I went to DC today to get some things from my office, and walked around to get a feel for what it is like two days before the inauguration. I’m furious about what these people are doing to our country, and I’d like to share pictures in this thread to let you see what I did 1/ Outside the secured zone, things were quieter than normal for a Monday (it is a federal holiday after all) but seemed deceptively normal. Approaching the heart of DC, though, I have never seen this kind of security lockdown in DC, ever. This is not normal. This is not America 2/

I’ll comment on this as I have more time, but a few thoughts on this draft executive order. 1) Most of it is BS background material that has no bearing on orders. 2) Directing DOJ how to interpret section 230 does not change how courts will rule. The judiciary will decide. 1/5

https://twitter.com/AngrierWHStaff/status/1265878676425650178

The real payload is two things at the very end. 1) It establishes a DOJ “working group regarding the potential enforcement of State statutes that prohibit online platforms from engaging in unfair and deceptive acts and practices.” That is to intimidate social media companies 2/5

Talking with a West Virginia friend underscored to me a large part of @realdonaldtrump’s appeal to his base (aside from the evangelicals who see him as a means to their religious end, whether that is enacting their beliefs into law, or bringing about the rapture) 1/5 My friend lives in West Virginia and was traveling to another part of WV for work. Sitting down in a restaurant, the waitress looked at her and said “Where you from? I know everyone from around here. You ain’t from around here” 2/5

It's time! My first AMA is officially open! Bring your best questions, snark, puns, & GIF game! I'll be live for 30 minutes, then if there are questions I'm not able to get to, I'll follow up as I'm able. I know it isn't long, & some may not be on tonight, so I'll do another soon

https://twitter.com/AltScalesOfJust/status/1199806680940392451

First question was from the pre-AMA announcement tweet. I'll copy it here:

https://twitter.com/moinqueens/status/1199819302859419648?s=20

OMG, the look on @DevinNunes’ face just before adjourning for the break after the first 45 minute questioning of #Sondland MUST be made into a meme. It was a pure “WE ARE SO F**KED” expression @DevinNunes

[THREAD] I’d like to take a moment to discuss how unusual & disturbing these briefing preparations are. @maddow reads relevant excerpts from the new book by Anonymous in this video [1/14] msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/… I have not been in Anonymous’ position of briefing a President, but I think my experiences are relevant. I helped prepare & deliver over 100 briefings to Senators & Reps. I helped prepare & brief VP Cheney, & helped prepare a briefing to Pres. Bush that was given by Dir. Mueller

Hi everyone! I wanted to follow up on this thread where I asked for your thoughts about #AltGovCares. After a lot of thought, I’d like to explain why I decided to join the effort and authorize Teespring to use my twitter avatar and handle to raise funds for charity

https://twitter.com/AltScalesOfJust/status/1161428595925032961

I am still concerned about appearances, & remain adamant that #AltGov accounts exist to resist corruption, & should not be used for personal profit. I’m comfortable that this effort holds true to those beliefs, & hope you will be too. Here are some reasons that helped convince me

The testimony today is missing one critical point. Congress is one of the three co-equal branches of the U.S. Government, and is a check on the Executive Branch. I agree this report was unprecedented, in that it regarded the top of the Executive Branch That alone is enough to make it inappropriate that the ONLY assessments and actions be conducted by the Executive Branch

[Thread] I'd like to celebrate the announcement of the official impeachment inquiry by pulling out the first thread I ever posted in August, 2017, and adding a few behind-the-scenes anecdotes for your entertainment. I stand by every word of that thread today

https://twitter.com/AltScalesOfJust/status/897485547526119424

I wasn't one of the first true OG AltGov accounts like @BadHombreNPS & @RogueNASA. Several of us were vetted in August 2017 & I wound up joining along with my #AltGov Anniversarymates, @AngrierWHStaff & @DeepStateRogue

I challenge anyone to watch @CLewandowski_'s testimony and the conduct of @RepDougCollins, and tell me they are not trying to obstruct proceedings. They are trying any ploy to avoid actually having to answer questions. This conduct is Contempt of Congress judiciary.house.gov/legislation/he… @CLewandowski_ @RepDougCollins The Committee should make it clear that @realDonaldTrump has NO authority to block testimony and no executive privilege with someone who was never a gov't employee, and that @CLewandowski_ is required to answer all questions. If he refuses, Contempt and call the Sergeant at Arms

[THREAD] I’d like to show you a declassified 1944 CIA manual titled “Simple Sabotage Techniques.” The methods described could be used by covert CIA operatives, cooperating foreign assets, or unwitting foreign assets who could be influenced. They're disturbingly relevant today This manual shows how simple it is to be an effective foreign asset, and why someone can easily be a foreign asset without there being enough evidence to prove criminal conspiracy. (See: @realDonaldTrump) The full declassified document can be found at gutenberg.org/files/26184/pa…

A person I trust a great deal raised concerns about #AltGovCares, and their thoughts have merit. Keeping my followers’ trust is important to me (if I have it now.) I’m interested in what you think. Please vote for one of these, and add any other thoughts below. #AltGovCares The idea behind #AltGovCares is for Alt accounts to pick one charity each, and put a branded tee shirt (or similar swag) for sale on a site that sends all money directly to the selected charities

Good morning, everyone! The testimony is about to begin. I’ll tweet any thoughts or comments I have during the testimony here under this tweet #MuellerTestifies I liked the small smile Mueller gave as he looked up after his introduction. The only times I’ve ever seen that expression were when he was ready for something and was confident. I still don’t think he likes anything about giving testimony, but he’s ready to go

Churches that do should not be able to retain their tax-exempt status. “Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign” irs.gov/charities-non-…

https://twitter.com/thekjohnston/status/1152659030730371072

“Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity.“

[THREAD] I would like to offer my take on Mueller's statement today. I spent MANY hours w/ Mueller debating messages & wording before briefings to Congress & others. I joined him in giving many of the briefings. So I feel qualified to offer some opinions about his wording choices "our investigation is complete." Trials are not over when investigations are complete, that's when they get STARTED. The fact that Mueller's investigation is complete does NOT imply that @realDonaldTrump is innocent, or that it's over & everyone should "move on" as @PressSec said

[THREAD] AG Barr, you can dissemble and split hairs and argue over what the meaning of the word is is, and you can keep yourself from being found criminally liable for perjury. But not being a felon is not enough for the AG of the United States [1/14] The perjury debate is irrelevant. You have irreparably damaged your credibility and your ability to retain the public’s confidence in an independent, politically neutral Department of Justice. You are damaging the institution, and one of the core pillars of U.S. democracy [2/14]

Rosenstein was speaking in code. Please allow me to translate his resignation letter from Political Legalese into English

https://twitter.com/nocovfefe/status/1123065661767462913

The first paragraph was pure buzzword bingo political drivel. You can skip that junk. Every government document has to start with something like that

I have a serious question for AltGov OG, newer AltGov accounts, #Resistance, & all of our followers, large or small. What (if anything) do you think #AltGov’s value has been over the years since @realDonaldTrump’s inauguration, & what do you look for from us today? [Mini-thread] I feel our focus as a decentralized but still largely cohesive group has evolved and shifted over time. There are far more focuses/activities than would fit into nice neat categories, but I think many fall into a few groups…

[THREAD] I have a lot of thoughts about the information provided about Mueller’s report so far. I am trying to be very careful about knee-jerk reactions, and want to read and watch before making more informed judgements. But I would like to share a few initial thoughts [1/14] Mueller’s report, & specifically the facts that underpin it, are EXTREMELY complex. It‘s not possible to boil that complexity down into a couple pages & capture the full connotations. The AG would certainly err on the side of underreporting CONCERNS as opposed to firm conclusions

@AltWASONPS @chronophage @RogueEPAstaff [THREAD] Several other folks have asked me for my thoughts about this new Hatch Act guidance as well. Let me answer here. It may be lengthy, so I may not worry about cleanly dividing thoughts around tweet boundaries. @AltWASONPS @chronophage @RogueEPAstaff Do I agree that the new guidance is correct, and that #resistance is inherently political activity? No, I do not. I do not #resist on the basis of political party. Several of my good friends in #AltGov have been lifelong Republicans