E.J. Fagan
@ejfagan.com
Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Illinois Chicago. Author of The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics. Also, baseball.
Pinned
E.J. Fagan
@ejfagan.com
· Nov 18
The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics (Studies in Postwar American Political Development): Fagan, E.J.: 9780197759660: Amazon.com: Books
The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics (Studies in Postwar American Political Development) [Fagan, E.J.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics (Studies in Postwar American Political Development)
www.amazon.com
Hello new Bluesky followers!
I study U.S. politics and policymaking, focusing on the politicization of expertise and information processing.
I published a great book this summer. It's called The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics. Check it out!
I study U.S. politics and policymaking, focusing on the politicization of expertise and information processing.
I published a great book this summer. It's called The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics. Check it out!
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Hard to reconcile the president promoting crypto currency, beloved by criminals because it cannot be monitored by governments, and monitoring immigrants sending remittances back to family members
Bessent: "For individuals who want to wire money out of the country, they're gonna have to tick a box whether they are or are not on public assistance. Then we're going to start pushing over the coming days and weeks that if you're on public assistance, you cannot wire money out of the country."
January 12, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Hard to reconcile the president promoting crypto currency, beloved by criminals because it cannot be monitored by governments, and monitoring immigrants sending remittances back to family members
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
things off the top of my head that i can think of that conservatives have called tyranny
- health care subsidies
- seeing pronouns in an email
- being suspended from a social media platform
- pride month
- baking a cake for a same sex wedding
- legal rulings against donald trump
- EV benchmarks
- health care subsidies
- seeing pronouns in an email
- being suspended from a social media platform
- pride month
- baking a cake for a same sex wedding
- legal rulings against donald trump
- EV benchmarks
Trump's thugs are going hog wild and tossing gas around in one of the busiest commercial districts in Minneapolis, just a mile or so from where I live. Complete insanity.
(vid via Ford Fischer on X)
(vid via Ford Fischer on X)
January 12, 2026 at 9:51 PM
things off the top of my head that i can think of that conservatives have called tyranny
- health care subsidies
- seeing pronouns in an email
- being suspended from a social media platform
- pride month
- baking a cake for a same sex wedding
- legal rulings against donald trump
- EV benchmarks
- health care subsidies
- seeing pronouns in an email
- being suspended from a social media platform
- pride month
- baking a cake for a same sex wedding
- legal rulings against donald trump
- EV benchmarks
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
If noncompliance continues, yes, eventually we get into a very bad place—where, for example, state officials might order federal officials out of the state or something—and things get dark.
But, that just goes back to what I've been writing about for the past year. www.lawdork.com/p/donald-tru...
But, that just goes back to what I've been writing about for the past year. www.lawdork.com/p/donald-tru...
January 12, 2026 at 11:06 PM
If noncompliance continues, yes, eventually we get into a very bad place—where, for example, state officials might order federal officials out of the state or something—and things get dark.
But, that just goes back to what I've been writing about for the past year. www.lawdork.com/p/donald-tru...
But, that just goes back to what I've been writing about for the past year. www.lawdork.com/p/donald-tru...
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
BERNANKE/YELLEN/GREENSPAN JOINT STATEMENT:
“.. this is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets ..”
(via @apnews.com)
“.. this is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets ..”
(via @apnews.com)
January 12, 2026 at 3:27 PM
BERNANKE/YELLEN/GREENSPAN JOINT STATEMENT:
“.. this is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets ..”
(via @apnews.com)
“.. this is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets ..”
(via @apnews.com)
Lol they are going to try to litigate the meaning of the word “luxury.”
Navarro on Jerome Powell: "If you actually look at what he's being investigated for, it looks like there's luxury elevators and dining rooms... we know he made false statements. The only question is whether he was aware and did it with malice." (Note that even Maria Bartiromo isn't really buying it)
January 12, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Lol they are going to try to litigate the meaning of the word “luxury.”
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Tillis is spot on. The Senate can't confirm a Trump toady to succeed Powell at the Fed. The rest of the game is now out in the open, and it doesn't end well.
January 12, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Tillis is spot on. The Senate can't confirm a Trump toady to succeed Powell at the Fed. The rest of the game is now out in the open, and it doesn't end well.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
He's hitting the tailspin portion of his presidency where he's picking multiple fights he can't win (oil companies, credit card companies, Jerome Powell...)
TRUMP: CREDIT CARD COMPANIES WILL BE IN VIOLATION OF LAW IF THEY DON’T COMPLY BY JAN 20 ON INTEREST RATE CAP
January 12, 2026 at 2:09 AM
He's hitting the tailspin portion of his presidency where he's picking multiple fights he can't win (oil companies, credit card companies, Jerome Powell...)
Looking forward to Powell staying on through the end of Trump’s term, holding a majority of votes of the FOMC and rolling Kevin Hassett every time he tries to do Trump’s bidding.
Breaking News: U.S. prosecutors are said to have opened an inquiry into Jerome Powell, an escalation of the clash between the Fed chair and President Trump.
Federal Prosecutors Are Said to Have Opened Inquiry Into Fed Chair Powell
The investigation, which centers on renovations of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters in Washington, signals an escalation in the long-running clash between President Trump and the chair.
nyti.ms
January 12, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Looking forward to Powell staying on through the end of Trump’s term, holding a majority of votes of the FOMC and rolling Kevin Hassett every time he tries to do Trump’s bidding.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
ICE and CBP agents arrested 2 U.S. citizens working at a Target.
Can you guess their ethnicity?
You can unfortunately because ICE is discriminating on skin color.
Working legally while brown gets you this in Trump's America.
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-ne...
Can you guess their ethnicity?
You can unfortunately because ICE is discriminating on skin color.
Working legally while brown gets you this in Trump's America.
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-ne...
January 11, 2026 at 7:28 PM
ICE and CBP agents arrested 2 U.S. citizens working at a Target.
Can you guess their ethnicity?
You can unfortunately because ICE is discriminating on skin color.
Working legally while brown gets you this in Trump's America.
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-ne...
Can you guess their ethnicity?
You can unfortunately because ICE is discriminating on skin color.
Working legally while brown gets you this in Trump's America.
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-ne...
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Ronald Reagan’s budget director.
January 11, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Ronald Reagan’s budget director.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Let’s talk for a sec about this NYTimes analysis showing Trump-appointed judges on the appeals courts cleared off on Trump actions in 92% of their decisions last year. There’s important & obviously concerning truth in this, but not quite as much as might seem. /1
Trump’s ‘Superstar’ Appellate Judges Have Voted 133 to 12 in His Favor
www.nytimes.com
January 11, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Let’s talk for a sec about this NYTimes analysis showing Trump-appointed judges on the appeals courts cleared off on Trump actions in 92% of their decisions last year. There’s important & obviously concerning truth in this, but not quite as much as might seem. /1
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
ICE is WHIPPING through my suburban neighborhoods — not uncommon to see them going 50 mph — race through red lights, veer across multiple lanes to get to off ramps, no blinkers. They’re going to hurt or kill someone (else)
One detail about the MPLS ICE invasion that I haven't seen many comment on: these goons drive like maniacs and they're eventually going to run someone over. They speed, run red lights every chance they get, and because they don't know the roads, they're constantly going the wrong way down one-ways.
January 10, 2026 at 9:32 PM
ICE is WHIPPING through my suburban neighborhoods — not uncommon to see them going 50 mph — race through red lights, veer across multiple lanes to get to off ramps, no blinkers. They’re going to hurt or kill someone (else)
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Temu ICE. Protestor detained escapes.
January 11, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Temu ICE. Protestor detained escapes.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
“If the person is a U.S. citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, that individual will be free to go after the brief encounter.”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
Justice Brett Kavanaugh
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
WSJ investigation: In the past 6 months ICE agents have fired at vehicles 13 times, leading to:
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
Videos Show How ICE Vehicle Stops Can Escalate to Shootings
A WSJ visual investigation found that the Minneapolis ICE killing is one of 13 incidents where federal immigration agents have used deadly force against civilians in vehicles since July.
www.wsj.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:01 PM
“If the person is a U.S. citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, that individual will be free to go after the brief encounter.”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
Justice Brett Kavanaugh
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
All real estate ads should be this good
January 10, 2026 at 6:55 PM
All real estate ads should be this good
The Texas Obama
Renee Good should still be here.
She was a beloved child of God, with inherent value and infinite worth.
She was murdered by her own government in broad daylight in what is supposed to be the greatest democracy on the planet.
She was a beloved child of God, with inherent value and infinite worth.
She was murdered by her own government in broad daylight in what is supposed to be the greatest democracy on the planet.
January 10, 2026 at 11:12 PM
The Texas Obama
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
I think it fits with the White part of the Democratic heart. More complicated for the non-White part.
January 10, 2026 at 8:04 PM
I think it fits with the White part of the Democratic heart. More complicated for the non-White part.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
This ad appeared this week on our West Philly block. Read all the way down.
January 10, 2026 at 12:39 PM
This ad appeared this week on our West Philly block. Read all the way down.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
The whole recent dynamic of consumer-facing businesses that exist due to capturing a large % of rich consumer spending and then offer some capacity and a worse experience to non-rich consumers leads to a lot of societal tension.
January 10, 2026 at 2:19 PM
The whole recent dynamic of consumer-facing businesses that exist due to capturing a large % of rich consumer spending and then offer some capacity and a worse experience to non-rich consumers leads to a lot of societal tension.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
We evacuated our kids out of Minneapolis this weekend and my spouse reports that as she drove them out of town she saw "multiple freeway exits where people are being pulled over." It feels like the Twin Cities is being subjugated by a hostile occupying force.
January 10, 2026 at 1:47 AM
We evacuated our kids out of Minneapolis this weekend and my spouse reports that as she drove them out of town she saw "multiple freeway exits where people are being pulled over." It feels like the Twin Cities is being subjugated by a hostile occupying force.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Eh. I think these guys are so pickled in their own juices they have lost all sense of how the stuff they’re saying plays with normal people.
BTW, there is a very concrete reason for Vance’s unspeakable behavior. He has concluded he has no political future. He knows something about Trump’s mental state and plans that has made him lose any appetite for remaining viable.
January 9, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Eh. I think these guys are so pickled in their own juices they have lost all sense of how the stuff they’re saying plays with normal people.
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
So, just yesterday:
- 5 GOP senators joined Democrats to advance a resolution terminating hostilities in Venezuela;
- The Senate gave unanimous consent to a resolution installing the J6 plaque in the Senate
- 17 House GOP joined Dems to vote to extend ACA subsidies;
(cont.)
- 5 GOP senators joined Democrats to advance a resolution terminating hostilities in Venezuela;
- The Senate gave unanimous consent to a resolution installing the J6 plaque in the Senate
- 17 House GOP joined Dems to vote to extend ACA subsidies;
(cont.)
January 9, 2026 at 3:05 PM
So, just yesterday:
- 5 GOP senators joined Democrats to advance a resolution terminating hostilities in Venezuela;
- The Senate gave unanimous consent to a resolution installing the J6 plaque in the Senate
- 17 House GOP joined Dems to vote to extend ACA subsidies;
(cont.)
- 5 GOP senators joined Democrats to advance a resolution terminating hostilities in Venezuela;
- The Senate gave unanimous consent to a resolution installing the J6 plaque in the Senate
- 17 House GOP joined Dems to vote to extend ACA subsidies;
(cont.)
Reposted by E.J. Fagan
Well, this is weird. Maduro's actual lawyer tells the court they have no idea what Bruce Fein is doing and neither Maduro nor any of his lawyers have ever spoken to him. The court had already granted his pro hac vice, too, before being informed of this.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 9, 2026 at 2:53 AM
Well, this is weird. Maduro's actual lawyer tells the court they have no idea what Bruce Fein is doing and neither Maduro nor any of his lawyers have ever spoken to him. The court had already granted his pro hac vice, too, before being informed of this.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...