Daniel Knowles
@dlknowles.bsky.social
Midwest correspondent at The Economist, in Chicago. Before that, in London, Mumbai, Nairobi and DC.
Buy my book: http://shorturl.at/BJOUV
Buy my book: http://shorturl.at/BJOUV
Pinned
Just reposting this - my story this week is part of this week's cover package on Minneapolis and the rise of what we call "America's paramilitary peril."
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
A newborn in Minneapolis hadn’t eaten for a day and a half.
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
When one mother was taken by ICE, another stepped in to donate breastmilk
Moms in Minneapolis are donating diapers, food and time to help families who have been ripped apart by ICE.
19thnews.org
February 2, 2026 at 7:46 PM
A newborn in Minneapolis hadn’t eaten for a day and a half.
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
I fear I may have become an AI convert. Just used Claude to write a python script I would have absolutely no idea how to do otherwise, and then write a GUI to run it. This is to uh, update my @last.fm account with logs from a 22-year-old iPod, so pretty niche. But it just works!
February 2, 2026 at 7:26 PM
I fear I may have become an AI convert. Just used Claude to write a python script I would have absolutely no idea how to do otherwise, and then write a GUI to run it. This is to uh, update my @last.fm account with logs from a 22-year-old iPod, so pretty niche. But it just works!
One thing I encountered in my 2024 election coverage was that while people at Trump rallies were wildly pro mass deportation, some rural Republicans I met, including party officials, remained broadly pro migration. They just thought the mass deportation stuff was all bluster and wouldn't happen
Remarkable: 55% of noncollege whites and even 50% of rural whites say ICE is too aggressive, per new Fox News poll.
And 71% of independents disapprove of Trump on immigration.
This is digging deep into Trump's base.
We detail these numbers on today's pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2059...
And 71% of independents disapprove of Trump on immigration.
This is digging deep into Trump's base.
We detail these numbers on today's pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2059...
Trump Tirade over Protests Goes Off Rails as Crushing Fox Poll Hits
As Trump grows more delusional about how hated his ICE raids have become, a longtime pro-immigrant organizer explains why this may be a watershed moment in terms of public opinion on the issue.
newrepublic.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:08 PM
One thing I encountered in my 2024 election coverage was that while people at Trump rallies were wildly pro mass deportation, some rural Republicans I met, including party officials, remained broadly pro migration. They just thought the mass deportation stuff was all bluster and wouldn't happen
An interesting example here is Elon Musk's blatant attempt to buy the Wisconsin judicial election last year. It seems he did succeed in boosting Republican turnout. The state GOP chair was giddy when I interviewed him. But they didn't account for how much farther it boosted Democrat turnout
well then it hasn’t been a very successful one
February 2, 2026 at 1:55 PM
An interesting example here is Elon Musk's blatant attempt to buy the Wisconsin judicial election last year. It seems he did succeed in boosting Republican turnout. The state GOP chair was giddy when I interviewed him. But they didn't account for how much farther it boosted Democrat turnout
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
If a university student group had celebrated Charlie Kirk being killed, complete with a graphic made from an actual picture of the killing, the whole lot of them would have been expelled before the ink on the digital story was dry.
University of Illinois college republicans advocate for executing protesters as “traitors” with art that takes a disturbing killing and makes it even more extreme.
dailyillini.com/news-stories...
dailyillini.com/news-stories...
‘Fell the enemies:’ Illini Republicans support ICE amid killings - The Daily Illini
In a post that included a graphic of a presumed officer holding a gun to someone's head, Illini Republicans stated that they “stand with ICE."
dailyillini.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:03 PM
If a university student group had celebrated Charlie Kirk being killed, complete with a graphic made from an actual picture of the killing, the whole lot of them would have been expelled before the ink on the digital story was dry.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
University of Illinois college republicans advocate for executing protesters as “traitors” with art that takes a disturbing killing and makes it even more extreme.
dailyillini.com/news-stories...
dailyillini.com/news-stories...
‘Fell the enemies:’ Illini Republicans support ICE amid killings - The Daily Illini
In a post that included a graphic of a presumed officer holding a gun to someone's head, Illini Republicans stated that they “stand with ICE."
dailyillini.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:40 AM
University of Illinois college republicans advocate for executing protesters as “traitors” with art that takes a disturbing killing and makes it even more extreme.
dailyillini.com/news-stories...
dailyillini.com/news-stories...
Especially and necessarily in America because *there hasn't been any comprehensive reform to the actual law in over 30 years*
I genuinely have no idea how to convey this to the American people, but I think the biggest impediment to any kind of immigration reform is that people are convinced that "legal" and "illegal" are immutable, intrinsic categories instead of a rapidly-shifting arbitrary constellation of regulations.
February 2, 2026 at 6:41 AM
Especially and necessarily in America because *there hasn't been any comprehensive reform to the actual law in over 30 years*
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
I remember when political scientists sounding the alarm about a Jan. 6-type event in ~October 2020 were ridiculed by "smart" pundits as radical leftists. One called an article in The Atlantic "too magazine-y." The good news is people seem to be taking 2026/28 much more seriously
David French: This is not a drill www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/o...
February 2, 2026 at 3:58 AM
I remember when political scientists sounding the alarm about a Jan. 6-type event in ~October 2020 were ridiculed by "smart" pundits as radical leftists. One called an article in The Atlantic "too magazine-y." The good news is people seem to be taking 2026/28 much more seriously
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
The schoolmates of Liam Conejo Ramos wrote letters to ICE.
This is just gutting. And also such a reminder that hate is taught. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/o...
This is just gutting. And also such a reminder that hate is taught. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/o...
Opinion | ICE Took Liam Conejo Ramos. His Classmates Have Something to Say.
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:36 AM
The schoolmates of Liam Conejo Ramos wrote letters to ICE.
This is just gutting. And also such a reminder that hate is taught. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/o...
This is just gutting. And also such a reminder that hate is taught. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/o...
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Lots of teargas at ICE tonight in Portland. People were just standing and chanting.
February 2, 2026 at 3:23 AM
Lots of teargas at ICE tonight in Portland. People were just standing and chanting.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Again Will is a left wing civil rights lawyer whose worst sin is stubbornness and whose greatest virtue is also stubbornness. That he has been transformed into a demon in the minds of losers is evidence of how pathetically inadequate their vision of actual wickedness is.
the image of will stancil these people have built in their heads (grand wizard of the mega klan) is at odds with any time I've seen him post (dweeby, harmless)
January 30, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Again Will is a left wing civil rights lawyer whose worst sin is stubbornness and whose greatest virtue is also stubbornness. That he has been transformed into a demon in the minds of losers is evidence of how pathetically inadequate their vision of actual wickedness is.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 1, 2026 at 9:10 PM
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
February 1, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Two of my friends I met when I lived in Nairobi have a documentary film company they set up then, working as penniless freelancers. A film they produced just won the documentary prize at the Sundance Film Festival: www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
archive.ph
February 1, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Two of my friends I met when I lived in Nairobi have a documentary film company they set up then, working as penniless freelancers. A film they produced just won the documentary prize at the Sundance Film Festival: www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Something’s up in Texas! A more than 30-point swing in Texas State Senate District 9. Congratulations to Taylor Rehmet on winning a seat Trump won by 17 points!
February 1, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Something’s up in Texas! A more than 30-point swing in Texas State Senate District 9. Congratulations to Taylor Rehmet on winning a seat Trump won by 17 points!
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions. I expect to see enforcement of our city code prohibiting the use of tear gas.
February 1, 2026 at 1:23 AM
I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions. I expect to see enforcement of our city code prohibiting the use of tear gas.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
some good news buried among the horrible behavior listed:
“The third woman said federal agents at her hotel are subsisting on microwavable bowls of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, because it’s become so difficult for them to find restaurants willing to serve them.”
“The third woman said federal agents at her hotel are subsisting on microwavable bowls of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, because it’s become so difficult for them to find restaurants willing to serve them.”
I visited hotels all over Minneapolis, went into back rooms & talked to the staff.
They're afraid.
One told me she resents how her undocumented coworkers spend their days cleaning the rooms of agents who are “hunting down their family members.”
@notus.com:
www.notus.org/immigration/...
They're afraid.
One told me she resents how her undocumented coworkers spend their days cleaning the rooms of agents who are “hunting down their family members.”
@notus.com:
www.notus.org/immigration/...
Minneapolis’ Hotel Workers Are on Edge
Staff across the city told NOTUS how their lives have changed since the start of the federal immigration operation. “It's frightening,” one said.
www.notus.org
January 30, 2026 at 2:44 PM
some good news buried among the horrible behavior listed:
“The third woman said federal agents at her hotel are subsisting on microwavable bowls of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, because it’s become so difficult for them to find restaurants willing to serve them.”
“The third woman said federal agents at her hotel are subsisting on microwavable bowls of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, because it’s become so difficult for them to find restaurants willing to serve them.”
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Just reposting this - my story this week is part of this week's cover package on Minneapolis and the rise of what we call "America's paramilitary peril."
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
January 31, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Just reposting this - my story this week is part of this week's cover package on Minneapolis and the rise of what we call "America's paramilitary peril."
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
My guess is that there will be very little pushback against Governor Cox for this, and that as he positions himself for 2028, he will do so by presenting himself as the moderate, sane voice of the GOP. But this is straightforwardly undermining a check on more radical policymaking.
The Utah governor just signed a bill to expand his state's supreme court by two seats.
Conservatives have been angry at a series of judicial rulings, including one that safeguarded direct democracy in 2024 & one that struck down their gerrymander. 1st step of their retaliation.
Conservatives have been angry at a series of judicial rulings, including one that safeguarded direct democracy in 2024 & one that struck down their gerrymander. 1st step of their retaliation.
February 1, 2026 at 4:09 PM
My guess is that there will be very little pushback against Governor Cox for this, and that as he positions himself for 2028, he will do so by presenting himself as the moderate, sane voice of the GOP. But this is straightforwardly undermining a check on more radical policymaking.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Nothing has changed and these masked, armed federal paramilitaries are just as aggressive and lawless as ever.
This morning, federal agents staged at the Powderhorn Park Recreation Center lot and began to throw chemical irritants at observers. They also kidnapped an observer. Our parks are meant for our children, youth, and neighbors. They should never be militarized zones meant to separate families. 1/
February 1, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Nothing has changed and these masked, armed federal paramilitaries are just as aggressive and lawless as ever.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
This is what happens when law enforcement indiscriminately shoots tear gas into crowds- and generally, in my experience, without just cause. It should be banned.
February 1, 2026 at 2:43 PM
This is what happens when law enforcement indiscriminately shoots tear gas into crowds- and generally, in my experience, without just cause. It should be banned.
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
if Musk is doing this for London crime, what do you think he is doing for content about American politics, an issue that affects him much more directly?
Wowsers look at what happened to posts on Twitter/X about London crime after monetisation of posts was introduced…
economist.com/britain/2026...
economist.com/britain/2026...
January 31, 2026 at 11:42 PM
if Musk is doing this for London crime, what do you think he is doing for content about American politics, an issue that affects him much more directly?
Reposted by Daniel Knowles
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 1, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
Reorganised all of our books yesterday. Didn't realise my collection of Chicago books had grown enough to fill an entire shelf
January 31, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Reorganised all of our books yesterday. Didn't realise my collection of Chicago books had grown enough to fill an entire shelf
Just reposting this - my story this week is part of this week's cover package on Minneapolis and the rise of what we call "America's paramilitary peril."
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
January 31, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Just reposting this - my story this week is part of this week's cover package on Minneapolis and the rise of what we call "America's paramilitary peril."
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...