When a federal agency tasked with protecting all Americans decides to mandate a specific religious worldview, it ceases to protect democracy and begins to threaten it.

DHS officials previously insisted children were not zip-tied during this raid, but in his claim, a 16-year-old boy who hyperventilated at the sight of agents assaulting immigrants said he and his mom were zip-tied outside the building.

"This brings the total spent on “Alligator Alcatraz” and “Deportation Depot” — Florida’s other state-run detention center — to at least $460 million. The highest bill — $92 million — went to Doodie Calls, a portable toilet and sanitation company." www.wlrn.org/2026-05-14/d...

A win! The Senate parliamentarian ruled against the $1B provision meant to fund Trump’s White House ballroom in the budget reconciliation package. The funds were struck down for violating the Byrd Rule, which bars “extraneous” non-budgetary provisions from passing through reconciliation.

ICYMI: Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) defended his decision to suspend his state’s ongoing primary election to redraw the congressional maps. He said that discarding 45,000 ballots that had already been cast was “not a big” deal. https://bit.ly/434oT3r

“Energy prices, grocery prices, core inflation, and the CPI are all surging, thanks to Trump’s war in Iran. And he can’t escape responsibility. Why? Because he has repeatedly admitted, on camera, that he foresaw the war’s economic damage and started it anyway.” www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-admi...

Mockler: He took office and spiked 2.9% inflation, up to 3.8%. Gas prices are up to $4.50 in most states, and he did this all while stripping insurance away from 10 million Americans. I think the most impressive part is the deficit hasn't decreased at all.

The Epstein class is out in full daylight with this.

Trump has publicly championed the U.S. steel industry, and yet, the White House just secured tens of millions of dollars worth of donated foreign steel for Trump's $400 million ballroom project.

PabloReports: What do you make of Trump saying that he doesn’t think about Americans’ financial situation? Rep. McGovern: Is anybody surprised? I’ve been saying all along that Trump doesn’t give a shit about the people of this country.

📣 NEW: Tennessee Republicans stripped Democratic lawmakers from House committees after they protested the GOP’s new congressional gerrymander that dismantled the state's only majority-Black district.

Black elected officials are trying to show how Republicans are rolling back their civil rights. “Our ancestors did not march, bleed, get beaten, jail and die for this legislature to use a court ruling as permission to gerrymander their grandchildren today,” Tennessee State Sen. London Lamar said.

"President Trump said he chose that company to repair the landmark because the firm had worked on the swimming pools at his golf club..." www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/u...

The Trump admin has quietly lifted sanctions on at least 145 individuals and companies. Many appear to benefit corrupt officials and well-connected allies. Congress should demand answers, write @adamofkeith.bsky.social and Amanda Strayer of @humanrightsfirst.org:

The U.S. Supreme Court's recent weakening of Voting Rights Act protections could have dire effects on Black political power in the commonwealth, Virginia analysts and civil rights groups say, and makes the state's own voting rights law even more vital. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/11/a...

The people who did this should know no peace. Ever.

And encourage more gas use which would drive prices up and FFS.

!

"A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration must continue allowing members of Congress to inspect immigration detention facilities without advance notice, ruling unanimously..." www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/u...

A top Trump appointee at the Interior Department acknowledged that she has been involved in changes to grazing policies that benefit ranching businesses like her family's, according to a video of her remarks — a claim that some ethics experts say could violate federal law.

"1) How and why did Hegseth prepare false talking points for sworn congressional testimony; and "2) Can Hegseth maybe now answer truthfully and specifically about his possible plans for the 2026 midterm elections?" www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...

Yes. MAGA men. Do this. And don't forget to take your ivermectin. www.menshealth.com/sex-women/a7...

Meanwhile, Tennessee just passed a new congressional map this week specifically designed to eliminate its only Democratic House seat, and other red states across the South are openly eyeing similar moves ahead of the midterms.

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled 4-3 today to throw out a redistricting referendum that Virginia voters had actually approved last month (52% to 48%) which would have redrawn congressional maps to give Democrats up to four additional seats.

AOC on possibly running for the Senate or President: They assume my ambition is a title or a seat. My ambition is way bigger than that. My ambition is to change this country. Presidents come and go, elected officials come and go, single payer healthcare is forever.

SCOTUS is being disingenuous in suggesting that partisanship and race are distinct from one another, so it’s therefore OK for states to create districts based on party. In reality, gerrymandering by party is effectively gerrymandering by race, as well. trib.al/KYVu7dH

The White House ballroom lawsuit just escalated. The preservation group suing Trump says DOJ made multiple “false statements” in court and delivered this brutal line: “All of this may be standard fare for a social media post. But in a federal court filing, it is neither appropriate nor permitted.”

As states like Louisiana and Tennessee redraw their congressional maps, one aspect is particularly concerning. “I am struck by the relish, by the glee, the joy that these southern states right now are taking in destroying Black opportunity districts,” @marcelias.bsky.social said.

OK friends, the Virginia Supreme Court dealt a body blow today to representative democracy. But don't despair! We will overcome this latest affront to our voting rights. Let's jump on Substack live at 8:30 pn ET. open.substack.com/live-stream/...

He misspoke. He meant to say “white” people.

⚠️ The Alabama House has approved a plan that would change the congressional district map during an active election. Alabama is one of four Southern states trying to enact new maps for the 2026 election. But it is bound by a legal agreement that other states are not.

wow -- Trump appears to call Rachel Scott a "bitch" as he finishes taking questions from reporters

BREAKING: An FBI agent interviewed a high-ranking Wisconsin election official in recent days about the 2020 election. The agent wanted to know how elections are carried out and about various 'theories'. The election official had to debunk false claims and clarify how elections work.

When people ask me why I never liked Joe Rogan…

Weeks after Trump stressed to his party that passing the SAVE Act was the “most important thing" they could do, Senate Republicans have shelved the legislation entirely, unable to bypass the Democratic filibuster standing in the way. trib.al/Mlmcxgi

MAGA is a desperate, shrinking movement.😂

The first major study of Trump’s crackdown’s effect on labor markets shows it’s only making things worse for the U.S.-born workers it’s supposed to help. trib.al/Ipp4DD4

NEW: Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas (D), the force behind the state’s voter-approved redistricting plan, blasted the Trump administration for raiding her office as an act of political intimidation. “When challenged, they try to intimidate and silence the voices who stand up to them,” she said.

BREAKING: Democrat Chedrick Greene, a firefighter, just won the pivotal special election in Michigan's 35th Senate District. Greene is currently leading by more than 20 points. Kamala Harris won this district by less than one point in 2024.

NEW: Democrats win another special election by a LOT. Harris won here by 1% in 2024.

Oh my god

Trump tore down nearly half the White House, without approval, then told you this ballroom would not cost any taxpayer money. Now, Republicans are requesting $1 Billion of your money for security features related to it. #ballroominflation https://bit.ly/4tdZaAg

Someday soon people like Jeff Bezos will pretend they never supported Trump, that they were against this the whole time ——- NEW: Generic ballot 2026 among independents: 🔵Democratic: 52% 🔴Republican: 32% Washington Post/Ipsos poll | April 24-28

Today’s Litigation Tracker updates: - Supreme Court temporarily restores access to online and mail-order mifepristone - Judge orders Trump admin to hand over communications about redeveloping golf courses in Washington, D.C.

New reporting confirms that MILLIONS of Americans have dropped their health care coverage because of Trump and Republicans in Congress.

Democrats are gearing up: House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries told Politico they will seek gerrymanders at minimum in New York, Colorado, Maryland, and Illinois. “The only path to ensure communities of color aren’t silenced ... is to win more statehouses. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment.”

The president demands election results be thrown out so Republicans win more seats