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NATIONAL NUTCASERY
kristi noem goes home
During a hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this week, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) blasted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for being bad at her job. “What we’ve seen is a disaster under your leadership, Ms. Noem,” Tillis said. “What we’ve seen is innocent people getting detained that it turns out are American citizens.” Tillis also criticized Noem for killing her dog, which she wrote about in her memoir. “You decided to kill that dog because you had not invested the appropriate time and training, and then you have the audacity to go into a book and say it’s a leadership lesson about tough choices.”
But wait, there’s more! Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) also grilled Noem for spending $220 million on a DHS media campaign, releasing glitzy ads starring… her. The ads were “effective in [boosting] your name recognition,” Kennedy said. It was those ads, and not her agents murdering Alex Pretti and Renee Good that finally got her the axe. While she told Congress that Trump was all for her ads, he claims he was in the dark about it.
Trump plans to replace Noem with the least-educated member of Congress, Markwayne Mullin, a former MMA fighter and short king who once almost got into a fistfight with the Teamsters’ head during a congressional hearing. Mullin does need Senate confirmation, but this isn’t expected to be an issue, as both John Fetterman and Delaware’s Chris Coons expressed an openness to voting or him.
It is unlikely that he will offer much of a break from Noem, policy-wise. Not sure how heget paid though, since the DHS is still shut down. And don’t worry - Kristi already landed a new job in the administration. She’ll be the “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” a new, fake job for which she’s somehow still not qualified.
iran & its impacts
It’s been about a week since President Donald Trump launched a war against Iran, and his top officials haven’t been able to answer basic questions like: What was the rationale? Is this about regime change, or not? How long will this last? Seven American soldiers are dead, while the war widens into other countries. Guys, can we get a Signal chat going to hash this out?
The U.S. military operation against Iran has already cost billions of dollars, according to an analysis by progressive think tank, Center for American Progress, based on Trump officials’ own description of events. A three-week war could “easily” cost tens of billions of dollars, the analysis reads. Another report estimates that “the first 100 hours of the operation are estimated to cost $3.7 billion, or $891.4 million each day.” “In one fucking month we will spend more over there than we needed to save healthcare for more than 2 million Americans,” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) tweeted. “They literally are taking away your food and your healthcare for this regime change war of choice.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the war could last eight weeks.
While the war continues, Hussein Banai, an associate professor at Indiana University Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, said Indiana will see the economic fallout.
Because the fighting has shut down the Strait of Hormuz, through which more than one-fifth of the global oil supply moves – oil prices are on the rise. In fact, gas is already 20 cents more than it was last week.
from factpostnews
“That means the rise in prices across the board, because transportation costs will go up,” Banai said. “People are going to feel the price hike not only at the pump, but also in supermarkets as well.”
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more like MENghazi, amiright?
The fire-hose of news has been so psychotically powerful recently that we haven’t had a chance to catch up on Epstein, which is exactly what Donald Trump wants. Men will literally bomb Iran to avoid talking about their pedophile friends. But it’s International Women’s Day, so let’s get up to speed:
The big story of the week was the Clinton depositions. They happened last week, but the vid dropped Monday. Both Clintons denied any knowledge of Epstein’s sex trafficking. Hillary Clinton, in particular, was so pissy about being there, which I get. In her words, “How can I answer questions about a person that I don’t believe I ever even met?”
Bill Clinton, for his part, acknowledged knowing Epstein but said their relationship was mostly business.
The DOJ has removed about 65,000 pages of Epstein files. These guys are so desperate to make the story go away. Sorry :/ Some of the files have been restored, including those about the 14-year-old girl who accused Trump of sexual assault.
Bill Gates, top Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler (who just announced her resignation), and billionaire Leon Black have all agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee on their ties to Epstein. So did Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick – one of the highest-profile members of this Epstein Administration.
The House Oversight Committee also voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi over her involvement in the DOJ’s handling of the release of the files. Notably, five Republicans joined in the effort to subpoena her, which shows just how much of a political liability Epstein has become for the GOP. In related news, the DOW is back under 50,000.
STATEWIDE SHENANIGANS
SOS scandal and shakeup
Indiana Secretary of State and person in charge of Indiana’s elections Diego Morales has been barred from the nonpublic areas of the Marion County election services center. The Marion County Election Board voted unanimously to bar the SOS after Morales’ reelection campaign used a video of him speaking with a Marion County election worker on Nov. 5, 2024, as part of a campaign ad released the following May. Marion County Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell told News 8 on Friday afternoon the election workers never consented to being filmed, and reusing video shot in an official capacity for political purposes violates election regulations. Bell said the whole situation could have been avoided if Morales had simply taken the video down when her office asked him to do so.
The board (one Republican and one Democrat, plus Democrat Bell) voted to refer the matter to the state Office of the Inspector General and the State Ethics Commission, as it does not have the authority to levy any further punishments.
Morales called the move “meritless” accused the election board of acting outside its jurisdiction, and “respectfully requests that the Marion County Election
Board terminate this matter immediately and refrain from further proceedings outside its lawful jurisdiction.” Bell said, contrary to the campaign’s assertion, the board never received any correspondence from Morales on the matter.
In other SOS news, former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard will join the increasingly crowded race for Indiana Secretary of State. The former Republican announced Wednesday he will run as an independent, saying both parties are broken, and that he’s especially concerned with the politics of the current Secretary of State, Republican Diego Morales. Independent Indiana, a group that supports independent candidates, released polling that found the former mayor and Marine would be competitive among secretary of state candidates. That polling did, however, place Ballard last among Morales and Beau Bayh, who announced his candidacy for Secretary of State as a Democrat last year.
LOCAL FOCUS
wilson v wilson saga continues
Although she survived a challenge to her candidacy last week before the Indiana Election Commission, Alexandra Wilson’s fight to stay in the May 2026 Republican primary race is not over.
A petition submitted by prominent conservative attorney Jim Bopp claims the Indiana Election Commission wrongly interpreted state law in allowing Alexandra Wilson’s name to remain on the ballot in the Senate District 38 primary. The commission will be represented by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office, which has ties to both Bopp and, apparently, to Brenda Wilson, the other Republican candidate trying to unseat Goode. Previously, Bopp did legal work for the attorney general’s office under a $250,000 contract signed in April 2023, and Brenda Wilson, the other GOP challenger in District 38, serves as an outreach representative for the attorney general’s office, according to her campaign website. Her duties in that position are not clearly stated, but the website says she works directly with communities and law enforcement across the state.
Brenda Wilson is also among the primary challengers endorsed by Trump running against Goode and other Republican senators who in December joined with Democrats in the 31-19 vote defeating the redistricting plan aimed at giving GOP candidates all nine of Indiana’s U.S. House seats. Those candidates visited with Trump in the Oval Office last week.
GOOD TROUBLE
get vote ready!
MADVoters has teamed up with the ACLU of Indiana and Indivisible Central Indiana to launch the Hoosier Voting Alliance - a coalition dedicated to empowering civic engagement across Indiana by ensuring every Hoosier is vote ready!
No Kings returns in 3 weeks, and this time we’re focused on defending our votes for the upcoming midterms, starting with the primary elections on Tuesday, May 5!
Here are some upcoming opportunities from the Hoosier Voter Alliance to get protest ready AND vote ready!
Tuesday 3/10, 6:30pm
ACLU’s legal observer training, available in person or online at https://www.aclu-in.org/event/legal-observer-training-hybrid. This training is designed to equip you with the tools to defend civil liberties on the ground.
Sunday, 3/15, 9:30am
MADVoters’ voter registration drive training. Protest with a purpose, and register voters at a No Kings rally near you! Learn how to help folks in your community register to vote, as well as your own voting rights. https://calendar.boomte.ch/single/kvJ7iL3K0hK0yreK0dR5zL3
3/11 - 3/23
No Kings is offering a variety of virtual trainings on safety, messaging, event planning, and more at https://www.nokings.org/trainings, perfect for event organizers and hosts.
Saturday 3/28
It’s No Kings Day! Find a location near you at https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/
Remember, a core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. No Kings organizers expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.
Monday 4/6
Voter registration deadline. Be sure to check your registration at IndianaVoters.com, especially if you’ve moved recently, changed your name, or haven’t voted in a while. If you’re currently 17 but will be 18 on or before November 3, 2026, you can vote in the May primaries!
complain about trains
The City of Terre Haute Engineering Department is conducting a feasibility study to determine the best location for a new east–west railroad overpass or underpass between Maple Avenue and Hulman Street. Take the survey here.
Trains stopping shouldn’t bring our city to a halt. Do the tracks slow down your commute? Cause problems with school drop-offs? Make walking or biking frustrating or unsafe?
Take 5 minutes to complete the Public Input Survey and share:
How train delays affect you
Where do you think a new crossing should go
What would make travel safer and faster
Important: The 13th Street and 8th Avenue overpass is already under construction, so there’s no need to suggest that location.
RESOURCE CENTER
where your tax dollars go
Defend America Action just came out with a brand new tracker to show us, in real time, how much we’re spending on the war in Iran, and what else that money could be spent on.
Check it out - they come with receipts!
UPCOMING EVENTS
visit the Blue812News Local Events calendar to see all upcoming events
Monday, March 9th at 7pm: Mary Allen for Congress is hosting a virtual phone bank training session from 7-8pm. Register here. Phone banking not your style? Check out other ways to get involved here. Unable to attend but want to learn more? Reach out to [email protected]
Tuesday, March 10th at 3pm: Mingle with the Mayor at Grand Traverse Pie Co. At this informal and relaxed gathering, various topics will be covered each month with opportunities to ask questions and voice concerns. Free pie and coffee will be served courtesy of Clinton Gardens.
Tuesday, March 10th at 5pm: Vigo County Council Meeting in the Council Chambers in the Vigo County Government Center, 127 Oak Street
Wednesday, March 11th at 6pm: Vigo County Sherriff & County Commissioners candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. at the Vigo County Public Library, 6-7:45pm.
Thursday, March 12th at 6pm: Terre Haute City Council Meeting at City Hall.
Saturday, March 14th at 1pm: St. Patrick’s Day parade. The Vigo Dems will have the tram in the parade - meet between Corporate Square and Baesler’s by 12:30pm. Parade begins at 1pm. See Nasty Women’s Facebook page for opportunities to walk with candidates.
Sunday, March 15th at 4pm: ICE OUT with Indivisible Wabash Valley Clay County Detention Center 611 E. Jackson St, Brazil, IN Every Sunday 4–5PM
Monday, March 16th at 5pm: Sign Making for No Kings, hosted by Indivisible Wabash Valley. 5-7pm at the Vigo County Public Library, meeting rooms B & C. More information & register here.
Tuesday, March 17th at 5:00pm: Vigo Dems ‘event’ at 1111 Veteran’s Square.
Tuesday, March 17th at 6pm: Vigo County Council Candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. at the Vigo County Public Library, 6-7:45pm.
Saturday, March 21st at 12pm: Canvassing for Mary Allen at Vigo Dems headquarters (2629 S 3rd street). Register & more info here.
mark your calendars:
League of Women Voters primary forums:
Next No Kings rally - Saturday, March 28th:
END ON A HIGH NOTE
Virginia lawmakers passed a bill that prevents schools from teaching that the January 6, 2021 insurrection was peaceful. Some Republicans argue that the legislation amounts to state censorship… but considering the disinformation that MAGA peddles about that tragic day, this seems reasonable.
A federal judge is suspending a Trump policy requiring Congresspeople to give a week’s notice before touring ICE facilities. This means that for now, Congresspeople can just drop in – so they can actually see what’s going on, not the sanitized version.
Texas Democrats shattered recent midterm primary turnout records this week. Early vote counts from Tuesday’s Texas primary show Democratic turnout at levels not seen in recent off-year elections. More people in rural majority-Latino TX counties turned out to vote in the Democratic primary than the number of people who voted for Harris in 2024. Organizers say the energy is unlike anything they have seen in years.
Following Tuesday’s elections, Democrats have now flipped 9 state legislative seats since Trump took office. Republicans have flipped zero!
The Justice Department’s autopen case against President Biden has sputtered out.
The Supreme Court unanimously found that GEO Group, a private prison operator running an ICE facility, cannot claim governmental immunity from lawsuits for violating human trafficking laws, even if those violations were under government orders. pretty fascinating ruling there.
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