JT Cestkowski (@JTCestkowski) / X

JT Cestkowski

5,962 posts

JT Cestkowski

@JTCestkowski

Reporter @StatusCoup covering corruption, workers’ struggles, corporate power, grassroots movements. Independent, on-the-ground accountability journalism.

Madison, WI

Joined May 2017

Pinned
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Jun 3
I asked six of the leading Democrats running for governor of Wisconsin if they support a data center moratorium. Only one said yes. Last night, I moderated a forum on working-class issues. Here are the most interesting yes/no questions I asked, and what the candidates said. ⬇️
00:00
8K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Mar 2, 2025
NEW: In a Saturday morning message on LinkedIn, WI GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden threatened retaliation against a former VA employee for messaging the congressman about federal government cuts during normal business hours.
1.4M
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Mar 2, 2025
Replying to @JTCestkowski
The VA worker, Tony Ruiz, took the message as an implied threat of termination. That would put DVO at odds with the White House which said DOGE cannot fire federal employees. I reached out to Van Orden’s office for a response. I have not yet heard back.
56K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Mar 2, 2025
Replying to @JTCestkowski
Ruiz worked as a veterans service representative at the Los Angeles VA, until he was fired on Feb. 3. Ruiz messaged DVO twice about firings at the VA, once on Feb. 13, and again this past Monday. Ruiz provided me screenshots of the chat and proof of his employment at the VA.
49K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Mar 2, 2025
Replying to @JTCestkowski
Ruiz told me in an interview that he contacted DVO to try and stop the firing of probationary federal employees. Now he wants a meeting with Van Orden, and to be called to testify at a VA hearing on the firings.
47K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
May 3, 2024
JUST IN Protesters on the UW-Madison Library Mall announce that university faculty will hold a walkout on Monday in solidarity with the demonstrations.
00:00
58K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Apr 3, 2025
Replying to @blagojevism and @ShawnFetta
It’s misinformation to believe only our coastal baronies are at risk. The Danes can raid midwestern swing states too using our river networks as evidenced by the 845 A.D Siege of Paris.
9.7K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Mar 2, 2025
Replying to @JTCestkowski
I removed one post from this thread because I incorrectly attributed a quote to DVO when it had actually been said by Ruiz. "Why don't you call me in front of Congress?" Ruiz wrote in reply to Van Orden. In a subsequent message Ruiz then said "See you at the VA Hearing, Pal."
19K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Apr 7, 2025
Replying to @ahlmanforne and @EmmaVigeland
This site needs to stop devaluing links in its algorithm. It creates an incentive for clickbait without the click. You can’t get context at all.
23K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Apr 29, 2024
This is the scene on the UW-Madison campus where hundreds are calling on the university to divest from companies profiting off the war in Gaza. They have formed a human wall around tents on the Library Mall. The university has said it will remove encampments.
22K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Mar 2, 2025
Replying to @JTCestkowski
If you want to learn more about Ruiz's background as a veteran, he is featured in this story from Samantha-Jo Roth and the Washington Examiner.
VA layoffs spark concerns about veterans' care: ‘This could be life or death'
From washingtonexaminer.com
17K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Mar 8, 2025
Turnout for @RepMarkPocan’s listening session in Belmont, WI is so high that people are watching through the window outside the community center.
67K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Mar 30, 2025
This is the scene outside the Green Bay convention center where Elon Musk will speak. Organizers of the counter protests say they are expecting more than 1,000 people to join the demonstrations.
00:00
16K
JT Cestkowski
@JTCestkowski
Mar 3, 2025
The market is not the economy, but I would say it is a snapshot of the feelings of monied interests.
More Perfect Union
@MorePerfectUS
Mar 3, 2025
BREAKING: Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico will start tomorrow.
19K