Author | Lightnews

Alexandra Chandler

@alexandrachandler.bsky.social

1.3K followers 360 following 200 posts

Director for elections & natsec @protectdemocracy.org. Board member @gladlaw.bsky.social. Former IC analyst. Astronomy and history geek. Lover of spooky music. Trans, wife, and mom. Views mine.

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · Jan 30

Whatever this Administration thinks, trans people serve our country, and we will still be serving after you are gone.

This is my official photo from 2012. I was a division chief leading analysts against WMD proliferation. It was on the command leadership wall.

We are strong and we will prevail.

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · 3d

Do you want me to tell you about how elections next week fit into protecting the 2026 election against Trump’s future attempts to rig them? Of course you do.

I wrote a thing with my brilliant teammate Emily. It’s a scary movie, but a predictable one. And I do believe the good guys will win.

The underlying tension haunting the 2025 election

And what it could mean for 2026

www.ifyoucankeepit.org

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · 17d

Thanks to (now retired) Col. Krugman for this. So well said. Though I wasn’t active duty but a civilian DoD intelligence analyst, his reasoning echoes mine when I left in ‘17.

Our best natsec people should keep serving as long as they can, but it’s also important to draw lines and know when to go.

Opinion | I resigned from the military because of Trump

I could not swear to follow a commander in chief who seems so willing to disregard the Constitution.

www.washingtonpost.com

Reposted by Alexandra Chandler

Ian Bassin @ianbassin.bsky.social · 19d

As SCOTUS weighs further gutting the Voting Rights Act, we filed a brief on behalf of Republican members of Congress who last voted to reauthorize it, warning the Court not to disregard decades of bipartisan congressional fact-finding and Congress' role. protectdemocracy.org/work/former-...

Former Republican members of Congress file amicus brief supporting the Voting Rights Act in the U.S. Supreme Court

The brief emphasizes that Section 2 represents a durable, bipartisan legislative achievement that reflects Congress's constitutional responsibility to protect voting rights.

protectdemocracy.org

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · 19d

Good for my alma mater. I was furious when they surrendered to the Administration’s blackmail settlement and made trans students and staff 2nd class members of Brunonia.

This is a step away from capitulation and toward academic freedom and civil rights.

And a step toward earning back my trust.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 19d

Breaking News: Brown University became the second college to reject a White House deal offering preferential treatment for federal grants.

Brown University Rejects White House Deal for Special Treatment

Brown was the second university to turn down the deal, which would have given a funding preference to universities that agreed to certain requirements.

nyti.ms

Reposted by Alexandra Chandler

The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · Oct 3

"I think in a free country we should be able to post onto the internet, 'hey, there are masked agents on Broadway and Vine and not have the government or the tech oligarchs prevent us from doing that.' Shame on you, Tim Cook."

@radiofreetom.bsky.social joins @timmiller.bsky.social:

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · Oct 3

We need more of this. Not the all caps part.

We must make universities who would sell out students more afraid of accountability for their actions than of this Administration. As Disney learned.

As others in business and govt must learn. There aren’t enough sweetheart deals or pardons for all.

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · Oct 2

IF ANY CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY SIGNS THIS RADICAL AGREEMENT, THEY'LL LOSE BILLIONS IN STATE FUNDING — INCLUDING CAL GRANTS — INSTANTLY.

CALIFORNIA WILL NOT BANKROLL SCHOOLS THAT SELL OUT THEIR STUDENTS, PROFESSORS, RESEARCHERS, AND SURRENDER ACADEMIC FREEDOM.

New York Times: "Trump Administration Asks Colleges to Sign ‘Compact’ to Get Funding Preference."

The White House asked nine top universities to pledge support for President Trump’s agenda to help ensure access to research funding.

Reposted by Alexandra Chandler

Joyce White Vance @joycewhitevance.bsky.social · Oct 3

As if irony isn’t already dead, the Hatch Act violation on the DOJ website, which blames Democrats for the shutdown, appears on the page advising DOJ employees they are subject to the Hatch Act. joycevance.substack.com/p/a-note-abo...

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · Oct 3

Dismissed because a pride flag is “political.”

While federal employees can now wear MAGA hats at work.

Someday, Republicans will regret silence at this Administration’s brazen favoritism and targeting. Each disgrace makes it harder for a future Democratic president to resist turning the tables.

Kash Patel fires FBI agent trainee for displaying gay pride flag

The FBI employee was fired on the first day of the government shutdown as President Trump threatened more terminations.

www.msnbc.com

Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · Oct 1

H/t to my father in law who pointed out that contrary to SECDEF* Hegseth, we’ve had some excellent “beardos” in the military over time. Like at Antietam.

*he says “dudes in dresses”, I’m not using his preferred name as SecWar or indulging his delusional hyper masculine gender performance as policy

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · Sep 30

As usual with this Administration, every accusation is a confession— Trump and Hegseth are bringing the “toxic ideological garbage” to DoD and making it in their chest thumping, weak image.

Russia, China, and foreign terrorists are thrilled with their speeches today and will eat our lunch.

Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · Sep 30

My takes from Trump and Hegseth’s disgraceful speeches:

- They are trying to turn the military against the American people

- The generals are not having it

- Trump and Hegseth are weak bullies, who wouldn’t be tough enough to face one day in the life of a trans person, woman, or Black person.

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Reposted by Alexandra Chandler

Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · Sep 28

On Tuesday, hundreds of U.S. generals and admirals are scheduled to attend an emergency meeting called by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Our own @alexandrachandler.bsky.social, a former intelligence analyst, outlines the stakes. Read her full take here: https://protdem.org/42SBgzU

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Reposted by Alexandra Chandler

Senator Ron Wyden @wyden.senate.gov · Sep 27

Taken just a few minutes ago outside the ICE facility in Portland that Trump claims is under siege. My message to Donald Trump is this: we don’t need you here. Stay the hell out of our city.

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Reposted by Alexandra Chandler

Senator Ron Wyden @wyden.senate.gov · Sep 27

Every single one of these clips was taken today in downtown Portland. Portland doesn’t want or need a federal takeover. If Trump insists on sending federal “resources” he can start with funding health care, bridges, affordable housing, and wildfire protection to name a few.

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David Burbach 🇺🇸🧲🌹 @dburbach.bsky.social · Sep 27

Your correspondent here in war ravaged Portland, at the moderately busy airport where lackadaisical travellers are headed to Disneyland or Spokane, no doubt fleeing for their lives. Relief supplies down to essentials like cold craft beer and marionberry jam.

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · Sep 27

Trump’s TruthSocial order to send troops to Portland is ridiculous. He is trying to look tough after losing badly in the attempt to use tragedy to cancel Kimmel and others, and for the shutdown. If he really wanted to help local LE deal with ICE protests, he’d ask.

But he wants fear and violence.

Dougal D'Arcy @mrdarcydog.bsky.social · Sep 27

War-ravaged Portland, 5 minutes ago

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Reposted by Alexandra Chandler

Jon Walker @jonwalkerpdx.bsky.social · Sep 27

As a resident of #Portland it is impossible to capture how unhinged this is. We are a low crime city and the ICE protest "siege" consists of one auxiliary ICE office that normally has at most a dozen weirdos debating what performance art they should use to block a single driveway

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Sep 27

Trump says he’s authorized Hegseth to use “Full Force” against Antifa in “War ravaged” Portland

At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · Sep 27

Troops to Portland? Illegal and absurd. But the absurdity is the point. Trump policy is to ignore real threats to US security coming from abroad and use the armed forces to pursue imaginary threats from within, thereby creating an atmosphere suitable for personal rule. (1/2)

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Chris Hayes @chrislhayes.bsky.social · Sep 25

OUR BATHROOM MIRRORS ARE VITAL TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · Sep 26

Nothing says limited government, affordability, and national security in one go like a president making cabinets, vanities and furniture more expensive.

My trio: release the Epstein files, end your police state, and don’t shut down the govt because you want to take healthcare from millions.

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · Sep 24

Trans people also invented mail in ballots, in 1798. And Hunter’s laptop. We cancelled Infrastructure Week 47 times.

We hid the remote. And we’re why your phone dies at 12%.

A possible shutdown is about millions of (non trans) people’s healthcare costs skyrocketing to pay for billionaire tax cuts.

Them @them.us · Sep 24

President Donald Trump is already blaming transgender people’s civil rights for a possible government shutdown later this month.

Read more: www.them.us/story/trump-...

Trump Blames Trans People for Pending Government Shutdown in “Unhinged” Screed

Trump has declined a meeting with Democrats to discuss various appropriations bills.

www.them.us

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · Sep 23

If there is more and more of Trump playing medical doctor to the country echoing a lot of his “bring light inside the body” ivermectin / bleach advice energy from 2020, I wonder if that does anything to hurt his popularity beyond the hard MAGA-MAHA core.

The Associated Press @apnews.com · Sep 22

BREAKING: President Trump promotes unproven ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism without new evidence.

Trump promotes unproven ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism without new evidence

President Donald Trump is using the platform of the presidency to promote unproven ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism without giving new evidence.

bit.ly

Reposted by Alexandra Chandler

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · Sep 20

According to Tom Homan, for the crime Tom Homan allegedly committed, Tom Homan should have his citizenship stripped away and be renditioned to a foreign prison without receiving due process in the courts.

Sorry, Tom Homan, but those are Tom Homan's rules.

MSNBC @msnbc.com · Sep 20

EXCLUSIVE: Tom Homan was investigated for accepting $50,000 from undercover FBI agents. Trump's DOJ shut it down.

Tom Homan was investigated for accepting $50,000 from undercover FBI agents. Trump's DOJ shut it down.

The FBI and Justice officials closed the investigation, which a Justice Department appointee had called a “deep state” probe in early 2025.

www.msnbc.com

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Alexandra Chandler @alexandrachandler.bsky.social · Sep 20

Oh, and we cancelled Disney Plus and Hulu because even though I hadn’t finished Andor (don’t judge, I’m busy) there was no way to keep watching it on a platform owned by those capitulating to our would be dictator.

Meanwhile, I subscribed to @wired.com because they are unafraid. Market forces FTW.

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Reposted by Alexandra Chandler

Ben Raderstorf @raders.bsky.social · Sep 19

Read @ansleyskipper.bsky.social on the National Guard deployment you're probably not paying much attention to — and why you should be following more closely www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/domestic-d...
@protectdemocracy.org

Domestic deployment blues

The National Guard deployment to Memphis might be easy to ignore — don’t