Alexander Chee
@alexanderchee.bsky.social
Novelist and essayist, most recently author of How to Write an Autobiographical Novel. Professor of Creative Writing at Dartmouth College. He/him. Agent: Jin Auh, The Wylie Agency. alexanderchee.net
Reposted by Alexander Chee
It's a small thing, but it fills me with civic pride to walk through the giant park near my house and see Hmong families having cookouts, Somali parents pushing their laughing kids on the swings.
Like, here are people who've endured horrors, and my city has welcomed them in to build peaceful lives.
Like, here are people who've endured horrors, and my city has welcomed them in to build peaceful lives.
Yes. My theory of the moment is Miller/Vance thought their view that immigrants threaten social solidarity would be widely shared. But ICE raids are driving native-born Americans to show solidarity with immigrants quite courageously. Now Miller is trying to disrupt that alliance with state violence.
Insightful point here: Even if you take Trump seriously - he does not like the optics - they rested on an assumption that communities would welcome ICE as heroes, rather than showing the type of solidarity that Trump inherently cannot understand.
January 19, 2026 at 11:35 PM
It's a small thing, but it fills me with civic pride to walk through the giant park near my house and see Hmong families having cookouts, Somali parents pushing their laughing kids on the swings.
Like, here are people who've endured horrors, and my city has welcomed them in to build peaceful lives.
Like, here are people who've endured horrors, and my city has welcomed them in to build peaceful lives.
Reposted by Alexander Chee
Maine there is a Facebook group recruiting people to infiltrate groups supporting their neighbors during an ICE occupation.
Andy writes about it here.
People are joining the Pine Guard “militia” with their full government names.
#hostilepress #hostilepressME
www.facebook.com/story.php?st...
Andy writes about it here.
People are joining the Pine Guard “militia” with their full government names.
#hostilepress #hostilepressME
www.facebook.com/story.php?st...
As much I've resisted writing about Richard Coffron over the years, I decided to do a little profile on him after his latest "Pine Guard" stunt. open.substack.com/pub/andyobri...
MAGA Shitposter Richard Coffron Trying to Form Group to Disrupt Anti-ICE Protests in Maine
MAGA shitposter Richard Coffron of Hallowell announced his big nefarious plan to form a pro-ICE “unit” called “Pine Guard” to surveil and “expose” anti-ICE protestors on his popular Maine X Community ...
open.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:59 AM
Maine there is a Facebook group recruiting people to infiltrate groups supporting their neighbors during an ICE occupation.
Andy writes about it here.
People are joining the Pine Guard “militia” with their full government names.
#hostilepress #hostilepressME
www.facebook.com/story.php?st...
Andy writes about it here.
People are joining the Pine Guard “militia” with their full government names.
#hostilepress #hostilepressME
www.facebook.com/story.php?st...
Reposted by Alexander Chee
This is a great example of state officials stepping up to ensure compliance with the law, if the feds won’t do it. Maine secy of state @shennabellows.bsky.social finding a way of restricting ICE illegal conduct wgme.com/news/local/m...
Maine pauses undercover license plate requests amid ICE concerns
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, Maine plates will not be used for "lawless purposes."
wgme.com
January 19, 2026 at 1:48 PM
This is a great example of state officials stepping up to ensure compliance with the law, if the feds won’t do it. Maine secy of state @shennabellows.bsky.social finding a way of restricting ICE illegal conduct wgme.com/news/local/m...
Ramzi is raising money to feed his family in Gaza this week, if you can help: chuffed.org/project/1319...
Help ramzi from Gaza
My name is Ramzi from Gaza, I am 20 years old. My house was destroyed and we are living the most difficult days of our lives. My family consists of 4 members and we suffer every day. We have been disp...
chuffed.org
January 19, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Ramzi is raising money to feed his family in Gaza this week, if you can help: chuffed.org/project/1319...
Reposted by Alexander Chee
I am Aboud, a child from Gaza, 13 years old
I have autism & special needs, and I suffer from epilepsy
I need medicine😭
I need medicine😭
I need food😭
My family urgently needs a tent to live in
I desperately need your donation🤲
We need $150. Any donation will be a blessing
chuffed.org/project/1580...
I have autism & special needs, and I suffer from epilepsy
I need medicine😭
I need medicine😭
I need food😭
My family urgently needs a tent to live in
I desperately need your donation🤲
We need $150. Any donation will be a blessing
chuffed.org/project/1580...
January 19, 2026 at 6:25 PM
I am Aboud, a child from Gaza, 13 years old
I have autism & special needs, and I suffer from epilepsy
I need medicine😭
I need medicine😭
I need food😭
My family urgently needs a tent to live in
I desperately need your donation🤲
We need $150. Any donation will be a blessing
chuffed.org/project/1580...
I have autism & special needs, and I suffer from epilepsy
I need medicine😭
I need medicine😭
I need food😭
My family urgently needs a tent to live in
I desperately need your donation🤲
We need $150. Any donation will be a blessing
chuffed.org/project/1580...
Reposted by Alexander Chee
I can’t go to the grocery store alone right now because ICE is racially profiling and abducting people who aren’t white
Despite Trump’s promises, grocery prices are still rising fast. Families can’t afford this… when is he going to get serious about lowering costs?
January 19, 2026 at 9:51 PM
I can’t go to the grocery store alone right now because ICE is racially profiling and abducting people who aren’t white
Reposted by Alexander Chee
Important also to note that while Boring is now getting passengers to the Vegas airport, it is getting them there ON SURFACE STREETS
They're pitching this as a "traffic fix." The whole system in Vegas moves about as many people as the 23 Dickerson WeGo route -- just less efficient and with a much worse operator:passenger ratio.
Below from /r/nashville
Below from /r/nashville
January 19, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Important also to note that while Boring is now getting passengers to the Vegas airport, it is getting them there ON SURFACE STREETS
Reposted by Alexander Chee
In light of Democrats calling for more "training" for ICE, this passage from my book Copaganda seems relevant:
January 19, 2026 at 6:29 PM
In light of Democrats calling for more "training" for ICE, this passage from my book Copaganda seems relevant:
Reposted by Alexander Chee
"they don't care about polls." okay. the next question to ask is, "how has this worked out for them?" and he answer is that it has led to the rapid deterioration of their political position, which erodes their ability to influence or compel other actors.
I wish part 2 was true. They don’t care about polls.
January 19, 2026 at 8:12 PM
"they don't care about polls." okay. the next question to ask is, "how has this worked out for them?" and he answer is that it has led to the rapid deterioration of their political position, which erodes their ability to influence or compel other actors.
Reposted by Alexander Chee
CNN reports today that Kamala Harris' presidential campaign also asked Tim Walz if he was ever an agent of China— debunking Josh Shapiro's claims of exceptional scrutiny due to his Jewish identity.
Walz was also asked about foreign ties during Harris vetting, sources tell CNN | CNN Politics
Josh Shapiro wasn’t the only finalist to be Kamala Harris’ running mate who was asked if he had ever been an agent of a foreign government, four sources familiar with the matter told CNN on Monday. Ti...
www.cnn.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:46 PM
CNN reports today that Kamala Harris' presidential campaign also asked Tim Walz if he was ever an agent of China— debunking Josh Shapiro's claims of exceptional scrutiny due to his Jewish identity.
Reposted by Alexander Chee
I went to Minneapolis last week. What I saw was horrifying and inspiring in equal measure. Gift link to my latest column: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/o...
Opinion | In Minneapolis, I Glimpsed a Civil War
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:56 PM
I went to Minneapolis last week. What I saw was horrifying and inspiring in equal measure. Gift link to my latest column: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/o...
Reposted by Alexander Chee
So apparently Dylan Mulvaney got cast in a Broadway musical... which resulted in transphobes losing their minds and threatening to "Bud Light" the show... and now the show's Twitter page is locked down. Cool cool.
January 19, 2026 at 6:49 PM
So apparently Dylan Mulvaney got cast in a Broadway musical... which resulted in transphobes losing their minds and threatening to "Bud Light" the show... and now the show's Twitter page is locked down. Cool cool.
Reposted by Alexander Chee
The author of a controversial memo from centrist think tank Searchlight telling Democrats to abandon the slogan “Abolish ICE” is a senior advisor for WestExec, a D.C. shadow lobbyist for corporations in the defense, surveillance, and immigration enforcement industries.
prospect.org/2026/01/19/a...
prospect.org/2026/01/19/a...
Author of ‘Don’t Say Abolish ICE’ Memo Is a Corporate Consultant - The American Prospect
Blas Nuñez-Neto is a senior adviser to WestExec, a shadow lobbyist for defense and tech firms.
prospect.org
January 19, 2026 at 2:13 PM
The author of a controversial memo from centrist think tank Searchlight telling Democrats to abandon the slogan “Abolish ICE” is a senior advisor for WestExec, a D.C. shadow lobbyist for corporations in the defense, surveillance, and immigration enforcement industries.
prospect.org/2026/01/19/a...
prospect.org/2026/01/19/a...
Reposted by Alexander Chee
To be politically conscious from 2000-2009, and more specifically from 2001-2005, was to have your brain stamped with a feverish Curse of Knowing. So when you see shit like this, all you can think is “Dick Cheney insisting on links between Al Qaeda and Saddam”. You never forget the scent.
January 19, 2026 at 5:31 PM
To be politically conscious from 2000-2009, and more specifically from 2001-2005, was to have your brain stamped with a feverish Curse of Knowing. So when you see shit like this, all you can think is “Dick Cheney insisting on links between Al Qaeda and Saddam”. You never forget the scent.
Reposted by Alexander Chee
Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She was 95.
Dr. Gladys West, Mathematician Whose Work Made GPS Possible, Dies at 95
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She passed away
thezebra.org
January 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She was 95.
Reposted by Alexander Chee
Making a pot of tea to prepare for my ritual reading of Letter from Birmingham Jail
(Reposting with better link)
www.csuchico.edu/iege/_assets...
(Reposting with better link)
www.csuchico.edu/iege/_assets...
January 19, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Making a pot of tea to prepare for my ritual reading of Letter from Birmingham Jail
(Reposting with better link)
www.csuchico.edu/iege/_assets...
(Reposting with better link)
www.csuchico.edu/iege/_assets...
Reposted by Alexander Chee
Senior White House official says local and state police in Minneapolis “have been ordered to stand down and surrender.”
What?
What?
January 19, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Senior White House official says local and state police in Minneapolis “have been ordered to stand down and surrender.”
What?
What?
Reposted by Alexander Chee
a good day to throw your Ring into a volcano.
January 19, 2026 at 4:05 PM
a good day to throw your Ring into a volcano.
Reposted by Alexander Chee
Dr. King suffered many bouts of severe depression. His autopsy found that he had a heart consistent with a 60 year old. He was murdered at 39. Stress, threats and exhaustion will do that to a person.
#TheUnSanitizedKing
#TheUnSanitizedKing
January 19, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Dr. King suffered many bouts of severe depression. His autopsy found that he had a heart consistent with a 60 year old. He was murdered at 39. Stress, threats and exhaustion will do that to a person.
#TheUnSanitizedKing
#TheUnSanitizedKing
Reposted by Alexander Chee
Norway and Denmark are different countries.
January 19, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Norway and Denmark are different countries.
Reposted by Alexander Chee
it's an election year, with congressional seats (and the Republican majority) vulnerable. leverage that when you tell your elected officials to denounce, defund, and disarm ICE.
January 19, 2026 at 3:04 PM
it's an election year, with congressional seats (and the Republican majority) vulnerable. leverage that when you tell your elected officials to denounce, defund, and disarm ICE.
Reposted by Alexander Chee
Digital genocide
New research maps the campaign to erase trans people from UK data 🔢
This peer-reviewed article offers the first detailed account of how UK campaign groups have sought to define sex as strictly biological across the census, policing, healthcare and digital ID.
doi.org/10.1080/0958...
This peer-reviewed article offers the first detailed account of how UK campaign groups have sought to define sex as strictly biological across the census, policing, healthcare and digital ID.
doi.org/10.1080/0958...
January 19, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Digital genocide
Reposted by Alexander Chee
Stephen Miran's paper about the "Mar-a-Lago" accord argues for natural resources imperialism and predatory use of tariffs, pronouncing precisely the strategy that KGB analysts suggested in the late 1980s could be effective spun to destroy NATO and the Atlantic Alliance. Katie Martin discusses:
January 19, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Stephen Miran's paper about the "Mar-a-Lago" accord argues for natural resources imperialism and predatory use of tariffs, pronouncing precisely the strategy that KGB analysts suggested in the late 1980s could be effective spun to destroy NATO and the Atlantic Alliance. Katie Martin discusses:
Reposted by Alexander Chee
Clare Malone's study of the Bari Weiss hostile takeover of CBS News: solid reporting and analysis of every aspect of the matter. Superlative journalism. Everything that CBS News is not, or is no longer. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Inside Bari Weiss’s Hostile Takeover of CBS News
The network’s new editor-in-chief has championed a press free from élite bias, while aligning herself with a billionaire class more willing than ever to indulge Donald Trump.
www.newyorker.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Clare Malone's study of the Bari Weiss hostile takeover of CBS News: solid reporting and analysis of every aspect of the matter. Superlative journalism. Everything that CBS News is not, or is no longer. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...