gelbach
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gelbach.bsky.social
gelbach
@gelbach.bsky.social
6.7K followers 1.6K following 8.8K posts
Expert provider of lay opinions.

Day job: Herman F. Selvin Professor of Law at UC Berkeley Law. Opinions my own, not intended to represent UC's.
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gelbach.bsky.social
Congratulations or I’m sorry that happened to you
pbump.com Philip Bump @pbump.com · 3h
Every part of this is bonkers. The intro is bonkers. The transition to his health is bonkers. The mention that other presidents didn't need cognitive exams is bonkers. The claim that this screening test is somehow hard is bonkers. The idea that criticism of him is treason is bonkers. All of it.
There has never been a President that has worked as hard as me! My hours are the longest, and my results are among the best. I’ve stopped Eight Wars, saving many millions of lives in the process, created the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country, brought Business back into the United States at levels never seen before, rebuilt our Military, created the Largest Tax Cuts and Regulation Cuts, EVER, closed our open and very dangerous Southern Border, when previous Administrations were unable to do so, and created an “aura” around the United States of America that has led every Country in the World to respect us more than ever before. In addition to all of that, I go out of my way to do long, thorough, and very boring Medical Examinations at the Great Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, seen and supervised by top doctors, all of whom have given me PERFECT Marks — Some have even said they have never seen such Strong Results. I do these Tests because I owe it to our Country. In addition to the Medical, I have done something that no other President has done, on three separate occasions, the last one being recently, by taking what is known as a Cognitive Examination, something which few people would be able to do very well, including those working at The New York Times, and I ACED all three of them in front of large numbers of doctors and experts, most of whom I do not know. I have been told that few people have been able to “ace” this Examination and, in fact, most do very poorly, which is why many other Presidents have decided not to take it at all. Despite all of this, the time and work involved, The New York Times, and some others, like to pretend that I am “slowing up,” am maybe not as sharp as I once was, or am in poor physical health, knowing that it is not true, and knowing that I work very hard, probably harder than I have ever worked before. I will know when I am “slowing up,” but it’s not now! After all of the work I have done with Medical Exams, Cognitive Exams, and everything else, I actually believe it’s seditious, perhaps even treasonous, for The New York Times, and others, to consistently do FAKE reports in order to libel and demean “THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.” They are true Enemies of the People, and we should do something about it. They have inaccurately reported on all of my Election Results and, in fact, were forced to apologize on much of what they wrote. The best thing that could happen to this Country would be if The New York Times would cease publication because they are a horrible, biased, and untruthful “source” of information. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
December 10, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Reposted by gelbach
taniel.bsky.social
my obligatory Election Night post: if you enjoy the coverage we bring you at @boltsmag.org, and you see its unique value, consider supporting us or becoming a monthly member!

this is our end-of-year fundraising push, and you can do so in a few moments: boltsmag.org/donate
December 10, 2025 at 4:06 AM
gelbach.bsky.social
Wow
meidastouch.com MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 3h
BREAKING: Democrat Eric Gisler has won the GA HD-121 special election, Decision Desk HQ projects, flipping the seat from red to blue

Just last year, Gisler lost this district by 22 points. The district was Trump +12 in 2024.
December 10, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Reposted by gelbach
bridgetdooling.bsky.social
This is a proposal. You can read it here: public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-22461.pdf

And you can comment by emailing [email protected] and referencing OMB Control Number 1651-0111 in the subject line.
kimlanelaw.bsky.social Kim Lane Scheppele @kimlanelaw.bsky.social · 1h
All travelers from ESTA countries (yes the ones on visa waiver programs) will have to disclose 5 years of social media + huge amounts of personal data to enter the US now. All US academic associations should now meet outside the US if we want to meet our international colleagues.
clarajeffery.bsky.social Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 4h
This is INSANE www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/t...

and these are our closest allies!
December 10, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Reposted by gelbach
kimlanelaw.bsky.social
All travelers from ESTA countries (yes the ones on visa waiver programs) will have to disclose 5 years of social media + huge amounts of personal data to enter the US now. All US academic associations should now meet outside the US if we want to meet our international colleagues.
clarajeffery.bsky.social Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 4h
This is INSANE www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/t...

and these are our closest allies!
Travelers visiting the United States from countries like Britain, France, Germany and South Korea could soon have to undergo a review of up to five years of their social media history, according to a proposal filed on Tuesday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The change would affect visitors eligible for the visa waiver program, which allows people from 42 countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa as long as they first obtain electronic travel authorization. In a document filed on Tuesday in the Federal Register, C.B.P. said it plans to ask applicants for a long list of personal data including social media, email addresses from the last decade, and the names, birth dates, places of residence and birthplaces of parents, spouses, siblings and children. Under the current system, applicants from visa waiver countries must enroll in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization program. They pay $40 and submit an email address, home address, phone number and emergency contact information. The authorization is good for two years.
December 10, 2025 at 4:27 AM
gelbach.bsky.social
Truly am mystified by people who cheerfully lie, keeping it up when the lies are called
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 9h
CNN: That's not what farmers are telling you. One farmer at a town hall told you tariffs drove up prices of fertilizer

ALFORD: It was Biden that drove it up

C: That's not what the farmer told you

A: Well, that's what I'm telling you

C: Sir, excuse me. Are you listening to your constituents?
December 10, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Reposted by gelbach
pbump.com
I just read this out loud to my wife. If you have a spouse or partner, try it, especially if they don’t know what’s coming. Hearing it out loud makes the bonkers-ness sink in.

Reading this to unsuspecting people should be a TikTok meme.
pbump.com Philip Bump @pbump.com · 3h
Every part of this is bonkers. The intro is bonkers. The transition to his health is bonkers. The mention that other presidents didn't need cognitive exams is bonkers. The claim that this screening test is somehow hard is bonkers. The idea that criticism of him is treason is bonkers. All of it.
There has never been a President that has worked as hard as me! My hours are the longest, and my results are among the best. I’ve stopped Eight Wars, saving many millions of lives in the process, created the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country, brought Business back into the United States at levels never seen before, rebuilt our Military, created the Largest Tax Cuts and Regulation Cuts, EVER, closed our open and very dangerous Southern Border, when previous Administrations were unable to do so, and created an “aura” around the United States of America that has led every Country in the World to respect us more than ever before. In addition to all of that, I go out of my way to do long, thorough, and very boring Medical Examinations at the Great Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, seen and supervised by top doctors, all of whom have given me PERFECT Marks — Some have even said they have never seen such Strong Results. I do these Tests because I owe it to our Country. In addition to the Medical, I have done something that no other President has done, on three separate occasions, the last one being recently, by taking what is known as a Cognitive Examination, something which few people would be able to do very well, including those working at The New York Times, and I ACED all three of them in front of large numbers of doctors and experts, most of whom I do not know. I have been told that few people have been able to “ace” this Examination and, in fact, most do very poorly, which is why many other Presidents have decided not to take it at all. Despite all of this, the time and work involved, The New York Times, and some others, like to pretend that I am “slowing up,” am maybe not as sharp as I once was, or am in poor physical health, knowing that it is not true, and knowing that I work very hard, probably harder than I have ever worked before. I will know when I am “slowing up,” but it’s not now! After all of the work I have done with Medical Exams, Cognitive Exams, and everything else, I actually believe it’s seditious, perhaps even treasonous, for The New York Times, and others, to consistently do FAKE reports in order to libel and demean “THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.” They are true Enemies of the People, and we should do something about it. They have inaccurately reported on all of my Election Results and, in fact, were forced to apologize on much of what they wrote. The best thing that could happen to this Country would be if The New York Times would cease publication because they are a horrible, biased, and untruthful “source” of information. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
December 10, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Reposted by gelbach
mattortega.com
Only had 15 years and four different Republican House speakers since ACA was passed.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 8h
Roger Marshall on Republicans replacing the ACA: "It's gonna take us a while to figure out the right way to do it"
December 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Reposted by gelbach
hunterw.bsky.social
A lot of people are wondering where and when the resistance to Trump will happen.

When I dug in, I realized it is all around us.

Regular people are fighting back to defend their communities. talkingpointsmemo.com/feature/life...
Life Inside the Undocumented Underground
During President Donald Trump’s second term, dramatic raids staged by the Immigration...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Reposted by gelbach
johnalight.bsky.social
Following the Canal Street raid earlier this year, @hunterw.bsky.social spent weeks embedded with an underground network of New Yorkers helping immigrants to stay safe amid Trump’s constantly shifting deportation regime.

We’ll be publishing several stories highlighting what he saw.
hunterw.bsky.social Hunter Walker @hunterw.bsky.social · 12h
A lot of people are wondering where and when the resistance to Trump will happen.

When I dug in, I realized it is all around us.

Regular people are fighting back to defend their communities. talkingpointsmemo.com/feature/life...
Life Inside the Undocumented Underground
During President Donald Trump’s second term, dramatic raids staged by the Immigration...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Reposted by gelbach
johncassidysays.bsky.social
A year is a long time in politics.
kylegriffin1.bsky.social Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 5h
BREAKING:

The AP calls the Miami mayor's race for Democrat Eileen Higgins.

Higgins defeated a Trump-endorsed Republican — becoming the first Democrat in nearly three decades to win the office.
December 10, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Reposted by gelbach
jmorenocruz.bsky.social
It's happening! Canada launched two programs to recruit international researchers.

Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (1 million/yr for 8 yrs +)
Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders.

I will do my best to facilitate the process for those interested. Hit me up.

www.canada.ca/en/impact-pl...
The Government of Canada introduces new programs for international researchers - Canada.ca
www.canada.ca
December 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by gelbach
turnerjoy.bsky.social
Democrats winning the race for mayor in Miami almost certainly says a lot more than Democrat Socialists winning in New York and Seattle.

But won’t get anywhere close to the same attention.
December 10, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Reposted by gelbach
aaronsojourner.org
War on Christmas
dianamonkey.bsky.social Erin Kane @dianamonkey.bsky.social · 22d
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
The Trump Dept. of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over holidays.
thisweekinworcester.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Reposted by gelbach
propublica.org
NEW: A new congressional investigation prompted by ProPublica reporting has found that, contrary to the Trump administration’s claims, immigration agents have frequently detained and mistreated U.S. citizens.

By @nicolefoy.bsky.social
Immigration Agents Have Often Grabbed and Mistreated Citizens, Congressional Investigators Find
Prompted by ProPublica’s reporting, an investigation by Senate Democrats documented the experiences of nearly two dozen citizens wrongly detained by immigration agents, contradicting the Trump adminis...
www.propublica.org
December 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Reposted by gelbach
loc.bsky.social
It seems so painfully clear that Dems could blow this whole thing apart with just a couple weeks of sustained, disciplined messaging sowing distrust and paranoia in WH circles around 'Republicans all talk openly about how they lie and manipulate the dude who they know isn't all there anymore'
gregsargent.bsky.social Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 13h
Awful: Trump just admitted in a new interview that he knows "very little" about the Honduran ex-president he pardoned. This guy trafficked a gazillion times more drugs into the US than anyone Trump has executed. Wrecks his case for the boat bombings.

New from me:
newrepublic.com/article/2041...
Trump Accidentally Sabotages Case for Bombings in New Interview Fiasco
The president’s claims about the boat killings and his pardon of the Honduran ex-president in a new Politico interview should finally convince Republicans that they, and we, must get to the bottom of ...
newrepublic.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by gelbach
repbradsherman.bsky.social
If you believe #ICE or another federal agent has violated your civil rights or the rights of another individual, California has launched an online portal to report misconduct.

Learn more & report here: oag.ca.gov/reportmiscon...
December 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
gelbach.bsky.social
Thanks Obama
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 16h
seen on Maria Bartiromo's show
graphic showing how food prices have risen in 2025, with coffee up 100% and ground beef up 14% among other items
December 9, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by gelbach
sharonk.bsky.social
It is utterly baffling to me when universities are under threat from a repressive government under going executive backsliding, the level of analysis we seem to get from media elites at the Atlantic is "they deserved it because of their work on DEI?"
theophite.bsky.social rev. howard arson @theophite.bsky.social · 1d
the universities obviously have no responsibility for what happened whatsoever. no one in the trump administration gives a shit about the quality of universities, as you well know. they just see an enemy of authoritarianism and want to destroy it.
helenlewis.bsky.social Helen Lewis @helenlewis.bsky.social · 1d
Do the universities have no responsibility for what happened? I don’t like the leftist argument that things just happen to institutions with multi-billion dollar endowents. Their vast DEI & HR bureaucracy has failed many staff and students eg www.nytimes.com/2024/10/16/m...
December 8, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Reposted by gelbach
blakeprof.bsky.social
Universities don’t have any responsibility for the Trump administration violating federal law and the constitution by cutting off billions in funds for medical research that has absolutely no relation to “DEI”, no.
December 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
gelbach.bsky.social
”The victims of the unlawful assault campaign of illiberalism must have done SOMETHING wrong“ is quite a take.

I subscribed to @theatlantic.com for years, but this kind of thing from their writers is why I don‘t regret my recent cancellation of my subscription.
helenlewis.bsky.social Helen Lewis @helenlewis.bsky.social · 1d
Do the universities have no responsibility for what happened? I don’t like the leftist argument that things just happen to institutions with multi-billion dollar endowents. Their vast DEI & HR bureaucracy has failed many staff and students eg www.nytimes.com/2024/10/16/m...
The University of Michigan Doubled Down on D.E.I. What Went Wrong? (Published 2024)
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:53 AM
gelbach.bsky.social
Has 85k followers but
mattyglesias.bsky.social Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias.bsky.social · 2d
I sometimes forget that this is a site whose user base is self-selected not just on substantive ideological commitments but also very particular views about the power of shunning.
December 9, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Reposted by gelbach
nicolefoy.bsky.social
Hey folks 👋 I'm the reporter who revealed immigration agents detained 170+ citizens this year

My fellowship w/ProPublica has been incredible, but it wraps January. I'm looking for my next gig. Please reach out to share leads & opportunities! [email protected]
www.propublica.org/people/nicol...
Nicole Foy
ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.
www.propublica.org
December 8, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Reposted by gelbach
publichealthguy1.bsky.social
comments on here are off base. diamond has done some of the absolute best reporting in politics—especially in public health—for many, many years (including this year). making broad judgements about his character and work based on these two on-the-fly posts is ridiculous
mattnegrin.bsky.social Matt Negrin still host of Hardball on MSNBC @mattnegrin.bsky.social · 1d
washington post reporter code-switching on twitter and bluesky like a key & peele sketch
Washington Post reporter Dan Diamond on Twitter: Trump has proactively trashed media, saying he’ll get “horrible” reviews. But he’s been loose and funny. And his delivery is far tighter and on-script than usual speeches. Crowd here — packed with MAGA fans — has reliably laughed at his jokes. “I love you!” one woman yells. --- Sign of the vibe shift? 2016: Rock band CHEAP TRICK mocked idea of performing at RNC that was nominating Trump Tonight: same band is covering “Rock and Roll All Nite” to honor KISS in big finale at Trump’s Kennedy Center Honors Washington Post reporter Dan Diamond on Bluesky: Trump has proactively trashed news media — saying he knows he’ll get “horrible” reviews. He also keeps insulting audience and even some performers But crowd here — sprinkled with GOP politicians, MAGA supporters — has reliably cheered and laughed at all his jokes. “I love you!” one woman yells.
December 8, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Reposted by gelbach
teamtalaricohq.bsky.social
@jamestalarico.bsky.social sent this video to his 10,000 volunteers:

“We will make the case for why we are best positioned to win this race — but we will always treat Congresswoman Crockett with the utmost respect. She is my colleague and she is a leader in our state. She deserves nothing less.”
December 9, 2025 at 1:05 AM