Zach Brand-Wiita
@zachbrand-wiita.bsky.social
Organizer/activist. Montgomery County, Maryland. Ohio-born. Democratic socialist in coalition with social democrats, progressives, and liberals. Antifascist. Queer ally. Feminist. Theatre kid. Geek. Trying my best. Married to @sarahbrand.bsky.social
Pinned
Trying to come up with a comprehensive list of Trump's abuses of power. Not things that are merely bad but within the realm of normal politics in a democracy--fundamental abuses of power.
I know I'm missing stuff. Let me know what.
So far, I've got:
I know I'm missing stuff. Let me know what.
So far, I've got:
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
The U.S. government is now inarguably spreading medical disinformation that is going to kill babies preferentially.
Period.
This is an INTOLERABLE. UNPRECEDENTED. DANGEROUS. ATTACK. ON ALL OF US.
Period.
This is an INTOLERABLE. UNPRECEDENTED. DANGEROUS. ATTACK. ON ALL OF US.
November 20, 2025 at 3:29 AM
The U.S. government is now inarguably spreading medical disinformation that is going to kill babies preferentially.
Period.
This is an INTOLERABLE. UNPRECEDENTED. DANGEROUS. ATTACK. ON ALL OF US.
Period.
This is an INTOLERABLE. UNPRECEDENTED. DANGEROUS. ATTACK. ON ALL OF US.
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
Opinion | I believed Hillary Clinton was a sex trafficker because one of her donors owned a pizza restaurant and "cheese pizza" has the same initials as "child pornography." Here's why I don't think Donald Trump's multi-decade best friendship with a sex trafficker connects him to sex trafficking.
November 20, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Opinion | I believed Hillary Clinton was a sex trafficker because one of her donors owned a pizza restaurant and "cheese pizza" has the same initials as "child pornography." Here's why I don't think Donald Trump's multi-decade best friendship with a sex trafficker connects him to sex trafficking.
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
For the first time in my career, I can’t tell people to trust what the CDC website says. And that is an incredibly sad and devastating place for this country to be.
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
November 20, 2025 at 4:22 AM
For the first time in my career, I can’t tell people to trust what the CDC website says. And that is an incredibly sad and devastating place for this country to be.
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
the reason you don’t chase reactionaries is they’ll demand you make your platform worse and then vote for someone even worse than that anyway, the best you can ask is that they stay home
the people who want to leave the cult, those you can give a cookie and a trans rights manifesto
the people who want to leave the cult, those you can give a cookie and a trans rights manifesto
November 16, 2025 at 5:47 AM
the reason you don’t chase reactionaries is they’ll demand you make your platform worse and then vote for someone even worse than that anyway, the best you can ask is that they stay home
the people who want to leave the cult, those you can give a cookie and a trans rights manifesto
the people who want to leave the cult, those you can give a cookie and a trans rights manifesto
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
they can come into the tent when they admit they were wrong and change their views
we all joke about Woke Bill Kristol but he is for the most part the perfect example - he has, legitimately, become much more progressive
you can’t bring in people who are mad he’s not delivering on horrible shit
we all joke about Woke Bill Kristol but he is for the most part the perfect example - he has, legitimately, become much more progressive
you can’t bring in people who are mad he’s not delivering on horrible shit
November 16, 2025 at 5:44 AM
they can come into the tent when they admit they were wrong and change their views
we all joke about Woke Bill Kristol but he is for the most part the perfect example - he has, legitimately, become much more progressive
you can’t bring in people who are mad he’s not delivering on horrible shit
we all joke about Woke Bill Kristol but he is for the most part the perfect example - he has, legitimately, become much more progressive
you can’t bring in people who are mad he’s not delivering on horrible shit
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
This is beyond horrific.
ICE is responsible for the well-being of people in immigration detention and it is failing that responsibility miserably. Mr. Ge’s loved ones and the American people need answers immediately. www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
ICE is responsible for the well-being of people in immigration detention and it is failing that responsibility miserably. Mr. Ge’s loved ones and the American people need answers immediately. www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
November 19, 2025 at 11:03 PM
This is beyond horrific.
ICE is responsible for the well-being of people in immigration detention and it is failing that responsibility miserably. Mr. Ge’s loved ones and the American people need answers immediately. www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
ICE is responsible for the well-being of people in immigration detention and it is failing that responsibility miserably. Mr. Ge’s loved ones and the American people need answers immediately. www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
"A Chinese immigrant was found dead in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, with his hands and feet tied behind him, an attorney has alleged."
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
Man detained by ICE found dead, hanging with hands and feet tied—attorney
The Chinese national died in Pennsylvania in August, but his family's requests for answers from DHS have gone unmet.
www.newsweek.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:15 AM
"A Chinese immigrant was found dead in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, with his hands and feet tied behind him, an attorney has alleged."
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
November 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
I can’t get over how giddy Trump was in the company of Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He only really happy when he’s in the company of rich murderers (MBS) and rapists (Epstein). Just sickening.
November 20, 2025 at 3:23 AM
I can’t get over how giddy Trump was in the company of Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He only really happy when he’s in the company of rich murderers (MBS) and rapists (Epstein). Just sickening.
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
one thing i think is true is that republicans assumed that democrats would not respond in kind and that the forceful pushback spooked them (a lesson to learn here, perhaps)
Trump's corrupt scheme to rig 2026 is suddenly falling apart:
*Court strikes down Texas GOP gerrymander
*Indiana GOP lacks votes to redraw map
*Big Dem win in Virginia could give Ds more seats
On the pod, DLCC head Heather Williams is informative on what's next:
newrepublic.com/article/2033...
*Court strikes down Texas GOP gerrymander
*Indiana GOP lacks votes to redraw map
*Big Dem win in Virginia could give Ds more seats
On the pod, DLCC head Heather Williams is informative on what's next:
newrepublic.com/article/2033...
Trump’s Plot to Rig 2026 Is Falling Apart, and Boy Is He Mad About It
As the Trump-GOP scheme to gerrymander the midterms suddenly faces big new setbacks, a Democratic operative who’s leading in these fights explains why the battle isn’t over—and what must happen now.
newrepublic.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:13 PM
one thing i think is true is that republicans assumed that democrats would not respond in kind and that the forceful pushback spooked them (a lesson to learn here, perhaps)
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
If the president can just raise taxes and spend money without Congressional approval, the constitution is null and void.
BREAKING: Deputy White House Chief of Staff James Blair said the administration is eyeing ways to give millions of Americans $2,000 dividend checks from tariff revenue without congressional approval, per Bloomberg.
November 19, 2025 at 3:11 AM
If the president can just raise taxes and spend money without Congressional approval, the constitution is null and void.
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
Giving away a record amount of money from my checking account to my savings account
Elon Musk’s foundation gave away a record $474 million in 2024, with the vast majority again going to entities he controls
Elon Musk Gave Away $474 Million in 2024, Mostly to Entities He Controls
Elon Musk’s foundation gave away a record $474 million in 2024, with the vast majority again going to entities he controls.
bloom.bg
November 19, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Giving away a record amount of money from my checking account to my savings account
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
If the President can impose his own taxes and use the proceeds to spend on his own projects, all without Congress, we have a dictatorship not a constitutional republic.
BREAKING: Deputy White House Chief of Staff James Blair said the administration is eyeing ways to give millions of Americans $2,000 dividend checks from tariff revenue without congressional approval, per Bloomberg.
November 19, 2025 at 2:46 AM
If the President can impose his own taxes and use the proceeds to spend on his own projects, all without Congress, we have a dictatorship not a constitutional republic.
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
One thing I learned from “The Wire” is that even professional gangsters have enough decency not to do hits at church newrepublic.com/post/203321/...
ICE Agents Raid a Church With No Explanation
Operation “Charlotte’s Web” continues.
newrepublic.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:56 AM
One thing I learned from “The Wire” is that even professional gangsters have enough decency not to do hits at church newrepublic.com/post/203321/...
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
Harvard: “Because Larry Summers asked his close friend, a convicted sex offender and the leader of a vast pedophilia ring, for advice on making sexual advances on a young mentee, we are cutting off all his responsibilities except close contact with undergraduate women.”
November 18, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Harvard: “Because Larry Summers asked his close friend, a convicted sex offender and the leader of a vast pedophilia ring, for advice on making sexual advances on a young mentee, we are cutting off all his responsibilities except close contact with undergraduate women.”
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
mr president sir theres a story coming about how you intervened to help a sex criminal. no sir, not that sex criminal you helped….no not that one either…sir, please stop guessing sex criminals that you helped. ill give you a hint sir, hes a trafficker. no sir, not that trafficker a different one
NEW: When Andrew Tate landed in the US, Customs & Border Protection seized his electronic devices. But @propublica.org found that a White House official told DHS to return the devices, emphasizing that the request came from the White House.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Federal authorities were chided for seizing electronic devices from Tate and his brother, and told to return them, records and interviews show. Experts said the intervention was highly inappropriate.
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 1:10 PM
mr president sir theres a story coming about how you intervened to help a sex criminal. no sir, not that sex criminal you helped….no not that one either…sir, please stop guessing sex criminals that you helped. ill give you a hint sir, hes a trafficker. no sir, not that trafficker a different one
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
it is almost as if accommodating and conceding to far right ideas legitimizes them and signals to voters that the far right is a legitimate choice for governance
The Danish Social Democrats are currently on course for their worst election result since at least the Second World War, despite their brand of far-right accommodationism being touted as a blueprint for other centre-left parties.
Oh
November 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
it is almost as if accommodating and conceding to far right ideas legitimizes them and signals to voters that the far right is a legitimate choice for governance
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
2005 me: I love literary journalism, I love writers who bare their souls
2025 me: Stop stop oh my god please stop
2025 me: Stop stop oh my god please stop
November 18, 2025 at 4:41 AM
2005 me: I love literary journalism, I love writers who bare their souls
2025 me: Stop stop oh my god please stop
2025 me: Stop stop oh my god please stop
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
as a reporter, the part of this that i’ve simply never understood is how the next person to ask a question when he does something like this doesn’t simply repeat the question that set him off. it’s not just solidarity with your colleague, it’s an important question that remains worth asking
I’m not going to pretend it’s easy to say something in the moment when you witness the president do this and you’re aboard Air Force One with all the uniformed officers and secret service and fancy wood accents, but this is really an instance where you should. people.com/donald-trump...
Donald Trump Snaps at Female Reporter Who Asks About Epstein Files: 'Quiet Piggy'
Donald Trump Says 'Quiet Piggy' to Female Reporter Asking About Epstein Files
people.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:10 AM
as a reporter, the part of this that i’ve simply never understood is how the next person to ask a question when he does something like this doesn’t simply repeat the question that set him off. it’s not just solidarity with your colleague, it’s an important question that remains worth asking
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
BREAKING: Magistrate orders DOJ to turn over grand jury materials to Comey, finding real prospect that "government misconduct" may have tainted the case.
November 17, 2025 at 4:01 PM
BREAKING: Magistrate orders DOJ to turn over grand jury materials to Comey, finding real prospect that "government misconduct" may have tainted the case.
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
i'd say it did. the public put a group of thieves, vandals and extremists in office last november and they promptly went about destroying everything that might work to limit their ability to loot, steal and inflicting pain on the people they hate
This whole NYT account about the weaponization of DOJ is beyond disturbing. Kinda feels like the US government fell in January.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
November 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
i'd say it did. the public put a group of thieves, vandals and extremists in office last november and they promptly went about destroying everything that might work to limit their ability to loot, steal and inflicting pain on the people they hate
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
20 years to citizenship is deranged
Britain rolled out a major hardening of its rules for handling asylum seekers on Sunday. Under the new rules, people granted asylum would have to wait 20 years, rather than the current five, before applying for permanent residency.
Britain’s Labour Government Plans New, Tougher System for Asylum Seekers
Under the new rules, people granted asylum would have to wait 20 years, rather than the current five, before applying for permanent residency.
nyti.ms
November 17, 2025 at 11:56 AM
20 years to citizenship is deranged
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
The cost of Trump's immigration surge: Stalled investigations into child sexual abuse, Iranian oil smuggling and human trafficking, among others. My latest piece is a big team effort on how DHS has been transformed into the Department of Deportation.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Homeland Security Missions Falter Amid Focus on Deportations
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The cost of Trump's immigration surge: Stalled investigations into child sexual abuse, Iranian oil smuggling and human trafficking, among others. My latest piece is a big team effort on how DHS has been transformed into the Department of Deportation.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Reposted by Zach Brand-Wiita
It's remarkable that the number of news analyses/pundit takes that the Democrats are too extreme--out of touch, too focused on divisive cultural issues, too beholden to progressive orthodoxy--far exceeds the articles on the Trump/GOP's connections to the far right. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Trump Defends Tucker Carlson After Nick Fuentes Interview
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:45 AM
It's remarkable that the number of news analyses/pundit takes that the Democrats are too extreme--out of touch, too focused on divisive cultural issues, too beholden to progressive orthodoxy--far exceeds the articles on the Trump/GOP's connections to the far right. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...