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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 3h

Corruption is THE issue. Nobody likes it. But there are ways to fix it through accountability and reform. We can start by pushing Congress to act.

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Congress has largely looked away from this admin's mafia-like corruption. But that may be changing. January could be a chance to reset, and last week, Sen. Curtis (R-UT) called for investigations. My piece in today's @thehill.com maps out top priorities for investigation: thehill.com/opinion/cong...

thehill.com

Americans don’t trust Congress to fight corruption — here’s how to change that

Congress must assert its oversight of the executive branch, not to pursue political agendas, but to establish the facts and ensure accountability.

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Prediction markets are pouring fuel on the fire of political insider trading--with the major platforms (including a certain presidential son's investments) reaping massive rewards. The administration won't stop it, but Congress should. Grateful to Ka Burbank for the masterful (and funny) breakdown:

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Pete Coe @petecoevo.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Hey @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social thanks for all you do & for being on the pod w/ @petedominick.bsky.social. Great conversation returns with this amazing guest, plus news & clips on this fulsome Tuesday episode, listeners! standupwithpete.com/1654-maria-m...

standupwithpete.com

1654 Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno + news & clips | Stand Up! with Pete Dominick

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

A mafia-like network is taking over our government and securing its own impunity. But just as with any mafia, there's a playbook to counter it: you investigate, dismantle, and hold it to account. I've seen other countries do it. We can do it too. I break it down with @glennkirschner.bsky.social :

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Tremendous WSJ story today about what sounds a lot like an extortion/bribery operation run out of the White House, with Trump shaking down CEOs for money in exchange/as a condition for getting access and favors. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

wsj.com

Exclusive | ‘The Boss Wants This Money’: Inside Trump’s Unprecedented Fundraising Operation

Meredith O’Rourke, nicknamed ‘princess of darkness,’ carries out the president’s desire to wring hundreds of millions from companies for his projects.

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

TODAY! We added more tix--they're going fast: 7:00 PM ET: Virtual screening, Democracy Under Siege (55 min) 7:55 PM ET: Conversation Steven Levitsky ("How Democracies Die") & Maria McFarland, moderated by Eric Umansky (ProPublica) + Q&A Join us! Free tix here: kinema.com/events/Democ...

kinema.com

Democracy Under Siege - RepresentUs Special Screening & Panel Discussion

Get tickets for the virtual screening of Democracy Under Siege

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RepresentUs @represent.us · 23/07/2026

Join us on Thursday, July 30, at 7:00 PM ET for a special free virtual screening of Democracy Under Siege, followed by a live panel discussion featuring @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social, Steven Levitsky, moderated by @ericumansky.bsky.social.

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Plague Poems @plaguepoems.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

When you see the story about how the world now has its first trillionaire, and when you see the story about how laboratories in Congo have run out of supplies to test for Ebola, it is important to understand that in many ways these are the same story.

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The Renovator @democracyrenovator.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

New from @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social: we've seen what happens when politicians in other countries sink to this level of blatant corruption. Congress must make a choice to stop this slush fund for good.

therenovator.substack.com

The IRS Slush Fund Is a Test. Too Many Republicans Are Failing It.

The coming reckoning that Congress needs to think about.

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Congress needs to act now to block Trump's corrupt IRS slush fund — not wait on rumors he'll scrap it. Republicans enabling this should beware: I've watched corrupt networks in Peru and Colombia look invulnerable right until prosecutors came knocking. open.substack.com/pub/therenov...

open.substack.com

The IRS Slush Fund Is a Test. Too Many Republicans Are Failing It.

The coming reckoning that Congress needs to think about.

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Work with me in the fight against corruption! At @RepresentUs we're hiring a Senior Writer & Press Manager. We're a scrappy, friendly team working for a govt accountable to the people, not just the powerful. If you're a strong writer with media experience, apply! represent.us/careers/?/f3...

represent.us

Careers | RepresentUs

We are the nation’s leading right-left anti-corruption organization. We are hard at work fixing America’s corrupt political system. Join us.

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Trump's IRS "settlement" may be his most corrupt yet--self-dealing to avoid future audits, using 1.8BN in taxpayer funds to reward allies, likely including Jan. 6 rioters. All congress members should sound more like Sen. Chris Van Hollen grilling Todd Blanche yesterday: youtu.be/v-Lo4wLcQrU?...

youtu.be

Todd Blanche is 'still acting' as Trump's 'personal lawyer,' Van Hollen says after $1.7B fund

YouTube video by Associated Press

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

We can all influence Congress—not just lobbyists. On May 13, @represent.us will host a training on how to make Congress show courage and hold power to account. Sign up and join our community: represent.us/ccccall26 . Huge thanks to artist & friend Max Carver for spreading the word.

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

At RepresentUs we are driving the Congressional Courage Campaign, helping constituents push Congress to do its job, pass federal reforms to end gerrymandering, and make our elections fair and responsive to us, not just politicians. represent.us/courage/

represent.us

Join the Congressional Courage Campaign

A nationwide, nonpartisan effort to pressure Congress to stand up for the American people.

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Today's Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais is the latest blow in a system where both parties have raced to gerrymander maps and entrench their own power — and proof that our courts will not stop even the most egregious racial discrimination. Congress needs to act, and we have a plan. 1/2

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Sadly, it’s necessary to keep repeating this. I’ve seen the devastating impacts of political violence abroad. Nobody should want or support that for the United States. open.substack.com/pub/mariamcf...

open.substack.com

I’ve Lived Through Political Violence--We Don’t Want It Here

We Need to Double Down on Democracy, not Give Up on It

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

The US may already be a captured state: one where corruption is systemic and where, despite democratic processes, government serves private interests. Yet I know from personal experience that there are ways out. My latest on Democracy Without Exception: substack.com/home/post/p-... @represent.us

substack.com

I’ve Seen State Capture Swallow Countries—But It’s Not Inevitable

Clawing Our Way Out Requires Confronting Corruption’s Deep Roots

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Wannabe autocrats who start to lose popular support often become more repressive. On cue, DOJ's announcement today it indicted SPLC for paying informants (work it did in collaboration with the FBI!) is a brazen effort to intimidate critics & civil rights groups. www.youtube.com/watch?v=25dl...

youtube.com

A Beacon of Hope in the Fight Against Hate and Extremism

YouTube video by Southern Poverty Law Center

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Tom Joscelyn @tomjoscelyn.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

1. The central claim in the indictment of SPLC is a lie. The DOJ/FBI accuse SPLC of lying to donors about seeking to “dismantle” extremist groups while secretly funding them. But the funds were used to infiltrate & help law enforcement dismantle these groups. Kash Patel knows this is the truth…

justice.gov

Federal Grand Jury Charges Southern Poverty Law Center for Wire Fraud, False Statements, and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering

A Grand Jury in Montgomery, Alabama, today returned an indictment charging the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) with 11 counts of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspi...

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

“In Hungary, it is not that the oligarchs bought themselves into power; instead, politics captured the state and then found oligarchs to carry out its will.” Sound familiar? But nobody likes corruption, and combined with economic crisis, it builds public opposition. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/10/w...

nytimes.com

This Hungarian Town Explains Why Orban Could Lose on Sunday

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

A reminder that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide are not just international offenses--they are ILLEGAL UNDER US LAW and can and should be prosecuted. Following orders is not an excuse, and conspiracy laws apply. www.justice.gov/criminal/cri...

justice.gov

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Nick Turse @nickturse.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

EXCLUSIVE: With Trump Threatening a Genocide, Military Must Disobey His Orders, Former Pentagon Officials Say “What President Trump is describing as the destruction of ‘a whole civilization’ would be a war crime, plain and simple.” theintercept.com/2026/04/07/t...

theintercept.com

With Trump Threatening a Genocide, Military Must Disobey His Orders, Former Pentagon Officials Say

“What President Trump is describing as the destruction of ‘a whole civilization’ would be a war crime, plain and simple.”

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Members of Congress who have failed to act own whatever Trump tries to do tonight. Congress can refuse to authorize wars. It can refuse to fund wars. It can impeach presidents and cabinet members who pursue illegal wars and order war crimes or genocide. Act or you own it. @represent.us

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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

This is really good as well. So far Ted Lieu, Chris Murphy, and Elissa Slotkin making this point with crystal clarity. More Dems need to do this.

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Justin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

I was just helping my kid with their high school Gov homework, and was astonished to learn the United States has a Congress.

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Pete Coe @petecoevo.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Hey @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social thanks for being on the pod w/ @petedominick.bsky.social. Newsy & clippy bits plus this great guest await on this fabulous Wednesday episode, listeners! Is it Thursday already? Better late than never! 📆 standupwithpete.com/1552-maria-m...

standupwithpete.com

1552 Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno + News & Clips | Stand Up! with Pete Dominick

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

I had a great conversation with @petedominick.bsky.social about corruption, how we make change happen, and hope!

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Kimmer @kvonyborg.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

I'm so glad I had time to jump on this live with @petedominick.bsky.social & @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social! She is AMAZING! Make sure you watch here or catch the pod tomorrow. #SUPD 🐝 www.youtube.com/live/3UJBK9o...

youtube.com

Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno

YouTube video by Stand Up! With Pete

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 03/03/2026

SCHIFF: Are you saying it's just fortuitous that $143m went to a subcontractor that you worked w/ extensively as gov of SD? KRISTI NOEM: I had no choosing of contractors. S: Can you state for record that you or Lewandowski had no communication with any agency involved? N: To best of my knowledge

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Congress has the power and duty to demand real answers about Trump's Iran war, and to stop the war if those answers aren't good enough. It needs to own its actions. open.substack.com/pub/mariamcf...

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Congress has the power and duty to demand answers about Trump's Iran war, and to stop the war if those answers aren't good enough. If it fails to act, it owns the war too. mariamcfarlandsm.substack.com/p/if-it-fail...

mariamcfarlandsm.substack.com

If It Fails to Act, Congress Will Own Trump’s Middle East War

Americans Need Answers and Brave, Responsible Leadership

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

“And if there’s a traumatic event — ... a war — .... Would fear once again lead people to ignore rights and values as it did... in Peru?” From my 2017 @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social piece, warning about how an autocrat could use war to justify repression here: lareviewofbooks.org/article/in-p...

lareviewofbooks.org

In Peru’s Brush with Autocracy, Lessons for the United States | Los Angeles Review of Books

Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno shares lessons on autocracy from Peru.

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

So energized by the "State of the Swamp" SOTU response event organized by Defiance.org! (Based on his tirade against Robert DeNiro, the event clearly got under Trump's skin). Here's a clip from my panel, on brutality and hope: www.youtube.com/shorts/y43KE... @represent.us

youtube.com

This is how change happens.

YouTube video by RepresentUs

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Please read this article to the end. Even before ICE got involved, this started because this *blind man who speaks no English and uses a curtain rod as a walking stick* got lost on a walk and some Karen called the police on him and they tasered and beat him bc he didn’t drop the rod. WTF

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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Our federal government killed a disabled genocide survivor and is covering up for a child rapist. And that is just today’s news. It is just unconscionable to be treating this as normal or acceptable in any way. www.investigativepost.org/2026/02/25/b...

investigativepost.org

Blind refugee abandoned by Border Patrol dies in Buffalo.

A nearly blind refugee abandoned by Border Patrol miles from his home dies in Buffalo after having been missing for nearly a week.

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

"The administration has been quick to investigate those who were shot"--yet those claims have repeatedly unraveled in court. Meanwhile, "there are only two cases in which civil rights or criminal investigations into the officers’ conduct have been announced." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...

nytimes.com

When Trump Officials’ Claims About Shootings Unravel in Court

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Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

This is literally what CURRENT LAW requires. It’s in the Constitution! www.politico.com/news/2026/02...

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

You don’t have to know Spanish to like Bad Bunny's messages of unity and love at the Superbowl half-time show. Fortunately, he's not alone. Artists are increasingly and bravely speaking to rising authoritarianism and brutality--and that really matters. mariamcfarlandsm.substack.com/p/bad-bunny-...

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Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

If your eyes glazed over at the story about the Trump family's UAE crypto deal, you’re not alone. But it’s time to sit up and pay attention. The Trump network's schemes to profit from the presidency put all of us at risk. open.substack.com/pub/mariamcf...

open.substack.com

Pay Attention to the Trump Family’s UAE Crypto Deal

Presidential Profit-Seeking Puts Us All at Risk

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Richard Primus @richardprimus.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

So the President is suing the IRS, which is part of the branch over which he presides, for ten billion dollars. Will the IRS settle with him? For how much? Why not just direct the Treasury Secretary to write DJT a check for $10B? Or $20B? (1/2)

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