Thomas Bartscherer
@tbartscherer.bsky.social
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ICE to begin detaining immigrants inside Social Circle warehouse in April
Homeland Security plans to build warehouse detention facilities in other cities being met with opposition.
www.ajc.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:56 PM
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
The consistency in the quality of Lawfare's programming is exemplary. Against the flood of misinformation, aggregator content, and sheer fluff, Lawfare stands strong.
February 6, 2026 at 10:11 PM
The consistency in the quality of Lawfare's programming is exemplary. Against the flood of misinformation, aggregator content, and sheer fluff, Lawfare stands strong.
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
Here's @rickhasen.bsky.social detailing the scenario in which Trump uses search warrant to seize ballot boxes in a contested 2026 locale. This is more worrisome than ICE at the polls. Hasen also suggests ways to act against this now.
It's harrowing stuff:
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
It's harrowing stuff:
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
February 6, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Here's @rickhasen.bsky.social detailing the scenario in which Trump uses search warrant to seize ballot boxes in a contested 2026 locale. This is more worrisome than ICE at the polls. Hasen also suggests ways to act against this now.
It's harrowing stuff:
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
It's harrowing stuff:
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
Hannah Arendt's Literary Agent Georges Borchardt, 97, Dies www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/o...
Georges Borchardt, 97, Dies; Literary Agent Championed Wiesel’s ‘Night’
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Hannah Arendt's Literary Agent Georges Borchardt, 97, Dies www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/o...
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
I usually hesitate to post obituaries but this one, of my literary agent, Georges Borchardt, born in 1928, is so unusual that it deserves to be widely shared.
An incredible 20th century life
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/o...
An incredible 20th century life
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/o...
Georges Borchardt, 97, Dies; Literary Agent Championed Wiesel’s ‘Night’
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:05 AM
I usually hesitate to post obituaries but this one, of my literary agent, Georges Borchardt, born in 1928, is so unusual that it deserves to be widely shared.
An incredible 20th century life
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/o...
An incredible 20th century life
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/o...
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
NEW: Trump's coup is almost complete. And the attack on the press is a central piece of it. Bezos's gutting of the Washington Post cannot be allowed to be just another blip in the news cycle.
We are all going to have to fight for a free and independent press.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
We are all going to have to fight for a free and independent press.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Fight!
Fuck Bezos. The Washington Post can and must rise again.
open.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:17 AM
NEW: Trump's coup is almost complete. And the attack on the press is a central piece of it. Bezos's gutting of the Washington Post cannot be allowed to be just another blip in the news cycle.
We are all going to have to fight for a free and independent press.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
We are all going to have to fight for a free and independent press.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
One reason Minneapolis remains in the world's eye is we have one of the most robust & independent media ecosystems remaining in the country. You all need this...and more! @mprnews.org @startribune.com @sahanjournal.bsky.social @minnesotareformer.com @minnpost.bsky.social @racketmn.com etc.
February 6, 2026 at 12:12 AM
One reason Minneapolis remains in the world's eye is we have one of the most robust & independent media ecosystems remaining in the country. You all need this...and more! @mprnews.org @startribune.com @sahanjournal.bsky.social @minnesotareformer.com @minnpost.bsky.social @racketmn.com etc.
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
Luttig: It doesn’t matter what the Supreme Court does from this point forward. For two years, the Supreme Court has authorized the absolute lawlessness and unconstitutional activity of this president.
February 5, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Luttig: It doesn’t matter what the Supreme Court does from this point forward. For two years, the Supreme Court has authorized the absolute lawlessness and unconstitutional activity of this president.
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
as i keep saying, the things to do to secure elections are to volunteer to work the polls or to serve as an observer, & to pressure your *state representatives* to take steps to further secure voting locations and ballots. you should also learn about how election administration works in your area.
February 5, 2026 at 1:35 PM
as i keep saying, the things to do to secure elections are to volunteer to work the polls or to serve as an observer, & to pressure your *state representatives* to take steps to further secure voting locations and ballots. you should also learn about how election administration works in your area.
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
Marian Goodman était la plus française des galeristes américaines. Gerhard Richter, Anselm Kiefer, Annette Messager : l'américaine a contribué à faire connaître nombre d’artistes européens aux Etats Unis. Marian Goodman est morte, elle avait 97 ans.
Mort de Marian Goodman, la plus française des galeristes américaines
Gerhard Richter, Anselm Kiefer, Annette Messager... L’Américaine, qui a contribué à faire connaître nombre d’artistes européens aux Etats Unis, est morte le 22 janvier à 97 ans.
www.liberation.fr
January 26, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Marian Goodman était la plus française des galeristes américaines. Gerhard Richter, Anselm Kiefer, Annette Messager : l'américaine a contribué à faire connaître nombre d’artistes européens aux Etats Unis. Marian Goodman est morte, elle avait 97 ans.
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
Exclusive: The top Democrat on a House committee overseeing U.S.-China competition has launched a probe into a $500 million investment by an Abu Dhabi royal in a Trump family cryptocurrency company.
Exclusive | Top Democrat Launches Probe into “Spy Sheikh” Deal with Trump Company
More than a dozen Democrats have condemned the company’s decision to accept an investment by Abu Dhabi royal.
on.wsj.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Exclusive: The top Democrat on a House committee overseeing U.S.-China competition has launched a probe into a $500 million investment by an Abu Dhabi royal in a Trump family cryptocurrency company.
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Virginia’s New Governor Ends ICE Program. Local Contracts Remain, For Now. - Bolts
Abigail Spanberger left the 287(g) program, which empowered state law enforcement to detain immigrants. Will Democrats also bar local police and sheriffs from the program?
boltsmag.org
February 4, 2026 at 10:36 PM
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
If you want to FINALLY watch Scott Bessent get pinned down on specifics about the illegal money laundering operation being conducted by the Trump admin from someone who knows WTF he’s talking about, this clip is your chance. Bessent gets destroyed.
February 4, 2026 at 8:22 PM
If you want to FINALLY watch Scott Bessent get pinned down on specifics about the illegal money laundering operation being conducted by the Trump admin from someone who knows WTF he’s talking about, this clip is your chance. Bessent gets destroyed.
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
Trump openly admitting FBI raid in Fulton County was a prelude to interfering with the midterms and attempting to seize control of state and local voting process
Trump: "These people were brought to our country to vote, & they vote illegally. The Republicans should say, we should take over the voting in at least 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting. We have states that I won that show I didn't win. You're gonna see something in Georgia"
February 2, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Trump openly admitting FBI raid in Fulton County was a prelude to interfering with the midterms and attempting to seize control of state and local voting process
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
“This ought to be the final nail in the coffin of congressional Republicans’ breathless efforts to gin up impeachment charges against a judge whose only actual sin, as it turns out, was to decline to roll over when the government defied one of his orders, and then lied about it.”
Me @ “One First”:
Me @ “One First”:
207. The Justice Department Beclowns Itself (Again)
The denouement of DOJ's misconduct complaint against Chief Judge Boasberg provides useful lessons relating to both the Department's continuing misbehavior and the emptiness of calls for impeachment.
www.stevevladeck.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:31 PM
“This ought to be the final nail in the coffin of congressional Republicans’ breathless efforts to gin up impeachment charges against a judge whose only actual sin, as it turns out, was to decline to roll over when the government defied one of his orders, and then lied about it.”
Me @ “One First”:
Me @ “One First”:
Overheard at a sales conference, Gregor Samsa to Willy Loman: "You think you've got problems..."
February 1, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Overheard at a sales conference, Gregor Samsa to Willy Loman: "You think you've got problems..."
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
Lawyers can't reach clients in ICE detention. I've heard it anecdotally, but scale of issue is horrifying.
Bloomberg Law is a legal trade pub so many may miss this. Screenshot from their CA newsletter summarizes "bleak" situation for justice and rule of law.
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/l...
Bloomberg Law is a legal trade pub so many may miss this. Screenshot from their CA newsletter summarizes "bleak" situation for justice and rule of law.
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/l...
January 31, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Lawyers can't reach clients in ICE detention. I've heard it anecdotally, but scale of issue is horrifying.
Bloomberg Law is a legal trade pub so many may miss this. Screenshot from their CA newsletter summarizes "bleak" situation for justice and rule of law.
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/l...
Bloomberg Law is a legal trade pub so many may miss this. Screenshot from their CA newsletter summarizes "bleak" situation for justice and rule of law.
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/l...
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
The Democratic National Committee is entering the 2026 midterm election year at a staggering financial disadvantage, trailing the Republican National Committee by nearly $100 million, according to new federal financial disclosures.
Republican National Committee Enters 2026 With Nearly $100 Million Edge on D.N.C.
Democrats have struggled to raise money, as is often the case for the party out of power, but the depth of their financial hole against the Republican National Committee is noteworthy.
nyti.ms
February 1, 2026 at 4:36 AM
The Democratic National Committee is entering the 2026 midterm election year at a staggering financial disadvantage, trailing the Republican National Committee by nearly $100 million, according to new federal financial disclosures.
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
Movie review from Guardian on Melania.
January 30, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Movie review from Guardian on Melania.
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
Steve Levitsky, the co-author of How Democracies Die, on the dangerous place we have reached as Trump escalates:
“Orbán doesn’t arrest journalists,” he said. “And in Hungary if you walk the streets of Budapest or other Hungarian cities, you will not find heavily armed masked men abducting people."
“Orbán doesn’t arrest journalists,” he said. “And in Hungary if you walk the streets of Budapest or other Hungarian cities, you will not find heavily armed masked men abducting people."
January 31, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Steve Levitsky, the co-author of How Democracies Die, on the dangerous place we have reached as Trump escalates:
“Orbán doesn’t arrest journalists,” he said. “And in Hungary if you walk the streets of Budapest or other Hungarian cities, you will not find heavily armed masked men abducting people."
“Orbán doesn’t arrest journalists,” he said. “And in Hungary if you walk the streets of Budapest or other Hungarian cities, you will not find heavily armed masked men abducting people."
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
THEY DID IT. EVERY SENATE DEMOCRAT just voted on an amendment to DEFUND ICE (rescind the BBB slush fund that keeps ICE open during a shutdown.) This amendment failed, but it shows broad support! KEEP CALLING and make it a demand to vote for the DHS funding bill!!
👀 Every Senate Democrat + Collins and Murkowski just voted for the Bernie Sanders amendment to repeal the $75 billion in additional ICE funding under Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” The measure failed 49-51.
January 31, 2026 at 12:23 AM
THEY DID IT. EVERY SENATE DEMOCRAT just voted on an amendment to DEFUND ICE (rescind the BBB slush fund that keeps ICE open during a shutdown.) This amendment failed, but it shows broad support! KEEP CALLING and make it a demand to vote for the DHS funding bill!!
More significant than the fact that he is an utter narcissist is the fact that an utter narcissist won the election. Twice.
January 30, 2026 at 6:55 PM
More significant than the fact that he is an utter narcissist is the fact that an utter narcissist won the election. Twice.
Reposted by Thomas Bartscherer
Breaking news: The former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested on charges connected to a Minnesota church protest, people familiar with the matter said.
Federal Agents Arrest Don Lemon Over Minnesota Church Protest
The former CNN anchor has said he was not demonstrating, but reporting as a journalist, during the interruption of a service inside a St. Paul church earlier this month.
nyti.ms
January 30, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Breaking news: The former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested on charges connected to a Minnesota church protest, people familiar with the matter said.