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After a long, difficult weekend, following the murder of Alex Pretti on Saturday in Minneapolis, which followed the murder of Renee Good earlier in the month, there is more evidence that when we protest against this administration and stay the course, we prevail. We cannot give up, and Americans don’t look like they intend to. Instead, with a lot of grit, they are staying the course.
There is more I want to write about the death of Alex Pretti once I finish processing everything that happened this weekend. I think we’re all still processing, but also, it’s a moment that demands action, so we have to be able to do both of those things at once. We saw the shameless, untrue, demeaning propaganda DHS spouted about Pretti. There is the failure to acknowledge a tragic mistake, to show empathy for his family, to take steps to take the temperature down—all things this administration must be held accountable for at the highest levels. But today, I want to write about the little bit of light shining through the dark.
Trump is backing down.
His Attorney General Pam Bondi’s offensive offer—give us your voter files, she said to Minnesota, and ICE will leave—was called into question by Judges in Oregon and Minnesota. It was clear the judges had questions, but they weren’t alone.
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In the wake of the administration's lies about Pretti, protests erupted across the country. Americans called for an unbiased investigation after reporting emerged that ICE refused to let state and local investigators onto the scene at first, and then abandoned it without securing it, which compromised other agencies’ ability to gather evidence. With protests ongoing across the country, the administration is slowly backing away.
On the Sunday shows, in addition to Democrats, Oklahoma’s Republican Kevin Stitt said Trump needed to answer questions about pulling ICE out of Minnesota and opined “He’s getting bad advice right now.” On Monday, Texas Governor Greg Abbot said on a local radio show that "They, being the White House, need to recalibrate on what needs to be done to make sure that respect is going to be reinstilled," and that they had a plan to do that. Congressional Republicans, including Representative Michael McCaul of Texas and Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, called, in varying degrees, for more investigation. That’s about as much backbone as we’ve seen from Republicans in the past year.
It was clear to Republicans that Americans had no intention of letting this go.
Tonight, it appears that the days of Gregory Bovino strutting around Minneapolis streets in his greatcoat may be over. The Atlantic reported earlier tonight, “Greg Bovino Loses His Job.” They wrote that he had “been removed from his role as Border Patrol ‘commander at large’ and will return to his former job in El Centro, California, where he is expected to retire soon, according to a DHS official and two people with knowledge of the change.”
DHS is denying that the report is true.
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But as Adam Klasfeld of All Rise News posted, “Nothing in this carefully worded statement by DHS denies the crux of the reporting that Bovino was demoted to his previous job, lost social media access, will leave Minnesota and may retire soon.”
Of course, removing Bovino alone is not the answer, but it’s a start. And we the people did that. We cannot let up, we have to keep going. As I wrote to you last week on Martin Luther King Day, peaceful protest is the answer. “Bull Connor’s ghost is walking the streets of America in the guise of Donald Trump and others around him, Kristi Noem and Thomas Homan, people who reject country and Constitution. People who have no appreciation for our system of government or our rule of law, but who think only of themselves. We don’t talk enough about how not-normal this is. We all know it, it’s become an accepted truth. Let’s honor the legacy of peaceful protest by speaking that truth to power. Because we love our country. And we intend to take it back in this election year.”
This week, Americans did just that: we spoke truth to power.
In the immediate wake of Pretti’s death, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and others, including the President, tried to demean his character and call him a terrorist. But it quickly became apparent that Pretti was holding a phone, not a gun, and was trying to save another protestor, a woman, who was being attacked by an agent. He wasn’t there to massacre law enforcement. He was a VA ICU nurse. He was there to help. As Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy tweeted, “It should freak the American people out that Trump, Noem and Bovino lie so enthusiastically. He wasn't ‘brandishing a weapon’. He wasn't attending a ‘riot’ or ‘interfering in a crime scene’. He was an ICU nurse exercising his constitutional rights.”
In the course of victim-blaming, Noem and Bovino accused Pretti of brandishing a firearm. “Brandishing” is a term taken from a federal statute that criminalizes the use of a firearm to commit certain types of crimes. It means to display all or part of the firearm, or otherwise make the presence of the firearm known to another person, in order to intimidate that person, regardless of whether the firearm is directly visible to that person.
I’m sure you all have seen the video. Pretti is surrounded by agents after he attempts to come to the aid of another protestor. He’s forced to the ground and they appear to be dragging him—we don’t know if they had both of his arms immobilized, but that seems likely from what is depicted. Pretti was carrying a firearm he was legally entitled to have, the Second Amendment at work. His shirt came up, revealing it. An agent removed it. None of this is a license to shoot and kill, especially under these circumstances. Pretti was not even capable of “brandishing” at that point. He was incapable of displaying a firearm to intimidate anyone else while outnumbered by agents who were dragging him, and who had turned on him with no reason. So why lie about it from the podium?
That clumsy attempt at a cover-up offended Americans’ sensibilities. It’s essential that we hold onto that nationwide outrage, and let it spill over into the streets, peacefully of course. We cannot give up, we cannot let the deaths of two Americans recede into memory as Trump commits new outrages. Enforcing the law is one thing. But that is not what is happening; we are watching utter lawlessness from the people who are supposed to be protecting us. And it’s the intense, focused pressure that forces this administration to back down and it’s essential for ICE and CBP to be cordoned off from the role they’ve been playing in recent months.
Monday around noon Eastern Time, The Guardian’s Hugo Lowell tweeted that “Trump appears to seek an off ramp amid widening public backlash against the immigration operation in Minnesota and this weekend’s killing. The admin could also face further setbacks as soon as today if the courts find that Operation Metro Surge has been broadly illegal.” He attached the following Truth Social post made by Trump, one that beats a hasty retreat from Trump’s recent attacks on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. He wrote, almost unimaginably, about working with Governor Walz.
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Trump makes it easy for people to want to give up and to believe he’s broken the rule of law. But over the last few days, we’ve demonstrated, again, that the power in a democracy belongs to the people. A gun and a badge are not a license to kill in this country. We are not Iran or Afghanistan or Myanmar. Using your camera to film agents is not a crime. Trying to assist someone who is on the ground is not a crime. And even if they could be construed as crimes, doing those things doesn’t give law enforcement a reason to kill someone. That is the fundamental truth that Americans have to continue to demand this government acknowledge.
What we saw over the weekend, that was the kind of thing police do in authoritarian police states.
Minneapolis’ Mayor Jacob Frey said at a press conference following the Saturday shooting that the city has only had three homicides in Minneapolis this year. Two of them were committed by ICE. Minnesota’s Republican gubernatorial candidate, Chris Madel, dropped out of the race this morning. He called Trump’s surge an “unmitigated disaster.” “I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state,” Madel said. “Nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so.” He, too, spoke truth to power, saying that U.S. citizens, “particularly those of color, live in fear.”
A republic, if you can keep it, Ben Franklin said. We absolutely can. This past year has been long and difficult. But please don’t give up. Call your Republican officials tomorrow and demand that they show the same courage Madel did. Call your Democratic officials and thank them for what they’ve been doing and ask them to do more. Be prepared to protest and to stand up for your neighbors.
Trump is backing down, and it is because of all of us. Keep supporting the citizens of Minneapolis who are leading the way. Democracy is a participatory exercise and this is our time. Thank you for being here with me at Civil Discourse, as we all work through this.
We’re in this together,
Joyce
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Thanks for being here. There is a way out of the Trump regime’s chaos, but it requires us to move united. That’s why we launched the Midterm Accountability Project—our massive effort to retake Congress in 2026. Unlike corporate media, we don’t just report on Trump’s destruction, we organize the resistance against it.
Our kind of fearless journalism and relentless activism is only possible because we’re reader-funded and completely independent of corporate influence. If you want to help us keep the pressure, please upgrade to a paid subscription today:
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Trump knows he’ll never win a Nobel Prize, so he’s decided to monetize peace instead. He’s now charging countries $1 billion for a permanent seat on his so-called “Board of Peace.” A propaganda machine that will have nothing to do with actual diplomacy.
Trump claims the money will rebuild Gaza, yet he is sending invitations to dictators like Putin and Erdogan. It’s just another corrupt grift bound to fail miserably.
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Corporate media outlets have willingly let themselves become platforms for sanitizing Trump, all to keep their billionaire bosses and advertisers happy. It’s no wonder so many people have stopped watching them.
But there are some bright spots worth mentioning every now and then. Like when Leigh McGowan, also known as Politics Girl, absolutely roasted GOP mouthpiece Scott Jennings the other night on CNN. When McGowan pointed out that the DOJ is breaking the law by failing to release the Epstein files, Jennings brushed her off, saying: “Let’s not get our knickers in a twist here.”
McGowan wasn’t having it. She cut him off immediately: “Yeah let’s not get our knickers in a twist over child r**e ... What? Why are you talking like that?” She called the comment “insane,” adding: “Your attitude … is just horrifying.”
And McGowan didn’t stop there: “Everything that is in these files—it could bring an entire house down. And if it has to, it has to. If it brings down Democrats, bring them down. If it brings down Republicans, bring them down. Bring down princes, world leaders, Hollywood people, bring them down.”
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Protests against Trump’s federal immigration abuses are spreading far and wide across America. Just last night, there was a large protest in Boston, Massachusetts, where people held signs that read “ICE Out Of Our Communities” and “Stop ICE Terror Now.”
This weekend, a large group of postal workers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, led a march against ICE. Folks chanted “ICE out now!” while holding a banner that read “Postal Workers Demand: ICE Off Postal Property!”
And today, we are launching a massive pressure campaign to contact members of Congress and urge them to defund ICE.
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Countless marches and events took place across the country on Monday to honor MLK while protesting against the Trump regime. It was an inspiring day of action honoring the civil rights icon.
In Portland, Oregon, about 1,000 people peacefully marched to the city’s memorial statue of Dr. King, while hundreds more gathered around the local ICE facility to protest.
An organizer of the demonstrations, Tara Velarde, said: “The best way that modern Americans can honor the legacy of MLK is to participate in nonviolent resistance, to fight for social justice, and to stand up for human rights and civil rights for everyone in this country.”
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On Monday, the youngest daughter of MLK, Dr. Bernice King, held nothing back when addressing the congregation at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
“We must … confront the killing of truth,” Dr. King stated. “The recent claim by [Trump] that the 1964 Civil Rights Act harmed white Americans is just wrong, and it’s dangerous. It rewrites history in a way that fuels fear and resentment.”
And to make it crystal clear, Dr. King said: “The Civil Rights Act did not give Black people special treatment. It made discrimination illegal. The same discrimination you’re trying to turn around and use.” She added: “Fairness does not steal from you, justice strengthens us all.”
Dr. King is right, and the only way to stop maga’s constant assault on the truth is to fight back harder than ever before. That’s where our Midterm Accountability Project comes in. We’re taking the gloves off to win back the House and Senate and stop this regime in its tracks.
We’ve already proven what we’re capable of. Last year we dominated the narrative by smashing maga lies, generating billions of impressions on social media, and driving more than half a million contacts to Congress. But we need to go bigger.
We don’t run ads, and we have no corporate influence, which means everything we do is funded by this community. Support our fearless journalism that fights back by upgrading to a paid subscription right now:
Onward!
Scott
Hit the like/heart and re-stack buttons to make sure these stories are spread far and wide.
I have three questions for you today:
Do you think ICE should be defunded?
What did you think about Leigh McGowan aka Politics Girl’s appearance on CNN?
What are your thoughts on Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace”?
Thanks for your support! Another way to help us out is by gifting subscriptions to friends and family! You can get yours by clicking the link
For all contact Congress links, or to volunteer, you can go here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-for-the-watchdog-coalition
We had to reschedule my chat with US Rep. Sarah McBride for Monday of next week, as she has Committee votes today that popped up. I’ll keep everyone updated!
My interview with Rep. Robin Kelly on impeaching Noem: https://tinyurl.com/y3fx5pt2
Today we are focused on these 4 actions:
Impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: https://tinyurl.com/253mfne4
Demand AG Bondi release ALL of the Epstein files now: https://tinyurl.com/yzm32ams
Pass bill on unmasking ICE and displaying clear ID: https://tinyurl.com/bp8cau82
Demand answers about Trump’s visibly deteriorating health: https://tinyurl.com/sk9xm38v
Also, sign up to volunteer for our Watchdog Coalition: https://tinyurl.com/4afyy2bs
JUST A FEW OF MANY COMMENTS:
It is imperative that Noem be removed from DHS. She is a destructive influence and security is not her purpose. Her behavior, like Frumpy’s is marked by the desire to harm and degrade and terrorize those she considers less than herself. She is not managing anything but her photo shoots. She has mishandled funds and has lied to Congress about “ No American citizens have been detained”
There have been many deaths in the detention camps on her watch. She has not investigated these deaths. She is unfit to lead anything. When she killed her dog for bad behavior, it said far more about her inability to properly train Cricket than anything else. The failure was hers. And then she killed a goat.
She is, in my opinion, a woman who enjoys violence for violence’s sake and her conduct with ICE bears this out .
Killing the DOG was bad enough, but WHY THE GOAT?
She ran out of ammunition and left the GOAT in pain.
She also lied in her 'autobiography,' as if she wouldn't be FACT CHECKED
ICE BARBIE, as head of FEMA, ignored DROWNING VICTIMS because she was too busy soliciting opinions about her PHOTO.
It was reported that ICE BARBIE lives in military housing - FOR FREE.
ICE BARBIE bought planes from SPIRIT AIR that they didn't own.
ICE BARBIE got a great deal on PLANES that had no engines.
ICE BARBIE was Governor of SOUTH DAKOTA - pardon me for disparaging SOUTH DAKOTA, but states with small populations don't seem to SCRUTINIZE candidates well.
WHERE WAS COREY LEWANDOWSKI?
Kristi Noem Reportedly Fooled Into Buying Planes Without Engines
excerpt:
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing new scrutiny after a Wall Street Journal report revealed a failed plan to buy 10 Boeing 737s from Spirit Airlines. The airline did not actually own the aircraft, and the jets would have required separate purchases for engines. The proposal, arranged with Trump associate Corey Lewandowski, aimed to speed up deportation efforts and also serve as transportation for personal travel, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The plan has since been put on hold, according to the Journal.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/kristi-noem-reportedly-fooled-into-buying-planes-without-engines/ar-AA1Q6v8z
SNOPES: Coast Guard spent about $200M on private jets for Kristi Noem, other top officials. Here's the contract
Publicly available government documents indicate the Coast Guard spent at least $172 million on two private jets.
excerpt:
According to publicly available government contract documents, the Coast Guard purchased two "Fixed-Wing aircraft" from Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. for a total of $172,162,137, as first reported by the New York Times. Gulfstream does not make commercial planes, only private jets. The Coast Guard approved the contract on Oct. 17, 2025, during the shutdown.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/kristi-noem-private-jets/
ICE Barbie Kristi Noem splurges $143m on six Boeing 737s bought especially to deport illegal migrants
The Secretary of Homeland Security has approved a $143 million contract for six Boeing 737 jets to deport undocumented migrants.
excerpt:
Kristi Noem has signed off on the deal with the private corporation Daedalus Aviation, two officials familiar with the contract told The Washington Post.
The agreement means Immigration and Customs Enforcement will operate its own fleet of aircraft used exclusively for deportations.
The officials added that the $143 million will come from the Republican sponsored Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocated $170 billion for Donald Trump's aggressive deportation agenda.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed The Washington Post's reporting on X, writing: '*Somehow* the @washingtonpost forgot to include anywhere in their story that this new initiative will save the US taxpayer $279 MILLION.
Defund ICE. Defund the White House. Defund and lock up Trump!
Ms Jonington. I love you! Imagine all the money we would save that we could invest in education, in health care, in lowering the price of food! SO YES DEUND ALL OF THOSE!
Here’s another link to share of pompous,out of touch multimillionaire Bessent.📣
“Maybe your parents bought 5,10,12 homes.We don’t want to push the mom and pops out.”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTvXC7Pkami/
Defund trump and his regime, the whole thing is a grift.
Leigh McGowan is always great, and I love that she got Scott Jennings to shut up long enough for her to shame him.
Dictators and tyrants don’t equate to a “Board of Peace”, and paying $1 billion to join sounds like another grift to me.
The Epstein files need to be released, and trump and his regime need to be removed, indicted, convicted, and put in prison.
What country would pay Trump anything to be on his board of peace?
sounds like the other countries are getting wise to the con. After watching Davos demented rant (with my head in hands with embarrassment) attacking Carney and all of Europe is just fucking embarrassing to watch!
apparently, Netanyahu has signed up...where is he getting a billion dollars and more importantly where is the money going? right into the bank accounts of trump and his billionaire friends
Netanyahu gets his billions from US taxpayers.
Only dictators and other authoritarian countries. It's a financial grift intended to attract investors in the proposed tRump Gaza Resort.
Consider that the Trump administration is the evolution of the Republican Party since Nixon and, especially, Reagan carried to its all-too-logical conclusion. U.S. democracy, always flawed but for decades trying to do better, has been rotting in plain sight. And too many upper-level Democrats (most of them white) still don't get it.
CNN needs to stop pretending that there are two sides to a story about the Trump-Epstein cartel and remove Jennings. If CNN wants someone to represent the other side of the political divide, find a conservative who doesn't support the child trafficking cult known as MAGA.
This isn't about politics. Media outlets that don't reflect that reality should be tuned out and their advertisers should be boycotted.
Nice thought, but remember who bought and runs CNN--a far right oligarch. They started leaning to the right a couple of years ago--Jake Tapper's focus on Biden's age and "dementia" and ignoring the Felon's is a prime example. Many of us tuned them out long ago.
And also, the shameless flogging of Jake Tapper’s book about Biden that CNN did for weeks and weeks. It was nauseating.
I’m sure that Jake is working furiously on a follow up book highlight Trump’s tendency to cleverly weave, mildly exaggerate, and possibly fill his diaper and nap through press events.
I haven't watched them since 9-11, I don't think. But I've seen enough clips of Jennings to know he's a maga goon
I have only seen clips, I do not watch mainstream propaganda any longer!
I’ve only seen clips, too. Enough to know he’s a maga clown.
The vast amounts of money, our money, being spent on ICE, is horrifying! Do MAGAS have any idea? Do they care? They should, because it’s taking away from all of us. The abuses and killings- this should not be happening.
They don't care. They love what ICE is doing.
The goal is to keep EVERY AMERICAN in line. It has little or nothing to do with immigration. That was just the pretext.
I’m laughing at the can of Spam instead of his face! Thank you, Scott!
To answer your last question, how could it possibly be a Board of Peace if he’s inviting Putin to join it?! I will never forget that Putin invaded Ukraine. I stand with 🇺🇦 Ukraine!
That "peace" board is basically a Grift Board. Yes, defund ice (small lettering intended) and impeach Noem. Release the Trumpstein files, all of them! Toppling corruption should happen, should have 12/19. Writing my rep's and congressmen today about defunding ice! Thank you, Scott!
Agree with you! I think it's great that Scott has pre-written letters for us! Thank you so much for that Scott!
Agree with you! I think it's great that Scott has pre-written letters for us! Thank you so much for that Scott!
