Finn Pollard
@heresfinn.bsky.social
Head of Academic Quality. Associate Prof (US History). Pollard's US Politics Thread (Fridays). Arts Reviewer. Lib Dem/Remainer. Views my own not UoL.
Some of these questions may be answered when the US Politics Thread returns. Meanwhile, thanks as ever for reading and have a great weekend. (35/35)
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Some of these questions may be answered when the US Politics Thread returns. Meanwhile, thanks as ever for reading and have a great weekend. (35/35)
And so we’ve made it through another week. Will Trump expand the National Guard deployment? Will Hegseth get Senator Kelly recalled to active duty? Will the GOP congressional caucus or Trump manage to come up with a health care plan? (34/35)
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
And so we’ve made it through another week. Will Trump expand the National Guard deployment? Will Hegseth get Senator Kelly recalled to active duty? Will the GOP congressional caucus or Trump manage to come up with a health care plan? (34/35)
And finally, Erotic Poetry of the Week, or the endless saga of the Health Secretary Kennedy & journalists Nuzzi and Lizza love triangle continues: uk.news.yahoo.com/nothing-crin... (33/35)
There’s nothing as cringeworthy as a man sending you bad poetry
As an act of revenge, it is Oscar-worthy. Olympic Gold standard. Stellar and sublime. Because what on earth could be more humiliating to a man than the publication of his execrable poetry?
uk.news.yahoo.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
And finally, Erotic Poetry of the Week, or the endless saga of the Health Secretary Kennedy & journalists Nuzzi and Lizza love triangle continues: uk.news.yahoo.com/nothing-crin... (33/35)
Second, The American Prospect on whether Trump has started to slip into lame duck territory: prospect.org/2025/11/21/i... (32/35)
Is Trump a Lame Duck Yet? - The American Prospect
He is clearly weaker—and also more dangerous. But the more Republicans are willing to stand up to him, the more his threats ring hollow.
prospect.org
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Second, The American Prospect on whether Trump has started to slip into lame duck territory: prospect.org/2025/11/21/i... (32/35)
First, we recommend Julia Azari’s piece at Good Politics/Bad Politics on Trump and his mandate: goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/trump-is-l... (31/35)
Trump is learning the limits of mandate politics. Maybe.
After the 2024 election, Trump and his communication team – especially press secretary Karoline Leavitt – seized on the idea that his 49.8% of the popular vote constituted a historic mandate. This, ac...
goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
First, we recommend Julia Azari’s piece at Good Politics/Bad Politics on Trump and his mandate: goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/trump-is-l... (31/35)
We also want to highlight two pieces reflecting on the extent to which limits may be reasserting themselves on the Trump administration (it has certainly seemed to us that there’s been a little shift in mainstream media reporting since the Nov election results). (30/35)
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
We also want to highlight two pieces reflecting on the extent to which limits may be reasserting themselves on the Trump administration (it has certainly seemed to us that there’s been a little shift in mainstream media reporting since the Nov election results). (30/35)
And here’s Law Dork’s piece: www.lawdork.com/p/the-two-sh... (29/35)
The two shot National Guard troops never should have been in DC. More troops is no answer.
The violence is horrible and unacceptable. Trump, Pete Hegseth, and West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey never should have put the troops in this position.
www.lawdork.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
And here’s Law Dork’s piece: www.lawdork.com/p/the-two-sh... (29/35)
Trump also seems to be pushing for an expansion of the National Guard troop deployment in response. Both the Atlantic and Law Dork published strong pieces arguing against this & the Guard deployment full stop: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1... (28/35)
A Terrible and Avoidable Tragedy in D.C.
Trump was warned that members of the military could be attacked.
www.theatlantic.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Trump also seems to be pushing for an expansion of the National Guard troop deployment in response. Both the Atlantic and Law Dork published strong pieces arguing against this & the Guard deployment full stop: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1... (28/35)
Trump then (following identification of shooter as an Afghan immigrant who came to US under programme designed to protect those who’d worked with US following the Taliban takeover) called for all admitted under that to be “re-examined”: www.nbcnews.com/politics/don... (27/35)
Trump says U.S. must 're-examine' everyone who came from Afghanistan under Biden after National Guard shooting
Shortly after the president's remarks, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it was halting the processing of immigration requests for Afghan nationals.
www.nbcnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Trump then (following identification of shooter as an Afghan immigrant who came to US under programme designed to protect those who’d worked with US following the Taliban takeover) called for all admitted under that to be “re-examined”: www.nbcnews.com/politics/don... (27/35)
Trump immediately responded to this with further anti-immigration rhetoric. It was announced that additional screening measures would be adopted for immigrants from 19 countries but a list doesn’t appear to have been issued: apnews.com/article/trum... (26/35)
Trump says he wants to 'permanently pause' migration to the US from poorer countries
President Donald Trump says he wants to “permanently pause migration” from poorer nations and is promising to seek to expel millions of immigrants from the United States by revoking their legal status...
apnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Trump immediately responded to this with further anti-immigration rhetoric. It was announced that additional screening measures would be adopted for immigrants from 19 countries but a list doesn’t appear to have been issued: apnews.com/article/trum... (26/35)
We’ve been short on time and energy this week so we’re going to end with one other story, the tragic shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington D.C. (one of whom subsequently died). (25/35)
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
We’ve been short on time and energy this week so we’re going to end with one other story, the tragic shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington D.C. (one of whom subsequently died). (25/35)
Propublica have an important piece on ICE’s scaling up of separation of children from their families & the lengthy detentions they’re being subjected to: www.propublica.org/article/ice-... (24/35)
ICE Sent 600 Immigrant Kids to Detention in Federal Shelters This Year. It’s a New Record.
Under a zero tolerance policy, the first Trump administration separated immigrant children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border. New data suggests separations are happening all over the count...
www.propublica.org
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Propublica have an important piece on ICE’s scaling up of separation of children from their families & the lengthy detentions they’re being subjected to: www.propublica.org/article/ice-... (24/35)
While ICE keeps claiming to be going after criminals, stats continue to show how questionable that is (& as we’ve in threads passim seen even where detainees do have criminal record/conviction it's often not for serious crimes ICE claims to be going after): www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-det... (23/35)
The number of non-criminal detainees arrested by ICE has surged by 2,000% under Trump. These charts show who's in detention.
The number of immigration detainees without criminal records held in detention after getting arrested by ICE has increased by over 2,000% since the start of the second Trump administration.
www.cbsnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
While ICE keeps claiming to be going after criminals, stats continue to show how questionable that is (& as we’ve in threads passim seen even where detainees do have criminal record/conviction it's often not for serious crimes ICE claims to be going after): www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-det... (23/35)
In San Diego ICE are continuing to arrest people participating in the green card process, including wives of military veterans: www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/i... (22/35)
'I kind of feel betrayed': ICE arrests military spouses at San Diego green card interviews
As ICE continues to arrest people in San Diego during their green card interviews, the final step in a legal pathway, some of the people taken into custody have been spouses of military members and ve...
www.nbcsandiego.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
In San Diego ICE are continuing to arrest people participating in the green card process, including wives of military veterans: www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/i... (22/35)
There’s more on the ICE’s actions in Oregon here: www.oregonlive.com/news/2025/11... (21/35)
ICE rumors multiply fears in Oregon amid Trump crackdown
Sorting fact from fiction is increasingly difficult as ICE tactics intensify and fear spreads.
www.oregonlive.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
There’s more on the ICE’s actions in Oregon here: www.oregonlive.com/news/2025/11... (21/35)
Several reports claim the 17yr old is a US citizen though this doesn’t appear to have been verified. Homeland Security claim he used his car to “violently attack” ICE agents, but their statements have often proved unreliable during this crackdown: www.oregonlive.com/portland/202... (20/35)
Oregon teenager’s ICE detention sparks high school walkout
Hundreds of McMinnville High students walked out Monday, days after ICE detained Christian Jimenez, 17.
www.oregonlive.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Several reports claim the 17yr old is a US citizen though this doesn’t appear to have been verified. Homeland Security claim he used his car to “violently attack” ICE agents, but their statements have often proved unreliable during this crackdown: www.oregonlive.com/portland/202... (20/35)
In Oregon this week a 17yr old high school student was arrested during the lunch period: www.opb.org/article/2025... (19/35)
ICE arrests McMinnville High School student during Friday lunch period
Family told local news the 17-year-old is a U.S. citizen.
www.opb.org
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
In Oregon this week a 17yr old high school student was arrested during the lunch period: www.opb.org/article/2025... (19/35)
We’ve been discussing the ICE deportation campaign a lot in recent weeks. This week there was yet another questionable arrest this time with a White House connection: edition.cnn.com/2025/11/26/p... (18/35)
A mother was taken into custody by ICE. Then the public learned of her family tie to the White House | CNN Politics
Bruna Ferreira came to the US from Brazil as a child, and by all accounts, lived a life like any American: playing on the high school tennis team, getting married and divorced, building a small busine...
edition.cnn.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
We’ve been discussing the ICE deportation campaign a lot in recent weeks. This week there was yet another questionable arrest this time with a White House connection: edition.cnn.com/2025/11/26/p... (18/35)
While we’re on ICE and the courts, a judge in Colorado has put limits on ICE’s ability to make warrantless arrests: www.cpr.org/2025/11/25/j... (17/35)
Court demands end to unjustified warrantless arrests, restricting a tool ICE frequently uses to detain immigrants
Unless reversed on appeal, it is likely to place a severe restriction on ICE’s operations in Colorado.
www.cpr.org
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
While we’re on ICE and the courts, a judge in Colorado has put limits on ICE’s ability to make warrantless arrests: www.cpr.org/2025/11/25/j... (17/35)
Readers may recall months ago court ordered govt halt deportations to El Salvador & govt deported people anyway. A contempt of court investigation is in process with ex-Trump lawyer now judge Bove and Homeland Security Sec Noem named as relevant witnesses: www.lawdork.com/p/aclu-lawye... (16/35)
DOJ lawyers state that DHS Sec. Kristi Noem made decision not to return March 15 flights
Also Tuesday, ACLU lawyers name Emil Bove, now a federal judge, as a possible witness in Boasberg's contempt inquiry over the flights. And, for paid subscribers: Closing my tabs.
www.lawdork.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Readers may recall months ago court ordered govt halt deportations to El Salvador & govt deported people anyway. A contempt of court investigation is in process with ex-Trump lawyer now judge Bove and Homeland Security Sec Noem named as relevant witnesses: www.lawdork.com/p/aclu-lawye... (16/35)
The main Trump & the courts action this week apart from Comey/Halligan was over ICE. The govt’s attempt to deport Abrego Garcia continues but their claim Costa Rica (where he is willing to go) will not accept him has been contradicted: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/abre... (15/35)
Abrego v. Noem: A Hearing Diary for Nov. 20
A live-blog of testimony and argument at the hearing at which Judge Xinis weighed Abrego Garcia’s petition seeking release.
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The main Trump & the courts action this week apart from Comey/Halligan was over ICE. The govt’s attempt to deport Abrego Garcia continues but their claim Costa Rica (where he is willing to go) will not accept him has been contradicted: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/abre... (15/35)
It was notable that a group of GOP & Dem Colorado election officials made a public request that the Dem governor reject Trump’s request: coloradonewsline.com/2025/11/25/c... (14/35)
Colorado clerks decry 'offensive' silence from Gov. Polis on feds' Tina Peters request | Colorado Newsline
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has requested the Colorado Department of Corrections "initiate the transfer" of the former Mesa County clerk.
coloradonewsline.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
It was notable that a group of GOP & Dem Colorado election officials made a public request that the Dem governor reject Trump’s request: coloradonewsline.com/2025/11/25/c... (14/35)
While we’re on Trump and court related matters, the President has been trying to get Tina Peters (jailed for tampering with voting machines in 2020) transferred to a federal prison. Doesn’t look like Colorado will oblige: coloradosun.com/2025/11/26/t... (13/35)
Colorado is “not currently seeking a transfer” of Tina Peters to federal custody
The Colorado Department of Corrections is indicating it has no plans to grant the Trump administration’s request that Peters be moved out of state prison to a federal facility
coloradosun.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
While we’re on Trump and court related matters, the President has been trying to get Tina Peters (jailed for tampering with voting machines in 2020) transferred to a federal prison. Doesn’t look like Colorado will oblige: coloradosun.com/2025/11/26/t... (13/35)
While Trump was accusing those lawmakers of sedition stories were published strongly suggesting that Trump’s Middle East envoy Witkoff has been acting like a Russian “agent of influence”: phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/the-bloomb... (12/35)
The Bloomberg Story Demonstrated Just How Much Some People Will Make Excuses For Trump
Hi All,
phillipspobrien.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
While Trump was accusing those lawmakers of sedition stories were published strongly suggesting that Trump’s Middle East envoy Witkoff has been acting like a Russian “agent of influence”: phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/the-bloomb... (12/35)
The FBI is also demanding interviews with the Senators & Reps in the video though to what end (apart from the obvious attempt to intimidate) is unclear: www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus... (11/35)
FBI seeks interviews with six Democrats Trump accused of 'seditious behavior'
The lawmakers, who released a video urging members of the military and the intelligence community not to follow illegal orders, accused Trump of trying to intimidate them.
www.nbcnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The FBI is also demanding interviews with the Senators & Reps in the video though to what end (apart from the obvious attempt to intimidate) is unclear: www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus... (11/35)