advocacy @protctdemocracy. from caring comes courage. views are mine.
Joined September 2013
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Elise Wirkus retweeted
Trump & Hegseth aren't just proposing to livestream an execution for people who want to watch.
They're proposing to broadcast a man being shot to death, even if deserved by our system, and even if you agree with this version of the death penalty, knowing that the footage will be clipped, shared, and pushed into social media feeds.
Including those of our children. The gruesome image will be everywhere.
Parents will have virtually no control over whether their kids see it. Once those images are released, there is no taking them back.
Hope all the parents in the Trump Admin are cool with that.
Elise Wirkus retweeted
In this era of artificial intelligence, it is becoming urgent to distinguish human art from what machines produce. There is an ontological difference, even before an aesthetic one, between art and what a machine can generate through statistical calculation based on millions of images created by others. Algorithms lack the spark of humanity. For this reason, the Church wishes to renew an alliance with artists and cultural institutions to safeguard our humanity.
Elise Wirkus retweeted
NEW: Bipartisan group of former FCC officials submit court filing that blasts Trump's FCC chairman Brendan Carr for Carr's onerous probe of ABC Television
"The Chairman has repeatedly exceeded the bounds of FCC authority to suppress speech"
storage.courtlistener.com/re…
Elise Wirkus retweeted
KIDS EAT ... FREE!
Kids don't pay when they hop on a school bus. They shouldn't have to pay for a meal, either.
Scott Moore (@plathiandc) makes the case to feed kids, fund schools, and end lunch debt across America.
Elise Wirkus retweeted
New: Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev footed the bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars of wedding expenses at Donald Trump Jr.’s lavish wedding, including renting out a private island and paying for the fireworks show. propub.li/4xTBcxt
Elise Wirkus retweeted
Video shows Flock walking police through how to monitor a No Kings protest in real time. I do not have to agree with a single sign at that protest to say this plainly: Surveillance aimed at your political opponents today will be aimed at you tomorrow.
Ruh roh. Here is a leaked webinar hosted by Flock demonstrating to police how to track individuals in real time involved in the no kings protests. Maybe you’re thinking “so what?! I don’t go to those and don’t agree with those who did.”
Let me remind you, a digital dragnet built to target your political opponents today will be used against you tomorrow.
Once the surveillance state is turned on, it watches everyone.
Elise Wirkus retweeted
This is a phenomenal solution that Members aren’t going to like (which is a good thing). Congressional staffers should be serving constituents, not playing doctor. This would ensure a neutral party is holding people in positions of public trust to account!
I wrote about Mitch McConnell’s absence and why I think we need an “Office of the Medical Advisor” to periodically evaluate whether our leaders are physically and mentally fit to serve, for @TheAtlantic theatlantic.com/health/2026/…
Elise Wirkus retweeted
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.
Elise Wirkus retweeted
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
Elise Wirkus retweeted
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.
ow.ly/pFek50YKFMx
Elise Wirkus retweeted
Just absurd. Not a single refugee in the world was allowed to come legally, except for white South Africans.
Elise Wirkus retweeted
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.
nbcnews.com/politics/trump-a…
Elise Wirkus retweeted
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.
Elise Wirkus retweeted
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.
Elise Wirkus retweeted
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!”
Elise Wirkus retweeted
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.
In a surprise move, U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is not seeking re-election, leaving in place a succession plan for his chief of staff, the only Democrat to file for his seat on the last day to do so.
chicago.suntimes.com/electio…
Elise Wirkus retweeted
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. 🔗 bit.ly/48gA25b
ALT “Over the short period of only the past several months, the Administration has abandoned the American tradition against domestic deployment of the military, embracing instead what the District Court of Oregon described as ‘martial law,’” they wrote. “The Administration has suggested it plans to use United States cities as ‘training grounds’ for the military, turning our troops on the ‘enemy within’ – the very people they have proudly sworn to protect, with their own lives if necessary. Thousands of troops have been deployed in at least five such communities over the objection of local leaders, with the promise of more.”
Elise Wirkus retweeted
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: rodgersandhammerstein.com/ju…