Secular Jen 🫘

Live updates: Iran says oil storage facility in Tehran is hit in latest airstrikes Another major explosion rocked Tehran late Saturday as pillars of flame rose above an oil storage facility in Tehran, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised “many surprises” for the next phase of the week-old conflict.

BREAKING: An Iranian drone attack caused “material damage” to a desalination plant, Bahrain said. It is the first time an Arab country has reported Iran striking a desalination plant. Follow live updates.

Prison guards discussed cover-up of Epstein’s death, inmate tells FBI One officer said: “Dudes, you killed that dude.”

NEW: An inmate overheard guards talking about covering up Epstein’s death. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...

Judge: Baltimore ICE hold rooms violated Fifth Amendment, orders immediate limits on detainees A federal judge ruled that Baltimore's ICE office must limit detainees at the George Fallon Building after court documents alleged unconstitutional overcrowding and poor conditions.

Great ruling limiting immigration detention in the Baltimore hold rooms! www.wmar2news.com/news/region/...

Even red states are defiantly rejecting DOJ’s demands for private voter data “Election officials across the political spectrum stood up to protect state sovereignty and voters’ security, regardless of partisanship,” voting rights advocate David Becker told Democracy Docket.

Earlier this week, Idaho became the latest state to push back against the U.S. Department of Justice’s campaign to seize the private voter data of every state. www.democracydocket.com/analysis/eve...

Russia is aiding Iran’s war effort by providing intel on US military targets, sources say | CNN Politics Russia is providing Iran with intelligence about the locations and movements of American troops, ships and aircraft, according to multiple people familiar with US intelligence reporting on the issue, ...

Super shocking. Given that Russia helped our enemies during Vietnam, Korea, and both gulf wars, who could have guessed this would happen. www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/p...

We Crossed the Border Into Oman in the Dead of Night YouTube video by Gabriel Traveler

youtu.be/AhUdLuzbIjA?...

Counterpoint: He's a manic wrecking ball.

Wow.
"The failure to handle routine law enforcement tasks suggests an absolute breakdown of good order and discipline at ICE and CBP. There is literally no reason for the court to have confidence in any representations they make."

No More Benefit Of The Doubt Last Sunday, we discussed a number of cases pending in front of federal district judges in Minneapolis.

Some judicial opinions have to be read in full, like the one I parse for you to night, from Judge Tunheim in Minneapolis.
open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...

It’s about time someone said it out loud on a national news show.

Major Gen. Paul Eaton (ret.) — on Trump’s interest in putting boots on the ground:

“We have a situation where someone called a malignant narcissist is unfortunately drifting into a state of dementia that is difficult to manage.”

Russia first - Lawyers, Guns & Money Russia is providing intelligence about American militray assets to Iran: Russia is providing Iran with targeting information to attack American forces in the Middle East, the first indication that another major U.S. adversary is participating — even indirectly — in the war, according to three officials familiar with the intelligence. The assistance, which has not […]

Russia first

Horrifying.

U.S. May Have Committed War Crime In Sinking Of Iranian Ship The Geneva Conventions say nations have a duty to “take all possible measures” to help rescue victims of shipwrecks. A U.S. submarine left that to Sri Lanka.

“The 312-foot Dena and its 130-member crew, many of them musicians in the Iranian navy band, had just finished participating in an Indian government naval exercise and cultural exchange that the U.S. Navy had also participated in and were on the way home on Wednesday.”

Fox just wants to get their propaganda talking point straight so they don't contradict whatever spin the regime creates.

The enemy is within the White House.

Kelly: "You could pick a random group of people off the street tonight here in DC and they could probably do a better job than our government is doing right now. They don't have a goal, there's no strategic plan. And what this is likely to lead to is, again, a long war with a lot of dead Americans."

Emptywheel Friday - The D'ump Invaded Iran Edition on the Nicole Sandler Show 3-6-26 YouTube video by Nicole Sandler

It's a very busy Emptywheel Friday today. We had a lot of ground to cover! Join Marcy @emptywheel.bsky.social Wheeler and me as she really ties it all up as it's all related. Strap in. Show starts at 3ET/12PT at youtu.be/MkJOfGVvuq8, nicolesandler.com, emptywheel.net, pod, nicolesandler.substack.com

Russia is providing Iran intelligence to target U.S. forces, officials say The targeting information has included the locations of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East, the officials said.

This is interesting. But it is more interesting that Trump is rewarding Moscow for doing this by helping Russia sell oil, repeating Russian propaganda points, and senselessly burning through weapon stocks.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

What Does Russia Have on Trump? Americans Deserve an Answer As Russia reportedly shares intelligence with Iran that could endanger American forces, the White House chooses to ease pressure on Moscow instead of confronting it.

Ukraine offers to help defend the West from Iranian drones.

Russia helps Iran track American forces.

And the White House eases sanctions on Russian oil.

Explain that to the families of U.S. troops. My latest:
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...

Gonzales must resign immediately - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Rep. Tony Gonzales declared he would not seek reelection. Given his disqualifying actions, that is not enough. He must resign immediately.

BREAKING: Rep. Tony Gonzales has admitted to having a sexual relationship with a staffer, a violation of House rules that are there to ensure a safe working environment.

Not seeking reelection isn't good enough. Gonzales must resign immediately.

So nice that they knew exactly where it was and easily took it out. Very reassuring.

So Herrera is now the candidate? In a normal world he would be unelectable. He's an unqualified MAGA Nazi gun nut.

YOU ASKED FOR THIS!

Downfall. Kristi Noem Edition:

She isn't going to be working "alongside" Rubio. She will be working under him in a temporary appointment with no significant responsibilities.

Questions/comments:
-who are these children that were "located"?
-"left" the US is doing a lot of heavy lifting
-FEMA has been completely hamstrung by Noem since she required any expenditure over $100k to be approved by her
-where does this $13 billion figure come from?

Subject: Message from Secretary Kristi Noem Dear Department of Homeland Security Employees, I want to thank you all for the tremendous work you do to keep the Homeland safe, defend American citizens, and protect our way of life. It has been the honor of my life to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and lead you. Over this period, the Department of Homeland Security achieved historic accomplishments to make America safe again: we delivered the MOST secure border in American history, 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S., we have located 145,000 children, FEMA delivered disaster relief at a 100% faster rate, we ushered in the golden age of travel, saved the American taxpayer $13 billion and revitalized the U.S. Coast Guard. Our mission is never complete. I cannot thank you enough for your sacrifice day in and day out to ensure that your families, loved ones, neighbors, and fellow citizens are secure. I look forward to continuing to work with you all in my new role as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas - Western Hemisphere. Now, I will be working alongside Secretary Rubio and Secretary Hegseth to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our country killing our children and grandchildren. In my new role, I will be able to build on the new partnerships and national security expertise I forged over my time as Secretary of Homeland Security. The Western Hemisphere is critical for the safety and security of the US. I want to thank President Trump for giving me this special privilege to lead this Department. My last day as Secretary of Homeland Security will be March 31, 2026. Our success would not have been possible without your hard work. You are all great Americans. God bless you all and our nation, Kristi Noem Secretary of Homeland Security

New—Kristi Noem just sent out this farewell message to DHS employees listing her "accomplishments."

"MOST secure border in history, 3 million illegal aliens have left the US..located 145,000 children, FEMA delivered disaster relief at a 100% faster rate...saved $13 billion."

Full text shared w me:

Cowards.

Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions A public resource tracking the legal challenges to Trump administration executive orders and actions.

Today’s Litigation Tracker updates:

-U.S. investors sue Trump and Bondi alleging the government’s approval of the TikTok deal was illegal

-24 states challenge the admin’s use of Section 122 of the Trade Act to impose a 10% tariff on imports worldwide

www.justsecurity.org/107087/track...

I wonder how Kristi Noem is going to like working for Marco Rubio. Think he will let her keep jetting around in the flying bedroom with Corey? I hope Rubio works her like a dog.

She will be a "Special" Envoy because it is 180 days temporary and she won't have to get Senate advise and consent.