Rob Mickey
@robmickey.bsky.social
Political Science @umich. book: https://bit.ly/3YQWgEi. US Reconstruction & nation building w/ David Waldner; policing w/ @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social + @dziblatt.bsky.social; race & democratic attitudes w/ V. Hutchings & @jardina.bsky.social.
Reposted by Rob Mickey
Rubio came back from Europe and all I got was this lousy brownshirt.
February 18, 2026 at 5:27 AM
Rubio came back from Europe and all I got was this lousy brownshirt.
Reposted by Rob Mickey
“I don’t want to be in this place I want to go to my school.”
- 7 year old imprisoned by ICE for 70 days in a concentration camp in Texas.
Today, after @propublica.org published this story, the camp was raided to confiscate letters from the children.
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
- 7 year old imprisoned by ICE for 70 days in a concentration camp in Texas.
Today, after @propublica.org published this story, the camp was raided to confiscate letters from the children.
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
February 17, 2026 at 7:31 PM
“I don’t want to be in this place I want to go to my school.”
- 7 year old imprisoned by ICE for 70 days in a concentration camp in Texas.
Today, after @propublica.org published this story, the camp was raided to confiscate letters from the children.
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
- 7 year old imprisoned by ICE for 70 days in a concentration camp in Texas.
Today, after @propublica.org published this story, the camp was raided to confiscate letters from the children.
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
Reposted by Rob Mickey
Reposted by Rob Mickey
Now posted ahead of print:
"Conceptualizing Academic Freedom," forthcoming, Annual Review of Political Science.
(Uncorrected proofs, so a few minor edits different from the version that will be published in June.)
doi.org/10.1146/annu...
"Conceptualizing Academic Freedom," forthcoming, Annual Review of Political Science.
(Uncorrected proofs, so a few minor edits different from the version that will be published in June.)
doi.org/10.1146/annu...
February 16, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Now posted ahead of print:
"Conceptualizing Academic Freedom," forthcoming, Annual Review of Political Science.
(Uncorrected proofs, so a few minor edits different from the version that will be published in June.)
doi.org/10.1146/annu...
"Conceptualizing Academic Freedom," forthcoming, Annual Review of Political Science.
(Uncorrected proofs, so a few minor edits different from the version that will be published in June.)
doi.org/10.1146/annu...
Reposted by Rob Mickey
My book—No Option But Sabotage: The Radical Environmental Movement and the Climate Crisis—comes out today!
It's the result of 3+ years of research and 150+ interviews with 100+ activists and experts.
It's the result of 3+ years of research and 150+ interviews with 100+ activists and experts.
February 16, 2026 at 1:29 PM
My book—No Option But Sabotage: The Radical Environmental Movement and the Climate Crisis—comes out today!
It's the result of 3+ years of research and 150+ interviews with 100+ activists and experts.
It's the result of 3+ years of research and 150+ interviews with 100+ activists and experts.
Reposted by Rob Mickey
President Trump keeps threatening to unilaterally impose rules (like voter ID requirements) on upcoming elections.
Today's "One First" explains why, whether as a matter of constitutional law, existing federal statutes, or simple, practical logistics, his (ominous) threats are ultimately empty ones:
Today's "One First" explains why, whether as a matter of constitutional law, existing federal statutes, or simple, practical logistics, his (ominous) threats are ultimately empty ones:
210. The President's Lack of Power Over Elections
President Trump keeps insisting that he can unilaterally change the rules for voting in the midterms. It's not just that he's *wrong*; it's that there's no mechanism through which he could even *try.*
www.stevevladeck.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:39 PM
President Trump keeps threatening to unilaterally impose rules (like voter ID requirements) on upcoming elections.
Today's "One First" explains why, whether as a matter of constitutional law, existing federal statutes, or simple, practical logistics, his (ominous) threats are ultimately empty ones:
Today's "One First" explains why, whether as a matter of constitutional law, existing federal statutes, or simple, practical logistics, his (ominous) threats are ultimately empty ones:
Reposted by Rob Mickey
🚨 President Trump’s Claim of an “Irrefutable” Argument Supporting His Right to Unilaterally Impose Voter ID and Election Rules May Be Based on Insane Claim that Marriott Hotel Manager Found Secret Text in the Shadows of a Microfilm Copy of the U.S. Constitution electionlawblog.org?p=154326
President Trump's Claim of an "Irrefutable" Argument Supporting His Right to Unilaterally Impose Voter ID and Election Rules May Be Based on Insane Claim that Marriott Hotel Manager Found Secret Text ...
Yesterday I noted the latest set of unhinged social media posts from President Trump in which he declared that voter id requirements and other election changes would be imposed in the midterms via exe...
electionlawblog.org
February 14, 2026 at 5:11 PM
🚨 President Trump’s Claim of an “Irrefutable” Argument Supporting His Right to Unilaterally Impose Voter ID and Election Rules May Be Based on Insane Claim that Marriott Hotel Manager Found Secret Text in the Shadows of a Microfilm Copy of the U.S. Constitution electionlawblog.org?p=154326
Wut.
1. In an unusual press briefing today in AZ, Sec. Kristi Noem made the extraordinary (but vaguely delivered) claim that as head of DHS, she has authorities over elections, including to make sure that “the right people are voting and electing the right leaders to lead this country.” That is false.
February 13, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Wut.
Reposted by Rob Mickey
The extraordinary courage of people who are documenting ICE atrocities in places like Minneapolis, at great personal risk, are also achieving something else: They're changing the public's mind about immigration. We have a rare opportunity here. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2059...
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2059...
How the Democrats Can Play Offense on Immigration
Typically, Democrats run for the hills when immigration comes up. But as two blue-state governors are showing, the winning play is actually to confront ICE and MAGA xenophobia head on.
newrepublic.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:57 PM
The extraordinary courage of people who are documenting ICE atrocities in places like Minneapolis, at great personal risk, are also achieving something else: They're changing the public's mind about immigration. We have a rare opportunity here. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2059...
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2059...
Reposted by Rob Mickey
Current state of things: One Fox News host casually declares that Epstein’s money comes from “Jewish billionaires” and a “Jewish banking family,” another responds that he was a “sex rabbi.” www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/jes...
February 13, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Current state of things: One Fox News host casually declares that Epstein’s money comes from “Jewish billionaires” and a “Jewish banking family,” another responds that he was a “sex rabbi.” www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/jes...
Reposted by Rob Mickey
Yesterday we learned that the Department of Justice is monitoring and tracking members of Congress’s searches of the Epstein files. There’s no sugar coating it: the administration is spying on lawmakers as they exercise their constitutional oversight responsibilities. 1/10
February 12, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Yesterday we learned that the Department of Justice is monitoring and tracking members of Congress’s searches of the Epstein files. There’s no sugar coating it: the administration is spying on lawmakers as they exercise their constitutional oversight responsibilities. 1/10
Reposted by Rob Mickey
Sen. Murphy: “So, your belief is that white Americans face more discrimination. at least prior to the Trump administration…than Black Americans?”
Jeremy Carl, Trump's nominee to be assistant secretary of state for international organizations: "Yes, that's correct.”
Jeremy Carl, Trump's nominee to be assistant secretary of state for international organizations: "Yes, that's correct.”
February 12, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Sen. Murphy: “So, your belief is that white Americans face more discrimination. at least prior to the Trump administration…than Black Americans?”
Jeremy Carl, Trump's nominee to be assistant secretary of state for international organizations: "Yes, that's correct.”
Jeremy Carl, Trump's nominee to be assistant secretary of state for international organizations: "Yes, that's correct.”
Reposted by Rob Mickey
“Unfortunately, because Congress is not taking any steps to rein ICE officers in, there really is no option other than states protecting their constituents’ rights," said Joanna Schwartz, a law professor at UCLA.
Local and State Police Can Investigate Federal Agents, But Rarely Do
It doesn’t happen often, but local law enforcement can arrest and charge federal agents. Legal experts say there’s a moral obligation to at least try to hold federal immigration officers accountable w...
www.propublica.org
February 11, 2026 at 3:50 PM
“Unfortunately, because Congress is not taking any steps to rein ICE officers in, there really is no option other than states protecting their constituents’ rights," said Joanna Schwartz, a law professor at UCLA.
Reposted by Rob Mickey
Every photo from Minneapolis looks like this. Cops decked out with guns and full tac gear facing off against people in bathrobes, parkas, and sweatpants armed only with whistles and cell phones.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
February 11, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Every photo from Minneapolis looks like this. Cops decked out with guns and full tac gear facing off against people in bathrobes, parkas, and sweatpants armed only with whistles and cell phones.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Reposted by Rob Mickey
NEW: Don Lemon is set to be arraigned this week on charges tied to a protest at a church.
The case has raised press freedom concerns. But the constitutional provision most likely to derail the indictment isn’t the First Amendment—it’s the Commerce Clause.
⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/minn...
The case has raised press freedom concerns. But the constitutional provision most likely to derail the indictment isn’t the First Amendment—it’s the Commerce Clause.
⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/minn...
Minnesota FACE Off: A Deep Dive Into the St. Paul Church Protest Case
Unpacking the Don Lemon indictment, its factual allegations, the elements the government must prove to convict, and the potential defenses available to the accused.
www.lawfaremedia.org
February 11, 2026 at 8:41 PM
NEW: Don Lemon is set to be arraigned this week on charges tied to a protest at a church.
The case has raised press freedom concerns. But the constitutional provision most likely to derail the indictment isn’t the First Amendment—it’s the Commerce Clause.
⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/minn...
The case has raised press freedom concerns. But the constitutional provision most likely to derail the indictment isn’t the First Amendment—it’s the Commerce Clause.
⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/minn...
Reposted by Rob Mickey
Important & timely working paper from East, Cox, and my colleague @caitlinpatler.bsky.social
Trump II systematically using "community arrests" (ICE arrests on the street, workplace, in the community, etc) and not targeting immigrants w/ criminal convictions
NBER link: www.nber.org/system/files...
Trump II systematically using "community arrests" (ICE arrests on the street, workplace, in the community, etc) and not targeting immigrants w/ criminal convictions
NBER link: www.nber.org/system/files...
February 9, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Important & timely working paper from East, Cox, and my colleague @caitlinpatler.bsky.social
Trump II systematically using "community arrests" (ICE arrests on the street, workplace, in the community, etc) and not targeting immigrants w/ criminal convictions
NBER link: www.nber.org/system/files...
Trump II systematically using "community arrests" (ICE arrests on the street, workplace, in the community, etc) and not targeting immigrants w/ criminal convictions
NBER link: www.nber.org/system/files...
Reposted by Rob Mickey
This is a great piece. Loved this anecdote.
February 8, 2026 at 1:03 AM
This is a great piece. Loved this anecdote.
Reposted by Rob Mickey
We have a Boston Review Forum out today on the Democratic Party in a time of authoritarianism
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
February 3, 2026 at 3:50 PM
We have a Boston Review Forum out today on the Democratic Party in a time of authoritarianism
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
Reposted by Rob Mickey
we've entirely dispensed with even the faintest veneer of DOJ independence
WARREN: This should be an easy one. Can you commit that Trump's Fed nominee will not be sued or investigated by the DOJ if he does not cut interest rates like Trump wants?
BESSENT: That's up to the president
W: You can't say he won't be criminally investigated? That's supposed to be the soft ball!
BESSENT: That's up to the president
W: You can't say he won't be criminally investigated? That's supposed to be the soft ball!
February 5, 2026 at 3:47 PM
we've entirely dispensed with even the faintest veneer of DOJ independence
Reposted by Rob Mickey
Mike Johnson on Trump calling for Rs to "nationalize" elections: "We had 3 Republicans who were ahead on election day in last cycle & every time a new tranche of ballots came in they just magically whittled away until their leads were lost. It looks on its face to be fraudulent. Can I prove it? No"
February 3, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Mike Johnson on Trump calling for Rs to "nationalize" elections: "We had 3 Republicans who were ahead on election day in last cycle & every time a new tranche of ballots came in they just magically whittled away until their leads were lost. It looks on its face to be fraudulent. Can I prove it? No"
Reposted by Rob Mickey
My latest in @vox.com. Spectacle is the president's greatest strength, and his administration's greatest weakness
Donald Trump’s ego might just save democracy
Minnesota provides a blueprint for how to prevent a slide into authoritarianism we’ve seen in other countries.
www.vox.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:07 PM
My latest in @vox.com. Spectacle is the president's greatest strength, and his administration's greatest weakness
Reposted by Rob Mickey
While I have you here, check out my mixtape with @robmickey.bsky.social and @dziblatt.bsky.social:
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/35o94...
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/35o94...
February 1, 2026 at 2:01 AM
While I have you here, check out my mixtape with @robmickey.bsky.social and @dziblatt.bsky.social:
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/35o94...
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/35o94...
Reposted by Rob Mickey
Time to hang another banner, you sore, sore losers.
January 27, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Time to hang another banner, you sore, sore losers.
Reposted by Rob Mickey
"You raise your voice, I erase your voice."
ICE in Minneapolis are erasing your rights.
Please share our new video of what's happening in our city. youtu.be/W1dyNcRGRXY
ICE in Minneapolis are erasing your rights.
Please share our new video of what's happening in our city. youtu.be/W1dyNcRGRXY
January 27, 2026 at 4:15 PM
"You raise your voice, I erase your voice."
ICE in Minneapolis are erasing your rights.
Please share our new video of what's happening in our city. youtu.be/W1dyNcRGRXY
ICE in Minneapolis are erasing your rights.
Please share our new video of what's happening in our city. youtu.be/W1dyNcRGRXY
Reposted by Rob Mickey
The killing of Alex Pretti and the grotesque lying was an overreach by the administration. They've paid a price and had to pull back a bit. But it's when there's some disarray that the democratic opposition needs to intensify the offensive, and turn a marginal tactical success into a major victory.
January 26, 2026 at 10:56 PM
The killing of Alex Pretti and the grotesque lying was an overreach by the administration. They've paid a price and had to pull back a bit. But it's when there's some disarray that the democratic opposition needs to intensify the offensive, and turn a marginal tactical success into a major victory.