LightNews
johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem
@johannneem.bsky.social
1.6K followers 140 following 150 posts

Scholar of the American Revolution and the Early American Republic, education. Author of "What's the Point of College? Seeking Purpose in an Age of Reform" and "Democracy's Schools: The Rise of Public Education in America." Website: https://johannneem.com .. more

Videos
Political science 54%
Education 17%
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · Aug 11
In my contribution to @newrepublic.com's issue on Trump and history, I argue that Trump has wrapped himself in the mantle of the American Revolution while undermining its principles.
Trump Is the Enemy of the American Revolution
He has produced a crisis much like the one the colonists faced two and a half centuries ago. Now it’s our responsibility to uphold the Founders’ legacy.
newrepublic.com
4 38 91

Reposted by Johann N. Neem, James Windle

jennycohn.bsky.social
Jenny Cohn @jennycohn.bsky.social · 9h
👀A Rutgers professor who teaches an anti-fascism class was blocked from leaving the US hours > Trump’s “Antifa” roundtable w/ Jack Posobiec who has called Bray a “domestic terrorist professor.” TPUSA at Rutgers has called him an “antifa member,” a claim he denies. He’s received death threats. 1/
US anti-fascism expert blocked from flying to Spain at airport
Rutgers University professor who published book on antifa was informed at boarding gate that his trip was cancelled
www.theguardian.com
35 340 680

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 18h
2) As I wrote here, to Trump, any source of knowledge production-- the press, universities, fed agencies-- that is independent of him threatens his power. He wants to control what Americans can know, even when they go against the facts we see on the ground with our own eyes. Orwellian.
Donald Trump's Attempt to Control Reality
He's after any institution that produces knowledge independent of him
jneem.substack.com
4

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 18h
1) @talkingpointsmemo.com lists all the ways that the Trump Admin has made federal government data unreliable and untrustworthy.
A Shortlist of Federal Data the Trump Administration Has Tampered With or Destroyed
The scale and scope of federal data and statistics that have been...
talkingpointsmemo.com
1 5

Reposted by Robert Black, Robert C. Richards, Johann N. Neem , and 2 more

chrismurphyct.bsky.social
Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 1d
We aren't on the verge of an authoritarian takeover. We are in the middle of it.

But I worry people don't see the whole scheme. They just pay attention to each new daily outrage. So I went to the Senate floor to explain Trump's plan.

Here's a 🧵of the speech. It's important.
160 1.9K 4.4K

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 2d
Cities are being occupied by a rogue federal govt-- now is the time for us to figure out how to form a resistance that connects us across the country-- and not to retreat into our own private gardens and hope this all passes...
This is no time for self-care
It is a time to act
jneem.substack.com
2

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 3d
Joseph Fishkin: "This compact is a “reward” in exactly the same sense that it is “rewarding” to purchase protection from the Mafia." The Campus Compact is an illegal effort to take away universities' federal benefits if they don't obey in advance.
Balkinization: The Art of Replacing the Law with the Deal
A group blog on constitutional law, theory, and politics
balkin.blogspot.com
1 2

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 3d
In my latest post I ask whether our focus on self-care is getting in the way of solidarity and resistance-- of taking the risks we need to take to protect those very places we value most.
This is no time for self-care
It is a time to act
jneem.substack.com
2

Reposted by Richard S.J. Tol, Erich Fromm, Will Jennings , and 10 more

governor.ca.gov
Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 4d
This is a breathtaking abuse of the law and power by the President of the United States.

America is on the brink of martial law.

Do not be silent.
govpritzker.illinois.gov
Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 4d
This evening, President Trump is ordering 400 members of the Texas National Guard for deployments to Illinois, Oregon, and other locations within the United States. No officials from the federal government called me directly to discuss or coordinate.
410 4.3K 13K

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Kim L. Scheppele, Steven Heydemann , and 6 more

kyledcheney.bsky.social
Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 6d
BREAKING: A federal judge says there is a realistic likelihood that the prosecution of Kilmar Abrego Garcia was driven by vindictive motives — reflected in the public statements of Bondi, Blanche, Noem et al.

He has ordered discovery on the question.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
230 2.5K 8.9K

Reposted by David Lazer, Scott L. Greer, Joshua Goodman , and 9 more

aaup.org
AAUP @aaup.org · 7d
The Trump admin’s offer to give preferential treatment to institutions that toe the party line reeks of bribery in exchange for allegiance to a partisan ideological agenda.

This is corruption.

Adherence to ‘loyalty oaths’ would usher in a new era of thought policing in American higher education.
Universities Must Reject Trump Admin 'Loyalty Oath' Compacts
The AAUP and AFT warn that the Trump administration’s offer to give preferential treatment to colleges and universities that court government favor in exchange for allegiance to a partisan ideological...
www.aaup.org
3 260 470

Reposted by Marc Lynch, Robert W. Wallace, Philip N. Cohen , and 8 more

donmoyn.bsky.social
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 8d
Some schools will be starved of resources. Other schools will be offered bribes. The end goal is the same. To make the universities an extension of the Trump administration. Shame on any of these institutions willing to take the bribes.
Letters on Wednesday were going out to solicit agreement and feedback from Vanderbilt University, Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Texas, the University of Arizona, Brown University and the University of Virginia, according to an administration official.
53 750 2.1K

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Elizabeth Saunders, Nandita Sharma , and 28 more

jamellebouie.net
jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 9d
the president of the united states wants to use the american military to kill american citizens on american soil. that's the whole story!
680 16K 50K

Reposted by Johann N. Neem

adamlaats.bsky.social
Adam "I Was Hoping We Could Keep It" Laats @adamlaats.bsky.social · 9d
Here's a gift link so you can read this fantastic column by @pastpunditry.bsky.social:

Dr. Hemmer nails it: "the modern right in America *emerged* as a censorious movement."

So true--you can see the pattern everywhere--here are a couple more examples: 🧵
Opinion | The Right Didn’t Catch Cancel Culture From the Left
www.nytimes.com
1 7 10

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 10d
Two quotes demonstrate why Trump lacks the character to lead a free people:
1) "...the person or persons on whom the sovereignty is confer'd by the people, shall incessantly consult their good."- James Otis 1764;
2) "I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them." - Donald Trump 2025
5 9

Reposted by Elizabeth Saunders, Michael A. Clemens, Michael Kevane , and 2 more

govpritzker.illinois.gov
Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 14d
Let’s spell this out. Trump fired a qualified U.S. attorney who refused to do his bidding and installed his own personal lawyer to punish a perceived opponent. Justice needs to follow the law, not politics.

This is an attack on the rule of law. Full stop.
Former FBI Director James Comey indicted days after Trump demanded his DOJ move 'now' to prosecute enemies
Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted just days after President Trump issued a public demand for the DOJ to act "now" to prosecute him, sources say.
abcnews.go.com
180 1.7K 6.7K

Reposted by Johann N. Neem, Aviel Roshwald, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò , and 1 more

adamrothman.bsky.social
Adam Rothman enjoys a good sandwich @adamrothman.bsky.social · 14d
Proud of my colleagues! 🗃
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Citizen historians document Smithsonian exhibits under White House scrutiny
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex. It's a public-private trust that has long operated at arm's length from the White House, but now finds itself...
www.pbs.org
14 230 720

Reposted by Marc Lynch, Will Jennings, Philip N. Cohen , and 1 more

larryglickman.bsky.social
Larry Glickman @larryglickman.bsky.social · 14d
May Mailman, the Trump administration’s point person in its crackdown on higher education, relies on culture war cliches in making her case rather than evidence or law.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/o...
Opinion | The Grand Strategy Behind Trump’s Crackdown on Academia
www.nytimes.com
15 37 140

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 14d
2) My original essay in @edweek.org can be found here:
How the Supreme Court Is Making Public Education Itself Unconstitutional (Opinion)
In a recent ruling, the high court took a step toward effectively outlawing public schools.
www.edweek.org
2

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 14d
1) I had a lovely conversation about the #USSC Mahmoud decision with @jenniferberkshire.bsky.social concerning parental rights and why I think the Supreme Court may use the 1st amendment-- against history and tradition-- to render public schools unconstitutional.
An Existential Threat
Could the Supreme Court outlaw public schools?
educationwars.substack.com
2 1 2

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 17d
2) If we're not a democracy, that means that Trump-- indeed our govt-- is no longer legitimate. The federal govt's dictates are no longer laws but force. We are no longer bound to obey the person who has usurped the presidency-- he's a thief, not a president. We are in a moment of lawlessness.
Donald Trump Is No Longer the President of the United States
We must accept what is happening
jneem.substack.com
1 7

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 17d
1) It's hard to believe, but we are no longer a democracy. It is good that journalists like @mjtoma.bsky.social are now saying it openly and honestly. It's a risk to them to state honestly what we no longer can deny. But we need to face the truth.
It’s Happened: The United States of America Is No Longer a Democracy
Trump’s prosecution order to Bondi gives up the pretense. And the country is headed swiftly into unknown territory.
newrepublic.com
1 5 9

Reposted by Johann N. Neem, Henry Jones

newrepublic.com
The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 21d
The president told reporters that networks are “not allowed” to excessively bash him.
trib.al/E3AA47x
39 42 110

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 22d
This #ConstitutionDay we have to ask ourselves if we are protected by our Constitution any longer. We need to take seriously the threat Trump poses to our liberties- to the American experiment in republican self-government, as I argue here in the @newrepublic.com
Trump Is the Enemy of the American Revolution
He has produced a crisis much like the one the colonists faced two and a half centuries ago. Now it’s our responsibility to uphold the Founders’ legacy.
newrepublic.com
2 4

Reposted by Johann N. Neem

ohmpills.bsky.social
ohmpills.bsky.social @ohmpills.bsky.social · 23d
Mississippi declared a public health emergency in August after its health department found that the state infant mortality rate had increased in 2024 to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births – its highest point in more than a decade.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Mississippi declares infant deaths emergency as CDC program that could have helped is halted
State forced to stop gathering critical data on pregnancy experiences after Trump administration’s shakeup
www.theguardian.com
4 8

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 23d
"To speak of Kirk as a champion of reasoned discussion is also to ignore his frequent calls for the state suppression of his political opponents."- Jamelle Bouie
Opinion | Charlie Kirk Didn’t Shy Away From Who He Was. We Shouldn’t Either.
www.nytimes.com
1

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Johann N. Neem, Manisha Sinha , and 1 more

brookenewman.bsky.social
Brooke Newman @brookenewman.bsky.social · 29d
Professors can no longer talk about “gender”—but it’s fine to lust after, objectify, and exploit pre-pubescent and underage girls in Trump’s America.
A caricature of Trump’s Epstein drawing next to pieces of Lady Liberty
14 240 900

johannneem.bsky.social
Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 29d
More evidence that academic freedom is dead in Texas. Agree with @kevincarey1.bsky.social that @tamu.bsky.social is no longer a legitimate university.
kevincarey1.bsky.social
Kevin Carey @kevincarey1.bsky.social · Sep 9
The most chilling part of the video is when the student says the professor is violating "the President's laws." Texas A&M is not a real, or American, university.
asociologist.bsky.social
Dan Hirschman @asociologist.bsky.social · Sep 9
Texas A&M’s President just removed a dean and department head from their positions after they supported a professor whose lesson on gender was challenged by a student. www.kbtx.com/2025/09/09/a...
1 4