David Nir
@davidnir.com
Publisher, @the-downballot.com. davidnir (at) the-downballot (dot) com
Our site: https://the-downballot.com
Our site: https://the-downballot.com
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David Nir
@davidnir.com
· Oct 20
Me 'n' @kailigray.bsky.social at No Kings on Oct. 18, 2025. Frogs together strong!
Reposted by David Nir
Holy fuck they actually did it
January 8, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Holy fuck they actually did it
I don't want to see any under-charging. I don't want to see any mishandling of evidence. I goddamn certainly don't want to see any prosecutors sleeping with investigators. There's a ton of pressure here, and the circumstances are utterly tragic, but they have to get this absolutely, perfectly right.
January 8, 2026 at 11:39 PM
I don't want to see any under-charging. I don't want to see any mishandling of evidence. I goddamn certainly don't want to see any prosecutors sleeping with investigators. There's a ton of pressure here, and the circumstances are utterly tragic, but they have to get this absolutely, perfectly right.
Style question: do we capitalize “rocky road” ice cream? Asking for me.
Linda Parks ran an absolutely bizarre ad that finished with her saying (apropos nothing):
"I'm Linda Parks. I'm running for Congress, and I approve this message. And my favorite ice cream is ... rocky road!"
"I'm Linda Parks. I'm running for Congress, and I approve this message. And my favorite ice cream is ... rocky road!"
Linda Parks Independent for Congress
YouTube video by Linda Parks
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Style question: do we capitalize “rocky road” ice cream? Asking for me.
Someone ought to start keeping a whip list of representatives calling for Noem's impeachment—this is at least the third one I've seen so far today. (I'd do so myself but I'm about to head out of town.) This one could have legs.
This cannot stand. Which is why we will be joining Rep. Robin Kelly to file articles of impeachment against Secretary Noem in the coming days.
January 8, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Someone ought to start keeping a whip list of representatives calling for Noem's impeachment—this is at least the third one I've seen so far today. (I'd do so myself but I'm about to head out of town.) This one could have legs.
Reposted by David Nir
"This was a family that could've been like mine" -- Philip Bump breaks down crying on MS NOW when talking about the stuffed animals in Renee Good's car when she was killed
January 8, 2026 at 5:23 PM
"This was a family that could've been like mine" -- Philip Bump breaks down crying on MS NOW when talking about the stuffed animals in Renee Good's car when she was killed
Reposted by David Nir
Process critiques of monsters actually help the monsters. This type of criticism is like saying the real problem with Godzilla was that jay walked.
By refusing to coordinate with local law enforcement, ICE is not making our community safe. It is making it less safe.
www.startribune.com/she-was-an-a...
www.startribune.com/she-was-an-a...
‘She was an amazing human being’: Mother identifies woman shot, killed by ICE agent
Renee Nicole Good, 37, lived in Minneapolis with her partner just blocks from where she was shot.
www.startribune.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Process critiques of monsters actually help the monsters. This type of criticism is like saying the real problem with Godzilla was that jay walked.
Reposted by David Nir
The candidate lineups are now set for critical supreme court elections in Wisconsin and North Carolina. Each could have a major impact in the coming years in the battles to control each swing state's highest court.
Morning Digest: Two key supreme court races in swing states are underway
Liberals hope to expand their majority in Wisconsin and avoid falling further behind in North Carolina
www.the-downballot.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:06 PM
The candidate lineups are now set for critical supreme court elections in Wisconsin and North Carolina. Each could have a major impact in the coming years in the battles to control each swing state's highest court.
Couldn't agree more with every word of this thread, including Ken's observations about etiquette.
First, it's factually wrong. There will be elections in 2026 and 2028 under Trump, just like there were elections last year under Trump and during his first term. This despite one of the two major parties now harboring a lot of anti-democratic elements and ideas.
January 8, 2026 at 4:13 AM
Couldn't agree more with every word of this thread, including Ken's observations about etiquette.
Reposted by David Nir
Rep. Steny Hoyer, who spent two decades as the number-two Democrat in the House, tells the Washington Post he will not seek reelection. Hoyer, 86, jokes of his retirement, "At this young age, it’s probably premature."
Rep. Steny Hoyer to retire, ending storied career in elected office
Maryland’s longest serving member of Congress won’t seek reelection after having spent two decades as the No. 2 House Democrat.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:03 AM
Rep. Steny Hoyer, who spent two decades as the number-two Democrat in the House, tells the Washington Post he will not seek reelection. Hoyer, 86, jokes of his retirement, "At this young age, it’s probably premature."
Reposted by David Nir
Wrote a piece for @slate.com explaining that states have a long history of prosecuting federal officers when they allegedly use excessive force. Federal officers are only immune from such prosecutions when they act reasonably in carrying out lawful duties.
Minnesota Could Prosecute the ICE Shooter. Trump Can’t Pardon Him.
Shortly after an ICE officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, city leaders began looking into whether the officer had violated state criminal law.
slate.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Wrote a piece for @slate.com explaining that states have a long history of prosecuting federal officers when they allegedly use excessive force. Federal officers are only immune from such prosecutions when they act reasonably in carrying out lawful duties.
Reposted by David Nir
one of the things i hate most about this persistent line of argument is the implication that any of these actions would be fine if groceries were cheaper
The White House is laser focused on threatening a military takeover of Greenland.
Where’s the same focus on lowering costs?
Where’s the same focus on lowering costs?
January 7, 2026 at 4:10 PM
one of the things i hate most about this persistent line of argument is the implication that any of these actions would be fine if groceries were cheaper
Reposted by David Nir
Turns out Democrats weren't done making gains from 2025! Politico brings us this update from Orange County, NY www.politico.com/newsletters/...
January 7, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Turns out Democrats weren't done making gains from 2025! Politico brings us this update from Orange County, NY www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by David Nir
Hot take I've been kicking around; in 2027, a Dem House could simply not invite POTUS to give SOTU in the chamber.
Absorb the "but the norms" backlash, sell it as a co-equal branch reasserting itself. And if a Dem wins WH in 2029, let the tradition stay dead, to deflate the imperial presidency.
Absorb the "but the norms" backlash, sell it as a co-equal branch reasserting itself. And if a Dem wins WH in 2029, let the tradition stay dead, to deflate the imperial presidency.
“Trump warns of third impeachment if House Republicans lose midterms” electionlawblog.org?p=153740
"Trump warns of third impeachment if House Republicans lose midterms" #ELB
WaPo: President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned that Democrats would “find a reason to impeach me” if the GOP lost control of Congress — using the prediction to pressure lawmakers to unify behind a nar...
electionlawblog.org
January 7, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Hot take I've been kicking around; in 2027, a Dem House could simply not invite POTUS to give SOTU in the chamber.
Absorb the "but the norms" backlash, sell it as a co-equal branch reasserting itself. And if a Dem wins WH in 2029, let the tradition stay dead, to deflate the imperial presidency.
Absorb the "but the norms" backlash, sell it as a co-equal branch reasserting itself. And if a Dem wins WH in 2029, let the tradition stay dead, to deflate the imperial presidency.
Reposted by David Nir
Ordinarily, special elections that take place after redistricting but before the next general election use old district lines—but not always. A summer 2022 special election for Nebraska’s 1st District was held using the state’s new map, a move that did not face a legal challenge.
California last year passed a new map that transforms the late Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa's safely red district into a seat Kamala Harris would have carried by double digits. But which set of maps will be used in the upcoming special election to replace him?
Morning Digest: Here's how Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa's seat will be filled
One big question looms: Will California use its new, much bluer map?
www.the-downballot.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Ordinarily, special elections that take place after redistricting but before the next general election use old district lines—but not always. A summer 2022 special election for Nebraska’s 1st District was held using the state’s new map, a move that did not face a legal challenge.
Very surprised to see Jones throw even the slightest bit of shade at Biden, but good. He would have been a far superior attorney general.
January 6, 2021 was a double gut punch for me. First, I get the call that I would not be the next Attorney General. Then, I saw what you saw as the attack on the Capitol unfolded. We can never forget what we saw that day. We cannot allow anyone to rewrite the history of that day.” #January 6th
January 6, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Very surprised to see Jones throw even the slightest bit of shade at Biden, but good. He would have been a far superior attorney general.
Reposted by David Nir
one takeaway from the grok noncon porn thing is that much of the media just isn't interested in an issue they can't pretend has two sides or that doesn't give them an opportunity to shit on the left. Also it would be uncomfortable to justify remaining on twitter after acknowledging it
January 6, 2026 at 9:06 PM
one takeaway from the grok noncon porn thing is that much of the media just isn't interested in an issue they can't pretend has two sides or that doesn't give them an opportunity to shit on the left. Also it would be uncomfortable to justify remaining on twitter after acknowledging it
Reposted by David Nir
Heyo! Special elections are back on the menu, starting tonight! One GOP state House seat in South Carolina stands out as potentially flippable for Ds. Background in today's newsletter, though one extra detail: The Dem is best known as "Dr. SOS."
www.the-downballot.com/p/morning-di...
www.the-downballot.com/p/morning-di...
January 6, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Heyo! Special elections are back on the menu, starting tonight! One GOP state House seat in South Carolina stands out as potentially flippable for Ds. Background in today's newsletter, though one extra detail: The Dem is best known as "Dr. SOS."
www.the-downballot.com/p/morning-di...
www.the-downballot.com/p/morning-di...
It's hard to overstate the comeuppance here. The WY Supreme Court just upheld the right to an abortion based on a state constitutional amendment pushed by *conservatives* that was designed to thwart Obamacare!
This is great news—and the decision relies on the state constitution’s right to “health care freedom,” which I wrote about last year: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
January 6, 2026 at 5:26 PM
It's hard to overstate the comeuppance here. The WY Supreme Court just upheld the right to an abortion based on a state constitutional amendment pushed by *conservatives* that was designed to thwart Obamacare!
Reposted by David Nir
This is great news—and the decision relies on the state constitution’s right to “health care freedom,” which I wrote about last year: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
January 6, 2026 at 5:09 PM
This is great news—and the decision relies on the state constitution’s right to “health care freedom,” which I wrote about last year: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by David Nir
Cunningham voted with the GOP to override a Stein veto of a bill that requires local NC law enforcement to work more closely with ICE. This is how she explained her vote:
January 6, 2026 at 7:03 AM
Cunningham voted with the GOP to override a Stein veto of a bill that requires local NC law enforcement to work more closely with ICE. This is how she explained her vote:
Oh yeah, hard same (he says while watching the Knicks get steamrolled at a sports bar because we can’t watch the game at home because PEACOCK)
January 6, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Oh yeah, hard same (he says while watching the Knicks get steamrolled at a sports bar because we can’t watch the game at home because PEACOCK)
Reposted by David Nir
The Downballot’s Morning Digest is back, and we’re here to get you caught up on all the election news that broke over the holidays!
Morning Digest: Get caught up on all the latest election news with The Downballot!
Some major stories broke over the holidays. We've rounded them all up.
www.the-downballot.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:04 PM
The Downballot’s Morning Digest is back, and we’re here to get you caught up on all the election news that broke over the holidays!
Good read from Josh.
"Someone told me earlier that this was like Trump taking his ICE raids global. And yeah, it pretty much is. Trump does what he wants, like one does with things one owns."
"Someone told me earlier that this was like Trump taking his ICE raids global. And yeah, it pretty much is. Trump does what he wants, like one does with things one owns."
First Thoughts on Trump’s Excellent Venezuela Adventure talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/first...
First Thoughts on Trump’s Excellent Venezuela Adventure
Let me share a few thoughts about the US action overnight in...
talkingpointsmemo.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Good read from Josh.
"Someone told me earlier that this was like Trump taking his ICE raids global. And yeah, it pretty much is. Trump does what he wants, like one does with things one owns."
"Someone told me earlier that this was like Trump taking his ICE raids global. And yeah, it pretty much is. Trump does what he wants, like one does with things one owns."
There are two, maybe 2.5 over-arching issues animating American politics right now:
• the affordability crisis
• Trump's deep unpopularity
• the Epstein files (that's the 0.5)
What happened in Venezuela addresses none of these.
• the affordability crisis
• Trump's deep unpopularity
• the Epstein files (that's the 0.5)
What happened in Venezuela addresses none of these.
January 3, 2026 at 6:05 PM
There are two, maybe 2.5 over-arching issues animating American politics right now:
• the affordability crisis
• Trump's deep unpopularity
• the Epstein files (that's the 0.5)
What happened in Venezuela addresses none of these.
• the affordability crisis
• Trump's deep unpopularity
• the Epstein files (that's the 0.5)
What happened in Venezuela addresses none of these.
Reposted by David Nir
mamdani administration not doing enough about the knicks injury situation @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social the situation in the paint is untenable sir
January 3, 2026 at 1:55 AM
mamdani administration not doing enough about the knicks injury situation @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social the situation in the paint is untenable sir