Nicholas Monck
@nicholasmonck.bsky.social
Failed vagabond | All content is my own
https://nicholasmonck.medium.com/
https://nicholasmonck.medium.com/
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Nicholas Monck
@nicholasmonck.bsky.social
· Mar 19
Nicholas Monck – Medium
Read writing from Nicholas Monck on Medium. Runner. Climber. Lawyer. I write about urban planning, access to justice, and voting rights (among other things). Opinions expressed are my own.
nicholasmonck.medium.com
Hello @bsky.app community! Its @nicholasmonck.bsky.social. I'm a #Colorado lawyer who is passionate about access to justice, voting rights, and urban planning. Also climbing, skiing, and whitewater rafting, etc. You can follow me here and on nicholasmonck.medium.com | Opinions expressed are my own.
This isn't draining the swamp, this is the mass departure of dedicated public servants. The consequences of the loss of these subject matter experts will be felt for decades.
‘It’s a Culture Now of Fear’: A Year of Chaos Inside the Justice Department
Sixty former staffers describe an environment of suspicion and intimidation within the nation’s most powerful law enforcement agency.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:06 AM
This isn't draining the swamp, this is the mass departure of dedicated public servants. The consequences of the loss of these subject matter experts will be felt for decades.
"President Donald Trump and his top White House aides pushed for lethal strikes on Western Hemisphere drug traffickers... and in the past 10 months have repeatedly steamrolled or sidestepped government lawyers who questioned whether the provocative policy was legal"
White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats
The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
"President Donald Trump and his top White House aides pushed for lethal strikes on Western Hemisphere drug traffickers... and in the past 10 months have repeatedly steamrolled or sidestepped government lawyers who questioned whether the provocative policy was legal"
The rule of law is a cornerstone of the American democratic system of government. It ensures that the United States functions as a nation governed by laws rather than by the arbitrary will of individuals.
The Rule of Law is What Makes America Great
The rule of law is a cornerstone of the American democratic system of government. It ensures that the United States functions as a nation…
nicholasmonck.medium.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The rule of law is a cornerstone of the American democratic system of government. It ensures that the United States functions as a nation governed by laws rather than by the arbitrary will of individuals.
This year, grants to 383 clinical trials have been terminated, impacting more than 74,000 people and setting back research on cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders for years to come.
Trump slashed spending on clinical trials. The toll is starting to become clear.
Grants for 383 clinical trials were terminated and the funding disruptions affected more than 74,000 trial participants, according to new research.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:51 AM
This year, grants to 383 clinical trials have been terminated, impacting more than 74,000 people and setting back research on cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders for years to come.
"In their lawsuit, the states argue that entire state governments, hospitals, schools and nonprofits could unilaterally be ruled ineligible by the secretary. They say Congress granted the benefit to all government workers, with no room for the Education Department to add limits...
Colorado joins more than 20 states in challenging Trump policy overhauling public service loan forgiveness
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said public service loan repayment is a “legal requirement and a promise to those entering into public service.”
www.denverpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:07 PM
"In their lawsuit, the states argue that entire state governments, hospitals, schools and nonprofits could unilaterally be ruled ineligible by the secretary. They say Congress granted the benefit to all government workers, with no room for the Education Department to add limits...
Trump is killing clean energy, and it’s not even helping fossil fuels. via: @highcountrynews.org
The nation’s energy dominance falters - High Country News
Trump is killing clean energy, and it’s not even helping fossil fuels.
www.hcn.org
November 2, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Trump is killing clean energy, and it’s not even helping fossil fuels. via: @highcountrynews.org
Because of Congressional inaction, a family of four living in the Denver metro area could see their premiums increase by $14,000 a year. A family of four living outside the Front Range could see premiums spike by $16,000.
Health insurance premiums for 225,000 Coloradans are about to double
The state says because Congress has not re-authorized tax credits to subsidize the cost of health insurance on state marketplaces, many consumers are facing a huge increase.
www.cpr.org
November 1, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Because of Congressional inaction, a family of four living in the Denver metro area could see their premiums increase by $14,000 a year. A family of four living outside the Front Range could see premiums spike by $16,000.
"The administration’s action to pay the military during the shutdown violates the Constitution, the Antideficiency Act (which gives teeth to the Constitution), and the “purpose” statute (31 U.S.C. § 1301), as well as appropriations law and authorization statutes."
How Trump Violated the Law to Pay the Military
The president spent research and development money to pay the troops, violating appropriations law and a slew of other statutes.
www.lawfaremedia.org
October 28, 2025 at 11:32 AM
"The administration’s action to pay the military during the shutdown violates the Constitution, the Antideficiency Act (which gives teeth to the Constitution), and the “purpose” statute (31 U.S.C. § 1301), as well as appropriations law and authorization statutes."
The White House has yet to explain its legal justification for the killing of alleged drug runners on the high seas or, for that matter, provided evidence that the people killed were in fact engaged in drug smuggling.
The Peril of a White House That Flaunts Its Indifference to the Law
www.nytimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
The White House has yet to explain its legal justification for the killing of alleged drug runners on the high seas or, for that matter, provided evidence that the people killed were in fact engaged in drug smuggling.
"The ruling joins a mounting pile of judicial orders from across the country undercutting the federal government’s efforts to deny bail hearings to immigrants without legal status who’ve been in the U.S. for years."
Colorado judge says ICE ‘likely violates federal law’ by denying immigrants’ bail hearings
The judge’s order also essentially prevents ICE from sidestepping the lawsuit by deporting detainees or sending them to other facilities.
www.denverpost.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:14 AM
"The ruling joins a mounting pile of judicial orders from across the country undercutting the federal government’s efforts to deny bail hearings to immigrants without legal status who’ve been in the U.S. for years."
While the government is shutdown and hundreds of thousands of federal employees aren't being paid, Secretary Noem has decided to use $172 million of taxpayer money to buy two private jets for her own use. #DrainTheSwamp
Coast Guard Buys Two Private Jets for Noem, Costing $172 Million
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:41 PM
While the government is shutdown and hundreds of thousands of federal employees aren't being paid, Secretary Noem has decided to use $172 million of taxpayer money to buy two private jets for her own use. #DrainTheSwamp
"Only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency and securities." - 31 U.S. Code § 5114(b)
To be clear, Congress passed this law in 1866 because they wanted to avoid even the appearance that America was a monarchy.
To be clear, Congress passed this law in 1866 because they wanted to avoid even the appearance that America was a monarchy.
Treasury Defends Lawfulness of Minting a $1 Trump Coin
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
"Only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency and securities." - 31 U.S. Code § 5114(b)
To be clear, Congress passed this law in 1866 because they wanted to avoid even the appearance that America was a monarchy.
To be clear, Congress passed this law in 1866 because they wanted to avoid even the appearance that America was a monarchy.
Especially today, I'm thinking about the millions of Americans who paid the ultimate price fighting against kings, fascists, and dictators. May their sacrifice never be forgotten. #NoKings
October 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Especially today, I'm thinking about the millions of Americans who paid the ultimate price fighting against kings, fascists, and dictators. May their sacrifice never be forgotten. #NoKings
"Since January, the Trump administration has made deep cuts to the nation’s science funding, including more than $1 billion in grants to the National Science Foundation, which sponsors much of the basic research at universities and federal laboratories, and $4.5 billion to the NIH.
Climate: Lost science
messaging-custom-newsletters.nytimes.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:39 AM
"Since January, the Trump administration has made deep cuts to the nation’s science funding, including more than $1 billion in grants to the National Science Foundation, which sponsors much of the basic research at universities and federal laboratories, and $4.5 billion to the NIH.
Government shutdowns, unfortunately, have come to feel normal. This shutdown is not normal. From no clear guidance about who would and wouldn't be working, to selective cuts to funding, to the naked partisanship being displayed by some senior government officials,
Shutdown causes ‘confusion’ across the Forest Service - High Country News
Prescribed burns are on hold during shutdown while logging continues.
www.hcn.org
October 11, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Government shutdowns, unfortunately, have come to feel normal. This shutdown is not normal. From no clear guidance about who would and wouldn't be working, to selective cuts to funding, to the naked partisanship being displayed by some senior government officials,
Inspector Generals, or IGs, are tasked with investigating fraud, waste, and abuse. Withholding funding and removing their reports will reduce transparency and accountability.
Trump administration knocks out at least 15 oversight websites, saying IGs 'lied to the public'
It's not a shutdown issue: the White House is withholding funds from the umbrella organization for the government's inspectors general.
www.govexec.com
October 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Inspector Generals, or IGs, are tasked with investigating fraud, waste, and abuse. Withholding funding and removing their reports will reduce transparency and accountability.
"Trump repeated his false claim that “25 million” migrants entered the country under Biden. The “25 million” figure is fictional; even Trump’s previous “21 million” figure was a wild exaggeration.
Fact check: Trump makes numerous false claims to generals and admirals, some about the military | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump made numerous false claims in a rambling Tuesday speech to hundreds of generals and admirals who were summoned to a military base in Virginia to listen to addresses by the presi...
www.cnn.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:31 AM
"Trump repeated his false claim that “25 million” migrants entered the country under Biden. The “25 million” figure is fictional; even Trump’s previous “21 million” figure was a wild exaggeration.
Yesterday, President Trump's Truth Social account posted (then removed) an AI video promoting the hoax "medbeds" and promising "medbed cards" which will give access to "new hospitals, led by the top doctors in the nation, equipped with the most advanced technology in the world."
Trump Is Shutting Down the War on Cancer
www.nytimes.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Yesterday, President Trump's Truth Social account posted (then removed) an AI video promoting the hoax "medbeds" and promising "medbed cards" which will give access to "new hospitals, led by the top doctors in the nation, equipped with the most advanced technology in the world."
"The Geiers once created an illegitimate review board for their research, composed of themselves, family members and business associates...
Opinion | The Playbook Used to ‘Prove’ Vaccines Cause Autism
Data can easily be manipulated to show causation that doesn’t exist.
www.nytimes.com
September 28, 2025 at 3:25 PM
"The Geiers once created an illegitimate review board for their research, composed of themselves, family members and business associates...
Reposted by Nicholas Monck
Consumers have expressed growing frustrations about rising prices “eroding their personal finances.”
Americans More Pessimistic About U.S. Economy—Job Market, Inflation Worries Deepen
Consumers have expressed growing frustrations about rising prices “eroding their personal finances.”
www.forbes.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Consumers have expressed growing frustrations about rising prices “eroding their personal finances.”
Reposted by Nicholas Monck
Trump falsely suggests that FBI agents were to blame for igniting Jan. 6 violence.
The president’s baseless claim continued a yearslong effort to rewrite the history of the Capitol attack.
The president’s baseless claim continued a yearslong effort to rewrite the history of the Capitol attack.
Trump falsely suggests FBI agents to blame for igniting Jan. 6 violence
The president’s baseless claim continued a yearslong effort to rewrite the history of the Capitol attack.
www.politico.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Trump falsely suggests that FBI agents were to blame for igniting Jan. 6 violence.
The president’s baseless claim continued a yearslong effort to rewrite the history of the Capitol attack.
The president’s baseless claim continued a yearslong effort to rewrite the history of the Capitol attack.
The awkward moment when ICE's own inspectors say they are breaking the law.
60 violations in 50 days: Inside ICE’s giant tent facility at Ft. Bliss
As the Trump administration rushes to open massive makeshift holding centers nationwide, one former official called the list of violations at Fort Bliss among the worst she’s ever seen.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:54 PM
The awkward moment when ICE's own inspectors say they are breaking the law.
The science is clear and unambiguous: Vaccines don't cause autism. Anyone who says otherwise is just plain wrong.
Trump’s escalating attacks on vaccines shock public health leaders
Trump promoted long-debunked claims that vaccines can cause autism as he called for changes to the childhood immunization schedule sought by anti-vaccine activists.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The science is clear and unambiguous: Vaccines don't cause autism. Anyone who says otherwise is just plain wrong.
"The Department of Justice shut down an investigation involving President Donald Trump's "border czar," Tom Homan, in which he had been recorded allegedly accepting cash from FBI agents posing as business executives...
DOJ ended probe of 'border czar' Tom Homan for allegedly accepting $50K in FBI sting: Sources
The Justice Department said there was "no credible evidence" of criminal wrongdoing by Homan.
abcnews.go.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:16 PM
"The Department of Justice shut down an investigation involving President Donald Trump's "border czar," Tom Homan, in which he had been recorded allegedly accepting cash from FBI agents posing as business executives...
mRNA vaccines are safe, effective, and reliable. They are truly a miraculous breakthrough in vaccine development and offer a path to prevent diseases from the flu to cancer. Cutting funding into mRNA research will cost lives and risks America's place on the forefront of medical research.
RFK Jr. pulls $500 million in funding for vaccine development
The Department of Health and Human Services plans to cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines being developed to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu.
apnews.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:24 AM
mRNA vaccines are safe, effective, and reliable. They are truly a miraculous breakthrough in vaccine development and offer a path to prevent diseases from the flu to cancer. Cutting funding into mRNA research will cost lives and risks America's place on the forefront of medical research.