Posting a relevant data point each day Passionate about politics. Background in science. Advocacy is not just a task for high-profile community organizers. Advocacy is for all of us. It is a natural response to injustice in the world. - Alice Wonghttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkxbwjj3cc2yTrump's net worth has tripled since his first term This is the most brazenly self-enriching administration ever The corruption is off the charts03 May 2026 13:41 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkxbwjj3cc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkuvdufdo222Trump's stooge Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany because their chancellor hurt Trump's feelings This follows a 90-minute phone call between Trump and Putin This cannot be good. https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5860094-trump-orders-troop-withdrawal-germany/02 May 2026 14:51 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkuvdufdo222https://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkur6rpnwc2nThe Trump administration has violated a court order at least 31 times in 15 months There are also over 250 instances of non-compliance of court orders on record This is not how you write a headline about his lawlessness "Rogue Regime Flouts The Law" seems more appropriate https://apnews.com/article/trump-courts-contempt-defiance-7b94b24901d42961afe323d02e35273302 May 2026 13:36 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkur6rpnwc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkuquwotyc2nOnly about 1/3 of all adults and 1/2 of all Republicans approve of the way Trump is handling the cost of living He is losing the base02 May 2026 13:31 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkuquwotyc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mksec43xuc2kThe Trump meme coin is a scam The average buyer lost $2150, while a few big early buyers (whales) made an average of nearly $27 million each01 May 2026 14:40 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksec43xuc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mks2ybcoks2lAccording to @popular.info Trump has used his position as president to promote his family businesses 110 times in the past 16 months The US Presidency as infomercial01 May 2026 11:53 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mks2ybcoks2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkpmz6asl22tColumbia University professor Elizabeth Saunders says Trump's choices in the Iran war are both bad: humiliation or escalation https://newrepublic.com/article/209289/trump-choices-iran-humiliation-escalation30 Apr 2026 12:38 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkpmz6asl22thttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mknhlyjnpc2bWall Street is finally calling BS on the rosy picture Trump is desperately trying to paint of the state of war with Iran They know that Iran is humiliating the US every day and there is no way for Trump to declare victory and have anyone believe him29 Apr 2026 15:56 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknhlyjnpc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mknfxtmwjs2tThe GOP really has their finger on the pulse of Middle America. THAT'S what we're worried about - capital gain taxes! 🙄 https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/republicans-eye-capital-gains-tax-090000270.html?.tsrc=1340&ncid=crm_-1285232-20260429-816--A&bt_user_id=BvlGT7WDrpWODzV6eH%2BA%2F6cdfuilDWJsbN7gzflyZBUcLEoqIY4ztTgkYsNBieOrJkraBY8ktQ%2FoGyOrSiQncUF7j28u11scoJ53unupjG%2B6bGYgmxnA%2BCteJZ0xIbj3&bt_ts=177747540632929 Apr 2026 15:27 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknfxtmwjs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkmzqp4wzk2lWanna smell like Donald Trump? Now you can! Isn't there something about Emoluments in the Constitution?29 Apr 2026 11:48 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkmzqp4wzk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkmyrufylk2lThis is a disappointingly misleading headline. I was expecting fisticuffs between the GOP House and Senate leaders. It turns out that "duke it out" was not used in the literal sense. Meanwhile, TSA agents and others in the department will stop getting paid after tomorrow https://www.axios.com/2026/04/27/thune-johnson-homeland-security-funding-shutdown29 Apr 2026 11:31 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkmyrufylk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkmxb6sldc26With Orban out of the way, the path to EU membership for Ukraine is beginning to clear Ukraine will be a strong partner for the EU Elections have consequences https://united24media.com/latest-news/eu-prepares-first-stage-of-ukraine-accession-talks-after-orbans-defeat-18201?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email29 Apr 2026 11:04 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkmxb6sldc26https://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkkyrouxc22tOn March 27th the US Senate unanimously passed a bill to fund the parts of DHS other than ICE and CBP Speaker Johnson was against the bill, then he was for it Now he is against it again. He is crafting his own bill to fund DHS, which is unlikely to pass the Senate. It may not even pass the House. https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5851954-gop-tensions-intensify-over-dhs-funding-between-senate-house-republicans/28 Apr 2026 16:25 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkkyrouxc22thttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkkyag6iik2tIs there anyone left who believes this pathetic, delusional man? Other than Wall St. gurus, I mean.28 Apr 2026 16:16 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkkyag6iik2thttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkknvsbvx22h“Good, I’m glad he’s dead” - Trump quote on Mueller Called Biden’s team a “Gestapo administration” Joked about an attack on Paul Pelosi Reposted a video saying “The only good Democrat is a dead Democrat” Frequently calls opponents fascists But, sure...DEMS need to turn down the rhetoric https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/27/politics/trump-violent-rhetoric-analysis28 Apr 2026 13:11 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkknvsbvx22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkkn74gz7c2hViolence committed by MAGA is celebrated. January 6 is portrayed as a "day of love". Kyle Ritenhouse is made into a hero. Violence committed against Democrats is ignored ( the assassination of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband) or joked about (Paul Pelosi) Seems hypocritical. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgnxej1dn0o28 Apr 2026 12:58 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkkn74gz7c2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkkgdqpk6c27Ukraine is no longer a charity case. They have a lot to offer the EU Zelenskyy: "We don’t need EU [membership]-lite. Europe needs Ukraine as a fully-fledged strong partner. They need our army – a strong army. Because no one needs a ‘lite’ Ukrainian army. What kind of protection would that be?” https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/04/14/8030113/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email28 Apr 2026 10:55 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkkgdqpk6c27https://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkhzdrlzqk2rIt worked once, they are trying the same playbook again: The party who tells us that guns are good and we need more unlimited access to guns is blaming gun violence on the party that says, "No, actually we need some common-sense regulations." Thoughts and prayers. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/27/correspondents-dinner-political-violence-rhetoric-00892635?experience_id=EXYF89KVT5UQ&is_magic_link=true&template_id=OTJIR2CRKUD6&template_variant_id=OTV632IE7RALS27 Apr 2026 11:57 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkhzdrlzqk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkhyu26a322rSo...Trump is so hated and has created such a toxic atmosphere in this country that we must give him a golden ballroom to keep him safe??? [contains quote post or other embedded content]27 Apr 2026 11:49 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkhyu26a322rhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkhxuio2oc27Ukraine and Azerbaijan have signed defense-energy agreements Ukraine provides help with air defenses and Azerbaijan provides energy support win-win Countries are figuring out how to function without the corrupt US and Russia https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukraine-signs-six-agreements-with-azerbaijan-1777116870.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email#:~:text=Today%2C%20April%2025%2C%20Ukraine%20signed,President%20of%20Azerbaijan%20Ilham%20Aliyev27 Apr 2026 11:31 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkhxuio2oc27https://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkff36cves2tUkraine is hoping to replace at least 30% of its infantrymen with machines by the end of the year Human lives are too precious to waste on war https://www.politico.eu/article/inside-ukraine-robot-war-revolution/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email26 Apr 2026 10:49 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkff36cves2thttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkfe6figmk2pUkraine is now the world leader in inexpensive drone interceptors They cost about 1/8 of the drones they destroy Several Gulf states have signed agreements with Ukraine to provide them with these interceptors Ukraine is not a charity case anymore https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2026/04/23/zelenskyy-says-ukraine-has-signed-drone-deals-with-gulf-states?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email26 Apr 2026 10:33 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkfe6figmk2phttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkdncvzqp22cSo...the new GOP strategy for the mid-term is to say that GOP politicians are not a rubber stamp for Trump Good luck with that25 Apr 2026 18:12 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkdncvzqp22chttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkdl7xtbhk2cGOP strategists: for the mid-terms, let's promote Trump's unpopular policies, but not feature Trump himself, since he's a drag on the ticket What could go wrong? https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/republicans-retool-midterm-strategy-trumps-policies-less-trump-2026-04-25/25 Apr 2026 17:34 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkdl7xtbhk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkb4czg2bc2gThe GOP: always working to make Americans' lives better. [contains quote post or other embedded content]24 Apr 2026 18:02 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkb4czg2bc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkb47v52rc2jSources at the Pentagon say that the Trump regime floated suspending Spain from NATO and reviewing the UK's claim to the Falkland Islands due to NATO's lack of assistance in the Iran war Why would any European nation want to belong to NATO? Ukraine and Iran have proved the US to be a paper tiger https://www.reuters.com/world/pentagon-email-floats-suspending-spain-nato-other-steps-over-iran-rift-source-2026-04-24/24 Apr 2026 18:00 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkb47v52rc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkani65nzk2jThe corruption in everywhere And it affects Americans' lives and wallet Pete Hegseth's broker at Morgan Stanley looked to make a multi-million dollar investment in Black Rock's (a defense contractor) EFT shortly before the Iran invasion https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/us-defense-secretary-hegseths-broker-looked-buy-defense-fund-before-iran-attack-2026-03-30/24 Apr 2026 13:37 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkani65nzk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mkalncjalm25Did anyone really believe Trump's outlandish campaign promises to lower grocery prices "on Day One" and to cut energy prices "in half"? Yes, apparently Trump voters did The chart below shows that GOP voters expected inflation to fall to zero after the 2024 election24 Apr 2026 13:04 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkalncjalm25https://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mk5yvvs4ik25The GOP controls the House, Senate, and presidency They could end gerrymandering anytime they wanted to They aren't mad that gerrymandering exists; they are mad that they aren't the only ones who get to use it https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/22/republicans-virginia-redistricting-frustration-0088636023 Apr 2026 12:23 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk5yvvs4ik25https://bsky.app/profile/laurelann.bsky.social/post/3mk5xzaxqek25Elections have consequences. This happened because Orban was defeated in Hungary [contains quote post or other embedded content]23 Apr 2026 12:07 +0000at://did:plc:qfkz6lutss4fdxspr46retf7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk5xzaxqek25