Balloon Juice - Open Threads Archives

Open Thread: Letitia James Is Indicted by Trump, Remains Uncowed

by Anne Laurie| October 9, 20257:36 pm| 58 Comments

This post is in: Activist Judges!, Open Threads, Republican Stupidity, Trump Crime Cartel

CNN: We have just learned that Letitia James has just been indicted by the DOJ

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— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 4:29 PM

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This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.
I am not fearful — I am fearless.
We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights..

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— New York Attorney General Letitia James (@newyorkstateag.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM

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Because lèse-majesté is (inexplicably to TrumpWorld) not included in the federal criminal codes…

BREAKING: Letitia James has been indicted on one count of bank fraud in Virginia, charge brought directly by Lindsey Halligan, just like the Comey indictment.

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 4:46 PM

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Kind of an odd thing that Trump doesn't realize that bullshit cases that die in court against his political foes just raise those foes visibility by significant amounts

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— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 4:59 PM

Per the Washington Post, “Letitia James becomes the second Trump foe charged in a case that career prosecutors had turned down” [gift link]:

The Justice Department obtained an indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday, accusing her of committing mortgage fraud when she purchased a property in Virginia.

The indictment on one count of bank fraud and one of making a false statement makes James the second of President Donald Trump’s political foes to be charged in the Eastern District of Virginia since Trump pushed out the top prosecutor there and appointed a close ally, Lindsey Halligan, to replace him. Halligan, who had no previous experience as a prosecutor, obtained an indictment two weeks ago against former FBI director James B. Comey on charges of making a false statement to Congress. He has pleaded not guilty.

Halligan presented the case against James to a grand jury in Alexandria. It is unusual for a politically appointed top U.S. attorney to present a case herself, suggesting that the office struggled to find a career attorney willing to take on the assignment.

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A senior career attorney in the office indicated to her staff in recent days that she believed the case was weak and did not want to present it to a grand jury, according to two people familiar with the internal conversations who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation. That attorney had also worked to insulate her subordinates from the case so that they, too, would not have to present the case, those people said.

The previous U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik Siebert, was ousted last month because he believed there was insufficient evidence to present the cases against Comey and James to grand juries…

U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker, a Biden judicial appointee, was chosen by random selection to handle the case. James, who was not arrested, was summoned to appear in court in Norfolk on Oct. 24.

Trump has long referred to James as a political foe. In her 2018 campaign for attorney general, she pledged to pursue litigation against Trump whom she called an “embarrassment.” In 2022, she brought a civil fraud case against Trump and his real estate empire which, two years later, resulted in a judge ordering Trump and his company to pay more than $350 million in fines and interest. In August, a New York appeals court voided the fine but left intact the judge’s finding that Trump and others in his company had committed fraud…

Currently leading CNN homepage:

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— Ariel Edwards-Levy (@aedwardslevy.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 6:08 PM

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Read the indictment returned against New York AG Letitia James, via @lawfaremedia.org:
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26…

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— Anna Bower (@annabower.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM

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I’ve never seen anything remotely this petty charged as bank fraud.

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— Popehat Agitates And Irritates (@kenwhite.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM

/2 Also note that this key paragraph characterizes the agreement rather than quoting it, an odd choice in this context. Seems skeevy.

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— Popehat Agitates And Irritates (@kenwhite.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 6:21 PM

/3 Also note that the indictment claims she rented the property but not that she entered into an agreement that REQUIRED her to rent the property, which seems to be what is prohibited by the paraphrased language.

— Popehat Agitates And Irritates (@kenwhite.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM

Open Thread: Letitia James Is Indicted by Trump, Remains UncowedPost + Comments (58)

Judge Grants “In Part” the Request for the Temporary Restraining Order Against National Guard Deployment in Illinois

by WaterGirl| October 9, 20256:07 pm| 43 Comments

This post is in: Breathtaking Corruption, Breathtaking Criminality and Lawlessness, Open Threads, Politics

Update at 7:20 pm

Donald Trump is not a king — and his administration is not above the law.

Today, the court confirmed what we all know: there is no credible evidence of a rebellion in the state of Illinois.

And no place for the National Guard in the streets of American cities like Chicago.

— Governor JB Pritzker (@govpritzker.illinois.gov) October 9, 2025 at 5:42 PM

Chicago Sun Times

#BREAKING A federal judge say she will grant “in part” a request by the state of Illinois for a temporary restraining order against the deployment of National Guard troops into the state.

U.S. District Judge April Perry is still ruling and has not outlined the details of her order.

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— Jon Seidel (@jonseidel.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 4:36 PM

Judge grants a partial temporary restraining order on National Guard deployment in Illinois: Live updates
In issuing her decision from the bench, U.S. District Judge April Perry said “I simply cannot credit [the Trump administration’s] declarations to the extent they contradict state and local law enforcement. [The Department of Homeland Security’s] perception of events [is] simply unreliable.”

Arguments over a state lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops into Illinois have concluded in federal court, and proceedings are in recess.

U.S. District Judge April Perry ordered lawyers representing the state, which is seeking a temporary restraining order against Trump’s National Guard deployment, and the Justice Department to return to her courtroom at 4:30 p.m.

The hearing comes after National Guard troops could be seen on the ground near the Broadview ICE facility Thursday morning.

Illinois and Chicago sued the Trump administration Monday over the deployment, and their attorneys tried to persuade Perry to immediately block the troops. Instead, the judge called for legal filings and set the stage for Thursday’s hearing.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced Sunday that President Donald Trump had ordered 400 members of the Texas National Guard to deploy into Illinois, Oregon and elsewhere. He also said that 300 Illinois National Guard troops were being federalized against his “vigorous objections.”

The lawsuit set up one of the biggest legal clashes yet between the Republican president and Illinois’ Democratic leaders. Trump called Wednesday for the jailing of Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for “failing to protect ICE.”

Pritzker, a likely 2028 presidential candidate, responded by urging the president to “come and get me.”

What you need to know: Illinois’ request: Illinois wants U.S. District Judge April Perry to block the deployment of National Guard or military troops in the state.

What is the law? President Donald Trump has been citing a law that allows him to call into federal service members of any state National Guard if there is an invasion, rebellion or if the president is “unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States.”

Who is the judge? April Perry joined the bench in November after her nomination by then-President Joe Biden. Though Biden had previously nominated her to be Chicago’s top federal prosecutor, that bid was blocked by then-U.S. Sen. JD Vance.

36s ago
Federal judge hits Trump administration ‘credibility’ in partially granting state bid to block National Guard deployment

A federal judge said she is partially granting the state’s request to block the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard units in the Chicago area as part of an immigration enforcement action.

After hearing arguments from lawyers representing the state and the Justice Department, U.S. District Judge April Perry said she will grant “in part” a state request for a temporary restraining order against troop deployment.

Perry said her decision comes down to a “credibility determination.”

“I simply cannot credit [the Trump administration’s] declarations to the extent they contradict state and local law enforcement,” Perry said. “[The Department of Homeland Security’s] perception of events [is] simply unreliable.”

Perry pointed to other federal prosecutions or lawsuits in Chicago and said “in the last 48 hours, in four separate unrelated legal decisions from different neutral parties, they all cast significant doubt on DHS’ credibility and assessment of what is happening on the streets of Chicago.”

The Trump administration mobilized hundreds of National Guard members to protect federal agents and property over objections from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who sued on behalf of the state and city to block the move.

Perry is still ruling and the details of her order are not yet known.

Judge Grants “In Part” the Request for the Temporary Restraining Order Against National Guard Deployment in IllinoisPost + Comments (43)

Open Thread: Enjoying the GOP Disarray

by Anne Laurie| October 9, 20252:13 pm| 169 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Republicans in Disarray!

i regret to inform all of you that greene is actually good at a certain kind of backstabbing politics

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— GHOULLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) October 9, 2025 at 12:23 PM

i do not know or care if she’s sincere about this, but she fucking hates mike johnson and he’s given her a knife sized opening through which she can stick daggers in his back

— GHOULLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) October 9, 2025 at 12:25 PM

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Welp if you want to figure out how we get to D +10 or 11 here it is.

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— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 9:36 AM

Tying a shutdown to blowing up Obama are is one of those galaxy brained plans only our current GOP could come up with.

— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 9:36 AM

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Oh, so we're at this stage of GOP messaging

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— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 10:27 AM

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Open Thread: Enjoying the GOP DisarrayPost + Comments (169)

Thursday Late Morning Share the News Open Thread

by WaterGirl| October 9, 202511:31 am| 108 Comments

This post is in: Breathtaking Corruption, Breathtaking Criminality and Lawlessness, Open Threads, Politics

I am tied up this morning, but it looks like we could use a new thread! I was tied up yesterday, too.

I did see that Schumer came out with a really strong message, but I know that’s already been covered.

What’s been happening this week? I see Gov. Pritzker being very vocal about what’s happening in Illinois and around the country. I see him repeatedly asking everyone to stand up. Is anyone responding to that. Are other states standing up in support?

I look forward to the day when the Statue of Liberty covering her eyes isn’t the image that speaks to me for nearly every post these days.

Thursday Late Morning Share the News Open ThreadPost + Comments (108)

Thursday Morning Open Thread: Staying On Message

by Anne Laurie| October 9, 20256:39 am| 260 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Republicans in Disarray!, Trump Crime Cartel

"So, Democrats have three words for this: no fucking way. It's literally life or death. We will not let Republicans blow up our health care system."
This is, hands down, the best comms work Chuck Schumer has done in YEARS. Surprisingly good.

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— Charlotte Clymer (@charlotteclymer.bsky.social) October 7, 2025 at 10:27 PM

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I'm about to vote on the SAME Republican budget proposal for the 6th time.
Why?
Instead of working with Democrats to lower health care costs, Republicans are forcing us to vote over and over again on a budget that would let 15 million Americans lose their coverage.
youtube.com/shorts/FoV3B…

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— Elizabeth Warren (@warren.senate.gov) October 8, 2025 at 11:48 AM

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McGovern: Republicans love to advocate for more work requirements for poor people… Let's have a work requirement for Republicans to show up to congress and do your god damn job. pic.twitter.com/XC5sje9qft

— Acyn (@Acyn) October 8, 2025

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i am not sure mike johnson’s plan of abandoning the capitol to a bunch of snarky house dems (of which there are many) with nothing to do was a smart strategic move

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— GHOULLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) October 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM

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house republicans are getting extremely outplayed here, lmao

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— GHOULLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) October 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM

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"It's past time for a Republican revolt!"
Mike Johnson faces growing internal revolt over shutdown www.axios.com/2025/10/08/m…

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— Rod,Tia & Lola's dad (@roddsdad.bsky.social) October 9, 2025 at 3:10 AM

Let. Us. Savor. Axios has a strong GOP bias, so I’m assuming this is other Repubs’ way of letting Pastor Mike know that he could very well become the next TrumpCo scapegoat. Mike Johnson faces growing internal revolt over shutdown:

The longer the government stays shut down, the shorter House Republicans’ patience seems to be getting with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

Why it matters: Johnson’s decision to keep his chamber on an indefinite break in the middle of a government shutdown isn’t sitting well with some in his conference — and that could put pressure on the speaker to change course.

– From frustration over the stalled vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, to questions about whether — as Johnson argues — the chamber really has no business to attend to in Washington, GOP lawmakers are beginning to get antsy.

– Upping the temperature: Unless Congress passes Rep. Jen Kiggans’ (R-Va.) bill to ensure military paychecks keep flowing, troops are set to start missing paychecks on Oct. 15.

What they’re saying: Being home in their districts hasn’t stoped some GOP lawmakers from airing their frustrations.

– “I’m urging the Speaker and our House leadership to immediately pass my bill to ensure our servicemembers, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck while supporting their families, receive the pay they’ve earned.” Kiggans told Axios in a statement after Johnson ruled out bringing her bill up for a vote next week.

Other Republicans who showed signs of breaking with leadership include:

– Rep. John Joyce (R-Penn.), who expressed support for Kiggans’ bill Wednesday, posting on X, “If Congress fails to do its job, our military shouldn’t pay the price.”

– Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who is leading the charge to release the Epstein files, posted on X on Sunday:”Why are we in recess? Because the day we go back into session, I have 218 votes for the discharge petition to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files.”

– Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told Axios in a statement Monday: “The House has so much work to do, why aren’t we coming back in session. We could be doing appropriations, passing important bills, and more,” also noting that not being in session “certainly does avoid the Epstein discharge petition.”

– Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) posted on X Wednesday: “The entire reason a CR is necessary is that Congress has not done its job in passing a timely budget. The Speaker shouldn’t even think about cancelling session for a third straight week.”…

Thursday Morning Open Thread: Staying On MessagePost + Comments (260)

Late Night Open Thread: It’s “ANTIFA!” All the Way Down

by Anne Laurie| October 9, 20252:07 am| 37 Comments

This post is in: Excellent Links, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Republicans in Disarray!, Trump Crime Cartel, Trumpery, Schadenfreude

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THOSE PEOPLE I PARDONED, ACCUSE THEM OF BEING ANTIFA, AND PUTTHEM BACK IN JAIL

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— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 5:11 PM

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OK. It's going to be coming out soon because of the relentless investigations of Pam Bondi and Kash Patel, so I might as well admit it before the news breaks:
I am the General Counsel of Antifa.

— Popehat Agitates And Irritates (@kenwhite.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM

/2 I will be taken into custody for treason shortly.

Honestly it’s a bit of a relief. Let me tell you: being GC of Antifa is not a picnic. I had to do a sexual harassment prevention training the other day and it did NOT go well.

/3 I’ve been trying to get the Vice President of Procurement to sign a contract for three weeks and he keeps sending it back with CAPITALISM IS A DEATH CULT scrawled on it. I think it’s in blood.

/4 I was trying to give a litigation update to the Board of Directors and three of them were wearing those big inflatable animal costumes. They kept squeaking against the leather chairs and I couldn’t concentrate. Then the hippo sprung a leak and made this farting sound for five minutes.

/5 I was also trying to get then to adopt an entity-wide document retention policy to make e-discovery easier and they were just not getting it. NO MAKAYLA THAT DOES NOT MEAN BURNING DOCUMENTS

/6 I know that people think lawyers are pedants but there is a reason to have rules and policies and procedures. And you have to take them seriously. A SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CARRICATURE OF ANDY NGO DOES NOT BELONG IN THE BYLAWS. NO NOT EVEN IN THE APPENDIX…

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Late Night Open Thread: It’s “ANTIFA!” All the Way DownPost + Comments (37)

War for Ukraine Day 1,322: The Cost

by Adam L Silverman| October 8, 20258:51 pm| 10 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

The cost:

The mother of this baby, Tetyana, was killed in a russian strike on Kyiv on Sept 7 — she suffered burns to 90% of her body.

Her premature baby, Nazar, miraculously survived emergency delivery and brain surgery. The father Vadym meets his son for the first time on Oct 7.

❤️‍🩹

Source: United24.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 10:31 AM

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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Since the Dobropillia Counteroffensive Began and to This Day, the Russians Have Already Suffered Over 12,000 Losses – Address by the President

8 October 2025 – 20:30

Dear Ukrainians!

Today, there was a good report from Vasyl Maliuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine. And on our operations: I approved some plans for the Service, our asymmetric responses to Russia’s war. We also discussed the results of our SSU warriors – the Center of Special Operations “A” of the Security Service of Ukraine. They fight on the frontlines alongside other branches of our Defense Forces. Including the Pokrovsk direction and other sectors of the front.

There was also a long report from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi – we spent nearly an hour with him going through all frontline directions, our brigade preparations, and supplies. Right now, the focus is naturally on the Dobropillia operation, our counteroffensive. Since it began and to this day, the Russians have already suffered over 12,000 losses – and that’s just in the Pokrovsk and Dobropillia areas, specifically since August 21. Of those 12,000, more than 7,200 are irrecoverable losses. Our defense continues across all other areas as well. Kupyansk – I want to thank every warrior fighting in the city and its outskirts. The Novopavlivka direction is also challenging, with our active defense efforts continuing and some positive results achieved.

Overall, based on these weeks’ performance, it’s worth highlighting the efforts of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 79th and 82nd Airborne Assault Brigades, and the 425th Separate Assault Regiment. Also, Tactical Group No. 84 of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I also want to thank all Special Operations Forces warriors who, together with the Security Service of Ukraine and the 138th Special Purpose Center of the Military Law Enforcement Service, are clearing Kupyansk of the occupiers. The 15th Brigade of National Guard, the 114th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, and the 144th Separate Mechanized Brigade are also operating in the Kupyansk direction… The Lyman direction is very important: the 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade. The Prydniprovskyi direction: the 40th Coastal Defense Brigade of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 426th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion of the Marine Corps of the Naval Forces, and the 140th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the Marine Corps – thank you! Special recognition goes to the 148th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Airborne Assault Forces – well done! And the 414th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade – thank you! Specifically, regarding Dobropillia, I want to highlight the recent successes of the warriors of the 1st Separate Assault Regiment, the battalions of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, and the 33rd Separate Assault Regiment. I thank every soldier, sergeant, and officer who are performing their tasks with true bravery and exceptional skill.

Also today, following our Third Defense Industries Forum, we met with representatives of companies and businesses – and not just our Ukrainian businesses – who work on developing our weapons production and our joint projects with partners. We highly value every tangible outcome in our defense collaboration. Ukraine is achieving truly significant results, as demonstrated, in particular, by our long-range sanctions against Russia. According to our data, the fuel shortage in Russia is already approaching 20% – this specifically concerns their gasoline. They’ve now begun tapping into diesel reserves, which they’ve been saving for a rainy day. Putin has been offered many times to end the war or at least cease fire. He spurned all proposals – ours, America’s. So, it’s only fair that Russia bears the war’s full cost. The weapons producers are ensuring that. Our long-range strikes have become more precise. Partners are preparing new sanctions decisions, and we are working on those sanctions directions that previously received less attention. We are preparing new meetings with the United States and meetings in Europe. What‘s important – we don’t reject any real path to peace. But we believe that only pressure on Russia will work, and I thank everyone around the world who is helping us, Ukraine, in exactly this way – strongly, decisively, and with tools and decisions that impact Russia. I thank our people!

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

Despite mass arrests and threats from the illegitimate gov’t, Georgian protesters are getting ready for Day 315 of uninterrupted protests in 8+ cities. This is Tbilisi. 🇬🇪✊

“The river of people will keep on flowing!”

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 11:34 AM

Georgia continues to protest.
Day 315

#GeorgiaProtests

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 1:43 PM

Day 315 of uninterrupted, nationwide #GeorgiaProtests. ✊🇬🇪

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM

Rustaveli Avenue is packed on Day 315 of uninterrupted, nationwide protests in Georgia.

Yesterday, GD threatened the protest with provocations and threats, so even more people showed up today. #GeorgiaProtests

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 12:14 PM

1/ Georgian Dream`s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze responded to Western criticism regarding the October 4 elections.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 7:10 AM

2/ “Europe, as such, is not a panacea, Europe was Mr. Goebbels as well, who was known for this kind of propaganda. What we heard from the European bureaucracy, those shameful lies and disgraceful statements, was truly a continuation of Goebbels-style propaganda,” Kobakhidze said.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 7:10 AM

3/ For the 2025 local elections, the Central Election Commission registered international observers from 28 organisations. There was no OSCE/ODIHR mission in Georgia, as the Georgian Dream government sent the invitation less than a month before the elections.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 7:10 AM

4/ According to OSCE/ODIHR, they could not deploy a mission because “an invitation sent less than one month before election day does not leave sufficient time for credible and meaningful observation.”

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 7:10 AM

5/ Additionally, 27 local monitoring groups were accredited, with more than 7,000 observers, most of whom were affiliated with Georgian Dream.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 7:10 AM

PM said: “The State Department should act responsibly and demonstrate that it is not acting under outside influence, but rather in accordance with the objective interests of the American people. The simplest proof of this would be to condemn the attempt to overthrow the government”.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 7:21 AM

🚨 12 more people arrested over October 4 rally

Deputy Interior Minister Alekander Darakhvelidze announced at a special briefing that so far, 35 people have been detained as part of the ongoing investigation into the October 4 case.

#GeorgiaProtests #RepressionInGeorgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) October 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM

In the past few days, GD has arrested at least 26 people—and counting. The self-proclaimed PM keeps threatening protesters who gather daily on Rustaveli Ave. Yesterday, they even sent provocateurs to stir conflict.

Despite it all, even more people showed up today. Day 315. 🇬🇪✊

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 11:52 AM

Just in: According to the GD Deputy Interior Minister, 12 more people were arrested today in connection with the October 4 protests — bringing the total number of detainees to 35.

The total number of political prisoners in Georgia has now surpassed 100.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 2:18 PM

Zurab Chavchanidze is one of those arrested under the criminal code by GD in Georgia today.

#TerrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 4:57 PM

🚨 Zurab Chavchanidze, the flagbearer of the #Batumi protests, arrested and transferred to #Tbilisi.
💢The 58yo IDP from #Abkhazia is known for carrying the EU&Georgian flags, together with an old tricolor flag he brought from Russian-occupied Sokhumi.

💢 batumelebi.ge/articles-in-…
#GeorgiaProtests

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) October 8, 2025 at 11:45 AM

He’s the same prison chief who summoned Giorgi Bachiashvili to Gldani Prison, brought him into his office, and told him he had to transfer all his assets to Ivanishvili.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 2:48 AM

1/ Giorgi Kinoyan, who was detained in Armenia on September 8, has been released. The information was reported by his lawyer, Ani Chatinyan. Today, after 36 days of imprisonment, Giorgi Kinoyan was freed following the application of the principle of non-repatriation.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 3:49 PM

2/ Russia accuses the Georgian citizen of fighting on the side of Ukraine. On October 25, 2024, Kinoyan was sentenced to 77 years in prison by the so-called court of occupied Donetsk. He was arrested in Armenia based on a wanted notice issued by the Russian Federation.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 3:49 PM

The EU:

russia escalates by the day.

Belgian government must stop blocking EU reparation loan, part of which will go for procuring European weapons for Ukraine.

Defeating russia in Ukraine is the best security guarantee for Belgium and the entire Europe. For that, long-term predictable funding is crucial.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 8:29 AM

[Belgium] has spent three years saying Euroclear is Belgian and so are the benefits,” said one senior EU diplomat involved in talks on the matter. “Now, when it wants to share the risks, it claims Euroclear is European.”
🇧🇪🇪🇺🇺🇸
on.ft.com/4nGTIEj

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— Iikka Korhonen (@iikkakorhonen.bsky.social) October 8, 2025 at 12:25 AM

From The Financial Times:

Belgium is under growing pressure to allow the use of frozen Russian assets for a “reparations loan” to Ukraine after Berlin and other western capitals shifted their stance.

About €190bn in Russian sovereign assets held at Euroclear, the Brussels-based central securities depository, were frozen in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But many western nations, including the US, Germany and Belgium, were reluctant to access the funds for fear of legal and financial repercussions.

Europe’s position has changed in recent weeks, particularly after the Trump administration called on G7 allies to seize “or otherwise use” Russia’s underlying assets “to fund Ukraine’s defence”, according to a US position paper seen by the Financial Times.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote in a recent FT op-ed that €140bn of those funds should be used as a loan to arm Ukraine. The European Commission has since laid out how such a “reparations loan” could be structured, arguing that Moscow should bear the costs of President Vladimir Putin’s illegal war.

But Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has asked the other 26 EU countries to cover the legal and financial risks associated with this loan, and to guarantee the full amount to avoid Belgium having to pay it back.

His stance has drawn condemnation from other capitals, particularly since Euroclear’s profits have been subject to Belgian corporate tax.

“[Belgium] has spent three years saying Euroclear is Belgian and so are the benefits,” said one senior EU diplomat involved in talks on the matter. “Now, when it wants to share the risks, it claims Euroclear is European.”

Patience with the Belgian officials was running thin, said three diplomats involved in the preparations for another round of EU talks on Wednesday.

Other capitals argue that Ukraine’s predicament requires solidarity, and point out that Poland agreed to host the main supply hub for arms to Ukraine, and Denmark to send F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv without asking for risks to be shared by others.

“There is no more low-hanging fruit,” said another EU diplomat. “Everyone has to do what they can.”

Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires Republicans to act in good faith.

Not all heroes wear capes.

Donald Trump found guilty as fuck – May 30, 2024!

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

Republicans do not trust women.

75% of people clapping liked the show!

Celebrate the fucking wins.

My right to basic bodily autonomy is not on the table. that’s the new deal.

Disagreements are healthy; personal attacks are not.

How stupid are these people?

“woke” is the new caravan.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

Republicans: The threats are dire, but my tickets are non-refundable!

Every one of the “Roberts Six” lied to get on the court.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

They spent the last eight months firing professionals and replacing them with ideologues.

This must be what justice looks like, not vengeful, just peaceful exuberance.

Welcome to day five of every-bit-as-bad-as-you-thought-it-would-be.

Shut up, hissy kitty!

Our job is not to persuade republicans but to defeat them.

Jack Smith: “Why did you start campaigning in the middle of my investigation?!”

“I was told there would be no fact checking.”

The rest of the comments were smacking Boebert like she was a piñata.

Open Thread: Letitia James Is Indicted by Trump, Remains Uncowed

Judge Grants “In Part” the Request for the Temporary Restraining Order Against National Guard Deployment in Illinois

Open Thread: Enjoying the GOP Disarray

Thursday Late Morning Share the News Open Thread

Thursday Morning Open Thread: Staying On Message

Late Night Open Thread: It’s “ANTIFA!” All the Way Down

War for Ukraine Day 1,322: The Cost

Since the Dobropillia Counteroffensive Began and to This Day, the Russians Have Already Suffered Over 12,000 Losses – Address by the President