Prof. Carl LeVan
@democracyprofdc.bsky.social
Professor at American University. Defender of democracy. Lover of decency. Seeker of truth. Author/co-editor of books on Nigeria, constitution-making, and the American national security state. Editorial boards: Governance, Journal of Modern African Studies
Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, fires a US AG in New York by saying “See Article II of our Constitution. You are fired, Donald Kinsella.” After seeing Pam Bondi's testimony today, someone should tell her See Article I
February 12, 2026 at 3:29 AM
Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, fires a US AG in New York by saying “See Article II of our Constitution. You are fired, Donald Kinsella.” After seeing Pam Bondi's testimony today, someone should tell her See Article I
Looking forward to this documentary dealing with Babangida's annulment of #Nigeria 1993 election. Hope it doesn't revert to the counterfactual "if only Abiola had won." Discussed this event extensively in my 2015 book "Dictators and Democracy in African Development"
youtu.be/fCpz84C8Kp0?...
youtu.be/fCpz84C8Kp0?...
MKO Documentary teaser
YouTube video by oseville
youtu.be
February 11, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Looking forward to this documentary dealing with Babangida's annulment of #Nigeria 1993 election. Hope it doesn't revert to the counterfactual "if only Abiola had won." Discussed this event extensively in my 2015 book "Dictators and Democracy in African Development"
youtu.be/fCpz84C8Kp0?...
youtu.be/fCpz84C8Kp0?...
Pirro loses again. Now, repeat the advice, and elaborate on it. But do it on the floor where your speech is protected by separation of powers.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
Grand Jury Rebuffs Justice Dept. Attempt to Indict 6 Democrats in Congress
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:57 AM
Pirro loses again. Now, repeat the advice, and elaborate on it. But do it on the floor where your speech is protected by separation of powers.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
An immigration court dropped its case against Turkish graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk, a little less than a year after federal agents arrested her on a street near Tufts University
Immigration Court Drops Case Against Tufts Student Rumeysa Ozturk
The Turkish national had been arrested by plainclothes federal officers outside her apartment.
on.wsj.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:53 PM
An immigration court dropped its case against Turkish graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk, a little less than a year after federal agents arrested her on a street near Tufts University
At Jim Mittleman's book launch on "Runaway Capitalism." I getting discussion on telecom companies recently receiving an exemption from #ICE raids after lobbying Trump that they were concerned about ability to lay down telecom lines
February 9, 2026 at 6:24 PM
At Jim Mittleman's book launch on "Runaway Capitalism." I getting discussion on telecom companies recently receiving an exemption from #ICE raids after lobbying Trump that they were concerned about ability to lay down telecom lines
How do #immigrants impact US economy? New study by conservative @cato.org finds immigrants (1) pay more in taxes than receive in benefits, (2) have reduced #deficit every year since 1994 (3) pay MORE in taxes than the average American. So #ICE should stop kidnaping them.
www.cato.org/blog/cato-st...
www.cato.org/blog/cato-st...
Cato Study: Immigrants Reduced Deficits by $14.5 Trillion Since 1994
The best way to balance the budget is to reduce spending—particularly on wealthy retirees—but rather than hinder our efforts to control deficits, immigrants are helping.
www.cato.org
February 9, 2026 at 3:06 PM
How do #immigrants impact US economy? New study by conservative @cato.org finds immigrants (1) pay more in taxes than receive in benefits, (2) have reduced #deficit every year since 1994 (3) pay MORE in taxes than the average American. So #ICE should stop kidnaping them.
www.cato.org/blog/cato-st...
www.cato.org/blog/cato-st...
U.S. troops on the ground in #Nigeria. Advisors? Soldiers? How many? What's the scope of mission? Congressional notification? www.reuters.com/world/africa...
US military says some forces have been dispatched to Nigeria
The U.S. has sent a small team of troops to Nigeria, the general in charge of the U.S. command for Africa said on Tuesday, the first acknowledgment of U.S. forces on the ground since Washington struck...
www.reuters.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:43 AM
U.S. troops on the ground in #Nigeria. Advisors? Soldiers? How many? What's the scope of mission? Congressional notification? www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Nat Sec strategy says Trump "single-handedly reversed more than three decades of mistaken American assumptions about China: namely, that by opening our markets" China would enter "the so-called rules based international order”. Did anyone notice he was essentially taking Nancy Pelosi's position?
February 8, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Save the data! Who has experience with X's API and a bunch of memory?
www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
State Department will delete X posts from before Trump returned to office
The policy change orders the removal of any post made by official State Department accounts on X before President Trump returned to office in 2025.
www.npr.org
February 8, 2026 at 4:25 AM
Save the data! Who has experience with X's API and a bunch of memory?
www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
I was just denied entry to the Dilley detention facility while my constituent, seven-year-old Diana, remains inside.
What kind of sick, horrific conditions are children being forced to endure in there?
I will be back tomorrow. Accountability can’t wait.
What kind of sick, horrific conditions are children being forced to endure in there?
I will be back tomorrow. Accountability can’t wait.
February 6, 2026 at 2:35 AM
I was just denied entry to the Dilley detention facility while my constituent, seven-year-old Diana, remains inside.
What kind of sick, horrific conditions are children being forced to endure in there?
I will be back tomorrow. Accountability can’t wait.
What kind of sick, horrific conditions are children being forced to endure in there?
I will be back tomorrow. Accountability can’t wait.
Next, I would encourage them to elaborate on the insanity of the DOJ's request -- and do it on the House/Senate floor, where their speech is constitutionaly protected, adding a separation of powers protection. (See the case of Rep. Henry Gonzalez in the early 90s)
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...
Lawmakers Say They Will Not Cooperate With Inquiry Into Illegal Orders Video
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Next, I would encourage them to elaborate on the insanity of the DOJ's request -- and do it on the House/Senate floor, where their speech is constitutionaly protected, adding a separation of powers protection. (See the case of Rep. Henry Gonzalez in the early 90s)
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...
Nat Sec strategy says Trump "single-handedly reversed more than three decades of mistaken American assumptions about China: namely, that by opening our markets" China would enter "the so-called rules based international order”. Did anyone notice he was essentially taking Nancy Pelosi's position?
February 6, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Nat Sec strategy says Trump "single-handedly reversed more than three decades of mistaken American assumptions about China: namely, that by opening our markets" China would enter "the so-called rules based international order”. Did anyone notice he was essentially taking Nancy Pelosi's position?
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
What impact are the US boat strikes having, besides killing >124 people?
- October-December 2024: 7,764 pounds of cocaine seized at the US-Mexico border.
- October-December 2025: 10,593 pounds of cocaine seized.
Cocaine is up 34% year-over-year *despite* the boat strikes.
Data: bit.ly/4bJOeFs
- October-December 2024: 7,764 pounds of cocaine seized at the US-Mexico border.
- October-December 2025: 10,593 pounds of cocaine seized.
Cocaine is up 34% year-over-year *despite* the boat strikes.
Data: bit.ly/4bJOeFs
January 21, 2026 at 8:24 PM
What impact are the US boat strikes having, besides killing >124 people?
- October-December 2024: 7,764 pounds of cocaine seized at the US-Mexico border.
- October-December 2025: 10,593 pounds of cocaine seized.
Cocaine is up 34% year-over-year *despite* the boat strikes.
Data: bit.ly/4bJOeFs
- October-December 2024: 7,764 pounds of cocaine seized at the US-Mexico border.
- October-December 2025: 10,593 pounds of cocaine seized.
Cocaine is up 34% year-over-year *despite* the boat strikes.
Data: bit.ly/4bJOeFs
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
Nominating Putin mouthpiece Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence is a whole different level of alarming. The Five Eyes alliance will soon become Four Eyes — exactly as Putin wants.
In 2018, Tulsi Gabbard said Trump makes “our country less safe”
November 14, 2024 at 3:12 AM
Nominating Putin mouthpiece Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence is a whole different level of alarming. The Five Eyes alliance will soon become Four Eyes — exactly as Putin wants.
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Virginia’s New Governor Ends ICE Program. Local Contracts Remain, For Now. - Bolts
Abigail Spanberger left the 287(g) program, which empowered state law enforcement to detain immigrants. Will Democrats also bar local police and sheriffs from the program?
boltsmag.org
February 4, 2026 at 10:36 PM
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Went to a meeting downtown today, and I was the only dude not wearing a tie. So many cultural changes in DC with the GOP back in power.
February 5, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Went to a meeting downtown today, and I was the only dude not wearing a tie. So many cultural changes in DC with the GOP back in power.
DEMOCRACY DIES IN DARKNESS
Jeff Bezos, one of the richest people on Earth, just eliminated hundreds of union jobs at the Washington Post.
Solidarity with @postguild.bsky.social. Join them tomorrow, February 5 at 12:00 p.m. for a rally to #SaveThePost.
Solidarity with @postguild.bsky.social. Join them tomorrow, February 5 at 12:00 p.m. for a rally to #SaveThePost.
February 4, 2026 at 9:20 PM
DEMOCRACY DIES IN DARKNESS
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
NEW: At least 23 reported contributors to the White House ballroom should have disclosed those donations as part of their lobbying disclosure filings, according to CREW analysis. Only one did.
White House ballroom donations should be disclosed on lobbying disclosure reports - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
At least 23 reported contributors to the White House ballroom should have disclosed those donations as part of their regular lobbying disclosure filings.
www.citizensforethics.org
February 4, 2026 at 7:38 PM
NEW: At least 23 reported contributors to the White House ballroom should have disclosed those donations as part of their lobbying disclosure filings, according to CREW analysis. Only one did.
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
The new DHS funding deadline is next week. That means Democrats have real leverage to stop the regime’s lawlessness. Demand that Dems hold the line and refuse to fund DHS without ironclad limits on ICE and CBP, actual accountability for abuses, and clear guardrails to stop raids and intimidation.
Tell Your Members of Congress to rein in ICE NOW
On January 24, federal forces with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. This was just over two weeks after the killing of Renee Good. These killings are a direc...
act.indivisible.org
February 4, 2026 at 1:50 PM
The new DHS funding deadline is next week. That means Democrats have real leverage to stop the regime’s lawlessness. Demand that Dems hold the line and refuse to fund DHS without ironclad limits on ICE and CBP, actual accountability for abuses, and clear guardrails to stop raids and intimidation.
Street signs are a little different here in DC
February 4, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Street signs are a little different here in DC
I have been following this index for 25 years. By focusing on perceptions, I hope this one will not under report our grim neopatrimonial reality here in the US: a president selling political access via crypto currency, accepting a $400m gift from a foreign govt, firing inspectors general, etc.
🔵 COMING SOON: The Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 will be published on 10 February. How will your country measure up? #CPI2025
February 4, 2026 at 12:01 PM
I have been following this index for 25 years. By focusing on perceptions, I hope this one will not under report our grim neopatrimonial reality here in the US: a president selling political access via crypto currency, accepting a $400m gift from a foreign govt, firing inspectors general, etc.
Interested in protecting universities, students, faculty, staff and basic principles of democracy on American college campuses? Apply for this @aaup.org fellowship at the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom www.aaup.org/about/progra...
Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom
The center will bring together higher education and academic freedom experts over two years (2024-25) to develop a comprehensive understanding of the scope and nature of political interference in high...
urldefense.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Interested in protecting universities, students, faculty, staff and basic principles of democracy on American college campuses? Apply for this @aaup.org fellowship at the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom www.aaup.org/about/progra...
A real indictment of economists. Right? (I'm imagining results among anthropologists or clinical psychologists)
Are female economists treated differently than males in academic seminars?
These authors wanted to know whether gender shapes how scholars are treated when presenting research.
So they built a massive dataset of 2,000+ economics seminars, job talks, and conference presentations from 2019–2023...
These authors wanted to know whether gender shapes how scholars are treated when presenting research.
So they built a massive dataset of 2,000+ economics seminars, job talks, and conference presentations from 2019–2023...
February 4, 2026 at 3:47 AM
A real indictment of economists. Right? (I'm imagining results among anthropologists or clinical psychologists)
Reposted by Prof. Carl LeVan
In response to the FBI’s raid of a WP reporter’s home, the U.S. Journalist Assistance Network (JAN) is hosting a free roundtable on data and device protection for reporters in the U.S. on 2/10/2026 at 12:00 pm ET. Register here: cpj-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Journalist safety in the US: Protecting data and devices. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
The raid of a Washington Post reporter’s home and the seizure of the reporter’s devices and newsgathering materials is an alarming escalation against the press and emphasizes the need for journalists ...
cpj-org.zoom.us
February 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
In response to the FBI’s raid of a WP reporter’s home, the U.S. Journalist Assistance Network (JAN) is hosting a free roundtable on data and device protection for reporters in the U.S. on 2/10/2026 at 12:00 pm ET. Register here: cpj-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Now that the chair of the relevant committee of jurisdiction has recognized the gross misconduct of Secretary Noem, who endorsed the violence rather than characterizing it as an accident or worthy of urgent investigation, he has an obligation to take the next step and hold her accountable
Senate Homeland Security Committee Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says he “saw no evidence” to back claims of senior Trump administration officials that Alex Pretti attempted to assault law enforcement officers and instead “saw a man that was retreating” when he was shot and killed by federal officers.
thehill.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Now that the chair of the relevant committee of jurisdiction has recognized the gross misconduct of Secretary Noem, who endorsed the violence rather than characterizing it as an accident or worthy of urgent investigation, he has an obligation to take the next step and hold her accountable