1/ Let's be clear - Trump had a goal last night to get his right wing, white supremacists to organize an election day intimidation effort. He succeeded. Recruitment by Proud Boys and others is underway. Here's why this is especially worrying this year - and what you can do.
2/ In 2018 a federal judge ended a three decade long court order on the Republican National Committee that placed restrictions on the RNC's "ballot security" measures and Election Day activities at the polls. Why were these restrictions in place?
3/ In 1982, Republicans used illegal harassment and voter intimidation to discourage Black Americans from voting. They sent targeted mailings warning about the consequences of voter fraud & posted armed guards at polls in minority neighborhoods. Thus, the court intervened.
4/ So if AR-15 wielding white supremacists are at the polls this year, there are fewer legal remedies to remove them. Trump knows this, which is why he is pushing so hard.
But you can do something about it. Volunteer here to help protect the election. protectthevote.net
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Democrats MUST insist on a vote on an Authorization of Military Force (an AUMF) for Trump’s war in Iran.
My friend @TimKaine is leading the charge on a War Powers Resolution (WPR) that I support. But it's not a substitute for an AUMF.
1/ A 🧵on the difference. It's important.
2/ What’s the difference? A WPR is a vote AGAINST war.
I’m a co-sponsor of the WPR. But even if Congress passes it, Trump won’t sign it. It's basically symbolic.
3/ An AUMF is a vote FOR war. Trump doesn’t want to come to Congress with legislation authorizing his war because he’d need 60 votes in the Senate (which he likely wouldn't get), and it would force tough questions around the cost, timelines, and specific goals of the war.
Last night I went to the Senate to detail ICE's horrific abuse and violation of the law. I came armed with specific examples.
I'm sharing my speech here bc you need to know why we cannot give ICE another dime.
1/ It starts w the dystopian, roving "show your papers" patrols.
2/ Masked, unidentified men, driving unmarked cars now patrol American streets, dragging Americans out of their vehicles and terrorizing communities. Totally illegal. Reminiscent of Stalin and Pinochet. Fundamentally unAmerican.
3/ No place is safe. ICE ambushes churches, chases kids at bus stops, and tear gasses schools.
As the DHS funding bill moves closer to a vote in the House, and likely a vote in the Senate (where it could be combined with DoD and other budgets), I want to spell out the dangers of a bipartisan vote to keep funding this version of DHS.
2/ I get my colleagues' desire to support government funding. Even under Trump, the government performs many vital tasks.
But not at any price. The political police force Trump is building at DHS - and their daily violation of the law - threatens to unwind our republic.
3/ What Trump is doing in Minneapolis is a test case. His goal is likely to create disruptions in cities in Democratic and swing states as a pretext to interfere in the fall elections.
Yes, he's got loads of money from BBB for this, but this budget gives him $28 billion more.
We told you the Venezuela invasion was just corruption. It took one whole week to get the proof.
Trump took Venezuela's oil at gunpoint, and gave it to one of his biggest campaign donors.
1/ But when you learn the details, it's even worse. A short🧵on this corruption story.
2/ John Addison donated a stunning sum to Trump's election campaign: $6 million. And then, as the Venezuelan operation unfolded, his company, Vitol, asked Trump for a license to trade Venezuelan oil - before their competitors.
3/ And then, just days later, Trump selected Vitol for the first sale of Venezuelan oil - at a discount that will likely allow Vitol to make a huge profit when it sells it to secondary buyers.
5 years ago today, our Capitol was attacked. A year ago, Trump pardoned the worst attackers as a reward for their violence.
You should know them.
1/ Let's start with David Dempsey - he was out for blood: pepper sprayed officers, stomped on their heads, beat them with poles.
2/ This is DJ Rodriguez. He posted: "There will be blood. Welcome to the revolution". He beat officers with a wooden pole, tasered an officer in the neck causing a heart attack.
3/ Here is Thomas Webster. He led the charge to break into the Capitol. He beat officers with a metal pole, held one down so rioters could brutally kick him.