Erika D. Smith
@erika-d-smith.bsky.social
Politics & Policy Columnist, Bloomberg Opinion. Past: Los Angeles Times🦅, Sacramento Bee, IndyStar, Akron Beacon Journal. Ohioan by birth. Proud Californian by choice. ✊🏾🏳️🌈
Pinned
Newsom Isn’t the Best ‘Affordability’ Messenger
California Governor Gavin Newsom got a hero’s welcome last week when he arrived in Brazil for COP30. Because President Donald Trump basically boycotted the United Nations Climate Summit, it was Newsom...
www.bloomberg.com
In my latest for @opinion.bloomberg.com, I wrote on Gavin Newsom and Democrats’ grand plan to focus on “affordability” to beat Republicans.
California is many things, but cheap isn’t one.
This could mean problems for Newsom, the aspiring presidential candidate.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
California is many things, but cheap isn’t one.
This could mean problems for Newsom, the aspiring presidential candidate.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
🥴
The Republican women said “the speaker had failed to listen to them or engage in direct conversations on major political and policy issues, suggesting that doing so was a cultural challenge for Mr. Johnson — an evangelical Christian who” believes in gender roles. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
The Republican women said “the speaker had failed to listen to them or engage in direct conversations on major political and policy issues, suggesting that doing so was a cultural challenge for Mr. Johnson — an evangelical Christian who” believes in gender roles. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
Republican Anger Erupts at Johnson as Party Frets About Future
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:45 AM
🥴
The Republican women said “the speaker had failed to listen to them or engage in direct conversations on major political and policy issues, suggesting that doing so was a cultural challenge for Mr. Johnson — an evangelical Christian who” believes in gender roles. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
The Republican women said “the speaker had failed to listen to them or engage in direct conversations on major political and policy issues, suggesting that doing so was a cultural challenge for Mr. Johnson — an evangelical Christian who” believes in gender roles. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
Gross and entirely predictable.
“Lawyers reported cancellations of naturalization ceremonies and interviews for immigration status, and said they were left puzzled on Tuesday as immigrants were turned away from interviews for green cards and other forms of relief.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
“Lawyers reported cancellations of naturalization ceremonies and interviews for immigration status, and said they were left puzzled on Tuesday as immigrants were turned away from interviews for green cards and other forms of relief.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
U.S. Pauses Immigration Applications From Nations on Travel Ban List
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Gross and entirely predictable.
“Lawyers reported cancellations of naturalization ceremonies and interviews for immigration status, and said they were left puzzled on Tuesday as immigrants were turned away from interviews for green cards and other forms of relief.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
“Lawyers reported cancellations of naturalization ceremonies and interviews for immigration status, and said they were left puzzled on Tuesday as immigrants were turned away from interviews for green cards and other forms of relief.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
This is going to be a mess.
“Minneapolis police chief, Brian O’Hara, asked residents of the Twin Cities who see masked individuals purporting to be law enforcement officials to call 911…citing this summer’s killing of Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman.” www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
“Minneapolis police chief, Brian O’Hara, asked residents of the Twin Cities who see masked individuals purporting to be law enforcement officials to call 911…citing this summer’s killing of Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman.” www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump rails against Somali migrants: ‘I don’t want them in our country’
The president blasted Minnesota’s Somali community as “garbage” in a rant also attacking Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:25 PM
This is going to be a mess.
“Minneapolis police chief, Brian O’Hara, asked residents of the Twin Cities who see masked individuals purporting to be law enforcement officials to call 911…citing this summer’s killing of Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman.” www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
“Minneapolis police chief, Brian O’Hara, asked residents of the Twin Cities who see masked individuals purporting to be law enforcement officials to call 911…citing this summer’s killing of Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman.” www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Erika D. Smith
Jacob Frey: "We are here to respond to credible reports relaying that there are as many as 100 federal agents that will be deployed to the Twin Cities with a specific focus on targeting our Somali community. To our Somali community -- we love you and we stand with you. That commitment is rock solid"
December 2, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Jacob Frey: "We are here to respond to credible reports relaying that there are as many as 100 federal agents that will be deployed to the Twin Cities with a specific focus on targeting our Somali community. To our Somali community -- we love you and we stand with you. That commitment is rock solid"
This is so dumb.
“Employees and grantees may still ‘tout the work’ being done through various programs ‘to counter this dangerous disease and other infectious diseases around the world.’
…But they should ‘refrain from publicly promoting World AIDS Day.’” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
“Employees and grantees may still ‘tout the work’ being done through various programs ‘to counter this dangerous disease and other infectious diseases around the world.’
…But they should ‘refrain from publicly promoting World AIDS Day.’” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
Trump Administration Will No Longer Commemorate World AIDS Day
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:18 PM
This is so dumb.
“Employees and grantees may still ‘tout the work’ being done through various programs ‘to counter this dangerous disease and other infectious diseases around the world.’
…But they should ‘refrain from publicly promoting World AIDS Day.’” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
“Employees and grantees may still ‘tout the work’ being done through various programs ‘to counter this dangerous disease and other infectious diseases around the world.’
…But they should ‘refrain from publicly promoting World AIDS Day.’” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
Reposted by Erika D. Smith
Waters: This is an important press conference that is being held to let you know what we're all doing: resisting this lowdown dirty no good filthy president
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Waters: This is an important press conference that is being held to let you know what we're all doing: resisting this lowdown dirty no good filthy president
Trump, the convicted felon…
NEW in Bolts: Before he left office, President Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 people on federal death row. Now, Trump officials are sending them to a notoriously harsh supermax prison.
Read our new collaboration with @thenation.com:
Read our new collaboration with @thenation.com:
Death Row Prisoners Granted Clemency by Biden Brace for “Living Hell” Under Trump
Trump officials are retaliating by imposing the harshest conditions in the entire federal prison system, including near total isolation.
boltsmag.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Trump, the convicted felon…
😂
Q: Just days ago you referred to Trump as a 'despot.' Will you retract?
MAMDANI: We're both very clear on our positions & what I really appreciate about the president is our meeting focused not on places of disagreement but shared purpose we have
TRUMP: I've been called much worse than a despot
MAMDANI: We're both very clear on our positions & what I really appreciate about the president is our meeting focused not on places of disagreement but shared purpose we have
TRUMP: I've been called much worse than a despot
November 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
😂
Reposted by Erika D. Smith
NEW: ICE has finally released post-shutdown detention data. The latest data reveals that a full 40%(!) of people arrested in the interior and held in ICE detention have no criminal record; no criminal charges or prior convictions. That is up from just 4% when Trump took office.
November 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: ICE has finally released post-shutdown detention data. The latest data reveals that a full 40%(!) of people arrested in the interior and held in ICE detention have no criminal record; no criminal charges or prior convictions. That is up from just 4% when Trump took office.
Reposted by Erika D. Smith
A federal court shot down Texas’ bid to redraw its congressional districts, delivering a loss to President Donald Trump and closing a path for Republicans to gain five House seats in next year’s midterm elections. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Texas Redistricting Plan Blocked by Court, Upending GOP Strategy
A federal court shot down Texas’ bid to redraw its congressional districts, delivering a loss to President Donald Trump and closing a path for Republicans to gain five House seats in next year’s midte...
www.bloomberg.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:56 PM
A federal court shot down Texas’ bid to redraw its congressional districts, delivering a loss to President Donald Trump and closing a path for Republicans to gain five House seats in next year’s midterm elections. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Just wow.
FOX: Here's a viral video of landscapers who were being addressed by a CBP agent. What do you say to people who say that falls outside the purview of getting criminals out?
GREG BOVINO: Martha, do we know the criminal records of those so-called landscapers?
GREG BOVINO: Martha, do we know the criminal records of those so-called landscapers?
November 17, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Just wow.
Reposted by Erika D. Smith
New Mexico's free universal child care program is a model for the nation.
www.krqe.com/news/new-mex...
www.krqe.com/news/new-mex...
November 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
New Mexico's free universal child care program is a model for the nation.
www.krqe.com/news/new-mex...
www.krqe.com/news/new-mex...
Reposted by Erika D. Smith
“Short bursts indicate an ICE sighting. Long whistles indicate agents making arrests. If you hear the whistle and you’re undocumented, said [Whitney Hu, a community activist and organizer with South Brooklyn Mutual Aid], ‘you hide. And if you’re somebody who’s not, you go to the street.’”
As ICE Street Raids Ramp Up, New Yorkers Stock Up On Whistles
Taking a cue from Chicago, community groups have distributed thousands of whistles in recent weeks — a grassroots system people in other cities have adopted to help neighbors sound the alarm.
www.thecity.nyc
November 17, 2025 at 1:44 PM
“Short bursts indicate an ICE sighting. Long whistles indicate agents making arrests. If you hear the whistle and you’re undocumented, said [Whitney Hu, a community activist and organizer with South Brooklyn Mutual Aid], ‘you hide. And if you’re somebody who’s not, you go to the street.’”
Reposted by Erika D. Smith
US citizen Maria Greeley, a Latina who was adopted, was walking home from work downtown when masked agents zip tied her. They said she “doesn’t look like a Greeley.” This is how the government treats people under current deportation policies.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
November 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
US citizen Maria Greeley, a Latina who was adopted, was walking home from work downtown when masked agents zip tied her. They said she “doesn’t look like a Greeley.” This is how the government treats people under current deportation policies.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
Reposted by Erika D. Smith
In my latest for @opinion.bloomberg.com, I wrote on Gavin Newsom and Democrats’ grand plan to focus on “affordability” to beat Republicans.
California is many things, but cheap isn’t one.
This could mean problems for Newsom, the aspiring presidential candidate.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
California is many things, but cheap isn’t one.
This could mean problems for Newsom, the aspiring presidential candidate.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Newsom Isn’t the Best ‘Affordability’ Messenger
California Governor Gavin Newsom got a hero’s welcome last week when he arrived in Brazil for COP30. Because President Donald Trump basically boycotted the United Nations Climate Summit, it was Newsom...
www.bloomberg.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
In my latest for @opinion.bloomberg.com, I wrote on Gavin Newsom and Democrats’ grand plan to focus on “affordability” to beat Republicans.
California is many things, but cheap isn’t one.
This could mean problems for Newsom, the aspiring presidential candidate.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
California is many things, but cheap isn’t one.
This could mean problems for Newsom, the aspiring presidential candidate.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
In my latest for @opinion.bloomberg.com, I wrote on Gavin Newsom and Democrats’ grand plan to focus on “affordability” to beat Republicans.
California is many things, but cheap isn’t one.
This could mean problems for Newsom, the aspiring presidential candidate.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
California is many things, but cheap isn’t one.
This could mean problems for Newsom, the aspiring presidential candidate.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Newsom Isn’t the Best ‘Affordability’ Messenger
California Governor Gavin Newsom got a hero’s welcome last week when he arrived in Brazil for COP30. Because President Donald Trump basically boycotted the United Nations Climate Summit, it was Newsom...
www.bloomberg.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
In my latest for @opinion.bloomberg.com, I wrote on Gavin Newsom and Democrats’ grand plan to focus on “affordability” to beat Republicans.
California is many things, but cheap isn’t one.
This could mean problems for Newsom, the aspiring presidential candidate.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
California is many things, but cheap isn’t one.
This could mean problems for Newsom, the aspiring presidential candidate.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
This is like peak LA.
$1 billion dollars to build new roads into LAX. Meanwhile, the “people mover” train that’s supposed to connect the airport’s terminals, car rental center and Metro Transit Center has been beset by delays. And so it’s $880 million over budget.
🙄
laist.com/transportati...
$1 billion dollars to build new roads into LAX. Meanwhile, the “people mover” train that’s supposed to connect the airport’s terminals, car rental center and Metro Transit Center has been beset by delays. And so it’s $880 million over budget.
🙄
laist.com/transportati...
LAX officials vote unanimously to build new $1.5 billion road into airport
Critics have questioned the need for the project.
laist.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:54 PM
This is like peak LA.
$1 billion dollars to build new roads into LAX. Meanwhile, the “people mover” train that’s supposed to connect the airport’s terminals, car rental center and Metro Transit Center has been beset by delays. And so it’s $880 million over budget.
🙄
laist.com/transportati...
$1 billion dollars to build new roads into LAX. Meanwhile, the “people mover” train that’s supposed to connect the airport’s terminals, car rental center and Metro Transit Center has been beset by delays. And so it’s $880 million over budget.
🙄
laist.com/transportati...
Uh huh.
As I wrote for @opinion.bloomberg.com all told, 65,000 kids, or 10% of all Head Start, were at risk because of the shutdown.
It’s a moral issue, depriving the poorest children of care and food. But it’s also an economic issue Trump hasn’t addressed.
🎁: www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
As I wrote for @opinion.bloomberg.com all told, 65,000 kids, or 10% of all Head Start, were at risk because of the shutdown.
It’s a moral issue, depriving the poorest children of care and food. But it’s also an economic issue Trump hasn’t addressed.
🎁: www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
November 13, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Uh huh.
As I wrote for @opinion.bloomberg.com all told, 65,000 kids, or 10% of all Head Start, were at risk because of the shutdown.
It’s a moral issue, depriving the poorest children of care and food. But it’s also an economic issue Trump hasn’t addressed.
🎁: www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
As I wrote for @opinion.bloomberg.com all told, 65,000 kids, or 10% of all Head Start, were at risk because of the shutdown.
It’s a moral issue, depriving the poorest children of care and food. But it’s also an economic issue Trump hasn’t addressed.
🎁: www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
I guess Republicans are finally paying attention to polls — and recent election results — of Latino voters.
“The Trump administration accuses California of violating the Constitution by gerrymandering using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters in the new map.”
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
“The Trump administration accuses California of violating the Constitution by gerrymandering using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters in the new map.”
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Justice Department joins lawsuit over new California congressional districts
California redrew Congressional district boundaries in effort to combat Texas' new lines. Voters approved the new boundaries in November
www.usatoday.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I guess Republicans are finally paying attention to polls — and recent election results — of Latino voters.
“The Trump administration accuses California of violating the Constitution by gerrymandering using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters in the new map.”
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
“The Trump administration accuses California of violating the Constitution by gerrymandering using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters in the new map.”
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Interesting context…
“Of the seven Democrats and one independent who voted yes tonight, two, Senators Dick Durbin of Illinois and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, are retiring. The remaining six are not up for reelection until at least 2028.”
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
“Of the seven Democrats and one independent who voted yes tonight, two, Senators Dick Durbin of Illinois and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, are retiring. The remaining six are not up for reelection until at least 2028.”
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Update from Robert Jimison
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Interesting context…
“Of the seven Democrats and one independent who voted yes tonight, two, Senators Dick Durbin of Illinois and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, are retiring. The remaining six are not up for reelection until at least 2028.”
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
“Of the seven Democrats and one independent who voted yes tonight, two, Senators Dick Durbin of Illinois and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, are retiring. The remaining six are not up for reelection until at least 2028.”
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Reposted by Erika D. Smith
Gotta give Newsom credit for consistently connecting the dots. He’s saying out loud what far, far, FAR too many politicians on the left are fine with merely griping about quietly.
Newsom: They want to bring us back to a pre-1960s, maybe 1860s world. And you’re seeing it not just on voting rights—you’re seeing it on civil rights, on women’s rights, on LGBTQ rights. They’re censoring historic facts. They’re on a banning binge—Bud Light and Big Bird
November 8, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Gotta give Newsom credit for consistently connecting the dots. He’s saying out loud what far, far, FAR too many politicians on the left are fine with merely griping about quietly.
A win for reality.
“Judge Immergut also disputed the president’s claim that antifa, at least in Portland, is an organized and cohesive group working against the federal government” and that testimony from ICE about “how disruptive the protests was not believable.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
“Judge Immergut also disputed the president’s claim that antifa, at least in Portland, is an organized and cohesive group working against the federal government” and that testimony from ICE about “how disruptive the protests was not believable.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
Judge Permanently Blocks National Guard Deployments to Portland for ICE Protests
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:53 AM
A win for reality.
“Judge Immergut also disputed the president’s claim that antifa, at least in Portland, is an organized and cohesive group working against the federal government” and that testimony from ICE about “how disruptive the protests was not believable.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
“Judge Immergut also disputed the president’s claim that antifa, at least in Portland, is an organized and cohesive group working against the federal government” and that testimony from ICE about “how disruptive the protests was not believable.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
This such a bananas things to double — triple? quadruple? — down on…
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to stop order requiring SNAP benefits be paid
The Trump administration filed a last-minute appeal with the Supreme Court to not have to pay full SNAP food aid benefits to millions of Americans.
www.usatoday.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:12 AM
This such a bananas things to double — triple? quadruple? — down on…
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
She’s not wrong!
(Yeah, it’s going to take me a bit longer to get used to this.)
(Yeah, it’s going to take me a bit longer to get used to this.)
Collins: When the president says there's virtually no inflation and that grocery prices are going down, do you agree with him on that?
Greene: No. I go to the grocery store myself. Grocery prices remain high. Energy prices are high.
Greene: No. I go to the grocery store myself. Grocery prices remain high. Energy prices are high.
November 7, 2025 at 4:50 AM
She’s not wrong!
(Yeah, it’s going to take me a bit longer to get used to this.)
(Yeah, it’s going to take me a bit longer to get used to this.)