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Zachary A Mueller

@zacharyamueller.bsky.social
1.8K followers 216 following 779 posts

Concerned with the threat of an ascendant radical right, particularly focused on the pipeline from nativist-populist politics to an authoritarian regime. Fmr Sr. Research Director at America’s Voice.

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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"ICE watchers across the country who watched federal agents shoot people in the streets and fought to drive ICE from their cities are turning their new skills against the next authoritarian threat from the Trump administration: election interference." @jesswash.bsky.social
theintercept.com
They Trained to Protect Immigrants From ICE. Now They’re Prepping to Defend the Midterm Elections.
ICE-watchers-turned-poll-watchers are preparing for the worst, as the Trump administration hints at potential strategies to disrupt the midterm elections.
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
"They are choosing to target caretakers and parents. And that was the plan all along. Since 2024, Trump, Vance, and the twisted creators of Project 2025 have talked of the plan to go after mothers."
statesatthecore.substack.com
ICE Agents Targeting Moms was Always the Plan
Neighbors are the last line of defense
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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Ugh. Just awful. Unclear what happened here but the implication I get from the article is that they’d fallen into deep debt and maybe owed money to some very bad people. And once they’d been deported, paying that money back was probably very very hard.
Their 14-month-old daughter, Giovanni, was found crying beside her mother's body. in southern Guatemala. The child showed signs of dehydration and was taken to a medical center, where she is recovering, according to Guatemalan news outlet ABC Stereo.
Guatemala's National Civil Police told local news outlets that Pérez Paz, 43, and González de la Cruz, 25, had been gagged and had their hands and feet bound. Authorities said both showed signs of physical trauma. Prosecutors are investigating the killings, including a possible motive and who was responsible.
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Sean Johnson Andrews @skjandrews.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
On this week's episode, we'll be joined by @zacharyamueller.bsky.social Senior Strategist at States at the Core. We will be broadcasting live at noon Chicago time. Subscribe to the YouTube channel to watch live or catch the recording afterwards. www.youtube.com/@BreakingCul...
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retiredpatriot.bsky.social @retiredpatriot.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
"To counteract authoritarianism, we must model a world that looks like the one we want to build collectively... a place where neighbors know each other and come together in the service of others...where we all think about ourselves a whole lot less and about others a whole lot more." Exactly.
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
These are not isolated investigations into organizations or individuals, they are maneuvers designed to brand democratic organizing as criminal in a plot to steal the power of working people.
statesatthecore.substack.com
The Authoritarian Movement Expands Its Assault on Americans
FBI raids in Ohio and arrests of activists in Minnesota appear to mark an escalation in criminalizing practical democratic activities – now is the time to expand the movement for democracy.
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Angry about the stories you read on this website? Join us for a week of virtual trainings starting June 8th! Smash* Authoritarianism Summer Camp—a virtual, super-practical week of training designed to turn your community defense network into a strategic powerhouse.
open.substack.com
Smash* Authoritarianism Summer Camp
With elections looming - now is the perfect time to sharpen your organizing tools
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
The tragedy in San Diego, as with others that share its pattern, is likely the result many overlapping factors. But what prevents solutions to address our problem of racist and political violence isn’t its complexity, it is a system of American democracy that is in desperate need of reconstruction.
open.substack.com
Reflections on the Tragedy in San Diego: Racist Mass Murders Don't Have to be Inevitable
There is more than mourning in this moment; we don’t have to accept these tragedies as the norm
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Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
From @zacharyamueller.bsky.social: Reflections on the Tragedy in San Diego: Racist Mass Murders Don't Have to be Inevitable open.substack.com/pub/statesat...
open.substack.com
Reflections on the Tragedy in San Diego: Racist Mass Murders Don't Have to be Inevitable
There is more than mourning in this moment; we don’t have to accept these tragedies as the norm
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
"Look to Tennessee to see this new Redemption in action, as an authoritarian movement again employs a racist strategy to cheapen American citizenship and undermine American democracy."
open.substack.com
Tennessee’s Leading Role in a Second Redemption
Tennessee is again playing host to competing movements – one determined to undermine multiracial democracy and another working to make it real.
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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps. If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
ICE to begin detaining immigrants inside Social Circle warehouse in April
Homeland Security plans to build warehouse detention facilities in other cities being met with opposition.
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Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
an organization in the Twin Cities is offering "ICE Watch" training The training provided by States at the Core, or STAC, prepares neighbors to monitor, document, and fight against ICE activity. The organization says it has trained more than 1,000 Minnesotans so far www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
mprnews.org
Training teaches ICE observers how to document immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota
As Minnesota’s Somali communities deal with the threat from increased ICE enforcement in the state, some citizens have decided to monitor ICE agents. A training program from States at the Core, or STA...
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Daily Kos @dailykos.com · 12/12/2025
📣 EXCLUSIVE 📣 Missouri lawmakers rushed to hand Trump the gerrymander he wanted—so voters handed back 300,000 signatures saying “Try again.” www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
dailykos.com
How Missourians rose up against gerrymandering: GOP is 'terrified'
When President Donald Trump pressed Missouri’s GOP to help him rig the 2026 midterm elections, they passed a map that is expected to give the party one more seat in the U.S. House. But everyday ...
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RuralOrganizing.org @ruralorganizing.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
@joesudbay.bsky.social explains that the country now sees how Trump’s promises on tariffs and deportation are hitting communities hard. But community backlash against ICE and CBP is growing across the country and showing the power of grassroots organizing.
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Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
From @zacharyamueller.bsky.social: Naming the organizing story of America’s authoritarian nationalist movement open.substack.com/pub/zacharya...
open.substack.com
The Middle Squeeze
Naming the organizing story of America’s authoritarian nationalist movement
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
The years long coordinated effort to mainstream the “invasion” lie wasn’t incidental nor campaign hyperbole it was intentional. Built for this moment, the invasion lie becomes the public justification for authoritarian mobilization, eroding the functioning of democratic society.
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Devin Burghart @dburghart.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
"Three down arrows" is being widely interpreted as an antifa logo. But the full description of the inscription is "up right down down down," and the other inscription, "Hey fascist, catch!" both come from the game Helldivers 2. Online culture is such a morass of symbols/meanings. Watch your step.
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Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
have any Latino or immigration groups pushed this idea on the hill yet? They could also be pushing for Dems to claw back the $170 billion Stephen Miller got in GOP ugly bill to finance kidnapping, profiling and concentration camps - it's clear people hate what they're seeing. Make it an issue
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Yesterday, Charlie Kirk posted what amounts to an AI summary of the white nationalist novel “The Camp of the Saints” - a fan favorite of Steve Bannon & Stephen Miller - that pushes the replacement theory lie that has inspired multiple mass murders. This is their movement, it’s what they believe.
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Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
you and your @newdems.bsky.social colleagues focus on that 2024 border bill like it's the magic bullet. But, we're dealing with mass deportations now how can your plan not even mention ICE or the $50 billion Stephen Miller just got to build concentration camps? what's your plan for that?
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
The language of “cockroaches” is nothing other than explicit racism. What is happening here is what happened in Charlottesville in 2017, a racist march with replacement theory chants. Just this time it is coordinated from the White House not just with the stamp of approval afterwards.
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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
The propagandists running the @DHSgov account are deliberately pushing thinly-veiled neo-Nazi material through the official communications channels of the U.S. government. Their goal is stirring outrage (to which they will express fake outrage) and signaling to their followers where they're going.
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Western States Center @westernstatescenter.org · 30/07/2025
Joe Kent’s record is clear: ❌ Smears human rights advocates ❌ Labels protesters as terrorists ❌ Pushes deportations w/out due process The Senate must reject his nomination to lead the National Counterterrorism Center. Voters already rejected him twice. Your senators should do the same. (⬇️ LINKS ⬇️)
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Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Good Skews with Matt Hildreth: How Public Opinion Is Turning Against Trump’s Immigration Agenda with @zacharyamueller.bsky.social weeklyskews.substack.com/p/good-skews...
weeklyskews.substack.com
Good Skews: How Public Opinion Is Turning Against Trump’s Immigration Agenda with Zachary Mueller
Why the Far Right’s Billion-Dollar Deportation Agenda Is Losing Ground with the American Public
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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
I think I've figured out the game that Dems bashing "The Groups" are playing. It creates a way for them to adopt cautious, risk-averse, extremely-poll-tested positions while simultaneously posing as daring and courageous. A clever move. It gets NYT to quote you! www.offmessage.net/p/the-wrong-...
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Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
Lots of Dems, their consultants and savvy pundits have not caught up with the public. They are stuck in their 2024 CW Stephen Miller has forced a reckoning and the overwhelming majorly reject it That Dems should lean in seems like a no-brainer but that hill group-think can be impenetrable
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Devin Burghart @dburghart.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
In a speech to the far-right Claremont Institute, VP JD Vance tried to push a dramatically reduced vision of American citizenship. This, combined with the vast new resources for ICE, is a 5-alarm moment. JD Vance: Some Americans Are More American Than Others talkingpointsmemo.com/news/jd-vanc...
talkingpointsmemo.com
JD Vance: Some Americans Are More American Than Others
The day after President Trump signed a bill that throws unprecedented amounts...
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
"All told, fentanyl border adjustments provide an exit strategy away from counterproductive tariffs; an off-ramp from the failure of militant supply-side counternarcotics policy; and a much-needed complement to evidence-based interventions designed to address the demand for illegal drugs."
statnews.com
Tariffs can’t defeat the fentanyl problem in the US
Forget tariffs. Another tool of economic statecraft is far better suited to the problem of illegally manufactured fentanyl.
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Kathleen J. Frydl @kfrydl.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
There is a case to be made against tariffs imposed in the name of fentanyl... ...that is also a case against the counterproductive drug war. To do better, we must do differently. New from me:
statnews.com
Tariffs can’t defeat the fentanyl problem in the US
Forget tariffs. Another tool of economic statecraft is far better suited to the problem of illegally manufactured fentanyl.
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
I have 3 comments & a conclusion about this lengthy NYTimes piece - but to be clear it less about the piece itself then the ‘debate’ about immigration between anyone left of Stephen Miller. 🧵👇
nytimes.com
Can Democrats Find Their Way on Immigration?
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Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
NYT, lots of Dems, Dem consultants look solely thru 2024 election lens. That's not the world we're in Stephen Miller is enacting his mass deportation agenda that many didn't think was real. Growing majorities are opposed as they see it up close Miller has forced a reckoning. Dems need to seize it
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Murshed Zaheed @murshedz.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Why aren't Democratic Leaders, their party institutions talking about all of this? They should hammer home the point re devastating cuts to healthcare causing millions to lose healthcare and thousands dying. But, this is also beyond dire. Why the general silence? (1/2)
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
“Someone with Hochman’s hateful ideas has no place advising on the policy that is best for Missouri families. If Sen. Schmitt truly wishes to represent all Missourians, he must replace Nathan with someone who actually represents our values to protect our families, our freedoms, and our futures.“
stltoday.com
Opinion: Missouri Sen. Schmitt shouldn't be employing a Nazi apologist
Missourians of all races, places, and backgrounds believe in pitching in to make our communities thrive. In the wake of the recent tornado devastation across greater St. Louis, so many
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Nikki McCann Ramírez @nikkimcr.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Padilla gave this speech on the floor pretty much as the news of Brad Lander's arrest in New York was breaking. Two Democratic lawmakers tackled and handcuffed by federal law enforcement in the span of a week.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
With the tragic assassination of a Minnesota Democratic leader, I’m going to underline this point again.
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
This is what a white nationalist screed looks like. The President is invoking the "invasion" lie - the same lie that has inspired multiple deadly terrorist attacks - and invoking the language of ethnic cleansing. This is not a stance to compromise with or one that we can afford to ignore
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Wajahat Ali @wajali.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
I know MAGA is celebrating and cheering this assault on Senator Padilla, but this won't play well across the nation. They don't realize it because it's a right-wing echo chamber, but ICE agents terrorizing family members, kids, communities, Senators, and now Trump throwing a military parade?
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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
PADILLA: “If this is how the administration responds to a Senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farmworkers, cooks, and day laborers throughout the country.”
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Micah @rincewind.run · 12/06/2025
real props to Padilla for everything he did today, this is exactly the kind of confrontation we need to see more of and the optics are fucking terrible for the Trump goons hasn't always been my favorite Senator but credit where credit is due, I hope others see this as a model
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United Farm Workers @ufw.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Senator Padilla pledged to help us answer some questions on why California’s workers are being hunted down like prey. He’s doing his best to get some answers.
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine testified before Congress yesterday to the fact that the United States is NOT being invaded. This white nationalist lie about an imaginary invasion is the pretext to rolling out an authoritarian agenda for rounding up our neighbors.
cnn.com
Analysis: Trump’s top general just undercut his ‘invasion’ claims | CNN Politics
One of the problems with making a series of brazen and hyperbolic claims is that it can be hard to keep everyone on your team on the same page.
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The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 12/06/2025
Some pundits are urging protesters in Los Angeles not to resist the militarization of their city. That’s easy to say when ICE isn’t snatching up your friends and family members. trib.al/qG99ddM
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Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
NYT did its usual stale article on immigration being problem for Dems while Axios reported several House Republicans are starting to fret But new Q poll numbers, plus Economist/YouGov yesterday, sure indicate Rs have bigger problem. Ds should lean in Voters don't like what they see from Trump
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
When the American people see what Trump mass deportation actually means - an authoritarian police state rounding up our neighbors - they are rightly appalled. Maybe Democratic communicators should be helping the American people see the consequences of this agenda, not running from it.
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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
!!! Quinnipiac poll of 1,265 RVs, conducted from June 5-9, finds Trump at -11% approval on “immigration issues” and -16% on “deportations.” Full poll here: poll.qu.edu/poll-release...
Voters were asked about Trump's handling of seven issues...
• immigration issues: 43 percent approve, 54 percent disapprove, with 3 percent not offering an opinion;
• deportations: 40 percent approve, 56 percent disapprove, with 4 percent not offering an opinion;
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Zachary A Mueller @zacharyamueller.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Dem leaders have a choice: (1) grumble over a and operate in a political narrative set by right wing authoritarians or (2) help galvanize the outrage and paint the story about how the GOP is weaponizing nativism to undermine American democracy a devastating blow to all working Americans.
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Perry Bacon @perrybaconjr.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
wapo.st/3HzKY2w
wapo.st
Opinion | Sending the National Guard is bad. Arresting 3,000 a day is worse.
ICE arrest quota for immigrants echoes stop-and-frisk policies of police departments
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United Farm Workers @ufw.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
We feed you. They hunt us.
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Tess Owen @tessowen.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
"You create a sense of existential fear that social anarchy is spreading, that criminal gangs are taking over. This is the language of authoritarianism all over the world," @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social told me www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
‘The language of authoritarianism’: how Trump and allies cast LA as a lawless city needing military intervention
As a pretext to sending in the national guard, the White House marked the Ice protests as a broader threat to the US
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Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
this is really important article and thread from @gregsargent.bsky.social Stephen Miller runs the White House, DOJ, DHS and State He's the evil white nationalist mastermind who is wreaking havoc in communities around the country More people are seeing what he actually wants - and hate it
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