Conor P. Williams
@conorpwilliams.bsky.social
Writer and researcher in DC. Just my views here. Dopily pro-America, stridently anti-fascist.
Also: Brewery magnate. Deweyan progressive. Former stay-at-home dad. Primary caregiver.
Also: Brewery magnate. Deweyan progressive. Former stay-at-home dad. Primary caregiver.
Pinned
What Families Want: New Data on Public Demand for Bilingual Education
This is an abbreviated version of the full report—to read it in full, click here. The United States has long benefited from its ability to attract and
tcf.org
Just published this new report at @tcfdotorg.bsky.social. Quick thread explaining what we found. tcf.org/content/repo...
Reposted by Conor P. Williams
When I was in high school I did a constitutional debate program and witnessed this exchange:
JUDGE: what’s your favorite amendment?
KID: the third
JUDGE: why the third?
KID: because if there’s soldiers in your house, the other ones really don’t matter
BORN READY FOR 2026
JUDGE: what’s your favorite amendment?
KID: the third
JUDGE: why the third?
KID: because if there’s soldiers in your house, the other ones really don’t matter
BORN READY FOR 2026
January 22, 2026 at 2:36 AM
When I was in high school I did a constitutional debate program and witnessed this exchange:
JUDGE: what’s your favorite amendment?
KID: the third
JUDGE: why the third?
KID: because if there’s soldiers in your house, the other ones really don’t matter
BORN READY FOR 2026
JUDGE: what’s your favorite amendment?
KID: the third
JUDGE: why the third?
KID: because if there’s soldiers in your house, the other ones really don’t matter
BORN READY FOR 2026
Got masses of everyday Americans confronting lethal violence from federal paramilitaries…and the opposition lacks the stomach to lead with moral clarity.
To quote one source:
“They’re terrified of being labeled anti–law enforcement. They want this to go away so they can talk about the cost of living more. Problem is, it’s not going away.”
prospect.org/2026/01/21/j...
“They’re terrified of being labeled anti–law enforcement. They want this to go away so they can talk about the cost of living more. Problem is, it’s not going away.”
prospect.org/2026/01/21/j...
Jeffries Won’t Whip Vote Against ICE Funding - The American Prospect
While the House Democratic leader announced personal opposition to a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, he won’t pressure his colleagues to do the same.
prospect.org
January 21, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Got masses of everyday Americans confronting lethal violence from federal paramilitaries…and the opposition lacks the stomach to lead with moral clarity.
"Families across the country are watching and wondering: Could this happen at our school?" www.the74million.org/article/when...
When Immigration Policy Collides With Schools, Students and the Community Suffer
Strom: In this age of fear, young people from immigrant families need to know if they are truly being accepted in their school or merely accommodated.
www.the74million.org
January 21, 2026 at 4:05 PM
"Families across the country are watching and wondering: Could this happen at our school?" www.the74million.org/article/when...
Reposted by Conor P. Williams
Current* conditions near St. Ignace, MI:
January 20, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Current* conditions near St. Ignace, MI:
"If you tell me that is not your No. 1 duty, to make sure that your students, your families, feel like this is their school district and that we are here for them, then I think you failed at leadership."
www.edweek.org/leadership/w...
www.edweek.org/leadership/w...
Why This Leader Is Willing to Risk Losing His Job to Support Immigrant Students
This small Vermont district defies backlash to support immigrant families.
www.edweek.org
January 20, 2026 at 10:14 PM
"If you tell me that is not your No. 1 duty, to make sure that your students, your families, feel like this is their school district and that we are here for them, then I think you failed at leadership."
www.edweek.org/leadership/w...
www.edweek.org/leadership/w...
Reposted by Conor P. Williams
if folks don't like "abolish ICE" for being scary, they are welcome to say "demilitarize immigration". we can make those two hands shake down the line.
January 20, 2026 at 5:58 PM
if folks don't like "abolish ICE" for being scary, they are welcome to say "demilitarize immigration". we can make those two hands shake down the line.
"[T]here were no details on how exactly the policy that top GOP leaders rolled out on Thursday would play out inside Tennessee schools." www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/20...
Tennessee GOP wants to make K-12 students verify their immigration status
It’s not yet clear how they would do so, or if the data could be used by ICE or state immigration enforcement.
www.chalkbeat.org
January 20, 2026 at 4:36 PM
"[T]here were no details on how exactly the policy that top GOP leaders rolled out on Thursday would play out inside Tennessee schools." www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/20...
Sometimes federal budget arguments seem petty and boring and tedious. And, once they're resolved, they often fade from view...even as the consequences come home to roost.
www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2...
www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2...
Big Take: The Funding Surge Behind ICE’s Actions - Bloomberg
Understand every aspect of the global economy – and know how to make your next move.
www.bloomberg.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Sometimes federal budget arguments seem petty and boring and tedious. And, once they're resolved, they often fade from view...even as the consequences come home to roost.
www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2...
www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2...
"I don’t think that this is the last time that we’ll see decisions like that being made." www.edsurge.com/news/2026-01...
Peering Into the Future: Look for These K-12 Education Trends in 2026 - EdSurge News
To help readers focus on top trends worthy of their attention, EdSurge journalists distilled expertise from education sources of all sorts into about ...
www.edsurge.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:56 PM
"I don’t think that this is the last time that we’ll see decisions like that being made." www.edsurge.com/news/2026-01...
Look at these heroes. And the oldheads want us to believe that younger generations are cynical about America, that they’re giving up on the project.
Happening Now: Students have walked out of school and are protesting against ICE in Saint Paul, Minnesota
January 14, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Look at these heroes. And the oldheads want us to believe that younger generations are cynical about America, that they’re giving up on the project.
"six-seven" is just IRL rickrolling for kids—pass it on.
January 14, 2026 at 9:59 PM
"six-seven" is just IRL rickrolling for kids—pass it on.
Reposted by Conor P. Williams
I know it’s not everything, but it’s something: how each of us, in our little spheres of work & community, can help foster & sustain places of care, decency, & intelligence even when powerful people celebrate venal, coarse, mendacious practices. What a gift, to be able to do something so worthwhile
January 20, 2025 at 12:18 AM
I know it’s not everything, but it’s something: how each of us, in our little spheres of work & community, can help foster & sustain places of care, decency, & intelligence even when powerful people celebrate venal, coarse, mendacious practices. What a gift, to be able to do something so worthwhile
"the trend on the right has been to behave as if the goal of education policy is to dismantle teacher unions" open.substack.com/pub/matthewy...
Schools are getting worse in most red states
The “Southern surge” is great, but it’s just four states.
open.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:31 PM
"the trend on the right has been to behave as if the goal of education policy is to dismantle teacher unions" open.substack.com/pub/matthewy...
Making us poorer and our govt less fiscally healthy and our culture less dynamic and our future less bright
Net US immigration was zero or slightly negative last year, in important new estimates by @stanveuger.bsky.social et al.
The loss of labor cut GDP growth by about 0.2 percentage points.
The loss of labor cut GDP growth by about 0.2 percentage points.
Macroeconomic implications of immigration flows in 2025 and 2026: January 2026 update | Brookings
Wendy Edelberg, Stan Veuger, and Tara Watson review immigration flow trends in 2025 and 2026, and analyze their macroeconomic implications.
www.brookings.edu
January 14, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Making us poorer and our govt less fiscally healthy and our culture less dynamic and our future less bright
Reposted by Conor P. Williams
You have the wrong friends in dc. People who are not political journalists are and have been - for months - incandescent with rage.
This is the first time in my life I truly don't believe my friends in DC or NYC understand the sentiment among the average person in the midwest. Trials are the moderate position among these people. I have never seen regular people so angry.
January 14, 2026 at 12:17 PM
You have the wrong friends in dc. People who are not political journalists are and have been - for months - incandescent with rage.
TJ Sabula is suspended from his job.
James Rodden is back to his.
James Rodden is back to his.
January 14, 2026 at 3:29 AM
TJ Sabula is suspended from his job.
James Rodden is back to his.
James Rodden is back to his.
Reposted by Conor P. Williams
Yeah man all my friends in Minnesota are buying high viz vests and forming human chains at class dismissals because ICE is targeting and tear gassing schools. I wonder why parents would want information about that.
January 14, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Yeah man all my friends in Minnesota are buying high viz vests and forming human chains at class dismissals because ICE is targeting and tear gassing schools. I wonder why parents would want information about that.
This is, as far as I have kept up on the research, mostly *true*...and something that I don't have a good answer for within my priors.
the thing is these are good things for their own sake but they do not actually work to increase the birthrate, as the European experience largely shows. pretty much nothing increases the birthrate that we've found so far, whether good welfare state stuff or natalist nationalism and anti-choice shit.
leftist plan to increase the birthrate:
- universal health care
- free child care
- better paid family leave
- better workforce protections so they can't lay you off while you're pregnant and be like "no it was for something else i swear"
ok i did it
www.npr.org/2026/01/12/n...
- universal health care
- free child care
- better paid family leave
- better workforce protections so they can't lay you off while you're pregnant and be like "no it was for something else i swear"
ok i did it
www.npr.org/2026/01/12/n...
January 13, 2026 at 9:39 PM
This is, as far as I have kept up on the research, mostly *true*...and something that I don't have a good answer for within my priors.
Reposted by Conor P. Williams
Honestly if you’re currently unemployed, sounds like ICE standards are so low you could do some good by joining, going through training and then quitting at the most inconvenient time.
January 13, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Honestly if you’re currently unemployed, sounds like ICE standards are so low you could do some good by joining, going through training and then quitting at the most inconvenient time.
Reposted by Conor P. Williams
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.
What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We're all finding out.
slate.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:11 PM
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
Reposted by Conor P. Williams
Worth saying that if you’re listening to journalists, pundits, writers, influencers, anyone who opposed calling the right fascists, Nazis and authoritarians back in 2016-2017, you shouldn’t be listening to them anymore. Anyone who claimed there was an “over reaction,” was catastrophically wrong.
January 13, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Worth saying that if you’re listening to journalists, pundits, writers, influencers, anyone who opposed calling the right fascists, Nazis and authoritarians back in 2016-2017, you shouldn’t be listening to them anymore. Anyone who claimed there was an “over reaction,” was catastrophically wrong.
Just had occasion to think about this, one of the great lyrics given us by one of the greatest lyricists. genius.com/30032303
I only play the games that I win at / And stay the same, with more rhymes than there's ways to skin cats / As a matter of fact, let me rephrase: / With more rhymes than ways to fillet felines these da...
Here, the super metal fingered villain flips the phrase “There’s more than one way to skin a cat”. This phrase means that there are a multitude of different ways to achieve a goal. He then proceeds to...
genius.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Just had occasion to think about this, one of the great lyrics given us by one of the greatest lyricists. genius.com/30032303
Blessings and congratulations to all those who celebrate
The world is collapsing but I did still want to observe this hyperlocal tradition: today, 1/12, NYC’s tap water is cold enough to be drunk raw without further refrigeration
(The chlorination is still heavier than years past, so you may still need to filter 😢)
(The chlorination is still heavier than years past, so you may still need to filter 😢)
Long-time followers might recall my annual wintertime proclamation of the moment NYC tap water was good to be consumed right out of the tap, ice-cold and basically chlorine-free
That proclamation isn’t happening this year, idk if it’s the drought/tunnel work but the water is absolutely gross
That proclamation isn’t happening this year, idk if it’s the drought/tunnel work but the water is absolutely gross
January 12, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Blessings and congratulations to all those who celebrate
Reposted by Conor P. Williams
Really good historical perspective. If you don’t read @liberalcurrents.com , you should.
www.liberalcurrents.com/return-of-th...
www.liberalcurrents.com/return-of-th...
Return of the Silver Shirts
In ICE's invasion of Minneapolis, an echo of a dark past.
www.liberalcurrents.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Really good historical perspective. If you don’t read @liberalcurrents.com , you should.
www.liberalcurrents.com/return-of-th...
www.liberalcurrents.com/return-of-th...
Reposted by Conor P. Williams
The reactionary centrist logic is simple: if the left does something bad it’s the left’s fault, and if the right does something bad, it’s also the left’s fault for making them do it. It’s a simple formula and once you see it every one of their arguments is the same
January 10, 2026 at 11:24 PM
The reactionary centrist logic is simple: if the left does something bad it’s the left’s fault, and if the right does something bad, it’s also the left’s fault for making them do it. It’s a simple formula and once you see it every one of their arguments is the same