thodson
thodson.bsky.social
thodson
@thodson.bsky.social
Podcast producer and host, journalist, attorney, former trial judge and higher education administrator. Director Emeritus of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and WOUB Public Media. I'm interested in law, politics & journalism.
SCOTUS has agreed to hear the birthright citizenship case. Lower courts have blocked Trump's interpretation that being born in this country automatically does not mean citizenship. The court will hear the case this term and will render a decision by early July.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US supreme court to decide on legality of Trump birthright citizenship order
Justices to take up case amid legal fight over order to heavily restrict right to birthright citizenship in US
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:22 PM
This has been posted on the White House website. It must be designed to protect both Trump and Hegseth. The old playbook of killing the messenger.

www.whitehouse.gov/mediabias/
Media Offenders
Explore the Media Bias Tracker that fact checks and holds Fake News accountable. False claims debunked, Hall of Shame for serial offenders, Leaderboard of networks ranked by Repeated Lies. Stay inform...
www.whitehouse.gov
December 5, 2025 at 2:36 PM
My column today in @athensindy.bsky.social brings you up-to-date on some important cases concerning the Athens cyber-heist, the flooding of the Quidel facility by fire training session and what's up with Nelsonville's form of government. Please read.
athensindependent.com/courts-12052...
Inside Courts: Cyber heist, Nelsonville and QuidelOrtho cases advance – Athens County Independent
Judge Patrick Lang has few precedents to draw on as he decides several unique cases. This week: the Laverde Laguna brothers.
athensindependent.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:36 PM
What an interesting concept...actually engaging the university community in some decision making. Well done UVa. Ohio University should consider this approach...But, no, it wouldn't fit with Ohio University's model of appeasement, compliance, and silence.
www.chronicle.com/article/uva-...
UVa Asked Its Community to Weigh in on Trump’s Compact. Here’s What They Said.
A survey seeking opinions on the controversial document elicited more than 2,000 responses — overwhelmingly in opposition.
www.chronicle.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:37 PM
The latest on Bobcats football coach as the university remains silent. This report indicates that Coach Smith was removed by the Athletic Director.
brobible.com/sports/artic...
Ohio Football Won't Address Coach's Mysterious Absence After Attorney Denial Of Unexplained Crimes
The Ohio football program has temporarily removed head coach Brian Smith from his post ahead of the Bobcats' upcoming bowl game. No explanation has been
brobible.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Another must read newsletter from @sykescharlie.bsky.social . He also highlights a great column by George Will.
"A sickening moral slum of an administration"
open.substack.com/pub/charlies...
"A sickening moral slum of an administration"
George Will's verdict.
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Young adults follow news less than ever before and the new they do follow is through social media, according to the latest Pew Research finding.
www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2...
Young Adults and the Future of News
U.S. adults under 30 follow news less closely than any other age group. And they’re more likely to get (and trust) news from social media.
www.pewresearch.org
December 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
But "affordability" is a con job according to Trump -- a hoax.
Time running out for Trump, lawmakers to fix soaring health care costs www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday
Time running out for Trump, lawmakers to fix soaring health care costs
Millions of Americans will see a big jump in prices after year's end - if a bipartisan agreement remains elusive to keep costs down
www.usatoday.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Affordability is not a scam. Just try buying groceries, or health insurance, or housing...
'Affordability is a con job by the Democrats,' Trump says www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday
'Affordability is a con job by the Democrats,' Trump says
Trump touted tariffs and lower inflation at a Cabinet meeting where he called Democratic complaints about 'affordability' a 'scam.'
www.usatoday.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Check this out. The gravity of his trafficking is almost beyond comprehension.
wapo.st/441LPkV
Former president of Honduras, convicted of trafficking, freed after Trump pardon
Juan Orlando Hernández was serving a 45-year sentence over drug trafficking. Following a pardon from President Donald Trump, he has been released.
wapo.st
December 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
This is Ohio University's statement regarding its football coach.
December 2, 2025 at 3:51 PM
WTF??? We are blowing Venezuelan boats out of the water and killing survivors...but at the same time, Trump pardons a guy who was sentenced to 45 years for international drug trafficking.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday
Amid anti-drug push, Trump pardons leader sentenced on cocaine charges
Trump said Nov. 28 that he planned to pardon the former Honduran leader, and a White House official confirmed Dec. 2 that the pardon had been issued.
www.usatoday.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:29 PM
In another attack on media, Trump's White House has added this page to its website. It attacks news media AND spews more misinformation and spin from Trump and his toadies.
Media Offenders www.whitehouse.gov/mediabias/
Media Offenders
Explore the Media Bias Tracker that fact checks and holds Fake News accountable. False claims debunked, Hall of Shame for serial offenders, Leaderboard of networks ranked by Repeated Lies. Stay inform...
www.whitehouse.gov
December 1, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Very interesting political analysis. Worth your time to read it.
Behind the Curtain: Volatility vortex www.axios.com/2025/12/01/a...
Behind the Curtain: Volatility vortex
What the swing voter giveth, the swing voter abruptly taketh away.
www.axios.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:40 PM
We'll see his MRI about the same time we see his health care plan and the Epstein files.
apnews.com/article/dona... 
Trump says he'll release MRI results; he doesn't know what part of his body was scanned
Trump says he'll release MRI results; he doesn't know what part of his body was scanned
President Donald Trump says he'll release the results of his MRI test that he received in October. During an exchange with reporters as he traveled back to Washington from Florida on Sunday, he said: ...
apnews.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:29 AM
The MAGA General Assembly wants to be in accord with Trump's Executive Order -- even though the order has NO power over the states.
Another MAGA strike to suppress voters. Will Gov. DeWine go back on his promise not to sign anymore voter restrictions?
www.statenews.org/2025-11-19/o...
Ohio Republicans vote to eliminate the four-day grace period for mail-in ballots
State lawmakers have approved a bill that wipes out the four-day grace period after election day for ballots to arrive at Ohio boards of elections.
www.statenews.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I call this micro-management by the MAGA Ohio General Assembly.
OU faculty prepare for new workload rules under SB 1 www.thepostathens.com/article/2025...
OU faculty prepare for new workload rules under SB 1
Senate Bill 1 requires Ohio universities to implement new systems for tracking faculty workload and post-tenure review. Professors in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism say the changes are reshapin...
www.thepostathens.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Ohio University alumni & alumni of The Post...be prepared. With Ohio's MAGA legislature and a university administration that is into appeasement and concessions, The Post soon could be a target of MAGA. Plan ahead.
One battle after another: Student papers in crisis.! 🦋
www.cjr.org/news/one-bat...
One battle after another: Student papers in crisis.
On university campuses, student papers are fighting their own administrations—and sometimes the government—for the right to report.
www.cjr.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Retired Judges Gayle Williams-Byers and Tom Hodson break down the defense of "vindictive prosecution. LISTEN and LEARN: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
November 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
This is what is on President Trump's mind at 6 a.m. on the Monday before Thanksgiving.
November 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Mamaw of Mamaw's Porch & Politics explains illegal military orders. She is a veteran of the military and makes so much sense.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6_F...
Mamaw explains illegal orders. A MUST watch!
YouTube video by Mamaw
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Rumors were circulating last night on social media that ICE was conducting raids on the Ohio University campus. Local police say the claims were false.
woub.org/2025/11/19/l...
Local police say there is no truth to rumors that ICE agents raided Ohio University dorms
The Athens police chief and a captain with the university police department told WOUB they are unaware of any raids by ICE.
woub.org
November 19, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Imagine if this woman were your wife, partner, friend, sister, niece, daughter, mom, or aunt and a fat old smelly President called her "piggy" just for asking a question. I am livid.
November 19, 2025 at 4:13 AM