Ash Splawinski
@splawinski.bsky.social
PhD candidate in political science @ UofT
Researching policy design, administrative burdens, and political mobilization
Previously a visiting scholar at UT Austin & CU Denver
Overthinks for work, underthinks for fun!
Researching policy design, administrative burdens, and political mobilization
Previously a visiting scholar at UT Austin & CU Denver
Overthinks for work, underthinks for fun!
Pinned
New at Can We Still Govern: One aspect of ICE that is not discussed much is how dependent it is on private supply chains, including foreign companies. That provides an opportunity to name-and-shame firms providing its services.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/private-ch...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/private-ch...
Private Chains, Public Harm
How Supply Networks Fuel ICE Operations
donmoynihan.substack.com
New piece out on @donmoyn.bsky.social 's blog!
I explore how ICE's coercive capacity is assembled through transnational supply chains, from armoured vehicles to data systems to deportation logistics, and what this means for accountability and structural leverage.
I explore how ICE's coercive capacity is assembled through transnational supply chains, from armoured vehicles to data systems to deportation logistics, and what this means for accountability and structural leverage.
Foreign-owned firms are making a profit, too! bsky.app/profile/spla...
New piece out on @donmoyn.bsky.social 's blog!
I explore how ICE's coercive capacity is assembled through transnational supply chains, from armoured vehicles to data systems to deportation logistics, and what this means for accountability and structural leverage.
I explore how ICE's coercive capacity is assembled through transnational supply chains, from armoured vehicles to data systems to deportation logistics, and what this means for accountability and structural leverage.
New at Can We Still Govern: One aspect of ICE that is not discussed much is how dependent it is on private supply chains, including foreign companies. That provides an opportunity to name-and-shame firms providing its services.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/private-ch...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/private-ch...
February 12, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Foreign-owned firms are making a profit, too! bsky.app/profile/spla...
Thanks for reading!
February 12, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for featuring the piece! I really appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this conversation!
February 12, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Thanks for featuring the piece! I really appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this conversation!
Each node in the global supply chain makes ICE operations easier, but also exposes the agency to disruption.
Citizen protest and foreign policy dynamics can shape enforcement capacity, especially when political tensions strain relationships with supplier countries.
Citizen protest and foreign policy dynamics can shape enforcement capacity, especially when political tensions strain relationships with supplier countries.
February 12, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Each node in the global supply chain makes ICE operations easier, but also exposes the agency to disruption.
Citizen protest and foreign policy dynamics can shape enforcement capacity, especially when political tensions strain relationships with supplier countries.
Citizen protest and foreign policy dynamics can shape enforcement capacity, especially when political tensions strain relationships with supplier countries.
What may appear as a unified, domestic, "All-American" apparatus is actually a fragmented logistical system of private actors spanning multiple countries.
February 12, 2026 at 3:50 PM
What may appear as a unified, domestic, "All-American" apparatus is actually a fragmented logistical system of private actors spanning multiple countries.
New piece out on @donmoyn.bsky.social 's blog!
I explore how ICE's coercive capacity is assembled through transnational supply chains, from armoured vehicles to data systems to deportation logistics, and what this means for accountability and structural leverage.
I explore how ICE's coercive capacity is assembled through transnational supply chains, from armoured vehicles to data systems to deportation logistics, and what this means for accountability and structural leverage.
New at Can We Still Govern: One aspect of ICE that is not discussed much is how dependent it is on private supply chains, including foreign companies. That provides an opportunity to name-and-shame firms providing its services.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/private-ch...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/private-ch...
Private Chains, Public Harm
How Supply Networks Fuel ICE Operations
donmoynihan.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:31 PM
New piece out on @donmoyn.bsky.social 's blog!
I explore how ICE's coercive capacity is assembled through transnational supply chains, from armoured vehicles to data systems to deportation logistics, and what this means for accountability and structural leverage.
I explore how ICE's coercive capacity is assembled through transnational supply chains, from armoured vehicles to data systems to deportation logistics, and what this means for accountability and structural leverage.
Reposted by Ash Splawinski
Reposted by Ash Splawinski
The new government website TrumpRx is aimed at helping patients use their own money to buy medicines. But researchers who study drug pricing warned that many patients could pay too much if they use the site.
TrumpRx, the President’s Online Drugstore, Opens for Business
TrumpRx is aimed at helping patients use their own money to buy medicines. But researchers who study drug pricing warned that many patients could pay too much if they use the site.
nyti.ms
February 6, 2026 at 1:54 PM
The new government website TrumpRx is aimed at helping patients use their own money to buy medicines. But researchers who study drug pricing warned that many patients could pay too much if they use the site.
awful day to have eyes.
February 10, 2026 at 3:37 AM
awful day to have eyes.
Hm… We also need to account for the subset of symbolic separatists who answer “Yeah, totally” in an Angus Reid poll but would definitely think twice about doing so in an actual referendum.
globalnews.ca/news/1165913...
globalnews.ca/news/1165913...
Support for Alberta independence sits at 3 in 10 in favour, poll finds | Globalnews.ca
As groups continue to collect signatures on a petition regarding Alberta independence, new polling shows support for the movement doesn't appear to be budging.
globalnews.ca
February 9, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Hm… We also need to account for the subset of symbolic separatists who answer “Yeah, totally” in an Angus Reid poll but would definitely think twice about doing so in an actual referendum.
globalnews.ca/news/1165913...
globalnews.ca/news/1165913...
Reposted by Ash Splawinski
New, from me: Trump finalized his Schedule F policy, allowing him to remove job protections from career civil servants.
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
Trump's Schedule F Rule Finalized
A bizarro rule formally justifies politicizing public services
donmoynihan.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:16 AM
New, from me: Trump finalized his Schedule F policy, allowing him to remove job protections from career civil servants.
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
Reposted by Ash Splawinski
portraying epstein as a "foreign agent" of [fill in the country] is satisfying but lets the US off the hook for creating the network enabling him, and misunderstands his business model as hierarchical links with foreign spies instead of a node in a global network of converging interests
February 5, 2026 at 4:49 PM
portraying epstein as a "foreign agent" of [fill in the country] is satisfying but lets the US off the hook for creating the network enabling him, and misunderstands his business model as hierarchical links with foreign spies instead of a node in a global network of converging interests
Reposted by Ash Splawinski
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney joins @davidfrum.bsky.social to discuss annexation threats, the unraveling of U.S.-Canada relations, and how Donald Trump is forcing allies to rethink democracy, defense, and immigration.
Watch the episode:
Watch the episode:
Trump vs. Canada
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney on annexation threats, the unraveling of U.S.-Canada relations, and how Trump is forcing allies to rethink democracy, defense, and immigration. Plus: the Trump family’s astonishing UAE crypto deal and Sara Jeannette Duncan’s The Imperialist.
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney joins @davidfrum.bsky.social to discuss annexation threats, the unraveling of U.S.-Canada relations, and how Donald Trump is forcing allies to rethink democracy, defense, and immigration.
Watch the episode:
Watch the episode:
Unfortunately, nothing in this article is a surprise and, in many parts of the world, this continues to happen. The “profit over people” model of repro tech is alive and well.
www.sbs.com.au/news/insight...
www.sbs.com.au/news/insight...
My daughter might have hundreds of half-siblings. For this, I feel immense guilt
Carol's two children were conceived with donor sperm in the late 90s. Decades later, she and her family found out the whole truth.
www.sbs.com.au
February 4, 2026 at 3:21 AM
Unfortunately, nothing in this article is a surprise and, in many parts of the world, this continues to happen. The “profit over people” model of repro tech is alive and well.
www.sbs.com.au/news/insight...
www.sbs.com.au/news/insight...
Right out of primary school? I mean, why wait? Kindergarten is more than reasonable. /s
February 4, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Right out of primary school? I mean, why wait? Kindergarten is more than reasonable. /s
Right, yes. Let’s all calmly integrate this information into our day, I guess.
No political scientists in the Epstein files, multiple economists. These are facts.
February 1, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Right, yes. Let’s all calmly integrate this information into our day, I guess.
Reposted by Ash Splawinski
Worth stating this clearly: American constitutional law affords due process protections to non-citizens, even those without legal status. Any official who does not respect those rights—whether a political official or law enforcement officer—violates their oath to support the Constitution.
January 30, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Worth stating this clearly: American constitutional law affords due process protections to non-citizens, even those without legal status. Any official who does not respect those rights—whether a political official or law enforcement officer—violates their oath to support the Constitution.
Reposted by Ash Splawinski
If 90s era Quebec separatism taught Canada anything, it’s How To Separate From Canada. We have an idea of how constitutionally viable separatism would work… with a few caveats, of course (🧵)
www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/a...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/a...
A separatist group in Canada is asking for Trump’s help to split from their country. Here’s what we know | CNN
Yet another spat over territory is rocking the troubled US-Canada relationship – and it’s not a result of a Donald Trump threat to turn his northern neighbor into a 51st state.
www.cnn.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:54 AM
If 90s era Quebec separatism taught Canada anything, it’s How To Separate From Canada. We have an idea of how constitutionally viable separatism would work… with a few caveats, of course (🧵)
www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/a...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/a...
Are the separatists in talks with Americans committing “treason”? Like everything else in politics, “it depends.”
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/po...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/po...
Experts say treason definition depends if you’re holding Criminal Code or dictionary
B.C. Premier David Eby made headlines Thursday by saying Alberta separatists reportedly meeting with U.S. officials are committing treason — but experts say the word means different things in differen...
www.ctvnews.ca
January 30, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Are the separatists in talks with Americans committing “treason”? Like everything else in politics, “it depends.”
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/po...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/po...
Hey, @uoft-poli-sci.bsky.social can we get this on the Canadian major field exam?
January 30, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Hey, @uoft-poli-sci.bsky.social can we get this on the Canadian major field exam?
The caveats: Who decides what a “clear question” or “clear majority is”? The House of Commons (thanks Clarity Act!)
And, the House of Commons can override a referendum if, in the end, they deem that any part of the process was not aligned with the Clarity Act.
And, uh, that’s how you separate!
And, the House of Commons can override a referendum if, in the end, they deem that any part of the process was not aligned with the Clarity Act.
And, uh, that’s how you separate!
January 30, 2026 at 12:02 PM
The caveats: Who decides what a “clear question” or “clear majority is”? The House of Commons (thanks Clarity Act!)
And, the House of Commons can override a referendum if, in the end, they deem that any part of the process was not aligned with the Clarity Act.
And, uh, that’s how you separate!
And, the House of Commons can override a referendum if, in the end, they deem that any part of the process was not aligned with the Clarity Act.
And, uh, that’s how you separate!
The Ref case led to the Clarity Act (2000) and they both outline a few things:
1) The referendum question must be CLEARLY about succession/independence and not about something like negotiation
2) The result must have a CLEAR MAJORITY
3) If successful, all parties have a duty to negotiate terms
1) The referendum question must be CLEARLY about succession/independence and not about something like negotiation
2) The result must have a CLEAR MAJORITY
3) If successful, all parties have a duty to negotiate terms
January 30, 2026 at 11:59 AM
The Ref case led to the Clarity Act (2000) and they both outline a few things:
1) The referendum question must be CLEARLY about succession/independence and not about something like negotiation
2) The result must have a CLEAR MAJORITY
3) If successful, all parties have a duty to negotiate terms
1) The referendum question must be CLEARLY about succession/independence and not about something like negotiation
2) The result must have a CLEAR MAJORITY
3) If successful, all parties have a duty to negotiate terms
After the (obviously failed) 1995 Quebec referendum, the province asked the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) how independence could work in a way compatible with Canadian constitutional principles and in the Reference re Secession of Quebec (1998) the SCC told them.
January 30, 2026 at 11:56 AM
After the (obviously failed) 1995 Quebec referendum, the province asked the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) how independence could work in a way compatible with Canadian constitutional principles and in the Reference re Secession of Quebec (1998) the SCC told them.
If 90s era Quebec separatism taught Canada anything, it’s How To Separate From Canada. We have an idea of how constitutionally viable separatism would work… with a few caveats, of course (🧵)
www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/a...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/a...
A separatist group in Canada is asking for Trump’s help to split from their country. Here’s what we know | CNN
Yet another spat over territory is rocking the troubled US-Canada relationship – and it’s not a result of a Donald Trump threat to turn his northern neighbor into a 51st state.
www.cnn.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:54 AM
If 90s era Quebec separatism taught Canada anything, it’s How To Separate From Canada. We have an idea of how constitutionally viable separatism would work… with a few caveats, of course (🧵)
www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/a...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/a...
Reposted by Ash Splawinski
❇️ FirstView – 💼 Profession
Daniel Stockemer, Engi Abou-El-Kheir & Stephen Sawyer explore the relationship between the percentages of female editorial board members, female editors, and of female authors published across 120 political science journals.
👉 buff.ly/Wi1ONla
Daniel Stockemer, Engi Abou-El-Kheir & Stephen Sawyer explore the relationship between the percentages of female editorial board members, female editors, and of female authors published across 120 political science journals.
👉 buff.ly/Wi1ONla
Closing the gender gap in political science publishing: The role of female editorial boards
European Political Science | Cambridge Core
buff.ly
January 27, 2026 at 5:26 PM
❇️ FirstView – 💼 Profession
Daniel Stockemer, Engi Abou-El-Kheir & Stephen Sawyer explore the relationship between the percentages of female editorial board members, female editors, and of female authors published across 120 political science journals.
👉 buff.ly/Wi1ONla
Daniel Stockemer, Engi Abou-El-Kheir & Stephen Sawyer explore the relationship between the percentages of female editorial board members, female editors, and of female authors published across 120 political science journals.
👉 buff.ly/Wi1ONla