Save this graph for the next time @MarshaBlackburn @SpeakerJohnson @JDVance try to hold $50 Billion for rural hospitals out as a of win for the 🇺🇸 people

We’re bad at math but $1.1 TRILLION in cuts (for tax cuts for the rich) > $50 BILLION

They think we are all morons

“We can give $20 billion to Argentina but we can’t afford the CDC’s measles experts” is a hell of an argument

Can you put into words what that purpose is? You and the frog have really become icons of this protest. There’s been a nice overall whimsy that has shown up. The frog is amazing. We had a bunch of other inflatable people here last night, too. I saw people playing Twister the other day. What they rely on is fear. So by coming out in an absurdist manner, it speaks to them, to some extent, that we’re actually not that afraid. It also dismantles their narrative a little bit. When they try to describe this situation as “war-torn,” it becomes much harder to take them seriously when they have to post a video saying [U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security] Kristi Noem is up on the balcony staring over the Antifa Army and it’s, like, eight journalists and five protesters and one of them is in a chicken suit.

www.wweek.com/culture/2025...

JPM DESK: “.. the US budget deficit has not shrunk despite the tariff revenue.

“.. if tariffs are not being used to pay down debt or in some cases as a bailout (e.g., soybean farmers ..) at what point does the bond market react negatively?”

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

The wealth of the richest 1% in America just hit a record $52 trillion. These are the people getting huge tax cuts — paid for by cuts to health care for millions of Americans. Every lie Trump and Republicans are telling right now about the shutdown is meant to distract you from this.

THREAD

We need a bigger national spotlight on this building raid, fam. Agents dropped from helicopters onto the roof. Citizens and non-citizens alike were dragged from their homes in the night. People who weren't kidnapped during the raid had their belongings seized after the fact. This is madness.

In Trump country, a Democrat critiques Trump — and talks of succeeding him NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear about his cross-party appeal in a state that has always overwhelmingly voted for Trump.

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear about his cross-party appeal in a state that has always overwhelmingly voted for Trump.

Let me introduce Big Sugar on the pitching staff. "Listed as 6'6" and a significant weight"

I was sent this by a Georgian this morning. 2025 premiums vs 2026 premiums for someone making $65k a year.

Republicans in Washington did this.

This is what I'm fighting to stop. This is what’s at stake in this shutdown fight.

This is where we are.

Say it plain.

He's trying to become a dictator.

Turning the military against Americans who oppose him is a pretty sure sign, folks.

The Radical Right controls the government.

What's happening now is on them.

I hope it's clear to everyone now that Trump really is going for it - he's trying to become a dictator. I don't know if he'll succeed, but he's working to install himself as an autocrat unaccountable to voters. And he's weaponizing the military against Americans who oppose him as part of that effort

“We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them, and irreversible by them, like cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like. And, you all know Russell Vought. He’s become very popular recently because he can trim the budget to a level that you couldn't do any other way. So they're taking a risk by having a shutdown. Because of the shutdown, we can do things medically and other ways, including benefits. We can cut large numbers of people. We don't want to do that, but we don't want fraud, waste and abuse.”

👀 Just Now -- President Trump in the Oval Office said a government shutdown gives his administration the power to cut benefit programs, which include Social Security and Medicare.

www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Amid an ongoing wave of conspiracy theories and bogus claims about Jan 6, I’ll note this from our reporting:

Rioters made all kinds of claims and defenses in court … and jurors convicted 100% of the defendants who went to trial

100%

Would be nice to send this article to all the generals and admirals gathering at Quantico next week to hear from Pete Hegseth….

> @macfarlanenews.bsky.social

Tennessee National Guard set for Memphis deployment next week • Tennessee Lookout Tennessee National Guard troops as part of a crime-fighting effort in Memphis won't carry weapons unless asked by police, said Gov. Bill Lee.

Tennessee National Guard troops will be deputized as part of an “accelerated” crime-fighting effort set to start next week in Memphis but will not make arrests or carry weapons unless requested by police, Gov. Bill Lee said Friday.

Psycho Pete's Living Guide to Boycotting the Big Orange Machine. Broadcasting from the future but updating in real time ...

🚨 Boycott Roll Call 🚨
Pinning this to track who's in. Full freeze or just cutting back. It all counts.

📝 Drop a comment:
• What you're avoiding
• Any workarounds or wins
• Tips for spreading the word

📖 Full guide:
psychopete1.substack.com/p/psycho-pet...

Loud is leverage. Let’s be seen.

Republican members of Congress aren’t confused or deluded. They know they’re letting unhinged criminals destroy our democracy. They’ve simply concluded that it’s good for their political careers.

Trump posts his Watergate tapes It ended Nixon's presidency. For Trump, it's just another Saturday.

New in PN: Trump posts his Watergate tapes

"People! The man literally used his social media platform to tweet out a demand that his attorney general prosecute his opponents, ones he’s already characterized as 'guilty as hell.' This isn’t 'venting.' It’s criminal."

ACOG reaffirms that acetaminophen is safe for managing pain and fever during pregnancy. No reputable studies support suggestions like those in HHS’s recent announcement linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism; in fact, high-quality studies show no such risk. https://bit.ly/47Wxc59

GOLDMAN: “.. During the last 40 years, there have been eight episodes where the Fed cut after being on hold for 6 or more months. In half of those episodes the economy subsequently entered recession.”

So Trump gets DOJ to drop an obvious bribery case against Tom Homan, then fires the US Attorney who found insufficient evidence to prosecute Letitia James, then threatens to fire Pam Bondi and replace her with dunce Lindsey Halligan unless she immediately indicts his enemies.

There is no world in which it is normal for the president to publicly call upon his attorney general to hurry up and prosecute his political foes. It’s like the Watergate tapes but posted on social media. Let’s get a grip on what’s happening here.

Trump on sending the troops into American cities: "It's sort of like war. I hate to tell you."

Thousands of senior Kentuckians likely to go back on the waitlist for meal support Kentucky officials told agencies that provide senior nutrition programs that they will no longer receive a higher level of support that allowed them to eliminate waitlists.

Citing a budget shortfall, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration told area development districts that distribute senior nutrition support they would not be able to maintain higher funding levels. That means 1000s of seniors will likely go back on waitlists for meals. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org

Here are four ways anyone can support and help their local library:

• Get a library card ⭐️
• Use your library card 🌟
•Visit the library 💫
•Tell everyone to get a library card and support their local library ✨