Jennifer N. Victor
@jenvictor.bsky.social
Political Scientist at George Mason U. studying US politics, congressional networks, parties, campaign finance, and other broken systems. Cat person, dog owner. Take my class: https://tinyurl.com/bderak89 Read me: https://substack.com/@misofact
Even the highest-performing professionals can get imposter syndrome. The only true winning is getting your validation internally, not from others.
February 13, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Even the highest-performing professionals can get imposter syndrome. The only true winning is getting your validation internally, not from others.
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
This is something the Nazis used to do to Jewish children in the camps. It happened to a man I knew when he was a child in Auschwitz. The camp guards thought it was funny as hell.
On Thanksgiving, the immigrant children held at the Dilley detention center gathered in the gym for what they thought was a holiday feast.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
February 13, 2026 at 8:09 PM
This is something the Nazis used to do to Jewish children in the camps. It happened to a man I knew when he was a child in Auschwitz. The camp guards thought it was funny as hell.
This non-profit is a national treasure, I'm telling you. Quietly holding the backbone of democracy through tracking, transparency, and truth-telling. @opensecrets.org
This week, journalists cited OpenSecrets data and analysis in coverage of campaign finance, lobbying and corporate political spending.
We follow the money so the public can better understand how it shapes elections and public policy.
We follow the money so the public can better understand how it shapes elections and public policy.
February 13, 2026 at 5:37 PM
This non-profit is a national treasure, I'm telling you. Quietly holding the backbone of democracy through tracking, transparency, and truth-telling. @opensecrets.org
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both. n.pr/46QDn9p
RFK Jr. made promises to get his job as health secretary. He's broken many of them
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both.
n.pr
February 13, 2026 at 2:20 PM
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both. n.pr/46QDn9p
I'm gald US politicians talk as if electoral institutions will continue to operate as typical--this is an important expectation; however, the degradation of democratic institutions in rule of law and civil liberties has been sufficiently damaging that we cannot take electoral integrity for granted.
Newsom’s message to world leaders in Munich: It’s time to start thinking about the next president.
“Donald Trump is temporary,” Newsom said in a panel about climate change at #MSC2026. “He’ll be gone in three years.”
“Donald Trump is temporary,” Newsom said in a panel about climate change at #MSC2026. “He’ll be gone in three years.”
Newsom to world leaders: 'Donald Trump is temporary'
In Munich, the likely presidential contender continued to position California — and himself — as an alternative to Trumpism
www.politico.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:54 PM
I'm gald US politicians talk as if electoral institutions will continue to operate as typical--this is an important expectation; however, the degradation of democratic institutions in rule of law and civil liberties has been sufficiently damaging that we cannot take electoral integrity for granted.
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
According to polling data on who has a U.S. passport, the SAVE Act would disproportionately impact Americans who are...
- white or black (non-Hispanic)
- lower income
- married women
- not college educated
- older
- trump voters
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Pa...
- white or black (non-Hispanic)
- lower income
- married women
- not college educated
- older
- trump voters
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Pa...
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net
February 13, 2026 at 4:02 AM
According to polling data on who has a U.S. passport, the SAVE Act would disproportionately impact Americans who are...
- white or black (non-Hispanic)
- lower income
- married women
- not college educated
- older
- trump voters
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Pa...
- white or black (non-Hispanic)
- lower income
- married women
- not college educated
- older
- trump voters
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Pa...
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
there's fierce competition, but this is one of the most stomach-turning things I've read in some time
Exclusive: White House uses USAID funds for budget director Vought's security, documents show
The White House budget office is using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought, President Donald Trump's budget chief and an archit...
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:01 PM
there's fierce competition, but this is one of the most stomach-turning things I've read in some time
Department of Homeland Security Blanket
The details of the Kristi Noem blanket incident are just fucking perfect
February 13, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Department of Homeland Security Blanket
No Gallup No Problem
AP-NORC poll | 2/5-2/8
President Trump approval
Disapprove 62% (+3)
Approve 36% (-4)
apnorc.org/projects/abo...
President Trump approval
Disapprove 62% (+3)
Approve 36% (-4)
apnorc.org/projects/abo...
February 12, 2026 at 6:37 PM
No Gallup No Problem
This is beautiful! Incredible data viz and tremendous accounting of what democratic action and accountability looks like. #keepitup
The volume & geographic distribution of protest nationwide during year 1 of Trump's second term was extraordinary.
February 12, 2026 at 6:33 PM
This is beautiful! Incredible data viz and tremendous accounting of what democratic action and accountability looks like. #keepitup
Liberals, democrats, and humanists: prepare for the sensation of being cross-pressured. This act was organized by people who are not well-intentioned and they broke international laws. But it was brave and probably saved countless lives. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Exclusive | U.S. Smuggled Thousands of Starlink Terminals Into Iran After Protest Crackdown
The Trump administration covertly sent terminals into Iran in an effort to keep dissidents online following Tehran’s stifling of internet access.
www.wsj.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Liberals, democrats, and humanists: prepare for the sensation of being cross-pressured. This act was organized by people who are not well-intentioned and they broke international laws. But it was brave and probably saved countless lives. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
there are a lot of things that Americans think are important for being a good citizen, engaging in compromise is not one of them ... my latest post with @goodauth.bsky.social
goodauthority.org/news/most-am...
goodauthority.org/news/most-am...
February 11, 2026 at 7:10 PM
there are a lot of things that Americans think are important for being a good citizen, engaging in compromise is not one of them ... my latest post with @goodauth.bsky.social
goodauthority.org/news/most-am...
goodauthority.org/news/most-am...
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
The federal judiciary consists of 3 levels with SCOTUS at the top, US Courts of Appeals (~179 judges), US District Courts (~677 judges). But District Cts even w/ Trump appointed judges have been ruling for immigrants in large numbers. Why? Each level of cts has a distinct institutional context. 1/
Judges have mostly rejected the government’s attempt to detain anyone who is black or brown. As of early January (the last time anyone had time to count) 300 judges in 1000s of decisions rejected the government’s arguments. Less than a dozen permit it.
9/
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
9/
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Hundreds of judges reject Trump’s mandatory detention policy, with no end in sight
Judges have ruled against the administration in more than 1,600 cases.
www.politico.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:16 AM
The federal judiciary consists of 3 levels with SCOTUS at the top, US Courts of Appeals (~179 judges), US District Courts (~677 judges). But District Cts even w/ Trump appointed judges have been ruling for immigrants in large numbers. Why? Each level of cts has a distinct institutional context. 1/
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
New poll: In 2024, low-engagement voters went for Trump over Harris by 11 percentage points. But now they disapprove of the way he's handling the presidency by 13. They have moved 25 points against Trump — 2x as large as the shift for high-knowledge voters www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trump-lost...
Trump has lost the voters who weren’t paying attention in 2024
The least-engaged Americans have swung 25 points against him since 2024 — about twice the shift among everyone else. Trump has flattened the engagement gap.
www.gelliottmorris.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:01 PM
New poll: In 2024, low-engagement voters went for Trump over Harris by 11 percentage points. But now they disapprove of the way he's handling the presidency by 13. They have moved 25 points against Trump — 2x as large as the shift for high-knowledge voters www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trump-lost...
I’m honestly surprised they haven’t figured out how to payoff of threaten grand juries yet.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
D.C. grand jury declines to indict six Democratic lawmakers
Federal prosecutors launched an investigation into the lawmakers after they released a short video advising current military members to reject “illegal orders.”
www.washingtonpost.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:32 PM
I’m honestly surprised they haven’t figured out how to payoff of threaten grand juries yet.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
He got out after 3 months in an ICE gulag.
My electrician is a green card holder who's been here since he was a kid. He got married to a citizen, applied for citizenship, went to court for the papers and when he got there ICE kidnapped him and he's been locked up for a month.
February 11, 2026 at 6:56 PM
He got out after 3 months in an ICE gulag.
Another valuable institution of US democracy falls.
The key vulnerability of Trump's authoritarian turn is his unpopularity. If people don't think, or know, his level of approval, it strengthens his regime and further solidifies the US authoritarian state.
The key vulnerability of Trump's authoritarian turn is his unpopularity. If people don't think, or know, his level of approval, it strengthens his regime and further solidifies the US authoritarian state.
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 11, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Another valuable institution of US democracy falls.
The key vulnerability of Trump's authoritarian turn is his unpopularity. If people don't think, or know, his level of approval, it strengthens his regime and further solidifies the US authoritarian state.
The key vulnerability of Trump's authoritarian turn is his unpopularity. If people don't think, or know, his level of approval, it strengthens his regime and further solidifies the US authoritarian state.
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
So grandma, when authoritarianism came, what did the media do?
Well, honey, they framed everything as a battle between two sides, and never actually said one side was undermining the rule of law, damaging institutions, and creating a new Fash Tech Oligarchy™️ that was unaccountable to the people.
Well, honey, they framed everything as a battle between two sides, and never actually said one side was undermining the rule of law, damaging institutions, and creating a new Fash Tech Oligarchy™️ that was unaccountable to the people.
February 11, 2026 at 7:37 PM
So grandma, when authoritarianism came, what did the media do?
Well, honey, they framed everything as a battle between two sides, and never actually said one side was undermining the rule of law, damaging institutions, and creating a new Fash Tech Oligarchy™️ that was unaccountable to the people.
Well, honey, they framed everything as a battle between two sides, and never actually said one side was undermining the rule of law, damaging institutions, and creating a new Fash Tech Oligarchy™️ that was unaccountable to the people.
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
They will be warehousing people.
And treating them as objects.
These are concentration camps.
And treating them as objects.
These are concentration camps.
In the last month ICE has bought warehouses in:
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
February 10, 2026 at 1:58 AM
They will be warehousing people.
And treating them as objects.
These are concentration camps.
And treating them as objects.
These are concentration camps.
It’s been exactly 40 years since Reagan’s Immigration Reform and Control Act became law. It provided a legal pathway to amnesty and citizenship for millions of undocumented people, punished employers for hiring undocumented people, and strengthened the border. What if we just did that again?
Striking from Marquette poll:
Majorities of non-college grads and even 50% of rural Americans disapprove of ICE handling of enforcement. Majorities of both oppose deporting longtime residents with jobs/no criminal records.
That's data given to me. 2/
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
Majorities of non-college grads and even 50% of rural Americans disapprove of ICE handling of enforcement. Majorities of both oppose deporting longtime residents with jobs/no criminal records.
That's data given to me. 2/
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
February 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM
It’s been exactly 40 years since Reagan’s Immigration Reform and Control Act became law. It provided a legal pathway to amnesty and citizenship for millions of undocumented people, punished employers for hiring undocumented people, and strengthened the border. What if we just did that again?
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
*Green card application in process and work permit, married to US citizen
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
And here is my story: ‘Absolute hell’: Irishman with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
‘Absolute hell’: Irishman with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
Seamus Culleton has been in a detention facility in Texas for nearly five months despite having no criminal record
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:29 PM
*Green card application in process and work permit, married to US citizen
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
gift link. so horrifying www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/u...
February 9, 2026 at 11:16 AM
gift link. so horrifying www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/u...
🧵
Halftime performance showed how most Latinos love America, even if some parts of America do not love them back.
It showed the reality that Latinos and Spanish are part of America's culture, its history, present & future.
As references to salsa show, this is not a new phenomenon but a good reminder.
It showed the reality that Latinos and Spanish are part of America's culture, its history, present & future.
As references to salsa show, this is not a new phenomenon but a good reminder.
Bad Bunny brought Puerto Rico to the Bay during his Super Bowl LX halftime show on Sunday.
Check out the latest updates from on and off the field at the link in our bio.
@sfchronicle.com
📸: @scottstrazzante @stephenlamphoto.bsky.social
Check out the latest updates from on and off the field at the link in our bio.
@sfchronicle.com
📸: @scottstrazzante @stephenlamphoto.bsky.social
February 9, 2026 at 5:20 AM
🧵
Reposted by Jennifer N. Victor
Puerto Rico hasn't had reliable power in a decade.
The grid sends occasional surges through the wires that fry appliances.
Electricity rates are among the highest in the entire U.S.
Heat waves are getting intense in the summer, and outages mean A/C is no guarantee for an aging population.
The grid sends occasional surges through the wires that fry appliances.
Electricity rates are among the highest in the entire U.S.
Heat waves are getting intense in the summer, and outages mean A/C is no guarantee for an aging population.
February 9, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Puerto Rico hasn't had reliable power in a decade.
The grid sends occasional surges through the wires that fry appliances.
Electricity rates are among the highest in the entire U.S.
Heat waves are getting intense in the summer, and outages mean A/C is no guarantee for an aging population.
The grid sends occasional surges through the wires that fry appliances.
Electricity rates are among the highest in the entire U.S.
Heat waves are getting intense in the summer, and outages mean A/C is no guarantee for an aging population.