Democrats have to understand the moment your country is in. In all seriousness you cannot operate under the assumption that you'll have free & fair elections in the coming midterms. The only thing that truly resonates in Trump's peabrain about Zelensky is that elections were stopped because of the war. That is the real reason Trump is so trigger happy at the moment, he hopes that something flares up so he can attempt to halt the midterms.
However, even if there is no war for Trump to use, there are many ways they'll attempt to muck around with the elections. Using the cover of immigration enforcement and stopping illegals from voting, expect a heavy ICE & Border Patrol presence at most polling places in toss-up seats. Also expect him to put out a call for his 'patriots' to turn out at polling places as "poll watchers" to keep an eye out for those fictitious election stealers. I wouldn't put much faith in your DOJ (yes I laughed including them) or corrupt SCOTUS to be protectors of democracy either. In fact expect the DOJ to come up with some election shenanigans of their own.
If the Democrats don't bring the fight now and are waiting for a majority that's not guaranteed, then you Americans might as well throw your arms up and give in. The fight is now & someone in the House or Senate needs to figuratively smack some sense into Chuck "I'll write a sternly worded letter in my gym shorts" Schumer!
Because this came in at the usual time on Monday morning for me I just assumed it was Lauren alone and hadn’t realised it was a joint Lauren/Adrian piece. I just want to tell the Bulwark I think this is great and I’d love to see more “crossover” collaborations as people with different expertise join the Bulwark.
We are a nation of laws. Perhaps it's time for ICE to follow those laws. Obviously, 47 days of training are insufficient. Or perhaps the new officers' mental capacity can only handle 47 days.
Why the ICE Self-Defense Claim in the Renee Good Killing is absurd
The claim that the ICE agent acted in self-defense in the killing of Renee Good is nonsensical — not just morally, but logically and tactically.
When confronted by a moving vehicle, there are only two realistic options: get out of the way, or shoot. Law-enforcement training, common sense, and physics all point to the same conclusion — shooting is the wrong option.
A car is not stopped by bullets. Killing the driver does not neutralize the threat; it often makes it worse. When a driver is shot, the body can involuntarily stiffen or slump onto the accelerator, causing the vehicle to surge forward uncontrollably. That is exactly what happened here.
If Renee Good had been aiming her car at the agent, shooting her would have virtually guaranteed that the car accelerated into him. Instead, the vehicle sped off in the direction the wheels were already turned — away from the agent. This detail alone fatally undermines the claim that the car was being used as a weapon against him.
The agent’s decision to fire was not merely poor judgment — it crossed into recklessness. By shooting, he transformed a manageable situation into an uncontrolled one, putting bystanders at risk. Had pedestrians been in the path of the car, they could have been killed. Had there been occupants in the vehicle she ultimately struck, they could have been seriously injured or worse.
Self-defense is about reducing danger, not amplifying it. Here, the only action that would have protected both the agent and the public was to step out of the vehicle’s path. That option was available. It was safer. And it was not taken.
The direction of the car’s movement after the shooting proves what matters most: Renee Good was not attempting to strike the agent. The claim that deadly force was necessary collapses under even basic scrutiny of cause and effect.
In short, there was no imminent threat that justified lethal force. The agent’s actions increased the danger to himself and others, violating the core principle that governs any legitimate claim of self-defense. There is no rational justification for what occurred — and the evidence points decisively away from the official narrative.
I think focusing on the cruelty and corruption of ICE is important. It is also important that when we talk about abolishing ICE that we are clear that it does not mean that we are pro-open borders and unfettered migration. We are for sane and humane immigration policies that control our borders, while providing real and timely opportunities for immigration. ICE, as an organization, was created after 9/11, but has veered so far from their original mission, that they need to be completely reconstituted.
Are we so comfortable that Dems will win the House in 2026, and perhaps the Senate, that we feel it's beneficial or will do no harm to continue slamming our Party?
Donald Trump is planning to cheat in the midterm election. How do we know? He's already tried with the Texas redistricting. That one kinda flopped, but ...
... do we all know that the Doge boys stole the private information on Americans and that Trump has demanded that all states hand over their voter registrations and voters' records?
He will use this information to target votes he doesn't want counted. What else might he be planning? We don't know, just as we didn't know about his 2020 "fake electors" (might he revive that one?), nor did we anticipate a literal, physical attack on Congress.
So, I guess my point is this: While the Democratic Party is not perfect and it still seems a little shell-shocked, they are our only hope, and we should have their back.
Let's quit carping and hit the streets in support of what could be the last election in America.
Maybe. But I'm pretty sure that he would have "changed" the tally. He's evidently totally open to "just find me 11,000 votes," so I expect that his new toadies in the White House would comply this time.
Honestly, I don't see how we can stop him from doing this... I hope someone can.
Yes, Robin Kelly filed articles of impeachment. You know what she did right away after that? Started sending fund raising letters out asking for money so she could continue her fight as my senator. So is she really sincere about this or just using this as a performative tactic to get people separated from their money? She’s not getting my vote in March.
If Democrats win in 2029, ICE funding should shifted to the IRS. Not to hire accountants and phone banks, oh no. To hire masked goons to Kavanaugh-stop business owners, violently arrest folks using their “work” trucks for a Sunday grocery run, and ransack the homes and offices of the billionaire class looking for evidence.
Talk is cheap until Republicans join in. While it is good that the Democrats cited in the column are openly fighting, seeking support from everyone, until more Republicans join in, it's just talk. We need to keep the pressure on, and continue to shout out the crimes from the rooftops. Give Republicans no quarter, including in the Senate. Make NO Republican Senate seat comfortable. This year is an ideal one for Democrats to put up good challenges. Make NO Republican seat safe!
Is there any plan to create some ads for the Super Bowl and just showcase the brutality of ICE. We have so many videos now of family screaming and crying as a loved one is thrown on the ground and taken away. We must show the indifferent public what is happening. Too many people are not paying attention to this. Anyone hear of any org that is working on this idea?? Lotta eyeballs during Super Bowl.
“If people are not willing to put up a real fight about DHS funding in the minority they’re less likely to be willing to draw a red line in the majority, because the whole point becomes maintaining the majority so you never take courageous and sometimes necessary positions.”
This quote needs to be prominently displayed in every Democratic politicians office at the state and federal level.
This is why Dems poll so low, even when Trump is so unpopular. If you won't fight against ICE, there's nothing I can trust you to fight for. If you aren't motivated to fight about what happened in MN, what will it take? Does Schumer have any moral values? What are they? Serious question, because this article implies that he doesn't. In the primaries, my money is going to the fighters, that's what I know for sure.
Disappointing that it took this for any pushback.
Democrats have to understand the moment your country is in. In all seriousness you cannot operate under the assumption that you'll have free & fair elections in the coming midterms. The only thing that truly resonates in Trump's peabrain about Zelensky is that elections were stopped because of the war. That is the real reason Trump is so trigger happy at the moment, he hopes that something flares up so he can attempt to halt the midterms.
However, even if there is no war for Trump to use, there are many ways they'll attempt to muck around with the elections. Using the cover of immigration enforcement and stopping illegals from voting, expect a heavy ICE & Border Patrol presence at most polling places in toss-up seats. Also expect him to put out a call for his 'patriots' to turn out at polling places as "poll watchers" to keep an eye out for those fictitious election stealers. I wouldn't put much faith in your DOJ (yes I laughed including them) or corrupt SCOTUS to be protectors of democracy either. In fact expect the DOJ to come up with some election shenanigans of their own.
If the Democrats don't bring the fight now and are waiting for a majority that's not guaranteed, then you Americans might as well throw your arms up and give in. The fight is now & someone in the House or Senate needs to figuratively smack some sense into Chuck "I'll write a sternly worded letter in my gym shorts" Schumer!
Because this came in at the usual time on Monday morning for me I just assumed it was Lauren alone and hadn’t realised it was a joint Lauren/Adrian piece. I just want to tell the Bulwark I think this is great and I’d love to see more “crossover” collaborations as people with different expertise join the Bulwark.
We are a nation of laws. Perhaps it's time for ICE to follow those laws. Obviously, 47 days of training are insufficient. Or perhaps the new officers' mental capacity can only handle 47 days.
Why the ICE Self-Defense Claim in the Renee Good Killing is absurd
The claim that the ICE agent acted in self-defense in the killing of Renee Good is nonsensical — not just morally, but logically and tactically.
When confronted by a moving vehicle, there are only two realistic options: get out of the way, or shoot. Law-enforcement training, common sense, and physics all point to the same conclusion — shooting is the wrong option.
A car is not stopped by bullets. Killing the driver does not neutralize the threat; it often makes it worse. When a driver is shot, the body can involuntarily stiffen or slump onto the accelerator, causing the vehicle to surge forward uncontrollably. That is exactly what happened here.
If Renee Good had been aiming her car at the agent, shooting her would have virtually guaranteed that the car accelerated into him. Instead, the vehicle sped off in the direction the wheels were already turned — away from the agent. This detail alone fatally undermines the claim that the car was being used as a weapon against him.
The agent’s decision to fire was not merely poor judgment — it crossed into recklessness. By shooting, he transformed a manageable situation into an uncontrolled one, putting bystanders at risk. Had pedestrians been in the path of the car, they could have been killed. Had there been occupants in the vehicle she ultimately struck, they could have been seriously injured or worse.
Self-defense is about reducing danger, not amplifying it. Here, the only action that would have protected both the agent and the public was to step out of the vehicle’s path. That option was available. It was safer. And it was not taken.
The direction of the car’s movement after the shooting proves what matters most: Renee Good was not attempting to strike the agent. The claim that deadly force was necessary collapses under even basic scrutiny of cause and effect.
In short, there was no imminent threat that justified lethal force. The agent’s actions increased the danger to himself and others, violating the core principle that governs any legitimate claim of self-defense. There is no rational justification for what occurred — and the evidence points decisively away from the official narrative.
I think focusing on the cruelty and corruption of ICE is important. It is also important that when we talk about abolishing ICE that we are clear that it does not mean that we are pro-open borders and unfettered migration. We are for sane and humane immigration policies that control our borders, while providing real and timely opportunities for immigration. ICE, as an organization, was created after 9/11, but has veered so far from their original mission, that they need to be completely reconstituted.
There were over a 1000 plus ICE out events, not hundreds.
Are we so comfortable that Dems will win the House in 2026, and perhaps the Senate, that we feel it's beneficial or will do no harm to continue slamming our Party?
Donald Trump is planning to cheat in the midterm election. How do we know? He's already tried with the Texas redistricting. That one kinda flopped, but ...
... do we all know that the Doge boys stole the private information on Americans and that Trump has demanded that all states hand over their voter registrations and voters' records?
He will use this information to target votes he doesn't want counted. What else might he be planning? We don't know, just as we didn't know about his 2020 "fake electors" (might he revive that one?), nor did we anticipate a literal, physical attack on Congress.
So, I guess my point is this: While the Democratic Party is not perfect and it still seems a little shell-shocked, they are our only hope, and we should have their back.
Let's quit carping and hit the streets in support of what could be the last election in America.
Oh, AND Trump recently told the NYT that he REGRETS not seizing the voting machines after the election he lost in 2020!
Think he won't do that if the midterm elections resutlts aren't to his liking?
So if we keep focusing on critiquing the Democratic Party instead of hitting the streets to show our support, we'll get what we deserve in November!
It's unfortunate he didn't. I can only imagine the look on his face when he realized the last bastion of his great lie was bogus.
Maybe. But I'm pretty sure that he would have "changed" the tally. He's evidently totally open to "just find me 11,000 votes," so I expect that his new toadies in the White House would comply this time.
Honestly, I don't see how we can stop him from doing this... I hope someone can.
The law no longer belongs to the people. It doesn't even below to the courts. The law is whatever the people in power say it is.
Yes, Robin Kelly filed articles of impeachment. You know what she did right away after that? Started sending fund raising letters out asking for money so she could continue her fight as my senator. So is she really sincere about this or just using this as a performative tactic to get people separated from their money? She’s not getting my vote in March.
Everyone needs to listen to this. The assumption that the Senate is hamstrung is false. This is from an insider. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1W8qdY7cfY/
A modest proposal:
If Democrats win in 2029, ICE funding should shifted to the IRS. Not to hire accountants and phone banks, oh no. To hire masked goons to Kavanaugh-stop business owners, violently arrest folks using their “work” trucks for a Sunday grocery run, and ransack the homes and offices of the billionaire class looking for evidence.
Turn about and fair play, my friends.
(Man, I hate that this has to be sarcasm…)
Talk is cheap until Republicans join in. While it is good that the Democrats cited in the column are openly fighting, seeking support from everyone, until more Republicans join in, it's just talk. We need to keep the pressure on, and continue to shout out the crimes from the rooftops. Give Republicans no quarter, including in the Senate. Make NO Republican Senate seat comfortable. This year is an ideal one for Democrats to put up good challenges. Make NO Republican seat safe!
Is there any plan to create some ads for the Super Bowl and just showcase the brutality of ICE. We have so many videos now of family screaming and crying as a loved one is thrown on the ground and taken away. We must show the indifferent public what is happening. Too many people are not paying attention to this. Anyone hear of any org that is working on this idea?? Lotta eyeballs during Super Bowl.
“If people are not willing to put up a real fight about DHS funding in the minority they’re less likely to be willing to draw a red line in the majority, because the whole point becomes maintaining the majority so you never take courageous and sometimes necessary positions.”
This quote needs to be prominently displayed in every Democratic politicians office at the state and federal level.
This is why Dems poll so low, even when Trump is so unpopular. If you won't fight against ICE, there's nothing I can trust you to fight for. If you aren't motivated to fight about what happened in MN, what will it take? Does Schumer have any moral values? What are they? Serious question, because this article implies that he doesn't. In the primaries, my money is going to the fighters, that's what I know for sure.