Julie Farnam

There’s plenty of blame to go around on both sides, for very serious reasons. Lots of people aren’t getting paid right now, won’t get back pay, and are worried about how they will pay their bills. We have a completely dysfunctional Congress and nearly every member shares in that blame.

Thinking of all the federal employees and contractors not getting paid today. You’ve been through the ringer this year and there’s still more to endure, but you’ll make it through this, too. ♥️

This shutdown will hurt Dems more than help. The FY ends on the same day every year—where was the leadership and negotiations before now? Look at how Dems are communicating right now vs. Rs. Fed employees have been abused enough this yr and contractors don’t get back pay. Pass the CR.

How House Republicans plan to rewrite history of Jan. 6 A new GOP-led panel could tear open raw wounds from the Capitol's most violent day.

Oh, Loudermilk can try to rewrite the history of #January6th, but he will fail. People like myself, like @libradunn1.bsky.social, like @sergeantaqgo.bsky.social won’t stop speaking the truth about that day and the truth will triumph over the lies Loudermilk peddles.
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

A Dem or a Dictator Why Voters Are Choosing the Latter

Democrats' silence isn't just political self-destruction, it's green lighting dictatorship. Their failure to lead, speak up, or strategize is ripping our democracy apart.
firestartercollective.substack.com/p/a-dem-or-a...

@ericswalwell.bsky.social: “Did you ever tell the attorney general that Donald Trump’s name was in the Epstein files?”

#KashPatel: “Why don’t you try spelling it out, using the alphabet?”

Huh? Was the congressman using numerics to ask the question? Interpretive dance?

What’s Patel hiding?

A Change of Tune for Section 230 Reform On Meet the Press recently, Senator Lindsey Graham said something interesting.

Section 230 has been a hot topic over the past week. This section of law limits the liability social media companies have for content on their platforms. The right is singing a different tune lately when it comes to reforming the law. firestartercollective.substack.com/p/a-change-o...

Reflecting (Again) on the Political Violence Plaguing the United States Political violence isn’t something new.

Again I'm writing about political violence. When I was at the Capitol Police, my team helped to investigate over 20K threats against Congress. As we saw yesterday, the threat of politically-motivated violence continues. Read my latest on Substack. firestartercollective.substack.com/p/reflecting...

bsky.app/profile/juli...

Here’s your friendly reminder that Rep Barry Loudermilk, who is heading up this new #january6th committee, is the same guy who gave tours to insurrectionists. So much for credibility…

This foster kitten wants to be held all the time, so my daughter put him in a little purse (with a slipper inside so it’s cushy and soft) and carries him around.

A Sign, a Scandal, and the Mishandling of Issues: How Democrats Continue to Fail at Communications and Strategy There was quite the scandal here in Arlington, Virginia, late last week.

Because, as a Democrat, I'm still annoyed at the way @arlingtondems.bsky.social handled the sign debacle. When we fail ourselves, we fail the people. Read my latest on Substack about how #Democrats continue to fail at communications and strategy.
firestartercollective.substack.com/p/a-sign-a-s...

Thank you to President Trump for restoring order to those crime-ridden areas of DC like…the Four Seasons in Georgetown. Boy did I feel unsafe sipping on $25 cocktails in that beautifully manicured courtyard until Trump came along. Authoritarianism: pairs well with a G&T. #makedcsafeagain

There are people in @arlingtondems.bsky.social leadership roles IN THIS PICTURE! Where was the outrage in the moment? Dems have no credibility rn and instances like this are blaring examples of their lack of leadership and direction, and their acceptance of extremism on the left. #blueMAGA

Remember when #winsomeearlesears went to an NRA conference in TX days after Uvalde? She didn’t care about kids then but now she comes to @arlingtonva.us to promote “protecting our girls?” Don’t be fooled—she’s again supporting hate. She’s a joke now and will be a loser in November.

Power and Promises What’s Driving the Epstein Scandal?

Trumpism was always going to die from within. But what really is driving the Epstein scandal? There are many Republicans out there who have been waiting for a moment when Trump is vulnerable. If his followers lose faith, they will seize the opportunity. open.substack.com/pub/firestar...

Hoping everyone has a fun and relaxing 4th.

Julie Farnam Returns Podcast Episode · Gary Shapiro’s From The Bookshelf · 06/26/2025 · 58m

Listen to my latest interview on Gary Shapiro’s From the Bookshelf. Always a pleasure talking to Gary (and talking about politics!). @igpublishing.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...

Our Enemies Are Watching… …With Glee

My latest on Substack. The United States is at its weakest because of the assault on federal employees, national security leadership with questionable integrity and experience, and the politicization of our military. open.substack.com/pub/firestar...

Let’s Talk Series: At the Crossroads: Immigration Today Speaker: Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, Executive Director of Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) Tuesday, June 10, 2025Boston, MA – The Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation today announces its second Le...

The Dock C. Bracy Center, an organization committed to the eradication of racism and other forms of human oppression, is hosting a virtual event discussing the immigration issues currently shaping our country. Register at this link:
www.dcbcenter.org/post/let-s-t...

Tucker Carlson accuses Ted Cruz of knowing nothing about Iran The viral interview comes as the U.S. stands on the precipice of direct engagement in another major conflagration in the Middle East.

This interview is worth the watch. I saw it yesterday. Where are we as a country when Tucker Carlson is the voice of reason?

www.politico.com/news/2025/06...

We Reap What We Sow Political violence is inevitable when politicians champion violent rhetoric

When politicians foster a climate of violent political rhetoric, the result is what we saw this past weekend in Minnesota. Read my latest on Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/firestar...

Voter Suppression, Democrat-Style Arlington County Democratic Committee’s Push to Restrict Voting

As @arlnow.bsky.social reported last week, @arlingtondems.bsky.social are looking to restrict the voting rights of >130,000 Dems in the county. They are making the very undemocratic push to change their bylaws to limit voting of party leadership to only ~190 people.
open.substack.com/pub/firestar...

Julie Farnam | Substack Julie Farnam is a former federal intelligence and immigration official, author, and political candidate based in Arlington, Virginia.

I did it, I joined Substack. I'd be most appreciative if you subscribe, share, do whatever you do on Substack. I'm Gen X, this is hard. I remember life before the internet.
substack.com/@firestarter...

Questions and Consequences This morning, I was in court, watching my former coworker and boyfriend be sentenced to eighteen months in prison for passing information onto a terrorist group and then lying about it.There’s probabl...

Had an interesting morning today involving an ex-boyfriend headed to prison, a megalomaniac in wrinkled blue plaid, a Gollum-esqe MAGA troll, and a guy with an eye patch who isn’t a pirate. And it's my birthday! Read my thoughts about the day. www.jfarnam.com/post/questio...

Had the joy of meeting Raiklin, Tarrio, and Rhodes all at once today. Raiklin is a little man, explaining his yippy-dog, Napoleon-complex. Tarrio is a squirrelly misogynist, as expected. He asked me if I sent nudes to Shane (no, if you were wondering).

It has been 3,261 hours and counting since Trump was sworn in. The war in Ukraine still hasn’t ended. Putin has Trump by the balls and sanctions only work if a leader cares about his people. Putin, like Trump, only cares about himself…and the Ukrainian people continue to suffer.

A retiring chief strains to keep the Capitol Police above the partisan fray “I don't think it's wise or necessary or useful to try and convince members of Congress what to think” about the Jan. 6 riot, Thomas Manger says.

I disagree the plaque honoring the Capitol Police who fought on J6 is a “very political issue.” Silence is an endorsement of a political position as it is w/ the plaque & w/ not releasing video footage of J6 (instead allowing Johnson to give it to right-wing media). www.politico.com/news/2025/05...

Trump announces full pardon for Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery President Trump issued a full pardon Monday to a former Virginia sheriff who had been convicted of bribery, alleging that he was a victim of a “weaponized” Justice Department under the Biden admini…

I’m not delusional as to who is likely next on the pardon list. If Trump doesn’t believe in law and order, it is states that must uphold the law. We, unfortunately, can no longer trust the federal government to impart justice. thehill.com/homenews/adm...

House votes to codify Trump's Gulf of America executive order The legislation would make Trump's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico law and require federal agencies to revise government documents accordingly.

They can’t pass a budget, but hot damn you will call that body of water between Florida and Texas the Gulf of America! Happy to see our elected officials focusing on the right things.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...