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mecpitt.bsky.social

@mecpitt.bsky.social
162 followers 129 following 53 posts
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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 22/09/2026
The Trump administration is sending a message to U.S. civil society (particularly those on the left): Curtail your advocacy, however lawful, or risk becoming the next test case for a legal architecture developed to fight foreign terrorists. bit.ly/4Ak6MWP
brennancenter.org
Trump Administration Linking Its Domestic Enemies to Foreign Terrorists
Falsely claiming that U.S. citizens and groups have ties to international terrorism could let the government turn tools intended to combat the likes of ISIS against its perceived foes at home.
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Los Angeles Times @latimes.com · 22/09/2026
Protesters at Paramount's gates say Bonta 'caved' on Warner Bros. merger deal
latimes.com
Protesters at Paramount's gates say Bonta 'caved' on Warner Bros. merger deal
Dozens rallied outside Paramount's Hollywood lot, saying the settlement clearing its Warner Bros. merger fails to protect L.A. entertainment jobs.
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Ken Tremendous @kentremendous.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
By the time this merger ruins HBO, destroys WB, gets 5,000 people fired, moves production overseas, and guts the quality of the movies the new studio makes, most people will have forgotten how fast the AGs caved and how little they got in this deal. Writers will not.
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Ken Tremendous @kentremendous.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I wish there were a single sentence that could simultaneously encapsulate and explain every single problem we have in modern society.
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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 19/09/2026
Falsely claiming that U.S. citizens and groups have ties to international terrorism could let the government turn tools intended to combat the likes of ISIS against its perceived foes at home. bit.ly/4Ak6MWP
brennancenter.org
Trump Administration Linking Its Domestic Enemies to Foreign Terrorists
Falsely claiming that U.S. citizens and groups have ties to international terrorism could let the government turn tools intended to combat the likes of ISIS against its perceived foes at home.
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Reposted by @mecpitt.bsky.social
Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 07/09/2026
Inspectors general are nonpartisan officials who oversee federal agencies and help catch fraud, waste, and wrongdoing. But politicized appointments, budget cuts, and weakened job protections are increasing the risk that government misconduct goes undetected. bit.ly/4zOOOeN
brennancenter.org
Restoring Independence to Government Watchdogs
Stronger job protections, auditing standards, and oversight are needed to allow inspectors general to do their jobs effectively.
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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 07/09/2026
Threats against federal judges have surged since 2021. Here’s why this matters for democracy and individual rights: bit.ly/460Z0mQ
brennancenter.org
Threats Against Federal Judges Endanger Democracy and Individual Rights
A new Brennan Center report examines the surge in threats faced by judges and how improving judicial security is essential for protecting the public.
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mecpitt.bsky.social @mecpitt.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
theintercept.com/2026/09/03/i...
theintercept.com
ICE Gave New Hires Access to Restricted Info on Palantir App Before They Passed Background Checks
Palantir created ELITE, a powerful new app for ICE to target immigrants. The feds never published a legally required privacy assessment for it.
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mecpitt.bsky.social @mecpitt.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
This is spectacular
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
JD Vance says Watergate wouldn't matter today I disagree Trump's self-dealing has reached levels that would have been unimaginable in past presidencies In my latest publisher's note, I break down the 10 biggest Trump grifts we're fighting back against 👇 - TN
contrariannews.org
Trump & Cronies’ Top 10 Corruption Scandals (Round 4)
Publisher's Roundup 78
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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 01/08/2026
DHS is spending billions on domestic surveillance and data tools capable of targeting anyone, with little oversight or transparency. Congress must investigate how these powerful technologies are bought and used. bit.ly/4wx8EZO
brennancenter.org
DHS’s Domestic Surveillance, Data Collection, and Analytics Tools
Fueled by a budget boom, the Department of Homeland Security is expanding its technological arsenal, with little oversight or transparency around how these tools are used.
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George Hahn @georgehahn.com · 31/07/2026
Speakerphone in public is peak asshole. Nobody wins.
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 30/07/2026
The federal government turned away a record number of document requests from the public and accumulated the highest-ever backlog of cases in fiscal year 2025, raising questions about compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.
nyti.ms
Federal Agencies Face Record Backlog of Public Records Requests
A Times analysis of 16 years of available federal data shows federal agencies lag in processing requests for government records.
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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 31/07/2026
A new resource catalogs Homeland Security’s massive arsenal of surveillance, data, and analytics tech, detailing how the tools are used and who supplies them: bit.ly/4wx8EZO
brennancenter.org
DHS’s Domestic Surveillance, Data Collection, and Analytics Tools
Fueled by a budget boom, the Department of Homeland Security is expanding its technological arsenal, with little oversight or transparency around how these tools are used.
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Garrett M. Graff @vermontgmg.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The OpenAI/Hugging Face incident is worthy of your time—it's an important warning sign about the weird moment we're in with AI, with a side order of US-China rivalry. Most of all, though, it's a reminder that AI is a story about humans, not technology. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/welcome-to...
doomsdayscenario.co
Welcome to the Danger of Digital Flubber
The weirdest story in tech right now is a story about humans—not tech.
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 25/07/2026
An investigation by The New York Times found that President Trump’s push to quickly get a new Air Force One led to ballooning costs and trade-offs in safety features that potentially left the president and others who travel with him vulnerable. Our reporter Eric Lipton explains. nyti.ms/4pF8OM1
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Conor Gallagher @conorgallagher.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
An unpublished Government report on Aughinish Alumina has raised concerns that its Russian parent company may be engaged in illicit financial activity. www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
irishtimes.com
Secret Aughinish Alumina report: EU sanctions would jeopardise company ‘viability’
Concerns over ‘financing and potential circumvention by parent company’ revealed in unpublished report
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Robert Evans (the Only Robert Evans) @iwriteok.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
bloomberg has a fun article today arguing that the Cybertruck is the biggest flop in automotive history. it includes this glorious graph.
A graph showing how the edsel and Cybertruck both performed based on their sales target and actual year one and year two sales. The edsel was expected to sell 200k units in its first year. It sold slightly over 50k, and less than 50k the next year

The Cybertruck had a sales.target of 250k in its first year. They sold around 40k, the next year they sold about half as many.
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Amanda Katz @katzish.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
NEW at @porchparty.bsky.social: Did you come from abroad and complete an American PhD? If so, take our survey on what you're doing now—and what Trump's new rule to cap student visas at four years (w/ uncertain extension) means for individuals and in your field www.porchpartynews.com/p/trump-rule...
porchpartynews.com
Were you an international student who got an American PhD? Take our survey!
A new Trump rule forces foreign doctoral candidates to apply mid-degree for an uncertain visa extension. What will that mean for academia and society—and people’s lives?
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Los Angeles Times @latimes.com · 23/07/2026
ICE detentions spiked in June, targeting immigrants with no criminal records, new data show
latimes.com
ICE detentions spiked in June, targeting immigrants with no criminal records, new data show
Immigration and Customs Enforcement released its first batch of detention data since early April. Detentions dropped after the raids intensified in January, but surged once again in June.
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Cait Conley @caitfornewyork.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Having served as a senior executive at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and spent 16 years defending our democracy, I can tell you that if Trump were concerned about election security, he would not have fired hundreds of federal workers whose jobs were to secure our elections.
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Adam Bonin @adambonin.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
There's only one Luther Vandross, one "One Shining Moment." But this ain't bad.
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Chris Scullion @scully1888.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
If you haven't seen it yet, BBC's montage at the end of the World Cup was fucking tremendous www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Fi...
youtube.com
BBC FIFA World Cup 2026 Closing Montage
YouTube video by Pick Six Productions Xtra
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Washingtonian @washingtonian.com · 20/07/2026
Destination DC CEO Elliott Ferguson has spent nearly two decades selling the city. Here’s what he wants locals to know about DC.
washingtonian.com
What DC’s Top Travel Booster Wants Locals to Know
Destination DC’s Elliott Ferguson on how he sells the city.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 19/07/2026
Julia Curlee explores how the mass removals of career detailess from the NSC has hobbled the White House’s ability to weigh competing U.S. interests or coordinate U.S. foreign policy and what Congress and a new administration can do to fix it.
lawfaremedia.org
The Purge: How the White House Broke the NSC and How to Fix It
Dismantling the machinery that coordinates U.S. foreign policy led to disaster, from ill-conceived tariffs to the calamitous war with Iran.
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mecpitt.bsky.social @mecpitt.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Were there any Australians there? If not, the only missed continent.
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mecpitt.bsky.social @mecpitt.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Nationalities of performers in the World Cup halftime show: USA France South Korea England Colombian Nigerian Canadian Muppets
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 19/07/2026
In its rush to meet White House demands for deportations, federal law enforcement has engaged in extensive misconduct, resulting in hundreds of lost or abandoned criminal cases against protesters and immigrants, a New York Times investigation found.
nyti.ms
They Were Charged With Assaulting ICE Agents. The Cases Are Crumbling.
The Trump administration has lost or abandoned hundreds of criminal cases against protesters and immigrants, a Times investigation found.
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Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 18/07/2026
The best way to get to the bottom of the McConnell question is for the governor to appoint a replacement. The GOP legislature passed a law stripping him of that power, but it goes against the state constitution. If they refuse to seat the replacement, take them to court. There’s zero downside.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 16/07/2026
"Paxton recently bought 3 condos at a luxury resort in Utah worth a total of $1.6m and transferred them to his blind trust. On the deeds, Paxton listed his address as a Dallas-area home. Police records indicate a woman who is not his wife & has been photographed vacationing with Paxton lives there"
nytimes.com
Ken Paxton Bought 3 Utah Condos, Adding to a $9 Million Real Estate Portfolio (Gift Article)
The Texas attorney general and his trusts now hold at least 15 properties worth about $9 million.
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Rodger Sherman @rodger.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
the World Cup final will be between two teams that Cape Verde played even through 90 minutes
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Ken Tremendous @kentremendous.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
This photo absolutely rules. One kid hitting the Spidey, the other brandishing a weapon that has absolutely gone house on Schwarb's pants, the youngest wearing like full Confirmation Gown-level outfit while the boys are in shorts, and Schwarbs and his wife just loving all of it. Peak parent life.
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mecpitt.bsky.social @mecpitt.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
What Joanna said!! Hahahahahaha. Hahaha. Hahahahha. Omg. Classic. Go away Richard. Go away.
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The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 10/07/2026
ICE agents are claiming Lorenzo Salgado Araujo attacked them. That’s not what the latest video footage shows. trib.al/4FnUp3U
trib.al
New Footage of Fatal ICE Shooting in Texas Sparks Fresh Outrage
ICE agents are claiming Lorenzo Salgado Araujo attacked them. That’s not what the latest video footage shows.
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Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
BREAKING: The Trump White House just ousted all three sitting members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission — hamstringing the bipartisan agency ahead of the midterms. The EAC helps state and local officials run elections, including by certifying election equipment.
nbcnews.com
Trump ousts remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission ahead of midterms
The dismissals hamstring a key bipartisan agency just months before the midterms.
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Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
“Three men were in the van with Lorenzo at the time of the shooting, including his brother. They have been detained, and their whereabouts are unknown. There is fear the men will be quickly deported to prevent them from providing testimony about ICE’s actions.” www.thebulwark.com/p/he-lived-h...
thebulwark.com
He Lived Here for 35 Years. Put Three Kids in College. ICE Killed Him.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was picking up a crew for a construction project when ICE shot him. It now claims he was the aggressor.
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Danny Miller @danielmilleresq.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
This is so powerful. Inspired by the March of a Thousand Robes in Poland, retired and sitting judges in the United States walked down the streets of Columbus, Ohio to stand up for the Rule of Law. #JusticeinMotion
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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 07/07/2026
BREAKING: The Brennan Center and 2 dozen+ other orgs sent a letter to Gov Gretchen Whitmer urging her to withdraw MI National Guard members from DC. There's "no reason to trust” the Trump admin to use the troops “appropriately or even lawfully,” they write.
brennancenter.org
Coalition Letter to Governor Whitmer
The Brennan Center and more than two dozen other organizations have sent a letter to Governor Whitmer urging her to recall the Michigan National Guard members she sent to Washington, DC, at President ...
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Ken Tremendous @kentremendous.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
L.A.: one more time: come see me and Mike O'Malley tonight at Chevalier's Books on Larchmont, talking about "Big Fan." Or we can just talk about Justified Season 4. Up to you! chevaliersbooks.com/event/2026-0...
chevaliersbooks.com
Big Fan with Author Michael Schur
Chevalier's Books is Los Angeles' oldest indie bookstore. As a general trade bookstore and a cornerstone of Larchmont Village, we take great pride in our curation and are confident we can find a book ...
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The chorus against Blanche is growing 1,200+ frm. DOJ employees urged the Senate to reject his nom—citing illegal firings & political purges @democracydefendersfund.org @ldadorg.bsky.social + 101 judges called for investigation into his Epstein conflicts & ethics breaches Reject this nom! -TN
thehill.com
DOJ alums call on senators to reject Blanche nomination as attorney general
More than 1,200 former Department of Justice (DOJ) employees encouraged the Senate to reject acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to take on the role permanently, writing in a Tuesday …
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Capital Weather @capitalweather.com · 06/07/2026
See our full compilation of fireworks lightning photos here: www.capitalweather.com/lightning-ap...
capitalweather.com
Lightning appeared to strike near the Washington Monument during July 4 fireworks
Amid a pyrotechnic display billed as the largest in history, Mother Nature staged its own fireworks show.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
NEW: America 250 from @contrariannews.org w/ *Maria Cardona *Janai Nelson *Robert P. Jones *Stacey Abrams & Genny Castillo *Tim Dickinson *Eddie Glaude & April Ryan *Meghan Houser *Meredith Blake *John Terzano *Brian O’Neill *Ben Sheehan *Jamie Riley *Laleh Ispahani *Ted Widmer *& an intro from me
contrariannews.org
250 Years of Chasing the American Dream
Ups and downs in our courts and in our history: Publisher’s Roundup 74
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Frank Figliuzzi @frankfigliuzzi.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Breaking: Per MSNOW’s Vaughn Hillyard, acting DNI Bill Pulte is now firing dozens of intelligence officials at agencies beyond his own office as part of removing the “deep state.” Reportedly, the officials may have refused to provide him requested intel.
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emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
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...
ms.now
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.
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 29/06/2026
President Trump’s major construction projects in Washington could cost taxpayers and donors more than $1 billion, a New York Times analysis shows.
nyti.ms
Funding for Trump’s Construction Spree Is Murky. Here’s What We Found Out.
The cost of the president’s D.C. renovation projects could surpass $1 billion, with taxpayers and secret donors footing the bill.
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Eric Lipton NYT @ericlipton.nytimes.com · 28/06/2026
Since the start of President Trump’s second term, The New York Times has been documenting examples of moves by members of Mr. Trump’s family or the families of top aides to profit off of Trump administration policy actions. Today we take another look.
nytimes.com
Trump Cut a Billion-Dollar Mining Deal. His Sons Stand to Profit.
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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 28/06/2026
At least 50 people have died in immigration detention since Trump returned to office, the deadliest period in ICE’s history. Yet Congress continues to give immigration enforcement agencies billions of dollars without requiring reform. bit.ly/4v1sMBH
brennancenter.org
ICE and Customs and Border Protection Budgets to Exceed $200 Billion
Without congressional action, the money will allow the Trump administration to carry out its immigration crackdown unimpeded.
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Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 26/06/2026
Forgotten framer James Wilson had an armed mob come for him in 1779. It didn't shake his belief in the capacity of the people to rule. Our democracy would be unrecognizable without his contributions. The Lost Founder author @jessewegman.bsky.social tells the story.
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Founder We Need Is the One We Don’t Remember
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Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
25 years ago, a Michigan district court embraced a bizarre theory about the limits on Congress's power under the Spending Clause—one that was quickly repudiated. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court's six Republican appointees quietly revived it while making it harder to enforce an array of federal rights:
stevevladeck.com
Bonus 234: The Ascension of Westside Mothers
The Court's 6-3 ruling in Landor is likely the "sleeper" case of the term—a technical decision with massive, long-term, and ominous constitutional implications.
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mecpitt.bsky.social @mecpitt.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
www.justsecurity.org/141994/feder...
justsecurity.org
Today’s Judiciary on the Anniversary of Declaration of Independence
Many actions taken by the current administration echo 'grievances' in the Declaration of Independence. Here's what federal judges have been saying.
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