Meaghan McCabe
@meaghanmccabe.bsky.social
Communications Director for U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Pizza analyst. Better world a-comin’.
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
ProPublica reports Dan Bongino got a polygraph waiver for his security clearance
These exams catch foreign ties & blackmail risks
Waivers at this level are unprecedented & part of a broader purge of career national-security experts
I explained on @theweekendmsnow.bsky.social 👇 - TN
These exams catch foreign ties & blackmail risks
Waivers at this level are unprecedented & part of a broader purge of career national-security experts
I explained on @theweekendmsnow.bsky.social 👇 - TN
November 16, 2025 at 2:40 PM
ProPublica reports Dan Bongino got a polygraph waiver for his security clearance
These exams catch foreign ties & blackmail risks
Waivers at this level are unprecedented & part of a broader purge of career national-security experts
I explained on @theweekendmsnow.bsky.social 👇 - TN
These exams catch foreign ties & blackmail risks
Waivers at this level are unprecedented & part of a broader purge of career national-security experts
I explained on @theweekendmsnow.bsky.social 👇 - TN
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
Why I changed my mind about the shutdown.
fallows.substack.com/p/why-i-chan...
(Paywall near the end.)
fallows.substack.com/p/why-i-chan...
(Paywall near the end.)
Why I Changed My Mind About the Shutdown ‘Surrender.’
Seven days ago, I thought we were seeing another episode of ‘DACO’: Dems Always Chicken Out. Now I think a deal I opposed is giving anti-Trump forces a stronger hand.
fallows.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Why I changed my mind about the shutdown.
fallows.substack.com/p/why-i-chan...
(Paywall near the end.)
fallows.substack.com/p/why-i-chan...
(Paywall near the end.)
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
This ballroom was made for Trump and his donor friends – not for you.
October 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
This ballroom was made for Trump and his donor friends – not for you.
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
This is the moment Republicans have been dreaming about…🤢
October 3, 2025 at 12:11 AM
This is the moment Republicans have been dreaming about…🤢
Hope, as we say in Rhode Island. ⚓️ slate.com/news-and-pol...
This Is the Most Inspiring Thing I’ve Heard About Democracy at the Supreme Court in Ages
It’s not every day that a political leader talking about the state of U.S. democracy is able to hit two tricky notes at the same time: realism and hope.
slate.com
July 15, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Hope, as we say in Rhode Island. ⚓️ slate.com/news-and-pol...
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
“Americans are being forced to accept masked paramilitary forces stopping you anytime, anywhere—demanding to know where people are from,” says @chrislhayes.bsky.social. “It is an assault on the idea of America itself.”
June 20, 2025 at 12:52 AM
“Americans are being forced to accept masked paramilitary forces stopping you anytime, anywhere—demanding to know where people are from,” says @chrislhayes.bsky.social. “It is an assault on the idea of America itself.”
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
if i were a reporter i would be asking every republican politician if they agree that leonard leo is a sleazebag who hates america
May 30, 2025 at 2:13 AM
if i were a reporter i would be asking every republican politician if they agree that leonard leo is a sleazebag who hates america
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
Are they trying to kill us?
Trump proposes a $40 billion cut at HHS—one-third of its discretionary budget. Cuts would hit chronic disease program, rural health initiatives, and HIV work. It would eliminate funding for Head Start.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Trump proposes a $40 billion cut at HHS—one-third of its discretionary budget. Cuts would hit chronic disease program, rural health initiatives, and HIV work. It would eliminate funding for Head Start.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Internal budget document reveals extent of Trump’s proposed health cuts
HHS would be asked to absorb a $40 billion cut, about one-third of its discretionary budget.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 17, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Are they trying to kill us?
Trump proposes a $40 billion cut at HHS—one-third of its discretionary budget. Cuts would hit chronic disease program, rural health initiatives, and HIV work. It would eliminate funding for Head Start.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Trump proposes a $40 billion cut at HHS—one-third of its discretionary budget. Cuts would hit chronic disease program, rural health initiatives, and HIV work. It would eliminate funding for Head Start.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
Trump Escalates Use of Official Power to Intimidate and Punish His Perceived Foes
A presidential decree instructing the Justice Department to scrutinize whether a former official broke the law crosses a new line.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...
A presidential decree instructing the Justice Department to scrutinize whether a former official broke the law crosses a new line.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...
Trump Escalates Use of Official Power to Intimidate and Punish His Perceived Foes
www.nytimes.com
April 11, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Trump Escalates Use of Official Power to Intimidate and Punish His Perceived Foes
A presidential decree instructing the Justice Department to scrutinize whether a former official broke the law crosses a new line.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...
A presidential decree instructing the Justice Department to scrutinize whether a former official broke the law crosses a new line.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
“Should the precise timing of an imminent surprise attack be classified as secret?” kinda answers itself.
March 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM
“Should the precise timing of an imminent surprise attack be classified as secret?” kinda answers itself.
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
A fantastically important postscript to this piece: David Graham asks Jeffrey Goldberg about possible retaliation, and Goldberg gives a perfect answer — with perfect swipes. www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
March 25, 2025 at 2:05 AM
A fantastically important postscript to this piece: David Graham asks Jeffrey Goldberg about possible retaliation, and Goldberg gives a perfect answer — with perfect swipes. www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
"Each time Trump succeeds in subordinating his target, his power ricochets far beyond the particular organization in question, affecting the risk-taking calculus of those who fear they might be added to his list." www.justsecurity.org/109439/colle...
The imagery is right on point. @justsecurity.org
The imagery is right on point. @justsecurity.org
The Imperative of Solidarity in Response to Assaults on Legal Services, Universities, and Independent Media
Author argues that Trump administration's unconstitutional actions against universities, law firms, and independent media requires collective responses.
www.justsecurity.org
March 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
"Each time Trump succeeds in subordinating his target, his power ricochets far beyond the particular organization in question, affecting the risk-taking calculus of those who fear they might be added to his list." www.justsecurity.org/109439/colle...
The imagery is right on point. @justsecurity.org
The imagery is right on point. @justsecurity.org
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
Keep sharing this because it is vital to understanding this moment.
The timing of his entry into politics after this trip, the one position he’s held firm on (at odds with past presidents of both political parties) and the unraveling of the post-WW II world order.
www.politico.com/magazine/sto...
The timing of his entry into politics after this trip, the one position he’s held firm on (at odds with past presidents of both political parties) and the unraveling of the post-WW II world order.
www.politico.com/magazine/sto...
The Hidden History of Trump’s First Trip to Moscow
In 1987, a young real estate developer traveled to the Soviet Union. The KGB almost certainly made the trip happen.
www.politico.com
March 1, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Keep sharing this because it is vital to understanding this moment.
The timing of his entry into politics after this trip, the one position he’s held firm on (at odds with past presidents of both political parties) and the unraveling of the post-WW II world order.
www.politico.com/magazine/sto...
The timing of his entry into politics after this trip, the one position he’s held firm on (at odds with past presidents of both political parties) and the unraveling of the post-WW II world order.
www.politico.com/magazine/sto...
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
When civil society institutions — big law firms, Ivy League institutions — cave to Trump rather than fight what appear to be illegal demands, do they expect him to be satisfied and stop? Do they believe others should step in and fight where they have not?
March 21, 2025 at 10:06 PM
When civil society institutions — big law firms, Ivy League institutions — cave to Trump rather than fight what appear to be illegal demands, do they expect him to be satisfied and stop? Do they believe others should step in and fight where they have not?
✨ lapels of sensible width ✨ www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The 5 Best-Dressed Men in Congress
Politics is ugly. The fashion doesn’t have to be.
www.politico.com
March 12, 2025 at 12:27 PM
✨ lapels of sensible width ✨ www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
The people who were warning you 8+ years ago were right therecord.media/hegseth-orde...
Exclusive: Hegseth orders Cyber Command to stand down on Russia planning
The secretary of Defense has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions, sources tell Recorded Future News.
therecord.media
March 1, 2025 at 7:07 AM
The people who were warning you 8+ years ago were right therecord.media/hegseth-orde...
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
Russian Lawmaker Predicted the Trump-Vance Ambush of Zelensky
State Duma member Oleg Morozov said the meeting would be a lesson in humiliation, designed to condition Zelensky to capitulate to the US—and later to Russia.
Me for @thedailybeast.bsky.social:
www.thedailybeast.com/russian-lawm...
State Duma member Oleg Morozov said the meeting would be a lesson in humiliation, designed to condition Zelensky to capitulate to the US—and later to Russia.
Me for @thedailybeast.bsky.social:
www.thedailybeast.com/russian-lawm...
Russian Lawmaker Predicted the Trump-Vance Ambush of Zelensky
On Thursday, State Duma member Oleg Morozov guessed that “Daddy” Trump would “flog” Zelensky at the White House.
www.thedailybeast.com
March 1, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Russian Lawmaker Predicted the Trump-Vance Ambush of Zelensky
State Duma member Oleg Morozov said the meeting would be a lesson in humiliation, designed to condition Zelensky to capitulate to the US—and later to Russia.
Me for @thedailybeast.bsky.social:
www.thedailybeast.com/russian-lawm...
State Duma member Oleg Morozov said the meeting would be a lesson in humiliation, designed to condition Zelensky to capitulate to the US—and later to Russia.
Me for @thedailybeast.bsky.social:
www.thedailybeast.com/russian-lawm...
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
"as with the war, Zelensky didn’t start this Oval Office exchange. Was he supposed to tolerate an extended public denigration of the Ukrainian people, who have been fighting a war for survival for three years?” — WSJ edit board
Gift link:
www.wsj.com/opinion/puti...
Gift link:
www.wsj.com/opinion/puti...
Opinion | Putin Wins the Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Spectacle
Vice President Vance starts a public fight that only helps Russia’s dictator.
www.wsj.com
March 1, 2025 at 4:07 AM
"as with the war, Zelensky didn’t start this Oval Office exchange. Was he supposed to tolerate an extended public denigration of the Ukrainian people, who have been fighting a war for survival for three years?” — WSJ edit board
Gift link:
www.wsj.com/opinion/puti...
Gift link:
www.wsj.com/opinion/puti...
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
Every news outlet reporting Elon Musk's comment about accidentally canceling Ebola prevention efforts and quickly restoring them should also say they haven't been restored, they're still canceled, the outbreak-fighting teams are dismantled, the money is gone
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Musk says DOGE ‘restored’ Ebola prevention effort. Officials say that’s not true.
USAID’s initiatives to fight Ebola and other diseases have been gutted, current and former agency officials said.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Every news outlet reporting Elon Musk's comment about accidentally canceling Ebola prevention efforts and quickly restoring them should also say they haven't been restored, they're still canceled, the outbreak-fighting teams are dismantled, the money is gone
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
President Trump named bombastic MAGA podcast star Dan Bongino as deputy FBI director — a role that doesn't require Senate confirmation and typically goes to a senior agent.
With loyalist Kash Patel confirmed as FBI director, the bureau can function effectively as Trump's private security force.
With loyalist Kash Patel confirmed as FBI director, the bureau can function effectively as Trump's private security force.
Trump's loyalty-first FBI
The bureau can function effectively as Trump's private security force.
www.axios.com
February 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
President Trump named bombastic MAGA podcast star Dan Bongino as deputy FBI director — a role that doesn't require Senate confirmation and typically goes to a senior agent.
With loyalist Kash Patel confirmed as FBI director, the bureau can function effectively as Trump's private security force.
With loyalist Kash Patel confirmed as FBI director, the bureau can function effectively as Trump's private security force.
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
February 24, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
"We cannot have a viable political system that relies on extraordinarily brave people—because there aren’t enough of them." Don't underestimate the intimidation factor in Republican acquiescence. @monacharen.bsky.social from the archives:
The Fear Factor in Republican Politics
The MAGA movement has made political violence and intimidation a regular feature of our public life.
www.thebulwark.com
February 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
"We cannot have a viable political system that relies on extraordinarily brave people—because there aren’t enough of them." Don't underestimate the intimidation factor in Republican acquiescence. @monacharen.bsky.social from the archives:
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
👇How it started. Pls read it.
"The spy chief wanted KGB staff abroad to recruit more Americans."
www.politico.com/magazine/sto...
"The spy chief wanted KGB staff abroad to recruit more Americans."
www.politico.com/magazine/sto...
The Hidden History of Trump’s First Trip to Moscow
In 1987, a young real estate developer traveled to the Soviet Union. The KGB almost certainly made the trip happen.
www.politico.com
February 22, 2025 at 10:32 PM
👇How it started. Pls read it.
"The spy chief wanted KGB staff abroad to recruit more Americans."
www.politico.com/magazine/sto...
"The spy chief wanted KGB staff abroad to recruit more Americans."
www.politico.com/magazine/sto...
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
this @schatz.bsky.social quote in TIME >>>
February 17, 2025 at 2:45 AM
this @schatz.bsky.social quote in TIME >>>
Reposted by Meaghan McCabe
A lot of individuals risk their lives for America in the intelligence community, and I honestly can’t imagine what they’re feeling seeing someone this blatantly compromised rubber stamped by the Senate.
BREAKING 🚨 🚨 🚨
Senate votes to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as top U.S. intelligence official
Gabbard overcame initial skepticism from some Republican senators about her nomination, underscoring Trump's grip on the party.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Senate votes to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as top U.S. intelligence official
Gabbard overcame initial skepticism from some Republican senators about her nomination, underscoring Trump's grip on the party.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Senate votes to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as top U.S. intelligence official
Gabbard overcame initial skepticism from some Republican senators about her nomination, underscoring Trump's grip on the party.
www.nbcnews.com
February 12, 2025 at 5:24 PM
A lot of individuals risk their lives for America in the intelligence community, and I honestly can’t imagine what they’re feeling seeing someone this blatantly compromised rubber stamped by the Senate.