whet moser
@whetmoser.com
newsletters @ nyt. ex qz, chicago mag, chicago reader. i'm not a miracle worker, i'm a janitor
Reposted by whet moser
A "frame-by-frame review by The Wall Street Journal shows a federal officer pulling a handgun away from Pretti. Less than a second later, an agent fires several rounds. Pretti died at the scene.
'Where is the gun?' agents shouted in the chaotic aftermath." www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
'Where is the gun?' agents shouted in the chaotic aftermath." www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
Videos Contradict U.S. Account of Minneapolis Shooting by Federal Agents
See how immigration officers escalated a fatal confrontation on Saturday.
www.wsj.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:48 PM
A "frame-by-frame review by The Wall Street Journal shows a federal officer pulling a handgun away from Pretti. Less than a second later, an agent fires several rounds. Pretti died at the scene.
'Where is the gun?' agents shouted in the chaotic aftermath." www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
'Where is the gun?' agents shouted in the chaotic aftermath." www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
at this point when matthew mconaguey is in an ad my heart fills with dread
January 25, 2026 at 9:26 PM
at this point when matthew mconaguey is in an ad my heart fills with dread
Reposted by whet moser
Local authorities in Minnesota say they have been impeded from investigating how federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen. It is the second time in three weeks that the Department of Homeland Security has blocked local investigators from reviewing evidence.
Once Again, Federal Officials Exclude Minnesota From Investigation of a Fatal Shooting
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Local authorities in Minnesota say they have been impeded from investigating how federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen. It is the second time in three weeks that the Department of Homeland Security has blocked local investigators from reviewing evidence.
Reposted by whet moser
Weather report from Eternal Silence (a.k.a. the cloaked guy at Graceland Cemetery)
January 25, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Weather report from Eternal Silence (a.k.a. the cloaked guy at Graceland Cemetery)
Reposted by whet moser
I’ve never heard of a “law enforcement” agency putting an officer who just killed someone back on the street under 24 hours. And that’s because all shootings are treated as homicides pending investigation. This is as clear a sign as you’ll get that DHS personnel enjoy practical immunity from murder.
CBP chief Bovino has confirmed that the officers who executed Alex Pretti in the street yesterday are not only *not on administrative leave,* they have all been reassigned to other jurisdictions and are all on the street today.
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
January 25, 2026 at 8:56 PM
I’ve never heard of a “law enforcement” agency putting an officer who just killed someone back on the street under 24 hours. And that’s because all shootings are treated as homicides pending investigation. This is as clear a sign as you’ll get that DHS personnel enjoy practical immunity from murder.
Reposted by whet moser
After Careful Thought, I Have Decided That Our Ship Actually Is Being Attacked by the Kraken
For a long time I resisted the idea that the multiple tentacles tearing at the thin wooden planks of our vessel represented some kind of 'sea monster' threat. But when the facts change, I change my mind.
For a long time I resisted the idea that the multiple tentacles tearing at the thin wooden planks of our vessel represented some kind of 'sea monster' threat. But when the facts change, I change my mind.
January 25, 2026 at 7:11 PM
After Careful Thought, I Have Decided That Our Ship Actually Is Being Attacked by the Kraken
For a long time I resisted the idea that the multiple tentacles tearing at the thin wooden planks of our vessel represented some kind of 'sea monster' threat. But when the facts change, I change my mind.
For a long time I resisted the idea that the multiple tentacles tearing at the thin wooden planks of our vessel represented some kind of 'sea monster' threat. But when the facts change, I change my mind.
Reposted by whet moser
The “vanilla Sprite” option on these Coke mix machines is just to weed out the sociopaths. You’re going on a list.
January 25, 2026 at 8:36 PM
The “vanilla Sprite” option on these Coke mix machines is just to weed out the sociopaths. You’re going on a list.
Reposted by whet moser
A public health giant has passed. “Among public health professionals, Dr. Foege was almost without peer… In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest honor given to a civilian.”
William H. Foege, Key Figure in the Eradication of Smallpox, Dies at 89
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:34 PM
A public health giant has passed. “Among public health professionals, Dr. Foege was almost without peer… In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest honor given to a civilian.”
Reposted by whet moser
Reposted by whet moser
seems like the kind of piece that should contain an acknowledgement that other people saw what this guy missed but no that isn't how establishment media types roll so it's just open contempt for people who saw clearly when he did not. welcome to the party, you don't have to be a dick about it.
January 25, 2026 at 7:41 PM
seems like the kind of piece that should contain an acknowledgement that other people saw what this guy missed but no that isn't how establishment media types roll so it's just open contempt for people who saw clearly when he did not. welcome to the party, you don't have to be a dick about it.
Reposted by whet moser
Very difficult to read this as anything other than CEOs telling Walz that he should cave to what the administration wants so they’ll go away
INBOX: 60+ CEOs of Minnesota-based company call for "an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions."
No mention of ICE in the letter.
No mention of ICE in the letter.
January 25, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Very difficult to read this as anything other than CEOs telling Walz that he should cave to what the administration wants so they’ll go away
Reposted by whet moser
I am heading back to Minneapolis tomorrow morning to work on a more on-the-ground reported piece for the weekly edition, but this was my piece from yesterday
The Economist coverage is grim but this is exactly how it should be reported.
economist.com/united-state...
economist.com/united-state...
January 25, 2026 at 7:06 PM
I am heading back to Minneapolis tomorrow morning to work on a more on-the-ground reported piece for the weekly edition, but this was my piece from yesterday
the professional contrarians are trying to get right with god this weekend, huh
January 25, 2026 at 7:13 PM
the professional contrarians are trying to get right with god this weekend, huh
Reposted by whet moser
The Star-Tribune is taking donations to help fund the purchase vital newsroom supplies and equipment, including protective and tactical gear for street reporters and photogs. If you live in MSP, pls subscribe. If you don't and want to help, here's a way -- www.startribunecompany.com/donate-payme....
Donate Payment - Star Tribune Company
DonateDonate Now Donate Thank You for Supporting the Minnesota Star Tribune Thank You for Supporting the Minnesota Star Tribune See Other Ways to Give We Value Your Privacy The Minneapolis…
www.startribunecompany.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:10 AM
The Star-Tribune is taking donations to help fund the purchase vital newsroom supplies and equipment, including protective and tactical gear for street reporters and photogs. If you live in MSP, pls subscribe. If you don't and want to help, here's a way -- www.startribunecompany.com/donate-payme....
i like this piece because it’s the kind of thing that usually goes on behind the scenes as a fact check or a writer researching a lead that doesn’t pan out
for the weekend crowd: I dug into a new podcast that pins a bunch of notorious murders on a long-dead Jewish man from San Diego. It's the ugliest true crime property in recent memory. [gift link] defector.com/michael-conn...
Michael Connelly Should Stick To Fake Crime | Defector
The origin of Michael Connelly’s new true crime podcast, Killer in the Code, was a rather far-fetched tip fielded by Rick Jackson, a retired detective from the Los Angeles Police Department. A self-de...
defector.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:29 PM
i like this piece because it’s the kind of thing that usually goes on behind the scenes as a fact check or a writer researching a lead that doesn’t pan out
Reposted by whet moser
Washpost foreign correspondents plead with Bezos to keep the overseas bureaus alive.
January 25, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Washpost foreign correspondents plead with Bezos to keep the overseas bureaus alive.
Reposted by whet moser
i do find it absolutely hilarious that the free market of idea people will immediately flail the minute you quote them making a silly take
January 25, 2026 at 6:09 PM
i do find it absolutely hilarious that the free market of idea people will immediately flail the minute you quote them making a silly take
Reposted by whet moser
Excellent reporting from @thetrace.org with even more in-depth context for immigration enforcement shootings.
Federal agents shot and killed a man who was filming ICE officers outside a donut shop in Minneapolis. It was at least the 19th incident in which immigration agents opened fire during the Trump administration’s crackdown.
How Many People Have Been Shot in ICE Raids?
The Trace is tracking gun incidents connected to Trump’s immigration crackdown. Know of one? Please be in touch.
www.thetrace.org
January 25, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Excellent reporting from @thetrace.org with even more in-depth context for immigration enforcement shootings.
Reposted by whet moser
Scoop: Trump admin plans to remove ~400 individuals, including children and families, to Mexico in first known restart of controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy during Trump’s 2nd term, sources tell me and Jake Traylor @ms.now
They’re set to be removed as early as Tuesday from TX and AZ to Mexico
They’re set to be removed as early as Tuesday from TX and AZ to Mexico
January 25, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Scoop: Trump admin plans to remove ~400 individuals, including children and families, to Mexico in first known restart of controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy during Trump’s 2nd term, sources tell me and Jake Traylor @ms.now
They’re set to be removed as early as Tuesday from TX and AZ to Mexico
They’re set to be removed as early as Tuesday from TX and AZ to Mexico
we kid here on bsky but the 2020 protests hurt trump and favored biden because of reactions like this
Oh no, the admin has lost Jason Calzone
January 25, 2026 at 5:16 PM
we kid here on bsky but the 2020 protests hurt trump and favored biden because of reactions like this
Reposted by whet moser
Oh no, the admin has lost Jason Calzone
January 25, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Oh no, the admin has lost Jason Calzone
Reposted by whet moser
Community. Metal type buildings in collaboration with a wood type foundation. #letterpress www.starshaped.com/8x10prints/c...
January 25, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Community. Metal type buildings in collaboration with a wood type foundation. #letterpress www.starshaped.com/8x10prints/c...
Reposted by whet moser
I spent the most formative years of my political life reading headlines like this seemingly every week.
January 25, 2026 at 4:07 PM
I spent the most formative years of my political life reading headlines like this seemingly every week.
Reposted by whet moser
These things were happening *during* the Trump administration; empirically public opinion was shifting left over the course of his term. He loses in 2020 at peak woke. This story works by retconning an inflation and immigration election into one about what college students were doing years prior.
I’m going to repeat myself but: some who objected to these things did so precisely because they saw them as driving people to the Trumpian right, or as weakening defences against that outcome.
Years from now, it'll be difficult to explain the things people in media were wailing about before all this. Sophomores writing underconsidered op-eds about cultural appropriation. Protests against demagogues on campus. YA drama. "Mobs" on Twitter. These were the threats to free society.
January 25, 2026 at 3:47 PM
These things were happening *during* the Trump administration; empirically public opinion was shifting left over the course of his term. He loses in 2020 at peak woke. This story works by retconning an inflation and immigration election into one about what college students were doing years prior.
Reposted by whet moser
