Kevin Elliott
@kjephd.bsky.social
Political theorist studying democracy, ethics, & institutions. Author of Democracy for Busy People (https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/D/bo194847654.html); more at kevinjelliott.net. Generally poasting my way through this thing
Pinned
Kevin Elliott
@kjephd.bsky.social
· Jun 24
New article out from me, in which I consider: what if I'm wrong about everything re: what's important for a flourishing democracy?
I use a recent book attacking institutions & advocating disintermediated localism to explore the limits of my view.
Get it free here: academic.oup.com/psq/advance-...
I use a recent book attacking institutions & advocating disintermediated localism to explore the limits of my view.
Get it free here: academic.oup.com/psq/advance-...
I claimed some months ago that Trump's autocratic power was underwritten NOT by his national popularity, as is the case with other autocratic leaders (since he's not popular), but rather his deathlock on the Republican primary electorate. But leaving office entirely removes this discipline...
PUNCHBOWL: “.. GOP members messaged us over the weekend saying that they, too, are considering retiring in the middle of the term. Here’s one particularly exercised senior House Republican:
@punchbowlnews.bsky.social
@punchbowlnews.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I claimed some months ago that Trump's autocratic power was underwritten NOT by his national popularity, as is the case with other autocratic leaders (since he's not popular), but rather his deathlock on the Republican primary electorate. But leaving office entirely removes this discipline...
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Great stuff!
November 22, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Great stuff!
SIGH
I personally date the fall of the post-Civil Rights constitutional order 2013 & Shelby County v Holder. When a reactionary SCOTUS could knock out the keystone of equal voting rights, & everyone agreed that was valid, it was an epochal change. It meant democracy was itself now a partisan issue.
I personally date the fall of the post-Civil Rights constitutional order 2013 & Shelby County v Holder. When a reactionary SCOTUS could knock out the keystone of equal voting rights, & everyone agreed that was valid, it was an epochal change. It meant democracy was itself now a partisan issue.
As we all wait for Callais to come down, our piece showing that Shelby County increased the racial turnout gap in most of the covered parts of the country has cleared the replication check and is incoming at JOP.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
November 24, 2025 at 3:12 AM
SIGH
I personally date the fall of the post-Civil Rights constitutional order 2013 & Shelby County v Holder. When a reactionary SCOTUS could knock out the keystone of equal voting rights, & everyone agreed that was valid, it was an epochal change. It meant democracy was itself now a partisan issue.
I personally date the fall of the post-Civil Rights constitutional order 2013 & Shelby County v Holder. When a reactionary SCOTUS could knock out the keystone of equal voting rights, & everyone agreed that was valid, it was an epochal change. It meant democracy was itself now a partisan issue.
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
This is why politics needs the public and what the future of democracy can look like. I visited Eupen two years ago and stood in the chamber. You can see a new idea of democratic legitimacy appearing... www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/w...
Democracy Is in Trouble. This Region Is Turning to Its People.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 AM
This is why politics needs the public and what the future of democracy can look like. I visited Eupen two years ago and stood in the chamber. You can see a new idea of democratic legitimacy appearing... www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/w...
Not me, comrades, I full American man, no BS
one response (true, funny) to the twitter location thing is "lol twitter/the gop/vc is cooked" and another response (true, less funny) is that a massive amount of the traffic on ALL public social media is money-making scams lying about national origin
November 24, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Not me, comrades, I full American man, no BS
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Impeachment isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. I know firsthand the lengths Trump is willing to go in order to silence dissent.
Impeach, convict, remove. And if our current leaders won’t do it, they need to step aside for people who will: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo54...
Impeach, convict, remove. And if our current leaders won’t do it, they need to step aside for people who will: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo54...
Trump Wrongly Indicted Me, I’ll Rightly Impeach Him | Kat Abughazaleh Speaks at Lincoln Memorial
YouTube video by Kat Abughazaleh
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Impeachment isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. I know firsthand the lengths Trump is willing to go in order to silence dissent.
Impeach, convict, remove. And if our current leaders won’t do it, they need to step aside for people who will: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo54...
Impeach, convict, remove. And if our current leaders won’t do it, they need to step aside for people who will: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo54...
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
#OTD in 1943, Iris Watanabe of CA becomes the first Japanese American to join the Women's Army Corps. Watanabe's induction into the WAC was also slated for December 7. She was quoted saying, "I hope to help make the land of my ancestors pay for its unwarranted attack on my country."
🗃 #skystorians
🗃 #skystorians
November 23, 2025 at 11:39 PM
#OTD in 1943, Iris Watanabe of CA becomes the first Japanese American to join the Women's Army Corps. Watanabe's induction into the WAC was also slated for December 7. She was quoted saying, "I hope to help make the land of my ancestors pay for its unwarranted attack on my country."
🗃 #skystorians
🗃 #skystorians
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
YES! It's a sign of submission!
you have to understand maga's obsession with weirdo fucking plastic surgery as basically the same things as gang members getting face tattoos
bsky.app/profile/sjsh...
bsky.app/profile/sjsh...
[marx voice] IT'S A COSTLY SIGNAL
November 24, 2025 at 1:13 AM
YES! It's a sign of submission!
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
if you also didn't know about this, spend a few minutes with the story to learn about what is likely coming due to SCOTUS — being informed is very important to face what's next.
I, for one, have only really thought about the VRA through the prism of federal elections, not local elections.
But this well-reported piece reminds us that ending the VRA will have an impact on ALL levels of representative government.
Via @pascalsabino.bsky.social.
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
But this well-reported piece reminds us that ending the VRA will have an impact on ALL levels of representative government.
Via @pascalsabino.bsky.social.
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
Black Residents in West Tennessee Just Won Fairer Districts. Now Comes SCOTUS. - Bolts
The Supreme Court may further erode the Voting Rights Act in an upcoming decision. Beyond affecting Congress, that would reverberate across local governments nationwide.
boltsmag.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:21 AM
if you also didn't know about this, spend a few minutes with the story to learn about what is likely coming due to SCOTUS — being informed is very important to face what's next.
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Political scientists don’t really think about threats of violence as a constraint on elected officials but we really need to be thinking about it this way
#NEW: Gov. Mike Braun said he and his family are among the Republicans targeted in a wave of threats against state officeholders over Indiana redistricting. www.cnn.com/2025/11/21/…
Indiana’s governor and at least 8 lawmakers have been swatted or threatened as state Republicans...
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said he and his family are among the Republicans targeted in a wave of threats against state officeholders this week as President Donald Trump pressures Hoosier State lawmak...
www.cnn.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Political scientists don’t really think about threats of violence as a constraint on elected officials but we really need to be thinking about it this way
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Reminds me of a quasi-seminar I went to with Oscar Handlin circa 1971, including some visiting Russians. Handlin asked, how do historians know when a narrative should begin?Long earnest discussion followed. Then Oscar shrugged his shoulders and basically said, you just decide it somehow.
November 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reminds me of a quasi-seminar I went to with Oscar Handlin circa 1971, including some visiting Russians. Handlin asked, how do historians know when a narrative should begin?Long earnest discussion followed. Then Oscar shrugged his shoulders and basically said, you just decide it somehow.
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
The Trump admin submitted a sworn declaration under oath that Costa Rica had changed its mind and would no longer take Mr. Abrego.
Costa Rica has now said publicly that that this is false, that they have not changed their position at all, and that they will still take him.
Costa Rica has now said publicly that that this is false, that they have not changed their position at all, and that they will still take him.
Unpacked:
In Aug., Govt said if Abrego pled guilty he could go to Costa Rica, where he's okay with going. Abrego said no to plea. Govt now wants to send him to Liberia. Why not Costa Rica? Govt told judge Thurs that Costa Rica wouldn’t take him anymore. @mariasacchetti exposed them.
In Aug., Govt said if Abrego pled guilty he could go to Costa Rica, where he's okay with going. Abrego said no to plea. Govt now wants to send him to Liberia. Why not Costa Rica? Govt told judge Thurs that Costa Rica wouldn’t take him anymore. @mariasacchetti exposed them.
Costa Rica will accept Abrego, per @washingtonpost.com .
If true, DOJ, DHS, and Dept of State caused lies to be disseminated to Judge Xinis all day Thursday, where an ICE official testified about info sent him by Dept of State, claiming Costa Rica wouldn't take Abrego.
1/2
If true, DOJ, DHS, and Dept of State caused lies to be disseminated to Judge Xinis all day Thursday, where an ICE official testified about info sent him by Dept of State, claiming Costa Rica wouldn't take Abrego.
1/2
November 23, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The Trump admin submitted a sworn declaration under oath that Costa Rica had changed its mind and would no longer take Mr. Abrego.
Costa Rica has now said publicly that that this is false, that they have not changed their position at all, and that they will still take him.
Costa Rica has now said publicly that that this is false, that they have not changed their position at all, and that they will still take him.
Way to go, Culver City!
“Culver City becomes first California city to allow six-story apartment buildings with just one staircase, a move to ease housing construction and affordability. Single staircases reclaim 7% of space for actual homes while creating wider units with better light—and fitting on smaller urban parcels.”
One California city’s idea to tackle the housing crisis: Take the stairs
Culver City becomes first California city to allow six-story apartment buildings with just one staircase, a bold move to ease housing construction and affordability.
www.latimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Way to go, Culver City!
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Since February, according to my latest analysis, almost 600,000 Black women have been economically sidelined. The November 20, 2025, Jobs Report makes clear this isn’t a blip. It’s a structural crisis. That is not a recovery. It is a redistribution of opportunity.
The exit economy is here. Black Women are paying the highest price | Fortune
This isn’t a blip. It’s a structural crisis. And it's not a recovery, it's a redistribution of opportunity.
fortune.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Since February, according to my latest analysis, almost 600,000 Black women have been economically sidelined. The November 20, 2025, Jobs Report makes clear this isn’t a blip. It’s a structural crisis. That is not a recovery. It is a redistribution of opportunity.
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Political reporters are a valid edge case because their job is knowing what the right wingers are saying. But yeah for the lib or centrist pundits… They basically have brain damage by now
bsky.app/profile/kevi...
bsky.app/profile/kevi...
If you’re a journalist who’s still on Twitter, from now on in your writing you have to replace “the American people want” with “troll bots in Eastern Europe demand”
Being there makes your judgment suspect. I don’t care how savvy you think you are, you’re marinating in a disinformation campaign.
Being there makes your judgment suspect. I don’t care how savvy you think you are, you’re marinating in a disinformation campaign.
November 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Political reporters are a valid edge case because their job is knowing what the right wingers are saying. But yeah for the lib or centrist pundits… They basically have brain damage by now
bsky.app/profile/kevi...
bsky.app/profile/kevi...
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Hang onto these pictures because Hegseth will have the offending sign removed as soon as he sobers up today.
November 23, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Hang onto these pictures because Hegseth will have the offending sign removed as soon as he sobers up today.
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
rage bait slop about a halal only microwave being from a Morocco based account is a good bit
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
November 23, 2025 at 2:43 PM
rage bait slop about a halal only microwave being from a Morocco based account is a good bit
The Flight 93 Bureaucracy
New from me: I talked to CDC staffers about the new vaccines and autism page. They said things like:
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
“Embarrassing” and “horrifying”: CDC workers describe the new vaccines and autism page
"The best way I can put it is it feels like we're on a hijacked airplane."
www.motherjones.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:13 AM
The Flight 93 Bureaucracy
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
WTF newrepublic.com/post/203517/... This is like a Maddow fever dream circa 2018
Trump’s Ukraine Peace Deal Appears to Be Translated From Russian
Certain phrases in Trump’s proposed deal seem to be using Russian language.
newrepublic.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:50 AM
WTF newrepublic.com/post/203517/... This is like a Maddow fever dream circa 2018
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
There is no pain
You are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
You are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
November 23, 2025 at 1:57 AM
There is no pain
You are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
You are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
When we note that having idiots run the government is a threat to national security this is the sort of thing we’re talking about
what is going on
November 23, 2025 at 1:39 AM
When we note that having idiots run the government is a threat to national security this is the sort of thing we’re talking about
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
If the Republican position is "Republicans should get away with committing crimes in public office" and the Democrat position is "Republicans should get away with committing crimes in public office" then the result will be that Republicans keep getting away with committing crimes in public office
There are going to be prominent Democrats and mainstream media voices who insist that we have to "turn the page" and "forgive and forget" and they should all be roundly ignored, if not mercilessly mocked.
It’s crazy to think about the crimes we’re going to learn about after this regime ends.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
November 22, 2025 at 11:29 PM
If the Republican position is "Republicans should get away with committing crimes in public office" and the Democrat position is "Republicans should get away with committing crimes in public office" then the result will be that Republicans keep getting away with committing crimes in public office
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
What a shit show. Everyone could see this plan was written by the Kremlin. Adopted by Witkoff and Trump who demanded Ukraine accept it by this Thursday. After a firestorm of objections by Europe and Republican senators it appears Rubio wants to distance himself from it.
November 23, 2025 at 12:17 AM
What a shit show. Everyone could see this plan was written by the Kremlin. Adopted by Witkoff and Trump who demanded Ukraine accept it by this Thursday. After a firestorm of objections by Europe and Republican senators it appears Rubio wants to distance himself from it.
Grok is apparently unaware of Nancy Reagan's reputation in Hollywood before meeting Ronny
November 22, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Grok is apparently unaware of Nancy Reagan's reputation in Hollywood before meeting Ronny
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
extremely relatable
November 22, 2025 at 6:51 PM
extremely relatable