You don’t need to be an intel analyst to predict that tonight Trump will rehash tired and ridiculous claims as pretext to interfere with the election he knows his allies are losing. But as a former analyst, this feels like Iraq WMD, except the intel is cherry-picked for an attack on our elections.

Analysis | How Trump has been trying to overturn his 2020 loss in 2026

He has been intently focused on this and is expected to address the nation on it.

washingtonpost.com

He finally found the guy who stole all the votes for him in six states in 2020! BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Venezuela hired him! -- no China hired him! -- or maybe it was OBAMA! Thank goodness they put the housing finance guy in charge of figuring it out. Now we'll know for sure!

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 4w ago

Trump: "President Trump will be making a Speech to the Nation on Thursday evening, at 9 P.M. Eastern. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

I’m sad for the kids who don’t just get to be kids and play sports, because extremists demonize them for political ends. And the demeaning language in the ruling shows this is not about sports for these people. (1/9) www.gladlaw.org/supreme-cour...

Supreme Court: States May Ban Transgender Girls from Girls’ Sports; Inclusive Policies Remain Legal  - GLAD Law

Transgender students deserve the chance to learn, participate in school activities, and be part of their school community.

gladlaw.org

What happened to Scott Wiener at yesterday's trans rights rally in San Francisco was disgusting, appalling, and unacceptable. I am deeply grateful to Mr. Wiener for supporting trans equality, and it is insane to me that anyone would harass him in that setting. 1/2

Edgar is right. It is a new level of sore loser-dom, Trump and allies making up conspiracies when a MAGA candidate running in LA gets 25% of the vote and loses as Republicans make up (checks notes), only 17% of the voters. He’s lying to fuel more lies he will tell when his allies lose in November.

Protect Democracy@protectdemocracy.org · 2mo ago

"The president keeps inventing fraud in elections he loses. Now he’s aiming federal power at California’s locally run vote." Our own Edgar Lin calling Trump’s latest action for what it is: an attempt to deceive voters about our elections just in case he doesn’t like the midterm results.

Grateful for Bo’s reporting on Trump’s false claims about 2020, which are key to Trump’s 2026 election plan. My quote: “He’s not looking back; this is about the midterms.” To make people believe his interference in the election is justified, and then deny the results when his allies still lose.

Trump claims 2020 election 'rigged' at least 107 times in six months as midterms loom

Trump has rehashed his claims during at least six meetings with world leaders.

reuters.com

“Disruption can be mitigated if you are prepared,” @alexandrachandler.bsky.social refocuses the narrative from “What if” to “What we can do right now” as our country grapples with an administration openly turning the government against our elections. We call it the “Executive Override” strategy.

Might Donald Trump try to rig the midterms?

We assess America’s democratic defences

economist.com

Excellent news. Elections (in Hungary) have consequences. And despite JD Vance, Trump, and Putin doing their bits, the EU is leading the Free World. Russia is not winning. Ukraine is still free. And the wind is in the pro-democracy sails in the US as well as Hungary.

EU approves €90B loan to Ukraine

Hungary and Slovakia lifted their vetoes after oil flows resumed through the Druzhba pipeline.

politico.eu

The indictment of veteran civil rights organization @splcenter.org is the Trump admin’s latest attempt to silence critics, perceived opponents, and those who continue to pursue justice, equality, and the rule of law. SPLC has made clear it won’t be silenced. The rest of us should do the same.

A Beacon of Hope in the Fight Against Hate and Extremism

YouTube video by Southern Poverty Law Center

youtube.com

I'm so proud of our team, our plaintiffs, and our @aclu.org @citizensforethics.org and Harvard Law Clinic partners for this suit. I know from my intel past how massive troves of data can be combined for powerful use or misuse. I'm glad we are standing up for millions against these unlawful actions.

Protect Democracy@protectdemocracy.org · 4mo ago

BREAKING: We’re representing @commoncause.org alongside co-counsel in a lawsuit against the DOJ. Since ‘25, DOJ has demanded states hand over full & unredacted voter records. These demands are unconstitutional, violate federal law, and put the privacy & voting rights of millions at risk. Learn more:

Viktor Orbán's defeat came thanks to a broad, diverse, and patriotic grassroots movement—and shatters the assumption of inevitability that has pervaded illiberal movements across the globe, @anneapplebaum.bsky.social argues. Read more: theatln.tc/CPvne6uz

After a long week on many levels, I was very happy to see our Higan cherry blossom in our front yard blooming. We planted it here in Mass to connect us to our 13 years in DC. It does. And connects me to hope of better times ahead. Bonus, the Siberian squill is everywhere now too!

We’re going to be watching and hoping today. Especially at times like this, it helps me to look up, look ahead, and think about all we can do and explore and learn when we try. Also, space is amazing. www.youtube.com/live/NaJklsJ...

NASA's Artemis II Live Views from Kennedy Space Center

YouTube video by NASA

youtube.com

Trump’s latest EO restricting mail-in voting aims to legitimize conspiracies that our elections are fraudulent. It's part of the "Executive Override"strategy laying groundwork for overturning results the admin doesn't like, @alexandrachandler.bsky.social explains: More: protdem.org/executive-ov...

Truth: Transgender Day of Visibility has gotten me down the last few years because of all the cruelty by those who wish to erase people like me. Also true: I will not back down, make myself invisible, run away, or— a few down moments aside— let them take away any joy in my pretty amazing life.

Thanks to @russellberman.bsky.social and @yvonnewingett.bsky.social for writing this serious piece about what, seriously, is going on with Trump’s obsession with his election takeover bill. He’s inventing justification for future unlawful actions, and excuse to deny the results if his allies lose.

Protect Democracy@protectdemocracy.org · 5mo ago

"It's talking point: 'You didn’t pass the legislation that would have solved this fake problem, and therefore the election results are not valid.'" Alexandra Chandler told @theatlantic.com about what's really behind the White House's pressure to pass the SAVE Act, even if it's doomed.

Aid to Ukraine from 2022-2026 was a rounding error. We used more in the first two weeks of the Iran war than we provided in the 4 years of aid to Ukraine.

Kate from Kharkiv@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Hegseth: "We're still dealing with the environment Joe Biden created—depleting our stockpiles and sending them to Ukraine instead of our own military. Every time we face a challenge, it traces back to 'Well, sent it to Ukraine.'" It looks like they’re just going to blame Ukraine

200 billion for Trump’s war “we’ve already won”, attacking the nuclear program we already “obliterated.” But we’ve no money for millions losing healthcare, or all the dead kids because USAID was too expensive. Members should try explaining voting for this abomination to anyone outside the bubble.

Politico@politico.com · 5mo ago

Congress braces for $200B Iran war request

::sighs in former naval intelligence::

a bald man is sitting in a chair with his hand on his chin and looking up .

Alt: The Picard face palm meme GIF / a bald man is sitting in a chair with his hand on his chin and looking up in disappointment

media.tenor.com

Brian Finucane@bcfinucane.bsky.social · 5mo ago

"U.S. officials called London insurers and brokers, trying to figure out how the market operates, industry insiders said." When applied to the current administration, I urge caution in using terms like "plans," "strategy," "policy," or "doctrine." www.wsj.com/finance/u-s-...

From FT comments

::points at the sign:: Trump knows he’s losing the midterms. He’ll claim war with Iran / whoever he bombs next justifies emergency powers *he* *does* *not* *have* to take over elections. Because National Security. Courts can’t be fooled. No creating emergency powers for manufactured emergencies.

Protect Democracy@protectdemocracy.org · 5mo ago

@washingtonpost.com is reporting that Trump is considering invoking emergency powers to nationalize elections. But as our elections expert @alexandrachandler.bsky.social explains, the president does not have that power, no matter what kind of emergency he declares.

Lawless war on Iran, because of the nuclear program we already destroyed, and ::waves hands:: missiles and regime change. Trump going full anti-capitalism illegally telling American companies they can’t work with Anthropic. Defeating the natsec threat of trans girls in Scouting. So much winning?

How many illegal regime changes does it take to get Nobel Peace Prize?

groups representing roughly 700,000 tech workers within Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, all companies that have their own contracts with the Defence Department, signed an open letter urging the companies they worked for to also "refuse to comply" with the Pentagon's demands.”

Trump has ordered government agencies to stop using Anthropic AI tools

The move announced on social media comes after a standoff between Anthropic's boss and the Ministry of Defense.

bbc.com

We desperately need to Make Antitrust Great Again.

Timothy Burke@bubbaprog.xyz · 5mo ago

in 2012, it was six. now it's four.

@washingtonpost.com is reporting that Trump is considering invoking emergency powers to nationalize elections. But as our elections expert @alexandrachandler.bsky.social explains, the president does not have that power, no matter what kind of emergency he declares.

"By personally participating in a raid and acting as a switchboard for the president, Gabbard has traded her statutory mandate for a partisan performance," @alexandrachandler.bsky.social told @newsweek.com's @gratefulgabe.bsky.social and @dangooding.bsky.social

Donald Trump spoke with FBI agents about Georgia election search: Report

According to The New York Times, Donald Trump addressed FBI agents after a Georgia election search.

newsweek.com

Looking for a glimmer of hope? @annalovesvoting.bsky.social and @integrity-mttrs.bsky.social have an update on the effective organizing by small businesses in MN and how other cities can prepare for federal law enforcement deployments. Read their lessons here: https://protdem.org/3ZIGdcC

BREAKING: Sec. Noem, AG Bondi and DNI Gabbard to address National Association of Secretaries of State tomorrow. According to planned remarks they will reveal that they have found Bigfoot, that Elvis is alive, that with the tooth fairy all three helped China steal the 2020 election.

BREAKING: The CA Senate advanced a key mechanism for gov accountability: the No Kings Act. We’re proud to partner with @scottwiener.bsky.social on this bill asserting that if any gov officer - local, state, or *fed* - violates your clearly established constitutional rights, you should have a remedy.