Aaron
@aaronc-smith.bsky.social
I’m a parent, a spouse, a progressive, a reader, and a dabbler in Denver, CO. My day job is COO.
Reposted by Aaron
One basic pattern here is that DHS officials are engaging in violence simply because they are irritated at citizens protesting them. There is no plausible threat of violence here. He just wants to inflict pain, and believes there will be no penalty for doing so.
Big clash this afternoon between DHS agents and protesters in a residential street in Minneapolis, following a DHS agent hitting another vehicle. Tear gas was deployed in people’s yards and agents pepper prayed people.
January 12, 2026 at 10:09 PM
One basic pattern here is that DHS officials are engaging in violence simply because they are irritated at citizens protesting them. There is no plausible threat of violence here. He just wants to inflict pain, and believes there will be no penalty for doing so.
Reposted by Aaron
The epitome of a “Kavanaugh Stop.”
“[CBP] sometimes makes brief investigative stops to check immigration status…. If the officers learn that the individual they stopped is a US citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, they promptly let the individual go.”
History will remember Brett.
“[CBP] sometimes makes brief investigative stops to check immigration status…. If the officers learn that the individual they stopped is a US citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, they promptly let the individual go.”
History will remember Brett.
ICE kidnap 17-year-old U.S. citizen working at Target then dump him bleeding and crying miles away in a Walmart parking lot… 🤬
January 13, 2026 at 12:40 AM
The epitome of a “Kavanaugh Stop.”
“[CBP] sometimes makes brief investigative stops to check immigration status…. If the officers learn that the individual they stopped is a US citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, they promptly let the individual go.”
History will remember Brett.
“[CBP] sometimes makes brief investigative stops to check immigration status…. If the officers learn that the individual they stopped is a US citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, they promptly let the individual go.”
History will remember Brett.
Reposted by Aaron
Any Democratic votes to fund DHS later this month as Minneapolis is being terrorized by DHS is going to be a major slap in the face to Americans living here. Demand major reforms or shut the government down.
January 13, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Any Democratic votes to fund DHS later this month as Minneapolis is being terrorized by DHS is going to be a major slap in the face to Americans living here. Demand major reforms or shut the government down.
Reposted by Aaron
Auchincloss: "When you have a badge & gun and you are interacting with a citizen who has committed no crime, the onus of responsibility is on you to exercise good judgment. Nobody watching that video will buy the argument that he had no other resort other than to shoot her in the face 3 times."
January 11, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Auchincloss: "When you have a badge & gun and you are interacting with a citizen who has committed no crime, the onus of responsibility is on you to exercise good judgment. Nobody watching that video will buy the argument that he had no other resort other than to shoot her in the face 3 times."
The insanity of this moment could come to a screeching halt if 4 republican senators & 4 representatives decided to do the right thing and caucus with Dems. FOUR. That’s it.
One of the truly insane pieces of this moment is that they’re so far gone in the cult that 8 can’t find an ounce of courage.
One of the truly insane pieces of this moment is that they’re so far gone in the cult that 8 can’t find an ounce of courage.
January 12, 2026 at 3:24 AM
The insanity of this moment could come to a screeching halt if 4 republican senators & 4 representatives decided to do the right thing and caucus with Dems. FOUR. That’s it.
One of the truly insane pieces of this moment is that they’re so far gone in the cult that 8 can’t find an ounce of courage.
One of the truly insane pieces of this moment is that they’re so far gone in the cult that 8 can’t find an ounce of courage.
Reposted by Aaron
What can history teach us about what happens when a populist strongman with an idiosyncratic taste for low interest rates undermines central bank independence?
January 12, 2026 at 1:44 AM
What can history teach us about what happens when a populist strongman with an idiosyncratic taste for low interest rates undermines central bank independence?
Reposted by Aaron
With Trump going full authoritarian on Venezuela-Greenland, ICE, and the Fed, the response has to be serious. Four Republican senators (Tillis, McConnell, Murkowski, Collins?) could announce they’ll caucus for now with the Dems to give them control of the Senate to check Trump.
January 12, 2026 at 2:14 AM
With Trump going full authoritarian on Venezuela-Greenland, ICE, and the Fed, the response has to be serious. Four Republican senators (Tillis, McConnell, Murkowski, Collins?) could announce they’ll caucus for now with the Dems to give them control of the Senate to check Trump.
Reposted by Aaron
Almost surely won't happen, but it should. History will remember that they have done nothing as Trump destroys NATO and Fed independence
With Trump going full authoritarian on Venezuela-Greenland, ICE, and the Fed, the response has to be serious. Four Republican senators (Tillis, McConnell, Murkowski, Collins?) could announce they’ll caucus for now with the Dems to give them control of the Senate to check Trump.
January 12, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Almost surely won't happen, but it should. History will remember that they have done nothing as Trump destroys NATO and Fed independence
Reposted by Aaron
The message from the White House this morning is that, once again, it falls on ordinary American citizens to remain calm and professional when dealing with the heavily armed agents of the government because they are very emotional and might fly off into a murderous rage at the slightest insult.
January 11, 2026 at 3:19 PM
The message from the White House this morning is that, once again, it falls on ordinary American citizens to remain calm and professional when dealing with the heavily armed agents of the government because they are very emotional and might fly off into a murderous rage at the slightest insult.
Reposted by Aaron
I have some congresspeople who follow me, so I'll just throw this out there:
As a taxpayer, I would actually prefer that you *not* continue to fund the fascist military machine that is being used to kill and kidnap people from our communities.
As a taxpayer, I would actually prefer that you *not* continue to fund the fascist military machine that is being used to kill and kidnap people from our communities.
January 11, 2026 at 1:17 AM
I have some congresspeople who follow me, so I'll just throw this out there:
As a taxpayer, I would actually prefer that you *not* continue to fund the fascist military machine that is being used to kill and kidnap people from our communities.
As a taxpayer, I would actually prefer that you *not* continue to fund the fascist military machine that is being used to kill and kidnap people from our communities.
Reposted by Aaron
I appreciate this video, it's good!
But I'd like to add 1) the NATO Treaty is US law, having been ratified by the US Senate in 1949, so it's illegal to attack Denmark; & 2) France & the UK have nuclear weapons, so going to war with Europe means attacking two nuclear-armed states.
But I'd like to add 1) the NATO Treaty is US law, having been ratified by the US Senate in 1949, so it's illegal to attack Denmark; & 2) France & the UK have nuclear weapons, so going to war with Europe means attacking two nuclear-armed states.
I can't believe I'm posting this video - but we actually have to have a conversation about the real world implications of America going to war over Greenland.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
January 11, 2026 at 3:24 AM
I appreciate this video, it's good!
But I'd like to add 1) the NATO Treaty is US law, having been ratified by the US Senate in 1949, so it's illegal to attack Denmark; & 2) France & the UK have nuclear weapons, so going to war with Europe means attacking two nuclear-armed states.
But I'd like to add 1) the NATO Treaty is US law, having been ratified by the US Senate in 1949, so it's illegal to attack Denmark; & 2) France & the UK have nuclear weapons, so going to war with Europe means attacking two nuclear-armed states.
Presented for your consideration, the worst take of 2026 (a mere ten days in) apple.news/AXt8_lFCrTeC...
Opinion | Good riddance, Corporation for Public Broadcasting — The Washington Post
The unfunded and unneeded organization has correctly chosen to disband.
apple.news
January 11, 2026 at 3:54 AM
Presented for your consideration, the worst take of 2026 (a mere ten days in) apple.news/AXt8_lFCrTeC...
Reposted by Aaron
This is Minneapolis:
-drop the kids off for a day with their grandparents
-go to brunch with your wife
-get a text from neighbors who don’t have enough food & can’t leave home or they might be abducted by fed govt
-get groceries as helicopters roar overhead
-deliver food & this vehicle passes you
-drop the kids off for a day with their grandparents
-go to brunch with your wife
-get a text from neighbors who don’t have enough food & can’t leave home or they might be abducted by fed govt
-get groceries as helicopters roar overhead
-deliver food & this vehicle passes you
January 10, 2026 at 8:20 PM
This is Minneapolis:
-drop the kids off for a day with their grandparents
-go to brunch with your wife
-get a text from neighbors who don’t have enough food & can’t leave home or they might be abducted by fed govt
-get groceries as helicopters roar overhead
-deliver food & this vehicle passes you
-drop the kids off for a day with their grandparents
-go to brunch with your wife
-get a text from neighbors who don’t have enough food & can’t leave home or they might be abducted by fed govt
-get groceries as helicopters roar overhead
-deliver food & this vehicle passes you
Reposted by Aaron
I can't describe how bad Minneapolis feels right now. My neighbors are pulling kids out of school. The public schools are offering remote learning until 2/12. We are having conversations in our alleys about how to protect ourselves. It feels like a military occupation with a blockade.
The US Department of Agriculture suspends all federal funding to Minnesota, effective immediately.
January 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM
I can't describe how bad Minneapolis feels right now. My neighbors are pulling kids out of school. The public schools are offering remote learning until 2/12. We are having conversations in our alleys about how to protect ourselves. It feels like a military occupation with a blockade.
Reposted by Aaron
Kind of wild there has been almost no coverage of the fact that the federal government unleashed chemical weapons against literal kids *at school*.
workdaymagazine.org/minneapolis-...
workdaymagazine.org/minneapolis-...
January 10, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Kind of wild there has been almost no coverage of the fact that the federal government unleashed chemical weapons against literal kids *at school*.
workdaymagazine.org/minneapolis-...
workdaymagazine.org/minneapolis-...
Reposted by Aaron
"Americans have been dragged, tackled, beaten, tased and shot by immigration agents.
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
www.propublica.org
January 8, 2026 at 2:00 AM
"Americans have been dragged, tackled, beaten, tased and shot by immigration agents.
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
Reposted by Aaron
A career federal agent says that in 25 years, a fleeing vehicle has never justified killing its occupant, and officers should never stand in front of a running car. CBS reportedly pulled the interview, but it posted on YouTube.
www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
Retired ICE agent breaks down deadly Minneapolis shooting
YouTube video by CBS Evening News
www.youtube.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:55 AM
A career federal agent says that in 25 years, a fleeing vehicle has never justified killing its occupant, and officers should never stand in front of a running car. CBS reportedly pulled the interview, but it posted on YouTube.
www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
Reposted by Aaron
Have we really become so woke that we’re no longer comfortable with ICE shooting unarmed women and yelling “fuck you bitch” as they die?
January 9, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Have we really become so woke that we’re no longer comfortable with ICE shooting unarmed women and yelling “fuck you bitch” as they die?
Reposted by Aaron
The Daily Show was spot-on last night in their description of how we got here. When the inevitably come around, and claim the one bad apple defense, let's not let them get away with it. This was inevitable from a broken government stoking violence against its own citizens.
youtu.be/a1Yo5Bcpx5c?...
youtu.be/a1Yo5Bcpx5c?...
ICE Killing in Minnesota Ignites Protests as Trump and Kristi Noem Double Down | The Daily Show
YouTube video by The Daily Show
youtu.be
January 9, 2026 at 6:40 PM
The Daily Show was spot-on last night in their description of how we got here. When the inevitably come around, and claim the one bad apple defense, let's not let them get away with it. This was inevitable from a broken government stoking violence against its own citizens.
youtu.be/a1Yo5Bcpx5c?...
youtu.be/a1Yo5Bcpx5c?...
I appreciate the notion of “wait for the investigation” but the truth is it doesn’t matter how long she was on that street, what orders she was given, why she was there, what political leanings she had, or anything else.
Renee Good should be alive.
ICE agents should NEVER shoot someone.
Renee Good should be alive.
ICE agents should NEVER shoot someone.
January 9, 2026 at 4:06 PM
I appreciate the notion of “wait for the investigation” but the truth is it doesn’t matter how long she was on that street, what orders she was given, why she was there, what political leanings she had, or anything else.
Renee Good should be alive.
ICE agents should NEVER shoot someone.
Renee Good should be alive.
ICE agents should NEVER shoot someone.
Reposted by Aaron
Timberwolves hold a moment of silence for Renee Nicole Good
January 9, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Timberwolves hold a moment of silence for Renee Nicole Good
I hope this seeps a bit into the Right's hive mind. Clear, cogent explanation of what happened.
And, to say it again, "both sides" didn't rush to judgement on this. One side saw this analysis implicitly with their own eyes, another side claimed "car ramming terrorist".
And, to say it again, "both sides" didn't rush to judgement on this. One side saw this analysis implicitly with their own eyes, another side claimed "car ramming terrorist".
Forensic analysis of objective video evidence. This is how you serve readers searching for clarity.
January 8, 2026 at 3:05 PM
I hope this seeps a bit into the Right's hive mind. Clear, cogent explanation of what happened.
And, to say it again, "both sides" didn't rush to judgement on this. One side saw this analysis implicitly with their own eyes, another side claimed "car ramming terrorist".
And, to say it again, "both sides" didn't rush to judgement on this. One side saw this analysis implicitly with their own eyes, another side claimed "car ramming terrorist".
Reposted by Aaron
Minneapolis public schools canceled classes officials after Roosevelt High School said armed Border Patrol officers came on school property during dismissal Wednesday and began tackling people, handcuffed two staff members and released chemical weapons on bystanders
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Minneapolis schools cancel classes after Border Patrol clash disrupts dismissal at Roosevelt
Minneapolis schools closed for the week citing safety concerns after an encounter involving armed Border Patrol agents near Roosevelt High School.
www.mprnews.org
January 8, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Minneapolis public schools canceled classes officials after Roosevelt High School said armed Border Patrol officers came on school property during dismissal Wednesday and began tackling people, handcuffed two staff members and released chemical weapons on bystanders
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Aaron
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
January 8, 2026 at 12:31 PM
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.