Simon, your words serve as a powerful rallying cry following the tragic executions of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. The public killing of innocent American citizens is a reality the public cannot ignore. If Democratic Senators lack the courage to act boldly now, they forfeit their right to lead. The era of half-measures is over. The 'seven deadly sinners'—Bondi, Hegseth, Miller, Noem, Patel, Trump, and Vance—must be exposed and held accountable as accomplices in the lawlessness perpetrated by ICE in Minnesota.
We must act with unwavering resolve to honor those we have lost. Their deaths are a clarion call for every leader, regardless of party, to stand against this tide of violence. A 'NO' vote on ICE funding within the next 48 hours is more than a political choice; it is a moral necessity to halt further destruction.
As Aesop warned in The Archer and the Eagle, 'We often give our enemies the means to our own destruction.' We cannot allow leaders to gamble with our lives in a zero-sum game driven by morally bankrupt actors. Enough is enough!
Simon, The importance of eliminating the ICE masks, for both symbolic and substantive reasons, cannot be overstated (and I'm surprised this was not included in Chris Murphy's list).
Masked police forces have historically been a staple of authoritarian regimes from Latin America to Putin's Russia. Their presence in America is directly at odds with our democratic and constitutional traditions. And as a practical matter, the anonymity provided by the masks has encouraged the thuggish behavior of Ice agents.
I agree. Masks provide annonimity and "license to goon." If the agents have visible i.d. it mitigates it some, but you still have to ask, what is the purpose of the mask except to obscure identity?
Here is Keith Ellison AG of Minnesota, reinforcing the point. Video is cued up to the 11 minute mark, where he handles that question from Brian Tyler Cohen.
It concerns me that there's discussion of getting things done without changing the bill. That's Lucy and the football territory. I'll be calling today to say "GOP is not trustworthy"
I’m on my way to my office which limits my activism. What I will share is my observation that Gen Z is fully in the fight. My daughter called yesterday seeking advice on how to speak out against this fascist regime. I sent her this post and a link to 5 Calls app. Pedal to the metal folks.
A long term strategic goal which is just now getting popular support and will need time and help to make it politically palatable for the congress critters. But we can push that along.
USCIS is INS’ replacement so ICE should be split and fall back into that. The customs bit of CBP should absorb customs enforcement and USCIS should do immigration law enforcement
I think this is where we're going to end up, regardless. ICE and DHS have shattered public trust, and any (decent) cop will tell you law enforcement depends on public trust.
The Dem package feels wan and almost silly to me. They're not going to follow any laws, and yes, warrants (if they did in fact use them) would help a lot, but it's not going to stop them from tear gassing people; roughing and even beating them up; kidnapping people to scare them and then releasing them in a nearby park to freeze to death (they can surely come up with something that is de facto "not arresting.") If they're not following the constitution, why would they follow Congress? What consequences will there be for not following the laws, and are they enforceable?
I don't know that body cams are going to do much; they're already using this stuff for content. The provision about schools is almost ridiculous: here, they are trying to pick kids up on the way home. Yesterday they went around the metro menacing kids at bus stops.
I do not think Dems are prepared for the backlash if this is what passes. I agree with Simon on the necessary additions, and would also add some kind of meaningful enforcement. And also, send all the kids home. No kids in detention.
I would also demand an investigation into the network of concentration camps that they're building around the country. And consequences for violating the constitution.
On another note, some guy tried to attack Ilhan Omar last night at a town hall. He shot some substance at her, but he was tackled and she ran right at him. Maybe the tone has shifted enough that the media will ask every Republican to condemn the attack. Maybe they'll stop saying, "violence on both sides." Maybe they'll even tie it to Trump's tweets. Maybe.
What are your suggestions for accountability? I've been saying for days there needs to be a bipartisan joint hearing on all this, and daily pressers by House/Senate Dems. They need to lead in word and in deed both. And more field hearings in MN.
I am not a legislator and I do not know what’s possible—firing them and turning agents over to local authorities to face charges? Cut funding?
I just don’t know why they would care about oversight when they’re already not following the law allowing inspection.
And also…these guys are power mad and real dumb. How are you going to take this collection of brain dead white supremacists who rolled over Alex Preeti’s body to count the bullet holes and teach them to follow laws? They tried to enter the Ecuadorian consulate yesterday!
I know. But some of the play is that we need to be seen as the people who make the laws and follow them. This is uncharted territory, which is why I think that response across state and federal is important. I think Sen. Warnock being there is important - the moral authority piece is big. But it's complex and not going to happen overnight.
This is a very healthy and good conversation. Anne, thanks for kicking it off. I think Dems are reading that the Rs want to do something real so we should try to get as much as we can legislatively in the next few weeks. But the battle will still be raging We know they will continue to act lawlessly. But it will be harder for them if the Congressional Rs vote to rein them in. Whatever deal we get is a step forward. It will be, if we can do it. as big a rebuke of Trump as the Epstein files vote. I know it will not make everyone happy and that's why we will need to sell it to the family hard, and outline what our next steps are to try to rein ICE in. The important thing Anne is that Dems are fighting now, aggressively; Rs seem worried; and we have a chance to do something meaningful here. What isn't meaningful is firing Noem or Bovino. It's good, and we will take it. but it's not meaningful.
It's why I think the free states need to come together and adopt a code of conduct for when DHS comes into their states. Expecations, laws, consequences. This is what Glenn Kirschner talked about. States must use the powers they have, and the obligation they have to protest their constituents, to fight all this harder. Creating a singular code of conduct with teeth - for when DHS comes into blue states would be an important step too.
WA Governor and Attorney General gave a muscular news conference on their preparations to oppose the federal government. I've thanked them but should ask they increase coordination.
There has been some unified pushback in communities where ICE is trying to build its detention centers. Not even Red areas want them, though it probably has less to do with a moral objection and more to do with quality of life/real estate values.
I don't think funding should be separate in a new bill. The leverage is because of the budget and threat of shutdown. A new bill would never get through the House. Calling Booker & Kim right now and emailing Rep. Chris Smith (Traitor-NJ04).
Here in the Garden State, where temps have been in single digits overnight for days & not even reaching freezing level as a high, we are organizing for the primaries in June. NJ12 has a great candidate in Matt Adams, but we need to flip NJ07 & hold NJ09. Gov. Sherrill did a good job managing the storm response, and has come out vs DHS funding.
Simon, thanks for the specific calls to action for our Senators, I just left messages for both of mine (Warren and Markey in MA) focused on your three key points - fantastic!. Thank you and thanks for a good meeting last night (despite your cough, now gone I hope!).
It's hard to believe anything will change with this administration. Congress passed the Epstein bill with virtually 100% consensus and the files still have not been released. The admin are white collar criminals who will, literally, get away with murder.
The Minnesota general strike should be replicated everywhere.
Nationwide, Women's March has been sponsoring onoging "general strikes" called the Free America Walkout (from home, work, school, commerce), rally, and visit to the local office of your Member of Congress. They are ongoing and I have participated. https://action.womensmarch.com/calendars/free-america-weekend or mobilize has details.
More cheers for the people of Minnesota, who elected two Democrats to fill vacancies in the state legislature. Although these were already blue districts, D candidates took more than 95% of the votes in these special elections--greatly overperforming previous elections.
Also, DNC is having a Rapid Response Call regarding conditions in Minnesota featuring MN Attorney General Keith Ellison. Tonight at 7pm EST. You can sign up for the call using the events page of the DNC website (democrats.org). Below is the url for the actual page:
OOH, thanks - did not know about that. So busy yesterday, did not even have time to read the statement from Chair Martin. I did enjoy the official DNC response to Nosferatu McGoebbels, though: "You are a f*cking liar with blood on your hands."
I think another thing that can be done is facilitating a bond hearing as soon as possible. My niece’s friend’s father was taken in LA. They keep postponing his bond hearing and he’s been in a private prison out there for months and months.
Simon, thank you for the encouraging and realistic talk last night.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen and made your 3 points about ICE and encouraged all Democrats to make Trump's mental incompetence a regular talking point. It can be part of any discussion about any topic. "We're honored to be here today at the opening of this new post office, but, first, Americans should be concerned that the president is literally out of touch with reality. He needs to resign now. This new post office will make it easier for our residents. . . ."
BTW, Congressman Raskin's answering machine message now contains information on how whistleblowers can contact Democrats. Good idea.
I am concerned that they are not following legislation or the Constitution, therefore this approach seems academic. Defund the operation. Impeach Miller.
Hoping Democrats can hold together and be strong. Getting Stephen Miller out and making oversight of the concentration camps real are essential goals.
“There are but two parties now: traitors and patriots. And I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter and, I trust, the stronger party.”
– Ulysses S. Grant
Simon, your words serve as a powerful rallying cry following the tragic executions of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. The public killing of innocent American citizens is a reality the public cannot ignore. If Democratic Senators lack the courage to act boldly now, they forfeit their right to lead. The era of half-measures is over. The 'seven deadly sinners'—Bondi, Hegseth, Miller, Noem, Patel, Trump, and Vance—must be exposed and held accountable as accomplices in the lawlessness perpetrated by ICE in Minnesota.
We must act with unwavering resolve to honor those we have lost. Their deaths are a clarion call for every leader, regardless of party, to stand against this tide of violence. A 'NO' vote on ICE funding within the next 48 hours is more than a political choice; it is a moral necessity to halt further destruction.
As Aesop warned in The Archer and the Eagle, 'We often give our enemies the means to our own destruction.' We cannot allow leaders to gamble with our lives in a zero-sum game driven by morally bankrupt actors. Enough is enough!
Love this! But can we do 7 x 7 and get 42 other sinners on that list? Choosing only 7 is nigh impossible!
I believe they should take off the masks.
I've added that in the online version. Thank you for the suggestion!
Simon, The importance of eliminating the ICE masks, for both symbolic and substantive reasons, cannot be overstated (and I'm surprised this was not included in Chris Murphy's list).
Masked police forces have historically been a staple of authoritarian regimes from Latin America to Putin's Russia. Their presence in America is directly at odds with our democratic and constitutional traditions. And as a practical matter, the anonymity provided by the masks has encouraged the thuggish behavior of Ice agents.
I agree. Masks provide annonimity and "license to goon." If the agents have visible i.d. it mitigates it some, but you still have to ask, what is the purpose of the mask except to obscure identity?
Exactly! And if they have nothing to hide, why the masks?
Here is Keith Ellison AG of Minnesota, reinforcing the point. Video is cued up to the 11 minute mark, where he handles that question from Brian Tyler Cohen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olBDJZGsjxw
NO MASKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It concerns me that there's discussion of getting things done without changing the bill. That's Lucy and the football territory. I'll be calling today to say "GOP is not trustworthy"
Yes, correct. It's why we have to call. This thing is crazy fluid.
I’m on my way to my office which limits my activism. What I will share is my observation that Gen Z is fully in the fight. My daughter called yesterday seeking advice on how to speak out against this fascist regime. I sent her this post and a link to 5 Calls app. Pedal to the metal folks.
Yep! I finally got my son (junior in college) to use ResistBot. And my 23-year-old daughter is now calling daily.
Give ICE no ground! Work to reinstate a department similar to Immigration and Naturalization.
A long term strategic goal which is just now getting popular support and will need time and help to make it politically palatable for the congress critters. But we can push that along.
USCIS is INS’ replacement so ICE should be split and fall back into that. The customs bit of CBP should absorb customs enforcement and USCIS should do immigration law enforcement
I think this is where we're going to end up, regardless. ICE and DHS have shattered public trust, and any (decent) cop will tell you law enforcement depends on public trust.
The Dem package feels wan and almost silly to me. They're not going to follow any laws, and yes, warrants (if they did in fact use them) would help a lot, but it's not going to stop them from tear gassing people; roughing and even beating them up; kidnapping people to scare them and then releasing them in a nearby park to freeze to death (they can surely come up with something that is de facto "not arresting.") If they're not following the constitution, why would they follow Congress? What consequences will there be for not following the laws, and are they enforceable?
I don't know that body cams are going to do much; they're already using this stuff for content. The provision about schools is almost ridiculous: here, they are trying to pick kids up on the way home. Yesterday they went around the metro menacing kids at bus stops.
I do not think Dems are prepared for the backlash if this is what passes. I agree with Simon on the necessary additions, and would also add some kind of meaningful enforcement. And also, send all the kids home. No kids in detention.
I would also demand an investigation into the network of concentration camps that they're building around the country. And consequences for violating the constitution.
On another note, some guy tried to attack Ilhan Omar last night at a town hall. He shot some substance at her, but he was tackled and she ran right at him. Maybe the tone has shifted enough that the media will ask every Republican to condemn the attack. Maybe they'll stop saying, "violence on both sides." Maybe they'll even tie it to Trump's tweets. Maybe.
What are your suggestions for accountability? I've been saying for days there needs to be a bipartisan joint hearing on all this, and daily pressers by House/Senate Dems. They need to lead in word and in deed both. And more field hearings in MN.
I am not a legislator and I do not know what’s possible—firing them and turning agents over to local authorities to face charges? Cut funding?
I just don’t know why they would care about oversight when they’re already not following the law allowing inspection.
And also…these guys are power mad and real dumb. How are you going to take this collection of brain dead white supremacists who rolled over Alex Preeti’s body to count the bullet holes and teach them to follow laws? They tried to enter the Ecuadorian consulate yesterday!
I know. But some of the play is that we need to be seen as the people who make the laws and follow them. This is uncharted territory, which is why I think that response across state and federal is important. I think Sen. Warnock being there is important - the moral authority piece is big. But it's complex and not going to happen overnight.
This is a very healthy and good conversation. Anne, thanks for kicking it off. I think Dems are reading that the Rs want to do something real so we should try to get as much as we can legislatively in the next few weeks. But the battle will still be raging We know they will continue to act lawlessly. But it will be harder for them if the Congressional Rs vote to rein them in. Whatever deal we get is a step forward. It will be, if we can do it. as big a rebuke of Trump as the Epstein files vote. I know it will not make everyone happy and that's why we will need to sell it to the family hard, and outline what our next steps are to try to rein ICE in. The important thing Anne is that Dems are fighting now, aggressively; Rs seem worried; and we have a chance to do something meaningful here. What isn't meaningful is firing Noem or Bovino. It's good, and we will take it. but it's not meaningful.
It's why I think the free states need to come together and adopt a code of conduct for when DHS comes into their states. Expecations, laws, consequences. This is what Glenn Kirschner talked about. States must use the powers they have, and the obligation they have to protest their constituents, to fight all this harder. Creating a singular code of conduct with teeth - for when DHS comes into blue states would be an important step too.
Dem AGs, get on it!
WA Governor and Attorney General gave a muscular news conference on their preparations to oppose the federal government. I've thanked them but should ask they increase coordination.
https://youtu.be/TYc_bl_U-Kw
Working with a group behind this effort of local DA's
https://open.substack.com/pub/defiance/p/exclusive-local-prosecutors-around?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Good to see you writing in today, Anne Bear.
There has been some unified pushback in communities where ICE is trying to build its detention centers. Not even Red areas want them, though it probably has less to do with a moral objection and more to do with quality of life/real estate values.
Like this protest in a more rural area of the Denver Metro region: https://www.denverpost.com/2026/01/21/hudson-correctional-facility-colorado-ice-detention/?share
I don't think funding should be separate in a new bill. The leverage is because of the budget and threat of shutdown. A new bill would never get through the House. Calling Booker & Kim right now and emailing Rep. Chris Smith (Traitor-NJ04).
No Kings 3 will be March 28 - more info here: https://www.nokings.org/ - let's gooo!
Here in the Garden State, where temps have been in single digits overnight for days & not even reaching freezing level as a high, we are organizing for the primaries in June. NJ12 has a great candidate in Matt Adams, but we need to flip NJ07 & hold NJ09. Gov. Sherrill did a good job managing the storm response, and has come out vs DHS funding.
The tide is turning, friends. Keep going!
Simon, thanks for the specific calls to action for our Senators, I just left messages for both of mine (Warren and Markey in MA) focused on your three key points - fantastic!. Thank you and thanks for a good meeting last night (despite your cough, now gone I hope!).
It's hard to believe anything will change with this administration. Congress passed the Epstein bill with virtually 100% consensus and the files still have not been released. The admin are white collar criminals who will, literally, get away with murder.
The Minnesota general strike should be replicated everywhere.
Not feeling the Hopium today.
There is always hope - and I think a general strike may be coming sooner rather than later. Waiting for more info in tomorrow's Indivisible call.
Nationwide, Women's March has been sponsoring onoging "general strikes" called the Free America Walkout (from home, work, school, commerce), rally, and visit to the local office of your Member of Congress. They are ongoing and I have participated. https://action.womensmarch.com/calendars/free-america-weekend or mobilize has details.
More cheers for the people of Minnesota, who elected two Democrats to fill vacancies in the state legislature. Although these were already blue districts, D candidates took more than 95% of the votes in these special elections--greatly overperforming previous elections.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrat-wins-minnesota-election-with-95-of-vote-amid-ice-crackdown/ar-AA1V9joj?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=697a193b87684f6c80709b694395097a&ei=17
Also, DNC is having a Rapid Response Call regarding conditions in Minnesota featuring MN Attorney General Keith Ellison. Tonight at 7pm EST. You can sign up for the call using the events page of the DNC website (democrats.org). Below is the url for the actual page:
https://platform.winnable.app/
OOH, thanks - did not know about that. So busy yesterday, did not even have time to read the statement from Chair Martin. I did enjoy the official DNC response to Nosferatu McGoebbels, though: "You are a f*cking liar with blood on your hands."
That about sums it up!
I think another thing that can be done is facilitating a bond hearing as soon as possible. My niece’s friend’s father was taken in LA. They keep postponing his bond hearing and he’s been in a private prison out there for months and months.
Phoned Michigan Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin this morning. No money without:
1. DHS required to cooperate with state probes
2. CBP stays at the border
3. Warrants for arrest
4. ID’s, body cams, no masks or facial coverings
5. ICE out of churches, schools
6. Clear, written definition of ICE’s mission (removing criminals is bullshit)
7. Stephen Miller leaves government service
8. independent or Congressional oversight of the conditions inside the detention camps
Thanks for this - using this as my script for calling Peters and Slotkin!
Go for it. Next is Haley Stevens in the House
Simon, thank you for the encouraging and realistic talk last night.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen and made your 3 points about ICE and encouraged all Democrats to make Trump's mental incompetence a regular talking point. It can be part of any discussion about any topic. "We're honored to be here today at the opening of this new post office, but, first, Americans should be concerned that the president is literally out of touch with reality. He needs to resign now. This new post office will make it easier for our residents. . . ."
BTW, Congressman Raskin's answering machine message now contains information on how whistleblowers can contact Democrats. Good idea.
I'm writing more postcards to NC voters today.
I am concerned that they are not following legislation or the Constitution, therefore this approach seems academic. Defund the operation. Impeach Miller.