Robert Leonard
@robertleonard.bsky.social
Rural Iowan. Anthropologist. Bylines in the New York Times, TIME, USA Today, The Hill, the Des Moines Register, the Iowa Capital Dispatch, the Kansas City Star, Civil Eats, and many more. I also write at Deep Midwest: https://rleonard.substack.com/
Reposted by Robert Leonard
When Fascism came to America, no one crawled on their bellies and kissed the boot more willingly than those who once defiantly shouted "Don't Tread On Me!"
January 16, 2026 at 1:10 PM
When Fascism came to America, no one crawled on their bellies and kissed the boot more willingly than those who once defiantly shouted "Don't Tread On Me!"
Reposted by Robert Leonard
Fox Producer: Jesse Watters would like to invite you on his show
AOC: He has sexualized and harassed me on his show.
FP: That’s not true
AOC: He accused me of wanting to sleep with Stephen Miller. So why don’t you tell me what you think is acceptable to tell a woman.
AOC: He has sexualized and harassed me on his show.
FP: That’s not true
AOC: He accused me of wanting to sleep with Stephen Miller. So why don’t you tell me what you think is acceptable to tell a woman.
January 7, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Fox Producer: Jesse Watters would like to invite you on his show
AOC: He has sexualized and harassed me on his show.
FP: That’s not true
AOC: He accused me of wanting to sleep with Stephen Miller. So why don’t you tell me what you think is acceptable to tell a woman.
AOC: He has sexualized and harassed me on his show.
FP: That’s not true
AOC: He accused me of wanting to sleep with Stephen Miller. So why don’t you tell me what you think is acceptable to tell a woman.
Time for an investigation into the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. #Iowa #prisonreform #whistleblower Please share.
Portraits of Women after Prison—Caitlin's Story
"Find something to move towards...we're not shackled to our past..."
rleonard.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Time for an investigation into the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. #Iowa #prisonreform #whistleblower Please share.
Reposted by Robert Leonard
Iowa City Starbucks Employees Fight for Better Working Conditions and Wages by @robertleonard.bsky.social
Iowa City Starbucks Employees Fight for Better Working Conditions and Wages
for workers everywhere...
open.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Iowa City Starbucks Employees Fight for Better Working Conditions and Wages by @robertleonard.bsky.social
Reposted by Robert Leonard
by @robertleonard.bsky.social
1/2 “The Satanic Temple said its 2024 celebration would have promoted tolerance and acceptance of diverse religious beliefs. They sued the state of Iowa after their request was denied, and my understanding is that the lawsuit awaits resolution. By denying the..
1/2 “The Satanic Temple said its 2024 celebration would have promoted tolerance and acceptance of diverse religious beliefs. They sued the state of Iowa after their request was denied, and my understanding is that the lawsuit awaits resolution. By denying the..
Who is the Greater Threat to Children, the Satanic Temple of Iowa, or MAGA Legislators?
And MAGA is shredding the Constitution, again...
open.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
by @robertleonard.bsky.social
1/2 “The Satanic Temple said its 2024 celebration would have promoted tolerance and acceptance of diverse religious beliefs. They sued the state of Iowa after their request was denied, and my understanding is that the lawsuit awaits resolution. By denying the..
1/2 “The Satanic Temple said its 2024 celebration would have promoted tolerance and acceptance of diverse religious beliefs. They sued the state of Iowa after their request was denied, and my understanding is that the lawsuit awaits resolution. By denying the..
Senator Tom Harkin calls out @realDonaldTrump.
Senator Tom Harkin says Trump and his team are "dedicated modern-day Nazis and fascists"
At the Iowa Farmers Union meeting in Ames
rleonard.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Senator Tom Harkin calls out @realDonaldTrump.
Reposted by Robert Leonard
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Scott's Story by @robertleonard.bsky.social & Jason Walsmith
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Scott's Story
A Series
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Scott's Story by @robertleonard.bsky.social & Jason Walsmith
Reposted by Robert Leonard
Portraits of hunger in Iowa -- Scott's story.
@robertleonard.bsky.social
rleonard.substack.com/p/portraits-...
@robertleonard.bsky.social
rleonard.substack.com/p/portraits-...
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Scott's Story
A Series
rleonard.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Portraits of hunger in Iowa -- Scott's story.
@robertleonard.bsky.social
rleonard.substack.com/p/portraits-...
@robertleonard.bsky.social
rleonard.substack.com/p/portraits-...
Reposted by Robert Leonard
by @robertleonard.bsky.social Jason Walsmith
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--the Camp
A Series
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:27 PM
by @robertleonard.bsky.social Jason Walsmith
Reposted by Robert Leonard
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Nateiga's Story by @robertleonard.bsky.social Jason Walsmith
Hunger in Iowa--Nateiga's Story
A Series
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Nateiga's Story by @robertleonard.bsky.social Jason Walsmith
Reposted by Robert Leonard
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Deb's Story by @robertleonard.bsky.social Jason Walsmith
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Deb's Story
A Series
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Deb's Story by @robertleonard.bsky.social Jason Walsmith
Reposted by Robert Leonard
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Cathy's Story by @robertleonard.bsky.social Jason Walsmith
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Cathy's Story
A Series
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Cathy's Story by @robertleonard.bsky.social Jason Walsmith
Portraits of Hunger in Iowa--Scott's Story
A Series
rleonard.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Reposted by Robert Leonard
by @robertleonard.bsky.social
"I was on the Pella square maybe half an hour before the event started, and once a few people had gathered, I noticed people trickling in from all corners of the square, walking quickly toward the rest of us, scurrying, as they were in FOMO (fear of missing out)"
"I was on the Pella square maybe half an hour before the event started, and once a few people had gathered, I noticed people trickling in from all corners of the square, walking quickly toward the rest of us, scurrying, as they were in FOMO (fear of missing out)"
Pella Rallies for 'NO KINGS' 2
Yes, there are people in "conservative" Pella, Iowa, who defy Trump...
open.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:56 PM
by @robertleonard.bsky.social
"I was on the Pella square maybe half an hour before the event started, and once a few people had gathered, I noticed people trickling in from all corners of the square, walking quickly toward the rest of us, scurrying, as they were in FOMO (fear of missing out)"
"I was on the Pella square maybe half an hour before the event started, and once a few people had gathered, I noticed people trickling in from all corners of the square, walking quickly toward the rest of us, scurrying, as they were in FOMO (fear of missing out)"
Reposted by Robert Leonard
Great coverage by Robert Leonard. Good size #nokings event in a conservative area in Marion county, #iowa
No Kings rally in conservative Pella, Iowa. #nokings
Pella Rallies for 'NO KINGS' 2
Yes, there are people in "conservative" Pella, Iowa, who defy Trump...
rleonard.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:21 PM
No Kings rally in conservative Pella, Iowa. #nokings
Pella Rallies for 'NO KINGS' 2
Yes, there are people in "conservative" Pella, Iowa, who defy Trump...
rleonard.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:26 AM
No Kings rally in conservative Pella, Iowa. #nokings
Reposted by Robert Leonard
by @robertleonard.bsky.social
"Clearly, this is a coordinated disinformation campaign by Republican leadership that works hand in hand with the continuing Trump disinformation dump that our Democratic led cities are hellscapes. Many media sources point to Stephen Miller as the architect"
"Clearly, this is a coordinated disinformation campaign by Republican leadership that works hand in hand with the continuing Trump disinformation dump that our Democratic led cities are hellscapes. Many media sources point to Stephen Miller as the architect"
MAGA Leaders say 'No Kings' protestors "hate America," are "terrorists," "pro-Hamas," "Marxists," and the mythical "Antifa."
They are telegraphing their end game.
open.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
by @robertleonard.bsky.social
"Clearly, this is a coordinated disinformation campaign by Republican leadership that works hand in hand with the continuing Trump disinformation dump that our Democratic led cities are hellscapes. Many media sources point to Stephen Miller as the architect"
"Clearly, this is a coordinated disinformation campaign by Republican leadership that works hand in hand with the continuing Trump disinformation dump that our Democratic led cities are hellscapes. Many media sources point to Stephen Miller as the architect"
Reposted by Robert Leonard
Tonight’s dumb napkin cartoon…
October 15, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Tonight’s dumb napkin cartoon…
This is what my world looks like. What does yours look like?
October 16, 2025 at 1:11 AM
This is what my world looks like. What does yours look like?
Yummy...
The Good Life in Southern Iowa
Food by Whippoorwill Creek Farm and Music by The Weary Ramblers...
rleonard.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Yummy...
The lives of two young women working at a strip club in western Iowa.
Two Young Women Chasing the American Dream
At a club in western Iowa...
rleonard.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The lives of two young women working at a strip club in western Iowa.
My first draft of the #MAGA Pledge of Allegiance: "I pledge allegiance to Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, our Savior and Future King for Eternity, one White Christian Nation under Trump, Indivisible under his Iron Fist, with Liberty and Profits for Whoever He Deems Worthy."
September 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
My first draft of the #MAGA Pledge of Allegiance: "I pledge allegiance to Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, our Savior and Future King for Eternity, one White Christian Nation under Trump, Indivisible under his Iron Fist, with Liberty and Profits for Whoever He Deems Worthy."
While MAGA mourns the reprehensible assassination of Charlie Kirk, I mourn the loss of the lives of hundreds of thousands of children around the world who are dying at the hands of Donald Trump. He and Republicans in Congress have blood on their hands.
Opinion | Trump’s Most Lethal Policy
www.nytimes.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:37 AM
While MAGA mourns the reprehensible assassination of Charlie Kirk, I mourn the loss of the lives of hundreds of thousands of children around the world who are dying at the hands of Donald Trump. He and Republicans in Congress have blood on their hands.
Reposted by Robert Leonard
People have been glossing over this statement by Brendan Carr
He’s not satisfied with forcing Jimmy Kimmel out
He’s going after anyone who criticizes Dear Leader
He’s not satisfied with forcing Jimmy Kimmel out
He’s going after anyone who criticizes Dear Leader
Carr: We're going to back to that era where local TV stations, judging the public interest, get to decide what the American people think…
I don’t think this is the last shoe to drop… the consequences will continue to flow.
I don’t think this is the last shoe to drop… the consequences will continue to flow.
September 20, 2025 at 9:50 PM
People have been glossing over this statement by Brendan Carr
He’s not satisfied with forcing Jimmy Kimmel out
He’s going after anyone who criticizes Dear Leader
He’s not satisfied with forcing Jimmy Kimmel out
He’s going after anyone who criticizes Dear Leader
Patriots and freedom fighters to gather in Marion County, Iowa, on Sunday.
Marion County, Iowa Democrats Gather Sunday to Defeat Fascism
And other acts of resistance...
rleonard.substack.com
September 21, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Patriots and freedom fighters to gather in Marion County, Iowa, on Sunday.