leonacouncil.bsky.social
@leonacouncil.bsky.social
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Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
The US Administration has banned Americans from *adopting babies* from much of the African continent.
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
On that last post: I genuinely cannot think of any good-faith reason to bar international adoptions from those 39 countries. Under this new ban, consulates will refuse adoption visas for any baby from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Nigeria, or any of the 39 other countries.
December 17, 2025 at 3:04 AM
The US Administration has banned Americans from *adopting babies* from much of the African continent.
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
Another excellent @jamellebouie.net column: We do not have a president, we have a junta (my word), unelected extremists empowered by the Supreme Court and the so-called unitary executive. Gift link.
The Man Who Rules the Country Presides Over Nothing www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/o...
The Man Who Rules the Country Presides Over Nothing www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/o...
Opinion | The Man Who Rules the Country Presides Over Nothing
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Another excellent @jamellebouie.net column: We do not have a president, we have a junta (my word), unelected extremists empowered by the Supreme Court and the so-called unitary executive. Gift link.
The Man Who Rules the Country Presides Over Nothing www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/o...
The Man Who Rules the Country Presides Over Nothing www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/o...
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
Armed ICE agents trapped US citizens in a restaurant and demanded their papers. Federal agents walked into East African restaurants in Cedar-Riverside, MN. They closed and blocked the doors. Then they demanded to see everyone’s papers. Every person present was a US citizen.
Federal agents use chemical irritant on crowd in Somali neighborhood of Minneapolis amid Trump crackdown
Federal agents have used chemical irritant to disperse a crowd in a heavily Somali neighborhood in Minneapolis. This happened Tuesday during a identification checks amid the Trump administration's cra...
www.mprnews.org
December 14, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Armed ICE agents trapped US citizens in a restaurant and demanded their papers. Federal agents walked into East African restaurants in Cedar-Riverside, MN. They closed and blocked the doors. Then they demanded to see everyone’s papers. Every person present was a US citizen.
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
One of the victims of the antisemitic massacre in Australia was a Holocaust survivor. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Holocaust survivor, London-born rabbi and 10-year-old girl among victims of Bondi beach terror attack
At least 16 people including one of the alleged gunmen died at the shooting in Sydney on Sunday, aged between 10 and 87
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:00 AM
One of the victims of the antisemitic massacre in Australia was a Holocaust survivor. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
The human cost of Trump's gutting of USAID: By the time Tor Top’s mother was sick with cholera, the nearby clinic had been shuttered for weeks. He bundled her into a canoe & paddled toward the nearest hospital, 8 hours away. Less than halfway into the journey, his mother died.
New, @propublica.org
New, @propublica.org
Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera.
Behind closed doors in Washington, top advisers made a series of decisions that had devastating repercussions for the poorest country on earth. We went to South Sudan and found people who died as a re...
www.propublica.org
December 15, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The human cost of Trump's gutting of USAID: By the time Tor Top’s mother was sick with cholera, the nearby clinic had been shuttered for weeks. He bundled her into a canoe & paddled toward the nearest hospital, 8 hours away. Less than halfway into the journey, his mother died.
New, @propublica.org
New, @propublica.org
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
Rob Reiner, who was killed on Sunday, built a remarkable acting and directing career that went far beyond his comic origins. David Sims on his quiet brilliance and always surprising versatility:
Rob Reiner Was a Quiet Titan of Storytelling
The director and actor, who died yesterday, built a remarkable career that went far beyond his comic origins.
bit.ly
December 16, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Rob Reiner, who was killed on Sunday, built a remarkable acting and directing career that went far beyond his comic origins. David Sims on his quiet brilliance and always surprising versatility:
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
NEW: Without USAID funding to help buy food for refugees, the World Food Program rushed to prioritize families based on need, determining that only half the population would get food.
Refugees learned which half they were in from a number stamped on the back of their ration card.
Refugees learned which half they were in from a number stamped on the back of their ration card.
After Trump Officials Cut Food Aid to Kenya, Children Starved to Death
“Brutal and traumatizing”: Interviews and a trove of internal documents show government officials and aid workers desperately tried to warn Trump advisers about impending disaster and death.
www.propublica.org
December 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW: Without USAID funding to help buy food for refugees, the World Food Program rushed to prioritize families based on need, determining that only half the population would get food.
Refugees learned which half they were in from a number stamped on the back of their ration card.
Refugees learned which half they were in from a number stamped on the back of their ration card.
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
America is a mafia state running a protection racket in the interest of the boss, not the people www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1... bsky.app/profile/john...
December 12, 2025 at 11:54 AM
America is a mafia state running a protection racket in the interest of the boss, not the people www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1... bsky.app/profile/john...
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
The decline of democracy in the US means you can’t visit the US if you commented on the decline of democracy in the US
December 10, 2025 at 1:53 AM
The decline of democracy in the US means you can’t visit the US if you commented on the decline of democracy in the US
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
"When I said in February that they were going to cast a wide net for deportations, I had no idea how bad it would be. This is not just a matter of aggressive deportation. The things that are being done by our government to our fellow human beings are monstrous."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Trump’s Deportations Are Ripping Mothers from Their Babies
The president’s immigration policy is “beyond inhumane.”
open.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:28 AM
"When I said in February that they were going to cast a wide net for deportations, I had no idea how bad it would be. This is not just a matter of aggressive deportation. The things that are being done by our government to our fellow human beings are monstrous."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
Phoebe Memorial, the sole hospital in Albany, GA, was founded on the idea that all patients be treated, regardless of their ability to pay.
So why do some residents — including many hospital staffers — turn to a free clinic for care?
THREAD 🧵
So why do some residents — including many hospital staffers — turn to a free clinic for care?
THREAD 🧵
December 11, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Phoebe Memorial, the sole hospital in Albany, GA, was founded on the idea that all patients be treated, regardless of their ability to pay.
So why do some residents — including many hospital staffers — turn to a free clinic for care?
THREAD 🧵
So why do some residents — including many hospital staffers — turn to a free clinic for care?
THREAD 🧵
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
MINNEAPOLIS: “All I did was step outside as a Somali American citizen, and I got chased by a masked person, assaulted, kidnapped. It was inhumane. If this is what’s happening to a 🇺🇸 citizen on camera, imagine what could happen to your loved ones.”
December 11, 2025 at 4:00 AM
MINNEAPOLIS: “All I did was step outside as a Somali American citizen, and I got chased by a masked person, assaulted, kidnapped. It was inhumane. If this is what’s happening to a 🇺🇸 citizen on camera, imagine what could happen to your loved ones.”
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
If Indiana Republicans cave to Trump today and agree to rig the 2026 elections, both Illinois and Maryland are in line to respond, notes @nicolelafond.bsky.social. Cites our interview with Rep Jamie Raskin pushing State Sen prez to drop his bizarre opposition:
talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things...
talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things...
If Indiana Caves to Trump on Redistricting, Maryland May be Ready
All Eyes On Indiana Republican members of Indiana’s state Senate are expected...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:23 PM
If Indiana Republicans cave to Trump today and agree to rig the 2026 elections, both Illinois and Maryland are in line to respond, notes @nicolelafond.bsky.social. Cites our interview with Rep Jamie Raskin pushing State Sen prez to drop his bizarre opposition:
talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things...
talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things...
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
WSJ has an interesting visual on Trump's pardons, and I'm glad for the increased focus.
One thing that's missing, IMO, is a focus on who is harmed by these pardons.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
One thing that's missing, IMO, is a focus on who is harmed by these pardons.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
December 11, 2025 at 12:59 PM
WSJ has an interesting visual on Trump's pardons, and I'm glad for the increased focus.
One thing that's missing, IMO, is a focus on who is harmed by these pardons.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
One thing that's missing, IMO, is a focus on who is harmed by these pardons.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
I need you to listen to and share this story - of how Trump is preparing to abandon Ukraine in exchange for Russian money for his billionaire friends.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
December 9, 2025 at 10:45 PM
I need you to listen to and share this story - of how Trump is preparing to abandon Ukraine in exchange for Russian money for his billionaire friends.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
Anthony Nel, of Texas, became a U.S. citizen as a teen. But a flaw in a Trump administration citizenship tool flagged him as a potential noncitizen, which led to his voter registration being canceled. n.pr/4rP2dPS
Trump's SAVE tool is looking for noncitizen voters. But it's flagging U.S. citizens too
Anthony Nel, of Texas, became a U.S. citizen as a teen. But a flaw in a Trump administration citizenship tool flagged him as a potential noncitizen, which led to his voter registration being canceled.
n.pr
December 10, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Anthony Nel, of Texas, became a U.S. citizen as a teen. But a flaw in a Trump administration citizenship tool flagged him as a potential noncitizen, which led to his voter registration being canceled. n.pr/4rP2dPS
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
"Over and over this year, DHS has assaulted opponents of ICE and then charged them for it. And these Signal texts sure seem to support that they knowingly did the same thing with Congresswoman McIver.
And then buried it in a discovery violation."
And then buried it in a discovery violation."
DOJ Withheld Proof They Knew Their Assault of LaMonica McIver Was "Bad" before They Charged Her
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/09/d...
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/09/d...
DOJ Withheld Proof They Knew Their Assault of LaMonica McIver Was "Bad" before They Charged Her - emptywheel
DOJ withheld Signal texts showing that before DHS started claiming that LaMonica McIver had assaulted two DHS guys, they had circulated video observing that their own actions look "bad."
www.emptywheel.net
December 10, 2025 at 10:29 AM
"Over and over this year, DHS has assaulted opponents of ICE and then charged them for it. And these Signal texts sure seem to support that they knowingly did the same thing with Congresswoman McIver.
And then buried it in a discovery violation."
And then buried it in a discovery violation."
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
Important: Maryland senate leader refuses to redistrict to counter Trump/GOP, but Rep Jamie Raskin says if Indiana GOPers move, MD must act:
"There’s nothing ethical or moral about unilaterally disarming before authoritarians in a game they’ve created."
On the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
"There’s nothing ethical or moral about unilaterally disarming before authoritarians in a game they’ve created."
On the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
December 10, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Important: Maryland senate leader refuses to redistrict to counter Trump/GOP, but Rep Jamie Raskin says if Indiana GOPers move, MD must act:
"There’s nothing ethical or moral about unilaterally disarming before authoritarians in a game they’ve created."
On the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
"There’s nothing ethical or moral about unilaterally disarming before authoritarians in a game they’ve created."
On the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
Every legal story now is either
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
October 3, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Every legal story now is either
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
Conservatives: Democrats bribe lazy minorities with goodies
Also conservatives: bsky.app/profile/carl...
Also conservatives: bsky.app/profile/carl...
December 8, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Conservatives: Democrats bribe lazy minorities with goodies
Also conservatives: bsky.app/profile/carl...
Also conservatives: bsky.app/profile/carl...
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
Boostraps for YOU, Bailouts for them
December 8, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Boostraps for YOU, Bailouts for them
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
This got largely overlooked, but note that Karoline Leavitt actually praised Trump's vile rant about Somalis as "epic." The cult worship has gotten so bad that his open racism now must be celebrated.
On the pod, we dig into this and his threat to denaturalize:
newrepublic.com/article/2040...
On the pod, we dig into this and his threat to denaturalize:
newrepublic.com/article/2040...
Trump Press Sec Goes Full Cult as Spin on Mental State Flies Off Rails
As Karoline Leavitt’s defense of Trump morphs into bizarre praise for his racism toward Somalis, a former White House official explains how the saga unmasks the deeper depravities consuming Trumpworld...
newrepublic.com
December 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM
This got largely overlooked, but note that Karoline Leavitt actually praised Trump's vile rant about Somalis as "epic." The cult worship has gotten so bad that his open racism now must be celebrated.
On the pod, we dig into this and his threat to denaturalize:
newrepublic.com/article/2040...
On the pod, we dig into this and his threat to denaturalize:
newrepublic.com/article/2040...
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
The Take Care Clause was a byproduct of the lessons learned from the Glorious Revolution that the executive should not be able to dispense with the law promulgated by the legislature. It was not a constitutional provision to empower the executive branch— but to constrain it!
December 8, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The Take Care Clause was a byproduct of the lessons learned from the Glorious Revolution that the executive should not be able to dispense with the law promulgated by the legislature. It was not a constitutional provision to empower the executive branch— but to constrain it!
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
I don’t write the headlines but I do like this one (post-Slaughter argument roundtable for @nytimes.com with @stevevladeck.bsky.social & @williambaude.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/o...
Opinion | Looks Like the Supreme Court Will Continue to Overturn the 20th Century
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I don’t write the headlines but I do like this one (post-Slaughter argument roundtable for @nytimes.com with @stevevladeck.bsky.social & @williambaude.bsky.social)
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/o...
Reposted by leonacouncil.bsky.social
The issue at stake in 1686 was whether the king was bound by the law.
How are we back here again?
How are we back here again?
In The New Republic, historian Holly Brewer compares the Court's decision to Godden v. Hales, a 1686 case affirming that James II was above the law – which was only repudiated when James II was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution. newrepublic.com/article/1833...
March 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The issue at stake in 1686 was whether the king was bound by the law.
How are we back here again?
How are we back here again?