@seanvitka.bsky.social
Reposted
NEW: DHS secretly obtained Chicago police data on 900 residents accused of gang ties. It was quietly deleted after intelligence officers violated rules against domestic spying.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
DHS Kept Chicago Police Records for Months in Violation of Domestic Espionage Rules
The Department of Homeland Security collected data on Chicago residents accused of gang ties to test if police files could feed an FBI watchlist. Months passed before anyone noticed it wasn’t deleted.
www.wired.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:04 PM
NEW: DHS secretly obtained Chicago police data on 900 residents accused of gang ties. It was quietly deleted after intelligence officers violated rules against domestic spying.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
Reposted
Here we go again. Just like March @chuckschumer.com and Sen Dems will have a decision to make wrt whether to keep giving blank checks to the Trump regime: will they fight or they just meekly surrender in the name of bipartisanship?
My case for why Ds must fight as polls & pol. dynamics favor them.
My case for why Ds must fight as polls & pol. dynamics favor them.
No more blank checks
The Congressional Democrats especially the ones in the U.S. Senate must make a stand in the upcoming government funding fight
open.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Here we go again. Just like March @chuckschumer.com and Sen Dems will have a decision to make wrt whether to keep giving blank checks to the Trump regime: will they fight or they just meekly surrender in the name of bipartisanship?
My case for why Ds must fight as polls & pol. dynamics favor them.
My case for why Ds must fight as polls & pol. dynamics favor them.
Reposted
klein and thompson living up to the worst accusations of their critics tbh
September 4, 2025 at 8:14 PM
klein and thompson living up to the worst accusations of their critics tbh
Reposted
Police have set up a checkpoint and appear to be stopping every single car on 14th st NW, between W+V, here in northwest DC. Some cars are being pulled over after being stopped.
Some police are wearing “HSI police” vests (Homeland Security Investigations)
Some police are wearing “HSI police” vests (Homeland Security Investigations)
August 14, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Police have set up a checkpoint and appear to be stopping every single car on 14th st NW, between W+V, here in northwest DC. Some cars are being pulled over after being stopped.
Some police are wearing “HSI police” vests (Homeland Security Investigations)
Some police are wearing “HSI police” vests (Homeland Security Investigations)
Reposted
New WSJ poll: The Democratic Party is 30 points under water with registered voters, considerably worse than the GOP (-11). www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
July 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
New WSJ poll: The Democratic Party is 30 points under water with registered voters, considerably worse than the GOP (-11). www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
Reposted
“It’s a self-licking ice cream cone of crazy” former Congressman @denverr.bsky.social explains why Trump’s $10 billion dollar lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over the Epstein story may come back to haunt him.
July 20, 2025 at 2:03 PM
“It’s a self-licking ice cream cone of crazy” former Congressman @denverr.bsky.social explains why Trump’s $10 billion dollar lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over the Epstein story may come back to haunt him.
Reposted
What are we doing here, @whitehouse.senate.gov & @heinrich.senate.gov?
How does this result in anything but a disaster that validates & normalizes Trump 2.0 "drill, baby, drill" agenda?
Negotiating with Republicans, days after they passed the awful Reconciliation Bill, sends a terrible signal.
How does this result in anything but a disaster that validates & normalizes Trump 2.0 "drill, baby, drill" agenda?
Negotiating with Republicans, days after they passed the awful Reconciliation Bill, sends a terrible signal.
July 14, 2025 at 1:34 PM
What are we doing here, @whitehouse.senate.gov & @heinrich.senate.gov?
How does this result in anything but a disaster that validates & normalizes Trump 2.0 "drill, baby, drill" agenda?
Negotiating with Republicans, days after they passed the awful Reconciliation Bill, sends a terrible signal.
How does this result in anything but a disaster that validates & normalizes Trump 2.0 "drill, baby, drill" agenda?
Negotiating with Republicans, days after they passed the awful Reconciliation Bill, sends a terrible signal.
Reposted
HERE’S WHERE WE ARE WITH THE AI MORATORIUM:
They put the amendment in.
They took the amendment out.
They put the amendment in and they shook it all about.
They did the Hokey Pokey and they turned themselves around.
That’s what the Senate’s all about.
They put the amendment in.
They took the amendment out.
They put the amendment in and they shook it all about.
They did the Hokey Pokey and they turned themselves around.
That’s what the Senate’s all about.
July 1, 2025 at 2:03 AM
HERE’S WHERE WE ARE WITH THE AI MORATORIUM:
They put the amendment in.
They took the amendment out.
They put the amendment in and they shook it all about.
They did the Hokey Pokey and they turned themselves around.
That’s what the Senate’s all about.
They put the amendment in.
They took the amendment out.
They put the amendment in and they shook it all about.
They did the Hokey Pokey and they turned themselves around.
That’s what the Senate’s all about.
Reposted
Last night, Republicans agreed to a so-called compromise on the AI moratorium. Don’t be fooled: This is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and it will devastate state attempts to protect children online. That’s why I filed an amendment with @cantwell.senate.gov to strip this provision
June 30, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Last night, Republicans agreed to a so-called compromise on the AI moratorium. Don’t be fooled: This is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and it will devastate state attempts to protect children online. That’s why I filed an amendment with @cantwell.senate.gov to strip this provision
Reposted
Red alert for the big bill blocking state tech laws!
There’s a new draft of the AI moratorium and it’s WORSE. The exceptions narrowed so “generally applicable” laws only survive if they do not create an “undue OR disproportionate burden” on AI. This creates huge uncertainty for which laws survive.
There’s a new draft of the AI moratorium and it’s WORSE. The exceptions narrowed so “generally applicable” laws only survive if they do not create an “undue OR disproportionate burden” on AI. This creates huge uncertainty for which laws survive.
www.blackburn.senate.gov
June 30, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Red alert for the big bill blocking state tech laws!
There’s a new draft of the AI moratorium and it’s WORSE. The exceptions narrowed so “generally applicable” laws only survive if they do not create an “undue OR disproportionate burden” on AI. This creates huge uncertainty for which laws survive.
There’s a new draft of the AI moratorium and it’s WORSE. The exceptions narrowed so “generally applicable” laws only survive if they do not create an “undue OR disproportionate burden” on AI. This creates huge uncertainty for which laws survive.
Reposted
The best thing we can do now is flood Congress w/ calls to support the war powers resolutions blocking unauthorized war w/ Iran.
Use our tools or call 1-833-STOP-WAR to connect w/ offices after entering your zip code.
Please share so Congress knows we don't want war with Iran!
Use our tools or call 1-833-STOP-WAR to connect w/ offices after entering your zip code.
Please share so Congress knows we don't want war with Iran!
June 18, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The best thing we can do now is flood Congress w/ calls to support the war powers resolutions blocking unauthorized war w/ Iran.
Use our tools or call 1-833-STOP-WAR to connect w/ offices after entering your zip code.
Please share so Congress knows we don't want war with Iran!
Use our tools or call 1-833-STOP-WAR to connect w/ offices after entering your zip code.
Please share so Congress knows we don't want war with Iran!
Reposted
Former Obama Campaign Manager and Harris Campaign Senior Advisor David Plouffe has been announced as the latest member of crypto giant, Coinbase's "Global Advisory Council." This is another example of a DC insider cashing in by selling their influence to the highest bidder
Democratic strategist David Plouffe to become Coinbase’s newest adviser
The former aide to Kamala Harris and Barack Obama is jumping into an industry tightly embraced by Donald Trump.
www.politico.com
June 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Former Obama Campaign Manager and Harris Campaign Senior Advisor David Plouffe has been announced as the latest member of crypto giant, Coinbase's "Global Advisory Council." This is another example of a DC insider cashing in by selling their influence to the highest bidder
Reposted
Today the Senate Ag Committee is holding a confirmation hearing for Brian Quintenz, Trump's nominee to be chair of the CFTC.
Quintenz was not only the quasi-lobbyist for Marc Andreessen's multi-billion dollar crypto VC fund, he stands to be the most powerful CFTC chair in memory
Quintenz was not only the quasi-lobbyist for Marc Andreessen's multi-billion dollar crypto VC fund, he stands to be the most powerful CFTC chair in memory
The Blockchain Association Just Bought the CFTC
The revolving door isn’t just corrupting the CFTC—it may end the pretense of a Commission altogether.
prospect.org
June 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Today the Senate Ag Committee is holding a confirmation hearing for Brian Quintenz, Trump's nominee to be chair of the CFTC.
Quintenz was not only the quasi-lobbyist for Marc Andreessen's multi-billion dollar crypto VC fund, he stands to be the most powerful CFTC chair in memory
Quintenz was not only the quasi-lobbyist for Marc Andreessen's multi-billion dollar crypto VC fund, he stands to be the most powerful CFTC chair in memory
Reposted
NEW: We've teamed up with Project South to sue the DHS and the FBI for failing to provide "Cop City" records on the surveillance of protesters
www.rightsanddissent.org/news/defendi...
www.rightsanddissent.org/news/defendi...
June 5, 2025 at 6:24 PM
NEW: We've teamed up with Project South to sue the DHS and the FBI for failing to provide "Cop City" records on the surveillance of protesters
www.rightsanddissent.org/news/defendi...
www.rightsanddissent.org/news/defendi...
Reposted
NEW: ICE has quietly rescinded a policy requiring agents to ensure courthouse raids don't clash with state and local laws.
WIRED detected the missing language in a superseding memo posted to ICE's website this week.
by me and @dmehro.bsky.social:
WIRED detected the missing language in a superseding memo posted to ICE's website this week.
by me and @dmehro.bsky.social:
ICE Quietly Scales Back Rules for Courthouse Raids
A requirement that ICE agents ensure courthouse arrests don't clash with state and local laws has been rescinded by the agency. ICE declined to explain what that means for future enforcement.
www.wired.com
June 4, 2025 at 10:25 PM
NEW: ICE has quietly rescinded a policy requiring agents to ensure courthouse raids don't clash with state and local laws.
WIRED detected the missing language in a superseding memo posted to ICE's website this week.
by me and @dmehro.bsky.social:
WIRED detected the missing language in a superseding memo posted to ICE's website this week.
by me and @dmehro.bsky.social:
Reposted
BREAKING an @axios.com: Our new poll tested how voters respond to populist arguments vs abundance-aligned arguments and found that voters clearly prefer populism.
Importantly, this was true not just among Dems but also independents — and in some cases even Republicans.
Importantly, this was true not just among Dems but also independents — and in some cases even Republicans.
Poll: Democratic voters prefer "populism" over "abundance"
Democrats are asking themselves some hard questions as they ponder how they lost the 2024 election.
www.axios.com
May 29, 2025 at 12:45 AM
BREAKING an @axios.com: Our new poll tested how voters respond to populist arguments vs abundance-aligned arguments and found that voters clearly prefer populism.
Importantly, this was true not just among Dems but also independents — and in some cases even Republicans.
Importantly, this was true not just among Dems but also independents — and in some cases even Republicans.
Reposted
Trump’s meme coin dinner borders on bribery.
Buyers have thrown millions of dollars into Trump's crypto scheme to get special access to the president.
America is NOT for sale, but it appears our president might be.
End Trump's crypto corruption NOW. Join us Thursday ⬇️
Buyers have thrown millions of dollars into Trump's crypto scheme to get special access to the president.
America is NOT for sale, but it appears our president might be.
End Trump's crypto corruption NOW. Join us Thursday ⬇️
May 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Trump’s meme coin dinner borders on bribery.
Buyers have thrown millions of dollars into Trump's crypto scheme to get special access to the president.
America is NOT for sale, but it appears our president might be.
End Trump's crypto corruption NOW. Join us Thursday ⬇️
Buyers have thrown millions of dollars into Trump's crypto scheme to get special access to the president.
America is NOT for sale, but it appears our president might be.
End Trump's crypto corruption NOW. Join us Thursday ⬇️
Reposted
NEW: “By withdrawing the CFPB’s data broker rulemaking, the Trump administration is ensuring that Americans will continue to be bombarded by scam texts, calls and emails," says Sean Vitka, executive director of Demand Progress.
A scoop:
A scoop:
CFPB Quietly Kills Rule to Shield Americans From Data Brokers
Russell Vought, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has canceled plans to more tightly regulate the sale of Americans’ sensitive personal data.
www.wired.com
May 14, 2025 at 5:25 PM
NEW: “By withdrawing the CFPB’s data broker rulemaking, the Trump administration is ensuring that Americans will continue to be bombarded by scam texts, calls and emails," says Sean Vitka, executive director of Demand Progress.
A scoop:
A scoop:
Reposted
The FBI says scammers posing as DHS agents are contacting foreigners (from UAE, Saudi, Qatar, and Jordan so far) who are studying in the U.S. or planning to do so, claiming they have immigration issues, and threatening prosecution or deportation if they don't pay. www.ic3.gov/PSA/2025/PSA...
May 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The FBI says scammers posing as DHS agents are contacting foreigners (from UAE, Saudi, Qatar, and Jordan so far) who are studying in the U.S. or planning to do so, claiming they have immigration issues, and threatening prosecution or deportation if they don't pay. www.ic3.gov/PSA/2025/PSA...
Breaking news: @SpeakerJohnson is trying to stop Congress from investigating the admin through September by procedurally manipulating the rules around Resolutions of Inquiry. Vote is TOMORROW — and would stop, eg, inquiries into SignalGate, which otherwise can FORCE floor votes:
April 29, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Breaking news: @SpeakerJohnson is trying to stop Congress from investigating the admin through September by procedurally manipulating the rules around Resolutions of Inquiry. Vote is TOMORROW — and would stop, eg, inquiries into SignalGate, which otherwise can FORCE floor votes:
Reposted
A group of NIH employees sent a letter to GOP senators explaining why an arbitrary 35 percent cut to contracts is completely absurd.
"There are lives at stake."
"There are lives at stake."
'Taking the Side of Cancer': The War on Medical Research Is Being Fought Through Contracts
Splinter is your home for news and opinions that challenge power in our political and economic system that's becoming more unhinged each and every day.
www.splinter.com
April 22, 2025 at 2:19 PM
A group of NIH employees sent a letter to GOP senators explaining why an arbitrary 35 percent cut to contracts is completely absurd.
"There are lives at stake."
"There are lives at stake."
Reposted
Chair Comer denied our request for an official trip to El Salvador to advocate for due process and the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Pretty shameful.
Good thing I don’t need Comer’s permission to get on a plane.
Good thing I don’t need Comer’s permission to get on a plane.
April 20, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Chair Comer denied our request for an official trip to El Salvador to advocate for due process and the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Pretty shameful.
Good thing I don’t need Comer’s permission to get on a plane.
Good thing I don’t need Comer’s permission to get on a plane.
Reposted
I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.
April 18, 2025 at 1:02 AM
I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.
Reposted
Van Hollen says that he asked the VP of El Salvador why his government continues to hold Abrego Garcia even though he’s not charged with any crime and there’s no evidence that he’s MS-13.
“His answer was that the Trump administration is paying the government of El Salvador to keep him at CECOT”
“His answer was that the Trump administration is paying the government of El Salvador to keep him at CECOT”
Senator Chris Van Hollen is speaking live from El Salvador, where he just met with the Salvadoran VP: www.youtube.com/live/pYZPzHy...
Van Hollen speaks to press after meeting with El Salvador VP about return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
YouTube video by Senator Chris Van Hollen
www.youtube.com
April 16, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Van Hollen says that he asked the VP of El Salvador why his government continues to hold Abrego Garcia even though he’s not charged with any crime and there’s no evidence that he’s MS-13.
“His answer was that the Trump administration is paying the government of El Salvador to keep him at CECOT”
“His answer was that the Trump administration is paying the government of El Salvador to keep him at CECOT”
Reposted
Here's Trump saying to Bukele that "homegrown criminals are next" and talking about how El Salvador will need to build "about five more places."
April 14, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Here's Trump saying to Bukele that "homegrown criminals are next" and talking about how El Salvador will need to build "about five more places."