Elise Wirkus

advocacy @protctdemocracy. from caring comes courage. views are mine.

[U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. @SenBillCassidy]

People are concerned about paying their mortgage or rent, affording groceries and paying for gas, not about putting together a $1.8 billion fund for the President and his allies to pay whomever they wish with no legal precedent or accountability. This is adding to our national debt. If there needs to be a settlement, the administration should bring it to Congress to decide.

[Chad Pergram @ChadPergram]

Dem GA Rep Scott (D-GA) is the 8th Member to die in the past 2 years. 7 of the 8 have been Dems.

(1) Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ-10) // Died April 24, 2024
(2) Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) // Died July 19, 2024
(3) Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ-09) // Died August 21, 2024
(4) Sylvester Turner (D-TX-18) // Died March 5, 2025
(5) Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ-07) // Died March 13, 2025
(6) Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) // Died May 21, 2025
(7) Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01) // Died January 6, 2026
(8) David Scott  (D-GA-13) // Died April 22, 2026

[Cato Institute @CatoInstitute]

Immigrants generate more income and taxes than the average US-born person, Cato’s @David_J_Bier reports.

From 1994 to 2023, immigrants generated roughly $100,000 more in taxes per capita than the average US-born person—about 17% more over the entire period.

https://t.co/jvMtcqL2HK

[David J. Bier @David_J_Bier]

Just absurd. Not a single refugee in the world was allowed to come legally, except for white South Africans.

[Senator Thom Tillis @SenThomTillis]

Political lawfare waged by either side undermines America's criminal justice system, which is the gold standard of the world. Thankfully in this instance, a jury saw the attempted indictments for what they really were. Political lawfare is not normal, not acceptable, and needs to stop.
https://t.co/A9kzODHwbe

[Steve Simon @MNSteveSimon]

This is a cruel disgrace. ICE agents in Minneapolis chase, tackle, and handcuff a child in the freezing cold and snow while he yells “I’m legal! I’m legal!” How does this make us safer? How does this target “the worst of the worst?” Horrifying and shameful.

[Jerusalem @JerusalemDemsas]

The nonchalance of the agents after one of their own has just shot a woman is a dangerous sign.

They do not feel accountable to the public, they are not afraid of repercussions for their actions.

[Senator Tim Kaine @SenTimKaine]

Great news: after years of hard work, Congress passed legislation today to end the authorization for the U.S. to wage war against Iraq. @SenToddYoung and I are thankful to all the veterans whose tireless advocacy made this historic day possible.

[Sen. Elissa Slotkin @SenatorSlotkin]

A joint statement from myself @SenMarkKelly, @RepJasonCrow, @RepDeluzio, @RepGoodlander and @RepHoulahan.

“We are veterans and national security professionals who love this country and swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation.

“What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty.

“But this isn’t about any one of us. This isn’t about politics. This is about who we are as Americans. Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity.

“In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage. We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated.

“Don’t Give Up the Ship!”

[Lis Smith @Lis_Smith]

This is gross and why people hate politics. Chuy ran as a man of the people, but he’s acting like a cog in the machine.

[Count Every Hero @CountEveryHero]

Nine frmr service secretaries + retired four-star admirals & generals filed a brief in IL federal court challenging the admin’s deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago as a dangerous trend of politicizing the military, and militarizing society. 🔗 https://t.co/1efAxaDaoG

[The Sound of Music @SoundofMusic]

Happy 90th birthday, Julie Andrews! 🎉 Your voice and spirit have captured our hearts for the last 60 years. Thank you for sharing your extraordinary gift with us. 💙 Watch all of the birthday messages received from fans around the world: https://t.co/QqFdmSD1G4

[Chris Murphy 🟧 @ChrisMurphyCT]

Tune in as we introduce the No Political Enemies Act.

We aren't going to lie down as Trump tries to destroy free speech in this country. https://t.co/PkYqBGjD6z

[Jessica Taylor @JessicaTaylor]

Utah Gov Spencer Cox — who has long been an unassuming advocate for turning down the political temperature and filmed campaign ads with his Dem opponents — is perhaps the best spokesman right now for this tragic moment

[Samuel Littauer @swlittauer]

DC’s cleaning crews cover around 81 miles/day for around $150K/day.

National Guard has cleaned a total of 3.2 miles and costs more than $1M/day.

It’s about 170X more cost efficient per mile to fund DC’s existing work.

[Elise Wirkus @wirk_it]

To be clear - there is no lawful path to continuing federal control of DC police absent a joint resolution from Congress.

[Aaron Rupar @atrupar]

Trump on deadline for ending the deployment to DC: "I don't know if there is a deadline because if I declare a national emergency -- which this was -- that ends the deadline."

[Scott Lincicome @scottlincicome]

This is a letter signed by the US government's top lawyer and submitted today in federal court (in VOS Selections v Trump). I'm honestly struggling to believe it's real, but here we are.

[Elise Wirkus @wirk_it]

Must read: How the Hungarian pro-democracy coalition changed tactics to get ahead of shifting authoritarian attacks. Read, share, and subscribe to the "Democracy Atlas" series for more lessons from abroad. https://t.co/knzFgGMeS4

[Principles First @Principles_1st]

Great discussion moderated by @protctdemocracy’s Amit Agarwal featuring @keep_republic Judges.

Standing up for the Constitution and defending the rule of law is more important than ever.

[Scott Barclay @BarclayCard18]

People miss out so much by only watching men's tennis, the DRAMA in that match, the emotions, the TENNIS. Loved it.