this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2026
307 points (99.7% liked)

politics

28262 readers
2212 users here now

Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!

Rules:

  1. Post only links to articles, Title must fairly describe link contents. If your title differs from the site’s, it should only be to add context or be more descriptive. Do not post entire articles in the body or in the comments.

Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.

Example:

  1. Articles must be relevant to politics. Links must be to quality and original content. Articles should be worth reading. Clickbait, stub articles, and rehosted or stolen content are not allowed. Check your source for Reliability and Bias here.
  2. Be civil, No violations of TOS. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban.
  3. No memes, trolling, or low-effort comments. Reposts, misinformation, off-topic, trolling, or offensive. Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.
  4. Vote based on comment quality, not agreement. This community aims to foster discussion; please reward people for putting effort into articulating their viewpoint, even if you disagree with it.
  5. No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.

That's all the rules!

Civic Links

Register To Vote

Citizenship Resource Center

Congressional Awards Program

Federal Government Agencies

Library of Congress Legislative Resources

The White House

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Partnered Communities:

News

World News

Business News

Political Discussion

Ask Politics

Military News

Global Politics

Moderate Politics

Progressive Politics

UK Politics

Canadian Politics

Australian Politics

New Zealand Politics

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Federal officials initially claimed a cartel drone infiltrated U.S. airspace in bizarre incident

Homeland Security Kristi Noem abruptly ended a press conference in Arizona on Friday after being asked about a bizarre incident in which federal officials closed the airspace above El Paso this week after border officials reportedly used a laser to shoot down a party balloon they mistook for a cartel drone.

During the press conference in Phoenix, a journalist asked if the reports were true, and if so, why border officials did not appear to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration.

“You know, this was a joint agency task force mission that was undertaken and we’re continuing to work on the communication through that but recognize we’re grateful for the partnership of the Department of War and FAA as we go forward,” said Noem, who then walked away from her microphone.

top 18 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] TrickDacy@lemmy.world 26 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

She probably had to go restaple her face back on

[–] tempest@lemmy.ca 2 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

As much as this lot look like ghouls from fallout I prefer to focus on the atrocious shit they do rather than their physical appearance.

It isn't impossible for them to find conventionally attractive people to do their dirty work and the end result is the same.

[–] TrickDacy@lemmy.world 16 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

I prefer to occasionally make a joke rather than focus solely on the terrifying state of affairs we're living through

[–] SexualPolytope 16 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago) (1 children)

Also, this is the only kind of thing that seems to get to them. Call them corrupt, they'll revel in it. Call them ugly, that gets under their skin.

[–] TrickDacy@lemmy.world 8 points 4 hours ago

Thank you. I think you are correct, also I think we need a coping mechanism, often humor. Too often I feel like any time I comment on this platform, someone cannot wait to scold me from a false place of moral superiority. Yes we all know it's not nice to comment on people's looks, but this evil cunt CHOSE to not only be evil but to look like she does. It's fair game.

[–] mister_flibble@sh.itjust.works 120 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

It's classified; they're still trying to determine the location of the other 98 luftballoons.

[–] Blade9732@lemmy.world 20 points 8 hours ago

Hey, it's my party and I will cry if I want to.

[–] dhork@lemmy.world 75 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

In the course of Doing My Own Research, I uncovered classified footage of the party balloon, which proves Noem's case that the balloon was dangerous and needed to be taken down....

puppy ballon

[–] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 7 points 8 hours ago

Confirmed this is official D-MOR intel, DHS and the Department of WAR (wimpy asshole regiments) are simply following protocol to achieve 200% OPSEC 🔥.

[–] RedWeasel@lemmy.world 16 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

So all you have to do to confuse these people is release a bunch of balloons near the border? 🙄

[–] notabot@piefed.social 1 points 3 hours ago

99 red baloons go by...

[–] SillyDude@lemmy.zip 12 points 7 hours ago

Looks like chaff is back on the menu, boys

[–] Soulphite@reddthat.com 25 points 8 hours ago

Must've been some Epstein files tied to the balloon.

[–] rogsson@piefed.social 11 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Aaarrgghh… another day, yet another time I see a picture of satans bride

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 12 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

What did Satan ever do to deserve that kind of punishment?

[–] thesohoriots@lemmy.world 5 points 7 hours ago (1 children)
[–] PapaStevesy@lemmy.world 4 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

"...on a bed of lettuce. And EVIL! Bed of evil and lettuce!!"

[–] Steve@startrek.website 4 points 5 hours ago

Do you want the sundried tomatoes?