Christopher Whitaker
@civicwhitaker.com
Civic Technologist | Executive Director, Alliance of Civic Technologists | Army Veteran | Alumni of Code for America, Defense Digital Service and USDS #civictech #chicago
Really doesn’t like bullies
Signal: civicwhitaker.53
Really doesn’t like bullies
Signal: civicwhitaker.53
Pinned
Christopher Whitaker
@civicwhitaker.com
· Nov 10
Home
ACT is a decentralized network of civic tech volunteer organizations.
www.civictechnologists.org
#Introductions
Hi, I'm Christopher Whitaker & I'm a civic technologist w/ a hybrid background as a product manager & bureaucrat. I currently serve as director of the Alliance of Civic Technologists - a network of local #civictech volunteer groups. www.civictechnologists.org
Army vet / #chicago
Hi, I'm Christopher Whitaker & I'm a civic technologist w/ a hybrid background as a product manager & bureaucrat. I currently serve as director of the Alliance of Civic Technologists - a network of local #civictech volunteer groups. www.civictechnologists.org
Army vet / #chicago
After it’s over, really over, one of the tasks will be getting a small army of cybersecurity people & going over everything DOGE touched with a fine tooth comb and a willingness to nuke infrastructure from orbit & start fresh if necessary #civictech
While DOGE was under a TRO at SSA, they entered a "voter data agreement" with an org aiming to "overturn election results"--without review or approval.
SSA also concedes they "have not been able to determine what data [DOGE] shared" & have no way to know.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
SSA also concedes they "have not been able to determine what data [DOGE] shared" & have no way to know.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:18 PM
After it’s over, really over, one of the tasks will be getting a small army of cybersecurity people & going over everything DOGE touched with a fine tooth comb and a willingness to nuke infrastructure from orbit & start fresh if necessary #civictech
We also did a panel at @chihacknight.org talking about this post - you can watch it here!
www.wethebuilders.org/posts/one-ye...
#civictech
www.wethebuilders.org/posts/one-ye...
#civictech
January 20, 2026 at 8:05 PM
We also did a panel at @chihacknight.org talking about this post - you can watch it here!
www.wethebuilders.org/posts/one-ye...
#civictech
www.wethebuilders.org/posts/one-ye...
#civictech
@civictechallies.bsky.social, @wethebuilders.org & @publicgood.tech have a blog post out today about what we know the Trump Administration means for #civictech
A thread!
www.wethebuilders.org/posts/one-ye...
A thread!
www.wethebuilders.org/posts/one-ye...
One year in: what we know the Trump administration means for public interest technology | We the Builders
For decades, we've done our jobs in the background. We helped with filing taxes, getting veterans' benefits, applying for financial aid, refugees navigating immigration, everyone find vaccines, parent...
www.wethebuilders.org
January 20, 2026 at 7:04 PM
@civictechallies.bsky.social, @wethebuilders.org & @publicgood.tech have a blog post out today about what we know the Trump Administration means for #civictech
A thread!
www.wethebuilders.org/posts/one-ye...
A thread!
www.wethebuilders.org/posts/one-ye...
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
The shadow cabinet idea was a great idea and should have been implemented a year ago. Would have presented an organized, unified response to the chaos, issue by issue, by people with expertise.
Democrats could act like a real opposition party, refusing to validate Trump malfeasance with votes, and setting up a shadow cabinet that regularly communicates how Democrats would be different. But nah.
It’s not only a majority of Democratic voters that hate this approach. US allies see it too.
It’s not only a majority of Democratic voters that hate this approach. US allies see it too.
The incredibly lukewarm Democratic response on Greenland is being noticed in Europe, incidentally.
Chuck Schumer not finding a stronger word than “quixotic” for Trump’s plan to seize Greenland has been name checked to me more than once.
Chuck Schumer not finding a stronger word than “quixotic” for Trump’s plan to seize Greenland has been name checked to me more than once.
January 18, 2026 at 11:29 PM
The shadow cabinet idea was a great idea and should have been implemented a year ago. Would have presented an organized, unified response to the chaos, issue by issue, by people with expertise.
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
This is a bullshit blueanon account. That is not what the call-up was announced as. Walz is not sending the NG to fight DHS. He is not starting a Civil War. It is a normal call-up for public safety and crowd control. Stop listening to dipshit random accounts.
January 17, 2026 at 10:50 PM
This is a bullshit blueanon account. That is not what the call-up was announced as. Walz is not sending the NG to fight DHS. He is not starting a Civil War. It is a normal call-up for public safety and crowd control. Stop listening to dipshit random accounts.
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
once again the real divide in the Dem party is fight/don’t fight and it is extremely encouraging to see one of the more centrist standard bearers firmly on Team Fight
Wow
The night before Spanberger’s inauguration
She’s cleared house at UVA
Top Youngkin appointees resign
Spanberger should be able to easily replace them given Dem trifecta
The former CIA officer asserting her control
The night before Spanberger’s inauguration
She’s cleared house at UVA
Top Youngkin appointees resign
Spanberger should be able to easily replace them given Dem trifecta
The former CIA officer asserting her control
January 17, 2026 at 5:33 PM
once again the real divide in the Dem party is fight/don’t fight and it is extremely encouraging to see one of the more centrist standard bearers firmly on Team Fight
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
Photo by Pierre Lavie. Yes this is me. And I threw my Leica. It landed on the bass plate with hardly a scratch. Another Photographer grabbed it along with my phone and I was able to track him later. I was held face down tear gas deployed right in front of me and pepper sprayed directly into the eye.
January 17, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Photo by Pierre Lavie. Yes this is me. And I threw my Leica. It landed on the bass plate with hardly a scratch. Another Photographer grabbed it along with my phone and I was able to track him later. I was held face down tear gas deployed right in front of me and pepper sprayed directly into the eye.
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
Is there any word that unions in other cities/states have signed on?
every single successful general strike in US history has had union backing through the local AFL-CIO
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
January 16, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Is there any word that unions in other cities/states have signed on?
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
Today, we're empowering those seeking a second chance.
With my signature, Illinois will create an automatic process to seal the criminal records of those convicted of non-violent crimes.
We're opening up opportunities for those re-entering society to live healthy, stable lives.
With my signature, Illinois will create an automatic process to seal the criminal records of those convicted of non-violent crimes.
We're opening up opportunities for those re-entering society to live healthy, stable lives.
January 16, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Today, we're empowering those seeking a second chance.
With my signature, Illinois will create an automatic process to seal the criminal records of those convicted of non-violent crimes.
We're opening up opportunities for those re-entering society to live healthy, stable lives.
With my signature, Illinois will create an automatic process to seal the criminal records of those convicted of non-violent crimes.
We're opening up opportunities for those re-entering society to live healthy, stable lives.
One way for civic technologists to contribute is hosting basic cybersecurity and signal training.
A thing that you can do right now to support your community is to download and install the SIGNAL messaging app and learn how to use it *before* ICE/CBP attacks your city.
signal.org
signal.org
Signal Messenger: Speak Freely
Say "hello" to a different messaging experience. An unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all of the features you expect.
signal.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:55 PM
One way for civic technologists to contribute is hosting basic cybersecurity and signal training.
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
ICE has kidnapped one of my MN News Guild siblings
January 16, 2026 at 4:03 PM
ICE has kidnapped one of my MN News Guild siblings
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
I'm going to have to add this one to my bookpile
i have been reading Tom Ricks’ “Fighting the Good War” which is a military analysis of the civil rights movement, and one thing that comes abundantly across is that movement leaders and ordinary people made it a practice to refuse to fall into despair and cynicism.
January 16, 2026 at 2:27 PM
I'm going to have to add this one to my bookpile
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
THREAD of offers of guest lectures (via Zoom) for Minneapolis-area classes so faculty can offer their students a top-quality education while dealing with other crises
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Finally, a note to the many professors in my networks: One other specific, small thing you can do from outside of Minneapolis is reach out to colleagues who are heavily affected (because of their own or their family's risk, or because they're very busy protecting neighbors) and offer a guest lecture
January 15, 2026 at 7:43 PM
THREAD of offers of guest lectures (via Zoom) for Minneapolis-area classes so faculty can offer their students a top-quality education while dealing with other crises
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
SCOOP: Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activities on the ground.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
‘ELITE’: The Palantir App ICE Uses to Find Neighborhoods to Raid
Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activit...
www.404media.co
January 15, 2026 at 2:05 PM
SCOOP: Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activities on the ground.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Not the most important thing right now, but a huge amount of respect is owed to the @unraveledpress.com press team who - after covering the entirety of the Blitz on the front lines - are now reporting in the Twin Cities
(Donate here: unraveledpress.com/support-unra...)
(Donate here: unraveledpress.com/support-unra...)
January 15, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Not the most important thing right now, but a huge amount of respect is owed to the @unraveledpress.com press team who - after covering the entirety of the Blitz on the front lines - are now reporting in the Twin Cities
(Donate here: unraveledpress.com/support-unra...)
(Donate here: unraveledpress.com/support-unra...)
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
Near Lyndale and 24th Ave in Minneapolis tonight, feds have reportedly shot another person.
Preliminary info is shaky for now, hearing two people injured.
BORTAC just rolled up in an armored vehicle. A crowd is gathering outside the police tape—MPD presence as well.
Preliminary info is shaky for now, hearing two people injured.
BORTAC just rolled up in an armored vehicle. A crowd is gathering outside the police tape—MPD presence as well.
January 15, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Near Lyndale and 24th Ave in Minneapolis tonight, feds have reportedly shot another person.
Preliminary info is shaky for now, hearing two people injured.
BORTAC just rolled up in an armored vehicle. A crowd is gathering outside the police tape—MPD presence as well.
Preliminary info is shaky for now, hearing two people injured.
BORTAC just rolled up in an armored vehicle. A crowd is gathering outside the police tape—MPD presence as well.
Reposted by Christopher Whitaker
Who’s a reliable expert here on the current legal status of fake images?
*CALIFORNIA AG LAUNCHES PROBE INTO XAI, GROK
*CALIFORNIA AG: PROBE OVER UNDRESSED, SEXUAL AI IMAGES
*CALIFORNIA AG: PROBE OVER UNDRESSED, SEXUAL AI IMAGES
January 14, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Who’s a reliable expert here on the current legal status of fake images?
Please, oh please, oh please - somebody ask the technologist in the room why this is a bad idea
It's me, I'm the technologist
It's me, I'm the technologist
January 14, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Please, oh please, oh please - somebody ask the technologist in the room why this is a bad idea
It's me, I'm the technologist
It's me, I'm the technologist