Simon: my sense is Trump is deliberately targeting MN in an effort to “flip” a blue state. Mind you, he tried the same in NJ, where I live, and failed miserably in NJ.
Any insight into what the MN Democrats are doing to build a bulwark against this effort, especially with Walz dropping out. It seems like MN is a strategic imperative to counter Trump’s brazen march towards authoritarianism.
I just want to say that I don't think he's trying to flip MN. (No one's talking about fraud anymore!) I think he's trying to make an example of us, and I think he believes that Minneapolis is an inherently violent place and they'll be able to use it to escalate across the country. He's trying to dominate us.
There are right wing agitators everywhere at protests, people trying to start stuff on buses, and little Nazi shit influencers riding along with ICE taking videos. ICE is going door to door right now in various communities, arresting protestors, trying to go after protest leaders. They want a conflagration.
Here's a story of a teaching assistant arrested before work in the parking lot of school--ICE says she rammed their car, her mother says she was rammed and grabbed:
A protestor gets arrested and detained, then told he'll be freed if he can give up protest leaders. Note, this interview is conducted by local journalist Jana Shortal. Simon posted her reading Renee Good widow's statement the other day:
I agree with you, Anne. I think Trump is trying to make an example of MN, with the added (addled?) benefit of providing video that will please MAGA and entice more misfits to join ICE. If you want to see how the MN case fits into the white nationalist narrative, go no further than join.ice. gov -- and have a barf bag close by.
Personally, I believe he wants to make examples of states and people he hates - blue states, people that would never vote for him, people of color, women who stand up to his goons, people that mock him, etc. He will say anything whether he believes it or not bc he knows his moronic MAGAs will say they believe him. I suppose some of MAGA believes whatever he says and others just say they do. Trump creates the chaos and then says he alone can stop it. I hate him. (Can I say that here? 😬)
I’m with Anne on this one. We’re the largest blue metro that they have enough ice agents to dominate. They don’t have the presence to do this in Chicago, Philadelphia, NYC or LA.
This is about revenge for losing the state three times, for Tim Walz existing, for us proving that good governance makes people’s lives better.
Minnesota is an example of how the Democratic Party can and does good. If they can squash it here, they can intimidate you too.
Ben, good comment overall, but I beg to differ regarding this statement: "They don’t have the presence to do this in Chicago, Philadelphia, NYC or LA."
I can't speak to the other cities, but I can tell you from personal experience that they already tried this in Chicago, for 3+ months, during the idiotically named "Operation Midway Blitz." They threatened to deploy the National Guard here, defamed our beautiful city, and attempted to weave a ridiculous false narrative of a lawless urban jungle. As with Minneapolis, they wanted a city on fire that they could use as an example. They failed abysmally, but it wasn't for lack of trying.
During their terror campaign, they used the same tactics you're facing--in fact, I believe they perfected some of them here--and swaggered through the city and suburbs with live ammo and wearing soldier cosplay, in a blatant attempt to intimidate and present a show of unaccountable force. Here are just a few of their "greatest hits" in Chi and environs:
-Following people and ramming their vehicles, or ignoring traffic signals and doing quick stops in front of following vehicles to intentionally cause fender-benders, then falsely accusing their victims of ramming them; breaking people’s car windows to grab them, while the cars were still running (heck, we didn’t even know that trying to haul people out of running cars was a violation of their training protocols until we learned it during coverage of the Renee Good shooting; it was such a common occurrence).
-Illegally detaining people based on appearance alone ("kavanaugh stops"), and conducting early morning home raids in which they attempted to snatch people who were either citizens or had green cards. Stopping people on the streets and illegally demanding ID and proof of citizenship status.
- Illegally denying access of lawmakers, detainees’ council and clergy to the Broadview Detention Center. Beating up protesters, including veterans, and falsely claiming they were assaulted—including menacing, knocking to the ground, and beating a Vietnam vet as he was nonviolently protesting, one of many incidents where charges were dismissed after video evidence appeared.
- Using ChatGPT to concoct plausible-sounding false narratives to justify aggression and arrests. (It got to the point where they lost the feds' traditional presumption of veracity in local criminal proceedings, and a federal judge issued a ruling in which she said, in part, that ICE and CBP agents and their superiors were chronic liars whose testimony could not be believed without corroboration.)
- Deliberately deploying chemical weapons near schools, and in one instance, tear-gassing costumed schoolchildren as they headed toward a Saturday-morning Halloween parade in a quiet residential neighborhood. Shooting a priest--in a clerical collar--in the head with pepper balls as he stood peacefully praying outside the detention center--and then laughing about it. Stopping and shooting motorists (including one who died, but whose death was barely made the national news; was this because he was undocumented, and the administration instantly slurred him as a "criminal illegal alien," even though he was nothing of the kind? I don't know.).
- Falsely detaining hundreds (they arrested 3,000+ people in total), and holding them in deliberately filthy and inhumane conditions where they were denied basic sanitation and access to needed medicine; this included holding a woman who had just given birth for several days, without the ability to nurse and without her diabetes medication, so that she developed a uterine infection.
- Buzzing residential neighborhoods with Blackhawk helicopters, early in the morning and on weekends, as an intimidation tactic. A helicopter was also used in the infamous 2 a.m. raid in South Shore, where ICE and CBP descended (literally) on an apartment building filled with impoverished, powerless, non-criminal migrants (who they falsely claimed were Tren de Aragua), waking terrified people from a sound sleep and hauling them, some of them naked (it was hot, and the building had no HVAC), into the streets, where parents were separated from their sobbing children.
There are literally thousands of similar stories, large and small, from this time. I'm proud to say that Chicagoans marched, peacefully resisted, provided mutual aid, bought out taco trucks and patronized other immigrant-owned businesses, patrolled with warning whistles, delivered groceries to immigrant families too frightened to leave their homes, engaged in resistance both substantive and symbolic ("Abolish ICE" is the front-runner in the annual "Name A Snowplow" contest), and generally stood up--just as they are doing in the Twin Cities.
What they're doing in Minnesota is egregious, and it's true that the assault seems especially excessive when you consider the comparatively small size of the metro area. I think that speaks more to their cowardice than to any overarching plan. It appears they thought it would be easier to bully a "smaller" victim. If so, I'm very glad you're proving them wrong.
I think you're spot on about Minneapolis seeming like an easier target to bully just because of its size. This regime doesn't make considered, informed decisions. They/he makes snap judgements based on memes and internet trolls.
Alison, as a proud resident of Chicago (now in a northern suburb) I was going to reply to the ‘not enough presence in Chicago’ comment—but you took the words out of my mouth AND gave great and heartbreaking examples of what’s going on here, all being joyfully recorded by ICE and their Brownshirt head Noem. Bovine also had a good time shouting’Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas!’ as he arrested random people during the holidays. My regular email to my Illinois electeds thanked them for their resistance, lawsuits, etc; and asked them what preparations are being made for when ICE comes back, probably for our primary elections in March, when they can frighten people into not voting. I know that regular Chicagoans are getting (and have been, as you noted) prepared!
There is so much going, it's hard to keep track of the atrocities. I did not know that it is a violation of training to haul people out of a running vehicle. Is that just for all law enforcement? Does it apply for both if the car is moving or if the car is stopped, but the engine is still running? I had no idea.
Simon may have a different opinion but a couple reasons that Trump has targeted us come to mind: he has demanded voting records from Mn claiming fraud. Secretary of State Steve Simon, Gov. Walz, both Senators and the four Democratic Reps said no. State Republicans have put forth voter ID laws many times. Never get to the floor - the laws are absolutely designed to make voting harder and more restrictive. Trump wants to have a perfect “win.” Minnesota is a purple in parts but the state’s electoral vote went to Clinton, Biden, and Harris. Trump claimed just last week in a rant that he won all three time. Complete bullshit. Finally, on most “best places to live” polls, Minnesota ranks at or near the top of the- high taxes yes, Higher standard of living and access to healthcare, education, public amenities like parks, libraries and museums - among the best. And hidden amenities like a vibrant literary community - writers and publishing houses, and a thriving arts scene. Public parks everywhere. And three world-class medical facilities. I could go on.
One more thing. Trump desperately wants to declare martial law so he can cancel this year’s election. He knows he gets impeached when we win back the House. If we also take back the Senate,
He’ll be vulnerable. Maybe . Certainly won’t get his nominees through and his executive orders will be countermanded.
Trump wants to be able to turn us into a poor red state. We say go pound sand. We’ll care for our neighbors and live really well. And still send $40B more in federal taxes than we get back.
I think another reason is that Minnesota was where the George Floyd stuff really blew up, for obvious reasons. He thinks this will be in his supporters minds, and also he probably thinks it makes some kind of disordered situation or riot more likely.
Some of the Floyd protests did become closer to riots, and so the idea that these protests are "riots" is more easily accepted by his followers than maybe somewhere else.
I'm from MN by the way. But I wasn't there during the Floyd stuff.
Absolutely. And on top of the video financed by Republican candidate for Governor Lisa Demuth financed that was mostly lies, disinformation and manipulated video- it led to Walz choosing not to run for reelection - Trump smelled blood in the water. And the shooting of Renee Good happened just blocks from where George Floyd was murdered - the businesses in that neighborhood are largely owned by people who are legally in the US from Somalia and Central American. Most are naturalized citizens. Sadly, a target for violence and unrest. The faith community here has been phenomenal, as have nonprofit staff from immigrant and social justice groups. Walz warned us several times not to take the bait. Hope it holds….
His comments that he won MN three times reminds me of a report in the ATL news stating he wants to sue Fulton County (ATL is county seat) Election Board claiming fraud in 2020. I looked it up and the last time a Republican presidential candidate won Fulton County Ga was Nixon 1972! It's just not a winnable county for Republican candidates, and, if he had any critical thinking skills, he would use the cover it provided for him not winning in 2020 (nor 2016, nor 2024) and move on. It's laughable how completely obtuse he is of information like this. His stupidity and insecurity will be his undoing.
MN seems like my kind of state! I wish I could live there, but it's not possible at this time.
Simon, thank you for the information on the polls. I appreciate the way you can separate the wheat from the chaff.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen. I asked them to impeach Noem, stop Trump BEFORE he invades Greenland, and stop him from doing any more damage to the structure of the WH. I'm writing postcards to NC voters.
I always enjoy hearing from Anderson Clayton; looking forward to it!
Maddow had a good show last night on National resistance and also how Trump has been losing in the courts. Ezra Levin appeared and urged that everyone call MoC and call for ICE to be contained. I just realized Simon has really good language for that here. Will call today.
I have been calling for Congress to roll back the increase in ICE funding since the big ugly bill was passed last summer, and have talked directly to Senate/House leadership staff about it many, many times. We have been the first to call for this, and I am glad to see it gaining steam.
Yes! That's what I thought when Jefferies said he didn't want to stop budget for ICE.... I thought...its finally finally taking off if he has to push back.
I called my Rep and talked to staff. Using Simon's info from today, I reiterated that passing ACA extensions and highlighting affordability is good, but the new you.gov polls indicate that Americans are turning strongly against ICE and,Venezuelan policy, and Panetta and all the Dems need to be far more forceful and loud on those issues too.
Called my Senators and left VM to pass ACA relief and use discharge petition if they have to get it to the floor.
I cannot find the video from inside this home in MN (I have seen it, no link), but here is what it looks like, ICE breaking into homes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU9tbZ7KNTM
If Homeland Security has arrested and it detaining 68,000 right now, and only about 25% of them have ANY criminal record, that means our tax dollars are paying to detain 51,000 people.
So their job performance is 25% (which is probably really 7-12%) which is an abismal number. In any company, they would have already been fired.
They are asking for a 50% raise????
I am sending 10 emails through their Contact page today. (5 to Moreno, who is on the Homeland Security committee, and 5 to Husted, who will be doing photo.ops again today).
Simon, I loved this article. I almost laughed and would have probably laughed were I not so ballistically angry. Below is a report on the ground in Minnesota from Meidas. It contains a video clip folks may have seen before. A woman is saying "Shame on you." An ICE thug gets right in her face and asks, "Haven't you learned your lesson from the other day?" The woman asks what lesson she is supposed to learn. He hits her phone out of her hand.
I think this video says it all. The lesson they want us to learn is to shut up and obey, and stand at attention and salaute when the Emperor is inaugurated in the golden ballroom with the bullet proof glass. But the lesson we are learning is that they are a gestapo, that they are the enemy and we will never obey, we will never salute, because we are American patriots.
They are particularly enraged by white women, who should not only be simpering and smiling in the face of their great manliness and big gun, but we are also "race traitors" protecting the "vermin" they are so bravely in battle with, you know like Doordash drivers and store clerks. I have not yet seen them accost a white man in that same way (maybe it has happened) but a white man is the most valuable thing on earth, and they want the white man to put on fascist battle rattle and join them in the fight for the glory of the master race. Or, he might just punch them in the face if they smack a phone out of his hand...
Being a lesbian is the ultimate sin. She is not even trying to make her tits and ass etc all that he might desire in order that she might bear for him, future sons of the master race and make him a sandwich too
I was quietly standing on a corner and holding my simple "No ICE" hand-made sign on Sunday in a last-minute organized ICE protest in a metro ATL county. Mostly positive honks. Cold day, so difficult to see reaction inside vehicles. When the light turned green, a window rolled down and an older white male stuck his head out the window, raised his middle finger and said, "F**k you! Go ICE!" and sped off. It was no surprise that he was a white male, and probably scared sh*tless/angry as hell, so, of course, he resorted to name-calling and, as I and the other protestors-- all middle aged white women-- laughed out loud, a lame verbal response to our very tame posters denouncing ICE. White men's insecurity is palpable, their anger at "their women" is, unfortunately, demonstrative.
Though I have no doubt they are less inclined to attack white men, I have seen them resorting to name-calling and being physically abusive to white men who challenge them. I'm recalling the white priest/pastor in his collar in Chicago peacefully praying and having an ICE agent slowly walk up to him, get in his personal space and discharge pepper spray right into the priest's face. And I think the DC Sandwich Guy was white, and they sent 20 guys to take him down.
I am finished with my first year of weekly grocery price checks. The price of coffee the last 2 weeks is up almost $5/#. I have to say my local small chain grocery has been overall pretty good about prices. Three of the last 7 weeks have had overall price decreases. I am making a new and revised list going forward.
Wrote emails to all 3 Used Simon's #4 talking point. Headlined with Block ICE with the power of the purse. Decried the ICE raids in Morristown NJ, and the detention center plans in Roxbury NJ. Ended by thanking them for funding Science, but pointed out it will be moot if we are all afraid to leave our houses.
My kids don't like me to go out alone because of my bumper stickers. Masked men in unmarked cars can grab you at any time. But my kids don't live with me, so I am watching for a protest near me. I went to 5 in 2025. I am 70. If something bad should happen, I am ok with it being for the most important of causes.
Be safe. Make sure your phone is charged and that friends know where you are going. I don't know when it started and exactly why, but carry a whistle in case you get harassed ... or worse. Sad, but it's where we are now.
In addition to informing people where you are going, you can share your location with trusted individuals who can track you (good for if you forget to check in with friends/family).
Thank you Simon. Agree that reducing ICE funding, prohibiting masks and chokeholds (see ProbPublica reporting today), guaranteeing Congressional access to ICE detention facilities, etc. is of absolute, paramount importance. I call and email my Senators and Rep daily. After a stranger in the grocery store told me he doesn't know what to do, my neighbors and I created and distributed a "simple things you can do" flyer to 500 houses in our neighborhood. So many people feel powerless.
Flyer Headline: Sickened by the ICE murder of Renee Good? Trump and ICE want you to feel powerless. Don't fall for it! Here are some simple things you can do right now.
We listed the phone numbers of our electeds, how to join local and national resistance groups, how to get involved locally protecting neighborhoods and schools. (I'd be happy to share it but I don't think this format allows it.)
Here is a link to an editable Canva file. I took out all the local info. PLEASE MAKE A COPY of this file before you edit it, so others can use it too! You can add local info, or distribute it as is.
Jan 10, 2026 The Focus Group Podcast with Sarah Longwell
The United States just captured Venezuela's dictator, and we needed to get some quick voter reactions. Is this REALLY what the newest members of Trump's coalition voted for? We're also sensing growing discontent from them with the state of the country, and with the Trump administration governing more for its friends than for them. Atlantic staff writer Jonathan Chait joins the show to break down voter sentiment nearly a year into Trump's term.
I was actually able to talk to a staffer in Casten’s office as well as Senator Durbin and Duckworth. I said today’s issue was ICE. Accountability for the deadly use of force, and decreased funding for this lawless “agency”. I thanked all of them for serving in Congress as well.
Martha Joan, I tried to call Durbin, but he wasn’t taking calls. I ended up emailing Senator Duckworth, Durbin, Governor Pritzker, and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, all with thanks, as well as my concerns about future ICE actions in Chicago, and the trashing of vaccines under the lunatic RFK Jr. . Duckworth always sends a reply, with substantive information about the many steps she’s taking to fight the Criminal -in-Chief and his Nazi regime. She’s admirable! Raoul just filed another in a long line of lawsuits—joining with Governor Pritzker and many state attorneys general. I also spoke to a lovely young staffer of my fantastic retiring representative Jan Schakowsky (Jan announced last year that she hadn’t gone to jail in awhile, maybe it was time to fix that!) SO glad to live in Illinois!
BeeBee - I feel so blessed to have chosen to move to Illinois 18 months ago and couldn't be prouder of the political landscape here. From Governor Pritzer on down, these are wonderful, committed people who wear their hearts on their sleeves. After spending 30 years in Texas and then 4 in Iowa, to have politicians who share my values feels like I'm in heaven.
Called my R rep about not expanding ICE and getting the rest under control. Horrible that we have agents with military weapons swarming, threatening, harming, and killing people. If he addresses the killing of Renee Good at all it will be highly spun so I said if I'm to be convinced it wasn't murder, I'll need to see a video that shows something different than every other video I've seen so far. Also, talked about Ukraine. That is in nearly every call I make to him. Donated to the expansion fund, Ohio and Mary Peltola.
Simon: my sense is Trump is deliberately targeting MN in an effort to “flip” a blue state. Mind you, he tried the same in NJ, where I live, and failed miserably in NJ.
Any insight into what the MN Democrats are doing to build a bulwark against this effort, especially with Walz dropping out. It seems like MN is a strategic imperative to counter Trump’s brazen march towards authoritarianism.
Appreciate your sage insight.
I just want to say that I don't think he's trying to flip MN. (No one's talking about fraud anymore!) I think he's trying to make an example of us, and I think he believes that Minneapolis is an inherently violent place and they'll be able to use it to escalate across the country. He's trying to dominate us.
There are right wing agitators everywhere at protests, people trying to start stuff on buses, and little Nazi shit influencers riding along with ICE taking videos. ICE is going door to door right now in various communities, arresting protestors, trying to go after protest leaders. They want a conflagration.
Here's a story of a teaching assistant arrested before work in the parking lot of school--ICE says she rammed their car, her mother says she was rammed and grabbed:
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/twin-cities-teacher-a-us-citizen-arrested-by-federal-agents-outside-school
A protestor gets arrested and detained, then told he'll be freed if he can give up protest leaders. Note, this interview is conducted by local journalist Jana Shortal. Simon posted her reading Renee Good widow's statement the other day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inn-sfiMcyE
[Edited for better sourcing]
I liked this comment, but really it just makes me want to cry. I feel so terrible for you all.
Thanks for sharing this really important information.
Thank you. I know MN is up for it, there are plenty of hardy souls in the Twin Cities and around the state. NJ stands with you!
I agree with you, Anne. I think Trump is trying to make an example of MN, with the added (addled?) benefit of providing video that will please MAGA and entice more misfits to join ICE. If you want to see how the MN case fits into the white nationalist narrative, go no further than join.ice. gov -- and have a barf bag close by.
Trump really believes MN is a violent place?
I mean, I can't say what the guy believes, but people who follow RW media seem to think we burned to the ground in 2020.
Personally, I believe he wants to make examples of states and people he hates - blue states, people that would never vote for him, people of color, women who stand up to his goons, people that mock him, etc. He will say anything whether he believes it or not bc he knows his moronic MAGAs will say they believe him. I suppose some of MAGA believes whatever he says and others just say they do. Trump creates the chaos and then says he alone can stop it. I hate him. (Can I say that here? 😬)
I’m with Anne on this one. We’re the largest blue metro that they have enough ice agents to dominate. They don’t have the presence to do this in Chicago, Philadelphia, NYC or LA.
This is about revenge for losing the state three times, for Tim Walz existing, for us proving that good governance makes people’s lives better.
Minnesota is an example of how the Democratic Party can and does good. If they can squash it here, they can intimidate you too.
Ben, good comment overall, but I beg to differ regarding this statement: "They don’t have the presence to do this in Chicago, Philadelphia, NYC or LA."
I can't speak to the other cities, but I can tell you from personal experience that they already tried this in Chicago, for 3+ months, during the idiotically named "Operation Midway Blitz." They threatened to deploy the National Guard here, defamed our beautiful city, and attempted to weave a ridiculous false narrative of a lawless urban jungle. As with Minneapolis, they wanted a city on fire that they could use as an example. They failed abysmally, but it wasn't for lack of trying.
During their terror campaign, they used the same tactics you're facing--in fact, I believe they perfected some of them here--and swaggered through the city and suburbs with live ammo and wearing soldier cosplay, in a blatant attempt to intimidate and present a show of unaccountable force. Here are just a few of their "greatest hits" in Chi and environs:
-Following people and ramming their vehicles, or ignoring traffic signals and doing quick stops in front of following vehicles to intentionally cause fender-benders, then falsely accusing their victims of ramming them; breaking people’s car windows to grab them, while the cars were still running (heck, we didn’t even know that trying to haul people out of running cars was a violation of their training protocols until we learned it during coverage of the Renee Good shooting; it was such a common occurrence).
-Illegally detaining people based on appearance alone ("kavanaugh stops"), and conducting early morning home raids in which they attempted to snatch people who were either citizens or had green cards. Stopping people on the streets and illegally demanding ID and proof of citizenship status.
- Illegally denying access of lawmakers, detainees’ council and clergy to the Broadview Detention Center. Beating up protesters, including veterans, and falsely claiming they were assaulted—including menacing, knocking to the ground, and beating a Vietnam vet as he was nonviolently protesting, one of many incidents where charges were dismissed after video evidence appeared.
- Using ChatGPT to concoct plausible-sounding false narratives to justify aggression and arrests. (It got to the point where they lost the feds' traditional presumption of veracity in local criminal proceedings, and a federal judge issued a ruling in which she said, in part, that ICE and CBP agents and their superiors were chronic liars whose testimony could not be believed without corroboration.)
- Deliberately deploying chemical weapons near schools, and in one instance, tear-gassing costumed schoolchildren as they headed toward a Saturday-morning Halloween parade in a quiet residential neighborhood. Shooting a priest--in a clerical collar--in the head with pepper balls as he stood peacefully praying outside the detention center--and then laughing about it. Stopping and shooting motorists (including one who died, but whose death was barely made the national news; was this because he was undocumented, and the administration instantly slurred him as a "criminal illegal alien," even though he was nothing of the kind? I don't know.).
- Falsely detaining hundreds (they arrested 3,000+ people in total), and holding them in deliberately filthy and inhumane conditions where they were denied basic sanitation and access to needed medicine; this included holding a woman who had just given birth for several days, without the ability to nurse and without her diabetes medication, so that she developed a uterine infection.
- Buzzing residential neighborhoods with Blackhawk helicopters, early in the morning and on weekends, as an intimidation tactic. A helicopter was also used in the infamous 2 a.m. raid in South Shore, where ICE and CBP descended (literally) on an apartment building filled with impoverished, powerless, non-criminal migrants (who they falsely claimed were Tren de Aragua), waking terrified people from a sound sleep and hauling them, some of them naked (it was hot, and the building had no HVAC), into the streets, where parents were separated from their sobbing children.
There are literally thousands of similar stories, large and small, from this time. I'm proud to say that Chicagoans marched, peacefully resisted, provided mutual aid, bought out taco trucks and patronized other immigrant-owned businesses, patrolled with warning whistles, delivered groceries to immigrant families too frightened to leave their homes, engaged in resistance both substantive and symbolic ("Abolish ICE" is the front-runner in the annual "Name A Snowplow" contest), and generally stood up--just as they are doing in the Twin Cities.
What they're doing in Minnesota is egregious, and it's true that the assault seems especially excessive when you consider the comparatively small size of the metro area. I think that speaks more to their cowardice than to any overarching plan. It appears they thought it would be easier to bully a "smaller" victim. If so, I'm very glad you're proving them wrong.
I think you're spot on about Minneapolis seeming like an easier target to bully just because of its size. This regime doesn't make considered, informed decisions. They/he makes snap judgements based on memes and internet trolls.
Thanks. I used some of your words in my calls to my two GOP senators today.
Thanks for keeping track. We will need witnesses when we hold these pigs to account. And we will.
Alison, as a proud resident of Chicago (now in a northern suburb) I was going to reply to the ‘not enough presence in Chicago’ comment—but you took the words out of my mouth AND gave great and heartbreaking examples of what’s going on here, all being joyfully recorded by ICE and their Brownshirt head Noem. Bovine also had a good time shouting’Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas!’ as he arrested random people during the holidays. My regular email to my Illinois electeds thanked them for their resistance, lawsuits, etc; and asked them what preparations are being made for when ICE comes back, probably for our primary elections in March, when they can frighten people into not voting. I know that regular Chicagoans are getting (and have been, as you noted) prepared!
There is so much going, it's hard to keep track of the atrocities. I did not know that it is a violation of training to haul people out of a running vehicle. Is that just for all law enforcement? Does it apply for both if the car is moving or if the car is stopped, but the engine is still running? I had no idea.
They tear-gassed children????
Thank you for posting.
The Trump focus on the daycare fraud is certainly motivated by this same urge to ruin Minnesota’s image.
Simon may have a different opinion but a couple reasons that Trump has targeted us come to mind: he has demanded voting records from Mn claiming fraud. Secretary of State Steve Simon, Gov. Walz, both Senators and the four Democratic Reps said no. State Republicans have put forth voter ID laws many times. Never get to the floor - the laws are absolutely designed to make voting harder and more restrictive. Trump wants to have a perfect “win.” Minnesota is a purple in parts but the state’s electoral vote went to Clinton, Biden, and Harris. Trump claimed just last week in a rant that he won all three time. Complete bullshit. Finally, on most “best places to live” polls, Minnesota ranks at or near the top of the- high taxes yes, Higher standard of living and access to healthcare, education, public amenities like parks, libraries and museums - among the best. And hidden amenities like a vibrant literary community - writers and publishing houses, and a thriving arts scene. Public parks everywhere. And three world-class medical facilities. I could go on.
One more thing. Trump desperately wants to declare martial law so he can cancel this year’s election. He knows he gets impeached when we win back the House. If we also take back the Senate,
He’ll be vulnerable. Maybe . Certainly won’t get his nominees through and his executive orders will be countermanded.
Trump wants to be able to turn us into a poor red state. We say go pound sand. We’ll care for our neighbors and live really well. And still send $40B more in federal taxes than we get back.
I think another reason is that Minnesota was where the George Floyd stuff really blew up, for obvious reasons. He thinks this will be in his supporters minds, and also he probably thinks it makes some kind of disordered situation or riot more likely.
Some of the Floyd protests did become closer to riots, and so the idea that these protests are "riots" is more easily accepted by his followers than maybe somewhere else.
I'm from MN by the way. But I wasn't there during the Floyd stuff.
Absolutely. And on top of the video financed by Republican candidate for Governor Lisa Demuth financed that was mostly lies, disinformation and manipulated video- it led to Walz choosing not to run for reelection - Trump smelled blood in the water. And the shooting of Renee Good happened just blocks from where George Floyd was murdered - the businesses in that neighborhood are largely owned by people who are legally in the US from Somalia and Central American. Most are naturalized citizens. Sadly, a target for violence and unrest. The faith community here has been phenomenal, as have nonprofit staff from immigrant and social justice groups. Walz warned us several times not to take the bait. Hope it holds….
His comments that he won MN three times reminds me of a report in the ATL news stating he wants to sue Fulton County (ATL is county seat) Election Board claiming fraud in 2020. I looked it up and the last time a Republican presidential candidate won Fulton County Ga was Nixon 1972! It's just not a winnable county for Republican candidates, and, if he had any critical thinking skills, he would use the cover it provided for him not winning in 2020 (nor 2016, nor 2024) and move on. It's laughable how completely obtuse he is of information like this. His stupidity and insecurity will be his undoing.
MN seems like my kind of state! I wish I could live there, but it's not possible at this time.
Simon, thank you for the information on the polls. I appreciate the way you can separate the wheat from the chaff.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen. I asked them to impeach Noem, stop Trump BEFORE he invades Greenland, and stop him from doing any more damage to the structure of the WH. I'm writing postcards to NC voters.
I always enjoy hearing from Anderson Clayton; looking forward to it!
Maddow had a good show last night on National resistance and also how Trump has been losing in the courts. Ezra Levin appeared and urged that everyone call MoC and call for ICE to be contained. I just realized Simon has really good language for that here. Will call today.
I have been calling for Congress to roll back the increase in ICE funding since the big ugly bill was passed last summer, and have talked directly to Senate/House leadership staff about it many, many times. We have been the first to call for this, and I am glad to see it gaining steam.
Yes! That's what I thought when Jefferies said he didn't want to stop budget for ICE.... I thought...its finally finally taking off if he has to push back.
What have you heard from various members who voted to thank the Gestapo and are now trying to condemn it? Thanks. I'm sick of them trying to have it both ways. https://www.qasimrashid.com/p/did-your-democratic-member-of-congress
who is MoC?
I believe it is Members of Congress.
I called my Rep and talked to staff. Using Simon's info from today, I reiterated that passing ACA extensions and highlighting affordability is good, but the new you.gov polls indicate that Americans are turning strongly against ICE and,Venezuelan policy, and Panetta and all the Dems need to be far more forceful and loud on those issues too.
Called my Senators and left VM to pass ACA relief and use discharge petition if they have to get it to the floor.
Excellent, perfect, thank you for calling.
I cannot find the video from inside this home in MN (I have seen it, no link), but here is what it looks like, ICE breaking into homes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU9tbZ7KNTM
The comments are very violent and repulsive maga, russian bots, almost all of them. I've been reporting each one to youtube.
If Homeland Security has arrested and it detaining 68,000 right now, and only about 25% of them have ANY criminal record, that means our tax dollars are paying to detain 51,000 people.
So their job performance is 25% (which is probably really 7-12%) which is an abismal number. In any company, they would have already been fired.
They are asking for a 50% raise????
I am sending 10 emails through their Contact page today. (5 to Moreno, who is on the Homeland Security committee, and 5 to Husted, who will be doing photo.ops again today).
Simon, I loved this article. I almost laughed and would have probably laughed were I not so ballistically angry. Below is a report on the ground in Minnesota from Meidas. It contains a video clip folks may have seen before. A woman is saying "Shame on you." An ICE thug gets right in her face and asks, "Haven't you learned your lesson from the other day?" The woman asks what lesson she is supposed to learn. He hits her phone out of her hand.
I think this video says it all. The lesson they want us to learn is to shut up and obey, and stand at attention and salaute when the Emperor is inaugurated in the golden ballroom with the bullet proof glass. But the lesson we are learning is that they are a gestapo, that they are the enemy and we will never obey, we will never salute, because we are American patriots.
They are particularly enraged by white women, who should not only be simpering and smiling in the face of their great manliness and big gun, but we are also "race traitors" protecting the "vermin" they are so bravely in battle with, you know like Doordash drivers and store clerks. I have not yet seen them accost a white man in that same way (maybe it has happened) but a white man is the most valuable thing on earth, and they want the white man to put on fascist battle rattle and join them in the fight for the glory of the master race. Or, he might just punch them in the face if they smack a phone out of his hand...
https://youtu.be/Ss3lNckQTU4?si=ViYJo7-iTYsDmwX3
Appalling toxic and unlawful behavior. Congress MUST act to rein these thugs in.
Apparently, women are hearing a lot of "that lesbian bitch got hers" from ICE.
Being a lesbian is the ultimate sin. She is not even trying to make her tits and ass etc all that he might desire in order that she might bear for him, future sons of the master race and make him a sandwich too
Let's prosecute her murder as a hate crime, Minnesota? Make sure he gets life in prison.
'battle rattle' - nice! their cosplay gear ludicrous. the misogyny is off the charts
I was quietly standing on a corner and holding my simple "No ICE" hand-made sign on Sunday in a last-minute organized ICE protest in a metro ATL county. Mostly positive honks. Cold day, so difficult to see reaction inside vehicles. When the light turned green, a window rolled down and an older white male stuck his head out the window, raised his middle finger and said, "F**k you! Go ICE!" and sped off. It was no surprise that he was a white male, and probably scared sh*tless/angry as hell, so, of course, he resorted to name-calling and, as I and the other protestors-- all middle aged white women-- laughed out loud, a lame verbal response to our very tame posters denouncing ICE. White men's insecurity is palpable, their anger at "their women" is, unfortunately, demonstrative.
Though I have no doubt they are less inclined to attack white men, I have seen them resorting to name-calling and being physically abusive to white men who challenge them. I'm recalling the white priest/pastor in his collar in Chicago peacefully praying and having an ICE agent slowly walk up to him, get in his personal space and discharge pepper spray right into the priest's face. And I think the DC Sandwich Guy was white, and they sent 20 guys to take him down.
I am finished with my first year of weekly grocery price checks. The price of coffee the last 2 weeks is up almost $5/#. I have to say my local small chain grocery has been overall pretty good about prices. Three of the last 7 weeks have had overall price decreases. I am making a new and revised list going forward.
Wrote emails to all 3 Used Simon's #4 talking point. Headlined with Block ICE with the power of the purse. Decried the ICE raids in Morristown NJ, and the detention center plans in Roxbury NJ. Ended by thanking them for funding Science, but pointed out it will be moot if we are all afraid to leave our houses.
Thanks for that. Had not heard about Morristown getting raided. UGH. They are happening in Red Bank & Asbury Park here in Monmouth County.
My kids don't like me to go out alone because of my bumper stickers. Masked men in unmarked cars can grab you at any time. But my kids don't live with me, so I am watching for a protest near me. I went to 5 in 2025. I am 70. If something bad should happen, I am ok with it being for the most important of causes.
Be safe. Make sure your phone is charged and that friends know where you are going. I don't know when it started and exactly why, but carry a whistle in case you get harassed ... or worse. Sad, but it's where we are now.
Veronica, I'm 70 also. We started adulthood protesting Vietnam and a criminal President and here we are again. Keep fighting, colleague!
Onward together!!
Any chance you could share the wording of your bumper stickers? I’m sure they are memorable!
My bumper stickers are all from Meidas Touch and Bryan Tyler Cohen. Basic ones like "Truth over Lies"
That’s great! It’s hard for me to imagine someone taking issue with "Truth over Lies" – but here we are. I always like BTC!
In addition to informing people where you are going, you can share your location with trusted individuals who can track you (good for if you forget to check in with friends/family).
Very good idea.
Thank you all!
Thank you Simon. Agree that reducing ICE funding, prohibiting masks and chokeholds (see ProbPublica reporting today), guaranteeing Congressional access to ICE detention facilities, etc. is of absolute, paramount importance. I call and email my Senators and Rep daily. After a stranger in the grocery store told me he doesn't know what to do, my neighbors and I created and distributed a "simple things you can do" flyer to 500 houses in our neighborhood. So many people feel powerless.
Flyer Headline: Sickened by the ICE murder of Renee Good? Trump and ICE want you to feel powerless. Don't fall for it! Here are some simple things you can do right now.
We listed the phone numbers of our electeds, how to join local and national resistance groups, how to get involved locally protecting neighborhoods and schools. (I'd be happy to share it but I don't think this format allows it.)
this is WONDERFUL
If you can copy and paste your flier into a google doc, you can share the link with us. This is a great idea!
Thanks for inspiring me to take another crack at sharing the flyer. Here is an editable link in Canva. Please MAKE A COPY before you add local edits, so others can use the original document, too. https://www.canva.com/design/DAG-UXr3MB4/Wko_tjMExNusHJRVUxjT7A/edit?utm_content=DAG-UXr3MB4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
Here is a link to an editable Canva file. I took out all the local info. PLEASE MAKE A COPY of this file before you edit it, so others can use it too! You can add local info, or distribute it as is.
https://www.canva.com/design/DAG-UXr3MB4/Wko_tjMExNusHJRVUxjT7A/edit?utm_content=DAG-UXr3MB4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
Thanks so much Maureen!
Great idea.
Fantastic! thank you!
🙏🏻 thank you Maureen !
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H652ZRwG_hw&list=PLJNKzTkCZE9tbZqSKCntLzBTsiWPIHS89
Jan 10, 2026 The Focus Group Podcast with Sarah Longwell
The United States just captured Venezuela's dictator, and we needed to get some quick voter reactions. Is this REALLY what the newest members of Trump's coalition voted for? We're also sensing growing discontent from them with the state of the country, and with the Trump administration governing more for its friends than for them. Atlantic staff writer Jonathan Chait joins the show to break down voter sentiment nearly a year into Trump's term.
I was actually able to talk to a staffer in Casten’s office as well as Senator Durbin and Duckworth. I said today’s issue was ICE. Accountability for the deadly use of force, and decreased funding for this lawless “agency”. I thanked all of them for serving in Congress as well.
Martha Joan, I tried to call Durbin, but he wasn’t taking calls. I ended up emailing Senator Duckworth, Durbin, Governor Pritzker, and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, all with thanks, as well as my concerns about future ICE actions in Chicago, and the trashing of vaccines under the lunatic RFK Jr. . Duckworth always sends a reply, with substantive information about the many steps she’s taking to fight the Criminal -in-Chief and his Nazi regime. She’s admirable! Raoul just filed another in a long line of lawsuits—joining with Governor Pritzker and many state attorneys general. I also spoke to a lovely young staffer of my fantastic retiring representative Jan Schakowsky (Jan announced last year that she hadn’t gone to jail in awhile, maybe it was time to fix that!) SO glad to live in Illinois!
Contacted Durbin and Duckworth again today, thanking them for their leadership and asking them to rein in ICE and Noem in whatever way possible.
Those are two wonderful reps.
BeeBee - I feel so blessed to have chosen to move to Illinois 18 months ago and couldn't be prouder of the political landscape here. From Governor Pritzer on down, these are wonderful, committed people who wear their hearts on their sleeves. After spending 30 years in Texas and then 4 in Iowa, to have politicians who share my values feels like I'm in heaven.
Called my R rep about not expanding ICE and getting the rest under control. Horrible that we have agents with military weapons swarming, threatening, harming, and killing people. If he addresses the killing of Renee Good at all it will be highly spun so I said if I'm to be convinced it wasn't murder, I'll need to see a video that shows something different than every other video I've seen so far. Also, talked about Ukraine. That is in nearly every call I make to him. Donated to the expansion fund, Ohio and Mary Peltola.
This is helping me through another day. Kudos.