David Darmofal

@daviddarmofal.bsky.social

26K followers 840 following 26K posts

Political scientist. Political behavior + methods. Spatial analysis.
Speaking in a personal capacity. Opinions expressed are my own.

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Economics 52%

Political science 27%

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David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · May 8

Pope Leo XIV: JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 6h

Both the overall consumer sentiment index & the index of consumer expectations are now at their lowest among Republicans in Trump's second term.
data.sca.isr.umich.edu/fetchdoc.php...

data.sca.isr.umich.edu

Reposted by Joe R. Feagin, David Darmofal

NPR @npr.org · 6h

Jim Clyburn's new book, The First Eight, restores the lives of South Carolina's early Black congressmen and shows how their battles during Reconstruction offer lessons, and warnings, for politics today. n.pr/4ohnG12

In a new book, Rep. Jim Clyburn highlights the Black politicians who paved the way for him

n.pr

Reposted by Richard S.J. Tol, David H. Kaye, Robert C. Richards , and 3 more Richard S.J. Tol, David H. Kaye, Robert C. Richards, Alan Richardson, David R. Miller, David Darmofal

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 7h

The first official confirmation that Noem herself made the decision not to turn the planes around. A couple hundred men were tortured as a result — and soon after, the Supreme Court confirmed that the Trump admin’s Alien Enemies Act process was a total violation of due process.

Julie DiCaro @juliedicaro.bsky.social · 7h

BREAKING:

“After receiving that legal advice, Secretary Noem directed that the AEA detainees who had been removed from the United States before the Court’s order could be transferred to the custody of El Salvador. “

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney

General Emil Bove provided DHS with legal advice regarding the Court’s order as to flights that

had left the United States before the order issued, through DHS Acting General Counsel Joseph

Mazzara. Mr. Mazzara then conveyed that legal advice, as well as his own legal advice, to

Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem. See 6 U.S.C. § 113(a)(1)(J). After receiving that

legal advice, Secretary Noem directed that the AEA detainees who had been removed from the

United States before the Court’s order could be transferred to the custody of El Salvador. As

explained below, that decision was lawful and was consistent with a reasonable interpretation of

Reposted by Robert C. Richards, David R. Miller, David Darmofal

Julie DiCaro @juliedicaro.bsky.social · 7h

Reposted by David Darmofal

Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 7h

WATCH: Pope Leo XIV delivers a four-minute press conference in four languages — a rapid, panoramic moral briefing to the world.

He calls for peace between Israel and Hezbollah, unity among Christians, an end to violence against women, and a spirit of gratitude for Thanksgiving.

Reposted by David Darmofal

Simon Rosenberg @simonwdc.bsky.social · 8h

While this NYT article pulls punches on Trump's madness, impulsivity, and delusions, it's useful in that it creates space for other articles about Trump's age and clear cognitive and physical decline to follow. Gift link.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...

Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office

www.nytimes.com

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 8h

@jaketapper.bsky.social

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 8h

Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...

Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office

www.nytimes.com

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 8h

Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...

Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office

www.nytimes.com

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 9h

Cardinal Dolan & Fox News…

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 9h

Industry leaders in Ohio are not exactly raving about the effects of Trump & Vance’s tariffs on their businesses.

Tariffs are shaking up Ohio manufacturing

The nonprofit consulting group MAGNET surveyed the state's top manufacturers six months after Trump's tariffs took effect.

www.axios.com

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Daniel W. Drezner, David R. Miller , and 2 more Brendan Nyhan, Daniel W. Drezner, David R. Miller, James Goodwin, David Darmofal

jael holzman @jael.bsky.social · 9h

Republican senator now publicly defending Mark Kelly

Lisa Murkowski : Senator Kelly valiantly served our country as an aviator in the U.S. Navy before later completing four space shuttle missions as a NASA astronaut. To accuse him and other lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong. The Department of Defense and FBI surely have more important priorities than this frivolous investigation.

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, David R. Miller, David Darmofal

Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 9h

So, a senior Justice Department official — along with several members of Congress — used the authority of their offices to boost an obviously dubious conspiracy theory accusing a federal employee of a horrific crime.

And now it’s clear the allegation was baseless.

www.cbsnews.com/news/jan-6-p...

How an innocent woman's name was tied to the Jan. 6 pipe bombs

The FBI has ruled the woman out as a suspect in the 2021 plot, sources said, but only after her name circulated on social platforms and a conservative news site.

www.cbsnews.com

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 9h

Black Catholics in Latin America look to Pope Leo for support

Members of Black pastoral commissions from Latin American and Caribbean nations gathered earlier this month in Luján, Argentina, to discuss what they want in the Church.

cruxnow.com

Reposted by Rosemary A. Joyce, Timothy D. McBride, David Darmofal

Conrad Hackett @conradhackett.bsky.social · 9h

There's a big divide in how Americans are thinking about vaccines:
♦️83% of Republicans don't want an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
🔷64% of Democrats want to get or have already received an updated vaccine.
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/... 🧪

Chart showing A majority of U.S. adults (59%) say they don’t want to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. This is roughly identical to the share who said in October 2024 that they probably wouldn’t get the updated vaccine.

In the new survey, 26% of Americans say they do want an updated vaccine. Another 13% say they already got one as of late October 2025.

An overwhelming majority of Republicans and Republican leaners (83%) say they don’t want an updated vaccine. In contrast, 44% of Democrats and Democratic leaners say they want an updated vaccine, and 20% say they already got one.

A quarter of Americans ages 65 and older say they already got an updated vaccine – larger than the shares in younger age groups. Older Americans are among the groups most at risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Yet older Republicans and older Democrats have sharply different views on the vaccine. About four-in-ten Democrats ages 65 and older say they already got one, and 43% say they want to get one. But 76% of Republicans ages 65 and older say they don’t want an updated vaccine.

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, David R. Miller, Scott A. Imberman , and 1 more Brendan Nyhan, David R. Miller, Scott A. Imberman, David Darmofal

Tom Joscelyn @tomjoscelyn.bsky.social · 10h

This should be a major scandal. The Blaze falsely reported that a former U.S. Capitol Police officer was the Jan. 6th pipe bomber. But it wasn’t just another miss by conservative media promoting conspiracies.

Someone in US intel - at ODNI - was promoting it:

www.cbsnews.com/news/jan-6-p...

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 10h

I’m just now up to the Halloween episode! The one where Nicole does the very obvious product placement about Febreze’s new limited time scent. 😂

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 10h

Mary Todd outraged about Abraham (sorry, I couldn't resist!).

Mary Todd @marytodd.bsky.social · 11h

Louisiana resident here. Gobsmacked by this appointment. A true outrage.

Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · 12h

“Dr. Ralph Abraham, who as Louisiana’s surgeon general ordered the state health department to stop promoting vaccinations and who has called Covid vaccines “dangerous,” has been named the second in command at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” @jackiantonovich.bsky.social

Reposted by Brooke Harrington, Manisha Sinha, Timothy D. McBride , and 1 more Brooke Harrington, Manisha Sinha, Timothy D. McBride, David Darmofal

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 10h

Yikes.

(via @steverattner.bsky.social)

Reposted by David Darmofal

Rich Raho @richraho.bsky.social · 10h

Pope Leo XIV said Tuesday that Thanksgiving was a “beautiful feast” that unites believers and non-believers alike, as he issued a message of thanks ahead of the U.S. holiday. apnews.com/article/pope...

Pope says Thanksgiving is a 'beautiful feast' that unites all

Pope Leo XIV says Thanksgiving is a “beautiful feast” that unites believers and non-believers alike.Leo said he was thankful for many things and urged everyone to recognize the gifts they have been gi...

apnews.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

Cyrus Samii @cdsamii.bsky.social · 11h

Reporting the treated group mean along with DID estimates of the ATT cyrussamii.com?p=4151

Reporting the treated group mean along with DID estimates of the ATT – Cyrus Samii

cyrussamii.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

Rich Raho @richraho.bsky.social · 11h

Regarding the tragedy of violence against women, on today’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Pope said that “we must begin with the formation of young people,” because “every person deserves respect.” www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news...

Pope: In Nicaea a message of unity for Christians, in Lebanon for peace - Vatican News

At Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV answers journalists’ questions outside Villa Barberini. He describes his upcoming apostolic journey to Türkiye and ...

www.vaticannews.va

Reposted by David Darmofal

NPR @npr.org · 11h

Democrats are announcing a new investment to win over voters in rural areas — where the party has suffered deep losses in recent elections — by leaning on an economic message. n.pr/3XLWU62

Democrats plan a new investment in winning rural voters, who've fled the party

Democrats are announcing a new investment to win over voters in rural areas — where the party has suffered deep losses in recent elections — by leaning on an economic message.

n.pr

Reposted by David Darmofal

Mary Todd @marytodd.bsky.social · 11h

Louisiana resident here. Gobsmacked by this appointment. A true outrage.

Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · 12h

Doctor Critical of Vaccines Quietly Appointed as C.D.C.’s Second in Command

www.nytimes.com

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 11h

This Republican Senator has owed $5 million in taxes at the same time he's been denying ACA subsides to hard-working Americans who are struggling due to the inflationary policies of his party.

Reposted by David Darmofal

Victor Asal @victorasal.bsky.social · 11h

Peace plan presented by the US to Ukraine reflects inexperienced, unrealistic handling of a delicate situation
@us.theconversation.com
Donald Heflin
theconversation.com/peace-plan-p...

Peace plan presented by the US to Ukraine reflects inexperienced, unrealistic handling of a delicate situation

In a war that’s lasted almost four years, a former diplomat says it’s not realistic to say, ‘In the next week, come up with a very complicated peace deal, sign off on it and it’s going to stick.’

theconversation.com

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 11h

Remarkable sights in the United States these days. A Catholic priest holding up his rosary while opposing Trump & Vance's treatment of immigrants.
georgiabulletin.org/news/2025/11...

Faithful participate in national advocacy for immigrants - Georgia Bulletin

With a call for solidarity, Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Atlanta joined a national movement to advocate for immigrants during two events this fall

georgiabulletin.org

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 11h

@jaketapper.bsky.social

Steve Benen @stevebenen.com · 14h

An amazing new Trump controversy, Part II of II:

- Saturday afternoon: Trump says he spoke to Bolsonaro the night before and planned to see him “in the very near future”

- Monday afternoon: The Trump White House isn’t sure whether Trump actually had the conversation he referenced two days earlier

White House hedges on Trump’s curious claim about his call with Brazil’s Bolsonaro White House hedges on Trump’s curious claim about his call with Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro

Did the Republican president talk to Bolsonaro as the Brazilian plotted to escape? Trump said yes, but the White House isn’t so sure.

www.ms.now

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 12h

Politico, stenographer for Donald Trump. Also, the details of the plan may actually be fluid because there's a fight behind the scenes for influence between Vance and Rubio.

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 12h

Our Catholic parish is actively involved with the Boy Scouts. Yet again, an issue on which the Trump-Vance administration is diametrically opposed to the Catholic Church and is off to the far right of the Catholic Church.

NPR @npr.org · 12h

Documents show the U.S. military is planning to sever all ties with the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts