Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Edwin Eisendrath

@eisendrath.net

One year ago the age of monsters arrived. On that day Donald Trump formed a government dedicated to the proposition that everything is his.

January 20, 2026 at 5:06 PM

Edwin Eisendrath

@eisendrath.net

Senator you are asking the wrong question. The right question is when will Congress get rid of him.

Senator Mark Warner @markwarner.bsky.social · 4d

Despite Trump’s promises, grocery prices are still rising fast. Families can’t afford this… when is he going to get serious about lowering costs?

January 20, 2026 at 3:09 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Jack Jenkins

@jackjenkins.me

NEW: Three top U.S. Catholic clerics — Cardinals Cupich (Chicago), McElroy (Washington DC) and Tobin (Newark) — have issued a joint statement railing against recent U.S. foreign policy moves regarding Ukraine, Venezuela, and Greenland.

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
The Roman Catholic
/ Archdiocese of Washington
ARCHDIOCESE of NEWARK
NEWS
Three Catholic Cardinals Issue Rare Joint Statement on the Morality of U.S. Foreign Policy
Cardinals Cupich, McElroy and Tobin cite Pope Leo XIV's direction to diplomats Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Newark, (Jan. 19, 2026) - Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., archbishop of Newark today issued a strongly worded statement measuring U.S. foreign policy against the principles set forth by Pope Leo XIV in his Jan. 9, 2026 address to members of the diplomatic corps accredited the Holy See.
Commenting on the statement, Cardinal Cupich stated, "As pastors entrusted with the teaching of our people, we cannot stand by while decisions are made that condemn millions to lives trapped permanently at the edge of existence. Pope Leo has given us clear direction and we must apply his teachings to the conduct of our nation and its leaders."
Cardinal McElroy offered these thoughts: "Catholic social teaching testifies that when national interest narrowly conceived excludes the moral imperative of solidarity among nations and the dignity of the human person, it brings immense suffering to the world and a catastrophic assault on the just peace that benefits every nation and is the will of God." Further he noted, "In our current national debate about the fundamental contours of American foreign policy, we ignore this reality at the cost of our country's truest interests and the best traditions of this land that we love."
Cardinal Tobin remarked that, "Recent events, including participation in last week's consistory in Rome with Pope Leo and brother cardinals from across the world, convince me of the need to underscore the vision of Pope Leo for just and peaceful relations among nations. Otherwise, escalating threats and armed conflict risk destroying international relations and plunging the …

as a gift and desirable good in itself, or in pursuit of "the establishment of the ordered universe willed by God with a more perfect form of justice among men and women." Instead, peace is sought through weapons as a condition for asserting one's own dominion.
Pope Leo also reiterates Catholic teaching that "the protection of the right to life constitutes the indispensable foundation for every other human right" and that abortion and euthanasia are destructive of that right. He points to the need for international aid to safeguard the most central elements of human dignity, which are under assault because of the movement by wealthy nations to reduce or eliminate their contributions to humanitarian foreign assistance programs. Finally, the Holy Father points to the increasing violations of conscience and religious freedom in the name of an ideological or religious purity that crushes freedom itself.
As pastors and citizens, we embrace this vision for the establishment of a genuinely moral foreign policy for our nation. We seek to build a truly just and lasting peace, that peace which Jesus proclaimed in the Gospel. We renounce war as an instrument for narrow national interests and proclaim that military action must be seen only as a last resort in extreme situations, not a normal instrument of national policy. We seek a foreign policy that respects and advances the right to human life, religious liberty, and the enhancement of human dignity throughout the world, especially through economic assistance.
Our nation's debate on the moral foundation for American policy is beset by polarization, partisanship, and narrow economic and social interests. Pope Leo has given us the prism through which to raise it to a much higher level. We will preach, teach, and advocate in the coming months to make that higher level possible.
Signed,
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbish…

January 19, 2026 at 3:36 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Carl Quintanilla

@carlquintanilla.bsky.social

WSJ EDITORIAL BOARD: “.. He seems to think that if he captures Greenland, history will remember him as another Thomas Jefferson (Louisiana purchase) or William Seward (Alaska). The cost of his afflatus to U.S. interests will be greater than he imagines.”

@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...

January 19, 2026 at 3:40 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Will Bunch

@willbunch.bsky.social

If protesters were getting paid, there's be a massive chain of solicitations, emails that would easily prove the case. There is none

Any TV interviewer needs to demand proof when this claim is made and end the interview when it's not provided

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

Rep. Byron Donalds: "These agitators -- who by the way are paid, folks. America, they are paid to do this kind of mess."

January 19, 2026 at 3:41 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Bill Grueskin

@bgrueskin.bsky.social

This is extraordinary.

They aren’t just kicking the ICE agents out.

They’re temporarily closing the hotel altogether due to “heightened safety concerns in St. Paul.”

Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 2d

ICE agents at a hotel in St. Paul woke up this morning to news that they’re getting kicked out of their hotel today at noon.

Bill Melugin v @BillMelugin_•1h
NEW: I'm told multiple ICE agents with rooms booked at the St. Paul Downtown Doubletree by Hilton received this notice today that their rooms are being cancelled & the hotel will temporarily close "due to heightened public safety concerns in St. Paul."
I called the hotel & checked online & they are indeed not taking any bookings right now.
They referred me to other hotels.
I'm told this also happened today at the Intercontinental St. Paul, with ICE agents with bookings there notified the hotel will be temporarily closing today due to the ongoing unrest in Minnesota. An agent who talked to the front desk manager there says he was told it was done to protect staff because they have been getting threats from unknown individuals for lodging DHS agents.

DOUBLETREE
by Hilton"
ST. PAUL DOWNTOWN
Deat
Room # *
Please know that your safety and well-being will always be our top priority.
Due to heightened public safety concerns in St. Paul, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close our hotel, and your reservation will be canceled effective Sunday, January 18, 2026 by 12PM. We are taking this step out of care for you, our team members, and the surrounding community.
Due to your unexpected departure, our team can assist you with alternate accommodations if needed. To support you during this difficult transition and as a gesture of goodwill, we can either refund your last night's stay or pay your first night's stay at your new hotel at the same rate as your canceled reservation with us.
Thank you for understanding during this challenging time.
With warmest regards,
DoubleTree St. Paul Team

January 18, 2026 at 4:47 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Josh Marshall

@joshtpm.bsky.social

This is important & revealing. Gallego is from AZ. He ran to the right of Dems in 2024 on immigration. The fact he's saying this speaks volumes. He sees where the public is on ICE. Tear it down. Build another non-police-state-freak-show immigration enforcement agency.

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 3d

Arizona’s @gallego.senate.gov : "I think ICE needs to be totally torn down… People want immigration enforcement that goes after criminals, not the goon squad that has come from Stephen Miller and Trump."

January 18, 2026 at 5:25 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Julia Carrie Wong

@joolia.bsky.social

fwiw these are unionized hotels and their local sent a formal request to employers not to accept ICE bookings or allow ICE to use their facilities www.facebook.com/share/p/1aV9...

Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 2d

ICE agents at a hotel in St. Paul woke up this morning to news that they’re getting kicked out of their hotel today at noon.

January 18, 2026 at 5:26 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Ana Marie Cox

@anamariecox.bsky.social

This is an occupation.

Will Stancil @whstancil.bsky.social · 3d

NOEM IS LYING. I have seen people get taken! It was the same each time: armed men racing out of a blacked-out SUV, seizing a screaming or fleeing pedestrian, and pulling them into the car without any attempt to even learn their identity. Always a person alone on the street. Always a person of color.

January 18, 2026 at 5:06 PM

Edwin Eisendrath

@eisendrath.net

www.hallmarkornaments.com/assets/image...

January 18, 2026 at 1:29 AM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Rex Huppke

@rexhuppke.bsky.social

ICE can’t handle ice is and shall remain objectively funny. You’d think snowflakes wouldn’t struggle with other forms of frozen water.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 3d

Tricia McLaughlin: "They are pouring cold water on the ground so that our ICE law enforcement vehicles will slide, crash, and potentially kill them"

January 17, 2026 at 7:21 PM

Edwin Eisendrath

@eisendrath.net

LISTEN: Religion reporter @jackjenkins.me talks about the on-going faith based efforts to protect communities from ICE. He says it's the largest he's seen in recent memory. @lincolnsquare.media
www.lincolnsquare.media/p/what-does-...

How Christian Nationalism Fuses Religion & Politics | It's The Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath & Reporter Jack Jenkins

"I don't know if we're having a theological battle or a political one."

www.lincolnsquare.media

January 17, 2026 at 7:49 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Elizabeth N. Saunders

@profsaunders.bsky.social

French troops deploying to Greenland because the United States might try to take it over.

Today in 2026 sentences.

🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 @militarynewsua.bsky.social · 4d

❗️An initial group of 🇫🇷French mountain troops has arrived in 🇬🇱Greenland to prepare for the reception and deployment of the main contingent. French authorities have stated that additional land, aviation, and naval units will be dispatched in the coming days.

January 16, 2026 at 8:59 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Nicholas Thompson

@nxthompson.bsky.social

Lots of presidents have profited after leaving the White House. But no one has done anything at this scale while still in office. www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...

January 17, 2026 at 3:16 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Taniel

@taniel.bsky.social

Spanberger is now governor of Virginia, ending the Youngkin era and returning the state to full Democratic control.

January 17, 2026 at 7:35 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Lincoln Square

@lincolnsquare.media

Since Trump came down that infamous escalator, Republicans have missed every off-ramp on the highway to fascism. They will protect Trump to hold on to power no matter the cost to Americans.

Read the latest from @eisendrath.net for Lincoln Square:

open.substack.com/pub/lincolns...

The Question Isn’t Whether Democrats Will Impeach Trump. The Question Is Why Won’t Republicans?

Since Trump came down that infamous escalator, Republicans have missed every off ramp on the highway to fascism. They will protect Trump to hold on to power no matter the cost to Americans.

open.substack.com

January 17, 2026 at 2:58 AM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

loreleikelly

@loreleikelly.bsky.social

We are in it now, and Minnesota’ peaceful communities are the light brigades. Give. www.standwithminnesota.com

Stand With Minnesota

A directory of places to give to as Minnesota defends itself from ICE occupation

www.standwithminnesota.com

January 17, 2026 at 6:08 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Lincoln Square

@lincolnsquare.media

In her latest for Lincoln Square, @newsjennifer.bsky.social draws a straight line from Nick Shirley’s viral video about alleged fraud at Somali-run daycare centers to the murder of Renee Good.

Subscribe for free to read: open.substack.com/pub/lincolns...

From Viral Video to Federal Occupation: How Nick Shirley Ignited the Minneapolis ICE Surge

The MAGA operative's viral video about Minneapolis daycare centers ignited the explosive situation that gave Donald Trump an excuse to launch the largest-ever ICE occupation of an American city.

open.substack.com

January 17, 2026 at 3:09 AM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Edwin Eisendrath

@eisendrath.net

I am done listening to pundits, consultants, and influencers tell us what Democrats must do, as if the attack on American democracy and freedom is a problem that the Democratic Party must solve. This is Americans vs MAGA. My latest:

open.substack.com/pub/edwineis...

person holding sign that reads shame in front of Ice agents

January 16, 2026 at 2:49 PM

Edwin Eisendrath

@eisendrath.net

I hope you'll join me today on @heartlandsignal.bsky.social to hear about:

+ @laurajedeed.bsky.social's experience getting hired by ICE

+ @davidpepperoh.bsky.social's run for LG in Ohio

+ The editor of the @minnesotareformer.com on covering the ICE occupation there

Join me starting at 1pm CT!

Edwin Eisendrath @eisendrath.net · 4d

Minneapolis under occupation, Ohio politics, how a journalist got hired by ICE & more Saturday on @heartlandsignal.bsky.social with:

+ @laurajedeed.bsky.social
+ @davidpepperoh.bsky.social
+ J. Patrick Coolican of @minnesotareformer.com
+ @walshfreedom.bsky.social

🤳Stream 1-4 CT bit.ly/3DAcG8s

WCPT 820 Radio

The home of Chicago's Progressive Talk

bit.ly

January 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze)

@newsjennifer.bsky.social

The 'neighborhood watch- meals on wheels' type methods ⤵️ of folks around the country really merits more attention from all of us & especially national press. The Trump narrative is almost overwhelming but it's false. There are hundreds of stories to tell about people looking out for their neighbors.

Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 3d

"The “terrorists” and “Antifa” that the Trump Administration speaks of ─ aka, neighborhood groups organizing to peacefully and legally support their neighbors ─ instead generally have three goals:"
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/dispatch-f...

Make sure abducted people know their rights and that those rights are respected.

Document abductions so that federal agents cannot “disappear” people – again, many of whom are U.S. citizens or are legally in the country.

Support affected families however possible ─ mostly with food, transportation, and financial and legal assistance.

January 17, 2026 at 5:25 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

The Media and Democracy Project

@mediaanddemocracy.bsky.social

The AGSulzberger NYTimes editors continue to sanewash POTUS and normalize the fascist MAGA movement.

Today #FrontPage : a view-from-nowhere puff piece on the government agent Ross who killed #ReneeGood

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/u...

“polarizing”
“immigration crackdown”

a 🧵

Twenty years later, Mr. Ross, now an agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is once again on the front lines of a polarizing mission: the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

January 17, 2026 at 5:25 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Mads Korsager

@madskorsager.bsky.social

BREAKING: A full-scale airlift is running around the clock, transporting troops and military equipment to Greenland.
The operation is extensive, “beyond anything we’ve tried before,” a source tells DR. Danish F-35 fighter planes and warships from European allies involved.

www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...

Stor operation i gang: Fly strømmer til Grønland med europæiske soldater

I flere døgn har militære transportfly fløjet i pendulfart mellem Danmark og Grønland. Fredag aften landede et stort antal soldater i Nuuk.

www.dr.dk

January 16, 2026 at 7:10 PM

Reposted by Edwin Eisendrath

Greg Sargent

@gregsargent.bsky.social

Trump is privately worried about the "optics" of ICE raids and his advisers are looking for ways to soften them, Axios reports. I'm calling bullshit: The terror and violence cannot be hived off from the broader policy agenda. They are 100% intrinsic to it.

New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2053...