Pete said it, “he does his homework.” His answers are always detailed because he knows what he’s talking about. It’s easy to be good at your job when you KNOW it.
📢 Grandparents, We Must Sound the Alarm: Our Tax Dollars Are Funding a Police State
Dear Beloved Grandparents,
It’s time we speak plainly.
As we sit around our kitchen tables, our children and grandchildren are being forced to grow up in a country that is sliding closer and closer to authoritarian rule — and we are being made to fund it.
⚠️ The Senate’s version of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Reconciliation Bill” includes massive ICE funding — funneling billions of our tax dollars into:
Masked federal agents in unmarked vans
Coordinated, abusive raids in communities across the country
The kidnapping of long-time residents — including legal immigrants — under vague suspicions
A growing federal police force operating with no transparency or civil rights oversight
This is not border security. This is state-sponsored terror, paid for by working Americans like you and me.
And it gets worse.
During a recent visit with El Salvador’s president, Trump boasted about plans to deport “homegrown” people — a chilling phrase that should strike fear in any true patriot. It implies citizens — born and raised here — could be targeted for political reasons, ethnicity, activism, or simple dissent.
Let us be clear: this is the language of fascism.
We’ve read about this in history books. Hitler’s party didn’t start with death camps. It started by vilifying immigrants, imprisoning critics, and passing laws that funded paramilitary forces while silencing opposition — all under the guise of “order.”
That is the road we are now on.
🛑 But we can still turn around — if we act now.
✅ Call your U.S. Senators and Representatives. Demand they vote no on this ICE expansion buried in Trump’s reconciliation bill.
✅ Support independent media — they are uncovering what corporate outlets are ignoring. Share, subscribe, and spread the truth.
✅ Educate your family and neighbors — especially young voters and those raised on right-wing news.
✅ Remind your communities: We’ve seen this before. We must never be silent again.
📣 Grandparents — we are the protectors of memory and the guardians of democracy.
Let us honor that duty now.
🇺🇸 Peaceful resistance. Public truth. People before power.
Assuming America is allowed vote, without MAGA cheating, 2026 will be the American's last chance to stop the fascist takeover peacefully. Big If. But if that is not allowed to happen, it'll be when American's find a new fascination with pitchforks and torches that their previously comfortable lifestyle couldn't afford.
You mentioned getting care in the emergency department, if the hospital has been closed there is no emergency department to go to. Rural people will, if they have enough time and resources, have to travel quite a long way to get any help at all! As a senior I really don’t think I’d bother so it would hasten my death. Too bad the Republican leadership can’t be charged with negligence that resulted in murder.
This was great, thank you. I listened to it live. Jon Tester doesn't hold back much, does he? (Also, people think potty training is a good milestone, or learning to drive a car, but so far my favorite milestone has been when they learn to wipe their own rear ends.)
Senate Republicans are completely awash in their own bullshit. Though Tester didn't mention, one of the most recent Profiles in Weenydom has to be sad Lisa Murkowski.
On Saturday night, she spent three hours wandering around the Senate floor, pimping herself out to anybody willing to buy her nonsense, promising her little bits of corrupt this and little bits of we'll-exempt-Alaska-from-that in exchange for her vote to put this Big Ugly Pile of Financially Incoherent Cruel Slop up for a vote.
In the end, the Senate Parliamentarian told her she could park all that nonsense at the door. So she sold her soul....for diddly-squat. As have the rest of them. They can claim "concern" and "independence" til the cows come home. About as independent as an organ-grinder's monkey. I pray to God with our hard work we'll send these spineless, brainless weenies straight to the woodshed without supper next year.
Well said!!! Murkowski always sells OUT! Including by voting in the beer drunkard entitled to women’s private parts…ok with her..ok with her when POTUS-takes away everyone else’s rights!
I agree. Lisa Murkowski has done this exact same thing every single time. It’s so infuriating! If I were the press, I wouldn’t even bother to interview her, maybe that way she will realize how non-relevant she is
Pete is one of the absolute smartest Americans: smart, articulate, thoughtful, compassionate. This Canadian would love to see him become President Buttigieg in my lifetime.
What I believe folks aren't understanding is that this is putting a huge amount of people that were gainfully employed now out of work when these nursing homes and inevitably hospitals close. So, when people think well this doesn't effect me- I do not use Medicaid or Medicare- it will inevitably effect everyone.
People will end up in ER, they will still need care, those folks on private insurance that still have their jobs will now be paying much more to cover this. So it will across the board affect all of us ( except the top 0.2%)
I absolutely love you Pete!!! I unfortunately, think that this country is not ready for a gay president. It is so sad that a 34 count felon can get elected, but a person of integrity, like yourself, would probably face discrimination. Wishing you and your family the very best.💙🩵💙
Pete said it, “he does his homework.” His answers are always detailed because he knows what he’s talking about. It’s easy to be good at your job when you KNOW it.
No lie detected!
Talk is great, we know what is wrong with the administration. Who will lead and how can these fascists be STOPPED?
🧵 SUBSTACK POST 🧵
📢 Grandparents, We Must Sound the Alarm: Our Tax Dollars Are Funding a Police State
Dear Beloved Grandparents,
It’s time we speak plainly.
As we sit around our kitchen tables, our children and grandchildren are being forced to grow up in a country that is sliding closer and closer to authoritarian rule — and we are being made to fund it.
⚠️ The Senate’s version of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Reconciliation Bill” includes massive ICE funding — funneling billions of our tax dollars into:
Masked federal agents in unmarked vans
Coordinated, abusive raids in communities across the country
The kidnapping of long-time residents — including legal immigrants — under vague suspicions
A growing federal police force operating with no transparency or civil rights oversight
This is not border security. This is state-sponsored terror, paid for by working Americans like you and me.
And it gets worse.
During a recent visit with El Salvador’s president, Trump boasted about plans to deport “homegrown” people — a chilling phrase that should strike fear in any true patriot. It implies citizens — born and raised here — could be targeted for political reasons, ethnicity, activism, or simple dissent.
Let us be clear: this is the language of fascism.
We’ve read about this in history books. Hitler’s party didn’t start with death camps. It started by vilifying immigrants, imprisoning critics, and passing laws that funded paramilitary forces while silencing opposition — all under the guise of “order.”
That is the road we are now on.
🛑 But we can still turn around — if we act now.
✅ Call your U.S. Senators and Representatives. Demand they vote no on this ICE expansion buried in Trump’s reconciliation bill.
✅ Support independent media — they are uncovering what corporate outlets are ignoring. Share, subscribe, and spread the truth.
✅ Educate your family and neighbors — especially young voters and those raised on right-wing news.
✅ Remind your communities: We’ve seen this before. We must never be silent again.
📣 Grandparents — we are the protectors of memory and the guardians of democracy.
Let us honor that duty now.
🇺🇸 Peaceful resistance. Public truth. People before power.
In Solidarity,
Clarissa Sr, an American Grandma
#GrandparentsForDemocracy #IndependentMediaMatters #DefundICE #StopThePoliceState #GoodTrouble #ProtectOurFuture
Assuming America is allowed vote, without MAGA cheating, 2026 will be the American's last chance to stop the fascist takeover peacefully. Big If. But if that is not allowed to happen, it'll be when American's find a new fascination with pitchforks and torches that their previously comfortable lifestyle couldn't afford.
A great interview with Jon Tester. A very level headed man who speaks what he thinks and not exactly what the political party's position should be.
You mentioned getting care in the emergency department, if the hospital has been closed there is no emergency department to go to. Rural people will, if they have enough time and resources, have to travel quite a long way to get any help at all! As a senior I really don’t think I’d bother so it would hasten my death. Too bad the Republican leadership can’t be charged with negligence that resulted in murder.
This was great, thank you. I listened to it live. Jon Tester doesn't hold back much, does he? (Also, people think potty training is a good milestone, or learning to drive a car, but so far my favorite milestone has been when they learn to wipe their own rear ends.)
Jon - hope you run again and take back the seat.
Senate Republicans are completely awash in their own bullshit. Though Tester didn't mention, one of the most recent Profiles in Weenydom has to be sad Lisa Murkowski.
On Saturday night, she spent three hours wandering around the Senate floor, pimping herself out to anybody willing to buy her nonsense, promising her little bits of corrupt this and little bits of we'll-exempt-Alaska-from-that in exchange for her vote to put this Big Ugly Pile of Financially Incoherent Cruel Slop up for a vote.
In the end, the Senate Parliamentarian told her she could park all that nonsense at the door. So she sold her soul....for diddly-squat. As have the rest of them. They can claim "concern" and "independence" til the cows come home. About as independent as an organ-grinder's monkey. I pray to God with our hard work we'll send these spineless, brainless weenies straight to the woodshed without supper next year.
Well said!!! Murkowski always sells OUT! Including by voting in the beer drunkard entitled to women’s private parts…ok with her..ok with her when POTUS-takes away everyone else’s rights!
I agree. Lisa Murkowski has done this exact same thing every single time. It’s so infuriating! If I were the press, I wouldn’t even bother to interview her, maybe that way she will realize how non-relevant she is
Murkowski isn't irrelevant.
She's actively destroying our country, and enabling the deaths of hundreds of thousands over the next decade.
Please run again. We need you, Pete, and your wisdom.
I really enjoyed the conversation. I know the pressure for you to commit to running for president in ‘28 is stifling. But, my goodness,
how this country needs you, Pete!
Pete in 2028, then RePete.
Great conversation and Senator Tester, I’m with you Pete’s a rockstar. I so hope he decides to run, I would be all in!
Pete is one of the absolute smartest Americans: smart, articulate, thoughtful, compassionate. This Canadian would love to see him become President Buttigieg in my lifetime.
From Canada. A pleasure to listen to intelligent discussion! More & more I read less of corporate media.
Jon Tester is a prince.
What I believe folks aren't understanding is that this is putting a huge amount of people that were gainfully employed now out of work when these nursing homes and inevitably hospitals close. So, when people think well this doesn't effect me- I do not use Medicaid or Medicare- it will inevitably effect everyone.
People will end up in ER, they will still need care, those folks on private insurance that still have their jobs will now be paying much more to cover this. So it will across the board affect all of us ( except the top 0.2%)
I’m sure they have plenty of trillionaires lined up to take over
Great discussion and insight
I absolutely love you Pete!!! I unfortunately, think that this country is not ready for a gay president. It is so sad that a 34 count felon can get elected, but a person of integrity, like yourself, would probably face discrimination. Wishing you and your family the very best.💙🩵💙
"Conventional Wisdom" said a Democratic Socialist could never win a primary.