David J. Voelker
@david-j-voelker.bsky.social
Historian (early America/environment), in Green Bay, WI, since 2003. Author and co-editor for Oxford Univ. Press's *Debating American History* series. Views are mine. Website: https://davidjvoelker.com. Publications: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3049-4799
Not for the 1st time, I've gone to the DHS on X to answer the question, "Is this for real?" And, not for the 1st time, I've found the answer to be "Yes." This is real. The DHS is spewing fascist and white supremacist propaganda. It's right out there in the open, what Trump and his crew want to do.
DHS now says it's aiming for 100 million deportations. In an amazing coincidence, there are 104 million Black and Hispanic people living in the U.S. right now.
![@DHSgov on X: The peace of a nation no longer besieged by the third world.
[Image of a beach] America after 100 million deportations](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:eppsmw5nfmdzhfeymtzd3xbe/bafkreiccvipzc5mayvbrzoo3cxhkp2iayuhphh4grk6lziqajuk7d2leee@jpeg)
January 1, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Not for the 1st time, I've gone to the DHS on X to answer the question, "Is this for real?" And, not for the 1st time, I've found the answer to be "Yes." This is real. The DHS is spewing fascist and white supremacist propaganda. It's right out there in the open, what Trump and his crew want to do.
Reposted by David J. Voelker
Speaking as someone who just wrote a book on the Manhattan Project, I can assure you that refugee immigrants were the *entire* reason the US mastered the atom first. The most chilling part of writing my book was reading about them fleeing fascism … abroad. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/fleeing-on...
December 28, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Speaking as someone who just wrote a book on the Manhattan Project, I can assure you that refugee immigrants were the *entire* reason the US mastered the atom first. The most chilling part of writing my book was reading about them fleeing fascism … abroad. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/fleeing-on...
Reposted by David J. Voelker
I just taught my lecture course on mid-20th c US history, which starts with Harding and concludes with Nixon.
For the first time, I had to pause and stress that those scandals were actually shocking at the time and, what’s more, that Americans actually demanded people be held accountable.
For the first time, I had to pause and stress that those scandals were actually shocking at the time and, what’s more, that Americans actually demanded people be held accountable.
All of the money that changed hands in the Teapot Dome scandal totaled less than $10 million after adjusting for inflation, and it was considered so corrupt we still teach it in high school government classes a century later.
Corruption so pungent, it wafts right off the page:
Lobbyists who do pardon deals “say their going rate is $1 million. Pardon-seekers have offered some lobbyists close to the president success fees of as much as $6 million if they can close the deal.”
Gift link www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Lobbyists who do pardon deals “say their going rate is $1 million. Pardon-seekers have offered some lobbyists close to the president success fees of as much as $6 million if they can close the deal.”
Gift link www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
December 27, 2025 at 9:30 PM
I just taught my lecture course on mid-20th c US history, which starts with Harding and concludes with Nixon.
For the first time, I had to pause and stress that those scandals were actually shocking at the time and, what’s more, that Americans actually demanded people be held accountable.
For the first time, I had to pause and stress that those scandals were actually shocking at the time and, what’s more, that Americans actually demanded people be held accountable.
The special blend of incompetence and deception here is staggering, but the harm to U.S.A.I.D. and other programs is also very real. -- "In DOGE’s published list of canceled contracts and grants, for instance, the 13 largest were all incorrect."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little?
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:35 AM
The special blend of incompetence and deception here is staggering, but the harm to U.S.A.I.D. and other programs is also very real. -- "In DOGE’s published list of canceled contracts and grants, for instance, the 13 largest were all incorrect."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
Reposted by David J. Voelker
The Trump supporter who runs CBS news just killed a story about Trump’s favorite torture prison. Here’s why America has a liberal media bias problem.
December 22, 2025 at 3:03 AM
The Trump supporter who runs CBS news just killed a story about Trump’s favorite torture prison. Here’s why America has a liberal media bias problem.
"We have long since crossed the rubicon of constitutional and democratic crisis, and still last week seemed remarkable and uniquely chilling. We must not become numb to it." -- @sifill.bsky.social
December 22, 2025 at 7:20 PM
"We have long since crossed the rubicon of constitutional and democratic crisis, and still last week seemed remarkable and uniquely chilling. We must not become numb to it." -- @sifill.bsky.social
Reposted by David J. Voelker
December 22, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Reposted by David J. Voelker
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Seems like it's worth posting this one again.
Why Do Historians Still Have To Go To Archives?
Why do historians go to archives? Hasn’t everything already been digitized?
contingentmagazine.org
December 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Reposted by David J. Voelker
💰Trump’s wealth increased by about $2.5B since his reelection, to $6.9B
💰 Eric’s increased 10x, to $400M.
💰 Don Jr.’s 6x, to $300M.
💰 Barron, a college sophomore, is worth $150M.
💰 Eric’s increased 10x, to $400M.
💰 Don Jr.’s 6x, to $300M.
💰 Barron, a college sophomore, is worth $150M.
His policies are picking winners and losers — and blurring the lines between business and government. n.pr/48P2QSb
How President Trump reshaped capitalism in 2025
His policies are picking winners and losers — and blurring the lines between business and government.
n.pr
December 22, 2025 at 1:05 PM
💰Trump’s wealth increased by about $2.5B since his reelection, to $6.9B
💰 Eric’s increased 10x, to $400M.
💰 Don Jr.’s 6x, to $300M.
💰 Barron, a college sophomore, is worth $150M.
💰 Eric’s increased 10x, to $400M.
💰 Don Jr.’s 6x, to $300M.
💰 Barron, a college sophomore, is worth $150M.
Reposted by David J. Voelker
oh good lord
"The Trump administration has invited a small group of 'climate contrarians' to help write the next installment of the National Climate Assessment."
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
(and then there's this fresh hell👇)
"The Trump administration has invited a small group of 'climate contrarians' to help write the next installment of the National Climate Assessment."
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
(and then there's this fresh hell👇)
December 22, 2025 at 2:24 PM
oh good lord
"The Trump administration has invited a small group of 'climate contrarians' to help write the next installment of the National Climate Assessment."
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
(and then there's this fresh hell👇)
"The Trump administration has invited a small group of 'climate contrarians' to help write the next installment of the National Climate Assessment."
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
(and then there's this fresh hell👇)
"What looked stable turned out to be fragile, and what had seemed for all time was only for the time being." -- Stephen Greenblatt on the decline of book production in the Roman empire, in *The Swerve: How the World Became Modern,* Kindle Edition, p. 86.
December 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"What looked stable turned out to be fragile, and what had seemed for all time was only for the time being." -- Stephen Greenblatt on the decline of book production in the Roman empire, in *The Swerve: How the World Became Modern,* Kindle Edition, p. 86.
Reposted by David J. Voelker
In the summer of 1950 most US newspapers ran an AP story about how race had become the main issue in the upcoming Georgia governor's race. Segregationist Herman Tallmadge, governor from '47 to '55 and then a Senator until 1981 made a name for himself by refusing to "apologize for being a white man."
December 21, 2025 at 10:57 PM
In the summer of 1950 most US newspapers ran an AP story about how race had become the main issue in the upcoming Georgia governor's race. Segregationist Herman Tallmadge, governor from '47 to '55 and then a Senator until 1981 made a name for himself by refusing to "apologize for being a white man."
Reposted by David J. Voelker
people who are new to academia tend to find its obsession with sources and citations a brake on their "i'm just trying to be CREATIVE, man" mindset. but it turns out the relentless obsession with accuracy, citation, and *provenance* is a load-bearing pillar of the whole enterprise
December 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
people who are new to academia tend to find its obsession with sources and citations a brake on their "i'm just trying to be CREATIVE, man" mindset. but it turns out the relentless obsession with accuracy, citation, and *provenance* is a load-bearing pillar of the whole enterprise
Reposted by David J. Voelker
Coming back to this, I'm still struck by the implication that academics should care if the AI pushers "trust" all our work that's done without AI.
I don't know, man, you all seemed to trust our work enough to steal it from us wholesale.
I don't know, man, you all seemed to trust our work enough to steal it from us wholesale.
I would struggle to trust an academic who doesn‘t know how to
use AI tools.
Which is not the same as not being critical.
use AI tools.
Which is not the same as not being critical.
December 20, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Coming back to this, I'm still struck by the implication that academics should care if the AI pushers "trust" all our work that's done without AI.
I don't know, man, you all seemed to trust our work enough to steal it from us wholesale.
I don't know, man, you all seemed to trust our work enough to steal it from us wholesale.
A student just cited Jamelle Bouie's essay on Juneteenth, which I had assigned, and proudly appended a photo of himself with Bouie from Bouie's talk at UWGB earlier this year. Love it!! Never had that happen before! @jamellebouie.net www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/o...
Opinion | Why Juneteenth Matters (Published 2020)
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:37 PM
A student just cited Jamelle Bouie's essay on Juneteenth, which I had assigned, and proudly appended a photo of himself with Bouie from Bouie's talk at UWGB earlier this year. Love it!! Never had that happen before! @jamellebouie.net www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/o...
Reposted by David J. Voelker
NEW: The Trump administration announced a harmful new proposal that would block access to essential gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth across the country.
If this discriminatory regulation moves forward, we will see this administration in court.
If this discriminatory regulation moves forward, we will see this administration in court.
December 18, 2025 at 6:55 PM
NEW: The Trump administration announced a harmful new proposal that would block access to essential gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth across the country.
If this discriminatory regulation moves forward, we will see this administration in court.
If this discriminatory regulation moves forward, we will see this administration in court.
Reposted by David J. Voelker
Last night, President Trump bombed another civilian boat in international waters, killing 4 more people and bringing the death toll of his illegal boat strikes to 99.
These murders violate U.S. and international law and must be stopped.
These murders violate U.S. and international law and must be stopped.
US strikes another boat in eastern Pacific, killing 4 | CNN Politics
The US military conducted a strike against another alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, killing 4 people, according to US Southern Command.
www.cnn.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Last night, President Trump bombed another civilian boat in international waters, killing 4 more people and bringing the death toll of his illegal boat strikes to 99.
These murders violate U.S. and international law and must be stopped.
These murders violate U.S. and international law and must be stopped.
Reposted by David J. Voelker
There is something Orwellian in using the word "sunset" as a verb to describe cutting academic programs. Sunsets are beautiful, and one knows the sun will rise again. This is...not that.
dailytarheel.com/article/univ...
dailytarheel.com/article/univ...
December 18, 2025 at 5:59 PM
There is something Orwellian in using the word "sunset" as a verb to describe cutting academic programs. Sunsets are beautiful, and one knows the sun will rise again. This is...not that.
dailytarheel.com/article/univ...
dailytarheel.com/article/univ...
Reposted by David J. Voelker
Trump Announces 5,000% Increase In All Numbers
Trump Announces 5,000% Increase In All Numbers
WASHINGTON—Touting his latest executive order as a historic win for the U.S. economy, President Donald Trump announced Friday that he was mandating a 5,000% increase in all numbers nationwide. “Effect...
theonion.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Trump Announces 5,000% Increase In All Numbers
Reposted by David J. Voelker
BREAKING: The House of Representatives passed a bill that would criminalize gender-affirming care for transgender youth under 18 and put doctors in prison for providing this care.
This bill is an unjustifiable threat to the well-being of trans youth and their families. The Senate must reject it.
This bill is an unjustifiable threat to the well-being of trans youth and their families. The Senate must reject it.
December 18, 2025 at 12:39 AM
BREAKING: The House of Representatives passed a bill that would criminalize gender-affirming care for transgender youth under 18 and put doctors in prison for providing this care.
This bill is an unjustifiable threat to the well-being of trans youth and their families. The Senate must reject it.
This bill is an unjustifiable threat to the well-being of trans youth and their families. The Senate must reject it.
Reposted by David J. Voelker
Unbelievable. This would be a terrible blow to American science, writ large. It would decimate not only climate research, but also the kind of weather, wildfire, and disaster research that has underpinned half a century of progress in prediction, early warning, and increased resilience.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Unbelievable. This would be a terrible blow to American science, writ large. It would decimate not only climate research, but also the kind of weather, wildfire, and disaster research that has underpinned half a century of progress in prediction, early warning, and increased resilience.
Reposted by David J. Voelker
So I have learned about Betteridge's Law today: "Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word 'no'."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteri...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteri...
Betteridge's law of headlines - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
December 16, 2025 at 3:00 AM
So I have learned about Betteridge's Law today: "Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word 'no'."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteri...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteri...
Comment period ends today! If you submit a comment, be sure to edit the template to be from an individual.
It wasn't long ago that women were forced to have a male co-signer to get a credit card or a home loan.
Now, the Trump administration wants to end protections against such discrimination.
Take 45 seconds today to say "No way." nationalfairhousingalliance.salsalabs.org/ecoaregb/ind...
Now, the Trump administration wants to end protections against such discrimination.
Take 45 seconds today to say "No way." nationalfairhousingalliance.salsalabs.org/ecoaregb/ind...
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released by the CFPB would eviscerate longstanding fair lending and consumer protections in three dangerous ways:
nationalfairhousingalliance.salsalabs.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Comment period ends today! If you submit a comment, be sure to edit the template to be from an individual.
Reposted by David J. Voelker
The Bill of Rights was ratified on this day in 1791.
For the last 105 years, we've defended those rights, alongside the entire Constitution, and we aren't stopping any time soon.
For the last 105 years, we've defended those rights, alongside the entire Constitution, and we aren't stopping any time soon.
December 15, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The Bill of Rights was ratified on this day in 1791.
For the last 105 years, we've defended those rights, alongside the entire Constitution, and we aren't stopping any time soon.
For the last 105 years, we've defended those rights, alongside the entire Constitution, and we aren't stopping any time soon.
Reposted by David J. Voelker
Shortly before I finished edits on MORE EVERYTHING FOREVER, an economist warned me against proposing a wealth tax with a cap on maximum net worth. He told me it was too unpopular and people would say I was out of touch with reality. I seriously considered listening to him.
I'm really glad I didn't.
I'm really glad I didn't.
"According to the…annual Harris Poll, for the 1st time, a majority of Americans believe billionaires are a threat to democracy. A remarkable 71% believe there should be a wealth tax. A majority believe there should be a cap on how much wealth a person can accumulate." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o...
Opinion | The Billionaires Have Gone Full Louis XV
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Shortly before I finished edits on MORE EVERYTHING FOREVER, an economist warned me against proposing a wealth tax with a cap on maximum net worth. He told me it was too unpopular and people would say I was out of touch with reality. I seriously considered listening to him.
I'm really glad I didn't.
I'm really glad I didn't.