Lumina
@lumina54.bsky.social
Political sociologist by training (AoS: ethnic conflict, soc mvmts, democratization), pol sci (IR) data analyst for a living, digital organizer working to elect Democrats. Here to read news & gain insights, w/ just occasional random posts. Repost ≠ endorse
Reposted by Lumina
ICE’s Detention Center outside Chicago was sued on October 30 for allegedly abusing detainees. One day later, a "system crash" lost all video footage that could have shown how detainees were being treated. trib.al/QwT3aqI
November 21, 2025 at 12:12 AM
ICE’s Detention Center outside Chicago was sued on October 30 for allegedly abusing detainees. One day later, a "system crash" lost all video footage that could have shown how detainees were being treated. trib.al/QwT3aqI
Reposted by Lumina
Data on race and ethnicity has put us on the cusp of breakthroughs in treating kidney failure, which disproportionately affects Black Americans. But the Trump administration has halted that data collection as part of its war on supposed "DEI." Important new story from @laylaayanna.bsky.social
The Trump Admin’s War on Data Is Compromising Major Health Advancements for Black Americans
Thanks to a 2009 medical breakthrough, researchers could be on the precipice...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Data on race and ethnicity has put us on the cusp of breakthroughs in treating kidney failure, which disproportionately affects Black Americans. But the Trump administration has halted that data collection as part of its war on supposed "DEI." Important new story from @laylaayanna.bsky.social
Thread.
Let me tell you about the other Epstein files the Trump administration is STILL HIDING — records that aren’t affected by the bill Congress passed today.
November 18, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Thread.
Thread (and thank you).
Man I'm pretty drunk but I sure do love America
All its low-down dirtiness and cosmopolitism and revolutionary ideas about souls created equal by God with the inalienable human right to rule themselves
This messy beautiful place. No one can talk me out of my love for this stupid fuckin country
All its low-down dirtiness and cosmopolitism and revolutionary ideas about souls created equal by God with the inalienable human right to rule themselves
This messy beautiful place. No one can talk me out of my love for this stupid fuckin country
November 18, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Thread (and thank you).
Reposted by Lumina
Some are mulling taking money out of the US. Others are beefing up security. A look at how the Trump admin has intimidated the progressive nonprofit world:
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-n...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-n...
How the Trump Admin Has Sown Fear Among Progressive Nonprofits
Private security details. Lawyering up. Moving assets overseas. Keeping comms on encrypted...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Some are mulling taking money out of the US. Others are beefing up security. A look at how the Trump admin has intimidated the progressive nonprofit world:
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-n...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-n...
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Epstein: I’m best friends with this pedo running for President, here’s a bunch of stories about how big a pedo he is
NYT: but her emails
NYT: but her emails
Landon Thomas Jr of the New York Times got told by Jeffrey Epstein that Trump walked into a glass door bc he was so busy staring at girls in Epstein's house and didn't print it. wild that the Times didn't consider that newsworthy.
November 12, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Epstein: I’m best friends with this pedo running for President, here’s a bunch of stories about how big a pedo he is
NYT: but her emails
NYT: but her emails
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Jeffrey Epstein advised Steve Bannon that the lawyers representing Brett Kavanaugh in his confirmation hearing should accuse Christine Blasey Ford of being on medications that cause false memories or memory loss.
November 12, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Jeffrey Epstein advised Steve Bannon that the lawyers representing Brett Kavanaugh in his confirmation hearing should accuse Christine Blasey Ford of being on medications that cause false memories or memory loss.
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On Dec. 8, 2015, Jeffrey Epstein offers a NY Times reporter photos of Donald Trump and "girls in bikinis in my kitchen." Epstein tells the reporter that he "gave" Trump his "20 year old girlfriend...after two years."
When people looked into these type of rumors the Times smugly criticized them.
When people looked into these type of rumors the Times smugly criticized them.
November 13, 2025 at 12:11 AM
On Dec. 8, 2015, Jeffrey Epstein offers a NY Times reporter photos of Donald Trump and "girls in bikinis in my kitchen." Epstein tells the reporter that he "gave" Trump his "20 year old girlfriend...after two years."
When people looked into these type of rumors the Times smugly criticized them.
When people looked into these type of rumors the Times smugly criticized them.
Reposted by Lumina
👀
The stunning thing all this year was how Republicans were sticking with Trump through everything. This is the first poll I've seen where he's started to lose some of their support.
The stunning thing all this year was how Republicans were sticking with Trump through everything. This is the first poll I've seen where he's started to lose some of their support.
November 13, 2025 at 12:11 AM
👀
The stunning thing all this year was how Republicans were sticking with Trump through everything. This is the first poll I've seen where he's started to lose some of their support.
The stunning thing all this year was how Republicans were sticking with Trump through everything. This is the first poll I've seen where he's started to lose some of their support.
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It’s honestly wild how much of a non-story it was that the House went out of session for so long just to avoid this Epstein stuff. That it happened really is a sign of how far down the path to personalization the GOP has gone www.liberalcurrents.com/americas-pat...
America's Paths to Personalism
The three primary risk vectors of the second Trump administration.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:04 PM
It’s honestly wild how much of a non-story it was that the House went out of session for so long just to avoid this Epstein stuff. That it happened really is a sign of how far down the path to personalization the GOP has gone www.liberalcurrents.com/americas-pat...
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NEW: Kim Davis is done. The Supreme Court is not reconsidering Obergefell. What happens now?
There is a reason people were afraid that the Supreme Court would take up case. The reason is the Supreme Court itself. Here's why I'm taking this whole experience seriously.
Today, at Law Dork:
There is a reason people were afraid that the Supreme Court would take up case. The reason is the Supreme Court itself. Here's why I'm taking this whole experience seriously.
Today, at Law Dork:
Kim Davis is done. The Supreme Court is not reconsidering Obergefell. What happens now?
There is a reason people were afraid that the Supreme Court would take up case. The reason is the Supreme Court itself. Here's why I'm taking this whole experience seriously.
www.lawdork.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:32 PM
NEW: Kim Davis is done. The Supreme Court is not reconsidering Obergefell. What happens now?
There is a reason people were afraid that the Supreme Court would take up case. The reason is the Supreme Court itself. Here's why I'm taking this whole experience seriously.
Today, at Law Dork:
There is a reason people were afraid that the Supreme Court would take up case. The reason is the Supreme Court itself. Here's why I'm taking this whole experience seriously.
Today, at Law Dork:
Reposted by Lumina
🧵Did you hear?
Tucked into the CR is a measure that would allow 8 Republican senators to sue the US govt for $500k each over Jack Smith investigating them for Jan 6 & searching their phone records.
A measure that would pay them half a million dollars each for breaking the law.
Tucked into the CR is a measure that would allow 8 Republican senators to sue the US govt for $500k each over Jack Smith investigating them for Jan 6 & searching their phone records.
A measure that would pay them half a million dollars each for breaking the law.
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:46 PM
🧵Did you hear?
Tucked into the CR is a measure that would allow 8 Republican senators to sue the US govt for $500k each over Jack Smith investigating them for Jan 6 & searching their phone records.
A measure that would pay them half a million dollars each for breaking the law.
Tucked into the CR is a measure that would allow 8 Republican senators to sue the US govt for $500k each over Jack Smith investigating them for Jan 6 & searching their phone records.
A measure that would pay them half a million dollars each for breaking the law.
Reposted by Lumina
Listening to these 8 Dem Senators explain their vote convinces me that they are either idiots or liars. Either is plausible.
November 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Listening to these 8 Dem Senators explain their vote convinces me that they are either idiots or liars. Either is plausible.
Reposted by Lumina
I got back to my office after the vote last night and recorded this. There's no way to sugarcoat what happened. And my fear is that Trump gets stronger, not weaker, because of this acquiescence. I'm angry - like you. But I choose to keep fighting.
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I got back to my office after the vote last night and recorded this. There's no way to sugarcoat what happened. And my fear is that Trump gets stronger, not weaker, because of this acquiescence. I'm angry - like you. But I choose to keep fighting.
Reposted by Lumina
A leader would not have lost eight colleagues tonight. This happened because you let it happen or because you’ve totally lost control of the caucus in one of the most important moments since you’ve been Democratic leader. Either way, it’s on you. You need to step down. We need someone who can lead.
Democrats have been fighting for months to address America's healthcare crisis
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
November 10, 2025 at 4:23 AM
A leader would not have lost eight colleagues tonight. This happened because you let it happen or because you’ve totally lost control of the caucus in one of the most important moments since you’ve been Democratic leader. Either way, it’s on you. You need to step down. We need someone who can lead.
Reposted by Lumina
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
Reposted by Lumina
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
two contradictory ideas that i hold in my head at the same time: 1) i think the threat to both SNAP recipients and federal workers is significant enough now that even bad deals are worth making to prevent further harm, and, 2) everyone who caves now should retire in shame
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
Reposted by Lumina
After everything, Senate Democrats still haven’t figured out that surrendering to Trump Republicans will end badly? Unbelievable.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 AM
After everything, Senate Democrats still haven’t figured out that surrendering to Trump Republicans will end badly? Unbelievable.
Reposted by Lumina
Let’s be clear: Chuck Schumer is the one ending this shutdown, no matter how the votes read.
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
November 10, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Let’s be clear: Chuck Schumer is the one ending this shutdown, no matter how the votes read.
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
Reposted by Lumina
Minority Whip Katherine Clark puts out a stinging statement on the senate deal. "A GOP budget that spikes health care premiums and everyday costs to fund tax cuts for billionaires is a grave betrayal of everyday Americans. That was true in July. It was true in September. And it remains true today."
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Minority Whip Katherine Clark puts out a stinging statement on the senate deal. "A GOP budget that spikes health care premiums and everyday costs to fund tax cuts for billionaires is a grave betrayal of everyday Americans. That was true in July. It was true in September. And it remains true today."
Reposted by Lumina
One point worth emphasizing here: The punditry has been saying Sherrill (and Spanberger) represent the sane centrist wing of the party versus the left. Well, okay, but here Sherrill is urging more fight. Again, the results show that anti-Trump + affordability can *unite* the party. This shows how.
This is really good to see: Miki Sherrill just put out a statement sharply criticizing the Senate Dems' pending cave in the government shutdown, ripping it as "malpractice" and a betrayal of the people who are "counting on us to fight for them." Sherrill knows what drove her victory. Wake up, Dems.
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 AM
One point worth emphasizing here: The punditry has been saying Sherrill (and Spanberger) represent the sane centrist wing of the party versus the left. Well, okay, but here Sherrill is urging more fight. Again, the results show that anti-Trump + affordability can *unite* the party. This shows how.
Reposted by Lumina
Response to @fetterman.senate.gov saying Dems shouldn't wait for Trump to show up with a dozen roses (though that is such nonsense, it almost answers itself).
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Response to @fetterman.senate.gov saying Dems shouldn't wait for Trump to show up with a dozen roses (though that is such nonsense, it almost answers itself).
Thread.
Following up on this. This remains a ‘cave is minutes or hours away’ situation. If you want to impact how this plays out you need to contact senators literally now. I want to add additional points of context. What I’m relaying is what I’ve picked up from highly reliable sources.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 10, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Thread.
Reposted by Lumina
serious note: they're gonna try 5x harder to sabotage the midterms after tonight and we're gonna have to organize on a literally historic scale to stop them
really obvious now why trump and the republican party have been working so hard to prevent fair elections lol they know
November 5, 2025 at 4:41 AM
serious note: they're gonna try 5x harder to sabotage the midterms after tonight and we're gonna have to organize on a literally historic scale to stop them
Reposted by Lumina
