Confused about the government shutdown? Watch 👇🏻

Pretty wild there’s no federal requirement for influencers to disclose if they’re being paid by a campaign or a SuperPAC…

Glad to hear Disney is doing the right thing and that it had nothing to do with the $4 billion it lost in market cap.

It’s Constitution Day…and just 9% of Americans can name all their First Amendment rights 🤦🏻‍♂️

Why don’t Americans know more about how the government works? youtu.be/hMqEnmDp2m8?...

Here’s what’s happening in D.C…. open.substack.com/pub/bensheeh...

What is the Home Rule and what does it have to do with Trump’s federalization of D.C.? @bensheehan.bsky.social breaks it down

Wanna know who REALLY runs our elections? If so then episode four of CIVICS MADE EASY on @pbs.org is for you 👇🏻

Voters should choose their elected officials instead of elected officials choosing their voters. Say no to gerrymandering. Tell your state legislators that you want an independent, nonpartisan redistricting commission. #Gerrymandering Credit: @bensheehan.bsky.social

Wrote about the @pbs.org and @npr.org funding cuts for @thedailybeast.bsky.social www.thedailybeast.com/what-trumps-...

When funding for PBS and NPR go away, that money was going to the *local affiliates*. That’s who gets hurt the most. The funding cuts mean less news about your local community.

Five men working in harmony is how you get the best pop songs or the worst Supreme Court decisions.

If you’re annoyed by political fundraising texts, this is for you: youtu.be/qhk5Y2pAnoU?...

Remember Schoolhouse Rock? So does Ben Sheehan! That’s why he created Civics Made Easy, a new PBS show all about breaking down the complicated world of American government in order to educated the American public.

Regarding SCOTUS - they didn’t actually rule on the merits of the executive order on birthright citizenship. They simply said district judges can’t issue rulings that affect the whole country, or anyone beyond the parties suing (or the people in that judicial district).

My @pbs.org show CIVICS MADE EASY is out! Episode 1 tackles the Electoral College. Twelve episodes total, every other Thursday. Watch here: youtu.be/QOcQrnZgv5M?...

Were Trump’s actions constitutional/legal?

For anyone suffering from Long COVID… open.substack.com/pub/bensheeh...

“According to experts, this is the first time the National Guard has been activated without request of the state's governor since 1965.” - BBC

What people don’t understand about public media is that most of the federal funding doesn’t go directly to PBS or NPR. It goes to small, rural, and/or local affiliates. Channels or stations that support local news. When you oppose that you oppose money for news about the place where you live.

Should members of Congress, and the president, be required to pass a citizenship test (basic civics test) in order to serve?

We have age minimums for federal office (25 for House, 30 for Senate, 35 for President/VP). But should there be age maximums? An age at which you either have to leave office or can’t run again?

I’ll make this simple: Only Congress can suspend habeas corpus (the right to go before a judge to find out why you were detained). And they can only do it during a “rebellion” or an “invasion.” The president doesn’t have this power — and especially not when there’s no public treat. Hope that helps!

Are you, or is anyone you know, suffering from Long COVID?

Apparently it’s controversial to try to reach audiences that may not often get exposed to your views?

“They’re unserious people getting in the way of serious work being done by dedicated people.” - Friend who currently works in the Executive Branch

Not sure why this is so confusing but due process isn’t exclusive to citizens 🤷🏻‍♂️

The biggest mistake the Constitution’s authors made was to not give federal courts a way to enforce rulings if the executive branch refused. The only remedy was impeachment/removal of officials who refused to enforce, and that assumes Congress always acted in the best interest of the country. Oops!

Latest Substack… bensheehan.substack.com/p/does-the-s...

According to Yale Budget Lab, these tariffs will cost the average American household $3,800 this year.

These tariffs are basically a way to shift the tax burden from the rich to everyone else, especially if they get rid of income tax… #TrumpTariffs

Trump wants a third term. One idea is that he runs as VP and his running mate resigns (upon winning and being inaugurated). But the 12th Amendment says if you’re ineligible to be president, you’re also ineligible to be VP. And serving two terms makes you ineligible to be president again, so…TBD.

No punches pulled…

This is insane.

It’s insane to me that people can’t tell the difference between *liking* speech and *protecting* speech. You can hate the content of someone’s speech but also think they have the right to say it.

Do we *really* have free speech?

Do you know your First Amendment rights? Most Americans don’t…

I wrote about the under-the-radar effort of one Republican politician who spent this week pushing for Puerto Rico statehood.

Attacks on government workers are just wrong. I wrote this about the one I know best — my Mom.

What happens when Trump ignores the courts? An answer that some aren’t gonna like…

They have the power to check the president. Will they use it?

I think it’s really important for people on here to not be distracted with crazy proposals that can’t happen and instead focus on the threats that can.

Would love your thoughts 🙏🏻

Please share with anyone impacted by the fire — helpful resources

Is there more to this app than a bunch of people complaining about the last election?

Food for thought… bensheehan.substack.com/p/right-vs-l...

Today is the deadline for every state to certify its election results.

The culture war has always been a means to distract people from the economic war. Have a great day.

On political social media there’s a) news and information and b) partisan dunking. Sometimes they overlap. Most of the time they don’t.

The final House race was just called — Democrat Adam Gray won CA-13 by 187 votes. That brings the House balance to 220 R - 215 D. But with Waltz and Stefanik being appointed and Gaetz resigning, it’ll be 217-215 for a bit. Republicans can’t afford a single defection and can only afford 1 abstention.