Robb Smith
@robbsmithideas.bsky.social
Over 30 years working with nonprofits and unions; political consultant; voting rights lawyer; author of the Margin of Error blog, a newsletter for progressives on polling, campaigns, public participation, and election law: https://moeblog.substack.com/
Sen Tina Smith (D-MN) has endorsed Lt Gov Peggy Flanagan to succeed her. This might be a signal to her opponent Rep Angie Craig to back down and wait to be appointed to the other open seat should Sen Amy Klobuchar win the governor's race.
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www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
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www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Tina Smith endorses Peggy Flanagan over Angie Craig in Minnesota Senate race
The retiring senator is choosing a fellow progressive and lieutenant governor as her successor over moderate Rep. Angie Craig.
www.politico.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Sen Tina Smith (D-MN) has endorsed Lt Gov Peggy Flanagan to succeed her. This might be a signal to her opponent Rep Angie Craig to back down and wait to be appointed to the other open seat should Sen Amy Klobuchar win the governor's race.
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www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
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www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Robb Smith
NO MORE FUNDING FOR ICE.
The Senate is expected to vote on funding for ICE and DHS later this week. Call your Senator now.
(instructions and script below)
The Senate is expected to vote on funding for ICE and DHS later this week. Call your Senator now.
(instructions and script below)
January 27, 2026 at 6:28 PM
NO MORE FUNDING FOR ICE.
The Senate is expected to vote on funding for ICE and DHS later this week. Call your Senator now.
(instructions and script below)
The Senate is expected to vote on funding for ICE and DHS later this week. Call your Senator now.
(instructions and script below)
Reposted by Robb Smith
NEW: This isn't about "training." The two agents who murdered Alex Pretti - Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez - have been with Border Patrol for 8 and 12 years respectively. You can't reform CBP. Abolish ICE/CBP. www.propublica.org/article/alex...
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 1, 2026 at 9:26 PM
NEW: This isn't about "training." The two agents who murdered Alex Pretti - Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez - have been with Border Patrol for 8 and 12 years respectively. You can't reform CBP. Abolish ICE/CBP. www.propublica.org/article/alex...
In the past week, we have seen the two largest Democratic over-performances in special elections since 2024. One was a 24 point over-performance held in St Paul in the middle of ICE's occupation of the Twin Cities.
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February 1, 2026 at 9:51 PM
In the past week, we have seen the two largest Democratic over-performances in special elections since 2024. One was a 24 point over-performance held in St Paul in the middle of ICE's occupation of the Twin Cities.
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Reposted by Robb Smith
It’s free, but subscribe to @wired.com.
NEW: The @wired.com Security desk put together a comprehensive guide to filming ICE—with tips for reducing risk at the forefront. No paywall, but please consider subscribing to help find these kinds of resources. And stay safe out there. www.wired.com/story/how-to...
www.wired.com/v2/offers/wi...
www.wired.com/v2/offers/wi...
How to Film ICE
Filming federal agents in public is legal, but avoiding a dangerous—even deadly—confrontation isn’t guaranteed. Here’s how to record ICE and CBP agents as safely as possible and have an impact.
www.wired.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:39 PM
It’s free, but subscribe to @wired.com.
Reposted by Robb Smith
Susan Collins, always there when you don’t need her.
January 30, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Susan Collins, always there when you don’t need her.
Reposted by Robb Smith
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.
So Schumer is giving Trump two weeks to pull back ICE and calm the storm so it seems like the worst is behind us. Then he will agree to funding ICE after being given worthless promises to do meaningless reforms. Then it’s back to business for these fascists. Prove me wrong, Dems. Please. #abolishice
January 30, 2026 at 5:35 AM
So Schumer is giving Trump two weeks to pull back ICE and calm the storm so it seems like the worst is behind us. Then he will agree to funding ICE after being given worthless promises to do meaningless reforms. Then it’s back to business for these fascists. Prove me wrong, Dems. Please. #abolishice
Reposted by Robb Smith
One of the hardest things to explain to people who aren’t here is the very real feeling that we are in a war against the federal government. Not only are we occupied by unaccountable armed, masked paramilitaries, but we are constantly aware our neighbors might be abducted in the blink of an eye.
Was he actually approaching Minnesota as a regime change
January 29, 2026 at 11:04 PM
One of the hardest things to explain to people who aren’t here is the very real feeling that we are in a war against the federal government. Not only are we occupied by unaccountable armed, masked paramilitaries, but we are constantly aware our neighbors might be abducted in the blink of an eye.
Reposted by Robb Smith
As far as I know, Tom Suozzi here still does not have a primary challenger in his district (NY-3 on Long Island).
The filing deadline is April 6 for the primary on June 23, and if there's a remotely progressive town council member or PTA president in that district, this is the time to make a move.
The filing deadline is April 6 for the primary on June 23, and if there's a remotely progressive town council member or PTA president in that district, this is the time to make a move.
Confronted Congressman Tom Suozzi, one of seven Democrats casting the decisive votes to increase ICE funding by $10,000,000,000.
January 29, 2026 at 1:45 AM
As far as I know, Tom Suozzi here still does not have a primary challenger in his district (NY-3 on Long Island).
The filing deadline is April 6 for the primary on June 23, and if there's a remotely progressive town council member or PTA president in that district, this is the time to make a move.
The filing deadline is April 6 for the primary on June 23, and if there's a remotely progressive town council member or PTA president in that district, this is the time to make a move.
These are things Democrats should have insisted on years ago. Now, it's ridiculous that their response to 9 murders this year and a violent invasion of a US city is to insist on training and body cams.
SCHUMER says Democrats are “united” behind three DHS reforms
1/ End roving patrols; tighten the rules on warrants and require ICE to coordinate with local authorities.
2/ Enforce accountability; a uniform code of conduct.
3/ Require masks off, body cameras on, agents carry ID.
1/ End roving patrols; tighten the rules on warrants and require ICE to coordinate with local authorities.
2/ Enforce accountability; a uniform code of conduct.
3/ Require masks off, body cameras on, agents carry ID.
January 28, 2026 at 9:11 PM
These are things Democrats should have insisted on years ago. Now, it's ridiculous that their response to 9 murders this year and a violent invasion of a US city is to insist on training and body cams.
Reposted by Robb Smith
The Minneapolis resistance, as Renee Good showed, formed quickly because it built on the backs of people who were already doing food drives, school board organizing, and other community work. And those groups are 80% female, I'm guessing. If not more.
They underestimated women. And it bit them.
They underestimated women. And it bit them.
January 28, 2026 at 8:23 PM
The Minneapolis resistance, as Renee Good showed, formed quickly because it built on the backs of people who were already doing food drives, school board organizing, and other community work. And those groups are 80% female, I'm guessing. If not more.
They underestimated women. And it bit them.
They underestimated women. And it bit them.
If there is one thing that is entirely unimportant right now, it's whether Bill Belichick gets into the Hall of Fame this year or next. Read the room.
January 28, 2026 at 8:27 PM
If there is one thing that is entirely unimportant right now, it's whether Bill Belichick gets into the Hall of Fame this year or next. Read the room.
Just one day after an appeals court lifted the stay against ICE for the purposes only of considering the appeal, ICE has used tear gas against civilians. And we discovered ICE has instructed agents to break into people's homes w/o a warrant or probable cause. The Court should reinstate the stay.
ICE letting off tear gas at 29th and Blaisdell in Whittier (Minneapolis), convoy of agents, several people appear hurt by gas. Car left abandoned in the street
January 22, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Just one day after an appeals court lifted the stay against ICE for the purposes only of considering the appeal, ICE has used tear gas against civilians. And we discovered ICE has instructed agents to break into people's homes w/o a warrant or probable cause. The Court should reinstate the stay.
Reposted by Robb Smith
🚨HOLY CRAP. An ICE whistleblower just revealed a secret memo authorizing ICE officers to break into homes without a judicial warrant, which DHS's own legal training materials say is unconstitutional!
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
January 21, 2026 at 10:00 PM
🚨HOLY CRAP. An ICE whistleblower just revealed a secret memo authorizing ICE officers to break into homes without a judicial warrant, which DHS's own legal training materials say is unconstitutional!
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
Reposted by Robb Smith
I try to avoid hyperbole when it comes to Trump policies, but this is absolutely frickin’ insane—on about eleventy different levels.
Massive, systemic Fourth Amendment violations because … reasons.
Massive, systemic Fourth Amendment violations because … reasons.
ICE secretly told its officers that any time someone has been ordered removed, ICE can break down their door.
It has been accepted for generations that the only thing which can authorize agents to break into your home is a warrant signed by a judge. No wonder ICE hid this memo!
It has been accepted for generations that the only thing which can authorize agents to break into your home is a warrant signed by a judge. No wonder ICE hid this memo!
![May 12, 2025
MEMORANDUM FOR: All ICE Personnel
FROM: Todd Lyons Acting Director
SUBJECT: Utilizing Form I-205, Warrant of Removal
On January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to "ensur[e] the successful enforcement of final orders of removal." 90 Fed. Reg. 8443, 8444 (Jan. 20, 2025) (E.O. 14159). Essential to the removal of aliens subject to final orders of removal is the ability to locate and arrest them. To this end, certain supervisory immigration officers within both Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are authorized to issue an administrative warrant, Form I-205, Warrant of Removal (Form 1-205), for the arrest of an alien with a final order of removal. 8 C.F.R. § 241.2(a)(1). All U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents and deportation officers are authorized to execute Forms 1-205. 8 C.F.R. § 287.5(e)(3)(iii) - (y)
Although the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not historically relied on administrative warrants alone to arrest aliens subject to final orders of removal in their place of residence, the DHS Office of the General Counsel has recently determined that the U.S. Constitution, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the immigration regulations do not prohibit relying on administrative warrants for this purpose. Accordingly, in light of this legal determination, ICE immigration officers may arrest and detain aliens subject to a final under of removal issued by an immigration judge, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), or a U.S.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vtbmhmrwzbqcfv4we4uxzzt/bafkreifrzrvaszfhj4bzhgtyvx3fm6ht4kc2zrwtvozijyxl3zxgp7vx6a@jpeg)
January 21, 2026 at 10:28 PM
I try to avoid hyperbole when it comes to Trump policies, but this is absolutely frickin’ insane—on about eleventy different levels.
Massive, systemic Fourth Amendment violations because … reasons.
Massive, systemic Fourth Amendment violations because … reasons.
I'm attending Analilia Mejía for New Jersey's event, “Send Texts for Analilia Mejia on Thursdays!” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/nj-wfp/event...
Send Texts for Analilia Mejia on Thursdays! · New Jersey Working Families Party
Join the Analilia for New Jersey team as we text voters about the upcoming special primary election on February 5th!
This is a virtual event on Zoom. The link will be provided when you RSVP. **You'll...
www.mobilize.us
January 22, 2026 at 12:53 AM
I'm attending Analilia Mejía for New Jersey's event, “Send Texts for Analilia Mejia on Thursdays!” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/nj-wfp/event...
Reposted by Robb Smith
Your regular reminder that Republicans in Congress approve of what the President is doing.
January 21, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Your regular reminder that Republicans in Congress approve of what the President is doing.
Reposted by Robb Smith
You cant buy a house because our president is really mad he didn’t get a Nobel peace prize and so he is threatening Greenland.
January 21, 2026 at 12:59 PM
You cant buy a house because our president is really mad he didn’t get a Nobel peace prize and so he is threatening Greenland.
Why isn't every media outfit in Minnesota following around ICE with cameras documenting how they are terrorizing residents? Or am I missing something and they are already doing that?
January 21, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Why isn't every media outfit in Minnesota following around ICE with cameras documenting how they are terrorizing residents? Or am I missing something and they are already doing that?
Congressional Democrats must take drastic measures to stop this government from continuing its unconstitutional and illegal killing, threatening, & kidnapping of Americans. We are already in worst-case scenarios. Withhold all votes: no minibus, no appts, no unan consent. @housedemocrats.bsky.social
January 21, 2026 at 4:26 AM
Congressional Democrats must take drastic measures to stop this government from continuing its unconstitutional and illegal killing, threatening, & kidnapping of Americans. We are already in worst-case scenarios. Withhold all votes: no minibus, no appts, no unan consent. @housedemocrats.bsky.social
Reposted by Robb Smith
My statement on funding DHS:
The proposed Appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security released today puts no meaningful constraints on the growing lawlessness of ICE, and increases funding for detention over the last Appropriations bill passed in 2024.
The proposed Appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security released today puts no meaningful constraints on the growing lawlessness of ICE, and increases funding for detention over the last Appropriations bill passed in 2024.
January 20, 2026 at 9:26 PM
My statement on funding DHS:
The proposed Appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security released today puts no meaningful constraints on the growing lawlessness of ICE, and increases funding for detention over the last Appropriations bill passed in 2024.
The proposed Appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security released today puts no meaningful constraints on the growing lawlessness of ICE, and increases funding for detention over the last Appropriations bill passed in 2024.
Reposted by Robb Smith
Men who defend Jonathan Ross for murdering Renee Good are not safe to be around. End those relationships.
January 19, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Men who defend Jonathan Ross for murdering Renee Good are not safe to be around. End those relationships.
Let's put this on the ballot this year and see what happens.
More than 200,000 Danish citizens have signed a petition to buy California as a response to Trump’s attempt to take Greenland.
They say they will provide Californians with “rule of law, universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries.”
They say they will provide Californians with “rule of law, universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries.”
January 17, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Let's put this on the ballot this year and see what happens.
If I were a European leader, I would propose a continent-wide boycott of the US Olympics and hold rival games across Europe instead. In fact, I would call on countries outside Europe to join as well.
I have a sneaking suspicion that neither the World Cup nor the LA Olympics will feature full European participation, if they happen at all.
Are we honestly doing the World Cup over there? For real?
January 17, 2026 at 10:05 PM
If I were a European leader, I would propose a continent-wide boycott of the US Olympics and hold rival games across Europe instead. In fact, I would call on countries outside Europe to join as well.