Stuart Shapiro

@stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social

2K followers 360 following 1.1K posts

Dean of Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Obsessed with baseball, basketball, regulation, TV

Stuart S. Shapiro is a producer, writer, director, and Internet entrepreneur. Shapiro began his career as an independent film distributor in 1974 by starting International Harmony which distributed cult classics TunnelVision, Neil Young's Rust Never Sleeps, Bob Marley's Reggae Sunsplash, The Sex Pistols' DOA, and Tarzoon: Shame of the Jungle. .. more

Business 30%

Economics 28%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Stuart Shapiro @stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social · 9h

How do you feel about rooting for Pittsburgh tomorrow?

Bill Grueskin @bgrueskin.bsky.social · 12h

Powell, showing more guts than almost any GOP legislators:

"The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Fed setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President."

www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...

Reposted by Anne Applebaum, Stephen M. Walt, Kori Schake , and 79 more Anne Applebaum, Stephen M. Walt, Kori Schake, Claudia Sahm, Edward Witten, Daniela Gabor, Christian Odendahl, Nandita Sharma, Yuriy Gorodnichenko, Menzie Chinn, Will Jennings, Peter Thorne, Brendan Nyhan, David Dunning, Patrick A. Jansen, Alf Norkko, Joshua S. Weitz, Robert W. Wallace, Andrew Watt, David H. Kaye, Michael A. Clemens, David Feldman, Jonathan Wolff, Kevin Milligan, Rosemary A. Joyce, Richard Ashby Wilson, Caroline Krafft, Monika Schnitzer, David Rothschild, Guy Grossman, Ryan Enos, Shelly Lundberg, Michael Kevane, Iikka Korhonen, Trevon D. Logan, Laurent Pech, Robert C. Richards, Charles W. Smith, David L. Ortega, Rebecca Tushnet, David R. Miller, Silvia Secchi, Aaron Sojourner, Michael Zimmer, Holger Nehring, Nazita Lajevardi, Scott A. Imberman, Henry Farrell, Michael D. McDonald, Dean Eckles, Julia M. Wright, Brian Keegan, William Myers, Maria Abreu, Michael Müller, Michael Jones‐Correa, Kate Starbird, Shannon W. Anderson, Lisa Diedrich, Daniel Kuehn, Susan Strasser, Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, Alessandro Rigolon, Marcus Credé, Hisham Zerriffi, Simon Lester, Jay Shambaugh, Matthew Bodie, Tim Stephens, Peter Gratton, Aviel Roshwald, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Farah Mendlesohn, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Ryan Calo, Timothy D. McBride, Ryan Goodman, Jeroen Van Bouwel, Kimberly A. Clausing, Stuart Shapiro, David Darmofal, Peter Jacobs

Federal Reserve @federalreserve.gov · 13h

Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...

Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell

YouTube video by Federal Reserve

www.youtube.com

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

Jonathan Bernstein @jonathanbernstein.bsky.social · 16h

Trump keeps losing and also keeps doing stuff. Yes, that's hard to wrap our heads around. My item today gets into it (without, alas, fully explaining it.) Plus the links! goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/losing-los...

Losing Loser Keeps Losing

And yet Trump isn't exactly an impotent president. Confused? Yeah.

goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan , and 5 more Anna O. Law, Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan, Steve Peers, Samuel L. Perry, Federica Genovese, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Stuart Shapiro

Jake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 17h

I see this take around from time to time and totally disagree. ICE just murdered a woman standing up to them. No Kings is among the largest protests in history.

The complacency is coming from elites in media, business, universities, and the Democratic leadership

Nicholas Kristof
@NickKristof
X.com
I'm struck by the contrast between the passion for democracy shown by Iranians willing to die for it and the complacency with which many Americans have accepted an authoritarian slide.
Americans should cheer for Iran's democrats--and also learn from their determination.

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

Brian Cook @2ndadminstate.bsky.social · 19h

Most members of the public don’t realize that Congress can change nearly everything about the structure and composition of the judiciary. Exceptions include the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction and the position of Chief Justice of the United States.

Reposted by Joanna Bryson, Simon J. Greenhill, Philip N. Cohen , and 4 more Joanna Bryson, Simon J. Greenhill, Philip N. Cohen, Alfie Kohn, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Stuart Shapiro, David Darmofal

Todd Alcott @toddalcott.bsky.social · 19h

The sign on Kristi Noem's podium reads "One of ours, all of yours." The reader will recall that this was a fascist rallying cry in the Spanish Civil War. What it means is that one of "our" people is worth all of "your" people.

Reposted by Mark A. Lemley

Stuart Shapiro @stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social · 22h

This is disproportionately a DC Circuit issue: "Combined, Judges Gregory G. Katsas, Neomi Rao, and Justin R. Walker voted 75 times in favor of the administration — slightly more than half of the pro-Trump votes from Mr. Trump’s appointees logged by the Times analysis — and only three times against."

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

Nick Bednar @nicholasbednar.bsky.social · 1d

I cannot imagine why the last year made preexisting problems with hiring and retention worse... Who could have predicted that exercising greater control over the federal workforce would harm government performance?

Not me.

www.stanfordlawreview.org/print/articl...

Reposted by Will Jennings, Stuart Shapiro

Charlotte Clymer @charlotteclymer.bsky.social · 1d

I'm not a doctor or a nurse. I have no medical expertise. Far be it from me to diagnose anyone. I don't know what's going on with Trump. But I do know something is going on with him. We all can see it. Where is the scrutiny over his cognitive health that legacy media had for Pres. Biden?

Reposted by Robert Black, Stuart Shapiro

Eephus Tosser @eephustosser.bsky.social · 1d

Matt Shaw really beginning to doubt his "Jews will not replace us" poster.

Reposted by Will Jennings, Michael A. Clemens, Lesley A. Hall , and 8 more Will Jennings, Michael A. Clemens, Lesley A. Hall, David R. Miller, Jacob T. Levy, Elizabeth Stevenson, W Grant, Stuart White, Blair Fix, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Stuart Shapiro

Andy Craig @andycraig.bsky.social · 1d

Common Sense, published 250 years ago today.

Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance; and the world they act in differs so materially from the world at large, that they have but little opportunity of knowing its true interests, and when they succeed to the government are frequently the most ignorant and unfit of any throughout the dominions.

Stuart Shapiro @stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social · 1d

The challenge for all of those (us) who hate Vance is that if Trump does die he gets to run for the nomination as incumbent.

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Elizabeth Saunders, Brendan Nyhan , and 5 more Anna O. Law, Elizabeth Saunders, Brendan Nyhan, John Horgan, Mary Jane Curry, Dan Immergluck, Kevin Grant, Stuart Shapiro

Nick Bednar @nicholasbednar.bsky.social · 1d

I can't describe how bad Minneapolis feels right now. My neighbors are pulling kids out of school. The public schools are offering remote learning until 2/12. We are having conversations in our alleys about how to protect ourselves. It feels like a military occupation with a blockade.

Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 2d

The US Department of Agriculture suspends all federal funding to Minnesota, effective immediately.

January 9, 2026
THE HONORABLE TIM WALZ
Governor of Minesota
130 State Capitol
75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bivd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
THE HONORABLE JACOB FREY
Mayor of the City of Minneapolis
City Hail
350S. Fifth St., Room 330
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Dear Governor Walz and Mayor Frey,
It is my responsibility as Secretary of Agriculture to ensure sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars by climinating fraud, waste and abuse in all programs funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The widespread and systemic fraud associated with federal benefit programs in the State of Minnesota and the City of Minneapolis demonstrate an inability to handle federal resources without additional oversight and accountability measures in place.
During your tenures as Governor of Minnesota and Mayor of Minneapolis, numerous non-profits and businesses have defrauded the federal government in what a federal prosecutor in Minnesota called "a staggering, industrial-scale fraud".! Most notably, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit— Feeding Our Future defrauded U.S. taxpayers of nearly $250 million in federal funds given to them by the Minnesota Department of Education.? This fraud scheme involved USDA funding provided to the State of Minnesota to feed hungry children under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). As of late November, 78 defendants had been charged in what the Department of Justice characterized as the largest COVID-19 fraud scheme in the country?
Other recent examples of'alleged fraud in Minnesota include exploitation of the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program", a scheme to defraud the Housing Stabilization
1-Whut te know about Minnesoca' "industrial-scale fraad" scandal, as more charges are fled and Trump weighs in, "CES Nows (Dic. 19, 3025) available at ht:/www.cbsnews.com/news/atas-do-know-alonesota-frawf-candal
were-changes-fled-
tump-water.
/Federal Jury Finds Feeding Our Future Masternind and Co-D…

Services Program", and alleged fraud in daycare centers*, Your Administrations have refused additional accountability and oversight, claiming that criticism of rampant fraud and abuse is
"racist."
While the full extent of fraud in Minnesota is not yet known, it is clear that, under your leadership-
or lack thereof fraudsters can take advantage of federal funds and the American
taxpayer with impunity. This necessitates federal action to protect taxpayer dollars until adequate safeguards can be established.
Despite a staggering, wide-reaching fraud scandal, your Administrations refuse to provide basic information or take common sense mcasures to stop fraud. In fact, rather than conlin your SNAP rolls are accurate to prevent continuing fraud, you asked the courts to block USDA's directive to recertify the State's SNAP recipients. Recent news reports also emerged that the Minnesota Department of Human Services repeatedly reported incorrect information about SNAP to the federal government.? The Trump administration refuses to allow such fraud to continuc.
Therefore, because of your failed Icadership and abysmal financial management oversight, 1 am notifying you that, effective immediately, I am suspending payments on all active awards and any future awards from USDA to the State of Minnesota and the City of Minneapolis, currently totaling over $129.18 million. Within 30 days, you shall provide USDA with payment justifications for all federal dollar expenditures from January 20, 2025, to the present. Going forward, all transactions on awards to the State of Minnesota or the City of Minneapolis will require such payment justification. If those payment justifications are not received, awards will remain suspended.
While your Administrations have turned a blind eye to documented fraud, the Trump Administration has made clear that fraud, waste, and abuse are unacceptable. The American people deserve to know that their taxpayer dollars are helping those in need-not criminals. …

Reposted by Brian A. Nosek, Julie L. Lockwood, Steve Peers , and 1 more Brian A. Nosek, Julie L. Lockwood, Steve Peers, Stuart Shapiro

Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 2d

This story is full of gems. Read the whole thing. Here's just one:

Uruguay’s strategy had three elements: regulatory reform, competitive auctions, and diversified domestic resources. The government eliminated longstanding subsidies for fossil fuels and introduced long-term contracts for renewable projects, providing investors with predictable returns. Auctions for wind and solar projects have fostered competition, resulting in lower prices. Customers pay at least 20% less than they did before the transition, while the government has more funds available for education and public services.

Reposted by Anne Applebaum, David R. Miller, Nathan P. Kalmoe , and 2 more Anne Applebaum, David R. Miller, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Stuart Shapiro, David Darmofal

Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 2d

The USDA just cut off ag aid to MN

Erin Maye Quade @erinmayequade.bsky.social · 2d

They’re targeting and invading Minnesota. Cutting off all of our federal funding and flooding our state with federal agents with no purpose. They’re here to terrorize, cause chaos to justify their unlawful cruelty. Enough.

MPR News @mprnews.org · 2d

Federal immigration officers are pulling out of a Louisiana crackdown and heading to Minneapolis in an abrupt pivot from an operation that drew protests around New Orleans and aimed to make thousands of arrests, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 2d

The US Department of Agriculture suspends all federal funding to Minnesota, effective immediately.

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

George Pearkes @peark.es · 2d

This is the opposite of what companies that actually have a legal department want to hear, because it means contracts can (and likely WILL) be voided in because they weren't authorized by the government of the country in question

*TRUMP: US OIL COMPANIES WILL DEAL WITH US DIRECTLY, NOT CARACAS

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

Rutgers Bloustein School @bloustein.rutgers.edu · 2d

Bloustein School alum Jeremy Zorek (PPP '25) was recently featured in the New York Times as part of a transit challenge to ride every system that still accepts the MetroCard before the iconic fare card fades into history. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/n...

A Farewell Ride With the MetroCard, on Every Transit Line That Uses It

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by James Goodwin, Stuart Shapiro

atticus goldfinch @atticusgf.bsky.social · 2d

not even kidding, Vance should be excommunicated over this

Reposted by Scott L. Greer, Stuart Shapiro

Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 2d

NEW: The full DC Circuit lets stand a 2-1 decision allowing Trump's firing of Cathy Harris from the Merit Systems Protection Board.

They didn't even vote on whether to rehear the case en banc after two Trump appointees (Katsas/Walker) sided with Trump before SCOTUS even heard the FTC firing case.

United States Court of Appeals
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT
No. 25-5037
September Term, 2025
1:25-cv-00412-RC
Filed On: January 9, 2026
Cathy A. Harris, in her personal capacity and in her official capacity as Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board,
Appellee
V.
Scott Bessent, in his official capacity as Secretary of the Treasury, et al.,
Appellants
-------
Consolidated with 25-5055
BEFORE:
Srinivasan, Chief Judge, and Henderson, Millett, Pillard, Wilkins, Katsas, Rao, Walker, Childs, Pan, and Garcia, Circuit Judges
ORDER
Upon consideration of appellee's corrected petition for rehearing en banc, the response thereto, and the absence of a request by any member of the court for a vote, it is
ORDERED that the petition be denied.
Per Curiam

Stuart Shapiro @stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social · 2d

These two things are related. As the clock ticks (toward November 2026) Miller, Vought, Rubio etc. realize they have to move faster to accomplish their policy goals before they get harder.

Stuart Shapiro @stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social · 2d

The problem is that the civil servants aren't making up numbers that the Administration likes.

Reposted by Ryan Enos, Stuart Shapiro

G Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 2d

I thought this was a good piece from Ryan. Democratic (lowercase “d”) electoral competition in America will require a democratic faction to win control of the Republican Party

open.substack.com/pub/ryandeno...

The Future of Democracy Depends on the Republican Party

The Battle for a Liberal Society is Happening Within the Political Right

open.substack.com

Reposted by Elizabeth Saunders, David R. Miller, Stuart Shapiro

Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 2d

Are George W., Obama, Clinton, and Biden out there saying anything about anything these days?? Their silence feels deafening

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

NYU Law Democracy Project @democracyproject.bsky.social · 2d

Next up in our "100 ideas" series — New by Russell Muirhead
@dartmouthartsci.bsky.social — "The End of Constitutional Government"

Part of @nyulaw.bsky.social Democracy Project's "100 Ideas in 100 Days"

Read the full piece here: democracyproject.org/posts/the-en...