Tom Whalen
@tomwhalen.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Barely a blip in the news. 🦗from the New York Times editorial and opinion pages. Compare with days of Hunter Biden Hysteria about unprecedented abuse of the pardon power.
December 27, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Barely a blip in the news. 🦗from the New York Times editorial and opinion pages. Compare with days of Hunter Biden Hysteria about unprecedented abuse of the pardon power.
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Again, it is utterly shameful & demonstrates the total failure of all of our political institutions that threatening our closest NATO allies with territorial conquest has not immediately ended this presidency.
Denmark lost more troops per capita in the post 9/11 war on Afghanistan. Saying they “are not a good ally” because they won’t surrender their territories to the US is lunacy. We are betraying our allies to satisfy the whims of a would-be Emperor for whom the US is not enough.
They’re again advocating against Denmark when it comes to Greenland
December 27, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Again, it is utterly shameful & demonstrates the total failure of all of our political institutions that threatening our closest NATO allies with territorial conquest has not immediately ended this presidency.
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Jack Smith is calling for the House Judiciary Committee to release the recording of his full closed-door deposition before the panel.
"Doing so will ensure that the American people can hear the facts directly from Mr. Smith, rather than through second-hand accounts."
"Doing so will ensure that the American people can hear the facts directly from Mr. Smith, rather than through second-hand accounts."
December 24, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Jack Smith is calling for the House Judiciary Committee to release the recording of his full closed-door deposition before the panel.
"Doing so will ensure that the American people can hear the facts directly from Mr. Smith, rather than through second-hand accounts."
"Doing so will ensure that the American people can hear the facts directly from Mr. Smith, rather than through second-hand accounts."
Reposted by Tom Whalen
It's not moral character.
It's not American culture.
It's not that we can't talk to each other anymore.
It's. The. Broken. Anti-democratic. Political. Institutions.
It's not American culture.
It's not that we can't talk to each other anymore.
It's. The. Broken. Anti-democratic. Political. Institutions.
The problem isn't that we can't talk to each other
The marketplace has heard the ideas
Large supermajorities reject them
Yet our anti-democratic political institutions allow the 20-25% that like those ideas to capture & control all the institutions
The problem is the anti-democratic institutions
The marketplace has heard the ideas
Large supermajorities reject them
Yet our anti-democratic political institutions allow the 20-25% that like those ideas to capture & control all the institutions
The problem is the anti-democratic institutions
CNN has a show with a similar line. That the problem with this country is we just aren’t talking to each other.
It’s the kind of diagnosis that a toddler would land on.
It’s the kind of diagnosis that a toddler would land on.
December 24, 2025 at 8:32 PM
It's not moral character.
It's not American culture.
It's not that we can't talk to each other anymore.
It's. The. Broken. Anti-democratic. Political. Institutions.
It's not American culture.
It's not that we can't talk to each other anymore.
It's. The. Broken. Anti-democratic. Political. Institutions.
Reposted by Tom Whalen
1 - the exec branch can't decline to spend $ Congress appropriated
2- the fed govt can't use federal $ to extort states over policy/political disagreements
3-the fed govt can't use federal $ to impose conditions unrelated to the funding program
4-the fed govt can't use federal $ to coerce states
2- the fed govt can't use federal $ to extort states over policy/political disagreements
3-the fed govt can't use federal $ to impose conditions unrelated to the funding program
4-the fed govt can't use federal $ to coerce states
Sean Duffy on blue states: "What I can do is I can pull their money. That's the leverage I do have ... I guarantee you that the federal taxpayer is not going to fund their roads and bridges and their systems when they are putting illegals on the roads."
December 23, 2025 at 2:32 PM
1 - the exec branch can't decline to spend $ Congress appropriated
2- the fed govt can't use federal $ to extort states over policy/political disagreements
3-the fed govt can't use federal $ to impose conditions unrelated to the funding program
4-the fed govt can't use federal $ to coerce states
2- the fed govt can't use federal $ to extort states over policy/political disagreements
3-the fed govt can't use federal $ to impose conditions unrelated to the funding program
4-the fed govt can't use federal $ to coerce states
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Cartoons of the Year.. so proud to have such standout cartoonists open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Cartoons of the Year
The best editorial cartoons of the year from Nick Anderson, Michael de Adder, and RJ Matson.
open.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Cartoons of the Year.. so proud to have such standout cartoonists open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Trump is no longer making any pretense of sanctioning firms supplying the Russian military. He is shifting the US position steadily to a pro-Russian position, including support for Russian military operations in Ukraine.
December 21, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Trump is no longer making any pretense of sanctioning firms supplying the Russian military. He is shifting the US position steadily to a pro-Russian position, including support for Russian military operations in Ukraine.
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Correct headline: Blanche announces Department of Justice will not abide by law, plans to violate statute, and overrules Legislative branch on behalf of President....
Blanche said the files “will come in all different forms,” including “photographs.”
DOJ Will Release Epstein Files In Batches, Blanche Says Ahead Of Initial Release Today
Blanche said the files “will come in all different forms,” including “photographs.”
www.forbes.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Correct headline: Blanche announces Department of Justice will not abide by law, plans to violate statute, and overrules Legislative branch on behalf of President....
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Nenko Gantchev should still be alive—home with his family. After 30 years contributing to Chicagoland as a small business owner and taxpayer, ICE detained him, ignored his medical needs, and he died in custody. This system is cruel, reckless, and must be held accountable.
Bulgarian Chicago business owner dies in ICE custody, sparking calls for 'immediate investigation'
https://abc7chicago.com/post/bulgarian-chicago-business-owner-nenko-gantchev-dies-ice-custody-family-congresswoman-call-immediate-investigation/18301520/
https://abc7chicago.com/post/bulgarian-chicago-business-owner-nenko-gantchev-dies-ice-custody-family-congresswoman-call-immediate-investigation/18301520/
Bulgarian Chicago business owner dies in ICE custody, sparking calls for 'immediate investigation'
A Bulgarian man from Chicago arrested during an immigration enforcement 'blitz' has died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a Michigan private prison, the ABC7 I-Team has learned.
abc7chicago.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Nenko Gantchev should still be alive—home with his family. After 30 years contributing to Chicagoland as a small business owner and taxpayer, ICE detained him, ignored his medical needs, and he died in custody. This system is cruel, reckless, and must be held accountable.
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Jack Smith wants to testify in public - Republicans refuse.
He wants his depo tape made public - no again.
The second strike boat video? - nope.
Epstein files law complied with? - not today.
Vote on ACA? - maybe next year.
Republicans: Hide, obstruct, lie, delay, deny.
He wants his depo tape made public - no again.
The second strike boat video? - nope.
Epstein files law complied with? - not today.
Vote on ACA? - maybe next year.
Republicans: Hide, obstruct, lie, delay, deny.
December 20, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Jack Smith wants to testify in public - Republicans refuse.
He wants his depo tape made public - no again.
The second strike boat video? - nope.
Epstein files law complied with? - not today.
Vote on ACA? - maybe next year.
Republicans: Hide, obstruct, lie, delay, deny.
He wants his depo tape made public - no again.
The second strike boat video? - nope.
Epstein files law complied with? - not today.
Vote on ACA? - maybe next year.
Republicans: Hide, obstruct, lie, delay, deny.
Reposted by Tom Whalen
MAGA: I voted for this!
$400 million ballroom.
Triumphal arch.
Qatari jet.
Renaming an arts center.
Foreign crypto deals.
Blowing up boats.
Saudi golf resorts.
High tariffs on goods.
Record deficits.
Epstein cover up.
Pardons for drug traffickers and rich fraudsters.
$400 million ballroom.
Triumphal arch.
Qatari jet.
Renaming an arts center.
Foreign crypto deals.
Blowing up boats.
Saudi golf resorts.
High tariffs on goods.
Record deficits.
Epstein cover up.
Pardons for drug traffickers and rich fraudsters.
December 20, 2025 at 1:25 AM
MAGA: I voted for this!
$400 million ballroom.
Triumphal arch.
Qatari jet.
Renaming an arts center.
Foreign crypto deals.
Blowing up boats.
Saudi golf resorts.
High tariffs on goods.
Record deficits.
Epstein cover up.
Pardons for drug traffickers and rich fraudsters.
$400 million ballroom.
Triumphal arch.
Qatari jet.
Renaming an arts center.
Foreign crypto deals.
Blowing up boats.
Saudi golf resorts.
High tariffs on goods.
Record deficits.
Epstein cover up.
Pardons for drug traffickers and rich fraudsters.
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Congress demanded Jack Smith testify about his investigations, but kept him behind closed doors during his sworn deposition. If we care about transparency, then Congress should release the transcript. My thoughts in Bloomberg.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Release the Jack Smith Deposition Transcript
This week, former special counsel Jack Smith finally had the chance to speak about the findings of his investigation into President Donald Trump. It’s a shame the public couldn't hear him.
www.bloomberg.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Congress demanded Jack Smith testify about his investigations, but kept him behind closed doors during his sworn deposition. If we care about transparency, then Congress should release the transcript. My thoughts in Bloomberg.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Jack Smith still wants to speak in public:
In a new letter, Smith says he wants the American public to "hear the facts" about his two criminal cases against Trump — asking the House Judiciary Committee to release video of his closed-door deposition and schedule an open and public hearing.
In a new letter, Smith says he wants the American public to "hear the facts" about his two criminal cases against Trump — asking the House Judiciary Committee to release video of his closed-door deposition and schedule an open and public hearing.
Jack Smith says Americans should 'hear the fact' of Trump probes, wants deposition tapes released
Jack Smith wants the American public to “hear the facts” about his two criminal cases against Trump, asking Trump ally Jim Jordan to release video of his eight-
www.nbcnews.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Jack Smith still wants to speak in public:
In a new letter, Smith says he wants the American public to "hear the facts" about his two criminal cases against Trump — asking the House Judiciary Committee to release video of his closed-door deposition and schedule an open and public hearing.
In a new letter, Smith says he wants the American public to "hear the facts" about his two criminal cases against Trump — asking the House Judiciary Committee to release video of his closed-door deposition and schedule an open and public hearing.
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Again, you can't create jobs & economic growth when you treat 16% of the workforce as lazy freeloaders who don't have real jobs. The math just doesn't work. It's a central reason the GOP has botched the economy everywhere & every time it's in power for decades now.
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
December 19, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Again, you can't create jobs & economic growth when you treat 16% of the workforce as lazy freeloaders who don't have real jobs. The math just doesn't work. It's a central reason the GOP has botched the economy everywhere & every time it's in power for decades now.
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Reposted by Tom Whalen
I cannot emphasize how serious an assault on democracy this is. Any effort by the Trump administration to engage in false claims of fraud or mass voter suppression relies on this as a building block. As importantly, there is no legitimate reason DOJ would want this information.
🚨BREAKING: The Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. Thursday for unfettered access to the states’ voter registration records. The federal government has now filed lawsuits against 21 states, plus D.C.
This is a developing story...
This is a developing story...
DOJ Sues Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin and DC, Expanding Campaign of Voter Data Lawsuits to 22
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:54 PM
I cannot emphasize how serious an assault on democracy this is. Any effort by the Trump administration to engage in false claims of fraud or mass voter suppression relies on this as a building block. As importantly, there is no legitimate reason DOJ would want this information.
Reposted by Tom Whalen
We elected the one guy who would have gone to Berlin and said "Mr. Gorbachev ... please build me one of these walls!"
December 18, 2025 at 11:18 PM
We elected the one guy who would have gone to Berlin and said "Mr. Gorbachev ... please build me one of these walls!"
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Finally
December 18, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Finally
Reposted by Tom Whalen
This is extraordinary, heartbreaking, and a red alert warning sign for our democracy.
These people are about to be federal judges, and they refuse to answer whether the U.S. Capitol was attacked on January 6.
They say they can't comment because it's "a political controversy".
These people are about to be federal judges, and they refuse to answer whether the U.S. Capitol was attacked on January 6.
They say they can't comment because it's "a political controversy".
Sen. BLUMENTHAL: Was the U.S. Capitol attacked on January 6, 2021?
Trump nominee: *dodges*
Trump nominee: *dodges*
Trump nominee: Well, individuals entered the Capitol.
Blumenthal: You are in fear—how will you have the courage to be fair and impartial?
Trump nominee: *dodges*
Trump nominee: *dodges*
Trump nominee: Well, individuals entered the Capitol.
Blumenthal: You are in fear—how will you have the courage to be fair and impartial?
December 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This is extraordinary, heartbreaking, and a red alert warning sign for our democracy.
These people are about to be federal judges, and they refuse to answer whether the U.S. Capitol was attacked on January 6.
They say they can't comment because it's "a political controversy".
These people are about to be federal judges, and they refuse to answer whether the U.S. Capitol was attacked on January 6.
They say they can't comment because it's "a political controversy".
Reposted by Tom Whalen
So… he’s giving them their own money?
Where’s the tariff money?
Where’s the tariff money?
December 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM
So… he’s giving them their own money?
Where’s the tariff money?
Where’s the tariff money?
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Trump got high on his own supply & never figured out the only reason his 1st term wasn’t even more of a disaster was that he inherited & coasted on a good economy. He’s learning the hard way now. Nuts senile person having nuke codes when you also can’t find a job is tough scenes
December 18, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Trump got high on his own supply & never figured out the only reason his 1st term wasn’t even more of a disaster was that he inherited & coasted on a good economy. He’s learning the hard way now. Nuts senile person having nuke codes when you also can’t find a job is tough scenes
Reposted by Tom Whalen
January 6 was like a much dumber version of Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch and yet a plurality of American voters were like, Yeah, let’s give that guy the nuke codes again. An absolutely world historical debacle of societal ignorance. I’ll never understand it.
December 18, 2025 at 4:47 AM
January 6 was like a much dumber version of Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch and yet a plurality of American voters were like, Yeah, let’s give that guy the nuke codes again. An absolutely world historical debacle of societal ignorance. I’ll never understand it.
Reposted by Tom Whalen
Trump: “One year ago, our country was dead!”
The Economist, one year ago:
The Economist, one year ago:
December 18, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Trump: “One year ago, our country was dead!”
The Economist, one year ago:
The Economist, one year ago: