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Johann Neem

@johannneem.bsky.social

1.5K followers 140 following 150 posts

Scholar of the American Revolution and the Early American Republic, education. Author of "What's the Point of College? Seeking Purpose in an Age of Reform" and "Democracy's Schools: The Rise of Public Education in America." Website: https://johannneem.com

johannneem.com

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · Aug 11

In my contribution to @newrepublic.com's issue on Trump and history, I argue that Trump has wrapped himself in the mantle of the American Revolution while undermining its principles.

Trump Is the Enemy of the American Revolution

He has produced a crisis much like the one the colonists faced two and a half centuries ago. Now it’s our responsibility to uphold the Founders’ legacy.

newrepublic.com

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 20h

Cities are being occupied by a rogue federal govt-- now is the time for us to figure out how to form a resistance that connects us across the country-- and not to retreat into our own private gardens and hope this all passes...

This is no time for self-care

It is a time to act

jneem.substack.com

Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 1d

Joseph Fishkin: "This compact is a “reward” in exactly the same sense that it is “rewarding” to purchase protection from the Mafia." The Campus Compact is an illegal effort to take away universities' federal benefits if they don't obey in advance.

Balkinization: The Art of Replacing the Law with the Deal

A group blog on constitutional law, theory, and politics

balkin.blogspot.com

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 1d

In my latest post I ask whether our focus on self-care is getting in the way of solidarity and resistance-- of taking the risks we need to take to protect those very places we value most.

This is no time for self-care

It is a time to act

jneem.substack.com

Reposted by Johann Neem

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 2d

This is a breathtaking abuse of the law and power by the President of the United States.

America is on the brink of martial law.

Do not be silent.

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 2d

This evening, President Trump is ordering 400 members of the Texas National Guard for deployments to Illinois, Oregon, and other locations within the United States. No officials from the federal government called me directly to discuss or coordinate.

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Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 4d

Again and again we see federal judges standing up for the rule of law, and again and again these positive moments are undermined by the suspicion that SCOTUS will undercut them.

Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 4d

BREAKING: A federal judge says there is a realistic likelihood that the prosecution of Kilmar Abrego Garcia was driven by vindictive motives — reflected in the public statements of Bondi, Blanche, Noem et al.

He has ordered discovery on the question.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

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AAUP @aaup.org · 5d

The Trump admin’s offer to give preferential treatment to institutions that toe the party line reeks of bribery in exchange for allegiance to a partisan ideological agenda.

This is corruption.

Adherence to ‘loyalty oaths’ would usher in a new era of thought policing in American higher education.

Universities Must Reject Trump Admin 'Loyalty Oath' Compacts

The AAUP and AFT warn that the Trump administration’s offer to give preferential treatment to colleges and universities that court government favor in exchange for allegiance to a partisan ideological...

www.aaup.org

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Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 6d

Some schools will be starved of resources. Other schools will be offered bribes. The end goal is the same. To make the universities an extension of the Trump administration. Shame on any of these institutions willing to take the bribes.

Letters on Wednesday were going out to solicit agreement and feedback from Vanderbilt University, Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Texas, the University of Arizona, Brown University and the University of Virginia, according to an administration official.

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Adam "I Was Hoping We Could Keep It" Laats @adamlaats.bsky.social · 8d

Here's a gift link so you can read this fantastic column by @pastpunditry.bsky.social:

Dr. Hemmer nails it: "the modern right in America *emerged* as a censorious movement."

So true--you can see the pattern everywhere--here are a couple more examples: 🧵

Opinion | The Right Didn’t Catch Cancel Culture From the Left

www.nytimes.com

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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 7d

the president of the united states wants to use the american military to kill american citizens on american soil. that's the whole story!

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 9d

Two quotes demonstrate why Trump lacks the character to lead a free people:
1) "...the person or persons on whom the sovereignty is confer'd by the people, shall incessantly consult their good."- James Otis 1764;
2) "I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them." - Donald Trump 2025

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Adam Rothman enjoys a good sandwich @adamrothman.bsky.social · 12d

Proud of my colleagues! 🗃
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...

Citizen historians document Smithsonian exhibits under White House scrutiny

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex. It's a public-private trust that has long operated at arm's length from the White House, but now finds itself...

www.pbs.org

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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 12d

Let’s spell this out. Trump fired a qualified U.S. attorney who refused to do his bidding and installed his own personal lawyer to punish a perceived opponent. Justice needs to follow the law, not politics.

This is an attack on the rule of law. Full stop.

Former FBI Director James Comey indicted days after Trump demanded his DOJ move 'now' to prosecute enemies

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted just days after President Trump issued a public demand for the DOJ to act "now" to prosecute him, sources say.

abcnews.go.com

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Larry Glickman @larryglickman.bsky.social · 12d

May Mailman, the Trump administration’s point person in its crackdown on higher education, relies on culture war cliches in making her case rather than evidence or law.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/o...

Opinion | The Grand Strategy Behind Trump’s Crackdown on Academia

www.nytimes.com

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 12d

2) My original essay in @edweek.org can be found here:

How the Supreme Court Is Making Public Education Itself Unconstitutional (Opinion)

In a recent ruling, the high court took a step toward effectively outlawing public schools.

www.edweek.org

Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 12d

1) I had a lovely conversation about the #USSC Mahmoud decision with @jenniferberkshire.bsky.social concerning parental rights and why I think the Supreme Court may use the 1st amendment-- against history and tradition-- to render public schools unconstitutional.

An Existential Threat

Could the Supreme Court outlaw public schools?

educationwars.substack.com

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 15d

2) If we're not a democracy, that means that Trump-- indeed our govt-- is no longer legitimate. The federal govt's dictates are no longer laws but force. We are no longer bound to obey the person who has usurped the presidency-- he's a thief, not a president. We are in a moment of lawlessness.

Donald Trump Is No Longer the President of the United States

We must accept what is happening

jneem.substack.com

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 15d

1) It's hard to believe, but we are no longer a democracy. It is good that journalists like @mjtoma.bsky.social are now saying it openly and honestly. It's a risk to them to state honestly what we no longer can deny. But we need to face the truth.

It’s Happened: The United States of America Is No Longer a Democracy

Trump’s prosecution order to Bondi gives up the pretense. And the country is headed swiftly into unknown territory.

newrepublic.com

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Reposted by Johann Neem

Holly Brewer @earlymodjustice.bsky.social · 17d

The infant mortality rate in Mississippi is now
one in a hundred.
1%

ohmpills.bsky.social @ohmpills.bsky.social · 21d

Mississippi declared a public health emergency in August after its health department found that the state infant mortality rate had increased in 2024 to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births – its highest point in more than a decade.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Mississippi declares infant deaths emergency as CDC program that could have helped is halted

State forced to stop gathering critical data on pregnancy experiences after Trump administration’s shakeup

www.theguardian.com

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The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 19d

The president told reporters that networks are “not allowed” to excessively bash him.
trib.al/E3AA47x

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 20d

This #ConstitutionDay we have to ask ourselves if we are protected by our Constitution any longer. We need to take seriously the threat Trump poses to our liberties- to the American experiment in republican self-government, as I argue here in the @newrepublic.com

Trump Is the Enemy of the American Revolution

He has produced a crisis much like the one the colonists faced two and a half centuries ago. Now it’s our responsibility to uphold the Founders’ legacy.

newrepublic.com

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 22d

"To speak of Kirk as a champion of reasoned discussion is also to ignore his frequent calls for the state suppression of his political opponents."- Jamelle Bouie

Opinion | Charlie Kirk Didn’t Shy Away From Who He Was. We Shouldn’t Either.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Johann Neem

Brooke Newman @brookenewman.bsky.social · 28d

Professors can no longer talk about “gender”—but it’s fine to lust after, objectify, and exploit pre-pubescent and underage girls in Trump’s America.

A caricature of Trump’s Epstein drawing next to pieces of Lady Liberty

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 28d

More evidence that academic freedom is dead in Texas. Agree with @kevincarey1.bsky.social that @tamu.bsky.social is no longer a legitimate university.

Kevin Carey @kevincarey1.bsky.social · 29d

The most chilling part of the video is when the student says the professor is violating "the President's laws." Texas A&M is not a real, or American, university.

Dan Hirschman @asociologist.bsky.social · 29d

Texas A&M’s President just removed a dean and department head from their positions after they supported a professor whose lesson on gender was challenged by a student. www.kbtx.com/2025/09/09/a...

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 29d

USSC denies brown-skinned Americans basic 4th amendment protections.

Trump Administration Live Updates: Supreme Court Lifts Restrictions on Immigration Stops in L.A.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Johann Neem

Holly Brewer @earlymodjustice.bsky.social · Sep 7

Trump administration chooses to support noncompete agreements, meaning it’s harder for workers to leave their jobs.

Trump Just Killed One Of The Biggest Progressive Reforms In Years

The Federal Trade Commission's lone Democrat said the GOP majority was “choosing the side of controlling bosses over American workers.”

www.huffpost.com

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