Chris Edelson
@chrisedelson.bsky.social
Lecturer @umassamherst.bsky.social US presidential power & authoritarian threats to democracy; speaking only for me Writing a book on emergency presidential power: https://www.rienner.com/title/Above_the_Law_The_Evolution_of_Emergency_Presidential_Power
Pinned
Chris Edelson
@chrisedelson.bsky.social
· Feb 28
trump's breathtaking, revolutionary unilateral action could not be justified even in an emergency (and none existed when trump took office). He is claiming unilateral power that goes beyond what Lincoln claimed at start of civil war--& Lincoln crucially gained retroactive approval from Congress 1/2
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Let's speak plainly.
In a legitimate criminal cases, political appointees don't have to first hollow out U.S. Attorney offices of objecting career prosecutors with integrity; federal judges don't kill the cases at the cradle, and the government doesn't fight tooth and nail to revive them.
In a legitimate criminal cases, political appointees don't have to first hollow out U.S. Attorney offices of objecting career prosecutors with integrity; federal judges don't kill the cases at the cradle, and the government doesn't fight tooth and nail to revive them.
January 30, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Let's speak plainly.
In a legitimate criminal cases, political appointees don't have to first hollow out U.S. Attorney offices of objecting career prosecutors with integrity; federal judges don't kill the cases at the cradle, and the government doesn't fight tooth and nail to revive them.
In a legitimate criminal cases, political appointees don't have to first hollow out U.S. Attorney offices of objecting career prosecutors with integrity; federal judges don't kill the cases at the cradle, and the government doesn't fight tooth and nail to revive them.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
This Epstein drop is HUGE and utterly disgusting. I don’t see how this man is allowed to remain in office. Where are the evangelical leaders, the soccer moms, the folks stocking up on eggs, the farmers, the small business owners.
Decide. Who are you?
Decide. Who are you?
January 30, 2026 at 10:04 PM
This Epstein drop is HUGE and utterly disgusting. I don’t see how this man is allowed to remain in office. Where are the evangelical leaders, the soccer moms, the folks stocking up on eggs, the farmers, the small business owners.
Decide. Who are you?
Decide. Who are you?
Reposted by Chris Edelson
CNN in Minneapolis: We are seeing thousands and thousands of people, we've been standing on the corner here for the past ten minutes. This this crowd has not let up. It's just continuous.
January 30, 2026 at 9:19 PM
CNN in Minneapolis: We are seeing thousands and thousands of people, we've been standing on the corner here for the past ten minutes. This this crowd has not let up. It's just continuous.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
This just in from Amnesty International: "U.S. authorities must immediately release journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. Journalism is not a crime. Reporting on protests is not a crime. Arresting journalists for their reporting is a clear example of an authoritarian practice."
January 30, 2026 at 6:57 PM
This just in from Amnesty International: "U.S. authorities must immediately release journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. Journalism is not a crime. Reporting on protests is not a crime. Arresting journalists for their reporting is a clear example of an authoritarian practice."
by contrast, unmasked British soldiers who killed people at the Boston Massacre were arrested and jailed pending trial. The Crown did not hide their identities. Two of the soldiers were convicted. www.nps.gov/articles/000...
January 30, 2026 at 7:26 PM
by contrast, unmasked British soldiers who killed people at the Boston Massacre were arrested and jailed pending trial. The Crown did not hide their identities. Two of the soldiers were convicted. www.nps.gov/articles/000...
Reposted by Chris Edelson
The Trump regime's authoritarian reach exceeds its authoritarian grasp
They are and will continue to subject the US and the world to all sorts of malevolent acts, but they lack the capacity to realize their goals
We small-d democrats will outlast them, and it's critical we hold them accountable
They are and will continue to subject the US and the world to all sorts of malevolent acts, but they lack the capacity to realize their goals
We small-d democrats will outlast them, and it's critical we hold them accountable
Let me reiterate: THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH GUYS TO PERSECUTE LARGE NUMBERS OF DISSENTERS. What they are doing, instead, is using fear and paranoia as a force multiplier: they don’t have to persecute us if we keep ourselves home because someone told us we can’t walk in public without being terrified.
January 30, 2026 at 6:51 PM
The Trump regime's authoritarian reach exceeds its authoritarian grasp
They are and will continue to subject the US and the world to all sorts of malevolent acts, but they lack the capacity to realize their goals
We small-d democrats will outlast them, and it's critical we hold them accountable
They are and will continue to subject the US and the world to all sorts of malevolent acts, but they lack the capacity to realize their goals
We small-d democrats will outlast them, and it's critical we hold them accountable
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Two people were summarily executed. It’s not theater. This is obscene.
January 30, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Two people were summarily executed. It’s not theater. This is obscene.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
I get tired of saying it, but I’ll say it again: the nature of oppression in America is that they workshop it first on Black, Latino, Asian & Native people.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
January 30, 2026 at 4:46 PM
I get tired of saying it, but I’ll say it again: the nature of oppression in America is that they workshop it first on Black, Latino, Asian & Native people.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
January 30, 2026 at 4:44 PM
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Arresting journalists. Good God.
Georgia Fort, an independent journalist and vice president of the Minnesota NABJ chapter, was also arrested by federal agents this morning
I was sent this video of agents at her door:
I was sent this video of agents at her door:
January 30, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Arresting journalists. Good God.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
A Minnesota woman observing ICE agents in her car was cornered on one-way streets. An agent approached, called her by name—citing facial recognition. Days later, her Global Entry and TSA privileges were revoked, with no explanation.
How ICE Already Knows Who Minneapolis Protesters Are
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:55 AM
A Minnesota woman observing ICE agents in her car was cornered on one-way streets. An agent approached, called her by name—citing facial recognition. Days later, her Global Entry and TSA privileges were revoked, with no explanation.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
“He said the boys cried when he told them what was happening and were frightened and asked to hold a school nurse’s hand when they walked into the Whipple Building.”
“We had to deliver them to a detention center,” principal Jason Kuhlman said about the second grader and fifth grader.
‘I don’t have words’: 2 more kids from Liam Ramos’ Columbia Heights school taken into ICE custody
The children were taken into ICE custody after their mother was detained at a court appointment. School leaders say the mother asked them to bring the kids to the detention center because there were n...
www.mprnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 6:47 AM
“He said the boys cried when he told them what was happening and were frightened and asked to hold a school nurse’s hand when they walked into the Whipple Building.”
how would Henry David Thoreau prepare for tax season this year?
January 30, 2026 at 11:49 AM
how would Henry David Thoreau prepare for tax season this year?
would be interesting to see some reporting that assesses the ROI Putin has received for Russian attack on 2016 US election. I don't mean in terms of a quid pro quo, just in terms of US unraveling.
January 30, 2026 at 11:48 AM
would be interesting to see some reporting that assesses the ROI Putin has received for Russian attack on 2016 US election. I don't mean in terms of a quid pro quo, just in terms of US unraveling.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
"in theater". "Draw down". Hard to blame people for calling it a military occupation when leaders describe it that way. It's your own damn country, act like it.
Q: Can you be specific about how many ICE and CBP agents are currently operating in the state?
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
January 29, 2026 at 2:49 PM
"in theater". "Draw down". Hard to blame people for calling it a military occupation when leaders describe it that way. It's your own damn country, act like it.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Quite literally, there are about a dozen scandals under Trump II that are worse than the worst scandals in all of 🇺🇸 political history. Add in the ongoing familial/personal monetization of the presidency, the violation of our UN & NATO treaty obligations with 🇨🇦 & 🇬🇱/🇩🇰, & the murder on the high seas.
Of the biggest scandals in US history just this week, I think I’d rank them:
1) Federal paramilitaries invade US city based on racist lies, murder US citizens
2) Slush fund for the president from stolen foreign resources held in Qatar
3) Whatever FBI and DNI are doing re: 2020 election in Georgia
1) Federal paramilitaries invade US city based on racist lies, murder US citizens
2) Slush fund for the president from stolen foreign resources held in Qatar
3) Whatever FBI and DNI are doing re: 2020 election in Georgia
January 29, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Quite literally, there are about a dozen scandals under Trump II that are worse than the worst scandals in all of 🇺🇸 political history. Add in the ongoing familial/personal monetization of the presidency, the violation of our UN & NATO treaty obligations with 🇨🇦 & 🇬🇱/🇩🇰, & the murder on the high seas.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
American paramilitary units are on the cover of international newsmagazines.
But please, come visit and invest.
We’re “open for business.”
@economist.com
www.economist.com/leaders/2026...
But please, come visit and invest.
We’re “open for business.”
@economist.com
www.economist.com/leaders/2026...
January 30, 2026 at 12:24 AM
American paramilitary units are on the cover of international newsmagazines.
But please, come visit and invest.
We’re “open for business.”
@economist.com
www.economist.com/leaders/2026...
But please, come visit and invest.
We’re “open for business.”
@economist.com
www.economist.com/leaders/2026...
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Yes - until you see it firsthand, it’s hard to understand how upsetting and enraging it is to see these guys operate in your community. They are dressed for war, they beat civilians up, they openly antagonize neighbors, they’re masked, they carry people away. Everyone is livid at every scene.
This video clip also demonstrates that Alex Pretti was made very angry by the brutal, lawless violence of the DHS. That makes him just like me, and a large part of America.
Until he was shot 10 times in the back.
Until he was shot 10 times in the back.
January 29, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Yes - until you see it firsthand, it’s hard to understand how upsetting and enraging it is to see these guys operate in your community. They are dressed for war, they beat civilians up, they openly antagonize neighbors, they’re masked, they carry people away. Everyone is livid at every scene.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Legal asylum seeker, no criminal record, working two jobs, dragged out of smashed car and kidnapped by ICE as his US citizen newborn cries in a car seat in the freezing cold in Maine and his wife who barely speaks English pleads for help. WTAF
Video shows ICE leaving behind an infant and broken glass after arresting a man with no criminal history.
“There was a car seat in the back... There were broken glass shards all over it... There was just this tiny peanut of a baby. He was crying.”
My latest: www.pressherald.com/2026/01/28/i...
“There was a car seat in the back... There were broken glass shards all over it... There was just this tiny peanut of a baby. He was crying.”
My latest: www.pressherald.com/2026/01/28/i...
ICE agents shatter window, leave 1-month-old baby, mother in car after Portland arrest
Video shows federal immigration agents leaving behind an infant and broken glass after detaining a Guinean immigrant with no known criminal history.
www.pressherald.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Legal asylum seeker, no criminal record, working two jobs, dragged out of smashed car and kidnapped by ICE as his US citizen newborn cries in a car seat in the freezing cold in Maine and his wife who barely speaks English pleads for help. WTAF
so glad to have the chance to discuss emergency presidential power at @umassamherst.bsky.social on Feb. 27: www.umass.edu/political-sc...
Above the Law? The Evolution of Emergency Presidential Power: A Talk by Chris Edelson, lecturer in the Department of Political Science, UMass : Department of Political Science : UMass Amherst
Chris Edelson Talk
www.umass.edu
January 29, 2026 at 8:29 PM
so glad to have the chance to discuss emergency presidential power at @umassamherst.bsky.social on Feb. 27: www.umass.edu/political-sc...
the shame of a nation. It will take a lot to come back from this, but always a good time to get started.
January 29, 2026 at 7:49 PM
the shame of a nation. It will take a lot to come back from this, but always a good time to get started.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
We’re just not a free country.
Any American watching this play out between regime forces and journalists overseas would recognize it for what it is.
Any American watching this play out between regime forces and journalists overseas would recognize it for what it is.
January 29, 2026 at 5:49 AM
We’re just not a free country.
Any American watching this play out between regime forces and journalists overseas would recognize it for what it is.
Any American watching this play out between regime forces and journalists overseas would recognize it for what it is.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
It is wild to me that a military incursion to steal another country’s resources so the president can have a personal slush fund in Qatar is like the 5th most scandalous thing currently happening.
this is a straightforward impeachable offense for trump, vance, rubio and every other person down the line who enabled it and the framers would have thought impeachment for it did not go nearly far enough
Marco Rubio: "The oil proceeds are being deposited into an account that ultimately will become a US Treasury blocked account here in the US. We will say 'this is what this money can be spent on.' They will submit to us a budget request -- 'we want to use the money on these things.'"
January 29, 2026 at 12:54 AM
It is wild to me that a military incursion to steal another country’s resources so the president can have a personal slush fund in Qatar is like the 5th most scandalous thing currently happening.
Reposted by Chris Edelson
Jew in Amsterdam here. Please use Anne Frank as a comparison point to explain how state persecution of scapegoats impacts children, that is the point of her example, thanks
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
Tim Walz condemned for comparing Minnesota children to Anne Frank
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Jew in Amsterdam here. Please use Anne Frank as a comparison point to explain how state persecution of scapegoats impacts children, that is the point of her example, thanks
if what the trump admin is doing were legitimate, there would have been no need to go to such great lengths to cover up Iran-Contra.
SHAHEEN: It's been reported that the oil sold for $500 million and $300 million went to Venezuelan government. What happened to the other $200 million?
RUBIO: It's still sitting in the account is my understanding
SHAHEEN: The account in Qatar?
RUBIO: Yes
RUBIO: It's still sitting in the account is my understanding
SHAHEEN: The account in Qatar?
RUBIO: Yes
January 28, 2026 at 9:28 PM
if what the trump admin is doing were legitimate, there would have been no need to go to such great lengths to cover up Iran-Contra.