Blaine Stum
@bstum.bsky.social
DC Council Staffer 🏛️
Staunchly Pro-Democracy
Former CJ TA Provider/Researcher
Gay Cat Owner 🏳️🌈😸
Movie and Music Nerd 🎥🎶🤓
**All Opinions My Own**
Staunchly Pro-Democracy
Former CJ TA Provider/Researcher
Gay Cat Owner 🏳️🌈😸
Movie and Music Nerd 🎥🎶🤓
**All Opinions My Own**
Reposted by Blaine Stum
Exclusive: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave an order to “kill everybody” in the first strike on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. After two men survived, the mission commander ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions, according to two sources.
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Exclusive: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave an order to “kill everybody” in the first strike on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. After two men survived, the mission commander ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions, according to two sources.
Reposted by Blaine Stum
NEW: ICE’s policy of mass detaining immigrants w pending deportation proceedings has led to an avalanche of rejections in court.
More than 220 judges — including 23 Trump appointees — have called it an illegal distortion of long-settled law. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
More than 220 judges — including 23 Trump appointees — have called it an illegal distortion of long-settled law. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
November 28, 2025 at 12:06 PM
NEW: ICE’s policy of mass detaining immigrants w pending deportation proceedings has led to an avalanche of rejections in court.
More than 220 judges — including 23 Trump appointees — have called it an illegal distortion of long-settled law. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
More than 220 judges — including 23 Trump appointees — have called it an illegal distortion of long-settled law. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Blaine Stum
Because West Virginia national guard absolutely shouldn't have been there, the administration reaction will be that much more extreme to head off those questions.
REPORTER: There are people upset with the president, believing the National Guard members shouldn't have been there
PIRRO: I don't even wanna talk about whether they should've been there. We ought to kiss the ground and thank God that the president said it's time to bring in more law enforcement
PIRRO: I don't even wanna talk about whether they should've been there. We ought to kiss the ground and thank God that the president said it's time to bring in more law enforcement
November 27, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Because West Virginia national guard absolutely shouldn't have been there, the administration reaction will be that much more extreme to head off those questions.
Reposted by Blaine Stum
No idea why an Afghan refugee shot National Guard soldiers within walking distance of the White House, but this new USCIS directive was revealed on Monday. Worth noting.
The folks at @afghanevac.bsky.social have in hand a new USCIS directive which largely targets Afghan refugees who fled the Taliban in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
In case you needed a reminder that the most loathsome people in the world work for DHS.
In case you needed a reminder that the most loathsome people in the world work for DHS.
November 27, 2025 at 5:19 AM
No idea why an Afghan refugee shot National Guard soldiers within walking distance of the White House, but this new USCIS directive was revealed on Monday. Worth noting.
Reposted by Blaine Stum
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has just announced that she is not running for reelection.
November 25, 2025 at 7:24 PM
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has just announced that she is not running for reelection.
Reposted by Blaine Stum
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser says she won't run for re-election in 2026.
November 25, 2025 at 7:20 PM
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser says she won't run for re-election in 2026.
Reposted by Blaine Stum
NEW: The Court has ruled that the National Guard deployment to DC is illegal and granted a preliminary injunction.
As we made clear from the beginning: the US military should not be policing American citizens on American soil.
This is a victory for DC, Home Rule, and American democracy.
As we made clear from the beginning: the US military should not be policing American citizens on American soil.
This is a victory for DC, Home Rule, and American democracy.
November 20, 2025 at 8:49 PM
NEW: The Court has ruled that the National Guard deployment to DC is illegal and granted a preliminary injunction.
As we made clear from the beginning: the US military should not be policing American citizens on American soil.
This is a victory for DC, Home Rule, and American democracy.
As we made clear from the beginning: the US military should not be policing American citizens on American soil.
This is a victory for DC, Home Rule, and American democracy.
Reposted by Blaine Stum
BREAKING: Federal judge rules that Trump's DC troop deployment is likely illegal — both as to D.C. National Guard and and out-of-state National Guard units — granting DC's request to block the use of the troops in this way.
The preliminary injunction is stayed until Dec. 11.
The preliminary injunction is stayed until Dec. 11.
November 20, 2025 at 8:09 PM
BREAKING: Federal judge rules that Trump's DC troop deployment is likely illegal — both as to D.C. National Guard and and out-of-state National Guard units — granting DC's request to block the use of the troops in this way.
The preliminary injunction is stayed until Dec. 11.
The preliminary injunction is stayed until Dec. 11.
A great post from @gelliottmorris.com that affirms existing PoliSci research showing that most Americans are not ideological thinkers. It also reaffirms my belief that election surveys should do more open ended questions.
Good morning. I've got a banger new post out today that develops a new method for placing voters on the left-right ideological spectrum, and adds a new, "non-ideological"/affordability axis to usual way we chart & think about US voters (esp swing voters). www.gelliottmorris.com/p/not-just-l...
Not just left vs right: Most voters think about affordability and material wellbeing, not in ideological terms
Most voters want a party that emphasizes cost of living issues and makes the world a better place. Few Americans think in solidly ideologically terms. "Moderates" are mostly non-ideological.
www.gelliottmorris.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A great post from @gelliottmorris.com that affirms existing PoliSci research showing that most Americans are not ideological thinkers. It also reaffirms my belief that election surveys should do more open ended questions.
I’ve never heard of something like this happening. Absolutely wild.
NEWS: During a hearing in federal court in VA, prosecutors confirmed that the operative indictment in the case against James Comey was never shown to or voted on by the entire grand jury before it was presented in open court.
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
November 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I’ve never heard of something like this happening. Absolutely wild.
Reposted by Blaine Stum
We stand united against all 13 anti–DC Home Rule bills in Congress.
DC is home to more than 700,000 residents who pay taxes, run businesses, and serve in the military. Like all Americans, we deserve the right to set our own local laws.
Congress should reject this unprecedented federal overreach.
DC is home to more than 700,000 residents who pay taxes, run businesses, and serve in the military. Like all Americans, we deserve the right to set our own local laws.
Congress should reject this unprecedented federal overreach.
November 17, 2025 at 5:51 PM
We stand united against all 13 anti–DC Home Rule bills in Congress.
DC is home to more than 700,000 residents who pay taxes, run businesses, and serve in the military. Like all Americans, we deserve the right to set our own local laws.
Congress should reject this unprecedented federal overreach.
DC is home to more than 700,000 residents who pay taxes, run businesses, and serve in the military. Like all Americans, we deserve the right to set our own local laws.
Congress should reject this unprecedented federal overreach.
Reposted by Blaine Stum
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
Reposted by Blaine Stum
The most horrifying AI slop of ICE raids you can possibly imagine is wildly viral on Facebook, collectively totaling tens of millions of views from a single account. First spotted by @chadloder.bsky.social
www.404media.co/ai-generated...
www.404media.co/ai-generated...
AI-Generated Videos of ICE Raids Are Wildly Viral on Facebook
An account is spamming horrific, dehumanizing videos of immigration enforcement because the Facebook algorithm is rewarding them for it.
www.404media.co
November 12, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The most horrifying AI slop of ICE raids you can possibly imagine is wildly viral on Facebook, collectively totaling tens of millions of views from a single account. First spotted by @chadloder.bsky.social
www.404media.co/ai-generated...
www.404media.co/ai-generated...
This is a terrible idea. If any Democrats are willing to support it, they should lose their seat.
"A development that appeared to break the logjam: Republicans proposed that healthcare funding be provided directly to households rather than used to pay for a 1-year extension of ACA subsidies. That involves sending federal money into FSAs instead of insurance companies" www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Republicans Pitch Alternative to ACA Extension to End Government Shutdown
A proposal by GOP senators to send money directly to consumers’ health accounts rather than to insurance companies showed signs of breaking a stalemate on negotiations.
www.wsj.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:46 PM
This is a terrible idea. If any Democrats are willing to support it, they should lose their seat.
Reposted by Blaine Stum
40 men Trump sent to CECOT tell the NYT they were beaten, tortured, and sexually assaulted. The details are worse than you can imagine.
We can’t let them get away with this. Miller and the other architects of this sadism need to go to prison.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
We can’t let them get away with this. Miller and the other architects of this sadism need to go to prison.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
‘You Are All Terrorists’: Four Months in a Salvadoran Prison
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:20 AM
40 men Trump sent to CECOT tell the NYT they were beaten, tortured, and sexually assaulted. The details are worse than you can imagine.
We can’t let them get away with this. Miller and the other architects of this sadism need to go to prison.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
We can’t let them get away with this. Miller and the other architects of this sadism need to go to prison.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
Reposted by Blaine Stum
New in PN: @donmoyn.bsky.social on "Purge, Merge, and Surge"
“The visible presence of overwhelming numbers of troops in the streets has a psychological component. You display dominance & make examples of people who resist — except instead of surging in Iraq, it’s happening here in American cities.”
“The visible presence of overwhelming numbers of troops in the streets has a psychological component. You display dominance & make examples of people who resist — except instead of surging in Iraq, it’s happening here in American cities.”
Don Moynihan on "Purge, Merge, and Surge"
"Instead of surging in Iraq, it’s happening here in American cities."
www.publicnotice.co
November 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
New in PN: @donmoyn.bsky.social on "Purge, Merge, and Surge"
“The visible presence of overwhelming numbers of troops in the streets has a psychological component. You display dominance & make examples of people who resist — except instead of surging in Iraq, it’s happening here in American cities.”
“The visible presence of overwhelming numbers of troops in the streets has a psychological component. You display dominance & make examples of people who resist — except instead of surging in Iraq, it’s happening here in American cities.”
Reposted by Blaine Stum
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:27 PM
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Reposted by Blaine Stum
checking in on the state of our nation
November 6, 2025 at 7:31 PM
checking in on the state of our nation
Reposted by Blaine Stum
The photos in this Chicago Tribune piece… It's a quiet middle-class inner suburb, but these guys look like they're in Fallujah circa 2006.
The uniforms indicate Border Patrol and its BORTAC "special operations" unit.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/31/c...
The uniforms indicate Border Patrol and its BORTAC "special operations" unit.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/31/c...
November 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The photos in this Chicago Tribune piece… It's a quiet middle-class inner suburb, but these guys look like they're in Fallujah circa 2006.
The uniforms indicate Border Patrol and its BORTAC "special operations" unit.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/31/c...
The uniforms indicate Border Patrol and its BORTAC "special operations" unit.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/31/c...
Reposted by Blaine Stum
O'DONNELL: Americans have been watching videos of ICE tackling a young mother, tear gas being used in a Chicago residential neighborhood, and the smashing of car windows. Have some of these raids gone too far?
TRUMP: No. I think they haven't gone far enough.
TRUMP: No. I think they haven't gone far enough.
November 3, 2025 at 12:49 AM
O'DONNELL: Americans have been watching videos of ICE tackling a young mother, tear gas being used in a Chicago residential neighborhood, and the smashing of car windows. Have some of these raids gone too far?
TRUMP: No. I think they haven't gone far enough.
TRUMP: No. I think they haven't gone far enough.
A great thread.
I’d dump a TERF in a heartbeat. If you’re Queer and you’re not in solidarity with Trans people, you can get bent.
I’d dump a TERF in a heartbeat. If you’re Queer and you’re not in solidarity with Trans people, you can get bent.
🚨 1/ SCOOP We all know Pamela Paul is not a good journalist. But in her (poorly argued) WSJ screed on the alleged "growing divide" in LGBTQ circles abt trans rights, she reports ESPECIALLY badly—including abt Jose Arango & his boyfriend who dumped him.
Paul didn't talk to the boyfriend.
I did.
Paul didn't talk to the boyfriend.
I did.
November 2, 2025 at 11:35 PM
A great thread.
I’d dump a TERF in a heartbeat. If you’re Queer and you’re not in solidarity with Trans people, you can get bent.
I’d dump a TERF in a heartbeat. If you’re Queer and you’re not in solidarity with Trans people, you can get bent.
Reposted by Blaine Stum
US citizen shot from behind as he warned ICE agents children would be coming to get bus, lawyers say
U.S. citizen shot from behind as he warned ICE agents about children gathering at bus stop, lawyers say
Lawyers for Carlos Jimenez said he was in fear after an agent threatened him with chemical spray, then pointed a gun at him.
www.latimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:25 PM
US citizen shot from behind as he warned ICE agents children would be coming to get bus, lawyers say
Reposted by Blaine Stum
ICE detained a Virginia mom while she was driving her 16yo daughter to school bc she couldn’t recall her SS#.
“The agent got flustered and lunged at her,” said her daughter.
ICE arrested her even after she showed proof of legal status.
“I want this video out there because I want my mother home.”
“The agent got flustered and lunged at her,” said her daughter.
ICE arrested her even after she showed proof of legal status.
“I want this video out there because I want my mother home.”
November 1, 2025 at 11:43 PM
ICE detained a Virginia mom while she was driving her 16yo daughter to school bc she couldn’t recall her SS#.
“The agent got flustered and lunged at her,” said her daughter.
ICE arrested her even after she showed proof of legal status.
“I want this video out there because I want my mother home.”
“The agent got flustered and lunged at her,” said her daughter.
ICE arrested her even after she showed proof of legal status.
“I want this video out there because I want my mother home.”
Reposted by Blaine Stum
ANES Data Release! electionstudies.org/data-center/...
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
2016-2020-2024-panel-merged-study - ANES | American National Election Studies
electionstudies.org
November 1, 2025 at 8:47 PM
ANES Data Release! electionstudies.org/data-center/...
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
Reposted by Blaine Stum
