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emptywheel

@emptywheel.bsky.social
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This is a prolific poster! Showing posts since December 15, 2024.

  1. 1

    Xitter's community notes are working overtime calling out people trying to claim Mamdani's attempts to conserve power is socialist. This one might be my favorite.

    Nikki Haley @NikkiHaley Welcome to socialism Quote Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @NYCMayor · 21h New York: it's hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool. Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you're not using, and unplug what you can. Our City is doing its part too: maintaining the 78 degrees rule in our buildings, Readers added context they thought people might want to know In February of 2015 then South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley tweeted a similar energy conservation message on Facebook. facebook.com/share/1HySDDH9… Do you find this helpful? Context is written by people who use X, and appears when rated helpful by others. Find out more.
    8,121 1,868
    Jul 2, 2026
  2. 2

    The other day I noted the only way Trump would keep paying Event Strategies to put together humiliating public events is if it were a vehicle for corruption.

    Today, Natural Resource Dems released a report substantiating that corruption.

    emptywheel.net/2026/06/29/t...

    Trump Has Made the National Mall a Tribute to His Squalid Corruption - emptywheel
    Event Strategies, which put on the disastrous Great American State Fair, knows how to put on professional presentations. But since they started getting no-bid contract after no-bid contract, they simp...
    2,631 1,181
    Jul 2, 2026
  3. 3

    NYP reports on Mamdani's success at getting criminals to self-deport from NYC.

    nypost.com/2026/07/23/u...

    Exclusive | Jared Kushner’s father is leaving New York City over mayor, first lady’s ‘antisemitism’
    “I don’t want to pay taxes and live in a city with a blatantly antisemitic mayor and his antisemitic wife,” Charles Kushner told The Post.
    5,630 1,108
    Jul 24, 2026
  4. 4

    This story on the Trump and Lutnick corrupt interest in a Tungsten deal is breathtaking on its face.

    But as you read it, remember urgency behind the deal was Trump's illegal tariffs. Then note that deal won't actually PRODUCE any tungsten, if it does, until 2030.

    www.nytimes.com/2026/06/28/w...

    Trump Cut a Billion-Dollar Mining Deal. His Sons Stand to Profit.
    1,346 668
    Jun 28, 2026
  5. 5

    Lawyers working for Harmeet Dhillion refuse to act like lawyers by putting things in writing for fear doing so will be used against them. 👀

    This is WILDLY suspect behavior from the people trying to seize voting records from every state.

    storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

    This correspondence memorializes where things stand on the issues raised in our June 30, 2026 letter, based on our call with Ned Hedley and John Arboleda on July 1. We understand from Mr. Hedley the government does not intend to respond to our correspondence in writing, out of the concern expressed on the call that what it represents to us could be put before the Court and/or otherwise used against it. Thus, to the extent we have misunderstood the government’s position conveyed on the call, please respond to this email in writing to clarify things from your perspective; otherwise, we will assume this accurately captures the parties’ discussion.
    1,528 596
    Jul 22, 2026
  6. 6

    The "vandals" who destroyed the reflecting pool were Trump's no-bid pool boys.

    What a surprise. I wait with bated breath for Jeanine Pirro to arrest them.

    www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...

    The lining of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool peeled away in at least seven places along seams that were created when the material was applied in large rectangular sections, indicating likely problems in how it was installed, according to a Washington Post analysis of visuals and interviews with experts. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said vandals are to blame for the damage that appeared just two weeks after the $14 million renovation was completed in early June. “The slashes were 300 yards long, and the floor of the pool was cut and then pulled upward, with great force, by these thugs,” he wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday. On Tuesday, photos emerged on social media that showed the pool had been drained in preparation for repairs.
    1,849 525
    Jul 17, 2026
  7. 7

    Katie Phang Just Made Jeffrey Epstein Central to Todd Blanche's Bid for Confirmation

    emptywheel.net/2026/06/27/k...

    Katie Phang Just Made Jeffrey Epstein Central to Todd Blanche's Bid for Confirmation - emptywheel
    When Katie Phang first sued to force DOJ to comply with the Epstein Transparency Act, Trump had not yet nominated Todd Blanche to be Attorney General. But because of the arrogance with which DOJ respo...
    1,957 506
    Jun 27, 2026
  8. 8

    The so-called ceasefire was, in significant part, an attempt by Trump to 1) avoid a War Powers Act vote and 2) game the markets some more.

    Republicans in Congress let Trump get these people killed.

    Stars and Stripes @starsandstripes.bsky.social
    BREAKING NEWS | Two U.S. service members were killed Friday in an Iranian attack in Jordan, bringing the total number of confirmed U.S. military deaths in the U.S.-Iran war to 16, U.S. officials said.
    Iranian attack in Jordan kills 2 US service members, leaves 1 missing
    Two U.S. service members were killed Friday in an attack in Jordan, bringing the total number of confirmed U.S. military deaths in the U.S.-Iran war to 16.
    1,370 502
    Jul 18, 2026
  9. 9

    The Alabama Senator who lives in Florida has thoughts about the legitimacy of various Senators.

    Jay Kuo @nycjayjay.bsky.social
    The Alabama Senator from Florida has opinions on his colleagues’ electoral legitimacy. Video: buff.ly/NqRzB0q
    1,956 498
    Jul 18, 2026
  10. 10

    Trump sacrificed security in order to be able to fly around in a symbol of his corruption.

    www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/u...

    Mr. Hunter would not name the more complicated security upgrades individually because they are considered classified. But other government officials have told The New York Times that this more complex work includes advanced missile defense systems and hardening of the plane’s wiring to protect it from an electromagnetic pulse, in case there is a nuclear strike. It is unclear whether such work was done to the Qatari jet. “In that time they had, they would be able to accommodate communications upgrades,” Mr. Hunter said, referring to vital security equipment that allows a president to be in contact at all times. “But not anything that would require significant structural work.” Mr. Hunter added: “To do a full Air Force One equivalent upgrade does require structural modifications.”
    1,650 458
    Jul 9, 2026
  11. 11

    USG is making moves to intervene in Trump's lawsuit against the BBC, bc the BBC is asking for discovery from government agencies that will show that Donald Trump is a criminal.

    storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

    BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION a/k/a BBC, BBC STUDIOS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED, and BBC STUDIOS PRODUCTIONS LIMITED, Defendants. Case No. 1:25-cv-25894-RKA/EAL NOTICE OF POTENTIAL PARTICIPATION BY THE UNITED STATES TO: CLERK OF COURT, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA; AND ALL PARTIES AND THEIR ATTORNEYS The United States respectfully advises the Court that it is considering participating in this litigation as allowed by 28 U.S.C. § 517, which authorizes the Attorney General of the United States to send any officer of the Department of Justice to “attend to the interests of the United States in a suit pending in a court of the United States, or in a court of a State, or to attend to any other interest of the United States.”
    1,342 423
    Jun 27, 2026
  12. 12

    As you read about Bill Pulte purging dozens, probably because they refuse to give him something, remember the story about Trump's desire to have a master list of spies.

    www.ms.now/news/pulte-f...

    Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials
    The latest move comes two weeks after Pulte’s arrival at the agency, under orders from President Donald Trump to downsize.
    784 398
    Jul 3, 2026
  13. 13

    If the US hit the school bc they were relying on 10-yo intelligence, how many important targets did they NOT ID bc they were relying on 10-yo intelligence.

    edition.cnn.com/2026/07/07/p...

    Exclusive: US commanders bypassed warnings about outdated intelligence ahead of strike that hit school in Iran, sources say | CNN Politics
    Senior US military commanders bypassed warnings in critical databases that intelligence about potential targets in Iran was severely out of date and approved some strikes — including one that hit a sc...
    1,154 373
    Jul 9, 2026
  14. 14

    Trump Confirms: Accepting a Flying Bribery Palace Made Him Less Safe

    emptywheel.net/2026/07/11/t...

    Trump Confirms: Accepting a Flying Bribery Palace Made Him Less Safe - emptywheel
    Trump has confirmed his Flying Bribery Palace is inadequate to the task of keeping him safe in at least three ways, the most important being the subpoenas DOJ sent to four NYT reporters.
    1,477 370
    Jul 11, 2026
  15. 15

    As you read this, remember that all these people lost healthcare SO THAT Trump could fund Stephen Miller's ICE goons.

    Take away insurance.
    Snatch grannies.

    Charles Gaba ✡️ @charlesgaba.com
    🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING: It's worse than I thought! The Trump regime just published a new report officially stating that #ACA enrollment had ALREADY plummeted by over 2.6 million people as of FEBRUARY. This is worse than the prior assumption of 3.0M losing coverage thru April. acasignups.net/26/06/26/bre...
    Breaking: HHS report admits Trump/GOP policy had already thrown 2.6M off the ACA cliff as of FEBRUARY
    Some Guy, January 2026: So, what does this mean for monthly effectuated enrollment this year? Well, it's pretty safe to say that it's not going to look anything like the ePTC years [ie, 2021 - 2025]; ...
    826 363
    Jun 27, 2026
  16. 16

    Can someone explain? Todd Blanche said (working by description) he could not meet with the Epstein victims bc they have lawyers.

    But he met with sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and her lawyers?

    Is he ONLY allowed to meet with criminals?

    I mean, granted, he IS Trump's personal attorney, so...

    1,203 347
    Jul 15, 2026
  17. 17

    Turns out that the USAID cuts also harmed efforts to stave off explosive diarrhea.

    edition.cnn.com/2026/07/20/h...

    Trump’s funding cuts created ‘the perfect storm’ that slowed the government’s cyclosporiasis response | CNN
    The government’s reaction to the cyclospora outbreak has been undermined by massive budget and staffing cuts under President Donald Trump, CNN has found – including nearly funding that disappeared whe...
    983 339
    Jul 20, 2026
  18. 18

    I look at pictures like this and am convinced this was ALWAYS just intended as a money laundering vehicle.

    Trump, and also Trump's special events people, have the ability to put on a decent show, even with the partisanship.

    Here they didn't bother wasting the money to do so.

    Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social
    This is from last night, it’s not AI. We paid $80 million for Trump’s Frye Fair.
    undefined ▶
    1,066 325
    Jun 28, 2026
  19. 19

    Is someone working on a law that allows Dems to strip every judge who refuses to acknowledge the election results of their lifetime appointment?

    1,470 325
    Jul 22, 2026
  20. 20

    In a letter to Judge Subramanian revealing DOJ not only subpoenaed 3 journalists (& tried to subpoena 2 others) but also is trying to get phone records, NYT accuses Jay Clayton of lying in confirmation hearing abt following DOJ protocol on subpoenaing journalists.

    static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics...

    In addition to supporting a finding of bad faith, the Government's non-compliance calls into question the accuracy of the U.S. Attorney's testimony to the United States Senate in his confirmation hearing on July 15, 2026. In that hearing, the U.S. Attorney testified: “the procedures that we have in place to protect the First Amendment and protect the freedom ofthe press and not result in intimidation ofjournalists or the like were followed." He twice reiterated, "we followed the protocols," and "what I can tell you is that we followed those procedures and those procedures, for the reasons that I believe firmly and you believe protecting the freedom ofthe press, being the least intrusive possible, require consultation. ” 993
    832 309
    Jul 20, 2026
  21. 21

    The bribes Trump demanded from media companies have already started disappearing from Trump's library.

    www.ms.now/news/trump-l...

    Democrats push Trump library to account for millions in lawsuit settlement funds
    Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Melanie Stansbury are calling for answers after they noted discrepancies in the president’s financial disclosures.
    807 302
    Jul 18, 2026
  22. 22

    Democrats Describe the Wire Fraud behind the Single Ferris Wheel and the Empty Fields of Glyphosate

    emptywheel.net/2026/07/03/d...

    Democrats Describe the Wire Fraud behind the Single Ferris Wheel and the Empty Fields of Glyphosate - emptywheel
    House Democrats put together a report describing how Trump is using Freedom 250 as a vehicle for looting.
    657 293
    Jul 3, 2026
  23. 23

    Donald Trump: I will break all sorts of rules to retaliate against NYT for exposing shortcomings with my Flying Bribery Palace.

    NYT: Okay then, we'll published a **4,500 word** story, replete with pictures, detailing those shortcomings at far more length.

    🤣

    www.nytimes.com/2026/07/25/u...

    Four photos showing a lower entryway door which is supposed to be included on Air Force One, but which is not on the new plane. The photos show the new plane before and after being painted. Old Air Force One Lower entryway door with retractable stairs Photo by Eric Lee/The New York Times Lower entryway door Photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times Qatari-donated jet Unpainted No lower entryway Photo by U.S. Air Force With presidential paint No lower entryway Photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times Arfa Momin/The New York Times
    867 281
    Jul 25, 2026
  24. 24

    Magistrate Judge Micko has ordered the govt provide HIM with grand jury transcripts pertaining to Georgia Fort and Michael Beute.

    There's a good deal of evidence that Harmeet Dhillon's people fabricated every claim against Fort.

    storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

    The Court held an oral argument hearing on Ms. Fort and Mr. Beute’s Motion for Immediate Disclosure of Grand Jury Transcripts (Doc. 528). For the reasons stated on the record, the Court GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART the motion. The Court Ordered the government to produce all grand jury transcripts and exhibits as they relate to Ms. Fort and Mr. Beute for the Court’s in-camera review no later than the close of business on July 29, 2026.
    987 276
    Jul 24, 2026
  25. 25

    There's a ¶ from @michaelscherer.bsky.social's report on the America 250/Freedom 250 split that deserves far more attention.

    The bipartisan effort emphasized the celebration was about all Americans. The grift emphasized Trump's arch celebrating himself.

    www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...

    America250 adopted “350 for 250” as its motto around the time Trump retook office, a reference to the congressional mandate to include all 350 million Americans in the semiquincentennial celebration. Trump’s advisers began using a variation of the slogan—“250 for 250”—to promote the construction of a 250-foot-tall memorial arch by Arlington National Cemetery. The planned arch, which is yet to begin construction and is opposed by Democrats, has been included in promotional images for the Great American State Fair.
    734 267
    Jul 5, 2026