Ken Syring
@kensyring.com
I write & speak on national service and civic bridge-building to rebuild trust, reduce polarization, and deter extremism.
Biden-Harris Admin • Former Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. CBP • Former SFPD Officer • Returned Peace Corps Volunteer 🇺🇸🇲🇳
Biden-Harris Admin • Former Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. CBP • Former SFPD Officer • Returned Peace Corps Volunteer 🇺🇸🇲🇳
Pinned
Ken Syring
@kensyring.com
· Oct 29
I’m excited to share that I’ve been published in the National Civic Review, where I discuss how national service programs like Peace Corps and AmeriCorps are more than simply feel-good volunteerism — they’re vital infrastructure for maintaining a functioning democracy in the 21st century. A quick 🧵:
Reposted by Ken Syring
@npr it’s not a principle. It is a constitutional guarantee.
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration. n.pr/48E1oko
Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments in birthright citizenship challenge
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration.
n.pr
December 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
@npr it’s not a principle. It is a constitutional guarantee.
Reposted by Ken Syring
The biggest anti-Christian bias I've seen is these weirdos looking for anti-Christian bias.
They want to be marginalized so bad.
They want to be marginalized so bad.
NEW — RFK Jr.’s HHS sent out a survey asking employees to report instances of anti-Christian bias during the Biden administration, and the Dept. of Labor announced its inaugural prayer service. These are just the latest instances of Trump’s extreme Christian creep within the federal government.
RFK Jr. is very worried about anti-Christian bias at HHS...under Biden
Employees received a survey Monday asking them to rat on each other.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 3, 2025 at 1:30 AM
The biggest anti-Christian bias I've seen is these weirdos looking for anti-Christian bias.
They want to be marginalized so bad.
They want to be marginalized so bad.
Reposted by Ken Syring
The official policy of the Trump Administration is ignorant bigotry. We’re asked, under principles including charity, to assume that people support the administration despite that policy, not specifically because of it. I am increasingly unwilling to extend that charity.
December 2, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The official policy of the Trump Administration is ignorant bigotry. We’re asked, under principles including charity, to assume that people support the administration despite that policy, not specifically because of it. I am increasingly unwilling to extend that charity.
Reposted by Ken Syring
The best way to understand the current regime is that we're effectively being governed by an unofficial, extra-constitutional junta mostly dominated by Miller, in which Trump himself is a marginal and disengaged figurehead making few if any substantive decisions.
it is the worst of all worlds. a "unitary *presidency*" insulated from judicial or congressional power and a weak president unable to do the job of governing
December 1, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The best way to understand the current regime is that we're effectively being governed by an unofficial, extra-constitutional junta mostly dominated by Miller, in which Trump himself is a marginal and disengaged figurehead making few if any substantive decisions.
Just so we’re all clear: the color revolutions were good things, and there should’ve been more of them across the former Soviet Union. For context, Putin’s rationale for Russia’s eventual war to conquer Ukraine initially began to form in the aftermath of the 2004 Orange Revolution.
December 1, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Just so we’re all clear: the color revolutions were good things, and there should’ve been more of them across the former Soviet Union. For context, Putin’s rationale for Russia’s eventual war to conquer Ukraine initially began to form in the aftermath of the 2004 Orange Revolution.
Reposted by Ken Syring
These issues aren’t partisan. They strike at the rule-of-law foundation the intelligence community relies on. Gutting career counsel, eroding oversight, and politicizing intelligence are classic authoritarian markers with serious national-security implications
theiceman.substack.com/p/the-cia-is...
theiceman.substack.com/p/the-cia-is...
Weekend Read: How the CIA Learned to Stop Worrying and Embrace Partisanship
A politically charged shooting, a public attack on a senator, and an internal revolt over a new covert war reveal an agency crossing lines it once swore to avoid.
theiceman.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
These issues aren’t partisan. They strike at the rule-of-law foundation the intelligence community relies on. Gutting career counsel, eroding oversight, and politicizing intelligence are classic authoritarian markers with serious national-security implications
theiceman.substack.com/p/the-cia-is...
theiceman.substack.com/p/the-cia-is...
Reposted by Ken Syring
The White House launched a “media bias” “fact checking” site after more than three years of labeling efforts to understand and counter disinformation “censorship.”
It’s just another enemies list in disguise ⤵️
It’s just another enemies list in disguise ⤵️
November 30, 2025 at 12:24 AM
The White House launched a “media bias” “fact checking” site after more than three years of labeling efforts to understand and counter disinformation “censorship.”
It’s just another enemies list in disguise ⤵️
It’s just another enemies list in disguise ⤵️
Reposted by Ken Syring
Trump has never once in his life extemporaneously used the phrase "western civilization." He was once asked about western liberalism and thought they were talking about California Democrats. One of the more blatant tells for a Miller-written screed.
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 5:13 AM
Trump has never once in his life extemporaneously used the phrase "western civilization." He was once asked about western liberalism and thought they were talking about California Democrats. One of the more blatant tells for a Miller-written screed.
Reposted by Ken Syring
There is no constitutionally legitimate scenario in which we are being de facto governed by the White House Deputy Chief of Staff using a half-dead president as his sock puppet. We went out of our way to amend the Constitution on precisely this point.
November 28, 2025 at 5:32 AM
There is no constitutionally legitimate scenario in which we are being de facto governed by the White House Deputy Chief of Staff using a half-dead president as his sock puppet. We went out of our way to amend the Constitution on precisely this point.
Reposted by Ken Syring
Today, on Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the lives tragically taken by violence and hate.
Every transgender person deserves safety, dignity, and the freedom to live their true authentic selves.
Together, let’s build a world where everyone can live and be who they are, without fear.
Together, let’s build a world where everyone can live and be who they are, without fear.
November 20, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Today, on Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the lives tragically taken by violence and hate.
Every transgender person deserves safety, dignity, and the freedom to live their true authentic selves.
Together, let’s build a world where everyone can live and be who they are, without fear.
Together, let’s build a world where everyone can live and be who they are, without fear.
Reposted by Ken Syring
When power is used without transparency, public safety erodes, a well-documented tool of autocratic governments. Everyone wants violent offenders removed, but indiscriminate raids and unmarked paramilitary teams make communities less safe, as Gov. Stein warns in this video.
November 17, 2025 at 10:46 PM
When power is used without transparency, public safety erodes, a well-documented tool of autocratic governments. Everyone wants violent offenders removed, but indiscriminate raids and unmarked paramilitary teams make communities less safe, as Gov. Stein warns in this video.
Reposted by Ken Syring
Absolutely no way to read this and not conclude that the Department of Justice has been deeply corrupted. And this is from a time when career lawyers were in place, pushing back against illegality. With firings and resignations, the politicization will just get worse.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
60 Attorneys on the Year of Chaos Inside Trump’s Justice Department (Gift Article)
Sixty former staffers describe an environment of suspicion and intimidation within the nation’s most powerful law enforcement agency.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Absolutely no way to read this and not conclude that the Department of Justice has been deeply corrupted. And this is from a time when career lawyers were in place, pushing back against illegality. With firings and resignations, the politicization will just get worse.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Ken Syring
“National service is the hard work that protects democracy one person, one community at a time.”
In National Civic Review, Ken Syring makes the case for national service as America’s best defense against authoritarianism. https://ow.ly/Eufe50Xn20U
In National Civic Review, Ken Syring makes the case for national service as America’s best defense against authoritarianism. https://ow.ly/Eufe50Xn20U
The Peace Corps and AmeriCorps: America's Best Defenses Against Authoritarianism - National Civic League
National service is the hard work that protects democracy one person, one community, at a time. In an era when our democracy faces its gravest threat, national service isn't just a good idea. It's critical to national security.
ow.ly
November 7, 2025 at 8:10 PM
“National service is the hard work that protects democracy one person, one community at a time.”
In National Civic Review, Ken Syring makes the case for national service as America’s best defense against authoritarianism. https://ow.ly/Eufe50Xn20U
In National Civic Review, Ken Syring makes the case for national service as America’s best defense against authoritarianism. https://ow.ly/Eufe50Xn20U
Reposted by Ken Syring
A thing that's striking about how Bovino is always there in-person mugging it up for the cameras: they really don't have the manpower to do this on the massive scale they want to make it look like. They can't do this to multiple cities simultaneously on the level of how they're terrorizing Chicago.
November 11, 2025 at 4:45 PM
A thing that's striking about how Bovino is always there in-person mugging it up for the cameras: they really don't have the manpower to do this on the massive scale they want to make it look like. They can't do this to multiple cities simultaneously on the level of how they're terrorizing Chicago.
Reposted by Ken Syring
Paxlovid from Pfizer costs $15 to make and now retails for $1500.
Insane
Insane
November 1, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Paxlovid from Pfizer costs $15 to make and now retails for $1500.
Insane
Insane
Reposted by Ken Syring
Can I also just say, again, that the Biden admin under no circumstances committed to “left-wing” migration policy, in any way, shape, or form. I want Douthat to articulate what specific policies he thinks are included in that, because I think he seriously misunderstands the policies at issue.
Utterly bizarre to describe climate change policy as some kind of radical-left albatross.
The IRA contained precisely the kind of 'kitchen table' programs everyone says Democrats should focus on — and they're popular!
The problem was that Americans *didn't know* what the IRA was or who passed it.
The IRA contained precisely the kind of 'kitchen table' programs everyone says Democrats should focus on — and they're popular!
The problem was that Americans *didn't know* what the IRA was or who passed it.
November 1, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Can I also just say, again, that the Biden admin under no circumstances committed to “left-wing” migration policy, in any way, shape, or form. I want Douthat to articulate what specific policies he thinks are included in that, because I think he seriously misunderstands the policies at issue.
Reposted by Ken Syring
DHS says our new piece is "dishonest, slanted, and fundamentally inaccurate" but won't say why. Here's the story where we show with evidence that DHS spliced together clips spanning years and multiple locations to create its own reality. Gift link wapo.st/4nuDGwf
October 30, 2025 at 3:26 AM
DHS says our new piece is "dishonest, slanted, and fundamentally inaccurate" but won't say why. Here's the story where we show with evidence that DHS spliced together clips spanning years and multiple locations to create its own reality. Gift link wapo.st/4nuDGwf
Reposted by Ken Syring
The current homepage of USDA. This is deeply and profoundly fucked up. And illegal. People need to go to jail.
October 30, 2025 at 3:32 AM
The current homepage of USDA. This is deeply and profoundly fucked up. And illegal. People need to go to jail.
I’m excited to share that I’ve been published in the National Civic Review, where I discuss how national service programs like Peace Corps and AmeriCorps are more than simply feel-good volunteerism — they’re vital infrastructure for maintaining a functioning democracy in the 21st century. A quick 🧵:
October 29, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I’m excited to share that I’ve been published in the National Civic Review, where I discuss how national service programs like Peace Corps and AmeriCorps are more than simply feel-good volunteerism — they’re vital infrastructure for maintaining a functioning democracy in the 21st century. A quick 🧵:
Reposted by Ken Syring
Inevitable and tracks with the cycles of regimes
🚨BIG changes happening -- ICE leadership is being purged tonight. The old guard, which prioritized targeted enforcement operations aimed at people with criminal records, is being replaced with Border Patrol and Gregory Bovino's "Midway Blitz" style.
Think things are bad now? It'll get worse.
Think things are bad now? It'll get worse.
October 28, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Inevitable and tracks with the cycles of regimes
It’s like the guy orders a new investigation every time an old episode of “History’s Mysteries” airs on the History Channel. This time next week, he’ll be demanding answers on the Lizzie Borden case.
The latest urgent assignment the Trump administration has given FBI agents: Find out what happened to Jimmy Hoffa www.cnn.com/2025/10/27/p...
FBI employees ordered to dig for Jimmy Hoffa-related documents, sources say | CNN Politics
The Trump administration has ordered FBI employees to immediately search their workstations and digital media for any records pertaining to the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa as the government shutdown ...
www.cnn.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:45 PM
It’s like the guy orders a new investigation every time an old episode of “History’s Mysteries” airs on the History Channel. This time next week, he’ll be demanding answers on the Lizzie Borden case.
Reposted by Ken Syring
it's crazy that if you're a cat, your only two life outcomes are eating out of a trash can or getting treated like a little baby
October 26, 2025 at 11:37 PM
it's crazy that if you're a cat, your only two life outcomes are eating out of a trash can or getting treated like a little baby
Reposted by Ken Syring
Trump flunkie Todd Blanche says it's a crime for states to hold violent ICE thugs responsible for their crimes. He is wrong.
October 24, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Trump flunkie Todd Blanche says it's a crime for states to hold violent ICE thugs responsible for their crimes. He is wrong.
This is, of course, complete bullshit. Any presumed federal immunity does not extend to state offenses, especially when ICE and Border Patrol are not licensed peace officers in a state (like IL & CA). Those cases could likely be moved to federal court, but they’d still be *state* crimes.
Stephen Miller on Fox threatens to arrest JB Pritzker for "seditious conspiracy" and says, "to all ICE officers: you have federal immunity in the conduct of your duties. And anybody who lays a hand on you or tries to stop or obstruct you is committing a felony."
October 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
This is, of course, complete bullshit. Any presumed federal immunity does not extend to state offenses, especially when ICE and Border Patrol are not licensed peace officers in a state (like IL & CA). Those cases could likely be moved to federal court, but they’d still be *state* crimes.