David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
@drdrbrockman.bsky.social
Pinned
Welcome new Bluesky friends! I study and write about religion and politics, especially #ChristianNationalism. If you'd like to check out some of my work, here's a place to start: www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/david...
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
November 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
MAGA Republican Rep. Troy Nehls just announced he won't run for re-election in 2026.
November 29, 2025 at 6:25 PM
MAGA Republican Rep. Troy Nehls just announced he won't run for re-election in 2026.
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Dimon on why JPMorgan Chase is not funding WH Ballroom:
We have an issue, which is anything we do, since we do a lot of contracts with governments here and around the world, we have to be very careful how anything is perceived, and also how the next DOJ is going to deal with it.
We have an issue, which is anything we do, since we do a lot of contracts with governments here and around the world, we have to be very careful how anything is perceived, and also how the next DOJ is going to deal with it.
November 29, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Dimon on why JPMorgan Chase is not funding WH Ballroom:
We have an issue, which is anything we do, since we do a lot of contracts with governments here and around the world, we have to be very careful how anything is perceived, and also how the next DOJ is going to deal with it.
We have an issue, which is anything we do, since we do a lot of contracts with governments here and around the world, we have to be very careful how anything is perceived, and also how the next DOJ is going to deal with it.
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
While American families are expected to pay more for goods this holiday season due to Donald Trump’s tariffs, small-business owners are facing an existential crisis, Annie Lowrey reports:
Donald Trump’s War on Christmas
It’s a bad year for shoppers. It’s a terrible year for small-business owners.
bit.ly
November 29, 2025 at 8:15 PM
While American families are expected to pay more for goods this holiday season due to Donald Trump’s tariffs, small-business owners are facing an existential crisis, Annie Lowrey reports:
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The university’s $790 million of federal funding was suspended earlier this year amid a Title VI civil rights investigation, part of a broader administration effort to scrutinize university policies and campus speech.
Northwestern University agrees to pay $75 million as part of deal with Trump administration that restores frozen funds | CNN
Northwestern University has reached a $75-million deal with the Trump administration which restores frozen federal funding and ends an antisemitism investigation, the Department of Justice announced F...
www.cnn.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The university’s $790 million of federal funding was suspended earlier this year amid a Title VI civil rights investigation, part of a broader administration effort to scrutinize university policies and campus speech.
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Many Afghans who fled the Taliban in 2021 and ended up in Fort Worth are still going through the immigration process.
Afghan refugees in Fort Worth face feds’ scrutiny after Guard members shot in DC
Many Afghans who fled the Taliban in 2021 and ended up in Fort Worth are still going through the immigration process.
bit.ly
November 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Many Afghans who fled the Taliban in 2021 and ended up in Fort Worth are still going through the immigration process.
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Pope Leo XIV has made his first visit to a mosque since his election.
Pope Leo removes shoes but does not appear to pray in first mosque visit | CNN
Pope Leo XIV has made his first visit to a mosque since his election, and while he removed his shoes as a sign of respect, he did not appear to pray.
www.cnn.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Pope Leo XIV has made his first visit to a mosque since his election.
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
"Something in the US economy isn’t adding up, and it’s rattling the people charged with wrangling inflation and keeping the labor market intact," Bryan Mena writes | Analysis
An unusual trend in the economy is worrying the Fed | CNN Business
Something in the US economy isn’t adding up, and it’s rattling the people charged with wrangling inflation and keeping the labor market intact.
www.cnn.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:30 PM
"Something in the US economy isn’t adding up, and it’s rattling the people charged with wrangling inflation and keeping the labor market intact," Bryan Mena writes | Analysis
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
GOP and Independent support dropping: news.gallup.com/poll/699221/...
Trump's Approval Rating Drops to 36%, New Second-Term Low
President Donald Trump's job approval rating has slipped to a new second-term low point and is approaching his all-time low of 34%.
news.gallup.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:23 PM
GOP and Independent support dropping: news.gallup.com/poll/699221/...
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Trump, of course, has no authority to reverse a pardon issued by a prior president. He can make what claims he wants on social media. He does have the power to issue his own executive orders reversing an executive order from a prior president. But that would not include pardons
November 28, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Trump, of course, has no authority to reverse a pardon issued by a prior president. He can make what claims he wants on social media. He does have the power to issue his own executive orders reversing an executive order from a prior president. But that would not include pardons
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Trump asserts he can reverse/void hundreds of executive actions by Biden, which may include pardons.
November 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Trump asserts he can reverse/void hundreds of executive actions by Biden, which may include pardons.
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Breaking News: President Trump is said to have held a call with Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela last week amid U.S. threats of military action. It included a discussion about a possible meeting between the two men, people with knowledge of the matter said.
Trump Spoke by Phone Last Week With Maduro, Venezuela’s Leader
They discussed a possible meeting between the two of them, but nothing has been scheduled, and the administration continues to increase the military pressure on Venezuela.
nyti.ms
November 28, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Breaking News: President Trump is said to have held a call with Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela last week amid U.S. threats of military action. It included a discussion about a possible meeting between the two men, people with knowledge of the matter said.
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Trump was set to unveil his health care plan to the public this week, but now plans to delay it after backlash from Republicans in Congress.
“I wasn’t expecting the proposal to be Obamacare-lite. Absolutely not supportive of extending ACA subsidies," one anonymously said. trib.al/esSMTyj
“I wasn’t expecting the proposal to be Obamacare-lite. Absolutely not supportive of extending ACA subsidies," one anonymously said. trib.al/esSMTyj
Trump Delays His Health Care Plan After Revolt From Republicans
Republican members of Congress are pissed about the health care plan Donald Trump came up with.
trib.al
November 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Trump was set to unveil his health care plan to the public this week, but now plans to delay it after backlash from Republicans in Congress.
“I wasn’t expecting the proposal to be Obamacare-lite. Absolutely not supportive of extending ACA subsidies," one anonymously said. trib.al/esSMTyj
“I wasn’t expecting the proposal to be Obamacare-lite. Absolutely not supportive of extending ACA subsidies," one anonymously said. trib.al/esSMTyj
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
WASHPOST: Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
(Vital reporting here by Alex Horton and Ellen Nakashima from WashPost)
Free link
wapo.st/49KbUJ1
(Vital reporting here by Alex Horton and Ellen Nakashima from WashPost)
Free link
wapo.st/49KbUJ1
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
wapo.st
November 28, 2025 at 8:17 PM
WASHPOST: Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
(Vital reporting here by Alex Horton and Ellen Nakashima from WashPost)
Free link
wapo.st/49KbUJ1
(Vital reporting here by Alex Horton and Ellen Nakashima from WashPost)
Free link
wapo.st/49KbUJ1
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Trump: “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries … denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.“
November 28, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Trump: “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries … denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.“
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
National Guard shooting suspect in Washington, D.C., had helped CIA, John Ratcliffe says www.axios.com/2025/11/27/n...
Suspect in National Guard shooting near White House had helped CIA
The suspect came to America under a program for Afghans who worked with the U.S. during the war.
www.axios.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:58 PM
National Guard shooting suspect in Washington, D.C., had helped CIA, John Ratcliffe says www.axios.com/2025/11/27/n...
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
An investigation by ProPublica and @texastribune.org found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state laws had the schools been public.
Texas Private Schools Hire Relatives and Enrich Insiders. Soon They Can Do It With Taxpayer Money.
An investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state law...
www.propublica.org
November 27, 2025 at 10:00 PM
An investigation by ProPublica and @texastribune.org found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state laws had the schools been public.
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Here’s the latest from Bo:
November 27, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Here’s the latest from Bo:
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Two National Guard members were shot just blocks away from the White House on Wednesday, and although the identity and motive of the assailant are still unknown, right-wing commentators rushed to their social media accounts to blame Democrats. trib.al/VTTxe1k
November 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Two National Guard members were shot just blocks away from the White House on Wednesday, and although the identity and motive of the assailant are still unknown, right-wing commentators rushed to their social media accounts to blame Democrats. trib.al/VTTxe1k
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
NEW REPORT reveals the DOJ—after frantically realizing the files would be released—has been paying FBI agents nearly $1M in overtime to work on the “Epstein Transparency Project."
Ostensibly aimed at protecting victims' privacy, the project could also prevent exposing Trump. trib.al/6jortf5
Ostensibly aimed at protecting victims' privacy, the project could also prevent exposing Trump. trib.al/6jortf5
November 27, 2025 at 5:08 PM
NEW REPORT reveals the DOJ—after frantically realizing the files would be released—has been paying FBI agents nearly $1M in overtime to work on the “Epstein Transparency Project."
Ostensibly aimed at protecting victims' privacy, the project could also prevent exposing Trump. trib.al/6jortf5
Ostensibly aimed at protecting victims' privacy, the project could also prevent exposing Trump. trib.al/6jortf5
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
A federal appeals court upholds an almost $1 million penalty against President Trump and his attorneys for "sanctionable conduct" in a racketeering lawsuit they brought against Hillary Clinton and other Democrats over the 2016 election.
Appeals court upholds $1 million penalty against Trump over 'frivolous' Hillary Clinton lawsuit
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that Trump and his attorneys had engaged in "sanctionable conduct" with their suit against Clinton and others.
nbcnews.to
November 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
A federal appeals court upholds an almost $1 million penalty against President Trump and his attorneys for "sanctionable conduct" in a racketeering lawsuit they brought against Hillary Clinton and other Democrats over the 2016 election.
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
JUST IN: #SCOTUS will permit US copyright chief Shira Perlmutter to remain in post for several months more despite Trump's effort to oust her. Thomas dissents as court punts admin's emergency appeal 'til after rulings on FTC/Slaughter & Fed/Cook Earlier: www.politico.com/live-updates...
Appeals court, weighing Trump’s Library of Congress takeover, reinstates copyright chief
Shira Perlmutter sued the Trump administration following her May dismissal.
www.politico.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
JUST IN: #SCOTUS will permit US copyright chief Shira Perlmutter to remain in post for several months more despite Trump's effort to oust her. Thomas dissents as court punts admin's emergency appeal 'til after rulings on FTC/Slaughter & Fed/Cook Earlier: www.politico.com/live-updates...
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The more that gerrymandering tries to squeeze more seats out a fixed pool of voters by lowering expected margins of victory, the more vulnerable it becomes to a wave in which the expectations are upset. There are self-interested reasons why many Republican incumbents haven't wanted to redistrict.
This race is close and, given how much Democrats outperformed the polls a few weeks ago, a win is actually possible.
But even a narrow loss in a gerrymandered district Trump won by 22 points last year would be a sign of significant progress.
But even a narrow loss in a gerrymandered district Trump won by 22 points last year would be a sign of significant progress.
Emerson poll | 11/22-11/24 LV
Tennessee’s 7th congressional special election (Trump +22)
(Leaners pushed)
🟥Matt Van Epps 49.4%
🟦Aftyn Behn 47.0%
Others 3.5%
emersoncollegepolling.com/tennessee-7t...
Tennessee’s 7th congressional special election (Trump +22)
(Leaners pushed)
🟥Matt Van Epps 49.4%
🟦Aftyn Behn 47.0%
Others 3.5%
emersoncollegepolling.com/tennessee-7t...
November 26, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The more that gerrymandering tries to squeeze more seats out a fixed pool of voters by lowering expected margins of victory, the more vulnerable it becomes to a wave in which the expectations are upset. There are self-interested reasons why many Republican incumbents haven't wanted to redistrict.
Reposted by David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s 11-year-old nephew has been arrested for alleged civil immigration violations and is in a detention center fighting deportation to her native Brazil.
ICE detains woman with family ties to White House press secretary
Bruna Ferreira, a Brazilian immigrant who was once engaged to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s brother, was detained by ICE while driving to pick up their son from school.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s 11-year-old nephew has been arrested for alleged civil immigration violations and is in a detention center fighting deportation to her native Brazil.