Frank D. Russo

bit.lyJudge says Trump could disenfranchise voters in purge of noncitizens from election rollsA judge is unlikely to issue a final ruling on the Trump administration's claim that noncitizens are registered to vote in California until after Election Day.

District Court Judge says Trump could disenfranchise voters in purge of noncitizens from election rolls--Not likely to reach final decision until after election CalMatters Seemed skeptical of the Trump admin demand ballots be set aside May appoint special master to review evidence bit.ly/4BwXvv5

CNN has breaking news that the DOJ was not able to secure an indictment of Cassidy Hutchison today in proceedings before a grand jury The news is breaking out about this The DOJ that can't shoot straight!

bit.lyE.P.A. to Loosen Methane Rules for Oil Firms (Gift Article)The Biden administration had sought to crack down on methane leaks, a big driver of climate change. Those rules are now being scaled back.

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Trump to Loosen Rules for Oil Firms on Methane, a Potent Warming Gas NYT Biden admin sought to crack down on methane leaks, a big driver of climate change. Those rules now being scaled back It's as if he is trying to kill us--What more could he possibly do to heat our planet? bit.ly/4e14uSV

bit.lyLive updates: No clear winner in Israeli election, exit polls suggest, with Netanyahu’s fate in the balanceIsrael’s election ended with no clear winner, exit polls indicate, likely setting off weeks of jockeying. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's fate lies in the balance.

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Live: No clear winner in Israeli election, exit polls suggest, with Netanyahu’s fate in balance AP Could be weeks of jockeying before leader is declared Exit polls have MOE Very high turnout Anti-Netanyahu activists part of leftist org The Pink Front celebrated early returns bit.ly/3WekdIa

Dems Hold Narrow Senate Edge; Rating Changes for Senate, House & Governors Sabato's Crystal Ball SENATE: 49 at least Leans D, 46 at least Leans R, 5 Toss-ups Maine and Texas emerging as likely majority-making contests HOUSE: 225 at least Leans D, 193 at least Leans R, 17 Toss-ups bit.ly/4itQMJQ

Sabato's Crystal Ball UVA Center for Politics All movement for Senate, House, and Governors are towards the Democrats as we reach final week bit.ly/4itQMJQ

Sabato's Crystal Ball UVA Center for Politics All movement for Senate, House, and Governors are towards the Democrats as we reach final week 17 changes in House races towards Dems! bit.ly/4itQMJQ

bit.lyA 28-Year-Old DOGE Operative Gutted USAID. HR Had No Record of Him Working ThereDespite the agency's human resources department saying he hadn’t even been onboarded, Jeremy Lewin oversaw the destruction of USAID. It’s not clear he had the legal authority to do so.

28-Year-Old DOGE Operative Gutted USAID. HR Had No Record of Him Working There Wired Agency's human resources department said he hadn’t even been onboarded. He lacked legal authority to act Court asked to reinstate employees to their USAID jobs with back pay Trump/Musk FUBAR move bit.ly/3W6V6Hj

bit.lyJudge throws out new charges against ex-FBI officials in Hunter Biden probeThe unsigned and unsworn superseding complaint comes just hours before the defendants were due to appear in federal court in Washington, D.C. for a preliminary hearing.

Judge blasts prosecutors, refuses to sign new criminal complaint against ex-FBI officials accused of lying to Congress about government’s probes of Hunter Biden CNBC “This has to get to a grand jury” This is Kafkaesque hanky-panky attempt at retribution by Trump DOJ bit.ly/4ikeCHF

bit.lyTrump’s coup begins. It’s alarming...yet weak | Will Bunch NewsletterPlus, why are media outlets ignoring a Trump rape allegation?

Trump’s coup begins. It’s alarming...yet weak Will Bunch PA Inquirer Gift Moves are inarguably a brand of White House election meddling more aggressive than what preceded Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection and are thus some of the gravest threats to democracy in the nation’s 250-year history bit.ly/4yJ4VZq

bit.lyTrump Delivers Surefire Closing Message for Midterms: Check Out Nicki Minaj's 'Beautiful Ass'President Donald Trump spent part of a midterm rally in Michigan praising the "beautiful"'" butt of Nicki Minaj, before she spoke at the event.

Trump Delivers Surefire Closing Message for Midterms Check Out Nicki Minaj’s ‘Beautiful Ass’ Rolling Stone President's posterior fixation continues with election just a week away New message sure to assuage concerns about war abroad & brutal economy at home Does dirty old man work? bit.ly/4i7gFQB

New poll shows neck-and-neck Senate race in South Carolina: Darline Graham (R)47% Annie Andrews (D)46% FOX South Carolina Republican ahead 51% to 41% in Governor race Poll Oct. 16-25 of 1,200 registered voters has MOE of +/- 2.77%. Result based on 895 likely or already-voted voters bit.ly/4zZF3d2

bit.lyFormer SC governors Beasley and Hodges endorse Annie Andrews in Senate raceTwo former South Carolina governors have endorsed Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews in the state’s heated U.S. Senate race.

Former SC governors Beasley and Hodges endorse Annie Andrews in Senate race FOX South Carolina Former Republican governor David Beasley and Democratic governor Jim Hodges threw their support behind Andrews in a video published by her campaign Monday bit.ly/3W93Psz

bit.lyDemocratic candidate El-Sayed leads Michigan U.S. Senate race, new poll findsMichigan voters were asked in a recent poll how they felt about the U.S. Senate race.

Democratic candidate El-Sayed leads Michigan U.S. Senate 51.4% to 45.1% new poll finds WDIV/Detroit News poll finds El-Sayed leads, but Rogers remains within striking distance Undecided: 3.6% Survey of 600 likely voters 10/19 to 10/22 Before Obama and Trump rallies GOTV! bit.ly/3USqdWG

U.S. Senate contest in Maine, Jackson receives 49% to 47% for Collins Marist Poll Among independents likely to vote Jackson (50%) leads Collins (41%). Jackson has 9-point advantage against Collins among registered voters up from the 4-point edge Jackson had earlier this month GOTV! bit.ly/4iqCzgx

bit.lyElection Officials Fear Trump Administration’s Interference in Midterms Voting (Gift Article)State and local plans for Election Day include how to react to potential ICE raids, misbehavior by federal election monitors and attempts to seize votes or machines.

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The New Worst-Case Scenario for Election Officials: Federal Interference NYT State & local plans for Election Day include how to react to ICE raids, misbehavior by federal election monitors & attempts to seize votes or machines Used to plan for natural emergencies now it's Trump! bit.ly/47Kf79b

bit.lyCourt Rejects Trump Administration Bid to Set Aside California Mail-in BallotsThe appeals panel had expressed skepticism of claims of noncitizen voting.

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Court Rejects Trump Admin Bid to Set Aside California Mail-in Ballots WSJ Panel had expressed skepticism of claims of noncitizen voting, in a rare weekend court hearing 9th Circuit ruled 2-1 DOJ wasn’t entitled to emergency order segregating ballots Trial court hearing today bit.ly/4zZrF8M

bit.lyMassive Groups of Volunteers Are Ready to Face Down ICE at the PollsFrom heat maps to Signal chats to war rooms, volunteers across the US are ready to act if federal immigration agents show up on Election Day.

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Massive Groups of Volunteers Are Ready to Face Down ICE at the Polls Wired From heat maps to Signal chats to war rooms, volunteers across the US ready to act if federal immigration agents show up on Election Day Common Cause, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Indivisible bit.ly/4BsAfOT

bit.lyFlurry of Diplomacy in Iran Amid Reports of U.S. and Israeli Plans to Renew War (Gift Article)Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan made a rare joint visit to Tehran amid reports that the U.S. and Israel were drawing up plans to renew their attacks on Iran.

Flurry of Diplomacy in Iran as Regional Countries Try to Stave Off War NYT Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan "The Mecca Pact" made a rare joint visit to Tehran amid reports that the U.S. and Israel were drawing up plans to renew their attacks on Iran This is a good sign I think bit.ly/4Bt3ocA

bit.lyLosing the ‘Big-Ass Truck’ VoteDonald Trump won big in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley in 2024—but now Latino voters are turning on him.

Losing the ‘Big-Ass Truck’ Vote Atlantic Trump won big in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley in 2024 but now Latino voters turning on him Signs for Republican Congressional candidate with Trump giving a thumbs-up: "Trump Endorsed and Support ICE!" (Paid for by County Democrats) Says it all bit.ly/4yGkAsE

Early vote tracker: who has voted so far in 2026 · Call the Map 27,616,326 in 46 states +6% ballots vs the same point of 2022 in 6 states Look up by state--updated daily bit.ly/4zCDTnr

bit.lyOpinion | The Midterms Are Next Week. Here’s Who We Think Will Win. (Gift Article)It’s crunch time and still looking bullish for Democrats.

The Midterms Are Next Week. Here’s Who We Think Will Win NYT Great news for the Democrats--The House is flipping and the Senate looks to flip by 5 of 6 analysts with one on fence Read conclusions & analysis in this lengthy & meaty article And then work to get our vote to polls! bit.ly/4zcedOU

Nebraska Senate Race a Dead Heat GBAO Poll Trump underwater in state Republican Incumbent Ricketts has -12 favorability Independent Osborn has statically insignificant 1 point lead in new survey of 800 voters Partisan poll but it is close to to others showing Ricketts ahead by 2 to 3 points

bit.lyTrump DOJ unlawfully fired Epstein prosecutor Maurene Comey, judge rulesThe judge ordered that Comey, the daughter of ex-FBI director James Comey, be retroactively reinstated to her job as an assistant United States attorney.

Trump DOJ unlawfully fired Epstein prosecutor Maurene Comey, judge rules CNBC Judge Jesse Furman ordered that Comey daughter of former FBI director James Come, be retroactively reinstated to her job She was involved with prosecutions of Epstein & his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell bit.ly/3W78A5U

bit.lyTrump to Rally in Mississippi as Democrats Eye Shock Senate Flip: Midterm Elections Updates

Trump to Rally in Mississippi as Democrats Hope for Shock Senate Flip NYT Latest sign of how Republicans are on defense even in deep-red areas of the country Dems increasingly bullish on Senate nominee Scott Colom, a district attorney, viral ads and tone deaf incumbent 3 articles bit.ly/4ilI9AS

bit.lyTens of thousands of Israeli expats fly home to vote in seismic electionTens of thousands of Israeli citizens abroad, including hundreds from Australia, are travelling to Israel to vote in the country's most consequential election in decades.

Thousands of Israeli expats including Australians fly home to vote in election against Netanyahu Political activists have mobilized to bring thousands of overseas Israeli citizens to the country to vote 67,000 returning to Israel with 1,000 from Australia No Vote by Mail! bit.ly/4spCTAA

bit.lyElon Musk, the vulnerable Leviathan | RapporteurToday's Leviathan is a hyper-empowered individual, unbound by a social contract. But Europe can still restrain him

Elon Musk, the vulnerable Leviathan Rapporteur A hyper-empowered individual unbound by social contract. But Europe thinks he can be restrained Ian Fleming portrayed villains who could blackmail governments & threaten entire societies from beyond the reach of state power Read this bit.ly/47J90lp

bit.lyThe Secret Terms of Trump’s Venezuelan Oil DealThe Trump administration committed the U.S. to taking a large stake in a Venezuelan company, some of whose owners and investors are shielded from public view. The exact details of the agreement over o...

The Secret Terms of Trump’s Venezuelan Oil Deal ProPublica Corporate Firewall: To prevent future presidents & Venezuelan leaders from changing or dismantling it Years before it produces enough oil to be statistically significant share for US Corruption & money laundering Read bit.ly/4i5ekFP

bit.lyRepublicans struggle for an answer to Democrats’ Medicaid attacksDemocrats across battleground districts are holding Republicans’ feet to the fire over the Medicaid cuts in their signature One Big Beautiful Bill law. In advertisements and on debate stages,…

Republicans struggle for an answer to Democrats’ Medicaid attacks The Hill Dems in ads are holding Republicans’ feet to the fire over cuts in One Big Beautiful Bill Hammering them over reducing Medicaid by $1 trillion to pay for tax cuts for wealthy individuals & corporations bit.ly/3U2P4qC

Others are avoiding the issue. California Rep. David Valadao (R) running for reelection in a district with one of the highest Medicaid populations nationwide defended his vote for the law “There are no actual cuts” to Medicaid he said during a recent debate The district isn't buying it!

bit.lyCommentary: Ohio incumbent US Sen. Jon Husted's campaign is trying to portray Sherrod Brown as the incumbent • Ohio Capital JournalAn Ohio Republican strategist told the New York Times that the campaign of Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted is trying to portray Sherrod Brown as the incumbent in the race amid backlash against th...

Ohio incumbent US Sen. Jon Husted’s campaign is trying to portray Sherrod Brown as the incumbent Ohio Capital Journal Will strategy of ‘Artificial Incumbency’ work amid backlash to the party in power in Washington? This is a weird switcharoo Husted like Ravaswamy is desperate! bit.ly/4ikasQ2

bit.lyHouse Judiciary Democrats release 50-page report on Trump’s alleged involvement in Epstein filesThe report — issued just eight days before the election — makes multiple, uncorroborated allegations against the president while also detailing discrepancies in his statements about Epstein.

House Judiciary Democrats release 50-page report on Trump’s alleged involvement in Epstein files MS NOW Report issued just eight days before election — details discrepancies in his statements about Epstein, corroborated and uncorroborated allegations against Trump Detailed article bit.ly/3TUAxgE

bit.lyHouse Judiciary Democrats want a special counsel to investigate Trump's ties to EpsteinTheir new report also makes the case for more federal support to assist with state and foreign prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirators.

House Judiciary Democrats want a special counsel to investigate Trump’s ties to Epstein Politico Their new report also makes case for more federal support to assist with state & foreign prosecutions of Epstein’s co-conspirators Link to the report in article so you can read it bit.ly/4zPvRHT

bit.lyLula’s Upset Is a Win for the Rule of Law and a Blow to TrumpThe leftist leader’s surprising victory over the favored far-right candidate should be celebrated—and perhaps emulated—by supporters of democracy worldwide.

Lula’s Upset Is a Win for the Rule of Law and a Blow to Trump by Perry Bacon Leftist leader’s surprising victory over favored far-right candidate should be celebrated—perhaps emulated—by supporters of democracy Read the backstory about Zuckerberg, Trump & right wing villains bit.ly/3WvK8Lv

Frank D. Russo reposted

CNN

@cnn.com

Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed joked about President Donald Trump's frequent comments on physical appearances, saying at a rally in Grand Rapids that he won't let the president "see mine."

Frank D. Russo reposted

The Mirror

@mirror.co.uk

People have been left feeling dumb after only just learning what something they say almost every day means.

mirror.co.ukPeople 'feel stupid' after discovering what AM and PM actually mean

bit.lyBrazil's left-wing President Lula elected for fourth termBrazil's 80-year-old left-wing leader President Lula defeats Flávio Bolsonaro in a bitterly contested runoff.

Brazil's President Lula elected for fourth term NPR KQED In political comeback Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva elected president per official results from today's runoff More than 96% of votes counted he has more than 51% of defeating Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, who received more than 48% bit.ly/4yEChZu

bit.lyBrazil Election Live Updates: Lula Wins Re-Election as Flávio Bolsonaro Rejects Result (Gift Article)President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s win ended a string of conservative victories in Latin America. His opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro, called for the election to be annulled.

Lula Wins Re-Election as Bolsonaro Rejects Result HYT Win ended a string of conservative victories in Latin America. Flávio Bolsonaro, supported by Trump called for election to be annulled After judge ordered polls to remain open additional 2 hours — requested by both campaigns bit.ly/3W7a7J7

Right wing Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić concedes defeat in fiercely contested parliamentary election Guardian Increasingly authoritarian 12-year reign looks to have been ended by record turnout of voters in election provoked by student-led protests Seismic political shift bit.ly/4socnHX

bit.lyUS military gives Elon Musk’s SpaceX access to sensitive tracking dataThis gives the company an advantage in tracking objects in orbit, raising national security concerns and fears of greater control over the space industry

US military gives Elon Musk’s SpaceX access to sensitive tracking data Guardian Gives company advantage in tracking objects in orbit raising national security concerns & fears of greater control over space industry Is Trump handing over traffic control in Earth’s orbit to donor? bit.ly/4zadvSg

Reminds me of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address in 1961 warning against the establishment of a "military-industrial complex" A warning to his successors Especially after Musk cut off Ukraine in it's time of peril with no guardrails or review Trump is no Eisenhower!

bit.lyScoop: Netanyahu presses Trump for more support ahead of tight Tuesday electionOne U.S. official sees the pressure campaign as a "sign of desperation" for his campaign.

Netanyahu presses Trump for more support ahead of tight Tuesday election Axios White House sees Netanyahu's aggressive lobbying as "sign of desperation" and indication he's trailing Will finally face criminal corruption trial if he loses Winning is his get out of jail card bit.ly/4jFSFoO

bit.lySan Francisco Courtroom 2 1:00 PM 10/25

Watch Ninth Circuit Oral Argument in California Ballot Case! TODAY 1 P.M. Pacific Time Link from Election Law Blog to watch on YouTube bit.ly/4eRl9Zk

nyti.msMaría Corina Machado Returns to Venezuela (Gift Article)After nearly 10 months in exile, Ms. Machado, the Nobel laureate and leader of Venezuela’s opposition, returned to challenge leaders who have sidelined her and press for new elections.

María Corina Machado, Venezuela’s Leading Opposition Figure, Returns Home NYT After 10 months in exile Nobel laureate and leader of Venezuela’s opposition, returns to challenge leaders who have sidelined her and press for new elections Tensions high between Trump and Machado nyti.ms/3U0Yi6J

bit.lyOpinion | Thomas L. Friedman: We Just Set Off the Second Big Bang (Gift Article)Humanity is entering its most dangerous era yet.

Thomas L. Friedman: We Just Set Off the Second Big Bang NYT How to survive AI and other “godlike” powers Must read or watch: Transcript or video World War I, World War II, Vietnam. Rise of the internet. Fall of the Berlin Wall. Opening to China But this one really is the big one bit.ly/4idvnEl

bit.lyVideo: Obama Sharply Criticizes Trump on Campaign TrailFormer President Barack Obama attacked the Trump administration on Saturday as he hit the campaign trail before the midterm elections.

Obama Sharply Criticizes Trump on Campaign Trail Former President Barack Obama attacked the Trump administration on Saturday as he hit the campaign trail before the midterm elections NYT Powerful speeches in Ohio and Michigan Closing with a message to VOTE, Don't Boo bit.ly/3W0w2BO

The Trump Bribe State From Can We Still Govern? Trump accounts use automation to help the wealthy while making social programs inaccessible In his closing midterm pitch to voters Trump has not been subtle. If Republicans win you get paid. If not, tough luck Reject this transaction! bit.ly/47El8nU

bit.lyWhy California’s landmark climate law matters as much today as it did in 2006OPINION: Twenty years ago, California passed AB32, and no law better demonstrates our progress and failures in confronting climate change, contributing columnist Joe Mathews writes.

Why California’s landmark climate law matters as much today as it did in 2006 by Joe Matthews SF Chron Gift Article Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 remains in effect & enjoys support of 75% of state residents We have reduced per-capita greenhouse gas emissions by 29%! bit.ly/4sHQsMh

bit.lyHow Trump Gave the Worst Polluters a Free Pass (Gift Article)The president temporarily waived clean-air rules for industrial facilities that spew cancer-causing gases. Then his appointees worked to gut the regulations altogether.

Good news is above and should inspire us The bad news: How Trump Gave the Worst Polluters A Free Pass Dirtier Air Dirtier Water Elections matter! Trump exempted 202 facilities in 39 states & Puerto Rico from clean-air regulations that were going into effect Get the vote out! bit.ly/4smxdr8