hihelen 🌿
@hihelen.bsky.social
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
An indispensable backgrounder on federal immunity and Trump's secret police. It's not what Stephen Miller thinks it is.
Today's "One First" explains why Stephen Miller is wrong that ICE officers have "federal immunity" from prosecution for all actions they take in their official duties, and that anyone attempting to prosecute them is committing a felony.
Supremacy Clause immunity is a thing, but it's *not* absolute:
Supremacy Clause immunity is a thing, but it's *not* absolute:
186. When Can States Prosecute Federal Officers?
Stephen Miller claims that ICE officers have "immunity" for anything they do while enforcing immigration law. Even as an argument about *state* criminal prosecutions, that claim is overstated at best.
www.stevevladeck.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
An indispensable backgrounder on federal immunity and Trump's secret police. It's not what Stephen Miller thinks it is.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
Israeli forces killed more Palestinians waiting for food at aid sites over the weekend, as it continues to starve the population of Gaza.
Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal — and we as a nation are complicit in this bloodbath.
We must stop all military assistance to Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal — and we as a nation are complicit in this bloodbath.
We must stop all military assistance to Israel.
July 28, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Israeli forces killed more Palestinians waiting for food at aid sites over the weekend, as it continues to starve the population of Gaza.
Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal — and we as a nation are complicit in this bloodbath.
We must stop all military assistance to Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal — and we as a nation are complicit in this bloodbath.
We must stop all military assistance to Israel.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
I’m unaware of any other time when large numbers of judges (retired) publicly opposed a nominee for the federal bench. But this is what it is going to take.
July 15, 2025 at 12:25 PM
I’m unaware of any other time when large numbers of judges (retired) publicly opposed a nominee for the federal bench. But this is what it is going to take.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
As the Senate considers voting to approve Trump's devastating funding cuts to public broadcasting, listen to the words of LeVar Burton.
The Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121.
Contact your senators today and urge them to oppose these cuts.
The Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121.
Contact your senators today and urge them to oppose these cuts.
July 14, 2025 at 6:18 PM
As the Senate considers voting to approve Trump's devastating funding cuts to public broadcasting, listen to the words of LeVar Burton.
The Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121.
Contact your senators today and urge them to oppose these cuts.
The Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121.
Contact your senators today and urge them to oppose these cuts.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
There are widespread reports of ICE agents abducting people while masked, without warrants or identification. Due to recent events, we strongly advise: do not open your door or car for anyone you don’t know. That’s the message. No need to elaborate.
June 17, 2025 at 2:58 AM
There are widespread reports of ICE agents abducting people while masked, without warrants or identification. Due to recent events, we strongly advise: do not open your door or car for anyone you don’t know. That’s the message. No need to elaborate.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
Tom Paine: in monarchies the king is the law, but in the free societies the law is king.
Wishing everyone an exuberant and free Fourth of July. Together we fight for a more perfect union.
Wishing everyone an exuberant and free Fourth of July. Together we fight for a more perfect union.
July 4, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Tom Paine: in monarchies the king is the law, but in the free societies the law is king.
Wishing everyone an exuberant and free Fourth of July. Together we fight for a more perfect union.
Wishing everyone an exuberant and free Fourth of July. Together we fight for a more perfect union.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
🚨Explosive story🚨
The Trump administration is dropping charges against MS-13 gang leaders after they agreed to use their power as gang leaders to support President Bukele’s policies in El Salvador. Remember when Reagan sold missiles to Iran? It’s that bad. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/u...
The Trump administration is dropping charges against MS-13 gang leaders after they agreed to use their power as gang leaders to support President Bukele’s policies in El Salvador. Remember when Reagan sold missiles to Iran? It’s that bad. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/u...
June 30, 2025 at 5:20 PM
🚨Explosive story🚨
The Trump administration is dropping charges against MS-13 gang leaders after they agreed to use their power as gang leaders to support President Bukele’s policies in El Salvador. Remember when Reagan sold missiles to Iran? It’s that bad. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/u...
The Trump administration is dropping charges against MS-13 gang leaders after they agreed to use their power as gang leaders to support President Bukele’s policies in El Salvador. Remember when Reagan sold missiles to Iran? It’s that bad. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/u...
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
July 1, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
It’s … curious … how so many people will assert that so many things are biologically or genetically determined or influenced—but just not this one thing …
🧵 by @jessicabriedl.bsky.social:
🧵 by @jessicabriedl.bsky.social:
June 30, 2025 at 12:49 PM
It’s … curious … how so many people will assert that so many things are biologically or genetically determined or influenced—but just not this one thing …
🧵 by @jessicabriedl.bsky.social:
🧵 by @jessicabriedl.bsky.social:
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
While everyone is enjoying the best-buddies-turned-enemies soap opera we got here, let’s remember that blithely discussing revoking citizenships and deporting people because you’re mad at them (or any other reason) is a VERY bad idea.
Don’t open the door to normalizing this.
This is not what we do
Don’t open the door to normalizing this.
This is not what we do
"We'll have to take a look" -- Trump doesn't close the door on the idea of deporting Elon Musk for committing the infraction of criticizing him
July 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
While everyone is enjoying the best-buddies-turned-enemies soap opera we got here, let’s remember that blithely discussing revoking citizenships and deporting people because you’re mad at them (or any other reason) is a VERY bad idea.
Don’t open the door to normalizing this.
This is not what we do
Don’t open the door to normalizing this.
This is not what we do
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
The total loss of NOAA’s office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research —a nerve center of global climate science, data collection and modeling — represents a setback for climate preparedness that experts warn the nation may never recover from.
(Published April)
(Published April)
Trump’s NOAA Budget Cuts Could Gut Critical Climate Modeling
Potential funding cuts for NOAA and its research partners threaten irreparable harm not only to climate research but to American safety, competitiveness, and national security.
www.propublica.org
July 1, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The total loss of NOAA’s office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research —a nerve center of global climate science, data collection and modeling — represents a setback for climate preparedness that experts warn the nation may never recover from.
(Published April)
(Published April)
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
Take a moment to process that a federal judge just kept a man incarcerated to protect him from the president and his administration.
BREAKING: A federal judge in Tennessee ruled that Kilmar Abrego Garcia will stay in jail for now over concerns that he could be deported if he’s released.
Judge again delays Abrego Garcia’s release from Tennessee jail over deportation concerns
A federal judge in Tennessee has ruled that Kilmar Abrego Garcia will stay in jail for now over concerns that he could be deported if he’s released.
bit.ly
June 30, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Take a moment to process that a federal judge just kept a man incarcerated to protect him from the president and his administration.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
“In the last week, more than 200 veterans have volunteered to attend immigration hearings with Afghans who worked with U.S. forces during the 20-year war in Afghanistan…”
Hundreds of veterans volunteer to attend asylum hearings with Afghans
The effort began after a former Afghan interpreter was detained after his San Diego asylum hearing this month.
www.kpbs.org
July 1, 2025 at 2:56 AM
“In the last week, more than 200 veterans have volunteered to attend immigration hearings with Afghans who worked with U.S. forces during the 20-year war in Afghanistan…”
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
“Is this s**t legal?”
Rep. Sydney Kamlager Dove is asking the hard questions and demanding the real answers.
Our conversation on Trump’s latest ICE tactics and how she’s making moves to protect Americans.
youtu.be/_m8E6_VWunk
Rep. Sydney Kamlager Dove is asking the hard questions and demanding the real answers.
Our conversation on Trump’s latest ICE tactics and how she’s making moves to protect Americans.
youtu.be/_m8E6_VWunk
Trump’s ICE Tactics UNDER FIRE as Lawmakers FIGHT BACK
YouTube video by Katie Phang
youtu.be
June 30, 2025 at 9:55 PM
“Is this s**t legal?”
Rep. Sydney Kamlager Dove is asking the hard questions and demanding the real answers.
Our conversation on Trump’s latest ICE tactics and how she’s making moves to protect Americans.
youtu.be/_m8E6_VWunk
Rep. Sydney Kamlager Dove is asking the hard questions and demanding the real answers.
Our conversation on Trump’s latest ICE tactics and how she’s making moves to protect Americans.
youtu.be/_m8E6_VWunk
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
I mean this is just unbelievable — they don't even know what's in THEIR OWN DAMN BILL.
This provision guts renewable energy and they have no clue know where it came from?? This entire process is rotten to its core.
This provision guts renewable energy and they have no clue know where it came from?? This entire process is rotten to its core.
A megabill mystery: New solar and wind tax comes as a surprise to Republican senators
"I don't know where it came from," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the chairman of the Budget Committee, told NBC News after he released the 940-page legislation.
www.nbcnews.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:37 AM
I mean this is just unbelievable — they don't even know what's in THEIR OWN DAMN BILL.
This provision guts renewable energy and they have no clue know where it came from?? This entire process is rotten to its core.
This provision guts renewable energy and they have no clue know where it came from?? This entire process is rotten to its core.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
Thinking about how many people in the US don't realize they depend on Medicaid because it may be called something else in their state.
#ProtectMedicaid! Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO!
Chart from @caringacross.org
#ProtectMedicaid! Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO!
Chart from @caringacross.org
June 30, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Thinking about how many people in the US don't realize they depend on Medicaid because it may be called something else in their state.
#ProtectMedicaid! Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO!
Chart from @caringacross.org
#ProtectMedicaid! Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO!
Chart from @caringacross.org
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
@reed.senate.gov and @democrats.senate.gov are speaking truth to power and standing up for our constituents. We need more Republicans to do the same.
July 1, 2025 at 2:57 AM
@reed.senate.gov and @democrats.senate.gov are speaking truth to power and standing up for our constituents. We need more Republicans to do the same.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
The votes are slowing down.
They don’t have a bill.
Still issues with Parl.
Still disagreeing in caucus.
Still fighting with House.
Still no final language.
They don’t have a bill.
Still issues with Parl.
Still disagreeing in caucus.
Still fighting with House.
Still no final language.
July 1, 2025 at 2:22 AM
The votes are slowing down.
They don’t have a bill.
Still issues with Parl.
Still disagreeing in caucus.
Still fighting with House.
Still no final language.
They don’t have a bill.
Still issues with Parl.
Still disagreeing in caucus.
Still fighting with House.
Still no final language.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
When the Republicans put additional billions into the big ugly bill for ICE operations, they’re not only telling us they’re all for masked men without identification grabbing people off the streets and taking them away in unmarked cars, they want more of it. They want to make America unrecognizable.
July 1, 2025 at 1:22 AM
When the Republicans put additional billions into the big ugly bill for ICE operations, they’re not only telling us they’re all for masked men without identification grabbing people off the streets and taking them away in unmarked cars, they want more of it. They want to make America unrecognizable.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
An honest and brilliant takedown of the SCOTUS majority in Trump v CASA from @sifill.bsky.social
These are hard and depressing times to be in the trenches. But it beats surrender.
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
These are hard and depressing times to be in the trenches. But it beats surrender.
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
A Court Without the Range
The Reconstruction Court 2.0
open.substack.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:27 AM
An honest and brilliant takedown of the SCOTUS majority in Trump v CASA from @sifill.bsky.social
These are hard and depressing times to be in the trenches. But it beats surrender.
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
These are hard and depressing times to be in the trenches. But it beats surrender.
open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
7/ Found another one: there’s $100 million in the bill for OMB to find “budget and accounting efficiencies in the executive branch”. What? What does that mean? There's no explanation. It's just a slush fund for MAGA chieftain Russ Vought.
$100 MILLION. That's not small money!!!
$100 MILLION. That's not small money!!!
July 1, 2025 at 3:54 AM
7/ Found another one: there’s $100 million in the bill for OMB to find “budget and accounting efficiencies in the executive branch”. What? What does that mean? There's no explanation. It's just a slush fund for MAGA chieftain Russ Vought.
$100 MILLION. That's not small money!!!
$100 MILLION. That's not small money!!!
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
6/ Here's another one. Trump snuck $40 million in this bill for a "statue garden". Likely will be filled with MAGA "heroes", reportedly maybe somewhere in South Dakota.
Plenty of money for Trump statue gardens, but not enough money to keep feeding hungry kids.
Plenty of money for Trump statue gardens, but not enough money to keep feeding hungry kids.
July 1, 2025 at 3:54 AM
6/ Here's another one. Trump snuck $40 million in this bill for a "statue garden". Likely will be filled with MAGA "heroes", reportedly maybe somewhere in South Dakota.
Plenty of money for Trump statue gardens, but not enough money to keep feeding hungry kids.
Plenty of money for Trump statue gardens, but not enough money to keep feeding hungry kids.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
Ok, so Republicans just introduced a 900 page bill none of them have read. But my team is going through it line by line and on this 🧵you can see the hidden provisions we found. Will update all day.
1/ NEW Medicaid cuts, so now 17 million - instead of 16M - lose health care.
1/ NEW Medicaid cuts, so now 17 million - instead of 16M - lose health care.
June 30, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Ok, so Republicans just introduced a 900 page bill none of them have read. But my team is going through it line by line and on this 🧵you can see the hidden provisions we found. Will update all day.
1/ NEW Medicaid cuts, so now 17 million - instead of 16M - lose health care.
1/ NEW Medicaid cuts, so now 17 million - instead of 16M - lose health care.
Reposted by hihelen 🌿
Proposed NOAA budget zeros out ALL climate laboratories and cooperative institutions.
GFDL, NSSL, GML, etc.
This appears to also end the US greenhouse gas sampling network, including at Mauna Loa, the oldest continuous carbon dioxide monitoring site on Earth.
www.commerce.gov/sites/defaul...
GFDL, NSSL, GML, etc.
This appears to also end the US greenhouse gas sampling network, including at Mauna Loa, the oldest continuous carbon dioxide monitoring site on Earth.
www.commerce.gov/sites/defaul...
June 30, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Proposed NOAA budget zeros out ALL climate laboratories and cooperative institutions.
GFDL, NSSL, GML, etc.
This appears to also end the US greenhouse gas sampling network, including at Mauna Loa, the oldest continuous carbon dioxide monitoring site on Earth.
www.commerce.gov/sites/defaul...
GFDL, NSSL, GML, etc.
This appears to also end the US greenhouse gas sampling network, including at Mauna Loa, the oldest continuous carbon dioxide monitoring site on Earth.
www.commerce.gov/sites/defaul...