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viggoviking.bsky.social

@viggoviking.bsky.social
670 followers 925 following 2 posts
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Scott MacFarlane @macfarlanenews.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
Pentagon purge www.cbsnews.com/news/2-penta...
cbsnews.com
2 Pentagon officials fired amid sweeping leak investigation
Two Pentagon officials were terminated Friday after they were suspended earlier this week, escalating a week of turmoil at the Department of Defense.
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Shannon Watts @shannonrwatts.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
Republicans are actually lowering the age limit to buy guns to 18, even though 18 to 20-year-olds are FOUR TIMES more likely to commit gun homicides. This is craven.
desmoinesregister.com
Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law lowering Iowa age to own a handgun to 18
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law, which goes into effect July 1, to allow 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds to own and carry handguns.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 19/04/2025
Who could’ve foreseen that it would be a disaster to put an unqualified Fox weekend host with a drinking problem and sordid personal history in charge of the military
politico.com
Pentagon turmoil deepens: Top Hegseth aide leaves post
“There is a complete meltdown in the building,” one official said.
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Andrew Weinstein @andrewjweinstein.com · 15/04/2025
The court system is a coequal branch of government. If the administration isn’t going to follow their orders it’s time to hold some senior officials in contempt.
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Heather Cox Richardson (TDPR) @hcrichardson.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
This. Write your name in the history books on the right side of the ledger.
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Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Four R senators and four R House members could announce they're caucusing with the Dems for now, and will vote for Schumer for Majority Leader and Jeffries for Speaker, because the threat to the rule of law is dire. Meanwhile, they'll work with Democrats to construct guardrails against dictatorship.
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Andrew Weissmann @weissmann.substack.com · 14/04/2025
This once again confirms the prisoners are in El Salvador prisons at our behest and under our control.
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Justin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
So this is just some nice curious timing. On the same day that a judge ruled that Newsmax defamed Dominion Voting Systems, setting them up for a massive loss in jury trial (or huge settlement), Trump targeted the law firm that is representing Dominion. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
independent.co.uk
Trump targets Dominion lawyers on same day judge finds Newsmax defamed voting company
Susman Godfrey, which is representing Dominion in its election defamation case against Newsmax, helped the voting software firm obtain a record-setting $787.5 million settlement from Fox News in a sim...
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Sure was a lucky break for those billionaires to be at the White House today when the tariffs were reversed. Good day in the market for them.
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steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
REVEALED: we identified the operator of an overtly racist X account, "GlomarResponder," as ICE Assistant Chief Counsel James Rodden, based on an overwhelming number of biographical details matched through publicly available documents, other social media activity, and courtroom observation.
texasobserver.org
ICE Prosecutor in Dallas Runs White Supremacist X Account
The Observer has identified the operator of “GlomarResponder,” an overtly racist social media account, as ICE Assistant Chief Counsel James Rodden, based on an overwhelming number of biographical details matched through publicly available documents, other social media activity, and courtroom observation.
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Keith Edwards @keithedwards.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
This is exactly right. Watch @raskin.house.gov explain how we can stop Trump’s coup:
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Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
> @neeratanden.bsky.social
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Asher HELLbein @asherelbein.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
This administration is rushing to create an actual, technical dark age for future historians and scholars. I can't think of a punishment serious enough to fit the magnitude of the crime
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Pam Herd @pamherd.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
This is not legal. The IRS is not allowed to share taxpayer information (without the taxpayers permission) w/other parties except in a set of limited instances. They'd need a court order to do this.
From the IRS website:

IRC Section 6103(d) provides that return information may be shared with state agencies responsible for tax administration. The state agency must request this information in writing, and the request must be signed by an official designated to request tax information.

IRC Section 6103(i)(1) provides that, pursuant to court order, return information may be shared with law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution of non-tax criminal laws.

IRC Section 6103(k)(6) allows the IRS to make limited disclosures of return information in the course of official tax administration investigations to third parties if necessary to obtain information that is not otherwise reasonably available.

IRC Section 6103(l)(1) provides that return information related to taxes imposed under chapters 2, 21, and 24 may be disclosed to the Social Security Administration (SSA) as needed to carry out its responsibilities under the Social Security Act. Chapter 2 relates to self-employment income and does not normally concern employers. Chapter 21 concerns Social Security and Medicare (FICA) tax, and chapter 24 deals with income tax withholding.

The IRS may therefore share information with SSA about Social Security and Medicare tax liability if necessary to establish the taxpayer's liability. This provision does not allow the IRS to disclose your tax information to SSA for any other reason. SSA employees who receive this information are bound by the same confidentiality rules as IRS employees. Therefore, they generally cannot disclose the information to a state Social Security Administrator (SSSA), state officials or other federal agencies.

IRC Section 6103(e)(6) and (c) provide for disclosures to powers of attorney and other designees. If you are notified of an audit by the IRS, you may want to have someone other than the authorized officer of your entity represent you or participate in the meeting. You may bring any individual you wish into the discussion, in p…
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SuMo📞Congress 202-224-3121📞CSPAN 202-748-8000 @sumoh7.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
🚨🚨🚨IMPORTANT🚨🚨🚨 YOU are needed. THIS IS IMPORTANT. We have just 15 days to cure some 65k ballots. PLEASE join. This is very easy. Everyone you reach will be happy you reached them. Curing is super easy calling.
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Asawin Suebsaeng @swin24.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
I tried typing “imagine if President Biden publicly promoted the idea that he was deliberately crashing the stock market as a “chess move” for the good of the nation” without imploding under the weight of the pointlessness of it
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 05/04/2025
Murphy: "The vast majority of Republicans, their number one priority is Trump seizing power, and the Trump family and the MAGA universe holding power forever ... with the exception of maybe 20 Republicans in the Senate, the GOP inside Congress is done with democracy."
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Reuters @reuters.com · 04/04/2025
Trump's new tariffs are 'larger than expected' and the economic fallout including higher inflation and slower growth likely will be as well, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said in remarks that pointed to the potentially difficult set of decisions ahead for the central bank reut.rs/3R44SnN
reut.rs
Fed's Powell says larger-than-expected tariffs mean higher inflation, slower growth
President Donald Trump's new tariffs are "larger than expected" and the economic fallout including higher inflation and slower growth likely will be as well, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Friday in remarks that pointed to the potentially difficult set of decisions ahead for the central bank.
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Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Breaking Politico: Mike Waltz's team regularly set up chats on Signal — potentially as many 20 chats — to coordinate official work on issues including Ukraine, Gaza, and Mid East policy. Four people said they saw instances of sensitive information being discussed. www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
politico.com
Waltz’s team set up at least 20 Signal group chats for crises across the world
It’s a more extensive use of the app than previously reported and sheds new light on how commonly the Trump administration’s national security team relies on Signal.
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Jennifer C @thejenniwren.teamlh.social · 03/04/2025
Yesterday, TX Rep. Keith Self (R) quoted Nazi Joseph Goebbels on controlling public opinion🤬 Using Nazi propaganda is more than vile; it’s a flashing red siren. This is how democracy dies: not with a bang, but with silence in the face of fascist rot. America, do not be silent. Call out evil.
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Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
11/ The tariffs aren’t economic policy. They are political weapons. But as long as we see this clearly, we can stop him. Public mobilization is working. Today, a few Republicans joined Democrats to vote against one set of tariffs. The people still have the power.
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Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
10/ And once Trump has the lawyers, colleges and industry under his thumb, it becomes very hard for the opposition to have any viable space to maneuver. Trump didn’t invent this strategy. It’s the playbook for democratically elected leaders who want to stay in power forever.
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Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
I am gift-linking the NYT live-blog of reactions to the tariffs, from business writers and their sources, but also foreign correspondents and theirs, ditto politics, because it is quite the document on how fucked up this all is: www.nytimes.com/live/2025/04...
nytimes.com
Trump Announces Sweeping Tariffs on All Imports: Live Updates (Gift Article)
A 10 percent tariff will apply to all countries, but trading partners like China, Japan and Europe will face rates two and three times as high.
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Reuters @reuters.com · 03/04/2025
A prominent Indiana University cybersecurity professor who was abruptly fired and disappeared from public view has not been detained and there are no pending criminal charges against him or his wife, a lawyer representing him told Reuters reut.rs/4le25pL
reut.rs
Cybersecurity professor targeted by FBI has not been detained, lawyer says
A prominent Indiana University cybersecurity professor who was abruptly fired and disappeared from public view has not been detained and there are no pending criminal charges against him or his wife, a lawyer representing him told Reuters.
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@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Please tell me the DC press corps followed up on this by talking to this fired federal worker, expanding on his particular story. We need to put a face on stories like this so the country can see the real-life impacts.
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John Sipher @johnsipher.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
So embarrassing. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
washingtonpost.com
Waltz and staff used Gmail for government communications, officials say
Trump’s national security adviser is trying to manage his way out of a crisis. But new revelations about his team’s operational security are piling up in the inbox.
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Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
DOGE staffer Marko Elez, fired from Treasury for racist posts, wasn’t just rehired but has had his portfolio expanded to at least five agencies, new court filings show. www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
politico.com
DOGE’s Marko Elez is back on U.S. payroll
The software engineer fired over racist social media posts is now a Labor Department aide detailed to multiple agencies, according to a new court filing.
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Keith Boykin @keithboykin.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Kristi Noem billed South Dakota taxpayers more than $640,000 in personal travel-related costs, including a six-day trip to Paris, a bear hunt in Canada, a trip to Houston for dental work to fix her smile, and a book tour. But she can afford a $50,000 Rolex for a prison porn photo op in El Salvador.
apnews.com
Kristi Noem refused to say who financed some of her travel. It was taxpayers who were on the hook
An Associated Press analysis of recently released travel records found more than $150,000 in expenses tied to Noem’s political and personal activity.
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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 29/03/2025
Several Lebanese news outlets report that Israeli soldiers have opened fire at a French infantry unit serving in the UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL. 🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/xxcn4p
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Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
“No one knows what the fuck is going on,” said one White House ally close to Trump’s inner circle, granted anonymity to speak freely. “What are they going to tariff? Who are they gonna tariff and at what rates? Like, the very basic questions haven’t been answered yet.”
politico.com
Trump officials, allies grow anxious about April 2 tariffs
The president continues to throw curveballs at businesses — and even his own team.
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Art Candee 🍿🥤 @artcandee.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Early voting is taking place for the special elections in Florida for seats in the U.S. House in the 1st and 6th Congressional Districts. Election Day is on Tuesday, April 1st. Get out and vote for Democratic candidates Gay Valimont and Josh Weil!
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Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Breaking: RFK Jr. has forced out PETER MARKS, the nation’s top vaccine regulator. In his resignation letter, obtained by the Post, Marks said he was willing to work with RFK Jr on his vaccine concerns — but said Kennedy wishes “subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.”
washingtonpost.com
RFK Jr. forces out Peter Marks, FDA’s top vaccine scientist
Marks, an architect of Operation Warp Speed, warned that a recent measles outbreak shows how confidence in science and public health is being “undermined.”
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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 29/03/2025
It’s Election Day in Louisiana: Voters are deciding a measure that would allow lawmakers to move more children into the adult criminal system. A GOP lawmaker who supports the measure said, “Some of these kids are already lost when they’re two years old.” boltsmag.org/louisia...
boltsmag.org
“Some of These Kids Are Already Lost When They’re Two Years Old”
Louisiana leaders want more leeway to charge kids as adults. A measure on the March 29 ballot would enable lawmakers to move more teenagers into the adult criminal system.
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Dean Baker @deanbaker13.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Instead of tracking down child traffickers or drug dealers, Rubio is telling law enforcement to comb student newspapers to see if someone wrote something he doesn't like
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Climate Crisis Info & Progressive Politics (by Bryan Godbe) @bryangodbe.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Well this is a prime example of what Pete Hegseth means when he says he wants a meritocracy at the Pentagon--his brother! And, his brother's experience in National Security "includes founding his own podcast production company..." www.defensenews.com/pentagon/202...
defensenews.com
Hegseth’s younger brother is serving in a key role inside the Pentagon
Phil Hegseth’s publicly available resume includes founding his own podcast production company and working on social media and podcasts.
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Peter Baker @peterbakernyt.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Peter Marks, the top FDA vaccine official, resigns, saying that RFK Jr.'s stance on vaccines poses a danger to the public. “It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the secretary." @by-cjewett.bsky.social @sherylnyt.bsky.social Noah Weiland www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/h...
nytimes.com
Top FDA Vaccine Official Resigns, Citing Kennedy’s ‘Misinformation and Lies’
Dr. Peter Marks, a veteran of the agency, wrote that undermining confidence in vaccines is irresponsible and a danger to public health.
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Jeff Sharlet @jeffsharlet.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
A tiny, easy thing you can do: wherever you’re traveling, buy the local paper and boost the news of how fascism is trickling down and how everyday people are pushing back. From today’s Caledonian-Record of St. Johnsbury, VT.
Headline: Hundreds turn out to protest planned closure of social security office
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Lee West @whodat35.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
Reuters Exclusive: #German ambassador warns of Trump plan to redefine constitutional order, document shows. The incoming Trump admin will rob U.S. law enforcement and ***the media of their independence*** and hand big tech companies ‘co-governing power’, according to a confidential document.
reuters.com
Exclusive: German ambassador warns of Trump plan to redefine constitutional order, document shows
He said Trump would rob law enforcement and media of their independence.
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 17/01/2025
Sounds familiar
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Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
Jeffries: It is unconscionable that Republicans are suggesting imposing right wing partisan conditions in order for California taxpayers to receive their tax dollars. California is one of those states that sends about five times as much to the federal government every year than they get back
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Ben Wikler @benwikler.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
If I'm Chair, the DNC will begin an audit of existing consulting contracts on Day One. We will root out conflicts of interest, prioritize impact instead of commissions, and ensure all spending aligns with our values and mission. Spend to win. No grift.
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davidrlurie @davidrlurie.com · 14/01/2025
There is a link to to the report here. Special Counsel Report Says Trump Would Have Been Convicted in Election Case www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/u...
nytimes.com
Special Counsel Report Says Trump Would Have Been Convicted in Election Case
“But for Mr. Trump’s election and imminent return to the presidency, the office assessed that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial,” the report said.
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Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 14/01/2025
BREAKING: Merrick Garland has released volume one of the Jack Smith report www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
documentcloud.org
Report-of-Special-Counsel-Smith-Volume-1-January-2025
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davidrlurie @davidrlurie.com · 11/01/2025
Getting off Instagram is not now a realistic possibility for some -- e.g., visual artists and others who have massive, and robust, communities on the platform -- but it is past time to build an alternative. Profit opportunities are there for a successful new platform. Bluesky team?
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Dustin Moskovitz @moskov.goodventures.org · 10/01/2025
I want to call attention to the next paragraph, implying that a laissez faire government and media would allow "society" to simply work out its differences. This is actually the third exec I've heard say something like this in recent weeks, so I'm convinced it's an internal talking point 1/7
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Steven Beschloss @stevenbeschloss.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
We can expect Trump will exploit every natural disaster to attack others rather than find solutions. Don’t waste energy being outraged. Stay focused on what you can do to provide support to help fix things. That can be donating, providing a helping hand or reminding people of real issues & facts.
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The San Francisco Standard @sfstandard.com · 11/01/2025
When Elon started spreading misinformation about the fires, Watch Duty clapped back: “Why don’t you take some of that ‘go to mars’ money and actually help rather than Monday morning quarterbacking during a live fire?” sfstandard.com/2025/01/09/w...
sfstandard.com
A Bay Area fire tracking app is saving lives — and correcting Elon Musk
Watch Duty has overtaken ChatGPT to become the top free app in Apple’s App Store.
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David Noll @david.noll.org · 10/01/2025
The Times confirms that Justice Alito spoke to Trump to assure him of William Levi's personal loyalty to him. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/u...
nytimes.com
How a Phone Call Drew Alito Into a Trump Loyalty Squabble (Gift Article)
The phone call centered on a former law clerk of Justice Alito’s. In the eyes of the Trump team, the clerk still needed to prove his loyalty to the president-elect.
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Long Beach Watchdog @lbwatchdog.com · 09/01/2025
From discounted hotel room rates and free food to donation collections, Long Beach is stepping up to assist its neighbors throughout the county. Read more from @fernandoharo.bsky.social, @brandonrichardson.bsky.social & @apignataro.bsky.social on the Watchdog. lbwatchdog.com/heres-how-lo...
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