Vix Selkowe (she/her)

A State Department employee shared with PBS News an image from inside the department. The image includes a piece of paper taped to a mirror with the words, "Colleagues, if you remain: RESIST FASCISM. Remember the oath you vowed to uphold."

This is a must read to understand SCOTUS’ 1am ruling and the legal context surrounding it.

Also, it’s never been more important to support the ferocious legal advocacy provided by the @aclu.org. If you’re not yet a member, do that today.

Bravo, Senator, and huge gratitude to all of his staff who made this ferocious and creative profile in courage action happen.
So many Americans are standing with you, Kilmer. We must bring you home.

Are we ready to transition from imploring Democrats to “do something” to demanding that Republicans “remove him”? Or is that just me…

#madking

A choropleth map of the United States showing the share of seniors who live at least 46.6 miles round-trip from the nearest Social Security Field Office. Rates are especially high in the Midwest and Great Plains states, with Montana (40%), South Dakota (45%), North Dakota (49%) and Wyoming (65%) topping the list.

In less than one week, many Americans will no longer be able to apply for Social Security benefits over the phone, setting the stage for disruptions and upheaval.

Nearly 6 million seniors live more than 46.6 miles, roundtrip, from a field office, per a new analysis. trib.al/5XSPqyL

In any other administration, the president would already be huddled with advisors trying to stave off collapse

In St. Paul yesterday, the post-protest crowd at Dual Citizen Brewing Co clapped & cheered for everyone who came through the door with protest signs. Was such a warm, connected community vibe that we went back outside to get our signs just so we could come in again and get that welcome. #handsoff

Edibles helped me see clearly that my sign just needs to say “Fuck Those Guys” to sum up my fury. Fuck. Those. Guys.

The best example of “DO something” to date.

Found this so unexpectedly moving and hopeful, so validating. Thank you, @booker.senate.gov. We really needed this. 💙

She is the way forward.

Exactly.

This. Placards and pink are NOT what we’re talking about when we tell you to *do something.* Meet the moment indeed.
Fight. Back.

🔥👏🏼👏🏼

ABC: “.. Multiple current and former employees described the situation as ‘a national security crisis.’”

@abcnewsgo.bsky.social
abcnews.go.com/Politics/liv...

We are barreling towards authoritarianism at an astonishingly fast pace. Congressional Republicans have both the ability and responsibility to alter this course. If they remain silent, our democracy is dead.

The promising or vaunted careers halted or ended, the dreams dashed, the salaries and pension contributions gone. History will not forget how these public servants were among the first casualties of Trump2.

Proud to be a lawyer right now.

“We call upon our elected representatives to stand with us and to insist upon adherence to the rule of law…The administration cannot choose which law it will follow or ignore…We cannot afford to remain silent.”

Collins, Britt raise concerns about NIH move to slash billions in research costs Two Republican senators, including a reliable ally of President Trump, have raised concerns about the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) decision to cut billions of dollars of “indirect” c…

On Day 22, I was going to give credit where credit is due to Sen. Collins for speaking out against Trump’s move to slash NIH research and funding.

But then she announced mere hours later that she’s going to vote to put RFK in charge of the nation’s health so…no credit.

thehill.com/policy/healt...

When you’re looking for examples of “institutional racism,” here’s a brand new example. Making America Redlined Again.

How broke do you have to be to do this?

21 days without *any* Congressional Republican unequivocally condemning *any* piece of the destruction Trump has unleashed.

I should’ve started counting earlier but let’s start from here. How long will it take for a GOP Senator or Representative to publicly speak out?

Super Bowl Sunday Step Aside, Here's How to Watch the 2025 Puppy Bowl Online Here's how to watch Puppy Bowl XXI online without cable, and where to stream the 21st annual Puppy Bowl for free during the Super Bowl.

I have never needed the Puppy Bowl more. 🐶🐾

www.rollingstone.com/product-reco...

I don’t even know how to greet anyone anymore. “How are you?” is the most absurd question ever right now.

“On Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm (EST) all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs. Essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, at 3:00pm (EST). For USAID personnel currently posted outside the United States, the Agency, in coordination with missions and the Department of State, is currently preparing a plan, in accordance with all applicable requirements and laws, under which the Agency would arrange and pay for return travel to the United States within 30 days and provide for the termination of PSC and ISC contracts that are not determined to be essential. The Agency will consider case-by-case exceptions and return travel extensions based on personal or family hardship, mobility or safety concerns, or other reasons. For example, the Agency will consider exceptions based on the timing of dependents’ school term, personal or familial medical needs, pregnancy, and other reasons. Further guidance on how to request an exception will be forthcoming. Thank you for your service”

USAID’s website has been deleted, all that is left is a note saying all personnel are now on administrative leave and personnel outside the US are to be brought home. Completely illegal, no act of congress or even executive order was signed to dismantle the agency

WE ARE IN THE UPSIDE DOWN. 😱😱

If you ever said "Genocide Joe" or just couldn't bring yourself to vote for Harris - this is for you:

Totally lost in the chaos is that American troops have begun setting up a concentration camp

Call your U.S. Senators. Share these examples of the damage Trump and Musk (unelected! Unathorized!) are doing around the world and how all of this usurps Congress’ own power.

Did you hear about the Friday coup? Elon Musk is in control.

“It’s like a bank heist and the bank is America,” a source in the federal government told me. “Not really being hyperbolic to say control of those systems would allow an extremely fast collapse of the economy…”

www.thehandbasket.co/p/musk-frida...