I'm going to see what I can do to find support - in person - at the Governor level for Walz or Mayor Frey. They should not have to be showing up by themselves! We are 50 United States. We can't let any of the States hang out to dry on their own. Not sure how this will go, but if I don't try, well... 'nuff said. Thanks for your note!
Annie - I'm figuring out a game plan... I have some connections in Oregon and Washington, but also a bit of one to Newsom. They are long shots, but, heck, gotta make some calls. Maybe we can DM on this...??
I am intrigued by your contrast between tech execs and sunshine soldiers. I read Adam Cochran’s comment to Tim Cook on X regarding the choice to attend a black tie screening of Melania at the WH on the eve of the murder of Alex Pretti. Cochran goes on to detail how the tech industry is on its knees fellating Trump. I think this is a sickening problem that you have detailed. He ends with asking- How was the movie, Tim? Was it worth the price of admission?
I borrowed some of your phrasing to send the following to my Congressmen:
The government's agents have murdered two citizens in Minneapolis. No accountability is offered for these actions; instead, our Department of Justice has defended its indefensible actions and made illegal, unConstitutional demands of the state of Minnesota to change its duly passed laws and turn over government voter rolls. This, after arresting, jailing, and deporting citizens, documented foreigners with the right to be in this country, and upstanding members of our communities who would have gladly continued to contribute to the greatness of this nation.
The time has come to act - to defend our Republic from the obvious threat from within. To impeach, to investigate, to defund, to obstruct, to do whatever is necessary to bring a stop to the illegal, unConstitutional, dictatorial, and fascist actions of our government. This is not the time to schedule hearings and wait for the next election, as if elections can be trusted when the executive is demanding voter databases at gunpoint.
In five months, the United States will mark the 250th anniversary of its founding. What will we have to show for ourselves on that day? A republic, or a fascist dictatorship?
If you need inspiration, look to Ukraine. Through courage, wit and integrity they prevail. Russia and Trump target civilians, but Ukraine targets the infrastructure that supports Putin: oil, bridges, air and naval bases. We need to target the infrastructure behind the Trump regime: its ultra-wealthy backers. Their weakest point is DOGE data heist, which violated many state laws. States should investigate and prosecute Musk, Thiel, and the executives and board of their companies, personally, to the fullest extent possible.
One thing I've seen is that the new owners of TikTok's US operations are censoring anti-Trump and anti-ICE content, and it's worth bearing in mind that these same people will continue to own the platform (just like Musk will continue to own Twitter) even should the political side of the neo-reactionary movement be booted out of public life forever.
It brings to mind Pierre Trudeau's "parallel power" justification for invoking the War Measures Act during the October Crisis:
"I think it's more important to get rid of those who are committing violence against the total society, and those who are trying to run the government through a parallel power by establishing their authority by kidnapping and blackmail. And I think it's our duty as a government to protect government officials and the important people in our society against being used as tools in this blackmail. Now, you don't agree to this, but I'm sure that, once again, with hindsight, you would probably have found it preferable if Mr. Cross and Mr. Laporte had been protected from kidnapping, which they weren't, because these steps we're taking now weren't taken. But even with your hindsight I don't see how you can deny that."
"I think that society must take every means at its disposal to defend itself against the emergence of a parallel power which defies the elected power in this country. And I think that goes to any distance. So long as there is a power in here which is challenging the elected representatives of the people, I think that power must be stopped, and I think it's only, I repeat, weak-kneed bleeding hearts who are afraid to take these measures."
It would seem to me that tech oligarchs, aligned with the neo-reactionary right, are using this moment to set up a "parallel power which defies elected power", that they will continue to be able to exercise even if the neo-reactionary right is driven out of politics.
Calling out the MN National Guard a big move by Walz...hope Bovino's Brownshirts take notice...the NG aren't some unarmed civilians to be gassed, pepper-sprayed or shot, these folks are trained military and know how to respond to wanna-be militia rabble.
Thanks. Keep writing, Mike. A small bit of historical trivia to your Paine commentary. John Adams (pre-POTUS) in the same time frame (1775-79) was in near continuous contact with someone many acknowledge as among the most brilliant minds of the day, his spouse Abigail. While he was forging our nation, she held their farm (slave-less, btw) & homestead intact, despite it being in the midst of the British troops from the very start of the conflict. John is credited with the additional comment to Paine’s famed line: “Let us not forget, these are the times that try women’s souls as well.”
I am looking (serious, not a joke) for an answer to the following question: if Renee and Alex can be shot and that's it, then what stops ICE from murdering Governor Waltz? I mean "what is the legal situation"?
The issue I am trying to understand here, is whether what we see means that the federal government has an ABSOLUTE power over the states. Because it looks like that the feds can, no recourse, kill state legislators, governors or judges if those disobey.
Can someone please explain, the legal/system situation here? Because it looks absurd.
Piotr, there is no legal system here, period. This is George Orwell's Animal Farm, where all pigs are equal, but some pigs are more equal than others. In this case, the Trump administration is the pigs more equal than others. You are right to be concerned. This is what fascism looks like. We are staring it in the face. When will TV commentators and the American citizenry realize this?
When will our so-called celebrities and professional athletes, together with university heads and notables in our society, stand up in unity and speak out against the atrocity of what is being witnessed every day? How can this be? How can we accept this as people living in a free country founded in liberty and justice for all. This is frigging Nazi Germany we are living in. And Trump is our American Hitler. We are seeing all the players of Hitler's regime. From Pam Bondi to Stephen Miller to Pete Hegseth, you can find counterparts with Himmler and Goering and others.
For people who grew up (like myself) under Soviet control, multiple events/actions of the Trump government are instantly recognizable. We grew up with this. Americans still miss many of those "tells". I have to acknowledge though, that the Germans were the first to ring the alarm, in 2016.
Note that while Orwell wrote "1984" based on his experience during Spanish Civil War with the Soviet policies there (and he barely escaped assasination in Spain by Soviet agents), the plot of "1984" is in the British system transformed into totalitarism, without the Bolshevik phase. Orwell clearly was worried that Western democracies, without first "going Marxist", will become as oppressive as the USSR was.
Piotr: I was in East Berlin in 1966. Years later, I was a citizen diplomat to the USSR after Chernobyl. I spent 6 weeks in various cities. My room in the Rossiya Hotel in Moscow was bugged and were most of the hotel rooms. Over the weeks I was there, I became friendly with InTourist guides who admitted after a bottle or two of cognac that they were part of the KGB. I visited people in their private homes but did so stealthily. Russian narrative is what I hear on Fox News. ICE actions are no different from Hitler's Gestapo, shooting civilians in the head. I hear you loud and clear. I am familiar with much of Orwell's writings and his warnings about how easily democracy can be replaced with a fascist regime. Those of us who are not familiar with W.H. Auden's poem "Spain" should download it. Years later, Auden disavowed what he expressed in Spain. Many, including myself, believe he had it correct the first time around.
Legal analysis elsewhere suggests states have the power to arrest and prosecute federal agents for crimes, including murder. On the federal level, Trump can and has established he will pardon any crime, but his pardon power does not extend to those convicted by state courts. However ... the exact boundary between state and federal powers has never been fully defined by the courts. Yet the Constitution does clearly recognize states as having their own authority, separate from federal.
Thank you. I am surprised, and not surprised, that legally it is a grey area ("never fully defined"). Which is not-that-comforting, considering that the lifeteme Trump's career was about operating in the legal grey areas.
The problem is also of the "de facto" situation. For now, the federal government apparently has the power to murder people without consequence.
I call your attention to one of the ways the patriots of Minnesota are actualizing the spirit of Tom Paine -- by documenting the crimes of the regime. This inspiring song from Joyce Strong describes it.
Great read, thank you. Bondi's letter is abhorrent in numerous ways. One thing however, where in Bondi's letter does it say ICE will leave if the state turns over its voter rolls? I've read the letter a few times and just don't see that language.
I feel I need to write a second comment. I'm a physician with 60 years of medicine as part of my life experience. I try to save lives of those people that have various forms of cancer and malignant blood disorders. To see lives blown away, as with Renee Good and Alex Pretti, is so upsetting to me that I cannot conceive it as anything other than monstrous.
I have a great deal of love and respect for nurses. They were my guides during my internship and residency. I have ended up marrying an ICU nurse. Alex Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the VA. It doesn't appear that he's a big guy, and why it would take six bulky ICE agents to tackle him and push him to the ground and end up murdering him is beyond anything I can conceive of!
Hearing the pronouncements of Kristi Noem and the disgusting rhetoric of Grigori Tovino should have us all upset. Tovino reminds me of a Nazi underling of Hitler, and Kristi Noem is a mindless, superficial woman that never should have been appointed to her position. Both are under-trained for the situation. Both are buffoons and insults, or should be insults to all of us thoughtful and considerate American citizens.
My commentaries are very harsh because I see the danger of what I witnessed in my own lifetime. I've seen what life is like under the iron heel of past Russian rulers. I've seen the death and destruction done by Putin. And now I'm witnessing the same kind of destruction created by our president, Donald Trump. They're all peas out of the same pod! So please forgive me for my outrage, for my fury, for my passion that burns beyond what an 83-year-old, just about retired physician should be sharing with the public. I care about the future of others much younger than myself, of generations to come, and of what life should be like and could be like on this incredible planet.
Great stuff, Mike! Write on.
I'm going to see what I can do to find support - in person - at the Governor level for Walz or Mayor Frey. They should not have to be showing up by themselves! We are 50 United States. We can't let any of the States hang out to dry on their own. Not sure how this will go, but if I don't try, well... 'nuff said. Thanks for your note!
I agree. Especially all blue state govenors should be helping MN.
I 💯 agree with you. I'm from California. Newsom should be there right beside them, in solidarity!
What better way for Newsome to gain attention and adoration?
Lol! I know exactly what you mean.
Just wondering how you are going to go about that? If you have a game plan, I'm sure I could follow that and try to speak with Newsom and our AG.
Annie - I'm figuring out a game plan... I have some connections in Oregon and Washington, but also a bit of one to Newsom. They are long shots, but, heck, gotta make some calls. Maybe we can DM on this...??
I am intrigued by your contrast between tech execs and sunshine soldiers. I read Adam Cochran’s comment to Tim Cook on X regarding the choice to attend a black tie screening of Melania at the WH on the eve of the murder of Alex Pretti. Cochran goes on to detail how the tech industry is on its knees fellating Trump. I think this is a sickening problem that you have detailed. He ends with asking- How was the movie, Tim? Was it worth the price of admission?
I borrowed some of your phrasing to send the following to my Congressmen:
The government's agents have murdered two citizens in Minneapolis. No accountability is offered for these actions; instead, our Department of Justice has defended its indefensible actions and made illegal, unConstitutional demands of the state of Minnesota to change its duly passed laws and turn over government voter rolls. This, after arresting, jailing, and deporting citizens, documented foreigners with the right to be in this country, and upstanding members of our communities who would have gladly continued to contribute to the greatness of this nation.
The time has come to act - to defend our Republic from the obvious threat from within. To impeach, to investigate, to defund, to obstruct, to do whatever is necessary to bring a stop to the illegal, unConstitutional, dictatorial, and fascist actions of our government. This is not the time to schedule hearings and wait for the next election, as if elections can be trusted when the executive is demanding voter databases at gunpoint.
In five months, the United States will mark the 250th anniversary of its founding. What will we have to show for ourselves on that day? A republic, or a fascist dictatorship?
Thank you.
Excellent. I wrote a similar script to call my senators (red 🤨) today.
If you need inspiration, look to Ukraine. Through courage, wit and integrity they prevail. Russia and Trump target civilians, but Ukraine targets the infrastructure that supports Putin: oil, bridges, air and naval bases. We need to target the infrastructure behind the Trump regime: its ultra-wealthy backers. Their weakest point is DOGE data heist, which violated many state laws. States should investigate and prosecute Musk, Thiel, and the executives and board of their companies, personally, to the fullest extent possible.
I agree Jon.
Mike, Bondi demanded the voter database in the letter, among other things, but never says that the ICE surge will end if Minnesota does turn it over. I’ve seen this characterization in several places now, and wish people would actually read the letter instead of passing along inaccurate second hand information. The letter is available via the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/01/24/us/pam-bondi-walz-doc.html?unlocked_article_code=1.HVA.qkRn.PXEl07_UyrNi&smid=nytcore-ios-share
One thing I've seen is that the new owners of TikTok's US operations are censoring anti-Trump and anti-ICE content, and it's worth bearing in mind that these same people will continue to own the platform (just like Musk will continue to own Twitter) even should the political side of the neo-reactionary movement be booted out of public life forever.
It brings to mind Pierre Trudeau's "parallel power" justification for invoking the War Measures Act during the October Crisis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfUq9b1XTa0 (CBC, 1970)
"I think it's more important to get rid of those who are committing violence against the total society, and those who are trying to run the government through a parallel power by establishing their authority by kidnapping and blackmail. And I think it's our duty as a government to protect government officials and the important people in our society against being used as tools in this blackmail. Now, you don't agree to this, but I'm sure that, once again, with hindsight, you would probably have found it preferable if Mr. Cross and Mr. Laporte had been protected from kidnapping, which they weren't, because these steps we're taking now weren't taken. But even with your hindsight I don't see how you can deny that."
"I think that society must take every means at its disposal to defend itself against the emergence of a parallel power which defies the elected power in this country. And I think that goes to any distance. So long as there is a power in here which is challenging the elected representatives of the people, I think that power must be stopped, and I think it's only, I repeat, weak-kneed bleeding hearts who are afraid to take these measures."
It would seem to me that tech oligarchs, aligned with the neo-reactionary right, are using this moment to set up a "parallel power which defies elected power", that they will continue to be able to exercise even if the neo-reactionary right is driven out of politics.
Calling out the MN National Guard a big move by Walz...hope Bovino's Brownshirts take notice...the NG aren't some unarmed civilians to be gassed, pepper-sprayed or shot, these folks are trained military and know how to respond to wanna-be militia rabble.
You are definitely as patriotic as Paine Mr. Brock!! May God bless us all with that level of patriotism!!!
♥️💔💔🙏🏻💔💔♥️ with deep concern from a Northern neighbour ♥️🇺🇸🇨🇦♥️
Thanks. Keep writing, Mike. A small bit of historical trivia to your Paine commentary. John Adams (pre-POTUS) in the same time frame (1775-79) was in near continuous contact with someone many acknowledge as among the most brilliant minds of the day, his spouse Abigail. While he was forging our nation, she held their farm (slave-less, btw) & homestead intact, despite it being in the midst of the British troops from the very start of the conflict. John is credited with the additional comment to Paine’s famed line: “Let us not forget, these are the times that try women’s souls as well.”
Inspired tonight. Keep writing
I am looking (serious, not a joke) for an answer to the following question: if Renee and Alex can be shot and that's it, then what stops ICE from murdering Governor Waltz? I mean "what is the legal situation"?
The issue I am trying to understand here, is whether what we see means that the federal government has an ABSOLUTE power over the states. Because it looks like that the feds can, no recourse, kill state legislators, governors or judges if those disobey.
Can someone please explain, the legal/system situation here? Because it looks absurd.
Piotr, there is no legal system here, period. This is George Orwell's Animal Farm, where all pigs are equal, but some pigs are more equal than others. In this case, the Trump administration is the pigs more equal than others. You are right to be concerned. This is what fascism looks like. We are staring it in the face. When will TV commentators and the American citizenry realize this?
When will our so-called celebrities and professional athletes, together with university heads and notables in our society, stand up in unity and speak out against the atrocity of what is being witnessed every day? How can this be? How can we accept this as people living in a free country founded in liberty and justice for all. This is frigging Nazi Germany we are living in. And Trump is our American Hitler. We are seeing all the players of Hitler's regime. From Pam Bondi to Stephen Miller to Pete Hegseth, you can find counterparts with Himmler and Goering and others.
For people who grew up (like myself) under Soviet control, multiple events/actions of the Trump government are instantly recognizable. We grew up with this. Americans still miss many of those "tells". I have to acknowledge though, that the Germans were the first to ring the alarm, in 2016.
Note that while Orwell wrote "1984" based on his experience during Spanish Civil War with the Soviet policies there (and he barely escaped assasination in Spain by Soviet agents), the plot of "1984" is in the British system transformed into totalitarism, without the Bolshevik phase. Orwell clearly was worried that Western democracies, without first "going Marxist", will become as oppressive as the USSR was.
Piotr: I was in East Berlin in 1966. Years later, I was a citizen diplomat to the USSR after Chernobyl. I spent 6 weeks in various cities. My room in the Rossiya Hotel in Moscow was bugged and were most of the hotel rooms. Over the weeks I was there, I became friendly with InTourist guides who admitted after a bottle or two of cognac that they were part of the KGB. I visited people in their private homes but did so stealthily. Russian narrative is what I hear on Fox News. ICE actions are no different from Hitler's Gestapo, shooting civilians in the head. I hear you loud and clear. I am familiar with much of Orwell's writings and his warnings about how easily democracy can be replaced with a fascist regime. Those of us who are not familiar with W.H. Auden's poem "Spain" should download it. Years later, Auden disavowed what he expressed in Spain. Many, including myself, believe he had it correct the first time around.
Legal analysis elsewhere suggests states have the power to arrest and prosecute federal agents for crimes, including murder. On the federal level, Trump can and has established he will pardon any crime, but his pardon power does not extend to those convicted by state courts. However ... the exact boundary between state and federal powers has never been fully defined by the courts. Yet the Constitution does clearly recognize states as having their own authority, separate from federal.
(I'm no lawyer.)
Thank you. I am surprised, and not surprised, that legally it is a grey area ("never fully defined"). Which is not-that-comforting, considering that the lifeteme Trump's career was about operating in the legal grey areas.
The problem is also of the "de facto" situation. For now, the federal government apparently has the power to murder people without consequence.
I call your attention to one of the ways the patriots of Minnesota are actualizing the spirit of Tom Paine -- by documenting the crimes of the regime. This inspiring song from Joyce Strong describes it.
https://open.substack.com/pub/joycemstrong/p/the-revolution-will-be-streamed-a?r=2sauq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thank you! Well done.
Great read, thank you. Bondi's letter is abhorrent in numerous ways. One thing however, where in Bondi's letter does it say ICE will leave if the state turns over its voter rolls? I've read the letter a few times and just don't see that language.
I feel I need to write a second comment. I'm a physician with 60 years of medicine as part of my life experience. I try to save lives of those people that have various forms of cancer and malignant blood disorders. To see lives blown away, as with Renee Good and Alex Pretti, is so upsetting to me that I cannot conceive it as anything other than monstrous.
I have a great deal of love and respect for nurses. They were my guides during my internship and residency. I have ended up marrying an ICU nurse. Alex Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the VA. It doesn't appear that he's a big guy, and why it would take six bulky ICE agents to tackle him and push him to the ground and end up murdering him is beyond anything I can conceive of!
Hearing the pronouncements of Kristi Noem and the disgusting rhetoric of Grigori Tovino should have us all upset. Tovino reminds me of a Nazi underling of Hitler, and Kristi Noem is a mindless, superficial woman that never should have been appointed to her position. Both are under-trained for the situation. Both are buffoons and insults, or should be insults to all of us thoughtful and considerate American citizens.
My commentaries are very harsh because I see the danger of what I witnessed in my own lifetime. I've seen what life is like under the iron heel of past Russian rulers. I've seen the death and destruction done by Putin. And now I'm witnessing the same kind of destruction created by our president, Donald Trump. They're all peas out of the same pod! So please forgive me for my outrage, for my fury, for my passion that burns beyond what an 83-year-old, just about retired physician should be sharing with the public. I care about the future of others much younger than myself, of generations to come, and of what life should be like and could be like on this incredible planet.