Chilling Dissent
This Mysterious “Astroturf” Group Popped Up to Defend the Paramount Merger
In text messages, the newly formed group boosted reported threats by CEO David Ellison to move Paramount out of California.
Matt Sledge
Matt Sledge is a political reporter. He has written previously for the Houston Landing, Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate, and HuffPost.
Contacts:
- sledge@theintercept.com
- @sledge.41 on Signal
Posts:
Midterms 2026
A Democratic Socialist Aims to Oust a Top AIPAC Beneficiary in Florida
Oliver Larkin is trying to unseat Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who is backed by AIPAC donors and an artificial intelligence super PAC.
Chilling Dissent
Secret ICE Agent Tried to “Entice” Minneapolis Activists Into Confrontational Tactics
Documents from ICE’s investigation into the Sunrise Movement show an agent volunteered to build tools for “direct-action” protests.
Chilling Dissent
Rubio Is Trying to Keep Leftists Out of U.S. by Banning Supporters of “Economic Sabotage”
A new State Department policy about “far-left terrorism” could spark a crackdown on Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions activists.
Trump’s Crypto Corruption Puts Centrist Democrats in Bind
Moderate Democrats want to put a stop to Trump’s meme coin self-dealing. But that might cut off campaign donations from crypto interests.
Midterms 2026
William Lawrence Is Running in a Purple Michigan District — on His Pro-Palestine Credentials
Democratic leaders keep backing centrists, but a Michigan progressive is trying to harness left-leaning energy on Palestine.
Intel Pick Jay Clayton Won’t Tell Congress Whether Trump Ordered Subpoenas of NYT Journalists
Democrats questioned whether Jay Clayton would be able to stand up to Trump about using public office for retribution.
Trump’s Intel Pick Played Key Role in NYT Subpoenas — But Some Democrats Still On the Fence
Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence is seen by some Democrats as a safer alternative to Trump loyalist Bill Pulte.
Midterms 2026
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Wants to Save Crypto — But Trump Windfall Is a Political Obstacle
Centrist Democrats in the Senate criticize Trump’s newfound billions, while working to boost the industry that enabled his grift.
Chilling Dissent
How Local Cops Are Running With Trump's NSPM-7 Attacks on Antifa
Local authorities accused the same legal assistance group targeted by Joseph McCarthy a half century ago of being part of a vast antifa conspiracy.