The myth of the ‘marketplace of ideas’— and how it warps free speech The so-called “marketplace of ideas” doesn’t simply reward truth or the strongest arguments— it rewards power. Without guardrails, the strongest players dominate while minority views are sidelined. Mary Anne Franks, professor at George Washington Law, warns nowhere is this more apparent than under Trump, who owns his own social media platform and uses it as a propaganda megaphone. The marketplace, as an idea, Franks says, “is not designed to get us truth or democracy or autonomy or any of the things that we think the First Amendment is supposed to get us.” Dahlia Lithwick, Senior Editor at Slate, adds, about the First Amendment, “There's both too much law and not enough law and an immense amount of abuse of the space between the two.”

The “market place of ideas” isn’t free or fair—it’s dominated by those with power. Especially when the President owns his own platform, says @maryannefranks.bsky.social. In this way, the Trump admin “has, not just skin in the game, [but] an entire shakedown racket,” says @dahlialithwick.bsky.social

‘How you get a real autocracy’: New memo lays groundwork for next phase of Trump’s crackdown Donald Trump recently signed a new presidential memo that the White House says aims to counter domestic terrorism. But legal experts warn that it is overly broad and could be used as a framework to crack down on political dissent. “That’s the thing that ultimately scares me the most,” former Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes tells Ali Velshi. “The combination of the weaponization of the justice system and the politicization of the military is how you get a real autocracy in this country.”

Legal experts are warning about a sweeping new presidential memo that could be used to target people for investigation and crack down on dissent. Fmr. Deputy NSA @rhodesben.bsky.social speaks about the dangers of weaponizing the justice system and politicizing the military.

Trump Isn’t Liberating D.C. He’s Subduing It. We’ve seen this happen in other countries. We thought it couldn’t happen here. It is.

@billkristolbulwark.bsky.social: We’ve seen this happen in other countries. We thought it couldn’t happen here. It is.

Read Morning Shots only @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-isnt...

Fascist instigator.

They truly are trying to kill people.

Do something today to resist. Even small actions add up when millions of people do them.

White skin

The Master of Distraction Fails to Distract Trump's epic Epstein fumble

This seems to be a good moment to remind folks that it was a singularly bad idea to elect a convicted felon - a man found liable for sexual abuse, who bragged about grabbing women, and consorted with the world’s most notorious pedophile — to the presidency.

charliesykes.substack.com/p/the-master...

Words & Phrases We Can Do Without DHS is a human rights monstrosity

No decent American could fail to be horrified and deeply ashamed that our government, under the auspices of the Orwellian name, “Department of Homeland Security,” is complicit in these human rights atrocities.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...

Alligator Alcatraz detainees allege inhumane conditions at immigration detention center Detainees claim they are enduring inhumane conditions, including lack of access to water, inadequate food and denial of religious rights.

People in Alligator Auschwitz describe the inhumane conditions in the concentration camp—insufficient water, scarce and unsanitary food, lack of medicine, denial of religious rights, etc.

“They're not respecting our human rights. We're human beings—we're not dogs. We're like rats in an experiment."

LA school district demands inquiry after Ice officers filmed urinating on campus Officials in Pico Rivera say agents gathered before a raid and soiled parking lot after being asked to leave

ICE agents were caught on camera unlawfully trespassing and urinating on the grounds of an LA public school, risking exposure to minors.

They’re not only terrorizing our communities—illegally kidnapping people—but also urinating on playgrounds.

ICE is a morally bankrupt, state terror organization.

How the Supreme Court Gerrymandered the Law to Serve the GOP Read more here.

“This Supreme Court is reshaping the law to reflect Republican priorities — weakening Medicaid protections, approving conservative religious carveouts and creating exceptions that benefit the GOP,” Leah Litman writes.

www.democracydocket.com/opinion/how-...

As we celebrate this 4th of July, we must remember why we celebrate. It was on this day that our nation declared independence from a mad king who abused his power and the people of this land.  

Just as in 1776, these grievances remain just as relevant today. Because in America, there are no kings.

Same…

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was tortured at CECOT.

He was subjected to severe beatings, severe sleep deprivation, inadequate nutrition, and psychological torture; forced to kneel from approximately 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM; and threatened with transfer to the cells with gang members who would "tear" him apart.

Democracies use government as an instrument for the common good. Using a tax bill to destroy and deny health care for 17 million of our people is a sign of authoritarianism.

Early estimates indicate that it will cost around $450 million a year to operate the detention camp. ChatGPT estimates it would cost about $440 million a year to permanently house all homeless veterans. I think that speaks volumes about the priorities of the Trump administration.

While “Fiscal Conservatives” are issuing strongly worded letters to House Leadership (for real, that actually happened) — Republicans have stalled out on the Floor without enough votes to move to the #BigUglyBill. Here’s your mid-afternoon update. ⬇️

I’ve been thinking a lot about Murkowski’s vote. It contains, in one action, so much that defines our pathetic political moment:

Selfishness: I’m taking care of me and mine, the rest of you can pound sand;

Lack of accountability: I know the bill is bad, hopefully someone else will fix it;

Yes, it's 2025. Time to be current in our scientific knowledge and our compassion for fellow humans. Healthcare is between the person and their doctor.

RNC Sues Arizona To Block Voting Access for Overseas U.S. Citizens Read more here.

ICYMI: Republicans are suing to block an Arizona law that lets some overseas citizens vote in the state. This new challenge fits into a broader Republican legal strategy to undermine overseas voting access.

www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...

Let's remember this..
These women don't even support women much less anyone else. They are disgraceful.

While Senate Republicans and the White House are trying to cut dirty deals and jam their big abomination of a bill through the Senate Floor—I want to take a moment to thank the three heroines of the Supreme Court holding it down for our democracy and the rule of law every day! So grateful! ❤️

YouTube video by Rep. Melanie Stansbury Rep. Stansbury: The big abomination of a bill is in the Senate, here’s an update

ONCE AGAIN in the dark of night—Republicans are trying to jam their Big Abomination of a Bill through Congress. This is what’s going on tonight after they jammed a motion to proceed through the Senate in a 51-49 vote. Obviously, I’ll be a very hell NO on this bill. ⬇️

Grrrrr

www.cbpp.org/press/statem...

Fake wrestling

This is on Trump’s head. Should be headline in every paper