Brad Smith
@demand-integrity.org
Retired federal IT senior manager. Hay farmer. Open source maintainer.
Reposted by Brad Smith
After nearly four years, Ukraine continues to resist Russia's unprovoked invasion. But we cannot forget the importance of this fight. Take a look at my deep-dive on my Substack page at the link in my reply.
February 11, 2026 at 3:55 PM
After nearly four years, Ukraine continues to resist Russia's unprovoked invasion. But we cannot forget the importance of this fight. Take a look at my deep-dive on my Substack page at the link in my reply.
Reposted by Brad Smith
The US deficit is approaching ww2 levels as a percent of GDP.
Because of the “Big Beautiful Bill” that GOP voted for.
We are spending more on INTEREST than on anything else including the military.
This is a time bomb, and the GOP is responsible. Fiscal conservative my ass
Because of the “Big Beautiful Bill” that GOP voted for.
We are spending more on INTEREST than on anything else including the military.
This is a time bomb, and the GOP is responsible. Fiscal conservative my ass
February 9, 2026 at 12:05 AM
The US deficit is approaching ww2 levels as a percent of GDP.
Because of the “Big Beautiful Bill” that GOP voted for.
We are spending more on INTEREST than on anything else including the military.
This is a time bomb, and the GOP is responsible. Fiscal conservative my ass
Because of the “Big Beautiful Bill” that GOP voted for.
We are spending more on INTEREST than on anything else including the military.
This is a time bomb, and the GOP is responsible. Fiscal conservative my ass
Reposted by Brad Smith
Reposted by Brad Smith
“Partisanship is inherent and permissible in the legislative districting process” — Ted Cruz in September, in an amicus brief supporting the Texas gerrymander. www.cornyn.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
February 7, 2026 at 1:40 PM
“Partisanship is inherent and permissible in the legislative districting process” — Ted Cruz in September, in an amicus brief supporting the Texas gerrymander. www.cornyn.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Brad Smith
After a generation of one side relentlessly using all of its power to shape the ideological composition of the federal courts, and the other side straining to show everyone how noble they are—fair and measured and eager to bind themselves by the norms of the past—you get this.
“Late Friday night, the Fifth Circuit adopted the extreme minority view—that the government can indefinitely detain without bond millions of non-citizens who have been here for generations; who have never committed a crime; and who pose neither a risk of flight nor any threat to public safety.”
208. The Fifth Circuit Jumps the Immigration Detention Shark
Late Friday, two of the nation's most right-wing circuit judges adopted an odious legal claim that district court judges from across the country (and ideological spectrum) have overwhelmingly rejected
www.stevevladeck.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:28 PM
After a generation of one side relentlessly using all of its power to shape the ideological composition of the federal courts, and the other side straining to show everyone how noble they are—fair and measured and eager to bind themselves by the norms of the past—you get this.
Reposted by Brad Smith
🚨NEW: A federal judge out of Oregon has issued a sweeping rebuke of the DOJ’s nationwide push to seize state voter rolls.
The opinion released Thursday concluded that the department can no longer be presumed to be acting in good faith and warned that its conduct threatens voters and states’ rights.
The opinion released Thursday concluded that the department can no longer be presumed to be acting in good faith and warned that its conduct threatens voters and states’ rights.
Federal judge rules DOJ can ‘no longer’ be trusted in voter roll crusade
The judge pointed to a letter from Bondi to Minnesota that tied federal immigration enforcement to demands for voter data as the smoking gun.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 6:49 PM
🚨NEW: A federal judge out of Oregon has issued a sweeping rebuke of the DOJ’s nationwide push to seize state voter rolls.
The opinion released Thursday concluded that the department can no longer be presumed to be acting in good faith and warned that its conduct threatens voters and states’ rights.
The opinion released Thursday concluded that the department can no longer be presumed to be acting in good faith and warned that its conduct threatens voters and states’ rights.
Reposted by Brad Smith
Luttig: It doesn’t matter what the Supreme Court does from this point forward. For two years, the Supreme Court has authorized the absolute lawlessness and unconstitutional activity of this president.
February 5, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Luttig: It doesn’t matter what the Supreme Court does from this point forward. For two years, the Supreme Court has authorized the absolute lawlessness and unconstitutional activity of this president.
Reposted by Brad Smith
New, from me: Trump finalized his Schedule F policy, allowing him to remove job protections from career civil servants.
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
Trump's Schedule F Rule Finalized
A bizarro rule formally justifies politicizing public services
donmoynihan.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:16 AM
New, from me: Trump finalized his Schedule F policy, allowing him to remove job protections from career civil servants.
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
Reposted by Brad Smith
...CROSSPOST: IAN McKELLEN: William Shakespeare (& Other Playwrights) on Thomas More on Immigrants
< braddelong.substack.com/p/crosspost-... >
2026-02-05 Th 2/END
< braddelong.substack.com/p/crosspost-... >
2026-02-05 Th 2/END
February 6, 2026 at 3:09 AM
...CROSSPOST: IAN McKELLEN: William Shakespeare (& Other Playwrights) on Thomas More on Immigrants
< braddelong.substack.com/p/crosspost-... >
2026-02-05 Th 2/END
< braddelong.substack.com/p/crosspost-... >
2026-02-05 Th 2/END
Reposted by Brad Smith
"Populist politics, online disinformation, cyber warfare, & cryptocurrency were all just scaffolding for his work as a financier and sex trafficker. A way to destabilize the global order, make connections with the world’s elites, and continue enriching himself and preying on vulnerable young girls."
I read thousands of pages of Epstein files this weekend trying to understand what he wanted out of his meeting with 4chan's Christopher Poole. Here's everything we know about Epstein's plans to dismantle the internet and, eventually, democracy.
www.garbageday.email/p/here-s-how...
www.garbageday.email/p/here-s-how...
February 3, 2026 at 12:21 AM
"Populist politics, online disinformation, cyber warfare, & cryptocurrency were all just scaffolding for his work as a financier and sex trafficker. A way to destabilize the global order, make connections with the world’s elites, and continue enriching himself and preying on vulnerable young girls."
Reposted by Brad Smith
February 2, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Reposted by Brad Smith
Voters must hold accountable every senator who confirmed Bondi, once in the majority conduct exacting oversight of DOJ , pursue Bondi’s impeachment, and ensure she and her accessories are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law and face disbarment. open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Arresting Two Journalists Is Pure Fascism
Pam Bondi must go.
open.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Voters must hold accountable every senator who confirmed Bondi, once in the majority conduct exacting oversight of DOJ , pursue Bondi’s impeachment, and ensure she and her accessories are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law and face disbarment. open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Reposted by Brad Smith
I was a White House ethics lawyer.
I used to advise people not to even accept a free cup of coffee from someone who had interests before them. And staff followed those rules.
I can’t even find the words to describe the scale of Trump’s corruption here.
I used to advise people not to even accept a free cup of coffee from someone who had interests before them. And staff followed those rules.
I can’t even find the words to describe the scale of Trump’s corruption here.
Foreign countries are bribing our president to sell out the American people.
Trump family businesses made $187 MILLION from this deal, and just months later he gave the UAE some of our most top-secret AI tech.
They are selling our national security to the highest bidder.
Trump family businesses made $187 MILLION from this deal, and just months later he gave the UAE some of our most top-secret AI tech.
They are selling our national security to the highest bidder.
February 2, 2026 at 7:28 AM
I was a White House ethics lawyer.
I used to advise people not to even accept a free cup of coffee from someone who had interests before them. And staff followed those rules.
I can’t even find the words to describe the scale of Trump’s corruption here.
I used to advise people not to even accept a free cup of coffee from someone who had interests before them. And staff followed those rules.
I can’t even find the words to describe the scale of Trump’s corruption here.
Reposted by Brad Smith
This
January 31, 2026 at 3:00 PM
This
Reposted by Brad Smith
Advocacy/tolerance for political violence is a very bright line that divides democracies from democracies that are backsliding into authoritarianism. Democracies in which one of two major parties openly endorses political violence, or at least is winkingly tolerant of it; are democracies in trouble.
January 31, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Advocacy/tolerance for political violence is a very bright line that divides democracies from democracies that are backsliding into authoritarianism. Democracies in which one of two major parties openly endorses political violence, or at least is winkingly tolerant of it; are democracies in trouble.
Reposted by Brad Smith
I'm very glad this idea is gaining traction. One of the best ways to constrain ICE is to let individual agents who violate the law know they are completely screwed the second Trump leaves office.
every free state should do this
California's Evidence Bank For ICE Crimes
open.substack.com/pub/brianbeu...
California's Evidence Bank For ICE Crimes
open.substack.com/pub/brianbeu...
California's Evidence Bank For ICE Crimes
A model for the next Minneapolis, from Attorney General Rob Bonta.
open.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:49 PM
I'm very glad this idea is gaining traction. One of the best ways to constrain ICE is to let individual agents who violate the law know they are completely screwed the second Trump leaves office.
Reposted by Brad Smith
I will bet your $100 that before the year is over the "Board of Peace" is also going to award Trump a peace prize and the prize will be a piece of gold twice the size of the Noble prize.
January 29, 2026 at 1:48 AM
I will bet your $100 that before the year is over the "Board of Peace" is also going to award Trump a peace prize and the prize will be a piece of gold twice the size of the Noble prize.
Reposted by Brad Smith
I think Minnesota could do a lot worse for a tourism slogan than "Minnesota: we treat Nazis like Nazis"
Q: Can you be specific about how many ICE and CBP agents are currently operating in the state?
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
January 29, 2026 at 3:08 PM
I think Minnesota could do a lot worse for a tourism slogan than "Minnesota: we treat Nazis like Nazis"
Reposted by Brad Smith
Some progressive House members should introduce a troll bill.
"The Trump Gun Control Plan": that would make it illegal to carry a gun anywhere in public and have it be a death penalty offense.
"The Trump Gun Control Plan": that would make it illegal to carry a gun anywhere in public and have it be a death penalty offense.
Trump: "With that being said, you can't have guns. You can't walk in with guns. You just can't. You can't walk in with guns. You can't do that. But it's just a very unfortunate incident."
January 28, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Some progressive House members should introduce a troll bill.
"The Trump Gun Control Plan": that would make it illegal to carry a gun anywhere in public and have it be a death penalty offense.
"The Trump Gun Control Plan": that would make it illegal to carry a gun anywhere in public and have it be a death penalty offense.
Reposted by Brad Smith
Reposted by Brad Smith
Comrade ... I reached out last week about my ᴘʀᴏʟᴇᴛᴀʀɪᴀɴs ᴏɴʟʏ sᴜʀᴠᴇʏ.
Are you a proud Supporter of Comrade Stalin or does the NKVD need to come and track you down?
ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴘʀᴏʟᴇᴛᴀʀɪᴀɴs ᴏɴʟʏ sᴜʀᴠᴇʏ
Are you a proud Supporter of Comrade Stalin or does the NKVD need to come and track you down?
ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴘʀᴏʟᴇᴛᴀʀɪᴀɴs ᴏɴʟʏ sᴜʀᴠᴇʏ
January 28, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Comrade ... I reached out last week about my ᴘʀᴏʟᴇᴛᴀʀɪᴀɴs ᴏɴʟʏ sᴜʀᴠᴇʏ.
Are you a proud Supporter of Comrade Stalin or does the NKVD need to come and track you down?
ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴘʀᴏʟᴇᴛᴀʀɪᴀɴs ᴏɴʟʏ sᴜʀᴠᴇʏ
Are you a proud Supporter of Comrade Stalin or does the NKVD need to come and track you down?
ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴘʀᴏʟᴇᴛᴀʀɪᴀɴs ᴏɴʟʏ sᴜʀᴠᴇʏ
Reposted by Brad Smith
"Fico seemed to be 'traumatized' by his encounter with Trump, one of the European diplomats said. Fico characterized Trump as being 'out of his mind,' a diplomat said, using the words briefed to them by their leader, who was directly involved in the conversation."
Slovak PM Robert Fico was left shocked by Donald Trump’s state of mind after a recent meeting with him, he told his European counterparts at a summit last week, according to five diplomats briefed on the conversation.
European leader spoke of shock at Trump’s state of mind after Mar-a-Lago meeting
The Slovak PM, a Trump ally, told leaders at last week’s EU summit he was concerned about the way the U.S. president spoke to him, European diplomats said.
www.politico.eu
January 28, 2026 at 2:44 PM
"Fico seemed to be 'traumatized' by his encounter with Trump, one of the European diplomats said. Fico characterized Trump as being 'out of his mind,' a diplomat said, using the words briefed to them by their leader, who was directly involved in the conversation."
Very informative and thought provoking discussion.
"What they're trying to make the argument for is that by being unlawfully present in the country, you've relinquish some of the rights that people have in the United States. No."
Elliot Williams joins @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social in the latest episode of The Illegal News:
Elliot Williams joins @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social in the latest episode of The Illegal News:
January 28, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Very informative and thought provoking discussion.
Reposted by Brad Smith
Reupping the dedicated website MN DOC made to debunk the false claims Trump's people keep making about non-cooperation. The latest update includes VIDEO proof that MN officials transferred custody of people ICE claims to have snatched.
Every state should have a similar site.
mn.gov/doc/about/ne...
Every state should have a similar site.
mn.gov/doc/about/ne...
![[Image of Latino man in blue jacket]
Jose Eliborio Ocampo-Leon (Moose Lake)
On January 22, 2026, at approximately 9:05 a.m., DOC transferred Jose Eliborio Ocampo-Leon from the Moose Lake facility directly to ICE custody, following standard detainer procedures. The following day, DHS falsely claimed this transfer as an ICE “arrest.” Video documentation confirms the custody transfer. DHS Highlights More Worst of the Worst Including Pedophiles, Sexual Predators, and Drug Traffickers Arrested Yesterday in Minnesota | Homeland Security
[Imagine of Latino woman, listing name, arrest place, and convictions]
Heydi Aguilera-Bustillo (Shakopee)
On January 6, 2026, at approximately 7:42 a.m., DOC coordinated with ICE and transferred Heydi Aguilera-Bustillo from the Shakopee facility directly to ICE custody. DHS later falsely claimed this transfer as a federal arrest tied to enforcement operations. Video documentation confirms the custody transfer. wow.dhs.gov/Minnesota
[picture of Latino man, listing conviction, gang affiliation, arrest location, and name]
Jaime Tirado-Hernandez (Lino Lakes)
On January 8, 2026, at approximately 7:05 a.m., DHS coordinated with ICE and transferred Jaime Tirado-Hernandez from the Lino Lakes facility directly to ICE custody. DHS later falsely claimed this transfer as a federal arrest tied to enforcement operations. Video documentation confirms the custody transfer. wow.dhs.gov/Minnesota](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bbp2b224lro3bfnzcqwwnkfo/bafkreidpmkpmuckif44j7pqmielmypuxecerzya2k7nmgm7qhtj2djazmm@jpeg)
January 28, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Reupping the dedicated website MN DOC made to debunk the false claims Trump's people keep making about non-cooperation. The latest update includes VIDEO proof that MN officials transferred custody of people ICE claims to have snatched.
Every state should have a similar site.
mn.gov/doc/about/ne...
Every state should have a similar site.
mn.gov/doc/about/ne...
Reposted by Brad Smith
Oil proceeds are going into a private account in Qatar that US Treasury cannot block. The entire arrangement is grotesquely illegal and corrupt. Rubio's answers are dissembling. And we can't seemingly even get intelligent questions for him. bsky.app/profile/atru...
Marco Rubio: "The oil proceeds are being deposited into an account that ultimately will become a US Treasury blocked account here in the US. We will say 'this is what this money can be spent on.' They will submit to us a budget request -- 'we want to use the money on these things.'"
January 28, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Oil proceeds are going into a private account in Qatar that US Treasury cannot block. The entire arrangement is grotesquely illegal and corrupt. Rubio's answers are dissembling. And we can't seemingly even get intelligent questions for him. bsky.app/profile/atru...