Riley Messer
@rileymesser.bsky.social
Researcher at Documented (documented.net)
Reposted by Riley Messer
Last fall, @propublica.org and @documented.net broke the story that Russell Vought, Trump’s current budget chief, said he planned to put career civil servants “in trauma.”
Now, we're investigating the full extent of Vought's impact on the federal government. We need your help… 🧵 1/
Now, we're investigating the full extent of Vought's impact on the federal government. We need your help… 🧵 1/
August 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Last fall, @propublica.org and @documented.net broke the story that Russell Vought, Trump’s current budget chief, said he planned to put career civil servants “in trauma.”
Now, we're investigating the full extent of Vought's impact on the federal government. We need your help… 🧵 1/
Now, we're investigating the full extent of Vought's impact on the federal government. We need your help… 🧵 1/
Reposted by Riley Messer
It comes after the investigative group Documented on Tuesday released a 2021 letter in which Sgamma wrote that she was “disgusted” by Trump “spreading misinformation” about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob.
Trump’s pick to oversee public lands withdraws after criticism of Jan. 6 riot surfaces
Kathleen Sgamma, Trump’s Bureau of Land Management nominee, wrote in 2021 that she was “disgusted” by the Jan. 6 attack, an investigative group had just disclosed.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
It comes after the investigative group Documented on Tuesday released a 2021 letter in which Sgamma wrote that she was “disgusted” by Trump “spreading misinformation” about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob.
Reposted by Riley Messer
ICE has arrested Iranian national Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral candidate studying mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama. He was arrested at home at 5 a.m. Tuesday.
As with some of the others who've been disappeared, unclear why he was detained. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
As with some of the others who've been disappeared, unclear why he was detained. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
ICE detains University of Alabama doctoral student as government's college crackdown continues
According to ICE records, Iranian national Alireza Doroudi is currently being held in a "detention facility" after he was recently detained.
www.nbcnews.com
March 27, 2025 at 9:30 PM
ICE has arrested Iranian national Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral candidate studying mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama. He was arrested at home at 5 a.m. Tuesday.
As with some of the others who've been disappeared, unclear why he was detained. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
As with some of the others who've been disappeared, unclear why he was detained. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Riley Messer
I asked an international human rights lawyer recently what red lines to watch for - he said, “when people start to disappear.” Well…https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/us/ice-tufts-student-detained-rumeysa-ozturk.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts Student, Is Detained by ICE
The university was told that the student’s visa had been terminated, its president said in a late-night email to students and faculty members.
www.nytimes.com
March 27, 2025 at 12:11 AM
I asked an international human rights lawyer recently what red lines to watch for - he said, “when people start to disappear.” Well…https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/us/ice-tufts-student-detained-rumeysa-ozturk.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Reposted by Riley Messer
Elon Musk is spending millions of dollars to elect Brad Schimel, a conservative judge in Wisconsin, to the State Supreme Court. If he succeeds, conservatives will retake a 4-to-3 majority and be in a position to push the state rightward on issues like abortion, labor rights and congressional maps.
Elon Musk Returns to His Trump Playbook in a Big Wisconsin Race
The billionaire, now a White House official and no longer a private citizen, is spending millions of dollars to elect a conservative judge, and making himself a main character in the race.
www.nytimes.com
March 22, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Elon Musk is spending millions of dollars to elect Brad Schimel, a conservative judge in Wisconsin, to the State Supreme Court. If he succeeds, conservatives will retake a 4-to-3 majority and be in a position to push the state rightward on issues like abortion, labor rights and congressional maps.
Reposted by Riley Messer
NEW: St. Louis officials say the state’s plan to wrest back control of the police department is an attempt by white conservatives to weaken Black political influence. It’s part of a broader pattern of Missouri Republicans trying to override the will of voters.
By @jeremykohler.bsky.social
By @jeremykohler.bsky.social
Missouri GOP’s Effort to Take Over St. Louis Police Hearkens Back to Civil War
City officials say the state’s plan to wrest back control of the police department is an attempt by white conservatives to weaken Black political influence. It’s part of a broader pattern of Missouri…
propub.li
February 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
NEW: St. Louis officials say the state’s plan to wrest back control of the police department is an attempt by white conservatives to weaken Black political influence. It’s part of a broader pattern of Missouri Republicans trying to override the will of voters.
By @jeremykohler.bsky.social
By @jeremykohler.bsky.social
Reposted by Riley Messer
Musk-linked group offered $5m for proof of voter fraud – and came up with nothing
Musk-linked group offered $5m for proof of voter fraud – and came up with nothing
Fair Election Fund has yet to reveal evidence of voter fraud despite deep-pocketed backers – and has now gone silent
In May 2024, a flashy ad went viral on social media warning that “across the country, there are real cases of fraud and abuses of the…
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Musk-linked group offered $5m for proof of voter fraud – and came up with nothing
Reposted by Riley Messer
NEW from @documented.net + @theguardian.com: An Elon Musk-linked nonprofit, Fair Election Fund, offered a $5M reward for proof of voter fraud. It found… nothing.
🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Musk-linked group offered $5m for proof of voter fraud – and came up with nothing
Fair Election Fund has yet to reveal evidence of voter fraud despite deep-pocketed backers – and has now gone silent
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2025 at 3:58 PM
NEW from @documented.net + @theguardian.com: An Elon Musk-linked nonprofit, Fair Election Fund, offered a $5M reward for proof of voter fraud. It found… nothing.
🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Riley Messer
Ed Martin ran Phyllis Schlafly’s Eagle Forum. Schlafly was a Bircher whose first big book (A Choice not an Echo) promoted Goldwater’s nomination in 1964. Her final book was “The Conservative Case for Donald Trump.” This is the culmination of the far right’s 60+ year effort to take over the GOP.
Advocate of Jan. 6 Rioters Now Runs Office That Investigated Them. In his long legal career, he has never been a prosecutor, spending more time as a political operative and radio host.
By Eileen SullivanAlan FeuerAlexandra Berzon
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/u...
By Eileen SullivanAlan FeuerAlexandra Berzon
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/u...
Ed Martin, Advocate of Jan. 6 Rioters, Is Now Leading U.S. Attorney’s Office
Ed Martin, a loyal Trump soldier, oversees the U.S. attorney’s office, which is likely to help turn the investigative powers of the government on several of the president’s perceived enemies.
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Ed Martin ran Phyllis Schlafly’s Eagle Forum. Schlafly was a Bircher whose first big book (A Choice not an Echo) promoted Goldwater’s nomination in 1964. Her final book was “The Conservative Case for Donald Trump.” This is the culmination of the far right’s 60+ year effort to take over the GOP.
Reposted by Riley Messer
NEW: Elon Musk's buddies and DOGE underlings are working in the dark to make drastic changes to the US government.
@propublica.org is shining light on them with our new tracker.
Read. Share. Most importantly, send us your Musk tips: projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-do...
@propublica.org is shining light on them with our new tracker.
Read. Share. Most importantly, send us your Musk tips: projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-do...
Elon Musk’s Demolition Crew
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has been unleashed on federal agencies. ProPublica is attempting to document who is working with him and what they are doing.
projects.propublica.org
February 6, 2025 at 11:15 PM
NEW: Elon Musk's buddies and DOGE underlings are working in the dark to make drastic changes to the US government.
@propublica.org is shining light on them with our new tracker.
Read. Share. Most importantly, send us your Musk tips: projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-do...
@propublica.org is shining light on them with our new tracker.
Read. Share. Most importantly, send us your Musk tips: projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-do...
Reposted by Riley Messer
BREAKING: @npr.org has confirmed U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Santos is resigning, giving President Trump an early opportunity to nominate an appointee to lead the bureau during key preparations for the #2030Census
Census Bureau Director Robert Santos is resigning, making way for Trump's pick
Census Bureau Director Robert Santos is resigning, giving President Trump an early opportunity to nominate an appointee to lead the bureau during key preparations for the 2030 census.
www.npr.org
January 30, 2025 at 11:18 PM
BREAKING: @npr.org has confirmed U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Santos is resigning, giving President Trump an early opportunity to nominate an appointee to lead the bureau during key preparations for the #2030Census
Reposted by Riley Messer
NYT reports an air traffic controller’s seat was empty at DCA last night www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
January 30, 2025 at 7:02 PM
NYT reports an air traffic controller’s seat was empty at DCA last night www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
Andrea Lucas, the sole remaining commissioner and Acting Chair of EEOC, has ties to influential groups on the right including Alliance Defending Freedom and Family Research Council. She previously attended ADF’s Christmas party.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
January 30, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Andrea Lucas, the sole remaining commissioner and Acting Chair of EEOC, has ties to influential groups on the right including Alliance Defending Freedom and Family Research Council. She previously attended ADF’s Christmas party.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Riley Messer
Army Blackhawk helicopters are crashing into passenger planes at DCA while the Secretary of Defense is on Fox News ranting about DEI
January 30, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Army Blackhawk helicopters are crashing into passenger planes at DCA while the Secretary of Defense is on Fox News ranting about DEI
Reposted by Riley Messer
Russ Vought promised donors that a second Trump admin would put career civil servants "in trauma," according to a recording of a private speech obtained by @documented.net and @propublica.org. It's now clear he wasn't bluffing.
January 29, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Russ Vought promised donors that a second Trump admin would put career civil servants "in trauma," according to a recording of a private speech obtained by @documented.net and @propublica.org. It's now clear he wasn't bluffing.
Reposted by Riley Messer
Back in August, when @propublica.org and @documented.net obtained these training videos, this is what Leavitt had to say about Trump and Project 2025:
“As our campaign leadership and President Trump have repeatedly stated, Agenda 47 is the only official policy agenda from our campaign.”
“As our campaign leadership and President Trump have repeatedly stated, Agenda 47 is the only official policy agenda from our campaign.”
January 29, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Back in August, when @propublica.org and @documented.net obtained these training videos, this is what Leavitt had to say about Trump and Project 2025:
“As our campaign leadership and President Trump have repeatedly stated, Agenda 47 is the only official policy agenda from our campaign.”
“As our campaign leadership and President Trump have repeatedly stated, Agenda 47 is the only official policy agenda from our campaign.”
Reposted by Riley Messer
NEW: OPM — the US govt's HR department — is now being run exclusively by Big Tech lackies, mostly from Elon Musk companies. Reporting directly to the chief of staff is a kid who just graduated high school & was recently a camp counsellor before interning at Neuralink.
From @telliotter.bsky.social:
From @telliotter.bsky.social:
Elon Musk Lackeys Have Taken Over the Office of Personnel Management
Sources tell WIRED that the OPM’s top layers of management now include individuals linked to xAI, Neuralink, the Boring Company, and Palantir. One expert found the takeover reminiscent of Stalin.
www.wired.com
January 28, 2025 at 11:18 PM
NEW: OPM — the US govt's HR department — is now being run exclusively by Big Tech lackies, mostly from Elon Musk companies. Reporting directly to the chief of staff is a kid who just graduated high school & was recently a camp counsellor before interning at Neuralink.
From @telliotter.bsky.social:
From @telliotter.bsky.social:
Reposted by Riley Messer
Maria Moe had been held in a low-security women's facility with no disturbance, complaints, or disciplinary record. Trump has held her in solitary confinement for the past four days and plans to send Moe, who transitioned at 15, to a men's prison where she risks facing abuse, assault, and rape.
NEW lawsuit from transgender woman in US custody challenges Trump's anti-LGBTQ+ executive order - storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 27, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Maria Moe had been held in a low-security women's facility with no disturbance, complaints, or disciplinary record. Trump has held her in solitary confinement for the past four days and plans to send Moe, who transitioned at 15, to a men's prison where she risks facing abuse, assault, and rape.
Reposted by Riley Messer
Commentary: Elon Musk’s outsized influence in Donald Trump’s new administration is a direct result of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which turns 15 this week.
Blame the Supreme Court for Elon Musk's Power in Trump's Administration
Elon Musk’s outsized influence with Donald Trump is a direct result of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which turns 15 this week.
www.rollingstone.com
January 22, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Commentary: Elon Musk’s outsized influence in Donald Trump’s new administration is a direct result of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which turns 15 this week.
Reposted by Riley Messer
among the many things Trump is not wasting time on — an effort to upend longstanding rules around the Census, that would pave the way for a totally different way of distributing power and drawing maps, likely after 2030.
(hard to overstate how important this would be)
www.npr.org/2025/01/20/n...
(hard to overstate how important this would be)
www.npr.org/2025/01/20/n...
Trump rescinds Biden's census order, clearing a path for reshaping election maps
President Trump revoked a Biden-era executive order that affirmed the longstanding practice of including the total number of persons residing in each state in a census count used for election maps.
www.npr.org
January 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
among the many things Trump is not wasting time on — an effort to upend longstanding rules around the Census, that would pave the way for a totally different way of distributing power and drawing maps, likely after 2030.
(hard to overstate how important this would be)
www.npr.org/2025/01/20/n...
(hard to overstate how important this would be)
www.npr.org/2025/01/20/n...
Reposted by Riley Messer
US sues Elon Musk for allegedly failing to disclose early Twitter stock purchase
US sues Elon Musk for allegedly failing to disclose early Twitter stock purchase
Financial regulator alleges Musk later acquired shares of company at ‘artificially low prices’, stiffing shareholders
A US financial regulator has sued Elon Musk for allegedly failing to disclose his ownership of Twitter stock and later acquiring shares…
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2025 at 11:57 PM
US sues Elon Musk for allegedly failing to disclose early Twitter stock purchase
Reposted by Riley Messer
New: Meta has deleted trans and nonbinary Messenger themes, as well as the blog posts announcing them. Happens the same week that it has changed its rules to allow users to say LGBTQ+ people are "mentally ill"
www.404media.co/meta-deletes...
www.404media.co/meta-deletes...
Meta Deletes Trans and Nonbinary Messenger Themes
Amid a series of changes that allows users to target LGBTQ+ people, Meta has deleted product features it initially championed.
www.404media.co
January 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
New: Meta has deleted trans and nonbinary Messenger themes, as well as the blog posts announcing them. Happens the same week that it has changed its rules to allow users to say LGBTQ+ people are "mentally ill"
www.404media.co/meta-deletes...
www.404media.co/meta-deletes...
Reposted by Riley Messer
NEW: An audit of @AZGOP's 2022 finances found no evidence of "theft or fraud" by those involved in prior administration. At the time, the state party chair was Kelli Ward. Some background here: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Arizona GOP raised record money with misleading pitches on election audit
GOP chair Kelli Ward said in a text message the party had no plans to fund the review, despite what it was telling supporters.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2025 at 6:23 PM
NEW: An audit of @AZGOP's 2022 finances found no evidence of "theft or fraud" by those involved in prior administration. At the time, the state party chair was Kelli Ward. Some background here: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Riley Messer
#BREAKING: The North Carolina Supreme Court blocks certification of the Supreme Court election, will hear Jefferson Griffin's protest later this month. #ncpol #Election2024
January 7, 2025 at 5:07 PM
#BREAKING: The North Carolina Supreme Court blocks certification of the Supreme Court election, will hear Jefferson Griffin's protest later this month. #ncpol #Election2024