Leah McElrath
@leahmcelrath.bsky.social
Politics, intl relations, psychology, etc.
Making sense of a world that doesn’t
Smith College BA, MSW | LSE
#AuDHD #LGBTQ #MECFS
Patreon: patreon.com/leahmcelrath
Making sense of a world that doesn’t
Smith College BA, MSW | LSE
#AuDHD #LGBTQ #MECFS
Patreon: patreon.com/leahmcelrath
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All reposts and donations are very deeply appreciated.
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Reposted by Leah McElrath
Tiny urban forests can help #rewild urban settings and help fight #climatechange. The brainchild of the Japanese botanist Miyawaki is taking his idea global.
We have so many solutions. Implement them. #ActOnClimate
#climate #forests #nature #biodiversity
We have so many solutions. Implement them. #ActOnClimate
#climate #forests #nature #biodiversity
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Tiny urban forests can help #rewild urban settings and help fight #climatechange. The brainchild of the Japanese botanist Miyawaki is taking his idea global.
We have so many solutions. Implement them. #ActOnClimate
#climate #forests #nature #biodiversity
We have so many solutions. Implement them. #ActOnClimate
#climate #forests #nature #biodiversity
These images would have been unimaginable even one year ago:
Photos from today's meeting between President Trump and Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House.
November 10, 2025 at 8:05 PM
These images would have been unimaginable even one year ago:
What color shirts will they wear?
New:
On The Gateway Pundit's podcast yesterday, Stewart Rhodes announced he's relaunching the Oath Keepers
He also urged Trump to “call us up as a militia" & "order us all to come together in our counties under his command."
www.mediamatters.org/oath-keepers...
On The Gateway Pundit's podcast yesterday, Stewart Rhodes announced he's relaunching the Oath Keepers
He also urged Trump to “call us up as a militia" & "order us all to come together in our counties under his command."
www.mediamatters.org/oath-keepers...
![STEWART RHODES (FOUNDER, OATH KEEPERS): And one other thing I want to say is that President Trump, as commander in chief, always has absolute authority to call all of us up as the militia because every one of us — in federal statues defining the militia, it's every able-bodied male from age 17-45. And for us veterans, it goes up to age 64 because of our prior training and experience.
Right now, under federal statutes, President Trump can call us up as the militia if he sees it necessary, especially for three purposes: to repel invasions, to suppress insurrections, and to execute the laws of the union. And right now, we see all three of those in play.
...
And the militia is all of us. So the National Guard is part of the militia, which is why it's completely lawful for him to use the National Guard as he has, and he should do more of that, I think, across the country.
...
He could just say given the circumstances of an invasion, insurrection, and resistance against federal law being being enforced, I'm calling up the militia, ordering all the men to come together [in] every county, put the veterans in charge of training and organizing all the other men and just have them stand too and await his orders. He can do that and I think he should do that. And so that's what I'll be advocating for from him. So from the bottom, from down the rank and file, we can let President Trump know that we're ready to serve, encourage him to do that, call us up as a militia, order us all to come together in our counties under his command, which gives you complete legal sanction to do what you're doing.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:af7tqcetuyt352aolf3znlxe/bafkreialm4skuozqobejpd6vx4m6kuwsgtidxmmxvj3ftcff6otiuyohiy@jpeg)
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
What color shirts will they wear?
The combination of there’s nothing he WON’T do and nothing they WILL do is…not great.
November 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The combination of there’s nothing he WON’T do and nothing they WILL do is…not great.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
Hearing from more people after this went out.
"We're all pissed. This was a lot of unnecessary stress on people and their families for nothing. And if I win the lottery tonight I absolutely will spend millions to hire people to follow these 8 Dems around for a year and make their lives miserable."
"We're all pissed. This was a lot of unnecessary stress on people and their families for nothing. And if I win the lottery tonight I absolutely will spend millions to hire people to follow these 8 Dems around for a year and make their lives miserable."
I heard from a bunch of federal employees last night and this morning. They aren't happy.
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something. All this for a fucking meaningless vote."
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something. All this for a fucking meaningless vote."
'A Slap in the Face': Federal Employees Feel Betrayed by Democrats' Shutdown Cave
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something."
www.gravityisgone.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Hearing from more people after this went out.
"We're all pissed. This was a lot of unnecessary stress on people and their families for nothing. And if I win the lottery tonight I absolutely will spend millions to hire people to follow these 8 Dems around for a year and make their lives miserable."
"We're all pissed. This was a lot of unnecessary stress on people and their families for nothing. And if I win the lottery tonight I absolutely will spend millions to hire people to follow these 8 Dems around for a year and make their lives miserable."
So Dems lost Matt Yglesias, Chris Cillizza, Jonathan Chait, and—now—Ezra Klein.
That’s how bad their decision to cave is.
That’s how bad their decision to cave is.
"If I were in the Senate, I wouldn’t vote for this compromise. Shutdowns are an opportunity to make your arguments, and the country was just starting to pay attention... I worry that Democrats have just taught Trump that they will fold under pressure."
{ gift link } www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/o...
{ gift link } www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/o...
Opinion | What Were Democrats Thinking?
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
So Dems lost Matt Yglesias, Chris Cillizza, Jonathan Chait, and—now—Ezra Klein.
That’s how bad their decision to cave is.
That’s how bad their decision to cave is.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
New: The Supreme Court DENIES Kim Davis' request to overturn Obergefell, the marriage equality decision. No noted dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
New: The Supreme Court DENIES Kim Davis' request to overturn Obergefell, the marriage equality decision. No noted dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
Reposted by Leah McElrath
Some thoughts on the CR/minibus.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
November 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Some thoughts on the CR/minibus.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
There are wide lanes open for Democratic candidates who believe in something other than neoliberalism and insider trading.
November 10, 2025 at 4:19 AM
There are wide lanes open for Democratic candidates who believe in something other than neoliberalism and insider trading.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
Two-thirds of Democrats say their own party makes them feel frustrated. By far the most commonly cited reason is that the party is not pushing back hard enough against Trump. www.pewresearch.org/politics/202...
November 10, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Two-thirds of Democrats say their own party makes them feel frustrated. By far the most commonly cited reason is that the party is not pushing back hard enough against Trump. www.pewresearch.org/politics/202...
So it wasn’t a nightmare.
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
So it wasn’t a nightmare.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
Like I fucking said.
To repeat: I have studied a lot of cases of autocratization over the past 15 years. Wrote about them, taught about them, consulting about them.
I do not recall an opposition so apathetic, ignorant, and inept as the @democrats.org. They cling to their power, rather than fight for democracy. Shame.
I do not recall an opposition so apathetic, ignorant, and inept as the @democrats.org. They cling to their power, rather than fight for democracy. Shame.
November 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Like I fucking said.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
They’re not cowardly.
They’re complicit.
Assuming they’re cowardly gives them the benefit of the doubt of being in opposition.
They’re complicit.
Assuming they’re cowardly gives them the benefit of the doubt of being in opposition.
November 10, 2025 at 3:22 AM
They’re not cowardly.
They’re complicit.
Assuming they’re cowardly gives them the benefit of the doubt of being in opposition.
They’re complicit.
Assuming they’re cowardly gives them the benefit of the doubt of being in opposition.
There are wide lanes open for Democratic candidates who believe in something other than neoliberalism and insider trading.
November 10, 2025 at 4:19 AM
There are wide lanes open for Democratic candidates who believe in something other than neoliberalism and insider trading.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
putting chuck schumer where he belongs: thread
November 10, 2025 at 3:36 AM
putting chuck schumer where he belongs: thread
They’re not cowardly.
They’re complicit.
Assuming they’re cowardly gives them the benefit of the doubt of being in opposition.
They’re complicit.
Assuming they’re cowardly gives them the benefit of the doubt of being in opposition.
November 10, 2025 at 3:22 AM
They’re not cowardly.
They’re complicit.
Assuming they’re cowardly gives them the benefit of the doubt of being in opposition.
They’re complicit.
Assuming they’re cowardly gives them the benefit of the doubt of being in opposition.
Watching people radicalize in real time is heartening.
elmo is standing in front of a fire with the words `` welcome to the darkside '' .
Alt: elmo is standing in front of a fire with the words “welcome to the darkside”
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Watching people radicalize in real time is heartening.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once.
The valiant never taste of death but once.
November 10, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once.
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
One of the talking points I keep seeing from Democrats is that part of the deal is that it will "ensure federal workers receive back pay" but that's the existing law!
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 AM
One of the talking points I keep seeing from Democrats is that part of the deal is that it will "ensure federal workers receive back pay" but that's the existing law!
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
Major concession from Democrats here is enhanced ACA funds aren’t extended. Preserving them was Dems’ central demand in this fight. They secured a promise of a vote (which Thune has been offering for weeks), but that could still fail. Even if it passes, Johnson has made no promise of a House vote.
Tentative Senate deal to end shutdown, multiple sources tell me & @frankthorp.bsky.social:
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
November 10, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Major concession from Democrats here is enhanced ACA funds aren’t extended. Preserving them was Dems’ central demand in this fight. They secured a promise of a vote (which Thune has been offering for weeks), but that could still fail. Even if it passes, Johnson has made no promise of a House vote.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
👇
We tried to show them after the last surrender. There's no sense in trying to convince them anymore. Primaries are the only path to a fighting opposition party now.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
👇
Life as a Democrat:
He thought he had learned pain, but he would learn it again and again, all his life, and forget none of it.
November 10, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Life as a Democrat:
Reposted by Leah McElrath
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
November 10, 2025 at 1:36 AM
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
Schumer can be removed from his Dem leadership role this week - 23 Dems (and/or independents) just have to vote to depose him
And they should, given this is his fault.
And they should, given this is his fault.
This is a lovely sentiment but Schumer isn't up for re-election until 2028 and he knows this. At which point he will be 77/78. There's no mechanism to recall a sitting senator AFAIK.
Let’s be clear: Chuck Schumer is the one ending this shutdown, no matter how the votes read.
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
November 10, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Schumer can be removed from his Dem leadership role this week - 23 Dems (and/or independents) just have to vote to depose him
And they should, given this is his fault.
And they should, given this is his fault.
Reposted by Leah McElrath
Vibes among House Democrats and activists, "The Senate is the enemy"
November 10, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Vibes among House Democrats and activists, "The Senate is the enemy"