THREAD: We should strongly support assertion of state power in D.C. & state capitols, through the National Guard & other forces, because the rise of the militia movement, and the militarization of politics, is an existential threat to democracy itself. 1/ democracyjournal.org/magazine/speci… As I wrote in @DemJournal: "In the last Federalist Paper #85, Alexander Hamilton urged Americans to 'put them upon their guard against hazarding anarchy . . . and perhaps the military despotism of a victorious demagogue.' 2/

THREAD: Trump prior to putsch by @LukeMogelson in @NewYorker: "[H]e summarized the supposed crimes, simply, as “bullshit.” “Bullshit! Bullshit!” the crowd chanted. “We want to be so nice...We want to be so respectful of everybody, including bad people. 1/ newyorker.com/magazine/2021/… "'We’re going to have to fight much harder. And Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us.... After this, we’re going to walk down, and I’ll be there with you,” Trump told the crowd. The people around me exchanged looks of astonishment and delight. 2/

THREAD: Crucial analysis here by @NormEisen and Josh Hatz for the parts of the impeachment debate touching on the 1st Amendment and "incitement" standard: "Opinion | Trump’s Incitement Was Not 'Free Speech'" politi.co/35EUoDZ via @politico 1/ "[E]ven if Trump’s statements would not count as “incitement” under cases limiting the government’s power to punish private speakers, the House is fully authorized to find that Trump’s actions constitute a high crime and misdemeanor. 2/

THREAD on @CletaMitchell, @realDonaldTrump and @FoleyandLardner.

Here is the letter I sent today to the @FoleyandLardner attorneys who graduated from @UVA and/or @UVALaw: 1/ Dear Natalie, Edmund, Nanette, Courtenay, Christopher, Julia, Jasmine, Navid, Heidi, Sarah, Kristine, Gregory, Sarah, Michael, Eric, Nicole, Nicholas, Shane, Frank, Libby, Lori, Christopher, Charles, Kathryn, Joseph, Andrew, David, Sommer, Randolph: 2/

Thread on @PeteButtigieg’s success in New Hampshire: I spent my time here campaigning in the southern part of the state. The energy I saw here, whether in Londonderry or Nashua was extraordinary. 1/

Thread: My email to Iowa friends about @PeteButtigieg on caucus eve.

I hope this finds you doing well. My name may ring a bell. As the 2008 John Edwards campaign’s national security director, I also ran our Iowa City office and came to know and love Iowa and the caucus. 1/ The next year, when I ran for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, friends from the campaign ran a phone-banking office in Iowa City! Family obligations in Virginia prevented me from traveling to Iowa to help with the caucus. 2/