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Erik Bleich @erikbleich.bsky.social · 20d

Our study on the politics of language in @polstudies.bsky.social looks at how terms like woke get strategically transformed and weaponized.

Political Studies @polstudies.bsky.social · 21d

Politicized pejoration - @erikbleich.bsky.social, Husam AlZubaidy, Andrey Cao, Abigail Chang, Nikki Sadat, Abby Ward & A Maurits van der Veen develop the concept through a case study of the term “woke” in the US. Read more: buff.ly/bjYRMM7

@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky #polsci

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Erik Bleich @erikbleich.bsky.social · Jun 16

Lab members Ting Cui and Eva Janairo examined the effect of Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric on media coverage. They show that words like "criminal", "murderer", and "invasion" spiked in his first term and never went down to pre-Trump levels. www.mediaandminorities.org/immigration/

Erik Bleich @erikbleich.bsky.social · May 2

The last of my lab's three-part series on media coverage of DEI is by Eva Janairo and YiJun Kim. They examine what happens when "DEI scandals" hit the news. They show the real costs to men and women of color who are stigmatized as "DEI hires". www.mediaandminorities.org/DEIscandals/

Media Portrayals of Minorities Project

www.mediaandminorities.org

Reposted by Erik Bleich

Kartik Raj @kartikraj.bsky.social · May 1

Interesting research on what exactly happened with DEI and its framing and representation in the media to end up where we are now, by a research project led by @erikbleich.bsky.social, with whom I first studied about race and ethnicity, all those years ago.

Erik Bleich @erikbleich.bsky.social · Apr 30

The second in my lab's series on DEI is by Andrey Cao and Ting Cui. They look at which groups are linked with DEI in the media. Race/ethnicity are mentioned far more than religion or disability--Black Americans most of all. Discussions of DEI are attached to some groups more than to others.

Media Portrayals of Minorities Project

www.mediaandminorities.org

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Erik Bleich @erikbleich.bsky.social · Apr 30

The second in my lab's series on DEI is by Andrey Cao and Ting Cui. They look at which groups are linked with DEI in the media. Race/ethnicity are mentioned far more than religion or disability--Black Americans most of all. Discussions of DEI are attached to some groups more than to others.

Media Portrayals of Minorities Project

www.mediaandminorities.org

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Kye @gxldsociety.bsky.social · Apr 30

BREAKING: ICE raided a home with 20 armed agents, ripped a mom & her 3 daughters out of bed in their underwear, held them in the rain for hours at gunpoint—with ZERO charges.

They’re U.S. citizens. This isn’t immigration enforcement. It’s state-sanctioned terror.

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Jake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · Apr 29

No other democracy has electoral institutions that make the least informed individuals in randomly important geographic locations the pivotal voters.

This isn't a problem of democracy. It's a problem of single member districts, presidentialism/Electoral College, and statehood/federalism.

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Erik Bleich @erikbleich.bsky.social · Apr 30

My Media Portrayals of Minorities Project lab is analyzing coverage of DEI in US newspapers in three contributions over the coming days. Here, Daniza Tazabekova and Abby Ward explore how DEI became embroiled in the culture wars between 2020 and 2024: www.mediaandminorities.org/DEIhistory/

Media Portrayals of Minorities Project

www.mediaandminorities.org

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Reposted by Erik Bleich

Brian Wasik @brianrwasik.bsky.social · Apr 28

There seems to be a conspiracy to make people mad online, cause @whstancil.bsky.social keeps being right. Opinion and politics in the social media age is increasingly just social construction and peer validation.

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · Apr 25

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · Apr 25

"the most brazenly corrupt thing a President has ever done"

Drew Harwell @drewharwell.com · Apr 24

New: We analyzed Trump's meme coin -

At least 27 crypto wallets have picked up $100 million worth of $TRUMP coins since his team said the top holders would join him for an "intimate private dinner."

Huge profit for Trump; "the most brazenly corrupt thing a President has ever done"

wapo.st/4iAatO1

How Trump team turned a dinner invite into a crypto boon worth millions

iNearly two dozen crypto wallets acquired more than 100,000 $TRUMP meme coins, worth roughly $100 million, after the team said top buyers could join the president for dinner.

www.washingtonpost.com

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David Carroll @davidcarroll.org · Apr 25

‘Competitive authoritarianism is a political system where elections occur, but the ruling party uses state power to unfairly disadvantage opposition parties, making the competition real but not fair.’

Brad Heath @bradheath.bsky.social · Apr 25

President Trump has personally ordered the Justice Department to open an investigation of Democrats' primary ways for raising donations.

It is the third time he has personally ordered an open-ended criminal investigation, each against a perceived political foe.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/u...

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Erik Bleich @erikbleich.bsky.social · Apr 8

Thanks for sharing. Would be nice to see something coordinated like this from current presidents.

Reposted by Erik Bleich

Dare Obasanjo @carnage4life.bsky.social · Apr 7

At this rate MAGA will only be able to afford to rent the libs.

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · Apr 6

A new high: 62% chance of a recession this year. For no reason. A self-inflicted wound.

Basically Trump is Cheddar Bob waving a gun around and shooting himself in the ****.

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Ken Klippenstein @kenklippenstein.bsky.social · Apr 2

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Maarten Vink @maartenpvink.bsky.social · Apr 2

A reminder that B2 level French is advanced intermediate level. It is of course good to master the language as well as possible, but requiring applicants for naturalisation to speak, listen and write at this level means that you're basically selecting by educational background.

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Ellie Margolis @elliemargolis.bsky.social · Apr 1

Over 80K people currently watching on Youtube.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCUK...

LIVE: Cory Booker speaks on the Senate floor

YouTube video by Associated Press

www.youtube.com

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Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · Apr 1

💥🇭🇺 Police have given up guarding Budapest’s Liberty Bridge as anti-government protesters shut down traffic on four major bridges, rallying against Viktor Orbán’s new law curbing freedom of assembly and banning the Pride march.

They vow to escalate with a 24-hour shutdown next week.

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Apr 1

Booker: "I confess that I have been imperfect. I confess that I've been inadequate to the moment. I've confess that the Democratic Party has made terrible mistakes that gave a lane to this demagogue. I confess we all must look in the mirror and say 'we will do better.'"

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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · Apr 1

what booker is doing right now is an example of what i mean when i say things like “we need more ambition right now.” there is room in american politics right now for people with ambition to take big stands and reap the rewards. he’s doing it!

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · Apr 1

Another cowardly institution bends the knee

Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · Apr 1

Latest law firm capitulation just dropped. $100 million in pro bono work for the Trump regime from Willkie Farr.

Donald J. Trump
@realDonald Trump
Today, President Donald J. Trump and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP ("Willkie") announce the following agreement regarding a series of actions to be taken by Willkie:
1. Willkie will provide a total of at least $100
Million Dollars in pro bono Legal Services, during the Trump Administration, and beyond, to causes that President Trump and Willkie both support, in relation to the following areas: Assisting Veterans and other Public Servants including, among others, members of the Military, Gold Star families, Law Enforcement, and First Responders;
Ensuring fairness in our Justice System; and Combatting Antisemitism. Willkie's pro bono
Committee will ensure that new pro bono matters are consistent with these objectives, and that pro bono activities represent the full political spectrum, including Conservative ideals.
2. Willkie affirms its commitment to Merit-Based Hiring, Promotion, and Retention. Accordingly, the Firm will not engage in illegal DEl discrimination and preferences. Willkie affirms that it is Willkie's policy to give Fair and Equal consideration to Job Candidates, irrespective of their political beliefs, including Candidates who

have served in the Trump Administration, and any other Republican or Democrat Administration. Willkie will engage independent outside counsel to advise the Firm in confirming that employment practices are fully compliant with Law, including, but not limited to, anti-discrimination Laws.
3. Willkie affirms that it will not deny representation to clients, such as members of politically disenfranchised groups and Government Officials, employees, and advisors, who have not historically received Legal representation from major National Law Firms, including in pro bono matters and in support of non-profits, because of the personal political views of individual lawyers.
Statement from the White House: "Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP proactively reached out to President Trump and his Administration, offering their decisive commitment to ending the Weaponization of the Justice System and the Legal Profession. The President is delivering on his promises of eradicating Partisan Lawfare in America, and restoring Liberty and Justice FOR

Statement from Thomas M. Cerabino, Chairman of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP: "We reached an agreement with President Trump and his Administration on matters of great importance to our Firm. The substance of that agreement is consistent with our Firm's views on access to Legal representation by clients, including pro bono clients, our commitment to complying with the Law as it relates to our employment practices, and our history of working with clients across a wide spectrum of political viewpoints.
The Firm looks forward to having a constructive relationship with the Trump Administration, and remains committed to serving the needs of our clients, our employees, and the communities of which we are a part."
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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · Apr 1

To his great credit

Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · Apr 1

NEW: Another Skadden attorney has resigned in protest, citing the law firm’s decision to strike a deal with Trump.

“Skadden is on the wrong side of history. I could no longer stay knowing that someday I would have to explain why I stayed,” the lawyer, Thomas Sipp, wrote in his resignation letter.

Resignation
Dear colleagues and friends,
I just spoke to many of you. Thank you for listening. I am writing to let you know that I am leaving this firm.
There was a time when my employment here was so unlikely. For much of my early childhood, I was not a good student. I struggled to focus in class and take anything (other than my friendships) seriously.
But even then, there was one subject I loved: history. I thought it was so wonderful to learn about all that came before me, about the triumphs and tragedies, about the moments of individual bravery and collective complacency. And I loved recognizing the patterns in the stories across time and space. This rhyming nature of history informed and continues to inform my deeply held belief-that self-evident truth-that all humans are created equal. And that our individual differences are the product of our times and circumstances, and that who we are is shaped by what we choose to do.
While learning about these stories, many of them avoidable tragedies, I would often imagine myself faced with the same dilemmas. What would I do if I was there? Would I do the right thing? It always felt like there was no way to know.

<
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Resignation
く
I believe, as I know many of you do, that what the current presidential administration is doing is wrong. That we are sliding into an autocracy where those in power are above the rule of law. Skadden's agreement with the Trump administration sent our country deeper down this descent.
I am sure some of you will question my decision and chalk it up to me being a young attorney too eager to throw his career away. I am sure there will also be those of you who will think of me as naïve.
But there was a time when I sincerely believed that this place was committed to its true pro bono causes and diversity initiatives, even though these things may not always be lucrative, because it believed these things would make the world, and this firm, a better place. Having held itself out as a champion for these values, for this firm to turn its back on them so suddenly and so easily was shameful. I am embarrassed to work here. How can Skadden represent others when it can't even stand up for itself?

It has also become clear to me that this firm no longer tolerates open discourse. Ahead of Friday's announcement, the firm took preemptive action to silence critics by covertly limiting our access to firmwide distribution lists. This was a clear effort to silence criticism of the firm's decision.
The consequences of Skadden's agreement with the Trump administration go beyond our own firm. It legitimized behavior that threatens our democracy.
As lawyers, we have an obligation to uphold the rule of law. This responsibility does not end when profits are threatened by a burgeoning autocracy.
I am making this decision to leave even though I was happy here. I have made so many great friends at this firm and learned from many great mentors.
Thank you so much, I will miss you all dearly. And I am making this decision knowing that not everyone can leave as readily as I can, that many of you have families who depend on the income you earn here—I do not mean to shame you into leaving, only to explain my decision.
Skadden is on the wrong side of history. I could no longer stay knowing that someday I would have to explain why I stayed.
Sincerely,
Thomas Sipp

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · Apr 1

Nyhan's leadership lesson for university presidents and law firm partners - don't be Lando

cc: @harvard.edu

Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · Mar 21

Lando's leadership of Cloud City in The Empire Strikes Back turned out to be a tragically prescient parable for our time. Leaders of institutions: Pay attention! A story in four parts.

cc: Paul Weiss, Columbia University
bcc: all law firms, universities, and civil society organizations

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Kathy Stanchi @katstanchi.bsky.social · Mar 28

Now that’s how you do it. Bravo @wilmerhale.bsky.social!

Also that’s big law speak for “we’re going to kick your ass to hell and back and smile while doing it”

Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · Mar 28

Statement from WilmerHale on Trump’s executive order targeting the firm:

“We look forward to pursuing all appropriate remedies to this unlawful order.”

thehill.com/homenews/adm...

"Our firm has a longstanding tradition of representing a wide range of clients, including in matters against administrations of both parties," the spokesperson said in a statement. "The Executive Order references Robert Mueller, who retired from our firm in 2021, and had a long, distinguished career in public service, from his time as a Marine Corps officer in Vietnam to his leadership of the FBI in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
"We remain committed to providing the expert representation that our clients are entitled to and rely upon," the spokesperson added.
"We look
forward to pursuing all appropriate remedies to this unlawful order”

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