John Sipher
@johnsipher.bsky.social
Former CIA clandestine service. Spycraft Entertainment, Atlantic Council, NAFO. Host of Mission implausible podcast. Friend of dogs everywhere.
“ten versus one and somehow they couldn’t find a way to subdue the guy or use a less than lethal [means]…They all carry belts and vests with 9,000 pieces of equipment on them and the best they can do is shoot a guy in the back?”
open.substack.com/pub/kenklipp...
open.substack.com/pub/kenklipp...
ICE Unloads
Immigration officers speak out: “Fuck this.”
open.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:24 PM
“ten versus one and somehow they couldn’t find a way to subdue the guy or use a less than lethal [means]…They all carry belts and vests with 9,000 pieces of equipment on them and the best they can do is shoot a guy in the back?”
open.substack.com/pub/kenklipp...
open.substack.com/pub/kenklipp...
Reposted by John Sipher
❗️Reportedly, this is a Ukrainian ground robotized drone taking three Russian soldiers into captivity.
January 27, 2026 at 10:45 AM
❗️Reportedly, this is a Ukrainian ground robotized drone taking three Russian soldiers into captivity.
And we know that Trump “guarantees” can be taken to the bank.
The Trump admin has indicated to Ukraine that US security guarantees are contingent on Kyiv first agreeing a peace deal that would likely involve ceding the Donbas region to Russia…
Scoop with FT comrades
@maxseddon.bsky.social
@henryjfoy.ft.com
@a-mackinnon.bsky.social
Scoop with FT comrades
@maxseddon.bsky.social
@henryjfoy.ft.com
@a-mackinnon.bsky.social
US links security guarantees for Ukraine to peace deal ceding territory
[FREE TO READ] Washington signalled Kyiv would receive more backing after any withdrawal from the Donbas, say people familiar with talks
as.ft.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:47 PM
And we know that Trump “guarantees” can be taken to the bank.
Reposted by John Sipher
Kristi Noem Calls On Minneapolis Residents To Stop Obstructing Murders https://theonion.com/kristi-noem-calls-on-minneapolis-residents-to-stop-obstructing-murders/
January 26, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Kristi Noem Calls On Minneapolis Residents To Stop Obstructing Murders https://theonion.com/kristi-noem-calls-on-minneapolis-residents-to-stop-obstructing-murders/
Reposted by John Sipher
Trump Alleges That Democrats Secretly Paid Alex Pretti To Be Model Citizen https://theonion.com/trump-alleges-that-democrats-secretly-paid-alex-pretti-to-be-model-citizen/
January 26, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Trump Alleges That Democrats Secretly Paid Alex Pretti To Be Model Citizen https://theonion.com/trump-alleges-that-democrats-secretly-paid-alex-pretti-to-be-model-citizen/
Reposted by John Sipher
“Trump simply does not care about people. He uses expressions of caring as a political tool, but nothing more.”
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
The Trump "Tell"
How You Can Tell He Does Not Care About An Issue
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:46 PM
“Trump simply does not care about people. He uses expressions of caring as a political tool, but nothing more.”
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by John Sipher
pretty wild statement re: Republican Chris Madel drop from race for MN governor:
"Saying he cannot support the national GOP's 'stated retribution on citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so."
"Saying he cannot support the national GOP's 'stated retribution on citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so."
January 26, 2026 at 2:14 PM
pretty wild statement re: Republican Chris Madel drop from race for MN governor:
"Saying he cannot support the national GOP's 'stated retribution on citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so."
"Saying he cannot support the national GOP's 'stated retribution on citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so."
A tiny drop of courage in the GOP?
Two weeks ago this guy announced he was providing legal help to the agent who shot Renee Good. That's how quickly the winds are shifting.
pretty wild statement re: Republican Chris Madel drop from race for MN governor:
"Saying he cannot support the national GOP's 'stated retribution on citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so."
"Saying he cannot support the national GOP's 'stated retribution on citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so."
January 26, 2026 at 3:42 PM
A tiny drop of courage in the GOP?
A stunning read. As an aside, Senator Grassley should be ashamed of himself. (gift article)
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Inside Kash Patel’s F.B.I.: Meltdowns, Chaos, Vendettas (Gift Article)
Forty-five current and former employees on the changes they say are undermining the agency and making America less safe.
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:22 PM
A stunning read. As an aside, Senator Grassley should be ashamed of himself. (gift article)
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
“In Ron DeSantis’s Florida…parents at one Miami school received a notice that their first graders would need a signed permission slip to “participate and listen to a book written by an African American.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/b...
Can American Children Point to America on a Map?
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:45 AM
“In Ron DeSantis’s Florida…parents at one Miami school received a notice that their first graders would need a signed permission slip to “participate and listen to a book written by an African American.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/b...
Reposted by John Sipher
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
January 25, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
Reposted by John Sipher
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
January 25, 2026 at 10:39 PM
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
Reposted by John Sipher
Just released my free weekend update. This week answered an important riddle. How was the US to be paid from seized Russian assets? why the new "Board of Peace" is the perfect vehicle. Completely unaccountable and unsanctionable, it is a corrupt ruler’s dream. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Weekend Update #169: A Corruption Riddle Solved
Zelensky's Speech In Davos; Ukrainian Plans To Waste The Russian Military
open.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Just released my free weekend update. This week answered an important riddle. How was the US to be paid from seized Russian assets? why the new "Board of Peace" is the perfect vehicle. Completely unaccountable and unsanctionable, it is a corrupt ruler’s dream. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by John Sipher
Reposted by John Sipher
They are telling us in unequivocal terms that if you show solidarity with immigrants who are in the literal crosshairs of Trump/MAGA, you're risking a death sentence.
newrepublic.com/article/2055...
newrepublic.com/article/2055...
January 24, 2026 at 6:27 PM
They are telling us in unequivocal terms that if you show solidarity with immigrants who are in the literal crosshairs of Trump/MAGA, you're risking a death sentence.
newrepublic.com/article/2055...
newrepublic.com/article/2055...
Reposted by John Sipher
What Miller is really saying is that we can kill whomever we want and then make up a bullshit story contradicted by evidence and get away with it.
January 24, 2026 at 7:37 PM
What Miller is really saying is that we can kill whomever we want and then make up a bullshit story contradicted by evidence and get away with it.
Reposted by John Sipher
Imagine having to defend your fatally shot son from Stephen Miller's slurs that he was a "domestic terrorist" trying to "assassinate" ICE officers. This is what Trump and Trumpism has brought to the United States.
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
January 25, 2026 at 3:57 AM
Imagine having to defend your fatally shot son from Stephen Miller's slurs that he was a "domestic terrorist" trying to "assassinate" ICE officers. This is what Trump and Trumpism has brought to the United States.
Reposted by John Sipher
We're having a Kent State every week.
January 25, 2026 at 4:04 AM
We're having a Kent State every week.
Reposted by John Sipher
Leadership starts at home.
JD Vance continues to appease a base that directs racist attacks at his wife.
He prioritizes his political standing over his own family.
This is the behavior of a man who values power more than principles
JD Vance continues to appease a base that directs racist attacks at his wife.
He prioritizes his political standing over his own family.
This is the behavior of a man who values power more than principles
January 25, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Leadership starts at home.
JD Vance continues to appease a base that directs racist attacks at his wife.
He prioritizes his political standing over his own family.
This is the behavior of a man who values power more than principles
JD Vance continues to appease a base that directs racist attacks at his wife.
He prioritizes his political standing over his own family.
This is the behavior of a man who values power more than principles
“It is not Trump’s genius to recognize America’s unused strength; it is his blindness to see that our strength was a function of our restraint.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/o...
Opinion | Trump Just Proved Carney’s Point
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:28 AM
“It is not Trump’s genius to recognize America’s unused strength; it is his blindness to see that our strength was a function of our restraint.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/o...