Rs are delighted.
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
Yesterday, California adopted a law to raise the pay received by incarcerated firefighters when they’re fighting a fire from $1 to $7.25 per hour—meeting the federal minimum wage. Four other new laws also give new rights to incarcerated firefighters.
California's incarcerated firefighters to see a ‘historic’ pay increase in laws Newsom signed
Hundreds of California state prisoners worked to put out this year's deadly Los Angeles wildfires, inspiring new laws that will improve their pay and open other opportunities.
calmatters.org
October 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Yesterday, California adopted a law to raise the pay received by incarcerated firefighters when they’re fighting a fire from $1 to $7.25 per hour—meeting the federal minimum wage. Four other new laws also give new rights to incarcerated firefighters.
Janet Mills claims she “knows how to stand up to a bully.”
But when her time came to stand up to Trump, Mills folded, even as ICE operations doubled in Maine.
Mills didn’t help draft a bill to protect Mainers and wouldn’t even sign a watered-down version.
I’m with @grahamformaine.bsky.social
But when her time came to stand up to Trump, Mills folded, even as ICE operations doubled in Maine.
Mills didn’t help draft a bill to protect Mainers and wouldn’t even sign a watered-down version.
I’m with @grahamformaine.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Janet Mills claims she “knows how to stand up to a bully.”
But when her time came to stand up to Trump, Mills folded, even as ICE operations doubled in Maine.
Mills didn’t help draft a bill to protect Mainers and wouldn’t even sign a watered-down version.
I’m with @grahamformaine.bsky.social
But when her time came to stand up to Trump, Mills folded, even as ICE operations doubled in Maine.
Mills didn’t help draft a bill to protect Mainers and wouldn’t even sign a watered-down version.
I’m with @grahamformaine.bsky.social
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
Here’s why you were barraged with spam today.
October 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Here’s why you were barraged with spam today.
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
As Latino communities ramp up air quality monitoring, Trump’s EPA moves to weaken pollution regulations.
US Latinos mobilize to monitor – and improve – local air quality: ‘We have to fix it’
www.theguardian.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:27 PM
As Latino communities ramp up air quality monitoring, Trump’s EPA moves to weaken pollution regulations.
A must-read OpEd by @zackbeauchamp.bsky.social on why Democrats need a new shutdown strategy along similar lines to what I’ve laid out about the need for a contrasting vision.
It’s short so you should definitely read the whole thing.
www.vox.com/politics/463...
It’s short so you should definitely read the whole thing.
www.vox.com/politics/463...
October 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
A must-read OpEd by @zackbeauchamp.bsky.social on why Democrats need a new shutdown strategy along similar lines to what I’ve laid out about the need for a contrasting vision.
It’s short so you should definitely read the whole thing.
www.vox.com/politics/463...
It’s short so you should definitely read the whole thing.
www.vox.com/politics/463...
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
Trump on Gaza: "We're gonna create something that was my idea but unfortunately I got drafted. It's gonna be called the 'board of peace.' And it's gonna reign over that territory. They asked me if I'd be the chairman of the board of peace. I said yes."
September 30, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Trump on Gaza: "We're gonna create something that was my idea but unfortunately I got drafted. It's gonna be called the 'board of peace.' And it's gonna reign over that territory. They asked me if I'd be the chairman of the board of peace. I said yes."
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
"Dems will get blamed for a shutdown" as opposed to what, all the friendly coverage and positive credit they'd get for caving yet again? This whole premise is built on a delusion about what the alternative is. There's no cowering in the corner and being so inoffensive they won't still attack you.
September 30, 2025 at 1:56 AM
"Dems will get blamed for a shutdown" as opposed to what, all the friendly coverage and positive credit they'd get for caving yet again? This whole premise is built on a delusion about what the alternative is. There's no cowering in the corner and being so inoffensive they won't still attack you.
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
In any other country, if federal agents fired upon journalists when unprovoked — what would we call it?
If federal agents marched down streets demanding papers — what would we say?
Authoritarianism — let’s not pretend it’s something else when it happens in our American cities.
If federal agents marched down streets demanding papers — what would we say?
Authoritarianism — let’s not pretend it’s something else when it happens in our American cities.
September 30, 2025 at 12:01 AM
In any other country, if federal agents fired upon journalists when unprovoked — what would we call it?
If federal agents marched down streets demanding papers — what would we say?
Authoritarianism — let’s not pretend it’s something else when it happens in our American cities.
If federal agents marched down streets demanding papers — what would we say?
Authoritarianism — let’s not pretend it’s something else when it happens in our American cities.
I care. But I agree I don’t get the sole focus on ACA subsidies with no rescissions.
Why not also restore fired workers? And due process guardrails for ICE? And get the Medicare/Medicaid funding back? And end the tariffs and get a Fed seat?
Justify the shutdown by laying out a contrasting vision.
Why not also restore fired workers? And due process guardrails for ICE? And get the Medicare/Medicaid funding back? And end the tariffs and get a Fed seat?
Justify the shutdown by laying out a contrasting vision.
I honestly do not care who is blamed for this shutdown.
They all should be blamed because they are all part of the government and they are negotiating over what, ACA subsidies is it?, while the entire country burns.
They all should be blamed because they are all part of the government and they are negotiating over what, ACA subsidies is it?, while the entire country burns.
September 30, 2025 at 2:04 AM
I care. But I agree I don’t get the sole focus on ACA subsidies with no rescissions.
Why not also restore fired workers? And due process guardrails for ICE? And get the Medicare/Medicaid funding back? And end the tariffs and get a Fed seat?
Justify the shutdown by laying out a contrasting vision.
Why not also restore fired workers? And due process guardrails for ICE? And get the Medicare/Medicaid funding back? And end the tariffs and get a Fed seat?
Justify the shutdown by laying out a contrasting vision.
Loved the quote here by @senategabe.bsky.social:
“…we’re living in the context of Trump trying to murder everybody in Congress, and everybody who’s influential in the Democratic Party cannot stop humming the tune that in order to succeed, we have to come together with this party.”
“…we’re living in the context of Trump trying to murder everybody in Congress, and everybody who’s influential in the Democratic Party cannot stop humming the tune that in order to succeed, we have to come together with this party.”
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/searchlight-adam-jentleson?utm_campaign=SproutSocial&utm_content=The+Nation&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
t.co
September 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Loved the quote here by @senategabe.bsky.social:
“…we’re living in the context of Trump trying to murder everybody in Congress, and everybody who’s influential in the Democratic Party cannot stop humming the tune that in order to succeed, we have to come together with this party.”
“…we’re living in the context of Trump trying to murder everybody in Congress, and everybody who’s influential in the Democratic Party cannot stop humming the tune that in order to succeed, we have to come together with this party.”
DC cultural institutions are glam partying like it’s fucking Renaissance Venice while our civil rights get destroyed on the sidewalks. Costume(!) balls as masked agents sow terror.
Frivolous, irrelevant art isn’t the protest art we should support. It’s normalizing fascism.
Frivolous, irrelevant art isn’t the protest art we should support. It’s normalizing fascism.
September 4, 2025 at 2:32 PM
DC cultural institutions are glam partying like it’s fucking Renaissance Venice while our civil rights get destroyed on the sidewalks. Costume(!) balls as masked agents sow terror.
Frivolous, irrelevant art isn’t the protest art we should support. It’s normalizing fascism.
Frivolous, irrelevant art isn’t the protest art we should support. It’s normalizing fascism.
Navy Yard is an armed encampment now. I just want to leave DC. This is affecting my health. And Mayor Bowser is licking Trump’s fascist boot, still going on about crime. Pathetic.
August 22, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Navy Yard is an armed encampment now. I just want to leave DC. This is affecting my health. And Mayor Bowser is licking Trump’s fascist boot, still going on about crime. Pathetic.
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
NEW—Earlier this evening agents from ICE/other fed agencies were outside Rhode Island Ave metro in DC asking people exiting the station for their IDs, per someone who experienced it. When the person presented their Real ID license, an agent said that wasn't sufficient. Luckily they had secondary ID.
August 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM
NEW—Earlier this evening agents from ICE/other fed agencies were outside Rhode Island Ave metro in DC asking people exiting the station for their IDs, per someone who experienced it. When the person presented their Real ID license, an agent said that wasn't sufficient. Luckily they had secondary ID.
@steventdennis.bsky.social
Here’s an odd bird in Old Town Alexandria of all places
www.zillow.com/homedetails/...
Here’s an odd bird in Old Town Alexandria of all places
www.zillow.com/homedetails/...
810 Prince St, Alexandria, VA 22314 | MLS #VAAX2046252 | Zillow
This 3183 square feet Townhouse home has 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. It is located at 810 Prince St, Alexandria, VA.
www.zillow.com
July 11, 2025 at 5:10 AM
@steventdennis.bsky.social
Here’s an odd bird in Old Town Alexandria of all places
www.zillow.com/homedetails/...
Here’s an odd bird in Old Town Alexandria of all places
www.zillow.com/homedetails/...
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
🚨Karoline Leavitt says Supreme Court Justices will be arrested if they harbor criminal aliens:
Reporter: "Would you arrest a Supreme Court justice?"
Leavitt: "Anyone obstructing law enforcement... Is at risk of being prosecuted."
Reporter: "Would you arrest a Supreme Court justice?"
Leavitt: "Anyone obstructing law enforcement... Is at risk of being prosecuted."
April 28, 2025 at 2:56 PM
🚨Karoline Leavitt says Supreme Court Justices will be arrested if they harbor criminal aliens:
Reporter: "Would you arrest a Supreme Court justice?"
Leavitt: "Anyone obstructing law enforcement... Is at risk of being prosecuted."
Reporter: "Would you arrest a Supreme Court justice?"
Leavitt: "Anyone obstructing law enforcement... Is at risk of being prosecuted."
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
RFK Jr. wants to eradicate autistic people and also has no idea what an autistic person is
April 16, 2025 at 9:20 PM
RFK Jr. wants to eradicate autistic people and also has no idea what an autistic person is
Cancel DC WorldPride.
We’re inviting foreign LGBT people into a trap.
Many innocents will have their intimacy exposed, be strip searched and jailed without due process for our indifference.
@capitalpridedc.bsky.social and @ryanbos.bsky.social are recklessly endangering those we should defend.
We’re inviting foreign LGBT people into a trap.
Many innocents will have their intimacy exposed, be strip searched and jailed without due process for our indifference.
@capitalpridedc.bsky.social and @ryanbos.bsky.social are recklessly endangering those we should defend.
March 22, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Cancel DC WorldPride.
We’re inviting foreign LGBT people into a trap.
Many innocents will have their intimacy exposed, be strip searched and jailed without due process for our indifference.
@capitalpridedc.bsky.social and @ryanbos.bsky.social are recklessly endangering those we should defend.
We’re inviting foreign LGBT people into a trap.
Many innocents will have their intimacy exposed, be strip searched and jailed without due process for our indifference.
@capitalpridedc.bsky.social and @ryanbos.bsky.social are recklessly endangering those we should defend.
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
Minnesota Senator Justin Eichorn was arrested for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
This is the same senator who recently introduced a bill defining “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a mental illness. The bill aimed to classify all those who oppose Trump’s policies as mentally ill.
This is the same senator who recently introduced a bill defining “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a mental illness. The bill aimed to classify all those who oppose Trump’s policies as mentally ill.
March 18, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Minnesota Senator Justin Eichorn was arrested for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
This is the same senator who recently introduced a bill defining “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a mental illness. The bill aimed to classify all those who oppose Trump’s policies as mentally ill.
This is the same senator who recently introduced a bill defining “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a mental illness. The bill aimed to classify all those who oppose Trump’s policies as mentally ill.
Shocking. The White House published the Venezuelan “Alien Enemies” EO and acted on it despite a court’s prior restraining order.
And also lied to the DC Circuit on appeal arguing the preemptive restraining order was speculative though Trump had signed it and acted.
www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
And also lied to the DC Circuit on appeal arguing the preemptive restraining order was speculative though Trump had signed it and acted.
www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
Trump invokes wartime law to target Venezuelan gang and speed up deportations
His decision comes hours after a federal judge issued an urgent ruling temporarily blocking the removal of five Venezuelans.
www.politico.com
March 15, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Shocking. The White House published the Venezuelan “Alien Enemies” EO and acted on it despite a court’s prior restraining order.
And also lied to the DC Circuit on appeal arguing the preemptive restraining order was speculative though Trump had signed it and acted.
www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
And also lied to the DC Circuit on appeal arguing the preemptive restraining order was speculative though Trump had signed it and acted.
www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
Reposted by Guillermo Mena
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 800,000+ federal and D.C. workers (i.e. people directly impacted by a government shutdown), is urging senators to vote no on the House GOP's CR.
In other words, AFGE is saying a government shutdown is less bad than this GOP bill.
In other words, AFGE is saying a government shutdown is less bad than this GOP bill.
March 14, 2025 at 5:55 PM
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 800,000+ federal and D.C. workers (i.e. people directly impacted by a government shutdown), is urging senators to vote no on the House GOP's CR.
In other words, AFGE is saying a government shutdown is less bad than this GOP bill.
In other words, AFGE is saying a government shutdown is less bad than this GOP bill.
Stop calling DOGE-cuts “savings.”
We’re not saving anything.
More accurately, they are abandoned investments or unfulfilled requirements, or willful executive failures.
We’re not saving anything.
More accurately, they are abandoned investments or unfulfilled requirements, or willful executive failures.
March 12, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Stop calling DOGE-cuts “savings.”
We’re not saving anything.
More accurately, they are abandoned investments or unfulfilled requirements, or willful executive failures.
We’re not saving anything.
More accurately, they are abandoned investments or unfulfilled requirements, or willful executive failures.