Matt Sircely
@mattsircely.bsky.social
Songwriter, mandolin, guitar & other stringed instruments, music teacher, 30 yrs freelance writer/photographer. Originally from Pennsylvania, now based in Seattle area, Western Washington
Reposted by Matt Sircely
BIG news from @bloomberg.com, which confirms that ICE has gone ahead and *purchased* multiple commercial warehouses with the aim of converting them into mass detention camps.
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
ICE Begins Buying ‘Mega’ Warehouse Detention Centers Across US
Plans for such centers and jails in nearly two dozen communities have sparked protests over suitability, proximity to homes and schools.
www.bloomberg.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:47 PM
BIG news from @bloomberg.com, which confirms that ICE has gone ahead and *purchased* multiple commercial warehouses with the aim of converting them into mass detention camps.
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Matt Sircely
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
January 30, 2026 at 4:44 PM
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
The plan to use AI has alarmed some at DOT, which regulates everything from air travel to pipelines.
Why, some staffers wondered, would the government outsource the writing of critical standards to a new technology notorious for making mistakes?
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
Why, some staffers wondered, would the government outsource the writing of critical standards to a new technology notorious for making mistakes?
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
Government by AI? Trump Administration Plans to Write Regulations Using Artificial Intelligence
The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations. “We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer....
www.propublica.org
January 30, 2026 at 4:00 AM
The plan to use AI has alarmed some at DOT, which regulates everything from air travel to pipelines.
Why, some staffers wondered, would the government outsource the writing of critical standards to a new technology notorious for making mistakes?
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
Why, some staffers wondered, would the government outsource the writing of critical standards to a new technology notorious for making mistakes?
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Between seizing ballots in Georgia, trying to leverage Minnesota to turn over its sensitive voter data, and political prosecutions, the DOJ is laying the groundwork to subvert the 2026 elections. I created Democracy Docket for times like this. Help it grow by supporting it now. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
January 30, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Between seizing ballots in Georgia, trying to leverage Minnesota to turn over its sensitive voter data, and political prosecutions, the DOJ is laying the groundwork to subvert the 2026 elections. I created Democracy Docket for times like this. Help it grow by supporting it now. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
Reposted by Matt Sircely
#ResistanceEarth
Congress is showing some backbone. The House has passed a funding bill that maintains the budgets of NOAA and NASA. The Senate is expected to do the same. This would thwart Trump's drastic spending cuts that would have devastated climate research.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/14/c...
Congress is showing some backbone. The House has passed a funding bill that maintains the budgets of NOAA and NASA. The Senate is expected to do the same. This would thwart Trump's drastic spending cuts that would have devastated climate research.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/14/c...
Trump wants to slash funding for federal climate and weather research. Congress is about to tell him ‘No’ | CNN
Congress is poised to reject President Donald Trump’s “astounding” proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as NASA’s Earth science programs.
www.cnn.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:29 AM
#ResistanceEarth
Congress is showing some backbone. The House has passed a funding bill that maintains the budgets of NOAA and NASA. The Senate is expected to do the same. This would thwart Trump's drastic spending cuts that would have devastated climate research.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/14/c...
Congress is showing some backbone. The House has passed a funding bill that maintains the budgets of NOAA and NASA. The Senate is expected to do the same. This would thwart Trump's drastic spending cuts that would have devastated climate research.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/14/c...
Reposted by Matt Sircely
This isn't just a casual observation. Fascism scholars have long made this point. It's why calling them "weird" was a more effective strategy than talking about the prices of eggs. Fascism is an aesthetic political movement - you need to make people feel embarassed and horrified by it.
one of the most effective weapons we have against fascism is mockery, especially when its really funny
It occurs to me all the yelling at ICE in MPLS isn't merely funny. Getting made fun of like this is awful for morale. ICE is losing field officers faster than it can wave them through training, and a big part of it is how little of this these little weasels can take.
January 12, 2026 at 5:54 PM
This isn't just a casual observation. Fascism scholars have long made this point. It's why calling them "weird" was a more effective strategy than talking about the prices of eggs. Fascism is an aesthetic political movement - you need to make people feel embarassed and horrified by it.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
It was another wild week for democracy, as President Donald Trump’s authoritarian power grab — from his bid to rig the 2026 midterms to his corrupt, revenge-driven prosecutions — suffered some major setbacks. Here's a quick recap:
www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
This Week at Democracy Docket: Trump’s Texas Gerrymander Blocked, and the GOP Calls ICE on Signature Gatherers
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:28 PM
It was another wild week for democracy, as President Donald Trump’s authoritarian power grab — from his bid to rig the 2026 midterms to his corrupt, revenge-driven prosecutions — suffered some major setbacks. Here's a quick recap:
www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Rep. Adelita Grijalva called Mike Johnson blocking her swearing in "an abuse of power."
"One individual should not be able to unitaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected member of Congress."
"One individual should not be able to unitaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected member of Congress."
November 12, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Rep. Adelita Grijalva called Mike Johnson blocking her swearing in "an abuse of power."
"One individual should not be able to unitaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected member of Congress."
"One individual should not be able to unitaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected member of Congress."
Reposted by Matt Sircely
The 9th circuit ruled the opposite. That the president’s power is not plenary, and that it’s subject to judicial review. I wonder why they gave him a do-over. Didn’t Trump sue over an edited Harris video?
October 8, 2025 at 5:08 AM
The 9th circuit ruled the opposite. That the president’s power is not plenary, and that it’s subject to judicial review. I wonder why they gave him a do-over. Didn’t Trump sue over an edited Harris video?
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Zelensky said he had a “good conversation” with Trump and believes the US president’s position has shifted.
www.kyivpost.com/post/60744
www.kyivpost.com/post/60744
‘We Can’t Just Swap Territories’: Zelensky Says Trump Finally Understands Ukraine’s Position
Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Zelensky said he had a “good conversation” with Trump and believes the US president’s position has shifted.
www.kyivpost.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Zelensky said he had a “good conversation” with Trump and believes the US president’s position has shifted.
www.kyivpost.com/post/60744
www.kyivpost.com/post/60744
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Whatever else you think of him, I don't think he is insincere about this stuff, and it should be recognized as extraordinary that he, Pritzker, and other governors are talking about the federal government in these terms. It's not normal political rhetoric, it's the language of existential emergency.
Newsom: "I fear that we will not have an election in 2028 -- I really mean that in the core of my soul -- unless we wake up to the code red, what's happening in this country, and we wake up soberly to how serious this moment is."
September 24, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Whatever else you think of him, I don't think he is insincere about this stuff, and it should be recognized as extraordinary that he, Pritzker, and other governors are talking about the federal government in these terms. It's not normal political rhetoric, it's the language of existential emergency.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
September 17, 2025
"A republic, if you can keep it."
"A republic, if you can keep it."
September 17, 2025 (Wednesday)
This evening, John Koblin, Michael M.
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 6:26 AM
September 17, 2025
"A republic, if you can keep it."
"A republic, if you can keep it."
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Earlier today, FCC Chair Brendan Carr said “we can do this the easy way or the hard way” about Disney/ABC “taking action on Kimmel.”
Hours later, ABC pulled Kimmel off the air.
It’s a blatant crackdown on free speech by an authoritarian administration. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Hours later, ABC pulled Kimmel off the air.
It’s a blatant crackdown on free speech by an authoritarian administration. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Disney's ABC pulls 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' after FCC chair criticizes the host's Charlie Kirk comments
The network confirmed it is "indefinitely" pulling the show.
www.nbcnews.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Earlier today, FCC Chair Brendan Carr said “we can do this the easy way or the hard way” about Disney/ABC “taking action on Kimmel.”
Hours later, ABC pulled Kimmel off the air.
It’s a blatant crackdown on free speech by an authoritarian administration. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Hours later, ABC pulled Kimmel off the air.
It’s a blatant crackdown on free speech by an authoritarian administration. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Reposted by Matt Sircely
I’ve never applauded jury nullification.
Until now.
Free DC.
Until now.
Free DC.
August 29, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I’ve never applauded jury nullification.
Until now.
Free DC.
Until now.
Free DC.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
I’ve spent the last 24 hours in the Capitol as Republicans caved and advanced their Big Ugly Bill in the dead of night.
A final vote is set for this morning.
This will be the biggest transfer of wealth from our everyday working people to the rich—and it will devastate our country.
A final vote is set for this morning.
This will be the biggest transfer of wealth from our everyday working people to the rich—and it will devastate our country.
July 3, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I’ve spent the last 24 hours in the Capitol as Republicans caved and advanced their Big Ugly Bill in the dead of night.
A final vote is set for this morning.
This will be the biggest transfer of wealth from our everyday working people to the rich—and it will devastate our country.
A final vote is set for this morning.
This will be the biggest transfer of wealth from our everyday working people to the rich—and it will devastate our country.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
If you’re wondering if US climate researchers are freaking out, yeah they’re freaking out.
June 2, 2025 at 1:04 PM
If you’re wondering if US climate researchers are freaking out, yeah they’re freaking out.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
Frost: Tonight the people stealing are not folks with tattoos and hoodies but people wearing suits and ties and congressional pins sitting in the capitol now, not in some alley wrapped in darkness but the United States congress wrapped in the flag. It is disgusting and we will never forget this.
May 22, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Frost: Tonight the people stealing are not folks with tattoos and hoodies but people wearing suits and ties and congressional pins sitting in the capitol now, not in some alley wrapped in darkness but the United States congress wrapped in the flag. It is disgusting and we will never forget this.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
News: Four union leaders call for Abrego Garcia's release in new letter to El Salvadoran ambassador. Labor is ramping up its advocacy for this sheet metal worker.
"The erosion of rights and due process for immigrants in the US is a direct threat to the rights of all working people."
"The erosion of rights and due process for immigrants in the US is a direct threat to the rights of all working people."
May 2, 2025 at 11:34 AM
News: Four union leaders call for Abrego Garcia's release in new letter to El Salvadoran ambassador. Labor is ramping up its advocacy for this sheet metal worker.
"The erosion of rights and due process for immigrants in the US is a direct threat to the rights of all working people."
"The erosion of rights and due process for immigrants in the US is a direct threat to the rights of all working people."
Reposted by Matt Sircely
April 26, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Reposted by Matt Sircely
The Democrats who fought for their constituents, and stood up for the rights of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and Andry Hernandez Romero, have weakened Trump on his strongest issue. You can’t lose when you fight for the Constitution.
Remarkable from WaPo poll: Trump sinking fast on immigration among independents.
56% disapprove of handling of issue
62% oppose removing foreign students
52% oppose renditions to El Salvador
Only 21% want Abrego Garcia left there
Engage, Dems.
New piece from me:
newrepublic.com/article/1944...
56% disapprove of handling of issue
62% oppose removing foreign students
52% oppose renditions to El Salvador
Only 21% want Abrego Garcia left there
Engage, Dems.
New piece from me:
newrepublic.com/article/1944...
Trump Is Suddenly Bleeding Independents. A Brutal New Poll Shows Why.
Immigration was his best issue in the polls. But now he's sinking on it. Maybe Americans care about the rule of law after all.
newrepublic.com
April 25, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The Democrats who fought for their constituents, and stood up for the rights of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and Andry Hernandez Romero, have weakened Trump on his strongest issue. You can’t lose when you fight for the Constitution.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
3/ It appears to essentially abolish what we now know as the foreign service. Immediately ends the foreign service exam. Institutes new system based on things like "demonstrated charisma", "verbal authenticity", "alignment with President's foreign policy vision", et al.
April 20, 2025 at 1:42 AM
3/ It appears to essentially abolish what we now know as the foreign service. Immediately ends the foreign service exam. Institutes new system based on things like "demonstrated charisma", "verbal authenticity", "alignment with President's foreign policy vision", et al.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
They hate America, the constitution, and our democracy, and want a dictatorship instead. They’re not hiding it.
April 21, 2025 at 4:50 AM
They hate America, the constitution, and our democracy, and want a dictatorship instead. They’re not hiding it.
Reposted by Matt Sircely
One note to DOJ: I'm sorry you're overwhelmed with all of the defending of lawlessness that you're doing, but this is *not* the way to do this.
Is DOJ just no longer filing actual stay requests at district courts? They just file a paragraph and attach an appeals court filing? What?
Is DOJ just no longer filing actual stay requests at district courts? They just file a paragraph and attach an appeals court filing? What?
BREAKING: DOJ asks the D.C. Circuit to block Judge Boasberg's Wednesday opinion and order finding probable cause for criminal contempt, and asks Boasberg to do the same.
![UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
J.G.G., et al.,
Plaintiffs,
V.
No. 1:25-cv-00766-JEB
DONALD J. TRUMP, et al.,
Defendants.
EMERGENCY MOTION FOR A STAY PENDING APPEAL
For the reasons stated in the attached "Emergency Motion for a Stay Pending Appeal, or in the Alternative, a Writ of Mandamus," filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on April 17, 2025, Defendants hereby request a stay of the Court's Order dated April 16, 2025, [Docket Entry 80] and the Memorandum Opinion entered on April 16, 2025 [Docket Entry 81] pending further review by the Court of Appeals. On April 17, 2025,
undersigned counsel contacted Lee Gelernt, counsel for Plaintiffs, who expressed opposition to
the motion on behalf of the Plaintiffs.
YAAKOV M. ROTH
Acting Assistant Attorney General
Civil Division
DREW C. ENSIGN
Deputy Assistant Attorney General
Respectfully submitted,
By: s/ Ernesto H. Molina, Jr.
ERNESTO H. MOLINA, JR.
Deputy Director
United States Department of Justice
Civil Division
Office Of Immigration Litigation -
General Litigation and Appeals Section](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreifjvkswzxdrn4rfzcahtzdelkfsvjpc5nlfzo5q52j4fqe4xztsmq@jpeg)
April 18, 2025 at 5:04 AM
One note to DOJ: I'm sorry you're overwhelmed with all of the defending of lawlessness that you're doing, but this is *not* the way to do this.
Is DOJ just no longer filing actual stay requests at district courts? They just file a paragraph and attach an appeals court filing? What?
Is DOJ just no longer filing actual stay requests at district courts? They just file a paragraph and attach an appeals court filing? What?
Reposted by Matt Sircely
one thing that Democratic politicians should take note of is that the overlap between “great political optics” and “actual morally good stuff” is really big right now
April 18, 2025 at 5:20 AM
one thing that Democratic politicians should take note of is that the overlap between “great political optics” and “actual morally good stuff” is really big right now