Finally got around to a bit of research I'd been meaning to explore, and: There is no documented instance of an ICE officer being identified and assaulted while off duty because he wasn't masked. www.pbump.net/o/ices-excus...

"In theater" is a military term that refers to a wartime theater of operations. ICE and CBP agents are in Minnesota, which is one of the United States. The enemy in this military operation are citizens of Minnesotans and the United States.

This is a reference to when, during the LA Wildfires a year ago, Trump ordered the release of water from reservoirs that flowed... nowhere near LA and basically evaporated. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

This is a beautiful, fitting tribute. www.phillymag.com/news/2026/01...

Social media is generally Bad, but one really excellent thing about it is the eruption of grief, tribute, and remembrance when a good person dies too soon. I didn’t know Dan, but thanks to this site, can see how much he was loved.

I felt obliged to write up an overview of all of the Fulton County fraud claims that have already been made — and dismissed. Let me know if I forgot any. www.pbump.net/o/some-thing...

In honor of Anton Chekhov’s birthday, I’m just going to leave this right here.

If you think ICE is enhancing public safety, ask what your first emotion is if you round a corner and see a group of masked ICE agents. Do you assume they are there to help or to harm?

Couples' Halloween costumes for this year: sorted. Though one of you will have to walk into the party backwards.

Lot of things going on here, and lots of blame to go around, but one I think about is: more evidence that extreme racism is a form of mental illness.

The person who defeated Liz Cheney in the 2022 GOP Primary and then replaced her in Congress.

So, anyway, in addition to being a friend, John is sometimes a colleague in making audio. I hope this has value for some of you.

The Washington Post is a national treasure producing some of the best and most important journalism in the country. I hope Jeff Bezos can understand that.

I would add a few more "h"s.

Been thinking about how we’re not okay here in Minnesota and how events and the state of affaires are echoing in our day to day world. A thread. cw: suicide

New Yorker writer.

Journalism school: "If your mother says she loves you, check it out.” CBS News: “On it.”

This is the immigration expert at the Cato Institute. (As in “even the conservative Cato Institute…”)

What's going to happen the first time a police officer draws a weapon to defend a citizen from an ICE thug?

Recently I praised the independent journalist @radleybalko.bsky.social for writing a detailed debunking of a Free Press column that cast doubt on the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. That column was written by Colman Hughes. Hughes is now a contributor to CBS News.

I don't know enough about how a broadcast newsroom is run... but isn't this the sort of thing the business leader does (say news division president) rather than the Editor in Chief?

Yes.

Any car caught in the ivy is a ground rule double.

Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center Philip Glass Philip Glass Philip Glass Philip Glass Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center

Amazing how long ago Venezuela invasion and Greenland threats seem. Cycles of manmade chaos.

I’ve been saying on this site and on the old one for years that pundits are great, opinion-slinging is a noble profession, but none of them could eat without journalists providing facts on which to opine. Weiss is firing the sharks and hiring more remoras.

Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

The order is a short read and worth the time.

Definitive NY Times video analysis. Obviously, many people filmed the shooting. But it was the woman in the bright pink coat who (apparently) captured the iconic image of Pretti, hat off, falling to the ground, his killer pointing a gun at his back. www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...

No comment on the NYT OpEd, but after reading all of Harry Potter aloud to my kids the first time as a parent I just started doing it again… and it’s great. Vivid and exciting and imaginative and perfectly pitched to a child’s perspective: everyone tells you you’re Special, but you don’t know how!

I think this is my first Bluesky Serendipity Post.

The bar for "worst British disaster in America" is very high but Will Lewis is practicing his vault.

A thought on the WH Press Sec. Traditionally, their televised briefings have been the least important part of its job. The Press Sec and their office respond to countless daily inquiries from the press, either providing reliable information or connecting them to Govt sources who can, etc.

I hear your concern. I've been here 20 yrs. There are still *so many* incredible journalists doing essential, ethical work, & fighting to preserve the soul, integrity and legacy of this paper. I know many of us feel this way: If we couldn't do the work the right way, we'd leave. We haven't left yet.

I see a criticism of Judge Menendez already, but her ability to constrain federal law enforcement is questionable at best. The 8th Cir. is not going to go out of their way to block ICE in MN. She’s asking tough questions. I think her power here is very limited and folks should be prepared for that.

A Post insider helped explain to me why the Post is doing such great work despite Everything. Normally, when a superstar journo is covering a beat, younger reporters may have to wait decades to get their chance. Since many of those stars left in the last year, they're getting that chance now.

Former (briefly) acting AG during Trump 1, now ambassador to NATO.

This is a fascinating case (if you can put aside the life and death stakes for a moment.) AFAIK, due to the Supremacy clause and lots of precedent it’s very hard to argue Federal actions violate state’s rights. So the MN argument really comes down to (once again): But look what they’re doing!

Some history from a historian.

I would go so far as to say you also shouldn't share a video clip of someone speaking without the link to the entire conversation/appearance/context, if available.

Look, I'm glad we're having a conversation about the hypocrisy of the legal logic used by America's gun nuts. But can we stop pretending this is a new thing? They have never advocated for universal access to firearms. They only want their team to be armed. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

It feels appropriate that the best reporting from The Atlantic and The New York Times has been by seasoned war reporters who understand the stakes and, by extension, the need to protect sources or sensitive information.

“We’re going to have to live with our discomfort in making other people uncomfortable.” www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...

I wrote about Alex Pretti's death, asking a specific question: What is the point?

I’m very proud of the citizens of Minnesota who are doing what they can to help. I’m proud of the guy who showed up for a vigil only to find tear gas everywhere. Proud that he stayed to help people who had fallen down even though he caught some tear gas himself. Very proud that that’s my son.

An ICE agent is charged with a crime by local authorities. It happened because the agent was off duty, thus not involved in law enforcement. And because the assault on an observer — charged as a misdemeanor — was filmed, by the observer. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/u...

Would watch, but only if he's also played by Timothy Chalamet

In October, ICE grabbed Maher Tarabishi. He was a 24/7 caregiver for his disabled son Wael. At the time of Maher’s detention, disability advocates warned that taking away Wael’s caregiver put his life at risk. Wael died on Friday at age 30. ICE caused his death. They didn’t get to say goodbye.

This is the most Minnesota thing ever, but this time, seriously.